Optical component, lighting and / or signalling device, and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical component, comprising: a light source (101) configured to emit light; a light guide unit (102), configured to receive and guide light emitted by the light source (101) and output the light through a light exit face of the light guide unit (102); a backplate (103), configured to provide support for the light guide unit (102); and a functional layer (106), the functional layer (106) being arranged at a light exit side of the light guide unit (102), to deflect and scatter light from the light guide unit (102). The present invention further provides a lighting and / or signalling device, and a vehicle.

Description

Optical component, lighting and / or signalling device, and vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle lamps, in particular to an optical component, a lighting and / or signalling device, and a vehicle.

[0002] Lighting devices are widely used in various fields to provide light for lighting and / or signalling functions. For example, lighting devices such as vehicle lamps are used in vehicles to ensure safe travel. Vehicle lamps of various types are often needed on vehicles to realize different functions, including motor vehicle headlamps, fog lamps, tail lamps, direction indicator lamps, brake lamps, side marker lamps, parking lamps, daytime running lamps, etc.

[0003] To match vehicle styling requirements, lighting devices generally need to have a certain curve, and as a result, the direction of extension of a light exit face cannot always be perpendicular to a main light exit direction. This will reduce the optical efficiency of the lighting device to a certain extent, or affect the visibility of the lighting device at different angles.Summary of the invention

[0004] Thus, an objective of the present invention is to propose an optical assembly, a lighting and / or signalling device, and a vehicle, which are able to at least partially solve the abovementioned problems.

[0005] The present invention discloses an optical component, comprising: a light source configured to emit light; a light guide unit, configured to receive and guide light emitted by the light source and output the light through a light exit face of the light guide unit; a backplate, configured to provide support for the light guide unit; and a functional layer, the functional layer being arranged at a light exit side of the light guide unit, to redirect and uniformly output light from the light guide unit.

[0006] In some embodiments, the light guide unit is a plate-shaped light guide, and the light source is deployed at an end of the light guide unit.

[0007] In some embodiments, the functional layer has a deflection layer, on which is provided a deflection structure for deflecting light entering the functional layer.

[0008] In some embodiments, the light-permeable pattern is formed by applying a light-blocking layer on the functional layer and then removing the light-blocking layer at a pattern position.

[0009] In some embodiments, the deflection structure is configured to deflect light from the light guide unit by 0 - 50 degrees.

[0010] In some embodiments, the deflection structure is a prism.

[0011] In some embodiments, the prism is a triangular prism.

[0012] In some embodiments, the functional layer further includes a scattering layer, on which is provided a scattering structure for scattering light passing through the functional layer.

[0013] In some embodiments, the scattering layer is arranged at a light exit side of the deflection layer.

[0014] In some embodiments, the deflection layer is formed integrally with the scattering layer.

[0015] In some embodiments, the optical component further comprises a transparent front plate, the transparent front plate being arranged at a light exit side of the functional layer, and configured to transmit light from the functional layer.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, further provided is a lighting and / or signalling device, comprising any one of the optical components described above.

[0017] In some embodiments, the lighting and / or signalling device is used for a daytime running lamp or tail lamp function.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, further provided is a vehicle, comprising any one of the optical components or lighting and / or signalling devices described above.Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The abovementioned characteristics, technical features, advantages and modes of implementation of the present invention are explained further below in a clear and easy-to-understand manner by giving a description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein

[0020] shows a front view of an optical component 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] shows a side view of the optical component 100 in.

[0022] shows a cross-sectional drawing of the optical component 100 according to the present invention in.

[0023] shows a structural drawing of a functional layer of the optical component 100 according to the present invention.Detailed description of the invention

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are described exemplarily below. As those skilled in the art should realize, the embodiments described may be modified in various ways without departing from the concept of the present invention. Thus, the drawings and description are essentially exemplary rather than limiting. In the following text, identical reference numerals generally denote elements with identical or similar functions.

[0025] shows a front view of an optical component 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention;shows a side view of the optical component 100 in;shows a cross-sectional drawing of the optical component 100 according to the present invention in;shows a structural drawing of a functional layer of the optical component 100 according to the present invention.

[0026] The optical component 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used for one or more functions of a direction indicator lamp, brake lamp, side marker lamp, parking lamp, reversing lamp, daytime running lamp, position lamp, grille lamp, etc., wherein the optical functions are not specifically defined.

