KR102249867B1 - Optical device and lighting device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical member capable of realizing an optical image of a desired shape through pattern design and a lighting device using the same, wherein the optical member has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and And a light guide portion having a predetermined thickness between the and the second surface, a three-dimensional effect forming portion inside or on the surface of the light guide portion, and a light refraction portion inside the light guide portion, wherein the three-dimensional effect forming portion is a pattern parallel to the first surface. Includes a pattern that is sequentially arranged on the array surface and has an inclined surface having an inclination angle with respect to the pattern array surface, and the pattern refracts the first incident light passing through the optical guide unit and the second incident light refracted by the light refraction unit on the inclined surface. Alternatively, a linear light that extends with a specific width along the pattern arrangement direction is generated by inducing the first surface toward the first surface or the second surface toward the second surface by reflection.

Description

Optical member and lighting device using the same TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an optical member capable of realizing an optical image of a desired shape through pattern design and a lighting device using the same.

LED (Light Emitted Diode) devices are devices that convert electrical signals into infrared or light by using compound semiconductor properties. Unlike fluorescent lamps, they do not use harmful substances such as mercury, so they do not use harmful substances such as mercury. Compared to this, it has the advantage of long life. In addition, compared to other conventional light sources, due to a high color temperature, visibility is excellent and power consumption is low.

With the development and spread of LED technology, lighting devices are developing from a form using a traditional light source such as a conventional fluorescent lamp to a form using an LED light source. For example, as disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2012-0009209, a lighting device that performs a surface light-emitting function using an LED light source and a light guide plate has been proposed.

In addition, some prior art has proposed a lighting device with improved surface light-emitting performance by adding optical sheets such as a diffusion sheet, a prism sheet, and a protective sheet on a light guide plate.

However, the conventional lighting device using an LED light source has a limitation in reducing the overall product thickness due to the thickness of the light guide plate itself, and it is difficult to apply to a curved housing or application due to the inflexibility of the material of the light guide plate itself. And, due to the light guide plate, it has a disadvantage that product design and design change are not easy. As described above, there is a need for a method that can be easily applied to various application products such as indoor and outdoor lighting or vehicle lighting, and effectively implement a desired optical image.

An embodiment of the present invention is to provide an optical member capable of implementing various optical images by arranging a material having a different refractive index inside an optical guide unit, and a lighting device using the same.

Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide an optical member capable of efficiently integrating a light guide plate and a color realization component required for realization of color surface lighting using a light emitting diode (LED) device, and a lighting device using the same.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an optical member that can be easily applied to an application having a surface having a curvature while having a material having a different refractive index inside the light guide unit and integrating parts for color surface lighting, and lighting using the same I want to provide a device.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the optical member according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an optical guide having a predetermined thickness between the first surface and the second surface. It includes a unit, a three-dimensional effect forming unit inside or on the surface of the light guide unit, and a light refraction unit inside the light guide unit. Here, the three-dimensional effect forming unit includes a pattern that is sequentially arranged on the pattern arrangement surface parallel to the first surface and has an inclined surface having an inclination angle with respect to the pattern arrangement surface, and the pattern includes first incident light and light passing through the optical guide unit. The second incident light refracted by the refraction unit is guided in the direction of the first surface facing the first surface or the direction of the second surface facing the second surface by refraction or reflection on the inclined surface, and has a specific width along the pattern arrangement direction. Generates linear light that extends.

A lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the above-described optical member and a light source unit for irradiating the first incident light into the optical member.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of light sources by increasing light efficiency while easily realizing various optical images having a three-dimensional effect by disposing materials having different refractive indices inside the light guide unit in the optical member and the lighting device using the same.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical member that is easy to manufacture, inexpensive, flexible, and durable, and a lighting device using the same by integrating a resin layer with a color realization component necessary for realization of color surface lighting using an LED element. have.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical member useful for an application having a surface having a curvature while incorporating a component for color surface illumination and having a material having a different refractive index inside the light guide unit, and a lighting device using the same. .

1 is a perspective view of an optical member according to an embodiment of the present invention
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged plan view of the optical member of FIG. 1
3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the optical member of FIG. 1
4 is an exemplary view of a pattern structure of a three-dimensional effect forming part of the optical member of FIG. 1
5 and 6 are other exemplary views of a pattern structure that can be employed in a three-dimensional effect forming part of the optical member of FIG. 1
7 is a perspective view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention
8 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device of FIG. 7
9 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the lighting device of FIG. 8
10 is a perspective view of a lighting device according to another embodiment of the present invention
11 is an exemplary view of an optical image of a comparative example for explaining the operating principle of the lighting device of FIG.
12 is a partially enlarged plan view of the lighting device of FIG. 10
13 is a cross-sectional view of a lighting device according to another embodiment of the present invention
14 is a schematic plan view of a lighting device according to another embodiment of the present invention

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which a person of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, it should be understood that the embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of the present application. In addition, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention in describing the operating principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. The terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, and the meaning of each term should be interpreted based on the contents throughout the present specification. The same reference numerals are used for parts that have similar functions and functions throughout the drawings.

1 is a perspective view of an optical member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the optical member 100 according to the present embodiment includes a light guide part 10, a three-dimensional effect forming part 20, and a light refraction part 30.

The optical guide unit 10 has a plate or film shape including a first surface 11 and a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface as a surface opposite to the first surface. In this embodiment, the second surface is a pattern arrangement surface on which the pattern 22 of the three-dimensional effect forming part 20 is provided.

The light guide unit 10 is made of a transparent material, such as glass or resin. The light transmittance of the transparent material may be about 50% or more, preferably about 80% or more. In the case of using a resin, the optical guide unit 10 may be formed of an ultraviolet curing resin including an oligomer. The oligomer includes any one material selected from Urethane Acrylate, Epoxy Acrylate, Polyester Acrylate, and Acrylic Acrylate.

