Light guide element, lighting and / or signal indicating device and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a light guide element, a lighting and / or signal indicating device and a motor vehicle. The light guide element (100) includes: a plurality of light incident portions (10) configured to receive light from a light source, the plurality of light incident portions (10) being arranged in a first direction; the plurality of light reflecting parts (20) are arranged corresponding to the light incident parts (10), and the light reflecting parts (20) are configured to receive and reflect light beams from the corresponding light incident parts (10) and reflect the light beams to a main light emitting direction (X); the light emitting part (30) is configured to emit the light beams reflected by the light reflecting part (10) along a main light emitting direction (X); wherein the light reflection part (20) is provided with a light ray calibration structure (201), and the light ray calibration structure is configured to deflect a part of light rays reflected by the light reflection part (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a light guide element, a lighting and / or signaling device, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] A light guide element is a light-guiding device that primarily transmits light through total internal reflection. Light guide elements are widely used in fields such as lighting and light transmission. Typically, light enters from one end and is guided through total internal reflection by its outer wall to the other end or any desired exit point.

[0003] Light guide elements are widely used in lighting devices or signal indication devices in vehicles or electronic devices. For existing equipment, in situations where space is limited, if the light guide element needs to have a certain degree of tilt, the uniformity of brightness may not meet the actual requirements due to insufficient light mixing area. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a light guide element, an illumination and / or signal indication device, and a vehicle, wherein the light guide element can improve the illumination effect and enhance the uniformity of optical distribution.

[0005] On one hand, a light guide element is provided, comprising: a plurality of light incident portions configured to receive light from a light source, the plurality of light incident portions being arranged along a first direction; a plurality of light reflecting portions corresponding to the light incident portions, the light reflecting portions being configured to receive and reflect light beams from the corresponding light incident portions and reflect them to a main light emission direction; and a light emitting portion configured to emit light beams reflected by the light reflecting portions along the main light emission direction; wherein the light reflecting portions are provided with a light calibration structure configured to deflect a portion of the light reflected by the light reflecting portions.

[0006] In one embodiment, the light calibration structure is a micro-reflective surface formed on the light reflecting part, and the micro-reflective surface has a certain tilt angle relative to the plane of the light reflecting part.

[0007] In one embodiment, the light calibration structure is configured to deflect a portion of the light rays from the light incident portion toward the edge of the region of the light emitting portion corresponding to the light incident portion.

[0008] In one embodiment, the light calibration structure is configured to deflect a portion of the light rays from the light incident portion toward a region of the light emitting portion corresponding to the light incident portion adjacent to the light incident portion.

[0009] In one embodiment, the light calibration structure is positioned approximately at the center of the light reflector.

[0010] In one embodiment, the size of the light calibration structure is 0.5-2 mm.

[0011] In one embodiment, the light source is an alternating arrangement of yellow and white light sources.

[0012] In one embodiment, the light incident portion has a collimation structure.

[0013] On the other hand, a lighting and / or signal indicating device is provided, which includes a light guide element according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0014] In another aspect, a vehicle is provided that includes a light guide element according to an embodiment of the present application or a lighting and / or signal indication device according to an embodiment of the present application. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 A perspective view of a light guide element according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0016] Figure 2 The diagram shows the optical path of a light guide element at a light calibration structure according to an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 3 This illustrates the optical path diagram of a light guide element at a light calibration structure according to another embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 4 To show Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of the light guide element. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated exemplarily below. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the illustrated embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the drawings and description are exemplary in nature and not restrictive. In the following, the same reference numerals generally denote elements that have the same or similar functions.

[0020] It should be understood that the present invention may use terms such as first, second, third, etc., to describe various information, but such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when," "when," or "in response to a determination."

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0022] Figures 1 to 4 A schematic diagram of a light guide element 100 according to an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 1 As shown, a light guide element 100 is provided, comprising: a plurality of light incident portions 10 configured to receive light from a light source, the plurality of light incident portions 10 being arranged along a first direction D; a plurality of light reflecting portions 20 corresponding to the light incident portions 10, configured to receive and reflect light beams from the corresponding light incident portions 10 and reflect them to a main light emission direction X; and a light emitting portion 30 configured to emit light beams reflected by the light reflecting portions 10 along the main light emission direction X; wherein, a light calibration structure 201 is provided on the light reflecting portion 20, the light calibration structure being configured to deflect a portion of the light reflected by the light reflecting portion 20.

