Light guides, lighting devices, and automatic vehicles for lighting systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to a collimator (100) for a lighting device of a motor vehicle. The collimator (100) comprises a light entrance surface (101) configured to allow light from a light source to enter the collimator (100) through the collimator (100) and a light exit surface (102) configured to allow light rays to enter the collimator (100) through the light entrance surface (101) and exit the collimator (100) collimated by the collimator (100). The collimator (100) further comprises a light distribution portion (103). The present application further relates to a lighting device and a motor vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of vehicle lighting, particularly to collimators, lighting devices, and motor vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] In vehicle lighting, optical elements are usually used to adjust the light emitted from a light source so as to form emitted light with a desired light distribution or pattern. Then, the emitted light is guided by the light emitting surface, that is, emitted in the target direction, so as to satisfy the lighting or signal display function. When the light emitting surface is large or only one light incident surface or light inlet is provided in the optical element, it is difficult to ensure a uniform lighting effect.

[0003] In a conventional design, a portion of the light rays that can only be used at a large angle is provided on the light emitting surface. Since it is necessary to illuminate a large area with weak light or energy at this portion, the luminance of this portion may become lower than that of another portion, or may even fail to meet the regulatory requirements. At the central portion of the light incident surface in the collimator, light rays at a small angle (compared with the two side portions) can satisfy the light emission angle without being completely reflected after being refracted at this portion once. Thus, in many cases, the central portion of the light emitting surface has the highest luminance.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, an object of this application is to provide a collimator that can at least partially solve the above-described technical problems.

[0005] There is provided a collimator according to this application, including a light incident surface configured to allow light rays from a light source to enter the collimator through itself, and a light emitting surface configured to emit the light rays that enter the collimator through the light incident surface and are collimated (parallelized) by the collimator, and further including a light distribution portion.

[0006] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application, the light distribution portion comprises a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface, wherein the first reflecting surface is configured to reflect light rays incident on the collimator through the light incident surface toward the second reflecting surface.

[0007] In the non-limiting embodiments of this application, the first reflective surface is a perfectly reflective surface with a stepped structure.

[0008] In the non-limiting embodiments of this application, the second reflective surface is provided with a light-adjusting portion, which is configured to redistribute the emission angle of light rays incident on the light-adjusting portion.

[0009] In the non-limiting embodiments of this application, the light-adjusting portion comprises a pillow-shaped optical surface having an inclination angle with respect to the principal plane of the second reflecting surface.

[0010] In the non-limiting embodiments of this application, the light-emitting surface comprises a plurality of different light-emitting portions that emit light rays from a plurality of different light-adjusting portions, respectively.

[0011] In the non-limiting embodiments of this application, the collimator further comprises a first side and a second side, the first side being provided with a first auxiliary reflecting surface and a second auxiliary reflecting surface, the first auxiliary reflecting surface and the second auxiliary reflecting surface being configured to receive and reflect light rays from different light-modulating parts.

[0012] In the non-limiting embodiments of this application, the light incident surface has an arc shape.

[0013] This application further provides an illumination device equipped with a collimator according to any of these embodiments.

[0014] This application further provides an automated vehicle equipped with the aforementioned lighting device.

[0015] By employing the technical solutions described above, the collimator of this application has the following beneficial effects: The collimator of this application provides a uniform illumination effect throughout, and a uniform illumination effect can be guaranteed even when the light-emitting surface has a large width, which allows for saving space occupied by the collimator (thus enabling the lamp to have a more compact structure).

[0016] This application will be further explained below in relation to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] Front view of the collimator according to this application. [Figure 2] Front view of the collimator according to this application. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram of the light distribution structure according to this application. [Figure 4] Optical path diagram of the collimator in the light distribution structure according to this application. [Figure 5] Optical path diagram I at the second reflecting surface of the collimator according to this application. [Figure 6] Optical path diagram I at the second reflecting surface of the collimator according to this application. [Figure 7] Optical path diagram I at the second reflecting surface of the collimator according to this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Embodiments of the present application are illustrated below. Those skilled in the art should fully understand that the embodiments described can be modified in various ways without departing from the concepts of the present application. Thus, the accompanying drawings and specification are essentially illustrative and non-limiting. In the following text, the same reference numerals generally indicate elements that are functionally identical or similar.

