Light guide element for a vehicle lamp, vehicle lamp and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a light guide element (100), comprising: a first light guide unit (101), configured to receive light from a light source, the first light guide unit extending in a first direction; at least one second light guide unit (102), configured to have one end connected to the first light guide unit, and to conduct and output light from the first light guide unit, wherein the second light guide unit extends in a second direction different from the first direction.

Description

Light guide element, vehicle lamp and vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a light guide element, a vehicle lamp and a vehicle.

[0002] In vehicle lamp lighting, for scenarios with multiple elongated openings requiring illumination, multiple strip-shaped light guides are generally used, each strip-shaped light guide correspondingly requiring one light source. This will increase costs, and multiple independent light guides will cause many problems, including for example problems associated with installation, fixing, foolproofing and mould costs.Summary of the invention

[0003] Thus, an objective of the present invention is to provide a light guide element capable of at least partially solving the technical problems mentioned above.

[0004] The light guide element according to the present invention comprises: a first light guide unit, configured to receive light from a light source, the first light guide unit extending in a first direction; at least one second light guide unit, configured to have one end connected to the first light guide unit, and to conduct and output light from the first light guide unit, wherein the second light guide unit extends in a second direction different from the first direction.

[0005] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first light guide unit has a light entry end face, and the light source is arranged facing towards the light entry end face.

[0006] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first light guide unit has a light decoupling structure on a surface opposite to a connection position with the second light guide unit.

[0007] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light decoupling structure has a totally reflecting surface.

[0008] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the number of the at least one second light guide unit is two or more, and areas of the light decoupling structures corresponding to the second light guide units increase with increasing distance from the light entry end face.

[0009] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, lengths of extension of the second light guide units in the second direction decrease with increasing distance from the light entry end face.

[0010] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a light output face of the second light guide unit is located on a circumferential surface of the light guide unit.

[0011] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first light guide unit has a round cross section.

[0012] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light guide element further comprises a support unit, the support unit being arranged at the other end of the second light guide unit, and connected to the second light guide unit.

[0013] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light guide element is integrally formed.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle lamp is proposed, the vehicle lamp having a light source and a light guide element, the light guide element being the light guide element described in any of the embodiments above.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is proposed, the vehicle having the light guide element or vehicle lamp described above.

[0016] The light guide element according to the present invention needs only one light source to achieve the simultaneous illumination of multiple light guide units, illuminating multiple light emitting windows, and having a uniform illumination effect overall.Brief description of the drawingswings, in which:

[0017] shows schematically a 3D drawing of a light guide element according to the present invention.

[0018] shows schematically another view of a light guide element according to the present invention.

[0019] shows schematically another view of a light guide element according to the present invention.Detailed description of embodiments

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention are described in an exemplary manner 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. Hereinbelow, identical reference labels generally denote functionally identical or similar elements.

[0021] It should be understood that the terms first, second and third, etc. may be used in the present invention to describe various types of information, but such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish items of information of the same type from each other. For example, first information could also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information could also be referred to as first information, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Depending on the context, the word “if” as used herein may be interpreted as “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining that”.

[0022] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that orientational or positional relationships indicated by the terms "longitudinal”, "transverse”, “up”, “down”, "front”, "rear”, “left”, “right”, "vertical”, "horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the orientational or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are merely intended to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention, rather than indicating or implying that the apparatus or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0023] A light guide element according to the present invention is shown schematically in Figs. 1 - 3. The light guide element 100 according to the present invention comprises: a first light guide unit 101, configured to receive light from a light source 200, the first light guide unit 101 extending in a first direction; at least one second light guide unit 102, configured to have one end connected to the first light guide unit 101, and to conduct and output light from the first light guide unit 101, wherein the second light guide unit 102 extends in a second direction different from the first direction.

[0024] Specifically, as shown in Figs. 1 - 3, the first light guide unit 101 extends substantially in a horizontal direction, and the second light guide unit 102 extends substantially in a direction forming an obtuse angle therewith; such a configuration can increase the utilization rate of light, to achieve higher optical efficiency. In another example, the extension direction of the second light guide unit 102 may form another angle, such as a right angle or an acute angle, with the extension direction of the first light guide unit 101; specifically, it may be adjusted as needed, and need only be different from the first direction. The overall course of the light guide element 100 is generally designed according to the overall shape of the motor vehicle.

