(19)
(11)EP 2 442 023 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
08.08.2018 Bulletin 2018/32

(21)Application number: 11180994.3

(22)Date of filing:  13.09.2011
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F21V 31/03(2006.01)
F21V 29/67(2015.01)
F21S 41/147(2018.01)
F21V 29/60(2015.01)
F21S 45/43(2018.01)

(54)

Head lamp assembly and vehicle including the same

Scheinwerferanordnung und Fahrzeug damit

Ensemble formant phare et véhicule le comprenant


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 13.10.2010 KR 20100099840

(43)Date of publication of application:
18.04.2012 Bulletin 2012/16

(73)Proprietor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 443-742 (KR)

(72)Inventors:
  • Hong, Jong-pa
    Gyeonggi-do (KR)
  • Cho, Hyoung-cheol
    Seoul (KR)
  • Park, Hee-seok
    Gyeonggi-do (KR)
  • Son, Joong-kon
    Seoul (KR)

(74)Representative: Grünecker Patent- und Rechtsanwälte PartG mbB 
Leopoldstraße 4
80802 München
80802 München (DE)


(56)References cited: : 
WO-A1-2005/116522
DE-A1-102007 043 961
DE-A1-102009 006 093
TW-A- 200 949 155
DE-A1-102005 051 248
DE-A1-102008 006 108
JP-A- 2005 276 786
TW-U- M 369 431
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    BACKGROUND


    1. Field



    [0001] The present disclosure relates to head lamp assemblies and vehicles including the same, and more particularly, to head lamp assemblies including ventilating fans for circulating air and vehicles including the head lamp assemblies.

    2. Description of the Related Art



    [0002] Recently, light sources using light emitting diodes (LEDs) having excellent visibility have been used as head lamps of vehicles. Since the LED has a color temperature of about 5500 K that is similar to sunlight, eyes of a user feel barely tired, and degree of freedom of design for head lamps may be increased.

    [0003] However, as the performance of a LED is increased, the LED may increasingly emit high-temperature heat, and the heat may reduce the performance of the LED. That is, since a light source using a LED emits high-temperature heat when the light source operates, heat dissipation is required to prevent the heat lamp from being heated due to high-temperature heat generated from the light source using a LED.

    [0004] Although there is a spatial limit in a head lamp of a vehicle, if a device for dissipating heat is installed in the head lamp, heat dissipation efficiency of the head lamp is increased, and thus the device for dissipating heat is installed in the head lamp.

    [0005] As a method of dissipating heat generated from a head lamp of a vehicle, a cooling fan, a pin heatpipe, and the like may be used, heat may be dissipated from the head lamp of the vehicle by using natural wind during a drive, or heat may be compulsorily circulated by a ventilating fan.

    [0006] In the method of dissipating heat by using a cooling fan and a pin heatpipe, heat generated from the light source using a LED is dissipated out of a head lamp through a cold part of the head lamp by using a heat dissipation module including a heat sink, a pin, a heatpipe and a cooling fan. However, in this case, since the heatpipe through which the heat moves occupies a space, use of a space of the heat lamp may be reduced.

    [0007] In the method of using natural wind during a drive of a vehicle, an air path is formed so that natural wind (air) may be easily introduced to the head lamp of the vehicle. However, during a stop of the vehicle, since natural wind is not formed, there is likely to cause a problem with heat dissipation.

    [0008] In the method of compulsorily circulating heat, if an appropriate path is not provided in the head lamp, heat dissipation effects may be reduced, and thus the path needs to be formed in order to increase heat dissipation effects.

    [0009] The document DE 10 2008 006 108 A1 shows a headlamp comprising two cases having each a LED, a projection lens and a heat sink for passive cooling.

    [0010] TW M369431U1 and WO 2005/116522 A1 are disclosing headlamps with a plurality of semiconductor light sources and a fan. The air flow is guided towards heat sinks on which the light sources are mounted.

    SUMMARY



    [0011] The invention is defined in the appended claims. Provided are head lamp assemblies in which a fan for circulating air in a sealed head lamp is disposed, a hole is formed in a head lamp case, and a guide is formed so that an air flow generated by the fan may pass through a heat sink to thus have improved heat dissipation performance, and vehicles including the head lamp assemblies.

    [0012] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

    [0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, a head lamp assembly includes a housing; a plurality of head lamp cases installed in the housing, wherein each head lamp case includes a light emitting diode (LED) light source, and a heat sink for dissipating heat generated from the LED light source; and a plurality of ventilating fans for circulating air in the plurality of head lamp cases and installed in the plurality of head lamp cases, respectively.

