WO2023247799A1 - Light guide, optical irradiation assembly, and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Light guide, optical irradiation assembly, and motor vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023247799A1
WO2023247799A1 PCT/EP2023/067318 EP2023067318W WO2023247799A1 WO 2023247799 A1 WO2023247799 A1 WO 2023247799A1 EP 2023067318 W EP2023067318 W EP 2023067318W WO 2023247799 A1 WO2023247799 A1 WO 2023247799A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
light guide
emitting component
incidence portion
collimator
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2023/067318
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Liujun ZHAO
Liyang DUAN
Yagui GAO
Original Assignee
Valeo Vision
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Valeo Vision filed Critical Valeo Vision
Publication of WO2023247799A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023247799A1/en

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/10Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
    • F21S43/13Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S43/14Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/10Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
    • F21S43/19Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/235Light guides
    • F21S43/236Light guides characterised by the shape of the light guide
    • F21S43/237Light guides characterised by the shape of the light guide rod-shaped
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/235Light guides
    • F21S43/242Light guides characterised by the emission area
    • F21S43/245Light guides characterised by the emission area emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/235Light guides
    • F21S43/249Light guides with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/30Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by reflectors
    • F21S43/31Optical layout thereof
    • F21S43/315Optical layout thereof using total internal reflection
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/40Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a light guide, an optical irradiation assembly, and a motor vehicle.
  • a light guide refers to a light-guiding device that transmits light beams therein primarily by total reflection. Light guides are widely used in fields such as lighting and optical transmission. A light guide can usually input light beams from one end thereof and, by the total reflection provided by its outer wall, transmit the light beams to the other end thereof or any desired emergent position.
  • An existing light guide usually corresponds to only one light source, and the optical axis direction of the light source is substantially consistent with the optical axis direction of the light incidence portion of the light guide.
  • the main extension direction of the light guide forms a certain angle with the optical axis direction of the light source, or further, the light guide needs to correspond to a plurality of light sources, for example, to meet brightness requirements. Consequently, an existing light guide cannot transmit an incoming light beam in a desired manner, which results in a low optical efficiency and a low degree of uniformity.
  • An objective of the present invention is to provide a light guide, an optical irradiation assembly, and a motor vehicle that can at least partially solve the above problems.
  • an embodiment of the present invention provides a light guide comprising: a light guide body with a main extension direction, and a light incidence portion located at one end of the light guide body, the light incidence portion being configured to receive at least one incident light beam from at least one light-emitting component and guide the at least one incident light beam into the light guide body, wherein the surface of the light incidence portion is provided with at least one collimator, the at least one collimator is arranged to respectively collimate the at least one incident light beam, the optical axis direction of the collimator forms a certain angle with the optical axis direction of the light-emitting component, and the optical axis direction of the collimator is substantially parallel to the main extension direction of the light guide body.
  • the collimator comprises a curved surface protruding towards the light-emitting component, the focal point of the curved surface substantially coinciding with the position of the light-emitting component.
  • the light incidence portion comprises a plurality of collimators arranged to respectively collimate a plurality of incident light beams from a plurality of light-emitting components.
  • the surface of the light incidence portion is formed by combining the plurality of collimators.
  • the plurality of collimators are arranged around the centre of the surface of the light incidence portion.
  • the plurality of collimators evenly divide the surface of the light incidence portion.
  • the light guide body has a gradually decreasing size in a direction transverse to the main extension direction, so that a collimated light beam from the light incidence portion exits from the side surface of the light guide body in a direction transverse to the main extension direction.
  • the side surface of the light guide body comprises a plurality of total reflection facets, which are configured to totally reflect light beams from the light incidence portion towards the emergent surface of the light guide body.
  • the maximum absolute value of the angle between the optical axis direction of the collimator and the optical axis direction of the light-emitting component is related to the luminescence angle of the light-emitting component.
  • the luminescence angle of the light-emitting component is 120°, and the maximum absolute value of the angle between the optical axis direction of the collimator and the optical axis direction of the light-emitting component is 60°.
  • an embodiment of the present invention provides an optical irradiation assembly comprising: a light guide according to an embodiment of the present invention, and at least one light-emitting component, which emits at least one incident light beam towards the light incidence portion.
  • the light-emitting components and the collimators are arranged such that they correspond one to one.