The three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 includes a pattern 22 having an inclined surface 221. In this embodiment, the pattern 22 is provided by directly processing the second surface of the optical guide unit 10.

The pattern 22 is a mound or wall in the form of a convex portion extending in the first direction (y direction) in its longitudinal direction, or a concave portion extending in the first direction in the form of a trench or valley in the second direction (x direction) sequentially. It may have a stripe shape. The pattern 22 has a straight stripe uneven shape in which a plurality of unit patterns extend substantially in parallel, but is not limited thereto, and may have a curved stripe uneven shape or a curved line stripe uneven shape.

The pattern 22 is a direction in which the first surface 11 of the optical guide 10 faces (z-direction) by refraction and reflection of the light that moves and reflects inside the light guide part 10 on its inclined surface 221. ) Or in the direction the second side faces (-z direction). In addition, the pattern 22 is internally reflected between the first surface 11 and the pattern arrangement surface of the optical guide unit 10 and proceeds toward the pattern arrangement direction (x direction) orthogonal to the pattern extension direction (y direction). First linear fluorescence is generated from incident light having a predetermined width in a specific optical path according to the first pattern design and having a sense of depth (corresponding to a stereoscopic effect) in the thickness direction of the optical guide portion.

In addition, the pattern 22 generates a second linear fluorescence having a predetermined width in a specific optical path according to the first pattern design from the second incident light that is refracted by the light refraction unit 30 in a different direction. .

The width, length, or optical path of the second linear fluorescence may be the same as or different from the width, length, or optical path of the first linear fluorescence according to the pattern structures in different regions in which the patterns 22 are arranged.

The light refraction unit 30 has a refractive index different from that of the light guide unit 10 and generates second incident light by refracting the first incident light moving in the light guide unit 10. The light refraction part 30 refers to a region or member having a different refractive index of a predetermined volume or more within the light guide part 10. In this embodiment, the light refraction part 30 is implemented as a cylindrical bead, but is not limited thereto. The light refraction part 30 may be implemented as a spherical bead 30a or a rectangular bead 30b, and may be implemented in various forms such as bubbles and through holes in addition to the bead shape.

According to this embodiment, an indirect light source effect such as adding a new light source by the optical refraction unit can be obtained in an optical member that implements linear light having a three-dimensional effect, thereby realizing an optical image using a three-dimensional effect linear light. The optical image can be diversified and the luminous intensity can be increased.

2 is a partially enlarged plan view of the optical member of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 corresponds to an enlarged plan view of a specific region B1 of the optical member of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the optical member according to the present embodiment, two unit patterns P1 and P2 of the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 respectively extend in the y direction from the first pattern area and are perpendicular to the y direction. When sequentially arranged in the x direction, the other two unit patterns P3 and P4 extend in the y direction from the second pattern area and are sequentially arranged in the x direction orthogonal to the y direction, the light source LS passing through the first pattern area A part of the first incident light of) is converted into first linear fluorescent light BL1 that proceeds along a first path (x direction) orthogonal to each pattern extension direction (y direction) of the two unit patterns P1 and P2. .

In addition, when the first linear fluorescent light BL1 meets the photorefractive part 30 disposed between the first pattern region and the second pattern region, the first linear fluorescent light BL1 is formed with the light refraction part 30 and the light guide part. The second incident light is refracted at a predetermined angle according to the difference in refractive index of (10) and has a different width than the first linear light BL1 or proceeds to a different optical path. The second incident light is converted into second linear fluorescent light BL2 by the unit patterns P3 and P4 in the second pattern area.

On the other hand, when the light refracting part 30 is not arranged on the optical path of the first linear fluorescent light BL1 (see reference numerals 30a and 30b in FIG. 1), the light refracting part 30 refracts the first incident light. A second incident light having a new light path is generated. In this case, the second incident light may be implemented as third linear fluorescence having a predetermined width in a specific optical path according to the design of the unit patterns (see P3 and P4) in the second pattern area. The third linear fluorescent light may be an optical image disposed parallel to the second linear fluorescent light BL2 described above.

In this embodiment, the pattern extension direction of each unit pattern of the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 is a direction in which a specific straight line on each inclined surface of the unit patterns in each pattern area extends, or a specific tangent line in contact with a specific curve on each inclined surface is extended. It can be a direction to do. Here, a specific straight line or curve may be parallel to the first surface or the second surface of the light guide unit 10.

When designing a pattern, if all of the pattern extension directions of the unit patterns are designed to be parallel to each other, the optical path of the first linear light BL1 or the second linear light BL2 proceeds in a direction orthogonal to each pattern extension direction of the unit patterns. Appears in the form of a straight line. It is because the light path is concentrated along the shortest time moving path on the unit patterns according to Fermat's principle that'light moving in the medium moves along the shortest time moving path'.

In this embodiment, some incident light on the unit patterns of the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 remains as ambient light that cannot be converted into the first linear fluorescent light BL1 or the second linear fluorescent light BL2. That is, some of the first or second incident light has an optical path other than the first path of the first linear fluorescent light BL1 or the second path of the second linear fluorescent light BL2 according to the angle (incidence angle) that meets the unit patterns. It becomes the diffused ambient light BL0a.

The ambient light BL0a is light scattered around the first linear light BL1 or the second linear light BL2, and is distributed in a relatively wider range than the linear light inside the optical guide unit 10, so that the first linear light is In contrast to the (BL1) and the second linear light (BL2) (hereinafter, referred to as bright) portions, a peripheral portion or a dark portion having relatively low luminance around the bright portion is formed.

In this embodiment, when designing the pattern of the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20, the spacing Lp between two adjacent unit patterns is about 10 μm to about 500 μm. This spacing Lp may correspond to the pitch or average spacing of the pattern. In addition, the interval Lp considers the minimum and maximum intervals for realizing the linear light having a three-dimensional effect. If it is out of this range, the realization of the linear light may be limited. That is, if it is out of the above range, indirect light sources sequentially located farther from the reference point by the inclined planes that are sequentially arranged on the pattern of the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 cannot be properly implemented, and accordingly, linear light having a three-dimensional effect. May not be possible to implement.

