Light source coupling sturcture

Abstract

A light source coupling structure, comprising: an upper reflective portion (2), an incident cavity being provided inside of the upper reflective portion (2), and a light source (4) being accommodated inside of the incident cavity; and a lower reflective portion (3), which is arranged below the upper reflective portion (2) and is connected to the upper reflective portion (2). Guiding lines of the upper reflective portion (2) and the lower reflective portion (3) are parabolic, so that light rays emitted by the light source (4) are organized into parallel light rays for emission. The upper reflective portion (2) comprises a plurality of first V-shaped reflective surfaces (21) which are sequentially arranged in a circumferential direction of the upper reflective portion. By means of two instances of total internal reflection of the first V-shaped reflective surfaces (21), the portion of light rays which are from a focal point and may not undergo total reflection are collimated and reflected in an approximately parallel manner, and any surface among the first V-shaped reflective surfaces (21) may enable light rays to meet a total reflection condition.

Description

Light source coupling structure Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle lamps, and in particular to a light source coupling structure. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of the automotive lighting industry, lamp designs are also changing rapidly. However, while pursuing the diversification of lamp shapes, the instability of the production process is a problem that automotive lighting manufacturers need to solve urgently. In the field of optical design, aluminized reflective surface structures are a common solution for optical design. However, due to the instability of the aluminizing process, inconsistent aluminizing film thickness and blurred aluminizing boundaries often bring difficulties to automotive lighting production. At the same time, the aluminizing process itself also increases design costs.

[0003] Generally speaking, the light emitted by LEDs follows a Lambertian distribution, where the intensity is strongest in the center and gradually decreases as the light angle increases. However, this distribution is not suitable for the uniformity required by many current lighting fixtures. Therefore, it is necessary to explore how to evenly distribute the light emitted by LEDs.

[0004] Several optical structures have emerged in the industry to address this issue. As shown in Figure 1, this structure effectively solves this problem, aligning the LED light longitudinally and evenly distributing it 360 degrees transversely. However, since vehicle lights typically don't require a 360-degree distribution of light, a 180-degree distribution is more appropriate. Therefore, additional structures are necessary to optimize the light's direction.

[0005] Currently, a non-aluminum-plated reflective solution is used. The commonly used materials for this non-aluminum-plated reflective solution are PC or PMMA. The critical angle of total reflection of PC is 39°, and that of PMMA is 42°. Referring to Figure 2, most of the light on the left side of the y-axis does not meet the total reflection conditions of the light because it is smaller than the critical angle of total reflection. The light will be transmitted through the material, resulting in light waste.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to solve the technical problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a light source coupling structure.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems is: a light source coupling structure, including an upper reflecting part, wherein an incident cavity is provided in the upper reflecting part, and the incident cavity accommodates a light source; a lower reflecting part, wherein the lower reflecting part is arranged below the upper reflecting part and connected to the upper reflecting part; the guide lines of the upper reflecting part and the lower reflecting part are both parabolas, so as to arrange the light emitted by the light source into parallel light rays for emission; the upper reflecting part includes a plurality of first V-shaped reflecting surfaces arranged in sequence along its own circumference, and the first V-shaped reflecting surface includes two relatively inclined surfaces, so that the light emitted by the light source received by the first V-shaped reflecting surface meets the total reflection condition, and the light emitted by the light source is arranged into parallel light rays for emission after being incident on the first V-shaped reflecting surface.

[0009] In the light source coupling structure of the present invention, the incident light emitted by the light source is partially incident on the upper reflector and partially incident on the lower reflector. Because the guide lines of the upper reflector and the lower reflector are both parabolic, the light that meets the total reflection condition can be arranged as parallel light and emitted. Since the lower reflector is farther away from the light source, more light on the lower reflector meets the total reflection condition, while the upper reflector is closer to the light source, and the angle between more light and the upper reflector fails to reach the critical angle for total reflection. At this time, the light will first be set on one surface of the first V-shaped reflective surface, and then be totally reflected to the other surface of the first V-shaped reflective surface. Through the two internal total reflections of the first V-shaped reflective surface, the part of the light from the focus that cannot be totally reflected is collimated and reflected in a nearly parallel manner. Moreover, because both surfaces of the first V-shaped reflective surface are inclined, any surface of the first V-shaped total reflection surface can make the light meet the total reflection condition. On the one hand, this structure can avoid the problem of unstable surface reflectivity caused by problems in the aluminum plating process; on the other hand, it can convert the light emitted by the point light source to the surrounding areas into parallel light as much as possible, thereby improving the lighting effect; at the same time, this reflective structure breaks the conventional reflective surface shape, and the visual effect is more transparent and beautiful.

[0010] Furthermore, the upper reflective portion is arranged in an arc shape along its own circumference.

[0011] Furthermore, the lower reflecting portion is arranged in an arc shape along its own circumference.

