Light guide structure, light emitting structure and design method of light emitting structure

Abstract

The application discloses a light guide structure, a light emitting structure and a design method of the light emitting structure, and relates to the technical field of electronic products. The light emitting structure has a light inlet end and a light reflection end in a first direction. The light inlet end is concave to form a first light inlet top surface and a second light inlet side surface. The first light inlet top surface and the second light inlet side surface are adjacently arranged. The light reflection end is concave to form a first light reflection surface. The light guide structure also has a light outlet end in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are intersectingly arranged. The first light inlet top surface is configured to allow light introduced from the light inlet end to be reflected by the first light reflection surface and then emitted outward from the light outlet end. The second light inlet side surface is configured to allow light introduced from the light inlet end to be emitted outward from the light outlet end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electronic product technology, and in particular to a design method for a light guide structure, a light-emitting structure, and a light-emitting structure. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of smart technology products and wireless technology, more portable electronic products are appearing on the market. As these products become more widespread, consumers are placing increasingly higher demands on their appearance, functionality, and portability.

[0003] Indicator lights are an indispensable part of portable electronic products. As indicators of product function, they require not only uniform illumination on the light-emitting surface but also sufficient brightness to display relevant product information. Generally, with the same light source parameters, a larger light guide can capture more light energy, resulting in higher light guiding efficiency and ultimately higher product brightness. However, with the increasing demand for portable products, the trend is towards miniaturization and portability. This trend inevitably compresses the space of the optical light guide structure, leading to a reduction in the size of the light guide. This results in lower optical efficiency and dimmer indicator lights.

[0004] To address the issue of reduced optical efficiency due to smaller space for optical light guide structures caused by product miniaturization and portability, this invention employs an ultra-small concave optical design, enabling the product to achieve a highly efficient light transmission solution within a smaller space. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to propose a design method for a light guide structure, a light-emitting structure, and a light-emitting structure, aiming to solve the problems of low light output brightness and inability to effectively adapt the size of existing indicator light structures in small electronic products.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a light-emitting structure, wherein the light-guiding structure has a light-inlet end and a light-reflecting end in a first direction; the light-inlet end is recessed to form a first light-inlet top surface and a second light-inlet side surface, the first light-inlet top surface and the second light-inlet side surface being arranged adjacent to each other;

[0007] The reflective end is recessed to form a first reflective surface; The light guide structure also has a light-emitting end in the second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are intersecting. The first light-inlet top surface is configured such that light rays introduced from the light-inlet end side are reflected by the first reflective surface and emitted outward from the light-outlet end; the second light-inlet side surface is configured such that light rays introduced from the light-inlet end side can emit outward from the light-outlet end.

[0008] The present invention also proposes a light-emitting structure, the light-emitting structure comprising: A light guide structure having a light-inlet end and a light-reflecting end in a first direction; the light-inlet end is recessed to form a first light-inlet top surface and a second light-inlet side surface, the first light-inlet top surface and the second light-inlet side surface being arranged adjacent to each other; The reflective end is recessed to form a first reflective surface; The light guide structure also has a light-emitting end in the second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are intersecting. The first light-inlet top surface is configured such that light rays introduced from the light-inlet end side are reflected by the first reflective surface and emitted outward from the light-outlet end; the second light-inlet side surface is configured such that light rays introduced from the light-inlet end side can emit light outward from the light-outlet end. The light guide structure is configured as a plurality of structures, and the plurality of light guide structures are arranged sequentially in a third-order direction; and, A light-emitting component is disposed corresponding to the light-inlet end of the plurality of light-guiding structures, and is configured to provide incident light to the plurality of light-guiding structures; The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are arranged to intersect each other.

[0009] This invention also proposes a design method for a light-emitting structure, wherein the light-emitting structure includes a light-guiding body and a converging portion connected to the light-guiding body and formed at the light-emitting end. The cross-sectional area of ​​the converging portion is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the light-guiding body, so as to form a light-focusing region within the converging portion. The design method includes the following steps: A preliminary three-dimensional model of the light guide body is established, and the relative position of the light-emitting structure on the light-incoming side of the three-dimensional model is determined. On the optical axis of the light-emitting structure, the first starting vertex of the first light-entry top surface of the light guide body is determined. Based on the total internal reflection condition of the reflective surface and the constraint of the light-exiting end position of the convergent part, the horizontal tilt angle of the reflective surface is adjusted, and the main optical path information of the first beam entering from the first starting vertex in the light guide body is obtained. The light-incident surface boundary point of the light guide body near the light-emitting end is taken as the first boundary point of the second light-incident side. Based on the position of the light-emitting structure, the constraint of the position of the light-inlet end of the convergent portion, and the material properties of the second light-inlet side, the normal direction and tilt angle of the second light-inlet side at its first boundary point are determined. Extend the second light-incoming side surface from the first boundary point along the tilt angle, so that its extension line intersects the main optical path of the first beam, and use the intersection point to determine the position of another common vertex of the first light-incoming top surface and the second light-incoming side surface; Based on the contour features of the first light-incoming top surface, the second light-incoming side surface, and the reflective end, redundant parts in the preliminary three-dimensional model of the light guide body are removed to obtain a structurally optimized three-dimensional model of the light guide body. Attached Figure Description

