Optical module and automotive lamp

Abstract

An optical module (111) and an automotive lamp (100), relating to the technical field of automotive lamps. The optical module (111) comprises a light source (1111), and a collimating lens (1112) and an optical element (1113) which are sequentially arranged in a light path transmission direction, wherein a cut-off line structure (1112a) is formed by cutting the boundary of one side of the collimating lens (1112), light emitted from the light source (1111) is refracted by the collimating lens (1112) and then transmitted to the optical element (1113), and is then projected on a target plane after passing through the optical element (1113), to form a light pattern having a cut-off line. Compared with providing a cut-off line structure at the boundary of an aluminized reflector, the collimating lens (1112) does not need to be aluminized, thereby reducing costs and light energy loss; in addition, compared with the prior art, there is no need to additionally provide a light shielding plate, thereby avoiding increasing components in the automotive lamp (100).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of automotive lamp technology, and specifically to an optical module and an automotive lamp.BACKGROUND

[0002] The automotive lamp is a lighting tool for driving on the road at night and also a reminder tool for sending various vehicle driving signals, playing a vital role in ensuring the safe driving of vehicles. With the development of the social economy, the automotive industry has developed accordingly. Along with the continuous progress in vehicle lighting technology, increasing functional demands are being placed on automotive lamps.

[0003] In vehicle lighting, the low-beam pattern requires a cutoff line in the horizontal direction. The cutoff line of the low-beam pattern can avoid dazzling drivers of other vehicles and affecting driving safety. The lower cutoff line of the high-beam pattern facilitates the high-beam module to be used in combination with other lighting modules in the automotive lamp. In the prior art, a reflector is generally used as a primary optical device. A light pattern with a cutoff line is formed by providing the boundary of the reflecting surface to include a cutoff structure or by adding a shading plate. The surface of the reflector needs to be aluminum-plated, which is expensive, and the reflectivity of the aluminum-plated reflector is generally 85%, leading to some loss of light energy. The additional shading plate increases the number of parts in the automotive lamp, which is not conducive to the size and cost of the automotive lamp.SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide an optical module and an automotive lamp, which can save costs, reduce the size of the automotive lamp, and reduce light energy loss.

[0005] The embodiments of the present application are implemented by the following technical solution.

[0006] In one aspect of the embodiment of the present application, an optical module is provided, including a light source, a collimating lens, and an optical component, in which the collimating lens and the optical component are provided sequentially along the direction of optical path transmission, in which a cutoff line structure is formed by cutting one side boundary of the collimating lens, the light emitted by the light source is refracted by the collimating lens and transmitted to the optical component, and after passing through the optical component, is projected onto a target plane to form a light pattern with a cutoff line.

[0007] Optionally, as an implementable method, the light source is provided at the focus of the collimating lens.

[0008] Optionally, as an implementable method, the collimating lens is a plano-convex lens.

[0009] Optionally, as an implementable method, a cutting surface is formed by cutting one side boundary of the collimating lens, in which the cutting surface is a plane, and the intersection line between the cutting surface and the light-emitting surface of the collimating lens is a cutoff line structure.

[0010] Optionally, as an implementable method, a cutting surface is formed by cutting one side boundary of the collimating lens, in which the cutting surface is a plurality of planes connected in sequence, each two of the plurality of planes forming an included angle with each other, and the intersection lines between the plurality of planes and the light-emitting surface of the collimating lens are the cutoff line structure.

[0011] Optionally, as an implementable method, the included angle is an obtuse angle.

[0012] Optionally, as an implementable method, the optical component is a biconvex lens.

[0013] Optionally, as an implementable method, the optical component is a hyperbolic collimating lens.

[0014] Optionally, as an implementable method, the light-incident surface and the light-emitting surface of the hyperbolic collimating lens are both cylindrical, and the axis of the light-incident surface of the hyperbolic collimating lens is perpendicular to the axis of the light-emitting surface of the hyperbolic collimating lens.

[0015] Optionally, as an implementable method, the optical component is a curved reflector.

[0016] Optionally, as an implementable method, the optical component and the collimating lens are integrally formed, and the focus of the light-emitting surface of the integrally formed part is provided at the cutoff line structure.

[0017] Optionally, as an implementable method, the optical module includes a plurality of the collimating lenses and a plurality of the optical components.

[0018] Optionally, as an implementable method, the optical module also includes a connecting frame that connects the collimating lenses and the optical components.

[0019] Optionally, as an implementable method, the connecting frame includes a mounting plate and connecting plates provided on both sides of the mounting plate, a plurality of the collimating lenses are provided on the mounting plate at intervals, and the connecting plates on both sides of the mounting plate are connected to the optical component.

