DE202020104612U1 - Light guide for lighting application with moving light pattern - Google Patents

Abstract

A light guide (10) comprising:
- A coupling surface (30) on which at least one light source (20) can be arranged in order to couple light from the at least one light source (20) into the light guide (10);
- A mixing section (40) in which the light from the at least one light source (20) is mixed while it runs along the mixing section (40);
- A reflective structure (50) adjoining the mixing section (40), which reflects the light from the mixing section (40) into a coupling-out section (60) of the light guide (10);
- A structured coupling-out surface (70) of the coupling-out section (60) which couples the light out of the light guide.

Description

Technical area

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a light guide, and in particular a light guide for a lighting application of a vehicle. A corresponding vehicle loudspeaker and a corresponding vehicle are also provided.

background

Lighting applications in vehicles with variable or moving light patterns place high demands on the homogeneity of the visual impression. Conventional techniques require a large number of LEDs, which are distributed over a large area on a circuit board, as well as diffusers in order to illuminate a visible area of the light guide evenly with good color homogenization. As a result, conventional lighting devices often have large dimensions and, in addition, because of a large number of components, it is often difficult to obtain approval for the automotive sector.

Summary

Therefore, there is a need for an optical fiber of an improved design that overcomes or mitigates at least some of the noted limitations and disadvantages. This object is achieved with the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous exemplary embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

In the following, the solution according to the invention is described in relation to the claimed light guides which can be used in lighting devices, display devices, signal devices, loudspeakers and vehicles. Features, advantages or alternative exemplary embodiments can be assigned to the other categories, and vice versa. In other words, the light guides can be improved by features described in the context of the loudspeakers, and vice versa.

A light guide is designed to couple in light from one or more light sources, to mix it, and to couple it out evenly over a large decoupling surface compared to the coupling surfaces. For this purpose, the light guide can have at least one (light) coupling structure, comprising a coupling surface for a light source, a subsequent mixing section in which the coupled light is mixed, i.e. In other words, a light mixing rod and a subsequent reflective (micro-prism) structure, which reflects the mixed light in the direction of a coupling-out surface and further broadens and homogenizes a light intensity of the light.

An exemplary coupling structure is described in more detail below, it being clear to the person skilled in the art that any number of such coupling structures can be comprised by a light guide in order to achieve a desired resolution and a desired homogeneous visual impression for a wandering light pattern.

The light guide comprises at least one coupling surface on which at least one light source can be arranged in order to couple the light from the at least one light source into the light guide, in particular into a mixing section assigned to the light source. A size of the coupling surface can essentially correspond to a size of the light-emitting surface of the at least one light source. The coupling surface can be a surface of the mixing section which can be arranged on an opposite side compared to the reflective structure.

In some examples, the decoupling surface, which is uniformly illuminated by the sequence of mixing section and reflective microprismatic structure, and which has a uniformly illuminated surface visible to a user, can be at least 10 times, 50 times, 100 times or 200 times have a larger area than the coupling surfaces for the light sources.

The at least one light source can comprise one or more point light sources, in particular one or more LEDs. In some examples, a point light source can also comprise an LED package with several different colored LED diodes, in particular an RBG LED. In some examples, the light sources can be side-emitting LEDs, in other words LEDs that can be mounted with an underside on a PCB and electrically contacted, and which emit light in a lateral direction and not in an upward direction. In some examples, the light sources can lie in a horizontal plane, which can be offset vertically downwards from a horizontal center plane of the prismatic structures.

The light guide comprises at least one mixing section directly adjoining the coupling surface, in which the light from the at least one light source propagates away from the light source along the mixing section and in which the light from the light source is mixed or homogenized. The mixing section can be a curved elongated one Have shape, in particular a curved rod shape. In this context, the mixing section can also be referred to as a light mixing rod. Cross-sections of the mixing section in the direction of the propagating light can increase, in particular increase continuously. The coupled-in light, while it propagates along the mixing section, can be guided and mixed along the mixing rod by internal reflections on an outer surface of the mixing section. In particular, differently colored LEDs or LED diodes, the light of which can be essentially inhomogeneous when coupled, can be mixed to a homogeneous color distribution by reflections within the mixing section on outer surfaces of the mixing section.

