Light guide structure, lighting device and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a light guide structure, a lighting device and a motor vehicle, the light guide structure comprises a first light guide sub-part and a second light guide sub-part, and the first light guide sub-part and the second light guide sub-part are mutually connected together. Wherein the first photoconductor part comprises a polycarbonate material, and the second photoconductor part comprises a polymethyl methacrylate material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of light guide technology, and more specifically, to a light guide structure, a lighting device including the light guide structure, and a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Light guides are optical components that are often used in lighting devices of motor vehicles and can guide light from a light source to a desired position or orientation.

[0003] The materials known to the applicant for use as light guides include polycarbonate (PC) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). However, the applicant has found that light guides made of polycarbonate have the problem of yellowing light, and light guides made of polymethyl methacrylate have the problem of poor thermal stability. Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the present application is to overcome at least one of the problems and drawbacks in the prior art.

[0005] A first aspect of the present application provides a light guide structure, which includes a first light guide sub-section and a second light guide sub-section, wherein the first light guide sub-section and the second light guide sub-section are connected to each other; wherein the first light guide sub-section includes a polycarbonate material, and the second light guide sub-section includes a polymethyl methacrylate material.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first light guide sub-section is used to receive light emitted by a light source and transmit the light to the second light guide sub-section, and the second light guide sub-section is used to emit the light.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first light guide sub-section includes a starting end and a tail end, and the first light guide sub-section is used to receive the light emitted by the light source from the starting end, and emit the light from the tail end after total reflection; the second light guide sub-section includes a light input end and a light output surface, the light input end of the second light guide sub-section is connected to the tail end of the first light guide sub-section, and the second light guide sub-section is used to receive the light from the light input end, and emit the light from the light output surface after refraction.

[0008] In some embodiments, the tail end of the first light guide sub-section and the light incident end of the second light guide sub-section are aligned with each other; and the first light guide sub-section and the second light guide sub-section are both in the shape of long strips.

[0009] In some embodiments, the light guide structure further includes a mounting structure, and the first light guide sub-section and the second light guide sub-section are spliced ​​together through the mounting structure.

[0010] In some embodiments, the mounting structure includes: a first mounting sub-section, disposed on the first lightguide sub-section, the first mounting sub-section being used to fix the first lightguide sub-section on the outer shell; and a second mounting sub-section, disposed on the second lightguide sub-section, the second mounting sub-section being used to fix the second lightguide sub-section on the outer shell.

[0011] A second aspect of the present application provides a lighting device, which includes the light guide structure provided in the first aspect and the above embodiments.

[0012] In some embodiments, the lighting device further includes a light source, the light source is close to the first light guide sub-portion and away from the second light guide sub-portion, and the light guide structure is used to adjust the transmission direction of the light emitted by the light source.

[0013] In some embodiments, the lighting device further includes a housing, and the light source and the light guide structure are installed in the housing.

[0014] A third aspect of the present application provides a motor vehicle, which includes a lighting device as provided in the second aspect and the above-mentioned embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A front view of a light guide structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 2 A left side view of the light guide structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 3 A right side view of the light guide structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial enlarged view of the middle A area;

[0019] Figure 5 A bottom view of the light guide structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a lighting device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are mainly for illustrating possible implementation methods of the technical solution of the present application and should not be understood as limiting the technical solution of the present application. In this specification, the same or similar parts are indicated by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0022] Figure 1 A front view of the light guide structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 This is a left view of the light guide structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 This is a right side view of the light guide structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial enlarged view of area A. Figure 5 A bottom view of the light guide structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a lighting device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] like Figure 1-6 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a light guide structure 10. The light guide structure 10 includes a first light guide sub-section 11 and a second light guide sub-section 12, and the first light guide sub-section 11 and the second light guide sub-section 12 are connected to each other. The first light guide sub-section 11 includes a polycarbonate material, and the second light guide sub-section 12 includes a polymethyl methacrylate material.

