Optical module
By using long strip-shaped light spots to cover the light-injecting surface in the optical module, the number of light sources is reduced, solving the problem of high cost of traditional optical modules and achieving cost reduction and light output uniformity.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHENZHEN OPTISEEN TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
Traditional optical modules suffer from high costs due to the large number of light sources.
Multiple light source devices are set on the light-incident surface, each of which projects a long strip of light spot covering multiple light-incident areas. The light is then reflected to the light-out surface through a reflective surface, reducing the number of light sources and simplifying the structure.
It significantly reduces the cost of optical modules while achieving uniform and continuous light output, simplifying the design of optical components.
Smart Images
Figure CN224397644U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of optical technology, and in particular to an optical module. Background Technology
[0002] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 This shows a schematic diagram of an optical module in a conventional technology. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The right view of the optical module shows that the conventional optical module 10 includes a light guide element 11 and multiple LED light sources 12. The light guide element 11 has multiple protruding structures 13, which are spaced apart in a row. Each protruding structure 13 has a groove 14 and a concave light-incident surface 15. The multiple LED light sources 12 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the multiple protruding structures 13. The lens of each LED light source 12 is located in the groove 14 of the corresponding protruding structure 13 and emits light toward the light-incident surface 15.
[0003] The light guide element 11 has a reflective surface 16 and a light-emitting surface 17. The reflective surface 16 is correspondingly arranged with the light-incident surfaces 15 of the multiple protruding structures 13, and can reflect light towards the light-emitting surface 17. When the LED light source 12 emits light, the light enters from the light-incident surface 15, is reflected by the reflective surface 16 to the light-emitting surface 17, and finally exits from the light-emitting surface 17. In order to generate continuous light emission on the light-emitting surface 17 and form a visually continuous light-emitting area, the LED light sources 12 and the corresponding protruding structures 13 are usually densely arranged to reduce the spacing between adjacent LED light sources 12. Obviously, the traditional optical module 10 has a large number of light sources and is expensive. Summary of the Invention
[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an optical module that addresses the high cost of traditional optical modules due to their multiple light sources.
[0005] An optical module, comprising:
[0006] An optical element, comprising an element body and a plurality of first protrusions, the element body having a light-emitting surface, a light-incident surface, and a reflective surface, the plurality of first protrusions being disposed on the light-emitting surface, the light-incident surface being planar and having a plurality of consecutive light-incident areas, and the reflective surface being disposed corresponding to the plurality of light-incident areas; and
[0007] A light source assembly, comprising a substrate and a plurality of light source devices, wherein the plurality of light source devices are arranged in a row at intervals on the front side of the substrate and are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of light incident areas;
[0008] Each of the light source devices is used to project a strip-shaped light spot toward the corresponding incident light area and cover the corresponding incident light area, and the reflective surface is used to reflect at least a portion of the light rays incident from the incident light area toward the light emitting surface.
[0009] In one embodiment, the main body of the element further has a side surface connected to the light-emitting surface and includes a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to each other. The light-incident surface is a portion of the surface of the first side surface, and the second side surface is connected to the reflective surface. The light-incident surface is disposed opposite to the front surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the light-incident surface is disposed at an angle relative to the front surface of the substrate to deflect incident light toward the reflective surface.
[0010] In one embodiment, the reflective surface of the element body is either convex curved or planar.
[0011] In one embodiment, the optical element further includes a plurality of second protrusions disposed on the reflective surface.
[0012] In one embodiment, the plurality of second protrusions are arranged in a rectangular array on the reflective surface, and adjacent second protrusions are connected.
[0013] In one embodiment, each of the second protrusions is cuboid and has a convex arc surface facing away from the reflective surface, and the length direction of each second protrusion is either consistent with or perpendicular to the length direction of the array of the plurality of second protrusions.
[0014] In one embodiment, the plurality of first protrusions are arranged in a rectangular array on the light-emitting surface, and adjacent first protrusions are connected.