The mixing section may have a curved surface in the direction of the propagating light, i. have a curved shape. In other words, the light can propagate along a curved light path. This can mean that a center of a light distribution can lie on a curved light path. This makes it possible, for example, to arrange the LEDs under the light guide on a PCB, with one end of the light mixing section being able to be arranged directly on a light-emitting surface of an LED package, with the light from an LED in one direction through the curved shape can be passed up into a reflective section and reflected in the coupling-out section. As a result, in some examples, a multiplicity of prism structures of different coupling structures can be arranged directly adjacent to one another and / or overlapping around a circumference of the light guide. Since the coupling-in structures can be arranged seamlessly next to one another, a light distribution of the coupled-in light in the coupling-out section can become more homogeneous.

The light in the mixing section is guided into a further section of the light guide with a reflective structure, in which the light strikes the reflective structure which deflects or reflects the mixed light in a reflection direction in a coupling-out section of the light guide. The reflective structure can directly adjoin the mixing section, the reflective structure reflecting the light from the mixing section internally into the coupling-out section on an outer surface. Through the reflective structure, in particular through a micro-prism structure, which can have prisms arranged in the vertical direction, and therefore depressions and elevations running in the vertical direction with reflective surfaces arranged at a predetermined angle, a light intensity of the light coming from the mixing section is made more uniform, in other words, homogenized. In particular, hotspots can occur in the light from the light mixing rod, which are evenly distributed or homogenized by the prism structure.

In some examples, the reflective structure can be a surface structure formed integrally in an outer surface of the light guide, in particular by injection molding. The reflective structure can be a prism-like structure in that it contains a plurality of small faces which are at a positive and / or negative angle with respect to the surface, i. in prism shape, are arranged. The prism-like structure may have a vertical groove shape. The outer surface of the light guide, in which the reflective structure can be integrally formed, can have a straight, curved, or free-form basic shape in order to optimally distribute the light distribution of the reflected light onto the coupling-out surface. In some examples, the light path from the light source to the prism structure can run at a predetermined angle to a lateral circumferential surface of the coupling-out section.

The coupling-out section has a surface which comprises a structured surface for coupling the light out of the light guide, which surface provides a broad light distribution from the coupling-out surface. This coupling-out surface can in particular have a hemispherical surface structure, with a large number of hemispheres, or more generally micro-surface structures, being able to protrude from the surface in the coupling-out direction on an underlying unstructured coupling-out surface. These integrally formed microstructures, in particular hemispherical structures made of the material of the light guide, can be formed in the coupling-out surface by injection molding.

The entire light guide, in particular including the coupling-in structures and the coupling-out section, can be integrally formed by a transparent material which does not contain any reflective particles, and can be formed by an injection molding process. For example, a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) material is suitable for this.

The light guide can comprise a large number of coupling surfaces for a large number of light sources. A corresponding mixing section can be assigned to each coupling-in surface, and furthermore a corresponding reflective structure can be assigned, which can be arranged essentially at a different point around the coupling-out section. In this context, a coupling structure can have at least one LED, a mixing section and a reflective structure that are integral, ie made of the same material, optically conductive and adjoining, in the light guide can be formed, and can guide light into one another, that is, are optically connected. A large number of coupling structures on a light guide can increase the homogeneity of the coupled out light. Furthermore, the LEDs can be controlled separately and variably so that a changing or variable light pattern can be generated on the coupling-out surface of the light guide. A light guide according to the present techniques can be based on the fact that coupled-in light is internally reflected multiple times until it hits the coupling-out surface, from where it is directed towards a viewer.

