Microlens array optical system for vehicle lamp

Abstract

The utility model discloses a micro-lens array optical system for a car lamp, which comprises a plurality of micro-imaging systems, a plurality of micro-lens array optical systems, a plurality of micro-lens array optical systems and a plurality of micro-lens array optical systems, the reflection unit is provided with a first focus, and the reflection unit is used for adjusting light distribution in the horizontal direction and imaging light distribution near the first focus in the horizontal direction; the refraction unit is provided with a second focus, the refraction unit is used for adjusting the light distribution in the vertical direction and imaging the light distribution near the second focus in the vertical direction, and the road surface projection device has the advantages of being uniform in road surface projection and high in light utilization rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automotive lighting technology, specifically relating to a microlens array optical system for automotive lighting. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of automotive lighting technology, common lens modules use lenses for projection imaging; however, this approach usually requires complex and time-consuming optimization to achieve uniform road illumination. To improve the uniformity of road illumination, a microlens array optical system for automotive lighting is proposed, which uses multiple tiny units for joint projection imaging. Because the smaller the size, the more uniform the light distribution, and the superposition of multiple uniform light distributions ultimately achieves a uniform road projection effect. In addition, the use of multiple tiny units greatly reduces the size of each micro-optical system, which is very beneficial to the trend of miniaturization of automotive lighting. Utility Model Content

[0003] This utility model aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] Therefore, this utility model proposes a microlens array optical system for vehicle lights, which has the advantages of uniform road surface projection and high light utilization.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a microlens array optical system for automotive lights includes: multiple microimaging systems, each microimaging system comprising a reflecting unit and a refractive unit; the reflecting unit has a first focal point, which is used to adjust the light distribution in the horizontal direction and to image the light distribution near the first focal point in the horizontal direction; the refractive unit has a second focal point, which is used to adjust the light distribution in the vertical direction and to image the light distribution near the second focal point in the vertical direction.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the reflective unit has a first contour line in the horizontal direction, and the first focal point is the focal point of the first contour line.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the reflective unit is formed by extending a first contour line along its normal direction.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in a vertical plane, the refractive unit has a second contour line, the second focus is the focus of the second contour line, and the virtual image of the second focus coincides with that of the first focus.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the refractive element is formed by extending a second contour line along its normal direction.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of reflective units of the micro-imaging system are arranged along their extension direction to form a reflective group, and the plurality of reflective groups are arranged in a horizontal direction.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of refractive units of the micro-imaging system are arranged along their extension direction to form a refractive group, and the plurality of refractive groups are arranged in a vertical direction.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the projection surfaces of the refractive units of the plurality of micro-imaging systems are arranged in a rectangular array.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes an optical component, which is disposed at the light-incident end of the reflective unit or located between the reflective unit and the refractive unit to form a light-dark cutoff line.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes a thick-walled member, wherein the reflecting unit and the refractive unit are respectively formed at both ends of the thick-walled member.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are that it uses multiple reflective and refractive units to form multiple micro-imaging systems to project onto the road surface; the projection areas of each micro-imaging system are superimposed to form a uniform projection effect; in addition, this invention can achieve road illumination performance and ensure that as much light as possible is received, thus ensuring light efficiency.

[0016] Other features and advantages of this invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention.

[0017] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments with accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the structure of the reflective unit of this utility model when stretched along the normal direction from the first contour line in the horizontal direction;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the light reflection path in the vertical plane when the first contour line in the horizontal direction of the present invention is stretched along the normal direction;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the structure of the reflective unit of this utility model when it is a spherical surface;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the light reflection path in a vertical plane when the reflective unit of this utility model is a sphere;

[0023] Figure label:

[0024] 1. Thick-walled component; 11. Reflection unit; 12. Refraction unit. 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] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0027] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] The microlens array optical system for vehicle lights according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] like Figures 1-4As shown, the microlens array optical system for vehicle lights according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: multiple micro-imaging systems, each micro-imaging system including a reflection unit 11 and a refraction unit 12; the reflection unit 11 has a first focal point, the reflection unit 11 is used to adjust the light distribution in the horizontal direction, and to image the light distribution near the first focal point in the horizontal direction; the refraction unit 12 has a second focal point, the refraction unit 12 is used to adjust the light distribution in the vertical direction, and to image the light distribution near the second focal point in the vertical direction.

