KR102660162B1 - Indicator structure and rearview device for vehicle including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a housing including a first side facing the outside of the vehicle and a second side opposite the first side, the housing being formed of a light transmission material; a rear visibility element accommodated in the housing and providing the driver with a view of the rear of the vehicle; a circuit board disposed within the housing; At least one light emitting device disposed on the circuit board; and an indicator structure for providing an indication to the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the indicator structure includes: a light transmitting portion disposed adjacent to the light emitting element and integrally formed with the housing; a light emitting area formed on at least a portion of the first surface corresponding to at least a portion of the light transmitting portion and providing a shape of the indication; and a light blocking layer disposed on at least a portion of the first surface to prevent light generated from the light emitting device from leaking out of the light emitting area.

Description

Indicator structure and rear visibility device for automobile including same {INDICATOR STRUCTURE AND REARVIEW DEVICE FOR VEHICLE INCLUDING THE SAME}

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an indicator structure and a rear visibility device for a vehicle including the indicator structure.

Rear visibility devices (eg, exterior mirrors for vehicles) attached to a vehicle can provide various indications to drivers outside. For example, the rear visibility device includes a light-emitting element and an optical structure that guides light emitted from the light-emitting element, and provides an optical indication (eg, a turn signal) that can be seen from outside the vehicle.

With recent technological developments, rear vision devices are required to be increasingly compact and have an attractive appearance. Accordingly, the indicator included in the rear vision device also needs to be miniaturized, and manufacturing efficiency needs to be improved to meet this requirement. Additionally, in order to provide an attractive appearance, the exterior of the rear vision device needs to be smoothly formed and the addition of additional components needs to be reduced.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a housing including a first side facing the outside of the vehicle and a second side opposite the first side, the housing being formed of a light transmission material; a rear visibility element accommodated in the housing and providing the driver with a view of the rear of the vehicle; a circuit board disposed within the housing; At least one light emitting device disposed on the circuit board; and an indicator structure for providing an indication to the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the indicator structure includes: a light transmitting portion disposed adjacent to the light emitting element and integrally formed with the housing; a light emitting area formed on at least a portion of the first surface corresponding to at least a portion of the light transmitting portion and providing a shape of the indication; and a light blocking layer disposed on at least a portion of the first surface to prevent light generated from the light emitting device from leaking out of the light emitting area.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an indicator structure formed integrally with a housing is provided. As a result, the manufacturing efficiency of the rear vision device can be improved and an attractive appearance can be provided.

1 is an example of an implementation of a rear vision device according to various embodiments.
Figure 2 is a view of a rear vision device according to various embodiments as seen from a first angle.
Figure 3 is a view of a rear vision device according to various embodiments as viewed from a second angle.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a rear vision device according to various embodiments.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing an indicator structure according to various embodiments.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cross section A of FIG. 3.
Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the indicator structure of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a diagram showing ribs according to various embodiments.

The above-described objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, since the present invention can make various changes and have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail below.

In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity, and elements or layers are referred to as "on" or "on" another element or layer. What is referred to includes not only cases immediately above other components or layers, but also cases where other layers or other components are interposed. Like reference numerals throughout the specification in principle refer to the same elements. In addition, components having the same function within the scope of the same idea shown in the drawings of each embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.

If it is determined that a detailed description of a known function or configuration related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, numbers (eg, first, second, etc.) used in the description of this specification are merely identifiers to distinguish one component from another component.

Also, the suffix “area” for components used in the description below. “Part” and “part” are given or used interchangeably only considering the ease of preparing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in and of themselves.

Hereinafter, an actuator according to an embodiment will be briefly described.

1 is an example of an implementation of a rear vision device according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, the indicator 11 may be mounted on the rear vision device 10 disposed outside the vehicle 1. Here, the rear visibility device 10 may include a rear visibility module (e.g., rear visibility element 13) that provides the driver with a view of the rear of the vehicle, and a housing 11 that accommodates the rear visibility module 13. . For example, the rear visibility module 13 may be a reflective element, for example, a mirror. Alternatively, the rear visibility module may be implemented as an imaging device (eg, a camera) for photographing the area around the vehicle 1 and a display device for outputting the photographed image.

According to various embodiments, the indicator 11 is mounted on the rear vision device 10 and can provide various indications to drivers outside the vehicle. For example, the indicator 11 may be provided as a turn-signal lamp.

The indicator 11 is mounted within the housing 11 of the rear vision device 10 and includes light-emitting elements (e.g., light-emitting elements 223 in FIG. 4) for emitting light to the outside of the housing 201. It may include a circuit board (eg, the circuit board 222 of FIG. 4) for driving the devices. Additionally, it may include a light guide (or diffuser, such as the light transmitting portion 206 of FIG. 5) for diffusing light. Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the indicator 11 or various components included in the indicator 11 according to various embodiments (e.g., light emitting elements 223, circuit board 222, light transmitting member 206) will be described. ) and the arrangement structure (indicator structure) of the housing 201 will be described.

