Light guide lamp strip

Abstract

The utility model discloses a light guide lamp area, include: light emitting unit, including the substrate that extends along the length direction, a plurality of punctiform light sources are arranged at interval on the substrate, shell unit, including the cladding component and light guide subassembly, the cladding component is covered in light emitting unit, and light guide subassembly includes light guide column, and light guide subassembly sets up in light emitting unit, and the light emitting side of light guide column and punctiform light source corresponds to set up. Can improve the optical performance of lamp area, improve the integration of structure, improve visual uniformity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of lighting equipment technology, and in particular to a light guide strip. Background Technology

[0002] LED strips, as linear lighting devices, are widely used in architectural contour lighting, interior decorative backlighting, advertising signage, and shop window displays due to their flexibility, energy efficiency, and customizable length. Currently, most mainstream products on the market are surface-mount LED strips based on flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) or printed circuit boards (PCBs). They typically employ a flat, strip-like structure with a thin layer of transparent or diffusion-type encapsulating adhesive covering the surface for basic insulation and protection.

[0003] Traditional LED strips have a highly directional light emission, with the light primarily emanating perpendicular to the LED chip surface (i.e., along the thickness of the strip). This unidirectional light emission characteristic makes them unsuitable as primary lighting sources, typically limiting their application to indirect lighting in recessed areas requiring concealed light sources or as backlighting, resulting in limited functionality. Furthermore, when the strip is bent during installation, the change in viewing angle causes subtle differences in the surface encapsulation and the angular characteristics of the LED chips to be perceived by the human eye. This leads to noticeable inconsistencies in color temperature or brightness along the strip's length, severely impacting visual aesthetics and making them unsuitable for high-end engineering applications requiring uniform light color. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a light guide strip that can improve the optical performance of the strip, increase the integration of the structure, and improve visual uniformity.

[0005] A light guide strip according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a light-emitting unit, including a substrate extending along the length direction, wherein a plurality of point light sources are spaced apart on the substrate; The housing unit includes a covering component and a light guide component. The covering component covers the light-emitting unit, and the light guide component includes a light guide post. The light guide post is disposed on the light-emitting unit, and the light guide post is disposed corresponding to the light-emitting side of the point light source.

[0006] A light guide strip according to an embodiment of this utility model has at least the following beneficial effects: By independently configuring and precisely corresponding light guide columns for each point light source, the originally point-like and concentrated light can be efficiently captured, guided, and redistributed, allowing the light to be emitted uniformly and softly over a larger spatial angle, effectively overcoming the defects of traditional flat light strips with a single light output direction and harsh light; placing the light-emitting unit as a whole within a protective shell formed by the encapsulation components provides physical isolation and environmental protection for the precision electronic components, improving the mechanical strength and durability of the product; the integrated setting of the light guide components and the light-emitting unit ensures the stability and consistency of the optical system structure; the light guide column, as a light processing medium, can effectively mix and diffuse the light from the point light source. Even when the light strip is bent or viewed from different angles, it can significantly reduce the inconsistency in brightness and color temperature caused by the characteristics of the LED itself or changes in the viewing angle, thereby obtaining a continuous and uniform visual light effect and improving the quality of decoration and lighting.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the light-emitting unit further includes an inner core wire, the substrate is attached to the bottom of the inner core wire, the inner core wire is a hollow tube extending along the length direction and having a slot at the top, and the light-emitting side of the point light source is oriented towards the slot.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a stranded wire is provided in the cavity of the inner core wire, the plurality of point light sources are divided into a plurality of light-emitting modules, the point light sources in the same light-emitting module are connected in series, and each light-emitting module is connected in parallel between a pair of stranded wires.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the cross-section of the covering component has a flat bottom and a semi-circular top, and the light guide column is located at the highest point of the semi-circular top.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the cross-sectional profile of the covering component is an arched tunnel shape. The covering component includes a flat bottom, vertical sidewalls extending upward from both sides of the bottom, and an arc-shaped top cover connecting the tops of the sidewalls. The light guide post is located at the highest point of the arc-shaped top cover.