[0015] In one embodiment, each of the first protrusions is cuboid and has a convex arc surface facing away from the light-emitting surface, and the length direction of each first protrusion is consistent with or perpendicular to the length direction of the array of the plurality of first protrusions.
[0016] In one embodiment, each of the light source devices is configured to project a rectangular or elliptical light spot.
[0017] In one embodiment, each of the light source devices has a light emission angle of 20° to 160° in the length direction or major axis direction, and a light emission angle of 10° to 80° in the width direction or minor axis direction.
[0018] The aforementioned optical module, by placing multiple light source devices at relative positions on the light-incident surface, allows each device to project a long, strip-shaped light spot onto the light-incident surface. Compared to the traditional optical module design where one light source corresponds to one concave light-incident surface, the long, strip-shaped light spot can cover a larger area of the light-incident surface, significantly reducing the number of light source devices. This allows one light source device to replace at least two light sources in a traditional optical module, significantly reducing costs. Furthermore, the light-incident surface of the optical element is designed as a plane, eliminating the need for protruding structures, simplifying the optical element's structure and further reducing costs. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an optical module in traditional technology.
[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Right view of the optical module.
[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an optical module in one embodiment of this application.
[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Top view of the optical module.
[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A partial structural diagram of the optical module.
[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the optical components in the optical module.
[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an optical module in another embodiment of this application.
[0026] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A partial structural diagram of the optical module.
[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0028] Background technologies: 10. Optical module; 11. Light guide element; 12. LED light source; 13. Protruding structure; 14. Groove; 15. Light incident surface; 16. Reflective surface; 17. Light emitting surface;
[0029] Detailed implementation: 100, optical module; 110, optical element; 112, first protrusion; 114, second protrusion; 120, light source assembly; 121, substrate; 122, light source device; 123, light spot; 124, base; 125, lens; 130, element body; 131, light emitting surface; 132, light incident surface; 133, reflective surface; 134, light incident area; 135, side surface; 136, first side surface; 137, second side surface. Detailed Implementation
[0030] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.
[0031] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" appear, these terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application 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 application.
[0032] Furthermore, where the terms "first" and "second" appear, these terms are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying 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 that feature. In the description of this application, where the term "multiple" appears, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0033] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0034] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the use of descriptions such as "above" or "below" the second feature indicates that the first and second features are in direct contact or indirect contact via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0035] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. If so, the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.
[0036] Please see Figures 3 to 6 , Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an optical module according to one embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 Top view of the optical module. Figure 5 It shows Figure 3 A partial structural diagram of the optical module. Figure 6 It shows Figure 3A schematic diagram of the optical components of an optical module is provided in one embodiment of this application. The optical module 100 includes an optical element 110 and a light source assembly 120. The optical element 110 includes an element body 130 and a plurality of first protrusions 112. The element body 130 has a light-emitting surface 131, a light-incident surface 132, and a reflective surface 133. The plurality of first protrusions 112 are disposed on the light-emitting surface 131. The light-incident surface 132 is planar and has a plurality of consecutive light-incident areas 134. The reflective surface 133 is disposed corresponding to the plurality of light-incident areas 134. The light source assembly 120 includes a substrate 121 and a plurality of light source devices 122. The plurality of light source devices 122 are disposed in a row at intervals on the front side of the substrate 121 and are disposed one-to-one with the plurality of light-incident areas 134. Each light source device 122 can project a strip-shaped light spot 123 toward the corresponding light-incident area 134 and cover the corresponding light-incident area 134. The reflecting surface 133 is capable of reflecting at least a portion of the light rays incident from the incident area 134 toward the light-emitting surface 131.
