Lighting device for motor vehicle
By adjusting the brightness of segmented light-emitting units and control units, the problem of brightness jumps and gradient changes in motor vehicle lighting devices is solved, achieving improvements in aesthetics and recognizability while meeting legal requirements.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202480064708.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-01-09
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-08
AI Technical Summary
In existing motor vehicle lighting systems, the abrupt and gradient changes in brightness of taillights and brake lights reduce aesthetics and recognizability, and fail to meet the legal requirements for light function distribution.
It adopts segmented light-emitting units, and the brightness of each segment can be independently adjusted by the control unit to achieve a smooth transition from brake lights to taillights, ensuring that the brake lights terminate in front of the center of the vehicle, thus meeting legal requirements.
It achieves an aesthetically pleasing and highly recognizable light distribution, avoids abrupt changes in brightness, and complies with legal regulations.
Smart Images
Figure CN122003343A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle to produce light functions including taillights and / or brake lights. Background Technology
[0002] This lighting device includes a light-emitting unit for generating light. Typically, the light-emitting unit is divided into multiple segments, and the light-emitting unit is configured to independently adjust the brightness of each of the multiple segments to a predetermined value to generate a specific light function.
[0003] The ideal is for all the light functions of the lighting system (such as taillights, brake lights, and turn signals) to illuminate the center of the vehicle. "Center of the vehicle" can be understood as the center of the vehicle along its longitudinal direction. However, under current regulations, such a lighting system cannot be implemented because brake lights must terminate 300mm from the vehicle's center along its lateral direction.
[0004] If the taillights and brake lights are implemented using the same area of the light-emitting unit, the high contrast will result in abrupt changes and gradients in brightness. This is undesirable for design reasons and will also reduce visibility during braking. To avoid these undesirable effects, it is known to implement common taillights and brake lights in the lighting device using geometrically identical functions, i.e., the same area. Alternatively, it is known to construct the brake lights with a smaller area and to allow for a sudden transition from bright to dark. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide a lighting device for motor vehicles that is improved in both technology and function to produce light functions including taillights and / or brake lights.
[0006] This task is solved by a lighting device according to the features of claim 1. Advantageous designs are derived from the dependent claims.
[0007] A lighting device for a motor vehicle is proposed to produce light functions including taillights and / or brake lights. In particular, the lighting device is a taillight of the motor vehicle.
[0008] The lighting device includes a light-emitting unit and a control unit.
[0009] The light-emitting unit is used to generate light, and the light-emitting unit is divided into multiple segments extending along a main direction. The light-emitting unit is configured to independently adjust the brightness of each of the multiple segments to a predetermined value to generate a specific light function. The brightness adjustment can be achieved, for example, by manipulating a number of light sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs)) or the luminous flux emitted by at least one light source.
[0010] The control unit is used to independently adjust the brightness of the plurality of segments. The control unit is configured to adjust a first high brightness in the first segment of the plurality of segments to meet the requirements of the brake lights when the light function to be generated includes activating the brake lights, and to adjust a second low brightness in the second segment of the plurality of segments to meet the requirements of the taillights or correspond to the deactivated taillights, and to adjust a brightness in the third segment arranged along the main direction between the first and second segments and adjacent to them, in particular without interruption, to decrease from the first brightness of the first segment to the second brightness of the second segment according to a predetermined variation function.
[0011] Therefore, the present invention provides a lighting device in which the taillight occupies a larger area than the brake light. The lighting device is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also achieves well-perceptible brake light functionality by bringing the brightness of the brake light closer to that of the taillight along the main direction of the lighting device. This prevents sudden changes in brightness.
[0012] This allows the human eye to perceive a smooth transition from extremely high brightness (the bright red of the brake lights) to lower brightness (the relatively dim red of the taillights). In particular, it allows the lighting device to be positioned towards the center of the vehicle. This also complies with legal regulations: brake lights must not extend to the center of the vehicle, but must terminate 300mm before reaching the center.
