Headlights and headlight system

Abstract

headlights (1) • a housing (2) with a light-emitting surface (3), • wherein light generated by the headlight (1) exits the housing (2) at the light-emitting surface (3), • wherein the housing (2) has a receiving surface (4) to which an attachment (5) covering at least part of the light emission surface (3) can be placed, • wherein the housing (2) has electrical contacts (6) on the receiving surface (4) which are designed to output an electrical voltage for controlling the attachment (5), characterized in that the headlight (1) has • at least one sensor (7a, 7b) for detecting a magnetic field of the attachment (5) in order to determine the presence of the attachment (5), • a control unit (8) which is designed to detect the presence of the attachment (5) by means of the sensor (7a, 7b) and, when the presence of the attachment (5) is detected, to apply the electrical voltage to control the attachment (5) to the contacts (6) and, when the presence of the attachment (5) is not detected, to not apply an electrical voltage to the contacts (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a headlight that is particularly advantageously designed to accommodate a headlight attachment, for example, a filter frame. The invention also relates to a headlight system comprising a headlight and a headlight attachment that can be mounted on the headlight.

[0002] Headlight attachments in the form of filter frames are known from the prior art. These can be attached to the headlight housing, for example, using a magnetic mounting device. In this way, desired lighting effects can be achieved.

[0003] Furthermore, electrically controllable filter elements are known, for example, based on tintable glazing. The tint of such a filter can be changed by means of an electrical voltage to generate different lighting effects. To apply the electrical voltage, the filter element has electrical contacts that make electrical contact with the corresponding electrical contacts of a headlight when the filter element is mounted on the headlight. Such a system is described, for example, in DE 20 2024 104 851 U1.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a headlight which, with simple and cost-effective manufacture and assembly, can easily and reliably apply electrical voltage to a headlight attachment in order to control it.

[0005] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims contain preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0006] The headlight according to the invention has a housing with a light-emitting surface. Light generated by the headlight exits the housing at this light-emitting surface. In particular, a light source is arranged in the housing, and the light-emitting surface is preferably transparent. Preferably, an optical system consisting of optically active elements is provided in the housing, wherein the light from the light source passes through the optical system before exiting the light-emitting surface. The light-emitting surface can, for example, have a transparent cover or be a surface of one of the optically active elements, e.g., a lens.

[0007] The housing also features a mounting surface. An attachment can be fitted to this surface, with the attachment at least partially covering the light-emitting surface. This allows the emitted light to be manipulated. The attachment could be, for example, a filter. In particular, the attachment could be a diffuser. The housing has electrical contacts on the mounting surface, designed to output an electrical voltage. This output voltage controls the attachment. In this way, the spotlight can control the attached attachment, for example, to change its tint. Control is achieved primarily through the voltage level, but can be implemented using any type of electrical signal.

[0008] The headlight also features at least one sensor and a control unit. The sensor detects the magnetic field of the attachment to determine its presence. The control unit uses the sensor to detect the attachment's presence and, if it does, applies the necessary voltage to the contacts to control the attachment. Conversely, the control unit does not apply any voltage to the contacts if the attachment's presence is not detected.

[0009] The housing's electrical contacts are therefore de-energized when no attachment is detected. The absence of an attachment is considered equivalent to an attachment being placed against the housing, but not being controllable by the electrical voltage applied to the contacts. In this case, the attachment is designed not to generate a magnetic field detectable by at least one sensor, so the control unit does not apply any electrical voltage to the contacts.

[0010] Avoiding the application of an electrical voltage to the contacts in the event that no attachment is fitted to the housing allows, on the one hand, lower energy consumption of the headlight and, on the other hand, improved touch safety for a user.

[0011] The receiving surface at least partially surrounds the light-emitting surface. The at least one sensor is arranged on the receiving surface. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the receiving surface is designed to hold the attachment to the housing. Thus, the light emitted from the light-emitting surface is not disturbed by the sensor. The receiving surface serves in particular as a support for the attachment.