[0010] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0011] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of one embodiment of the multiple light guide structures provided by the present invention; Figure 2 For inclusion Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the light-emitting structure with a central light guide structure; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the optical path formed by the first light-incoming top surface and the first light-reflecting surface in the light-guiding structure; Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the optical path formed by the second light-incoming side within the light guide structure; Figure 5 For use in design Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the light-emitting structure in the middle.

[0012] Explanation of icon numbers: 100. Light guide structure; 1. Light guide body; 11. First reflective surface; 12. First light-inlet top surface; 13. Second light-inlet side surface; 2. Converging part; 21. Inner convergence opening; 22. Light outlet; 23. Focusing area; 200. Light-emitting structure; 3. Light-emitting component; 31. Circuit board assembly; 32. Light-emitting unit.

[0013] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0015] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0016] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0017] With the development of smart technology products and wireless technology, more portable electronic products are appearing on the market. As these products become more widespread, consumers are placing increasingly higher demands on their appearance, functionality, and portability.

[0018] Indicator lights are an indispensable part of portable electronic products. As indicators of product function, they require not only uniform illumination on the light-emitting surface but also sufficient brightness to display relevant product information. Generally, with the same light source parameters, a larger light guide can capture more light energy, resulting in higher light guiding efficiency and ultimately higher product brightness. However, with the increasing demand for portable products, the trend is towards miniaturization and portability. This trend inevitably compresses the space of the optical light guide structure, leading to a reduction in the size of the light guide. This results in lower optical efficiency and dimmer indicator lights.

[0019] To address the issue of reduced optical efficiency due to smaller space for optical light guide structures caused by product miniaturization and portability, this invention employs an ultra-small concave optical design, enabling the product to achieve a highly efficient light transmission solution within a smaller space.

[0020] This invention proposes a light guiding structure.

[0021] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 In one embodiment of the present invention, the light guide structure 100 has a light-inlet end and a reflector end in a first direction; the light-inlet end is recessed to form a first light-inlet top surface 12 and a second light-inlet side surface 13, the first light-inlet top surface 12 and the second light-inlet side surface 13 being arranged adjacent to each other; the reflector end is recessed to form a first reflector surface 11; the light guide structure 100 also has a light-outlet end in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are intersecting; the first light-inlet top surface 12 is configured such that light rays introduced from the light-inlet end side are reflected by the first reflector surface 11 and emitted outward from the light-outlet end; the second light-inlet side surface 13 is configured such that light rays introduced from the light-inlet end side are emitted outward from the light-outlet end.

[0022] The light guide structure 100 is preferably made of PC (polycarbonate) material and is manufactured in one piece. In the above scheme, through the reasonable arrangement of the corresponding optical surfaces, the light from the light-inlet end can be emitted as far as possible from the light-outlet end without using reflective spray, thereby improving the light emission efficiency at the light-outlet end and achieving a better lighting warning effect in practical applications. Specifically, the light-inlet end is recessed inward in the first direction to form two light-inlet surface structures: a first light-inlet top surface 12 and a second light-inlet side surface 13. The first light-inlet top surface 12 can adjust the propagation direction of the light entering the light guide structure 100, allowing the incident light beam to enter the first reflective surface 11 at a certain incident angle. The first reflective surface 11 is a total reflection surface, and at least a portion of the light after total reflection can illuminate the light-outlet end. Simultaneously, the light rays entering the light guide structure 100 from the second light-inlet side 13, after being adjusted by the second light-inlet side 13, can also be emitted at least partially at the light-emitting end. By converging the two beams of light at the light-emitting end, the light emission effect of the light-emitting end can be significantly improved, making the light-emitting area of ​​the light-emitting end brighter under the same light source illumination conditions.

