Light-transmitting optical element
By setting specific structures of blind holes and protrusions in optical elements, the transmittance and robustness are improved by utilizing total internal reflection and refraction, solving the problem of high dependence on the incident direction of the beam in the prior art and realizing efficient light transmission.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MARELLI GERMANY GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing light-transmitting optical elements are inefficient in the direction of beam incidence and highly dependent on the direction of beam incidence, resulting in significant light absorption and failing to meet specific design requirements.
Multiple regularly arranged blind apertures are set on the light incident side, and multiple regularly arranged protrusions are set on the light emitting side. The blind apertures and protrusions are arranged coaxially in pairs. The sidewalls of the blind apertures and the side edge surfaces of the protrusions extend around their axes, and the light transmission efficiency is improved through total internal reflection and refraction.
It improves the transmittance and robustness of optical components, achieving up to 85% parallel beam transmittance and 50% diffuse beam transmittance, making it suitable for motor vehicle lighting devices in concealed states and reducing the need for light sources.
Smart Images
Figure CN121956221A_ABST
Abstract
Description
A light-transmitting optical element Background Art Existing Technology
[0001] This invention relates to a light-transmitting optical element according to the preamble of claim 1. A similar light-transmitting optical element, particularly having a light-incident side and a light-exit side, has been disclosed in DE 10 2018002 724 B4.
[0002] In existing technologies, a layer in a paint layer or multi-layer coating system is perforated in a matrix pattern to improve local transparency. When light is transmitted through a coating with regularly arranged dotted light exit holes, the light illuminating the area between the openings is partially—usually—mostly—absorbed. The light used for illumination is focused onto the holes by a lens to improve efficiency. Here, the direction of the light beam incident on the holes plays a crucial role, as such devices can only be optimized for a single beam direction. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The difference between this invention and the prior art lies in the features specified in claim 1. It specifies that the light incident side has a plurality of regularly arranged blind holes, and the light emitting side has a plurality of regularly arranged protrusions, wherein the blind holes and protrusions are arranged coaxially in pairs, and each blind hole has a sidewall arranged around an axis extending along the depth direction of the blind hole, and each blind hole has a bottom that spatially restricts the blind hole in the depth direction and is inclined to the axis, and each protrusion has a side edge surface arranged around an axis extending along the height direction of the protrusion, and each protrusion has a light emitting surface that restricts the protrusion in the height direction of the protrusion.
[0004] These features improve the optical efficiency, i.e., the transmittance, of the optical element and enhance its robustness to various incident beam directions. This means that, compared to the prior art, the transmittance of the optical element in this invention is less dependent on the incident beam direction.
[0005] When a light beam incident on the incident side of the optical element is concentrated onto the light emitting surface of the optical element located on the emitting side, and occupying only 25% of the emitting side (i.e., 75% of the emitting side does not participate in light transmission), the present invention can achieve a transmittance / efficiency of up to 85% for parallel incident light and 50% for diffuse incident light. Therefore, this light-transmitting optical element is particularly suitable for transmitting large amounts of light through aperture patterns, such as through perforated paint layers, punched parts, or similar structures. Thus, a vehicle lighting device having an optical element according to the invention can be inconspicuous and thus hidden in the off state, and is only visible in the on state, which may meet specific design requirements. It is also advantageous that the required light source is significantly less than the number of visible light emitting apertures formed.
[0006] The optical element having the features of claim 1 can be demolded and therefore manufactured using a mold through hot-press injection molding or similar processes.
[0007] Preferably, the area on the light incident side outside the blind aperture is flat.
[0008] More preferably, the light incident surface is the sum of the surface of the blind aperture and the flat portion of the light incident surface outside the blind aperture.
[0009] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the light-transmitting optical element is configured such that light beams initially incident vertically and parallel to each other on the light incident side are redirected by total internal reflection to the light emitting side, and there they are emitted from the optical element via a light emitting surface of a protrusion in the light emitting side. These light beams pass through the area between blind apertures of the light incident surface and enter the interior of the optical element by means of refraction in the area.
[0010] Also preferably, the light-transmitting optical element is configured such that light beams incident on the light incident side in a diffuse manner, or rather, at an angle to each other, are diverted to the light emitting side by total internal reflection, and there they are emitted from the optical element via a light emitting surface of a protrusion in the light emitting side. These light beams pass through the area between the blind holes of the light incident surface and enter the interior of the optical element by refraction in the area.
[0011] More preferably, the light-transmitting optical element is configured such that light beams incident on the light incident side in a diffuse manner, or rather, at an angle to each other, are redirected to the light emitting side by total internal reflection, and thereafter exit from the optical element via a light emitting surface of a protrusion in the light emitting side, and these light beams enter the interior of the optical element through a blind aperture.