Figure 2 is a view of the rear vision device 200 according to various embodiments as seen from a first angle. Figure 3 is a view of the rear vision device 200 according to various embodiments as seen from a second angle. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a rear vision device 200 according to various embodiments.

2 to 4, the rear vision device 200 may include a housing 201 and an indicator 220 disposed within the housing 201. The description of the rear vision device 10 of FIG. 1 may be applied to the rear vision device 200 of FIGS. 2 to 4. Additionally, the description of the indicator 11 in FIG. 1 may be applied to the indicator 220 of FIGS. 2 to 4 .

According to various embodiments, the housing 201 may include a first surface 201a facing the outside of the rear vision device 200 and a second surface 201b opposite the first surface 201a. The indicator 220 may be disposed on at least a portion of the second surface 201b.

In one embodiment, the indicator 220 includes a circuit board 222, a light emitting element(s) 223 mounted on the circuit board 222, and a circuit board 222 on the second side 201b of the housing 201. ) may include all or part of the cover member 224 for shielding and protecting. The circuit board 222 may be electrically connected to a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 1 in FIG. 1) to receive power, or may exchange electrical signals for controlling the light emitting device 223. The light emitting element 223 may emit light for optical indication provided to the outside of the rear vision device 200.

In one embodiment, the rear visibility device 200 may include an indication area 202 to provide an indication that can be recognized from outside the vehicle. The indication area 202 may be at least a partial area of the first side 201a.

In various embodiments, indication area 202 may include one or more diffusion areas 202a. The diffusion area 202a may refer to an area in which light emitted from the light emitting element 223 is radiated to the outside of the rear vision device 200. In one embodiment, the diffusion area 202a may be surface processed to allow light to diffuse efficiently. For example, the diffusion area 202a may be provided as a light guide or diffuser.

According to various embodiments, the rear vision device 200 may include an indicator structure 210. The indicator structure 210 may provide an optical path for transmitting light generated from the indicator 220 (eg, the light emitting device 223) to the outside of the housing 201. In one embodiment, the indicator structure 210 may be provided by combining the housing 201 and the indicator 220 or their arrangement relationship.

In the following description, the indicator structure 210 according to various embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an indicator structure according to various embodiments. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cross section A of FIG. 3. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the indicator structure of Figure 6.

5 to 7, the indicator structure 210 includes a light transmission part 206, a light emitting area 202a, and a light blocking device disposed on the first side 201a of the housing 201. It may include a layer 201c.

According to various embodiments, the light transmitting portion 206 may be formed to extend from the second surface 201b of the housing 201 along the inner direction of the housing 201. For example, the light transmitting portion 206 may be integrally formed with the housing 201. To this end, the housing 201 may be formed of a light transmission material. For example, the housing 201 may be made of a light-transmitting polymer material. The light transmitting portion 206 may be provided as a light guide or diffuser.

In various embodiments, the light transmitting portion 206 may be disposed adjacent to the light emitting element 223. In one embodiment, the light transmitting portion 206 may include a light incident area 206a, which is an area disposed adjacent to the light emitting device 223.

According to various embodiments, light incident on the light incident area 206a may be diffused within the light transmitting portion 206 and radiated to the outside of the housing 201 through the light emitting area 202a. In one embodiment, the light transmitting portion 206 may include a diffusion area 207 for efficient diffusion of light. The diffusion region 207 may be formed inside the housing 201 of the light transmitting portion 206 (eg, toward the second surface 201b). The diffusion region 207 may have an uneven surface shape. For example, the diffusion area 207 may be provided as a Fresnel lens or combinations of a plurality of prisms.

In one embodiment, the light incident area 206a and the diffusion area 207 may be arranged to face directions substantially perpendicular to each other. Additionally, the light incident area 206 and the light emitting area 202a may also be arranged to face directions substantially perpendicular to each other. For example, the diffusion area 207 and the light emitting area 202a may refer to surfaces of the light transmitting part 206 facing each other. The light emitting area 202a may refer to a partial area of the first surface 201a of the housing 201, and the diffusion area 207 may refer to a partial area protruding from the second surface 201b. .

According to various embodiments, a light blocking layer 201c may be disposed on the first surface 201a of the housing 201. The light blocking layer 201c may include a material that can block the transmission of light. The light blocking layer 201c may be evenly disposed on the first surface 201a of the housing 201 excluding the light emitting area 202a. In other words, the light blocking layer 201c is disposed on a portion of the first side 201a of the housing 201 formed of a material capable of transmitting light, and the first side on which the light blocking layer 201c is not disposed. It can be expressed that another part of 201a can be provided as a light emitting area 202a. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the shape of the indication and the shape of the diffusion area 202a can be adjusted according to the arrangement of the thin light blocking layer 201c, which not only improves the manufacturing efficiency of the rear vision device. , it can also provide an attractive appearance.