[0023] As can be seen, in the above structure, the entire light guide structure 100 achieves a double-sided concave structural design in the first direction. It is a one-piece molded light guide material, and in this solution, its own outer contour structural features are used as its own light guide optical surface. Therefore, in the actual structural design process, under the premise of satisfying the above-mentioned light transmission effect, the redundant parts of the entire light guide structure 100 can be further removed, thereby allowing the entire light guide structure 100 to have a smaller and more compact volume.

[0024] Therefore, the above solution avoids the problem of not being able to implement TIR (Total Internal Reflection), convex surface focusing, and fiber optic transmission solutions due to limited space. It achieves the thinnest and smallest structural dimensions within a limited space through pure optical design, maximizing optical transmission efficiency and optimizing the brightness of the final light-emitting surface, leaving more design flexibility. Furthermore, this integrated light guide structure 100, through a dual-concave directional compensation optical solution, avoids the problems of traditional convex lens focusing structures, such as localized bulges in the light guide and a large overall size of the light guide. This results in higher compatibility with portable and small electronic products, and helps reduce optical and product costs.

[0025] It should be noted that total internal reflection refers to the phenomenon where, when light travels from a denser medium to a less dense medium, if the angle of incidence is greater than a critical angle, the light will be completely reflected back to the original medium without refraction. In this design, the light guide structure 100 is a one-piece structure. For the first reflective surface 11 to achieve total internal reflection, the light rays incident on the first reflective surface 11 and the normal to the first reflective surface 11 must satisfy a certain angular relationship. The specific angle relationship can be determined based on α ≥ arcsin(1 / n), where n is the refractive index of the light guide structure 100. In this embodiment, based on the material properties of polycarbonate, its refractive index n is 1.585, indicating that its critical angle α for total internal reflection needs to be greater than 42 degrees. In some cases, to improve the reliability of total internal reflection on the first reflective surface 11, a coating treatment can be selectively applied to the first reflective surface 11.

[0026] In addition, the first direction and the second direction can be referenced. Figure 1 The above embodiments include an embodiment of a transparent PC (polycarbonate) light guide structure 100 that can achieve a 90-degree folding effect. In practical applications, the folding light guide design scheme described above can be used, and its folding angle can be designed according to actual needs. Moreover, this folding angle can achieve a design range from a small angle to close to 180 degrees, which has high compatibility.

[0027] To further improve the light output effect of the two beams at the light output end, in some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the light guide structure 100 includes a light guide body 1 and a converging portion 2 connected to the light guide body 1 and formed at the light-emitting end. The cross-sectional area of ​​the converging portion 2 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the light guide body 1, so as to form a light-focusing region 23 in the converging portion 2. The light rays in the light guide body 1 and passing through the first reflective surface 11 and the second light-incoming surface 13 extend at least partially into the light-focusing region 23.

[0028] The converging portion 2 has a relatively small cross-sectional area, and the entire converging portion 2 extends in the second direction. An inner converging opening 21 is formed at one end of the light guide body 1, and the other end of the converging portion 2 is the light outlet 22 of the entire light guide structure 100. The total internal reflection light passing through the first reflective surface 11 and the light passing through the second light-incoming side surface 13 are both at least partially incident from the inner converging opening 21 into the focusing area 23. To improve the output light efficiency of the total internal reflection light, the tilt angle of the first reflective surface 11 can be adjusted so that the lower edge of the total internal reflection light passing through the first reflective surface 11 can precisely illuminate the lower edge of the inner converging opening 21, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this configuration allows for the convergence of as much total internally reflected light as possible within the focusing area 23. Furthermore, because the first reflective surface 11 forms an angle with the horizontal plane, the light, after total internal reflection through the first reflective surface 11 and reaching the lower edge of the inner converging port 21, will inevitably undergo another total internal reflection to compensate for the light emission onto the emitting surface. Simultaneously, to enhance the total internal reflection effect of the converging portion 2, a coating can be applied to make the entire converging portion 2 a total internal reflection structure, thereby further reducing light efficiency loss within the focusing area 23 and improving the light emission effect at the emitting port 22.

[0029] Based on the characteristics of total internal reflection light, in the actual structure, the other edge of the total internal reflection light passes through the upper edge of the convergence port 21 in the convergence part 2 and enters the focusing region 23. At this time, the light efficiency of the total internal reflection light in the focusing region 23 can reach its maximum.

[0030] Furthermore, it should be noted that the first light-incoming top surface is a protruding arc-shaped surface, which can convert the light from one side of the light-incoming end into parallel light within the light guide body 1. That is, the light entering the light guide body 1 after passing through the first light-incoming top surface 12 is parallel light. In the actual structure, to further compact the light guide structure 100, the other edge of the total internal reflection light can be set as an external contour feature of the light guide structure 100.