[0012] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the area between the light-emitting surfaces is covered in an opaque manner.
[0013] Preferably, the light-emitting surface has a diffuse scattering optical structure or a rough surface, so that light undergoes diffuse scattering when it passes through the light-emitting surface.
[0014] More preferably, the gaps between the protrusions on the light-emitting side are filled with a material.
[0015] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the gap is filled to a height flush with the light emitting surface, thereby forming a flat light emitting side.
[0016] Also preferably, the filler material is an opaque material, especially an opaque paint or opaque plastic.
[0017] More preferably, the transparent material surface located between the light emitting surfaces is additionally and completely covered with a coating, which has a higher reflectivity than the transparent material of the optical element with a blind hole on the light incident side.
[0018] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the coating is made of metal or of a material having a lower refractive index than a transparent material having a blind hole on the light incident side of the optical element.
[0019] Preferably, the light-transmitting optical elements have circular, especially perfectly circular, cross-sections, or rectangular or n-sided, especially hexagonal, cross-sections perpendicular to the axis.
[0020] Other features and / or advantages can be derived from the specification and drawings.
[0021] It is understood that the above features and the features to be explained below can be combined not only in the manner given herein, but also in other ways or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0022] Attached Figure Detailed Implementation
[0023] Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which will be explained in detail below. The following figures are all schematic diagrams, wherein:
[0024] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a partial embodiment of an optical element according to the present invention;
[0025] Figure 2 shows a portion of the light incident surface of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;
[0026] Figure 3 shows a portion of the light emitting surface of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;
[0027] Figure 4 shows a cross-section of an optical element according to the present invention, which has different dimensions;
[0028] Figure 5 shows the optical path diagram of light rays transmitted through optical elements and undergoing total internal reflection;
[0029] Figure 6 shows a cross-section of an optical element with light beams initially incident perpendicularly and parallel to each other on the incident side;
[0030] Figure 7 shows a cross-section of an optical element having a beam of light incident on a flat portion that is diffused, or rather, obliquely incident on the incident side.
[0031] Figure 8 shows a cross-section of an optical element with a beam of light incident on the incident side in a diffuse manner, or rather, at an angle to each other.
[0032] Figure 9 shows an embodiment where the area between the light-emitting surfaces is covered;
[0033] Figure 10 shows an example of diffuse scattering of light as it passes through a light-emitting surface;
[0034] Figure 11 shows an embodiment in which the gap between the protrusions on the light-emitting side is filled with material;
[0035] Figure 12 shows a variation of the embodiment shown in Figure 11;
[0036] Figure 13 shows a variation of the embodiment shown in Figure 12;
[0037] Figure 14 shows an embodiment in which the transparent material surface located between the light emitting surfaces is completely or partially covered with a coating;
[0038] Figure 15 shows an embodiment of the optical element geometry, in which the blind hole and the protrusion have a rectangular cross-section perpendicular to the axis;
[0039] Figure 16 shows an embodiment of the optical element geometry, in which the blind hole and the protrusion have a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to the axis;
[0040] Figure 17 illustrates an embodiment in which the optical element has at least a partially flat envelope on its light incident side and a curved envelope opposite it on its light emitting side.
[0041] Figure 18 illustrates an embodiment in which the optical element has at least a partially curved envelope on its light incident side and an opposing curved envelope on its light emitting side.
[0042] Figure 19 illustrates an embodiment of an optical element with an integrated semiconductor light source; and
[0043] Figure 20 shows a top view of one side of an optical element according to the present invention having several semiconductor light sources.
[0044] Specifically, Figure 1 shows a light-transmitting optical element 10, which has a light-incident side 12 and a light-outcrystal side 14.
[0045] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the light incident side 12. The light incident side 12 has a plurality of regularly arranged blind holes 16.
[0046] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the light emitting side 14. The light emitting side 14 has a plurality of regularly arranged protrusions 18.
[0047] Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the optical element 10. Each blind hole 16 is arranged coaxially with a protrusion 18 in pairs.
[0048] Each blind aperture 16 has a sidewall 20 arranged around an axis 22 extending along the depth direction of the blind aperture 16. Each blind aperture 16 also has a bottom 24 that spatially restricts the blind aperture 16 in the depth direction and is arranged obliquely to the axis 22. Each protrusion 18 has a side edge surface 25 arranged around an axis 26 extending along the height direction of the protrusion. Axes 22 and 26 may coincide. Each protrusion 18 has a light-emitting surface 28 that restricts the protrusion 18 in the height direction.