[0020] Optionally, as an implementable method, the collimating lens, the optical component, and the connecting frame are integrally formed.

[0021] The embodiment of the present application also provides an automotive lamp, including the optical module as described above.

[0022] The embodiments of the present application include following beneficial effects.

[0023] The optical module provided by the present application includes a light source, a collimating lens, and an optical component, in which the collimating lens and the optical component are provided sequentially along the direction of optical path transmission, in which a cutoff line structure is formed by cutting one side boundary of the collimating lens, the light emitted by the light source is refracted by the collimating lens and transmitted to the optical component, and after passing through the optical component, is projected onto a target plane to form a light pattern with a cutoff line. Compared with providing a cutoff line structure at the boundary of the aluminum-plated reflector, the collimating lens does not need to be aluminum-plated, which reduces costs and has less light energy loss. In addition, compared with the prior art, there is no need to provide an additional shading plate, avoiding the addition of parts in the automotive lamp.

[0024] The automotive lamp provided by the present application includes an optical module and offers the advantages of low cost and high light energy. It avoids adding parts inside the automotive lamp, and the relative position of the parts inside the automotive lamp is stable, reducing the impact of vibrations during vehicle operation on the projected light pattern.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a first structural schematic diagram of the optical module provided in the embodiment of the present application; FIG. 2 is an optical path diagram of the optical module provided in the embodiment of the present application; FIG. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the collimating lens in the optical module provided in the embodiment of the present application; FIG. 4 is a second structural schematic diagram of the optical module provided in the embodiment of the present application; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the light pattern of the optical module provided in the embodiment of the present application; FIG. 6 is a first structural schematic diagram of the automotive lamp provided in the embodiment of the present application; FIG. 7 is a second structural schematic diagram of the automotive lamp provided in an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 8 is a third structural schematic diagram of the automotive lamp provided in the embodiment of the present application; and FIG. 9 is a third schematic diagram of the structure of the optical module provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Numerical references: 100-automotive lamp; 111-optical module; 1111-light source; 1112-collimating lens; 1112a-cutoff line structure; 1113-optical component; 112-cutoff line; 120-connecting frame; 121-mounting plate; 122-connecting plate; 130-heat sink.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Parts of the embodiments of the present application generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations.

[0028] Accordingly, the following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present disclosure but merely represents selected embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the embodiments described herein, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0029] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters represent similar items in the following figures, so once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined or explained in subsequent figures.

[0030] It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for distinguishing purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0031] Refer to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. This embodiment provides an optical module 111, including a light source 1111, a collimating lens 1112, and an optical component 1113, in which the collimating lens 1112 and the optical component 1113 are provided sequentially along the direction of optical path transmission, in which a cutoff line structure 1112a is formed by cutting one side boundary of the collimating lens 1112, the light emitted by the light source 1111 is refracted by the collimating lens 1112 and transmitted to the optical component 1113, and after passing through the optical component 1113, is projected onto a target plane to form a light pattern with a cutoff line 112. It should be noted that the target plane can be a vertical plane provided 25 meters in front of the vehicle.

[0032] Specifically, in the present application, a cutoff line structure 1112a is formed by directly cutting one side boundary of the collimating lens 1112, so that the light pattern projected onto the target plane is a light pattern with a corresponding cutoff line 112. Compared with the prior art that uses a reflector, the present application forms a cutoff line structure 1112a by cutting the side boundary of the collimating lens 1112, which eliminates the need for aluminum coating on the collimating lens 1112, thereby reducing costs and minimizing light energy loss. In addition, compared with the prior art, there is no need to provide an additional sunshade, which avoids adding parts inside the automotive lamp. The light source 1111 can be set as an LED, which has gradually become the main configuration of automobile automotive lamps. The LED, as a cold light source, has a low temperature, which reduces the energy loss in the process of light transmission by the light source and prolongs the service life of the light source.

[0033] The optical module 111 provided in the present application includes a light source 1111, a collimating lens 1112, and an optical component 1113, in which the collimating lens 1112 and the optical component 1113 are provided sequentially along the direction of optical path transmission, in which a cutoff line structure 1112a is formed by cutting one side boundary of the collimating lens 1112, the light emitted by the light source 1111 is refracted by the collimating lens 1112 and transmitted to the optical component 1113, and after passing through the optical component 1113, is projected onto a target plane to form a light pattern with a cutoff line 112. The additional shading plate is omitted, which saves costs and reduces the size of the optical module. Moreover, compared with the cutoff line structure set by the aluminum-plated reflector, the cutoff line structure 1112a provided by the collimating lens 1112 can reduce light energy loss.

