Lighting device

Abstract

The utility model provides a lighting device. The lighting device comprises a shell, a light source and a light guide, wherein the light source and the light guide are arranged in the shell; the shell is provided with a receiving hole extending in the axial direction. The light guide is partially matched into the receiving hole, and the light inlet end is close to the light source; wherein on the same cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, the shape of the receiving hole is a polygon, the shape of the light guide is selectively any one of a circle and at least one polygon, and at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the light guide and the receiving hole are jointed. According to the technical scheme, the unified receiving hole can be adopted to be matched with light guides in different shapes, assembling is convenient, and production cost can be saved; and the receiving hole with the polygonal cross section can provide a certain limiting effect for the light guide, so that rotation of the light guide is prevented or reduced, and the use stability of the lighting device is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vehicles, and specifically to a lighting device. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with lighting devices that provide decorative and / or cumbersome functions, enhancing the vehicle's visual appeal and / or assisting vehicle occupants in operation. Some lighting devices include a housing, a light source housed within the housing, and a light guide partially inserted into a receiving aperture within the housing. In the prior art, the cross-sectional shape of the inserted portion of the light guide may be designed in various shapes, such as circular and polygonal (e.g., square, hexagonal). The inventors recognized the need to research a housing capable of receiving light guides of different shapes.

[0003] Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the existing technology. Utility Model Content

[0004] This utility model provides a lighting device. Through the technical solution of this utility model, a uniform receiving hole can be used to match light guides of different shapes, facilitating assembly and saving production costs; furthermore, the polygonal cross-sectional shape of the receiving hole can provide a certain degree of constraint for the light guide, preventing or reducing its rotation and ensuring the normal and stable use of the lighting device.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a lighting device is provided, the lighting device including a housing, a light source disposed within the housing, and a light guide; the housing has a receiving hole extending along an axial direction; the light guide is partially fitted into the receiving hole and its light-incident end is close to the light source; wherein, on the same cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, the shape of the receiving hole is polygonal, the shape of the light guide is selectively circular and any one of at least one polygon, and the light guide engages with at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving hole.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in cross-section, at least two opposite sides of the circle corresponding to the light guide and the polygon corresponding to the receiving hole are tangent to each other.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in cross-section, the shape of the receiving hole is a regular polygon, and the circle corresponding to the light guide is tangent to each side of the regular polygon corresponding to the receiving hole.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in cross-section, at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the light guide are respectively joined with at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving hole.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in cross-section, the light guide and the receiving hole have the same shape and are regular polygons and are substantially equal in size.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in cross-section, at least two opposite corners of the polygon corresponding to the light guide are respectively joined with at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving hole.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in cross-section, at least one corner of the polygon corresponding to the light guide and at least one side opposite to the at least one corner are respectively joined with at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving hole.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a recess is formed on the side of the light guide extending axially from the light-incident end, and a convex portion is formed on the wall of the receiving hole extending axially. The end face of the recess and the end face of the convex portion cooperate to restrict the movement of the light guide close to the light source, and the side of the recess and the side of the convex portion cooperate to restrict the rotation of the light guide.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion is formed on the side of the light guide, and a hook is formed on the wall of the receiving hole. The end face of the protrusion and the end face of the hook cooperate to restrict the movement of the light guide away from the light source.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wall of the receiving hole forms an opening, and the hook extends from the wall of the receiving hole and is located in the opening. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To better understand this invention, reference can be made to the embodiments shown in the following figures. Components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and related elements may be omitted, or in some cases the scale may have been enlarged to emphasize and clearly illustrate the novel features described herein. Additionally, as is known in the art, system components may be arranged differently. Furthermore, in the figures, the same reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout several views.

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an overall lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0017] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 3 Another cross-sectional view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 4 Another cross-sectional view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a light guide and a receiving aperture according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 6A schematic diagram of a light guide and a receiving aperture according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a light guide and a receiving aperture according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a light guide and a receiving aperture according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0024] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a light guide and a receiving aperture according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0025] While the present invention may be embodied in various forms, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings and will be described below. It should be understood that these will be considered as examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments described.

[0026] As mentioned in the background section above, the inventors of this application recognize that the cross-sectional shape of the insertion portion of the light guide in the prior art is designed in various shapes, thus necessitating a housing capable of matching light guides of different shapes. This reduces the number of housing types compared to using different types of housings for different shaped light guides, thereby reducing mold development costs and production costs. It also eliminates the need to select and manage different housing types, simplifying assembly. Furthermore, the inventors realize that the circular receiving hole in the prior art is insufficient in restricting the light guide, making it prone to rotation and potentially affecting luminous efficiency (e.g., light emission direction, brightness). Based on the problems in the prior art, the inventors of this application provide a lighting device in one or more embodiments to address these issues.