[0049] Figure 5 also shows a cross-section of the optical element 10. The difference between the optical elements 10 in Figures 4 and 5 is that the height of the optical element 10 in Figure 4 along the axes 22 and 26 is greater than the height of the optical element 10 in Figure 5 along the axes 22 and 26.
[0050] Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the optical element 10, where a light beam 30 initially incident perpendicularly and parallel to each other on the light incident side is redirected by total internal reflection to the light emitting side 14, and there it exits from the optical element 10 via the light emitting surface 28 of the protrusion 18 in the light emitting side 14. The light beam 30 passes through the region between the blind holes 16 on the light incident side 12 and enters the interior of the material of the optical element 10 by means of refraction in the region.
[0051] Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the optical element 10, in which a light beam 30, which is incident on the light incident side 12 in a diffuse manner, or rather, at an angle to each other, is redirected to the light emitting side 14 by total internal reflection, and there it exits from the optical element 10 via the light emitting surface 28 of the protrusion 18 in the light emitting side 14. The light beam 30 passes through the region between the blind holes 16 of the light incident side 12 and enters the interior of the material of the optical element 10 by means of refraction in the region.
[0052] Figure 8 shows a cross-section of the optical element 10, with a light beam 34 incident diffusely, or rather, at an angle to each other, onto the light incident side 12. Unlike Figures 6 and 7, where the light enters the material interior of the optical element 10 through the area between the blind apertures 16 on the light incident side 12, in the object of Figure 8, the light also enters through the blind apertures 16. The light is similarly redirected to the light emitting side 14 by total internal reflection, and there exits from the optical element 10 via the light emitting surface 28 of the protrusion 18 in the light emitting side 14.
[0053] The shaded area 29 in Figures 4 to 8 can be implemented in an opaque manner. Figure 9 also shows an embodiment where the area 29 between the light emitting surfaces 28 is covered. Compared to the embodiment without this cover 29, the light emitting side 14 can thus be implemented more smoothly.
[0054] For a flat light-emitting surface 28, the preferred direction of the emitted beam may not be as expected. To avoid this unexpected effect, the light-emitting surface 28 can be implemented using a diffuse scattering optical structure or an irregular, rough surface.
[0055] Figure 10 shows an example of a composite beam path 32, characterized in that the light undergoes diffuse scattering as it passes through the light exit surface 28.
[0056] Figure 11 shows an embodiment in which the gap between the protrusions on the light emitting side is filled with material 34. The gap is preferably filled to a height flush with the light emitting surface 28, thereby forming a flat light emitting side 12. The filling material is preferably an opaque material, such as opaque paint or opaque plastic.
[0057] Figure 12 shows a variation of the embodiment shown in Figure 11. Similar to Figure 11, in Figure 12, the gaps between the protrusions 18 on the light-emitting side 14 are filled with material 34. Additionally, in the variation according to Figure 12, the transparent material surface of the optical element 10 located between the light-emitting surfaces 28 is completely covered with a coating 36, which has a higher reflectivity than the transparent material 34 of the optical element 10 having blind holes 16 on the light-incident side 12. The coating 36 is preferably made of metal, or of a material with a lower refractive index than the transparent material of the optical element 10 having blind holes 16 on the light-incident side 12.
[0058] Figure 13 shows a variation of the embodiment shown in Figure 12. Similar to Figure 12, in Figure 13, the gaps between the protrusions 18 on the light-emitting side 14 are filled with material 34. Additionally, in the variation according to Figure 12, the transparent material surface of the optical element 10 located between the light-emitting surfaces 28 is partially covered with a coating 36, which has a higher reflectivity than the transparent material of the optical element 10 having a blind hole 16 on the light-incident side 12. The coating 36 is preferably made of metal, or of a material with a lower refractive index than the transparent material of the optical element 10 having a blind hole 16 on the light-incident side 12. In contrast to the object shown in Figure 12, in the object shown in Figure 13, the coating 36 is only applied to the portion of the transparent material surface of the optical element 10 located between the light-emitting surfaces 28 that extends obliquely to the axes 22, 26.
[0059] Figure 14 illustrates an embodiment in which the transparent material surface of the optical element 10 located between the light emitting surfaces 28 is completely or partially covered with a coating 34, which has a higher reflectivity than the transparent material of the optical element 10 having a blind hole 16 on the light incident side 12. The coating 34 is preferably made of metal, or of a material having a lower refractive index than the transparent material of the optical element 10 having a blind hole 16 on the light incident side 12.
[0060] In the embodiments shown up to the present, optical element 10 has a circular, particularly perfectly circular, cross-section perpendicular to axes 22 and 26. Figure 15 shows an embodiment of the optical element geometry in which blind aperture 16 and protrusion 18 have a rectangular cross-section perpendicular to axes 22 and 26.
