Light transmission module and automobile star sky screen

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of automotive interior design, disclosing a light transmission module and an automotive starry sky canopy, including a housing and RGB-LED light sources, light guide columns, and fiber optic bundles sequentially disposed within the housing. A first gap exists between the light-incident surface of the light guide column and the light-emitting surface of the RGB-LED light source, and a second gap exists between the light-emitting surface of the light guide column and the light-incident end face of the fiber optic bundle. The cross-section of the light guide column is a regular polygon, with the ratio of its length to the diameter of its inscribed circle greater than 1.5. The regular polygonal cross-section and aspect ratio configuration of the light guide column enable periodic total internal reflection of light within the inner wall of the column, achieving thorough mixing of RGB colors. The first gap provides mixing space, heat dissipation, and assembly tolerance; the second gap avoids hard contact between the end faces and provides further homogenization space for the mixed light. The mixed light is transmitted through the fiber optic bundle to each light-emitting point of the canopy, presenting uniform colored starlight.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive interiors, and in particular to a light transmission module and an automotive starry sky canopy. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, automotive panoramic sunroofs, as a high-end interior feature to enhance the cabin atmosphere, primarily utilize two lighting solutions: fiber optic and LED. Fiber optic solutions typically employ LED light sources directly illuminated by optical fibers, fixed to felt with adhesive. However, they suffer from drawbacks such as low luminous efficiency, severe dispersion, and the ability to produce only single white light. LED solutions, on the other hand, use full-board backlighting or place circuit boards directly behind the ceiling. These solutions suffer from severe light scattering, weak starlight layering, poor light and shadow uniformity, and light leakage leading to light pollution.

[0003] Chinese patent CN121019464B discloses a car starlight roof, whose light-emitting module includes a light-emitting element, a light guide element, and a light guide column. The light emitted by the light-emitting element is conducted through the light guide element and enters the light guide column, and is then directly emitted from the light guide column to achieve a starlight effect. In this design, the upper end of the light guide element abuts against the light-emitting element, and the lower end abuts against the light guide column.

[0004] Because the light guide column only serves as a light-emitting element and lacks active light mixing capabilities, the brightness is concentrated directly opposite the light-emitting part, while the surrounding area is darker, resulting in a noticeable light spot effect and poor uniformity of brightness. When the light-emitting component uses an RGB-LED light source, light of different wavelengths is emitted directly without light mixing treatment, causing local color shifts due to differences in refractive index, resulting in poor color consistency and an inability to achieve a uniform full-color color-changing effect. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the problems of poor uniformity of brightness and color consistency in the existing automotive starry sky roof technology, the primary objective of this utility model is to provide a light transmission module.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a solution through the following technical method: The light transmission module includes a housing and an RGB-LED light source, a light guide post, and an optical fiber bundle sequentially disposed within the housing. There is a first gap between the light-incident surface of the light guide post and the light-emitting surface of the RGB-LED light source, and a second gap between the light-emitting surface of the light guide post and the light-incident end face of the optical fiber bundle. The cross-section of the light guide post is a regular polygon, and the ratio of the length of the light guide post to the diameter of its inscribed circle is greater than 1.5.

[0007] Using the above scheme, the red, green, and blue light emitted by the RGB-LED light source enters the light guide column through the first gap. The light guide column, with its regular polygonal cross-section and an aspect ratio greater than 1.5, allows the light to undergo periodic total internal reflection within the column's inner wall. Different wavelengths of light gradually superimpose during multiple reflections, achieving thorough mixing. The first gap provides initial mixing space for the RGB-LED emitted light, while also spacing the RGB-LED light source from the light guide column to facilitate heat dissipation and allow for certain assembly tolerances, avoiding wear caused by hard contact. The mixed light then enters the fiber bundle through a second gap. This second gap prevents direct hard contact between the light-emitting surface of the light guide column and the light-incoming surface of the fiber bundle, avoiding scratches or wear, and provides further homogenization space for the mixed light before entering the fiber bundle. Finally, the light is conducted by the fiber bundle to each light-emitting point of the canopy, achieving the full-color mixing effect of the RGB-LED light source and making each light-emitting point of the automotive starry sky canopy display uniform colored starlight.

