MODULAR FIBER GUIDE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an optical element according to the preamble of claim 1 and to an optical arrangement comprising several optical elements according to the invention.

[0002] Various types of optical elements are already known in the prior art. Optical elements of this type are used, for example, to direct light in a luminaire. Generally, optical elements of this type are used to direct light. For this purpose, optical elements of this type have a lens body with a surface that forms a light coupling section and a light coupling section of the optical element. To direct light emitted from a light source of the luminaire, in particular a light source comprising several LEDs, an optical element of this type is specifically aligned with the light source such that the light emitted from the light source strikes the light coupling section of the lens body and is coupled into the lens body there, then guided within the lens body, and finally exits the lens body via the light coupling section.An optical element of this type thus provides a light distribution, such that a light distribution curve is assigned to each optical element. This curve defines the solid angles at which a luminaire emits light with a specific proportion of the light intensity emitted by the luminaire's light source and directed by the optical element of the luminaire, which is aligned with the light source. Various methods for realizing such optical elements with corresponding lens bodies are known in the prior art. The lens bodies are specifically made of a material with a refractive index higher than that of the surroundings, for example, higher than the refractive index of air.The shape of the lens body's interfaces between its light-input and light-output sections, in combination with the lens material, allows for targeted control over the guidance of light coupled into the lens body via the light-input section up to the light-output section. For example, TIR optical elements are known in which a light beam coupled into the lens body via the light-input section is completely reflected at the lens body's interfaces within the lens body until it exits the lens body via the light-output section.In other embodiments, only partial reflection of an injected light beam occurs at the interfaces of the lens body within the lens body, so that a portion of the light exits the lens body between the light-input coupling section and the light-output coupling section, preferably less than 50% of the intensity of the injected light, so that preferably always more than 50%, and particularly preferably more than 80%, of the light injected via the light-input coupling section, relative to the total injected light intensity, exits the light-output coupling section. By appropriately designing the lens body, it can be particularly preferably ensured that a light beam incident on the light-input coupling section with a specific direction of incidence exits the light-output coupling section with a predefined direction of emission. A light source point is particularly preferably assigned to an optical element.When a point light source is arranged at the light source point, a predetermined proportion of the light emitted by the light source is coupled into the lens body via the light coupling section and coupled out of the light coupling section at a predetermined beam angle.

[0003] Due to their stated purpose, optical elements of this type are manufactured with predefined geometric shapes. For example, prism-shaped lens bodies, freeform lens bodies, cylindrical lens bodies, and other lens body shapes are known. As explained, the shape of the lens body, and thus the shape of the light coupling section and the light coupling section, as well as the shape of the interfaces between these two sections, is specifically adapted for the desired purpose. This ensures that the light distribution provided by the optical element is precisely predetermined. This necessitates that optical elements often have geometrically complex shapes, and in particular, such optical elements may exhibit very different material thicknesses at various points.This often makes the production of such optical elements problematic, especially when these elements, with their complex shapes, are manufactured as single-piece components, which is often particularly advantageous for light guidance. Due to the complex shapes and varying material thicknesses, it is difficult to manufacture optical elements with sufficient precision to guarantee the desired light direction within a consistently tight tolerance range. However, this is essential for a wide variety of applications, such as when using optical elements in a luminaire to define its beam pattern.These problems have proven particularly serious in injection molding, a process generally advantageous for mass production. Maintaining tight tolerances in the geometric shape of components with widely varying material thicknesses is especially difficult when manufacturing such components, as the different thicknesses can easily lead to material shrinkage during production. For example, EP 0 945 673 A1 discloses an optical element in which the light coupling section is arranged at a vertical end, and holes are provided in the material of the optical element for light guidance.In DE 20 2013 005 301 U1, a rotationally symmetric optical element is disclosed, the vertical extent of which decreases horizontally outwards from the center. A height leveling feature is incorporated into the side of the optical element opposite the light-exit section, forming adjacent, vertically offset sections of the optical element with respect to a direction of rotation around the center. In US 2014 / 063847 A1 and in document US 2011 / 164434 A1, an optical element arrangement with two optical elements, each having light-guiding sections, is disclosed, wherein the optical elements are nested such that their light-guiding sections run parallel to each other. In US 2014 / 0362588 A1, a rotationally symmetric optical element is disclosed, which has several light-guiding sections extending outwards from a central light-coupling section in a star-shaped pattern, wherein two adjacent light-guiding sections each have a different surface structure.US patent 7,160,010 B1 discloses an optical element with light-guiding sections, each extending away from a central body section of the optical element and spaced apart from one another, and each forming a portion of the light-output section of the optical element from which light is coupled out during intended use of the optical element. DE patent 10,2015 222,495 A1 also discloses an optical element that extends away from and spaced apart from a central body section of the optical element and forms a portion of the light-output section of the optical element from which light is coupled out during intended use of the optical element.

[0004] The invention aims to provide an optical element that can at least partially address some of the problems described above. In particular, the invention aims to provide an arrangement of optical elements that is simple and precise to manufacture and that allows for the reliable implementation of complex light guidance.

[0005] As a solution to at least one of the stated problems, the invention proposes an optical element with the features of claim 1. As explained with regard to generic optical elements, the optical element according to the invention also has a lens body with a surface that forms a light-input coupling section and a light-output coupling section of the optical element. The lens body is configured to couple a light beam, which strikes its light-input coupling section with an incident direction, into it and to couple it out of its light-output coupling section with an exit direction. The lens body is thus configured, as explained, to guide the light beam between the light-input coupling section and the light-output coupling section.For example, the lens body can be designed such that the light beam is essentially totally reflected within the lens body, so that the intensity of the light beam exiting the light output section is at least 90% of the light beam intensity coupled into the lens body at the light input section. In other embodiments, the light beam is only partially reflected at interfaces of the lens body between the light input and light output sections, so that the light beam exiting the light output section is significantly less intense, for example, at least 50%, and in particular at least 70%, of the intensity of the light beam coupled into the lens body at the light input section. The optical element according to the invention can have configurations and advantages that have been explained in connection with generic optical elements.Particularly preferably, the light output section has an averaged planar profile that extends perpendicular to a vertical. In particular, the light output section is defined over the planar extent of the surface of the lens body across which the lens body emits light when a point light source is arranged at the light source point of the optical element and light shines onto the optical element. In some embodiments of the invention, the light input section has several subsections, each of which is assigned to one or a defined group of light guide sections, wherein the light output section is defined over the planar extent of the surface of the lens body across which the lens body emits light when a point light source is arranged at a light source point assigned to each subsection and light shines onto the optical element.In general, the following statements regarding the guiding of light in the optical element or regarding the coupling of light from the optical element preferably refer to the assumption that the light was previously emitted from one or more point light sources arranged at the light source point(s) of the optical element.

