CN222503590U - Optical module, lighting device and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides an optical module, a lamp device and a motor vehicle. The optical module includes a substrate (120), a plurality of light source modules (130) mounted on a surface of the substrate, each light source module being independently controllable to be selectively turned on or off, a grid member (140) disposed on the surface of the substrate, the grid member including a plurality of grids arranged in an array, each grid defining a cavity (141) in which at least one light source module is positioned, and a light shaping element (150) disposed on an light exit side of the plurality of light source modules to shape light exiting the light source modules to have a desired light distribution.

Description

Optical module, lamp device and motor vehicle

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of lighting and/or signaling, and more particularly, to an optical module capable of providing a pixelated lighting effect, and a lamp apparatus and a motor vehicle equipped with such an optical module.

Background

In various fields, various illumination or signaling devices are known for providing illumination or signaling light. For example, lamps are used in motor vehicles to provide lighting or signal indication functions to ensure safe driving, or lamps having lighting, signal indication, atmosphere decoration, etc. are installed in or out of a space such as a cabin, a building, a room, etc.

The pixelated lamp device is used as a lighting or signal indication device, can form imaging lighting effect similar to an image, can form various forms of light, is convenient to set and adjust the shape of the light, is particularly suitable for the lighting and signal indication fields of motor vehicles, and is used for improving the driving safety and visibility. In conventional technology, digital Micromirror Devices (DMDs), DLP, or LCD technologies are quite expensive, although they can provide rich pixelized projection patterns. In addition, in some conventional pixelized lamp modules using LED arrays, there are problems of light crosstalk, poor uniformity, large pixel pitch, low resolution, unsatisfied modeling requirements, and the like.

Disclosure of utility model

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

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an optical module including at least one substrate, a plurality of light source modules mounted on a surface of the substrate, at least some of the plurality of light source modules being independently controllable to be selectively turned on or off, a grid member disposed on the surface of the substrate, the grid member including a plurality of grids arranged in an array, each grid defining a cavity in which at least one of the light source modules is positioned, and a light shaping element disposed on an exit side of the plurality of light source modules to shape light exiting the plurality of light source modules to have a desired light distribution.

In some embodiments, the grid member is flexible or bendable.

In some embodiments, the grid member is in close proximity to the substrate and the light shaping element.

In some embodiments, the optical module is flexible or bendable;

the substrate comprises a flexible circuit board or a bendable circuit board;

The light shaping element is flexible or bendable;

Each of the light source modules includes one or more LEDs.

In some embodiments, the substrate comprises FR4;

the thickness of the substrate is less than 1mm;

The substrate is a unitary piece.

In some embodiments, the grid member (140) includes a spacer wall (142) defining the plurality of grids, the spacer wall (142) extending between the substrate (120) and the light shaping element (150), and

The wall surface (1421) of the partition wall (142) extends perpendicular to or inclined to the surface of the substrate, and the wall surface (1421) of the partition wall is planar or cambered.

In some embodiments, an end of the spacer wall remote from the surface of the substrate has a width dimension (W) in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (Y) of less than or equal to 1mm.

In some embodiments, the wall surface (1421) of the partition wall (142) is provided with a light reflecting layer, or

The partition wall (142) is black.

In some embodiments, the material of the grill member (140) includes at least one of silicone, TPU, TPV, and EPDM.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of each grid in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the grid member includes at least one shape of a circle, a polygon, a heart, a pentagram, a hexagram, and an arrow.

In some embodiments, each grid has an opening away from the substrate (120) defined by a spacer wall (142) of the grid, and

The light shaping element (150) comprises a first optical film (151) or lens (154) positioned on the partition wall and covering at least the openings of the plurality of grids to directly face the light source assembly positioned in the cavity of each of the grids, the first optical film or lens being configured to diffuse and homogenize light exiting the light source assembly and/or to divert light exiting the light source assembly.

In some embodiments, the first optical film (151) has a pattern formed thereon, the pattern being made of an opaque material to form a desired light distribution;

The shape of the grid of the pattern is consistent with the shape of the grid member (140), and the grid of the pattern is arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the grid of the grid member (140), or the overall shape of the multiple grids of the pattern is consistent with the shape of one grid of the grid member (140).

