CN107676732A - Photo-patterning device and illumination and/or signal designation equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

Illumination for motor vehicles and/or signal designation equipment the embodiment provides a kind of photo-patterning device and including the photo-patterning device.The photo-patterning device includes：With light unit, it is described that there is incident end face, outgoing end face and side surface with light unit, the incident end face and outgoing end face are respectively positioned at the both ends for matching somebody with somebody light unit, it is described to be additionally provided with one or more side direction light portions with light unit, the side direction light portion is arranged to guiding and projected from the incident a part of light of incident end face from the side surface with light unit, and another part light incident from incident end face projects from the exit end facing to the light exit side of photo-patterning device；And reflector element, the reflector element are arranged to receive the light from the side surface outgoing with light unit and reflect it towards the light exit side of the photo-patterning device.

Description

Light patterning device and lighting and/or signaling device

technical field

The present invention relates to the fields of light illumination and signal indication, in particular to a light patterning device and lighting and/or signal indication equipment comprising the light patterning device.

Background technique

With the development of technology and the progress of society, people's requirements for optical lighting or signal indicating equipment are no longer limited to the function of providing lighting or signal indicator lights. Therefore, there are more and more demands for personalization of optical lighting or signal indicating devices (such as lights for motor vehicles), and it may be necessary to provide richer beam patterns and lighting effects. For example, it may be desirable for an illumination or signaling light to contain certain information or patterns to meet individual customization requirements. The prior art already provides devices for generating patterns in optical lighting or signaling devices. However, in the existing optical lighting or signal indicating devices, especially in the lights of motor vehicles, there is still a lack of a device capable of patterning the lighting or signal indicating light and simultaneously forming a pattern with a 3-dimensional optical effect.

Contents of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a light patterning device capable of three-dimensionally patterning illumination or signal light with a simple structure.

The object of the present invention is also to provide a lighting and/or signaling device comprising the light patterning device.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an optical patterning device, comprising:

A light distribution unit, the light distribution unit has an incident end surface, an exit end surface and a side surface, the incident end surface and the exit end surface are respectively located at two ends of the light distribution unit, and the light distribution unit is located on the incident end surface and the exit end surface One or more side light guides are also provided at positions between them, and the side light guides are arranged to guide a part of the light incident from the incident end surface to exit from the side surface of the light distribution unit, and another part of the light incident from the incident end surface Emit from the exit end face toward the light exit side of the light patterning device; and

A reflection unit arranged to receive light emitted from a side surface of the light distribution unit and reflect it toward a light exit side of the light patterning device.

In one embodiment, the light distribution unit is a light guide component, the side light guide part is located on the side surface of the light distribution unit and has a light exit surface, and the light exit surface is oriented so that the light incident from the incident end surface The incident angles of at least a part of the light-emitting surface at the light-emitting surface do not satisfy the total reflection condition.

In one embodiment, the light output surface forms an included angle with the side surface of the light distribution unit.

In one embodiment, the side light guide part is formed by protrusions or depressions on the side surface of the light distribution unit.

In an embodiment, the side light guide is in the form of a ring surrounding the light distribution unit.

In an embodiment, the side light guide has a reflective surface, and the reflective surface is arranged to reflect a part of the light incident from the incident end surface toward the side surface of the light distribution unit.

In an embodiment, the reflective surface is oriented such that the angle of incidence of at least a portion of light incident from the incident end face at the reflective surface satisfies a condition for total reflection.

In one embodiment, the side light guide part is formed by a shoulder on the side surface of the light distribution unit.

In an embodiment, the reflective unit has one or more reflective surfaces arranged around the light distribution unit for reflecting light emitted from side surfaces of the light distribution unit.

In an embodiment, the reflective unit includes three or more reflective surfaces in the form of planes or curved surfaces.

In an embodiment, an optical collimation unit is provided on the incident end surface of the light distribution unit.

In an embodiment, the traveling direction of the light reflected by the reflecting unit is parallel to the direction in which the light is emitted from the emitting end face.

