KR102819807B1 - Vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp having a heat sink with improved ease of assembly and assembly stability.
The above vehicle lamp comprises a substrate on which the light source is installed, a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source forward, a heat sink block that releases heat generated by the light source, and a casing that extends from the reflector and accommodates at least a portion of the light source, the substrate, and the heat sink block.
Here, the casing includes a downwardly directed protrusion on both sides of the casing, the protrusion includes a body extending downwardly and a hook protruding inwardly of the body, and the casing and the heat sink block are assembled as the hook of the protrusion wraps around the side of the heat sink block.

Description

Vehicle lamp {Vehicle lamp}

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp having improved ease of assembly and assembly stability.

In general, a projection lamp is configured to include a casing having a front opening, a reflective surface formed on an inner surface of the casing, a light source fixed to the casing near a first focus of the reflective surface, and a lens installed to cover the front end opening of the casing and emitting the reflected light forward. At this time, the casing is configured with an upper casing member and a lower casing member, and the two are fastened by a fastening means such as a screw.

However, according to these conventional techniques, the upper casing member and the lower casing member must be pressed while being fastened to prevent the convex lens from being detached, and since the upper casing and the lower casing are fastened by screws, ease of assembly is not provided. In addition, it is difficult to firmly maintain the upper casing member and the lower casing member after they are assembled so that mutual play or detachment does not occur.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 4405279 (registered on November 13, 2009)

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp with improved ease of assembly and assembly stability.

Another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp which can be easily and firmly assembled not only between a cover and a casing, but also between a heat sink and a casing.

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

According to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above technical task, a vehicle lamp comprises: a substrate on which the light source is installed; a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source forward; a heat sink block that releases heat generated from the light source; and a casing that extends from the reflector and accommodates at least a portion of the light source, the substrate, and the heat sink block.

The casing includes a downwardly directed protrusion on both sides of the casing, the protrusion includes a body extending downwardly and a hook protruding inwardly of the body, and the casing and the heat sink block are assembled as the hook of the protrusion wraps around the side of the heat sink block.

During the assembly process between the casing and the heat sink block, the hook contacts the side surface of the heat sink block and the protrusion deforms in an outward direction on both sides of the casing, and when the assembly between the casing and the heat sink block is completed, the protrusion returns to its original shape and the hook is caught on the lower surface of the heat sink block.

A pair of slits spaced apart in the direction of the optical axis are formed on both sides of the above casing, and the protrusion is formed between the pair of slits.

On both sides of the above casing, a through hole is formed near the top of the protrusion between the slits.

A hemispherical pressurizing portion that is raised downward is formed on the lower surface of the above casing, and when the assembly is completed, the pressurizing portion presses the substrate placed on the upper surface of the heat sink block.

A position rod is formed on the lower surface of the casing, and a guide hole is formed on the upper surface of the heat sink block. When the assembly is completed, the position rod is inserted into the guide hole, whereby the casing and the heat sink block are assembled in the correct position.

To allow for tolerance when joining with the above positioning rod, at least some of the guide holes are formed in a long hole shape.

At least one rib extending downward from the lower surface of the heat sink block is formed to suppress the protrusion from being deformed inward after the assembly is completed.

The at least one rib includes two ribs spaced apart in the direction of the optical axis, and after the assembly is completed, the inner surface of the body is contacted with the lateral ends of the two ribs, thereby suppressing the protrusion from being deformed inward, while the hook is interposed in the space between the two ribs.

Prior to assembly between the above casing and the above heat sink block, the substrate is assembled to the upper surface of the above heat sink block.

The above vehicle lamp further includes a shield member having a cut-off pattern for blocking a portion of the reflected light, and prior to assembly between the casing and the heat sink block, the shield member is assembled to a front end of the heat sink block.

The above shield member includes an auxiliary reflective surface extending downwardly in front of the cutoff pattern.

The above reflector comprises two reflective surfaces arranged laterally, the two reflective surfaces sharing the one shield member.

Upon completion of the above assembly, the rear end of the heat sink block is exposed to the rear of the casing.

The above vehicle lamp further includes a cover that is assembled with the casing on the upper side of the casing and covers the casing.