[0023] The light guide element 100 is preferably made of a transparent or translucent material, which can be glass resin or plastic, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), as in light guides with grades like LED 8N LD1 2, LD24, LD48, and LD96, or polycarbonate (PC), as in light guides with grade like LED2245. Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that the light guide element 100 can also be made of other suitable materials, and the above selection does not constitute a limitation on the choice of material.

[0024] In one specific example, the light source can be a light-emitting diode (LED) or a laser, or any suitable light source known or to be developed in the future; this application does not impose any specific limitations. The light source emits light within a half-space defined by its principal plane. The color of the emitted light is selected according to the required function. For this purpose, LEDs emitting white, red, or yellow light can be used to perform several illumination and / or signaling functions.

[0025] When the light emitting section 30 has an inclined shape, the light from the light source needs to travel different distances when it reaches the light emitting section, which will affect the uniformity of the emitted light brightness. Especially when different colored light sources are arranged alternately to achieve different light functions, when achieving one light function, a single light source needs to illuminate a larger area of ​​the light emitting section 20. For positions that require a longer transmission distance, the brightness will be more significantly affected.

[0026] In this application, by providing a light calibration structure 201 on the light reflecting part 20, the light calibration structure is configured to deflect a portion of the light reflected by the light reflecting part 20, which can transfer a portion of the brighter light emitted by the light source to the dark area, thereby improving the uniformity of the light output effect.

[0027] In one embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the light calibration structure 201 is a micro-reflective surface formed on the light reflecting part 20. The micro-reflective surface has a certain tilt angle relative to the light reflecting part 20, thereby deflecting the light to the left or right in the first direction D. The tilt angle of the micro-reflective surface relative to the light reflecting part 20 refers to the angle formed between the micro-reflective surface and the plane containing the light reflecting part 20. The tilt angle of the micro-reflective surface relative to the light reflecting part 20 can be determined according to the required degree of left or right deflection; that is, the larger the required deflection angle, the larger the tilt angle of the micro-reflective surface relative to the light reflecting part 20; the smaller the required deflection angle, the smaller the tilt angle of the micro-reflective surface relative to the light reflecting part 20. Figure 4 In the example shown, the light calibration structures 201 on adjacent light reflectors 20 have opposite tilt directions, but this does not constitute a limitation of this application. The tilt directions of the light calibration structures 201 on the light reflectors 20 can be opposite or the same, and can be determined according to the actual direction of light deflection.

[0028] Specifically, the light calibration structure 201 is positioned approximately at the center of the light reflecting section 20 to achieve better uniformity.

[0029] Taking a light-emitting diode (LED) as an example, based on the sinusoidal characteristics of its light intensity distribution, the small-angle region in the center has a higher intensity than the large-angle regions on both sides. By placing the light calibration structure 201 at approximately the center of the reflector, a portion of the high-intensity small-angle light emitted by the light source can be deflected, reducing the brightness of the corresponding light-emitting portion and simultaneously increasing the brightness of the originally darker areas, thereby improving the overall uniformity.

[0030] In another example, the location of the light calibration structure 201 can be adjusted as needed. The number of light calibration structures 201 on the same light reflecting part 20 can also be adjusted as needed. This application does not impose any limitations on the location and number of light calibration structures.

[0031] In one example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the light calibration structure 201 is configured to deflect a portion of the light rays from the light incident section 10 toward the region of the light emitting section 30 corresponding to the light incident section adjacent to the light incident section 10.

[0032] Specifically, the light source consists of alternating yellow and white light sources. This arrangement allows for different lighting functions. When the alternating white light sources are illuminated, they function as daytime lighting; when the alternating yellow (amber) light sources are illuminated, they function as turn signal lights. Because the light sources of the same color are arranged alternately, the light calibration structure 201 deflects a portion of the light from the light incident section 10 towards the area of ​​the light emitting section 30 corresponding to the light incident section adjacent to it. This significantly improves the brightness of the area of ​​the light emitting section 30 corresponding to the unlit light sources, ensuring the overall uniformity of light emission from the light emitting section 30. Under different lighting functions, a highly uniform lighting effect can be achieved.