In one embodiment, the light incident from the incident end surface is parallel light, divergent light or converging light.

In an embodiment, the side light guide part is arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically around the side surface of the light distribution unit.

In one embodiment, the light distribution unit is one piece.

In an embodiment, a light homogenizing structure is provided on the exit end surface of the light distribution unit.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a lighting and/or signaling device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

The photopatterning device according to any one of the above embodiments; and

One or more light sources for emitting light incident on the incident end surface of the light distribution unit.

In one embodiment, the lighting and/or signaling device for a motor vehicle comprises a light patterning device array, the light patterning device array is composed of a plurality of light patterning devices according to any one of the above embodiments constitute.

In one embodiment, at least two light patterning devices in the light patterning device array share the same light source.

As in the light patterning device described in at least one embodiment of the present invention, by setting a side light guide in the light distribution unit, a part of the incident light is reflected by the reflection unit to form a desired pattern in the outgoing light, And produce a 3-dimensional effect in the generated pattern.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an optical patterning device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of a light patterning device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2a shows a schematic side view of section A in Figure 2;

3 shows a side cross-sectional view of a photopatterning device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3a is a front view of the light distribution unit of the light patterning device shown in Figure 3 viewed from the light exit side;

Figure 3b shows a side cross-sectional view of a photopatterning device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of an optical patterning device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 shows a side cross-sectional view of a photopatterning device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

6a-6c show schematic diagrams of a photopatterning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

7a-7b show variant examples of the reflective unit in the light patterning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

The technical solutions of the present invention will be further specifically described below through the embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the general inventive concept of the present invention, but should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

According to the general concept of the present invention, a light patterning device is provided, including: a light distribution unit, the light distribution unit has an incident end surface, an exit end surface and a side surface, and the incident end surface and the exit end surface are respectively located in the light distribution unit. The light distribution unit is further provided with one or more side light guides at a position between the incident end face and the exit end face, and the side light guides are arranged to guide a part of light incident from the incident end face Emitted from the side surface of the light distribution unit, another part of the light incident from the incident end surface is emitted from the exit end surface toward the light exit side of the light patterning device; and a reflection unit, the reflection unit is arranged to receive light from the light distribution unit The light exiting from the side surface of the light patterning device is reflected toward the light exiting side of the light patterning device.

In addition, in the following detailed description, for convenience of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It may be evident, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.

1-2 schematically illustrate a light patterning device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The light patterning device 100 includes a light distribution unit 10 and a reflection unit 20 . The light distribution unit 10 has an incident end surface 11 , an exit end surface 12 and a side surface 13 . The incident end surface 11 and the exit end surface 12 are respectively located at two ends of the light distribution unit 10 , and the light distribution unit 10 is also provided with one or more side light guides 14 . The side light guide 14 may be located between the incident end surface 11 and the output end surface 12 . The side light guide 14 is arranged to guide the first part of light 31 incident from the incident end surface 11 to exit from the side surface 13 of the light distribution unit 10, and the second part of light 32 incident from the incident end surface 11 to go from the exit end surface 12 toward the light The light exit side 40 of the patterning device 100 exits. The reflection unit 20 is arranged to receive the light emitted from the side surface 13 of the light distribution unit 10 and reflect it toward the light exit side 40 of the light patterning device 100 . As an example, when multiple side light guides 14 are provided, the multiple side light guides 14 may be arranged sequentially along the direction from the incident end surface 11 to the exit end surface 12 . Each of the side light guides can guide the first part of light 31 with a specific optical path. Therefore, using two, three, four or more side light guides 14 can make the pattern of the light emitted from the light patterning device 100 richer and the 3D effect better.

