Motor vehicle comprising an environmental lighting device

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising an environmental lighting device for emitting light onto a ground surface, the environmental lighting device comprising light emitting modules, which are each designed to generate a light distribution on the ground surface. The light emitting modules comprise an imager, which is designed to generate a light radiation from light of a light emitting device, the light radiation containing two-dimensional image information about a figurative symbol and about a light pattern and / or a uniform plane with substantially constant brightness. The light emitting modules comprise an optical device (6), onto which the light radiation of the imager is incident. The optical device is configured to divide the light radiation of the imager such that a first and a second partial radiation are formed, which are disjoint from one another. The optical device is further configured to produce, from the first partial radiation, a first illumination area comprising the figurative symbol and, from the second partial radiation, a second illumination area comprising the light pattern and / or the uniform plane. The optical device comprises a prism (7), a first and a second projection optical system (8, 9).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle having an ambient lighting device for emitting light onto the ground in the surrounding environment of the motor vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] As is known from existing technology, ambient lighting devices can be used to generate different light distributions on the ground in the environment surrounding a motor vehicle.

[0003] Document DE102015220911A1 describes a motor vehicle with an ambient lighting device comprising an array of projection optics systems, which, when necessary, combine with symbolic symbols on the ground in the environment surrounding the motor vehicle to produce light patterns or uniform light distribution.

[0004] In known ambient lighting fixtures, the requirements for generating symbolic symbols differ from those for generating light patterns or uniform light distribution. When generating symbolic symbols, readability is important, while when generating light patterns or uniform light distribution, planar illumination of the corresponding bottom area is important. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide a motor vehicle with an ambient lighting device that generates symbolic symbols and light patterns or uniform surfaces on the ground in the environment surrounding the motor vehicle in a decoupled manner.

[0006] The task is accomplished by a motor vehicle and includes an ambient lighting device on the ground for emitting light into the environment surrounding the motor vehicle. This ambient lighting device includes one or more light-emitting modules, each designed to generate a light distribution on the ground.

[0007] The corresponding light-emitting module includes an imager designed to generate light radiation from the light of the light-emitting device, the light radiation containing two-dimensional image information about the symbol on the one hand and the light pattern and / or a uniform surface with substantially constant brightness on the other hand.

[0008] The corresponding light-emitting module includes an optical device onto which the light radiation from the imager is incident;

[0009] The optical device is configured to divide the light radiation of the imager, such that a first part of radiation and a second part of radiation that do not intersect each other are formed.

[0010] The optical device is further configured to generate a first illumination area including symbolic symbols from a light distribution radiated from a first portion on the ground, and to generate a second illumination area including light patterns and / or uniform surfaces from a light distribution radiated from a second portion on the ground.

[0011] The optical device includes a prism, wherein the portion of the light radiation from the imager that does not pass through the prism forms the first portion of radiation, and the portion of the light radiation from the imager that is deflected by the prism forms the second portion of radiation.

[0012] The optical device includes a first projection optical system for first partial radiation to generate a first illumination area by means of projection onto the ground. The first projection optical system is designed such that the symbol is clearly and / or correctly imaged onto the ground; and

[0013] The optical device includes a second projection optical system for second partial radiation to generate a second illumination area by means of projection onto the ground.

[0014] The motor vehicle according to the invention includes an ambient lighting device on the ground for emitting light into the surrounding environment of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the ambient lighting device includes one or more light-emitting modules, each designed to generate a light distribution on the ground.

[0015] The corresponding light-emitting module further includes an imager designed to generate light radiation from the light emitted by the light-emitting device, which is a component of the corresponding light-emitting module. This light radiation contains two-dimensional image information regarding both the symbol and the light pattern and / or a uniform surface with substantially constant brightness. The symbol can be understood as a representation with semantic meaning to the observer. In particular, the symbol includes one or more graphic and / or textual elements, such as signs and / or wording. The corresponding light-emitting module also includes an optical device onto which the light radiation from the imager is incident. The optical device is configured to divide the light radiation from the imager such that a first and a second portion of radiation are formed that do not intersect each other, i.e., they do not overlap. If necessary, the light radiation can also be divided into other portions of radiation.

[0016] The optical device of the corresponding light-emitting module is also configured to generate a first illumination area including symbolic symbols from the light distribution radiated on the ground by the first portion, and a second illumination area including light patterns and / or uniform surfaces from the light distribution radiated on the ground by the second portion. In a variant, the first and second illumination areas do not intersect, that is, they do not overlap.

[0017] The motor vehicle according to the invention is characterized in that, by means of an optical device, the light radiation of the imager is divided such that a portion of the light radiation is used only to generate symbolic representations and another portion is used only to generate light patterns or uniform surfaces. Therefore, the optical device is able to separately process the light radiation generated by the imager depending on whether a symbolic representation or a light pattern or uniform surface is shown. Thus, different requirements can be considered in a simple manner when generating symbolic representations, light patterns, or uniform surfaces.

[0018] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the area of ​​the first illumination area is larger than the area of ​​the second illumination area. This takes into account the fact that light patterns or uniform light distributions are mostly displayed on large surfaces, while symbolic symbols are only presented in small areas.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment, the centroid of the first illumination region is closer to the light emission opening of the corresponding light-emitting module on the outer side of the vehicle than the centroid of the second illumination region. The light from the light-emitting module exits the vehicle on the outer side via the light emission opening. This variation of the invention takes into account that the closer the symbol is to the light-emitting module, the simpler it is to generate a well-readable symbol.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment, the first illumination area has a higher average brightness than the second illumination area. Here, the term "average brightness" refers to the average value of the brightness across the surface of the respective illumination area.

