KR102629481B1 - Lighting module for vehicle headlight including lens module with shield comprising a plurality of patterns to be position-shifted - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a lighting module for automobile headlights, comprising: a light source; a field lens collimating light rays from the light source; And a lens complex including a light entrance portion through which collimated light rays are incident, a light exit portion through which the incident light rays are emitted, and a shield positioned between the light entrance portion and the light exit portion, wherein the light entrance surface of the light entrance portion and the light exit portion The light exit surface of the miner is composed of a two-dimensional array of small lenses with the same or different curvatures that correspond to each other, and the shield is formed by the small lenses on the light entrance surface of the light entrance unit and the light exit surface of the light exit unit corresponding to each other. A plurality of patterns corresponding to each of the small lenses on the image are configured to overlap to form one projection image, and each of the plurality of patterns has a defined first position as a reference, and the position changes from this according to a predetermined formula. It is characterized by being As a result, the manufacturing cost can be lowered and mass production can be secured.

Description

Lighting module for automobile headlights including a lens complex including a shield composed of a plurality of position-shifted patterns {LIGHTING MODULE FOR VEHICLE HEADLIGHT INCLUDING LENS MODULE WITH SHIELD COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PATTERNS TO BE POSITION-SHIFTED}

The present invention relates to a lighting module for automobile headlights, and more particularly, to a lighting module for automobile headlights including a lens composite including a shield.

Micro-lens arrays containing a plurality of micro-lenses are widely used in micro-optics fields such as optical communication and direct image observation.

Recently, micro lens arrays have been used as lighting modules for automobile headlights. For example, referring to Figure 1, Domestic Publication No. 2021-0112667 includes a light source 100 and a collimator 200 provided in front of the light source. , and an automotive lamp structure including an MLA module (micro lens array module, 300) that receives light generated from the light source 100 and emitted through the collimator 200 and re-emits it to the outside, and includes a plurality of lenses. is starting. At this time, the MLA module 300 includes a shield 330 provided between the entrance lens unit 310 and the exit lens unit 350, an entrance body unit 320 supporting the entrance lens unit 310, and an exit lens unit ( It consists of an emitting body portion 340 that supports 350).

With this structure, in addition to performing the welcome light function, at most it implements only one low beam light distribution law applicable to lighting modules for automobile headlights, which increases implementation stability, but has the disadvantage of high manufacturing costs due to low mass production. .

As a result, there is a need for a lighting module for automobile headlights that can implement multiple light distribution laws, including DRL light distribution laws as well as low beam light distribution laws, while lowering manufacturing costs and securing mass production.

KR 2021-0112667 A KR 2021-0116273 A

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a lighting module for automobile headlights that can secure mass production by lowering the manufacturing cost by including a lens composite including a shield composed of a plurality of patterns with position transitions. It is there.

Another object of the present invention is to include a shield composed of a plurality of patterns whose positions are shifted and a lens complex including a light receiving surface or a light emitting surface to which area division according to the light distribution pattern is applied, enabling the implementation of a plurality of light distribution laws. The purpose is to provide lighting modules for automobile headlights.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

The above object is, according to one aspect of the present invention,

light source;

a field lens collimating light rays from the light source; and

It includes a lens complex including a light entering portion through which collimated light rays are incident, a light exiting portion through which the incident light rays are emitted, and a shield positioned between the light entering portion and the light exiting portion,

The light incident surface of the light incident unit and the light exit surface of the light exit unit are composed of a two-dimensional array of small lenses corresponding to each other and having the same or different curvatures, and the shield is a small lens on the light incident surface of the light incident unit that corresponds to each other. A plurality of patterns corresponding to each pair of lenses and small lenses on the light exit surface of the light exit unit are configured to overlap to form one projection image,

Each of the plurality of patterns has a defined first position as a reference, and from this Characterized by a position transition according to the formula, where x is the distance at which the first position is located from the center of the lens complex, y is the size of the transition position, n is n≠1 or n=1, and a is a factor that controls the size of the transition position,

This is achieved by a lighting module for automobile headlights.