[0006] According to the invention, the lens body has several light-guiding sections which are connected to each other in a light-guiding manner and which are arranged distributed over a horizontal section plane. Each light-guiding section has a continuous course between its two longitudinal ends in the horizontal section plane and is bounded laterally to its course by two opposite lateral extension ends, wherein each light-guiding section is laterally spaced from its laterally adjacent light-guiding sections in the horizontal section plane.Particularly preferred is at least a plurality of the light-guiding sections, and in particular each light-guiding section, configured to guide the light beam along its continuous path between its lateral extensions, such that the light-guiding section guides a light beam entering it along its continuous path between its lateral extensions, wherein in particular less than 10%, and in particular less than 5%, of the light beam's intensity exits the light-guiding section via its lateral extensions. The light-guiding sections represent spaced-apart sections of the lens body.Each light guide segment runs continuously in the horizontal plane from a first longitudinal end to a second longitudinal end and is laterally spaced from its laterally adjacent light guide segments along its continuous path, such that a gap exists between each pair of laterally adjacent light guide segments. At least some, in particular a majority, and especially all light guide segments can have a straight continuous path or a curved continuous path. The continuous path of a light guide segment is defined by the path of its lateral midpoint from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end. The lateral direction is therefore always perpendicular to the path, whereas in the case of a curved continuous path, the path is also curved, and thus the lateral direction must be determined separately for each location along the continuous path.A longitudinal end of a light-guiding section can be defined, for example, by the transition of the light-guiding section into another body section of the lens body. Alternatively, a longitudinal end can be defined, for example, by an extensional end of the lens body. Along its entire continuous length, each light-guiding section is always bounded by two opposing lateral extensional ends that border a free space. This free space can be filled, for example, with air or with a material different from the lens body material, but in any case, it is not filled with the same material from which the light-guiding section is made, and in particular, it is made of a material with a different refractive index compared to the material of the light-guiding section.Each light-guiding section extends over a vertical section of the lens body and is thus laterally spaced from its laterally adjacent light-guiding sections along this vertical section of the lens body. This vertical section preferably represents a substantial portion of the maximum total vertical extent of the lens body within the horizontal area over which the respective light-guiding section extends, preferably at least 30%, and more preferably at least 60%, of this extent. The lens body is particularly preferably designed as a single-piece body, especially as a single-piece body manufactured by injection molding, wherein the light-guiding sections together constitute a volume fraction of at least 30%, more preferably at least 50%, and more preferably at least 70% of the lens body.The lens body preferably has at least three, and in particular at least five, light-guiding sections, each arranged laterally adjacent to the others, i.e., arranged side by side laterally, where the term "laterally adjacent" refers to the lateral direction associated with the respective light-guiding section. Particularly preferably, in the horizontal plane of section, the light-guiding sections together form at least 80%, and in particular 100%, of the material-filled cross-section of the lens body in the horizontal plane of section, wherein such a horizontal plane of section is continuous over at least 20% of the vertical extent of the lens body.Particularly preferably, the lateral extent of the free space between two laterally adjacent light guide sections over at least 70% of the continuous path of the two light guide sections is at most three times, in particular at most twice, and in particular at most the amount of the respective lateral extent of the two light guide sections, whereby this applies to every point within the said path. The preferred embodiments described above, as well as the preferred embodiments specified below, can of course be combined with particular advantage.

[0007] The optical element according to the invention offers numerous advantages compared to conventional optical elements. Firstly, the precise manufacturing of an optical element is significantly simplified by providing laterally spaced light-guiding sections. This is because the laterally spaced light-guiding sections allow for the realization of a lens body, and thus an optical element, with a complex geometric shape, without requiring significantly different material thicknesses at various points within the optical element. In the optical element according to the invention, this is achieved by the alternating arrangement of light-guiding sections and spaces between them, whereby the overall geometry of the optical element can be determined by the design of the geometry of the light-guiding sections and the spaces.Furthermore, the inclusion of light guide sections enables particularly precise light guidance within the optical element. In each light guide section, light coupled into the lens body via the light coupling section can be directed precisely between its lateral extensions. For providing particularly complex, precise light guidance, the inclusion of light guide sections with curved, continuous profiles can be especially advantageous. Simultaneously, the distributed arrangement of light guide sections and the spaces between them—particularly when the spaces have relatively small lateral extensions compared to the light guide sections—ensures at least an approximately homogeneous emission of light across the light coupling section.For example, the light output section can be formed, at least partially, by the light guide sections themselves. For instance, the light output section can be formed, at least partially, by a body section of the lens body that connects the light guide sections to each other in a light-conducting manner. In general, the light-conducting connection of the light guide sections ensures that light emanating from a light source enters the light guide sections as homogeneously and with minimal loss, and / or that light is coupled out of the light guide sections with minimal loss and homogeneity. Furthermore, the light-conducting connection of the light guide sections can simultaneously provide a mechanical connection between them, thus simplifying the handling of the optical element.

[0008] In one embodiment, at least the majority of the light-guiding sections are interconnected via a first body section of the lens body, which forms at least one section of the light coupling section. Particularly preferably, this first body section extends continuously from a vertical end of each of these light-guiding sections as a vertical extension of the respective light-guiding section to the light coupling section. It should be noted that this vertical end of a light-guiding section is defined by the vertical position at which the lateral spacing of the light-guiding section from its two laterally adjacent light-guiding sections ends, and thus the light-guiding section itself ends.Particularly preferably, this first body section extends continuously from a horizontal end of each of these light-guiding sections as a horizontal extension of the respective light-guiding section to the light-in coupling section. It should be noted that this horizontal end of a light-guiding section is defined by the horizontal position at which the lateral spacing of the light-guiding section from its two laterally adjacent light-guiding sections ends, and thus the light-guiding section ends. According to the invention, at least a plurality of the light-guiding sections are interconnected via a second body section of the lens body, which forms at least one section of the light-out coupling section.The second body section is arranged at a second vertical end of each of these light-guiding sections and is designed as a vertical extension of each of the light-guiding sections, extending continuously from this second vertical end to the light-extraction section. In particular, the two aforementioned particularly advantageous embodiments can be combined. The light-guiding sections and the first and / or second body section are preferably designed as a single-piece component, and in particular, manufactured in one piece in a single process step. It is especially preferred that the entire lens body is manufactured directly in one piece using a unified manufacturing process.It should be noted at this point that, in the description of exemplary embodiments with reference to a plurality of elements and their properties, one exemplary embodiment is always included in which all elements exhibit these properties. The aforementioned particularly advantageous embodiments offer the special benefit that the light coupling section and / or the light output section transitions into the light coupling sections via a first or a second body section, respectively, thereby ensuring a particularly loss-free and uniform light guidance from the light coupling section or the light output section into the light guide sections connected to it.

