CN219775525U

CN219775525U - Lighting module, lamp device and vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN219775525U
Application number: CN202223529099.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 白璐; 范磊; 陈飞; 黄帅
Original assignee: Valeo Lighting Hubei Technical Center Co Ltd
Current assignee: Valeo Lighting Hubei Technical Center Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-28
Filing date: 2022-12-28
Publication date: 2023-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-28

Abstract

A lighting module, a lamp device, and a vehicle are provided. The lighting module includes: a first light source (110); a first light collector (120) configured to collect light from the first light source and direct a first light beam having a first illumination or signaling function towards an exit window for exit; a second light source (210) arranged spaced apart from the first light source; and a second light collector configured to collect light from the second light source and direct a second light beam having a different second illumination or signaling function towards the same light exit window for exit.

Description

Lighting module, lamp device and vehicle

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of lighting and/or signaling, and more particularly, to a lighting module capable of providing at least two lighting or signaling functions, and a light device and a vehicle equipped with such a lighting module.

Background

In various fields, various lamp arrangements are known for providing illumination or light of a signalling indication. For example, lamps are used in vehicles to provide illumination or signaling functions, to ensure safe driving, or to provide decorative functions.

As an example, vehicles are typically configured with a variety of vehicle lights having different lighting or signaling functions, including, but not limited to, headlamps (e.g., high and/or low beam), position Lights (PL), daytime Running Lights (DRL), turn lights, fog lights, and the like. In conventional applications, lamps of different functions have different light exit windows, so that some lamps are not lit when other lamps are lit or are operated, and as lamp technology advances, some manufacturers or users want lamps of different functions to have the same light exit window, so that the light exit window is always lit when the lamps of any function are lit or are operated. In addition, some manufacturers desire low beam high beam modules to integrate lighting or signaling functions such as daytime running lights, position lights, turn lights, fog lights, and welcome lights. In this case, it is a challenge how to design the light path so that the lamps of different functions do not interfere with each other.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present disclosure to address or overcome at least one of the above and other problems and disadvantages in the prior art.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a lighting module, comprising: a first light source; a first light collector configured to collect light from the first light source and direct a first light beam having a first illumination or signaling function toward an exit window for exit; a second light source arranged spaced apart from the first light source; and a second light collector configured to collect light from the second light source and direct a second light beam having a different second illumination or signaling function towards the same light exit window for exit.

In some embodiments, the second light source and the second light collector are arranged outside the optical path of the first light beam from the first light collector to the light exit window.

In some embodiments, the light exit area of the second light collector is disposed in front of the light exit area of the first light collector in the main light exit direction of the lighting module.

In some embodiments, the first and second light beams are directed to exit different regions of the same light exit window or are directed to exit at least partially from the same region of the same light exit window.

In some embodiments, the first light beam is directed to exit from an upper region of the light exit window and the second light beam is directed to exit from a lower region of the light exit window.

In some embodiments, the lighting module further comprises a lens defining the light exit window such that the first and second light beams exit via the lens.

In some embodiments, the first and second light sources are configured to emit light simultaneously or non-simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the lighting module further comprises at least one circuit board for mounting the first and second light sources, the first and second light sources being mounted on the same circuit board or on two circuit boards of substantially the same horizontal height, respectively.

In some embodiments, the lighting module further comprises a housing covering over the at least one circuit board.

In some embodiments, the first light collector includes a reflector formed on the housing having a reflective surface facing the first light source to reflect light from the first light source toward the light exit window.

In some embodiments, the lighting module further comprises a heat sink, the at least one circuit board and the housing being mounted on the same side of the heat sink.

In some embodiments, the second light collector comprises one of a light guide, a collimator, and a reflector.

In some embodiments, the light guide is formed as a U-shaped profile and has an entry at an end and an exit section in the middle, the entry being positioned facing the second light source to receive light from the second light source, and the exit section being positioned facing the exit window such that the received light exits at the exit section to the exit window.

In some embodiments, the second light source emits light transverse to a main light exit direction of the lighting module, the light entrance portion comprising a reflective surface for reflecting light from the second light source into the body of the light guide.