[0037] By arranging multiple light source devices 122 at relative positions on the light-incident surface 132, each light source device 122 can project a long strip of light spot 123 onto the light-incident surface 132. Compared to the traditional optical module design where one light source corresponds to one concave light-incident surface, the long strip of light spot 123 can cover more light-incident surfaces 132, significantly reducing the number of light source devices 122. This allows one light source device 122 to replace at least two light sources in a traditional optical module, significantly reducing costs. Simultaneously, the light-incident surface 132 of the optical element 110 is set as a plane, eliminating the need for a protruding structure, simplifying the structure of the optical element 110, and further reducing costs. Moreover, since each elongated light spot 123 covers an incident light area 134, and adjacent incident light areas 134 are connected, the adjacent elongated light spots 123 are connected or overlapped. The light rays incident from the incident light area 134 are reflected by the reflecting surface 133 to the light emitting surface 131, and diffused under the action of the first protrusion 112, thus outputting uniform light. A uniform and continuous light-emitting surface can be observed from the front of the optical element 110, with no bright spots of light source.
[0038] It should be noted that the reflective surface 133 can totally reflect the incident light, and collimate and reflect most or all of the incident light to the light-emitting surface 131; or the reflective surface 133 is formed by a reflective layer, and the reflective surface reflects most or all of the incident light, so that it collimates and illuminates the first protrusion 112.
[0039] The substrate 121 can be, but is not limited to, a circuit board. The circuit board can support the light source device 122 and control the operation of the light source device 122. Since multiple light source devices 122 are arranged in a row on the substrate 121, the substrate 121 is correspondingly arranged in a strip shape. At the same time, the strip-shaped light spots 123 projected by multiple light source devices 122 are connected and can cover the light incident surface 132. Therefore, it can be seen that the length direction of the substrate 121 is consistent with the length direction of the light incident surface 132.
[0040] Each light source device 122 includes a substrate 124, a light-emitting chip (not shown), and a lens 125. The substrate 124 is disposed on and electrically connected to a circuit board. The lens 125 is disposed on the substrate 124, forming a sealed cavity (not shown) with the substrate 124, and the light-emitting chip is disposed on the substrate 124 and located within the cavity. The substrate 124 can be a plate-like structure or a cup-like structure, and the lens 125 can have its own cavity. Clearly, the shape of the light spot 123 projected by the light source device 122 is adjusted by the shape of the lens 125.
[0041] Please combine Figure 5 Each light source device 122 is configured to project a rectangular light spot 123, covering the corresponding incident light area 134. However, the shape of the light spot 123 is not limited to a rectangle in the strict sense, but can be a rectangular or near-rectangular shape. The light spots 123 projected by adjacent light source devices 122 are connected and spliced together to form a longer rectangular light spot, which covers all incident light areas 134 and covers the incident light surface 132.
[0042] In order to project a rectangular light spot 123, the light-emitting surface of the lens 125 of each light source device 122 is elliptical in orthographic projection onto the front side of the substrate 121, and has a major axis and a minor axis.
[0043] Each light source device 122 has a light emission angle of 20°~160° in the length direction and a light emission angle of 10°~80° in the width direction. Compared with the Lambertian light emission distribution of traditional LED light sources, the light emission angle of the light source device 122 in the width direction is significantly smaller, thus converging the light emission in the width direction, making its light spot 123 more uniform and brighter.
[0044] Furthermore, each light source device 122 has a light emission angle of 90° to 160° in the length direction and a light emission angle of 10° to 50° in the width direction. For example, each light source device 122 has a light emission angle of 120° in the length direction and a light emission angle of 30° in the width direction, and its distance from the light-incident surface 132 is 10 mm. This distance is the distance from the lens 125 to the light-incident surface 132, that is, the distance from the front surface of the substrate 121 to the light-incident surface 132. It should be noted that the above angle and distance values are merely exemplary and not limiting.
[0045] Since the light-incident surface 132 of the main body 130 is elongated, the main body 130 as a whole is also elongated, and its length direction is consistent with the side-by-side direction of the multiple light source devices 122.
[0046] The main body 130 also has a side surface 135, which is connected to the light-emitting surface 131 and includes a first side surface 136 and a second side surface 137. The light-incident surface 132 is a portion of the surface of the first side surface 136, and the second side surface 137 is connected to the reflective surface 133. The light-incident surface 132 is disposed opposite to the front surface of the substrate 121, that is, the light-incident surface 132 is disposed parallel to the front surface of the substrate 121, and the first side surface 136 is also disposed parallel to the front surface of the substrate 121.