In some embodiments, the spacer walls are obscured by the patterned opaque material when viewed from a side of the first optical film facing away from the spacer walls.

In some embodiments, the light shaping element (150) further comprises a second optical film (152) disposed on a side of the first optical film facing away from the partition wall;

A gap (G) is present between the first optical film and the second optical film, or the first optical film and the second optical film are attached to each other.

In some embodiments, the second optical film is configured to further diffuse and homogenize light from the first optical film, and/or to divert light from the first optical film;

Or the second optical film is configured to press and protect the first optical film, the second optical film having a metallic texture;

Or the second optical film comprises a PDLC film which is transparent when energized and is opaque when de-energized.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first optical film and the second optical film is formed with microstructures formed on the light entrance face, the light exit face, and/or the interior of the optical film;

the microstructures are configured to diffusion shape light passing through the at least one optical film to form a desired pattern in the light distribution exiting the at least one optical film.

In some embodiments, the optical module further comprises:

A light projecting element (160) disposed on a side of the light shaping element (150) facing away from the light source assembly (130), light shaped by the light shaping element being projected by the light projecting element to a target location;

Wherein the light projecting element comprises a lens.

In some embodiments, the grid member (140) has a uniform thickness;

The partition wall (142) of the grid member (140) is bendable and elastically deformable;

The partition wall (142) comprises a first side wall and a second side wall (1422) with upper ends connected with each other, the lower ends of the first side wall and the second side wall are arranged at intervals, a partition groove (1423) is formed between the first side wall and the second side wall, and the partition wall is in a V shape.

In some embodiments, the thickness (H) of the spacing groove (1423) is greater than or equal to 1/2 of the thickness (H) of the spacing wall (142);

A spacing (d) of lower ends of the first and second sidewalls is greater than or equal to 1/4 of a thickness (h) of the spacing groove (1423).

In some embodiments, the grid member (140) includes a plurality of locating protrusions (145) disposed on a lower surface of the grid member proximate to a lower surface edge for insertion into locating holes (121) on the surface of the base (120) to pre-mount the grid member (140) to the base (120).

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, embodiments also provide a lamp device including a housing and an optical module described in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the optical module being at least partially mounted in the housing. In some embodiments, the light device comprises at least one of a lighting lamp, a sign light, and an atmosphere light for a motor vehicle.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, embodiments also provide a motor vehicle comprising an optical module or a light device as described in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

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

Drawings

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

Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a structure of a lamp device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a lamp device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, with a light projecting element and a light shaping element removed;

fig. 3 is an exploded view showing the structure of a lamp device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled state of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of a lamp device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view schematically showing a structure of a part of a lamp device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a pattern that may be projected by a lamp device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 8 illustrates a front view of a lamp device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view A-A of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a section B-B of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 shows a partial enlargement E1 of FIG. 10;

fig. 12 shows a schematic perspective view of the grill member of fig. 6 and 8 from a top view;

FIG. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of the grill member of FIG. 12 from a bottom view;

FIG. 14 shows a top view of the grill member of FIG. 12;

fig. 15 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view A1-A1 of the grill member of fig. 14.

Detailed Description

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

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

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a lamp device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a structure of a lamp device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 1-2, the lamp device 100 includes a housing 110, and the optical module may be at least partially mounted in the housing 110, such as within an accommodation space 111 of the housing 110.