At this time, each of the small lenses on the light entering surface of the light entering part and the small lenses on the light exiting surface of the light exiting part are formed convexly, and the shield includes small lenses on the light entering surface of the light entering part and the small lenses on the light exiting surface of the light exiting part. It is desirable for the focal points of the small lenses to be arranged.

In addition, the light entering surface of the light entering part or the light exiting surface of the light exiting part is divided into at least one area according to a different light distribution pattern, such as zone 3, middle, hot, and wide, and is configured to form a low beam light distribution, or Alternatively, it may be configured to form high beam light distribution, daytime running lights (DRL), and signal beam light distribution over the entire area without being divided into areas according to different light distribution patterns.

Furthermore, the light entering or exiting part of the lens composite is preferably made of glass or a polymer-based transparent material.

According to the lighting module for automobile headlights of the present invention as described above, the advantage is that the manufacturing cost can be reduced and mass production can be secured by including a lens complex including a shield composed of a plurality of patterns with position transitions. there is.

In addition, according to the lighting module for automobile headlights of the present invention, it includes a shield composed of a plurality of patterns whose positions are shifted, and a lens complex including a light receiving surface or a light emitting surface to which area division according to the light distribution pattern is applied. It has the advantage of being able to implement light distribution regulations.

1 is a diagram showing a lamp structure for an automobile according to the prior art.
Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lighting module for automobile headlights according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a lens composite according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a shield composed of such a plurality of patterns.
Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating performance degradation due to rotation when the alignment is not performed.
Figures 6 and 7 schematically show an example in which the first composite lens, shield, and second composite lens according to the present invention are stacked and arranged, respectively.
Figure 8 shows an example of an area where one arbitrary pattern can be located in the structure of a shield in which a plurality of patterns can be arranged.
9 are graphs showing examples of position transition equations according to the present invention.
Figure 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of small lenses depending on whether the light distribution pattern is distinguished.
Figure 11 is a diagram showing a light distribution graph for each area according to light distribution regulations.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the contents depicted in the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited or limited by the exemplary embodiments. The same reference numerals in each drawing indicate members that perform substantially the same function.

Terms containing ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first component may be named a second component without departing from the scope of the present invention, and similarly, the second component may also be named a first component. The terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The terms used in the present invention are general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the functions in the present invention, but this may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person working in the art, the emergence of new technology, etc. In addition, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply the name of the term.

When it is said that a part "includes" a certain element throughout the specification, this means that, unless specifically stated to the contrary, it does not exclude other elements but may further include other elements.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lighting module for automobile headlights according to the present invention, and Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a lens composite according to the present invention.

Referring to Figure 2, the lighting module 1 for automobile headlights according to the present invention includes a light source 10, a field lens 20 that collimates light rays from the light source 10 in parallel; and a light entering portion 31 through which light rays from the light source 10 are collimated and incident, a light exiting portion 35 through which the incident rays are emitted, and a shield 33 located between the light entering portion 31 and the light exiting portion 35. ) and a lens complex 30 containing.

The light source 10 can use various light sources such as LED and LD. In particular, it is preferable that it is a power LED of 1W or more with 1 chip or more and a radiation characteristic FWHM specification of approximately 120°±10%.

The field lens 20 is a lens that changes light rays from the light source 10 into parallel light characteristics, and preferably has a collimation angle of FWHM ±8° or less.

The lens composite 30 may be made of glass or a polymer-based transparent material such as polycarbonate (PC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), cyclic olefin polymer (COP), or cyclic olefin copolymer (COC). Alternatively, at least the light entering or exiting part of the lens composite 30 is made of glass or a transparent polymer such as polycarbonate (PC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), cyclic olefin polymer (COP), or cyclic olefin copolymer (COC). It is preferable that it is made of material.

Each of the light incident portion 31 or the light exit portion 35 includes a light incident surface through which light rays are incident and a light exit surface through which the incident light rays are emitted. Each of the light incident surface of the light incident portion 31 and the light exit surface of the light exit portion 35 is composed of a two-dimensional array of small lenses, and these small lenses have the same or different curvatures.

