Light guide element, vehicle lamp and vehicle
By designing a light guide element that can light up multiple light guide units, the connection between the light decoupling structure and the multiple light guide units is solved, and the uniform lighting effect and cost reduction are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202311618529.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-30
AI Technical Summary
In existing headlights, multiple elongated openings require independent strip light guides, resulting in increased costs and complex installation.
A light guide element is designed to light up multiple light guide units through one light source, and to use the connection between the first light guide unit and the second light guide unit, combined with the light decoupling structure to realize the conduction and uniform exit of light.
It realizes that multiple luminous windows can be lit with only one light source, and the lighting effect is uniform, reducing cost and installation complexity.
Smart Images
Figure CN120062577A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a light guide element, a vehicle lamp, and a vehicle. Background Art
[0002] In vehicle lamp illumination, for a situation with multiple elongated openings that need to be illuminated, multiple bar-shaped light guides are usually used, and each bar-shaped light guide corresponds to one light source, which will lead to an increase in cost, and multiple independent light guides will bring many problems including aspects such as installation, fixation, anti-fooling, and mold cost. Summary of the Invention
[0003] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a light guide element that can at least partially solve the above-mentioned technical problems.
[0004] The light guide element according to the present invention includes: a first light guide unit configured to receive light from a light source, the first light guide unit extending along a first direction; at least one second light guide unit configured to be connected to the first light guide unit at one end and conduct and emit the light from the first light guide unit, wherein the second light guide unit extends along a second direction different from the first direction.
[0005] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first light guide unit has a light incident end face, and the light source is arranged facing the light incident end face.
[0006] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first light guide unit has a light decoupling structure on a relative surface at a connection position with the second light guide unit.
[0007] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light decoupling structure has a total reflection surface.
[0008] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the number of at least one second light guide unit is two or more, and the area of the light decoupling structure corresponding to the second light guide unit increases as the distance from the light incident end face increases.
[0009] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the length of the second light guide unit extending along the second direction decreases as the distance from the light incident end face increases.
[0010] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting surface of the second light guide unit is located on the circumferential surface of the light guide unit.
[0011] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first light guide unit has a circular cross-section.
[0012] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light guiding element further includes a supporting unit, which is arranged at the other end of the second light guiding unit and connects the second light guiding unit.
[0013] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light guiding element is formed integrally.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle lamp is provided, which has a light source and a light guiding element, and the light guiding element is the light guiding element described in any one of the above.
[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided, which has the light guiding element or the vehicle lamp described above.
[0016] The light guiding element according to the present invention only needs one light source to simultaneously light up multiple light guiding units, light up multiple light emitting windows, and has a uniform lighting effect as a whole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention will be further described below with the aid of the drawings, where
[0018] Figure 1 A perspective view of the light guiding element according to the present invention is schematically shown;
[0019] Figure 2 Another view of the light guiding element according to the present invention is schematically shown;
[0020] Figure 3 Yet another view of the light guiding element according to the present invention is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Embodiments of the present invention are exemplarily described below. As those skilled in the art should realize, the described embodiments can be modified in various different ways without departing from the concept of the present invention. Therefore, the drawings and the description are exemplary in nature rather than restrictive. In the following, the same reference numerals generally denote elements having the same or similar functions.
[0022] It should be understood that the present invention may use terms such as first, second, and third to describe various information, but these information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first information may also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, as used herein, the word "if" can be interpreted as "when" or "while" or "in response to a determination".
[0023] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.
[0024] In Figures 1-3 a light guiding element according to the present invention is schematically shown. The light guiding element 100 according to the present invention includes: a first light guiding unit 101 configured to receive light from a light source 200, and the first light guiding unit 101 extends in a first direction; at least one second light guiding unit 102 configured to be connected to the first light guiding unit 101 at one end, conduct and emit the light from the first light guiding unit 101, wherein the second light guiding unit 102 extends in a second direction different from the first direction.
[0025] Specifically, as Figures 1-3 shown, the first light guiding unit 101 extends substantially in the horizontal direction, and the second light guiding unit 102 extends substantially in a direction obtuse to it. Such a setting can improve the utilization rate of light and obtain a higher light efficiency. In another example, the extending direction of the second light guiding unit 102 can form other angles with the extending direction of the first light guiding unit 101, such as a right angle or an acute angle, etc., and can be specifically adjusted according to needs, as long as it is different from the first direction. The overall trend of the light guiding element 100 is usually designed according to the overall shape of the motor vehicle.
