Optical module, light-emitting device and vehicle

Abstract

The present application discloses an optical module (10) for a vehicle, comprising: a light incident surface (101) configured to receive light from a light source; a first optical surface (102) configured to deflect light rays from the light incident plane; a second optical surface (103) configured to deflect light from the first optical surface; a light exit surface (104) configured to emit light rays; and a connection structure (105) configured to connect the first optical surface and the second optical surface, the connection structure extending parallel to an optical axis of the optical module (10). The invention further discloses a light-emitting device and a vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of vehicle lighting, and in particular relates to an optical module, a light-emitting device comprising the optical module, and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles are often equipped with lighting fixtures to ensure visibility to other road users. Lighting fixtures are typically defined as a specific arrangement within a specific area, and their design and assembly are complex. Existing methods for simplifying light fixture assembly often result in reduced optical precision.

[0003] A new design is needed to simplify the design of light-emitting devices while achieving high optical efficiency and precision. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present disclosure is to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects in the prior art.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an optical module is provided, comprising: a light incident surface configured to receive light from a light source; a first optical surface configured to deflect light from the light incident surface; a second optical surface configured to deflect light from the first optical surface; a light exit surface configured to emit light; and a connecting structure configured to connect the first optical surface and the second optical surface, the connecting structure extending parallel to an optical axis of the optical module.

[0006] In some exemplary embodiments, the optical module includes a first portion and a second portion protruding relatively along the optical axis, the first portion and the second portion are connected by a connecting structure, the first optical surface is provided on the first portion, and the second optical surface is provided on the second portion.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, the first optical surface and the second optical surface are free-form surfaces.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, the first optical surface is configured to redistribute light from a light source.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments, the first optical surfaces are symmetrically distributed along the connecting structure, and in a length direction of the optical module, a curvature of the first optical surface increases with increasing distance from the connecting structure.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments, the second optical surface deflects the light redistributed via the first optical surface to convert the light into a substantially parallel light beam.

[0011] In some exemplary embodiments, the second optical surfaces are symmetrically distributed along the connecting structure, and in the length direction of the optical module, the curvature of the second optical surfaces increases with increasing distance from the connecting structure.

[0012] In some exemplary embodiments, a curvature of the second optical surface is smaller than a curvature of the first optical surface.

[0013] In some exemplary embodiments, the optical module is made of a transparent polymer.

[0014] In some exemplary embodiments, the transparent polymer is polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate.

[0015] In some exemplary embodiments, an optical microstructure is disposed on the light emitting surface.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a light-emitting device is provided, comprising the optical module as described above.

[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, which has the lighting device as described above.

[0018] The light-emitting device according to the present invention makes it easier to integrate the same optical module into different vehicle models. The optical module that makes up the light-emitting device is a basic component and can be easily reused when designing different optical devices. Furthermore, the optical module can be assembled flat before the light-emitting device is formed, which also facilitates production. The design of the optical module in this application improves light efficiency while ensuring that the assembled light-emitting device has an ideal and uniform lighting effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a lighting device of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0022] Figure 3 shows a light path diagram of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0024] Figure 5 Another schematic diagram of a light emitting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] 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.

[0026] The following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall disclosed concept of the present disclosure. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the concept of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. Therefore, the drawings and description are illustrative and non-restrictive in nature. In the following, the same reference numerals generally indicate elements with the same or similar functions.

[0027] 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.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a lighting device of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; Figure 3 shows a light path diagram of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; Figure 5 Another schematic diagram of a light emitting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrates a lighting device 1 for a motor vehicle. The lighting device 1 can be a vehicle signaling device: it can be mounted on the front or rear of the vehicle and emits light, making the vehicle clearly visible to other road users. Furthermore, the shape of the lighting device can create a luminous signature for the vehicle. Thus, the lighting device has an outer surface, visible from the outside of the vehicle, that extends along the length of the vehicle body. This outer surface typically has a curvature.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a lighting device 1 includes a series of light sources 2 (each capable of generating a light beam F) and an optical module 10. For example, the light sources 2 may include at least one light-emitting diode (LED), an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, or a xenon lamp. Each light source preferably comprises a single LED. Each light source emits a diverging light beam F, i.e., light rays propagating in different directions from the light source 2. In the figure, these light rays are represented by straight arrows. The optical module 10 is positioned in the path of the light beams F emitted by all light sources 2, allowing the light rays to pass through.