[0012] Furthermore, the first V-shaped reflective surface includes a first surface and a second surface, the first surface totally reflects part of the received light to the second surface, and arranges it into parallel light and emits it through the second surface, and the second surface totally reflects part of the received light to the first surface, and arranges it into parallel light and emits it through the first surface.

[0013] Furthermore, the lower reflective portion is a smooth curved surface.

[0014] Furthermore, the lower reflective portion includes a plurality of second V-shaped reflective surfaces sequentially arranged along its circumference.

[0015] Furthermore, the angle between the first surface and the second surface is 80-100 degrees, and the angle between adjacent surfaces of the first V-shaped reflective surfaces is 80-100 degrees.

[0016] Furthermore, the angle between two surfaces of the second V-shaped reflecting surface is 80-100 degrees, and the angle between adjacent surfaces of adjacent second V-shaped reflecting surfaces is 80-100 degrees.

[0017] Furthermore, an incident surface is provided in the incident cavity, the incident surface is a semicircular curved surface, and the incident surface is located below the light source.

[0018] Furthermore, the upper reflective portion and the lower reflective portion are made of PMMA or PC.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0020] 1. Through two total internal reflections of the first V-shaped reflective surface, part of the light from the focus that cannot be totally reflected is collimated and reflected in a nearly parallel manner, and any surface of the first V-shaped reflective surface can make the light meet the total reflection condition. On the one hand, this structure can replace the aluminum-plated reflective surface and avoid the problem of unstable surface reflectivity caused by the aluminum plating process. On the other hand, it can convert the light emitted by the point light source to the surrounding areas into parallel light, thereby improving the lighting effect. At the same time, this reflective structure breaks the conventional reflective surface shape, and the visual effect is more transparent and beautiful.

[0021] 2. The upper reflective portion and the lower reflective portion are arranged in an arc shape along their own circumference. The arc-shaped reflective surface can reflect light to various angles, thereby increasing the divergence area of ​​the light and allowing the outgoing light to form a uniform semicircular light band. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0023] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the distribution of light uniformly diffused 360 degrees in a transverse plane in the prior art.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the critical angle of total internal reflection in the prior art.

[0025] FIG3 is a perspective view of a light source coupling structure according to the present invention.

[0026] FIG4 is a front view of the light source coupling structure of the present invention.

[0027] FIG5 is a top view of the light source coupling structure according to the present invention.

[0028] FIG6 is a diagram showing the principle of the optical path of light reflected by the upper reflector in the present invention.

[0029] FIG7 is a top view showing the total reflection path of light from the upper reflection portion in the present invention.

[0030] FIG8 is a schematic diagram showing that the upper reflective portion is a smooth curved surface in the present invention.

[0031] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a second V-shaped total reflection surface according to the present invention.

[0032] In the figure: 1. Incident surface; 2. Upper reflection part; 21. First V-shaped reflection surface; 211. First surface; 212. Second surface; 3. Lower reflection part; 31. Second V-shaped total reflection surface; 4. Light source. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are simplified schematic diagrams that illustrate the basic structure of the present invention in a schematic manner.

[0034] The invention discloses a light source coupling structure.

[0035] Referring to Figures 3 to 9, a light source coupling structure includes an upper reflector 2 and a lower reflector 3. The upper reflector 2 is provided with an incident cavity for accommodating a light source 4. The incident cavity is provided with an incident surface 1. Incident surface 1 is a semicircular surface formed by rotating a curve 180° along the perpendicular line of the bottom connection point. Incident surface 1 is located below light source 4. The lower reflector 3 is provided below and connected to the upper reflector 2. The guide lines of the upper reflector 2 and the lower reflector 3 are both parabolic to align the received light into parallel rays for emission.

[0036] The upper reflective portion 2 is arranged in an arc shape along its own circumference, and the lower reflective portion 3 is arranged in an arc shape along its own circumference. The arc-shaped reflective surface can reflect light to various angles, thereby increasing the divergence area of ​​the light and allowing the outgoing light to form a uniform semicircular light band.

[0037] The upper reflector 2 includes a plurality of first V-shaped reflective surfaces 21 arranged sequentially along its circumference. The first V-shaped reflective surfaces 21 include a first surface 211 and a second surface 212. The angle between the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 is 80-100 degrees, and the angle between adjacent surfaces of adjacent first V-shaped reflective surfaces 21 is also 80-100 degrees. Because the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 are both inclined, the angle between the light emitted from the incident surface 1 and the first surface 211 or the second surface 212 is less than the critical angle for total internal reflection, allowing it to be totally reflected off the first surface 211 or the second surface 212. The first surface 211 totally reflects a portion of the received light onto the second surface 212, where it is transformed into parallel light rays for emission. The second surface 212 totally reflects a portion of the received light onto the first surface 211, where it is transformed into parallel light rays for emission. Because the lower reflector 3 is relatively far from the light source 4, a smooth curved surface is sufficient for the lower reflector 3.