The outcoupling section of the light guide, which makes up the largest part of the light guide due to the outcoupling surface, can radiate the outcoupled light essentially in a Z direction and can have a lateral circumferential surface in a circumferential direction, which can be in an XY direction which can be arranged at least one coupling structure. In some examples, a light distribution of the coupled-out light can run essentially perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the coupled-in light. In some examples, a respective mixing section of the plurality of mixing sections can be arranged along a reflective structure that is associated with a different mixing section. In other words, the mixing sections can overlap or overlap the reflective sections in the radial direction (i.e. in a direction in an XY plane from a center of the coupling-out section to the outside).

The coupling-out surface can be a flat, or curved, or a free-form surface in the XY direction, so that light which is reflected in the latter by the lateral surfaces of the coupling-out section can more easily hit the coupling-out surface. An underside of the coupling-out section can be unstructured in order to provide internal reflections, so that essentially all of the light is coupled out through the coupling-out surface.

Using the techniques according to the present disclosure, a light guide can be provided with a homogeneous light distribution compared to conventional light guides with few LEDs, which illuminates a large area evenly with good color homogenization in a product approved for the automotive sector. The construction is very cost effective as no diffuser is required and therefore very compact, which is a great advantage in the automotive industry. It can also be made in different sizes and with differently shaped surfaces.

A vehicle speaker, a lighting device, a signaling device, an electronic communication device, a display, and a vehicle include an optical fiber according to the present disclosure. For such devices and devices, technical effects can be achieved which correspond to the technical effects for the light guide.

Although the features described in the above summary and the following detailed description are described in connection with specific examples, it is to be understood that the features can not only be used in the respective combinations, but can also be used in isolation or in any combination, and Features from different examples can be combined with one another and correlate with one another, unless expressly stated otherwise.

The above summary is therefore only intended to provide a brief overview of some features of some embodiments and implementations and is not to be understood as a limitation.

Figure list

The present invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• 1 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung einer Oberseite eines Lichtleiters, gemäß Ausführungsbeispielen der Erfindung.
• 2 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung der Unterseite des Lichtleiters der 1, gemäß Ausführungsbeispielen der Erfindung.
• 3 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung eines weiteren Lichtleiters in perspektivischer und Ansicht und von oben, gemäß Ausführungsbeispielen der Erfindung.
• 4 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung von mehreren Mischabschnitten und reflektierenden Strukturen an einem Auskoppelabschnitt eines Lichtleiters, gemäß Ausführungsbeispielen der Erfindung.
• 5 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung eines Fahrzeuglautsprechers mit einem Lichtleiter, gemäß Ausführungsbeispielen der Erfindung.
• 6 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung des Lautsprechers der 5 mit beleuchtetem Lichtleiter unter einem Abdeckungsgitter, gemäß Ausführungsbeispielen der Erfindung.
• 7 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung von Intensitätsverteilungen des ausgekoppelten Lichts der verschiedenen LEDs des Lautsprechers der 4 und 5 ohne Abdeckungsgitter, gemäß Ausführungsbeispielen der Erfindung.

In the figures, the same reference symbols denote the same or similar elements. The figures are schematic representations of various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Elements shown in the figures are not necessarily shown to scale. Rather, the various elements shown in the figures are shown in such a way that their function and general purpose can be understood by a person skilled in the art.

• 1 shows a schematic representation of an upper side of a light guide, according to embodiments of the invention.
• 2 shows a schematic representation of the underside of the light guide of FIG 1 , according to embodiments of the invention.
• 3 shows a schematic representation of a further light guide in perspective and view and from above, according to embodiments of the invention.
• 4th shows a schematic representation of a plurality of mixing sections and reflective structures on a coupling-out section of a light guide, according to embodiments of the invention.
• 5 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle loudspeaker with a light guide, according to embodiments of the invention.
• 6th shows a schematic representation of the loudspeaker of FIG 5 with illuminated light guide under a cover grille, according to embodiments of the invention.
• 7th shows a schematic representation of intensity distributions of the coupled-out light of the various LEDs of the loudspeaker of FIG 4th and 5 without cover grille, according to embodiments of the invention.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

The properties, features and advantages of this invention described above and the manner in which they are achieved will become clearer and more clearly understandable in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in connection with the figures.