[0011] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the light guide column is integrally formed with the covering component through injection molding.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the light guide assembly further includes a fixing ring, which is disposed at the bottom of the light guide post and is sleeved on the outer periphery of the covering assembly to form a ring-shaped wrapping structure.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the end of the light guide post away from the substrate is provided with a tapered recess facing the point light source.

[0014] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the light guide column is made of acrylic or high-transparency polyethylene.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the covering component is made of thermoplastic elastomer material and is integrally formed with the light guide column by injection molding process.

[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a light guide strip according to an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a light guide strip according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0018] Reference numerals: point light source 100; inner core wire 110; covering component 120; light guide column 130; conical recess 140; retaining ring 150. Detailed Implementation

[0019] 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.

[0020] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0021] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If "first" or "second" is used in the description, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0022] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. Those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of these terms in this utility model based on the specific content of the technical solution. In the description of this utility model, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this utility model. 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 can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this utility model. 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.

[0023] Reference Figures 1 to 2 The light-emitting unit includes a substrate extending along the length direction, on which a plurality of point light sources 100 are spaced apart. The housing unit includes a covering component 120 and a light guide component. The covering component 120 covers the light-emitting unit, and the light guide component includes a light guide post 130. The light guide component is disposed on the light-emitting unit, and the light guide post 130 is disposed corresponding to the light-emitting side of the point light source 100.

[0024] By independently configuring and precisely corresponding light guide columns 130 for each point light source 100, the originally point-like and concentrated light can be efficiently captured, guided, and redistributed, allowing the light to be emitted uniformly and softly over a larger spatial angle. This effectively overcomes the shortcomings of traditional flat light strips, such as unidirectional light output and harsh light. Placing the entire light-emitting unit within a protective housing formed by the encapsulation component 120 provides physical isolation and environmental protection for the delicate electronic components, improving the product's mechanical strength and durability. The integrated design of the light guide component and the light-emitting unit ensures the stability and consistency of the optical system structure. As a light processing medium, the light guide column 130 can effectively mix and diffuse the light from the point light source 100. Even when the light strip is bent or viewed from different angles, it can significantly reduce the inconsistency in brightness and color temperature caused by the characteristics of the LED itself or changes in the viewing angle, thereby obtaining a consistent and uniform visual light effect and improving the quality of decoration and lighting.

[0025] The light-emitting unit also includes an inner core wire 110, with a substrate attached to the bottom of the inner core wire 110. The inner core wire 110 is a hollow tube extending along its length and having a slot at its top. The light-emitting side of the point light source 100 faces the slot. The inner core wire 110, acting as a rigid or semi-rigid skeleton extending along its length, provides a mounting base for the substrate. Attaching the substrate to its bottom integrates the point light source 100 with the circuitry and mechanical support structure. The slotted design at the top, while ensuring structural strength, provides a dedicated physical channel for light emission.

[0026] The inner core wire 110 serves as the core framework, significantly enhancing the light strip's resistance to bending and deformation. This makes it easier for the product to maintain its preset shape during installation and laying, improving the convenience and reliability of the project and overcoming the problems of traditional flexible light strips being prone to twisting and difficult to shape. The combined design of the top slot and the light source orientation slot constitutes a built-in initial optical guiding structure. This ensures that the main light path emitted from the light source is efficiently utilized and directionally guided, providing structural protection for obtaining uniform and controllable final light effects and optimizing light energy utilization at a physical level.