[0019] While terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used in this application to describe various information items, it should be understood that such information items should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish between information items of the same type. For example, without exceeding the scope of this application, a first information item may be called a second information item, and similarly, a second information item may be called a first information item. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may also be interpreted as "when," "at the time of," or "in response to determination."

[0020] In the specification of this application, the orientations and positional relationships indicated by terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inside," and "outside" are generally based on the orientations and positional relationships shown in the drawings and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements mentioned have a specific orientation or must be configured or operated in a specific orientation, but are merely for the convenience of explaining this application and for the conciseness of the specification. Therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on the scope of protection of this application.

[0021] Figures 1 and 2 are a front view and a side view, respectively, of the collimator 100 of the present application. The collimator 100 comprises a light incident surface 101 and a light output surface 102. The light incident surface 101 is configured to allow light from a light source to enter the collimator 100 through the light incident surface 101. The light output surface 102 is configured to emit light rays that enter the collimator 100 through the light incident surface 101 and are collimated by the collimator.

[0022] In order to create a uniform illumination effect on the light-emitting surface, it is necessary to ensure that the energy of the light rays on the light-emitting surface is evenly distributed. Therefore, the present application provides a light distribution portion 103 for redistributing the light ray distribution. As shown in FIG. 2, the light distribution portion 103 has a stepped structure on the collimator 100.

[0023] In one example, the light distribution portion 103 includes a first reflecting surface 1031 and a second reflecting surface 1032. It is preferable that both the first reflecting surface 1031 and the second reflecting surface 1032 are total reflecting surfaces. The light rays incident on the collimator 100 through the light incident surface 101 are totally reflected twice by the first reflecting surface 1031 and the second reflecting surface 1032, generating a substantially parallel beam at the light-emitting surface 102, and achieving a substantially uniform light distribution at the light-emitting surface 102.

[0024] From FIG. 2, it is clear that the first reflecting surface 1031 is a total reflecting surface with a stepped structure and is configured to reflect the light rays incident on the collimator 100 through the light incident surface 101 towards the second reflecting surface 1032. The first reflecting surface 1031 receives all the light rays incident on the collimator 100 through the light incident surface 101 and reflects those light rays towards the second reflecting surface 1032. Then, redistribution and direction are achieved through the second reflecting surface 1032. FIG. 4 is an optical path diagram at the light distribution structure in the collimator according to the present application.

[0025] In one example, as shown in FIG. 3, the second reflecting surface 1032 specifically includes light adjusting portions 1034 and 1035 for redistributing the emission angles of the light rays incident thereon. The light adjusting portions 1034 and 1035 include a plurality of pillow-shaped optical surfaces having different inclination angles with respect to the main plane of the second reflecting surface 1032. FIGS. 5 to 7 are optical path diagrams corresponding to each other at the second reflecting surface. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the light adjusting portions 1034 and 1035 redistribute and collimate the light rays reflected into the light adjusting portions through the first reflecting surface 1031.

[0026] The light-emitting surface 102 is provided with a plurality of different light-emitting parts (not shown) that emit light rays from different light-adjusting parts 1034 and 1035, respectively.

[0027] Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, at the central part of the collimator's light incidence surface, low-angle rays are reflected by the first reflective surface 1031 in this area before reaching the second perfect reflective surface 1032. After these rays are regulated by the light-regulating portion of the second reflective surface 1032, their emission direction changes substantially from the area facing the light incidence surface to the area closer to the left side of the collimator. As a result, the luminance of the central part of the light-emitting surface 102, which originally has the highest luminance, is slightly reduced compared to its original luminance. As shown in Figure 7, on both sides of the collimator's light incidence surface, high-angle rays are reflected by the first reflective surface 1031 in this area before reaching the second perfect reflective surface 1032, and after being reflected by the second reflective surface 1032, they reach the light-emitting surface. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the high-angle rays combine with the regulated rays, ensuring that the light-emitting portion on the left side of the collimator has approximately the same luminance as the central portion after regulation.

[0028] After adjustment by the light-tuning sections 1034 and 1035 of the second reflective surface 1032, the light-emitting section on the left (which originally had lower brightness) now has a greater energy distribution, while the light-emitting section in the center (which originally had higher brightness) now has a reduced energy distribution. As a result, the light-emitting surface 102 produces a uniform light-emitting effect.

