Light transmission component, light emitting module and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a light-conducting component, a light-emitting module and a vehicle. The light-conducting component (1) comprises: a main body (2) which is at least partially light-transmissive and is rod-shaped and has a longitudinal extension; a first end face (3) and a second end face (4) which are arranged at two ends of the main body (2) and are allocated to corresponding light sources; a light decoupling structure (6) which is arranged on a circumference (5) of the main body (2) along at least a portion of the longitudinal extension of the main body (2); and a light-emitting surface which is arranged opposite to the light decoupling structure (6), wherein the light decoupling structure (6) is composed of at least two rows of sub-light decoupling structures (10, 20) which are allocated to corresponding light sources.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a light-conducting component, a light-emitting module and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] EP0935091 discloses a rod-shaped light guide for a lighting device of a motor vehicle, which has at least one end face as a light coupling surface and a light exit surface along the longitudinal axis, the light exit surface is used to emit light transversely to the longitudinal axis and is opposite to a reflection surface, the reflection surface has a plurality of prisms for deflecting light. In the light guide, the width of the prism transverse to the longitudinal axis changes along the direction of the longitudinal axis, so that the prism arranged toward the light coupling surface has a smaller width than the prism arranged away from the light coupling surface. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a light-conducting member, which can respectively arrange light sources at two ends and achieve a uniform light-emitting effect accordingly.

[0004] According to the present invention, the object is achieved by: the light-conducting member has: a main body that is at least partially light-transmissive, the main body is rod-shaped and has a longitudinal extension; a first end face and a second end face, which are arranged at both ends of the main body and are assigned to corresponding light sources; a light decoupling structure, at least a portion of which is arranged on the circumference of the main body along the longitudinal extension of the main body; a light-emitting surface, which is arranged opposite to the light decoupling structure, wherein the light decoupling structure is composed of at least two rows of sub-light decoupling structures, which are respectively assigned to corresponding light sources. Specifically, one or a group of the sub-light decoupling structures is assigned to the first light source associated with the first end face, and another or another group of the sub-light decoupling structures is assigned to the second light source associated with the second end face.

[0005] Since light sources are respectively arranged at both ends of the rod-shaped light-conducting member, and the light sources are correspondingly allocated with sub-light decoupling structures of the light decoupling structure, when the light source at the end side is correspondingly lit, the total reflectivity of the light coupled into the light-conducting member and reaching the sub-light decoupling structure can be destroyed, so that the light can be emitted from the light-emitting surface of the light-conducting member. In particular, when the light sources at both ends have different colors, when the light sources at both ends are respectively lit, light emitting effects of different colors can be achieved through the same light-conducting member to achieve the desired effect.

[0006] The sub-light decoupling structures can be arranged close to each other, or the interval between the sub-light decoupling structures is no more than one fifth of the circumference of the main body. The latter is particularly suitable for the case where the light guide itself has a larger diameter to achieve cost-effective production.

[0007] The sub-light decoupling structure is composed of a prism, which includes a reflective surface and a connecting surface and may have a sawtooth cross-section, wherein the side where the longer waist edge is located is the reflective surface, and the other side is the connecting surface. The reflective surface is used to reflect the arriving light toward the light-emitting surface, and allows the light to be emitted from the light-emitting surface. Here, the transition portion between the reflective surface and the connecting surface may be rounded to facilitate manufacturing. The reflective surface may be a plane, a concave surface, or a convex surface.

[0008] The reflective surface of the prism of the sub-light decoupling structure faces the end face of the light-conducting member assigned to the corresponding light source. When light sources are assigned to the first end face and the second end face, the reflective surface of the prism of the sub-light decoupling structure faces the corresponding light source, thereby reflecting the light from the corresponding light source to change the propagation direction of the light inside the light-conducting member, so that at least a part of the light can be emitted from the light-emitting surface. In other words, the reflective surface of the sub-light decoupling structure assigned to a light source can make the light from the light source emit from the light-emitting surface, while hardly affecting the propagation of the light from the opposite light source in the light-conducting member, because the light from the light source arranged at the other end is emitted from the light-conducting member through another correspondingly assigned sub-light decoupling structure.