[0025] The light guide element 100 is preferably made of a transparent or semi-transparent material, which may be a glass resin or a plastic. For example, a light guide made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), e.g. with product code LED 8N LD12, LD24, LD48 or LD96 is used, or a light guide made of polycarbonate (PC), e.g. with product code EL2245 may be used. Of course, those skilled in the art will know that the light guide element 100 could also be made of other suitable materials, and the above choices do not constitute a restriction on the choice of material thereof.

[0026] In the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 - 3, the number of second light guide units 102 is 6. It should be explained that the drawings shown and the embodiments serving as examples herein do not constitute a specific restriction on the number of second light guide units, which may be a greater or a smaller number, and specifically may be set according to actual needs.

[0027] In a specific example, the light source 200 may be a light emitting diode or laser type, or any suitable light source which is known or yet to be developed; the present application imposes no specific restrictions in this regard. The light source 200 emits light in a half-space defined by a main plane thereof. The colour of light emitted by the light source 200 is selected according to the required function. Thus, a light emitting diode emitting white, red or amber light may be used, in order to perform a number of lighting and / or signalling functions. The purpose of emitting different colours to perform different lighting and / or signalling functions is known to those skilled in the art, so is not discussed in detail again herein. The intensity of light emitted by the light source 200 is preferably adjustable, to realize the functions of a daytime running lamp, position lamp or direction indicator lamp, for example.

[0028] Specifically, in an example, the first light guide unit 101 has a light entry end face 1011, and the light source 200 is arranged facing towards the light entry end face 1011, to ensure the utilization rate of light from the light source.

[0029] In an example, the first light guide unit 101 has a light decoupling structure 103 on a surface opposite to a connection position with the second light guide unit 102. The light decoupling structure 103 breaks total reflection of light propagating in the first light guide unit 102, such that light incident on the light decoupling structure 103 is reflected at this position and enters the second light guide unit 102. The light decoupling structure 103 may be a structure that is formed on an outer peripheral face of the light guide unit 101 and sunk towards the second light guide unit 102 side. The light decoupling structure 103 preferably has an inclined surface, to ensure that light is able to shine onto the surface thereof and be reflected to the corresponding second light guide unit 102.

[0030] The light decoupling structure 103 may be a planar structure to ensure that light incident on the surface thereof undergoes total reflection, but may also take the form of optical teeth or prisms for example, providing a certain degree of scattering at the same time as reflection, to increase the uniformity of the light output effect.

[0031] In an example, the number of the at least one second light guide unit 102 is two or more, and the areas of the light decoupling structures 103 corresponding to the second light guide units 102 increase with increasing distance from the light entry end face 1011 of the first light guide unit 101. When the number of second light guide units 102 is more than one, the amount of light entering a second light guide unit 102 further away from the light entry end face 1011 of the first light guide unit 101 is less than that entering a second light guide unit closer to the light entry end face 1011 of the first light guide unit 101, and this will result in a difference in brightness between different second light guide units 102. By increasing the area of the light decoupling structure 103 corresponding to a second light guide unit 102 further away from the light entry end face 1011 of the first light guide unit 101, the amount of light entering the corresponding second light guide unit can be increased, thus reducing the difference in brightness between different second light guide units 102, and increasing the uniformity of the overall light emission effect. Specifically, the area of each decoupling structure 103 may be adjusted according to actual requirements, e.g. the distance between the second light guide units 102, the length or light emission area of the second light guide unit 102, different angles between the second light guide unit 102 and the first light guide unit 101, etc.

[0032] In the examples shown in Figs. 1 - 3, the multiple second light guide units 102 are spaced apart by equal distances. In other examples, the distances between the second light guide units 102 may be adjusted according to shape or other requirements; the examples shown should not constitute a restriction on the present invention.

[0033] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 1 - 3, the lengths of extension of the second light guide units 102 in the second direction decrease with increasing distance from the light entry end face 1011. Due to the fact that light is lost during propagation and separated into preceding second light guide units 102 when transmitted in the first light guide unit 101, the luminous flux in a second light guide unit 102 further away from the light entry end face 1011 of the first light guide unit 101 is limited, so by setting the lengths of extension of the second light guide units 102 in the second direction to decrease with increasing distance from the light entry end face 1011, it is possible to ensure uniformity of brightness between different second light guide units 102, guaranteeing the final illumination effect.

