A thick-walled member structure and vehicle lamp with an enlarged light-emitting area

Abstract

This utility model belongs to the field of automotive lighting technology, specifically relating to a thick-walled component structure and automotive lighting that expands the light-emitting area. The thick-walled component structure includes a thick-walled component body with a light-incident end and a light-emitting end. A reflective structure assembly is disposed on the light-incident end of the thick-walled component body. The reflective structure assembly includes a fourth reflective part, a reflective unit, and a fifth reflective part. The reflective unit includes a first reflective part, a second reflective part, and a third reflective part. The first reflective part is composed of alternating first and second total reflection surfaces at a certain angle. The second reflective part is inclined towards the fourth reflective part, and the third reflective part is inclined towards the fifth reflective part. This utility model divides the light into three parts through the reflective structure assembly on the thick-walled component body, reducing the number of LEDs, increasing the light-emitting area by at least twice compared to existing technologies, reducing costs, and ensuring that each part of the light undergoes two total reflections, resulting in more uniform and efficient illumination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive lighting technology, and in particular to a thick-walled component structure that increases the light-emitting area and an automotive lighting system. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of automotive lighting technology, consumers' demands for lighting effects are increasing. At the same time, production costs and efficiency have become pressing issues for automotive lighting suppliers. Currently, common automotive lighting solutions typically involve light emitted from LEDs passing through a series of optical elements before exiting from a light-emitting surface. Generally, the light-emitting area corresponds one-to-one with the number of LEDs and the size of the optical elements; therefore, increasing the light-emitting area requires increasing the number of LEDs. However, using a large number of LEDs not only reduces energy efficiency and increases raw material costs but also leads to more complex circuit designs and a higher risk of overheating.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, Chinese Patent CN207865278U discloses a thick-walled light guide for achieving high-efficiency and uniform light emission with a large light gap. In this patent, some light rays strike triangular face 34, undergoing one reflection before exiting; another portion strikes triangular faces 33 and 31, undergoing total internal reflection to edge faces 35 and 38, and then being reflected again before exiting, thus completing two reflections; a third portion strikes triangular face 32, undergoing total internal reflection to edge faces 36 and 37, then reflecting again to 35 and 38, and finally exiting, thus completing three reflections, thereby increasing the light-emitting area. However, because the number of reflections varies across different parts, the light emission effect is prone to being brighter in the center and darker at the edges, resulting in unsatisfactory overall illumination uniformity. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is: in order to solve the problem of uneven lighting in the prior art, this utility model provides a thick-walled component structure and vehicle lamp that increases the light-emitting area, thereby increasing the light-emitting area, saving LEDs and achieving uniform lighting.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is: a thick-walled component structure and vehicle lamp with an enlarged light-emitting area, comprising: a thick-walled component body, the thick-walled component body having a light-incident end and a light-emitting end, the light-incident end and the light-emitting end being located at opposite ends of the thick-walled component body along the x-axis direction, the thick-walled component body having a certain thickness in the z-axis direction, at least one set of reflective structures being provided on the light-incident end of the thick-walled component body along the y-axis direction, the reflective structure group including a fourth reflective part, a reflective unit and a fifth reflective part arranged sequentially along the y-axis direction, the fourth reflective part and the fifth reflective part forming an angle and both facing the light-emitting end, the reflective unit being recessed into the interior of the thick-walled component body along the z-axis direction; The reflective unit includes a first reflective part, a second reflective part, and a third reflective part. The first reflective part is inclined toward the light-emitting end. The first reflective part is composed of a first total reflection surface and a second total reflection surface, which are alternately arranged at a certain angle. The second reflective part and the third reflective part are arranged opposite to each other and are both located at the end of the first reflective part away from the light-emitting end. The second reflective part is inclined toward the fourth reflective part, and the third reflective part is inclined toward the fifth reflective part.

[0006] Furthermore, the first total reflection surface forms an angle of 40° to 50° with the xoy plane, xoz plane and yoz plane, and the second total reflection surface forms an angle of 40° to 50° with the xoy plane, xoz plane and yoz plane.

[0007] Furthermore, the second reflective part includes a sixth total reflection surface, which forms an angle of 40° to 50° with both the xoz plane and the xoy plane, and forms an angle of 90° with the yoz plane. The third reflective part includes a third total reflection surface, which forms an angle of 40° to 50° with both the xoz plane and the xoy plane, and forms an angle of 90° with the yoz plane.

[0008] Furthermore, the fourth reflective part includes a fourth total reflection surface, which forms an angle of 40° to 50° with both the yoz plane and the xoz plane, and forms an angle of 90° with the xoy plane. The fifth reflective part includes a fifth total reflection surface, which forms an angle of 40° to 50° with both the yoz plane and the xoz plane, and forms an angle of 90° with the xoy plane.

