Optical module, lamp device and vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides an optical module and a lamp device. The optical module (100) includes: a grating member (110) including a grating body (111) and a plurality of through holes (112) penetrating the grating body in a thickness direction (Z), the grating body being formed of a non-transparent material such that each through hole is circumferentially surrounded by the non-transparent material; and a light diffusion portion (120) filled in each of the through holes of the grating member to diffuse the light from the light source and to emit the light in a desired distribution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of lighting and / or signaling, and more particularly, to an optical module capable of providing a pixelated lighting effect, and a lamp device and a vehicle equipped with such an optical module. Background Art

[0002] A variety of lighting or signaling devices are known in various fields for providing illumination or signaling light. For example, in motor vehicles, headlights are used to provide illumination or signaling functions inside or outside the vehicle to ensure safe driving. Alternatively, lights are installed inside or outside spaces such as vehicle cabins, engine rooms, buildings, and rooms to provide illumination, signaling, and decorative functions.

[0003] Pixelated lighting devices, as lighting or signaling devices, can create image-like lighting effects, allowing for a variety of light forms. Light shapes can be easily configured and adjusted, making them particularly suitable for use in motor vehicle lighting and signaling, enhancing driving safety and visibility. Conventional technologies, such as digital micromirror devices (DMDs), DLPs, or LCDs, can provide rich pixelated projection patterns, but they are quite expensive. Furthermore, some traditional pixelated lighting devices using LED arrays often suffer from issues such as optical crosstalk and light leakage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to solve or overcome at least one of the above and other problems and deficiencies in the prior art.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an optical module is provided, comprising: a grille component, which includes a grille body and a plurality of through holes penetrating the grille body in a thickness direction, the grille body being formed of a non-light-transmitting material so that each through hole is circumferentially surrounded by the non-light-transmitting material; and a light diffusion portion filled in each through hole of the grille component to diffuse light from a light source and cause the light to be emitted in a desired distribution.

[0006] In some embodiments, the optical module is used as a component of a lamp assembly for a motor vehicle, the grille body being formed by a portion of a trim frame of the lamp assembly.

[0007] In some embodiments, the plurality of through holes are arranged in an array.

[0008] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional shape of each through hole in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the grating member includes at least one of a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrilateral, a polygon, a heart, a star, and an arrow.

[0009] In some embodiments, the light diffusion portion is formed of at least one of polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and epoxy resin.

[0010] In some embodiments, the light diffuser and the grille member are injection molded or 3D printed.

[0011] In some embodiments, the optical module further includes a transparent material layer located on the side of the grille component facing the light source, the transparent material layer at least covering the plurality of through holes so that light from the light source is transmitted through the transparent material layer to enter the light diffusion portion located in the through holes.

[0012] In some embodiments, the transparent material layer is integrally formed with the grille member or the transparent material layer is attached to the grille member such that no gap exists between the transparent material layer and the grille member.

[0013] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an embodiment provides a lamp device, comprising: the optical module described in any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure; and a light source module comprising a light source for emitting light to the optical module.

[0014] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an embodiment provides a vehicle including the aforementioned optical module or lamp device.

[0015] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and / or other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of an optical module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0020] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar components are indicated by the same or similar reference numerals. The following description of the various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to illustrate the overall concept of the present disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0022] In addition, in the following detailed description, for ease of illustration, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are shown in diagrammatic form to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0023] In the following detailed description, directional terms such as "front", "rear", "up", "down", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower", "inside", "outside" and the like are defined according to the accompanying drawings, but the shape and position of the components are not limited by these terms and can be adjusted according to actual application.

[0024] In addition, the terms used herein are used to describe exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit and / or constrain the present disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms. In the present disclosure, "including," "comprising," "having," and similar terms are used to list features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0025] Although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe a variety of different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and a second element may be referred to as a first element, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The term "and / or" includes multiple combinations of associated items or any one of multiple associated items.

[0026] Figure 1-4 Optical modules according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are schematically shown, respectively, which may be used as components of a lighting device such as a vehicle lamp to provide a desired light distribution, such as a light distribution including a gridded or pixelated pattern.