As shown in fig. 1-7, an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure generally includes at least one substrate 120, a light source assembly 130, a grid member 140, a light shaping element 150, and the like. In the present disclosure, the specific form of the substrate 120 and the light source assembly 130 is not limited, and for example, the substrate 120 may be a flexible substrate such as a flexible circuit board or a bendable circuit board, the grill member 140 and the light shaping element 150 may be flexible or bendable, and the entire optical module may be flexible or bendable to accommodate different installation spaces to form various shapes of optical modules. Further, the flexible grill member 140 may have a thinner thickness. In some embodiments, the material of the substrate 120 includes FR4, and the thickness of the FR may be less than 1mm, and the substrate 120 may also be a single piece, and the entire substrate 120 is a single piece, which may be bent at a certain angle, so that various shapes may be formed to meet the requirements of regulations for light emission at various angles. Of course, in some application scenarios without bending, a circuit board with a common thickness, for example, a circuit board with a thickness of 1.6mm, may be used, and at this time, the flexible or bendable grille member 140 may be tightly attached to the substrate 120 and the light shaping element 150, so as to ensure tight fit between the substrate 120 and the light shaping element 150, so that the whole optical module structure is more compact and has better dustproof effect. And each light source assembly 130 may include one or more light emitting diodes, LEDs. A plurality of light source modules 130 are mounted on a surface of the substrate 120, and a grill member 140 is also provided on the surface of the substrate 120 to surround the light source modules 130. The louver member 140 includes a plurality of louvers arranged in a matrix or array, each louver defining a cavity 141, at least one light source assembly 130 being positioned in the cavity 141 of each louver. At least a portion of the plurality of light source modules 130 can be independently controlled, and preferably each light source module 130 can be independently controlled to be selectively turned on (i.e., lit) or off (i.e., extinguished) as desired for a particular pattern display, such that light exiting the on or lit light source module 130 can have a pixelated light distribution or lighting effect after passing through a corresponding grid or after being defined or constrained by the grid members 140.

The light shaping element 150 may be arranged at the light exit side of the light source assembly 130 or at the side of the light source assembly 130 facing away from the substrate 120 to shape the light exiting the light source assembly 130 to have a desired light distribution. In the present disclosure, such "shaping" includes, but is not limited to, diffusion, homogenization, turning, patterning, etc., of light, as described below. Thus, the light exiting the optical module as a whole may have a pixelated, patterned distribution to provide desired illumination or signaling functions.

In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, 3-6, the optical module may further include a light projecting element 160 disposed on a side of the light shaping element 150 facing away from the light source assembly 130, the light shaped by the light shaping element 150 (e.g., a pixelated light beam with or without a pattern) being projected by the light projecting element 160 to a target location. In automotive lamp applications, the light projecting element 160 may act as a lens or a lamp housing, including a lens, a prism, a reflector, a light guide, or a combination thereof. As shown in fig. 1, 3, 5 and 6, the lamp device 100 may include a decorative plate or cover plate 170 having an opening, and the light projecting element 160 is embedded in the opening of the cover plate 170 to cover the light shaping element 150. The cover plate 170 may be fixed to the housing 110 to hold the optical module in the housing 110. For example, the base 120 may be detachably secured with the cover 170 via fasteners 171 (see fig. 5).

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, 3 and 5-7, the grid member 140 includes barrier ribs 142, the barrier ribs 142 intersecting one another to define a plurality of grids, each having an opening defined by the barrier ribs 142 away from the substrate 120, i.e., each being closed at one end by the substrate 120 and open at the opposite end to facilitate exit of light emitted by the light source assembly 120 positioned therein. Illustratively, the wall surfaces 1421 of the spacer walls 142 may extend perpendicular or oblique to the surface of the substrate 120 such that light from the light source modules 130 positioned in the cavities 141 of a grid is directed out along the spatial profile defined by the wall surfaces 1421 of the spacer walls 142 of that grid without interfering or cross-talk with light emitted by the light source modules 130 in an adjacent grid, whereby each grid and the light source modules 130 positioned in that grid collectively define one "pixel" for emitting light such that the optical module as a whole is capable of emitting a pixelated beam.

The cross-section of each grid, such as in a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate 120 or perpendicular to the thickness direction of the grid member (e.g., the Y-direction in the figure), has a desired "pixel" shape, such as a circular shape, or a polygonal shape, such as triangular, rectangular, square, diamond, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc., or may be custom or freely designed, such as the heart, pentagram, hexagram, and arrow shapes in fig. 7, to meet different pixelated pattern requirements. In an exemplary embodiment, the grill member 140, or at least the partition walls 142 therebetween, may be made of a flexible material or deformable material such as silicone rubber, polyurethane elastomer (TPU, thermoplastic Polyurethane), thermoplastic ethylene propylene diene monomer (TPV, thermoplastic Vulcanizate), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM, ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), etc., so as to be bendable, and may be adapted to different mounting positions, particularly in some non-planar or folded mounting positions, and the optical module of the present embodiment may be adapted to make a 3D shape and uniformly emit light, so that the light emission of the optical module is more striking, and the driving safety of the motor vehicle is improved. The grid members, or at least the dividing walls therebetween, are opaque to avoid cross-talk of light from the light source modules 130 within adjacent grids. For example, the grill member 140 may be black, but in other embodiments, the grill member 140 may be white or gray.

