Variable headlamp apparatus for vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10859228-B2
Application number	US-201916685487-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 15, 2019
Priority date	Apr 26, 2019
Publication date	Dec 8, 2020
Grant date	Dec 8, 2020

Abstract

A variable headlamp apparatus for a vehicle is capable of realizing various lighting functions by switching positions of the plurality of optical units only with a single drive unit. The variable headlamp apparatus includes: an optical unit having an emitter to emit light; a guide unit installed with the optical unit to guide a position of the optical unit to a fixed path; a link unit connected to the optical unit and including multiple links rotatably connected to each other to change the position of the optical unit; and a drive unit to rotate the links. In particular, the optical unit moves along the fixed path of the guide unit while switching a light irradiation direction of the emitter.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A variable headlamp apparatus for a vehicle, the variable headlamp apparatus comprising:
an optical unit having an emitter configured to emit light;
a guide unit installed with the optical unit and configured to guide a position of the optical unit to a fixed path;
a link unit connected to the optical unit and comprising a plurality of links rotatably connected to each other, and configured to change the position of the optical unit based on a change to a rotation angle formed by links of the plurality of links; and
a drive unit spaced apart from the guide unit, connected to the link unit, and configured to transmit rotational power during operation and to rotate the links,
wherein the optical unit is configured to move along the fixed path of the guide unit while switching a light irradiation direction of the emitter,
wherein the optical unit comprises:
an optical casing installed with the emitter; and
a projection lens coupled to the optical casing and disposed in the light irradiation direction of the emitter so that an incident light thereon is emitted to the fixed path, and

wherein:
the optical casing is provided with a connection bracket configured to allow the projection lens to be connected integrally thereto, the connection bracket has a guide protrusion protruding toward the guide unit,
the guide unit is formed with a guide path so that the guide protrusion is inserted into and slides in the guide path,
the guide path of the guide unit has a first guide hole extending in a straight line, and a second guide hole spaced apart from the first guide hole,
the second guide hole includes: a straight section extending in a straight line, and a curved section extending in a curved line with a radius of curvature, and connected with the straight section, and
the guide protrusion of the connection bracket has a first protrusion inserted into the first guide hole and a second protrusion inserted into the second guide hole,
the first protrusion and the second protrusion are configured to linearly move along the first guide hole and the straight section of the second guide hole, respectively.

2. The variable headlamp apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the projection lens is configured to extend in the light irradiation direction of the emitter to have an end face, and comprises an incident part on which light is incident from the emitter and an emission part from which light is emitted.

3. The variable headlamp apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein:
the emitter comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in a longitudinal direction of the optical casing; and
the incident part of the projection lens is formed with a total reflection portion that is matched to each of the LEDs and configured to protrude in a direction facing the emitter to totally reflect incident light.

4. The variable headlamp apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the emission part of the projection lens has a plurality of optics formed thereon, and a switching portion is recessed inward from the end face of the projection lens and configured to switch a traveling direction of some incident light.

5. The variable headlamp apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a first end of the second guide hole is spaced apart from a first end of the first guide hole in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the first guide hole, and a second end of the second guide hole is disposed in the extension of the first guide hole and spaced apart from a second end of the first guide hole.

6. The variable headlamp apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the link unit comprises a first rotation link rotatably connected to the optical casing, and a second rotation link rotatably connected to the first rotation link and rotated by rotational power transmitted from the drive unit.

7. The variable headlamp apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the first rotation link extends in a curved line, the second rotation link extends in a straight line, and the first rotation link has a length longer than the second rotation link.

8. The variable headlamp apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein:
the drive unit comprises a motor that generates the rotational power, and a screw extended from the motor, which is rotated by the rotational power and has a thread formed thereon; and
the second rotation link has a rotary gear engaged to the thread of the screw.

9. The variable headlamp apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
the optical unit, the guide unit, and the link unit are each provided in pair, which are spaced apart from each other; and
the pair of link units is connected to the drive unit so that light irradiation directions of the respective optical units are simultaneously switched when the drive unit is operated.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Motors Corp
• Sl Corp

Inventors

• Lim Jung Wook
• Ahn Byoung Suk
• Lee Ki Hong
• Chang Seung Hyeok
• Seo Jung Hee
• Kim Ji Yeon
• Son Yoo Jin
• Kim Jong Young
• Nam Jin Sik
• Go Dong Hyun
• Park Mi Hyang

Classifications

• F21S41/657 Primary

  by moving light sources · CPC title

• F21S41/635 Primary

  by moving refractors, filters or transparent cover plates · CPC title

• F21S41/20

  characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters · CPC title

• F21Y2115/10

  Light-emitting diodes [LED] · CPC title

• F21S41/25

  Projection lenses · CPC title