Light guide assembly, light path system, traffic equipment and optical equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a light guide assembly, a light path system, traffic equipment and optical equipment, and the light guide assembly comprises a first reflector which is used for reflecting laser light outputted by a light source; wherein the first reflecting mirror comprises an MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) micro vibrating mirror. The light guide assembly, the light path system, the traffic equipment and the optical equipment have the beneficial effects that the space occupied by the light guide assembly is reduced by reflecting the laser light through the MEMS micro vibrating mirror.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of vehicle lighting technology, and in particular to a light guide assembly, an optical path system, a traffic device, and an optical device. Background Art

[0002] When lasers are used, they are generally combined with light guide components to achieve their lighting or visual functions. The light guide components at least have a reflective structure to change the transmission path of the laser.

[0003] In the related art, in order to meet the requirements of the projection range, the reflective structure generally directly reflects a larger light spot, but this will cause the light guide component to occupy a larger space. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a light guide assembly that reduces occupied space and at least partially solves the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to a first aspect of the present application, a light guide assembly is provided, comprising:

[0006] A first reflector, used for reflecting the laser light output by the light source;

[0007] Wherein, the first reflector includes a MEMS micro-vibration mirror.

[0008] Optionally, the light guide assembly further includes:

[0009] The second reflecting mirror is used to reflect the laser light to the first reflecting mirror.

[0010] Optionally, the reflection plane of the second reflection mirror is arranged parallel to at least one of the oscillating mirror axes of the MEMS micro-oscillating mirror.

[0011] Optionally, the light guide assembly further includes:

[0012] The light beam shrinking device is used to focus the incident laser light.

[0013] Optionally, in the transmission direction of the laser light, the light beam shrinking device is arranged between the light source and the second reflector.

[0014] Optionally, in the transmission direction of the laser light, the second reflector is arranged between the optical beam shrinking device and the first reflector.

[0015] Optionally, the MEMS micro-vibration mirror includes silicon carbide material.

[0016] Optionally, the MEMS micro-vibration mirror includes:

[0017] substrate;

[0018] A reflector, used for reflecting laser light;

[0019] A driving device, used for driving the reflector to deflect;

[0020] The substrate comprises silicon carbide material, and the reflector and the driving device are configured to be supported on the substrate.

[0021] Optionally, the driving device further includes:

[0022] A first cantilever beam is used to drive the reflector to deflect around the first galvanometer axis;

[0023] A second cantilever beam is used to drive the reflector to deflect around the second galvanometer axis;

[0024] Among them, one end of the first cantilever beam is connected to the base, and the other end is connected to the reflector; one end of the second cantilever beam is connected to the base, and the other end is connected to the reflector; the first galvanometer axis and the second galvanometer axis are arranged perpendicular or inclined to each other.

[0025] Optionally, the light source includes:

[0026] Reflective bowl, used to generate parallel laser light.

[0027] Optionally, the light source further includes:

[0028] The fluorescent device is at least used to convert the wavelength range of the laser light output by the light source.

[0029] Optionally, a light-transmitting hole is provided in the center of the reflective bowl.

[0030] Optionally, the fluorescent device is arranged inside the reflective bowl and opposite to the center of the light-transmitting hole.

[0031] The MEMS micro-vibration mirror includes:

[0032] A reflector, used for reflecting laser light;

[0033] The ratio of the outer diameter of the reflector to the aperture of the light-transmitting hole ranges from 1.5 to 3.

[0034] According to a second aspect of the present application, there is also an optical path system, comprising:

[0035] The light guide assembly as described above;

[0036] A light source is used to output laser light.

[0037] Optionally, the light source includes:

[0038] Laser generator, used to convert electrical energy into laser light output.

[0039] According to a third aspect of the present application, a traffic device is also provided, comprising the light guide assembly or the optical path system as described above.

[0040] Optionally, the traffic equipment further includes:

[0041] An environmental detection device, used to detect environmental information of the traffic equipment;

[0042] a controller, configured to control the intensity of the laser light output by the light source at least according to environmental information of the traffic equipment;

[0043] Wherein, the environment detection device and the light source are electrically connected to the controller respectively.

[0044] According to a fourth aspect of the present application, an optical device is also provided, comprising the light guide assembly as described above or the optical path system as described above.

[0045] The beneficial effects of the present application are: providing a light guide component, an optical path system, a traffic device and an optical device that reflect laser light through a MEMS micro-vibration mirror to reduce the space occupied by the light guide component.