[0009] Furthermore, at least one of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth reflective parts is provided with a light distribution pattern or texture.

[0010] Furthermore, the thick-walled component structure also includes at least one light concentrator, which is disposed on the light-incident end of the thick-walled component body. The light concentrator corresponds one-to-one with the reflective structure group and is located below the reflective unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the concentrator is a nested concentrator, a stretched concentrator, or a circular concentrator.

[0012] Furthermore, the thick-walled component structure also includes a light guiding unit located between the light-emitting end and the reflecting unit. The light guiding unit includes a seventh total reflection surface and an eighth total reflection surface arranged along the z-axis. The seventh total reflection surface is inclined toward the reflecting unit, and the eighth total reflection surface is inclined toward the light-emitting end. The seventh total reflection surface is used to receive light rays that have been totally reflected by the fourth reflecting part, the reflecting unit, and the fifth reflecting part, and to propagate the light rays to the eighth total reflection surface. The eighth total reflection surface is used to receive light rays that have been totally reflected by the seventh total reflection surface and to propagate the light rays to the light-emitting end for emission.

[0013] A vehicle headlight includes a light source and a thick-walled structure for increasing the light-emitting area as described in any of the preceding claims. The light source is disposed below a reflective unit, and the light emitted by the light source comprises three parts: a first part, a second part, and a third part. The first part of the light hits the first reflective part, is totally reflected by the first total reflection surface to the second total reflection surface, is totally reflected by the second total reflection surface to the light-emitting end, and is then refracted and emitted; or, the first part of the light hits the first reflective part, is totally reflected by the second total reflection surface to the first total reflection surface, is totally reflected by the first total reflection surface to the light-emitting end, and is then refracted and emitted. The second part of the light hits the second reflector, is totally reflected by the second reflector, is then totally reflected by the fourth reflector, and is refracted and emitted at the light-emitting end. The third portion of the light hits the third reflecting part, undergoes total reflection by the third reflecting part to the fifth reflecting part, and then undergoes total reflection by the fifth reflecting part to the light-emitting end before being refracted and emitted.

[0014] Furthermore, the light source is one or any combination of two of the following: red, white, and yellow.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: This invention divides light into three parts through a reflective structure on a thick-walled body, reducing the number of LEDs and increasing the light-emitting area by at least twice that of the prior art in the y-axis direction, thus reducing costs. Furthermore, each part of the light undergoes two total internal reflections, resulting in more uniform and efficient illumination, clear visibility, and versatility. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the thick-walled component structure in Example 1; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Top view; Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the thick-walled component structure in Example 2; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Top view; Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the thick-walled component structure in Example 3; Figure 6 for Figure 5 The optical path diagram.

[0018] In the figure: 1. Thick-walled component body; 101. Reflecting unit; 1011. First reflecting part; 1011-1. First total reflection surface; 1011-2. Second total reflection surface; 1012. Second reflecting part; 1013. Third reflecting part; 102. Fourth reflecting part; 103. Fifth reflecting part; 104. Light emitting end; 105. Light receiving end; 2. Concentrator; 3. Light guiding unit; 301. Seventh total reflection surface; 302. Eighth total reflection surface; 4. Light source. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, illustrating only the basic structure of the present invention, and therefore only show the components relevant to the present invention.

[0020] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0021] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] Example 1 like Figures 1 to 2 The diagram shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment provides a thick-walled component structure for increasing the light-emitting area, comprising: a thick-walled component body 1, which has an incident light end 105 and an emitting light end 104. The incident light end 105 and the emitting light end 104 are located at opposite ends of the thick-walled component body 1 along the x-axis. The thick-walled component body 1 has a certain thickness along the z-axis. A set of reflective structures is provided on the incident light end 105 of the thick-walled component body 1. The reflective structure set includes a fourth reflective part 102, a reflective unit 101, and a fifth reflective part 103 arranged sequentially along the y-axis. The fourth reflective part 102 and the fifth reflective part 103 form an angle and both face the emitting light end 104. The reflective unit 101 is recessed into the thick-walled component body 1 along the z-axis. The reflective unit 101 includes a first reflective part 1011, a second reflective part 1012 and a third reflective part 1013. The first reflective part 1011 is inclined toward the light-emitting end 104. The first reflective part 1011 is composed of a first total reflection surface 1011-1 and a second total reflection surface 1011-2, which are alternately arranged at a certain angle. The second reflective part 1012 and the third reflective part 1013 are arranged opposite to each other and are both located at the end of the first reflective part 1011 away from the light-emitting end 104. The second reflective part 1012 is inclined toward the fourth reflective part 102 and the third reflective part 1013 is inclined toward the fifth reflective part 103.