According to various embodiments, the light transmitting portion 206 may have a first thickness d1. The first thickness d1 may be thicker than the thickness d3 of another area of the housing 201 where the light transmitting portion 206 is not formed. As the first thickness d1 is formed to be thicker than the thickness d3 of other regions, light can be efficiently diffused in the light transmitting portion 206 and radiated to the outside.

According to various embodiments, the light blocking layer 201c may have a second thickness d2. Since the light blocking layer 201c has a second thickness d2, light emitted from the diffusion area 202a may be reflected from the sidewall 201d of the light blocking layer 201c. Accordingly, the light emitted from the diffusion area 202a can be provided to the outside as a clear indication.

According to various embodiments, the light transmissive portion 208 may include a light transmissive area 208 . The light transmission area 208 may be disposed between the diffusion area 207 and the light incident area 206a. The light transmitting area 208 may have a smooth surface.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing ribs according to various embodiments. In describing FIG. 8, FIG. 5 may also be referred to.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8 , the housing 201 may include all or part of the first rib 204 and the second rib 205.

According to various embodiments, the first rib 204 may be disposed to surround the light transmitting portion 206 and the circuit board 222. In one embodiment, the first rib 204 may have a closed-loop shape. In other words, the first rib 204 has a closed loop shape on the inner surface 201b of the housing 201 and protrudes from the second surface 201b, and has a closed loop shape formed by the first rib 204. The loop may provide a space in which the light transmitting portion 206 and circuit board 222 can be placed. As the first rib 204 has a closed loop shape, when a cover member (e.g., the cover member 224 in FIG. 4) covers the first rib 204, the circuit board 222 and the light transmitting portion ( 206) can prevent foreign substances from entering. The cover member 224 is disposed in close contact with the first rib 204 and may shield all or part of the indicator structure 210.

According to various embodiments (referring to FIG. 5), the second rib 205 may be disposed outside the first rib 204 at a predetermined distance from the first rib 204. The second rib 205 may have a closed loop shape like the first rib 204, and some areas may be open. In one embodiment, a cover member (e.g., the cover member 224 of FIG. 4) may be adhered to the space between the first rib 204 and the second rib 205. Due to the second rib 205, the cover The coupling force between the member 224 and the housing 201 may be increased, and the shielding effect by the cover member 224 may be increased. The second rib 205 may also be referred to as an auxiliary rib 205. .

According to various embodiments, the receiving space 230 formed by the first rib 204 may include a first space 231 and a second space 232. In one embodiment, the first space 231 refers to a space for arranging a circuit board (e.g., the circuit board 222 in FIG. 5), and the second space 232 mainly contains the light transmitting portion 206. It may mean a space for placement. In some examples, the second space 232 may refer to a partial area of the receiving space 230 corresponding to the diffusion area 207, and the first space 231 may include the light transmission area 208 and the circuit board. It may mean a partial area of the accommodation space 230 corresponding to (222). For example, a portion of the first space 231 may be provided as a space 209 to accommodate the circuit board 222. In one embodiment, the first space 231 may have a first width h1, and the second space 232 may have a second width h2. For example, the second width h2 may be formed to be smaller than the first width h1. In the second space 232, the upper and lower regions 206a and 206b of the light transmitting portion 206 are spaced apart from some regions 204a and 204b of the first rib 204 by less than the third width h3. It can be. As the light transmitting part 206 is spaced apart from the first rib 204 by less than the third width h3, the light emitted from the light emitting element 223 and incident on the light transmitting part 206 is transmitted to some areas ( Even if it escapes to 204a and 204b), it may be reflected from the first rib 204 and return to the light transmitting portion 206. Accordingly, the indication can be provided to the outside of the rear vision device 200 without loss of light emitted from the light emitting element 223. Expressed differently, the first rib 204 includes a first area 204a and a light transmissive portion 206, e.g., a diffusion area, for surrounding the circuit board 222 and/or the light transmissive area 208. It may also be expressed as including a second area 204b to surround the light emitting area 207) and/or the light emitting area 202a. As described above, the width h1 of the first area 204a may be larger than the width h2 of the second area 204b.