[0046] More specifically, some embodiments of the present application may produce the following specific beneficial effects:

[0047] This application uses a MEMS micro-vibration mirror to reflect laser light. By adjusting the laser light's output deflection angle through the MEMS micro-vibration mirror, the illumination range can be autonomously adjusted, meeting the needs of intelligent lighting. Furthermore, because the MEMS micro-vibration mirror reflects a smaller light spot, the size of the reflective device associated with the MEMS micro-vibration mirror can be reduced accordingly, thereby reducing the space occupied.

[0048] Other features and advantages of the present application will be described in detail in the subsequent detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can also derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort.

[0050] In order to more completely understand the present application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same drawing numbers represent the same parts in the following description.

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the light guide assembly provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the matching relationship between the reflective bowl and the fluorescent device in the light guide assembly provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the MEMS micro-vibration mirror in the light guide assembly provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a vehicle provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0055] Description of reference numerals:

[0056] 100. Light guide assembly;

[0057] 110, first reflector; 110a, MEMS micro-vibration mirror;

[0058] 111, substrate; 112, reflector; 113, driving device; 113a, first cantilever beam; 113b, second cantilever beam; C1, first galvanometer axis; C2, second galvanometer axis;

[0059] 120, second reflector;

[0060] 130. Light beam shrinking device;

[0061] 140, reflective bowl; 141, light-transmitting hole; 150, fluorescent device;

[0062] 10. Vehicles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0064] According to the first aspect of this application, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the present application provides a light guide assembly 100 , including: a first reflector 110 .

[0065] The first reflector 110 is used to reflect the laser light, wherein the first reflector 110 includes a MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a.

[0066] It can be understood that the MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) micro-vibration mirror projects laser light to the area that needs to be illuminated in front of the vehicle 10 by scanning. According to the resonant frequency of the MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a, a spatial point in front of the vehicle 10 can be illuminated 30 to 60 times within 1 second. The scanning of the light spot forms a line, and the scanning of the light forms a surface. That is, the integration principle and the persistence effect of human vision are used to create a smooth and coherent visual effect, which gives people a better intuitive visual experience.

[0067] The above technical solution uses MEMS micro-mirror 110a to reflect laser light, adjusting the laser light's output deflection angle through the MEMS micro-mirror 110a, enabling autonomous adjustment of the illuminated range and meeting the requirements of intelligent lighting. Furthermore, because the MEMS micro-mirror 110a reflects a smaller light spot, the size of the reflective device associated with the MEMS micro-mirror 110a can be reduced, thereby reducing the space occupied.

[0068] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The light guide assembly 100 further includes a second reflector 120. The second reflector 120 is used to reflect the laser light to the first reflector 110. By changing the propagation direction of the laser light through the second reflector 120, the structure of the light guide assembly 100 is made more compact.

[0069] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The reflection plane of the second reflector 120 is arranged parallel to at least one of the oscillating mirror axes of the MEMS micro-oscillating mirror 110a. In this way, the MEMS micro-oscillating mirror 110a can adjust the emission angle of the light reflected by the second reflector 120.

[0070] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The light guide assembly 100 further includes a light beam shrinking device 130. The light beam shrinking device 130 is used to shrink the incident laser light.

[0071] Exemplarily, the optical beam shrinking device 130 may be a lens or a combination of multiple lenses.

[0072] The light beam formed by the laser light is contracted by the light contraction device 130 to adapt to the size of the reflection surface based on the MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110 a, so as to prevent the light beam from being too large or too small and affecting the reflection efficiency of the MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110 a.

[0073] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2In the transmission direction of the laser light, the light beam shrinking device 130 is arranged between the light source and the second reflector 120. In this way, the laser light after being focused is then emitted by the second reflector 120 and the MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a, thereby improving energy utilization.

[0074] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the transmission direction of the laser light, the second reflector 120 is disposed between the optical beam shrinking device 130 and the first reflector 110. Thus, the second reflector 120 adjusts the transmission direction of the laser light between the optical beam shrinking device 130 and the first reflector 110.

[0075] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a includes silicon carbide material. That is, the MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a of the present application is a SiC MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a.