[0031] The second light-incoming side surface 13 is a beveled surface facing the interior of the light guide body 1, with one inward end connected to the first light-incoming top surface 12, thus forming a recessed structure at the light-incoming end of the light guide body 1. Light passing through the second light-incoming side surface 13 can enter the focusing area 23 in a divergent manner. Similarly, to ensure the light efficiency of the light entering the focusing area 23, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the edge light rays that enter through the lowest point of the second light-incoming side surface 13 at the light-incoming end can pass through the lower edge of the converging part 2 and be disposed within the light-focusing area 23.

[0032] The light guide structure 100, integrally formed using the above method, features a small size and high light conductivity, making it promising for application in miniaturized electronic products.

[0033] The present invention also provides a light-emitting structure 200, which includes a light-guiding structure 100. The light-guiding structure 100 is as shown in the above embodiments. Since the light-emitting structure 200 adopts all the technical solutions in the above embodiments, it has all the beneficial effects of the above embodiments, and will not be described in detail here.

[0034] The light-emitting structure 200 includes multiple light-guiding structures 100 arranged sequentially in a third direction; the light-emitting structure 200 also includes a light-emitting component 3, which is arranged corresponding to the light-inlet end of the multiple light-guiding structures 100 and configured to provide incident light to the multiple light-guiding structures 100; wherein the first direction, the second direction and the third direction intersect each other.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, multiple light guide structures 100 are sequentially connected in the third direction. The light-emitting component 3 is disposed on one side of the light-inlet end of the multiple light guide structures 100. The light-emitting structure 200 can generate corresponding incident light rays corresponding to the first light-inlet top surface 12 and the second light-inlet side surface 13 on the multiple light-emitting ends, thereby forming a uniform and bright light spot at the light-outlet 22 of the multiple converging portions 2.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the light-emitting component 3 includes a circuit board assembly 31 and a plurality of light-emitting units 32. The circuit board assembly 31 is disposed on one side of the light-inlet end of the plurality of light guide structures 100, and the plurality of light-emitting units 32 are disposed on the circuit board assembly 31 and are respectively disposed corresponding to the plurality of light-inlet ends.

[0037] Specifically, multiple light-emitting units 32 are configured, each corresponding to a light-inlet end of a light guide structure 100. By configuring multiple light-emitting units 32, the consistency of the light entering the multiple light guide structures 100 can be further improved, thereby making the light-emitting effect of the light-emitting port 22 of the converging part 2 more consistent. The light-emitting units 32 can preferably be LED (Light Emitting Diode) light sources, and the specific number can be set according to actual requirements.

[0038] like Figure 5 As shown, the present invention also provides a design method for a light guide structure 100, which is used to design the light guide structure 100. Specifically, the light guide structure 100 refers to the above embodiment. The light guide structure 100 includes a light guide body 1 and a converging portion 2 connected to the light guide body 1 and formed at the light-emitting end. The cross-sectional area of ​​the converging portion 2 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the light guide body 1, so that a light-focusing region 23 is formed within the converging portion 2. The specific structure of the light guide structure 100 can be referred to the above embodiment. Specifically, the design method includes the following steps: A preliminary three-dimensional model of the light guide body 1 is established, and the relative position of the light-emitting structure 200 on the light-incoming side of the three-dimensional model is determined. Before actual production, a preliminary three-dimensional model structure of the light guide body 1 can be designed using a three-dimensional model. The specific position of the light-emitting structure 200 on the light-inlet end of the preliminary three-dimensional model can be determined according to the actual production requirements to form the basic model structure of the light-emitting structure 200. During the optical path simulation process, optical path simulation design can be carried out on this basic model structure, and the three-dimensional model structure of the specific light guide structure 100 can be optimized.

[0039] After the above preparations are completed, the first starting vertex of the first light-entry top surface 12 of the light guide body 1 can be determined on the optical axis of the light-emitting structure 200. Based on the total internal reflection condition of the reflective surface and the constraint of the light-exiting end position of the convergent part 2, the horizontal tilt angle of the reflective surface is adjusted, and the main optical path information of the first beam entering from the first starting vertex in the light guide body 1 is obtained. In some embodiments, the specific steps include: Draw a line from the first starting vertex to the lower edge of the light guide part as the first edge refracted ray of the first light-entering top surface 12; First, the initial optical design is carried out (for part of the optical path of the first light-inlet top surface 12). An axis is drawn along the main optical axis. The design goal is to guide all the light rays on the side of the optical axis closer to the light-out end to the light-out end. A point A is taken from the main optical axis as the starting vertex of the first light-inlet top surface 12. A curved surface is drawn from A so that the corresponding light rays emitted from the center of the light source can become parallel light and be transmitted inside the light guide.