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a lighting device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figures 2 to 4 Several cross-sectional views of the lighting device 100 are shown. (Reference) Figures 1 to 4 The lighting device 100 includes a housing 110, a light source 120 disposed within the housing 110, and a light guide 130. The housing 110 has a receiving hole 112 extending along the axial direction A, and the light guide 130 is partially fitted into the receiving hole 112, with the light-incident end 131 of the light guide 130 close to the light source 120.

[0028] The lighting device 100 may also include a PCB (printed circuit board) 122 disposed within the housing 110, with the light source 120 disposed on the PCB 122. The light source 120 may include any form of light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a polymer light-emitting diode (PLED), a fluorescent lighting device, a laser lighting device, etc.

[0029] The light guide 130 may be a generally transparent or translucent guide suitable for transmitting light (such as light emitted from the light source 120). The light guide 130 may be a flexible light guide, wherein a suitable flexible material is used to fabricate the light guide 130. Light emitted from the light source 120 enters the light guide 130 from the light input end 131 and is guided via the light guide 130 to a desired light output location. The light guide 130 and the light source 120 may be aligned along an axial direction A, and a suitable axial distance may be maintained between them. In some embodiments, the size and / or shape of the light guide 130 may be uniform along its extension direction. In other embodiments, the light guide 130 may consist of multiple segments of different sizes and / or shapes.

[0030] The housing 110 may include a base 114 supporting the PCB 122 and a cover 116 covering the PCB 122 and the light source 120 and connected to the base 114. The base 114 and / or the cover 116 form a receiving cavity to accommodate the PCB 122 and the light source 120. The base 114 and the cover 116 can be connected in any suitable manner, such as by welding, bonding, etc., or by fasteners, snap-fit, etc., to allow for the inspection and replacement of components within the housing 110. A receiving hole 112 may be formed on the cover 116. The cover 116 may include a wall 118 forming the receiving hole 112, a portion of which may protrude relative to the top surface of the cover 116 to provide a receiving hole 112 with a certain axial dimension for a secure fit with the light guide 130. The wall 118 may be a hollow columnar structure. The wall 118 can be located on one side of the cover 116. Of course, the position of the wall 118 can be set according to the actual situation to ensure that the light-inlet end 131 of the light guide 130 is aligned with the light source 120.

[0031] In some embodiments of this application, the base 114 may include a bottom wall and a first surrounding sidewall extending from the bottom wall, and the cover 116 may include a top wall and a second surrounding sidewall extending from the top wall, the first surrounding sidewall and the second surrounding sidewall engaging. The first surrounding sidewall may form a lug 1162 extending along the second surrounding sidewall, and a mating hole 1164 is formed on the lug 1162. A protrusion 1144 that mates with the mating hole 1164 may be formed on the second surrounding sidewall. The mating of the protrusion 1144 and the mating hole 1164 prevents the top 116 from separating from the base 114. The bottom wall of the base 114 may be provided with a plurality of heat dissipation fins 1142, and the PCB 122 may be supported on at least two opposing surfaces of the first surrounding sidewall of the base 114 and have a gap between it and the bottom wall.

[0032] In embodiments of this application, on the same cross-section perpendicular to axial direction A, the shape of the receiving aperture 112 is polygonal, and the shape of the light guide is selectively circular and any one of at least one polygon. This application's Figures 5 to 9 A schematic diagram showing the matching of the receiving aperture 112 with optical guides of different cross-sectional shapes is shown. (Reference) Figures 5 to 9 The polygonal receiving aperture 112 can be matched with light guides of various cross-sectional shapes, including circular and polygonal ones. This allows for the use of a single receiving aperture 112 to accommodate light guides of different shapes, facilitating assembly and reducing production costs. Furthermore, at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the light guide and the receiving aperture 112 engage, providing a certain degree of constraint for the light guide (especially an effective constraint for polygonal light guides), preventing or reducing rotation and ensuring the normal and stable operation of the lighting device. Compared to forming interlocking concave-convex structures on the light guide and aperture walls to prevent rotation, this application uses at least two opposite sides of the polygonal receiving aperture to limit the light guide, achieving a more robust and reliable anti-rotation effect.