With the light patterning device 100 as described above, a beam of light entering from the incident end surface 11 of the light distribution unit 10 can be patterned and emitted from the light exit side 40 of the light patterning device 100 . The light patterned by the light patterning device 100 can be seen by an observer when looking towards the light exit side 40 of the light patterning device 100 (ie along the x direction shown in FIG. 2 ). It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the first part of light 31 incident on the incident end face 11 exits the light patterning device 100 through the reflection of the reflection unit 20, while the second part of light 32 directly enters the light patterning device 100 from the exit end face 12. external. Therefore, the optical paths experienced by the two parts of light are different, and the first part of light 31 passes through a longer optical path before exiting the light patterning device 100 . Thus, the contrast of the first part of light 31 and the second part of light 32 will give a perception of depth to the viewer, thereby creating a 3-dimensional effect in the pattern.

In this way, a simple structure can be used to realize the 3D pattern effect. For example, only a point light source (such as a light-emitting diode light source) needs to be placed in front of the incident end face 11 of the light distribution unit 10, and the entire reflection area of the reflection unit 20 can be illuminated. Get a 3-dimensional pattern effect that covers a large field of view.

As an example, there may be one or more side light guides 14 . When multiple side light guides 14 are provided, the first partial light 31 can be emitted from multiple positions on the side surface 13 of the light distribution unit 10 , and the light emitted from different positions can also have different optical paths. This can further enrich the 3D pattern effect of the light emitted from the light patterning device 100 . The side light guides 14 can be flexibly arranged according to the needs of pattern formation, so that complex patterns can be realized.

In an example, the light distribution unit 10 may be a light guide component. The term "light guide member" refers to a light guide member that transmits light therein mainly by total reflection. It can have various shapes, such as cylindrical (can be called light guide rod), strip (can be called light guide bar, light bar), plate shape (can be called light guide plate), ring shape (can be called light guide halo) and so on. Since the total reflection method is mainly used for transmission, the optical efficiency of the light guide part is high and the light loss is small.

When the light distribution unit 10 is a light guide component, in most positions, the light entering the light distribution unit 10 from the incident end surface 11 can be totally reflected by the side surface 13 to the inside of the light distribution unit 10 without being emitted from the side surface 13 . The side light guide 14 can be located on the side surface 13 of the light distribution unit 10 and has a light exit surface 15 (see FIG. 2a, FIG. 2a is a non-sectional enlarged view of part A in FIG. Oriented such that at least a portion of the light incident from the incident end face 11 has an angle of incidence at the light exit surface 15 that does not satisfy the total reflection condition. That is to say, the total reflection condition of the light at the light exit surface 15 is destroyed, so that the light can be emitted from the light distribution unit 10 at the position of the light exit surface 15 , and then directed to the reflection unit 20 . Those skilled in the art should understand that the so-called total reflection condition means that the incident angle of light is greater than or equal to the critical angle of total reflection. The critical angle for total reflection is determined by the refractive indices of the media on either side of the reflecting interface. As an example, the light exit surface 15 can deflect light incident thereon from inside the light distribution unit.

By setting the light exit surface 15 that breaks the total reflection condition on the total reflection light guide component, the light exit position can be accurately set and the optical efficiency can be improved.

In an example, the light output surface 15 may form an included angle with the side surface 13 of the light distribution unit 10 , as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 2 a . The included angle is not zero. This inclined light exit surface 15 is beneficial to change the incident angle of light, thus destroying the total reflection condition. The angle formed by the light output surface 15 and the side surface 13 of the light distribution unit 10 can be set according to factors such as the refractive index of the light distribution unit 10, the light incident direction, and the direction of the side surface 13, for example, it can be 20 degrees to 70 degrees. degrees, such as 45 degrees or 90 degrees.

In an example, the side light guide portion 14 may be formed by protrusions or depressions on the side surface 13 of the light distribution unit 10 . Although Fig. 2 and Fig. 2a only show the side light guide part 14 in convex form, it should be understood that the side light guide part 14 in concave form is also possible, as long as the corresponding light exit surface 15 can be provided. As an example, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 2 a , the side light guide part 14 may be in the form of a ring surrounding the light distribution unit 10 . This facilitates a symmetrical pattern.