[0009] In one embodiment, at least a plurality of the light-guiding sections are connected to one another at a first of their longitudinal ends, wherein, in particular, at least these plurality of light-guiding sections are continuously spaced apart from one another from their respective first longitudinal end to their opposite second longitudinal end. The connection of the light-guiding sections at their first longitudinal ends naturally refers to a specific horizontal plane. This is particularly preferred for all horizontal planes that lie within a continuous vertical section of the lens body, which occupies at least 20% of the total vertical extent of the lens body, and in particular at least 50% of this extent of the lens body.In general, the horizontal and vertical extent of each of the light-guiding sections of the lens body in an embodiment can be defined by defining a light-guiding section as a section of the lens body that is laterally spaced from adjacent sections of the lens body, such that this definition inherently determines that the light-guiding sections are laterally spaced from one another along their entire extent and along their vertical and horizontal extents. Particularly preferably, at least a plurality of the light-guiding sections are optically connected to one another at a first of their vertical extent ends, wherein, in particular, at least this plurality of light-guiding sections are continuously spaced from one another from their respective first vertical end to their opposite second vertical end.Particularly preferably, a plurality of the light-guiding sections of the lens body are connected to each other in a light-guiding manner at both a first of their longitudinal ends and a first of their vertical extension ends. Particularly preferably, a plurality of the light-guiding sections are connected to each other in a light-guiding manner at a first of their longitudinal ends and, together with their second longitudinal end, form an extension end of the lens body. Particularly preferably, a plurality of the light-guiding sections are connected to each other in a light-guiding manner at a first of their vertical extension ends and, together with their second vertical extension ends, form an extension end of the lens body. Particularly preferably, the connection of the light-guiding sections is effected via at least one body section of the lens body as defined above.

[0010] In one embodiment, at least a plurality of the light-guiding sections extend over at least 50%, and in particular over at least 70%, of the vertical extension length of the lens body, being laterally spaced apart from one another over their entire vertical extension length. In one embodiment, this refers to the absolute vertical extension length of the lens body, i.e., its maximum vertical extension length over its horizontal extension.In another embodiment, this refers to the maximum vertical extent of the lens body with respect to a specific light-guiding section within the overall horizontal extent of the light-guiding section, wherein this specific light-guiding section then comprises a corresponding proportion of at least 50%, and in particular at least 70%, of this vertical extent of the lens body, and this applies at least to the majority of the light-guiding sections. In a further embodiment, which can be combined with the described embodiment in particular, at least 50% of the planar extent of the lens body is formed by the majority of the light-guiding sections over at least 50% of the vertical extent of the lens body in each horizontal section plane.The planar extent of the lens body refers to the planar extent that the lens body has with solid material, so that free spaces are not included in this planar extent. In the described particularly advantageous embodiments, a significant proportion of the lens body consists of the light-guiding sections, which is particularly advantageous for the manufacture of the lens body.

[0011] In one embodiment, the light coupling section is formed by a horizontal extension end of the lens body, with the light-guiding sections extending horizontally away from the light coupling section. In this embodiment, the light coupling section is thus formed by a horizontal side of the lens body, with the light-guiding sections extending away from this side. Particularly preferably, this side, and thus the light coupling section, is formed by a first body section of the lens body, which then transitions into the light-guiding sections at its side facing away from the light coupling section. In another embodiment, the light coupling section is arranged within the horizontal extension of the lens body, with the light-guiding sections being arranged horizontally distributed around the light coupling section and extending away from the light coupling section.In one embodiment, the light guide sections are arranged circumferentially distributed around the light coupling section, in particular uniformly distributed around the light coupling section. In one embodiment, they are arranged circumferentially distributed around the light coupling section by a circumferential angle of at least 180°, in another embodiment by a circumferential angle of at least 270°, and in another embodiment completely distributed around the light coupling section, i.e., with a circumferential angle of 360°. In one embodiment, the light coupling section is arranged in a horizontal direction between light guide sections that are opposite each other in this horizontal direction and connects these light guide sections to each other, in particular being arranged between each pair of opposite light guide sections.The light guide sections are thus positioned opposite each other and spaced apart by the light coupling section. In a further embodiment, which can be combined with the aforementioned embodiments, the light guide sections form a star-shaped arrangement around the light coupling section and are connected to each other via the light coupling section. The light coupling section thus forms the center of the star-shaped arrangement of the light guide sections. By arranging the light coupling section horizontally within the extent of the lens body with light guide sections distributed around the light coupling section, an optical element can be provided with particular advantage that emits light, which is emitted from a light source arranged at the light source point of the optical element and reaches the light coupling section, over a wide beam angle and / or over a wide emitting area.

[0012] In one embodiment, the light-guiding sections form at least one vertical end of the lens body. As explained, the light-guiding sections are laterally spaced apart, so that spaces are provided between the light-guiding sections at this vertical end of the lens body. Such a design can offer particular advantages. Because of the spaces provided between the light-guiding sections that form a vertical end of the lens body, other elements can be arranged within these spaces, allowing the optical element to be integrated into various applications, such as a luminaire, in a particularly space-saving and efficient manner.Particularly advantageously, two appropriately designed optical elements can be combined to form an optical arrangement according to the invention, wherein they are joined together in such a way that their vertical ends, which are formed by the light-guiding sections of the respective optical elements, are inserted into one another, so that at least some of the light-guiding sections of a first of the two optical elements are arranged horizontally between light-guiding sections of a second of the two optical elements. By arranging the optical elements in sections within one another, a very compact optical arrangement can be provided, with which even complex emission characteristics can be realized after light has been coupled into the two optical elements via the light coupling sections of the two optical elements. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the light coupling sections of the two optical elements are inserted into one another in the optical arrangement.This allows a light source to be positioned relative to both light coupling sections of the two optical elements such that the light emitted by it is coupled into both optical elements via the light coupling sections. The light source can thus be positioned, in particular, at a common light source point of both optical elements. It is especially preferred that the light coupling sections of the two optical elements are nested within each other in the optical arrangement such that they both extend along the same horizontal plane.Particularly preferably, the light coupling sections of the two optical elements are each formed by light guide sections of the two optical elements, wherein in the optical arrangement the light coupling sections are inserted into one another in such a way that at least some light guide sections of the first optical element forming the light coupling section of the first optical element are arranged between the light guide sections of the second optical element forming the light coupling section of the second optical element.

[0013] In one embodiment of an optical element according to the invention, a space is provided laterally between two adjacent light-guiding sections of the lens body, which has a V-shaped cross-section in the horizontal plane. Preferably, the apex of the V points towards the light coupling side. This enables a distribution of light from a light source across the light-guiding sections that is as uniform as possible over a wide area.