[0076] The MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a of the present application is based on silicon carbide material. As a silicon carbide device, the MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a of the present application has the following advantages:

[0077] High temperature stability: Compared with silicon-based devices, the MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a of the present application has higher thermal stability and can work stably for a long time in a high temperature environment, usually reaching a high temperature of more than 200 degrees.

[0078] High efficiency: Silicon carbide devices have low energy loss, especially under high temperature and high frequency conditions, and their energy conversion efficiency is much higher than that of silicon-based devices. This enables the MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a of the present application to achieve more efficient use of electrical energy for control, reducing energy waste.

[0079] Long life: The MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110 a based on silicon carbide material has a longer service life.

[0080] Therefore, the MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a based on silicon carbide material in this application has significant advantages in high temperature stability, high efficiency, long life, etc. It can withstand harsh working conditions such as long-term high temperature and vibration, and achieve high efficiency and long life.

[0081] In some embodiments, reference Figure 3 The MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110 a includes a substrate 111 , a reflector 112 and a driving device 113 .

[0082] Substrate 111 serves as a support structure for MEMS mirror 110a, providing a stable platform. It also houses electrodes and circuits for transmitting power and signals. It also acts as a heat conduction channel, transferring heat generated by MEMS mirror 110a to the surrounding environment to maintain a stable temperature. Reflector 112 has a reflective surface for reflecting laser light, and driver 113 is used to drive reflector 112's deflection.

[0083] Specifically, the driving device 113 realizes the deflection of the reflector 112 based on at least one of an electric field, a magnetic field, a thermal expansion effect, and a piezoelectric effect.

[0084] The substrate 111 includes a silicon carbide material, and the reflector 112 and the driving device 113 are configured to be supported on the substrate 111 .

[0085] As a specific solution, refer to Figure 3 The driving device 113 includes a first cantilever beam 113a and a second cantilever beam 113b.

[0086] One end of the first cantilever beam 113a is connected to the base 111, and the other end is connected to the reflector 112; it is used to drive the reflector 112 to deflect around the first galvanometer axis C1; one end of the second cantilever beam 113b is connected to the base 111, and the other end is connected to the reflector 112, and is used to drive the reflector 112 to deflect around the second galvanometer axis C2; the first galvanometer axis C1 and the second galvanometer axis C2 are arranged perpendicular or inclined to each other.

[0087] By deflecting the first galvanometer axis C1 and the second galvanometer axis C2 at different angles, the laser light is projected and scanned to the front of the vehicle 10, thereby illuminating the field of vision in front of the driver.

[0088] For example, the first galvanometer axis is defined as the slow axis, primarily responsible for scanning the vertical light in the driver's field of view. The second galvanometer axis is defined as the fast axis, primarily responsible for scanning the horizontal image in the driver's field of view. The laser light is projected by the reflector 112 of the MEMS micro-mirror 110a scanning in both the slow and fast axes.

[0089] When the vehicle 10 is detected to need to turn left or right, the laser beam can be projected to the left or right side of the driver's field of view. When the vehicle 10 is detected to be going downhill or uphill, the laser beam can be projected downward or upward, thereby expanding the driver's field of view and reducing blind spots when turning and going uphill and downhill, thus avoiding accidents.

[0090] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The light source includes a reflective bowl 140. The reflective bowl 140 is used to generate parallel laser light.

[0091] Compared to traditional laser headlights, which have a larger light spot area and require a larger reflector 140, the MEMS micro-mirror 110a used in this application requires a smaller light spot area, thereby reducing the required reflector 140 size. It has been verified that the reflector 140 size of this application is 10% to 25% of that of traditional laser headlights.

[0092] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The light source further includes a fluorescent device 150. The fluorescent device 150 is at least used to convert the wavelength range of the laser light output by the light source.

[0093] For example, the laser light output by the light source is monochromatic (e.g., blue). When used for lighting purposes, the fluorescent device 150 converts the monochromatic light into white light. After being projected by the MEMS micro-mirror 110a, the white light can increase the highlight range in the driver's field of view and achieve uniform brightness in the area in front of the driver's field of view. When applied to other fields, such as optical equipment such as projectors, the light can also be converted into other colors.

[0094] Of course, the fluorescent device 150 can also change the light intensity and beam angle of the laser light.

[0095] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 A light-transmitting hole 141 is provided at the center of the reflective bowl 140 . Thus, the incident laser light can pass through the center of the reflective bowl 140 and be projected onto the fluorescent device 150 .

