Outer lens coupling light function
By combining the light emitting element and the light deflection member in the lighting equipment and using the opaque cover for heat transfer, the shortcomings in existing lighting equipment in terms of compactness and aesthetics are solved, and a compact, beautiful and efficient lighting effect is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411747990.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-12-19
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing lighting equipment has shortcomings in terms of compactness, durability and aesthetics, especially in the field of vehicle lighting, which makes it difficult to achieve effective light generation, compact design and aesthetic appearance.
By introducing a light emitting element and a light deflection member into the lighting device and arranging the light emitting element on the inner surface of the opaque cover, the deflection of light and heat transfer are achieved, the need for a ventilation case is avoided, and the compactness and aesthetics of the equipment are enhanced.
It realizes a compact and beautiful lighting equipment design, improves the uniformity of light distribution, and expands the application range of the equipment, especially in heat-sensitive and space-intensive equipment.
Smart Images
Figure CN119594360A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting device, in particular for use as an exterior vehicle light, and to a vehicle comprising the lighting device. Background Art
[0002] In addition to efficient light generation, compactness, durability and aesthetics are key criteria in the development of lighting devices. This applies in particular to areas related to vehicle lighting, but also to areas such as household appliances, lifestyle appliances (including wearable electrical devices), etc.
[0003] There is a continuing need for improved lighting technologies. Summary of the invention
[0004] This problem is solved by the following technical solution of the present invention.
[0005] According to one aspect, a lighting device is provided, in particular for use as an exterior vehicle light. The lighting device comprises at least one light emitting element. The lighting device further comprises a light deflecting member. The light deflecting member comprises an incoupling surface arranged to receive light that has been emitted by the light emitting element, at least one light deflecting structure for deflecting light that has been incoupled into the light deflecting member via the incoupling surface, and an outcoupling surface arranged to outcouple light that has been incoupled into the light deflecting member via the incoupling surface and deflected by means of the light deflecting structure towards an environment of the lighting device. The lighting device further comprises an opaque cover that at least partially covers the at least one light emitting element relative to an environment of the lighting device. The at least one light emitting element is arranged on an inner surface of the opaque cover.
[0006] By means of the provided lighting device, it is achieved that light is not only efficiently generated, but also the lighting device is compactly (in particular flatly) implemented. This is achieved by having at least one light emitting element and the light deflecting member at least substantially arranged in the same extension plane of the lighting device, wherein the extension plane can further correspond to (e.g. be parallel to) an outcoupling surface for the generated light.
[0007] Furthermore, a housing-free implementation of the lighting device is achieved. This is achieved by arranging the at least one light-emitting element on the inner surface of the opaque cover. By means of the opaque cover, a heat transfer from the at least one light-emitting element to the environment of the lighting device can be achieved, thus eliminating the need for a ventilated housing. This further facilitates a compact, in particular flat, implementation of the lighting device. Furthermore, the above also facilitates an expansion of the application range of the lighting device, in particular into heat-sensitive and space-critical appliances, with or without a housing for the lighting device.
[0008] Furthermore, by means of the provided lighting device, improved aesthetics is promoted. This is achieved by covering at least one light-emitting element relative to the surroundings. In particular, many users consider that it is aesthetically unpleasant for the light-emitting element to be visible in the non-operating state of the lighting device compared to a concealed arrangement of the light-emitting element. Furthermore, by means of the light-deflecting member, it is possible to arbitrarily design the background of the light-deflecting member, which is visible to the surroundings through the light-deflecting member, without significantly affecting the lighting function of the lighting device. Therefore, when the lighting device is mounted on a vehicle or on another appliance, the overall appearance of the lighting device (including the visible opaque cover and the visible background of the light-deflecting member) can be arbitrarily designed, for example colored, without significantly affecting the lighting function of the lighting device.
[0009] Furthermore, by covering at least one light emitting element with respect to the surroundings by means of an opaque cover, hot spots in the outcoupled light distribution caused by visible light emitting elements can be avoided, thereby facilitating improved uniformity of the light distribution of the lighting device.