On the other hand, depending on the implementation, if the pattern extension directions of the unit patterns of the pattern 22 are not parallel to each other and are designed in a shape that intersects at least one point or a curved shape having a predetermined curvature, the linear light passing through the pattern is The optical path may have a curved shape in which a distance (or an interval) between two adjacent unit patterns starts from a unit pattern that first meets the incident light and is curved toward a narrow side.

According to the present embodiment, the first linear fluorescence controlled to a predetermined width and a predetermined length can be implemented through the pattern design of the three-dimensional effect forming unit. In addition, at least one or more second linear fluorescence of another optical path may be implemented from the first incident light or the first linear fluorescence by using the optical refraction unit serving as a light source. Accordingly, optical images can be diversified, and the number of light sources can be reduced when realizing a desired optical image, thereby increasing optical efficiency and reducing cost.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, in addition to the light refraction part 30 for generating the second linear fluorescence of a specific optical path, the color part 60 for realizing a desired color while improving the luminous intensity in the entire light guide part 10 is provided. It may be configured to further include. The color part 60 may have a bead shape capable of increasing luminous intensity of a dark part around the linear light by dispersing and scattering light from most of the incident light including the first incident light and the second incident light. In addition, the color unit 60 may include dyes or pigments that are dispersedly disposed inside or on the surface thereof, thereby converting white light supplied from a white LED light source into preset color light and outputting the converted color light.

3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the optical member of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 corresponds to a cross section taken along line III-III of the optical member of FIG. 1, and for convenience of illustration, a light refraction part is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first incident light BL0 passing through the interior of the optical guide unit 10 as light supplied from a specific light source LS depends on the refractive index of the optical guide unit 10 and the refractive index of the external medium (atmosphere). It reflects and moves inside the light guide unit 10 below the critical angle determined by.

When the first incident light BL0 meets the inclined surface 221 of the pattern 22, the first incident light BL0 is refracted or reflected from the inclined surface 221 and thereby the first surface 11 of the optical guide unit 10 It proceeds in the direction of the first surface facing this (z direction) or the direction of the second surface facing the second surface (-z direction) and is emitted to the outside of the optical guide unit 10.

In the above-described case, each unit pattern of the pattern 22 operates as indirect light sources that refract or reflect incident light through the inclined surface 221 to emit incident light in the direction of the first surface or the direction of the second surface. Here, the indirect light sources formed by each unit pattern of the pattern 22 appear to be gradually located farther along the light path on the pattern when viewed from a predetermined reference point outside the optical member.

For example, the unit patterns are sequentially arranged in one direction (the pattern arrangement direction or the x direction) based on the light source LS, and the first region a1 is in the order close to the light source according to the light path in the pattern arrangement direction. When there is the first unit pattern P11, the second unit pattern P12 of the second region a2, and the third unit pattern P13 of the third region a3, the second unit pattern from the light source LS The second optical path, which is the moving distance of the incident light reaching P12, is longer than the first optical path from the light source LS to the first unit pattern P11, and is longer than the first optical path from the light source LS to the third unit pattern P13. It is smaller than the third optical path to. That is, the second distance L2 from the second indirect light source LS2 to the second unit pattern P12 by the second unit pattern P12 is the first indirect light source LS1 of the light source LS. It is longer than the first distance L1 to the first unit pattern P11 and shorter than the third distance L3 from the third indirect light source LS3 of the light source LS to the third unit pattern P13. The first to third distances L1, L2, and L3 correspond to the first to third optical paths, respectively.

As described above, each unit pattern of the pattern 22 acts as indirect light sources successively arranged on a specific optical path when viewed from a predetermined reference point, thereby gradually being positioned further away or gradually located on the optical path. It realizes a line shaped beam having three-dimensional effect that lowers the luminance.

The three-dimensional effect linear light described above is limited to a specific width in the optical path predetermined by the pattern design when viewed from the first surface direction or the second surface direction side. It refers to an optical image having a sense of depth that gradually enters the optical guide unit 10 toward the second surface (or the pattern arrangement surface) (or vice versa).

Meanwhile, in the first to third unit patterns P11, P12, and P13 of the above-described pattern 22, the second unit pattern P12 is It may be a unit pattern positioned immediately after the first unit pattern P11 on the second surface, or a unit pattern positioned between the first unit pattern P11 and a predetermined number of other unit patterns. Similarly, the third unit pattern P13 is a unit pattern positioned immediately after the second unit pattern P12 when viewed from the light source side, or between the second unit pattern P12 and a predetermined number of other unit patterns. It may be a unit pattern that is placed and positioned.

4 is an exemplary view of a pattern structure of a three-dimensional effect forming portion of the optical member of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pattern 22 of the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 according to the present embodiment has a pattern structure having a triangular cross-sectional shape. When the pattern 22 has a triangular cross-sectional structure, the inclined surface 221 formed on the triangular cross-sectional structure has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the x direction. In other words, the inclined surface 221 may be designed to be inclined by a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to a direction (z direction) orthogonal to the first surface or the second surface 12 of the optical guide unit.

The inclination angle θ of the inclined surface 221 may be about 5° or more and about 85° or less. The inclination angle θ may be limited in consideration of the refractive index of the optical guide unit, but may basically have a range of about 5° to about 85° when considering the minimum and maximum angles that can be reflected and refracted from the inclined surface 221.

As an example, when the refractive index of the optical guide portion is in the range of about 1.30 to about 1.80, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 221 has a range greater than about 33.7° and less than about 50.3° according to the reference direction (z direction or x direction), or It may have a range greater than about 49.7° and less than about 56.3°.

