A vehicle lamp module based on a microlens array

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of vehicle lamp module based on microlens array, including light source module and microlens array module, the light source module provides collimated beam;The microlens array module has periodic arrangement in the plane constituted by first direction and second direction, each period unit includes an illumination lens and a projection lens, the center of the illumination lens exists eccentricity relative to its vertex in first direction, the center of the projection lens coincides with vertex in first direction, and there is eccentricity between the center and vertex of illumination lens and projection lens, by the structure design, effectively reduce the light loss caused by mask shielding, significantly improve optical efficiency, while maintaining the clarity and uniformity of light type, the utility model also realizes the efficient, compact and multifunctional integration of vehicle lamp module by the bifocal design of illumination lens, the short focal length configuration of projection lens and extremely thin overall structure, applicable to a variety of vehicle lamp types.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive lighting module technology, and more specifically to an automotive lighting module based on a microlens array. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional car headlight modules generally adopt a "single large-size lens + reflector" structure, which is bulky (mostly over 40mm in height). This makes it difficult to meet the automotive industry's urgent needs for "lightweight design, compact space, and high performance" in headlights, and seriously restricts the flattening and personalized design of the entire vehicle's front face. Microlens array (MLA) technology has become the core solution to this contradiction: it consists of hundreds to thousands of microlenses with a diameter of about 1 mm arranged in an orderly manner, and the overall thickness can be controlled within 10 mm, which can be easily integrated into flat lamp groups; through the combination of "LED light source + collimator + MLA", it can not only accurately control the low beam cutoff line and high beam range, but also support the zone light pattern switching of adaptive headlights, and has the advantages of uniform light spot and flexible customization. However, while MLA optimizes space and functionality, its optical efficiency is significantly lower than that of traditional modules—traditional modules generally have an optical efficiency exceeding 40%, while existing MLA modules only achieve about 20%, resulting in a loss of more than half of the light energy. The most prominent problem lies in the light pattern control: to meet regulatory requirements for the near-beam cutoff line and anti-glare effects, existing solutions require the use of physical or coated masks to block light from the center and edge areas of the MLA. This results in most of the light being blocked by the mask, completely failing to be converted into effective illumination, directly leading to a severe loss of optical efficiency and becoming a key bottleneck restricting the improvement of MLA performance. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a vehicle lighting module based on a microlens array. This vehicle lighting module based on a microlens array improves optical efficiency, controls light pattern quality, and optimizes spatial structure by optimizing the eccentric design of the illumination lens and projection lens in the microlens array, the dual focal length configuration, and the mask optical path structure. It has good practicality and promotional value.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A vehicle headlight module based on a microlens array includes: A light source module, comprising a light source array and a collimating lens, wherein the light source module provides a collimated light source, and the collimated light source enters a microlens array module; A microlens array module is used to receive the collimated beam and is periodically arranged in a plane formed by a first direction and a second direction, with a period of size T. Each periodic unit includes an illumination lens and a projection lens. The first direction is perpendicular to the ground, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The center of the illumination lens is off-center relative to its vertex in a first direction; The center and vertex of the projection lens coincide in the first direction; The center of the illumination lens is off-center from the center of the projection lens in a first direction; The vertex of the illumination lens is offset from the vertex of the projection lens in a first direction.

[0005] Furthermore, the geometric center of the illumination lens is offset upwards by 0.05T to 0.5T relative to the geometric center of the projection lens in a first direction.

[0006] Furthermore, the geometric center of the illumination lens is offset upwards by 0.02T to 0.2T relative to its vertex in a first direction.

[0007] Furthermore, the illumination lens has a first focal length in a first direction and a second focal length in a second direction, wherein the second focal length is greater than the first focal length.

[0008] Furthermore, the focal length of the projection lens is a third focal length, and the third focal length is less than or equal to the first focal length.

[0009] Furthermore, the illumination lens has a quadratic surface shape in the first direction, and the quadratic coefficient k ≤ -2.

[0010] Furthermore, the microlens array module also includes a mask pattern located between the illumination lens and the projection lens. The collimated beam is irradiated onto the mask pattern by the illumination lens and then projected onto the ground by the projection lens to form an illumination pattern.

[0011] Furthermore, the length of the microlens array module in the third direction is 1-5 mm, and the third direction is a direction that is perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: Significantly improved optical efficiency: Through eccentric design and optical path optimization, light loss caused by mask blockage is effectively reduced, increasing the optical efficiency of MLA modules from the current approximately 20% to 30% or even higher, which is significantly better than existing technologies.

[0013] Precise and compliant light pattern control: While improving efficiency, it ensures a clear and sharp low beam cutoff line and uniform light pattern, and supports a variety of advanced functions, including adaptive lighting.

