Light guide assembly, lighting or signaling device and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a light guide assembly, a lighting or signal indicating device, and a motor vehicle. The light guide assembly (100) comprises at least two light guide elements (110) arranged side by side, wherein the light guide assembly (100) is implemented in one piece and has a variable outer contour size in a direction transverse to its length extension direction. The lighting or signal indicating device comprises a light source and the light guide assembly (100). The motor vehicle comprises the light guide assembly (100) or the lighting or signal indicating device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lighting or signal indication, and more particularly, to a light guide assembly, and a lighting or signal indication device and a motor vehicle having the light guide assembly. Background Art

[0002] In various fields, various lighting or signaling devices are known to provide light for lighting or signaling. For example, lighting or signaling devices such as vehicle lights are used in motor vehicles to ensure safe driving.

[0003] As an optical element, light guides are often used in lighting or signal indicating devices of motor vehicles to guide light from a light source to a desired position. In this case, the total reflection and transmission of light in the light guide are usually used. The design of lighting or signal indicating devices involves the fixing and installation of light guides. For example, when light guides are applied to motor vehicles or other machines, there is usually a limited installation space, and the geometric dimensions of this installation space are variable or different at different positions, for example, some positions are wider and some positions are narrower, which results in the light guide not being properly accommodated at one or some positions of the installation space. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the problems and defects in the prior art.

[0005] An embodiment of one aspect of the present invention provides a light guide assembly, which includes at least two light guide elements arranged side by side, wherein the light guide assembly is implemented in one piece and has a variable outer contour dimension in a direction transverse to the direction in which its length extends. In particular, the outer contour dimension matches the structural dimension of the installation space for the light guide assembly, thereby simplifying the installation of the light guide assembly and achieving the desired light output effect. Preferably, the light guide assembly is made of PC or PMMA injection molding.

[0006] In some embodiments, at least two of the light guide elements are spaced apart at least partially in the length extension direction. At least two of the light guide elements may also be directly coupled to each other at least partially in the length extension direction.

[0007] For example, when the installation space, in particular the installation opening for accommodating the optical waveguide component, extends along the length extension direction, it includes at least a first installation area and a second installation area, the first installation area has a first size extending in a first direction perpendicular to the length extension direction, and the second installation area has a second size extending in the first direction, and the two sizes are different. To this end, at least two optical waveguide elements of the optical waveguide component may be respectively defined with at least a first section and a second section in the length extension direction, and the at least two optical waveguide elements are spaced apart from each other in the first section and combined with each other in the second section, so that the first section has a first section size extending in the first direction, and the second section has a second section size extending in the first direction, wherein the first section size is different from the second section size and is smaller than or equal to the first size, and the second section size is smaller than or equal to the second size. This arrangement enables the optical waveguide component to be installed in the installation space in a desired manner.

[0008] Preferably, the light conducting elements can be spaced apart from one another at the same distance in the spaced-apart sections.

[0009] In some embodiments, the optical waveguide component is further defined with a third section different from the first section and the second section in the direction of length extension. At least two optical waveguide elements are also separated from each other in the third section, but are connected to each other through a connecting portion in the third section. This improves the structural strength of the optical waveguide component. It is conceivable that a portion of the light propagating in the optical waveguide element can be emitted from the connecting portion, thereby further improving the uniformity of the emitted light.

[0010] In some embodiments, the light guide elements of the light guide assembly are spaced apart at the ends.

[0011] In some embodiments, the light guide element is cylindrical. Preferably, the light guide element may have a variable cross section in the length extension direction to achieve light output uniformity in the entire length extension direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, the light guide assembly further includes a fixing member, which fixes the light guide assembly at a corresponding position, for example, in a provided mounting opening.

[0013] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a lighting or signal indicating device having a light source and the above light guide assembly.

[0014] In some embodiments, each light guide element of the light guide assembly is assigned a light source.

[0015] In some embodiments, the light sources are arranged on the same side of the light guide element. For example, each of the light guide elements has a first end and a second end opposite to each other in the length extension direction, and all the first ends of the light guide elements are located on the same side and receive light from the light source. This is particularly suitable for the case where the light guide elements of the light guide assembly are spaced apart at the ends. This embodiment can ensure uniform light output.

[0016] In some embodiments, the light sources are arranged alternately on both sides of the light guide element.

[0017] In some embodiments, the end of the light guide element opposite to the light coupling surface for the light source is a light-proof end. This end can be set as a total reflection surface, thereby improving light utilization. Alternatively, this end can also have light absorption properties.

[0018] In some embodiments, light sources are arranged on both sides of each light guide element.

[0019] In some embodiments, the light guide assemblies may share a common light source.

