Lamp for vehicle and method for controlling the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10125941-B2
Application number	US-201715466115-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 22, 2017
Priority date	Dec 27, 2016
Publication date	Nov 13, 2018
Grant date	Nov 13, 2018

Abstract

A lamp for a vehicle that includes: a light source unit that includes a first light source and a second light source; a reflection unit that includes a reflector configured to reflect light incident from one of the first light source or the second light source; a lens including: a first region to which light from the first light source is directed, a second region to which light from the second light source is directed, and a third region (i) that is different from the first region and the second region and (ii) to which light reflected by the reflector is directed; and a processor that is configured to control at least one of the first light source or the second light source to change a size or a center position of at least one of the first region, the second region, or the third region is disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lamp for a vehicle, the lamp comprising:
a light source unit that is configured to generate light and that includes a first light source and a second light source;
a reflection unit that is located between the first light source and the second light source and that includes a reflector configured to reflect light that is incident from at least one of the first light source or the second light source;
a lens including:
a first region to which light from the first light source is directed,
a second region to which light from the second light source is directed, and
a third region (i) that is different from the first region and the second region and (ii) to which light reflected by the reflector is directed; and

a processor that is configured to control at least one of the first light source or the second light source to change a size or a center position of at least one of the first region, the second region, or the third region.

2. The lamp of claim 1 , wherein the reflection unit further includes:
an actuator that is configured to move the reflector, and
a pivot coupling portion that couples the actuator to the reflector.

3. The lamp of claim 2 , wherein the actuator is configured to:
move the reflector linearly along a first axis that extends from the actuator to the reflector.

4. The lamp of claim 2 , wherein the reflection unit further includes:
a ball joint that couples the pivot coupling portion to the reflector and that is configured to enable rotation of the reflector.

5. The lamp of claim 2 , wherein the reflector includes:
a plurality of reflective surfaces that are configured to reflect light that is incident from at least one of the first light source or the second light source, and
wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces are joined at a first portion of the reflector.

6. The lamp of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of reflective surfaces is configured to rotate independently, and
wherein a first end of each reflective surface is rotatably fixed to the first portion of the reflector.

7. The lamp of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces include:
a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface,
wherein the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are joined at the first portion of the reflector, and
wherein each of the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface is configured to rotate about a third axis that is adjacent to the first portion of the reflector.

8. The lamp of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces includes:
at least three reflective surfaces,
wherein the at least three reflective surfaces are joined at the first portion of the reflector, and
wherein each of the at least three reflective surfaces is configured to move and establish a first angle between the reflective surface and the pivot coupling portion.

9. The lamp of claim 5 , wherein the pivot coupling portion includes:
a first coupling portion that is coupled to the actuator,
a second coupling portion that surrounds at least a portion of an outer surface of the first coupling portion, and
a third coupling portion that couples the second coupling portion to the plurality of reflective surfaces,
wherein, based on movement of the actuator, each of the plurality of reflective surfaces is configured to move and establish a first angle between the reflective surface and the pivot coupling portion.

10. The lamp of claim 1 , wherein the light source unit includes:
a linear gear that is coupled to the first light source or the second light source, and
a first driving portion that is coupled to the linear gear and that is configured to move the linear gear linearly.

11. The lamp of claim 10 , wherein the first driving portion includes:
a rotatable gear that is coupled to the linear gear, and
a first actuator that is coupled to the rotatable gear and that is configured to rotate the rotatable gear, and
wherein, based on rotation of the rotatable gear, the linear gear is configured to move linearly.

12. The lamp of claim 1 , wherein the light source unit includes:
a linear gear that is coupled to the first light source or the second light source, and
a second driving portion that is coupled to the linear gear and that is configured to rotate the linear gear about a fourth axis that is in a plane of the linear gear.

13. The lamp of claim 12 , wherein the second driving portion includes:
a circular plate that is coupled to a portion of the linear gear, and
a second actuator that is coupled to the circular plate and that is configured to rotate the circular plate,
wherein, based on rotation of the circular plate, the linear gear is configured to rotate about the fourth axis.

14. The lamp of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
based on rotation or movement of the first light source or the second light source, change a size or a center position of each of the first region and the second region.

15. The lamp of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
based on (i) rotation or movement of the reflector, (ii) rotation or movement of the first light source or the second light source, or (iii) an inclination of the reflector,
change a center position or a size of the third region.

16. The lamp of claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to:
change a size of the third region based on the reflector moving toward the lens.

17. The lamp of claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to:
change a size of the third region based on the first light source or the second light source moving toward the lens.

18. The lamp of claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to:
change a size of the third region based on the first light source or the second light source rotating toward the reflector.

19. The lamp of claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to:
change a size of the third region based on the reflector being inclined toward the lens.

20. The lamp of claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to:
move a center position of the third region in a direction to which the reflector rotates.

21. The lamp of claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to:
move a center position of the third region based on the reflector being inclined toward the lens.

22. The lamp of claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to:
move a center position of the third region based on the first light source or the second light source moving or rotating.

23. A vehicle comprising a lamp that includes:
a light source unit that is configured to generate light and that includes a first light source and a second light source;
a reflection unit that is located between the first light source and the second light source and that includes a reflector configured to reflect light that is incident from at least one of the first light source or the second light source;
a lens including:
a first region to which light from the first light source is directed,
a second region to which light from the second light source is directed, and
a third region (i) that is different from the first region and the second region and (ii) to which light reflected by the reflector is directed; and

a processor that is configured to control at least one of the first light source or the second light source to change a size or a center position of at least one of the first region, the second region, or the thir

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Park Sangshin
• Na Taeyoung

Classifications

• F21S41/657

  by moving light sources · CPC title

• F21W2107/00

  Use or application of lighting devices on or in particular types of vehicles · CPC title

• F21S41/147

  the main emission direction of the LED being angled to the optical axis of the illuminating device · CPC title

• F21S41/285

  Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S41/24 - F21S41/2805 · CPC title

• F21S41/36

  Combinations of two or more separate reflectors · CPC title