[0008] Preferably, the cross-section of the light guide post is a regular hexagon.

[0009] Using the above scheme, compared with other regular polygonal cross sections, the regular hexagonal cross section has the largest area filling rate under the same inscribed circle diameter, which can provide more total internal reflection surfaces, and the light reflection paths on the inner wall of the column are richer, the number of reflections is more, and the light mixing uniformity is optimal.

[0010] Preferably, the first gap is 0.2mm to 1mm; the second gap is 0.1mm to 1mm.

[0011] Using the above scheme, when the first gap is less than 0.2mm, heat dissipation is poor and friction due to assembly tolerances is likely to occur; when it is greater than 1mm, light flux loss is significant and starlight brightness is insufficient. When the second gap is less than 0.1mm, hard contact scratches on the end face are likely to occur due to assembly tolerances; when it is greater than 1mm, light collection efficiency decreases. The above ranges maintain high optical coupling efficiency while ensuring heat dissipation, assembly tolerance, and end face protection.

[0012] Preferably, the light guide column is made of transparent PC.

[0013] Using the above solution, PC material has good light transmittance and anti-aging properties, and can withstand high and low temperature environments inside the vehicle without deformation.

[0014] Preferably, the fiber bundle is composed of several optical fibers, with each optical fiber having an independent light-emitting end at the end furthest from the light guide post, and a fixing sleeve fixedly fitted around the end of the fiber bundle closest to the light guide post.

[0015] Using the above scheme, each optical fiber has an independent light output end, allowing each fiber to correspond to a starlight point in the sky, thus achieving point-to-point light transmission; the fixed sleeve secures the multiple optical fibers together, ensuring the integrity and stability of the fiber bundle at the light input end.

[0016] Preferably, a centering connection component is also included, disposed between the housing and the fiber bundle, for aligning and maintaining the relative position of the light-incident end face of the fiber bundle with the light-outcident end face of the light guide post.

[0017] Using the above scheme, the centering connection component ensures the concentric alignment of the light-inlet end face of the fiber bundle and the light-outlet surface of the light guide post, so that the light output from the light guide post can enter the fiber bundle with minimal light loss, while maintaining the size stability of the second gap and avoiding optical path deviation caused by vehicle vibration.

[0018] Preferably, the centering connection assembly includes two semi-ring bases that hug the outer wall of the fixed sleeve and a fixed sleeve that is sleeved and snapped onto the outer side of the hugged semi-ring bases, with the semi-ring bases snapped and fixed onto the sleeve.

[0019] Using the above scheme, the centering connection assembly, through the multiple snap-fit ​​constraints of the fixed sleeve, semi-ring base, and fixed housing, ensures stable concentric alignment between the optical fiber bundle's input end face and the light guide post's output surface. The optical path does not shift due to insertion, removal, or pulling, meeting the requirements of repeated insertion / removal and tensile tests. Simultaneously, this structure provides stable connections, eliminating the need for adhesive fixation and avoiding optical interface contamination and transmittance reduction caused by adhesive aging, thus guaranteeing long-term light guiding efficiency.

[0020] Preferably, the housing includes a cover and a cover that snaps into the cover. The RGB-LED light source is mounted on a PCB board, which is clamped and positioned between the cover and the cover. The outer wall of the light guide post extends to a positioning seat, the lower end of which is inserted into the cover for positioning. The inner wall of the cover is provided with a pressure rib, and the pressure rib and the positioning seat are pressed together after the cover and the cover are snapped together.