[0027] In such Figure 1-4In the illustrated embodiment, the optical module mainly includes a grille component 110 and a light diffuser 120. The grille component 110 includes a grille body 111 formed of a non-light-transmitting material or a light-shielding material, preferably covering the illumination range of the light source, and the grille body 111 is provided or formed with a plurality of spaced cavities or through holes 112 that penetrate the grille body 111 in its thickness direction Z, and each through hole 112 is circumferentially surrounded by the non-light-transmitting material of the grille body 111. The light diffuser 120 is filled in each through hole 112 of the grille component 110 to diffuse the light from the light source 210 so that the light can be emitted in a desired distribution or pattern (as shown by the dotted arrows in the figure), for example, each through hole and the light diffuser filled in the through hole define a "pixel" or sub-pixel for the emitted light, so that the optical module as a whole can emit a pixelated light beam or pattern.

[0028] Since the grille component is formed of non-light-transmitting material, adjacent through holes and light diffusion parts are separated by non-light-transmitting material, light from the light source will not leak out of the grille component, and light passing through each through hole and light diffusion part will not travel into adjacent through holes and light diffusion parts, thereby effectively avoiding light leakage and crosstalk.

[0029] As an example, the non-light-transmitting material forming grille body 111 may include black, gray, or a suitable light-absorbing material. The grille body may be formed into a plate, sheet, or strip shape as needed. When the optical module is used as a component of a lighting device such as a vehicle lamp, the grille body may be formed from a portion of the decorative frame or housing of the lighting device, or may be integrated with the decorative frame as a single component.

[0030] In some examples, the plurality of through holes 112 formed in the grille body 111 can be arranged in a two-dimensional matrix or array. For example, each through hole, or a "pixel" defined by a through hole and a light diffusion portion, may have a cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the grille member (such as an XY plane) having a desired "pixel" shape, such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygonal shape, including but not limited to a triangle, a rectangle, a square, a diamond, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc., or a heart shape, a star shape, an arrow shape, etc., or can be customized or freely designed to meet different pixelated or patterned light-emitting requirements. For example, the size (such as thickness, pixel spacing, pitch, etc.), shape, arrangement, quantity, etc. of the grille member and its through holes can be appropriately customized or constructed according to actual needs to obtain better resolution and a more uniform lighting effect.

[0031] In some examples, a reflective structure, such as a light-reflecting coating, may be provided or formed on the inner wall of the through hole 112. The reflective structure can reflect light emitted by the light source, so that more light is emitted from the location of the through hole of the grille member, thereby improving the overall light efficiency of the optical module. Of course, in some embodiments, the reflective structure may not be provided.

[0032] As an example, the light diffusion portion can be formed of at least one of a light-transmitting material such as polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), epoxy resin, etc., and can diffuse and homogenize the light entering therein. For example, the light diffusion portion and the grille component are injection molded, such as by two-color injection molding. Alternatively, the grille component is formed separately, and then the material of the light diffusion portion is filled in the through-holes of the grille component, or the light diffusion portion and the grille component can also be formed by 3D printing, but the present disclosure does not impose any particular limitation on this.

[0033] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 、 3 As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the optical module may further include a transparent material layer 130, which is located on the side of the grille member 110 and the light diffusion portion 120 facing the light source 210 and covers at least the plurality of through holes 112 and the light diffusion portion 120, so that the light from the light source 210 is transmitted through the transparent material layer 130 to enter the light diffusion portion 120 located in the through hole 112. Exemplarily, the transparent material layer can be formed integrally with the grille member, for example, by an injection molding process or a 3D printing process, or the transparent material layer is attached to the grille member, for example, by an adhesive. As an example, there is no gap between the transparent material layer and the grille member. In other embodiments, the light from the light source may also be guided to the corresponding through holes and light diffusion portion in the grille member via a light guide member (not shown).

[0034] like Figure 1 and 4 As shown, the lamp device 10 mainly includes the optical module described in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and the light source module. The light source module can be positioned spaced apart from the optical module in the thickness direction Z, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The light source module includes a light source 210 for emitting light to the optical module. In some examples, the light source module may include multiple groups of light sources, each group of light sources being positioned to align with each through-hole in the thickness direction Z. However, in other examples, it is not necessary for the light source to be aligned with each through-hole, and one or more light sources may emit light to one or more through-holes and light diffusion portions. At least one group of light sources may include one or more light sources, such as LEDs. In some embodiments, each group of light sources or each light source can be independently controlled to be selectively turned on (i.e., lit) or turned off (i.e., extinguished) (e.g., according to the needs of a specific pattern display), so that the light emitted from the turned-on or lit light source can have a pixelated light distribution or lighting effect after being defined or constrained by the corresponding through-holes and light diffusion portions.