[0040] To ensure the ultra-thin dimensions of the light guide structure 100, the other end of the light guide structure 100 in the first direction is obliquely cut to form a first reflective surface 11, which is used to compensate for the light path. This allows the light rays, after being collimated and deflected by the first light-entry top surface 12, to be directionally deflected on the first reflective surface 11. To satisfy the total internal reflection condition of the first reflective surface 11, the light rays passing through the first reflective surface 11 must satisfy the material's total internal reflection condition, that is, the angle between the light ray and the first reflective surface 11 should satisfy α≥arcsin(1 / 1.585). Here, the angle between the light rays should be greater than or equal to 42°. In this embodiment, the angle is 45°, where 1.585 is obtained from the refractive index of the material of the light guide structure 100.

[0041] It should also be noted that, because the light guide structure 100 is relatively small, the optical path from the first light-inlet top surface 12 to the first reflective surface 11 is too short, which may prevent the light from being collimated and totally internally reflected. Therefore, the first reflective surface 11 needs to be optimized by curvature to ensure that light that is not fully collimated can enter the light-out end of the light guide structure 100. In this embodiment of the invention, optical path collimation has been achieved, and the design scheme and principle will not be elaborated further.

[0042] Adjust the position of the first starting vertex on the optical axis of the light-emitting structure 200 so that the first edge refracted light rays, after total internal reflection by the reflective surface, just illuminate the lower edge of the converging part 2. Define this total internal reflection light ray as the first total internal reflection edge ray. The light rays passing through point A undergo total internal reflection at point B on the edge of the first reflective surface 11, and then illuminate the lower edge M of the convergence port 21 within the convergence section 2 of the light guide structure 100. At this point, the structure's light efficiency is maximized. Because the first reflective surface 11 forms an angle with the horizontal plane, the light rays, after total internal reflection at point M, will undergo another total internal reflection to compensate for the light rays and guide them to the light exit port 22 of the convergence section 2. The boundary light path diagram is shown below. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown.

[0043] It should also be noted that in the above embodiments, the position of point A can move up and down along the optical axis of the light-emitting structure 200. Changing point A will also change the tilt angle of the first reflective surface 11. This invention only demonstrates one size application example. In reality, if point A moves upward, the included angle of the first reflective surface 11 will be more horizontal. In this case, the longer the required size of the first reflective surface 11, and the more difficult the final curved surface design of the first light-gathering top surface 12 becomes if point A moves downward. This can be evaluated based on the actual product. The actual position of the first starting point of the first light-gathering top surface 12, i.e., point A, is determined by the constraints of total internal reflection and the design for maximum light efficiency.

[0044] Because the light rays entering through the first light-inlet top surface 12 are parallel rays, the second total internal reflection edge ray can be obtained by drawing a line parallel to the first total internal reflection edge ray through the upper edge point of the convergent part 2 near one end of the light guide body 1. Since the light ray is collimated and parallel, the light ray MB is translated so that it passes through the upper edge N of the convergence position of the light guide, thereby calculating another edge ray. The reflection point of this ray with the first reflective surface 11 is C, thus obtaining the second total internal reflection edge ray CN; Through the above design, two edge rays (MB, CN) of the total internal reflection light passing through the first reflective surface 11 are obtained. After obtaining the second total internal reflection edge ray CN, its reverse optical path can be used to obtain the second edge refracted ray CD passing through the first light-entry top surface 12 (the dashed line in the figure is the normal to the first reflective surface). That is, by tracing the second total internal reflection edge ray in reverse, the second edge refracted ray emitted from the first light-entry top surface 12 is derived, thereby determining the main optical path boundary of the first beam.