[0038] 5 , the light reflected by the upper reflective portion 2 and the lower reflective portion 3 is ultimately directed in one direction, resulting in better lighting and, in turn, higher brightness of the vehicle lamp.

[0039] In another embodiment, the upper reflective portion 2 is a smooth curved surface.

[0040] In another embodiment, the lower reflector 3 includes a plurality of second V-shaped reflective surfaces sequentially arranged along its circumference. The second V-shaped reflective surfaces have the same structure as the first V-shaped reflective surface 21. The angle between two second V-shaped reflective surfaces is 80-100 degrees, and the angle between adjacent second V-shaped reflective surfaces is also 80-100 degrees.

[0041] The upper reflective portion 2 and the lower reflective portion 3 are made of PMMA or PC.

[0042] Working Principle: The incident light from the light source 4 partially strikes the upper reflector 2 and partially strikes the lower reflector 3. Because the guiding lines of the upper and lower reflectors 2 and 3 are both parabolic, the light rays that meet the total reflection condition are collimated and emitted as parallel rays. Since the lower reflector 3 is farther from the light source 4, more light rays on the lower reflector 3 meet the total reflection condition. However, since the upper reflector 2 is closer to the light source 4, the angle between the upper reflector 2 and the incident light rays is greater and does not reach the critical angle for total reflection. At this point, through two total internal reflections on the first V-shaped reflective surface 21, the portion of light rays that would otherwise not be fully reflected from the focal point can be collimated and reflected in a nearly parallel manner. Furthermore, any surface of the first V-shaped reflective surface 21 can ensure that the light rays meet the total reflection condition. On the one hand, this structure can avoid the problem of unstable surface reflectivity caused by problems in the aluminum plating process; on the other hand, it can convert the light emitted by the point light source 4 to the surrounding areas into parallel light, thereby improving the lighting efficiency. The arc-shaped reflective surface can reflect the light to various angles, thereby increasing the divergence area of ​​the light and allowing the outgoing light to form a uniform semicircular light band; at the same time, the reflective structure breaks the conventional reflective surface shape, and the visual effect is more transparent and beautiful.

[0043] With the above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention as a guide, and with reference to the above description, relevant personnel are fully capable of making various changes and modifications without departing from the technical scope of this invention. The technical scope of this invention is not limited to the contents of the specification and must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A light source coupling structure, characterized in that: include An upper reflecting portion (2), wherein an incident cavity is provided in the upper reflecting portion (2), and a light source (4) is accommodated in the incident cavity; A lower reflecting portion (3), the lower reflecting portion (3) being arranged below the upper reflecting portion (2) and connected to the upper reflecting portion (2); The guide lines of the upper reflecting part (2) and the lower reflecting part (3) are both parabolas, so as to arrange the light emitted by the light source (4) into parallel light rays for emission; The upper reflective portion (2) comprises a plurality of first V-shaped reflective surfaces (21) arranged in sequence along its circumference, wherein the first V-shaped reflective surface (21) comprises two surfaces arranged at an angle relative to each other, so that the light rays emitted by the light source (4) and received by the first V-shaped reflective surface (21) all meet the total reflection condition, and the light rays emitted by the light source (4) are arranged as parallel rays after being incident on the first V-shaped reflective surface (21) and emitted; The first V-shaped reflective surface (21) comprises a first surface (211) and a second surface (212); The included angle between the first surface (211) and the second surface (212) is 80-100 degrees, and the included angle between adjacent surfaces of the adjacent first V-shaped reflective surfaces (21) is 80-100 degrees.

2. The light source coupling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper reflecting portion (2) is arranged in an arc shape along its circumference.

3. The light source coupling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower reflecting portion (3) is arranged in an arc shape along its circumference.

4. The light source coupling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first surface (211) totally reflects part of the received light to the second surface (212), and arranges the light into parallel light for emission through the second surface (212); the second surface (212) totally reflects part of the received light to the first surface (211), and arranges the light into parallel light for emission through the first surface (211).

5. The light source coupling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower reflective portion (3) is a smooth curved surface.

6. The light source coupling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower reflection part (3) comprises a plurality of second V-shaped reflection surfaces arranged in sequence along its circumference.

7. The light source coupling structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The included angle between two surfaces of the second V-shaped reflecting surface is 80-100 degrees, and the included angle between adjacent surfaces of adjacent second V-shaped reflecting surfaces is 80-100 degrees.

8. The light source coupling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: An incident surface (1) is provided in the incident cavity, the incident surface (1) is a semicircular curved surface, and the incident surface (1) is located below the light source (4).

9. The light source coupling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the upper reflection part (2) and the lower reflection part (3) is PMMA or PC.

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