[0014] Compact structure and easy integration: The thickness of the microlens array module in the optical axis direction is only 1 to 5 mm, which greatly reduces the overall module height and perfectly adapts to the trend of lightweight design.

[0015] High uniformity of light spot: Through the asymmetric focal length design and optical path optimization of the lighting lens, uniform road lighting, no stray light, and good glare control are achieved, thereby improving driving safety.

[0016] Controllable manufacturing costs: This utility model has a clear structure and mature technology, and can be mass-produced using injection molding or embossing methods for microlens arrays, thus possessing good industrialization prospects.

[0017] Highly adaptable: Not only suitable for low beam headlights and high beam headlights, but also expandable to various vehicle light types such as ADB (adaptive high beam) and turn signals, it has broad application potential. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the headlight module used for the left and right headlights; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle headlight module; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the light source module; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a microlens array module; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the illumination lens and projection lens for each cycle; Figure 6 This is a comparative schematic diagram of the projection of an existing microlens array module and the projection of the microlens array module of this utility model (where a is a schematic diagram of the projection of an existing microlens array module, and b is a schematic diagram of the projection of the microlens array module of this utility model).

[0019] The diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Light source array; 2. Collimating lens; 3. Microlens array module; 301. Illumination lens; 302. Mask; 303. Projection lens. Detailed Implementation

[0020] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the directional terms such as "center", "horizontal (X)", "longitudinal (Y)", "vertical (Z)", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", and "counterclockwise" indicate the orientation and positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They 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. They should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of this utility model.

[0021] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features. Thus, the use of "first" and "second" to define a feature may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "several" or "a number" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0022] A vehicle headlight module based on a microlens array includes: The light source module includes a light source array 1 and a collimating lens 2. The light source module provides a collimated light source, which enters a microlens array module 3. The microlens array module 3 is used to receive the collimated beam and has a periodic arrangement in the plane formed by the first direction and the second direction, with a period size of T. Each periodic unit includes an illumination lens 301 and a projection lens 303. The first direction is a direction perpendicular to the ground (denoted as x), and the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction (denoted as y). The center of the illumination lens 301 is off-center relative to its vertex in a first direction; The center and vertex of the projection lens 303 coincide in the first direction; The center of the illumination lens 301 is off-center from the center of the projection lens 303 in a first direction; The vertex of the illumination lens 301 is offset from the vertex of the projection lens 303 in a first direction.

[0023] Specifically, by setting the center of the illumination lens 301 off-center relative to its vertex in the first direction (vertical direction), and aligning the center of the projection lens 303 with the vertex, and setting a certain amount of off-center between the center and vertex of both lenses, precise control of the optical path can be achieved. This design allows light to more effectively avoid the mask 302's obstruction area after passing through the illumination lens 301, and to be projected more through the projection lens 303, significantly reducing light loss caused by the mask 302's obstruction, improving optical efficiency, while maintaining the clarity of the light pattern and the sharpness of the cutoff line.

[0024] Preferably, the geometric center of the illumination lens 301 is offset upwards by 0.05T to 0.5T relative to the geometric center of the projection lens 303 in the first direction. Specifically, this offset optimizes the distribution of the light spot in the vertical direction, allowing more light to avoid unnecessary obstruction by the mask 302. This is particularly suitable for the formation of the low beam cutoff line, significantly improving light energy utilization while ensuring compliance with light pattern requirements. It is especially suitable for low beam lamp designs with strict requirements for vertical light pattern.

[0025] Preferably, the geometric center of the illumination lens 301 is offset upwards by 0.02T to 0.2T relative to its vertex in a first direction; specifically, this design further refines the optical correction capability of the illumination lens 301 itself, enabling it to have asymmetrical imaging characteristics in the vertical direction, which helps to form a uniform light pattern, enhances the illumination lens 301's ability to control light, avoids stray light, and improves the overall light effect and visual effect.

[0026] Preferably, the illumination lens 301 has a first focal length in the first direction and a second focal length in the second direction, and the second focal length is greater than the first focal length; specifically, the focal length of the illumination lens 301 in the second direction (horizontal direction) is greater than that in the first direction (vertical direction), forming a cylindrical lens effect, which can expand the light spot in the horizontal direction and compress the light spot in the vertical direction, which helps to form a wide and uniform low beam pattern, improve the uniformity of road lighting, and at the same time reduce upward scattered light and reduce the risk of glare.

[0027] Preferably, the focal length of the projection lens 303 is a third focal length, and the third focal length is less than or equal to the first focal length; specifically, the shorter focal length of the projection lens 303 gives it a strong converging ability, which can clearly project the mask 302 pattern onto the ground, forming a sharp light pattern boundary, improving the imaging quality, and ensuring that the light pattern edge is clear.

