Optical device and vehicle optical device

Abstract

The invention provides an optical device and an optical device for a vehicle. An optical device includes: a substrate; the light sensor is positioned on the substrate and comprises a light incident surface; the protective layer is positioned on the light incident surface side of the light sensor; the light guide structure is located between the light sensor and the protective layer, incident light enters the light sensor through the light guide structure, and when the absolute value of the incident angle of the incident light relative to the normal of the incident light surface is a first angle, the light receiving response of the light sensor is the maximum value. Wherein the first angle is greater than 20 degrees.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an optical device and an automotive optical device. Background Art

[0002] Ambient light sensors (ALS) are used to detect ambient brightness and therefore have a wide range of applications. For example, in a car's cockpit, automotive displays provide drivers with various information. An ambient light sensor positioned on the display detects the brightness in front of it and adjusts the screen's brightness accordingly. However, for the driver's convenience, automotive displays are often positioned between the vehicle body and the steering wheel. Therefore, the ambient light sensor's light-gathering efficiency can be affected by the steering wheel or other obstructions directly in front of it. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides an optical device and an automotive optical device to improve the light-gathering effect of a light sensor.

[0004] An optical device according to the present invention includes: a substrate; a photosensor located on the substrate and including a light-incident surface; a protective layer located on the light-incident surface side of the photosensor; and a light-guiding structure located between the photosensor and the protective layer, wherein incident light enters the photosensor via the light-guiding structure, wherein the photosensor has a maximum light-receiving response when the absolute value of the incident angle of the incident light relative to the normal of the light-incident surface is a first angle, wherein the first angle is greater than 20 degrees.

[0005] An automotive optical device of the present invention includes: a substrate disposed on a vehicle body; a photosensor located on the substrate and disposed between the vehicle body and a steering wheel, including a light-incident surface; a protective layer located on the light-incident surface side of the photosensor; and a light-guiding structure located between the photosensor and the protective layer, wherein incident light enters the photosensor through the light-guiding structure, wherein the photosensor's light-receiving response is at its maximum value when the incident angle of the incident light relative to the normal of the light-incident surface is a first angle, wherein the first angle is greater than 20 degrees.

[0006] Based on the above, by using a light guide structure positioned in front of the light sensor, the path of incident light entering the light sensor can be changed, so that when the incident angle of the light sensor relative to the normal direction of the light sensor's incident surface is greater than a certain angle, the light sensor has the maximum light-gathering response, thus avoiding the light-gathering effect of the light sensor being affected by the steering wheel or other foreign objects in the vehicle directly in front of the light sensor. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1AThis is a side view of an automotive optical device.

[0008] Figure 1B This is a top view of an automotive optical device.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 5 This describes the relationship between the light-receiving response and the incident angle of a photodetector without a light-guiding structure, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 6 The relationship between the light-receiving response and the incident angle of a photodetector with a light-guiding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] In the attached figures, the following labels are used:

[0015] 1: Cockpit

[0016] 10: Screen

[0017] 20: Steering wheel

[0018] 30: Vehicle body

[0019] 40: Light-receiving area

[0020] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C: Optical devices

[0021] 110:Substrate

[0022] 112: Reinforcing plate

[0023] 120: Light sensor

[0024] 120A: Light-receiving surface

[0025] 122: Base

[0026] 130, 230, 330: Light guide structure

[0027] 132: Optical film

[0028] 132A: Incident surface

[0029] 134: Microstructure

[0030] 140A, 140B, 162A, 162B, 172: Bonding layer

[0031] 140C: Support layer

[0032] 150: Protective layer

[0033] 160: Light-absorbing layer

[0034] 170: Cover plate

[0035] 182, 184: Gap

[0036] 232: Light guide plate

[0037] 232A: Incident surface

[0038] 234: Microstructure

[0039] 236: Sidewall

[0040] 332: Lens

[0041] 334: Support component

[0042] L: Incident light

[0043] N: Normal line

[0044] θ: Angle of incidence Detailed Implementation

[0045] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0046] Figure 1A This is a side view of an automotive optical device. Figure 1B This is a top view of an automotive optical device. Please also refer to... Figure 1A and Figure 1B .

[0047] Figure 1A and Figure 1B It is part of the car's cockpit 1. The car's cockpit 1 includes a steering wheel 20 and a body 30. The cockpit 1 further includes a screen 10 and an optical device 100, which is disposed below the screen 10. The optical device 100 is electrically connected to the screen 10.