[0014] In one embodiment, the light output section extends along a horizontal plane. For example, the light output section, which represents a surface section of the lens body, can be planar and thus extend in the horizontal plane. For example, the light output section can extend along its average path in the horizontal plane. By providing a light output section extending along a horizontal plane, a distribution of light from a light source, whose light is coupled into the light input section of the optical element, can be ensured over a large horizontal area.

[0015] According to the invention, at least a plurality of the light guide sections have a vertical extension length that decreases with increasing horizontal distance from the light coupling section. This allows for targeted control of the light output from the light guide sections. Due to the increasing reduction in vertical extension length, the proportion of light output from the light guide section can be increased with increasing horizontal distance from the light coupling section. This ensures a light output, i.e., a light intensity, that is as constant as possible across the horizontal extension of the light guide section from the light coupling section. Preferably, the vertical extension length of the respective light guide section decreases in steps. In another embodiment, the vertical extension length decreases continuously.It should be noted again at this point that the aforementioned advantageous embodiments of an optical element according to the invention can be combined with one another. In descriptions relating to a plurality of light guide sections, embodiments may be realized in which one and the same plurality has properties that are described in the above descriptions with reference to different embodiments, each for any plurality.

[0016] The invention further relates to an optical arrangement comprising at least two optical elements according to the invention. In the optical arrangement according to the invention, at least some, and in particular the majority, of the light guide sections of a first optical element are arranged horizontally between light guide sections of a second optical element, wherein these light guide sections of the first optical element each overlap vertically with light guide sections of the second optical element. This allows for a particularly compact optical arrangement that ensures complex light guidance. For example, in one optical element, the light guide sections can be arranged in a finger-like shape and positioned in corresponding spaces between light guide sections of the second optical element.For example, the light guide sections of at least one of the optical elements, in particular of the first and second optical elements, can form at least one vertical end of the lens body, wherein the optical elements are vertically nested within one another in the optical arrangement. Particularly preferably, each light guide section of the first optical element is arranged horizontally between two light guide sections of the second optical element, and each light guide section of the second optical element is arranged horizontally between two light guide sections of the first optical element.

[0017] In one embodiment, a surface normal associated with the light-output section of the first optical element points in the same or opposite direction to a surface normal associated with the light-output section of the second optical element. An optical arrangement in which the surface normals of the light-output sections of the two optical elements point in the same direction can, for example, enable the emission of light with two different light distribution curves if the two optical elements each provide a different light distribution of light coupled into them at their light-input sections. It should be noted here that each optical element provides a specific, associated light distribution.The light distribution provided by an optical element results from the geometric structure of the optical element, comprising its light coupling section, its light output section, and its light guide sections. Furthermore, the light distribution provided by an optical element is determined by the material from which the optical element is made. The adjustment of the light distribution provided by an optical element by selecting its geometric shape and material is well known to those skilled in the art. An optical arrangement in which the two surface normals of the light output sections of the two optical elements point in opposite directions can ensure that light emitted by light sources arranged at their light coupling sections is emitted in two opposite directions.Particularly preferably in the optical arrangement according to the invention, a surface normal of the light output section of the first optical element points vertically upwards and a surface normal of the light output section of the second optical element points vertically downwards. The surface normal is perpendicular to the surface section of the respective optical element defined by the respective light output section and points perpendicularly away from this surface section. If a curved light output section is provided, the surface normal is perpendicular to the central path of the light output section. In the particularly advantageous optical arrangement according to the invention, the emission of light in two opposite vertical directions can be ensured, which has previously been coupled into the light input sections of the two optical elements by a light source.

[0018] In one embodiment, LEDs with a first light color are arranged on the light coupling section of the first optical element, and LEDs with a second light color are arranged on the light coupling section of the second optical element, the first light color being different from the second light color. The first light color is particularly preferably below 3600 K, especially below 3300 K, and the second light color is preferably above 5000 K, especially above 5300 K. Such an optical arrangement can be particularly well suited for mixing light colors or, alternatively, for illuminating different areas with different light colors. For manufacturing purposes, the two optical elements can each be equipped with LEDs of a specific light color and then combined to form the optical arrangement.Aligning the surface normals of the light output sections of the two optical elements in the same direction can, for example, provide particularly good mixing of light with the two different colors. It should be noted that the direction of the surface normals indicates the average emission direction of the optical elements. By using surface normals pointing in different directions, different areas can be selectively illuminated with different colors of light.Particularly preferred is the assignment of exactly one LED of the first light color or exactly one defined group of these LEDs to at least some, in particular all, light guide sections or to each group of light guide sections of the first optical element, and the assignment of exactly one LED of the second light color or exactly one defined group of these LEDs to each of at least some, in particular all, light guide sections or to each group of light guide sections of the second optical element. The assignment of exactly one LED to a light guide section or to a group of light guide sections means, in the present context, that this LED is arranged on the light coupling section of the respective optical element such that at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, of the light emitted by this LED reaches the assigned light guide section or group of light guide sections.Particularly preferred are the various LEDs arranged at the light coupling section of one of the optical elements, such that they are arranged relative to a specific light guide section assigned to a particular LED, such that in an operating state where all LEDs emit light, more than 80% of the light entering that specific light guide section is emitted by the LED or group of LEDs assigned to it. By assigning individual LEDs or groups of LEDs to specific light guide sections, the emission characteristics of the optical arrangement can be precisely controlled, since only those LEDs assigned to specific light guide sections with a particular geometric shape can be switched on to ensure a specific emission characteristic.

[0019] Particularly preferred is the assignment of a first light distribution curve to the first optical element and a second light distribution curve to the second optical element, wherein the two light distribution curves differ from each other. As explained, the light distribution curve assigned to an optical element is determined by the material and shape of the optical element and results from the light distribution provided by the respective optical element. It is familiar to those skilled in the art to measure the light distribution curve of an optical element in order to determine in which directions the optical element emits which proportion of the light that was coupled into its light coupling section from one or more light source points assigned to it.By providing two optical elements with different light distribution curves, the use of the particularly advantageous optical arrangement according to the invention in a luminaire makes it possible to vary the light distribution emitted by the luminaire.

[0020] The optical arrangement according to the invention can, in particular in advantageous embodiments, have further properties and advantages described above with reference to an optical element according to the invention or with reference to optical arrangements according to the invention, wherein these properties or advantages can be combined with each other, particularly in especially advantageous embodiments.

[0021] The invention further relates to a luminaire comprising an optical element according to the invention. In particular, the invention relates to a luminaire comprising an optical arrangement according to the invention. The luminaire preferably comprises a light source, in particular LEDs, and a control unit designed for controlling the light sources. The luminaire may comprise further components customary in luminaires of this type, for example, a control gear, a housing, a cover, etc.