The drawings are to be viewed as schematic representations and the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Rather, the various elements are shown in such a way that their function and general purpose are apparent to a person skilled in the art. It should be noted here that the description of the exemplary embodiments is not to be understood in a restrictive sense.

The scope of the invention is not intended to be restricted by the exemplary embodiments described below or by the figures, which are only used for illustration.

Various techniques for a light guide for variable lighting applications are described in more detail below. The light guide can be a light guide of a vehicle, i. be used in the automotive sector.

1 shows a schematic representation of the top of a light guide 10 , according to embodiments of the invention.

As in 1 to see includes the light guide 10 a decoupling surface 70 a decoupling section 60 . The decoupling surface 70 is a central area of the light guide 10 , which comprises a variety of coupling structures. A coupling structure has a coupling surface 30th , a mixing section 40 , and a reflective prismatic structure 50 on.

The multiplicity of coupling structures is circular around the coupling-out surface 70 arranged, the light essentially from the coupling structures laterally in the horizontal direction into the light guide 10 is coupled and in the horizontal direction from the light guide 10 is decoupled. In other words, the coupling-out section 60 can have a planar shape, which can extend essentially in a plane, or can essentially have a convex shape, or any free-form shape. Essentially in the plane, the coupling-out section can have a lateral circumferential surface around which the coupling-in structures are arranged or to which the coupling-in structures are connected in an optically conductive manner. This allows light from a variety of light sources 20th uniformly around the lateral circumferential surface in the coupling-out section 60 be introduced.

The decoupling surface 70 can be a flat surface or a curved surface. The coupling surface of the 1 has an inner opening which is deeper than the lateral peripheral surface into which the light is introduced. Within the decoupling section 60 the light from the multitude of coupling structures can be reflected several times before it passes through the coupling-out surface 70 is decoupled in the direction of a user.

The decoupling surface 70 can have a structured surface in order to achieve a predetermined light distribution of the light that is coupled out. For example, outcoupling bumps can be formed from the material of the light guide, which protrude over the plane or curved surface and direct light in a certain direction. For example, a density of these elevations over the coupling-out surface 70 vary away, with a lower density of the decoupling bumps at points on the decoupling surface 70 be pronounced, at which a light intensity of the coupled light is high, so that there a smaller proportion of the light is coupled out and a higher proportion is internally reflected. For example, a higher density of the coupled-out elevations can be pronounced at points on the surface at which a light intensity of the coupled-in light is low, so that a higher proportion of the light is coupled out at these points. In the example of the 1 has the coupling-out surface 70 a microstructure. The microstructure is a structure made up of hemispherical elevations. The light from the coupling surface 70 can be substantially perpendicular to the coupling-out surface 70 , in other words in the vertical direction upwards, are decoupled. A light distribution of the coupled-out light can be achieved by the microstructure and due to the curved shape of the decoupling surface 70 be determined.

As further in 1 can be seen at each (light) mixing section 40 Coupling surfaces 30th provided which are essentially vertical. The coupling surfaces 30th can be arranged in one plane. At a coupling surface 30th side-emitting LEDs can be arranged directly adjacent, so that light from the LEDs directly into a coupling surface 30th blasted, and thus into the mixing section 30th is coupled.

In some examples, an LED, which can be an RGB LED, therefore which has several differently colored LED diodes (red R, green G, blue B) in an LED package, can be attached to a coupling surface 30th be arranged. It is also conceivable that several individual LED packages can be connected to one coupling surface 30th are arranged.

In that the coupling-in surfaces in the vertical direction are below the lateral circumferential surface of the coupling-out section 60 are arranged, the LEDs can be arranged, for example, on a PCB, which is attached to the light guide from below 10 is applied.

From the deeper coupling surface 30th the light gets through a mixing section 40 directed. The mixing section 40 can be the same length as a reflective structure 50 a subsequent coupling structure. For example, a mixing section 40 guide the light upwards at least partially in the horizontal direction until it reaches a section with a reflective structure 50 is initiated. The section with a reflective structure 50 is molded from the same material again mixing section 40 and the entire light guide 10 .