[0027] A lighting device may comprise at least one optical component 100 according to the present invention, each optical component 100 being configured to realize a specific optical function, and they may be staggered to realize a specific shape. Of course, it will be understood that the lighting device may comprise any number of optical components 100, and these optical components 100 may be arranged freely according to styling requirements.

[0028] As shown in, the optical component 100 comprises a light source 101, a light guide unit 102 and a backplate 103. The light source 101 is mounted on a printed circuit board 200, so as to emit light towards the light guide unit 102. The light source 101 is for example, but is not limited to being, and LED light source. As shown in Figs. 1 - 3, the light guide unit 102 is substantially in the form of a plate, comprising an end face, and further comprising a front surface and a rear surface which are connected by the end face, wherein light from the light source 101 enters the interior of the light guide unit 102 through the end face, and propagates between the front surface and rear surface of the light guide unit 102 towards an end opposite the end face, during which time, light emerges from the front surface of the light guide unit 102 in a main light exit direction. That is, the front surface acts as a light exit face of the light guide unit 102, thereby realizing a surface light emission effect.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, by combining the light source 101 and the light guide unit 102 to achieve a surface light emission effect, costs can be significantly reduced in comparison with an OLED solution.

[0030] In addition, with regard to the light guide unit 102, some light may also leak through the rear surface of the light guide unit 102, reducing optical efficiency. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the optical component 100 further comprises a backplate 103, which is arranged on the side close to the rear surface of the light guide unit 102, i.e., the side opposite the front surface, and which is configured to reflect light leaking from the rear surface towards the front surface. In an embodiment of the present invention, providing the backplate 103 on a back side of the light guide unit 102 to reflect light that leaks from the light guide unit 102 helps to increase optical efficiency as well as the uniformity of the light emission effect. In some alternative examples, the backplate 103 is disposed on the same side as the rear surface of the light guide unit 102, and is configured to support the light guide unit 102 without providing a reflecting function (for example, but without limitation, if light from the light guide unit 102 does not leak through the rear surface).

[0031] In some examples, for example but without limitation, the backplate may be of a reflective colour and / or material, for example, a white backplate or another suitable colour.

[0032] In an alternative example, the backplate 103 may comprise a reflective layer, in which case a non-reflective colour and / or material may be chosen for the backplate 103. The reflective layer is arranged between the backplate 103 and the light guide unit 102, and is configured to reflect light from the light guide unit 102 towards the light exit face. The backplate 103 and the reflective layer may be formed integrally by, for example but without limitation, an injection moulding process (secondary injection moulding, in-mould injection molding, etc.) or a spray-coating process, or may be formed separately.

[0033] In some examples, light from the light source 101 enters the interior of the light guide unit 102 and then propagates by total reflection. To allow light to exit through the front surface of the light guide unit 102, the light guide unit 102 may internally comprise scattering particles, and light from the light source 101 may be scattered in different directions by the scattering particles, thereby breaking the conditions for the total reflection of light, so that the light exits through the front surface of the light guide unit 102. Such a light guide unit with scattering particles has very good light diffusion properties, so can achieve a very uniform light illumination effect. As a non-restrictive example, such a light guide unit may for example use a light guide made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) such as brand LED 8N LD12, LD24, LD48 or LD96, or a light guide made of polycarbonate (PC) such as brand EL2245, and the colour thereof may be selected according to needs, for example but without limitation, colourless, pale red, red, etc.

[0034] In an alternative example, an optical decoupling element may be provided on the rear surface of the light guide unit 102 to break the conditions for total reflection of light. Examples of optical decoupling elements include, but are not limited to, protrusions, depressions, saw teeth, grain, stripes, blocks, etc.

[0035] In some examples, as shown in, a light entry end of the light guide unit 102 protrudes in an arc shape towards the light source, so that light from the light source 101 is guided to be incident on the rear surface of the light guide unit 102.

[0036] In some examples, at least a part of the rear surface of the light guide unit 102 is inclined towards the front surface of the light guide unit 102, and light entering through the end face of the light guide unit 102 is reflected towards the front surface 220 after reaching the rear surface, and thus emerges via the front surface. Further, the rear surface of the light guide unit may comprise multiple total reflection facets, which are configured to fully reflect light entering through the arc-shaped end face towards the front surface of the light guide unit 102. Thus, the uniformity of the illumination effect can be increased while improving the optical efficiency. In a preferred example, the size of the total reflection facet is less than 0.5 mm to obtain better uniformity.

