Thick-wall light guide structure and vehicle lamp using same

Abstract

The thick-wall light guide structure comprises a support, a light guide column and a thick-wall piece, the light guide column is of a curved long-strip structure matched with an installation face of the support, light sources are installed at one end or two ends of the light guide column, the thick-wall piece is connected to the side face of the light guide column, and light guide teeth are arranged on the side face, connected with the support, of the light guide column. The thick-wall piece is provided with a light-emitting face perpendicular to the plane where the light guide teeth are located and a reflecting face right opposite to the light-emitting face, and light emitted from the light source reaches the reflecting face after being subjected to multi-stage reflection through the light guide teeth and then is emitted from the light-emitting face after being reflected by the reflecting face. According to the utility model, through multi-stage reflection of the light guide teeth and reflection of the thick-wall piece, light beams are uniformly emitted from the light-emitting surface after being subjected to angle adjustment for multiple times, so that the uniform light-emitting requirements of different bending surfaces can be met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive lighting technology, and in particular to a thick-walled light guide structure and an automotive lighting system using the same. Background Technology

[0002] To meet the requirements of a narrow, elongated, and flat headlight design and to ensure a consistent lighting effect, headlights typically incorporate a thick-walled light guide structure. This structure reflects the light emitted from the LED (light-emitting diode) particles. Existing thick-walled light guide structures collect and diffuse the light emitted by the LEDs through refraction and total internal reflection, and then diffuse the light again through the front optical pattern, resulting in two light diffusions.

[0003] CN115875627.A proposes a thick-walled light guide structure. By opening at least one slot between a first light guide surface and a second light guide surface, multiple additional light guide surfaces are formed between the first light guide surface and the second light guide surface. The light generated by the light source is guided by the first light guide surface, passes through the multiple additional light guide surfaces, and is then guided out by the second light guide surface. This allows the light to undergo multiple diffusions, achieving the effect of a multi-layer thick-walled light guide structure.

[0004] Existing light guide solutions still have relatively narrow and long light-emitting surfaces and small light-emitting ranges. In some areas viewed from above, from below, or at large outer angles, the brightness is extremely low or even invisible. Furthermore, while existing light guide solutions can achieve relatively uniform light emission when applied to areas with relatively gentle changes in shape, uneven brightness occurs when the installation space is limited or the light guide bending angle is large, resulting in low shape adaptability. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the technical problems of existing light guide solutions, such as small light emission range, low or even invisible brightness in some areas, and uneven brightness when the light guide bends at large angles, this invention provides a thick-walled light guide structure and a vehicle lamp using it to solve the above problems.

[0006] This utility model proposes a thick-walled light guide structure, including a bracket, a light guide post, and a thick-walled component. The light guide post is a curved strip structure adapted to the mounting surface of the bracket. A light source is installed at one or both ends of the light guide post. The thick-walled component is connected to the side of the light guide post. The side of the light guide post connected to the bracket is provided with light guide teeth. The thick-walled component has a light-emitting surface perpendicular to the plane where the light guide teeth are located and a reflective surface facing the light-emitting surface. The light emitted from the light source reaches the reflective surface after multiple reflections by the light guide teeth, and is then reflected by the reflective surface before being emitted from the light-emitting surface.

[0007] In an optional embodiment of this invention, the cross-section of the light guide post is circular.

[0008] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the thickness H of the thick-walled component and the cross-sectional diameter D of the light guide post satisfy the following requirement: H≤D.

[0009] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the reflective surface is provided with a plurality of spherical protrusions.

[0010] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the inner surface of the spherical protrusion is plated with aluminum.

[0011] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the thickness H of the thick-walled member is greater than or equal to 3 mm.

[0012] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the bracket includes a support base and a front baffle and a rear baffle located on top of the support base. The top of the support base and between the front baffle and the rear baffle have a groove for accommodating a light guide post. The front baffle is located on the light-emitting surface, and the rear baffle is located on the reflective surface. The height of the front baffle is less than the height of the thick-walled member.

[0013] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, it further includes a lamp housing with one end open and a lamp shade that covers the opening end of the lamp housing, and the bracket is fixedly connected to the lamp housing.

[0014] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the lampshade includes a mounting plate connected to the lamp housing and a housing that conforms to the shape of the thick-walled component.

[0015] This utility model also proposes a vehicle lamp, including the thick-walled light guide structure described above.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0017] (1) This utility model uses the multi-level reflection of the optical guide teeth and the reflection of the thick-walled component to make the light beam be emitted uniformly from the light-emitting surface after multiple angle adjustments, which can meet the uniform light emission requirements of different bending surfaces.