[0033] In embodiments of this invention, the engagement of the light guide with a side of the polygon corresponding to the receiving aperture 112 can include: the light guide contacting the corresponding side of the polygon, having a gap not exceeding a predetermined value (e.g., not exceeding 0.5 mm), or an interference fit. For a polygonal light guide, the polygonal receiving aperture 112 can effectively restrict its rotation. When the gap between the light guide and the side of the polygon corresponding to the receiving aperture 112 is less than, for example, 0.5 mm, the wall 118 of the receiving aperture 112 can restrict the rotation of the light guide. Therefore, a small gap can be provided between the light guide and the wall 118 of the receiving aperture 112, making assembly easier. For a circular light guide, an interference fit can be provided between the light guide and the wall 118 of the receiving aperture 112, and / or a limiting structure, as described below, can be used to restrict the rotation of the light guide.

[0034] In embodiments of this invention, the opposite side of a polygon can be a side opposite to that side, for example, a side that is not adjacent to that side, or a side that is parallel to that side, or the side that is not adjacent to that side and is the furthest away from it. Any side that can limit the rotation of the light guide based on at least these two sides falls within the scope of the opposite sides in this application. For regular polygons with an even number of sides, the opposite side of a side can be a side parallel to that side. For regular polygons with an odd number of sides, the opposite side of a side can be the side that is not adjacent to that side and is the furthest away from it.

[0035] refer to Figure 6 In some embodiments, in cross-section, the circle corresponding to the light guide 230 is tangent to at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving aperture 112. In a specific embodiment, in cross-section, the shape of the receiving aperture 112 is a regular polygon, and the circle corresponding to the light guide 230 is tangent to each side of the regular polygon corresponding to the receiving aperture 112; that is, the circle corresponding to the light guide 230 is the incircle of the regular polygon corresponding to the receiving aperture 112. This method can relatively stably constrain the light guide 230 and prevent the light guide 230 from undergoing large displacements within the receiving aperture 112.

[0036] refer to Figure 7 In one embodiment, in cross-section, at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the light guide 330 are respectively engaged with at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving aperture 112. By limiting at least two opposite sides of the light guide 330 by the at least two opposite sides of the receiving aperture 112, rotation of the light guide 330 can be effectively restricted. As described above, "engagement" can include contact, the presence of a small gap, or an interference fit. A gap fit can be used to easily assemble the light guide 330 into the receiving aperture 112.

[0037] refer to Figure 5 In one embodiment, in cross-section, the light guide 130 and the receiving aperture 112 have the same shape and are regular polygons and are substantially equal in size. This can more effectively restrict the rotation of the light guide 130. The substantially equal size of the light guide 130 and the receiving aperture 112 may include: the difference between the size of the receiving aperture 112 and the size of the light guide 130 is less than a predetermined value (e.g., 0.5 mm).

[0038] refer to Figure 8 In one embodiment, in cross-section, at least two opposite corners of the polygon corresponding to the light guide 430 are respectively engaged with at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving aperture 112. By limiting at least two opposite corners of the light guide 430 by the at least two opposite sides of the receiving aperture 112, rotation of the light guide 430 can be effectively restricted.

[0039] refer to Figure 9In one embodiment, in cross-section, at least one corner of the polygon corresponding to the light guide 530 and at least one side opposite to the at least one corner are respectively engaged with at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving aperture 112. By limiting at least one corner of the light guide 530 and at least one opposite side of the light guide 530 by the at least two opposite sides of the receiving aperture 112, rotation of the light guide 530 can be effectively restricted. In embodiments of this application, the side opposite to a corner can be a side that is not adjacent to the vertex of the corner, for example, it can be the side that is not adjacent to the vertex of the corner and is the farthest away from it.

[0040] Although Figures 5 to 9 The schematic diagram shows a regular hexagonal cross-sectional shape for the receiving aperture. However, it should be understood that the cross-sectional shape of the receiving aperture can also be other polygons, as long as it can be used with circular and polygonal light guides and can restrict the rotation of polygonal light guides. Aside from the different light guide shapes, Figures 6 to 9 Other parts of the corresponding embodiments can be referred to. Figures 1 to 4 The corresponding parts of the illustrated embodiment.

[0041] Refer again Figure 2 The side of the light guide 130 can be formed with a recess 132 extending axially from the light input end 131 along axis A, and the wall 118 of the receiving aperture 112 can be formed with a protrusion 111 extending axially along axis A. The end face of the recess 132 mates with the end face of the protrusion 111 to restrict the movement of the light guide 130 toward the light source 120, thereby preventing the light guide 130 from getting too close to the light source 120 and being damaged. At the same time, the side of the recess 132 mates with the side of the protrusion 111 to further restrict the rotation of the light guide 130 and avoid affecting the light efficiency. The protrusion 111 can be an elongated structure, and the recess 132 can be an elongated notch.