[0021] Using the above solution, the PCB board is clamped and positioned between the cover and the housing without the need for bolt fixation, making assembly simple. The precise control of the first gap between the light guide column's light-incident surface and the RGB-LED light source's light-emitting surface is achieved through the insertion and positioning of the positioning seat and the cover. At the same time, the positioning column passes through the through-hole on the PCB board to achieve the pre-positioning of the PCB board. After the housing is fastened, the pressure rib presses against the positioning seat, restricting the axial movement of the light guide column and ensuring the long-term stability of the first gap under vehicle vibration environment.

[0022] Preferably, the lower end of the positioning base is provided with a positioning post, a corresponding through hole is provided on the PCB board, and a corresponding positioning insertion hole is provided on the cover. The positioning post passes through the through hole and is inserted into the positioning insertion hole.

[0023] Using the above solution, the positioning post simultaneously achieves the pre-positioning of the PCB board and the radial positioning of the light guide post and the cover. During assembly, simply align the positioning seat with the cover and insert it to complete the setting of the first gap. No additional adjustments are required, making it suitable for mass production.

[0024] The second objective of this invention is to provide an automotive starry sky sunroof, comprising several light transmission modules, wherein the RGB-LED light source of each light transmission module is electrically connected to a controller.

[0025] Using the above scheme, multiple light transmission modules can be independently controlled to produce different colors, achieving different colors or dynamic color-changing effects in different areas of the sky canopy. Since each module has a light mixing structure, the color transition between areas is uniform and there is no color difference or abruptness. Compared with the existing technology where multiple unmixed modules are combined and the color deviation is amplified, this application significantly improves the color quality of the complete starry sky canopy.

[0026] This invention, employing the above technical solution, achieves significant technical effects: Red, green, and blue light emitted by the RGB-LED light source enters the light guide column through the first gap. The light guide column, with its regular polygonal cross-section and an aspect ratio greater than 1.5, allows for periodic total internal reflection of the light within the column's inner wall. Different wavelengths of light gradually superimpose during multiple reflections, achieving thorough mixing. The first gap provides initial mixing space for the RGB-LED emitted light, while also allowing for heat dissipation by spacing the RGB-LED light source from the light guide column, permitting certain assembly tolerances, and preventing wear caused by hard contact. The mixed light then enters the fiber bundle through a second gap. This second gap prevents direct hard contact between the light-emitting surface of the light guide column and the light-incoming surface of the fiber bundle, avoiding scratches or wear, and provides further homogenization space for the mixed light before entering the fiber bundle. Finally, the light is transmitted through the fiber bundle to each light-emitting point of the canopy, achieving a full-color mixing effect from the RGB-LED light source, resulting in uniform colored starlight at each light-emitting point of the automotive starry sky canopy. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a front view of the light transmission module in this embodiment; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A sectional view of AA; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of A in the middle; Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of B in the middle; Figure 5 This is a split view of the optical transmission module in this embodiment.

[0028] The parts referred to by the numbers in the above attached figures are as follows: 1. Housing; 101. Cover; 1011. First locking block; 1012. Pressure rib; 102. Cover; 1021. Positioning hole; 3. PCB board; 301. Through hole; 4. RGB-LED light source; 5. Light guide post; 6. Positioning seat; 601. Positioning post; 7. Fixing sleeve; 701. Annular groove; 8. Semi-annular base; 801. Splicing protrusion; 802. Splicing groove; 803. Second locking block; 804. Buckle; 805. Snap ring; 9. Fixing cover; 901. Second groove. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0030] The car's starry sky roof, comprising several light transmission modules, is referenced. Figures 1-5 As shown, the light transmission module includes a housing 1 and an RGB-LED light source 4, a light guide post 5, and an optical fiber bundle sequentially disposed within the housing 1.

[0031] The housing 1 includes a cover 101 and a cover 102 that are snapped together. An RGB-LED light source 4 is soldered onto a PCB board 3. Each RGB-LED light source 4 has a power of 0.5W and serves as the only light source for the module, outputting red, green and blue light. When the cover 101 and the cover 102 are snapped together, the PCB board 3 is held and positioned by the positioning ribs inside the cover 101 and the cover 102.