[0020] In some embodiments, the light guide element has a light outlet extending in a lengthwise extension direction, and the light outlet emits light propagating in the light guide element toward a target direction.

[0021] In some embodiments, at least two light guide elements combined together can achieve optical coupling, so that a portion of light propagating in one light guide element can enter an adjacent light guide element through a combining portion.

[0022] An embodiment of yet another aspect of the present invention further provides a motor vehicle, which includes the light guide assembly or the lighting or signal indication device described above.

[0023] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to have a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] These and / or other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a structure of a mounting frame for mounting a light guide assembly in one form;

[0026] Figure 2 A perspective view showing the structure of a light guide assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 Schematically shows a diagram of a light guide assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention installed in a mounting frame;

[0028] Figure 4 Shown along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the relative sizes of the light guide assembly and the mounting frame;

[0029] Figure 5 A structural cross-sectional view showing a connection section of a light guide assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0030] Figure 6 Schematic plan views of various exemplary forms of light guide assemblies provided according to embodiments of the present invention are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, components with the same or similar functions are indicated by the same reference numerals. The following description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to illustrate the inventive concept of the present disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0032] In addition, in the following detailed description, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are embodied in a schematic manner to simplify the drawings.

[0033] An embodiment of the present invention provides a light guide assembly, which can be used, for example, for a lighting or signal indication device of a motor vehicle. The light guide assembly includes at least two light guide elements, which are arranged side by side. The light guide assembly has a variable cross-sectional dimension in a direction transverse to the length extension direction, so that the dimension of the light guide assembly matches the effective light emitting surface of the variable dimension. Specifically, the light guide elements of the light guide assembly can be separated and / or combined with each other according to the dimension variation of the light emitting surface, so that, for example, they are suitable for installation in such a dimensionally variable installation position or opening, which simplifies the structure and operation for installing and fixing the light guide assembly and achieves the desired light emitting effect.

[0034] exist Figure 1An example of a mounting frame for a light guide assembly is shown in FIG. The mounting frame 1 is, for example, a housing of a lighting or signal indicating device, which defines a mounting portion or opening 10 for mounting a light guide element or light guide assembly therein. As shown in the figure, the mounting portion or opening 10 at least includes or defines a first mounting area 11 and a second mounting area 12, which may be continuous with each other or spaced apart from each other, depending on the specific application in which the light guide assembly is mounted. The first mounting area 11 has a first size W1, and the second mounting area 12 has a second size W2, which are different from each other and are therefore not suitable for mounting a light guide element or light guide assembly of constant overall size therein. For example, the first size W1 and the second size W2 are sizes extending in a direction perpendicular to the length extension direction of the mounting portion or opening 10, such as the width of the corresponding mounting area, the first mounting area 11 is wider, and the second mounting area 12 is narrower, that is, the first size W1 is larger than the second size W2.

[0035] Embodiments of the present invention provide a light guide assembly suitable for installation in such mounting locations or openings 10 of varying sizes. Figure 2-4 As shown, the light guide assembly 100 is used to guide the light from the light source to be emitted toward the target direction, and includes at least two light guide elements 110. The light guide element 110 has an elongated shape and has a length extending in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as the "length extension direction" of the light guide assembly), such as a rod-shaped or strip-shaped light guide element, or a flat light guide element, depending on the specific application of the light guide assembly. The light guide assembly 100 is defined by at least a first section 111 and a second section 112 in its length extension direction. According to the shape of the installation part or the opening 10, the first section 111 and the second section 112 may also be continuous with each other, or spaced apart from each other.

[0036] According to some embodiments of the present invention, at least two light guide elements 110 of the light guide assembly 100 are spaced apart from each other in a first section 111 adapted to have a larger dimension W1, and are combined with each other in a second section 112 adapted to have a smaller dimension W1, so that the first section 111 has a first section dimension w1 extending in a direction perpendicular to the length extension direction of the light guide assembly 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "first direction"), and the second section 112 has a second section dimension w2 extending in the first direction. The first section dimension w1 is different from the second section dimension w2. For example, when the light guide assembly is accommodated in the mounting opening, the first section dimension w1 is less than or equal to the first dimension W1, and the second section dimension w2 is less than or equal to the second dimension W2. The first direction is, for example, the width direction of the light guide assembly, and accordingly, these dimensions w1, w2 are the widths of the corresponding sections.