[0042] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 A protrusion 134 can be formed on the side of the light guide 130, and a hook 113 can be formed on the wall 118 of the receiving hole 112. The end face of the protrusion 134 and the end face of the hook 113 cooperate to restrict the movement of the light guide 130 away from the light source 120, preventing the light guide 130 from slipping out of the housing 110 and affecting the light efficiency. The hook 113 and the protrusion 134 can form a wedge-shaped guide surface that cooperates with each other, so that the light guide 130 can be smoothly and easily inserted into the receiving hole 112 during assembly. An opening 115 can be formed on the wall 118 of the receiving hole 112, and the hook 113 extends from the wall 118 of the receiving hole 112 and is located in the opening 115. This can improve the deformability of the hook 113, making it easier to insert the light guide 130 during assembly.

[0043] When installing the light guide 130, first rotate the light guide 130 to align the recess 132 with the protrusion 111, and then insert the light guide 130 into the receiving hole 112 along the axial direction A until the end face of the recess 132 mates with the end face of the protrusion 111. At this time, the protrusion 134 slides to the position where its end face mates with the end face of the hook 113, and the installation is completed.

[0044] The lighting device in one or more embodiments of this application can be applied to a vehicle. The vehicle can be a standard gasoline-powered vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle, a vessel, an aircraft, and / or any other type of transportation. The vehicle includes components related to mobility, such as an engine, electric motor, transmission, suspension, drive shaft, and / or wheels. The vehicle also includes components related to vehicle control, such as a vehicle controller, vehicle bus, etc., which can be connected to in-vehicle components via the vehicle bus to control these components. The vehicle can be non-autonomous, semi-autonomous (e.g., some conventional motion functions are controlled by the vehicle), or autonomous (e.g., motion functions are controlled by the vehicle without direct driver input).

[0045] It should be understood that, where technically feasible, the technical features listed above for different embodiments can be combined with each other to form other embodiments within the scope of this utility model. Furthermore, the specific examples and embodiments described herein are non-limiting, and corresponding modifications can be made to the structures, dimensions, and materials described above without departing from the protection scope of this utility model.

[0046] In this application, the use of antonymous conjunctions is intended to include the conjunction itself. The use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. Specifically, references to “the” object or to “a” and “one” objects are intended to indicate one of a plurality of such objects. Furthermore, the conjunction “or” may be used to convey simultaneous features rather than mutually exclusive schemes. In other words, the conjunction “or” should be understood as including “and / or”. The term “including” is inclusive and has the same scope as “contains”.

[0047] The above embodiments, especially any "preferred" embodiments, are possible examples of implementation and are presented merely for the purpose of clearly understanding the principles of this invention. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above embodiments without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the technology described herein. All modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. An illumination device, characterized by include: A housing having a receiving hole extending axially; A light source, wherein the light source is disposed within the housing; An optical guide, which is partially fitted into the receiving aperture and has its light-incident end close to the light source; Wherein, on the same cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, the shape of the receiving aperture is polygonal, the shape of the light guide is selectively either circular or at least one polygon, and the light guide is engaged with at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, On the cross section, the circle corresponding to the light guide is tangent to at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving hole.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, On the cross-section, the shape of the receiving hole is a regular polygon, and the circle corresponding to the light guide is tangent to each side of the regular polygon corresponding to the receiving hole.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, On the cross section, at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the light guide are respectively joined to at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving hole.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, On the cross-section, the light guide and the receiving aperture have the same shape and are regular polygons with substantially the same size.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, On the cross section, at least two opposite corners of the polygon corresponding to the light guide are respectively joined to at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving hole.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, On the cross section, at least one corner of the polygon corresponding to the light guide and at least one side opposite to the at least one corner are respectively joined to at least two opposite sides of the polygon corresponding to the receiving hole.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The side of the light guide forms a recess extending from the light-incident end along the axial direction, and the wall of the receiving hole forms a convex portion extending along the axial direction. The end face of the recess engages with the end face of the convex portion to restrict the light guide from moving closer to the light source, and the side of the recess engages with the side of the convex portion to restrict the rotation of the light guide.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The side of the light guide forms a protrusion, and the wall of the receiving hole forms a hook. The end face of the protrusion and the end face of the hook cooperate to restrict the light guide from moving away from the light source.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, The wall of the receiving hole forms an opening, and the hook extends from the wall of the receiving hole and is located within the opening.

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