[0045] Thus, the above-described optical path structure configuration completes the first stage of optical path configuration within the light guide structure 100, primarily to determine the actual transmission path of light rays passing through the first light-entry top surface 12 within the light guide structure 100. For example... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the light transmitted through the first light-incoming top surface 12 within the light guide structure 100 is defined as the first light beam. The first light beam then includes at least two light segments. The first light segment is a parallel light beam between the first light-incoming top surface 12 and the first reflective surface 11, and its first edge-refracted ray AB and second edge-refracted ray CD are as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown. The second light segment is a total internal reflection ray from the first reflective surface 11 to the convergent portion 2, and its two edge rays include a first total internal reflection edge ray BM and a second total internal reflection edge ray CN. The above process can determine the optical path arrangement of the first light-incoming top surface 12 and obtain that the other vertex of the first light-incoming top surface 12 is located on the second total internal reflection edge ray CN, but it cannot yet determine the specific position of the other vertex of the first light-incoming top surface 12. Since the recessed ends of the first light-incoming top surface 12 and the second light-incoming side surface 13 are in contact, it is necessary to further determine the actual position of the second light-incoming side surface 13.

[0046] Therefore, a second stage of optical path design is required, specifically: The light-incident surface boundary point of the light guide body 1 in the direction close to the light-emitting end needs to be used as the first boundary point of the second light-incident side 13; The second light-incoming side surface 13 is recessed into the light guide structure 100 at the light-incoming end position, and one end of it is connected to the light-incoming end of the light guide structure 100. This connection point is set as the first convenient point of the second light-incoming side surface 13, which is marked as point E in the figure. By drawing a target ray from the first boundary point E to the convergence part 2, the relevant positional information of the second light-incoming side surface 13 can be further determined.

[0047] That is, the normal direction and tilt angle of the second light-emitting side surface 13 at its first boundary point can be determined based on the position of the light-emitting structure 200, the constraint of the position of the light-emitting end of the convergent part 2, and the material properties of the second light-emitting side surface 13. In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the above content includes the following implementation steps: Draw a line from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting structure 200 to the first boundary point E of the second light-incoming side surface 13, as the first incident edge ray directed toward the second light-incoming side surface 13; First, the first incident edge ray of the second light-incoming side 13 can be obtained based on the actual position of the light-emitting structure 200 and the position of the first boundary point E, which is shown in the figure as the line connecting the light-emitting structure 200 to point E.

[0048] Then, a line can be drawn from the lowest point of the light-inlet end of the convergent portion 2 to the first boundary point of the second light-inlet side surface 13, as the first refracted edge ray emitted from the second light-inlet side surface 13; That is, the first boundary point E is connected to the contraction point M of the convergence port 21 inside the convergence part 2 of the light guide structure 100 to draw the refracted edge ray. This ray is set as the first refracted edge ray (the straight line where EM is located). A sloping groove is designed through point E so that the light can be refracted through the sloping surface of the second light-incoming side surface 13. The edge ray is exactly incident on point M through point E, thus obtaining the second light-incoming side surface 13. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown.

[0049] Based on the above, the first incident edge ray and its corresponding first refracted edge ray of the second light-incoming side surface 13 can be obtained. Combining this with the parameter information of the second light-incoming side surface 13 itself, its specific tilt angle setting can be determined, specifically: Based on the refractive index of the material of the second light-incoming side surface 13, and applying Snell's law, the normal direction and tilt angle of the second light-incoming side surface 13 at its first boundary point can be calculated and determined according to the directions of the first incident edge ray and the first refracted edge ray.

[0050] In one specific embodiment, the optical surface tilt angle of the second light-receiving side 13 is 80.37 degrees, such as... Figure 3 As shown.

[0051] It should also be noted that, because the distance between the second light-inlet side 13 and the light outlet 22 of the convergence section 2 is too close, the light is not completely diffused and can directly enter the light guide structure 100 through total internal reflection. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second light-inlet side 13 adopts a slanted plane. In practice, a collimating deflection slant similar to the first light-inlet top surface 12 can be designed according to the requirements, which will not be elaborated in this embodiment.

[0052] Through the aforementioned second-stage optical structure design, the tilt angle of the second light-incoming surface 13 at the light-incoming end position can be obtained. Simultaneously, since one end of the first light-incoming top surface 12 and the second light-incoming surface 13 intersects and is recessed towards the inner side of the light guide structure 100, the common vertex position of the two light-incoming surfaces can be determined using the aforementioned information from the second light-incoming surface 13 and the first light-incoming top surface 12. Specifically: Extend the second light-incoming side surface 13 from the first boundary point along the tilt angle so that its extension line intersects with the main optical path of the first beam. The intersection point is marked as Q in the figure. The intersection point Q is used to determine the position of another common vertex of the first light-incoming top surface 12 and the second light-incoming side surface 13. After determining the specific vertex position Q of the first light-gathering top surface 12, since the first light-gathering top surface 12 is an arc-shaped light-gathering surface structure, it is also necessary to design its parameters using the aforementioned optical path information. Specifically, the vertical distances from the two vertices of the first light-gathering top surface 12 to the light-emitting structure 200 can be determined, and then the collimated curved surface design of the first light-gathering top surface 12 can be performed. In a specific embodiment, the vertical distance from the two vertices of the first light-gathering top surface 12 to the light-emitting structure 200 is 1.96 mm. Through the aforementioned constraints of parallel light rays, and by optimizing the design using optical software, the final horizontal deflection angle of the first light-gathering top surface 12 is obtained as 23.8°, the curvature as 0.955, and the aspheric coefficient as -2.10.