In addition, depending on the implementation, the light guide unit or the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 may be provided using a high refractive index material. For example, in the case of manufacturing a high-intensity LED (Light Emitting Diode), when light of a specific incident angle passes through the die and passes through the capsule material, the die (n=2.50~3.50) and the general polymer capsule material (n=1.40~1.60) ), total internal reflection occurs due to the difference between n-values (refractive index), and thereby the light extraction efficiency of the device decreases, and a high-refractive-index polymer (n=1.80~2.50) is used to properly solve this. That is, in the present embodiment, when the pattern 22 is prepared using a high refractive index polymer used for manufacturing a high-intensity LED, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 221 of the pattern 22 is greater than about 23.6° according to the refractive index of the pattern. It can have a range of less than about 56.3°.

The inclination angle according to the refractive index described above is according to Snell's law, and this is expressed as an equation as in Equation 1 below.

In Equation 1, sinθ ₁ may be an incidence angle or a refraction angle of light in the first medium having a first refractive index n1, and sinθ ₂ may be a refraction angle or an incidence angle of light in the second refractive index n2.

As described above, in the optical member of the present embodiment, the inclined surface of the pattern constituting the three-dimensional effect forming unit is provided as an inclination angle capable of appropriately reflecting or refracting incident light, and is about 5° as small as about 85°. Can be.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the pattern 22 may limit the width (w) to the height (h) between adjacent unit patterns in a predetermined ratio for convenience of a manufacturing process. The width w may be a predetermined interval, that is, a pitch between two adjacent unit patterns. For example, when the pattern of the optical member is designed so that the sense of depth of the linear light is emphasized, the width w is provided to be equal to or smaller than the height h. In addition, when a pattern is designed to represent a relatively long image in linear light, the width w may be provided to be greater than the height h.

The width w of the above-described pattern 22 may be about 10 μm to about 500 μm. The width w may be an average interval between two unit patterns adjacent to each other in the x direction, and may be adjusted according to a pattern design, an arrangement structure, or a desired shape of an optical image.

On the other hand, when the pattern 22 has a lenticular shape, the ratio of the width (w) (or diameter) to the height (h/w) of the pattern 22 to implement linear light is about 1/2 It may be designed so that the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface is less than or equal to about 60°.

In addition, if the width-to-height ratio (h/w) of the pattern 22 is designed to be less than 1, the depth of the concave portion is lower than that of the pattern 22, when the width-to-height ratio (h/w) of the pattern 22 is 1 or more. It can be easy to manufacture.

According to this embodiment, by designing the optical member using the width (w) and the height (h) of the pattern 22 as a characteristic adjustment factor, it is possible to efficiently and easily produce various optical images by a three-dimensional effect linear light to be implemented. Can be controlled.

5 and 6 are other exemplary views of a pattern structure that can be employed in a three-dimensional effect forming unit of the optical member of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the optical member of the present embodiment, the pattern 22 of the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 has a semicircular cross section, a semi-elliptical cross section, or a lenticular shape. The pattern 22 includes an inclined surface 221 inclined at a predetermined angle in a thickness direction of the optical guide portion or a direction perpendicular to the second surface 12 that is a surface opposite to the first surface of the optical guide portion (z direction). The pattern 22 may have a symmetrical shape based on a pattern center line (not shown) in the z direction.

The inclined surface 221 of the pattern 22 may have a structure in which a position on the inclined surface where the incident light BL0 meets varies according to the position of the incident light BL0 due to a semicircular cross-sectional structure. That is, since the inclined surface 221 of the pattern 22 of the present embodiment is a surface in contact with an arbitrary point on an arc, a tangent line in contact with an arbitrary point on the pattern 22 is orthogonal to the second surface 12 of the optical guide part. It may be placed at a predetermined inclination angle θ in the direction (z direction). The inclination angle θ may be greater than 0° and less than 90° depending on the position on the semicircular cross-section where the incident light BL0 strikes.

In this embodiment, the pattern 22 of the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 may further include a spacer 222 provided between two adjacent unit patterns. For example, when the pattern 22 includes a first unit pattern (Cm-1), a second unit pattern (Cm), and a third unit pattern (Cm+1) (where m is a natural number of 2 or more) , The three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 is a space provided between the first unit pattern (Cm-1) and the second unit pattern (Cm) and between the second unit pattern (Cm) and the third unit pattern (Cm+1) It may include a part 222.

The spacer 222 may be a portion of the second surface 12 of the optical guide portion in which a concave unit pattern is not formed, and may be a portion of the second surface 12 positioned between two adjacent unit patterns. In addition, the spacing part 222 may be provided for convenience of a manufacturing process as a gap between two unit patterns adjacent to each other. The spacer 222 may be omitted depending on the pattern design.

Meanwhile, when the spacer 222 is included, the width w1 of the spacer 222 is designed to be smaller than the width w of the unit pattern of the pattern 22. The width w1 of the spaced portion 222 may be about 1/5 or less or several μm or less of the width w of the pattern 22. When the width w1 of the spaced portion 222 is greater than or equal to the width w of the pattern 22, it may be difficult to implement natural linear light in the pattern 22.

Referring to Fig. 6, in the optical member of the present embodiment, the pattern 22 of the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 has a pattern structure having a polygonal cross-sectional shape. The inclined surface 221 of the pattern 22 has a line graph shape.

The inclined surface 221 of the pattern 22 is a plurality of inclination angles (θ1, θ2) according to the number of line segments in the line graph in the thickness direction of the optical guide portion or in a direction perpendicular to the second surface 12 of the optical guide portion (z direction). Can have. The second inclination angle θ2 may be greater than the first inclination angle θ1. The first and second inclination angles θ1 and θ2 may be designed within a range greater than about 5° and less than about 85° depending on the location where they meet the incident light BL0.