[0029] In the examples shown in Figures 3 and 5 to 7, the light-adjusting section comprises a pillow-shaped optical surface having two inclination angles. The setting modes, positions, and number of pillow-shaped optical surfaces in the light-adjusting sections 1034 and 1035 may be selected according to actual needs, specifically depending on the brightness of the light source, the dimensions of the collimator, the dimensions of the light-emitting surface, and other factors, but these factors are not specifically limited in this application.

[0030] The collimator 100 further comprises a first side portion 104 and a second side portion 105. In one example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the length of the first side portion 104 is longer than the length of the second side portion 105. When the side portions have different lengths, the effect of homogenizing light produced by the design of this application becomes more pronounced.

[0031] In one example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a first auxiliary reflective surface 1041 and a second auxiliary reflective surface 1042 are provided on the first side portion 104. The first auxiliary reflective surface 1041 and the second auxiliary reflective surface 1042 are configured to receive and reflect light rays from different light adjustment portions. Each auxiliary reflective surface may be set to adjust the light emission angle of the light rays in order to further ensure that the light rays are emitted approximately parallel to each other. The auxiliary reflective surfaces do not affect the energy distribution of the light rays adjusted by the light distribution portion 103.

[0032] According to one example of the present application, the first side portion 104 and the second side portion 105 are preferably perfectly reflective surfaces and can have a substantially flat profile.

[0033] In one example, the light incident surface 101 has an arc shape. Preferably, the arc is an arc that is embedded inside the collimator 100. Compared to the light incident surface of a conventional collimator, the arc-shaped light incident surface 101 is more likely to connect due to a uniform distribution of emitted light.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the light-emitting surface 102 has a tooth-like structure that enables the light pattern to meet the requirements of lighting regulations.

[0035] In a preferred example, the collimator 100 is integrally formed to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce costs, and is preferably manufactured integrally by molding a transparent plastic material, such as PMMA or polycarbonate.

[0036] In the optional example, the light source 106 is preferably a light-emitting diode.

[0037] The collimator described in this application is applicable to lighting and signaling devices for automatic vehicles, such as taillights and signal lights.

[0038] The collimator of this application provides a uniform illumination effect overall, and even when the light-emitting surface has a large width, it can ensure a uniform illumination effect, saving space occupied by the collimator (therefore allowing the lamp to have a more compact structure).

[0039] This application further provides an illumination device equipped with a collimator 100.

[0040] Furthermore, this application also provides an automated vehicle equipped with the aforementioned lighting device.

[0041] The lighting device and automatic vehicle described in this application have beneficial effects provided by at least the collimator 100.

[0042] It will be clear to those skilled in the art that this application is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential features of this application. Thus, regardless of the perspective taken, each embodiment should be considered exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of this application is defined by the attached claims and not by the above description, and therefore all modifications that fall within the meaning and scope of the equivalent essential elements in each claim are intended to be included in this application. No reference numeral in the claims should be construed as limiting the related claims.

Claims

1. Collimator (100), A light incident surface (101) configured to allow light rays from a light source to enter the collimator (100) through itself, A light-emitting surface (102) is configured to emit light rays that enter the collimator (100) through the light-incident surface (101) and are collimated by the collimator (100), It comprises a light distribution section (103) and The light distribution portion (103) comprises a first reflective surface (1031) and a second reflective surface (1032), wherein the first reflective surface (1031) is configured to reflect light rays passing through the light incident surface (101) into the collimator (100) toward the second reflective surface (1032). The second reflective surface (1032) is provided with light-adjusting portions (1034, 1035), and the light-adjusting portions (1034, 1035) are configured to redistribute the emission angle of light rays incident on the light-adjusting portions. When the second reflective surface (1032) is divided into a plurality of regions arranged in a grid, some of these regions are configured as light adjustment areas (1034, 1035) that redistribute the emission angle of light rays incident upon them, and each of these several regions has a surface inclined with respect to the main plane of the second reflective surface (1032), while the regions other than these several regions are not configured as light adjustment areas (1034, 1035) and do not have a surface inclined with respect to the main plane of the second reflective surface (1032). The first reflective surface (1031) is a collimator (100) which is a perfectly reflective surface with a stepped structure.