[0032] The light guide post 5 is made of transparent PC material with a light transmittance of 89%, and has a regular hexagonal cross-section. The ratio of the length of the light guide post 5 to the diameter of the inscribed circle of the cross-section is 3. During installation, there is a first gap of 0.5mm between the light-incident surface of the light guide post 5 and the RGB-LED light source 4.

[0033] A positioning structure is provided between the light guide post 5 and the housing 1 to ensure a clearance fit between the light guide post 5 and the RGB-LED light source 4. The positioning structure includes a positioning seat 6 fixedly installed on the outer wall of the light guide post 5. Positioning posts 601 are vertically protruding downwards on both sides of the bottom of the positioning seat 6 and the cover 102 is provided with a column with a positioning insertion hole 1021. The positioning posts 601 and the positioning insertion holes 1021 are arranged one-to-one. The PCB board 3 is provided with a through hole 301 corresponding to the positioning posts 601. After the positioning posts 601 pass through the through hole 301, they are inserted into the positioning insertion holes 1021. The cover 101 is provided with a pressing rib 1012 that presses against the upper end face of the positioning seat 6. When the cover 101 and the cover 102 are engaged, the PCB board 3 is clamped and positioned by the positioning ribs on the cover 101 and the cover 102. Then the pressing rib 1012 restricts the axial movement of the light guide post 5.

[0034] The fiber optic bundle includes a PVC pipe and 168 optical fibers threaded through it. The PVC pipe has an outer diameter of 14 mm and an inner diameter of 13 mm, and the optical fibers have a diameter of 0.75 mm. An aluminum fixing sleeve 7 is fitted over the PVC pipe. By clamping the tail of the fixing sleeve 7 with pliers, the PVC pipe, optical fibers, and fixing sleeve 7 can be fixed together. The optical fibers extending beyond the fixing sleeve 7 are cut off with a cleaver to form a flat light-incident end face. After cutting, the light-incident end face of the optical fiber is flush with the end face of the fixing sleeve 7.

[0035] It also includes a centering connection assembly, disposed between the housing 1 and the fiber bundle, used to align the light-incident end face of the fiber bundle with the light-outcident end face of the light guide post 5 and maintain a second gap of 0.5mm. The centering connection assembly includes two semi-annular bases 8 that are fitted into the outer wall of the fixed sleeve 7. The semi-annular bases 8 are fitted and positioned by the interlocking of the splicing protrusion 801 and the splicing groove 802. At the same time, after the semi-annular bases 8 are fitted, a retaining ring 805 is formed on the inner wall of the semi-annular base 8 that engages with the annular retaining groove 701.

[0036] The outer walls of the two semi-annular bases 8 are respectively provided with second locking blocks 803, and the inner wall of the fixing sleeve 9 is correspondingly provided with second locking grooves 901. The fixing sleeve 9 is fitted onto the outside of the closed semi-annular bases 8, and the axial positioning of the fixing sleeve 9 and the semi-annular bases 8 is achieved by the locking engagement of the second locking blocks 803 and the second locking grooves 901. The semi-annular bases 8 are provided with buckles 804, which engage with the first locking block 1011 on the housing 1.

[0037] The assembly process is as follows: 1. Solder the RGB-LED light source 4 onto the PCB board 3. The positioning post 601 of the light guide post 5 passes through the through hole 301 of the PCB board 3 and is inserted into the positioning hole 1021 of the cover 102, naturally forming a first gap of 0.5mm. Fasten the cover 101 and the cover 102 together to clamp and fix the PCB board 3. The pressure rib 1012 of the cover 101 presses the positioning seat 6 and restricts the movement of the light guide post 5.

[0038] 2. Insert 168 φ0.75mm optical fibers into the PVC pipe, install the fixing sleeve 7 into the end of the PVC pipe and clamp the tail end, and cut the optical fibers so that the end face is flush with the fixing sleeve 7.