    [0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a head lamp assembly includes a housing; a transparent window for transmitting light and installed in one side of the housing; a plurality of head lamp cases installed in the housing, wherein each head lamp case includes a light emitting diode (LED) light source, and a heat sink for dissipating heat generated from the LED light source; and a plurality of ventilating fans for circulating air in the plurality of head lamp cases and installed so as to be connected to an air inlet installed in one side of the head lamp case, wherein an air outlet is formed in one side of the head lamp case so that air is emitted out of the head lamp case by the ventilating fan.

    [0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a head lamp assembly including a housing; a transparent window for transmitting light and installed in one side of the housing; a plurality of head lamp cases installed in the housing, wherein each head lamp case includes a light emitting diode (LED) light source, and a heat sink for dissipating heat generated from the LED light source; a plurality of ventilating fans for circulating air in the plurality of head lamp cases and installed so as to be connected to an air inlet installed in one side of the head lamp case; and a guide portion for guiding air towards the heat sink.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0016] These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

    FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an air flow by a plurality of ventilating fans of a head lamp assembly of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

    FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a head lamp case, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

    FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-sectional view of an air flow in the head lamp case of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention.


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION



    [0017] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. In this regard, the present embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the present description.

    [0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an air flow by a plurality of ventilating fans 21 and 31 of a head lamp assembly 10 of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a head lamp case, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-sectional view of an air flow in the head lamp case of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

    [0019] Referring to FIG. 1, head lamp assemblies are installed on right and left sides of an engine room (not shown) installed in a front portion of the vehicle, and emit light forwards. The head lamp assembly 10 of FIG. 1 is installed on the right side of the engine room. However, a head lamp assembly (not shown) for the left side of the engine room is similar to the head lamp assembly 10.

    [0020] The head lamp assembly 10 includes a housing 11, and an inner space 13 in which a transparent window 12 for transmitting light therethrough and installed in one side of the housing 11, wherein the inner space portion 13 is sealed. The housing 11 contacts the engine room, and the transparent window 12 is installed so as to face forwards. Two head lamp cases 20 and 30 are installed parallel to each other in the inner space portion 13. Herein, a reference number 20 denotes a first head lamp case, and a reference number 30 denotes a second head lamp case.

    [0021] A first ventilating fan 21 is installed in the first head lamp case 20, and a second ventilating fan 31 is installed in the second head lamp case 30. The first ventilating fan 21 and the second ventilating fan 31 are installed so as to have opposite ventilating directions. Thus, the first ventilating fan 21 may cause an air to flow in a backwards direction from a front portion of the first head lamp case 20. The second ventilating fan 31 may cause the air from the first ventilating fan 21 to flow in a forwards direction from a rear portion of the second head lamp case 30. The air flowing in a forwards direction of the second head lamp case 30 may flow in the first head lamp case 20 by the first ventilating fan 21 again. Air may be circulated in the first head lamp case 20 and the second head lamp case 30 by the first ventilating fan 21 and the second ventilating fan 31.

    [0022] Likewise, since the air in the head lamp assembly 10 is circulated through both the first head lamp case 20 and the second head lamp case 30, heat in the first head lamp case 20 and the second head lamp case 30 is circulated to thus improve heat dissipation.

    [0023] A temperature of the inner space 13 of the head lamp assembly 10 may be 200 degrees or more, but a temperature of an outside of the transparent window 12 is a normal temperature of about -10 to about 40. Thus, although the head lamp assembly 10 is sealed, heat may be naturally dissipated due to conduction using the transparent window 12.

    [0024] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first head lamp case 20 includes an air inlet 20a formed on one side thereof and a projection lens 29 for emitting light forwards and formed on the other side facing the air inlet 20a. The first head lamp case 20 and the second head lamp case 30 have the same structure, but have opposite ventilation directions. For convenience of description, examples of the first head lamp case 20 will be descried below.

    [0025] The first ventilating fan 21 is installed in the first head lamp case 20 so as to contact the air inlet 20a. Thus, when the first ventilating fan 21 operates, air is introduced to the first head lamp case 20 through the air inlet 20a.

    [0026] Between the first ventilating fan 21 and the projection lens 29, a light emitting diode (LED) light source 22, a LED light source fixing block 23 for supporting and fixing the LED light source 22, a reflector 24 for reflecting light emitted from the LED light source 22 towards the projection lens 29, and a heat sink 25 for dissipating heat generated from the LED light source 22 and installed in a lower portion of the LED light source fixing block 23. The heat sink 25 increases an area for heat dissipation, and is not limited to FIG. 2. Modified examples having the same function may be used.