The above vehicle lamp further includes a lens that projects the reflected light to the outside, and a lens receiving groove for receiving the lens is provided at the front end of the casing and the front end of the cover, respectively, so that when the casing and the cover are assembled, the lens is fixed between the cover and the casing.

A vehicle lamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle lamp as described above, and a bracket having a plurality of mounting pockets for mounting the vehicle lamp.

According to the vehicle lamp according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that not only the assembly between the cover and the casing, but also the assembly between the heat sink and the casing can be performed by a simplified process, and the assembled state is firmly maintained after assembly.

In addition, according to the vehicle lamp according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that the heat sink and the casing can be assembled in the correct position relative to each other while allowing a certain degree of assembly tolerance.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a vehicle lamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention viewed from different directions, respectively.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded perspective views of a vehicle lamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from different directions, respectively.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention when viewed from different directions, FIG. 3C is a side view of the vehicle lamp, and FIG. 3D is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp taken along the line AA' in FIG. 3A.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded perspective views of a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention viewed from different directions, and FIG. 4C is an exploded side view of the vehicle lamp.
FIG. 5a is a perspective view of an assembly with the cover and lens removed from a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5b is a bottom view of the assembly, and FIG. 5c is a perspective view of the assembly with the casing separated from the assembly and viewed from below.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of an assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 6A shows a state during assembly between a casing and a heat sink block, and FIG. 6B shows a state after assembly between a casing and a heat sink block is completed.
FIGS. 7a and 7b are perspective views of the configuration with the casing removed from the assembly of FIG. 6a when viewed from different directions, and FIG. 7c is a side view of the configuration when viewed from the side.
Figure 7d is an exploded side view of the configuration of Figure 7c, and Figure 7e is an exploded perspective view of the configuration of Figure 7d viewed from a different direction.

The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and these embodiments are provided only to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification may be used with a meaning that can be commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries shall not be ideally or excessively interpreted unless explicitly specifically defined.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" as used herein do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components in addition to the components mentioned.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a vehicle lamp assembly (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention viewed from different directions.

A vehicle lamp assembly (200) includes at least one vehicle lamp (100a, 100b) and a bracket (190) for fixing the vehicle lamp (100a, 100b). In FIGS. 1a and 1b, two identical vehicle lamps (100a, 100b) are mounted on the bracket (190) while being spaced apart in the horizontal direction. At this time, the two identical vehicle lamps (100a, 100b) can be spaced apart in the vertical direction and the optical axis direction to form a light distribution pattern desired by a designer.

In Figs. 1a and 1b, two vehicle lamps (100a, 100b) are mounted, but the number may be changed. In addition, each of the plurality of vehicle lamps (100a, 100b) may be composed of different units that provide different light distribution patterns.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded perspective views of a vehicle lamp assembly (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention viewed from different directions.

The bracket (190) may be composed of a single unit, but may also be composed of a plurality of pieces (190-1, 190-2), as illustrated. Accordingly, the upper part of the bracket (190-1) may be assembled on the upper side of the vehicle lamp (100a, 100b), and the lower part of the bracket (190-2) may be assembled on the lower side of the vehicle lamp (100a, 100b). At this time, the lower part of the bracket (190-2) may be provided with a plurality of mounting pockets (191a, 191b) for mounting a plurality of vehicle lamps (100a, 100b).

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a vehicle lamp (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention viewed from different directions, FIG. 3C is a side view of the vehicle lamp (100), and FIG. 3D is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp (100) taken along the line A-A' in FIG. 3A.

The vehicle lamp (100) may be any one of the vehicle lamps (100a, 100b) mounted in Fig. 1a. The vehicle lamp (100) may basically be composed of a casing (150) positioned downward, a cover (160) assembled with the casing (150) and covering the casing (150), and a projection lens (180) accommodated between the casing (150) and the cover (160). The projection lens (180) projects light emitted from a light source or light emitted from the light source and reflected by a reflector to the outside.