[0018] (2) By setting the reflective surface on the thick-walled part, the light output direction is perpendicular to the plane where the light guide tooth is located. Thus, even when the width of the light guide post is narrow, the light output area can be increased by lateral light emission, and the brightness can be greater when observed from different angles. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0020] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the thick-walled optical guide structure described in this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a front view of the integrated structure of the light guide post and the thick-walled component in this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The left view;

[0023] Figure 4 This is an internal schematic diagram of the thick-walled optical guide structure described in this utility model.

[0024] In the diagram, 1 is the bracket, 101 is the support base, 1011 is the groove, 102 is the front baffle, 103 is the rear baffle, 2 is the light guide post, 3 is the thick-walled component, 4 is the spherical protrusion, 5 is the light guide tooth, 6 is the reflective surface, 7 is the light-emitting surface, 8 is the lamp housing, 9 is the lamp shade, 901 is the mounting plate, 902 is the housing, and 10 is the light source. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0026] Example 1

[0027] like Figures 1-3 As shown, a thick-walled light guide structure is installed in a relatively narrow and long area, including a bracket 1, a light guide post 2, and a thick-walled component 3. The light guide post 2 is a curved strip structure adapted to the mounting surface of the bracket 1. A light source 10 is installed at one or both ends of the light guide post 2. The light source 10 is an LED lamp. The thick-walled component 3 is connected to the side of the light guide post 2. The side of the light guide post 2 connected to the bracket 1 is provided with light guide teeth 5. The thick-walled component 3 has a light-emitting surface 7 perpendicular to the plane where the light guide teeth 5 are located and a reflective surface 6 facing the light-emitting surface 7. The light emitted from the light source 10 is reflected by the light guide teeth 5 through multiple stages and reaches the reflective surface 6. After being reflected by the reflective surface 6, it is emitted from the light-emitting surface 7.

[0028] The mounting surface of bracket 1 is the surface on which the light guide post 2 is mounted. This mounting surface is designed according to the internal structure of the vehicle body, and the installation space is usually quite narrow. In some vehicle bodies, the mounting surface of bracket 1 has a large bending angle. In this case, the light guide teeth 5 on the light guide post 2 need to perform multi-stage reflection to adjust the light to a suitable angle before it enters the reflecting surface 6 of the thick-walled component 3. Therefore, the light guide teeth 5 can reflect and adjust the high-density light beam to other areas, making the beam distribution more uniform. The distribution of the light guide teeth 5 on the light guide post 2 depends on the bending condition of the light guide post 2. For example, in areas with a large bending angle, the light guide teeth 5 can be made more densely packed, allowing more light to concentrate in that area.

[0029] The thickness of the thick-walled component 3 is typically similar to the thickness of the light guide post 2. For ease of description, this invention defines the thickness direction of the thick-walled component 3 as the Y-direction, and the direction in which the thick-walled component 3 extends away from the light guide post 2 as the X-direction. In traditional methods, the light beam only extends along the X-direction, resulting in a small light-emitting surface area 7. This invention uses light guide teeth 5 to guide light to the reflecting surface 6, which reflects the light towards the light-emitting surface 7. The light-emitting surface 7 is perpendicular to the thickness direction and is not limited by thickness space. It can be extended according to the light emission requirements, thereby increasing the area of ​​the light-emitting surface 7, resulting in greater brightness even when viewed from different angles. This invention achieves at least three diffusions: the first diffusion is the light beam from the LED reaching the light guide teeth 5; the second diffusion is the light beam deflected by the light guide teeth 5 to the reflecting surface 6; and the third diffusion is the light emitted from the light-emitting surface 7, achieving the effect of a multi-layer thick-walled light guide structure. The integrated design of the light guide post 2 and the thick-walled component 3 greatly saves space and reduces operating costs, while also providing good light uniformity.

[0030] The cross-section of the light guide post 2 is preferably circular.

[0031] The cross-sectional diameter D of the light guide post 2 is related to the actual installation space. Since the thick-walled component 3 receives the light emitted from the light guide post 2, the thickness H of the thick-walled component 3 is related to the cross-sectional diameter D of the light guide post 2. Figure 4 As shown, if the thickness H of the thick-walled component 3 is too large, the part exceeding the light guide post 2 will not receive light, resulting in material waste. Therefore, it is preferable that H ≤ D. If the thickness H of the thick-walled component 3 is too small, there will be incomplete light reception. For general automotive structures, the thickness H of the thick-walled component 3 is preferably greater than or equal to 3 mm.

[0032] In further design, in order to change the direction of light reflected onto the light-emitting surface 7 at the reflective surface 6, the reflective surface 6 usually needs to be patterned. In this invention, the reflective surface 6 is preferably provided with several spherical protrusions 4. The inner wall of the spherical protrusions 4 can be plated with aluminum to improve the light guiding efficiency.