[0053] After determining the actual position information of the first light-incoming top surface 12 and the second light-incoming side surface 13 through the above method, the redundant parts in the preliminary three-dimensional model of the light guide body 1 can be removed according to the contour features of the first light-incoming top surface 12, the second light-incoming side surface 13, and the reflective end, to obtain a structurally optimized three-dimensional model of the light guide body 1. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, at the light-inlet end position, the first light-inlet top surface 12 and the second light-inlet side surface 13 constitute the actual outer contour of the entire light guide structure 100 at the actual light-inlet position. At the reflective end position of the light guide structure 100, the obliquely cut reflective surface serves as another outer contour of the light guide structure 100 in the first direction. This allows for the formation of... Figure 1 The morphological features of the double-sided recessed light guide structure 100 are shown.

[0054] In this scheme, the first light beam formed by the first light-incoming top surface 12 and the reflective surface, and the second light beam formed by the second light-incoming side surface 13, are both located on the side of the light-emitting structure 200 corresponding to the light-emitting end. In the specific structural model, redundant structures in the preliminary three-dimensional model of the light guide body 1 can be removed. This can ensure the high luminous efficiency of the light-emitting structure 200 while further reducing the space occupied by the entire light-emitting structure 200, so that the entire light-emitting structure 200 can be compatible with portable and small electronic products.

[0055] In some embodiments, to ensure the reliability of the above-mentioned light guide 3D model design and application process, it is also necessary to verify the model structure after obtaining the structurally optimized light guide body 1 3D model. Specifically: The key parameters of the optimized three-dimensional model of the light guide body 1 need to be imported into optical simulation software for optical path simulation and illuminance analysis; it is necessary to determine whether the actual optical path of the optimized three-dimensional model structure of the light guide body 1 corresponds to the designed optical path information.

[0056] Then, the model parameters are iteratively optimized based on the simulation results until the optical performance meets the preset indicators, thus obtaining the final model parameters of the light guide body 1. The preset indicators include the light output intensity and uniformity of the light outlet 22 of the convergence section 2. During the actual simulation process, the three-dimensional model can be continuously optimized and adjusted to obtain the final stable model parameter information, which can be directly applied to production for molding and processing.

[0057] Additionally, it should be noted that in the above design process, it is preferable to set the optical path information of the first light-incoming top surface 12, and then determine the relevant parameters of the second light-incoming side surface 13 in the second stage. In actual design, the design in the first stage and the design in the second stage can be adjusted to each other. In some embodiments, the design in the second stage can be prioritized, first determining the relevant position information of the second light-incoming side surface 13, and then determining the relevant position information of the first light-incoming top surface 12 in the above manner, ultimately forming the parameter model of the double-sided recessed light guide structure 100. Adjustments can be made according to the actual situation, and no specific limitations are imposed here.

[0058] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the technical concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A light guiding structure, characterized in that, The light guide structure has a light-inlet end and a light-reflecting end in a first direction; the light-inlet end is recessed to form a first light-inlet top surface and a second light-inlet side surface, the first light-inlet top surface and the second light-inlet side surface being arranged adjacent to each other; The reflective end is recessed to form a first reflective surface; The light guide structure also has a light-emitting end in the second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are intersecting. The first light-inlet top surface is configured such that light rays introduced from the light-inlet end side are reflected by the first reflective surface and emitted outward from the light-outlet end; the second light-inlet side surface is configured such that light rays introduced from the light-inlet end side can emit outward from the light-outlet end.

2. The light guide structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide structure includes a light guide body and a convergent portion connected to the light guide body and formed at the light emitting end. The cross-sectional area of ​​the convergent portion is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the light guide body, so as to form a light-focusing area within the convergent portion. In this light guide body, the light rays passing through the first reflective surface and the second light-incoming side are at least partially extended into the light-concentrating area.

3. The light guide structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first light-inlet top surface is a protruding arc-shaped surface, which is used to convert the light on one side of the light-inlet end into parallel light within the light guide body.

