Optics and Lighting

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical component and a vehicle lamp. The optical component (4) has a main emission direction (H) and comprises a light source (8), a first light guide element (6) and a second light guide element (5) arranged in a stacked manner along the main emission direction, wherein the light source (8) is assigned to the first light guide element (6), and the first light guide element (6) has a first light coupling-in portion (30) and a first light coupling-out surface (32), and the second light guide element (5) has a second light coupling-in surface (10) and a second light coupling-out surface (11), and the first light coupling-out surface (32) faces the second light coupling-in surface (10), wherein at least a partial section of at least one of the first light coupling-out surface (32) and the second light coupling-in surface (10) is provided with a light distribution structure. The vehicle lamp comprises the above optical component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an optical component and a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lamp has the optical component. Background Art

[0002] In the headlights used for vehicles, especially motor vehicles, such as headlights and taillights, in addition to the optical functions that must meet the legal requirements, higher and higher requirements are also placed on the shape of the headlights. However, the problem usually faced is that, in order to achieve the predetermined optical functions while meeting the shape of the headlights, there are many problems. For example, in the case of expecting a uniform long strip lighting effect, due to the change in the longitudinal direction of the long strip, especially at the curved part, an uneven lighting effect relative to other parts often occurs. For this reason, one way is to set an additional light source at this part, which disadvantageously leads to an increase in manufacturing costs. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an optical component which can be produced at a favorable cost while satisfying the design requirements and the optical function and which at the same time allows simple assembly.

[0004] According to the present invention, an optical component is proposed, which has a main emission direction and includes a light source, a first light guide element and a second light guide element arranged in a stacked manner along the main emission direction, wherein the light source is assigned to the first light guide element, and the first light guide element has a first light coupling-in portion and a first light coupling-out surface, and the second light guide element has a second light coupling-in surface and a second light coupling-out surface, and the first light coupling-out surface faces the second light coupling-in surface. Here, a light distribution structure is provided on at least a partial section of at least one of the first light coupling-out surface and the second light coupling-in surface.

[0005] In the above optical component, by providing a light distribution structure on a relevant section of at least one of the first light out-coupling surface and the second light in-coupling surface, the original propagation direction of the light, i.e., the direction of light out-coupling from the first light out-coupling surface and the direction of light in-coupling from the second light in-coupling surface into the second light guide element, can be changed, thereby achieving the desired lighting effect without changing other components. There is no need to increase the power of the light source or the number of light sources.

[0006] The first light-guiding element may be a light-guiding rod, the second light-guiding element may be a light-guiding block, and the length direction of the first light-guiding element corresponds to the length direction of the second light-guiding element. Here, the light-guiding rod has a cross-section of constant size in its length direction, for example, the cross-section may be circular or elliptical. Of course, the size of the cross-section of the light-guiding rod may also taper from one end to the other end in its length direction, as long as a uniform lighting effect can be achieved in the length direction. The light source assigned to the first light-guiding element may be arranged at the end of the first light-guiding element. "Light-guiding block" can be understood as follows: its thickness in the main emission direction is significantly greater than the outer diameter of the first light-guiding element, for example, at least several centimeters thick. The light from the light source enters the second light-guiding element after being transmitted through the first light-guiding element and is coupled out from the second light-guiding element, which can reduce the number of light sources required, especially when the length of the desired lighting effect is very long, for example, more than ten centimeters or more. Here, the length direction of the first light-guiding element and the second light-guiding element matches the shape of the desired lighting effect.

[0007] The first optical waveguide element and the second optical waveguide element have a curved section, and the light distribution structure is arranged at the curved section. The curved section can be understood as a transition section between a section having a first main extension direction and another section having a second main extension direction, wherein the main extension directions are different from each other. In particular, when the section adjacent to the curved section is misaligned in the main emission direction, and a distorted optical surface, i.e., a light coupling-in surface and / or a light coupling-out surface, appears in the curved section, the curved section can also be referred to as a distorted section. The distorted surface will lead to uncontrollable light. The light output uniformity at the curved section is ensured by the light distribution structure.

[0008] The above-mentioned section adjacent to the curved section can have a straight line or a curved extension. For this purpose, the main extension direction can be understood as a linear extension direction of the section or an extension direction that approaches a straight line.