[0012] The headlight advantageously features a first sensor and a second sensor. Both the first and second sensors serve to detect the magnetic field of the attachment. The first and second sensors are positioned at different locations on the receiving surface. The control unit is designed to apply electrical voltage to the contacts only when the presence of the attachment has been detected by both the first and second sensors. Due to the two sensors, correct alignment of the attachment with the headlight is necessary to apply voltage to the electrical contacts.

[0013] A particularly advantageous feature is that the electrical contacts are positioned centrally between the first and second sensors. This allows for the easy and efficient detection of incorrectly attached components, ensuring that no electrical voltage can be applied to the contacts.

[0014] At least one sensor is preferably a Hall sensor. The Hall sensor serves to accurately and reliably detect the magnetic field. Thus, the Hall sensor can reliably detect whether an attachment is present or not, i.e., whether an attachment is mounted on the headlight or not.

[0015] The invention also relates to a headlight system. The headlight system comprises a headlight as described above. Furthermore, the headlight system has an attachment for mounting on the receiving surface of the headlight housing. The attachment can be controlled via electrical signals through the electrical contacts of the housing. The electrical signals can, for example, be different electrical voltages.

[0016] The headlight preferably has several first magnets on its mounting surface, and the attachment has several second magnets. Each first magnet interacts with a second magnet to hold the attachment to the headlight. The interacting first and second magnets are preferably oriented in opposite directions and therefore generate an attractive force. The attachment can be held on the housing in a predefined orientation by the first and second magnets. For this purpose, it is provided, for example, that not all first magnets have the same orientation, but rather some have different orientations. The same applies analogously to the second magnets, so that the attachment is only held on the housing if the corresponding first and second magnets are arranged opposite each other.If, however, the attachment is not correctly aligned, this leads to a situation where the first and second magnets are not arranged with opposite polarities, resulting in a suction force.

[0017] Advantageously, the attachment has at least one third magnet. The headlight's sensor is designed to detect the magnetic field of this third magnet. This allows the presence of the attachment to be detected. Two third magnets are particularly advantageous, with two sensors provided as described above. In this case, the third magnets and Hall sensors are configured so that each Hall sensor can detect the magnetic field of one third magnet. Furthermore, the headlight can characterize the attachment based on the third magnets if properties of the third magnets, such as magnetic flux, are characteristic of a particular attachment type.

[0018] The attachment preferably has a translucent area through which light from the headlight's light-emitting surface passes when the attachment is mounted on the headlight. The translucent area is designed to change its tint level by electrical control, in particular by applying an electrical voltage. The attachment can thus be adjusted by the headlight.

[0019] The attachment features, in particular, electrical mating contacts that are electrically connected to the light-transmitting area. These mating contacts and the electrical contacts of the headlight make electrical contact when the attachment is placed against the headlight housing. In this way, the electrical voltage output by the control unit is transmitted to the light-transmitting area. Advantageously, the attachment includes a frame that surrounds the light-transmitting area and houses the second and third magnets as well as the electrical mating contacts.

[0020] Further details, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a headlight system according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic front view of a headlight of the headlight system according to the embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 3 a schematic rear view of an attachment of the headlight system according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a headlight system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The headlight system 10 comprises a headlight 1 and an attachment 5. The attachment 5 is, for example, a filter, and the attachment 5 is detachably connected to the headlight 1. Thus, the attachment 5 can be attached to the headlight 1 as needed and removed again just as easily. A front view of the headlight 1 of the headlight system 10 is shown in Figure 1. Fig. Figure 2 shows a rear view of the attachment 5 of the headlight system 10. Fig. 3 shown.

[0022] The headlight 1 of the headlight system 10 has a housing 2. The housing 2 is provided with a light-emitting surface 3, through which the light generated by the headlight 1 exits the housing 2. The headlight 1 has, in particular, a light source (not shown) and, for example, optics (also not shown) for generating light.