[0033] In another example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the light calibration structure 201 is configured to deflect a portion of the light rays from the light incident section 10 toward the edge of the region of the light emitting section 30 corresponding to the light incident section.

[0034] Due to the aforementioned characteristics of light sources, the light emitting portion of the same light source will exhibit different brightness at different locations. The light calibration structure 201 can redistribute the light intensity of the same light source, deflecting a portion of the high-intensity, small-angle light rays to the region of the light emitting portion corresponding to the low-intensity, large-angle light rays, thus improving its uniformity. This design is particularly suitable for situations where a single light function is achieved, and also for situations where a single light source can emit different colors of light.

[0035] Specifically, in order to ensure process feasibility and good uniformity, the size of the light calibration structure 201 can be 0.5-2mm.

[0036] As an example, the light incident section 10 has a collimation structure that collimates the light rays from the light source into a parallel beam. For example... Figure 1As shown, after light from the light source enters the light incident section 10, it is collimated into a parallel beam by the collimating structure and then enters the light reflecting section 20. In this way, by setting the light incident section 10 as a collimating structure, optical efficiency can be improved and the lighting effect can be enhanced.

[0037] In one example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the light emitting section 30 may have optical microstructures to diffuse the emitted light and improve the uniformity of the light emission effect. The optical microstructures may be formed in, but are not limited to, protrusions, depressions, serrations, markings, stripes, or squares. This application does not impose specific limitations on the location and form of the optical microstructures.

[0038] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light guide element 100 is formed as a single unit. Forming the light guide element 100 as a single unit simplifies the structure, facilitates manufacturing and processing, reduces assembly steps, and lowers costs.

[0039] The light guide element 100 according to an embodiment of this application can be used as an example in any lighting and / or signaling device. This lighting and / or signaling device may include any type of vehicle lighting and / or signal lights, such as headlights, daytime running lights, center high-mounted brake lights, turn signals, position lights, taillights, etc. The light guide element 100 according to an embodiment of this application can also be used in areas other than vehicle lighting, such as streetlights, advertising lights, etc.

[0040] Although this application has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of this application and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0041] While some embodiments of the general concept of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A light guide element (100), characterized by Comprising: a plurality of light-incident portions (10) configured to receive light rays from a light source, the plurality of light-incident portions (10) being arranged along a first direction; a plurality of light-reflecting portions (20) corresponding to the light-incident portions (10) and configured to receive and reflect light beams from the corresponding light-incident portions (10) to a main light-outgoing direction (X); a light-outgoing portion (30) configured to outgoing the light beams reflected by the light-reflecting portions (20) along the main light-outgoing direction (X); wherein, the light-reflecting portions (20) are provided with a light ray calibration structure (201) configured to deflect a portion of the light rays reflected by the light-reflecting portions (20).

2. The light guide element according to claim 1, characterized in that The light ray calibration structure (201) is a micro-reflection surface formed on the light-reflecting portions (20), the micro-reflection surface having a certain inclination angle relative to the plane of the light-reflecting portions (20).

3. The light guide element of claim 2, wherein The light ray calibration structure (201) is configured to deflect a portion of the light rays from a light-incident portion (10) to the edge of the area of the light-outgoing portion (30) corresponding to the light-incident portion.

4. The light guide of claim 2, wherein, The light ray calibration structure (201) is configured to deflect a portion of the light rays from a light-incident portion (10) to the area of the light-outgoing portion (30) corresponding to the light-incident portion (10) adjacent to the light-incident portion (10).

5. The light guide of claim 2, wherein, The light ray calibration structure is arranged at a substantially central position of the light-reflecting portions (20).

6. The light guide of claim 1, wherein, The size of the light ray calibration structure is 0.5-2mm.

7. The light guide of claim 4, wherein, The light source is a yellow and white light source arranged alternately.

8. The light guide of claim 1, wherein, The light-incident portions (10) have a collimating structure.

9. Illumination and / or signal indication device, characterized in that A light guide element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A vehicle characterized by comprising: A lighting and / or signal indicating device according to claim 9.

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