[0031] Lighting device 1 includes a deflection device and a collimation device for the light beam emitted by light source 2. The deflection device converts the light beam from the light source into a desired light distribution. The collimation device is configured to make the rays of the light beam substantially parallel to one another. In other words, it converts a diverging light beam into a parallel one. This transformation of the light beam redirects it in a given direction. Thus, through deflection and collimation, other road users can clearly see the vehicle, especially at the angles required by motor vehicle regulations.

[0032] In addition, the light emitting device 1 may further include a lens (not shown), which may not have special optical properties and is mainly used to protect the light emitting device. It may also have a certain light directing function, which can be specifically selected according to the need for high cohesion.

[0033] The light emitting device 1 comprises a series of independent and dispersed optical modules 10. The optical modules 10 are arranged adjacent to each other. Figure 1 As shown, the optical modules 10 are arranged adjacent to each other along an arc. The arc can be circular, convex, or concave. In other examples, the optical modules 10 can also be arranged in other ways, such as straight lines, broken lines, curves, rectangles, squares, and other arbitrary forms.

[0034] Each optical module 10 is associated with a light source 2 . Therefore, each optical module 10 is designed to receive the light beam F emitted by the corresponding light source 2 .

[0035] Reference Figure 1 Each optical module 10 includes at least two adjacent optical modules, excluding the first and last optical modules located at the ends. An optical axis X can be defined for each optical module 10, defining the axis of use for the optical module. The optical axis of each optical module corresponds to the normal to the local curve of the optical module. The light source 2 associated with each optical module 10 is preferably located along the optical axis X of the optical module. In other words, the optical axis of each optical module 10 is oriented in the direction of its associated light source 2.

[0036] Each optical module 10 can redistribute and collimate the light beams received by it. An advantageous embodiment of the optical module 10 will be described below.

[0037] The optical modules 10 are rigid. They do not deform during assembly or use of the light-emitting device 1. For example, they can be made of a transparent polymer, particularly polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate. Advantageously, all optical modules 10 have the same shape. This makes it easier to manufacture optical devices using a repeatable optical module manufacturing and assembly process. In particular, light-emitting devices of varying sizes can be obtained simply by varying the number of optical modules. Advantageously, the optical modules are manufactured using an injection molding process, which enables mass production with excellent repeatability.

[0038] In one example, if Figure 2 The optical module 10 includes: a light incident surface 101, which is configured to receive light from a light source; a first optical surface 102, which is configured to deflect light from the light incident surface; a second optical surface 103, which is configured to collimate light from the first optical surface; a light exit surface 104, which is configured to emit light; and a connecting structure 105, which is configured to connect the first optical surface 102 and the second optical surface 103, and the connecting structure 105 extends parallel to the optical axis X of the optical module 10.

[0039] The optical module 10 includes a first portion 11 and a second portion 12 that are relatively protruding along the optical axis. The first portion 11 and the second portion 12 are connected by a connecting structure 105 . The first optical surface 102 is provided on the first portion 11 , and the second optical surface 103 is provided on the second portion 12 .

[0040] The first portion 11 of the optical module 10 preferably has a flat light incident surface 101 and the second portion 12 preferably has a flat light exit surface 104. The connecting structure is preferably a pillar.

[0041] The first portion 11 has a first optical surface 102, which is used to deflect light from the light source 2 to redistribute the light entering the optical module 10 via the light incident surface 101. The second portion 12 has a second optical surface 103, which is used to collimate the light from the first optical surface 102 to form a uniform beam emitted along the optical axis. Therefore, the second optical surface 103 is located downstream from the first optical surface 102 in the direction of light propagation. The combination of the two optical surfaces 102 and 103 enables the light beam generated by the light source 2 to be collimated in at least one direction D1 perpendicular to the optical axis X.

[0042] Since the first optical surface 102 and the second optical surface 103 are connected by the connecting structure 104 , they are perfectly positioned relative to each other, so that high optical precision can be achieved, thereby uniformly distributing and collimating the light beam generated by the light source 2 .

[0043] Connecting structure 104 extends parallel to optical axis X of optical module 10 between first optical surface 102 and second optical surface 103, connecting the center of first optical surface 102 with the center of second optical surface 103. Connecting structure 104 is cylindrical with a circular base. It can be connected to first optical surface 102 and second optical surface 103 via rounded corners. Therefore, it can be understood that optical surfaces 102 and 103 face each other.