[0048] The optical device 100 is used to detect the brightness inside the cockpit 1 and adjust the brightness of the screen 10 accordingly based on the detected brightness so that the driver has the best lighting effect when viewing the screen 10.

[0049] like Figure 1A and Figure 1BAs shown, the light-receiving area 40 of the optical device 100 is the area in front of the screen 10, including the steering wheel 20. Therefore, the steering wheel 20 or other foreign objects in the vehicle located directly in front of the optical device 100 can affect the light-receiving effect of the ambient light sensor. In particular, incident light directly onto the optical device 100, i.e., incident light with an incident angle of approximately 0 degrees relative to the normal of the light-receiving surface of the optical device 100, will be significantly blocked by the steering wheel 20. On the other hand, incident light from the side onto the optical device 100, i.e., incident light with an incident angle greater than a certain angle relative to the normal of the light-receiving surface of the optical device 100, can be unblocked by the steering wheel 20. Therefore, the optical device 100 needs to have a low light-receiving response to directly incident light and a high light-receiving response to incident light from the side.

[0050] The structure of the optical device 100 will be described below.

[0051] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Please refer to Figure 2 The optical device 100A is an embodiment of the optical device 100 in FIG1. ​​The optical device 100A includes: a substrate 110, a photosensor 120, a light guide structure 130, and a protective layer 150.

[0053] The substrate 110 is used to support the optical device 100A. In some embodiments, the substrate 110 is a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or a material with similar properties to provide good flexibility and bendability.

[0054] In some embodiments, a reinforcing plate 112 is further included below the substrate 110 to improve the mechanical strength and stability of local areas of the substrate 110. In some embodiments, the reinforcing plate 112 may be made of plastic, metal, or other suitable materials, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the reinforcing plate 112 may not be included.

[0055] A photosensor 120, located on a substrate 110, includes a light-incident surface 120A. The photosensor 120 receives incident light L from the outside environment to detect the ambient brightness and converts the detected incident light L into an electrical signal. In some embodiments, the photosensor 120 may be a phototransistor, a photodiode, or a photoIC integrating amplifier circuitry, or something with other similar functions; this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0056] In some embodiments, the photosensor 120 is electrically connected to the substrate 110 via a base 122 to transmit the electrical signals generated by the photosensor 120. In some embodiments, the base 122 may be a control circuit or something with similar function, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the base 122 may be omitted, and the photosensor 120 may be directly electrically connected to the substrate 110.

[0057] A protective layer 150 is located on the light-incident surface side of the photosensor 120 to protect the photosensor 120 from external influences. In some embodiments, the protective layer 150 is a transparent material so that the incident light L is not absorbed when passing through the protective layer 150. In some embodiments, the protective layer 150 may be made of plastic or glass, or other materials with similar properties, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the thickness of the protective layer 150 is between 100-500 μm, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0058] A light guide structure 130 is located between the photosensor 120 and the protective layer 150. Incident light L enters the photosensor 120 through the light guide structure. The photosensor 120 has its maximum light-receiving response when the absolute value of the incident angle θ of the incident light L relative to the normal N of the incident light surface 120A is a first angle.

[0059] On the other hand, when the incident angle θ of the incident light L relative to the normal N of the incident surface 120A is less than the second angle, the light receiving response of the light sensor 120 is less than 50%.

[0060] In some embodiments, the first angle is greater than 20 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the first angle ranges from 30 to 50 degrees. In other embodiments, the second angle is 10 degrees.

[0061] Therefore, by means of the light guide structure 130 located on the light-incident side of the light sensor 120, incident light emitted from the outside can have its optical path changed by the light guide structure 130 before entering the light sensor 120, thus reducing the light-receiving response of the light sensor 120 to light incident from the center to less than 50%. On the other hand, it has the highest light-receiving response to incident light from the side, such as incident light with an incident angle greater than 20 degrees, especially incident light with an incident angle between 30 degrees and 50 degrees.

[0062] Please refer to this first. Figure 5 and Figure 6 . Figure 5 This describes the relationship between the light-receiving response and the incident angle of a photodetector without a light-guiding structure, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 The relationship between the light-receiving response and the incident angle of a photodetector with a light-guiding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Please refer to this first. Figure 5 .like Figure 2 The optical device 100A shown has the highest light-gathering response of the photosensor 120 when the incident angle of the incident light is near 0 degrees, without the light guide structure 130.