In addition, the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 of the present embodiment may include a spacer 222 provided between two unit patterns adjacent to each other. The width w1 of the spaced portion 222 is smaller than the width w of the pattern in order to realize natural linear light on the three-dimensional effect forming portion 20. The width w1 of the spaced portion 222 may be several μm or less, or may be designed to be less than about 1/5 of the width w of the pattern.

In addition, the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 of the present exemplary embodiment may have a cut surface 223 substantially parallel to the first surface or the second surface 12 of the optical guide unit on the pattern 22. The cut-off surface 223 is a part that does not act so that light is emitted to the outside by reflection or refraction of incident light, and the linear light implemented by the pattern 22 has a cut-off part corresponding to the cut-off plane 223. Therefore, the width w2 of the cut surface 223 may be appropriately designed in a range of several μm or less in order to implement a continuous linear light. On the other hand, when implementing the continuous linear light, the cut surface 223 may be omitted, but it goes without saying that the cut surface 223 may be used when implementing the discontinuous linear light.

Meanwhile, the cross section of the inclined surface of each pattern in the above-described embodiment refracts or reflects light traveling inside the light guide unit 10 such as a straight line, a curved line, a broken line graph shape, and a combination shape thereof. Any structure can be applied as long as it emits in two directions.

7 is a perspective view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device of FIG. 7.

7 and 8, the lighting device 200 according to the present embodiment includes a light guide unit 10, a three-dimensional effect forming unit 20, a light refraction unit 30c, a color unit 60, and a light source unit. It has 50.

The light guide part 10 and the three-dimensional effect forming part 20 are substantially the same as the corresponding components of the optical member of FIG. 1, and the color part 60 is substantially the same as the color part of the optical member of FIG. 2.

The light refraction part 30c has a form of a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction of the light guide part 10. That is, the light refraction part 30c may be implemented as at least one or more through holes penetrating the light guide part 10. When implemented as a through hole, the width or diameter d1 of the light refraction portion 30c in the pattern arrangement direction (x direction) is about 10 μm to about 500 μm. If the width or diameter d1 in one direction of the light refraction part 30c is less than 10 μm, the movement path of the refracted light is short, so that the optical refraction effect cannot be properly obtained. If it is greater than 500 μm, the light guide in the light refraction part 30c Light leaking to the outside of the unit 10 increases beyond a certain value, and thus may adversely affect the realization of various linear lights.

The above-described light refraction unit 30c is disposed instead of a light source at a position of a light source to be additionally disposed inside the light guide unit 10 to refract the first incident light and thereby generate a second incident light, or a three-dimensional effect forming unit ( It may be implemented to be disposed on the optical path of the linear light determined by the pattern design of 20) to refract the first linear light and thereby generate the second linear light.

The light source unit 50 includes at least one or more light sources. The light source unit 50 may include a printed circuit board on which a light source is mounted and supplies power or control signals to the light source.

The light source may include at least one or more LED devices. The LED device may be a top view type or a side view type, but is not limited thereto. When the LED element is used, the light source can output incident light with strong linearity, and the pattern 22 can effectively implement linear light using such incident light.

It is preferable to use an LED element as a light source, but is not limited thereto. Depending on the implementation, the light source may be another light source (halogen lamp, metal lamp, etc.) or a distal end (or nozzle) of the waveguide that guides light from another light source (sunlight, etc.) and emits it onto the pattern 22. Even in such a case, the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 may implement linear light by controlling incident light by designing the pattern 22.

In this embodiment, the thickness t1 of the optical guide portion 10 is about 0.1 mm or more and about 10.0 mm or less. If the thickness (t1) of the light guide part 10 is less than 0.1 mm, when using the LED device as a light source, there is a difficulty in manufacturing the height of the light exit surface of the LED device less than about 100 µm. Due to this, the amount of light emitted from the LED device may be reduced, and durability of the device may be deteriorated. If the thickness (t1) of the light guide part 10 is greater than 10.0 mm, the thickness and weight of the device increases according to the size or area of the lighting device 200, making it difficult to store, transport and handle, and cause an increase in cost such as material cost. I can.

In addition, the thickness t1 of the optical guide unit 10 may be about 100 μm or more and about 250 μm or less. In that case, the lighting device 200 may have a degree of flexibility that is well wound on a roll device or the like on the premise of the flexibility of other components. In addition, depending on the implementation, the thickness t1 of the optical guide unit 10 may be about 250 μm or more and about 10.0 mm or less. In that case, the optical guide unit 10 may have a plate shape because it is difficult to be wound around a roll device.

9 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the lighting device of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 9, the lighting device 200A according to the present embodiment includes a first light guide part 10a, a second light guide part 10b, a third light guide part 10c, and a three-dimensional effect forming part ( 20), a light refraction part 30c, a light source part 50, and a color part 60.

The pattern 22 constituting the three-dimensional effect forming part 20 is provided between the first light guide part 10a and the second light guide part 10b.

In the case of stacking the second light guide part 10b on one side of the first light guide part 10a on which the pattern 22 is provided, in order to implement a function of reflecting or refracting incident light from the pattern 22 The refractive indexes of the first and second optical guides 10a and 10b are 0.2 or more.

In addition, when the difference in refractive index between the first and second light guides 10a and 10b is less than 0.2, the pattern 22 and the second light guide 10b A separating part 44 may be provided between them. The separating part 44 may be formed of a material such as silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), stainless steel, or the like, and may be implemented in the form of a coating layer on one surface of the first light guide part 10a.

In addition, the color part 60 includes dyes or pigments dispersed in or on the surface of the third light guide part 10c, and the third light guide part 10c is disposed on the second light guide part 10b. do. According to the above-described configuration, the pattern 22, the separation part 44, the second light guide part 10b, and the second light guide part 10c are stacked and arranged in the order described on the first light guide part 10a. do.