  • an embodiment of the present invention provides a motor vehicle comprising an optical irradiation assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of an optical irradiation assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of a light guide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the optical path of an optical irradiation assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the optical irradiation assembly 100 comprises a light guide 10 and a plurality of light-emitting components 20.
  • the light guide 10 comprises a light guide body 1 and a light incidence portion 2 located at an end of the light guide body 1.
  • the plurality of light-emitting components 20 are arranged on a printed circuit board (PCB) 30 and emit a plurality of incident light beams towards the light guide 10.
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • the light guide 10 is rod-shaped as a whole.
  • the position of the PCB 30 is positioned to be tilted relative to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10.
  • tilted means that the PCB, rather than being positioned in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10, forms a certain angle ⁇ with the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10.
  • the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10 herein may also be understood as the longitudinal axis D of the light guide body 1 of the light guide 10, wherein the longitudinal axis D corresponds to the longitudinal extension direction or main extension direction of the light guide 10 or the light guide body 1, and the light guide body 1 has a greater size in the main extension direction than in any other direction.
  • the light-emitting component 20 may be a component for emitting an incident light beam to the light guide 10.
  • the light-emitting component 20 may be a light-emitting diode (LED).
  • LED light-emitting diode
  • embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and according to actual needs, the light-emitting component 20 may be any light source capable of emitting light beams.
  • the light-emitting component 20 has an optical axis O in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction of the PCB 30.
  • the PCB 30 is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10, so the optical axis O of the light-emitting component 20 is also tilted relative to, that is, forming a certain angle with, the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10.
  • the light incidence portion 2 is arranged at an end of the light guide body 1 and faces a plurality of light-emitting components 20 on the PCB 30 to receive a plurality of incident light beams emitted from the plurality of light-emitting components 20.
  • the light incidence portion 2 collimates the received incident light beams, thereby collimating the plurality of different incident light beams into light beams having the same or substantially the same desired incidence direction, and then guiding them into the light guide body 1.
  • "Desired incidence direction” may refer to the direction parallel to or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10.
  • the light incidence portion 2 may comprise a plurality of collimators 200. As an example, it comprises three collimators 200 as shown in .
  • the plurality of collimators 200 may be arranged on the surface of the light incidence portion 2 facing the plurality of light-emitting components 20 to receive and collimate a plurality of incident light beams from the plurality of light-emitting components 20.
  • the collimator 200 may have an optical axis L.
  • the plurality of light beams can have the same exit direction as the direction of the optical axis L.
  • the respective optical axes L of the plurality of collimators 200 can have the same direction and may be parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10.
  • the direction of the optical axis L of the collimator 200 forms a certain angle with the direction of the optical axis O of the light-emitting component 20.
  • the collimator 200 in the light incidence portion 2 may be arranged to comprise a curved surface protruding towards the light-emitting component 20, and the focal point of the curved surface of each collimator 200 may be arranged to substantially coincide with the position of the corresponding light-emitting component 20.
  • the focal point of a curved surface is designed to coincide with the position of a light-emitting component 20, but the two are described herein as "substantially coinciding" because there is a certain distance between the focal point of the curved surface and the position of the light-emitting component due to the influencing factor of the positions of surrounding components, or a component manufacturing error or installation error, etc.
  • substantially coincide may mean that the distance between the focal point of a curved surface and the position of a light-emitting component is within the range of 0 mm – 2 mm.
  • the focal point of the curved surface of the collimator 200 substantially coincides with the position of the corresponding light-emitting component 20.
  • the collimator 200 may, by utilising the optical characteristics of a curved surface, collimate incident light beams from the light-emitting component 2 located at the focal point of the curved surface, so that different incident light beams from the light-emitting component 2 may be guided into the light guide body 1 in substantially the same incidence direction.
  • the focal point of a curved surface substantially coincides with the corresponding light-emitting component, which effectively alleviates the problem that a plurality of light beams have disorderly directions due to the large number of light-emitting components, so that a highly uniform light intensity distribution and a good lighting effect are achievable even in the presence of a plurality of light-emitting components.
  • a light beam from the light-emitting component 20 may be caused to enter the light guide 10 in the desired direction (substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10), and, when a plurality of light-emitting components 20 are arranged on the PCB 30 (thus, a plurality of different incident light beams are present), by using the light incidence portion 2 (comprising a plurality of collimators 200) of the present invention, different incident light beams may be collimated to have the same incidence direction, and then guided into the light guide body 1, wherein, in the above manner, the uniformity of light intensity distribution and optical efficiency are improved, and the lighting effect is enhanced.
