Optical assembly, lighting device and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical assembly comprising: a light source (101) configured to emit light; the light guide unit (102) is configured to receive and guide light rays emitted by the light source (101) and emit the light rays from a light emitting surface of the light guide unit (102); the optical assembly (100) comprises a light guide unit (102), and a back plate (103) configured to provide support for the light guide unit (102), the optical assembly (100) further comprises a transparent front plate (105), and the transparent front plate (105) is arranged in front of a main light-emitting surface of the light guide unit (102) and configured to transmit light from the main light-emitting surface. The invention further provides a lighting device and a vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle lamps, and in particular to an optical component, a lighting device and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Lighting devices are used to provide light for lighting and / or optical indication functions and are widely used in various fields. For example, lighting devices such as headlights are used in vehicles to ensure safe driving. Various types of headlights are often required on vehicles to achieve different functions, including headlights, fog lights, taillights, turn signals, brake lights, side marker lights, parking lights, etc.

[0003] Simple flat or static lighting can no longer meet customer requirements. Summary of the invention

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical component, a lighting device and a vehicle, which can at least partially solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] The present invention discloses an optical component, comprising: a light source, which is configured to emit light; a light guide unit, which is configured to receive and guide the light emitted by the light source and emit the light from the light emitting surface of the light guide unit; and a back plate, which is configured to provide support for the light guide unit. The optical component also includes a transparent front plate, which is arranged in front of the main light emitting surface of the light guide unit and is configured to transmit the light from the main light emitting surface.

[0006] In some embodiments, the light guiding unit includes at least a first portion and a second portion, and the at least first portion and the second portion are arranged at a certain angle to each other.

[0007] In some embodiments, the angle between adjacent parts of the light guiding unit is an obtuse angle.

[0008] In some embodiments, a rib is disposed between the at least first portion and the second portion to separate the at least first portion from the second portion.

[0009] In some embodiments, the ribs are integrally formed with the back plate.

[0010] In some embodiments, the transparent front plate extends toward the back plate and surrounds the side walls of the light guide unit.

[0011] In some embodiments, the transparent front plate covers at least the first portion and the second portion of the light guide unit, and surrounds a first side wall extending along the light propagation direction and a second side wall at an end opposite to the light source.

[0012] In some embodiments, a coating is disposed on the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

[0013] In some embodiments, the transparent front plate is colorless, red, or light red.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a lighting device, comprising any one of the optical components described above.

[0015] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided, comprising the above-mentioned lighting device.

[0016] According to the practical optical component of the present invention, by providing a coating on the side wall of the light guide unit and providing a transparent front plate on the outer side of the side wall instead of a conventional fixed frame, the optical component 100 can have a three-dimensional luminous effect and achieve a floating state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above characteristics, technical features, advantages and implementation methods of the present invention will be further described below in a clear and understandable manner through the description of preferred embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an optical assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A front view of an optical assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the optical component along section AA;

[0021] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the optical component along section BB. 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] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an optical assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A front view of an optical assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the optical component along section AA; Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the optical component along section BB.

[0024] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the optical component 100 can be used for one or more functions of a turn signal, a brake light, a side marker light, a parking light, a reversing light, a daytime running light, a position light, a grille light, etc., and the light function is not particularly limited here.

[0025] The lighting device may include at least one optical component 100 according to the present invention, each optical component 100 is used to achieve a specific light function, and they can be staggered to achieve a specific shape. Of course, it can be understood that the lighting device can include any number of optical components 100, and these optical components 100 can be arranged arbitrarily according to the shape requirements.

[0026] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the optical assembly 100 includes a light source 101, a light guide unit 102, and a back plate 103. The light source 101 is mounted on a printed circuit board 200 to emit light toward the light guide unit 102. The light source 101 is, for example but not limited to, an LED light source, such as Figure 2 As shown, the light guide unit 102 includes an end face and a front surface and a rear surface connected by the end face, wherein light from the light source 101 is incident from the end face into the interior of the light guide unit 102, and propagates between the front surface and the rear surface of the light guide unit 102 and toward the opposite end of the end face. During this period, the light is emitted from the front surface of the light guide unit 102 along the main light emitting direction, that is, the front surface serves as the light emitting surface of the light guide unit 102, thereby achieving a surface luminescence effect.