    [0027] An air outlet 28 is formed in a lower surface 20b of the first head lamp case 20. Air introduced through the air inlet 20a by the first ventilating fan 21 may be emitted out of the second head lamp case 30 through an air outlet 28. A position at which the air outlet 28 is formed is not limited to FIGS. 2 and 3. Alternatively, the air outlet 28 may be installed on one surface of the first head lamp case 20.

    [0028] A guide portion 26 is spaced apart from a bottom portion of the heat sink 25 by a predetermined distance. The guide portion 26 is bent from a bottom surface of the first ventilating fan 21 towards the heat sink 25 so as to dispose parallel to the bottom surface of the heat sink 25. The guide portion 26 is bent in a downwards direction to the air outlet 28. Thus, air introduced from a portion below the first ventilating fan 21 flows towards the heat sink 25 and air passing through the heat sink 25 flows towards the air outlet 28.

    [0029] The structure and shape of the guide portion 26 are not limited to FIGS. 2 and 3. That is, any structure and shape of the guide portion 26 may be used as long as air introduced from may flow towards the heat sink 25 and air passing through the heat sink 25 may flow towards the air outlet 28.

    [0030] As shown in FIG. 3, when the first ventilating fan 21 operates, air introduced through the air inlet 20a may pass through the heat sink 25, and air introduced in a downwards direction of the first ventilating fan 21 may flow towards the heat sink 25 due to the guide portion 26 so as to pass through the heat sink 25. Air passing through the heat sink 25 flows towards the air outlet 28 due to the guide portion 26 so as to be emitted from a lower portion of the first head lamp case 20 through the air outlet 28.

    [0031] Referring to FIG. 1, air emitted from the first head lamp case 20 is introduced to the second head lamp case 30 through an air outlet (not shown) of the second head lamp case 30 by the second ventilating fan 31 and flows towards the heat sink 25 due to the guide portion 26. Air passing through the heat sink 25 is emitted out of the second head lamp case 30 through the second ventilating fan 31. Air emitted out of the second head lamp case 30 is introduced to the first head lamp case 20 by the first ventilating fan 21 to thus be circulated in the first head lamp case 20 and the second head lamp case 30.

    [0032] So far, a case where a head lamp assembly is used in a vehicle has been described. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. The head lamp assembly may be used in a transportation using a head lamp assembly, such as a motorcycle, a train, a truck, a bus, heavy equipment, and the like.

    [0033] It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described therein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments.


    Claims

    1. A head lamp assembly (10) comprising:

    a housing (11);

    a plurality of head lamp cases (20, 30) installed in the housing, wherein each head lamp case comprises:

    a case (20);

    a light emitting diode, LED, light source (22) installed within the case;

    a heat sink (25) installed within the case for dissipating heat generated from the LED light source; and

    characterized in that each head lamp case further comprises:

    a first air opening (20a) formed in one side of the case;

    a projection lens (29) for emitting light forwards and formed on the other side of the case (200) facing the first air opening (20a);

    a ventilating fan (21) installed in the case and connected to the first air opening;

    a second air opening (28) formed in a bottom surface of the case; and

    a guide portion (26) for guiding air introduced through one of the first and second air openings by the ventilating fan towards the heat sink and air passing through the heat sink towards the other one of the first and second air openings to emit the air out of the case,

    wherein the guide portion (26) is bent from a bottom surface of the ventilating fan (21) towards the heat sink (25), and further bent from the heat sink (25) in a direction to the second air opening, and wherein the guide portion (26) comprises a portion on which a bottom surface of the heat sink (25) is disposed, said portion being parallel to the bottom surface of the heat sink (25),

    and the air is guided so as to flow above the guide portion (26).


     
    2. The head lamp assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising a transparent window (12) for transmitting light and installed in one side of the housing (11).
     
    3. The head lamp assembly (10) of claim 2, wherein the head lamp assembly is sealed by the housing (11) and the transparent window (12).
     
    4. The head lamp assembly (10) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ventilating fans (21) of the plurality of head lamp cases (20, 30) are installed so as to have opposite ventilating directions.
     
    5. A vehicle comprising the head lamp assembly (10) of any one of claims 1 through 4.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Scheinwerferanordnung (10), mit:

    einem Gehäuse (11);

    mehreren Scheinwerfergehäusen (20, 30), die in dem Gehäuse montiert sind, wobei jedes Scheinwerfergehäuse aufweist:

    eine Gehäuseeinheit (20);

    eine Leuchtdioden-, LED-, Lichtquelle (22), die in der Gehäuseeinheit montiert ist;

    eine Wärmesenke (25), die in der Gehäuseeinheit zum Abführen von Wärme, die von der LED-Lichtquelle erzeugt ist, montiert ist;