Each of the small lenses on the light incident surface of the light incident unit 31 and the light exit surface of the light exit unit 35 may have a concave or convex shape, such as rotationally symmetrical, anamorphic, or freeform surface, and may also include reflection, transmission, and freeform surfaces. It may be composed of two or more optical surfaces, including optical properties such as absorption, diffraction, and scattering, but is not limited thereto.

The small lenses on the light incident surface of the light incident unit 31 and the small lenses on the light exit surface of the light exit unit 35 may be different in area, number, and location, but preferably, the entrance of the light incident unit 31 The small lenses on the light surface and the small lenses on the light exit surface of the light exit portion 35 are the same in area, number, and location. In other words, it is preferable that the small lenses on the light incident surface of the light incident unit 31 and the small lenses on the light exit surface of the light exit unit 35 correspond to each other generally one-to-one, but only in some areas, for example, as described later. In wide areas, there may not be one-to-one correspondence due to the nature of the design.

The small lenses located on the light incident surface of the light incident unit 31 refract the light incident from the field lens 20 and focus the light on the focal plane of the shield, and the small lenses located on the light exit surface of the light exit unit 35 They project the shape or form of the shield forward through it. At this time, the shield 33 is an optical surface that includes optical properties such as reflection, transmission, absorption, diffraction, and scattering, and is composed of a focal plane where incident light rays are focused.

It is preferable in terms of optical system efficiency that the small lenses on the light incident surface of the light incident unit 31 and the small lenses on the light exit surface of the light exit unit 35 are placed at their focal points.

The shield 33 is a transmitting and absorbing material containing the shape or form to be projected, and is configured to form one projection image by overlapping a plurality of patterns. Each of the plurality of patterns is a pair of light incident parts 31. ) correspond to the small lenses on the light receiving surface and the small lenses on the light exiting surface of the light exit portion 35, respectively. At this time, one projection image may be created, for example, by overlapping projection images coming from each of the small lenses constituting the lens complex in a rectangular coordinate system, or by overlapping projection images at a specific angle in a spherical coordinate system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a shield composed of a plurality of patterns. FIG. 4 (a) shows the arrangement of a plurality of patterns in one shield, and FIG. 4 (b) shows a plurality of patterns. Taking the butterfly shape as an example, Figure 4(c) shows the arrangement of small lenses on the light entering surface of the light entering part or the light exiting surface of the light exiting part, corresponding to each of these plurality of patterns.

Meanwhile, as mentioned above, an array of small lenses (first composite lens) constituting the light incident part 31 through which the light rays from the light source 10 are collimated and incident, and the light exit part 35 through which the incident light rays are emitted. ), the lens composite 30, which includes an array of small lenses (second composite lens) constituting the light input portion 31 and the shield 33 located between the light input portion 31 and the light exit portion 35, is manufactured due to low mass productivity. It has the disadvantage of being expensive because it is difficult to manufacture with complete accuracy when multiple lenses are stacked and arranged.

For example, it can be fully understood from FIG. 4 that if the first composite lens, the shield, and the second composite lens are not accurately aligned, the image may be blurred or projection performance may be deteriorated. Figure 5 is to illustrate performance degradation due to rotation, for example, when not aligned. Figures 5 (a) to (c) show two grids with rotations of 0, 5, and 15 degrees, respectively. 5 (d) to (f) show the simulated far-field diffraction patterns for each of (a) to (c). Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that as the rotation angle increases, that is, as the degree of misalignment increases, the image becomes more blurred.

Figures 6 and 7 schematically show an example in which the first composite lens, shield, and second composite lens according to the present invention are stacked and arranged, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 6, the patterns 63 in the shield corresponding to each of the small lenses 62 constituting the first composite lens 61 and the small lenses 66 constituting the second composite lens 65 are loaded. When arranging, there are cases where some of these patterns do not exactly match the ideal design position 67 of the pattern that is positioned when accurately aligned. In this example, the pattern is skewed to the left on one axis (here the x-axis) of the ideal design location.

