Light guide element and light guide mechanism for car lights

Abstract

A light guide element comprising a body (2) and a light source (1) arranged at an incidence surface of the body (2), wherein light (8) emitted by the light source (1) enters the body (2) at an angle to the incidence surface, wherein an optically structured element (21) is arranged on the surface of the body (2), wherein the optically structured element (21) extends from the incidence surface of the body (2) in the extension direction of the body (2), wherein the optically structured element (21) comprises a strip-shaped area for scattering the light (8), wherein the strip-shaped area is directly illuminated by the light (8) emitted by the light source (1), wherein a cross-section of the strip-shaped area has the form of several interconnected arc or arc-like units (22), wherein the cross-section of the optically structured element (21) comprises a first area and a second area.wherein the strip-shaped area is located in the first area, characterized in that the cross-section of the second area has a shape formed by two slopes (23) and a plane (24) for connecting the two slopes (23), wherein the slopes (23) are connected to the strip-shaped area.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a light guide element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a structured light guide mechanism for a vehicle light. State of the art

[0002] In the field of modern vehicle lighting, halogen lamps were initially used as the primary lighting element, but now light guide elements are increasingly being used. This not only improves light intensity and efficiency but also enhances the appearance of the vehicle lights. DE 10 2012 108 855 A1 discloses a light guide element with the features of the preamble of claim 1. US 2012 / 0 314 448 A1, DE 100 22 779 A1, DE 10 2012 223 555 A1, and DE 199 08 961 A1 disclose further state of the art. However, vehicle lights using a light guide element as the lighting element often suffer from the problem that the incident light is too bright and the light emission is uneven. Therefore, a light guide mechanism is urgently needed, which allows the vehicle light to have a more uniform light emission using a light guide element. Content of the present invention

[0003] In order to overcome the above technical shortcomings, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light guide element with uniform light emission.

[0004] This problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claims.

[0005] Claim 1 relates to a light guide element comprising a body and a light source arranged at the incidence surface of the body, wherein light emitted from the light source enters the body at an angle to the incidence surface and wherein an optically structured structure is arranged on the surface of the body, and wherein the optically structured structure extends from the incidence surface of the body along the extension direction of the body.

[0006] Furthermore, the optically structured structure includes a strip-shaped area that serves to scatter the light.

[0007] Furthermore, the strip-shaped area is an area that is directly illuminated by the light emitted by the light source.

[0008] Furthermore, a cross-section of the strip-shaped area has the form of several interconnected arc or arc-like units.

[0009] Preferably, the strip-shaped area is a unit whose cross-section is formed by a connection of several arc or arc-like units.

[0010] Furthermore, the cross-section of the optically structured structure comprises a first area and a second area, with the strip-shaped area being located in the first area.

[0011] Furthermore, the cross-section of the second area has a shape formed by two slopes and a plane to connect the two slopes, with the slopes being connected to the strip-shaped area.

[0012] Preferably, the number and size of the units can be adjusted according to the angle of incidence and / or the light intensity of the light source.

[0013] The present invention further relates to a light guide mechanism for a vehicle light, comprising the above light guide element, a circuit board and a holder for attaching the light guide element.

[0014] Preferably, the holder comprises a fastening end, a bending section and a main body section, which are connected to each other sequentially, wherein the fastening end secures the insertion surface of the body, and wherein the main body section is attached to the circuit board, and wherein the bending section allows a receiving space to be formed between the fastening end and the main body section to accommodate the light source.

[0015] Preferably, the circuit board and the main body section are fastened together via a fastening element.

[0016] Compared to the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. The light emitted by the light source can be scattered by the strip-shaped area to form scattered light with different deflection angles in order to spread it to different positions in the light guide. 2. The continuous wave-like units of the strip-shaped area can separate the received light from each other at least at the respective deflection angles, so that the scattered light appears uniformly at different positions. Brief description of the characters Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a light guide element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view along line AA in Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the light guide mechanism for a vehicle light according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Reference symbol list 1 light source 2 optical fiber bodies 21 Visually structured structure 22 units 23 gradient 24 levels 3 circuit boards 4 brackets 41 Mounting end 42 Bending section 43 Main body section 5 Fastening element 8 lights Designs

[0017] The advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail in connection with the figures and the embodiments shown in the figures.

[0018] A light guide element according to an embodiment of the present invention is in Fig. Figure 1 shows a body 2 and a light source 1, the light source 1 being arranged at the incident surface of the body 2 and inclined towards the incident surface to illuminate the incident surface obliquely. An optically structured element 21 is arranged on the surface of the body 2, extending from the incident surface of the body 2 in the direction of the body 2's length. Given that the light 8 emitted by the light source 1 enters the light guide element, most of the light 8 will illuminate a portion of the surface of the body 2. If the surface of the body 2 is, for example, a smooth surface, the light 8 will be reflected or refracted at equal or similar angles, so that the portion illuminated by the light 8 has a higher luminous intensity and luminance, while the portion not illuminated by the light 8 has a lower luminous intensity and luminance.To solve the problem of making the light emission of the light guide element more uniform, an optically structured structure 21 is arranged on the surface of the body 2 in the solution according to the invention, primarily to scatter the light 8 emitted by the light source 1, so that the light 8 is scattered at different deflection angles in order to achieve the goal of uniform light 8.