[0024] In this embodiment, the first light guide sub-section 11 made of polycarbonate material PC has the problem that the light is easy to turn yellow; however, its thermal stability is good, and the light characteristics will be relatively normal even in a scene with a high ambient temperature. The second light guide sub-section 12 made of polymethyl methacrylate material PMMA has the problem of poor thermal stability, and the light characteristics will be abnormal when the ambient temperature is high; however, its light output quality is good, and there will be no problem of yellowing of the light. By connecting the first light guide sub-section 11 and the second light guide sub-section 12 together, the two can be used as an integral light guide structure 10. In this way, the respective advantages of the two materials can be comprehensively utilized, and the respective disadvantages of the two materials can be avoided. This can ensure that the thermal stability of the entire light guide structure 10 is better, and the light output quality of the light guide structure 10 is better and will not turn yellow. For example, the light emitted by the light guide structure 10 is white, which is more advantageous.

[0025] In the above embodiment, the first light guide sub-section 11 is made of polycarbonate material, and the second light guide sub-section is made of polymethyl methacrylate material. However, it is worth noting that in some embodiments, in addition to polycarbonate material PC, the first light guide sub-section 11 may also include other materials, such as some impurities; in addition to polymethyl methacrylate material PMMA, the second light guide sub-section 12 may also include other materials, such as some impurities.

[0026] For example, in some embodiments, Figure 1 , 2 As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first light guide sub-section 11 is arranged on a side close to the light source 20, and is used to receive the light L emitted by the light source 20, and transmit the light L to the second light guide sub-section 12. The second light guide sub-section 12 is arranged on a side away from the light source 20, and is used to emit the light L. Figure 1 ,2 The simplified structures of the light ray L are shown in and 5 , respectively.

[0027] When using the light guide structure 10, the first light guide sub-section 11 with better thermal stability is set on the side close to the light source that is prone to heat. Even if the ambient temperature is high, it will not affect its optical characteristics. At the same time, only the first light guide sub-section 11 can be used to transmit light without emitting light, so as to avoid the problem that the emitted light easily turns yellow. The second light guide sub-section 12 with poor thermal stability is set on the side away from the light source, so that it is away from the heat source and is in a position with a lower ambient temperature. At the same time, the second light guide sub-section 12 can be used to emit light, so that the quality of the emitted light is better and will not turn yellow. Thereby achieving the technical effect that the thermal stability and light output quality of the entire light guide structure 10 are better.

[0028] Specifically, in some embodiments, the first light guide sub-section 11 and the second light guide sub-section 12 are both in the shape of long strips. The length of the first light guide sub-section 11 can be set as long as possible within the range allowed by the installation space, so that the second light guide sub-section 12 is as far away from the heat source, that is, the light source 20, as possible, and a longer mixed light length can also be ensured; the length of the second light guide sub-section 12 matches the light output shape. The first light guide sub-section 11 includes a starting end 11a and a tail end 11b. The first light guide sub-section 11 is used to receive the light L emitted by the light source 20 from the starting end 11a, and emit the light L from the tail end 11b after total reflection. The second light guide sub-section 12 includes a light input end 12a and a light output surface 12s. The light input end 12a of the second light guide sub-section 12 is connected to the tail end 11b of the first light guide sub-section 11. The second light guide sub-section 12 is used to receive the light L from the light input end 12a, and emit the light L from the light output surface 12s after refraction.

[0029] In order to achieve better light transmission efficiency, in some embodiments, the tail end 11b of the first light guide sub-section 11 and the light entrance end 12a of the second light guide sub-section 12 are aligned with each other, so that a matching connection is formed between the first light guide sub-section 11 and the second light guide sub-section 12 to prevent light from leaking out of the connection.

[0030] The first light guide sub-section 11 and the second light guide sub-section 12 of the present application may be connected as one piece, or may be connected to each other via a mounting structure.

[0031] For example, Figure 3 and 4As shown, the light guide structure 10 further includes a mounting structure 13, and the first light guide sub-section 11 and the second light guide sub-section 12 are spliced ​​together through the mounting structure 13. The first light guide sub-section 11 and the second light guide sub-section 12 can be injection molded separately, and then the first light guide sub-section 11 and the second light guide sub-section 12 are tightly spliced ​​together. Compared with forming the first light guide sub-section 11 and the second light guide sub-section 12 of different materials into an integrated structure through an injection molding process, it is simpler and more feasible to separately inject the first light guide sub-section 11 and the second light guide sub-section 12 in terms of manufacturing process.