[0026] The light guiding element 100 is preferably made of a transparent or translucent material, which can be glass resin or plastic. For example, the selected material is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), such as light guides with grades LED 8N LD12, LD24, LD48, LD96, or the selected material can be polycarbonate (PC), such as a light guide with grade EL2245. Of course, those skilled in the art know that the light guiding element 100 can also be made of other suitable materials, and the above selection does not constitute a limitation to its material selection.
[0027] In Figures 1-3 the illustrated embodiment, the number of the second light guiding units 102 is 6. It should be noted that the illustrated drawings and the embodiments taken as examples here do not specifically limit the number of the second light guiding units. The number of the second light guiding units can be more or less, and can be specifically set according to actual needs.
[0028] Among them, in a specific example, the light source 200 can be of the light-emitting diode or laser type, or any suitable light source known or developed in the future, and the present application does not make specific limitations. The light source 200 emits light rays in the half-space defined by its main plane. The emission color of the light source 200 is selected according to the required function. For this purpose, light-emitting diodes that emit white, red, or amber light can be selected to perform several lighting and / or signaling functions. The purpose of emitting different colors to perform different lighting and / or signaling functions is known to those skilled in the art, and thus will not be discussed in detail in this specification. The emission intensity of the light source 200 is preferably adjustable to achieve functions such as daytime running lights, position lights, or turn signals.
[0029] Specifically, in an example, the first light guide unit 101 has a light-incident end face 1011, and the light source 200 is arranged facing the light-incident end face 1011 to ensure the utilization rate of the light rays from the light source.
[0030] In an example, the first light guide unit 101 has a light decoupling structure 103 on the opposite surface of the connection position with the second light guide unit 102. The light decoupling structure 103 destroys the total reflection of the light rays propagating in the first light guide unit 102, so that the light rays incident on the light decoupling structure 103 are reflected at this position and enter the second light guide unit 102. The light decoupling structure 103 can be a structure formed on the outer peripheral surface of the light guide unit 101 and recessed toward the second light guide unit 102. The light decoupling structure 103 preferably has an inclined surface to ensure that the light rays can be incident on its surface and be reflected to the corresponding second light guide unit 102.
[0031] The light decoupling structure 103 can be a planar structure to ensure total reflection of the light rays incident on its surface, or can be in the form of, for example, optical teeth, prisms, etc., providing a certain degree of scattering while reflecting to improve the uniformity of the light output effect.
[0032] In one example, the number of at least one second light guide unit 102 is two or more, and the area of the light decoupling structure 103 corresponding to the second light guide unit 102 increases as the distance from the light incident end face 1011 of the first light guide unit 101 increases. When the number of the second light guide units 102 is more than one, among the second light guide units 102 farther from the light incident end face 1011 of the first light guide unit 101, the amount of light entering is relatively less than that of the second light guide unit closer to the light incident end face 1011 of the first light guide unit 101, which may cause a brightness difference between different second light guide units 102. Increasing the area of the light decoupling structure 103 corresponding to the second light guide unit 102 farther from the light incident end face 1011 of the first light guide unit 101 can increase the light entering the corresponding second light guide unit, reduce the brightness difference between different second light guide units 102, and improve the uniformity of the overall light emitting effect. Specifically, the area of each light decoupling structure 103 can be adjusted according to actual needs. For example, the interval between the second light guide units 102, the length or light emitting area of the second light guide unit 102, the different angles formed between the second light guide unit 102 and the first light guide unit 101, etc.
[0033] In Figures 1-3 the illustrated example, the multiple second light guide units 102 have the same interval. In another example, the interval between the second light guide units 102 can be adjusted according to the shape or other requirements, and the illustrated example should not constitute a limitation to the present invention.
[0034] According to a non - restrictive embodiment of the present invention, as Figures 1-3 shown, the length of the second light guide unit 102 extending in the second direction decreases as the distance from the light incident end face 1011 increases. Due to the loss during the light propagation and the light being separated and entering the front second light guide unit 102 during transmission in the first light guide unit 101, the light flux in the second light guide unit 102 farther from the light incident end face 1011 of the first light guide unit 101 is limited. Setting the length of the second light guide unit 102 extending in the second direction to decrease as the distance from the light incident end face 1011 increases can ensure the brightness uniformity between different second light guide units 102 and ensure the final lighting effect.
