Signal device for vehicle, in particular motor vehicle
By designing light guides of specific shapes and planar light guides, the problem of incomplete lighting of planar light guides in the prior art is solved, and the effect of uniform illumination in any case is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410907986.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-07-14
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-14
AI Technical Summary
In some cases, the existing vehicle signaling device cannot realize complete illumination of the plane light guide, especially when the first apparent distance L1-Y is smaller than the second apparent distance L2-Y, the projected light generated by the light guide is only along the second. An apparent distance extends, resulting in the outer surface of the planar light guide being not completely illuminated.
By designing a specific shape of the elongated light guide and the plane light guide, the first section of the light guide outputs light extending along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the second section outputs light forming angle α to illuminate the plane light guide and passes through The outer surface of the planar light guide forms a facet or reflector to redirect the light to make it parallel to the vehicle axis, ensuring that the light penetrates the second apparent distance and achieving complete illumination of the planar light guide.
Even if the first apparent distance is smaller than the second apparent distance, the signaling device can ensure that the outer surface of the planar light guide is completely illuminated, and a uniform illumination effect is presented when viewed from the outside.
Smart Images
Figure CN119309164A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This patent application claims the priority of Italian patent application No. 102023000014820 filed on July 14, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0003] The invention relates to a signaling device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. Background Art
[0004] Signaling devices for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, are known, including (see Figure 5 , showing the prior art): an elongated light guide G extending between a first end portion G1 and a second end portion G2; a light emitting device D (typically an LED device) coupled to the end portions of the light guide and configured to illuminate the light guide; and an elongated planar guide B arranged facing the elongated light guide and configured to receive light emitted from the light guide and, in use, transmit the light on a surface E of a rod arranged toward the outside of a vehicle.
[0005] In particular, on a projection plane PR perpendicular to the longitudinal axis D of the vehicle on which the device is mounted in use, the following can be defined:
[0006] a first apparent distance L1-Y extending between two straight lines perpendicular to the projection plane PR and passing through the end portion of the light guide G; and
[0007] a second apparent distance L2-Y extending between two straight lines perpendicular to the projection plane PR and passing through the end portion of the planar light guide B;
[0008] In some applications, the second apparent distance L2-Y is greater than the first apparent distance L1-Y.
[0009] In this case, the light generated by the light guide G that is projected onto the plane PR extends only along the first apparent distance L1-Y, and the outer surface of the planar light guide is not seen as fully illuminated.
[0010] However, in some technical applications it may be useful to provide a waveguide in which the distance L1-Y is smaller than the distance L2-Y and still obtain a constant illumination of the planar light guide. Summary of the invention
[0011] The object of the present invention is to create a signalling device of the type described above which allows full illumination of the planar light guide even when the apparent distance L1-Y is smaller than the apparent distance L2-Y.
[0012] The above object is achieved by the present invention in that the present invention relates to a signaling device for a vehicle of the type described in claim 1 . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] Figure 1 A top view of a signaling device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is shown, constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
[0015] Figure 2 Shown on an enlarged scale Figure 1 a part of a device;
[0016] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 cross section of the device;
[0017] Figure 4 A (preferred) front view showing the device according to the invention in operation (open); and
[0018] Figure 5 The prior art is schematically illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Reference Figure 1 , reference numeral 1 denotes a signaling device for a vehicle, the vehicle being in particular a motor vehicle, comprising:
[0020] a main emitting device, in particular an elongated light guide 2, extending along an optically active curved path L1 between a first end portion 2-a and a second end portion 2-b (the optically active path being the portion of the elongated light guide 2 provided with optical means suitable for generating an output light beam from the light guide 2);
[0021] at least one light emitting device 3 (for example an LED diode arranged on a support of known type) coupled to an end portion (in the example, 2-a, but 2-b is also possible) of the light guide 2 and configured to supply light into the light guide 2; and
[0022] The elongated planar light guide 4 is arranged facing the elongated light guide 2 and is configured to pass through an inner surface 9 (see Figure 3 ), receiving light output from the surface 8 of the light guide 2, so as to transmit the received light on the outer surface 5 of the planar light guide 4 arranged toward the outside of the vehicle (the shape of the vehicle is in the Figure 1 denoted by 6 in the figure).
[0023] The main emitting device, in the example a light guide, is typically manufactured by molding a transparent plastic material and includes shaped facets inside to create a given trajectory for the output light. The planar light guide 4 is also manufactured by molding a plastic material. A planar optical element (not shown) or a series of reflectors (not shown) may be provided as an alternative to the light guide.
[0024] exist Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , a section of the light guide 2 and a section of the planar light guide 4 are shown by way of example.