[0010] The opaque cover may comprise a thermally conductive material, in particular a thermally conductive plastic material and / or a thermally conductive resin composition. Using a thermally conductive plastic or resin material for at least a portion of the opaque cover facilitates the integral formation of at least a portion of the opaque cover with at least a portion of the light deflecting member, for example, in a two-step or multi-step injection molding process.
[0011] The opaque cover may be integrally formed with at least a portion of the light deflecting member. In this manner, improved stability, weather resistance, appearance uniformity, and production effectiveness of the lighting device are facilitated.
[0012] The lighting device may further comprise at least one printed circuit arrangement for operating at least one light emitting element, the at least one printed circuit arrangement being arranged on the inner surface of the opaque cover. The at least one printed circuit arrangement can be at least partially printed onto the inner surface of the opaque cover, in particular without an additional substrate for the printed circuit arrangement. In this way, a compact implementation of the lighting device and / or heat transfer from the light emitting element through the opaque cover is further facilitated.
[0013] The at least one light emitting element may include at least one light emitting diode LED.
[0014] The light deflecting member may be configured to act as a light guide for guiding light that has been incoupled into the light deflecting member via the incoupling surface towards the light deflecting structure. The incoupling surface may correspond to a side surface of the light deflecting member and the outcoupling surface to an outer surface of the light deflecting member.
[0015] The light deflecting member may have an at least substantially planar shape, in particular an at least substantially curved or flat planar shape, in at least one region of the light deflecting member, which region comprises the incoupling surface, the light deflecting structure and the outcoupling surface.
[0016] The light deflecting member may be configured to refract light which has been deflected by means of the light deflecting structure, in particular, to act as an output lens of at least one illumination device.
[0017] The light deflecting member may be integrally formed in at least one region of the light deflecting member, the region comprising the incoupling surface and the outcoupling surface.
[0018] The light deflecting member may constitute an outer surface of the lighting device.
[0019] At least one light deflecting structure may be arranged at an inner surface of the light deflecting member.
[0020] The at least one light deflecting structure may include at least one of a surface structure or an optical microstructure.
[0021] The lighting device may further comprise a housing accommodating the at least one light emitting element, the printed circuit arrangement and / or the light deflecting member.
[0022] The lighting device may be configured to function as at least one of a rear light, a brake light, and / or an indicator light of the vehicle.
[0023] According to another aspect, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a lighting device as provided herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Other details, objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. As shown in the drawings:
[0025] Figure 1 shows a lighting device according to an example;
[0026] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D showing different views of a lighting device according to another example; and
[0027] Figure 3 A vehicle according to an example is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Figure 1Schematically and exemplarily, a lighting device 100 is shown, for example, for use as an exterior vehicle light. The lighting device 100 comprises a light emitting element 110, such as a light emitting diode LED. The lighting device 100 further comprises a light deflecting member 130 and an opaque cover 160. The opaque cover 160 mechanically and visually covers the light emitting element 110 with respect to the environment of the lighting device 100. The light deflecting member 130 is at least partially made of a material that is transparent to the light emitted by the light emitting element 110.
[0029] In the example shown, the lighting device 100 further comprises a printed circuit arrangement 120, which is arranged on the inner surface of the opaque cover 160. The printed circuit arrangement 120 is used to operate the light emitting element 110. In the example shown, the printed circuit arrangement 120 is at least partially printed on a substrate. The light emitting element 110 is also arranged on the substrate. In the example shown, the lighting device 100 further comprises a housing 170 accommodating the light emitting element 110, the printed circuit arrangement 120 and the light deflecting member 130.
[0030] The light deflecting member 130 is arranged adjacent to the light emitting element 110 to receive light that has been generated by the light emitting element 110. An incoupling surface 132 of the light deflecting member 130 is arranged to face the light emitting element 110. Light that has been emitted by the light emitting element 110 and received at the light deflecting member 130 is incoupled into the light deflecting member 130 via the incoupling surface 132.
[0031] The light deflecting member 130 is configured to act as a light guide for the light LI that has been incoupled through the incoupling surface 132. The incoupled light LI is guided in the light deflecting member 130, for example by internal reflection, towards the light deflecting structure 140 of the light deflecting member 130. The light deflecting structure 140 is adapted to deflect the incident light LI that has been guided in the light deflecting member 130 so that the deflected light LO is outcoupled towards the environment of the lighting device 100 through the outcoupling surface 134 of the light deflecting member 130.