When implementing the stacked structure of the first, second and third light guide units 10a, 10b, and 10c, the third light guide unit including the color unit 60 in succession while emitting the second light guide unit 10b If the double injection method of emitting (10c) is used, in fact, the second light guide part 10b and the third light guide part 10c may have an integrated structure (such an integrated structure is the lighting device 200 of FIG. 8 ). Of course, it can also be applied to the optical guide of ). Then, a first light guide part 10a having a pattern 22 on one surface is prepared, and a reflective material is coated on the pattern 22 to form a reflective layer 23, and then the first light guide part ( 10a) and the second and third optical guide portions 10b and 10c having an integral structure may be stacked to implement a stacked structure of the first, second and third optical guide portions 10a, 10b, and 10c.

The optical refraction portion 30c is disposed to penetrate the first, second, and third optical guide portions 10a, 10b, and 10c in the thickness direction, but is not limited thereto. For example, the light refraction part 30c may have a form that penetrates only the second and third light guide parts 10b and 10c, that is, a hole form whose one end is blocked by the first light guide part 10a.

The light source unit 50 irradiates light to one side of the second light guide unit 10b to supply the first incident light into the second light guide unit 10b. In order to supply the first incident light from one side of the second light guide unit 10b, the light source unit 50 may have a height smaller than the height of the second light guide unit 10b.

The lighting device 200A of the present embodiment may further include a housing or a frame that supports the light guide units 10b and 10c, the light source 50, and the like.

According to the present embodiment, the pattern layer 20a of the three-dimensional effect forming part or the pattern 22 provided on one side or inside thereof may have a form buried by the light guide part, and the color part 60 is It may have a form arranged only on the upper side. The dual injection structure of the light guide part including the color part 60 reduces the number of parts and simplifies the installation work by integrating the glove or outer lens and the light guide part when the lighting device of this embodiment is applied to outdoor lighting, vehicle lamp, etc. Has an advantage.

10 is a perspective view of a lighting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the lighting device 300 according to the present embodiment includes a light guide part 10, a three-dimensional effect forming part 20, a light refraction part 30d, and a light source part 50. In this embodiment, the light source unit 50 is embedded on the support unit 40 together with the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 by the light guide unit 10 provided as a resin layer.

The three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 includes a pattern 22 disposed on one surface of the light guide unit 10 having a predetermined length L1 in the width direction. The length L1 may be about 20 cm or more. The three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 may be implemented by bonding a separate pattern layer 20a having a pattern 22 on one surface thereof to one surface of the light guide unit 10.

The pattern layer 20a is formed of a material capable of ensuring the ease of processing and durability of the pattern 22. As a material for the pattern layer 20a, a thermoplastic polymer or a photocurable polymer may be used. The pattern 22 is provided on one surface of the pattern layer 20a, but is not limited thereto.

The three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 includes a plurality of patterns disposed in different regions on one surface of the light guide unit 10. Two adjacent patterns may have different arrangement directions or different extension directions, and a pattern bent portion 21 may be formed at a boundary between two adjacent patterns.

When the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 includes a first pattern and a second pattern provided in different regions of the optical guide unit 10, the first sequential arrangement direction of the first pattern and the second sequential arrangement of the second pattern The directions can be arranged in directions that run with each other or cross each other.

The optical refraction portion 30d is disposed in the optical guide portion 10 to refract some of the incident light passing through the optical guide portion 10 to generate incident light of an optical path different from the optical path of the incident light. In this embodiment, the light refraction part 30d is made of a material different from that of the light guide part 10. The refractive index of the optical refraction portion 30d is different from that of the optical guide portion 10. The light refractive portion 30d is made of a high refractive index material, and in this case, the refractive index of the material may be about 2.50 to about 3.50, and the refractive index of the light guide portion 10 may be about 1.4 to about 1.6.

The light refraction part 30d has a protrusion shape protruding into the light guide part 10 on the pattern 22. In addition, depending on the implementation, a part of the light refraction part 30d may be inserted into a hole or a through hole of the pattern 22.

The support part 40 may be implemented as a printed circuit board (not shown) of the light source part 50. The printed circuit board may be a flexible printed circuit board. When the support part 40 is provided as a flexible printed circuit board and the light guide part 10 is provided as a resin layer, the lighting device 300 may have a certain curvature and flexibility to bend.

Each light source 51 of the light source unit 50 is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source, and may be an LED package including two LED elements to irradiate two lights. The two beams of light emitted from each of the 12 LED light sources of the light source unit 50 gradually decrease in luminance as they proceed from each LED light source in the width direction of a predetermined length L of the light guide unit 10 by the pattern 22. It is converted into an optical image that disappears at the middle portion A0 of the optical guide unit 10 in the width direction.

According to the present embodiment, the lighting device 300 transmits incident light irradiated from a plurality of light sources through the pattern 22 of the three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 disposed in different areas of the light guide unit 10. Can be converted to fluorescence. In addition, the lighting device 300 may generate linear beams extending from different optical paths in each region of the light guide unit 10 (see FIG. 12 ).

That is, the lighting device 300, by the arrangement of the pattern on the second surface opposite to the first surface 11 of the three-dimensional effect forming unit 10, the light irradiated from the 18 light sources of the light source unit 50 with a specific width By guiding each to have a specific optical path and a predetermined length, linear light having a sense of depth in the thickness direction of the optical guide unit 10 is realized.

Here, the sense of depth of the linear light is when the linear light extends from the root portion of the light source side to the end portion of the intermediate region of the optical guide portion 10, the root portion of the linear light is on the second surface of the optical guide portion 10. It is located close and the end portion is located close to the first surface 11 on the opposite side of the second surface, and can correspond to a form in which the linear light is inclined toward the first surface from the second surface of the optical guide unit 10. .

11 is an exemplary view of an optical image of a comparative example for explaining the operating principle of the lighting device of FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 11, the lighting device 300A according to the comparative example has a structure in which 9 LED light sources on one side in the width direction and 9 LED light sources on the other side in the width direction are arranged in a zigzag shape with each other. The lighting device 300A may be substantially the same as the lighting device 300 of FIG. 10 except for the lengthening of the lighting device according to the number of LED light sources and the light refraction part.