[0064] Figure 6 When the light guide structure 130 is shown, the light receiving response of the light sensor 120 when the incident angle of the incident light is near 0 degrees is less than that of the light sensor 120. Figure 5 In this situation, the light-receiving response is... Figure 5 The light-gathering response drops from 100% to approximately 50%. On the other hand, the maximum light-gathering response occurs when the incident angle is greater than 20 degrees, specifically, in the range of 30-50 degrees. Therefore, the light guide structure 130 can effectively improve the light-gathering response of the photosensor 120 to light from the side, i.e., incident light with an incident angle greater than 20 degrees.

[0065] By changing the efficiency of the light-receiving angle of the light sensor 120 through the light guide structure 130, the light sensor 120 only detects ambient light sources from the left and right sides of the driver, thereby achieving an M-shaped light-receiving response distribution of the light sensor 120. This allows the light sensor 120 to determine the situation based on the ambient light source and avoids being affected by the steering wheel or other foreign objects in the vehicle directly in front of the light sensor 120, which would affect the light-receiving effect of the ambient light sensor.

[0066] Please return Figure 2 In this embodiment, the light guide structure 130 is an optical film 132 with a microstructure 134, wherein the microstructure 134 is located on the light incident surface 132A of the optical film 132.

[0067] When the incident light L passes through the protective layer 150 and the incident light guide structure 130, the incident light L will be diffused and refracted by the microstructure 134, thereby changing the direction of the incident light and thus being incident on the light sensor 120.

[0068] In some embodiments, the optical film 132 may be made of plastic or other similar materials. In some embodiments, the thickness of the optical film 132 is approximately between 100 and 500 μm, but is not limited thereto.

[0069] In some embodiments, the microstructure 134 may have the shape of multiple columnar structures, multiple conical structures, or multiple trapezoidal conical structures. In some embodiments, the columnar structures may include structures such as cylinders, cubic columns, and trapezoidal columns. In some embodiments, the conical structures may include structures such as triangular pyramids and cones.

[0070] In some embodiments, the height of the microstructure 134 is approximately between 1 and 100 μm, but is not limited thereto.

[0071] In some embodiments, the microstructure 134 and the optical film 132 may be made of the same material or different materials.

[0072] In some embodiments, when the microstructure 134 and the optical film 132 have the same material, the microstructure 134 and the optical film 132 are integrally formed, for example, the desired pattern of the microstructure 134 is pressed onto the optical film 132 using a mold.

[0073] In some embodiments, when the microstructure 134 and the optical film 132 are made of different materials, the microstructure 134 can be bonded to the optical film 132 in an adhesive manner.

[0074] In some embodiments, the microstructure 134 may be formed on the light-emitting surface of the optical film 132. Therefore, in some embodiments, the microstructure 134 is formed on the light-incident surface of the optical film 132, the light-emitting surface of the optical film 132, or simultaneously on both sides of the optical film 132.

[0075] Please refer to this again. Figure 2 The optical device 100A further includes a bonding layer 140A located between the protective layer 150 and the substrate 110 for bonding the protective layer 150 and the substrate 110. In this embodiment, the bonding layer 140A is located between the substrate 110 and the optical film 132 and surrounds the photosensor 120. In some embodiments, the bonding layer 140A is bonded to the substrate 110 and the optical film 132 respectively by adhesive bonding, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0076] The optical device 100A further includes a light-absorbing layer 160 located between the protective layer 150 and the light-guiding structure 130. The light-absorbing layer 160 is made of black material and is used to absorb incident light at a large incident angle, as well as other stray light, to improve the light-receiving response of the photosensor 120. In some embodiments, a bonding layer 162A is further included between the light-absorbing layer 160 and the microstructure 134 to connect and fix the light-absorbing layer 160 and the microstructure 134 to each other.

[0077] The optical device 100A further includes a cover plate 170 located below the reinforcing plate 112. It is used to cover and protect the reinforcing plate 112 and the substrate 110. In some embodiments, a bonding layer 172 is further included between the cover plate 170 and the reinforcing plate 112 for connecting and fixing the cover plate 170 and the reinforcing plate 112 to each other.