In some embodiments, the lighting module further comprises a heat sink, the light guide and the second light source being disposed on the same side of the diffuser.

In some embodiments, the first beam is a low beam and/or a high beam of a vehicle lamp, and the second beam is one or more of a beam for a daytime running light, a beam for a position light, a beam for a turn light, a beam for a welcome light, and a beam for a fog light.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, embodiments also provide a lamp device including a housing and a lighting module described in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the lighting module being housed within the housing.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, embodiments also provide a vehicle comprising the lighting module or the lamp device described in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present disclosure, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, and may be learned by the practice of the present disclosure as set forth hereinafter.

Drawings

These and/or other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a front perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of a lighting module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is a view showing a schematic light path of a lighting module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a top perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of a lighting module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, with a housing mounted with a light collector removed;

fig. 4 is an exploded view schematically illustrating a structure of a lighting module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of a housing of a lighting module in which a light collector is mounted according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 is a view showing a schematic light path of a lighting module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 7 is a view showing a schematic light path of a lighting module according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings is intended to illustrate the general disclosed concept and should not be taken as limiting the disclosure.

Furthermore, in the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It may be evident, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in the drawings in order to simplify the drawings.

The terminology used in the present description is for the purpose of describing the embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting/restricting of the present disclosure. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprises" or "comprising" are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof, and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.

In addition, in the present specification, terms including numerals such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the above terms, and the terms are used only to distinguish one component from other components. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The term "and/or" includes a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of any one or more of the related listed items. Meanwhile, terms such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower" and the like used in the following description are defined on the basis of the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

Fig. 1-7 schematically illustrate structures of lighting modules according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which may be, for example, components of a lamp device, directing light from a light source to exit with a desired lighting effect (e.g., a desired intensity distribution or direction, etc.) to achieve a lighting or signaling function. As an example, the lamp device may be mounted in a vehicle as a vehicle lamp, for example, including but not limited to a headlight, such as a low beam or a high beam, such as a high-low beam integrated vehicle lamp, or a vehicle lamp providing other lighting or signaling functions, such as a daytime running light, a position light, a fog light, a turn signal, a welcome light, or the like. It will be appreciated that the lamp device may comprise other components than the lighting module, such as a housing accommodating the lighting module, an optional light distribution screen, connectors, mounting/positioning elements, etc. The term "vehicle" referred to herein may refer to any type of vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, a motorcycle, or any other mobile machine capable of carrying at least one passenger or for transporting personnel or cargo.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting module basically includes a first light source 110, a first light collector 120, a second light source 210, and a second light collector (described below). The first and second light sources 110 and 210 are used to generate light for different lighting or signaling functions, respectively, such as one or more of a high beam function, a low beam function, a daytime running light function, a position light function, a turn light, a welcome light, a fog light function, etc., and may include any suitable light emitting device, such as a halogen bulb, a xenon lamp, an LED, a laser, etc., and the lighting module may include one or more first and second light sources 110 and 120 arranged in various forms according to actual needs.

The first light collector 120 is arranged to collect light from the first light source 210 and direct a first light beam having a first illumination or signaling function towards an exit aperture or window (described below) for exit; while the second light collector is arranged to collect light from the second light source 210 and direct a second light beam with a different second illumination or signal indication function towards the same light exit aperture or window for exit, so that both illumination or signal indication functions can be implemented or integrated in the same illumination module. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, by varying the number of light sources and light collectors, a greater variety of other lighting or signaling functions may be integrated in the lighting module.

In some examples, the first beam may be a beam for a headlight, such as a low beam, or a high beam or a high-low beam, and the second beam may be a beam for a daytime running light, a beam for a position light, a beam for a turn light, a beam for a welcome light, or a beam for a fog light, etc., but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The timing of the light emission of the first and second light sources 110 and 210 of the lighting module may be controlled as needed or applied so that both may emit light simultaneously or not. For example, in some applications or situations, it may be desirable to illuminate a daytime running light, position light, turn light, welcome light, or fog light, as well as a high beam light or a low beam light, to achieve an enhanced or complementary illumination effect at the same light exit aperture or window. In other applications, the first light source and the second light source may not emit light at the same time, so that the lighting module may implement different lighting or signaling functions that meet different requirements. Whether both emit light simultaneously or not, the same light exit window is always illuminated because the light from the first and second light sources is both directed out to the same light exit window.