The above light source inevitably generates heat energy as well as light energy from the provided power source. Therefore, a heat sink block (140) may be provided to release heat generated from the light source to the outside so that the light source does not overheat. For this heat release, it is preferable that at least a portion of the heat sink block (140) is exposed to the outside of the casing (150). Referring to FIG. 3c, the vicinity of the rear end (145) of the heat sink block (140) is exposed to the rear of the casing (150).

Referring to FIG. 3d, light emitted from a light source (110) is reflected from a reflective surface (130) of a reflector (130), directed forward roughly along an optical axis (Ax), and emitted to the outside (L) through a projection lens (180). At this time, a portion of the reflected light may be blocked by a shield member (170). To this end, the shield member (170) has a cutoff pattern (171) that blocks a portion of the light emitted from the light source (110) or light reflected from the reflective surface (131).

The above reflector (130) may have a single reflective surface (131), but according to one embodiment of the present invention, it may include two reflective surfaces (131) arranged laterally (see FIG. 5c). In this case, the two reflective surfaces (131) may share one shield member (170) when reflecting light.

FIGS. 4a and 4b are exploded perspective views of a vehicle lamp (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention viewed from different directions, and FIG. 4c is an exploded side view of the vehicle lamp (100).

The cover (160) and the casing (150) are provided with a mutually connectable coupling means to facilitate their mutual assembly. For example, as illustrated, the two can be connected in a snap-fit manner between the protrusion and the groove. When the cover (160) and the casing (150) are assembled in this manner, a projection lens (180) can be fixedly connected between the two.

Specifically, the inner surface of the front end (159) of the casing (150) and the inner surface of the front end (169) of the cover (160) are provided with lens receiving grooves (158, 168) for receiving the projection lens (180), respectively. Therefore, when the assembly between the two (150, 160) is completed, the projection lens (180) can be naturally fixed between the cover (160) and the casing (150).

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of an assembly (105) with a cover (160) and a projection lens (180) removed from a vehicle lamp (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5b is a bottom view of the assembly (105), and FIG. 5c is a perspective view of the assembly (105) with a casing (150) separated and viewed from below.

As illustrated, a vehicle lamp (100) may be configured to include a light source (110), a substrate (120) on which the light source (110) is installed, a reflector (130) that reflects light emitted from the light source (110) forward, a heat sink block (140) that dissipates heat generated from the light source (110), and a casing (150) that accommodates at least a portion of the light source (110), the substrate (120), and the heat sink block (140).

In one embodiment, the casing (150) is illustrated as being formed integrally with the reflector (130) and extending downward and forward from the reflector (130). However, this is not limited to the case where the reflector (130) is formed separately and assembled with the casing (150).

Specifically, referring to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the casing (150) includes a protrusion (151) facing downward on both sides of the casing (150). The protrusion (151) may be composed of a body (151-1) extending downward and a hook (151-2) protruding inwardly of the body (151-1). When assembling the casing (150) and the heat sink block (140), the hook (151-2) of the protrusion (151) wraps around the side surface (149) of the heat sink block (140).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a pair of slits (153a, 153b) spaced apart in the direction of the optical axis are formed on both sides of the casing (150), respectively. Accordingly, the protrusion (151) can be formed between the pair of slits (153a, 153b). In this way, the pair of slits (153a, 153b) allow the protrusion (151) to be deformed within a certain range while maintaining elasticity in the transverse direction perpendicular to the optical axis (Ax). Rather than providing a separate protrusion that protrudes downward from the casing (150), a simplified method of forming the slits (153a, 153b) on both sides of the protrusion (151) in this way can provide a protrusion (151) that can be elastically deformed in the transverse direction.

In addition, on both sides of the casing (150), a through hole (155) may be formed near the upper end of the protrusion (151) between the slits (153a, 153b). This through hole (155) also contributes to facilitating elastic deformation of the protrusion (151) in the transverse direction. In addition, this through hole (155) is also necessary to separate the casing (150) from the mold when injection molding the casing (150). If this through hole (155) does not exist, it becomes difficult to separate the casing (150) from the mold because the hook (151-2) of the protrusion (151) gets caught on the mold (see FIG. 6b).