[0078] In this embodiment, only one of the bonding layer 162A and bonding layer 172 needs to be used. For example, only bonding layer 162A is used without bonding layer 172, or only bonding layer 172 is used without bonding layer 162A. In this way, the sensing part of the optical device 100A (including substrate 110, reinforcing plate 112, photosensor 120, base 122, and light guide structure 130) is only in contact with one of the protective layer 150 / light-absorbing layer 160 (via bonding layer 162A) or cover plate 170 (via bonding layer 172).

[0079] like Figure 2 As shown, there is a gap 182 between the light guide structure 130 and the photosensor 120. The gap 182 is an air gap.

[0080] like Figure 2 As shown, there is a gap 184 between the light guide structure 130 and the protective layer 150. The gap 184 is an air gap.

[0081] By means of Figure 2 The optical device 100A shown is disposed in the light guide structure 130 before the light sensor 120. It can change the path of the incident light L into the light sensor 120 so that when the incident angle θ of the light sensor 120 relative to the normal N direction of the light incident surface of the light sensor 120 is greater than a certain angle, the light sensor 120 has the maximum light collection response, so as to avoid the influence of the steering wheel or other foreign objects in the vehicle directly in front of the light sensor, which would affect the light collection effect of the ambient light sensor.

[0082] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 3 Optical device 100B is another embodiment of optical device 100 in FIG1. Figure 3 The optical device 100B shown is Figure 2 The optical device shown is similar to the 100A, the difference being that... Figure 2 The light guide structure 130 in the optical device 100A shown is replaced with the light guide structure 230.

[0083] In this embodiment, the light guide structure 230 includes a light guide plate 232, a microstructure 234, and a sidewall 236. The microstructure 234 is located on the light incident surface 232A of the light guide plate 232. The sidewall surrounds the light guide plate 232 and is in contact with the bonding layer 140B and the light absorbing layer 160 to fix the light guide plate 232.

[0084] When the incident light L passes through the protective layer 150 and enters the light guide structure 230, the incident light L will be diffused and refracted by the microstructure 234, thereby changing the direction of the incident light so that it enters the light guide plate 232.

[0085] When incident light L is incident on light guide plate 232, light guide plate 232 can redirect and converge incident light L, thereby changing the direction of incident light to incident light sensor 120.

[0086] In some embodiments, the light guide plate 232 includes a reflective layer and a diffuser layer, so that the incident light L can be transmitted within the light guide plate 232 in a total internal reflection manner between the reflective layer and the diffuser layer, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0087] In some embodiments, the microstructure 234 may have the shape of multiple columnar structures, multiple conical structures, or multiple trapezoidal conical structures. In some embodiments, the columnar structures may include structures such as cylinders, cubic columns, and trapezoidal columns. In some embodiments, the conical structures may include structures such as triangular pyramids and cones.

[0088] In some embodiments, the height of the microstructure 234 is approximately between 1 and 100 μm, but is not limited thereto.

[0089] In some embodiments, the microstructure 234 is bonded to the light guide plate 232 in an adhesive manner.

[0090] In some embodiments, a bonding layer 162B is further included between the light-absorbing layer 160 and the sidewall 236 to connect and fix the sidewall 236 to the light-absorbing layer 160. In some embodiments, a bonding layer 172 is further included between the cover plate 170 and the reinforcing plate 112 to connect and fix the cover plate 170 to the reinforcing plate 112.

[0091] In this embodiment, only one of the bonding layer 162B and bonding layer 172 needs to be used. For example, only bonding layer 162B is used without bonding layer 172, or only bonding layer 172 is used without bonding layer 162B. In this way, the sensing part of the optical device 100B (including substrate 110, reinforcing plate 112, photosensor 120, base 122, and light guide structure 230) is only in contact with one of the protective layer 150 / light-absorbing layer 160 (via bonding layer 162B) or cover plate 170 (via bonding layer 172).

[0092] By means of Figure 3 The optical device 100B shown is disposed in the light guide structure 230 before the light sensor 120. It can change the path of the incident light L into the light sensor 120 so that the light sensor 120 has the maximum light receiving response when the incident angle θ of the light sensor 120 relative to the normal N direction of the light incident surface of the light sensor 120 is greater than a certain angle.

[0093] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 4 The optical device 100C is another embodiment of the optical device 100 in FIG1. Figure 4The optical device 100C shown is Figure 2 The optical device shown is similar to the 100A, the difference being that... Figure 2 The light guide structure 130 in the optical device 100A shown is replaced with a light guide structure 330.