In the 1 is a variety of prismatic structures 50 arranged around the peripheral surface, the prismatic structures 50 are arranged directly adjacent to one another so that they run around the entire circumference of the light guide. For example, the reflective structures can take the light from the mixing section 40 in the coupling-out section 60 reflect. The reflective structures can be on an outside of the light guide 10 be trained. For example, the reflective structures can be designed as a microstructure on an outside of the light guide. In particular, the microstructures can have a prism-like shape, therefore from elevations or depressions, which have small planar reflective surfaces. In some examples, a section with a reflective structure can partially guide the light upwards in a vertical direction, so that light over an entire layer thickness of the coupling-out section 60 can be initiated (reflected).

As in 1 can be seen a reflective structure 50 , or also prism structure in a prism section of the light guide, on an outer surface of the light guide 10 which may be a curved surface. This allows through the prismatic structures 50 the entire circumference of the coupling-out section 60 be covered. For example it is possible that a prism structure runs essentially on a flat surface, for example it is possible that a prism structure 50 on a strongly curved surface of the light guide 10 runs like at the (rounded) corners of the light guide 10 in 1 to recognize. It is possible that a freely shaped or straight surface is provided with a prismatic structure which is at a predetermined angle to that of the mixing section 40 exiting light is arranged so that the light is reflected in the coupling-out section. A reflection can, for example, essentially comprise a reflection in the plane at a 90 ° angle to the direction of propagation in the mixing section. A micro-prism structure can, for example, be a groove-shaped structure, wherein prisms can extend in the vertical direction.

By having the prismatic structures 50 in the circumferential direction the circumferential surface of the light guide 10 are arranged, and so completely cover a circumference, it is possible that the mixing sections 40 also seamlessly around the circumferential surface of the light guide 10 are arranged around. The mixing sections 40 can be located essentially along the prism sections 50 extend, for example located further out in the radial direction, with a mixing section 40 along a prism section 50 a preceding or subsequent coupling structure can extend. Here are the mixed sections 40 optically from the prism sections 50 separated from other coupling structures, they have a continuous surface on the internal reflections within a mixing section 40 occur.

As in 1 to see includes the light guide 10 sixteen mixing sections, or in other words color mixing sticks, to ensure good color homogenization. A prism structure is distributed after each rod 50 the mixed light evenly in the outcoupling area with hemispheres that scatter the light from the entire surface and reflect it evenly in the direction of the user.

The light guide is based on the idea that a color mixing stick is attached to an LED, followed by a prism structure 50 and then a surface structure 50 with hemispheres, with hemispheres distributed in such a way that an even light impression is created.

2 shows a schematic representation of the underside of the light guide of FIG 1 , according to embodiments of the invention.

As in 2 can be seen to run around the entire circumference of the light guide 10 arranged around coupling structures. A coupling surface can be used 30th by a short connecting section with an adjoining, adjacent mixing section 40 be connected. In this case, a prismatic structure can be used 50 be arranged in a recess of the light guide, wherein the prism structure can be formed in a surface of the recess. The light mixing sticks 40 and / or the prism structures 50 can have bends which correspond to the bends of the coupling-out section 60 , ie the shape of the coupling-out surface 70 , can correspond in the radial direction. Furthermore, the light guide can have mounting structures on one or more coupling structures on the underside 40 have to attach the light guide to a PCB. The assembly structures 40 can for example be designed as a press fit.

3 shows a schematic representation of a further light guide 10 in perspective and view and from above, according to embodiments of the invention.

As in 3 you can see four coupling structures on one side of the light guide 10 arranged. In contrast to the light guide 10 of the 1 , the coupling structures do not run upwards, but rather a coupling surface 30th is directly on a prism structure 50 arranged and lies in one plane with the coupling-out section 60 . Optionally, between the coupling surface 30th under prism structure 50 also a mixed section 40 be included. The coupling surface 30th , the optional mixing section 40 , and the prism structure 50 thus lie in a plane with a lateral peripheral surface of the light guide 10 .