[0032] In order to cause the light to be outcoupled via the outcoupling surface 134, in some examples, the light deflecting structure 140 is configured to deflect the incident light LI in such a way that the reflection angle of the deflected light LO is different from the incident angle, in particular, in such a way that the reflection angle relative to the surface normal of the outcoupling surface 134 is smaller than the incident angle relative to the surface normal of the outcoupling surface 134. In this way, the transmittance of the deflected light LO (i.e., after being deflected by the light deflecting structure 140) at the outcoupling surface 134 is increased relative to the transmittance associated with the internal reflection of the guided light LI in the light deflecting member 130 before being deflected by the light deflecting structure 140. To this end, in some examples, the light deflecting structure 140 includes an optical microstructure that is embedded in or applied to the inner surface 136 of the light deflecting member 130. In other examples, the light deflecting structure 140 includes a surface roughness of the inner surface 136 of the light deflecting member 130, wherein the surface roughness has been selected such that it is suitable for deflecting the incident light LI. In some examples, the surface roughness is combined with a mirror element, such as a mirror foil, that extends along the inner surface 136 of the light deflecting member 130 to reflect light that has been deflected by the surface roughness towards the interior of the lighting device 100 .
[0033] like Figure 1 As shown schematically, in some examples, the light deflection structure 140 is configured to cause partial deflection and outcoupling of the incident light LI at any one of a plurality of regions of the light deflection structure 140 over the extended length of the light deflection structure 140, wherein the plurality of regions are arranged along the main propagation direction of the guided light LI in the light deflection member 130. In this way, outcoupling of the deflected light LO over the extended length of the outcoupling surface 134 (e.g., over the extended region) is achieved.
[0034] By adapting the light deflecting structure 140 accordingly, it is possible to control the area of the lighting device 100 where the light LO is outcoupled toward the environment, as well as the distribution of the outcoupled light LO, for example, the angular intensity distribution of the outcoupled light LO. In addition, in some examples, the desired distribution of the outcoupled light LO is partially achieved by configuring the shape and / or light density distribution (e.g., the shape of the outcoupling surface 134) of the light deflecting member 130. In this way, the light deflecting member 130 additionally constitutes a (conventional) optical lens for the deflected light LO, for example, in the example of outcoupling.
[0035] In some examples, the opaque cover 160 includes a thermally conductive material. For example, the opaque cover 160 can be made of a thermally conductive resin composition and / or a thermally conductive plastic material. Therefore, the opaque cover 160 provides effective heat transfer, that is, the heat generated by the light-emitting element 110 is transferred to the environment of the lighting device 100 through the opaque cover 160. By arranging the light-emitting element 110 nearby (e.g., attached to the inside of the opaque cover 160), the heat transfer from the light-emitting element 110 to the environment of the lighting device 100 is further improved. Therefore, in some examples, internal ventilation of the lighting device 100 to avoid overheating inside the lighting device 100 can be omitted. In addition, effective heat transfer (i.e., heat from the light-emitting element 110 is transferred to the environment through the opaque cover 160) allows a wide range of applications of the lighting device 100, for example, when it is installed on a heat-sensitive appliance.
[0036] In some examples of the lighting device 100, the housing 170 is omitted. Eliminating the housing 170 increases the compactness of the lighting device 100. In addition, omitting the housing 170 allows the lighting device 100 to be mounted on a surface of a vehicle or another appliance, wherein the finished surface of the vehicle or another appliance remains visible through the light deflecting member 130. This allows for a variety of designs, including arrangements where the lighting device 100 is barely visible when it is in the off state.
[0037] In some examples, the elimination of the housing 170 is achieved through efficient heat transfer (i.e., heat from the light emitting element 110 is transferred to the environment through the opaque cover 160). As described above, efficient heat transfer through the opaque cover 160 makes it unnecessary to provide the housing 170 for ventilation purposes. In some examples, it allows the lighting device 100 to be installed (even on heat-sensitive fixtures) without the housing 170.