[0037] In some examples, as shown in, the light guide unit 102 has a gradually decreasing thickness in the light entry direction (the thickness being the dimension of the light guide unit 102 in the main light exit direction). Since the light from the light source 101 is gradually lost while propagating in the light entry direction E (for example, due to light absorption, light leakage, etc. of the light guide unit 102), configuring the light guide unit 102 to have a gradually decreasing thickness in the light entry direction E can reduce the loss of light at positions of smaller thickness, and consequently, the overall loss tends to be consistent, so that the light guide unit 102 has a more uniform surface light emission effect.

[0038] It should be explained that, although it is shown in Figs. 1 - 3 that the light source 101 causes light to enter through only one end face of the light guide unit 102, it will be understood that it may also cause light to enter through two opposite end faces of the light guide unit 102 at the same time, or even through three, four or more end faces of the light guide unit 102 at the same time, and furthermore, the printed circuit board 200 may comprise multiple light sources 101 arranged along the end face of the light guide unit 102.

[0039] To match vehicle styling requirements, the lighting device generally needs to have a certain curvature, and the corresponding light-emitting component 100 will also have a certain curvature. As shown in, a consequence of this is that the direction of extension of the light exit face cannot always be perpendicular to the main light exit direction. This will reduce the optical efficiency of the lighting device to a certain extent, or affect the visibility of the lighting device at different angles.

[0040] In some examples, as shown in, the optical component 100 further comprises a functional layer 106, arranged at an outer side of the light guide unit 102, i.e. the side close to the light exit face of the light guide unit 102. Light from the light guide unit 102 is incident on the functional layer, redirected by the functional layer 106, and emerges uniformly. The redirecting and diffusing action of the functional layer 106 can ensure visibility at different angles even when the light exit face of the light-emitting component 100 is non-planar, while also increasing the optical efficiency of the lighting device.

[0041] In a particular example, as shown in, the functional layer 106 has a deflection layer 1061, on which is provided a deflection structure 1063 for deflecting light entering the functional layer 1061. Redirection by the functional layer 106 causes light to be deflected in the main light exit direction, i.e. the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, thus increasing visibility at different angles and positions.

[0042] In an example, the deflection structure 1063 is configured to deflect light from the light guide unit 102 by 0 - 50 degrees. Light from the light guide unit 102 is incident on the deflection structure 1063 and undergoes refraction at the deflection structure 1063, being directed such that the direction thereof is closer to the main light exit direction; this can adjust the light exit direction in the case of a light-emitting component that has a certain angle of inclination transverse to a vehicle direction. The range of adjustment of the angle of light by the deflection structure 1063 is 0 - 50 degrees, so as to adapt to different styling requirements, and is preferably 0 - 30 degrees, so as to guarantee effectiveness and optical efficiency.

[0043] In an example, as shown in, the deflection structure 1063 is a prism. Such a configuration can ensure that light from the light guide unit 102 is collected effectively.

[0044] In an example, the prism is a triangular prism. The cross section of the triangular prism is preferably an acute-angled triangle. This is to facilitate processing of the deflection layer 1061 while ensuring that light is collected effectively.

[0045] In an example, the functional layer 106 further includes a scattering layer 1062, on which is provided a scattering structure for scattering light passing through the functional layer 106. The scattering layer 1062 is arranged at a light exit side of the deflection layer 1061, and scatters light deflected by the deflection layer 1061, thereby improving the uniformity of the light output effect.

[0046] By arranging the scattering layer 1062 at the light exit side of the deflection layer 1061, it can be ensured that light from the light guide unit 102 is first deflected and then scattered, thus ensuring that the emergent light is appropriately deflected.

[0047] In an example, the scattering layer 1062 may be made of any suitable light-permeable scattering material, for example but without limitation, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), etc. Preferably, the scattering layer 1062 has a scattering angle greater than 50 degrees and a transmittance greater than 85% to ensure uniformity of the illumination effect.