[0009] The light distribution structure is a geometric structure that is raised and / or recessed from the corresponding surface to change the propagation direction of light, thereby achieving better light mixing in the corresponding light guide element and ultimately achieving a uniform light output effect.

[0010] In one embodiment, the geometric structure is in the form of a strip array, a pillow array, or a combination thereof. For example, the geometric structure has a triangular or arc-shaped cross section. The geometric structure can be arranged on an extended surface of adjacent segments or on a surface parallel to the surface of adjacent segments.

[0011] In one embodiment, the second light outcoupling surface is provided with a light uniformization structure, which may be in the form of a pillow-shaped array.

[0012] The side surface of the second light guide element between the second light coupling-in surface and the second light coupling-out surface is a reflective surface, wherein a light emitting structure in a predetermined pattern is arranged on the side surface. In this case, light can be emitted from the light emitting structure, thereby presenting an additional decorative light emitting effect, enriching the lighting effect.

[0013] The present invention also provides a vehicle lamp having the optical component described above.

[0014] Through the technical solution mentioned in the present invention, the propagation direction of light is changed at least once by the light distribution structure, thereby achieving better mixing and homogenization of light. This light distribution structure is formed when the first light guide element and the second light guide element are injection molded, and there is no need to change the structure of other parts, thereby achieving cost-effective manufacturing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention is further described below with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle light is shown, which has an optical component according to the invention;

[0017] Figure 2 A diagram of an optical assembly according to the present invention is schematically shown;

[0018] Figure 3 schematically shows another illustration of an optical assembly according to the present invention; and

[0019] Figure 4 A further illustration of an optical component according to the invention is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] 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.

[0021] Figure 1 A vehicle lamp 1 is shown, which has an outer lens 2 and a decorative frame 3 and an optical component 4 arranged behind the outer lens 2. A through hole for the optical component 4 is left in the decorative frame 3, and at least the light emitting portion of the optical component 4 can pass through the through hole, so that when the vehicle lamp is installed in a vehicle, the portion is visible from the outside. It should be noted that only the part of the vehicle lamp that is important for explaining the present invention is shown here, and other components, such as the housing of the vehicle lamp, the wiring harness, etc., are not shown.

[0022] exist Figures 2 to 4The different diagrams show Figure 1 An optical component 4 in a vehicle lamp, wherein Figure 2 A front view of the optical assembly 4 is shown; Figure 3 and Figure 4 4 shows a rear view of the optical assembly 4. In order to more clearly show the relevant structure, Figure 3 An element of the optical component 4 is displaced, and Figure 4 The component is flipped.

[0023] The optical component 4 includes a first light guide element 6 and a second light guide element 5 arranged in a stacked manner along the main emission direction H of the light emitted by it. The main emission direction can be determined according to the specific application of the optical component. For example, when the optical component is used for a vehicle lamp, such as a headlight or a taillight of a vehicle, the main emission direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The optical component 4 also includes a light source 8 assigned to the first light guide element 6.

[0024] The first optical waveguide element 6 is in the form of an elongated optical waveguide rod, which has a circular cross section and a constant cross-sectional size in the length direction. The light source 8 is arranged at the end of the first optical waveguide element 6. Only the light source is shown here, and the carrier carrying the light source, such as a printed circuit board and an associated heat sink, is not shown. Of course, the light source can also be arranged directly on the heat sink. The light source can be a light emitting diode, and its color is selected as required. Alternatively, the first optical waveguide element 6 can have a gradual cross-sectional size along its length direction. The cross section is also not limited to the circle mentioned above.

[0025] The first optical waveguide element 6 has a first light coupling-in portion 30, a first light coupling-out surface 32 and a light deflection surface 31 arranged at an end, wherein the light coupled into the first optical waveguide element 6 through the first light coupling-in portion 30 is reflected by the light deflection surface 31 toward the first light coupling-out surface 32, and finally emitted from the first light coupling-out surface 32 to the second optical waveguide element 5. The light deflection surface 31 is in the form of an optical tooth array, which is distributed over a predetermined length section along the length of the first optical waveguide element 6, and can change the reflection direction of the arriving light, so that the reflected light can leave the first optical waveguide element 6 from there after reaching the first light coupling-out surface 32.