[0009] Here, it is also conceivable that, in another embodiment, the orientation of the connection surface of the sub-light decoupling structure assigned to one light source is substantially corresponding to the orientation of the reflection surface of the sub-light decoupling structure assigned to another light source, so that each prism of the light decoupling structure has a functional surface at least partially used to emit light. Therefore, one sub-light decoupling structure can be used as a main light decoupling structure, and the other sub-light decoupling structure can be used as an auxiliary light decoupling structure.

[0010] The prisms can be separated from each other by spacing surfaces, which are also reflective surfaces. The spacing surfaces are used to adjust the distribution of light entering the light-conducting member along the longitudinal extension. To this end, the spacing surfaces can have a size that changes in a predetermined manner along the longitudinal extension of the light-conducting member. Since the light flow entering the light-conducting member gradually decreases over the length of the light-conducting member, for example, a large length can be set for the spacing surface close to a light source, and the size of the spacing surface can gradually decrease along at least a portion of the extension of the light-conducting member in the direction from one end face assigned to the light source to the other end face, thereby guiding more light to a portion away from the light source in the section close to the light source to achieve an overall uniform light output effect; the size of the spacing surface of another sub-light decoupling structure assigned to another light source is set in an opposite manner, that is, gradually increases along the same direction. The size of the spacing surface can be changed, for example, linearly, exponentially, or in other suitable ways.

[0011] The sub-light decoupling structures may also have different widths from each other. This may depend on the corresponding light source, and in particular, on the luminous intensity characteristics of the corresponding light source. For example, if the luminous intensity of the light source is large, the width of the sub-light decoupling structure may be set relatively narrow; if the luminous intensity of the light source is low, the width of the sub-light decoupling structure may be set relatively wide to ensure the desired light output effect.

[0012] The dimension of the light decoupling structure extending transversely to the longitudinal direction may be no greater than one quarter of the circumference. Further, the dimension of the light decoupling structure extending transversely to the longitudinal direction is no greater than one fifth of the circumference.

[0013] The sub-light decoupling structures assigned to the corresponding light sources may also have a gradually increasing width in a direction away from the assigned light source to compensate for the progressive loss of light propagating in the light guide.

[0014] The present invention also aims to provide a lighting module having the above-mentioned light-conducting member and at least one light source at each end of the light-conducting member.

[0015] The light sources can emit light of different colors, for example, one light source can emit white light, and another light source can emit yellow or red light, so that the light emitting module can simultaneously realize the functions of a reversing light or a turn signal light and a brake light.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle having the above-mentioned lighting module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention is further described below with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 Schematically shows a three-dimensional truncated illustration of a light-conducting member according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 Schematically shows a diagram of a light decoupling structure of a light guide member according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 schematically shows another schematic representation of a light conductor according to the invention; and

[0021] Figure 4 A further schematic illustration of a light conductor according to the invention is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention are exemplarily described below. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the described embodiments may be modified in various ways without departing from the concept of the present invention. Therefore, the drawings and description are illustrative and non-restrictive in nature. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals generally represent elements with the same or similar functions.

[0023] See also Figure 1 The light-transmitting member 1 comprises a main body 2, which is made of at least partially light-transmitting material in the form of a rod, such as glass, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate or other suitable materials. The light-transmitting member 1 as a whole can have a straight line shape, a curved line shape or a combination of the two. The cross section of the light-transmitting member 1 can be circular, elliptical or polygonal. When the cross section of the light-transmitting member 1 is circular, its diameter can be between 3 and 12 mm.

[0024] The light-conducting member 1 has end faces at its two ends. A first light source 7 is assigned to the first end face 3, and a second light source 8 is assigned to the second end face 4. It should be noted that at least one light source can be provided on each end face. The light emitted by the light source is coupled into the light-conducting member via the corresponding end face, and is reflected at the peripheral surface 5 of the body. A part of the reflected light leaves the body, and a part continues to propagate along the longitudinal extension of the light-conducting member. Figure 1 The solid line shows the propagation of the light emitted by the light source 7 in the light transmission member 1 after being coupled in through the end face 3, and the dotted line shows the propagation of the light emitted by the light source 8 in the light transmission member 1 after being coupled in through the end face 4. The light sources 7 and 8 can emit light of different colors. In this case, the light source 7 or the light source 8 can be lit as needed. Of course, the light sources 7 and 8 can also emit light of the same color, but with different luminous intensities. In this case, different light output intensities can be achieved by lighting the light sources 7 and 8 separately or simultaneously. Different functions are thereby achieved.