[0038] In some examples, the opaque cover 160 and at least a portion of the light deflecting member 130 are integrally formed, such as by the same injection molding process. When these profiles are integrally formed, in order to obtain transparency of the light deflecting member 130 and opacity of the opaque cover 160, in some examples, a two-step or multi-step injection molding process is used.
[0039] In the example shown, the lighting device 100 has a substantially curved planar shape. In this case, for example, the lighting device 100 is configured to be mounted on a curved surface of a vehicle or another appliance, such as integrated therein. Configuring the lighting device 100 to be substantially planar provides a compact implementation of the lighting device 100 while also providing an extended area over which the out-coupling light LO is emitted. In other examples, the lighting device 100 may have any different shapes.
[0040] By arranging the light emitting element 110 substantially in the extension plane of the light deflecting member 130, a compact implementation of the lighting device 100, in particular an implementation of a substantially (curved or flat) planar shape, is facilitated. In this way, the thickness of the lighting device 100 can be reduced. In some examples, a further reduction in the thickness of the lighting device 100 is achieved by printing the printed circuit arrangement 120 directly onto the input surface of the opaque cover 160 (i.e., without using an additional substrate). In some examples, the light emitting element 110 is directly attached to the inner surface of the opaque cover 160, thereby further reducing the minimum thickness of the lighting device 100 and improving the heat transfer from the light emitting element 110 to the opaque cover 160.
[0041] In some examples, the light deflecting member 130 constitutes an outer surface of the lighting device 100, and thus constitutes an outer surface of a vehicle or another appliance on which the lighting device 100 is intended to be mounted. Depending on the intended use of the lighting device 100, in some examples, the light deflecting member 130 is configured to comply with the requirements imposed on the outer surface in the corresponding context, for example, regarding at least one of the following: mechanical stability, chemical stability, weather resistance, tactile properties, impact performance, etc.
[0042] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D Different views of the lighting device 200 are shown. The above description of the lighting device 100 applies analogously to the lighting device 200 and its components, unless clearly different from the figures and the following description.
[0043] Figure 2A 2 shows a front view corresponding to the appearance of the lighting device 200. The lighting device 200 includes a light deflecting member 230, which extends adjacent to an opaque cover 260 of the lighting device 200. In the example shown, the opaque cover 260 extends along the entire periphery of the light deflecting member 230. In the region of the light deflecting member 230, a plurality of light deflecting structures 240 are arranged. Figure 1 As described, the light deflecting structure 240 is used to deflect light that has been generated by a plurality of light emitting elements 210 and in-coupled into the light deflecting member 230 through the out-coupling surface 234 of the light deflecting member 230, the plurality of light emitting elements 210 being arranged at the inner surface of the opaque cover 260. In the example shown, the light deflecting structure 240 comprises an array of linear light deflecting structures that are arranged parallel to each other substantially over the entire area of the light deflecting member 230.
[0044] Figure 2B 2 shows a rear view of the lighting device 200. Figure 2BAs shown, housing 270 of lighting device 200 extends substantially along the entire rear surface of lighting device 200. In some examples, housing 270 facilitates handling of lighting device 200, heat management at the rear surface of lighting device 200, and / or mounting lighting device 200 on a vehicle or another appliance.
[0045] Figure 2C A cross-sectional view of the rear side of the lighting device 200 is shown. Figure 2C The view in corresponds to the case 270 after removal. Figure 2B The view in .
[0046] Behind the opaque cover 260, a plurality of light emitting elements 210 are arranged and operated via a printed circuit arrangement 220. Light generated by the light emitting elements 210 is incoupled into the light deflecting member 230 at an incoupling surface 232 and propagates in the light deflecting member 230 by internal reflection. A plurality of light deflecting structures 240 are arranged on an inner surface 236 of the light deflecting member 230 to generate partial outcoupling of the incoupled light at each position of any one of the light deflecting structures 240 over the entire length of the light deflecting member 230.
[0047] Figure 2D A vertical cross section of the lighting device 200 in the plane of the light emitting element 210 is shown.
[0048] The housing 270 is attached to the opaque cover 260, such as by gluing or welding. In some examples, the housing comprises polycarbonate or a similar plastic material.