[0023] The housing 2 has a receiving surface 4 to which the attachment 5 can be placed. The attachment 5 covers the light-emitting surface 3 at least partially, and in particular completely. The headlight 1 has several first magnets 9 on the receiving surface 4, the first magnets 9 preferably being arranged inside the housing 2 and thus not visible. The attachment 5 has several second magnets 11, each first magnet 9 being configured to interact with a second magnet 11. The resulting attractive force between each pair of first magnet 9 and its associated second magnet enables the attachment 5 to be held on the headlight 1. Ideally, the first magnets 9 are not all oriented in the same way, and the same applies analogously to the second magnets 11. This allows the attachment 5 to be held on the housing 2 only in a predefined orientation.If the predefined orientation is not maintained, first magnets 9 and second magnets 11 that are not intended to interact will be opposite each other and will therefore exert a repulsive force. Only with the correct, i.e., predefined, orientation of the attachment 5 will all first magnets 9, together with their respective second magnets 11, generate an attractive force to hold the attachment 5.

[0024] Furthermore, the housing 2 has electrical contacts 6 on the receiving surface 4. The electrical contacts 6 are designed to output an electrical voltage for controlling the attachment 5.

[0025] The attachment 5 has a translucent area 13 through which light from the light-emitting surface 3 of the headlight 1 passes when the attachment 5 is placed on the headlight 1. The translucent area 13 is designed to change its tint level by electrical control, in particular by applying an electrical voltage. For this purpose, the attachment 5 has electrical mating contacts 14 that are electrically connected to the translucent area 13. When the attachment 5 is placed against the housing 2 of the headlight 1 and held by the first magnets 9 and second magnets 11, the electrical mating contacts 14 of the attachment 5 make electrical contact with the electrical contacts 6 of the headlight 1. This enables the headlight 1 to control the attachment 5.

[0026] The light-transmitting area 13 of the attachment 5 is in particular surrounded by a frame 15, the frame 15 being able to be placed against the receiving surface 4 of the housing 2. The frame 15 has in particular the electrical mating contacts 14 and the second magnets 11. Likewise, the light-emitting surface 3 is at least partially enclosed by the receiving surface 4.

[0027] The headlight 1 has at least one sensor 7a, 7b for detecting a magnetic field of the attachment 5 in order to determine the presence of the attachment 5. In the illustrated embodiment, a first sensor 7a and a second sensor 7b are provided, each arranged on the receiving surface 4. The electrical contacts 6 are arranged centrally between the first sensor 7a and the second sensor 7b.

[0028] The magnetic field detectable by at least one sensor 7a, 7b is generated by at least one third magnet 12a, 12b of the attachment 5. In the illustrated embodiment, a first third magnet 12a and a second third magnet 12b are arranged in the frame 15. The first third magnet 12a generates a magnetic field that can be detected by the first sensor 7a. The second third magnet 12b generates a magnetic field that can be detected by the second sensor 7b. Because the first sensor 7a and the second sensor 7b are attached at different locations on the receiving surface 4, a misalignment of the attachment 5 can be detected by the fact that at most one of the two sensors 7a, 7b detects a magnetic field. This allows for reliable verification of whether the attachment is in contact with the housing 2 and whether the orientation of the attachment 5 is correct. Sensors 7a and 7b are preferably Hall sensors.These can accurately and reliably detect a magnetic field.

[0029] The headlight 1 also includes a control unit 8. The control unit 8 is configured to detect the presence of the attachment 5 using sensors 7a and 7b. If the presence of the attachment 5 is detected by both the first sensor 7a and the second sensor 7b, the control unit 8 is configured to apply the electrical voltage to the electrical contacts 6 to control the attachment 5. In this case, it can be assumed that the electrical mating contacts 14 of the attachment 5 make contact with the electrical contacts 6 of the housing. Thus, the electrical voltage is required to adjust the light-transmitting area 13, and the risk of faulty contact is avoided. However, if the presence of the attachment 5 is detected by only one of the sensors 7a or 7b, or if the complete presence of the attachment 5 is detected, the control unit 8 is configured not to apply any electrical voltage to the contacts 6.In this case, there is a risk of the electrical contacts 6 becoming misconnected by other objects. Furthermore, the electrical voltage is not required if an attachment 5 is completely absent.