Preferably, the second light source 210 and the second light collector are arranged outside the optical path of the first light beam from the first light collector to the light exit window, such that the second light source 210 and the second light collector do not block the exit of the first light beam, the second light beam and the first light beam do not interfere with each other or only partially overlap, without affecting the respective illumination or signal indication function.

In a vehicle lamp application, the light exit aperture or window may be defined by a light distribution screen of the vehicle lamp, or as shown in fig. 2, 6 and 7, the lighting module may further include a light projecting member, such as a lens 130, at a front portion thereof, the lens 130 defining the light exit aperture or window such that the first and second light beams pass through the lens 130 and exit to provide a clearer illumination or indication beam.

In a further preferred embodiment, as shown in fig. 2-4, 6 and 7, the light exit area of the second light collector is arranged in front of the light exit area of the first light collector 120 in the main light exit direction of the lighting module, so that the second light beam is not blocked or disturbed by the first light collector 120 when lit alone. In automotive light applications, the main light exit direction of the lighting module may be substantially parallel to the length direction of the vehicle, e.g. a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal central axis of the light exit window. In examples where the light exit window is defined by a lens, the main light exit direction of the lighting module may be parallel to the optical axis of the lens.

In some embodiments, the first and second light beams may be directed to exit from different regions of the same light exit window, e.g., as shown, the first light beam is directed to exit from an upper region of the lens 130 and the second light beam is directed to exit from a lower region of the lens 130, to avoid simultaneous light exit related interference or affecting the respective illumination or signal indication function. In other embodiments, the first and second light beams may also be directed to partially exit the same area of the same light exit window, such as where the exit areas of the two are partially overlapping, to achieve enhanced, or complementary, or different lighting effects.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the lighting module may further include at least one circuit board 140, such as a PCB, and the one or more first light sources 110 and the one or more second light sources 210 may be mounted on the same circuit board 140 spaced apart from each other or on two circuit boards having substantially the same level, respectively, so that the number of components may be reduced and the size of the lighting module in a direction transverse to its main light emitting direction may be made more compact.

As shown in fig. 1, 4 and 5, the lighting module may further include a housing 150, wherein the housing 150 covers the circuit board 140, and further covers the first light source 110 and the second light source 210, so that an effective portion of light of the light sources is directed to the light outlet, preventing stray light from the first light source 110 and/or the second light source 210 from leaking to the outside, and interfering with the lighting effect.

In order to timely and effectively dissipate heat of the lighting module (e.g., its light source or other heat generating component), various components of the lighting module, such as the circuit board 140, are mounted or secured to the heat sink 160. As an example, the heat sink 160 may include a heat dissipating body 161 and a plurality of heat dissipating fins 162 extending from the heat dissipating plate 410 away from the circuit board 140, with the circuit board 140 and the housing 150 mounted on the same side of the heat dissipating body 161, for example, via fasteners.

The first light collector 120 is used to collect and/or shape light from the first light source 110 and direct the light towards the light exit window. As an example, as shown in fig. 1-2 and 4-7, the first light collector 120 may include a reflector, such as a reflective bowl or a reflective cover, for example, but not limited to, formed on the housing 150 and having a reflective surface 121 facing the first light source to reflect light from the first light source 110 toward the light exit window or lens. Illustratively, the reflective surface 121 may include one or more curved (e.g., elliptical, parabolic, semi-elliptical, concave) or flat reflective surfaces. For example, the reflective surface 121 may be a surface, such as a concave surface, obtained by rotation about an axis parallel to the optical axis of the lighting module. The first light collector may be made of a material having good heat resistance, for example, molded from glass or a polymer such as polycarbonate-based plastic (e.g., PC-HT) or polyetherimide, and the inner surface of the molded light collector may be metallized or coated with a coating or plating to form a reflective surface thereof.