Meanwhile, after the casing (150) is assembled to the heat sink block (140) in this manner, the hook (151-2) of the protrusion (151) prevents the two (140, 150) from being separated. However, additional configuration may be required to ensure that the two (140, 150) are assembled in the correct position.

As an example, a position rod (154) may be formed on the lower surface of the casing (150), and a guide hole (144) may be formed on the upper surface (147) of the heat sink block (140). Accordingly, when the assembly is completed, the position rod (154) is inserted into the guide hole (144), so that the casing (150) and the heat sink block (140) can be assembled in the correct position.

In addition, in order to allow for a tolerance when joining the positioning rod (154) and the guide hole (144), at least some of the guide holes (144) may be formed in a slot shape. Allowing for such a tolerance improves the assembling ability between the casing (150) and the heat sink block (140).

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 5b and 5c, a plurality of ribs (141a, 141b) extending downward from the lower surface (148) of the heat sink block (140) and having a plurality of protrusions are formed. These ribs (141a, 141b) are elements for effectively dissipating heat generated from the light source (110), and a plurality of protrusions may be additionally formed on their surfaces to increase the heat dissipation area. In addition, these ribs (141a, 141b) prevent the protrusions (151) from being unnecessarily deformed inwardly in the transverse direction after the assembly between the casing (150) and the heat sink block (140) is completed.

Specifically, after the above assembly is completed, when the inner surface (151-3) of the body (151-1) comes into contact with the lateral ends (141-1a, 141-1b) of the two ribs (141a, 141b), the protrusion (151) is suppressed from being deformed inward, and at the same time, the hook (151-2) is interposed in the space between the two ribs (141a, 141b). Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the width of the hook (151-2) in the optical axis direction is relatively smaller than the space between the pair of slits (153a, 153b) of the protrusion (151).

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of an assembly (105) according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 6A shows a state during assembly between a casing (150) and a heat sink block (140), and FIG. 6B shows a state after assembly between a casing (150) and a heat sink block (140) is completed.

As illustrated in FIG. 6a, during the assembly process between the casing (150) and the heat sink block (140), the hook (151-2) contacts the side surface (149) of the heat sink block (140) and the protrusion (151) is slightly deformed in the outward direction on both sides of the casing (150).

Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 6b, when the assembly between the casing (150) and the heat sink block (140) is completed, the protrusion (151) is restored to its original shape due to elasticity, and the hook (151-2) is caught on the lower surface (148) of the heat sink block (140).

At this time, a downwardly raised pressurizing portion (152) is formed on the lower surface of the casing (150), so that when the assembly is completed, the pressurizing portion (152) presses the upper surface (147) of the heat sink block (140), more precisely, the upper surface of the substrate (120) assembled to the upper surface (147). In this way, when the assembly is completed, the lower surface (148) of the substrate (120) and the heat sink block (140) can be stably sandwiched between the pressurizing portion (152) and the hook (151-2), respectively. The shape of the pressurizing portion (152) is preferably hemispherical in order to provide a pressing force having a certain degree of elasticity, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

FIGS. 7a and 7b are perspective views of the configuration (107) with the casing (150) removed from the assembly (105) of FIG. 6a, viewed from different directions, and FIG. 7c is a side view of the configuration (107) viewed from the side. In addition, FIG. 7d is an exploded side view of the configuration (107) of FIG. 7c, and FIG. 7e is an exploded perspective view of the configuration (107) of FIG. 7d viewed from above.

Before assembly between the casing (150) and the heat sink block (140), the substrate (120) may be assembled to the upper surface (147) of the heat sink block (140). Similarly, before the assembly, the shield member (170) may be assembled to the front end (146) of the heat sink block (140). However, the order of assembly of the substrate (120) and the shield member (170) may be different. Accordingly, the substrate (120) may be assembled to the heat sink block (140) first and then the shield member (170) may be assembled to the heat sink block (140), or the shield member (170) may be assembled to the heat sink block (140) first and then the substrate (120) may be assembled to the heat sink block (140).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the shield member (170) includes an auxiliary reflective surface (172) that extends downwardly in front of the cut-off pattern (171). This auxiliary reflective surface (172) allows light that is lost and not used to be re-reflected by the auxiliary reflective surface (172) so that it can be utilized as additional light (e.g., turn signal, position light, etc.). Accordingly, compared to a case where a portion of the light reflected by the reflective surface (131) is simply blocked by the shield member (170), the light efficiency can be relatively increased when the same light source is used.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and are not restrictive.