[0027] A stranded wire is disposed within the cavity of the inner core wire 110. Multiple point light sources 100 are divided into multiple light-emitting modules. The point light sources 100 within the same light-emitting module are connected in series, and each light-emitting module is connected in parallel between a pair of stranded wires. A pair of stranded wires with a large cross-sectional area and low resistivity are pre-placed in the cavity of the inner core wire 110 as a dedicated power bus running through the entire length of the light strip. Compared to the thin copper foil etched onto the PCB that traditional light strips rely on, stranded wires have a lower resistance per unit length. Multiple point light sources 100 are connected in series in a small number to form a light-emitting module. This allows each module to operate within a standardized voltage range at a lower input current, facilitating matching with a common constant current drive power supply. It is understood that the specific number of point light sources 100 connected in series in each light-emitting module can be configured according to the input voltage used, for example, it can be 3 to 6, or increased accordingly for higher drive voltages.

[0028] Because each light-emitting module draws power directly from the low-resistance stranded conductor backbone, power transmission loss is extremely low. Therefore, regardless of the strip's length, the voltage received by the modules at both ends is almost identical, achieving highly uniform brightness throughout the entire strip and overcoming the most fundamental drawback of traditional light strips. The current-carrying capacity of the stranded conductor is far higher than that of PCB copper foil, allowing a single light strip to drive more and higher-power LEDs, or support longer continuous lengths, without the need for segmented power supply or additional power replenishment, greatly expanding the flexibility of engineering applications.

[0029] The cross-section of the covering component 120 has a flat bottom and a semi-circular top, with the light guide column 130 positioned at the highest point of the semi-circular top. The semi-circular profile forms a smooth, continuous diffuse reflection surface. Light rays emitted from the light guide column 130 at its apex undergo a softer diffuse reflection at a larger angle when they reach the inner surface of this semi-circle, thus forming a uniform, non-glaring planar halo on the side of the light strip, rather than a concentrated beam of light.

[0030] The encapsulation component 120 has an arched tunnel-like cross-sectional profile. It includes a flat bottom, vertical sidewalls extending upwards from both sides of the bottom, and an arc-shaped top cover connecting the tops of the sidewalls. The light guide column 130 is located at the highest point of the arc-shaped top cover. The vertical sides of the arched tunnel provide lateral protection for the internal light-emitting units and wires, resisting external impacts or pressure. The arc-shaped inner surface, whether a semi-circular whole or an arc-shaped top cover, efficiently diffuses the light emitted from the point-like light guide column 130 into a continuous and uniform strip of light along the length of the light strip. The soft, arc-shaped light-emitting surface effectively reduces surface brightness, avoiding glare caused by direct LED exposure or glare from the flat diffuser film, thus enhancing the product's quality and applicable scenarios.

[0031] The light guide post 130 is integrally molded with the covering component 120 via injection molding. Since the light guide post 130 is molded directly above the LED light-emitting surface, there are no air gaps or adhesive layers between them. This reduces Fresnel reflection loss when light enters the light guide post 130 interface from the LED, ensuring maximum utilization of the light source's energy. The light guide post 130 and the covering housing are integrated into a single unit, and the mechanical strength of their joint is far superior to any adhesive or snap-fit ​​connection. This allows it to withstand greater thermal stress, vibration, and external impacts, preventing the light guide post 130 from detaching, loosening, or developing micro-cracks due to long-term use or environmental changes, greatly improving the product's lifespan and environmental adaptability.

[0032] The light guide assembly also includes a retaining ring 150, which is disposed at the bottom of the light guide post 130 and fits around the outer periphery of the covering assembly 120, forming a ring-shaped wrapping structure. The retaining ring 150 extends from the bottom of the light guide post 130 and fits around the outer periphery of the covering assembly 120. This is equivalent to adding a clamp or collar at the root of the light guide post 130. When the connection is subjected to tensile, torsional, or shear forces from different directions, this ring-shaped structure can distribute the stress more evenly to a wider outer periphery of the covering assembly 120, rather than concentrating it only at the interface between the two.

[0033] The retaining ring 150 provides tensile and torsional resistance, enabling the connection between the light guide post 130 and the light strip body to withstand greater mechanical stress, such as pulling during installation, accidental collisions or vibrations during use, thus avoiding damage or detachment of optical components due to physical external forces. It is particularly suitable for industrial, outdoor or transportation fields that require high reliability.