[0023] Thus, after the light hits the reflective unit 101, it is divided into three parts. The first part of the light hits the first reflective part 1011, is totally reflected by the first total reflection surface 1011-1 to the second total reflection surface 1011-2, and is then totally reflected by the second total reflection surface 1011-2 to the middle part of the light-emitting end 104 before being refracted and emitted. Alternatively, the first part of the light hits the first reflective part 1011, is totally reflected by the second total reflection surface 1011-2 to the first total reflection surface 1011-1, and is then totally reflected by the first total reflection surface 1011-1 to the middle part of the light-emitting end 104 before being refracted and emitted. The second part of the light hits the second reflector 1012, and after being totally reflected by the second reflector 1012, it is reflected by the fourth reflector 102 and then refracted out at one edge of the light-emitting end 104. The third portion of the light hits the third reflector 1013, is totally reflected by the third reflector 1013 to the fifth reflector 103, and is then totally reflected by the fifth reflector 103 to the other edge of the light-emitting end 104 before being refracted and emitted.

[0024] Specifically, each part of the light is emitted after two total internal reflections, ensuring the uniformity of illumination at the light-emitting end 104. This is because energy loss is unavoidable during the propagation of light in a thick-walled component, and the loss accumulates with the number of total internal reflections, resulting in a reduction in total emitted energy, i.e., a decrease in brightness. Therefore, the three parts of the light undergo the same number of total internal reflections, ensuring that the brightness of the emitted light from each part is basically uniform.

[0025] In this embodiment, the first total reflection surface 1011-1 forms an angle of 40° to 50° with the xoy plane, xoz plane and yoz plane, and the second total reflection surface 1011-2 forms an angle of 40° to 50° with the xoy plane, xoz plane and yoz plane.

[0026] In this embodiment, the second reflective part 1012 includes a sixth total reflective surface, which forms an angle of 40° to 50° with both the xoz plane and the xoy plane, and forms an angle of 90° with the yoz plane. The third reflective part 1013 includes a third total reflective surface, which forms an angle of 40° to 50° with both the xoz plane and the xoy plane, and forms an angle of 90° with the yoz plane.

[0027] In this embodiment, the fourth reflective part 102 includes a fourth total reflective surface, which forms an angle of 40° to 50° with both the yoz plane and the xoz plane, and a 90° angle with the xoy plane. The fifth reflective part 103 includes a fifth total reflective surface, which forms an angle of 40° to 50° with both the yoz plane and the xoz plane, and a 90° angle with the xoy plane.

[0028] Therefore, the first total reflection surface 1011-1, the second total reflection surface 1011-2, the sixth total reflection surface, the third total reflection surface, the fourth total reflection surface, and the fifth total reflection surface adopt this angle design in order to maximize the total reflection efficiency and avoid light loss.

[0029] In this embodiment, at least one of the first reflective part 1011, the second reflective part 1012, the third reflective part 1013, the fourth reflective part 102 and the fifth reflective part 103 is provided with a light distribution pattern or texture to further improve uniformity.

[0030] In this embodiment, the thick-walled component structure also includes a light concentrator 2, which is disposed on the light-incident end 105 of the thick-walled component body 1. The light concentrator 2 corresponds one-to-one with the reflective structure group and is located below the reflective unit 101.

[0031] In this embodiment, the concentrator 2 is a nested concentrator 2, a stretched concentrator 2, or a circular concentrator 2. The size and type of the concentrator 2 can be adjusted according to the usage requirements. It can be a circular concentrator 2, a nested concentrator 2, or a stretched concentrator 2, etc. It can also be further improved by adding textured or leather-like structures to achieve the light diffusion effect according to the uniformity requirements.

[0032] In this embodiment, the light-emitting end 104 may be provided with corn kernel patterns, leather textures, or other shaped patterns.

[0033] In this embodiment, the thick-walled component structure is made of transparent PMMA or PC or other materials.

[0034] In this embodiment, the projected area of ​​the reflective unit 101 on the xoy plane is set to S, the projected area of ​​the first reflective part 1011 on the xoy plane is S1, the projected area of ​​the second reflective part 1012 on the xoy plane is S2, and the projected area of ​​the third reflective part 1013 on the xoy plane is S3, and S1+S2+S3=S. The proportions of each part of S1, S2 and S3 can be adjusted as needed.

[0035] Preferably, S2=S3, to ensure that the output brightness of the second part of the light and the third part of the light are the same.