4. The light guide structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide body is made of polycarbonate material in one piece.

5. A light-emitting structure, characterized in that, include: A light guide structure, as described in any one of claims 1-4, wherein the light guide structure is provided in a plurality of manner, and the plurality of light guide structures are sequentially arranged in a third direction; and, A light-emitting component is disposed corresponding to the light-inlet end of the plurality of light-guiding structures, and is configured to provide incident light to the plurality of light-guiding structures; The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are arranged to intersect each other.

6. The light-emitting structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The light-emitting component includes a circuit board assembly and multiple light-emitting units. The circuit board assembly is disposed on one side of the light-inlet end of the multiple light guide structures, and the multiple light-emitting units are disposed on the circuit board assembly and are respectively disposed corresponding to the multiple light-inlet ends.

7. A method for designing a light guide structure, used to design the light guide structure as described in any one of claims 1-4, the light guide structure comprising a light guide body and a converging portion connected to the light guide body and having a converging portion formed at the light-emitting end, the cross-sectional area of ​​the converging portion being smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the light guide body, so as to form a light-focusing region within the converging portion, characterized in that, The design method includes the following steps: A preliminary three-dimensional model of the light guide body is established, and the relative position of the light-emitting structure on the light-incoming side of the three-dimensional model is determined. On the optical axis of the light-emitting structure, the first starting vertex of the first light-entry top surface of the light guide body is determined. Based on the total internal reflection condition of the reflective surface and the constraint of the light-exiting end position of the convergent part, the horizontal tilt angle of the reflective surface is adjusted, and the main optical path information of the first beam entering from the first starting vertex in the light guide body is obtained. The light-incident surface boundary point of the light guide body near the light-emitting end is taken as the first boundary point of the second light-incident side. Based on the position of the light-emitting structure, the constraint of the position of the light-inlet end of the convergent portion, and the material properties of the second light-inlet side, the normal direction and tilt angle of the second light-inlet side at its first boundary point are determined. Extend the second light-incoming side surface from the first boundary point along the tilt angle, so that its extension line intersects the main optical path of the first beam, and use the intersection point to determine the position of another common vertex of the first light-incoming top surface and the second light-incoming side surface; Based on the contour features of the first light-incoming top surface, the second light-incoming side surface, and the reflective end, redundant parts in the preliminary three-dimensional model of the light guide body are removed to obtain a structurally optimized three-dimensional model of the light guide body.

8. The design method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, Based on the total internal reflection condition of the reflective surface and the constraint of the light-emitting end position of the convergent portion, the horizontal tilt angle of the reflective surface is adjusted, and the main optical path information of the first beam incident from the first starting vertex within the light guide body is obtained, including: Draw a line from the first starting vertex to the lower edge of the light guide part, which serves as the first edge refracted ray of the first light-entering top surface; Adjust the position of the first starting vertex on the optical axis of the light-emitting structure so that the first edge refracted light rays, after total internal reflection by the reflective surface, just illuminate the lower edge of the converging part. Define this total internal reflection light ray as the first total internal reflection edge ray. By drawing a line parallel to the first total internal reflection edge ray through the upper edge point of the convergent portion near one end of the light guide body, the second total internal reflection edge ray is obtained; By performing reverse optical path tracing on the second total internal reflection edge ray, the second edge refracted ray emitted from the first light-entry top surface is derived in reverse, thereby determining the main optical path boundary of the first beam.

9. The design method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The step of determining the normal direction and tilt angle of the second light-emitting side surface at its first boundary point based on the position of the light-emitting structure, the constraint of the position of the light-emitting end of the convergent portion, and the material properties of the second light-emitting side surface includes: Draw a line from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting structure to the first boundary point of the second light-incoming side, as the first incident edge ray directed toward the second light-incoming side; Draw a line from the lowest point of the light-inlet end of the convergent portion to the first boundary point of the second light-inlet side surface, as the first refracted edge ray emitted from the second light-inlet side surface; Based on the refractive index of the material of the second light-incoming side, and applying Snell's law, the normal direction and tilt angle of the second light-incoming side at its first boundary point are calculated and determined according to the directions of the first incident edge ray and the first refracted edge ray.

10. The design method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, After obtaining the optimized 3D model of the light guide body, the following steps are also included: The key parameters of the optimized 3D model of the light guide body are imported into optical simulation software for optical path simulation and illuminance analysis. The model parameters are iteratively optimized based on the simulation results until the optical performance meets the preset indicators, thus obtaining the final light guide body model parameters.

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