[0037] Thus, the optical waveguide elements 110 of the optical waveguide assembly 100 can be constructed to be separated or combined with each other according to the size change of the installation part or opening 10 to adapt to the size of the installation part or opening 10 at different positions, so that the larger section of the optical waveguide assembly 100 is installed in the area with a larger size of the part or opening 10, and the smaller section of the optical waveguide assembly 100 is installed in the area with a smaller size of the part or opening 10. Therefore, the optical waveguide assembly constructed in this way is suitable for installation in the installation part or opening with such size change, simplifying the structure and operation for installing and fixing the optical waveguide assembly, and can reduce or eliminate the damage to the optical waveguide element or the difficulty in installation which would otherwise be caused by the optical waveguide element being installed in an opening with a smaller size in a way that the outer surfaces of the optical waveguide element contact or squeeze each other.

[0038] Exemplarily, at least two light guide elements 110 are directly combined with each other in the second section 112 to form an integrated structure, so that the overall size of the light guide assembly in the second area with a smaller size can be reduced without reducing the size (such as the diameter) of a single light guide element, thereby avoiding the problem of light guide element damage or installation difficulties caused by light guide elements contacting or squeezing each other in the opening. Each light guide element 110 has a light guide element size extending in the first direction. Since the light guide elements 110 are combined with each other in the second section 112, the second section size w2 of the light guide assembly 100 is smaller than the sum of the light guide element sizes of the at least two light guide elements 110 in the first section 111.

[0039] In some examples, such as Figure 2 and 4 As shown, the cross section of the light guide element 110 is circular with a diameter D, and adjacent light guide elements 110 are combined with each other so that the dimension w2 of the light guide assembly 100 in the second section 112 is smaller than the sum of the diameters D of the light guide elements 110. Figure 4 As shown, the chord length at the joint of adjacent optical waveguide elements 110 is F, and the chord length F can be appropriately selected or designed to balance the optical energy loss between adjacent optical waveguide elements and the strength of the joint of the optical waveguide elements.

[0040] In the first region 11 where the size of the portion or opening 10 is relatively large, at least two light guide elements 110 may be arranged to be kept apart from each other to expand the light output area. Figure 2 and 3 As shown, parts of at least two light guide elements 110 in the first section 111 are spaced apart from each other at the same distance d and arranged in the first region 11 with a larger size, thereby providing a visually uniform light emission effect in the region.

[0041] Each light guide element 110 has a first end and a second end opposite to each other in the direction in which the light guide element 110 extends in length, and all first ends of all light guide elements 110 of the light guide assembly 100 are located on the same side and are configured to receive light from the first light source. Figure 2 As shown, exemplarily, the spaced ends of the light guide element 110 are light coupling surfaces 101 of the light source, thereby allowing the light from the light source to propagate from the first section 111 to the second section 112 in the light guide element 110. Here, one end 102 of the light guide component opposite to the light coupling surface in the length extension direction is a total reflection surface, thereby improving the utilization of light and achieving more uniform light distribution.

[0042] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated example, the spaced apart ends of at least two light guide elements 110 facing the light source are held by a bracket 115 so that the relative positions and spacings between adjacent light guide elements remain fixed.

[0043] In other examples, the ends of all the light guide elements 110 that are combined together may also receive light from a light source not shown, thereby further improving the uniformity of light output and enhancing the brightness of light output.

[0044] It can be understood that, according to application requirements, each light guide element can receive light from the same light source, or corresponding light sources can be provided at both ends of each light guide element.

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown, at least one light guide element 110, preferably all light guide elements of the light guide assembly 100 has an optical tooth 117, which, for example, extends in the length extension direction of the light guide element, and the optical tooth 117 is configured to reflect the light propagating in the light guide element toward a target direction. According to actual needs, the optical tooth 117 is arranged along a part or all of the length of the light guide element 110, for example, including the parts located in the first section 111 and the second section 112.

[0046] In some embodiments, Figure 2 and 5 As shown, the light guide assembly 100 also includes or is defined by a third section 113 located between the first section 111 and the second section 112 in the direction of its length extension, and the three sections may be continuous or separated from each other, for example, the third section 113 connects or combines the first section 111 and the second section 112 as a transition portion. It will be understood that although the light guide assembly is described herein as having different sections, there may be no separation boundaries between these sections, but rather they are integrated with each other. As shown in the figure, the light guide elements 110 are separated from each other in the third area 113, and the light guide assembly 100 also includes a connecting portion 114 located in the third area 113, which connects adjacent light guide elements 110 to each other.