[0034] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first light guide unit 101 has a round cross section. Such a configuration can better ensure total reflection of light therein, improving the optical efficiency. However, the first light guide unit 101 could also have another cross-sectional shape, such as elliptical, etc.

[0035] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a light output face of the second light guide unit 102 is located on a circumferential surface of the light guide unit. A light decoupling structure is provided on a surface opposite the light output face, as shown in. In an example, as shown in, the second light guide unit 102 has a rectangular cross section, and correspondingly, the second light guide unit 102 has a rectangular light emission surface. In other examples, the second light guide unit 102 could have a differently shaped cross section or a differently shaped light emission surface; the present application does not impose excessive restrictions in this regard.

[0036] In an example, multiple second light guide units 102 are arranged parallel to each other. In other examples, the second light guide units 102 could be arranged in other ways.

[0037] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light guide element 100 further comprises a support unit 104, the support unit being arranged at the other end of the second light guide unit 102, and connected to the second light guide unit 102. By providing the support unit 104, the overall strength and stability of the light guide element 100 can be increased, and installation thereof can be facilitated.

[0038] As shown in, there is a certain transitional region between a light exit face of the second light guide unit 102 and the first light guide unit 101 and also between the light exit face and the support structure 104, so as to add light-mixing regions, and guarantee the light output effect. At the same time, interference between different light guide units is avoided.

[0039] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light guide element 100 is integrally formed. By having the light guide element 100 integrally formed, the structure can be simplified, facilitating production processing, reducing the number of assembly steps, and lowering costs.

[0040] In a specific embodiment, different second light guide units 102 may have the same shape and structure or different shapes and structures, including but not limited to the shape and diameter, etc. of the second light guide unit 102.

[0041] The light guide element 100 according to the present invention needs only one light source to achieve the simultaneous illumination of multiple light guide units, illuminating multiple light emitting windows, and having a uniform illumination effect overall.

[0042] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle lamp is proposed, the vehicle lamp having a light source 200 and a light guide element, the light guide element being the light guide element described in any of the embodiments above.

[0043] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is proposed, the vehicle having the light guide element or vehicle lamp described above.

[0044] A lighting device or vehicle according to the present invention has at least the beneficial effects of the light guide element 100 described above.

[0045] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the demonstrative embodiments above, and may be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic features of the present invention. Thus, regardless of which viewpoint is taken, the embodiments should be regarded as being demonstrative and non-limiting; the scope of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and not by the explanation above, hence it is intended that all changes falling within the meaning and scope of equivalent key elements of the claims be included in the present invention. No reference labels in the claims should be regarded as limiting the claims concerned.

Claims

Light guide element (100), characterized by comprising:a first light guide unit (101), configured to receive light from a light source, the first light guide unit extending in a first direction;at least one second light guide unit (102), configured to have one end connected to the first light guide unit, and to conduct and output light from the first light guide unit, wherein the second light guide unit extends in a second direction different from the first direction.Light guide element (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first light guide unit (101) has a light entry end face (1011), and the light source (200) is arranged facing towards the light entry end face (1011).Light guide element (100) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the first light guide unit (101) has a light decoupling structure (103) on a surface opposite to a connection position with the second light guide unit (102).Light guide element (100) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the light decoupling structure (103) has a totally reflecting surface.Light guide element (100) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the number of the at least one second light guide unit (102) is two or more, and areas of the light decoupling structures (103) corresponding to the second light guide units (102) increase with increasing distance from the light entry end face (1011) of the first light guide unit (101).Light guide element (100) according to Claim 5, characterized in that lengths of extension of the second light guide units (102) in the second direction decrease with increasing distance from the light entry end face (1011).Light guide element (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that a light output face of the second light guide unit is located on a circumferential surface of the light guide unit.Light guide element (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first light guide unit (101) has a round cross section.Light guide element (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the light guide element further comprises a support unit (104), the support unit being arranged at the other end of the second light guide unit (102), and connected to the second light guide unit.Light guide element (100) according to any one of Claims 1 - 9, characterized in that the light guide element (100) is integrally formed.Vehicle lamp, having a light source (200) and a light guide element (100), characterized in that the light guide element is constructed according to any one of Claims 1 - 10.Vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle has the light guide element (100) according to any one of Claims 1 - 10 or the vehicle lamp according to Claim 11.

Images