[0047] Furthermore, both the first side surface 136 and the second side surface 137 are perpendicular to the light-emitting surface 131. When the light-emitting surface 131 is placed horizontally, the first side surface 136 is a vertically horizontal side surface, that is, the light-incident surface 132 is also a vertically horizontal side surface, and the front surface of the substrate 121 faces the light-incident surface 132 and is parallel to the light-incident surface 132. In other embodiments, the light-emitting surface 131 may not be perpendicular to the first side surface 136 and the second side surface 137, and the included angle may be determined according to the bias direction of the emitted light.
[0048] The reflective surface 133 is a convex curved surface and is the light-transmitting surface of the main body 130, rather than being formed through a reflective layer. When incident light shines on the reflective surface 133, most or all of the incident light will undergo total internal reflection and be collimated towards the first protrusion 112. A small portion of the light will not undergo total internal reflection or will be reflected onto the first side surface 136 or the second side surface 137, and after multiple reflections, will be emitted from the light-emitting surface 131.
[0049] Multiple first protrusions 112 are arranged in a rectangular array on the light-emitting surface 131, and adjacent first protrusions 112 are connected to diffuse the light, improve the light mixing effect, make the light emission more uniform, and form a uniform and continuous light-emitting strip visually, resulting in a better visual effect.
[0050] Furthermore, each first protrusion 112 is cuboid and has a convex arc surface facing away from the light-emitting surface 131. The length direction of each first protrusion 112 is consistent with the length direction of the array of the plurality of first protrusions 112. The length direction of the array of the plurality of first protrusions 112 is also the length direction of the light-emitting surface 131 and the length direction of the element body 130. In an alternative embodiment, the length direction of each first protrusion 112 is perpendicular to the length direction of the array of the plurality of first protrusions 112.
[0051] The optical element 110 also includes a plurality of second protrusions 114 disposed on the reflective surface 133. The second protrusions 114 can slightly diverge the incident light, so that most of the incident light is totally internally reflected and collimated toward the first protrusion 112.
[0052] Multiple second protrusions 114 are arranged in a rectangular array on the reflective surface 133, and adjacent second protrusions 114 are connected.
[0053] Each second protrusion 114 is cuboid and has a convex arc surface facing away from the reflecting surface 133. The length direction of each second protrusion 114 is consistent with the length direction of the array of multiple second protrusions 114. The length direction of the array of multiple second protrusions 114 is also the length direction of the element body 130. Obviously, the length direction of the second protrusions 114 is consistent with the length direction of the first protrusion 112. In other embodiments, the length direction of each second protrusion 114 is perpendicular to the length direction of the array of multiple second protrusions 114, and the length direction of the second protrusions 114 may be perpendicular to the length direction of the first protrusion 112.
[0054] The optical element 110 is a single-piece structure, meaning that the element body 130, the first protrusion 112, and the second protrusion 114 are integrally formed, specifically by injection molding, 3D printing, or cutting. The material of the optical element 110 can be, but is not limited to, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), optical glass, or silicone. When the optical element 110 is made of PMMA or PC, it has good impact resistance and optical performance.
[0055] Please see Figure 7 and Figure 8 , Figure 7 A schematic diagram of an optical module according to another embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 8 It shows Figure 7 A partial structural schematic diagram of the optical module is shown. Compared with the optical module 100 in the above embodiment, each light source device 122 of the optical module 100 in this embodiment is configured to project an elliptical light spot 123. Obviously, the shape of the light spot 123 is not limited to an ellipse in a strict sense, but is generally elliptical or quasi-elliptical.
[0056] Accordingly, the emission angle of each light source device 122 in the long axis direction is 20°~160°, which can be further limited to 90°~160°, and the emission angle in the short axis direction is 10°~80°, which can be further limited to 10°~50°. The specific values can be referred to the cases listed in the above embodiments.