[0034] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 1, the light source 1111 is provided at the focus of the collimating lens 1112.

[0035] Specifically, the light source 1111 is provided at the focus of the collimating lens 1112 so that more light emitted by the light source 1111 can be transmitted to the collimating lens 1112, ensuring that the light projected onto the target plane after passing through the optical component 1113 forms a light pattern with a cutoff line 112 and has higher light energy. It should be noted that the focus mentioned herein also includes the vicinity of the focus, which refers to the range of 2 mm around the focus.

[0036] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 3, the collimating lens 1112 is a plano-convex lens.

[0037] Specifically, the collimating lens 1112 is provided as a plano-convex lens to adjust the transmission direction of the divergent light emitted from the light source 1111 and to converge the light, so that the light pattern projected on the target plane is a light pattern with higher light energy.

[0038] Further, if the light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the collimating lens 1112 is still divergent light, the longer the distance of light transmission, the more blurred the light pattern projected onto the target plane will be. In the present application, the light-incident surface of the collimating lens 1112 is provided as a convex surface, and the light-emitting surface of the collimating lens 1112 is provided as a flat surface. By means of the convex surface, the light emitted from the light source 1111 can be converged so as to transform the divergent light into parallel or approximately parallel light, thereby enhancing the clarity of the light pattern projected from the light-emitting surface. Of course, the collimating lens 1112 can also be a biconvex lens, a concave-convex lens, or the like, without being limited thereto. It is only necessary to match the surface shapes of the light-incident surface and the light-emitting surface of the collimating lens 1112 so that the divergent light can be converged into parallel light or approximately parallel light.

[0039] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, a cutting surface is formed by cutting one side boundary of the collimating lens 1112, in which the cutting surface is a plane, and the intersection line between the cutting surface and the light-emitting surface of the collimating lens 1112 is a cutoff line structure 1112a.

[0040] Specifically, when the cutting surface is a plane, the cutting process is more convenient, which can minimize the processing cost while ensuring the consistency of multiple collimating lenses 1112 during batch processing. In addition, a clear horizontal cutoff line can be correspondingly formed on the target plane, making it suitable for use in auxiliary low-beam scenarios.

[0041] In a feasible embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a cutting surface is formed by cutting one side boundary of the collimating lens 1112, in which the cutting surface is a plurality of planes connected in sequence, each two of the plurality of planes forming an included angle with each other, and the intersection lines between the plurality of planes and the light-emitting surface of the collimating lens 1112 are the cutoff line structure 1112a.

[0042] Specifically, to achieve the desired light pattern with a cutoff line 112, the cutoff line structure 1112a is set as an intersection line of multiple planes and the light-emitting surface of the collimating lens 1112, so that the projected light pattern has a cutoff line 112 with multiple inflection points correspondingly, thereby meeting the lighting requirements.

[0043] It can be understood that the shape of the cutoff line structure 1112a determines the shape of the cutoff line 112, and corresponding selections are made according to different application scenarios. For example, the cutoff line structure 1112a can also be set to a corrugated shape, that is, the intersection line between the cutting surface and the light-emitting surface of the collimating lens 1112 is a wavy curve, so that the boundary of the cutoff line 112 projected on the target plane is blurred and the gradient of the cutoff line 112 is reduced, thereby avoiding abrupt changes in illumination brightness in the cutoff line region that could cause visual discomfort to the driver, and ensuring driving safety. For another example, to obtain a "bathtub"-shaped cutoff line 112, the cutoff line structure 1112a can also be set according to the "bathtub" shape.

[0044] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the cutoff line structure 1112a is an intersection line between multiple planes and the light-emitting surface of the collimating lens 1112, the included angle between two adjacent planes is an obtuse angle.

[0045] For example, due to the corresponding light pattern requirements and the difficulty of cutting, the included angle between two adjacent planes is an obtuse angle to reduce the difficulty of cutting the cutoff line structure 1112a and meet the shape requirements of the corresponding light pattern's cutoff line. For example, the included angle between two adjacent planes can also be set as a right angle or an acute angle to meet the shape requirements of the different light pattern's cutoff line.

[0046] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 1, the optical component 1113 is a biconvex lens.

[0047] Specifically, when the optical module 111 is mounted on a vehicle, the light emitted from the light source 1111 passes through the collimating lens 1112 and then enters the biconvex lens, which changes the transmission direction of the light. The projected light pattern is inverted compared to the primary light pattern obtained only through the collimating lens 1112, forming a light pattern that meets regulatory requirements and has a light-dark cutoff line 112.

[0048] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, the optical component 1113 is a hyperbolic collimating lens.