[0026] The second optical waveguide element 5 is arranged in front of the first optical waveguide element 6 along the main emission direction H. The second optical waveguide element 5 has a second light coupling-in surface 10 and a second light coupling-out surface 11, and the second light coupling-in surface 10 faces the first light coupling-out surface 32. The second light coupling-in surface 10 and the second light coupling-out surface 11 define the thickness of the second optical waveguide element 5. The second optical waveguide element 5 is in the form of an optical waveguide block, and its thickness is significantly greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the first optical waveguide element 6, for example, 30 mm or thicker. The side surface 12 bridging the second light coupling-in surface 10 and the second light coupling-out surface 11 is a light reflecting surface. When the light entering the second optical waveguide element 5 through the second light coupling-in surface 10 reaches the side surface 12, total reflection occurs there, and continues to propagate toward the second light coupling-out surface 11 after reflection.

[0027] In order to achieve a richer lighting effect, a light-emitting structure with a predetermined pattern may be provided on the side 12 so that light can be emitted from the light-emitting structure, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 The dot array 19 can be seen in the figure, which is in the form of a convex dot or concave strip array.

[0028] The second optical waveguide element 5 also has a fixing structure 18 to fix it on a bracket, such as the decorative frame 3. The fixing structure 18 cooperates with a matching fixing structure (not shown) constructed on the bracket, for example, to establish a fixed connection by snapping, screwing, bonding, etc. For this purpose, the fixing structure 18 is, for example, in the form of a tongue or has a through hole for passing a screw. Preferably, the fixing structure 18 is integrally formed at a predetermined position of the second optical waveguide element 5. Of course, the first optical waveguide element 6 also has a corresponding fixing structure to occupy a correct position relative to the light source and the second optical waveguide element.

[0029] The length of the first optical waveguide element 6 corresponds to the length of the second optical waveguide element 5 , so that the mutually facing first light coupling-out surface 32 and second light coupling-in surface 10 enable light to reach the second optical waveguide element as well as possible via the first optical waveguide element.

[0030] The length direction of the first light guide element 6 and the second light guide element 5 can be designed according to the desired lighting effect. To this end, they can have the form of a straight line, a curve or a combination thereof. In order to further improve the light output effect, an additional light distribution structure can be set on the relevant surface of at least one of the first light guide element 6 and the second light guide element 5 to further improve the light output uniformity.

[0031] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 The illustration of FIG. 5 shows that a light distribution structure is provided on a partial section of the first light outgoing surface 32 and the second light incoming surface 10 of the first light guide element 6 and the second light guide element 5 facing each other. In order to better show the light distribution structure, Figure 3In FIG. 1 , the first optical waveguide element 6 is translated downward relative to the position actually occupied by the first optical waveguide element 6, which is shown by the dotted line; and Figure 4 In the process, the first optical waveguide element 6 is flipped 180 degrees.

[0032] In the example shown, both the first light guide element 6 and the second light guide element 5 have curved sections. Specifically, the first light guide element 6 has a first section 33, a second section 34, and a third section 35 arranged therebetween, wherein the main extension direction of the first section 33 is different from the main extension direction of the second section 34, and the third section 35 is a curved section bridging them. The second light guide element 5 has a fourth section 13, a fifth section 14, and a sixth section 15 arranged therebetween, wherein the main extension directions of the fourth section 13 and the fifth section 14 are different, and the sixth section 15 is a curved section bridging them.

[0033] exist Figure 3 As can be seen in the figure, the second light guide element 5 is provided with a first light distribution structure on the second light coupling surface 10 at its sixth section 15, which is in the form of a combination of a pillow-shaped array 16 and a first strip-shaped array 17. Here, the light emitting surface of the smallest block-shaped component unit of the pillow-shaped array 16 can be a convex surface or a concave surface, and the cross-section of the smallest strip-shaped component unit of the strip-shaped array 17 can be a triangle, a circle or other suitable forms.

[0034] exist Figure 4 As can be seen in the figure, the first light guide element 6 is provided with a second light distribution structure 35 on the first light coupling-out surface 32 at its third section 35, which is in the form of a second strip array 36. The cross section of the smallest strip component unit of the strip array can also be a triangle, a circle or other suitable forms. The second light distribution structure arranged on the first light guide element faces the first light distribution structure arranged on the second light guide element.