[0057] The light-incident surface 132 is inclined relative to the front surface of the substrate 121, thereby deflecting the incident light towards the reflecting surface 133. Clearly, the first side surface 136 is also inclined relative to the front surface of the substrate 121. In other embodiments, the light-incident surface 132 and the first side surface 136 may not be on the same plane; for example, the light-incident surface 132 may be inclined, while the first side surface 136 may be perpendicular to the horizontal plane.
[0058] Specifically, the side of the first side 136 connected to the light-emitting surface 131 is positioned closer to the second side 137, so that the entire first side 136 is tilted inward relative to the front of the substrate 121.
[0059] The reflective surface 133 of the optical element 110 is planar, that is, the reflective surface 133 is inclined, and its surface is more likely to have an array of second protrusions 114.
[0060] As for the other aspects of the optical module 100 in this embodiment, they are basically the same as the other aspects of the optical module 100 in the above embodiments. The specific content can be referred to the description of the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.
[0061] It should be noted that the application scenarios of the optical module 100 in this application can be, but are not limited to, lighting. Specifically, it can be applied to automotive lights, including but not limited to headlights, daytime running lights, brake lights, turn signals, fog lights, and lights for head-up display systems. Obviously, the optical module 100 can also be applied to other lighting scenarios, such as smart home appliances, drones, or robots. In addition, the optical module 100 in this application can also be applied to display, projection, or other suitable application scenarios.
[0062] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0063] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An optical module, characterized in that, include: An optical element (110) includes an element body (130) and a plurality of first protrusions (112). The element body (130) has a light-emitting surface (131), a light-incident surface (132), and a reflective surface (133). The plurality of first protrusions (112) are disposed on the light-emitting surface (131). The light-incident surface (132) is planar and has a plurality of light-incident areas (134) arranged in a row. The reflective surface (133) is disposed corresponding to the plurality of light-incident areas (134). and The light source assembly (120) includes a substrate (121) and a plurality of light source devices (122). The plurality of light source devices (122) are arranged in rows at intervals on the front side of the substrate (121) and are arranged one-to-one with the plurality of light incident areas (134). Each of the light source devices (122) is used to project a strip-shaped light spot (123) toward the corresponding light incident area (134) and cover the corresponding light incident area (134), and the reflective surface (133) is used to reflect at least a portion of the light rays incident from the light incident area (134) toward the light emitting surface (131).
2. The optical module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body (130) of the component also has a side surface (135), which is connected to the light-emitting surface (131) and includes a first side surface (136) and a second side surface (137) opposite to each other. The light-incident surface (132) is a part of the surface of the first side surface (136), and the second side surface (137) is connected to the reflective surface (133). The light-incident surface (132) is disposed opposite to the front surface of the substrate (121); or The light-incident surface (132) is inclined relative to the front of the substrate (121) and is used to deflect incident light toward the reflective surface (133).
3. The optical module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The reflective surface (133) of the main body (130) of the element is either convex or planar.
4. The optical module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The optical element (110) also includes a plurality of second protrusions (114) disposed on the reflective surface (133).
5. The optical module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The plurality of second protrusions (114) are arranged in a rectangular array on the reflective surface (133), and adjacent second protrusions (114) are connected.
6. The optical module according to claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the second protrusions (114) is cuboid and has a convex arc surface facing away from the reflective surface (133). The length direction of each of the second protrusions (114) is either consistent with or perpendicular to the length direction of the array of the plurality of second protrusions (114).
7. The optical module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The plurality of first protrusions (112) are arranged in a rectangular array on the light-emitting surface (131), and adjacent first protrusions (112) are connected.
8. The optical module according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each of the first protrusions (112) is cuboid and has a convex arc surface facing away from the light-emitting surface (131). The length direction of each of the first protrusions (112) is consistent with or perpendicular to the length direction of the array of the plurality of first protrusions (112).
9. The optical module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each of the light source devices (122) is configured to project a rectangular or elliptical light spot (123).
10. The optical module according to claim 9, characterized in that, Each of the light source devices (122) has a light emission angle of 20° to 160° in the length direction or major axis direction, and a light emission angle of 10° to 80° in the width direction or minor axis direction.