[0013] In a suitable design, the multiple segments are specified to extend sequentially along a main direction. Specifically, the main direction extends along the vehicle's transverse axis, thereby enabling the lighting device, as described above, that extends from the outer edge of the wheel to the center. Alternatively, the main direction may also extend along the vehicle's vertical axis. Other main directions are also conceivable.
[0014] According to another suitable design, the area of the first segment corresponds at least to the brake lamp area required by law. The legally required brake lamp area may vary from country to country. This ensures that, under any circumstances, the brake lamp function illuminates an area corresponding to the legally required area.
[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable that the predetermined change function decreases linearly from the first brightness to the second brightness along the main direction. Alternatively, it can be specified that the predetermined change function decreases non-linearly from the first brightness to the second brightness along the main direction. In principle, the predetermined change function can be arbitrarily designed, as long as it ensures that the change function decreases from the first brightness in the first segment to the second brightness in the second segment. For example, the predetermined change function can be composed of multiple combinations of linear brightness change curves.
[0016] Another suitable design scheme specifies that the brightness is adjusted by at least one of the following methods: pulse width modulation; current modulation; the number of controlled light sources; the type of controlled light sources; scattering optics; lenses; software banding (i.e., identifying the so-called banding (grading / precision) of LEDs through software so that the desired chromaticity coordinates can be achieved accordingly when controlling the LEDs).
[0017] According to another suitable design, the second segment is never operated as a brake light by the control unit at any time. This allows the second segment to be guided to the center of the vehicle, thereby enabling light functions (such as taillights or daytime running lights) to illuminate the center.
[0018] Another suitable design specifies that the first segment is divided into a first sub-segment and a second sub-segment, wherein the first sub-segment is arranged in the vehicle body and the second sub-segment is arranged in the hood or trunk of the motor vehicle. The first sub-segment may, for example, have an area corresponding to the legally prescribed brake light area. The legally prescribed brake light area can also be formed by the first and second sub-segments. With this design, it is possible to implement, in particular, the brake lights (but also the taillights and turn signals), for example, in a part of the vehicle body and a part of the trunk. Attached Figure Description
[0019] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are as follows:
[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a lighting device according to the present invention is shown, the lighting device having a plurality of segments arranged sequentially along a main direction;
[0021] Figure 2 A graph is shown, which illustrates the brightness variation curves of the lighting device in different segments when the taillights are off and the brake lights are on.
[0022] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of each section of the lighting device, showing the brightness when the taillights are off and when the brake lights are on;
[0023] Figure 4 A diagram is shown illustrating the effect of taillights and brake lights being activated according to... Figure 1 Brightness variation curves in each segment of the lighting device;
[0024] Figure 5 Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of each segment of the lighting device, showing the brightness when the taillights are activated and when the brake lights are activated;
[0025] Figure 6A schematic diagram of another lighting device according to the invention is shown, wherein the segment for generating a brake light function is divided into first and second sub-segments; and
[0026] Figure 7 A partial rear view of a motor vehicle equipped with lighting is shown, wherein the aforementioned segment of the lighting device is shown as an example. Detailed Implementation
[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a lighting device 1 according to the present invention is shown. The lighting device 1 is a taillight of a motor vehicle (not shown in detail). The lighting device 1 includes a light-emitting unit 10 for generating light, which includes a taillight and / or a brake light. The light-emitting unit 10 includes, for example, three segments 11, 12, and 13 extending sequentially along a main direction Y. For example, the main direction Y corresponds to the vehicle's lateral axis direction FQR. The main direction may also correspond to the vehicle's vertical axis direction FHR.
[0028] Each segment 11, 12, 13 of the light-emitting unit is equipped with at least one light source (not shown). The at least one light source may be configured, for example, as a light-emitting diode (LED). The light sources of segments 11, 12, 13 may be of the same type or different types. Each segment 11, 12, 13 may be equipped with the same number of light sources or different numbers of light sources. Manipulating the light sources to emit light is done in a manner known to those skilled in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail here.
[0029] Furthermore, each segment 11, 12, 13 may include a scattering optics and / or a lens to enable emission in a desired direction and intensity. Since this is not essential for understanding the invention, it will not be discussed in detail below.