[0034] At the end of the light guide post 130 furthest from the substrate, a tapered recess 140 is provided facing the point light source 100. Inside the light-emitting end face of the light guide post 130, a tapered recess 140 with its tip facing the light source is machined. The inner surface of this recess forms a built-in, inclined reflective surface. This creates an optical cavity inside the top of the light guide post 130. This design achieves uniform light emission and a softening effect. By guiding the light to the side, it increases the lateral luminous intensity of the light strip, resulting in a wider horizontal beam angle. This means the light strip can not only illuminate its front but also effectively illuminate the adjacent area of ​​its mounting substrate (such as a ceiling or wall), creating better ambient lighting and wall-washing effects.

[0035] The light guide post 130 is made of acrylic or high-transparency polyethylene. Both materials have good resistance to ultraviolet aging and chemical corrosion, ensuring that the light transmittance of the light guide post 130 will not decrease significantly under long-term light exposure and complex environments (such as humid or acidic / alkaline atmospheres). This avoids overall light decay, yellowing, or brittleness of the light strip due to material aging, thereby extending the effective service life of the product.

[0036] The covering component 120 is made of thermoplastic elastomer material and is integrally formed with the light guide post 130 through injection molding. The thermoplastic elastomer material can be high-transparency polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is highly transparent, cold-resistant, and UV-resistant, thus achieving an IP65 rating for outdoor use. Alternatively, TPE (thermoplastic polyethylene) with higher weather resistance and waterproofing can be used. Since there are no physical seams, adhesive interfaces, or assembly gaps between the PVC or TPE covering layer and the light guide post 130, they are bonded together at the molecular level. This fundamentally eliminates the possibility of moisture, dust, and corrosive gases intruding through the interface, allowing the light strip to easily achieve and maintain an IP65 outdoor rating. Using TPE material can even achieve higher protection ratings such as IP67 / IP68, making it resistant to extreme environments such as outdoor sun and rain, indoor humidity, and even short-term water immersion.

[0037] Reference Figures 1 to 2 This utility model provides a light guide strip, the overall structure of which extends along the length direction, and is suitable for lighting scenarios that require high uniformity of light output and good flexibility.

[0038] The light guide strip includes a light-emitting unit and a housing unit. The light-emitting unit comprises a flexible substrate on which multiple point light sources 100, such as surface-mount LED chips, are mounted at fixed intervals. The light-emitting surfaces of these point light sources 100 face the same direction, for emitting light upwards or outwards.

[0039] The housing unit, which encloses the light-emitting unit, is composed of a housing component 120 and a light-guiding component. The housing component 120 is made of thermoplastic elastomer material, possessing good flexibility and sealing properties, and can completely enclose the light-emitting unit, providing mechanical protection and environmental isolation. The light-guiding component includes multiple light guide pillars 130, each precisely aligned with the light-emitting side of a point light source 100, for receiving and diffusing the light emitted by that light source.

[0040] In a preferred configuration, the light-emitting unit further includes an inner core wire 110. The inner core wire 110 is a hollow tube extending along the length of the light strip, with a longitudinal slot at its top. A flexible substrate is attached and fixed to the bottom outer side of the inner core wire 110, and a point light source 100 is arranged on the substrate with its light-emitting side facing the slot at the top of the inner core wire 110, thereby ensuring that light can effectively enter the internal space of the housing and be captured by the light guide post 130.

[0041] Two twisted wires are threaded through the cavity of the inner core wire 110, serving as the main power supply line. Multiple point light sources 100 are divided into several light-emitting modules. The point light sources 100 within each module are electrically connected in series, while the modules are connected in parallel to the pair of twisted wires. This circuit layout reduces the operating current of individual modules and effectively minimizes voltage drop during long-distance transmission, improving the brightness consistency of the entire light strip.