[0035] As shown in the figure, the light source module may further include a base 220, with the light source 210 mounted on a surface of the base 220 facing the optical module. In the present disclosure, the specific form of the base is not limited. For example, the base may be a flexible base, such as a flexible circuit board, and the grille member may be made of a flexible or deformable material, such as silicone, to be bendable. This allows the entire optical module to be flexible, adapting to different installation locations or spaces, or forming various desired shapes.

[0036] In some embodiments, for example, in applications where the optical module is used as a component of a lighting device such as a headlight, a light-shaping element and / or a light-projecting element may be provided on the light-emitting side of the optical module. The light-shaping element may diffuse, homogenize, deflect, pattern, etc. the light, so as to shape the light emitted from the optical module into a desired light distribution, so as to provide desired functions such as lighting or signal indication. As an example, the light-shaping element may be formed with a plurality of microstructures, such as micro-recesses, micro-protrusions or other light-guiding structures, and the plurality of microstructures are constructed or arranged to shape the light passing through the light-shaping element, so as to form a desired pattern symbol in the light distribution leaving the light-shaping element. In headlight applications, the light-projecting element may serve as a light distribution lens or lampshade, including a lens, a prism, a reflector, a light guide, or a combination thereof, to project light to a target location.

[0037] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a lamp device, which includes the optical module described in any embodiment of the present disclosure, and is capable of providing pixelated light distribution with or without patterns or symbols. The lamp device can be used as a lighting or signal indication device, for example, it can be used as a lighting lamp, signal indicator light, atmosphere lamp, grille lamp, etc. of a motor vehicle or other means of transportation, and is used to project a desired pattern at a target location, such as on a road surface, a wall, inside a vehicle, or other desired location (such as inside or outside a space such as a building or room), for example, personalized patterns or dynamic effect patterns such as smiling faces, hearts, flowers, animals / plants, car logos, etc., vehicle driving related information such as vehicle speed, turn arrows, travel arrows, lanes, etc., information such as road construction, warnings / indicators, text symbols, etc., to achieve functions such as lighting and signal indication, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0038] Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a motor vehicle comprising the optical module or the light device as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0039] Although the present disclosure is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are merely illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

[0040] Although some embodiments of the overall concept of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes or substitutions may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the overall concept of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An optical module (100), comprising: A grille member (110) comprising a grille body (111) and a plurality of through holes (112) penetrating the grille body in a thickness direction (Z), the grille body being formed of a non-light-transmitting material such that each through hole is circumferentially surrounded by the non-light-transmitting material; and The light diffusion part (120) is filled in each through hole of the grille member to diffuse the light from the light source and make the light emerge in a desired distribution.

2. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein: The optical module is used as a component of a light device for a motor vehicle, the grille body being formed by a portion of a bezel of the light device.

3. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of through holes are arranged in an array or randomly.

4. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein: A cross-sectional shape of each through hole in a plane perpendicular to a thickness direction of the grid member includes at least one of a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrilateral, a polygon, a heart, a star, and an arrow.

5. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein: The light diffusion portion is formed of at least one of polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and epoxy resin.

6. The optical module according to claim 5, wherein: The light diffusion part and the grille component are injection molded or 3D printed.

7. The optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 6 further comprises a transparent material layer (130) located on a side of the grille component facing the light source, the transparent material layer at least covering the plurality of through holes so that light from the light source is transmitted through the transparent material layer to enter the light diffusion portion located in the through holes.

8. The optical module according to claim 7, wherein: The transparent material layer is integrally formed with the grille member or the transparent material layer is attached to the grille member such that no gap exists between the transparent material layer and the grille member.

9. A lamp device (10), comprising: The optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and The light source module comprises a light source (210) for emitting light to the optical module.

10. A vehicle comprising: The optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the lamp device according to claim 9.

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