Lighting device for optimized light distribution

Abstract

A lighting device installed in a vehicle for optimized light distribution includes a substrate having quantum dots which are adapted to emit light, a reflecting layer which may be arranged on the bottom side of the substrate, and a transparent layer which may be arranged on the top side of the substrate.

Claims

1. A lighting device for use in an automotive environment and configured to be installed in a vehicle for optimized light distribution, the lighting device comprising: a substrate comprising quantum dots which are adapted to emit light, essentially uniform in size and shape, and comprise semiconductor nanocrystals having at least one dimension smaller than 100 nanometers; a reflecting layer arranged on a bottom side of the substrate; and a transparent layer arranged on a top side of the substrate, wherein at least one of the reflecting layer and/or the transparent layer has electroconductive properties.

2. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a substantially non-planar shape.

3. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is flexible.

4. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a light source that is adapted to excite the quantum dots of the substrate.

5. The lighting device of claim 4, wherein the substrate is at least one of part of the light source, and arranged in a housing of the light source.

6. The lighting device of claim 4, wherein the light source is part of the substrate comprising the quantum dots.

7. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a power source that is adapted to excite the quantum dots of the substrate.

8. A rear view mirror for a vehicle comprising the lighting device of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, certain examples of the present description are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of system, apparatuses, and methods consistent with the present description and, together with the description, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent with the invention

(2) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic cross sectional view of a lighting device according to a first example where quantum dots included within the substrate are excitable by means of a light source.

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic cross sectional view of a lighting device according to a second example where quantum dots included within the substrate are excitable by means of a power source.

(4) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a view of a lighting device which is installed in a rear view mirror of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) The lighting device 1 according to a first example and illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a substrate 2 which includes quantum dots 3. In FIG. 1 quantum dot 3a are exemplarily and shown to account for all quantum dots 3 in the substrate 2. In the example that is shown in FIG. 1, the substrate 2 is bent to correspond to the surface of the component to which the lighting device 1 will be attached to. However, the substrate 2 may also be planar, i.e. the substrate 2 may be flat so that it would extend substantially in just two dimensions while having a height of only a few micrometers itself. On the bottom side of the substrate 2, a reflective layer 4 is arranged to reflect the light originating from the quantum dots 3 towards the top side of the substrate 2. To the latter side, a transparent layer 5 is attached which allows the light to pass through. However, the two layers 4, 5 are not necessarily required for the proper functioning of the lighting device 1. Also, t the reflecting layer 4 could be arranged on the top side and the transparent layer 5 could be arranged on the bottom side, respectively. This is because the quantum dots 3 which are embedded in the substrate 2 will emit light in all directions once they get excited. In this example, the quantum dots 3 may be excited by means of a light source 6 that is located at a location close to the substrate 2. In another example, the light source 6 may also be located on and/or within the substrate 2 (not shown).

(6) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic cross sectional view of a lighting device 1 according to a second example. Elements of the lighting device 1 correspond to elements of the lighting device 1, hence the same reference number is used, however having one apostrophe. The quantum dots 3 which are included in the substrate 2 may be excitable by means of a power source 7 such as an electric power source. In this example, both the reflecting layer 4 and the transparent layer 5 may include conductive material so that a voltage can be applied across the substrate 2 by connecting the two layers 4, 5 to the power source 7 as shown in FIG. 2. Since both layers 4, 5 are attached to the surface of the substrate 4, the voltage can be applied equally over the entire surface of the substrate 2. A barrier layer of non-conductive material 8 may be used to separate the two layers 4, 5 from each other.

(7) Alternative ways for connecting the power source 7 to the substrate 2 may be used. For example, appropriate electroconductive structures could be embedded in the substrate 2. In the this case, layers 4, 5 would not need to possess any electroconductive properties. Thus, layers 4, 5 would not be required for the functioning of the lighting device 1 at all.

(8) FIG. 3 illustrates a lighting device 1 which is installed in a rear view mirror 9 of a vehicle. Also, lighting device 1 may be installed in the rear view mirror 9. In this example, the lighting device 1, 1 is used as an auxiliary direction indicator which is located in the rear view mirror 9 of the vehicle. As illustrated in the figure, the lighting device 1, 1 has a three dimensional shape that corresponds to the shape of the rear view mirror 9.

(9) The features disclosed in the claims, the specification, and the drawings may be essential for different embodiments of the claimed invention, both separately or in any combination with each other.

(10) It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the invention disclosed herein is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(11) 1, 1 lighting device 2, 2 substrate 3, 3 quantum dots 3a, 3a quantum dot 4, 4 reflecting layer 5, 5 transparent layer 6 light source 7 power source 8 non-conductive material 9 rear view mirror