Fig. 3 shows a light patterning device 100' according to another embodiment of the present invention. The light patterning device 100' includes a light distribution unit 10' and a reflection unit 20'. The light distribution unit 10' has an incident end surface 11', an exit end surface 12' and a side surface 13'. The incident end surface 11' and the exit end surface 12' are respectively located at two ends of the light distribution unit 10', and the light distribution unit 10' is also provided with one or more side light guides 14'. The side light guide 14' is arranged to guide the first part of light 31 incident from the incident end surface 11' to exit from the side surface 13' of the light distribution unit 10', and the second part of light 32 incident from the incident end surface 11' to exit from the side surface 13' of the light distribution unit 10'. The emitting end surface 12' emits toward the light emitting side 40' of the light patterning device 100'. The reflection unit 20' is arranged to receive the light emitted from the side surface 13' of the light distribution unit 10' and reflect it toward the light emission side 40' of the light patterning device 100'. Wherein, the side light guide part 14' has a reflective surface 16' arranged to reflect a part of light incident from the incident end surface 11' toward the side surface 13' of the light distribution unit 10'. The light reflected by the side surface 13' will go from the side surface 13' to the reflective unit 20', and will exit the light patterning device 100' after being reflected by the reflective unit 20'.

In an example, the reflective surface 16' is oriented such that at least a part of the light incident from the incident end face 11' has an incident angle at the reflective surface 16' satisfying a total reflection condition. That is to say, the reflective surface 16' can use total reflection to deflect light from the light distribution unit 10' to the reflective unit 20', thereby improving optical efficiency.

As an example, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 3a, the side light guide portion 14' may be formed by a shoulder on the side surface 13' of the light distribution unit 10'. In the example shown in Fig. 3a, the reflective surface 16' can be provided on the entire annular area surrounding the exit end face 12', or only on a part of the annular area. Although only one reflective surface 16' is shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 3a, it should be understood that a plurality of reflective surfaces 16' ( For example, in the form of stepped surfaces, see FIG. 3 b ), to enrich the pattern of the emitted light.

In an example, the reflective unit 20, 20' may have one or more reflective surfaces 21, 21' arranged around the light distribution unit 10, 10' for reflecting light from the light distribution unit 10, 10' The light emerges from the side surfaces 13, 13' of 10'. In the example of FIG. 1 , the reflective unit 20 may include three reflective surfaces 21 in a planar form. The reflective unit 20 has a stable and compact structure. Similarly, in the example of Fig. 3, the reflective unit 20' may also include three planar reflective surfaces 21'. However, this is not necessary. For example, the reflection units 20, 20' may also include a curved reflection surface (such as a paraboloid, an ellipse, a hyperboloid, etc.) as shown in FIG. 4 .

As an example, the arrangement form of the reflective surfaces 21 is not limited to the situation shown in FIG. 1, and the angle between the reflective surfaces 21 can be arbitrary, for example, the angle can be any angle between 15 degrees and 150 degrees, Such as 60 degrees, 90 degrees, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 7a, the three reflective surfaces 21 converge at one point, and the angles formed between them are all 90 degrees. In the example of FIG. 1, however, the three reflective surfaces form an acute angle. As an example, the intersection lines of two of the three reflective surfaces 21 may meet (as shown in FIG. 7a ), or may not meet (eg, parallel), as shown in FIG. 7b . In the example of FIG. 7 b , the included angle between any two of the three reflective surfaces 21 is 60 degrees. The above-mentioned angles are exemplary and not intended to limit the present invention.

The reflective surface 21 can not only be in the form of a plane, but in an example, can also be in the form of a curved surface, such as a paraboloid, a hyperboloid, an ellipse, and the like. As an example, the reflective unit 20 may also include a planar reflective surface and a curved reflective surface at the same time. The number of reflective surfaces 21 in the reflective unit 20 can be one, two, three, four, five or more. For example, although the example in Figure 7b only shows a closed structure surrounded by three reflective surfaces 21 (a cross section is a triangle), it can also be extended to a closed structure surrounded by four reflective surfaces 21 (a rectangular cross section). A closed structure (a pentagonal cross-section) surrounded by two reflective surfaces 21 and the like. Likewise, the structures shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7 a can also be extended to a structure formed by more reflective surfaces 21 .