[0022] In one embodiment of the luminaire according to the invention, at least in a majority of the light guide sections of the optical element or optical arrangement encompassed by the luminaire, each light guide section or group of light guide sections is assigned exactly one LED unit, which is arranged on the light coupling section of the optical element that comprises the light guide sections. Particularly preferably, said majority of light guide sections comprises all light guide sections. Particularly preferably, the luminaire has several groups of light guide sections, each of which is assigned exactly one LED unit. Naturally, in the described embodiment, the luminaire has several LED units, each of which is assigned exactly one of the light guide sections or exactly one group of light guide sections.The control unit is designed to control a first group of LED units independently of a second group of LED units. An LED unit can comprise one or more LEDs. As explained above, the assignment of an LED unit to a light guide section or group of light guide sections means that this LED unit emits at least 80% of the light it emits and couples into the light coupling section into its assigned light guide section or group of light guide sections. In particular, when all LED units of the luminaire are switched on, over 80% of the light coupled into a light guide section originates from its assigned LED unit. Assigning LED units to exactly one light guide section each ensures particularly precise adjustability of the luminaire's beam pattern.By grouping LED units and independently controlling different groups of LED units, it is possible to control different, each useful, beam characteristics of the luminaire in a very simple way.

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the luminaire according to the invention comprises an optical arrangement wherein the surface normals of the light-emitting sections of the two optical elements of the optical arrangement point in the same direction. Particularly preferably, a first group of LED units is arranged on the light-emitting section of the first optical element and a second group of LED units is arranged on the light-emitting section of the second optical element, wherein the control unit is configured to control the two groups independently of each other. This ensures that the light distribution emitted by the optical arrangement during operation of the luminaire can be selected.In a further particularly advantageous embodiment, the LED units of the first group are each arranged on light guide sections that provide a first light distribution, and the LED units of the second group are each arranged on light guide sections that provide a second light distribution. Accordingly, for example, the first or second light distribution can be selected by controlling the first or second group of LED units. In a further particularly advantageous embodiment, the first group of LED units comprises exclusively LEDs with a first light color, and the second group of LED units comprises exclusively LEDs with a second light color that differs from the first. This allows, for example, the emitted light color of the luminaire according to the invention to be selectively controlled.Furthermore, in the luminaire according to the invention, the control unit can be configured to dim the different groups of LED units independently of one another. By aligning the surface normals of the two light-emitting sections of the two optical elements in the same direction, this ensures a mixing of the different light colors and thus enables a particularly high variability in the emitted light color. In one embodiment, the LED units each comprise LEDs with a first light color and LEDs with a second light color, wherein the LEDs with the first light color belonging to a specific group of LED units can be controlled by the control unit independently of the LEDs with a second light color belonging to this specific group.In this particularly preferred embodiment, independent control of the groups of LED units is thus possible, as is independent control of the LEDs of different light colors belonging to a group of LED units, so that the light color emitted by the group of LED units can be varied within that group. It should be noted here that the independent control always includes independent dimming.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to seven figures and exemplary embodiments.

[0025] They show: Figure 1: Schematic representations showing various views of an embodiment of an optical element according to the invention; Figure 2: Schematic representations showing various views of a further embodiment of an optical element according to the invention; Figure 3: Schematic representation showing a further embodiment of an optical element according to the invention; Figure 4: Schematic representation showing a further embodiment of an optical element according to the invention; Figure 5: Schematic representations showing various views of an embodiment of an optical arrangement according to the invention; Figure 6: Schematic representations showing various views of a further embodiment of an optical arrangement according to the invention; Figure 7: Schematic representations showing various views of a further embodiment of an optical arrangement according to the invention; Figure 8: Schematic representations showing various views of a further embodiment of an optical arrangement according to the invention;Figure 9: a schematic representation showing a section of an embodiment of a lamp according to the invention; Figure 10: a schematic representation showing a section of another embodiment of a lamp according to the invention.

[0026] In Figure 1 comprehensive the Figures 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d Various views of an optical element 1 according to the invention are shown in schematic diagrams. The following description refers to the overall view of the Figures 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d The in Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment of an optical element 1 according to the invention is manufactured as a one-piece component using an injection molding process. The optical element 1 comprises a lens body with light-guiding sections 2. The light-guiding sections 2 are sections of the lens body that are laterally spaced apart from one another along the vertical V and the horizontal over their entire length by clearances 3. Figures 1b, 1c and 1dVertical cross-sectional planes through the lens body of optical element 1 are shown. While in Figure 1b A section through free spaces 3 between two adjacent light guide sections 2 is shown, is in the Figures 1c and 1d A section through light guide sections 2 is shown. Each light guide section 2 has an associated lateral direction L and is laterally spaced from its laterally adjacent light guide sections 2 in its lateral direction L, namely by the free space 3. The lateral direction L is perpendicular to the continuous path of each light guide section 2, over which the light guide section 2 extends in a horizontal section plane, which is in Figure 1 not shown, extends. The lateral direction L is also perpendicular to the vertical extension direction of the respective light guide section 2. In Figure 1aThe lateral direction L for a specific light guide section 2 is shown on this light guide section 2. All light guide sections 2 are interconnected via a first body section 11 of the lens body, which forms a section of the light coupling section 100 of the optical element 1. Furthermore, all light guide sections 2 are interconnected via a second body section 12 of the lens body of the optical element 1, which forms the light coupling section 200. The light guide sections 2 transition continuously into the first body section 11 and the second body section 12. This is particularly advantageous for the light guidance within the optical element 1. Figure 1For the sake of clarification, a light source 4 is also shown, which is arranged at a light source point associated with the optical element 1. All light rays emitted by the light source 4 are coupled into the lens body of the optical element 1 via the light coupling section 100. The majority of the coupled light then travels in the light guide sections 2, whereby, in the embodiment described here, total internal reflection occurs at the extension ends of each light guide section 2, as is the case for a light ray 40 in Figure 1dThis is illustrated by way of example. Each light beam 40 is guided in the light-guiding sections 2 until it enters the second body section 12 and exits the optical element 1 via the light-out coupling section 200. It should be noted at this point that the present description preferably refers to visible light, preferably to light with a wavelength between 500 nm and 700 nm. Figure 1It is further evident that a free space 3 is provided laterally between two adjacent light guide sections 2, which is designed as an intermediate space having a V-shaped cross-section in a horizontal section plane, with the apex of the V pointing towards the light coupling section 100. The apex of the V opens, at least partially, into the first body section 11, which forms the light coupling section 100, so that light emitted from the light source 4 can pass through the light coupling section 100 into the light guide sections 2 with minimal loss.