[0030] In this embodiment, the focal lengths of the first contour lines of multiple micro-imaging systems can be the same or different, and the focal lengths of the second contour lines can be the same or different, depending on the projection angle and arrangement. The virtual images of the second focal point and the first focal point of the same micro-imaging system coincide. The light distribution at the focal point of the system formed by the reflection unit 11 and the refraction unit 12 of the same micro-imaging system are imaged in the horizontal and vertical directions respectively, ensuring the uniformity of light output from the same refraction unit 12. At the same time, multiple micro-imaging systems are used to superimpose the light distribution of corresponding areas onto the same area, so that even if the light intensity projected by multiple micro-imaging systems is different, it will not affect the uniformity of the road surface projection, avoiding the need for uniform light intensity distribution in each area. While achieving uniform illumination, the utilization rate of light is guaranteed, and the illumination intensity is improved.

[0031] Furthermore, the imaging areas of multiple micro-imaging systems can be superimposed onto the same illumination area, or the imaging areas of multiple micro-imaging systems can be partially superimposed, while the projection angle of the other part can be adjusted according to the required illumination area to achieve road illumination performance.

[0032] The reflective unit 11 has a first contour line in the horizontal direction, and the first focal point is the focal point of the first contour line. The focal lengths of the first contour lines can be the same or different.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first contour line includes, but is not limited to, any one of a parabola, hyperbola, ellipse, or free curve.

[0034] Specifically, such as Figure 1-2As shown, when the reflecting unit 11 is formed by extending the first contour line along its normal direction, the direction of extension can be at a certain angle with the driving direction, that is, in the vertical plane, the reflecting unit 11 is tilted to maximize the reception of light; the first focal point F1 is defined as a virtual image F1' formed by mirroring the first contour line in the vertical plane. At this time, in the vertical plane, the refraction unit 12 has a second contour line, and the second contour line has a second focal point F2. The second focal point F2 coincides with the virtual image F1' of the first focal point. The refraction unit 12 is formed by extending the second contour line along its normal direction to collimate the light distribution of the second focal point F2 and the light near the second focal point F2 in the vertical direction. By combining the reflecting unit 11 with the refraction unit 12, the light in the horizontal and vertical directions is focused, further ensuring the utilization rate of light. In addition, since the reflecting unit 11 and the refraction unit 12 are used to focus the light in the horizontal and vertical directions respectively, it is convenient to adjust the projection angle in each direction according to the needs, thus improving flexibility.

[0035] The multiple reflective units 11 of the micro-imaging system are arranged horizontally or staggered vertically. The horizontal method here can be that the multiple reflective units 11 are arranged horizontally in the same vertical plane, or they can be arranged horizontally but staggered.

[0036] In other words, the direction of the collimated light of the reflection unit 11 and the refraction unit 12 can be adjusted according to the user's needs. When the first contour line is set in the vertical direction and the second contour line is set in the horizontal direction, multiple reflection units 11 need to be staggered in the vertical direction so that they are staggered from each other in the vertical projection view, so as to avoid the reflection unit 11 located above blocking the reflection unit 11 below and to avoid the phenomenon of light blocking between them.

[0037] Multiple second contour lines may have the same or different focal lengths to match their corresponding reflective units 11.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, when multiple first contour lines have the same focal length, the reflective units 11 of multiple micro-imaging systems can also be arranged along their extension direction to form a reflective group, and the multiple reflective groups are arranged horizontally. That is to say, the reflective units 11 of multiple micro-imaging systems are divided into multiple groups, and each group is arranged along its extension direction to form a whole reflective group to reduce the connecting surface. The multiple reflective groups are arranged horizontally to achieve correspondence with the refractive unit 12. When multiple second contour lines also have the same focal length, similarly, the refractive units 12 of multiple micro-imaging systems form multiple refractive groups along their extension direction, and the multiple refractive groups are arranged vertically. At this time, both the reflective group and the refractive group are columnar.