  • the maximum absolute value of the angle between the optical axis direction L of the collimator 200 and the optical axis direction O of the light-emitting component is related to the luminescence angle of the light-emitting component 20, wherein the angle value is positive when the light guide body 1 is tilted to the left relative to the optical axis direction O as shown in , and is negative when the light guide body 1 is tilted to the right relative to the optical axis direction O.
  • the absolute value of the angle between the optical axis direction L of the collimator 200 and the optical axis direction O of the light-emitting component 20 is preferably in the range of 0°-60° (0° excluded), so that the collimator 200 can receive a light beam from the light-emitting component 20, wherein, for example, the absolute value of the angle is, but not limited to, 16°.
  • a plurality of collimators and a plurality of light-emitting components 20 may be arranged such that they correspond one to one.
  • three collimators 200 being used as shown in
  • three light-emitting components 20 may be correspondingly arranged on the PCB 30, and each light-emitting component 20 corresponds to their respective collimators 200.
  • light beams from each light-emitting component 20 may be collimated by their respective collimators to maximise the effect of collimation of the light beams, thereby increasing the number of light beams effectively guided to the light guide body 10, which in turn increases the uniformity of light intensity distribution.
  • the surface of the light incidence portion 2 may be formed by combining a plurality of collimators 200.
  • a plurality of collimators 200 could be used to form the surface of the light incidence portion 2 .
  • three collimators 200 completely cover the end of the light incidence portion 2 facing the light-emitting component 20, thereby forming a surface of the light incidence portion 2 facing the light-emitting component 20.
  • the corresponding collimator 200 may be trimmed along one peripheral edge shape of the junction between the light guide body 1 and the light incidence portion 2 to achieve a shape fit therebetween (for example, by trimming into an arc).
  • the other edge of each collimator 200 may be trimmed to achieve a shape fit between the collimators 200.
  • embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and other choices may be made according to actual needs.
  • the coverage area of the collimators may be maximized to maximize the efficiency of collimation of light beams.
  • a plurality of collimators 200 may be arranged around the centre of the surface of the light incidence portion 2. This arrangement makes it easy to maximise the coverage area of the collimators 200.
  • a plurality of light-emitting components 20 may be correspondingly arranged, so that the plurality of light-emitting components 20 may be arranged in a circular shape, for example. Therefore, in this manner, the positions of the plurality of light-emitting components 20 become more concentrated, which reduces the dispersivity of incident light beams, thereby further improving the efficiency of collimation of light beams and improving the lighting effect.
  • a plurality of light-emitting components 20 evenly divide the surface of the light incidence portion 2.
  • a plurality of light-emitting components 20 may each have substantially the same coverage area.
  • the collimation degree of each light-emitting component 20 may be homogenised to improve the uniformity of light intensity distribution.
  • the light incidence portion 2 comprises a plurality of collimators, it is comprehensible that the light incidence portion 2 may also comprise only one collimator described above, which is configured to collimate a light beam from a light-emitting component while causing the light beam to enter the light guide 10 in a manner of being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10.
  • a substantially collimated light beam from the light incidence portion 2 is propagated forwards along the main extension direction of the light guide body 1, so a portion of the light beam will reach the end face of the light guide body 1 opposite to the light incidence portion 2.
  • an additional decoupling means is required if a light beam is desired to exit from at least a portion of the side surface of the light guide body 1, an additional decoupling means is required.
  • the light guide body 1 further comprises a light-guiding portion 3, which is a part of the side surface of the light guide body 1, wherein the light-guiding portion 3 receives a light beam from the light incidence portion 2 and reflects the light beam from the light incidence portion 2 horizontally in the main extension direction of the light guide body 1, so that the light beam exits from at least a portion of the side surface of the light guide body 1.
  • the light-guiding portion 3 is inclined towards the emergent surface of the light guide body 1, so that the light guide body 1 has a gradually decreasing size in a direction transverse to the main extension direction (longitudinal axis D), thereby effectively reflecting a collimated light beam from the light incidence portion 2.