[0042] The cross-section of the covering component 120 can adopt various contour designs. In one embodiment, its cross-section is flat at the bottom and semi-circular at the top, with the light guide post 130 located at the highest point of the semi-circular top, making the light output direction vertically upward, which facilitates a symmetrical and uniform lighting effect. In another embodiment, the cross-section of the covering component 120 is arched tunnel-shaped, including a flat bottom surface, side walls extending vertically upward from both sides of the bottom surface, and an arc-shaped top cover connecting the tops of the side walls, with the light guide post 130 also located at the highest point of the arc-shaped top cover. This structure can prevent interference between the light guide post 130 and the point light source 100 during installation, while also enhancing the overall structural strength.

[0043] The light guide post 130 and the covering component 120 are integrally molded by injection molding, eliminating the need for subsequent assembly, thus improving production efficiency and ensuring optical alignment accuracy. The light guide post 130 can be made of a high-transmittance material, such as acrylic (PMMA) or high-transmittance polyethylene, to minimize light loss and achieve a soft diffusion effect.

[0044] To further enhance the connection stability between the light guide post 130 and the covering component 120, a fixing ring 150 is provided at the bottom of the light guide post 130. The fixing ring 150 surrounds the outer periphery of the covering component 120, forming a ring-shaped wrapping structure, which effectively prevents the light guide post 130 from shifting or falling off during use.

[0045] Furthermore, a tapered recess 140 is machined at the end of the light guide post 130 away from the substrate, and this recess faces the point light source 100. The tapered recess 140 not only helps to converge the incident light, but also improves the uniformity of light output and reduces the spot effect through multiple reflections.

[0046] In summary, the light guide strip of this utility model effectively solves the problems of single light output direction, inconsistent color temperature after bending, and insufficient mechanical strength of traditional flat light strips through the inner core wire 110 structure, modular circuit design, integrated injection-molded light guide component, and optimized cross-sectional geometry. It is suitable for various application scenarios with high requirements for light quality and structural reliability, such as building outlines, automotive interiors, and high-end decorations.

[0047] The embodiments of the present utility model have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A light guide strip, characterized in that, include: The light-emitting unit includes a substrate extending along the length direction, wherein a plurality of point light sources are spaced apart on the substrate; The housing unit includes a covering component and a light guide component. The covering component covers the light-emitting unit, and the light guide component includes a light guide post. The light guide post is disposed on the light-emitting unit, and the light guide post is disposed corresponding to the light-emitting side of the point light source.

2. A light guide strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-emitting unit also includes an inner core wire, and the substrate is attached to the bottom of the inner core wire. The inner core wire is a hollow tube that extends along the length direction and has a slot at the top. The light-emitting side of the point light source faces the slot.

3. A light guide strip according to claim 2, characterized in that, A stranded wire is provided in the cavity of the inner core wire, and the multiple point light sources are divided into multiple light-emitting modules. The point light sources in the same light-emitting module are connected in series, and each light-emitting module is connected in parallel between a pair of stranded wires.

4. A light guide strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the covering component has a flat bottom and a semi-circular top, and the light guide column is located at the highest point of the semi-circular top.

5. A light guide strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional profile of the covering component is an arched tunnel shape. The covering component includes a flat bottom, vertical sidewalls extending upward from both sides of the bottom, and an arc-shaped top cover connecting the tops of the sidewalls. The light guide post is located at the highest point of the arc-shaped top cover.

6. A light guide strip according to claim 1, 4, or 5, characterized in that, The light guide column is integrally formed with the covering component through injection molding.

7. A light guide strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide assembly also includes a fixing ring, which is disposed at the bottom of the light guide post and is sleeved on the outer periphery of the covering assembly to form a ring-shaped wrapping structure.

8. A light guide strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the light guide post away from the substrate has a tapered recess facing the point light source.

9. A light guide strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide column is made of acrylic or high-transparency polyethylene.

10. A light guide strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The covering component is made of thermoplastic elastomer material and is integrally formed with the light guide column through injection molding.

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