    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Scheinwerfergehäuse ferner umfasst:

    eine erste Belüftungsöffnung (20a), die auf einer Seite der Gehäuseeinheit ausgebildet ist;

    eine Projektionslinse (29) zum Aussenden von Licht nach vorne, die auf der anderen Seite der Gehäuseeinheit (200), die der ersten Belüftungsöffnung (20a) zugewandt ist, ausgebildet ist;

    ein Belüftungsgebläse (21), das in der Gehäuseeinheit montiert ist und mit der ersten Belüftungsöffnung in Verbindung steht;

    eine zweite Belüftungsöffnung (28), die in einer Bodenfläche der Gehäuseeinheit ausgebildet ist; und

    einen Führungsbereich (26) zum Führen von Luft, die über die erste oder die zweite Belüftungsöffnung durch das Belüftungsgebläse eingeführt wird, zu der Wärmesenke, und zum Führen von Luft, die die Wärmesenke durchströmt, zu der entsprechenden anderen Öffnung der ersten und zweiten Belüftungsöffnung, um die Luft aus der Gehäuseeinheit herauszuführen,

    wobei der Führungsbereich (26) von einer Bodenfläche des Belüftungsgebläses (21) zu der Wärmesenke (25) gebogen ist und ferner von der Wärmesenke (25) in einer Richtung zu der zweiten Belüftungsöffnung gebogen ist, und wobei der Führungsbereich (26) einen Bereich aufweist, auf welchem die Bodenfläche der Wärmesenke (25) angeordnet ist, wobei der Bereich parallel zu der Bodenfläche der Wärmesenke (25) verläuft und die Luft so geführt ist, dass sie über dem Führungsbereich (26) strömt.


     
    2. Scheinwerferanordnung (10) nach Anspruch 1, die ferner ein transparentes, zum Durchlassen von Licht vorgesehenes Fenster (12) aufweist, das auf einer Seite des Gehäuses (11) montiert ist.
     
    3. Scheinwerferanordnung (10) nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Scheinwerferanordnung durch das Gehäuse (11) und das transparente Fenster (12) abgedichtet ist.
     
    4. Scheinwerferanordnung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die Belüftungsgebläse (21) der mehreren Scheinwerfergehäuse (20, 30) so montiert sind, dass sie entgegengerichtete Belüftungsrichtungen haben.
     
    5. Fahrzeug, das die Scheinwerferanordnung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4 aufweist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Ensemble formant phare (10) comprenant:

    un logement (11);

    une pluralité de boîtiers de phare (20, 30) installés dans le logement, chaque boîtier de phare comprenant:

    un boîtier (20);

    une source de lumière (22) à DEL, diode électroluminescente, installée dans le boîtier;

    un dissipateur de chaleur (25) installé dans le boîtier pour dissiper la chaleur générée par la source de lumière à DEL; et

    caractérisé en ce que chaque boîtier de phare comprend en outre: une première ouverture d'air (20a) formée dans un côté du boîtier;

    une lentille de projection (29) pour émettre de la lumière vers l'avant et formée de l'autre côté du boîtier (200) en regard de la première ouverture d'air (20a);

    un ventilateur d'aération (21) installé dans le boîtier et relié à la première ouverture d'air;

    une seconde ouverture d'air (28) formée dans une surface inférieure du boîtier; et

    une partie guidage (26) pour guider l'air introduit à travers l'une des première et seconde ouvertures d'air par le ventilateur d'aération vers le dissipateur de chaleur et l'air passant à travers le dissipateur de chaleur vers l'autre des première et seconde ouvertures d'air pour évacuer l'air hors du boîtier,

    dans lequel la partie guidage (26) est courbée depuis une surface inférieure du ventilateur d'aération (21) vers le dissipateur de chaleur (25), et courbée une nouvelle fois depuis le dissipateur de chaleur (25) dans une direction vers la seconde ouverture d'air,

    et dans lequel la partie guidage (26) comprend une partie sur laquelle la surface inférieure du dissipateur de chaleur (25) est disposée, ladite partie étant parallèle à la surface inférieure du dissipateur de chaleur (25),

    et l'air est guidé de manière à s'écouler au-dessus de la partie guidage (26).


     
    2. Ensemble formant phare (10) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une fenêtre transparente (12) pour transmettre la lumière et installée dans un côté du boîtier (11).
     
    3. Ensemble formant phare (10) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'ensemble formant phare est scellé par le boîtier (11) et la fenêtre transparente (12).
     
    4. Ensemble formant phare (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel les ventilateurs d'aération (21) de la pluralité de boîtiers de phare (20, 30) sont installés de manière à présenter des directions d'aération opposées.
     
    5. Véhicule comprenant l'ensemble formant phare (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4.
     




    Drawing











    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description