[0025] The light coupled into the optical conductor 1 leaves the body through the action of the light decoupling structure 6 arranged on the circumference of the body 2. Here, the light decoupling structure is used to destroy the total reflection condition of the light in the body, so that a part of the light can be emitted from, for example, the surface opposite to the light decoupling structure, more precisely, the light exiting surface. The construction of the light decoupling structure will be further explained below. The dimension of the light decoupling structure 6 transverse to the longitudinal extension of the body is not greater than one quarter of the circumference of the body, preferably not greater than one fifth. It can extend over the entire longitudinal extension of the body as required, or only over a part of the longitudinal extension of the body.

[0026] exist Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a light decoupling structure, wherein only a portion of the surface forming the light decoupling structure is shown, and the material of the main body is Figure 2In the illustration, the light decoupling structure 6 is located above the light decoupling structure 6. The light decoupling structure 6 shown is composed of two rows of sub-light decoupling structures 10 and 20. The sub-light decoupling structures 10 and 20 are respectively assigned to the corresponding light sources 7 and 8. For example, the sub-light decoupling structure 10 is assigned to the light source 8, and the other sub-light decoupling structure 20 is assigned to the light source 7.

[0027] The sub-light decoupling structures 10 and 20 have substantially the same geometrical structure, and are both formed by prisms, which include a reflecting surface and a connecting surface. Now, only the sub-light decoupling structure 10 will be used for explanation, and the sub-light decoupling structure 20 can be understood with reference to the sub-light decoupling structure 10.

[0028] The prism forming the sub-light decoupling structure 10 is composed of a reflecting surface 11 and a connecting surface 12, and has a sawtooth-shaped cross section. The reflecting surface 11 is an inclined surface, which is on the side where the longer waist of the sawtooth cross section is located, and faces the light source 8, that is, faces the second end surface 4. In particular, when the light-transmitting member is straight, the reflecting surface 11 can have the same oblique angle. Of course, the oblique angle of the reflecting surface 11 of each prism of the sub-light decoupling structure 10 can be changed along the longitudinal extension of the light-transmitting member, which is particularly suitable for the case of a curved longitudinal extension. The light coupled into the light-transmitting member 1 propagates in its body, and the light reaching the reflecting surface 11 is reflected toward the light-emitting surface opposite to the reflecting surface 11, and at least partially leaves the light-transmitting member and is emitted into the external environment.

[0029] The prisms may be spaced apart from each other. There is a spacing surface 13 between the reflection surface 11 and the connection surface 12 of the sub-light decoupling structure 10, which is also a reflective surface. The size of the spacing surface may vary in a predetermined manner along the longitudinal extension of the light-conducting member 1. For example, the spacing surface 13 of the sub-light decoupling structure 10 is arranged along the direction from the second end surface 8 to the first end surface 7, that is, along Figure 2 The direction A in the middle has a gradually decreasing size. Through this arrangement, the spacing surface 13 close to the light source guides more light toward the direction away from the light source, thereby ensuring the uniformity of light output over the entire longitudinal extension. The spacing surface 13 can be arranged over the entire longitudinal extension or a portion of the longitudinal extension.

[0030] The individual prisms of the sub-light decoupling structure 10 together with the spacing surface 13 (if present) form a unit which may have a dimension L1 of between 1 mm and 2 mm in the longitudinal extension.

[0031] For the sub-light decoupling structure 20 , the spacing surface 23 optionally arranged between the reflection surface 21 and the connection surface 22 has a gradually decreasing size along the direction B. This ensures the light uniformity in the longitudinal extension of the light guide component.

[0032] In the sub-light decoupling structure, L2 and L1 may be of different sizes.

[0033] Of course, the prisms of the corresponding sub-light decoupling structures may also have different heights. The reflecting surfaces of the prisms of the sub-light decoupling structures may have different slopes.

[0034] Figure 3 The partial light decoupling structures 10 , 20 are shown arranged next to one another and have a width W overall, wherein each partial light decoupling structure has a width W1 , W2 , which is constant over the longitudinal extension of the light conducting element.