[0044] The light source 2 (in this example, a light-emitting diode) that cooperates with the optical module 10 is fixed to the printed circuit board. The optical module 10 includes four support posts on the first portion 11, which contact the printed circuit board on both sides of the light source 2. The light source is located approximately at the center of the flat light-entering surface 101 of the first portion 11.

[0045] In one example, the first optical surface 102 and the second optical surface 103 are free-form surfaces. Specifically, the first optical surface is configured to redistribute light entering the optical module through the light incident surface 101 .

[0046] The radiation characteristics of LED light sources are typically described using the Lambert radiator. This means that the intensity of light emitted in all directions by an LED is proportional to the angle at which it leaves the source. In other words, the intensity is proportional to the cosine of the angle, with the intensity decreasing as the angle increases. Given these characteristics, it's often difficult to achieve uniform light distribution using a refractive lens.

[0047] In one example of the present application, the free-form surface design of the first optical surface 102 can redistribute the light according to its intensity, so that light with greater intensity corresponds to a light-emitting surface with a larger area, and light with less intensity corresponds to a light-emitting surface with a smaller area, thereby ensuring the uniformity of the light-emitting effect.

[0048] Specifically, a point on the first optical surface 102 is determined by first integrating the Lambertian distribution of the light source to determine the energy corresponding to each degree of light, and then determining the area of ​​the corresponding illuminated region based on the energy. The coordinates of the corresponding region are then determined based on the distance from the light source and the angle of the light.

[0049] The first optical surface 102 is symmetrically distributed along the connecting structure 105, and the curvature of the first optical surface 102 decreases with increasing distance from the connecting structure along the length of the optical module 10. The length of the optical module refers to the length of the assembled optical device. This change in the curvature of the optical surface 102 ensures that light with higher intensity is directed to a larger light-emitting surface area, while light with lower intensity is directed to a smaller light-emitting surface area, thereby redistributing the light from the light source and improving the uniformity of the emitted light.

[0050] The second optical surface 103 is also configured as a free-form surface, and deflects the light redistributed via the first optical surface 102 to convert the light into a substantially parallel light beam.

[0051] Specifically, after the first optical surface 102 is determined, a point on the second optical surface 103 is determined according to the distance between the second optical surface 103 and the first optical surface 102 and the curvature of the corresponding position of the first optical surface 102 .

[0052] The second optical surfaces 103 are symmetrically distributed along the connecting structure 105 , and in the length direction of the optical module 10 , the curvature of the second optical surfaces 103 increases as the distance from the connecting structure increases.

[0053] In order to ensure the collimation effect of light, the curvature of the second optical surface 103 is smaller than the curvature of the first optical surface 102 .

[0054] Light rays that pass through first portion 11 of optical module 10 and reach connecting structure 13 do not pass through first optical surface 102 and second optical surface 103 and, therefore, are not deflected by these surfaces. Since connecting structure 105 is substantially located at the center of first optical surface 102 and second optical surface 103, the light rays that pass through the connecting structure are already substantially parallel to optical axis X, and therefore, do not need to be deflected.

[0055] In addition, the optical module 10 further includes a light incident surface 101 for receiving light from a light source. A first optical surface 102 is configured to redistribute the light from the light incident surface 101. In other words, the first optical surface 102 is located downstream of the light incident surface 101 in the direction of light propagation.

[0056] The optical module 10 further includes a light exit surface 104 for further deflecting and / or diffusing the light from the second optical surface 103. Deflecting light includes adjusting the overall direction of the light beam. Diffusing light means slightly blurring the light beam to improve uniformity. The light exit surface 104 extends parallel to the light incident surface 101. In particular, the light exit surface 104 is located outside the second portion 12, opposite to the surface where the second optical surface 103 is located. For example, the light exit surface 104 can be provided with an optical microstructure on its surface, or a corrugated shape perpendicular to the optical axis X of the optical module 10, such as Figure 4 Alternatively, the light emitting surface 104 of the optical module may also be smooth, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 shown.