[0061] Figure 16 illustrates an embodiment of the geometry of optical element 10, wherein blind aperture 16 and protrusion 18 are perpendicular to axis 22, and 26 has a hexagonal cross-section. The number of angles can also be any other natural number n.
[0062] Figure 17 illustrates an embodiment in which the optical element 10 has an envelope surface 38 that is at least partially flat on its light incident side and a curved envelope surface 40 that is opposite it on its light emitting side.
[0063] Figure 18 illustrates an embodiment in which the optical element 10 has at least a partially curved envelope 38 on its light incident side and an opposing curved envelope 40 on its light emitting side. These embodiments allow the shape of the optical element 10 to be adapted to the curvature of the vehicle body, for example, when used as a component of a motor vehicle lighting device.
[0064] Figure 19 illustrates an embodiment of the optical element 10 according to the present invention, having a semiconductor light source 42 integrated on the light incident side 12, wherein the observation direction is perpendicular to axes 22 and 26.
[0065] Figure 20 shows a top view of one side of an optical element 10 according to the invention having a plurality of semiconductor light sources 42, wherein the viewing direction is aligned with the direction of axes 22, 26. Figure 19 illustrates in particular that the number of semiconductor light sources 42 can be less than the number of blind apertures 16 and the number of protrusions 18, thus requiring significantly fewer semiconductor light sources than the visible light emission apertures formed.
Claims
1. A light-transmitting optical element (10), the light-transmitting optical element having a light-incident side (12) and a light-exiting side (14), characterized in that, The light incident side (12) has a plurality of regularly arranged blind holes (16), and the light emitting side (14) has a plurality of regularly arranged protrusions (18), wherein the blind holes (16) and the protrusions (18) are arranged coaxially in pairs, and each blind hole (16) has a sidewall (20), the sidewall (20) being arranged around the axis (22) of the blind hole (16) extending along the depth direction of the blind hole, and wherein each blind hole (16) has a bottom (24). The bottom (24) spatially restricts each blind hole (16) in the depth direction of the blind hole and is arranged inclined to the axis (22), and the protrusions (18) each have a side edge surface (25) arranged around the axis (26) extending in the height direction of the protrusion, and wherein the protrusions (18) each have a light emitting surface (28) that restricts the protrusions (28) in the height direction of the protrusions (18).
2. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The area outside the blind aperture on the light incident side is flat.
3. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The light incident surface is the sum of the surface of the blind aperture and the flat portion of the light incident surface outside the blind aperture.
4. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Its arrangement is such that a light beam initially incident vertically and parallel to each other on the light incident side (12) is redirected by total internal reflection to the light emitting side (14), and there it exits from the optical element (10) via the light emitting surface (28) in the protrusion (18) of the light emitting side (14). The light beam passes through the area between the blind holes (16) of the light incident side (12) and enters the interior of the material of the optical element (10) by means of refraction in the area.
5. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Its arrangement is such that light beams incident on the light incident side (12) in a diffuse manner, or rather, at an angle to each other, are redirected to the light emitting side (14) by total internal reflection, and there are emitted from the optical element (10) via the light emitting surface (28) in the protrusion (18) of the light emitting side (14). The light beam passes through the area between the blind holes (16) of the light incident side (12) and enters the interior of the material of the optical element (10) by means of refraction in the area.
6. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Its arrangement is such that light beams incident on the light incident side (12) in a diffuse manner, or rather, at an angle to each other, are redirected to the light emitting side (14) by total internal reflection, and there are emitted from the optical element (10) via the light emitting surface (28) in the protrusion (28) of the light emitting side (14), and the light beams enter the material interior of the optical element (10) through the blind hole (16).
7. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The area between the light-emitting surfaces (18) is covered in an opaque manner.
8. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The light emitting surface (18) has a diffuse scattering optical structure or a rough surface, so that light undergoes diffuse scattering when it passes through the light emitting surface (18).
9. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The gap between the protrusions (18) on the light emitting side (14) is filled with material (34).
10. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The gap is filled to a height flush with the light emitting surface (28), thereby forming a flat light emitting side (14).
11. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The filler material is opaque, especially opaque paint or opaque plastic.
12. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The transparent material surface of the optical element (10) located between the light emitting surfaces (28) is additionally and completely covered with a coating that has a higher reflectivity than the transparent material of the optical element (10) having the blind hole on the light incident side.
13. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The coating is made of metal or of a material having a lower refractive index than the transparent material of the optical element (10) having the blind hole on the light incident side (12).
14. The light-transmitting optical element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, It has a circular, particularly circular, or rectangular or n-sided, particularly hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the axis (22, 26).