[0033] Bracket 1:

[0034] like Figure 4As shown, the bracket 1 includes a support base 101 and a front baffle 102 and a rear baffle 103 located on top of the support base 101. The top of the support base 101, between the front baffle 102 and the rear baffle 103, has a groove 1011 for accommodating a light guide post 2. The front baffle 102 is located on the light-emitting surface 7, and the rear baffle 103 is located on the reflective surface 6. The height of the front baffle 102 is less than the height of the thick-walled member 3. The front baffle 102 and the rear baffle 103 are used to stabilize the thick-walled member 3. The light guide post 2 is fixed in the groove 1011, and the thick-walled member 3 and the light guide post 2 are integrally formed. Since the reflective surface 6 does not emit light, the rear baffle 103 has a larger height, i.e., a larger dimension extending along the X direction, which can block the back of the thick-walled member 3. The front baffle 102 cannot block too much area of ​​the light-emitting surface 7; therefore, the height of the front baffle 102 is smaller, and the unblocked area is the light-emitting area of ​​the light-emitting surface 7.

[0035] Example 2

[0036] Based on Embodiment 1, the thick-walled light guide structure further includes a lamp housing 8 with one open end and a lamp shade 9 covering the open end of the lamp housing 8, with the bracket 1 fixedly connected to the lamp housing 8. Figure 4 As shown, the support base 101 of the bracket 1 is installed inside the lamp housing 8, and the component located on top of the support base 101 is located inside the lamp shade 9.

[0037] The lampshade 9 only needs to cover the area where the thick-walled component 3 is located. Therefore, it is preferably designed to resemble the shape of the thick-walled component 3. Specifically, it includes a mounting plate 901 that connects to the lamp housing 8 and a housing 902 that resembles the shape of the thick-walled component 3. The mounting plate 901 is fixed to the end face of the lamp housing 8 with bolts. The lampshade 9 is a dual-color cover, with the light-transmitting area laser-engraved to ensure effective light emission.

[0038] Example 3

[0039] A vehicle headlight includes the thick-walled light guide structure described above. This thick-walled light guide structure increases the area of ​​the light-emitting surface 7, enabling uniform light emission from various viewing angles. Furthermore, the multi-level reflection distribution of light by the light guide teeth 5 achieves uniform light emission even at large bending angles.

[0040] In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0041] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of this utility model, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of this utility model. The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A thick-walled light guide structure, characterized by: The thick-wall light guide structure comprises a support (1), a light guide column (2) and a thick-wall part (3), the light guide column (2) is a curved long strip structure matched with the mounting surface of the support (1), one end or both ends of the light guide column (2) is provided with a light source (10), the thick-wall part (3) is connected to the side surface of the light guide column (2), the side surface of the light guide column (2) connected with the support (1) is provided with a light guide tooth (5), the thick-wall part (3) has a light emitting surface (7) perpendicular to the plane where the light guide tooth (5) is located and a reflecting surface (6) opposite to the light emitting surface (7), the light emitted from the light source (10) reaches the reflecting surface (6) after multi-stage reflection of the light guide tooth (5), and then is emitted from the light emitting surface (7) after reflection of the reflecting surface (6).

2. The thick-walled light guide structure of claim 1, wherein: The cross section of the light guide column (2) is circular.

3. The thick-walled light guide structure of claim 1, wherein: The thickness H of the thick-wall part (3) and the cross section diameter D of the light guide column (2) satisfy the following requirement: H≤D.

4. The thick-walled light guide structure of claim 1, wherein: The reflecting surface (6) is provided with a plurality of spherical protrusions (4).

5. The thick-walled light guide structure of claim 4, wherein: The inner surface of the spherical protrusion (4) is plated with aluminum.

6. The thick-walled light guide structure of claim 1, wherein: The thickness H of the thick-wall part (3) is greater than or equal to 3 mm.

7. The thick-walled light guide structure of claim 1, wherein: The support (1) comprises a support seat (101), a front baffle (102) and a rear baffle (103) located at the top of the support seat (101), the top of the support seat (101) and between the front baffle (102) and the rear baffle (103) has a recess (1011) for accommodating the light guide column (2), the front baffle (102) is located at the light emitting surface (7), the rear baffle (103) is located at the reflecting surface (6), and the height of the front baffle (102) is less than the height of the thick-wall part (3).

8. The thick-walled light guide structure of claim 1, wherein: Further comprising a lamp shell (8) with one end open and a lamp shade (9) covering the open end of the lamp shell (8), the support (1) is fixedly connected with the lamp shell (8).

9. The thick-walled light guide structure of claim 8, wherein: The lamp shade (9) comprises a mounting plate (901) connected with the lamp shell (8) and a shell body (902) shaped with the thick-wall part (3).

10. A vehicle light, characterized by: The thick-wall light guide structure comprises the thick-wall light guide structure according to any one of claims 1-9. The thick-wall light guide structure comprises the thick-wall light guide structure according to any one of claims 1-9.

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