[0094] In this embodiment, the light guide structure 330 includes a lens 332 and a support member 334. The support member 334 is fixed to the substrate 110 to fix the lens 332.

[0095] When incident light L enters the lens 332, the lens 332 can redirect and converge the incident light L, thereby changing the direction of the incident light and thus affecting the light sensor 120.

[0096] In this embodiment, lens 332 may be one or more of a convex lens, a concave lens, or a combination of concave and convex lenses, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0097] In this embodiment, the lens 332 may be made of plastic or glass, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0098] In some embodiments, a support layer 140C is further included between the light-absorbing layer 160 and the substrate 110. In some embodiments, a bonding layer 172 is further included between the cover plate 170 and the reinforcing plate 112 for connecting and fixing the cover plate 170 and the reinforcing plate 112 to each other.

[0099] In this embodiment, if a support layer 140C is used to bond and connect and fix the light-absorbing layer 160 and the substrate 110 to each other, then it is not necessary to use a bonding layer 172 to connect the sensing part of the optical device 100C (including the substrate 110, the reinforcing plate 112, the photosensor 120, the base 122, and the light guide structure 330) to the cover plate 170.

[0100] On the other hand, if bonding layer 172 is used, then support layer 140C serves as a support structure to form a space between substrate 110 and protective layer 150 to accommodate photosensor 120, base 122 and light guide structure 330.

[0101] By means of Figure 4 The optical device 100C shown is disposed in the light guide structure 330 before the light sensor 120. It can change the path of the incident light L into the light sensor 120 so that the light sensor 120 has the maximum light receiving response when the incident angle θ of the light sensor 120 relative to the normal N direction of the light incident surface of the light sensor 120 is greater than a certain angle.

[0102] In summary, by using a light guide structure positioned in front of the light sensor, this invention can change the path of incident light into the light sensor, so that when the incident angle of the light sensor relative to the normal direction of the light sensor's incident surface is greater than a certain angle, it has the maximum light-gathering response, thus avoiding the influence of the steering wheel or other foreign objects in the vehicle directly in front of the light sensor, which would affect the light-gathering effect of the ambient light sensor.

[0103] Of course, the present invention may have other various embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An optical device, characterized in that, include: One substrate; A photosensor is located on the substrate and includes a light-incident surface; A protective layer is located on the light-incident surface side of the photosensor; A light guide structure is located between the photosensor and the protective layer, wherein incident light enters the photosensor via the light guide structure. The light-receiving response of the light sensor is at its maximum value when the absolute value of the incident angle of the incident light relative to the normal of the incident surface is a first angle. The first angle is greater than 20 degrees.

2. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first angle ranges from 30 degrees to 50 degrees.

3. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, Wherein, when the absolute value of the incident angle of the incident light relative to the normal of the incident surface is less than a second angle, the light-receiving response of the light sensor is less than 50%. The second angle is 10 degrees.

4. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The light guiding structure is an optical film with a microstructure, wherein the microstructure is located on the light incident surface of the optical film.

5. The optical device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The microstructure includes multiple columnar structures, multiple conical structures, or multiple trapezoidal conical structures.

6. The optical device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The microstructure is integrally formed with the optical film.

7. The optical device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The microstructure is further formed on the light-emitting surface of the optical film.

8. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide structure mentioned above is a light guide plate.

9. The optical device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The light guide plate further includes microstructures located on the light incident surface of the light guide plate.

10. The optical device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The microstructure includes multiple columnar structures, multiple conical structures, or multiple trapezoidal conical structures.

11. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The light guiding structure mentioned above is a lens.

12. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a light-absorbing layer located between the protective layer and the light-guiding structure.

13. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a bonding layer located between the protective layer and the substrate.

14. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide structure and the photosensor have a gap between them.

15. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide structure and the protective layer have a gap between them.

16. An automotive optical device, characterized in that, include: A base plate is mounted on the vehicle body; A light sensor, located on the substrate and disposed between the vehicle body and the steering wheel, includes a light-incident surface; A protective layer is located on the light-incident surface side of the photosensor; A light guide structure is located between the photosensor and the protective layer, wherein incident light enters the photosensor via the light guide structure. The light-receiving response of the light sensor is at its maximum value when the incident angle of the incident light relative to the normal of the incident surface is a first angle. Wherein, the first angle is greater than 20 degrees.

Images