Illustratively, the grid member 140 may be suitably configured (e.g., molded) to satisfy at least one of a thickness dimension H of the partition wall 142 in a first direction Y (also referred to as a thickness direction of the grid member) perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 120 of less than or equal to 20mm, even less than or equal to 10mm, and a minimum thickness of 0.5mm, thereby making the entire optical module smaller in thickness and more compact, a width dimension W (i.e., a distance between adjacent grids, which may be regarded as a "pixel pitch") of an end (open end) of the partition wall 142 remote from the surface of the substrate 120 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction Y (e.g., X and Z directions in the drawing) in a range of 3 to 20mm, and a length dimension L (i.e., a length or a width of a grid, which may be regarded as a "pixel pitch") of the end (open end) of the partition wall 142 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction Y (e.g., X and Z directions in the drawing) in a range of 5 to 10 mm. Further, it will be appreciated that the size, shape, number, etc. of the grid members and their grids may be appropriately tailored or adjusted as desired. A pixel pitch of less than or equal to 1mm can obtain a better resolution, more uniform lighting effect than the reference technique.

In addition, a reflective layer, such as a paint layer or an aluminized layer, may be disposed on the wall surface 1421 of the cavity 141 facing the grid of the partition wall 142, and the reflective layer may reflect the light emitted from the light source assembly 130, so that the light is emitted from the opening of the grid more, and the overall light efficiency of the optical module is improved. Of course, in some embodiments, the reflective layer may be omitted, for example, the partition wall 142 may be black, which has a hiding effect, so as to avoid affecting the overall appearance of the optical component.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3-7, the light shaping element 150 includes a first optical film 151, the first optical film 151 overlying the grid member 140. Specifically, the first optical film 151 may be positioned on the partition wall 142, such as contacting the open end of the partition wall 142, and at least cover the openings of the plurality of grids of the grid member 140 to face (e.g., directly) the light source modules 130 positioned in the cavity 141 of each grid. The first optical film 151 may be a light diffusion film or a homogenizing film for diffusing, homogenizing light emitted from the light source assembly 120, or the first optical film 151 may be a light deflection film for deflecting or deflecting light emitted from the light source assembly 120, as necessary. Due to the presence of the first optical film 151, the barrier ribs 142 are blocked by the patterned opaque material when viewed from the side of the first optical film facing away from the barrier ribs 142, and the barrier ribs 142 are not visible regardless of whether the light source assembly 130 is on or off. The light projection element 160 may be disposed at a side of the first optical film 151 facing away from the grid member 140 and cover the first optical film 151 to project the pixelated light beam formed through the grid member 140 and the first optical film 151 outwardly.

In some embodiments, the first optical film 151 may have a pattern thereon, which is made of an opaque material, to form a desired light distribution. The shape of the grid of the pattern is consistent with the shape of the grid member 140, and the grid of the pattern is arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the grid of the grid member 140, and the pattern is opaque. Specifically, the pattern may be formed by black ink, thereby preventing light rays from being cross-linked to each other on the first optical film 151 to form a desired light distribution. In some applications, the pattern may also meet specific styling requirements. The pattern may be formed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the first optical film 151. In some embodiments, the overall shape of the multiple grids of the pattern may also be arranged to conform to the shape of one grid of grid members 140, thereby further subdividing the pixels.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 6, the light shaping element 150 may further comprise a second optical film 152, the second optical film 152 being arranged on a side of the first optical film 151 facing away from the partition wall 142, there being a gap G between the first optical film 151 and the second optical film 152, the presence in the gap G being able to further homogenize the light rays leaving the first optical film 151, reducing or avoiding the presence of a distinct dark space between the light beams exiting the respective grids. In other embodiments, the first and second optical films 151 and 152 may be bonded to each other, such as closely bonded without providing the void G, without such dark regions being noticeable, absent, or affecting the overall light extraction effect, such as where the width dimension of the barrier wall is sufficiently small or the diffusion, homogenization of the second optical film 152 is sufficiently sufficient. The light projection element 160 may be disposed at a side of the second optical film 152 facing away from the first optical film 151 and cover the second optical film 152 to project the pixelated light beam shaped through the grill member 140, the first optical film 151, and the second optical film 152 outwardly. The second optical film 152 may be similar to or different from the first optical film 151 in material, function, etc., for example, the second optical film 152 may be configured to further diffuse and homogenize light from the first optical film, or to divert light from the first optical film. The second optical film 152 may also have a pattern formed thereon as described in the above embodiments.