As shown, the first light collector 120 may include one or more reflectors or respective reflective surfaces 121 in one-to-one correspondence with the first light sources 110, each reflector or reflective surface facing both the corresponding first light source and the light exit window to collect and reflect light from the first light sources 110 to the light exit window. One or more reflectors or corresponding reflective surfaces 121 may be provided as needed or for a particular application, and a desired outgoing beam distribution or pattern may be achieved. For the first light collector 120 formed by a reflector, its light exit area is its reflective area facing the light exit window or is defined by a reflective surface 121.

The specific form of the second light collector is not limited, and for example, it may be a light guide 221 (see fig. 1 to 4), a collimator 222 (see fig. 6) or a reflector 223 (see fig. 7) or the like, so that the second light collector can be flexibly arranged according to actual needs.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1-4, the light guide 221 is employed as a second light collector to collect light from the second light source 210 and direct it towards the light exit window. Since the specific form of the light guide, such as straight, curved, etc., can be set or selected according to the specific structure of the lighting module, the installation space, etc., the requirement for the installation position of the second light source is reduced, for example, the second light source 210 can be installed on the same circuit board 140 as the first light source 110, improving the module integration and compactness. Illustratively, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, the second light source 210 may be disposed at an outer side or edge side of the first light source 110, and the light guide 221 may guide the second light source 210 located at the outer side or edge toward the middle light-emitting window. In the illustrated embodiment, the light guide 221 and the second light source 210 and the circuit board 140 are disposed on the same side of the diffuser 160.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1, 3, and 4, the light guide 221 may be formed in a generally U-shaped profile, with an entrance portion 2211 at one or both ends and an exit section 2212 in the middle. The light entrance 2211 is positioned facing the second light source 210 to receive or collect light from the second light source 210 such that it propagates in the light guide to the light exit section 2212. The light exit section 2212 is positioned between the second light source 210 and the light exit window or lens 130 facing the light exit window or lens 130 such that the received light exits at the light exit section 2212 and is directed to the light exit window or lens 130. In addition, light extraction structures, such as, but not limited to, serrations, dermatoglyphs, optical protrusions, optical depressions, etc., are provided at the light-exit section 2212, the arrangement of which changes the way light propagates in the light guide 221 (such as total reflection) such that light propagating inside the light guide 221 exits at the light-exit section 2212 and is directed toward the light-exit window.

In embodiments employing a light guide as the second light collector, the second light source 210 emits light transverse to the main light exit direction of the lighting module, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, the light entrance 2211 covers over the second light source 210, the second light source 210 emits light upward, the light entrance 2211 comprises a reflective surface 2213, such as a slope, for reflecting light from the second light source 210 into the body of the light guide, the body of the light guide comprises a light exit section 2212, the light reflected by the reflective surface 2213 propagates (such as total reflection) in the body to the light exit section 2212, and exits at the light exit section 2212 towards the light exit window.

Whereas in the embodiment shown in fig. 6, a collimator 222 is employed as the second light collector, the collimator 222 is positioned between the second light source 210 and the light exit window or lens 130, when the second light source 210 emits light in a direction towards the light exit window or lens 130, the collimator 222 collects and collimates the light from the second light source 210 to form substantially parallel light exiting the light exit window or lens 130. In this case, the second light collector may include a plurality of collimators 222 corresponding to the plurality of second light sources 210, respectively, and the collimators 222 may be arranged along the light exit window in a plane substantially parallel to the main light exit direction of the lighting module.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 7, a reflector 223 is employed as the second light collector, where the second light source 210 may emit light in substantially the same direction as the first light source 110, the reflector 223 reflecting light from the second light source 210 towards the light exit window or lens 130. In this case, the reflector 223 may be mounted on the same housing as the first light collector 120, for example, and the second light source 210 may be mounted on the same circuit board as the first light source 110. In this case, the second light collector may include a plurality of reflectors 223 corresponding to the plurality of second light sources 210, respectively, and the reflectors 223 may be arranged along the light-emitting window in a plane substantially parallel to the main light-emitting direction of the lighting module.