[0096] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The fluorescent device 150 is disposed inside the reflective bowl 140 and opposite to the center of the light-transmitting hole 141. It is understood that the fluorescent device 150 is disposed near the focal position of the reflective bowl 140. With such a positional arrangement of the fluorescent device 150, the structure is compact.

[0097] In some embodiments, the ratio of the outer diameter of the reflector 112 to the aperture of the light-transmitting hole 141 ranges from 1.5 to 3. Using such a ratio parameter allows the size of the light-transmitting hole to match the size of the reflector, thereby ensuring that the reflector can effectively reflect the laser fiber while reducing the size of the reflective bowl.

[0098] Preferably, the ratio of the outer diameter of the reflector to the aperture of the light-transmitting hole is 2.

[0099] As a specific solution, the outer diameter of the reflector ranges from 8 mm to 12 mm.

[0100] It can be understood that the outer diameter of the reflector may range from 8 mm to 9 mm, 9 mm to 10 mm, 10 mm to 11 mm, or 11 mm to 12 mm.

[0101] Preferably, the outer diameter of the reflector is 10 mm.

[0102] As a specific solution, the inner diameter of the light-transmitting hole ranges from 4 mm to 8.4 mm.

[0103] It can be understood that the inner diameter of the light-transmitting hole may range from 4 mm to 5 mm, 5 mm to 6 mm, 6 mm to 7 mm, 7 mm to 8 mm, or 8 mm to 8.4 mm.

[0104] Preferably, the inner diameter of the light-transmitting hole ranges from 5 mm to 7 mm.

[0105] This application exemplarily describes the working process of the light guide assembly 100:

[0106] The incident laser light shines on the fluorescent device 150 to generate white light. The white light is reflected and focused by the reflective bowl 140 and then enters the light-concentrating device 130. It is then emitted by the second reflector 120 and enters the MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a of the first reflector 110. The MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a projects the laser light to the area to be illuminated by scanning.

[0107] According to a second aspect of the present application, an optical system is provided, comprising a light source and the aforementioned light guide assembly 100. The light source is configured to output laser light. The optical system has all the advantages of the aforementioned light guide assembly 100, which will not be further elaborated herein.

[0108] In some embodiments, the light source further comprises a laser generator. The laser generator is used to convert electrical energy into laser light output. Laser generators are well known in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0109] As an optional solution, the incident laser is provided by a laser generator, and the intensity and amount of light entering the incident laser can be adjusted by controlling the laser generator through a program (the control of the laser generator is well known in the art and will not be described in detail), which can increase the intensity of the light, weaken the intensity of the light, or turn off the light, thereby achieving the adjustment of the light intensity or the amount of light entering.

[0110] The application exemplarily describes the partial working process of the optical path system applied to a vehicle:

[0111] When low beam is required, the laser generator power is adjusted to reduce the amount of incoming light or its intensity, allowing the MEMS micro-mirror 110a to scan closer to the vehicle 10, thus achieving the effect of low beam. When high beam is required, the laser generator power is adjusted to increase the amount of incoming light or its intensity, allowing the MEMS micro-mirror 110a to scan at the high beam position, thus achieving the effect of high beam. Because the MEMS micro-mirror 110a can quickly switch scanning positions, combined with the adjustment of the amount of incoming light and the intensity of the light, a low beam + high beam effect can be achieved without the need for additional combinations.

[0112] At the same time, when the position of a person or vehicle coming from the opposite direction is detected, the intensity and amount of light entering the laser light are adjusted, and even the light entering is turned off when scanning the position of the person or vehicle, thereby avoiding direct exposure to the person or vehicle.

[0113] According to a third aspect of the present application, a traffic device is provided, comprising the aforementioned light guide assembly 100 or the aforementioned optical path system. The traffic device has all the beneficial effects of the aforementioned light guide assembly 100 or the optical path system, which will not be described in detail in this application.

[0114] It can be understood that transportation equipment includes vehicles, ships, etc.

[0115] For example, referring to Figure 4 The transportation equipment is a vehicle 10, which may be a fuel vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, a new energy vehicle, etc., and this application does not make any specific limitation on this.

[0116] In some embodiments, the traffic equipment further includes: an environment detection device and a controller.

[0117] The environmental detection device is used to detect the environmental information of the traffic equipment; the controller can be the ECU or BCU of the vehicle, used to control the intensity of the laser light output by the light source at least according to the environmental information of the traffic equipment; the environmental detection device and the light source are electrically connected to the controller respectively.