Light which through a coupling surface 30th and an associated prism structure 50 in the coupling-out section 60 is reflected can have a wide light distribution compared to the point light source. The light from the light source, the light within the optional mixing section 40 , and the light inside the prism structure 50 as well as the reflected light from the prism structure 50 can run essentially in a horizontal plane, with the light passing through the coupling-out surface 70 is coupled out in a vertical direction towards a user.

4th shows a schematic representation of several mixing sections 40 and reflective structures 50 at a coupling-out section 60 a light guide 10 , according to embodiments of the invention.

As in 4th can be seen, a coupling structure from a coupling surface 30th , a light mixing section 40 , and a prism section 50 consist. One LED 20th can directly in front of a respective coupling surface 30th be arranged.

An outer surface of the mixing section can merge directly into an outer surface of a prism section. The outer surface of the mixing section 40 and the prism section 50 can have a uniform curve, or can have straight surface sections. On the outer surface of the prism section 50 a multitude of microprisms is formed. The prism section 50 is arranged essentially so that all of the light emitted from the mixing section 40 in the prism section 50 is directed onto the structured outer surface of the prism section 50 meets, and from there through one or multiple reflections on the microstructures in the coupling-out section 60 is reflected. In particular, a microprismatic structure 50 generate a light distribution which is reflected essentially at 90 ° to the incident light, or at any other angle into the coupling-out section 60 is reflected. The light distribution of the reflected light can be more homogeneous and wider than the light from the mixing section 40 . The decoupling section 60 can be a surface 70 have, which is structured by hemispherical microstructures, which in 4th can be seen as shadows.

The design of a light guide, as in 4th can be seen, is produced in the injection molding process from a transparent material, for example without filling with reflective particles, in particular from PMMA.

5 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle loudspeaker 100 with a light guide 10 , according to embodiments of the invention.

As in 5 As shown, a car speaker includes a light pipe in accordance with the present disclosure. It is a job of the floating light to draw a user's attention to the sound system in a new and innovative way. It is designed with a few LEDs and yet illuminates a larger area evenly with good color homogenization in a product that can be approved for use in the automotive sector. This technology can be used in various dimensions and shapes. The floating light of the 5 is for a tweeter of a front door of a vehicle.

The vehicle speaker 100 includes an upper case 110 and a lower case 111 . A diaphragm assembly is located within the upper and lower housings 140 arranged, which can generate sound. To the diaphragm assembly 140 around is an annular PCB 130 arranged, on which a plurality of LEDs are mounted distributed in the circumferential direction. On the PCB 130 becomes the light guide according to the invention 10 so that it comes into contact with the PCB and the side-emitting LEDs. In a recess on the light guide 10 becomes a grid 120 applied, which can have a decorative effect. The grid 120 may have a multiplicity of openings which are optically transparent and through which a user can access the coupling-out surface of the light guide 10 able to see.

Due to the large number of evenly distributed LEDs and the homogenization of the effects of the light with mixed sections, prismatic structures and hemispherical decoupling structures, flat, wandering or flowing light effects can be generated by individually controlling and dimming the LEDs.

6th shows a schematic representation of the loudspeaker 100 of the 5 with illuminated light guide under the cover grille, according to embodiments of the invention.

6th shows a simulated light distribution of the light guide. The homogeneous light distribution on the left side of the 6th is achieved when all 16 LEDs are switched on. LEDs can be controlled individually, and can thus create flexible effects, as in the individual images on the right-hand side of the 6th is shown.

As in 6th As can be seen, the light points on the coupling-out surface of the light guide are uniformly illuminated in the center, and a circumferential ring-shaped border can also be seen which is formed by the light guide around the grating.

7th FIG. 11 shows a schematic representation of intensity distributions of the coupled-out light of the loudspeaker of FIG 4th and 5 without cover grille, according to embodiments of the invention.