[0025] In particular, on a projection plane PR perpendicular to the longitudinal axis D of the vehicle, on which the device 1 is mounted in use, the following can be defined:
[0026] a first apparent distance L1-Y extending between two straight lines perpendicular to the projection plane PR and passing through the end portion of the optically effective path L1 of the main emitting device 2 (in the example, the elongated light guide 2), said apparent distance representing the projection of the optically effective curved path L1 onto the plane PR;
[0027] a second apparent distance L2-Y extending between two straight lines perpendicular to the projection plane PR and passing through the end portion of the planar light guide 4;
[0028] The second apparent distance L2-Y is greater than the first apparent distance L1-Y.
[0029] According to the present invention, the main emitting device 2 and the planar light guide 4 are configured so that the light generated by the main emitting device and projected onto the plane PR extends through the second apparent distance L2-Y, so that even if the distance L1-Y is less than the distance L2-Y, the outer surface 5 of the planar light guide 4 is considered to be fully illuminated.
[0030] Thus, although the end portion 4-b of the planar light guide lacks the corresponding portion of the light guide arranged on its side, it is possible to fully illuminate the end portion of the planar light guide (see FIG. Figure 4 ). In any case, from the outside, at least from a front view of the vehicle, the outer surface 5 is seen as illuminated in a spatially uniform manner.
[0031] This effect is obtained by means of the specific shapes of the light guide 2 and the planar light guide 4, as will be described below.
[0032] In particular, according to the present invention, the light guide 2 is configured such that:
[0033] The first section T1 ( Figure 1 ) includes an end portion 2-b of the light guide 2, the first section T1 being configured to output light rays R extending along the longitudinal axis D of the vehicle 6 and perpendicular to the projection plane PR and parallel to each other; and
[0034] The second section T2 of the optical waveguide 2 includes an end portion 2-a of the optical waveguide, and the second section T2 is configured to output light extending along a second direction L forming an angle α relative to the axis D of the vehicle to illuminate a portion of the planar optical waveguide 4-a arranged along its entire length facing the second section T2.
[0035] The angle α forming the second direction L with respect to the first direction D has an increasing value toward the end portion 2 - a of the light guide 2 .
[0036] In addition, according to the present invention (see Figure 2 ), the end portion of the inner surface 9 facing the end portion has a curved profile so that the light extending along the direction L is further deviated and extends along the direction K, forming an angle β relative to D that is smaller than the angle α.
[0037] Finally, portion 5-a of the outer surface 5 of the planar light guide 4 is appropriately shaped using known techniques (granulation, or diffusion finishing, opalescent finishing, film or faceting) to redirect the output light (received from 9) so that the output light from surface 5 is also parallel to D and surface 5 is fully illuminated.
Claims
1. A signaling device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising: A main emitting device (2), the main emitting device defining an optically effective path L1 extending between a first end portion (2-a) and a second end portion (2-b); at least one light source (3), the light source being operably associated with the main emitting device; An elongated planar light guide (4), the elongated planar light guide being arranged facing the main emitting device (2), configured to receive light output from the main emitting device (2) through an inner surface (9) of the planar light guide, and, in use, to transmit the input light on an outer surface (5) of the elongated planar light guide (4) arranged toward the outside of the vehicle so as to illuminate the entire outer surface (5) of the elongated planar light guide (4), on a projection plane PR perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (D) of the vehicle, wherein in use, the device (1) is mounted on the vehicle, and the following can be defined: a first apparent distance L1-Y, the first apparent distance extending between two straight lines perpendicular to the projection plane PR and passing through the end portion of the optical effective path L1 of the main emitting device (2); A second apparent distance L2-Y, the second apparent distance extending between two straight lines perpendicular to the projection plane PR and passing through the end portion of the planar light guide (4); The second apparent distance L2-Y is greater than the first apparent distance L1-Y, It is characterized in that the main emitting device (2) and the planar light guide (4) are configured so that the light generated by the main emitting device and projected onto the plane PR extends through the second apparent distance L2-Y, so that the outer surface (5) of the planar light guide (4) is regarded as fully illuminated.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the main emitting device (2) is configured such that: a first section (T1) of the main emitting device (2) is configured to output light (R) extending parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis (D) of the vehicle; and at least a second section of the main emitting device (2) is configured to emit light (L) extending along a second direction, the second direction forming an angle (α) relative to the longitudinal axis (D) of the vehicle.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The end portion of the first end portion (2-a) of the inner surface (9) facing the main emitting device (2) has a curved profile so that the light extending along the direction L is further deviated and extends along the direction K, forming an angle β relative to D that is smaller than the angle α.
4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The portion (5-a) of the outer surface (5) of the planar light guide 4 arranged facing the second section (T2) is shaped to redirect the output light so that the output light from the surface (5) is also parallel to the direction (D).
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The portion (5-a) of the outer surface (5) of the planar light guide (4) arranged facing the second section (T2) is shaped by means of graining or diffusion finishing, opal finishing, film or faceting.
6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the angle (α) forming the second direction relative to the first direction (D) has an increasing value towards the second end portion (2-b) of the waveguide (2).
7. A device according to the preceding claim, wherein the main emitting device (2) comprises one of the following: a light guide; a planar optical element; or a series of reflectors.