  • the light-guiding portion 3 comprises a plurality of total reflection facets, including, but not limited to, a serrated surface as shown in , which are configured to totally reflect light beams from the light incident portion 2 towards the emergent surface of the light guide body 1, thereby further improving the optical efficiency.
  • the light incidence portion 2 may be integrally moulded with or, by fusion or another means, connected to the light guide body 1.
  • embodiments are not limited thereto.
  • the light guide 10 may be made of transparent glass, resin or a plastic material, for example, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) or polycarbonate.
  • the light guide 10 may be supported or suspended by any known suitable device for holding an optical element, for example, a support, a suspended arm, etc.
  • the light guide 10 may be used in any lighting and/or signal indication device.
  • the lighting and/or signal indication device may comprise any type of motor vehicle illuminating lamps and/or signal lamps, for example, headlamps, centre high-mounted stop lamps, turn signal lamps, parking lamps, rear stop lamps, etc.
  • the light guide 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may also be used in fields other than motor vehicle lamps, for example street lamps, advertising lamps, etc.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention discloses a light guide (10). The light guide comprises: a light guide body (1) with a main extension direction, and a light incidence portion (2) located at one end of the light guide body, the light incidence portion being configured to receive at least one incident light beam from at least one light-emitting component (20) and guide the at least one incident light beam into the light guide body, wherein the surface of the light incidence portion is provided with at least one collimator (200), the at least one collimator is arranged to respectively collimate the at least one incident light beam, the optical axis direction of the collimator forms a certain angle with the optical axis direction of the light-emitting component, and the optical axis direction of the collimator is substantially parallel to the main extension direction of the optical guide body.

Description

LIGHT GUIDE, OPTICAL IRRADIATION ASSEMBLY, AND MOTOR VEHICLE
The present invention relates to a light guide, an optical irradiation assembly, and a motor vehicle.
A light guide refers to a light-guiding device that transmits light beams therein primarily by total reflection. Light guides are widely used in fields such as lighting and optical transmission. A light guide can usually input light beams from one end thereof and, by the total reflection provided by its outer wall, transmit the light beams to the other end thereof or any desired emergent position.
An existing light guide usually corresponds to only one light source, and the optical axis direction of the light source is substantially consistent with the optical axis direction of the light incidence portion of the light guide. However, in some cases, due to a restriction on the installation position of a light source or light guide, the main extension direction of the light guide forms a certain angle with the optical axis direction of the light source, or further, the light guide needs to correspond to a plurality of light sources, for example, to meet brightness requirements. Consequently, an existing light guide cannot transmit an incoming light beam in a desired manner, which results in a low optical efficiency and a low degree of uniformity.
Summary of the Invention
An objective of the present invention is to provide a light guide, an optical irradiation assembly, and a motor vehicle that can at least partially solve the above problems.
On the one hand, an embodiment of the present invention provides a light guide comprising: a light guide body with a main extension direction, and a light incidence portion located at one end of the light guide body, the light incidence portion being configured to receive at least one incident light beam from at least one light-emitting component and guide the at least one incident light beam into the light guide body, wherein the surface of the light incidence portion is provided with at least one collimator, the at least one collimator is arranged to respectively collimate the at least one incident light beam, the optical axis direction of the collimator forms a certain angle with the optical axis direction of the light-emitting component, and the optical axis direction of the collimator is substantially parallel to the main extension direction of the light guide body.
In some embodiments, the collimator comprises a curved surface protruding towards the light-emitting component, the focal point of the curved surface substantially coinciding with the position of the light-emitting component.
In some embodiments, the light incidence portion comprises a plurality of collimators arranged to respectively collimate a plurality of incident light beams from a plurality of light-emitting components.
In some embodiments, the surface of the light incidence portion is formed by combining the plurality of collimators.
In some embodiments, the plurality of collimators are arranged around the centre of the surface of the light incidence portion.
In some embodiments, the plurality of collimators evenly divide the surface of the light incidence portion.
In some embodiments, the light guide body has a gradually decreasing size in a direction transverse to the main extension direction, so that a collimated light beam from the light incidence portion exits from the side surface of the light guide body in a direction transverse to the main extension direction.
In some embodiments, the side surface of the light guide body comprises a plurality of total reflection facets, which are configured to totally reflect light beams from the light incidence portion towards the emergent surface of the light guide body.