As in 7th As you can see, individual LEDs of the loudspeaker have a wide light distribution on the coupling surface. The disclosed techniques enable a beautiful floating light experience in a car in a cost-effective and compact manner with just a few LEDs, with a large visible area of the light guide being uniformly illuminated with good color homogenization. It is also possible that the light guide or a floating light lighting application comprising a light guide according to the invention can be approved for use in automobiles.

• Eine Lichtquelle kann eine punktförmige Lichtquelle, insbesondere eine LED umfassen.

From the above, some general conclusions can be drawn:

• A light source can comprise a point light source, in particular an LED.

The light guide can have a flat and / or rounded shape, wherein the light sources can be arranged on an outer circumference of the rounded shape.
In some examples, the light guide can lie essentially in a plane, which can be defined by an X direction and a Y direction. In other words, the light guide may have the shape of a plate, with an expansion of the light guide in the XY direction (horizontal) by a factor 2 , 5 , 10 , or 20th can be greater than an extension of the light guide in a Z direction (vertical) perpendicular to the XY plane.

The light guide can have a coupling-out direction, or emission direction, which can be the direction in which the coupled-out light is essentially emitted and which can essentially correspond to the Z-direction.

The LEDs and coupling structures can be arranged around the light guide on the outside, or they can be arranged around an inner circumference of a recess in the interior of the light guide. In this case, the light guide can be used in a space-saving and cost-effective manner, since fewer LEDs can be arranged inside the light guide.

The light sources can lie in the XY plane, or can all lie in a plane which is parallel to the XY plane and opposite to the direction of emission by a distance which corresponds to an extension of the mixing section and / or the reflective structure in the Z direction, is offset.

By means of LEDs arranged laterally around the light guide and laterally coupled light which is mixed by light mixing rods and microprismatic structures, a light guide with a lower component height with good homogeneity of a visible coupling-out surface can be provided.

A length of the mixing section can essentially correspond to a length of a prism structure, so that a compact design of the light guide is made possible.

In summary, an improved design is provided for a light guide formed from a uniform material, which enables a wide, uniform light distribution through a succession of optical structures, in particular a light mixing rod, a reflective prism structure, and a hemispherical surface structure, which are integrally formed in the light guide . A light guide can have a multiplicity of such coupling-in structures, which are arranged uniformly around a circumference of a coupling-out surface, so that wide and homogeneous moving light effects along the visible coupling-out surface are possible.

Claims (10)

A light guide (10) comprising: - A coupling surface (30) on which at least one light source (20) can be arranged in order to couple light from the at least one light source (20) into the light guide (10); - A mixing section (40) in which the light from the at least one light source (20) is mixed while it runs along the mixing section (40); - A reflective structure (50) adjoining the mixing section (40), which reflects the light from the mixing section (40) into a coupling-out section (60) of the light guide (10); - A structured coupling-out surface (70) of the coupling-out section (60) which couples the light out of the light guide. Light guide (10) Claim 1 wherein the mixing section (40) has a curved elongated shape, with cross sections of the mixing section increasing in the direction of the propagating light, and wherein the coupled light is guided and mixed by internal reflections essentially along a first curved light path along the rod. The light guide (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflective structure (50) is a micro-prism structure formed integrally in a lateral outer surface of the light guide (10), comprising a plurality of micro-prisms which run essentially perpendicular to the coupling-out surface . Light guide (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling-out surface (70) has a plurality of hemispherical surface structures. The light guide (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide (10) is integrally formed by a transparent material. The light guide (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the direction of the coupled-out light runs essentially perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the coupled-in light between the at least one light source (20) and the reflective structure (50). The light guide (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide (10) has several coupling structures (50), each comprising a coupling surface (20), a mixing section (40) and a reflective structure (50), and the coupling structures (50) are arranged at least partially in a circumferential direction of the light guide (10) around the coupling-out surface (70). Light guide (10) Claim 7 wherein a mixing section (40) of a coupling structure is arranged along a reflective structure (50) of another coupling structure. Light guide (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling-out surface (70) is a curved surface. Loudspeaker, comprising at least one light guide (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images