[0047] On the one hand, the connecting portion 114 can provide structural support for the optical waveguide element and maintain the relative position and spacing of the optical waveguide elements. On the other hand, the connecting portion 114 can also be configured to optically couple adjacent optical waveguide elements 110 to each other, so that a portion of the light propagating in one optical waveguide element can enter the adjacent optical waveguide element through the connecting portion 114, thereby reducing the optical energy loss between the optical waveguide elements combined with each other. In some examples, the connecting portion 114 can also emit light, so that the light entering the connecting portion 114 from the optical waveguide element 110 can also be emitted from the connecting portion, such as toward a target direction, thereby further improving the light emission uniformity of the optical waveguide assembly. Exemplarily, the connecting portion 114 can be made of the same material as the optical waveguide element 110, for example, formed integrally with the optical waveguide element 110.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the light guide assembly may further include or be provided with a fixing member 116, which is used to fixedly hold the light guide element 110, for example, to fix the relative position and / or spacing between the light guide elements. In addition, the fixing member 116 is also used to fixedly install the light guide element 110 in the installation part or the opening 10. According to actual needs, one or more such fixing members may be provided along the length extension direction of the light guide element.

[0049] exist Figure 1 and 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting portion or opening 10 in the mounting frame 1 has a substantially L-shaped shape, with one end being larger than the other end, and accordingly the light guide assembly 100 has a shape substantially consistent with the mounting portion or opening 10, i.e., it is bent in accordance with the L-shape of the mounting portion or opening 10. In this case, the length extension direction of the light guide assembly 100 or its light guide element 110 matches this shape and varies in different areas. In actual applications, depending on the size and shape of the mounting portion or opening defined in the mounting frame, and the size of the mounting space, the light guide element of the light guide assembly presents a corresponding shape or contour. For example, in Figure 1 and 3 In the embodiment, the light guide elements of the light guide assembly are combined with each other on the left side and separated from each other on the right side; in other embodiments, the positions where the light guide elements of the light guide assembly are combined with each other and separated from each other can be changed, such as Figure 6 As shown, the light guide elements of the light guide assembly can be combined with each other in the middle position and separated from each other at both ends, or the light guide elements of the light guide assembly can be separated from each other in the middle position and combined with each other at both ends. This can be selected and designed according to actual needs.

[0050] The above-mentioned light guide element provided in the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various lighting or signal indicating devices, and the lighting or signal indicating device can include a light source and the above-mentioned light guide component, and the light guide component guides the light from the light source to be emitted in the target direction. Exemplarily, the lighting or signal indicating device can include a turn signal, a position light, etc. of a motor vehicle.

[0051] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a motor vehicle comprising a light guide assembly or a lighting or signal indication device according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0052] Although the present invention is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to exemplify the preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. The size ratios in the drawings are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0053] Although some embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A light guide assembly (100), comprising at least two light guide elements (110) arranged side by side, wherein: The optical waveguide component (100) is implemented in one piece and has a variable outer contour dimension in a direction transverse to its length extension direction; The light guide assembly comprises, in the length extension direction, a first section (111), a second section (112) and a third section (113) with different outer contour sizes, and the third section serves as a transition portion to connect or combine the first section and the second section; Wherein, the at least two optical waveguide elements (110) are spaced apart from each other in the first section, the spaced apart ends of the at least two optical waveguide elements in the first section are held by a bracket (115), the at least two optical waveguide elements (110) are directly combined with each other in the second section, the at least two optical waveguide elements (110) are spaced apart from each other in the third section, and the optical waveguide elements (110) are connected to each other in the spaced apart third section via a connecting portion (114).

2. The light guide assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The light guide elements (110) of the light guide assembly (100) are spaced apart at the ends and / or at the middle positions; The at least two light guide elements are spaced apart from each other at the same distance in the first section.

3. The light guide assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The light guiding element (110) has a variable cross-sectional dimension.

4. The light guide assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The light guide assembly (100) has a fixing member (116) for fixedly holding the light guide element.

5. The light guide assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: Each of the light guide elements has a first end and a second end opposite to each other in the length extension direction, the first ends of the light guide assembly are located on the same side and are configured to receive light from a light source; The spaced ends of the at least two light guide elements are light coupling surfaces (101) of the light source, and one end (102) of the light guide component arranged opposite to the light coupling surface is a total reflection surface.

6. A lighting or signaling device, comprising a light source and a light guide assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The lighting or signaling device according to claim 6, wherein: Each light guide element (110) of the light guide assembly (100) is assigned a light source.

8. The lighting or signaling device according to claim 6, wherein: The light sources are arranged on the same side of the light guide element (110).

9. The lighting or signaling device according to claim 7, wherein: The light sources are alternately arranged on both sides of the light guide element (110).

10. The lighting or signaling device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: An end (102) of the light guide element (110) that is opposite to the light coupling surface (101) for the light source is a light-proof end.

11. The lighting or signaling device according to claim 7, wherein: The light sources are arranged on both sides of each light guide element (110).

12. The lighting or signaling device according to claim 6, wherein: The light guide components (100) share a light source.

13. A motor vehicle having a light guide assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or a lighting or signaling device according to any one of claims 6 to 12.

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