In some embodiments, the maximum absolute value of the angle between the optical axis direction of the collimator and the optical axis direction of the light-emitting component is related to the luminescence angle of the light-emitting component.
In some embodiments, the luminescence angle of the light-emitting component is 120°, and the maximum absolute value of the angle between the optical axis direction of the collimator and the optical axis direction of the light-emitting component is 60°.
On the other hand, an embodiment of the present invention provides an optical irradiation assembly comprising: a light guide according to an embodiment of the present invention, and at least one light-emitting component, which emits at least one incident light beam towards the light incidence portion.
In one embodiment, the light-emitting components and the collimators are arranged such that they correspond one to one.
On the other hand, an embodiment of the present invention provides a motor vehicle comprising an optical irradiation assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
is a three-dimensional view of an optical irradiation assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
is a top view of a light guide according to an embodiment of the present invention;
is a schematic diagram of the optical path of an optical irradiation assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Specific Embodiments
Some technical solutions of the present invention will be explained in greater detail below by embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. In this description, identical or similar drawing labels indicate identical or similar components. The following explanation of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall invention concept of the present invention, and should not be interpreted as a limitation of the present invention.
Furthermore, in the detailed description below, to facilitate explanation, many specific details are expounded in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is evident that one or more embodiments may also be implemented without these specific details.
is an optical irradiation assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in , the optical irradiation assembly 100 comprises a light guide 10 and a plurality of light-emitting components 20. Further, the light guide 10 comprises a light guide body 1 and a light incidence portion 2 located at an end of the light guide body 1. The plurality of light-emitting components 20 are arranged on a printed circuit board (PCB) 30 and emit a plurality of incident light beams towards the light guide 10. As shown in the figure, as a non-limiting example, the light guide 10 is rod-shaped as a whole.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, due to the limitations imposed by the components surrounding the light guide 10 and the PCB 30, the position of the PCB 30 is positioned to be tilted relative to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10. Herein, "tilted" means that the PCB, rather than being positioned in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10, forms a certain angle θ with the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10. In addition, "the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10" herein may also be understood as the longitudinal axis D of the light guide body 1 of the light guide 10, wherein the longitudinal axis D corresponds to the longitudinal extension direction or main extension direction of the light guide 10 or the light guide body 1, and the light guide body 1 has a greater size in the main extension direction than in any other direction.
As mentioned above, a plurality of light-emitting components 20 are arranged on the PCB 30. The light-emitting component 20 may be a component for emitting an incident light beam to the light guide 10. As an example, the light-emitting component 20 may be a light-emitting diode (LED). However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and according to actual needs, the light-emitting component 20 may be any light source capable of emitting light beams.
The light-emitting component 20 has an optical axis O in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction of the PCB 30. In view of the above situation, the PCB 30 is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10, so the optical axis O of the light-emitting component 20 is also tilted relative to, that is, forming a certain angle with, the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10.
The light incidence portion 2 is arranged at an end of the light guide body 1 and faces a plurality of light-emitting components 20 on the PCB 30 to receive a plurality of incident light beams emitted from the plurality of light-emitting components 20. The light incidence portion 2 collimates the received incident light beams, thereby collimating the plurality of different incident light beams into light beams having the same or substantially the same desired incidence direction, and then guiding them into the light guide body 1. "Desired incidence direction" may refer to the direction parallel to or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the light incidence portion 2 may comprise a plurality of collimators 200. As an example, it comprises three collimators 200 as shown in . The plurality of collimators 200 may be arranged on the surface of the light incidence portion 2 facing the plurality of light-emitting components 20 to receive and collimate a plurality of incident light beams from the plurality of light-emitting components 20.
As shown in , the collimator 200 may have an optical axis L. After the collimator 200 collimates a plurality of incident light beams, the plurality of light beams can have the same exit direction as the direction of the optical axis L. As an example, the respective optical axes L of the plurality of collimators 200 can have the same direction and may be parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10. In addition, the direction of the optical axis L of the collimator 200 forms a certain angle with the direction of the optical axis O of the light-emitting component 20.