Similarly, referring to FIG. 7, a pattern 73 in the shield corresponding to each of the small lenses 72 constituting the first composite lens 71, and a small lens constituting the second composite lens 75 ( When loading and arranging 76), some of these patterns may not exactly match the ideal position 77 of the pattern that would be positioned if accurately aligned. In this example, the pattern is skewed to the right on one axis (here the x-axis) of the ideal design location.

This is the result of intentionally applying an offset between the first composite lens, second composite lens, or shield during initial production in order to secure mass production by lowering the required manufacturing precision. This offset can be set so that, for example, approximately 70% of the total effective area overlaps and is aligned.

Figure 8 shows an example of an area where one arbitrary pattern can be located in the structure of a shield in which a total of 165 patterns, 11 on the x-axis and 15 on the y-axis, can be arranged. In this example, for example, an offset of 30% is taken to the left and right on the x-axis of the ideal design position of the pattern, and an overlapping 40% ideal design position area is secured. For explanation purposes, the ideal design position and the ideal design position moved to the left (81) or to the right (82) are shown so as not to overlap as much as possible, and the offset on the y-axis does not need to be considered here. Furthermore, by taking a 20% offset to the left and right of the x-axis of the ideal design position, an overlapping 60% ideal design position area can be secured. This is similarly applicable to the y-axis.

If the degree of alignment that can be achieved with offset is aimed at approximately 70% of the total effective area, it may be necessary to change the position of the pattern on the x-axis instead of or in addition to using overlapping areas.

9 are graphs showing examples of position transition equations according to the present invention.

에 근사한 비선형 또는 선형의 수식에 따라 위치 천이될 수 있는데, 이때 x는 제1 위치가 렌즈복합체의 중심으로부터 위치하는 거리(mm)이고, y는 천이되는 위치의 크기(mm)이고, n은 n≠1 또는 n=1이고, a는 천이되는 위치의 크기를 조절하는 인자이다. Referring to FIG. 9, for each of a plurality of patterns, a reference first position is defined. This first position may be a position intentionally offset during initial production, or may be an unintentionally offset position. . From this first position

The position may be shifted according to a non-linear or linear formula that approximates , where x is the distance (mm) at which the first position is located from the center of the lens complex, y is the size of the transitioned position (mm), and n is n. ≠1 or n=1, and a is a factor that controls the size of the transition position.

Figure 9(a) shows the size of the transition position relative to the pattern position when n=1, Figure 9(b) shows n=2, and Figure 9(c) shows the size of the position transitioning to the pattern position when n=3. The position of can be considered to correspond to the distance from the center of the lens complex, that is, the optical axis of the light source. This takes into account the case where, as the distance from the optical axis increases, the spacing may be unequal even in the same arrangement, and correction may be necessary. At this time, a, which is a factor that controls the size of the transition position, may vary depending on the shape and size of the pattern.

For example, the position transition equation as shown in (a) of FIG. 9 where n=1 has a small number of small lenses (array of) constituting the first and/or second composite lens, and the outermost small lens among the small lenses is It is appropriate when the lens is relatively not far from the optical axis, and the position transition equation as shown in Figure 9 (b) with n = 2 is used when there are a large number of small lenses (arrays of) that make up the composite lens and small lenses are used. If the outermost lens is relatively far from the optical axis, it may be more appropriate because it can minimize blurring due to image overlap. It is understood that the position transition formula as shown in (c) of FIG. 9 where n=3 is complex or is intended to set an intermediate value between the two cases above.

The first or second composite lens constituting the light entering surface of the light entering part or the light exiting surface of the light emitting part according to the present invention is configured to enable implementation of a plurality of light distribution regulations, including DRL light distribution regulations as well as low beam light distribution regulations. It can be. Or, a plurality of light distributions, including not only low beam light distribution regulations but also DRL light distribution regulations, using at least some areas corresponding to the first and second composite lenses constituting the light incident surface of the light incident unit and the light exit surface of the light exit unit. It can be configured to enable implementation of laws.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of small lenses depending on whether the light distribution pattern is distinguished.