As an example, at least one of the first and second optical films 151, 152 may be formed with a plurality of microstructures, such as micro-recesses, micro-protrusions, or other light directing structures, constructed or arranged to diffusion shape light passing through the optical film to form a desired pattern symbol in the light distribution exiting the optical film (e.g., as shown in fig. 7). The microstructure may be formed on the upper surface of the first optical film 151, i.e., the light exit surface or the lower surface of the first optical film, i.e., the light entrance surface, or may be formed on the upper surface of the second optical film 152, i.e., the light exit surface or the lower surface of the second optical film, i.e., the light entrance surface, or may be formed inside the first optical film 151 and/or the second optical film 152.

In other embodiments, the second optical film 152 is configured to compress and protect the first optical film 151, so that the first optical film 151 has better mounting quality and better stability, and prevents external contamination from adversely affecting the components inside the optical module. In addition, the second optical film 152 may have a metallic texture, so that the appearance of the whole optical module is more striking, and the driving safety is improved.

In other embodiments, the first optical film 151 may be a light diffusion film or a light deflection film, the second optical film 152 may be a PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal) film, and the first optical film 151 and the second optical film 152 may be closely adhered to each other without providing the gap G. The PDLC film exhibits an opaque state, for example, a frosted state, when it is powered off, so that an internal structure of the optical module cannot be seen from the outside, for example, the grill member 140, the light source assembly 130, and the substrate 120 cannot be seen from the outside, thereby achieving a more attractive external appearance effect and conveniently protecting privacy. The PDLC film is in a transparent state when being electrified, and keeps the permeability of the optical module, thereby ensuring the normal lighting function of the optical module.

As an example, the light shaping element 150, such as the first optical film 151, the second optical film 152, and/or the light diffusion material 153, may be formed of at least one of Polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), epoxy, or the like, or may include a dimming film such as a PDLC film or other material or structure capable of shaping or adjusting light distribution, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Fig. 8 illustrates a front view of a lamp device according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, fig. 9 illustrates A-A cross-sectional view of fig. 8, fig. 10 illustrates B-B cross-sectional view of fig. 8, and fig. 11 illustrates a partial enlarged view E1 of fig. 10.

As shown in fig. 8-11, in some other embodiments, the light shaping element 150 may include a lens 154, and the first optical film 151 is replaced with the lens 154, the lens 154 being positioned directly on the spacer wall 142 and covering at least the openings of the plurality of grids to directly face the light source modules 130 positioned in the cavity 141 of each of the grids. Accordingly, the lens 154 is configured to diffuse and homogenize light exiting the light source assembly 130 and/or to redirect light exiting the light source assembly 130. The lens is generally hard and inflexible, so in some application scenarios requiring a 3D light-emitting surface, a lens with a 3D light-emitting surface may be used, and the grille member 140 is folded into a state that matches the shape of the light-emitting surface of the lens 154, and is pressed against the lens 154, so as to implement 3D modeling of the entire optical module. In addition, other optical structures may be provided on the lens 154 according to optical requirements, so that the lens 154 has various functions similar to optical films, which will not be repeated here. Of course, in some embodiments, the optical film may also be provided on the inner surface of the lens 154 by in-mold injection. The embodiment of the application can be provided with only the optical film and no lens, can be provided with only the lens and no optical film, and can be provided with both the optical film and the lens.

Fig. 12 shows a schematic perspective view of the grill member of fig. 6 and 8 in a top view, fig. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of the grill member of fig. 12 in a bottom view, fig. 14 shows a top view of the grill member of fig. 12, and fig. 15 shows an enlarged partial sectional view A1-A1 of the grill member of fig. 14.