As shown in , the collimator 200 in the light incidence portion 2 may be arranged to comprise a curved surface protruding towards the light-emitting component 20, and the focal point of the curved surface of each collimator 200 may be arranged to substantially coincide with the position of the corresponding light-emitting component 20. In the optical design phase, the focal point of a curved surface is designed to coincide with the position of a light-emitting component 20, but the two are described herein as "substantially coinciding" because there is a certain distance between the focal point of the curved surface and the position of the light-emitting component due to the influencing factor of the positions of surrounding components, or a component manufacturing error or installation error, etc. To be specific, "substantially coincide" may mean that the distance between the focal point of a curved surface and the position of a light-emitting component is within the range of 0 mm – 2 mm. In other words, when the distance between the focal point of a curved surface and the position of a light-emitting component is within the above range, it may be considered that the focal point of the curved surface of the collimator 200 substantially coincides with the position of the corresponding light-emitting component 20.
Thus, the collimator 200 may, by utilising the optical characteristics of a curved surface, collimate incident light beams from the light-emitting component 2 located at the focal point of the curved surface, so that different incident light beams from the light-emitting component 2 may be guided into the light guide body 1 in substantially the same incidence direction. According to an embodiment of the present invention, by arranging collimators 200 for collimating light beams for different light-emitting components 2, and by arranging a collimator 200 in the shape of a curved surface, the focal point of a curved surface substantially coincides with the corresponding light-emitting component, which effectively alleviates the problem that a plurality of light beams have disorderly directions due to the large number of light-emitting components, so that a highly uniform light intensity distribution and a good lighting effect are achievable even in the presence of a plurality of light-emitting components.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the PCB 30 is positioned to be tilted relative to the light guide 10, by causing the direction of the optical axis L of the collimator 200 to form a certain angle with the direction of the optical axis O of the light-emitting component 20 and be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10, a light beam from the light-emitting component 20 may be caused to enter the light guide 10 in the desired direction (substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10), and, when a plurality of light-emitting components 20 are arranged on the PCB 30 (thus, a plurality of different incident light beams are present), by using the light incidence portion 2 (comprising a plurality of collimators 200) of the present invention, different incident light beams may be collimated to have the same incidence direction, and then guided into the light guide body 1, wherein, in the above manner, the uniformity of light intensity distribution and optical efficiency are improved, and the lighting effect is enhanced.
The maximum absolute value of the angle between the optical axis direction L of the collimator 200 and the optical axis direction O of the light-emitting component is related to the luminescence angle of the light-emitting component 20, wherein the angle value is positive when the light guide body 1 is tilted to the left relative to the optical axis direction O as shown in , and is negative when the light guide body 1 is tilted to the right relative to the optical axis direction O. In a non-limiting example, when a light-emitting component 20 with an luminescence angle of 120° is used, the absolute value of the angle between the optical axis direction L of the collimator 200 and the optical axis direction O of the light-emitting component 20 is preferably in the range of 0°-60° (0° excluded), so that the collimator 200 can receive a light beam from the light-emitting component 20, wherein, for example, the absolute value of the angle is, but not limited to, 16°.
In one embodiment, as shown in , a plurality of collimators and a plurality of light-emitting components 20 may be arranged such that they correspond one to one. As an example, in the case of three collimators 200 being used as shown in , three light-emitting components 20 may be correspondingly arranged on the PCB 30, and each light-emitting component 20 corresponds to their respective collimators 200. Thus, light beams from each light-emitting component 20 may be collimated by their respective collimators to maximise the effect of collimation of the light beams, thereby increasing the number of light beams effectively guided to the light guide body 10, which in turn increases the uniformity of light intensity distribution.
In one embodiment, the surface of the light incidence portion 2 may be formed by combining a plurality of collimators 200. In other words, a plurality of collimators 200 could be used to form the surface of the light incidence portion 2 . As shown in , three collimators 200 completely cover the end of the light incidence portion 2 facing the light-emitting component 20, thereby forming a surface of the light incidence portion 2 facing the light-emitting component 20. As an example, the corresponding collimator 200 may be trimmed along one peripheral edge shape of the junction between the light guide body 1 and the light incidence portion 2 to achieve a shape fit therebetween (for example, by trimming into an arc). In addition, the other edge of each collimator 200 may be trimmed to achieve a shape fit between the collimators 200. However, it should be noted that embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and other choices may be made according to actual needs.
Thus, the coverage area of the collimators may be maximized to maximize the efficiency of collimation of light beams. In addition, it is also possible to guide incident light beams from a light-emitting component 20 more effectively into a light guide body 1.