100: Vehicle lamp assembly 110: Light source
120: substrate 130: reflector
131: Reflector 140: Heat sink block
141, 141a, 141b: Rib 144: Guide hole
150: casing 151: protrusion
151-1: Body 151-2: Hook
152: Hemispherical pressurizing portion 153a, 153b: A pair of slits
154: Position bar 155: Penetration hole
158, 168: Lens housing 160: Cover
170: Absence of shield 171: Cut-off pattern
172: Auxiliary reflector 180: Projection lens
190: Bracket 191: Mounting Pocket

Claims (15)

light source;
A substrate on which the light source is installed;
A reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source forward;
A heat sink block that radiates heat generated from the light source; and
A vehicle lamp comprising a casing formed to extend from the reflector and accommodate the light source, the substrate and at least a portion of the heat sink block,
The above casing includes a protrusion directed downward on both sides of the above casing,
The above protrusion includes a body extending downward and a hook protruding inwardly from the body,
The casing and the heat sink block are assembled while the hook of the protrusion wraps around the side of the heat sink block,
During the assembly process between the casing and the heat sink block, the hook is deformed while coming into contact with the side surface of the heat sink block, such that the protrusions are exposed in the outer direction of both sides of the casing, and when the assembly of the casing and the heat sink block is completed, the protrusions are restored to be parallel while being exposed to the outer surfaces of both sides of the casing, such that the hook is caught on the lower surface of the heat sink block.
A vehicle lamp, wherein the above-mentioned protrusion is arranged between a pair of slits formed parallel to the optical axis direction on each side of the above-mentioned casing. delete delete In the first paragraph,
A vehicle lamp, wherein a through hole is formed on both sides of the casing between the slits and near the top of the protrusion. In the first paragraph,
A hemispherical pressure portion that is raised downward is formed on the lower surface of the above casing,
A vehicle lamp, wherein when the above assembly is completed, the pressurizing part presses the upper surface of the heat sink block. In the first paragraph,
A positioning rod is formed on the lower surface of the above casing, and a guide hole is formed on the upper surface of the above heat sink block.
A vehicle lamp, wherein when the above assembly is completed, the position rod is inserted into the guide hole, so that the casing and the heat sink block are assembled in the correct position. In Article 6,
A vehicle lamp, wherein at least some of the guide holes are formed in a long hole shape to allow for tolerance when combined with the positioning rod. In the first paragraph,
A vehicle lamp, wherein at least one rib extending downward from the lower surface of the heat sink block is formed on the lower surface. In Article 8,
wherein said at least one rib comprises two ribs spaced apart in the direction of the optical axis,
A vehicle lamp, wherein after the above assembly is completed, the inner surface of the body comes into contact with the lateral ends of the two ribs, and the hook is interposed in the space between the two ribs. In the first paragraph,
A vehicle lamp, wherein the substrate is assembled to the upper surface of the heat sink block prior to assembly between the casing and the heat sink block. In the first paragraph,
Further comprising a shield member having a cut-off pattern for blocking a portion of the reflected light;
A vehicle lamp, wherein prior to assembly between the casing and the heat sink block, the shield member is assembled to the front end of the heat sink block. In Article 11,
A vehicle lamp, wherein the shield member includes an auxiliary reflective surface extending downwardly toward the front of the cut-off pattern. In the first paragraph,
A vehicle lamp, wherein when the above assembly is completed, the rear end of the heat sink block is exposed to the rear of the casing. In the first paragraph,
A vehicle lamp further comprising a cover assembled with the casing on the upper side of the casing and covering the casing. In Article 14,
Further comprising a lens that projects the reflected light to the outside,
A vehicle lamp, wherein the front end of the casing and the front end of the cover are each provided with a lens receiving groove for receiving the lens, so that when assembly between the casing and the cover is completed, the lens is fixed between the cover and the casing.