[0118] For example, the following uses a vehicle as an example to illustrate part of the working process:

[0119] Since the illuminated area of ​​the MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a is dynamically scanned, the optical path system based on the MEMS micro-vibration mirror 110a can be integrated with environmental detection. When an oncoming vehicle or person is detected, the position of the vehicle or person is accurately "turned off" through intelligent judgment (turning off the lights in this application can be understood as: turning off the laser generator when the light beam scans the position), which neither affects normal lighting needs nor directly shines on the vehicle or person to cause safety hazards.

[0120] As an optional solution, the environmental detection device includes one or more of a laser radar, a millimeter wave radar, an ultrasonic radar, and a visual system.

[0121] According to a third aspect of the present application, an optical device is provided, comprising the aforementioned light guide assembly 100 or the aforementioned optical path system. The optical device has all the beneficial effects of the aforementioned light guide assembly 100 or the optical path system, which will not be described in detail herein.

[0122] Exemplarily, the optical device may be a projector.

[0123] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0124] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own focus. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0125] The embodiments, implementation methods and related technical features of the present application can be combined and replaced with each other without conflict.

[0126] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present application and do not constitute any form of limitation to the present application. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present application without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present application are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims

1. A light guide assembly, characterized in that: include: A first reflector, used for reflecting the laser light output by the light source; Wherein, the first reflector includes a MEMS micro-vibration mirror.

2. The light guide assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light guide assembly also includes: The second reflecting mirror is used to reflect the laser light to the first reflecting mirror.

3. The light guide assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reflection plane of the second reflection mirror is arranged parallel to at least one of the oscillating mirror axes of the MEMS micro-oscillating mirror.

4. The light guide assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light guide assembly also includes: The light beam shrinking device is used to shrink the incident laser light.

5. The light guide assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: In the transmission direction of the laser light, the light beam shrinking device is arranged between the light source and the second reflector.

6. The light guide assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: In the transmission direction of the laser light, the second reflector is arranged between the light shrinking device and the first reflector.

7. The light guide assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The MEMS micro-vibration mirror includes silicon carbide material.

8. The light guide assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The MEMS micro-vibration mirror comprises: substrate; A reflector, used for reflecting laser light; A driving device, used for driving the reflector to deflect; The substrate comprises silicon carbide material, and the reflector and the driving device are configured to be supported on the substrate.

9. The light guide assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The driving device comprises: A first cantilever beam, used for driving the reflector to deflect around a first galvanometer axis; A second cantilever beam, used for driving the reflector to deflect around a second galvanometer axis; Among them, one end of the first cantilever beam is connected to the base, and the other end is connected to the reflector; one end of the second cantilever beam is connected to the base, and the other end is connected to the reflector; the first galvanometer axis and the second galvanometer axis are arranged perpendicular or inclined to each other.

10. The light guide assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The light source comprises: Reflector bowl, used to produce parallel laser light.

11. The light guide assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that: The light guide assembly also includes: The fluorescent device is at least used for converting the wavelength range of the laser light output by the light source.

12. The light guide assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that: A light-transmitting hole is arranged at the center of the reflective bowl.

13. The light guide assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that: The fluorescent device is arranged inside the reflective bowl and opposite to the center of the light-transmitting hole.

14. The light guide assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that: The MEMS micro-vibration mirror comprises: A reflector, used for reflecting laser light; The ratio of the outer diameter of the reflector to the aperture of the light-transmitting hole ranges from 1.5 to 3.

15. An optical path system, characterized in that: include: The light guide assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14; A light source is used to output laser light.

16. The optical path system according to claim 15, characterized in that: The light source comprises: Laser generator, used to convert electrical energy into laser light output.

17. A traffic device, characterized in that: It comprises the light guide assembly described in any one of claims 1 to 14 or the optical path system described in any one of claims 15 to 16.

18. The traffic device according to claim 17, characterized in that: The traffic equipment also includes: An environmental detection device, used to detect environmental information of the traffic equipment; A controller, used to control the intensity of the laser light output by the light source at least according to the environmental information of the traffic equipment; Wherein, the environment detection device and the light source are electrically connected to the controller respectively.

19. An optical device, characterized in that: It comprises the light guide assembly described in any one of claims 1 to 14 or the optical path system described in any one of claims 15 to 16.

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