In one embodiment, a plurality of collimators 200 may be arranged around the centre of the surface of the light incidence portion 2. This arrangement makes it easy to maximise the coverage area of the collimators 200. In addition, on the basis of this arrangement of collimators 200, a plurality of light-emitting components 20 may be correspondingly arranged, so that the plurality of light-emitting components 20 may be arranged in a circular shape, for example. Therefore, in this manner, the positions of the plurality of light-emitting components 20 become more concentrated, which reduces the dispersivity of incident light beams, thereby further improving the efficiency of collimation of light beams and improving the lighting effect.
In one embodiment, a plurality of light-emitting components 20 evenly divide the surface of the light incidence portion 2. As an example, a plurality of light-emitting components 20 may each have substantially the same coverage area. Thus, the collimation degree of each light-emitting component 20 may be homogenised to improve the uniformity of light intensity distribution.
It should be noted that although in the above embodiment, the light incidence portion 2 comprises a plurality of collimators, it is comprehensible that the light incidence portion 2 may also comprise only one collimator described above, which is configured to collimate a light beam from a light-emitting component while causing the light beam to enter the light guide 10 in a manner of being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis D of the light guide 10.
After entering the light guide body 1, a substantially collimated light beam from the light incidence portion 2 is propagated forwards along the main extension direction of the light guide body 1, so a portion of the light beam will reach the end face of the light guide body 1 opposite to the light incidence portion 2. In some embodiments, if a light beam is desired to exit from at least a portion of the side surface of the light guide body 1, an additional decoupling means is required. As an example, as shown in to , the light guide body 1 further comprises a light-guiding portion 3, which is a part of the side surface of the light guide body 1, wherein the light-guiding portion 3 receives a light beam from the light incidence portion 2 and reflects the light beam from the light incidence portion 2 horizontally in the main extension direction of the light guide body 1, so that the light beam exits from at least a portion of the side surface of the light guide body 1. As shown in , the light-guiding portion 3 is inclined towards the emergent surface of the light guide body 1, so that the light guide body 1 has a gradually decreasing size in a direction transverse to the main extension direction (longitudinal axis D), thereby effectively reflecting a collimated light beam from the light incidence portion 2. Preferably, the light-guiding portion 3 comprises a plurality of total reflection facets, including, but not limited to, a serrated surface as shown in , which are configured to totally reflect light beams from the light incident portion 2 towards the emergent surface of the light guide body 1, thereby further improving the optical efficiency.
As an example, the light incidence portion 2 may be integrally moulded with or, by fusion or another means, connected to the light guide body 1. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.
As an example, the light guide 10 may be made of transparent glass, resin or a plastic material, for example, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) or polycarbonate.
As an example, the light guide 10 may be supported or suspended by any known suitable device for holding an optical element, for example, a support, a suspended arm, etc.
The light guide 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as an example, may be used in any lighting and/or signal indication device. The lighting and/or signal indication device may comprise any type of motor vehicle illuminating lamps and/or signal lamps, for example, headlamps, centre high-mounted stop lamps, turn signal lamps, parking lamps, rear stop lamps, etc. The light guide 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may also be used in fields other than motor vehicle lamps, for example street lamps, advertising lamps, etc.
Although the present invention has been explained in conjunction with the drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to provide a demonstrative illustration of preferred embodiments of the present invention, and must not be interpreted as a limitation of the present invention.
Although some embodiments of the general concept of the present invention have been shown and described, those ordinarily skilled in the art will understand that changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principle and motivation of the general concept of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (13)

  1. Light guide (10), characterized in that the light guide (10) comprises:
    a light guide body (1) with a main extension direction (D), and
    a light incidence portion (2) located at one end of the light guide body (1), the light incidence portion (2) being configured to receive at least one incident light beam from at least one light-emitting component (20) and guide the at least one incident light beam into the light guide body (1),
    wherein the surface of the light incidence portion (2) is provided with at least one collimator (200), the at least one collimator (200) is arranged to respectively collimate the at least one incident light beam, the optical axis direction (L) of the collimator (200) forms a certain angle with the optical axis direction (O) of the light-emitting component, and the optical axis direction (L) of the collimator is substantially parallel to the main extension direction (D) of the light guide body.