[0036] Example 2 See Figures 3 to 4 As shown, the difference from Example 1 is that the proportions of S1, S2 and S3 are different.

[0037] Example 3 The difference from Embodiments 1 and 2 is that, in order to ensure more uniform light output, a light guide unit 3 is added to the thick-walled component structure. The light guide unit 3 is located between the light output end 104 and the reflection unit 101. The light guide unit 3 includes a seventh total reflection surface 301 and an eighth total reflection surface 302 arranged along the z-axis. The seventh total reflection surface 301 is inclined toward the reflection unit 101, and the eighth total reflection surface 302 is inclined toward the light output end 104. The seventh total reflection surface 301 is used to receive the light that has been totally reflected by the fourth reflection part 102, the reflection unit 101 and the fifth reflection part 103, and propagate the light to the eighth total reflection surface 302. The eighth total reflection surface 302 is used to receive the light that has been totally reflected by the seventh total reflection surface 301 and propagate the light to the light output end 104 for emission.

[0038] It's important to note that when light initially enters a thick-walled structure, its angle and intensity distribution often exhibit inherent non-uniformity. Each total internal reflection alters the direction of light propagation. For example, light initially concentrated within a certain angular range changes direction only once after one total internal reflection, retaining most of its initial directional characteristics. After four total internal reflections, the direction is reconstructed multiple times, and the originally concentrated light is dispersed across a wider angular range, with light rays from different directions intertwining. In other words, the more total internal reflections, the more uniform the mixing of light during propagation, resulting in better light uniformity. However, excessive total internal reflections lead to greater energy loss and lower brightness. Therefore, the number of total internal reflections must be balanced as needed.

[0039] In this embodiment, multiple sets of reflective structure groups and concentrators 2 can be set. For details, see [link to documentation]. Figures 5 to 6 As shown, there are three sets of reflective structure groups and three sets of light-concentrating devices 2. The reflective structure groups and light-concentrating devices 2 are arranged one-to-one. The reflective structure groups are arranged sequentially on the light-incident end 105 of the thick-walled body 1 along the y-axis.

[0040] Example 4 The thick-walled component structures of Embodiments 1 to 3 can be used in conjunction with other structures in a vehicle lamp, thus enabling the creation of a vehicle lamp that includes a light source 4 and a thick-walled component structure with an enlarged light-emitting area as described in any of the above embodiments. The light source 4 is positioned below the reflector unit 101, and the light emitted by the light source 4 comprises three parts: a first part of light, a second part of light, and a third part of light. The first portion of the light beam hits the first reflector 1011, is totally reflected by the first total reflection surface 1011-1 to the second total reflection surface 1011-2, is totally reflected by the second total reflection surface 1011-2 to the light-emitting end 104, and is then refracted and emitted. Alternatively, the first portion of the light beam hits the first reflector 1011, is totally reflected by the second total reflection surface 1011-2 to the first total reflection surface 1011-1, is totally reflected by the first total reflection surface 1011-1 to the light-emitting end 104, and is then refracted and emitted. The second part of the light hits the second reflector 1012, and after being totally reflected by the second reflector 1012, it is reflected by the fourth reflector 102 and then refracted out at the light-emitting end 104. The third portion of the light hits the third reflector 1013, and after total reflection by the third reflector 1013, it is reflected to the fifth reflector 103, and then refracted and emitted to the light-emitting end 104.

[0041] In this embodiment, the light source 4 is one or any combination of two of the following: red, white, and yellow. The color of the light source 4 is not limited; one or any combination of two colors is selected based on the actual application function.

[0042] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: This invention divides light into three parts through a reflective structure group on the thick-walled body 1, reducing the number of LEDs and increasing the light-emitting area by at least twice that of the prior art in the y-axis direction, thus reducing costs. Furthermore, each part of the light undergoes two total internal reflections, resulting in more uniform and efficient illumination, clear visibility, and versatility.