[0027] In Figure 2 comprehensive the Figures 2a and 2b Another embodiment of an optical element 1 according to the invention is shown in schematic diagrams. Elements that correspond to the elements of the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1 Similar items are marked with identical reference numerals. The embodiment shown in [reference missing] is also [reference missing]. Figure 2The optical element 1 has a plurality of light guide sections 2, with this embodiment having two different groups of light guide sections 2. A first group of light guide sections 2 transitions into a first body section 11, which forms the light coupling section 100, and is distributed circumferentially around this light coupling section 100. A second group of light guide sections 2 is arranged vertically offset from the first group of light guide sections 2 and transitions into a second body section 12, which forms the light coupling section 200. All light guide sections 2 have a vertical extension length that decreases with increasing horizontal distance from the light coupling section 100. While this vertical extension length decreases continuously in the first group of light guide sections 2, it decreases stepwise in the second group of light guide sections 2. In the optical element 1 according to... Figure 2is the same as with optical element 1 according to Figure 1 A free space 3 is provided between two laterally adjacent light guide sections 2, which is designed as an intermediate space with a V-shaped cross-section in a horizontal section plane, the apex of the V pointing towards the light coupling section 100. Figure 2b The lateral direction L associated with a specific light guide section 2 is shown above this light guide section 2. In contrast to the optical element 1 according to Figure 1 is in the optical element 1 according to Figure 2 The light output coupling section 200 is designed as a closed, flat surface extending over the entire horizontal extent of the optical element 1. With the optical element 1 according to Figure 2This makes it particularly advantageous to distribute light coupled into the optical element 1 via the light coupling section 100 over a very wide horizontal area and thus emit it over a large area of ​​the light coupling section 200.

[0028] In Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of an optical element 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the optical element is designed in the manner of a freeform lens. Figure 3 A perspective view with a vertical section is shown. Elements of the embodiment according to Figure 3 , which are similar to elements of the embodiments according to Figure 1 and 2 are provided with identical reference numerals. This also applies to the embodiment according to Figure 3 The light guide sections 2 are connected via a first body section 11 of the lens body, which forms the light coupling section 100. Furthermore, in the embodiment according to Figure 3The light guide sections 2 themselves at least partially exclude the light output coupling section 200, and a free space 3 is provided between two laterally adjacent light guide sections 2, which is designed like an intermediate space having a V-shaped cross-section in a horizontal section plane. The lateral direction L associated with a specific light guide section 2 is shown.

[0029] In Figure 4 Another embodiment of an optical element 1 according to the invention is shown. Elements of the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 4 , which are similar to elements of the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 3 are provided with identical reference numerals. As in the embodiments shown in the examples above. Figures 1 to 3 is also the case in the embodiment according to Figure 4 The light coupling section 100 is arranged horizontally within the extent of the lens body. However, in the embodiments according to the Figures 1 to 3where the light guide sections 2 are arranged horizontally over a considerable circumferential angle around the light coupling section 100, the light coupling section 100 of the embodiment according to Figure 4 in a horizontal direction between horizontally opposing light guide sections 2, wherein the light guide sections 2 extend horizontally away from the light coupling section 100. Figure 4 The recess 101 between two horizontally opposing light guide sections 2 is shown, in which the light coupling section 100 is formed between the two light guide sections 2. Figure 4 It can also be seen that two laterally adjacent light guide sections 2 are always laterally separated from each other by a free space 3, wherein the free space 3 has a lateral extent that changes along the horizontal direction. Figure 4For a specific light guide section 2, the lateral direction L assigned to it is shown at a point along its horizontal extent. Furthermore, it is shown that Figure 4 to recognize that the light guide sections 2 each have a vertical extent length which decreases with increasing horizontal distance from the light coupling section 100.

[0030] In Figure 5 comprehensive the Figures 5a, 5b and 5cA first embodiment of an optical arrangement 10 according to the invention is shown in schematic diagrams. This optical arrangement 10 comprises two optical elements 1A, 1B, each configured as an embodiment of an optical element 1 according to the invention. The optical elements 1A, 1B each have light-guiding sections 2A, 2B, which form a vertical end of the lens body of the respective optical element 1A, 1B. The light-guiding sections 2A, 2B are each spaced apart from one another by a clearance 3, which is configured as an intermediate space with a V-shaped cross-section. While in the Figures 5a, 5b The optical elements 1A, 1B of the optical arrangement 10 are shown individually or during the assembly of the optical arrangement 10, as shown in Figure 5cThe optical arrangement 10 according to the invention is shown in its manufactured and intended state. In this intended state, each light guide section 2A of the first optical element 1A is arranged in the free space 3 between two laterally adjacent light guide sections 2B of the second optical element 1B. Furthermore, the light coupling sections 2 of the optical elements 1A, 1B are nested one inside the other, so that the recesses 101A, 101B of the optical elements 1A, 1B lie within each other and form a common recess 101 of the optical arrangement 10, which is designed to receive a light source 4. In the optical arrangement 10, both optical elements 1A, 1B are assigned the same light source point, at which a light source 4 is to be arranged for coupling the light rays 40 emitted by the light source 4 into the light coupling sections 100A, 100B of the two optical elements 1A, 1B. The optical arrangement 10 according to Figure 5The optical arrangement 10 is designed to couple light out from a light source 4 located in the recess 101 at the light source point of the optical arrangement 10, both via the light output section 200A of the first optical element 1A and via the light output section 200B of the second optical element 1B, when the optical arrangement 10 is irradiated. The surface normal of the light output section 200A of the first optical element 1A points vertically upwards, whereas the surface normal of the light input section 200B of the second optical element 1B points downwards. An optical arrangement 10 according to Figure 5 is therefore particularly advantageous for ensuring both direct and indirect lighting using only one light source 4.

[0031] In Figure 6 comprehensive the Figures 6a , 6b, 6c and 6dIn various views, a further embodiment of an optical arrangement 10 according to the invention is shown in schematic diagrams. Elements that are similar to elements of previously described embodiments are marked with identical reference numerals. The embodiment of an optical arrangement 10 according to the invention is shown in [reference]. Figure 6The optical element comprises two optical elements 1A, 1B, which are identical in design and vertically nested within one another. Each optical element 1A, 1B has a plurality of light-guiding sections 2A, 2B, wherein two laterally adjacent light-guiding sections 2A, 2B are separated from each other by a clearance 3, the lateral extent of which is constant over its entire horizontal extent. In both optical elements 1A, 1B, the light-in coupling section 100A, 100B is formed by a horizontal end of the lens body, with the light-guiding sections 2A, 2B extending horizontally away from the light-in coupling section 100A, 100B. The light-out coupling section 200A, 200B is formed by a vertical end of the lens body and is furthermore designed as a flat surface.In the optical arrangement 10, the surface normal of the light output coupling section 200A of the first optical element 1A points upwards, while the surface normal of the light output coupling section 200B of the second optical element 2B points downwards. The light output coupling sections 200A, 200B are each formed by a second body section 12A, 12B of the respective optical element 1A, 1B, via which the light guide sections 2A, 2B of the respective optical element 1A, 1B are connected to each other. In the optical arrangement 10 according to the invention, the optical elements 1A, 1B are inserted into one another in such a way that the light coupling section 100A of the first optical element 1A forms a first horizontal extension end of the optical arrangement 10 and the light coupling section 100B of the second optical element 2B forms a second horizontal extension end of the optical arrangement 10, with these two extension ends being horizontally opposite each other.The light guide sections 2A, 2B each have a vertical extension length that decreases with increasing distance from their respective light coupling sections 100A, 100B. This results in, as is particularly evident in the... Figures 6c and 6d indicated, ensures the most uniform possible coupling of light over the horizontal extent of the light guide sections 2A, 2B, which is coupled into the respective light guide section 2A, 2B via the light source 4A, 4B.