[0049] Specifically, when the optical component 1113 is a hyperbolic collimating lens, after the light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the collimating lens 1112 passes through the hyperbolic collimating lens, the hyperbolic collimating lens can not only invert the light pattern to form a light pattern that meets regulatory requirements, but also further collimate the light emitted by the hyperbolic collimating lens.

[0050] When the optical component 1113 is a hyperbolic collimating lens and the collimating lens 1112 is a plano-convex lens, the light-incident surface of the plano-convex lens is a convex surface, and the light-emitting surface of the plano-convex lens is a plane. The light emitted by the light source 1111 is incident from the light-incident surface of the collimating lens 1112, enabling the convergence of the light emitted by light source 1111. When the light enters the hyperbolic collimating lens, the light-incident surface of the hyperbolic collimating lens first collimates the light in one direction and the light-emitting surface of the hyperbolic collimating lens then collimates the light in another direction. At this time, the light pattern formed by light emitted from the hyperbolic collimating lens is characterized by increased concentration of the light and higher optical energy.

[0051] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light-incident surface and the light-emitting surface of the hyperbolic collimating lens are both cylindrical surfaces, and the axis of the light-incident surface is perpendicular to the axis of the light-emitting surface, that is, the collimation directions of the two to the light are perpendicular to each other.

[0052] Specifically, the light-incident surface and light-emitting surface of a hyperbolic collimating lens are both unidirectional collimating surfaces, that is, the light-incident surface collimates light in a single direction; similarly, the light-emitting surface also has the characteristic of collimating light in a single direction. The stretched surface formed by correspondingly stretching a given curve in a specific direction is a unidirectional collimating surface, which can collimate the light emitted by the light source 1111 to form an asymmetric light pattern. Here, the asymmetric light pattern mainly refers to that when imaging the square light-emitting surface of the light source 1111, the light pattern presents a rectangle, and when imaging the circular light-emitting surface of the light source 1111, the light pattern presents an ellipse. It can be understood that the light-incident surface and the light-emitting surface of the hyperbolic collimating lens can also be set to be quasi-cylindrical to achieve a similar effect.

[0053] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 4, the optical component 1113 is a curved reflector.

[0054] Specifically, when the optical component 1113 is a curved reflector, the light emitted from the collimating lens 1112 can be reflected by the curved reflector. On this basis, the collimating lens 1112 is provided as a plano-convex lens, and the light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the plano-convex lens can be converged and reflected by the curved reflector to emit in a parallel light pattern.

[0055] It can be understood that when the optical component 1113 is a curved reflector, the collimating lens 1112 can also be provided as a biconvex lens. At this time, the light-incident surface and the light-emitting surface of the collimating lens 1112 are both convex surfaces. The light emitted by the light source 1111 passes through the biconvex lens and then is reflected by the curved reflector, subsequently emitting as parallel light and being projected to form a light pattern with a cutoff line 112.

[0056] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 9, the optical component 1113 and the collimating lens 1112 are integrally formed, and the focus of the light-emitting surface of the integrally formed part is provided at the cutoff line structure 1112a.

[0057] Specifically, the optical component 1113 is integrally provided with the collimating lens 1112 so that as much light emitted by the light source 1111 enters the optical component 1113 as possible after passing through the collimating lens 1112, thereby reducing the loss of light in the process of being transmitted from the collimating lens 1112 to the optical component 1113, and increasing the energy of the projected light pattern. It should be noted that the cutoff structure mentioned herein also includes the vicinity of the cutoff structure, which refers to the range of 2 mm around the cutoff structure.

[0058] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 6, the optical module 111 includes a plurality of collimating lenses 1112 and a plurality of optical components 1113.

[0059] Specifically, a plurality of collimating lenses 1112 and a plurality of optical components 1113 are respectively provided correspondingly, such that the light patterns formed by light emitted from the respective light sources 1111 and projected through the corresponding collimating lenses 1112 and optical elements 1113 are superimposed to obtain a desired light pattern.

[0060] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 6, the optical module 111 further includes a connecting frame 120 that connects the collimating lens 1112 and the optical component 1113.

[0061] Further, the collimating lens 1112, the optical component 1113, and the connecting frame 120 are integrally formed.

[0062] Specifically, the collimating lens 1112 and the optical component 1113 are both mounted on the connecting frame 120, or are integrally formed with the connecting frame 120 to stabilize the relative position between the collimating lens 1112 and the optical component 1113, thereby preventing the driving vibrations from affecting the light pattern.

[0063] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, the connecting frame 120 includes a mounting plate 121 and connecting plates 122 provided on both sides of the mounting plate 121. A plurality of collimating lenses 1112 are provided on the mounting plate 121 at intervals, and the connecting plates 122 on both sides of the mounting plate 121 are connected to the optical component 1113.