[0048] In an example, the scattering layer 1062 and the deflection layer 1061 are preferably of small thickness, and in some examples, the scattering layer 1062 and the deflection layer 1061 are formed as films. Since the scattering layer 1062 and the deflection layer 1061 are thin, the shapes of the scattering layer 1062 and the deflection layer 1061 may be adjusted according to the shape of the light guide unit 102, so as to better fit the light guide unit 102; in this way, it is possible to ensure that light is deflected and diffused effectively.

[0049] In an example, the scattering layer 1062 may be formed separately from the deflection layer 1061. In another example, the scattering layer 1062 may be formed integrally with the deflection layer 1061, so as to simplify processing and facilitate assembly.

[0050] In another embodiment, the optical component 100 further comprises a transparent front plate 105; the transparent front plate 105 is arranged at a front side of the light guide unit 102 and the functional layer 106, and configured to transmit light which has been deflected and scattered by the functional layer 106. The transparent front plate 105 can protect the light guide unit 102 and the functional layer 106, and prevent the light guide unit 102 and the functional layer 106 from being damaged or scratched.

[0051] In another example, an optical microstructure is arranged on the side of the transparent front plate 105 that is near the light guide unit 102 to achieve the scattering effect of the scattering layer 1062, so as to scatter light from the light guide unit 102 without providing the scattering layer 1062.

[0052] In an example, the light source 101 is multiple light sources arranged in sequence, and each light source 101 can be controlled independently to turn on or off, so that the sequence of illumination can be adjusted as needed to achieve a dynamic pattern effect.

[0053] The light-emitting component 100 according to the present invention is able to deflect and diffuse light, increasing the optical efficiency of the lighting device and improving the visibility of the lighting device at different angles when the light-emitting component or lighting device needs to have a certain curve or curvature, such that the direction of extension of the light exit face cannot be perpendicular to the main light exit direction.

[0054] The light-emitting component according to the present invention may in particular be used for vehicle signalling functions, e.g. daytime running lamps, direction indicator lamps, parking lamps or brake lamps, etc. The light-emitting component according to the present invention may also be used for vehicle lighting functions, e.g. headlamps, etc.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a lighting device is also included, which comprises any one of the optical components described above.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle is also included, which comprises a lighting device as described above.

[0057] The vehicle according to the present invention at least has the beneficial effects afforded by the vehicle lighting device described above.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the structure described above; various other variants could also be used. Although the present invention has already been described by means of a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art could, having the benefit from this disclosure, design other embodiments which do not depart from the scope of protection of the present invention disclosed herein. Thus, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the attached claims alone.

Claims

Optical component (100), characterized by comprising:a light source (101) configured to emit light;a light guide unit (102), configured to receive and guide light emitted by the light source (101) and output the light through a light exit face of the light guide unit (102);a backplate (103), configured to provide support for the light guide unit (102); anda functional layer (106), the functional layer (106) being arranged at a light exit side of the light guide unit (102), to redirect and uniformly output light from the light guide unit (102).Optical component (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the light guide unit (102) is a plate-shaped light guide, and the light source (101) is deployed at an end of the light guide unit (102).Optical component (100) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the functional layer (106) has a deflection layer (1061), on which is provided a deflection structure (1063) for deflecting light entering the functional layer (1061).Optical component (100) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the deflection structure (1063) is configured to deflect light from the light guide unit (102) by 0 - 50 degrees.Optical component (100) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the deflection structure (1063) is a prism.Optical component (100) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the prism is a triangular prism.Optical component (100) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the functional layer (106) further includes a scattering layer (1062), on which is provided a scattering structure for scattering light passing through the functional layer (106).Optical component (100) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the scattering layer (107) is arranged at a light exit side of the deflection layer (1061).Optical component (100) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the deflection layer (1061) is formed integrally with the scattering layer (1062).Optical component (100) according to any one of Claims 1 - 9, characterized in that the optical component (100) further comprises a transparent front plate (105), the transparent front plate (105) being arranged at a light exit side of the functional layer (106), and configured to transmit light from the functional layer (106).Lighting and / or signalling device, characterized by comprising the optical component (100) according to any one of Claims 1 - 10.Lighting and / or signalling device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the lighting and / or signalling device is used for a daytime running lamp or tail lamp function.Vehicle, characterized by comprising the optical component (100) according to any one of Claims 1 - 10 or the lighting and / or signalling device according to Claim 11 or 12.

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