[0032] In Figure 7 comprehensive the Figures 7a and 7b Another embodiment of an optical arrangement 10 according to the invention is shown in schematic diagrams. Elements of this embodiment that are similar to elements of the embodiments already described according to the invention are marked with identical reference numerals. The optical arrangement 10 according to Figure 7 It has two optical elements 1A, 1B. The optical elements 1A, 1B of the embodiment of the optical arrangement 10 according to Figure 7are identical to the optical elements 1A, 1B as to the embodiment according to Figure 6 explained and trained. Also in the optical arrangement according to Figure 7 These optical elements 1A, 1B are vertically nested inside one another. However, the optical elements 1A, 1B are arranged relative to each other such that the light coupling sections 100A, 100B of the two optical elements 1A, 1B each form the same horizontal extension end of the optical arrangement 10. Accordingly, when an optical arrangement 10 is used as intended, Figure 7 The light sources 4A, 4B, which are arranged at the light coupling sections 100A, 100B of the two optical elements 1A, 1B, are arranged at the same horizontal extension end of the optical arrangement 10. An optical arrangement according to Figure 7This can be particularly advantageous for use in luminaires, since the provision of light sources 4A, 4B only needs to be on one side of the optical arrangement 10, thus simplifying the electrical contacting of the light sources 4A, 4B. As a result, the optical arrangement 10 also leads to the following: Figure 7 This ensures that light is emitted homogeneously both vertically upwards and vertically downwards over a large emission area.

[0033] In Figure 8 comprehensive the Figures 8a and 8b Another embodiment of an optical arrangement 10 according to the invention is shown in schematic diagrams. Elements of this embodiment that are similar to elements of the embodiment already described according to the invention are marked with identical reference numerals. The optical arrangement 10 according to Figure 8The optical arrangement 10 comprises two optical elements, 1A and 1B. These elements have different geometric shapes, resulting in different light distributions. This is further detailed in the optical arrangement 10 according to... Figure 8 (the operating state of the optical arrangement is in Figure 8b(As shown) the surface normals of the light output coupling sections 200A, 200B of the two optical elements 1A, 1B point in the same direction. First light sources 4A are arranged at the light input coupling section 100A of the first optical element 1A. Second light sources 4B are arranged at the light input coupling section 100B of the second optical element 1B. Each of the light sources 4A, 4B is assigned to exactly one of the light guide sections 2A, 2B. The first light sources 4A, which are arranged at the first light input coupling section 100A of the first optical element 1A, can be controlled independently of the second light sources 4B, which are arranged at the light input coupling section 100B of the second optical element 1B.Since the two optical elements 1A, 1B each provide a different light distribution, the light distribution curve provided by the optical arrangement can be specifically selected by selectively controlling either the first light sources 4A or the second light sources 4B.

[0034] In Figure 9A schematic diagram shows a section of an embodiment of a luminaire according to the invention. Elements of this embodiment that are similar to elements of the embodiments already described according to the invention are marked with identical reference numerals. The described embodiment has an optical element 1. In the described embodiment, the optical element 1 has two different groups of light guide sections, which is generally advantageous according to the invention regardless of the specific embodiment described: a first group of first light guide sections 21 and a second group of second light guide sections 22. It is generally preferred, and provided in the described embodiment, that the first and second light guide sections 21, 22 are arranged alternately.Furthermore, and preferably provided in the described embodiment, the first light guide sections 21 provide a different light distribution than the second light guide sections 22. Each of the light guide sections 21, 22 is assigned a light source 4. The light sources 4 are divided into two groups, which can be controlled independently of each other. A first group of light sources 4 is assigned to the first light guide sections 21, and a second group of light sources 4 is assigned to the second light guide sections 22.Since the two groups can be controlled independently of each other, the light distribution curve emitted by the luminaire can be specifically selected by choosing to control the first or the second group of light sources 4, because when controlling the first group of light sources 4, the light distribution determined by the first light guide sections 21 with the resulting light distribution curve is used, and when controlling the second group of light sources 4, the light distribution and thus emitted light distribution curve provided by the second light guide sections 22 is used.

[0035] In Figure 10A further embodiment of a luminaire according to the invention is shown in a section in a schematic diagram. Elements of this embodiment that are similar to elements of the embodiment already described according to the invention are marked with identical reference numerals. The luminaire comprises an optical element 1. As in the embodiment according to Figure 9 As explained, this optical element 1 has a first group of first light guide sections 21 and a second group of second light guide sections 22, wherein the first light guide sections 21 provide a different light distribution than the second light guide sections 22. Each of the light guide sections 21, 22 is associated with an LED unit 41, 42. Each LED unit 41, 42 has two LEDs with different light colors, which can be controlled independently of each other. In the embodiment according to Figure 10Thus, firstly, a first group of LED units 41 can be controlled independently of a second group of LED units 42, and secondly, the light sources of different light colors assigned to one of the groups of LED units 41, 42 can be controlled independently of each other. Accordingly, in the embodiment according to the invention, Figure 10 Both the light color emitted by the luminaire and the light distribution curve emitted by the luminaire can be adjusted. List of reference symbols

[0036] 1 Optical element 1A First optical element 1B Second optical element 2 Light guide section 2A First light guide section of the first optical element 2B Second light guide section of the second optical element 3 Free space 4 Light source 4A First light source 4B Second light source 10 Optical arrangement 11 First body section 12 Second body section 12A Second body section of the first optical element 12B Second body section of the second optical element 21 First light guide section 22 Second light guide section 40 Light beam 41 First group of LED units 42 Second group of LED units 100 Light coupling section 100A First light coupling section of the first optical element 100B Second light coupling section of the second optical element 101 Recess 101A First recess of the first optical element 101B Second recess of the second optical element 200 Light output section 200A First light output section of the first optical element 200B Second light output section of the second optical element L Lateral direction V Vertical