As shown in fig. 12-15, the grill member 140 in some embodiments of the present application is soft, i.e., the spacer walls 142 of the grill member 140 are bendable and elastically deformable. The grill member 140 generally has a uniform thickness when undeformed, but can be deformed to some extent as required by the application to meet styling requirements. In this embodiment, the partition wall 142 may include a first sidewall 1421 and a second sidewall 1422 having upper ends connected to each other, and lower ends of the first sidewall 1421 and the second sidewall 1422 are spaced apart, that is, a partition groove 1423 is formed between the first sidewall 1421 and the second sidewall 1422, and the partition wall 142 is substantially V-shaped. Due to the provision of the spacing groove 1423, the grill member 140 may be elastically deformed toward the spacing groove 1423. Preferably, the thickness H of the spacing groove 1423 may be set to be greater than or equal to 1/2 of the thickness H of the spacing wall 142, and the distance d between the lower ends of the first and second sidewalls 1421 and 1422 may be set to be greater than or equal to 1/4 of the thickness H of the spacing groove 1423. Thereby ensuring a certain range of elastic deformation on the premise of stable structure. In some embodiments, some optical structures may be provided on the sides of the partition wall 142 to guide the light emitted from the light source assembly 130 to an appropriate angle.

The grill member 140 may include a plurality of positioning protrusions 145, and the plurality of positioning protrusions 145 are provided at a lower surface of the grill member 140 near an edge of the lower surface, for example, at edges of four corners and long sides of the lower surface of the grill member 140. Referring again to fig. 9, the positioning protrusions 145 are configured to be inserted into the positioning holes 121 formed on the surface of the base 120, so that the grill member 140 can be pre-mounted to the base 120, thereby facilitating a subsequent mounting process.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a lamp device 100 comprising an optical module as described in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure, capable of providing a pixelated light distribution with or without a pattern or symbol. The light device may be used as a lighting or signalling device, for example as a lighting lamp, signalling light, atmosphere light, etc. of a motor vehicle or other means of transportation, for projecting a desired pattern, for example a personalized pattern or a dynamic effect pattern, such as smiling face, loving heart, flowers, animals/plants, logos, etc., at a target location, such as at a road surface, wall surface, inside of a vehicle or other desired location (e.g. inside or outside of a space such as a building, room), vehicle travel related information, such as road construction, warning/indicator, text symbol, etc., for achieving lighting, signalling, etc. functions. Fig. 7 illustrates some examples of patterns that may be projected by the lamp device, and the patterns corresponding to the respective grids may be the same or different from each other, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1-3 and 5, the housing 110 of the lamp device 100 includes a first portion 112 and a second portion 113, for example, having an L-shaped profile or other shape, the first portion 112 may be open and include a bottom wall 1121 and a side wall 1122 defining a receiving space 111 for receiving an optical module, and a vent or heat sink 1123 may be formed in the bottom wall 1121. The second portion 113 may serve as a base for receiving other components of the lamp device, such as a connector 181, a driver circuit board 182, etc., that are electrically connected to the substrate 120 and/or the light source assembly 130 thereon.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a motor vehicle comprising an optical module or a light device as described in any of the embodiments above.

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

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

Claims (20)

1. An optical module, the optical module comprising:

at least one substrate (120);

a plurality of light source modules (130) mounted on a surface of the substrate, at least some of the plurality of light source modules being independently controllable to be selectively turned on or off;

A grid member (140) disposed on the surface of the substrate, the grid member comprising a plurality of grids arranged in an array, each grid defining a cavity (141) in which at least one of the light source modules is positioned, and

A light shaping element (150) arranged at the light exit side of the plurality of light source modules to shape light exiting the plurality of light source modules to have a desired light distribution;

wherein the grid member is flexible or bendable.

2. The optical module of claim 1, wherein the grid member is in close proximity to the substrate and the light shaping element.

3. The optical module of claim 1, wherein the optical module is flexible or bendable;

the substrate comprises a flexible circuit board or a bendable circuit board;

The light shaping element is flexible or bendable;

Each of the light source modules includes one or more LEDs.

4. The optical module of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises FR4;

the thickness of the substrate is less than 1mm;

The substrate is a unitary piece.