[0043] The above description is based on the preferred embodiments of this utility model. Through the above description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of this utility model. The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A thick-walled component structure for increasing the light-emitting area, characterized in that, include: A thick-walled component body (1) has a light-incident end (105) and a light-exiting end (104). The light-incident end (105) and the light-exiting end (104) are located at both ends of the thick-walled component body (1) along the x-axis direction. The thick-walled component body (1) has a certain thickness in the z-axis direction. At least one set of reflective structures is provided on the light-incident end (105) of the thick-walled component body (1) along the y-axis direction. The reflective structure includes a fourth reflective part (102), a reflective unit (101) and a fifth reflective part (103) arranged sequentially along the y-axis direction. The fourth reflective part (102) and the fifth reflective part (103) form an angle between each other and both face the light-exiting end (104). The reflective unit (101) is recessed into the thick-walled component body (1) along the z-axis direction. The reflective unit (101) includes a first reflective part (1011), a second reflective part (1012), and a third reflective part (1013). The first reflective part (1011) is inclined toward the light-emitting end (104). The first reflective part (1011) is composed of a first total reflection surface (1011-1) and a second total reflection surface (1011-2) that are alternately arranged at a certain angle. The second reflective part (1012) and the third reflective part (1013) are arranged opposite to each other and are both located at the end of the first reflective part (1011) away from the light-emitting end (104). The second reflective part (1012) is inclined toward the fourth reflective part (102), and the third reflective part (1013) is inclined toward the fifth reflective part (103).

2. The thick-walled component structure for increasing the light-emitting area as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first total reflection surface (1011-1) forms an angle of 40° to 50° with the xoy plane, xoz plane and yoz plane, and the second total reflection surface (1011-2) forms an angle of 40° to 50° with the xoy plane, xoz plane and yoz plane.

3. The thick-walled component structure for increasing the light-emitting area as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second reflective part (1012) includes a sixth total reflection surface, which forms an angle of 40° to 50° with both the xoz plane and the xoy plane, and forms an angle of 90° with the yoz plane. The third reflective part (1013) includes a third total reflection surface, which forms an angle of 40° to 50° with both the xoz plane and the xoy plane, and forms an angle of 90° with the yoz plane.

4. The thick-walled component structure for increasing the light-emitting area as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fourth reflective part (102) includes a fourth total reflection surface, which forms an angle of 40° to 50° with both the yoz plane and the xoz plane, and forms an angle of 90° with the xoy plane. The fifth reflective part (103) includes a fifth total reflection surface, which forms an angle of 40° to 50° with both the yoz plane and the xoz plane, and forms an angle of 90° with the xoy plane.

5. The thick-walled component structure for increasing the light-emitting area as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the first reflective part (1011), the second reflective part (1012), the third reflective part (1013), the fourth reflective part (102), and the fifth reflective part (103) is provided with a light distribution pattern or texture.

6. The thick-walled component structure for increasing the light-emitting area as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thick-walled component structure also includes at least one light-concentrating device (2), which is disposed on the light-incident end (105) of the thick-walled component body (1). The light-concentrating device (2) corresponds one-to-one with the reflective structure group and is located below the reflective unit (101).

7. The thick-walled component structure for increasing the light-emitting area as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The concentrator (2) is a nested concentrator (2), a stretched concentrator (2), or a circular concentrator (2).

8. The thick-walled component structure for increasing the light-emitting area as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thick-walled component structure also includes a light guide unit (3), which is located between the light-emitting end (104) and the reflection unit (101). The light guide unit (3) includes a seventh total reflection surface (301) and an eighth total reflection surface (302) arranged along the z-axis. The seventh total reflection surface (301) is inclined toward the reflection unit (101), and the eighth total reflection surface (302) is inclined toward the light-emitting end (104). The seventh total reflection surface (301) is used to receive the light reflected by the fourth reflection part (102), the reflection unit (101), and the fifth reflection part (103), and to propagate the light to the eighth total reflection surface (302). The eighth total reflection surface (302) is used to receive the light reflected by the seventh total reflection surface (301) and to propagate the light to the light-emitting end (104) for emission.

9. A vehicle light, characterized in that, Includes a light source (4) and a thick-walled structure for expanding the light-emitting area as described in any one of claims 1 to 8. The light source (4) is disposed below the reflective unit (101). The light emitted by the light source (4) comprises three parts, namely a first part of light, a second part of light, and a third part of light. The first portion of the light beam hits the first reflector (1011), is totally reflected by the first total reflection surface (1011-1) to the second total reflection surface (1011-2), is totally reflected by the second total reflection surface (1011-2) to the light-emitting end (104), and is then refracted and emitted. Alternatively, the first portion of the light beam hits the first reflector (1011), is totally reflected by the second total reflection surface (1011-2) to the first total reflection surface (1011-1), is totally reflected by the first total reflection surface (1011-1) to the light-emitting end (104), and is then refracted and emitted. The second part of the light hits the second reflector (1012), and after being totally reflected by the second reflector (1012), it is reflected by the fourth reflector (102) and then refracted out at the light-emitting end (104). The third portion of the light hits the third reflector (1013), and after total reflection by the third reflector (1013), it is reflected to the fifth reflector (103), and then refracted and emitted to the light-emitting end (104).

10. A vehicle light as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The light source (4) is one of red, white, and yellow, or any combination of two of them.

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