Claims

1. Optical element (1, 1A, 1B) for light guidance in a luminaire, the optical element comprising a lens body the surface of which forms a light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B) for coupling a light beam (40) into the lens body and a light outcoupling section (200, 200A, 200B) for coupling out the light beam (40) from the lens body, wherein the lens body has several light guide sections (2, 2A, 2B) which are connected to each other in a light-guiding manner and which are distributed over a horizontal sectional plane, each light guide section (2, 2A, 2B) having a continuous course between its two longitudinal ends in the horizontal sectional plane and being bounded laterally to its course by two opposite lateral extension ends, each light guide section (2, 2A, 2B) being laterally spaced from its light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) which are laterally adjacent in the horizontal sectional plane, so that the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) represent mutually spaced-apart sections of the lens body and a free space is arranged in each case between two laterally adjacent light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) and each light guide section (2, 2A, 2B) is configured for guiding the light beam along its continuous course between its lateral extension ends, at least a plurality of the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) having a vertical extension length that decreases with increasing horizontal distance from the light coupling section (100) and each light guide section (2, 2A, 2B) extending over a vertical section of the lens body which represents at least 30% of the entire vertical extension length of the lens body within the horizontal range over which the respective light guide section (2, 2A, 2B) extends, each light guide section (2, 2A, 2B) being laterally spaced from its laterally adjacent light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) across this vertical section of the lens body, in particular the plurality of the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) being connected to each other in a light-guiding manner through a first body section (11, 11A) of the lens body which forms at least one portion of the light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B) and which, starting from a vertical end of each of these light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B), extends as a vertical extension of the respective light guide section (2, 2A, 2B) uninterruptedly up to the light coupling section, wherein the plurality of light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) are connected to each other in a light-guiding manner through a second body section (12, 12A) of the lens body which forms at least one portion of the light outcoupling section (200, 200A, 200B), the second body section (12, 12A) being arranged on a second vertical end of each of these light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) and formed as a vertical extension of each of the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) and extending uninterruptedly from that second vertical end up to the light outcoupling section (200, 200A, 200B), and wherein i) the light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B) is formed by a horizontal extension end of the lens body, with the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) extending with their respective course horizontally away from the light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B), or ii) the light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B) is horizontally arranged within the extension of the lens body and the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) are horizontally arranged about the light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B) and extend with their respective course horizontally away from the light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B).

2. Optical element (1, 1A, 1B) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a plurality of the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) are connected to each other in a light-guiding manner through a first body section (11) of the lens body which forms at least one portion of the light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B) and / or are connected to each other in a light-guiding manner through a second body section (12, 12A, 12B of the lens body which forms at least one portion of the light outcoupling section (200, 200A, 200B).

3. Optical element (1, 1A, 1B) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a plurality of the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) are connected to each other in a light-guiding manner at a first of their longitudinal ends.

4. Optical element (1, 1A, 1B) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a plurality of the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) extends over at least 50%, in particular at least over 70%, of a vertical extension length of the lens body and are laterally spaced from each other over their entire extension length and / or in that at least over 50% of the vertical extension length of the lens body in each horizontal sectional plane at least 50% of the flat extension of the lens body are formed by a plurality of the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B).

5. Optical element (1, 1A, 1B) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B) is arranged in a horizontal direction between light-guiding sections (2A, 2B) opposing each other in that horizontal direction and connects these light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) to each other and / or that the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) form a star-shaped arrangement around the light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B) and are connected to each other through the light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B).

6. Optical element (1, 1A, 1B) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) form at least a vertical end of the lens body.

7. Optical element (1, 1A, 1B) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an intermediate space is provided laterally between two adjacent light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B), which has a V-shaped cross section in the horizontal sectional plane, wherein in particular the tip of the V points to the light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B).

8. Optical element (1, 1A, 1B) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light outcoupling section (200, 200A, 200B) extends along a horizontal plane.

9. Optical arrangement (10) comprising at least two optical elements (1, 1A, 1B) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some, in particular a plurality, of the light-guiding sections (2A) of a first optical element (1A) are horizontally arranged between light-guiding sections (2B) of a second optical element (1B) and vertically overlapping with these light-guiding sections (2B) of the second optical element (1B), wherein in particular a surface normal of the light outcoupling section (200A) of the first optical element (1A) and a surface normal of the light outcoupling section (200B) of the second optical element (1B) point in the same or mutually opposite directions, wherein in particular the surface normal of the light outcoupling section (200A) of the first optical element (1A) points upwards vertically and the surface normal of the light outcoupling section (200B) of the second optical element (1B) points downwards vertically.

10. Optical arrangement (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that LEDs with a first light color are arranged at the light coupling section (100A) of the first optical element (1A) and LEDs with a second light color are arranged at the light coupling section (100B) of the second optical element (1B), wherein the first light color differs from the second light color, wherein in particular precisely one or precisely one group of the LEDs with the first light color is respectively assigned to each of the at least some light-guiding sections (2A) or to a group of light-guiding sections (2A) of the first optical element (1A) and precisely one precisely one group of LEDs with the second light color is respectively assigned to each of the at least some light-guiding sections (2B) or to a group of light-guiding sections (2B) of the second optical element (1B).

11. Optical arrangement according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the first optical element (1A) is assigned a first light distribution curve and the second optical element (1B) is assigned a second light distribution curve, wherein both light distribution curves are different from each other.

12. Luminaire comprising an optical element (1, 1A, 1B) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and in particular an optical arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the luminaire comprises a light source, which comprises in particular one or several LEDs, as well as a control unit for controlling the light source, wherein in particular in a majority of the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) precisely one LED unit which is arranged at the light coupling section (100, 100A, 100B) is assigned to each of the light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) or group of light-guiding sections (2A, 2B), the control unit being configured in particular for controlling a first group of LED units independently of a second group of LED units.

13. Luminaire according to claim 12, comprising an optical arrangement (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the surface normals of the light outcoupling sections (200A, 200B) of the two optical elements (1A, 1B) of the optical arrangement (10) point in the same direction and that at the light coupling section (100A) of the first optical element a first one of the groups of LED units and at the light coupling section (100B) of the second optical element (100B) a second one of the groups of LED units is arranged, wherein the control unit is configured for controlling both groups independently of each other in order to ensure selectability of a light distribution radiated by the optical arrangement (10) when operating the luminaire.

14. Luminaire according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the LED units of the first group of LED units are each arranged at light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) which provide a first light distribution and in that the LED units of the second group of LED units are each arranged at light-guiding sections (2, 2A, 2B) which provide a second light distribution and / or in that the first group of LED units exclusively includes LEDs with a first light color and the second group of LED units exclusively includes LEDs with a second light color different from the first light color or that the LED units respectively include LEDs with a first and LEDs with a second light color, wherein the LEDs with the first light color, which belong to a particular group of LED units, are controllable by the control unit independently of the LEDs with the second light color which belong to that particular group.