[0027] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the light source 101 and the light guide unit 102 cooperate to achieve a surface luminous effect, which can greatly reduce the cost compared to an OLED solution.

[0028] In addition, for the light guide unit 102, part of the light will leak out from the rear surface of the light guide unit 102, thereby reducing the optical efficiency. Figure 2-3 As shown, the optical assembly 100 further includes a back plate 103, which is disposed on a side close to the rear surface of the light guide unit 102, i.e., on a side opposite to the front surface, and is configured to reflect the light leaking from the rear surface toward the front surface. In an embodiment of the present invention, by arranging the back plate 103 on the back side of the light guide unit 102 to reflect the light leaking from the light guide unit 102, it is beneficial to improve the optical efficiency and the uniformity of the luminous effect. In some alternative examples, the back plate 103 is disposed on the same side of the light guide unit 102 as the rear surface, and is configured to support the light guide unit 102 without providing a reflection function (for example, but not limited to, when the light of the light guide unit 102 does not leak from the rear surface).

[0029] In some examples, for example but not limitation, the back plate may be selected to have a color and / or material that is reflective, such as a white back plate.

[0030] In an alternative example, the back plate 103 may include a reflective layer, in which case the back plate 103 may be selected to be a non-reflective color and / or material. The reflective layer is disposed between the back plate 103 and the light guide unit 102, and is configured to reflect the light from the light guide unit 102 toward the light exit surface. The back plate 103 and the reflective layer may be formed integrally, for example but not limited to, by an injection molding process (secondary injection molding, in-mold injection molding, etc.) or a spraying process, or the two may be formed separately.

[0031] In some examples, after the light from the light source 101 enters the light guide unit 102, it will propagate through total reflection. In order to make the light emerge from the front surface of the light guide unit 102, the light guide unit 102 may include scattering particles. The light from the light source 101 may be scattered in different directions by the scattering particles, thereby destroying the total reflection condition of the light, so that the light emerges from the front surface of the light guide unit 102. This light guide unit with scattering particles has good light diffusion characteristics and can achieve a very uniform light lighting effect. As a non-limiting example, this type of light guide unit can be made of, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), such as a light guide with the brand name LED 8N LD12, LD24, LD48, LD96, or can be made of polycarbonate (PC), such as a light guide with the brand name EL2245, and its color can be selected as needed, for example, but not limited to, colorless, light red, red, etc.

[0032] In an alternative example, an optical decoupling element may be provided on the rear surface of the light guide unit 102 to destroy the total reflection condition of the light, and examples of the optical decoupling element include but are not limited to protrusions, depressions, serrations, leather grains, stripes, squares, and the like.

[0033] In some examples, the light guide unit 102 includes at least a first portion 1021 and a second portion 1022, and the at least first portion 1021 and the second portion 1022 are arranged at a certain angle to each other. A lighting effect with a stereoscopic vision can be obtained by setting the first portion 1021 and the second portion 1022 at an angle to each other. The angle between the at least first portion 1021 and the second portion 1022 can be adjusted according to actual needs, and the present invention is not limited. However, it should be noted that when the light guide unit 102 includes different portions arranged at an angle, the shape of the back plate 103 should also be adjusted accordingly to fit the light guide unit 102.

[0034] In a preferred example, the angle between adjacent parts in the light guiding unit 102 is an obtuse angle, that is, at least two parts of the light guiding unit 102 are in a concave light emitting surface shape. Such a setting can obtain higher brightness and improve the efficiency of the light source 101.

[0035] exist Figure 2 - Figure 4 In the example shown, the light guide unit 102 is divided into three parts, and the different parts of the light guide unit 102 are represented by 1021, 1022 and 1023 in the accompanying drawings, but those skilled in the art know that the number of parts of the light guide unit 102 can be selected according to actual needs, such as being divided into two parts, three parts, four parts, or more parts to obtain different shapes and effects.