Figure 10(a) may be an appropriate arrangement for, for example, a low beam with a complex light distribution shape due to strict light distribution regulations that must be followed. For example, it is divided into at least one area according to different light distribution patterns, such as zone3 (91), middle (92), hot (93), and wide (94), to provide low beam light distribution. Small lenses can be arranged to form That is, the curvature of the small lenses belonging to the corresponding area can be defined to satisfy the corresponding light distribution pattern as shown in FIG. 11. Here, the hot area requires intensive securing of light at the center of the HV, resulting in high near-field illuminance but narrow light width, while the wide area requires securing a wide light distribution area in the vertical and horizontal sides, so the maximum light width is wide, and the middle area is a wide area. It is an intermediate form between the hot area and the hot area. Zone 3 is a light distribution pattern that allows identification of signs and information boards and is located at the top of the cut-off line.

Figure 10(b) may be an appropriate arrangement for high beams, DRLs, and signal beams with low light distribution regulations. That is, unlike (a) of FIG. 10, small lenses are used to form high beam distribution, daytime running lights (DRL), and signal beam distribution over the entire area 95 rather than being divided into areas according to different light distribution patterns. It can be placed. That is, small lenses that satisfy the corresponding light distribution pattern can be mixed and arranged - at different positions or at the same position - to have at least one curvature.

In general, terms used herein, and particularly in the claims (e.g., in the body of the claims), are generally intended to be “open-ended” terms (e.g., “including” means “including but not limited to”). , “to have” should be construed as “to have at least more,” and “to include” as “including, but not limited to.”) If a specific number is intended for the introduced claim recitation, this intention is to be construed as “having at least more than that.” It is explicitly recited in the claims, and in the absence of such recitation, it is understood that such intent does not exist.

Only certain features of the invention have been shown and described herein, and various modifications and variations will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore understood that the claims are intended to cover changes and modifications that fall within the spirit of the invention.

1: Lighting module 10: Light source
20: Field lens 30: Lens complex

Claims (5)

In the lighting module for automobile headlights,
light source;
a field lens collimating light rays from the light source; and
It includes a lens complex including a light entering portion through which collimated light rays are incident, a light exiting portion through which the incident light rays are emitted, and a shield positioned between the light entering portion and the light exiting portion,
The light incident surface of the light incident unit and the light exit surface of the light exit unit are composed of a two-dimensional array of small lenses corresponding to each other and having the same or different curvatures, and the shield is a small lens on the light incident surface of the light incident unit that corresponds to each other. A plurality of patterns corresponding to each of the lenses and the small lenses on the light exit surface of the light exit unit are configured to overlap to form one projection image,
Each of the plurality of patterns has a defined first position as a reference, and from this

Characterized by a position transition according to the formula, where x is the distance at which the first position is located from the center of the lens complex, y is the size of the transition position, n is n≠1 or n=1, and a is a factor that controls the size of the transition position,
Lighting module for car headlights. According to claim 1,
Each of the small lenses on the light entering surface of the light entering part and the small lenses on the light exiting surface of the light exiting part are formed convexly, and the shield includes small lenses on the light entering surface of the light entering part and small lenses on the light exiting surface of the light exiting part. Their focus is placed,
Lighting module for car headlights. According to claim 2,
The light entering surface of the light entering portion or the light exiting surface of the light exiting portion is divided into at least one area according to a different light distribution pattern, such as zone 3, middle, hot, and wide, and is configured to form a low beam light distribution.
Lighting module for car headlights. According to claim 2,
The light entering surface of the light entering portion or the light exiting surface of the light exiting portion is not divided into regions according to different light distribution patterns but is configured to form high beam distribution, daytime running lights (DRL), and signal beam distribution over the entire area. ,
Lighting module for car headlights. According to claim 4,
The light entering or exiting part of the lens complex is made of glass or polymer-based transparent material.
Lighting module for car headlights.

Images