[0032] Specifically, the mounting structure 13 includes a first mounting sub-portion 131 and a second mounting sub-portion 132. The first mounting sub-portion 131 is disposed at the rear end 11b of the first light guide sub-portion 11, and the first mounting sub-portion 131 can be used to fix the first light guide sub-portion 11 to the housing 30 through the connector 31. The second mounting sub-portion 132 is disposed at the light input end 12a of the second light guide sub-portion 12, and the second mounting sub-portion 132 can be used to fix the second light guide sub-portion 12 to the housing 30 through the connector 31.

[0033] The embodiment of the present application further provides a lighting device 100, such as Figure 6 As shown, the lighting device 100 includes the light guide structure 10 described in any one of the above embodiments.

[0034] In addition to the light guide structure 10, the lighting device 100 also includes a light source 20 and a housing 30. The light guide structure 10 and the light source 20 are both installed in the housing 30. The light source 20 is close to the starting end 11a of the first light guide sub-portion 11 of the light guide structure 10 and away from the second light guide sub-portion 12. The light guide structure 10 is used to adjust the transmission direction of the light L emitted by the light source 20. The lighting device 100 can be used as a front position indicator light, a daytime running light, or a turn indicator light of a motor vehicle. The light source 20 can include an LED.

[0035] An embodiment of the present application further provides a motor vehicle, which includes the lighting device 100 described in any of the above embodiments.

[0036] Although the present application is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings are intended to exemplify the preferred embodiments of the present application and should not be construed as limiting the present application. The size ratios in the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0037] Although some embodiments of the overall concept of the present application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that the present application may include more other equivalent embodiments without departing from the overall inventive concept of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A light guide structure (10), characterized in that: It comprises a first light guide sub-section (11) and a second light guide sub-section (12), wherein the first light guide sub-section (11) and the second light guide sub-section (12) are connected to each other; Wherein, the first light guide sub-section (11) comprises a polycarbonate material, and the second light guide sub-section (12) comprises a polymethyl methacrylate material.

2. The light guide structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first light guide sub-section (11) is used to receive light emitted by a light source (20) and transmit the light to the second light guide sub-section (12); the second light guide sub-section (12) is used to emit the light.

3. The light guide structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first light guide sub-section (11) comprises a starting end (11a) and a tail end (11b), and the first light guide sub-section (11) is used to receive light emitted by the light source (20) from the starting end (11a), and emit the light from the tail end (11b) after total reflection; The second light guide sub-section (12) comprises a light input end (12a) and a light output surface (12s); the light input end (12a) of the second light guide sub-section (12) is connected to the rear end (11b) of the first light guide sub-section (11); the second light guide sub-section (12) is used to receive the light from the light input end (12a) and emit the light from the light output surface (12s) after refraction.

4. The light guide structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The tail end (11b) of the first light guide sub-section and the light entrance end (12a) of the second light guide sub-section (12) are aligned with each other; The first light guide sub-section (11) and the second light guide sub-section (12) are both in the shape of long strips.

5. The light guide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The light guide structure (10) further comprises a mounting structure (13), and the first light guide sub-section and the second light guide sub-section are spliced ​​together via the mounting structure (13).

6. The light guide structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The mounting structure (13) comprises: a first mounting sub-section (131), arranged on the first light guide sub-section (11), the first mounting sub-section (131) being used to fix the first light guide sub-section (11) on the housing (30); and The second mounting sub-section (132) is arranged on the second light guide sub-section (12), and the second mounting sub-section (132) is used to fix the second light guide sub-section (12) on the housing (30).

7. A lighting device, characterized in that: The light guide structure comprises a light guide structure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The lighting device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The lighting device further comprises a light source (20), the light source (20) being close to the first light guide sub-section (11) and away from the second light guide sub-section (12), and the light guide structure (10) being used to adjust the transmission direction of light emitted by the light source (20).

9. The lighting device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The lighting device further comprises a housing (30), wherein the light source (20) and the light guide structure (10) are installed in the housing (30).

10. A motor vehicle, characterized in that: Comprising a lighting device according to any one of claims 7-9.

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