[0057] Figure 3The schematic diagram illustrates the path of light in the optical module 10. When light is emitted by the light source 2, the light first reaches the light entrance surface 101. The light then passes through the transparent first portion 101 of the optical module 10 and reaches the first optical surface 102. The first optical surface 102 redistributes the light along the first direction D1, achieving a desired distribution. The light entrance surface 101 and the first optical surface 102 act on the light beam passing through them in two perpendicular directions. These two optical surfaces are independent of each other. The light beam then propagates through the air between the first optical surface 102 and the second optical surface 103, ultimately reaching the second optical surface 103. The second optical surface 103 collimates the light along the first direction D1. As a result, the light emitted from the second optical surface 103 is collimated along the directions D1 and D2, and is therefore parallel to each other. The light then passes through the equally transparent second portion 12 of the optical module and reaches the light exit surface 104. The light exit surface 104 deflects and / or diffuses the light in directions away from the optical axis X. Alternatively, the fourth optical surface can be smooth and not affect the light.

[0058] In one embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, all optical modules 10 are assembled in series along a single dimension. In another embodiment, the optical modules 10 can also be assembled in series along different dimensions as shown in Figure 5. In other embodiments, the optical modules 10 can be assembled in series and in parallel (i.e., in a grid or matrix mode).

[0059] The present application also provides a lighting device, which includes a plurality of optical modules 10. The plurality of optical modules 10 are combined together to form an illumination beam or a signal beam, wherein at least one optical module 10 is the aforementioned optical module.

[0060] The light-emitting device according to the present invention makes it easier to integrate the same optical module into different vehicle models. The optical module that makes up the light-emitting device is a basic component and can be easily reused when designing different optical devices. Furthermore, the optical module can be assembled flat before the light-emitting device is formed, which also facilitates production. The design of the optical module in this application improves light efficiency while ensuring that the assembled light-emitting device has an ideal and uniform lighting effect.

[0061] The optical module of the present invention can be used in lighting devices that generate an illumination beam (such as a low beam, a high beam, or a segmented high beam having a linear array of parallel vertical strips). It can also be designed to perform signaling functions, such as direction indicators, daytime running lights, or position lights. The present invention is not particularly limited in this regard.

[0062] The present application also provides a vehicle having the aforementioned light-emitting device 1. The vehicle has the advantages of the aforementioned light-emitting device. The term "vehicle" mentioned herein may refer to any type of vehicle, such as a car, a motorcycle, or any other mobile machine capable of carrying at least one passenger or for transporting people or goods.

[0063] The lighting device for a vehicle and the vehicle according to the present invention have at least the advantages of the aforementioned optical module.

[0064] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described above are exemplary and that they may be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments may be freely combined without causing any conflict in structure or principle.

[0065] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to exemplify the preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0066] Although some embodiments of the disclosed concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0067] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, any element reference in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An optical module (10), characterized in that: include: a light incident surface (101) configured to receive light from a light source; a first optical surface (102) configured to deflect light from the light incident surface; a second optical surface (103) configured to collimate light from the first optical surface; a light exit surface (104) configured to emit light; as well as A connecting structure (105) is configured to connect the first optical surface and the second optical surface, and the connecting structure extends parallel to the optical axis of the optical module (10).

2. The optical module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The optical module (10) comprises a first part (11) and a second part (12) which are relatively protruding along the optical axis direction, the first part (11) and the second part (12) are connected via a connecting structure (105), the first optical surface (102) is arranged on the first part (11), and the second optical surface (103) is arranged on the second part (12).

3. The optical module (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that The first optical surface (102) and the second optical surface (103) are free-form surfaces.

4. The optical module (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that The first optical surface (102) is configured to redistribute light entering the optical module via the light incident surface (101).

5. The optical module (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that The first optical surface (102) is symmetrically distributed along the connecting structure (105), and in the length direction of the optical module, the curvature of the first optical surface increases as the distance from the connecting structure increases.

6. The optical module (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that The second optical surface (103) deflects the light redistributed via the first optical surface (102) to convert the light into a substantially parallel light beam.

7. The optical module (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The second optical surface is symmetrically distributed along the connecting structure (105), and in the length direction of the optical module, the curvature of the second optical surface increases as the distance from the connecting structure increases.

8. The optical module (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that The curvature of the second optical surface is smaller than the curvature of the first optical surface.

9. The optical module (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that The optical module (10) is made of transparent polymer.

10. The optical module (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that The transparent polymer is polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate.

11. The optical module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that An optical microstructure is provided on the light emitting surface (104).

12. A light emitting device, characterized in that: Comprising an optical module (10) according to any one of claims 1-10.

13. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises an optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or a lighting device according to any one of claims 12 .

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