In an example, the incident end surfaces 11, 11' of the light distribution units 10, 10' may be provided with an optical collimation unit 17. As shown in FIG. 5 , when the light is incident on the incident end surface 11 , it can be collimated by the optical collimation unit 17 , so as to further improve optical efficiency and reduce glare and other undesirable phenomena. Similarly, an optical collimation unit 17 can be provided on both the incident end faces 11, 11' in the examples in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 .

As an example, the traveling direction of the light reflected by the reflecting unit 20, 20' is parallel to the direction in which the light is emitted from the emitting end surface 12, 12'. That is to say, the emitting direction of the light reflected by the reflecting unit 20, 20' is substantially the same as that of the light emitting from the emitting end surface 12, 12'. This helps to provide a clearer pattern to observers on the light exit side 40, 40' of the light patterning device 100, 100'.

As an example, the light incident from the incident end faces 11, 11' may be parallel light, divergent light or converging light. In addition, in the case of setting the optical collimation unit 17, the light incident from the incident end faces 11, 11' is also adjusted by the optical collimation unit 17 before entering the light distribution unit 10, 10'. This adjustment may change the light beam For example, it is possible to change divergent light into parallel light or parallel light into convergent light and so on.

As an example, the side light guides 14, 14' are arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically around the side surfaces 13, 13' of the light distribution unit 10, 10'. For example, the side light guides 14, 14' can be arranged on different peripheral sides of the light distribution unit 10, 10' so as to be offset from each other.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the light distribution unit 10, 10' may have a cross-section of any shape, such as a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a rectangle, a hexagon and so on.

As an example, the light distribution units 10, 10' can be integrated, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and helping to improve optical efficiency. For example, the light distribution unit 10, 10' can be made of glass, resin or plastic material, such as PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate).

In an example, the exit end surfaces 12, 12' of the light distribution units 10, 10' may be provided with a light homogenizing structure. The light homogenizing structure can make the intensity of light emitted from the exit end surface 12, 12' more uniform, and it includes, for example, scattering structures such as scattering protrusions, stripes, or corrugations.

An embodiment of the present invention also provides a lighting and/or signaling device for a motor vehicle, which may include: the light patterning device 100, 100' as described in any of the above embodiments and one or more A light source 50, the light source 50 is used to emit light incident on the incident end surfaces 11, 11' of the light distribution unit 10, 10'. FIG. 5 shows a light source 50 and a device 51 carrying the light source 50 (such as a printed circuit board, etc.).

In the embodiment of the present invention, the light distribution units 10, 10' and the reflection units 20, 20' may be connected to each other by any connection means known in the art such as adhesion, clamping, screw connection, or may not be connected to each other. , as long as both positions are maintained.

In an example, the lighting and/or signaling device for a motor vehicle may further include a light patterning device array 200, as shown in Figs. 6a-6c. The photo-patterning device array 200 may be composed of a plurality of photo-patterning devices 100, 100' as described in any one of the above-mentioned embodiments. Figures 6a to 6c show three arrangements of the light patterning devices 100, 100' in the light patterning device array 200. In both Figures 6a and 6b there are three photopatterning devices, while in Figure 6c there are four photopatterning devices. These arrangements are conducive to the formation of customer-customized patterns. However, the arrangement form of the photo-patterning devices 100, 100' in the photo-patterning device array 200 is not limited thereto, and the photo-patterning devices 100, 100' can be combined and arranged arbitrarily according to actual needs.