[0019] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the section along line AA in the Fig. 1. The Fig. Figure 2 shows the optically structured structure 21 of the light guide element, comprising a strip-shaped area that serves to scatter the light 8. The smooth surface has been polished into a rough, structured surface, so that the light 8, which was originally deflected regularly at the same or similar angles, is deflected at more angles. This allows an overly concentrated light beam with high light intensity to be scattered. Preferably, the strip-shaped area is designed as an irradiated area that is directly illuminated by the light 8 emitted by the light source 1. Preferably, the strip-shaped area is formed by a combination of several arc- or arc-like shapes (units 22), wherein the area is essentially wave-shaped with respect to its cross-section.The number of units 22 of each light guide element determines the angle of incidence and / or the light intensity of the light source 1 placed in front of the incidence surface of the light guide element. Preferably, the optically structured structure 21 comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the strip-shaped region is located in the first region and wherein the second region is a structure or shape consisting of two slopes 23 and a plane 24, the plane 24 being arranged between and connecting the two slopes 23, and wherein the two slopes 23 are each connected to the strip-shaped region. The reason for the different surface processing methods of the respective regions is that the strip-shaped region is an irradiated region and the light 8 should be scattered as much as possible. The light 8 is then reflected again after scattering via the slope-plane-slope structure of the second region.Through the interaction of the two areas, a uniform light emission from the light guide element can be achieved.

[0020] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a light guide mechanism of a vehicle light, comprising the above light guide element, a circuit board 3 and a bracket 4. The circuit board 3 serves to attach the light source 1, and the bracket 4 serves to attach the body 2.

[0021] Preferably, the holder 4 comprises a mounting end 41, a bending section 42, and a main body section 43, which are connected to each other sequentially, wherein the mounting end 41 serves to attach the insertion surface of the body 2, and wherein the main body section 43 is attached to the circuit board 3, and wherein the bending section 42 is arranged between the mounting end 41 and the main body section 43 and, in particular, enables a slope to be formed between the mounting end 41 and the main body section 43 in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the plane 24 of the holder 4, in order to form a receiving space so that the light source 1 is received in the receiving space between the mounting end 41 and the circuit board 3. Preferably, the circuit board 3 and the main body section 43 are attached to each other via a fastening element 5, e.g.The circuit board 3 and the main body section 43 are attached using a positioning pin, a screw and a snap-in structure to form an easy assembly.

[0022] Of course, several light sources 1 can be arranged on the circuit board 3, with several light guide elements being laid on the holder 4, and with each light guide element being assigned to a light source 1 in order to form a modular lighting structure.

[0023] Using a light guide element according to the invention, uniform light emission from the light guide element can be achieved. During operation, the light 8 emitted by the light source 1 is scattered by the strip-shaped area to form scattered light 8 with different deflection angles, thus distributing it to different positions within the light guide element. Furthermore, the continuous wave-like units of the strip-shaped area can separate the received light 8 at their respective deflection angles, so that the scattered light 8 appears more uniform when viewed from different positions.

[0024] It should be noted that the described embodiments include preferred embodiments and do not limit the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

[1] Light guide element comprising a body (2) and a light source (1) arranged at an incidence surface of the body (2), wherein light (8) emitted by the light source (1) enters the body (2) at an angle to the incidence surface, wherein an optically structured element (21) is arranged on the surface of the body (2), wherein the optically structured element (21) extends from the incidence surface of the body (2) in the extension direction of the body (2), wherein the optically structured element (21) comprises a strip-shaped area for scattering the light (8), wherein the strip-shaped area is directly irradiated by the light (8) emitted by the light source (1), wherein a cross-section of the strip-shaped area has the form of several interconnected arc or arc-like units (22), wherein the cross-section of the optically structured element (21) comprises a first area and a second area,where the strip-shaped area is located in the first area, . characterized by , that the cross-section of the second region has a shape formed by two slopes (23) and a plane (24) to connect the two slopes (23), the slopes (23) being connected to the strip-shaped region. [2] Light guide element according to claim 1, characterized by , that the number and size of the arc or arc-like units (22) can be adjusted according to the angle of incidence and / or the light intensity of the light source (1). [3] Light guide mechanism for a vehicle light, characterized by , that the light guide mechanism comprises the light guide element according to one of claims 1 to 2, a circuit board (3) and a holder (4) for attaching the body (2). [4] Light guide mechanism for a vehicle light according to claim 3, characterized by, that the holder (4) comprises a fastening end (41), a bending section (42) and a main body section (43) which are connected successively, wherein the fastening end (41) secures the entry surface of the body (2), and wherein the main body section (43) is attached to the circuit board (3), and wherein the bending section (42) allows a receiving space for receiving the light source (1) to be formed between the fastening end (41) and the main body section (43). [5] Light guide mechanism for a vehicle light according to claim 4, characterized by , that the circuit board (3) and the main body section (43) are fastened together via a fastening element (5).

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