[0030] Generally, the light-emitting unit 10 is configured to independently adjust the brightness to a predetermined value in each of the plurality of segments 11, 12, 13. This predetermined value depends on the type of light function to be generated. As described, the light function includes taillights and / or brake lights. Other light functions, such as reversing lights, turn signals, or daytime running lights, may also be generated, but these are not important to this invention.
[0031] The independent adjustment of the brightness of the plurality of segments 11, 12, and 13 is performed by a control unit (not shown). The control unit is configured to adjust a first high-brightness LUM1 in the first segment of the plurality of segments to meet the requirements of the brake lights when the light function to be generated includes activating the brake lights. The control unit is also configured to adjust a second low-brightness LUM2 in the second segment 12 of the plurality of segments to meet the requirements of the taillights or to correspond to the deactivated taillights. Finally, the control unit is configured to adjust the brightness of the third segment 13, which is arranged along the main direction Y between the first and second segments 11 and adjacent to them, in particular without interruption, to decrease from the first brightness LUM1 of the first segment 11 to the second brightness LUM2 of the second segment 12 according to a predetermined variation function.
[0032] In the view shown, the first segment 11 of the light-emitting unit 10 is adjacent, for example, to the left side body member of the vehicle viewed from the rear, while the second segment 12 faces the center of the vehicle. The first segment 11 has a length L11 along the vehicle's lateral axis direction FQR, or along the main direction Y, which, combined with its height, corresponds to the legally required brake light area.
[0033] The total length L10 of the light-emitting unit 10 can, for example, correspond to half the width of the motor vehicle. In this case, the second segment 12 and the third segment 13 will provide light functionality extending to the center of the vehicle. Needless to say, the total length L10 can also be less than half the width of the motor vehicle.
[0034] By manipulating the light source of the light-emitting unit 10 as described, the brightness of the brake light in the first segment 11 approaches the brightness of the second segment 12 along the main direction Y, the brightness of which corresponds to the brightness of the taillight or is 0. In other words, in the third segment 13, the brightness decreases from the first brightness LUM1 to the second brightness LUM2. This avoids sudden brightness jumps. Therefore, the human eye perceives a smooth transition.
[0035] The brightness reduction in the third segment 13 can be achieved through pulse width modulation, current modulation, changing the number of manipulated light sources in the third segment 13, selectively manipulating the type of light sources in the third segment 13, or activating scattering optics and / or lenses. It can also be achieved through so-called software banding.
[0036] Figure 2 A graph is shown, which illustrates the brightness variation curves in each segment 11 to 13 of the lighting device 1 when the taillights are off (dotted line) and when the brake lights are activated while the taillights are off (solid line).
[0037] When the taillights are off, the control unit generates a second brightness LUM2 in each segment 11, 12, and 13, meaning this second brightness is 0. Figure 3 In the middle section, this scenario is shown as "taillights off". If the brake light function is activated while the taillights are off, then as follows: Figure 2 As shown, a first luminance LUM1 is generated in the first segment 11. In the third segment 13, the luminance linearly decreases from the first luminance LUM1 to a second luminance LUM2 (0). Figure 3 In the second half, this scenario is shown as "brake lights without taillights".
[0038] It can be clearly seen that the first segment 11 has a dark gray shading, which corresponds to the first high-brightness LUM1. The gray shading begins at the end of the third segment 13 adjacent to the first segment 11 and descends towards the second segment 12 in a bright (white) direction. This achieves the desired smooth transition from the very bright red of the brake light to the deactivated taillight.
[0039] Figure 4 A graph is shown, which illustrates the brightness variation curves in each segment 11 to 13 of the lighting device 1 when the taillights are activated (dotted line) and when the brake lights are activated while the taillights are activated (solid line).