2. A collimator (100), A light incident surface (101) configured to allow light rays from a light source to enter the collimator (100) through itself, A light-emitting surface (102) is configured to emit light rays that enter the collimator (100) through the light-incident surface (101) and are collimated by the collimator (100), It comprises a light distribution section (103) and The light distribution portion (103) comprises a first reflective surface (1031) and a second reflective surface (1032), wherein the first reflective surface (1031) is configured to reflect light rays passing through the light incident surface (101) into the collimator (100) toward the second reflective surface (1032). The second reflective surface (1032) is provided with light-adjusting portions (1034, 1035), and the light-adjusting portions (1034, 1035) are configured to redistribute the emission angle of light rays incident on the light-adjusting portions. When the second reflective surface (1032) is divided into a plurality of regions arranged in a grid, some of these regions are configured as light adjustment areas (1034, 1035) that redistribute the emission angle of light rays incident upon them, and each of these several regions has a surface inclined with respect to the main plane of the second reflective surface (1032), while the regions other than these several regions are not configured as light adjustment areas (1034, 1035) and do not have a surface inclined with respect to the main plane of the second reflective surface (1032). The light-emitting surface (102) is a collimator (100) which has multiple different light-emitting parts that emit light rays from multiple different light-adjusting parts (1034, 1035), respectively.

3. A collimator (100), A light incident surface (101) configured to allow light rays from a light source to enter the collimator (100) through itself, A light-emitting surface (102) is configured to emit light rays that enter the collimator (100) through the light-incident surface (101) and are collimated by the collimator (100), It comprises a light distribution section (103) and The light distribution portion (103) comprises a first reflective surface (1031) and a second reflective surface (1032), wherein the first reflective surface (1031) is configured to reflect light rays passing through the light incident surface (101) into the collimator (100) toward the second reflective surface (1032). The second reflective surface (1032) is provided with light-adjusting portions (1034, 1035), and the light-adjusting portions (1034, 1035) are configured to redistribute the emission angle of light rays incident on the light-adjusting portions. When the second reflective surface (1032) is divided into a plurality of regions arranged in a grid, some of these regions are configured as light adjustment areas (1034, 1035) that redistribute the emission angle of light rays incident upon them, and each of these several regions has a surface inclined with respect to the main plane of the second reflective surface (1032), while the regions other than these several regions are not configured as light adjustment areas (1034, 1035) and do not have a surface inclined with respect to the main plane of the second reflective surface (1032). The collimator (100) further comprises a first side portion (104) and a second side portion (105), the first side portion (104) being provided with a first auxiliary reflecting surface (1041) and a second auxiliary reflecting surface (1042), and the first auxiliary reflecting surface (1041) and the second auxiliary reflecting surface (1042) are configured to receive and reflect light rays from different light-adjusting portions (1034, 1035), respectively.

4. A collimator (100), A light incident surface (101) configured to allow light rays from a light source to enter the collimator (100) through itself, A light-emitting surface (102) is configured to emit light rays that enter the collimator (100) through the light-incident surface (101) and are collimated by the collimator (100), It comprises a light distribution section (103) and The light distribution portion (103) comprises a first reflective surface (1031) and a second reflective surface (1032), wherein the first reflective surface (1031) is configured to reflect light rays passing through the light incident surface (101) into the collimator (100) toward the second reflective surface (1032). The second reflective surface (1032) is provided with light-adjusting portions (1034, 1035), and the light-adjusting portions (1034, 1035) are configured to redistribute the emission angle of light rays incident on the light-adjusting portions. When the second reflective surface (1032) is divided into a plurality of regions arranged in a grid, some of these regions are configured as light adjustment areas (1034, 1035) that redistribute the emission angle of light rays incident upon them, and each of these several regions has a surface inclined with respect to the main plane of the second reflective surface (1032), while the regions other than these several regions are not configured as light adjustment areas (1034, 1035) and do not have a surface inclined with respect to the main plane of the second reflective surface (1032). The light incident surface (101) has an arc shape, and is a collimator (100).

5. A lighting device characterized by comprising a collimator (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. An automatic vehicle characterized by being equipped with the lighting device described in claim 5.

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