According to various embodiments, a first side facing outward (e.g., the first side 201a in FIG. 7) and a second side opposite to the first side (e.g., the second side 201b in FIG. 7) It includes a housing formed of a light transmission material (e.g., housing 201 in FIG. 2); a rear visibility element accommodated in the housing and providing the driver with a view of the rear of the vehicle; a circuit board disposed within the housing (e.g., circuit board 222 in FIG. 5); At least one light emitting device (eg, light emitting device 223 in FIG. 5) disposed on the circuit board; and an indicator structure for providing an indication to the outside of the vehicle (e.g., indicator structure 210 in FIG. 5), wherein the indicator structure is disposed adjacent to the light emitting element and integrated with the housing. An integrally formed light transmitting portion (e.g., light transmitting portion 206 in FIG. 5); a light-emitting region (eg, light-emitting region 202a in FIG. 6) formed on at least a portion of the first surface corresponding to at least a portion of the light transmitting portion and providing the shape of the indication; And a light blocking layer disposed on at least a portion of the first surface and preventing light generated from the light emitting device from leaking out of the light emitting area (e.g., light blocking layer 201c in FIG. 6). A rear vision device may be provided.

According to one embodiment, a rear vision device may be provided in which the light transmitting portion is formed by protruding at least a portion of the second surface.

According to one embodiment, the light transmitting part faces a light incident area (e.g., the light incident area 206a in FIG. 7) for incident light from the light emitting device and a direction substantially perpendicular to the light incident area. A rear vision device may be provided that is formed so as to include a diffusion area (eg, diffusion area 207 in FIG. 7) for diffusing light incident from the light emitting device.

According to one embodiment, the housing includes a first rib that protrudes from the second surface and has a closed-loop shape surrounding the light transmitting portion and the circuit board (e.g., FIG. 8 A rear vision device further comprising a first rib 204 may be provided.

According to one embodiment, a rear vision device further comprising a cover member disposed in close contact with the first rib and shielding at least a portion of the indicator structure (e.g., cover member 224 in FIG. 4) may be provided. You can.

According to one embodiment, the first rib includes a first region for receiving the circuit board and a second region surrounding the diffusion region, and the width of the first region is equal to the width of the second region. Larger rear visibility devices may be provided.

According to one embodiment, the housing further includes auxiliary ribs disposed at predetermined intervals along the circumference of the rib portion outside the closed loop, and the cover member includes the rib portion and the auxiliary rib. A rearview device may be provided bonded to the second side between the portions.

According to one embodiment, the light transmitting portion further includes a light transmitting region disposed between the diffusion region and the light incident region and having a smooth surface (e.g., the light transmitting region 208 in FIG. 5). A device may be provided.

According to one embodiment, the light emitting area may be provided with a rear vision device whose surface is processed at least in part for light diffusion.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with limited examples and drawings, various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art from the above description. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and/or components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components are used. Alternatively, appropriate results may be achieved even if substituted or substituted by an equivalent.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents of the claims also fall within the scope of the claims described below.

Rear vision device 10 Light transmission part 206
Housing 201 Light blocking layer 201ca
cover 224

Claims (9)

In the rear visibility device for a vehicle,
A housing comprising a first side facing the outside of the vehicle and a second side opposite the first side, the housing being formed of a light transmission material;
a rear visibility element accommodated in the housing and providing the driver with a view of the rear of the vehicle;
a circuit board disposed within the housing;
At least one light emitting device disposed on the circuit board; and
Including an indicator structure for providing indications to the outside of the vehicle,
The indicator structure is,
a light transmitting portion disposed adjacent to the light emitting device and integrally formed with the housing;
a light emitting area formed on at least a portion of the first surface corresponding to at least a portion of the light transmitting portion and providing a shape of the indication; and
A light blocking layer disposed on at least a portion of the first surface to prevent light generated from the light emitting device from leaking out of the light emitting area,
The light transmitting portion is formed by protruding at least a portion of the second surface,
The light transmitting portion includes a light incident area for incident light from the light emitting element and a diffusion area formed to face a direction substantially perpendicular to the light incident area and diffusing the light incident from the light emitting element. ,
The light transmitting portion further includes a light transmitting region disposed between the diffusion region and the light incident region and having a smooth surface.
delete delete According to claim 1,
The housing further includes a first rib that protrudes from the second surface and has a closed-loop shape surrounding the light transmitting portion and the circuit board.
According to clause 4,
A rear vision device further comprising a cover member disposed in close contact with the first rib and shielding at least a portion of the indicator structure.
According to clause 4,
The first rib includes a first region for receiving the circuit board and a second region surrounding the diffusion region,
A rear vision device in which the width of the first area is greater than the width of the second area.
According to clause 5,
The housing further includes second ribs disposed at predetermined intervals along the circumference of the first rib outside the closed loop,
The cover member is attached to the second surface between the first rib and the second rib.
delete According to claim 1,
A rear vision device wherein at least a portion of the light emitting area is surface processed for light diffusion.