[0064] Specifically, the collimating lenses 1112 are provided on the mounting plate 121 at intervals to stabilize the relative positions between the plurality of collimating lenses 1112. The connecting frame 120 is connected to the optical component 1113 through the connecting plate 122, and the connecting plate 122 and the mounting plate 121 are fixedly provided, thereby ensuring that the relative position between the collimating lenses 1112 and the optical component 1113 is stable.

[0065] In addition, the present embodiment provides an automotive lamp 100, including the optical module 111 in the aforementioned embodiment.

[0066] In a feasible embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 8, the automotive lamp 100 also includes a heat sink 130 that is detachably connected to the connecting frame 120, and the light source 1111 is provided on the heat sink 130.

[0067] Specifically, a fixing hole is provided on the connecting frame 120, and a mounting hole is provided on the heat sink 130. Fasteners pass through the fixing hole and the mounting hole in sequence to fixedly connect the heat sink 130 with the connecting frame 120. The light source 1111 is mounted on a circuit board mounted on the heat sink 130 to quickly dissipate heat from the light source 1111 through the heat sink 130.

[0068] Further, the heat sink 130 includes a heat dissipation plate and a plurality of heat dissipation fins provided on the heat dissipation plate. The plurality of heat dissipation fins are used to increase the overall heat dissipation area of the heat sink 130, so that the heat sink 130 can quickly absorb the heat emitted by the light source 1111. The heat emitted by the light source 1111 is first transferred to the heat dissipation plate and then to the heat dissipation fins to prevent the temperature of the light source 1111 from becoming excessively high and affecting its working efficiency, thereby ensuring stable and long-term operation of the light source 1111.

[0069] The above descriptions are only partial embodiments of the present application and not intended to limit the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, the present disclosure can have various changes and variations. Any modification, equivalent substitution and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present disclosure shall be covered by the protection scope of the present disclosure.Industrial Applicability

[0070] The optical module and automotive lamp provided by the present application omit the use of reflectors or shading plates in the optical module, thereby reducing both cost and structural dimensions. A light pattern with a cutoff line can still be achieved, enabling more flexible application in practice, and the optical module may also be applied in specific light scanning or other special lighting scenarios as required. The automotive lamp of the present application may be used as a headlamp for an automobile.

Claims

1. An optical module, comprising a light source, a collimating lens, and an optical component, wherein the collimating lens and the optical component are provided sequentially along a direction of optical path transmission, wherein a cutoff line structure is formed by cutting one side boundary of the collimating lens, a light emitted by the light source is refracted by the collimating lens and transmitted to the optical component, and after passing through the optical component, is projected onto a target plane to form a light pattern with a cutoff line.

2. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the light source is provided at a focus of the collimating lens.

3. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the collimating lens is a plano-convex lens.

4. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein a cutting surface is formed by cutting one side boundary of the collimating lens, wherein the cutting surface is a plane, and an intersection line between the cutting surface and a light-emitting surface of the collimating lens is the cutoff line structure.

5. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein a cutting surface is formed by cutting one side boundary of the collimating lens, wherein the cutting surface is a plurality of planes connected in sequence, each two of the plurality of planes forming an included angle with each other, and intersection lines between the plurality of planes and a light-emitting surface of the collimating lens are the cutoff line structure.

6. The optical module according to claim 5, wherein the included angle is an obtuse angle.

7. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the optical component is a biconvex lens.

8. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the optical component is a hyperbolic collimating lens.

9. The optical module according to claim 8, wherein a light-incident surface and a light-emitting surface of the hyperbolic collimating lens are both cylindrical, and an axis of the light-incident surface of the hyperbolic collimating lens is perpendicular to an axis of the light-emitting surface of the hyperbolic collimating lens.

10. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the optical component is a curved reflector.

11. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the optical component and the collimating lens are integrally formed, and a focus of a light-emitting surface of the integrally formed part is provided at the cutoff line structure.

12. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the optical module comprises a plurality of the collimating lenses and a plurality of the optical components.

13. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the optical module further comprises a connecting frame that connects the collimating lens and the optical component.

14. The optical module according to claim 13, wherein the connecting frame comprises a mounting plate and connecting plates provided on both sides of the mounting plate, a plurality of the collimating lenses are provided on the mounting plate at intervals, and the connecting plates on both sides of the mounting plate are connected to the optical component.

15. The optical module according to claim 13, wherein the collimating lens, the optical component, and the connecting frame are integrally formed.

16. An automotive lamp, comprising the optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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