In an example, at least two light patterning devices 100, 100' in the light patterning device array 200 may share the same light source 50. This can reduce power consumption. In addition, the light source 50 can be directly arranged near the incident end faces 11, 11' of the light patterning device 100, 100', or it can be arranged at a position far away from the incident end faces 11, 11' so that the light source 50 can be transferred from the light source to The emitted light is transmitted to the incident end faces 11, 11'. The light-conducting device can be, for example, any form of known light-conducting device in the art, such as a light-guiding component, a prism, and the like.

A lighting and/or signaling device for a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may include any type of motor vehicle lighting and/or signaling light, such as headlights, center high mounted stop lights, turn signals, position lights, rear Brake lights and more.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

While certain embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present general inventive concept. The scope is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (19)

1. a kind of photo-patterning device, including：

It is described that there is incident end face, outgoing end face and side surface, the incident end face and outgoing end face with light unit with light unit Also set positioned at the both ends for matching somebody with somebody light unit, the position with light unit between the incident end face and outgoing end face respectively Be equipped with one or more side direction light portions, the side direction light portion be arranged to guiding from the incident a part of light of incident end face from Side surface with light unit is projected, and another part light incident from incident end face is from the exit end facing to photo-patterning device Light exit side project；With

Reflector element, the reflector element are arranged to receive the light that is emitted from the side surface with light unit and by it towards institute State the light exit side reflection of photo-patterning device.

2. photo-patterning device according to claim 1, wherein the luminous intensity distribution unit is light guide member, the side direction light Portion is on the side surface with light unit and has light output surface, and the light output surface is oriented such that from incident end face Incidence angle of at least a portion of incident light at the light output surface is unsatisfactory for total reflection condition.

3. photo-patterning device according to claim 2, wherein the light output surface and the side surface with light unit Formed with angle.

4. photo-patterning device according to claim 2, wherein, the side direction light portion is by the side table with light unit Raised or sunken formation on face.

5. photo-patterning device according to claim 4, wherein, the side direction light portion is in light unit around described Ring form.

6. photo-patterning device according to claim 1, wherein, the side direction light portion has reflecting surface, described anti- Reflective surface is arranged to reflect from the incident a part of light of incident end face towards the side surface with light unit.

7. photo-patterning device according to claim 6, wherein, the reflecting surface is oriented such that from incident end face Incidence angle of at least a portion of incident light at the reflecting surface meets total reflection condition.

8. photo-patterning device according to claim 6, wherein, the side direction light portion is by the side table with light unit Shoulders on face is formed.

9. the photo-patterning device according to any one of claim 1-8, wherein, the reflector element has around described One or more reflectings surface with light unit arrangement, for reflecting the light from the side surface outgoing with light unit.

10. photo-patterning device according to claim 9, wherein, the reflector element includes three or more planes Or the reflecting surface of curved form.

11. the photo-patterning device according to any one of claim 1-8, wherein, the incident end face with light unit Provided with optical alignment unit.

12. the photo-patterning device according to any one of claim 1-8, wherein, the light reflected by the reflector element Direct of travel and light it is parallel from the direction that the outgoing end face is projected.

13. the photo-patterning device according to any one of claim 1-8, wherein, the light incident from incident end face is flat Row light, diverging light or converging light.

14. the photo-patterning device according to any one of claim 1-8, wherein, the side direction light portion is around described Side surface with light unit is symmetrically or asymmetrically set.

15. the photo-patterning device according to any one of claim 1-8, wherein, it is described to be integrated part with light unit.

16. the photo-patterning device according to any one of claim 1-8, wherein, the outgoing end face with light unit It is provided with light uniformization structure.

17. a kind of illumination and/or signal designation equipment for motor vehicles, including：

Photo-patterning device according to any one of claim 1-16；And

One or more light sources, the light source are used to send the light incided on the incident end face with light unit.

18. the illumination and/or signal designation equipment according to claim 17 for motor vehicles, including light pattern makeup Array is put, the photo-patterning apparatus array is as multiple photo-patterning device structures according to any one of claim 1-16 Into.

19. the illumination and/or signal designation equipment according to claim 18 for motor vehicles, wherein, the light figure At least two photo-patterning devices in case apparatus array share same light source.