[0035] Although in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The specific forms of the light distribution structures provided on the two light guide elements are shown in the figure, but it should be understood that the light distribution structures can be set according to specific requirements. For example, a light distribution structure in the form of a pillow array or a strip array can be provided on the second light guide element, or a light distribution structure in the form of a pillow array can be provided on the first light guide element. If necessary, the above light distribution structure can be provided in one of the two light guide elements, as long as the light output uniformity can be met.

[0036] In particular, when the first light coupling-out surface 32 of the third segment 35 of the first optical waveguide element 6 and the second light coupling-in surface 10 of the sixth segment 15 of the second optical waveguide element 5 are twisted surfaces, the above-mentioned light distribution structure is provided on both optical waveguide elements, thereby ensuring the uniformity of light output at the curved segment. This is because compared with a non-twisted surface, the propagation direction of light after passing through a twisted surface is even more uncontrolled, and may even cause the light not to reach the light coupling-out surface, thereby adversely affecting the light output effect. Preferably, the direction of the light distribution structure provided on the second optical waveguide element 5 matches the direction of the segment adjacent to the curved segment. For example, the smallest strip-shaped component unit of the strip array 17 can be regarded as an extension of the fifth segment 14 in its extension direction, and the surface of each row of units in the pillow-shaped array 16 is parallel to the light coupling-in surface of the fourth segment 13 as a whole. Therefore, a step 18 appears in the portion of the curved segment of the second optical waveguide element where the light distribution structure is provided, such as particularly well from Figure 4 As seen in.

[0037] It should be understood that, although only one curved section is shown in the drawings, multiple curved sections, in particular curved sections having a curved surface, may also be present, at which locations a light distribution structure is correspondingly provided.

[0038] In order to further improve the light output uniformity, a light uniformization structure, such as a pillow-shaped structure array, may be provided on the light output surface of the second light guide element.

[0039] The first light guide element and the second light guide element can be injection molded from a light-transmitting material, for example polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, etc. This facilitates cost-effective production.

[0040] The above optical components can be used for vehicle lights, such as daytime running lights, brake lights, turn signals, etc. The luminous color and power of the light source are selected according to the type of the vehicle lights used.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the above structure, and other various variations may be adopted. Although the present invention has been described by a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art may design other embodiments that do not depart from the protection scope of the present invention invented herein, with the benefit of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An optical component (4) having a main emission direction (H), the optical component comprising a light source (8), a first light guide element (6) and a second light guide element (5) arranged one above the other along the main emission direction, wherein: The light source (8) is assigned to the first light guide element (6), and the first light guide element (6) has a first light coupling-in portion (30) and a first light coupling-out surface (32), the second light guide element (5) has a second light coupling-in surface (10) and a second light coupling-out surface (11), the first light coupling-out surface (32) faces the second light coupling-in surface (10), and is characterized in that a light distribution structure is provided on at least a partial section of at least one of the first light coupling-out surface (32) and the second light coupling-in surface (10); The first light guide element (6) and the second light guide element (5) have a curved section, and the light distribution structure is arranged at the curved section; The segments adjacent to the curved segment are offset in the main emission direction (H).

2. The optical component (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first light guiding element (6) is a light guiding rod, the second light guiding element (5) is a light guiding block, and the length of the first light guiding element (6) corresponds to the length of the second light guiding element (5).

3. The optical component (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that The second light coupling-out surface (11) is provided with a light homogenizing structure.

4. The optical component (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The light distribution structure is a geometric structure protruding and / or recessed from the corresponding surface.

5. The optical component (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that The geometric structure is in the form of a stripe array, a pillow array, or a combination thereof.

6. The optical component (4) according to claim 5, characterized in that The geometric structure has a triangular or arc-shaped cross section.

7. The optical component (4) according to claim 5, characterized in that The geometric structure is arranged on a plane of extension of adjacent segments or on a plane parallel to a plane of adjacent segments.

8. The optical component (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The side surface (12) of the second light-guiding element (5) between the second light coupling-in surface (10) and the second light coupling-out surface (11) is a reflective surface, wherein a light-emitting structure in a predetermined pattern is arranged on the side surface (12).

9. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: The vehicle light comprises an optical component (4) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

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