[0035] Figure 4 Another illustration shows partial light decoupling structures 10 , 20 arranged next to one another, which have a width W as a whole, wherein each partial light decoupling structure has a width that increases gradually in the direction away from the associated light source over the longitudinal extension of the light conductor.

[0036] Although in Figures 2 to 4 The illustration shows that the sub-light decoupling structures are arranged closely to each other, but they can also be arranged spaced apart from each other, that is, there is a gap between the sub-light decoupling structures along the longitudinal extension of the light-conducting component 1, and the distance of the gap is not greater than one fifth of the circumference of the main body, which is not shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Each sub-light decoupling structure may also have different widths W1 and W2. For example, the greater the luminous intensity of the light source assigned to the sub-light decoupling structure, the narrower the width of the corresponding sub-light decoupling structure; the smaller the luminous intensity of the light source assigned to the sub-light decoupling structure, the wider the width of the corresponding sub-light decoupling structure.

[0038] In another example not shown, the number of sub-light decoupling structures forming the light decoupling structure is not limited to the two rows shown in the drawings, and more rows of sub-light decoupling structures may be provided. They are divided into two groups, one of which is assigned to the first light source at the first end surface, and the other is assigned to the second light source at the second end surface. The sub-light decoupling structures divided into two groups work in the manner described above.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above structure, and other various variations may also be adopted. Although the present invention has been described by a limited number of embodiments, with the benefit of this disclosure, those skilled in the art may design other embodiments that do not depart from the protection scope of the present invention disclosed herein. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A light-conducting member (1), comprising: an at least partially light-transmissive body (2) which is rod-shaped and has a longitudinal extension; A first end surface (3) and a second end surface (4), which are arranged at two ends of the main body (2) and are assigned to corresponding light sources; A light decoupling structure (6), at least a portion of which is arranged on a peripheral surface (5) of the main body (2) along a longitudinal extension of the main body (2); a light emitting surface, which is arranged opposite to the light decoupling structure (6), It is characterized in that The light decoupling structure (6) is composed of at least two rows of sub-light decoupling structures (10, 20), which are respectively assigned to corresponding light sources, wherein the sub-light decoupling structure is composed of a prism with a sawtooth cross-section, the prism comprises a reflecting surface and a connecting surface, wherein the side where the longer waist is located is the reflecting surface, and the other side is the connecting surface, the orientation of the connecting surface of the sub-light decoupling structure assigned to one light source substantially corresponds to the orientation of the reflecting surface of the sub-light decoupling structure assigned to another light source, and The reflective surface of the prism of the sub-light decoupling structure faces the end surface of the light-conducting component (1) assigned to the corresponding light source.

2. The light-conducting element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The sub-light decoupling structures are arranged closely to each other, or the interval between the sub-light decoupling structures is not greater than one fifth of the circumference of the main body.

3. The light-conducting element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The prisms are spaced apart from one another by spacing surfaces, which are likewise reflective surfaces.

4. The light-conducting element (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The spacing surface has a dimension that varies in a predetermined manner along the longitudinal extension of the light-conducting element (1).

5. The light-conducting element (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The size of the spacing surface of one sub-light decoupling structure gradually increases from one end surface to the other end surface along at least a portion of the longitudinal extension of the light-conducting member (1), while the size of the spacing surface of the other sub-light decoupling structure gradually decreases along the same direction.

6. The light-conducting element (1) according to any one of Claims 1, characterized in that: The sub-light decoupling structures have different widths from each other.

7. The light-conducting element (1) according to any one of Claims 1, characterized in that: The dimension of the optical decoupling structure (6) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension is no greater than one quarter of the circumferential surface (5).

8. The light-conducting element (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The dimension of the light decoupling structure (6) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension is no greater than one fifth of the circumferential surface (5).

9. The light-conducting element (1) according to any one of Claims 1, characterized in that: The sub-light decoupling structures assigned to the corresponding light sources have gradually increasing widths in a direction away from the assigned light sources.

10. A lighting module comprising a light conductor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and at least one light source at each end of the light conductor (1). 11 . A vehicle comprising the lighting module according to claim 10 .

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