  2. Light guide (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the collimator (200) comprises a curved surface protruding towards the light-emitting component (20), the focal point of the curved surface substantially coinciding with the position of the light-emitting component (20).
  3. Light guide (10) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the light incidence portion (2) comprises a plurality of collimators (200), the plurality of collimators (200) being arranged to respectively collimate a plurality of incident light beams from a plurality of light-emitting components (20).
  4. Light guide (10) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the surface of the light incidence portion (2) is formed by combining the plurality of collimators (200).
  5. Light guide (10) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the plurality of collimators (200) are arranged around the centre of the surface of the light incidence portion (2).
  6. Light guide (10) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the plurality of collimators (200) evenly divide the surface of the light incidence portion (2).
  7. Light guide (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the light guide body (1) has a gradually decreasing size in a direction transverse to the main extension direction (D), so that a collimated light beam from the light incidence portion (2) exits from a side surface of the light guide body (1) in a direction transverse to the main extension direction (D).
  8. Light guide (10) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the side surface of the light guide body (1) comprises a plurality of total reflection facets, which are configured to totally reflect light beams from the light incidence portion (2) towards an emergent surface of the light guide body (1).
  9. Light guide (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the maximum absolute value of the angle between the optical axis direction (L) of the collimator (200) and the optical axis direction (O) of the light-emitting component (20) is related to a luminescence angle of the light-emitting component (20).
  10. Light guide (10) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the luminescence angle of the light-emitting component (20) is 120°, and the maximum absolute value of the angle between the optical axis direction (L) of the collimator (200) and the optical axis direction (O) of the light-emitting component (20) is 60°.
  11. Optical irradiation assembly (100), characterized in that it comprises:
    a light guide (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, and
    at least one light-emitting component (20), the at least one light-emitting component (20) being configured to emit at least one incident light beam towards the light incidence portion (2).
  12. Optical irradiation assembly (100) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the light-emitting components (20) and the collimators (200) are arranged such that they correspond one to one.
  13. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an optical irradiation assembly (100) according to Claim 11 or 12.
PCT/EP2023/067318 2022-06-24 2023-06-26 Light guide, optical irradiation assembly, and motor vehicle WO2023247799A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202221615603.9U CN218237316U (en) 2022-06-24 2022-06-24 Light guide device, optical illumination assembly and motor vehicle
CN202221615603.9 2022-06-24

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Citations (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102012110231A1 (en) * 2012-10-26 2014-04-30 Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. Light coupling device for optical fiber used with e.g. vehicle signal lamp, has fresnel lens plates through which light parallelized by light guide elements is entered and collected into light entrance surface of optical fiber
US20170122528A1 (en) * 2014-06-27 2017-05-04 Panasonic Intellectual Property Managment Co., Ltd Illumination apparatus and illumination method
CN109611789A (en) * 2018-11-14 2019-04-12 长春汽富维海拉车灯有限公司 A kind of long light guide penetration type signal lamp device of automobile based on LED light source
EP3499113A1 (en) * 2017-12-14 2019-06-19 Valeo North America, Inc. Light guide device for automotive lighting
CN210601430U (en) * 2019-07-19 2020-05-22 浙江天翀车灯集团有限公司 Light distribution structure of LED light source car lamp
US20200240610A1 (en) * 2017-10-18 2020-07-30 Carl Zeiss Jena Gmbh Illumination device for vehicles

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102012110231A1 (en) * 2012-10-26 2014-04-30 Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. Light coupling device for optical fiber used with e.g. vehicle signal lamp, has fresnel lens plates through which light parallelized by light guide elements is entered and collected into light entrance surface of optical fiber
US20170122528A1 (en) * 2014-06-27 2017-05-04 Panasonic Intellectual Property Managment Co., Ltd Illumination apparatus and illumination method
US20200240610A1 (en) * 2017-10-18 2020-07-30 Carl Zeiss Jena Gmbh Illumination device for vehicles
EP3499113A1 (en) * 2017-12-14 2019-06-19 Valeo North America, Inc. Light guide device for automotive lighting
CN109611789A (en) * 2018-11-14 2019-04-12 长春汽富维海拉车灯有限公司 A kind of long light guide penetration type signal lamp device of automobile based on LED light source
CN210601430U (en) * 2019-07-19 2020-05-22 浙江天翀车灯集团有限公司 Light distribution structure of LED light source car lamp

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