[0049] In the example shown, the light emitting element 210 is arranged on a substrate (eg a paper substrate) together with a printed circuit arrangement 220. The substrate is attached to the inner surface of the opaque cover 260, for example by hot stamping or thermally conductive gluing.
[0050] In some examples, the thickness of the lighting device 200 ranges from 2 to 20 mm, particularly ranges from 4 to 16 mm, preferably ranges from 6 to 14 mm, and more preferably ranges from 8 to 12 mm.
[0051] Figure 3 A vehicle 300 is schematically and exemplarily shown. The vehicle 300 includes a plurality of lighting devices 310. The lighting devices 310 are, for example, Figures 1 to 2D The lighting device 100, 200 depicted in the figure.
[0052] In the example shown, lighting device 310 is a symmetrical brake light of vehicle 300. In other examples, lighting devices as described herein are additionally or alternatively used as different vehicle lights, including, for example, taillights and / or indicator lights.
[0053] Furthermore, the above examples have been described in particular in conjunction with exterior vehicle lights. However, it should be appreciated that some or all of the advantages described may also be achieved in conjunction with other uses of the lighting device.
Claims
1. A lighting device (100; 200; 310), in particular for use as an exterior vehicle light, comprising: - at least one light emitting element (110; 210)， - a light deflecting member (130; 230), which includes: o an incoupling surface (132; 232) arranged to receive light (LE) that has been emitted by said light emitting element (110; 210), o at least one light deflecting structure (140; 240) for deflecting light (LI) that has been incoupled into the light deflecting member (130; 230) via the incoupling surface (132; 232), and o an outcoupling surface (134; 234) arranged for incoupling light that has been incoupled via the incoupling surface (132; 232) into the light deflecting member (130; 230), and outcoupling the light (LO) deflected by means of the light deflecting structure (140; 240) towards the environment of the lighting device (100; 200; 310), and - an opaque cover (160; 260) which at least partially covers the at least one light-emitting element (110; 210) relative to the environment of the lighting device (100; 200; 310), Wherein, the at least one light emitting element (110; 210) is arranged on the inner surface of the opaque cover (160; 260).
2. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to claim 1, wherein: The opaque cover (160; 260) comprises a thermally conductive material, in particular a thermally conductive resin composition and / or a thermally conductive plastic material.
3. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one printed circuit arrangement (120; 220) for operating the at least one light-emitting element (110; 210), the at least one printed circuit arrangement (120; 220) being arranged on the inner surface of the opaque cover (160; 260).
4. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one light emitting element (110; 210) comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED).
5. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The opaque cover (160; 260) is integrally formed with at least a portion of the light deflecting member (130; 230).
6. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The light deflecting member (130; 230) is configured to act as a light guide for guiding light (LI) that has been incoupled into the light deflecting member (130; 230) via the incoupling surface (132; 232) towards the light deflecting structure (140; 240).
7. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The incoupling surface (132; 232) corresponds to a side surface of the light deflecting member (130; 230), and the outcoupling surface (134; 234) corresponds to an outer surface of the light deflecting member (130; 230).
8. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The light deflecting member (130; 230) has an at least substantially planar shape, in particular an at least substantially curved or flat planar shape, in at least one region of the light deflecting member (130; 230), the region comprising the incoupling surface (132; 232), the light deflecting structure (140; 240) and the outcoupling surface (134; 234).
9. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The light deflecting member (130; 230) is configured to refract light (LO) that has been deflected by means of the light deflecting structure (140; 240), in particular, serving as an output lens of the at least one lighting device (100; 200; 310).
10. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The light deflecting member (130; 230) is integrally formed in at least one region of the light deflecting member (130; 230), the region comprising the incoupling surface (132; 232) and the outcoupling surface (134; 234).
11. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one light deflecting structure (140; 240) is arranged at an inner surface (136; 236) of the light deflecting member (130; 230).
12. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one light deflecting structure (140; 240) comprises at least one of a surface structure or an optical microstructure.
13. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a housing (170; 270) accommodating the at least one light emitting element (110; 210) and / or the light deflecting member (130; 230).
14. The lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The lighting device (100; 200; 310) is configured to be used as at least one of a rear light, a brake light and / or an indicator light of a vehicle (300).
15. A vehicle (300) comprising a lighting device (100; 200; 310) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.