[0030] This allows the electrical voltage to be output at contacts 6 only when it is actually needed to control the attachment 5. If no attachment 5 is present, contacts 6 are inactive. The first sensor 7a and the second sensor 7b reliably detect whether an attachment 5 is mounted on the housing 2.

[0031] In addition to the above written description of the invention, explicit reference is hereby made to the graphic representation of the invention in the figures for its supplementary disclosure. Reference symbol list 1 headlight 2 cases 3 Light emission area 4 Recording area 5 Essay 6 electrical contact 7a first sensor 7b second sensor 8 Control unit 9 first magnet 10 headlight system 11 second magnet 12a first third magnet 12b second third magnet 13 translucent area 14 electrical counter contact 15 frames QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2024 104 851 U1

[0003]

Claims

[1] headlights (1) • a housing (2) with a light-emitting surface (3), • wherein light generated by the headlight (1) exits the housing (2) at the light-emitting surface (3), • wherein the housing (2) has a receiving surface (4) to which an attachment (5) covering at least part of the light emission surface (3) can be placed, • wherein the housing (2) has electrical contacts (6) on the receiving surface (4) which are designed to output an electrical voltage for controlling the attachment (5), characterized by , that the headlight (1) has • at least one sensor (7a, 7b) for detecting a magnetic field of the attachment (5) in order to determine the presence of the attachment (5), • a control unit (8) which is designed to detect the presence of the attachment (5) by means of the sensor (7a, 7b) and, when the presence of the attachment (5) is detected, to apply the electrical voltage to control the attachment (5) to the contacts (6) and, when the presence of the attachment (5) is not detected, to not apply an electrical voltage to the contacts (6). [2] Headlight (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the receiving surface (4) at least partially encloses the light emission surface (3), wherein the at least one sensor (7a, 7b) is arranged on the receiving surface (4). [3] Headlight (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bya first sensor (7a) and a second sensor (7b), each for detecting a magnetic field of the attachment (5), wherein the first sensor (7a) and the second sensor (7b) are attached at different locations on the receiving surface (4) and wherein the control unit (8) is configured to apply the electrical voltage to the contacts (6) only when the presence of the attachment (5) has been detected by both the first sensor (7a) and the second sensor (7b). [4] Headlight (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the electrical contacts (6) are arranged centrally between the first sensor (7a) and the second sensor (7b). [5] Headlight (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one sensor (7a, 7b) is a Hall sensor. [6] Headlight system (10) comprising a headlight (1) according to one of the preceding claims and an attachment (5) for placement on the receiving surface (4) of the housing (2) of the headlight (1), wherein the attachment can be controlled via electrical signals through the electrical contacts (6) of the housing (2). [7] Headlight system (10) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the headlight (1) has several first magnets (9) on the receiving surface (4) and the attachment (5) has several second magnets (11), wherein a first magnet (9) in each case interacts with a second magnet (11) to hold the attachment (5), in particular in a predefined orientation, on the headlight (1). [8] Headlight system (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by, that the attachment (5) has at least one third magnet (12a, 12b), wherein the at least one sensor (7a, 7b) of the headlight (1) is designed to detect the magnetic field of the at least one third magnet (12a, 12b). [9] Headlight system (10) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by , that the attachment (5) has a translucent area (13) through which light from the light-emitting surface (3) of the headlight (1) passes when the attachment (5) is placed on the headlight (1), wherein the translucent area (13) is designed to change its tint level by electrical control, in particular by applying an electrical voltage. [10] Headlight system according to claim 9, characterized by, that the attachment (5) has electrical counter contacts (14) which are electrically connected to the light-transmitting area (13) and which electrically contact the electrical contacts (6) of the headlight (1) when the attachment (5) is placed against the housing (2) of the headlight (1).

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