In the lighting device 300A, the LED light source of one side irradiates linear light to the LED light source side of the other side, and the LED light source of the other side irradiates linear light to the LED light source side of one side, so that 18 linear lights represent a zigzag line type optical image. Here, the reason that the linear light irradiated from each LED light source has the form of two light beams is because each LED light source is emitted from a package in which two LED elements are mounted.

In the comparative example, the light refraction part is omitted, but when the light refraction part is included in the light guide part as in the lighting device of FIG. More can be implemented.

12 is a partially enlarged plan view of the lighting device of FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 12, the lighting device 300 according to the present embodiment converts incident light of each LED light source into first linear fluorescent light BL1 similar to the lighting device of the comparative example of FIG. 11, and illuminates the comparative example of FIG. 11. Unlike the device, incident light or first linear fluorescence is refracted through the light refracting unit 30d in the optical guide unit 10 to implement at least one second linear fluorescence BL2.

In this embodiment, the pattern 22 is formed in the first pattern P1 on the first pattern region corresponding to the first region of the optical guide unit 10 and a second region different from the first region of the optical guide unit 10. A second pattern P2 may be provided on the corresponding second pattern area. The first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 have different extension directions D1 and D2 or pattern arrangement directions, respectively, and implement first linear fluorescence BL1 having different optical paths.

13 is a cross-sectional view of a lighting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the lighting device 400 according to the present embodiment includes a light guide part 10, a three-dimensional effect forming part 20, a light refraction part 30d, a support part 40, and a reflection part 42. , A light source unit 50 and a color unit 60.

The lighting device 400 of this embodiment may be substantially the same as the lighting device of FIG. 11 except for a pattern structure between the reflective part 42 and the light guide part 10.

In the three-dimensional effect forming part 20 of this embodiment, the pattern 22 is disposed to face the reflective part 42. In this case, when the optical guide layer 10 is formed by applying a resin layer on the pattern layer 20a, the pattern 22 covered by the resin layer is prevented from losing its inherent function. That is, the pattern 22 guides the incident light moving inside the optical guide unit 10 to a predetermined width and optical path by refraction and reflection on the inclined surface, and in the direction of the second surface 12 of the optical guide unit 10. It functions to emit, but when covered with a resin layer having a similar refractive index, the inclined surface of the pattern 22 disappears and the pattern 22 cannot perform its function, but in this embodiment, the pattern arrangement surface is the light guide part 10 By disposing the pattern layer 20a so as to face the reflective portion 42 on the opposite side of, the above-described problem can be prevented.

The pattern layer 20a may be fixed on the reflective part 42 by the adhesive layer 130. The adhesive layer 130 may have a predetermined pattern (such as a honeycomb shape) and may be used to limit the reflectivity or reflective area of the reflective portion 42. Regarding the adhesive function of the adhesive layer 130, when the pattern layer 20a can be supported or fixed by bonding or bonding a resin layer on the reflective portion 42, the adhesive function of the adhesive layer 130 is omitted. It is possible. The adhesive layer 130 may be integrally provided by the reflective pattern 140 containing an adhesive material according to implementation.

Meanwhile, depending on implementation, the pattern layer 20a may not be fixed by the adhesive layer 130 and may be buried in the middle of the resin layer. According to this structure, the pattern layer 20a may be disposed with a resin layer disposed between the reflective portion 42 and the pattern layer 20a. In addition, as a case where the pattern layer 20a is provided on the first surface 10 of the optical guide unit 10 while the resin layer is provided, the pattern layer 20a is disposed between the reflective unit 42 and the light guide unit ( 10) may be provided as a pattern layer in which the first surface 10 of the optical guide unit 10 is directly processed, or as a separate pattern layer bonded on the first surface 11 other than the second surface.

In addition, the lighting device 400 according to the present exemplary embodiment may include a spaced region 120 between the pattern layer 20a and the reflective portion 42. The separation region 120 may be an air layer or a vacuum layer. This separation area 120 may be surrounded by the adhesive layer 130.

In addition, in the lighting device 400 of the present embodiment, a reflective pattern 140 may be provided on the reflective part 42 to control the reflection efficiency and the reflective area of the reflective part 42.

The reflective pattern 140 may be implemented as an ink pattern on one surface of the reflective portion 42 facing the pattern layer 20a. The reflective pattern 140 may have a shape in which unit patterns 141 having a hexagonal cross-sectional shape are arranged in a honeycomb shape. As the material of the reflective pattern 140, the same material as the material of the reflective portion 42 may be used. _{For example, TiO 2} , CaCO ₃ , BaSO ₄ , Al ₂ O ₃ , Silicon, PS (Poly Stylen), etc. may be used as the material of the reflective pattern 140.

According to this embodiment, it is possible not only to implement a flexible lighting device, but also to implement a three-dimensional effect linear light by the pattern 22 and the light refraction part 30e in the flexible lighting device, the separation area 120, the adhesive layer 130, By using the reflective pattern 140 or a combination thereof, a more diverse optical image can be implemented by controlling the performance or area for diffusion or dispersion of light.

Meanwhile, the above-described lighting device is not limited to using an LED light source, and a three-dimensional effect linear light is generated by using a device for condensing light from a natural light source (solar light, etc.) or another light source (halogen lamp, metal lamp, etc.). It can be implemented as a lighting device to generate.

14 is a schematic plan view of a lighting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, the lighting device 500 according to the present embodiment includes a second light guide part 10b, a third light guide part 10c, a three-dimensional effect forming part, a light refraction part 30, a light source part, and It includes a color unit 60.

The second optical guide portion 10b and the third optical guide portion 10c have a streamline shape when viewed in plan view and have a curvature in a predetermined portion in the thickness direction. It is very similar to the combination of the light guide part. The third light guide part 10c includes the color part 60 and may be provided by being double-emitted with the second light guide part 10b.