[0039] Or such as Figure 3As shown, the reflective unit 11 is formed by sweeping the first contour line along the curve, or the reflective unit 11 can be formed by the first contour line around the vertical axis passing through the focal point.

[0040] Furthermore, the first contour line of the reflecting unit 11 can also be an ellipse or a hyperbola; when the first contour line of the reflecting unit 11 is an ellipse, the focus of the second contour line of the refraction unit 12 coincides with the second focus of the ellipse, and in this case, an optical component with a cutoff line can be added at the second focus of the ellipse to form a cutoff line; when the first contour of the reflecting unit 11 is a hyperbola, the second focus of the refraction unit 12 coincides with the virtual focus of the hyperbola of the first contour line.

[0041] The projection surface of the multiple refractive units 12 is arranged in a rectangular array. That is, the multiple refractive units 12 can be arranged in a staggered manner, either front to back or up to down, as required. It is not limited to the multiple refractive units 12 being arranged in the same vertical plane. In order to facilitate the arrangement of multiple refractive units 12 or multiple reflective units 11, the edges of reflective units 11 and refractive units 12 are removed so that they are formed into a rectangle in the projection direction.

[0042] The reflective unit 11 and the refractive unit 12 can be separate or formed into a whole by forming the reflective unit 11 and the refractive unit 12 at both ends of the thick-walled part 1. Both methods can be achieved by conventional injection molding, stamping or laser engraving, thus reducing the process requirements. The use of integral molding improves the stability of the angle between them and facilitates subsequent assembly.

[0043] In the above description, the swing direction and angle of the entire thick-walled component 1 in application can be adjusted according to user needs.

[0044] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0045] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A microlens array optical system for automotive lights, characterized in that, include: Multiple micro-imaging systems, the micro-imaging systems including a reflective unit (11) and a refractive unit (12); The reflective unit (11) has a first focal point, and the reflective unit (11) is used to adjust the light distribution in the horizontal direction and to image the light distribution near the first focal point in the horizontal direction; The refractive unit (12) has a second focal point and is used to adjust the light distribution in the vertical direction and to image the light distribution near the second focal point in the vertical direction.

2. The microlens array optical system for automotive lights according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reflective unit (11) has a first contour line in the horizontal direction, and the first focal point is the focal point of the first contour line.

3. The microlens array optical system for automotive lights according to claim 2, characterized in that, The reflective unit (11) is formed by extending a first contour line along its normal direction.

4. The microlens array optical system for automotive lights according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the vertical plane, the refractive unit (12) has a second contour line, the second focus is the focus of the second contour line, and the virtual image of the second focus coincides with the virtual image of the first focus.

5. The microlens array optical system for automotive lights according to claim 4, characterized in that, The refractive unit (12) is formed by extending the second contour line along its normal direction.

6. The microlens array optical system for automotive lights according to claim 5, characterized in that, Multiple reflective units (11) of the micro-imaging system are arranged along their extension direction to form a reflective group, and multiple reflective groups are arranged in a horizontal direction.

7. The microlens array optical system for automotive lights according to claim 6, characterized in that, Multiple refractive units (12) of the micro-imaging system are arranged along their extension direction to form a refractive group, and multiple refractive groups are arranged in a vertical direction.

8. The microlens array optical system for automotive lights according to claim 5, characterized in that, The projection surfaces of the multiple refractive units (12) of the micro-imaging system are arranged in a rectangular array.

9. The microlens array optical system for automotive lights according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes an optical component, which is disposed at the light-incident end of the reflective unit (11) or between the reflective unit (11) and the refractive unit (12) to form a light-dark cutoff line.

10. The microlens array optical system for automotive lights according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a thick-walled member (1), wherein the reflective unit (11) and the refractive unit (12) are respectively formed at both ends of the thick-walled member (1).

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