[0035] According to a non - restrictive embodiment of the present invention, the first light guide unit 101 has a circular cross - section. Such a setting can better ensure total internal reflection of light therein and improve the light efficiency. However, the first light guide unit 101 can also have other cross - section shapes, such as oval, etc.
[0036] According to a non - restrictive embodiment of the present invention, the light - emitting surface of the second light - guiding unit 102 is located on the circumferential surface of the light - guiding unit. A light decoupling structure is provided on the surface opposite to the light - emitting surface, such as Figure 3 as shown. In one example, as Figure 3 shown, the second light - guiding unit 102 has a rectangular cross - section. Correspondingly, the second light - guiding unit 102 has a rectangular light - emitting surface. In other examples, the second light - guiding unit 102 may also have a cross - section or a light - emitting surface of other shapes, and the present application does not impose too many restrictions.
[0037] In one example, a plurality of second light - guiding units 102 are arranged parallel to each other. In other examples, the second light - guiding units 102 may also have other arrangements.
[0038] According to a non - restrictive embodiment of the present invention, the light - guiding element 100 further includes a support unit 104. The support unit is arranged at the other end of the second light - guiding unit 102 and is connected to the second light - guiding unit 102. Providing the support unit 104 can improve the overall strength and stability of the light - guiding element 100 and facilitate installation.
[0039] As Figure 3 shown, there are certain transition regions between the light - emitting surface of the second light - guiding unit 102, the first light - guiding unit 101, and the support structure 104 to increase the light - mixing region, ensure the light - emitting effect, and at the same time avoid interference between different light - guiding units.
[0040] According to a non - restrictive embodiment of the present invention, the light - guiding element 100 is formed integrally. Forming the light - guiding element 100 integrally can simplify the structure, facilitate production and processing, reduce the assembly process, and lower the cost.
[0041] In a specific embodiment, different second light - guiding units 102 may have the same shape and structure, or may have different shapes and structures, including but not limited to the shape, diameter, etc. of the second light - guiding unit 102.
[0042] The light - guiding element 100 according to the present invention only needs one light source to simultaneously light up multiple light - guiding units, light up multiple light - emitting windows, and has a uniform lighting effect as a whole.
[0043] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle lamp is provided. The vehicle lamp has a light source 200 and a light - guiding element, and the light - guiding element is the light - guiding element described in any one of the above.
[0044] According to the third aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has the light - guiding element or the vehicle lamp described above.
[0045] The lighting device or vehicle according to the present invention at least has the beneficial effects brought by the aforementioned light guide element 100.
[0046] For those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, but can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, in any aspect, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the above description. Therefore, all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims are intended to be encompassed within the present invention. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the claimed rights.
Claims
1. A light guiding element (100), characterized in that, it comprises: a first light guiding unit (101) configured to receive light from a light source, and the first light guiding unit extends along a first direction; at least one second light guiding unit (102) configured to be connected to the first light guiding unit at one end, conduct and emit the light from the first light guiding unit, wherein the second light guiding unit extends along a second direction different from the first direction.
2. The light guiding element (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first light guiding unit (101) has a light incident end face (1011), and the light source (200) is arranged facing the light incident end face (1011).
3. The light guiding element (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, the first light guiding unit (101) has a light decoupling structure (103) on a relative surface at a connection position with the second light guiding unit (102).
4. The light guiding element (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, the light decoupling structure (103) has a total reflection surface.
5. The light guiding element (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, the number of at least one second light guiding unit (102) is two or more, and the area of the light decoupling structure (103) corresponding to the second light guiding unit (102) increases as the distance from the light incident end face (1011) of the first light guiding unit (101) increases.
6. The light guiding element (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, the length of the second light guiding unit (102) extending along the second direction decreases as the distance from the light incident end face (1011) increases.
7. The light guiding element (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the light emitting surface of the second light guiding unit is located on the circumferential surface of the light guiding unit.
8. The light guiding element (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first light guiding unit (101) has a circular cross-section.
9. The light guiding element (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the light guiding element further comprises a support unit (104), and the support unit is arranged at the other end of the second light guiding unit (102) and connects the second light guiding unit.
10. The light guiding element (100) according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, the light guiding element (100) is formed integrally.
11. A vehicle lamp, the vehicle lamp having a light source (200) and a light guiding element (100), characterized in that, the light guiding element is constructed according to any one of claims 1-10.
12. A vehicle, characterized in that, the vehicle has the light guiding element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or the vehicle lamp according to claim 11.