[0036] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the optical component along section AA. Figure 3 At least the first part 1021 and the second part 1022 of the light guide unit 102 are separate parts, and each part corresponds to an independently controllable light source 101. By separately arranging different parts of the light guide unit 102, it is possible to achieve separate control of lighting and extinguishing of different parts, thereby achieving different shapes and dynamic lighting effects. The lighting and extinguishing of different parts of the light guide unit 102 are achieved by separately controlling the light sources 101 on the corresponding positions of the printed circuit board 200.

[0037] In one example, the angle between adjacent parts of the light guide unit 102 is an obtuse angle, such as Figure 3 As shown, at least two parts of the light guide unit 102 are in the shape of a concave light emitting surface. In another example, different parts of the light guide unit can also be arranged on the same plane to achieve a planar lighting effect. By separately setting different parts of the light guide unit 102, it is possible to achieve separate control of lighting and extinguishing between different parts, thereby achieving different shapes and dynamic lighting effects.

[0038] by Figure 3 Taking the light guide unit 102 shown as including three parts as an example, you can choose to light up only one part of the light guide unit 102, or two parts thereof, or light up all parts at the same time, or light up the above-mentioned different parts in a certain order, etc. The specific settings can be made as needed, and the present invention is not limited.

[0039] Preferably, if Figure 3 As shown, a rib 104 is provided between the at least first portion 1021 and the second portion 1022 to separate the at least first portion 1021 from the second portion 1022. The rib 104 is preferably formed of an opaque material to prevent light from flowing between different portions of the light guide unit 100.

[0040] In one example, the ribs 104 between different parts of the light guide unit 102 extend along the entire length of the light guide unit 102. Such a configuration can prevent adjacent parts of the light guide unit 102 from generating cross-light and affecting the final effect.

[0041] In one example, the length of the rib 104 exceeds the light incident end of the light guide unit 102 to prevent the light from the light source 101 from interfering with the adjacent part of the light guide unit 102 .

[0042] In one example, the rib 104 is formed integrally with the back plate 103 to simplify the processing and save costs.

[0043] In one example, the height of the rib 104 is preferably adapted to the thickness of the light guide unit 102, so as to avoid increasing the thickness of the optical component 100 while avoiding crosstalk. Figure 4 As shown, the rib 104 preferably has a width that decreases as the distance from the back plate 103 increases, so as to adapt to the concave shape formed between different parts of the light guide unit 100 and also facilitate processing.

[0044] In one embodiment, Figure 2-3 As shown, the optical assembly 100 further includes a transparent front plate 105, which is disposed on the front side of the light guide unit 102, i.e., the same side as the front surface, and is configured to transmit light from the front surface. The transparent front plate 105 can protect the light guide unit 102, and can prevent the light guide unit 102 from being damaged or scratched. The color of the transparent front plate can be selected as needed, such as red, pink, colorless, etc., and the present invention does not make specific limitations.

[0045] Preferably, a pattern may be provided on the light-emitting surface of the transparent front plate 105 to enhance the lighting effect of the optical component 100. The pattern may be provided according to actual needs, such as a triangle, a hexagon, a car logo, or other suitable shapes and patterns, and the present invention does not impose any specific restrictions. The pattern on the transparent front plate 105 may be formed when the transparent front plate 105 is formed by injection molding or the like, or may be applied to the transparent front plate 105 after the transparent front plate 105 is formed.

[0046] In some examples, such as Figure 3-4 As shown, the transparent front plate 105 extends toward the back plate 103 and surrounds the side walls of the light guide unit 102. In this case, the side walls of the light guide unit 102 are visible, so that the light guide unit 102 can visually have its actual three-dimensional structure.

[0047] In a specific example, Figure 3As shown, the transparent front plate 105 covers at least the first part 1021 and the second part 1022 of the light guide unit 102, and surrounds the first side wall 1024 extending along the light propagation direction and the second side wall 1025 at the end opposite to the light source. The first side wall 1024 and the second side wall 1025 together constitute the outer side wall of the light guide unit 102. Such an arrangement can make the other surfaces of the light guide unit 102, except for the light input end and the back surface opposite to the main light output surface, visually visible. Of course, when the light guide unit 102 is as shown in FIG. Figure 3 When the light guide unit includes three parts or more parts, the transparent front plate 105 covers three parts or more parts of the light guide unit so that the outer side wall of the light guide unit is visible.