The three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 includes a plurality of patterns 22 provided in different regions of the optical guide units 10b and 10c. A plurality of patterns 22 are provided in different regions of the streamlined optical guide unit 10 (refer to Ax indicated by a plurality of closed curved dotted lines) and have different optical paths D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, and It generates a linear light of D7). The plurality of patterns 22 are provided on a separate pattern layer, but are not limited thereto, and may be provided to have an inclined surface inclined with respect to one surface by directly processing one surface of the light guide unit 10 into an uneven shape.

The three-dimensional effect forming unit 20 may be substantially the same as the three-dimensional effect forming unit of FIGS. 1, 10 or 13 except that a plurality of patterns 22 disposed in different regions of the streamlined light guide unit are provided. have.

The light refraction part 30 is disposed in the streamlined light guide part in at least one or more of the different pattern regions. The light refracting unit 30 refracts the first incident light of the light source 51 or the first linear fluorescent light converted from the first incident light to generate second incident light. The second incident light is converted into second linear fluorescent light BL2 by the pattern 22. The light refraction part 30 may be formed of a bead, a bubble, a through hole, a material having a different refractive index, or the like within the light guide parts 10b and 10c.

Although not shown in the drawings, the lighting device 500 according to the present embodiment may include a support part, a reflective part, or both of FIG. 10 or FIG. 13.

The light source unit 50 includes a plurality of LED light sources 51 arranged on the edge of one surface according to the streamlined shape of the light guide unit 10. The plurality of LED light sources 51 irradiate incident light from the edge of the light guide unit 10 toward the center. In addition, the configuration or operation of the light source unit 50 may be substantially the same as the light source unit of FIG. 1, 10 or 13.

In this embodiment, the third light guide portion 10c functions as an outer lens or a glove. That is, the third light guide unit 10c is provided to replace a lens-shaped cover disposed on the outer surface of the lighting device in vehicle lighting devices (headlights, rear lights, etc.), outdoor lighting devices, and the like. The third light guide portion 10c may be made of a transparent plastic material, such as engineering plastic, to function as a colored outer lens. In addition, the third light guide unit 10c may have a light transmittance or transparency of a certain level or higher, which is visible from the outside.

When used for a vehicle, the third light guide portion 10c may be provided to have a curvature connected to the curved surface of the vehicle body on at least one surface thereof. In addition, when the lighting device 500 is used as vehicle lighting, the light source of the light source unit 50 may be connected to the vehicle battery 520 and driven by vehicle power.

The above-described light guide parts 10b and 10c, the three-dimensional effect forming part 20, the light refraction part 30, and the light source part 50 are disposed on one surface of the third light guide 10c. The second light guide portion 10b may be bonded to one surface of the third light guide portion 10c functioning as an outer lens or may be disposed at a predetermined interval. When the second light guide portion 10b and the third light guide portion 10c are joined, they can be double-emitted to form a single body. In addition, the light source unit 50 may be embedded in the light guide unit 10, but is not limited thereto.

According to this embodiment, it is easy to apply to vehicle lighting devices such as headlights, rear lights, vehicle interior lighting, fog lights, and door scarves through the pattern design of the three-dimensional effect forming unit, and it is easy to implement a new optical image and an inexpensive lighting device. Can provide. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a new lighting device that is advantageous in terms of volume, thickness, weight, price, life, stability, design freedom, and ease of installation compared to existing vehicle lamps.

On the other hand, the lighting device of the present embodiment is not limited to a vehicle lighting device, and as a flexible lighting device in the form of a film, it can be easily applied to inner and outer curved portions or curved portions of a lighting installation object such as a building, equipment, or furniture. In this case, the support part (not shown) may include a housing or case that supports a lighting device including a light guide part, a three-dimensional effect forming part, and a light refraction part, or supports a light source part.

As described above and shown in connection with a preferred embodiment for illustrating the technical idea of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the configuration and operation as shown and described as described above, without departing from the scope of the technical idea It will be well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains that many suitable modifications and variations are possible for the present invention. Therefore, all such suitable modifications, modifications and equivalents should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

10: light guide part
20: three-dimensional effect forming unit
22: pattern
30, 30a, 30b, 30e, 30d, 30e: light refraction part
40: support
42: reflector
44: separation unit
50: light source unit
221: slope

Claims (20)

An optical guide portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and having a predetermined thickness between the first surface and the second surface;
A pattern disposed on the second surface of the optical guide unit and including a plurality of unit patterns sequentially arranged on the second surface;
A light source for irradiating light into the light guide portion in a direction in which the plurality of unit patterns are arranged; And
Including a light refraction part disposed inside the light guide part,
The unit pattern includes an inclined surface having an inclination angle with respect to the second surface,
The light emitted from the light source includes a first incident light incident into the light guide unit and proceeding in the arrangement direction of the unit pattern, and a second incident light incident inside the light guide unit and refracted by the light refraction unit. and,
The first incident light and the second incident light are induced in a direction of a first surface facing the first surface or a direction of a second surface facing the second surface by refraction or reflection on the inclined surface. Generate a linear light extending with a specific width,
Some of the second linear light of the linear light formed by the second incident light proceeds in a different optical path than the first linear light of the linear light formed by the first incident light. The method according to claim 1,
The lighting device having different refractive indices of the light refraction part and the light guide part. The method according to claim 2,
A lighting device having a refractive index difference of 0.2 or more between the light refraction unit and the light guide unit. The method according to claim 2,
The light refracting part is a lighting device having a bead, through hole, bubble, or a combination thereof. delete The method according to claim 1,
A lighting device in which an extension direction of each of the plurality of unit patterns is perpendicular to an optical path of the first linear fluorescent light. The method according to claim 1,
Another part of the second linear light is a lighting device that proceeds in an optical path parallel to the first linear light. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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