[0040] When the taillights are activated, a second brightness LUM2 greater than 0 is generated in each segment 11, 12, and 13 via the control unit. Figure 5 In the upper part, this scenario is shown as "taillights on," with segments 11, 12, and 13 featuring a light gray shading. This light gray shading represents the second low-brightness LUM2 (brightness greater than 0). If the brake light function is activated when the taillights are active, then... Figure 5 As shown, a luminance LUM1 is generated in the first segment 11. In the third segment 13, the luminance again linearly decreases from the first luminance LUM1 to the second luminance LUM2, only exemplarily. Figure 5 In the lower half, this scene is shown as "brake light with taillights". Again, it can be seen that the first segment 11 has a dark gray shading, corresponding to the first high-brightness LUM1. The gray shading begins at the end of the third segment 13 adjacent to the first segment 11 and descends towards the second segment 12 in a direction corresponding to the light gray shading of the second brightness LUM2. This also achieves the desired smooth transition from the very bright red of the brake light to the dark red of the activated taillights.
[0041] Figure 6 Another design variation of the lighting device 1 according to the invention is shown, wherein the first segment 11 of the light-emitting unit 10 is divided into a first sub-segment 11-1 and a second sub-segment 11-2. For example, the first sub-segment 11-1 is arranged in the vehicle body and the second sub-segment 11-2 is arranged in the hood or trunk (e.g., trunk) of the motor vehicle. This division can be, for example, derived from... Figure 7 As shown in the partial rear view of the motor vehicle, different segments 11-1, 11-2, 12, and 13 of the light-emitting unit 10 are marked.
[0042] List of reference numerals
[0043] 1 lighting device
[0044] 10 light-emitting units
[0045] 11 First Segment
[0046] 11-1 First Sub-segment
[0047] 11-2 Second Sub-segment
[0048] 12 Second Segment
[0049] 13 Third Segment
[0050] The first outer end of the 10A lighting device
[0051] The second inner end of the 10l lighting device
[0052] Length of L11, first segment 11
[0053] The total length of the L10 light-emitting unit
[0054] LUM1 First Brightness
[0055] LUM2 Second Brightness
Claims
1. A lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle to produce light functions including taillights and / or brake lights, said lighting device comprising: - A light-emitting unit (10) for generating light function, the light-emitting unit (10) being divided into a plurality of segments (11, 12, 13) extending along the main direction (Y), the light-emitting unit (10) being configured to independently adjust the brightness of each of the plurality of segments (11, 12, 13) to a predetermined value to generate a specific light function; - A control unit for independently adjusting the brightness of the plurality of segments (11, 12, 13), the control unit being configured to adjust a first high brightness (LUM1) in the first segment (11) of the plurality of segments (11, 12, 13) to meet the requirements of the brake lights when the light function to be generated includes activating the brake lights, and to adjust a second low brightness (LUM2) in the second segment (12) of the plurality of segments (11, 12, 13) to meet the requirements of the taillights or to correspond to the deactivated taillights, and to adjust the brightness of the third segment (13) arranged along the main direction (Y) between the first segment (11) and the second segment (12) to decrease from the first brightness (LUM1) of the first segment (11) to the second brightness (LUM2) of the second segment (12) according to a predetermined variation function.
2. The lighting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The multiple segments (11, 12, 13) extend sequentially along the main direction (Y).
3. The lighting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The main direction (Y) extends along the vehicle's transverse axis or along the vehicle's vertical axis.
4. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The lighting device is the taillight of a motor vehicle.
5. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The area of the first segment (11) corresponds at least to the area of the brake lamp required by law.
6. The lighting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The predetermined change function decreases linearly along the main direction (Y) from the first brightness (LUM1) to the second brightness (LUM2).
7. The lighting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The predetermined change function decreases non-linearly from the first brightness (LUM1) to the second brightness (LUM2) along the main direction (Y).
8. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The brightness is adjusted by at least one of the following methods: -Pulse width modulation; - Current modulation; - Software file segmentation; - The number of manipulated light sources; - The type of light source being controlled; - Scattering optics; -lens.
9. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second segment (12) is not controlled by the control unit as a brake light at any time.
10. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first segment (11) is divided into a first sub-segment and a second sub-segment, the first sub-segment (11-1) being arranged in the vehicle body and the second sub-segment (11-2) being arranged in the hood or rear cover of the motor vehicle.