[0048] In a specific example, a coating is provided on the first side wall 1024 and the second side wall 1025. By applying the coating, light can also be emitted from the outer side wall of the light guide unit 102, that is, the outer side wall of the light guide unit 102 can also achieve a luminous effect. On this basis, the transparent front plate 105 can transmit light, and the side wall of the light guide unit 102 can also have a good luminous effect, so that the light guide unit 102 as a whole has a 3D stereoscopic effect, and visually it is a floating state.

[0049] In one example, the coating is a dark brown to obtain a desired visual effect. In other examples, the coating may also have another color, which is not specifically limited in the present invention.

[0050] In some examples, such as Figure 2 As shown, the optical component 100 also includes a scattering layer, which is arranged between the light guide unit 102 and the transparent front plate 105. The light from the light guide unit 102 is incident on the scattering layer and is evenly diffused by the scattering layer, thereby further improving the uniformity of the lighting effect. The scattering layer can be made of any suitable light-transmitting scattering material, for example, but not limited to, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), etc. The scattering layer can be formed integrally with the light guide unit 102 and / or the transparent front plate 105 or separately. Preferably, the scattering angle of the scattering layer is greater than 50 degrees and the transmittance is greater than 85% to ensure the uniformity of the lighting effect.

[0051] In another example, an optical microstructure is provided on one side of the transparent front plate 105 close to the light guide unit 102 to achieve the scattering effect achieved by the scattering layer, thereby achieving scattering of the light from the light guide unit 102 without providing a scattering layer. Similar to the case of the scattering layer, the scattering angle of the optical microstructure provided on one side of the transparent front plate 105 close to the light guide unit 102 is preferably greater than 50 degrees, and the transmittance is preferably greater than 85% to ensure the uniformity of the lighting effect. The scattering microstructure on the transparent front plate 105 can be formed together when the transparent front plate 105 is formed by a process such as injection molding. Such a setting can save costs and simplify the assembly process.

[0052] According to the practical optical component of the present invention, by providing a coating on the side wall of the light guide unit and providing a transparent front plate on the outer side of the side wall instead of a conventional fixed frame, the optical component 100 can have a three-dimensional luminous effect and achieve a floating state.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided an illumination device, comprising any one of the optical components described above.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a vehicle, comprising the lighting device as described above.

[0055] 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. An optical component (100), characterized in that: include: a light source (101) configured to emit light; A light guide unit (102) configured to receive and guide the light emitted by the light source (101), and emit the light from a main light emitting surface of the light guide unit (102); as well as A back plate (103) configured to provide support for the light guide unit (102); The optical component (100) further comprises a transparent front plate (105), wherein the transparent front plate (105) is arranged in front of the main light emitting surface of the light guide unit (102) and is configured to transmit light from the main light emitting surface.

2. The optical component (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that in, The light guide unit (102) comprises at least a first part (1021) and a second part (1022), wherein the at least first part (1021) and the second part (1022) are arranged at a certain angle to each other.

3. The optical component (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The angle between adjacent parts in the light guiding unit (102) is an obtuse angle.

4. The optical component (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that: A rib (104) is provided between the at least first portion (1021) and the second portion (1022) to separate the at least first portion (1021) and the second portion (1022).

5. The optical component (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The rib (104) is formed integrally with the back plate (103).

6. The optical component (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The transparent front plate (105) extends toward the back plate (103) and surrounds the side wall of the light guide unit (102).

7. The optical component (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that The transparent front plate (105) covers at least a first portion (1021) and a second portion (1022) of the light guide unit (102), and encloses a first side wall (1024) extending along the light propagation direction and a second side wall (1025) at an end opposite to the light source.

8. The optical component (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that A coating is provided on the first side wall (1024) and the second side wall (1025).

9. The optical component (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The color of the transparent front plate (105) is colorless, red or light red.

10. A lighting device, characterized in that: The optical component (100) comprises the optical component (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A vehicle, characterized in that: The optical component comprises the optical component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 or the lighting device as claimed in claim 10.

Images