Thus, depending on the specific application, the light exit area of the second light collector described above may also be of various forms, for example, the area where the light exit section 2212 of the light guide 221 exits light, as defined by the light extraction or extraction structures, or the area of the collimator 222 facing the light exit window, or the reflective area of the reflector 223 facing the light exit window.

The lighting module according to the embodiment of the disclosure integrates various light functions and has a single light emitting window, which can emit light beams for various illumination or signal indication, and optical elements corresponding to the light beams are independent of each other and do not interfere with each other.

Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to be illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The dimensional proportions in the drawings are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A lighting module, the lighting module comprising:

a first light source (110);

a first light collector (120) configured to collect light from the first light source and direct a first light beam having a first illumination or signaling function towards an exit window for exit;

a second light source (210) arranged spaced apart from the first light source; and

a second light collector configured to collect light from the second light source and direct a second light beam having a different second illumination or signaling function towards the same light exit window for exit.

2. A lighting module as recited in claim 1, wherein the lighting module comprises,

the second light source and the second light collector are arranged outside the optical path of the first light beam from the first light collector to the light exit window.

3. A lighting module as recited in claim 2, wherein the lighting module comprises,

in the main light emitting direction of the lighting module, the light emitting area of the second light collector is arranged in front of the light emitting area of the first light collector.

4. A lighting module as recited in claim 1, wherein the lighting module comprises,

the first and second light beams are directed to exit different regions of the same light exit window or are directed to exit at least partially from the same region of the same light exit window.

5. A lighting module as recited in claim 4, wherein the lighting device comprises,

the first light beam is directed to exit from an upper region of the light exit window and the second light beam is directed to exit from a lower region of the light exit window.

6. A lighting module as recited in any one of claims 1-5, wherein,

the lighting module further comprises a lens (130) defining the light exit window such that the first and second light beams exit via the lens.

7. A lighting module as recited in any one of claims 1-5, wherein,

the first and second light sources are configured to emit light simultaneously or non-simultaneously.

8. A lighting module as recited in claim 3, wherein the lighting module comprises,

the lighting module further comprises at least one circuit board (140) for mounting the first light source and the second light source, wherein the first light source and the second light source are mounted on the same circuit board or on two circuit boards with approximately the same horizontal height respectively.

9. A lighting module as recited in claim 8, wherein the lighting device comprises,

the lighting module further comprises a housing (150) covering over the at least one circuit board.

10. A lighting module as recited in claim 9, wherein the lighting device comprises,

the first light collector includes a reflector formed on the housing, the reflector having a reflective surface (121) facing the first light source to reflect light from the first light source toward the light exit window.

11. A lighting module as recited in claim 9, wherein the lighting device comprises,

the lighting module further comprises a heat sink (160), the at least one circuit board and the housing being mounted on the same side of the heat sink.

12. A lighting module as recited in any one of claims 1-5 and 8-11,

the second light collector comprises one of a light guide (221), a collimator (222) and a reflector (223).

13. A lighting module as recited in claim 12, wherein the lighting device comprises,

the light guide is formed in a U-shaped profile and has an entrance (2211) at the end and an exit section (2212) in the middle,

the light inlet is positioned to face the second light source to receive the light from the second light source, and

the light exit section is positioned facing the light exit window such that the received light exits at the light exit section to the light exit window.

14. A lighting module as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the second light source emits light transversely to the main light exit direction of the lighting module, the light entry portion comprising a reflective surface (2213) for reflecting light from the second light source into the body of the light guide.

15. A lighting module as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the lighting module further comprises a heat sink (160), the light guide and the second light source being arranged on the same side of the heat sink (160).

16. A lighting module as recited in any one of claims 1-5, 8-11, and 13-15,

the first light beam is a low beam and/or a high beam of a vehicle lamp, and the second light beam is one or more of a light beam for a daytime running light, a light beam for a position light, a light beam for a turn light, a light beam for a welcome light, and a light beam for a fog light.

17. A lamp device comprising a housing, characterized in that,

the lamp device further comprising the lighting module of any one of claims 1-16, the lighting module being housed within the housing.

18. A vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a lighting module as claimed in any one of claims 1-16, or a lamp device as claimed in claim 17.