5. The optical module of claim 1, wherein,

The grid member (140) comprises a spacer wall (142) defining the plurality of grids, the spacer wall (142) being arranged to extend between the substrate (120) and the light shaping element (150), and

The wall surface (1421) of the partition wall (142) extends perpendicular to or inclined to the surface of the substrate, and the wall surface (1421) of the partition wall is planar or cambered.

6. An optical module according to claim 5, wherein the width dimension (W) of the end of the spacer wall remote from the surface of the substrate in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (Y) is less than or equal to 1mm.

7. The optical module according to claim 5, wherein the wall surface (1421) of the partition wall (142) is provided with a light reflecting layer, or

The partition wall (142) is black.

8. The optical module according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein,

The cross-sectional shape of each grid in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the grid member includes at least one shape of a circle, a polygon, a heart, a pentagram, a hexagram, and an arrow.

9. The optical module according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein,

Each grid having an opening away from the substrate (120) defined by a spacer wall (142) of the grid, an

The light shaping element (150) comprises a first optical film (151) or lens (154) positioned on the partition wall and covering at least the openings of the plurality of grids to directly face the light source assembly positioned in the cavity of each of the grids, the first optical film or lens being configured to diffuse and homogenize light exiting the light source assembly and/or to divert light exiting the light source assembly.

10. The optical module of claim 9, wherein the first optical film (151) has a pattern formed thereon, the pattern being made of an opaque material to form a desired light distribution;

The shape of the grid of the pattern is consistent with the shape of the grid member (140), and the grid of the pattern is arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the grid of the grid member (140), or the overall shape of the multiple grids of the pattern is consistent with the shape of one grid of the grid member (140).

11. The optical module of claim 10, wherein,

The spacer walls are obscured by the patterned opaque material when viewed from the side of the first optical film facing away from the spacer walls.

12. The optical module of claim 9, wherein,

The light shaping element (150) further comprises a second optical film (152) arranged on a side of the first optical film facing away from the partition wall;

A gap (G) is present between the first optical film and the second optical film, or the first optical film and the second optical film are attached to each other.

13. The optical module of claim 12, wherein,

The second optical film is configured to further diffuse and homogenize light from the first optical film and/or to redirect light from the first optical film;

Or the second optical film is configured to press and protect the first optical film, the second optical film having a metallic texture;

Or the second optical film comprises a PDLC film which is transparent when energized and is opaque when de-energized.

14. The optical module of claim 12, wherein,

At least one of the first optical film and the second optical film is formed with a microstructure formed on the light incident surface, the light emergent surface and/or the inside of the optical film;

the microstructures are configured to diffusion shape light passing through the at least one optical film to form a desired pattern in the light distribution exiting the at least one optical film.

15. The optical module of any one of claims 1-7, further comprising:

A light projecting element (160) disposed on a side of the light shaping element (150) facing away from the light source assembly (130), light shaped by the light shaping element being projected by the light projecting element to a target location;

Wherein the light projecting element comprises a lens.

16. The optical module according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the grating member (140) has a uniform thickness;

The partition wall (142) of the grid member (140) is bendable and elastically deformable;

The partition wall (142) comprises a first side wall and a second side wall (1422) with upper ends connected with each other, the lower ends of the first side wall and the second side wall are arranged at intervals, a partition groove (1423) is formed between the first side wall and the second side wall, and the partition wall is in a V shape.

17. The optical module of claim 16, wherein a thickness (H) of the spacer groove (1423) is greater than or equal to 1/2 of a thickness (H) of the spacer wall (142);

A spacing (d) of lower ends of the first and second sidewalls is greater than or equal to 1/4 of a thickness (h) of the spacing groove (1423).

18. The optical module according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the grid member (140) comprises a plurality of positioning protrusions (145) provided at a lower surface of the grid member near a lower surface edge for insertion into positioning holes (121) on the surface of the substrate (120) to pre-mount the grid member (140) to the substrate (120).

19. A lamp device (100), characterized by comprising:

housing (110)

The optical module of any one of claims 1-18 mounted at least partially in the housing.

20. A motor vehicle comprising an optical module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, or a lamp device as claimed in claim 19.