[0028] Preferably, the illumination lens 301 has a quadratic surface in the first direction, and the quadratic coefficient k ≤ -2.

[0029] Preferably, the microlens array module 3 further includes a mask 302 pattern located between the illumination lens 301 and the projection lens 303. The collimated beam is irradiated onto the mask 302 pattern by the illumination lens 301 and then projected onto the ground by the projection lens 303 to form an illumination pattern. Specifically, the mask 302 is located between the illumination lens 301 and the projection lens 303. The collimated light first illuminates the mask 302 uniformly by the illumination lens 301 and then images it onto the ground by the projection lens 303, achieving high-precision light pattern control and supporting complex illumination patterns (such as adaptive high beam, steering assist light, etc.). At the same time, due to the optimization of the optical path, the occlusion loss of the mask 302 is greatly reduced.

[0030] Preferably, the length of the microlens array module 3 in the third direction is 1 to 5 mm, and the third direction is a direction that is perpendicular to both the first and second directions (denoted as z). Specifically, the extremely thin optical structure design makes the entire module very compact in the optical axis direction, greatly saving installation space.

[0031] pass Figure 6 As can be seen from the schematic diagrams of a and b, in the existing microlens array module, the light is blocked by the mask 302, and only part of the light passes through the mask 302, resulting in reduced light efficiency; while in the structure of this application, more (all) of the light passes through the mask 302, resulting in increased light efficiency.

[0032] This utility model provides a vehicle lighting module based on a microlens array. By optimizing the eccentric design of the illumination lens 301 and the projection lens 303 in the microlens array, the dual-focal-length configuration, and the optical path structure of the mask 302, it has the following significant advantages: 1. Significantly improved optical efficiency: Through eccentric design and optical path optimization, light loss caused by mask 302 blockage is effectively reduced, increasing the optical efficiency of the MLA module from the current approximately 20% to 30% or even higher, which is significantly better than existing technologies.

[0033] 2. Precise and compliant light pattern control: While improving efficiency, it ensures a clear and sharp low beam cutoff line and uniform light pattern, and supports a variety of advanced functions, including adaptive lighting.

[0034] 3. Compact structure and easy integration: The thickness of the microlens array module 3 in the optical axis direction is only 1 to 5 mm, which greatly reduces the overall module height and perfectly adapts to the trend of lightweight design.

[0035] 4. High uniformity of light spot: Through the asymmetric focal length design and optical path optimization of the lighting lens 301, uniform road lighting, no stray light, and good glare control are achieved, thus improving driving safety.

[0036] 5. Controllable manufacturing costs: This utility model has a clear structure and mature technology, and can be mass-produced using injection molding or embossing methods, thus possessing good industrialization prospects.

[0037] 6. Wide applicability: Not only is it suitable for low beam headlights and high beam headlights, but it can also be extended to various types of vehicle lights such as ADB (adaptive high beam headlights) and turn signals, and has a wide range of application potential.

[0038] 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 vehicle lamp module based on a microlens array, characterized in that, include: A light source module, comprising a light source array and a collimating lens, wherein the light source module provides a collimated light source, and the collimated light source enters a microlens array module; A microlens array module is used to receive the collimated beam and is periodically arranged in a plane formed by a first direction and a second direction, with a period of size T. Each periodic unit includes an illumination lens and a projection lens. The first direction is perpendicular to the ground, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The center of the illumination lens is off-center relative to its vertex in a first direction; The center and vertex of the projection lens coincide in the first direction; The center of the illumination lens is off-center from the center of the projection lens in a first direction; The vertex of the illumination lens is offset from the vertex of the projection lens in a first direction.

2. The automotive lamp module based on a microlens array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The geometric center of the illumination lens is offset upwards by 0.05T to 0.5T relative to the geometric center of the projection lens in a first direction.

3. A vehicle headlight module based on a microlens array according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The geometric center of the illumination lens is offset upwards by 0.02T to 0.2T relative to its vertex in a first direction.

4. A vehicle headlight module based on a microlens array according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that: The illumination lens has a first focal length in a first direction and a second focal length in a second direction, wherein the second focal length is greater than the first focal length.

5. A vehicle headlight module based on a microlens array according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The focal length of the projection lens is a third focal length, and the third focal length is less than or equal to the first focal length.

6. A vehicle headlight module based on a microlens array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The illumination lens has a quadratic surface in the first direction, and the quadratic coefficient k ≤ -2.

7. A vehicle headlight module based on a microlens array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microlens array module also includes a mask pattern located between the illumination lens and the projection lens. The collimated beam is irradiated onto the mask pattern by the illumination lens and then projected onto the ground by the projection lens to form an illumination pattern.

8. A vehicle headlight module based on a microlens array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the microlens array module in the third direction is 1-5 mm, and the third direction is a direction that is perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

Images