[0039] 3. The two semi-ring bases 8 are clamped outside the fixed sleeve 7, and then the fixed sleeve 9 is fitted and snapped onto the outside of the clamped semi-ring bases 8. Then the buckle 804 on the semi-ring base 8 is snapped onto the first snap block 1011 on the housing 1. At this time, the optical fiber input end face and the light guide post 5 output face automatically maintain a second gap of 0.5mm.

[0040] 4. Multiple light transmission modules are fixed to the back of the car roof. Each RGB-LED light source 4 is connected to the vehicle controller. The fiber optic bundles are distributed at the far end, and the independent light output end of each fiber optic corresponds to the starlight point of the sky canopy, thus completing the starry sky canopy assembly.

[0041] The optical path working logic is as follows: The RGB-LED light source 4 emits three-color light, which is first cooled and initially homogenized through the first gap, and then enters the light guide column 5. The light is fully mixed by multiple total internal reflections on the inner wall of the light guide column 5 to eliminate color shift and light spots. After mixing, the light passes through the second gap and enters the fiber bundle, which is then transmitted to the starlight point of the sky through 168 independent optical fibers to output uniform colored starlight.

[0042] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model. The protection scope of this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the scope of this utility model's concept are protected. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principle of this utility model should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A light conducting module, characterized by: The device includes a housing (1) and an RGB-LED light source (4), a light guide (5), and an optical fiber bundle arranged sequentially within the housing (1). There is a first gap between the light-incident surface of the light guide (5) and the light-exit surface of the RGB-LED light source (4), and a second gap between the light-exit surface of the light guide (5) and the light-incident end face of the optical fiber bundle. The cross-section of the light guide (5) is a regular polygon, and the ratio of the length of the light guide (5) to the diameter of its inscribed circle is greater than 1.

5.

2. The light conducting module of claim 1, wherein: The cross-section of the light guide post (5) is a regular hexagon.

3. The light conducting module of claim 2, wherein: The first gap is 0.2mm~1mm; the second gap is 0.1mm~1mm.

4. The light conducting module of claim 1, wherein: The light guide column (5) is made of transparent PC.

5. The light conducting module of claim 1, wherein: The fiber bundle is composed of several optical fibers. The end of each optical fiber away from the light guide post (5) forms an independent light output end. The end of the fiber bundle close to the light guide post (5) is fixedly fitted with a fixing sleeve (7).

6. The light conducting module of claim 5, wherein: It also includes a centering connection component, which is disposed between the housing (1) and the fiber bundle, for aligning the light-inlet end face of the fiber bundle with the light-outlet end face of the light guide post (5) and maintaining their relative positions.

7. The optical transmission module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The centering connection assembly includes two semi-ring bases (8) that are engaged with the outer wall of the fixed sleeve (7) and a fixed sleeve (9) that is sleeved and snapped onto the outer wall of the engaged semi-ring bases (8). The semi-ring bases (8) are snapped and fixed onto the housing (1).

8. The light conducting module of claim 1, wherein: The housing (1) includes a cover (102) and a cover (101) that is fastened to the cover (102). An RGB-LED light source (4) is mounted on a PCB board (3). The PCB board (3) is clamped and positioned between the cover (102) and the cover (101). A positioning seat (6) extends from the outer wall of the light guide post (5). The lower end of the positioning seat (6) is positioned and inserted into the cover (102). A pressure rib (1012) is provided on the inner wall of the cover (101). After the cover (101) and the cover (102) are fastened together, the pressure rib (1012) and the positioning seat (6) are pressed together.

9. The light conducting module of claim 8, wherein: The lower end of the positioning base (6) is provided with a positioning post (601), the PCB board (3) is provided with a corresponding through hole (301), and the cover (102) is provided with a corresponding positioning insertion hole (1021). The positioning post (601) passes through the through hole (301) and is inserted into the positioning insertion hole (1021).

10. A car star sky screen, characterized in that: It includes several light transmission modules as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the RGB-LED light source (4) of each light transmission module is electrically connected to a controller.

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