[0021] According to the design scheme, the imagers in the various light-emitting modules of the motor vehicle according to the present invention can be designed differently. Preferably, it is a digital imager designed to generate light radiation based on digital image data. In this way, different light distributions can be flexibly generated using the imager. However, the imager can also be an analog imager (e.g., a slide) with fixed image information if necessary.

[0022] In a preferred variant of the embodiment described above, the digital imager is designed such that digital image data for the first illumination region and digital image data for the second illumination region can be read from the storage medium independently of each other, thereby enabling the generation of the first and second illumination regions independently of each other. This embodiment can be combined, in particular, with variants described further below, in which the first and / or second illumination regions are animated. For example, different resolutions and frame rates can be used for the two illumination regions to save storage space. For instance, the animation for the symbols in the first illumination region can be relatively short but for this purpose is high resolution, while the animation in the second illumination region is longer but has a lower frame rate and lower resolution.

[0023] In another particularly preferred embodiment, the digital imager includes an imaging surface. The digital imager preferably includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and / or an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and / or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) and / or a DMD (Digital Mirror Device). All of these digital imagers are known to those skilled in the art and therefore will not be described in further detail. The DMD imager includes a DMD device in the form of an array of multiple micromirrors, which are moved by actuators to deflect light radiation in different directions, thereby generating image information.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment, the digital imager is a scanning imager configured to generate light radiation with a moving beam. Such an imager includes a scanner that generates the moving beam. In a variant, the scanner directs the beam directly onto the optics of the corresponding light-emitting module without establishing an imaging surface. However, it is also possible that the scanner first projects the beam onto the imaging surface, where the light radiation reaches the optics from the imaging surface.

[0025] According to the variant, the light-emitting devices of each light-emitting module can be designed differently. Preferably, the light-emitting device includes an LED light source composed of one or more LEDs and / or a laser light source composed of one or more laser diodes.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the optical device for dividing optical radiation includes a beam deflector, wherein the beam deflector preferably comprises one or more mirrors and / or one or more prisms. Such a beam deflector enables the division of optical radiation into non-overlapping portions in a simple manner.

[0027] In another preferred design, the optical device includes a first projection optical system for the first portion of the radiation to generate a first illuminated area by means of projection onto the ground. Preferably, the first projection optical system is designed such that the symbol is clearly and / or correctly (or evenly) imaged onto the ground. To produce a corrected image, the projection optical system may, for example, implement trapezoidal correction known per se.

[0028] In another preferred design, the optical device includes a second projection optics system for the second partial radiation to generate a second illumination area by means of projection onto the ground. Therefore, the second projection optics system is matched to the generation of a light pattern or uniform light distribution. If the optical device also includes a first projection optics system, then the second projection optics system is a projection optics system different from the first projection optics system. For example, the second projection optics system can cause a suitable expansion of the second partial radiation for illuminating a large surface area.

[0029] In another preferred embodiment, the corresponding light-emitting module is designed such that the animation displays a first illumination area and / or a second illumination area, that is, the corresponding symbol or light pattern and / or uniform surface changes dynamically during display.

[0030] In another preferred design, in the motor vehicle according to the invention, at least one light-emitting module is mounted on a lateral side of the vehicle extending between the front and rear of the vehicle, so as to generate a light distribution alongside the lateral side during operation. For example, the light-emitting module is mounted within the sill of the driver's or passenger's door, and if necessary, also within the sill of the rear door. In this way, a responsive light scene can be generated, for example, when the driver approaches the driver's door using an ambient lighting device. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible that at least one light-emitting module is mounted on the front of the vehicle to generate a light distribution in front of the vehicle during operation, and / or at least one light-emitting module is mounted on the rear of the vehicle to generate a light distribution behind the vehicle during operation. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] In the attached diagram:

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic top view of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, the motor vehicle utilizing a light-emitting module to generate a light distribution; and

[0034] Figure 2 Showing installation Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the light-emitting module in a motor vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The following uses Figure 1This invention describes an embodiment of a motor vehicle, indicated by reference numeral 1. The motor vehicle includes an ambient lighting device with a light-emitting module 2, mounted approximately at the height of a side mirror within the sill of the driver's door. Light generated by the light-emitting module 2 exits from the sill through a light-emitting opening 3 and is incident on the ground to the left of the motor vehicle. There, the light produces a light distribution LV consisting of a first illumination area B1 and a second illumination area B2.

[0036] Another light-emitting module has the same structure as light-emitting module 2. This other light-emitting module is also mounted inside the sill on the passenger side of the vehicle 1, approximately at the height of the passenger-side rearview mirror, and produces the same light distribution on the right side of the vehicle as on the left side. However, for clarity, only light-emitting module 2 on the left side of the vehicle is shown.

[0037] The light-emitting module 2 is characterized by generating two distinct illumination zones on the ground. Here, the symbol SY is clearly displayed in illumination zone B1. As mentioned above, a symbol is a representation that has meaning to the observer, such as a sign or lettering. Conversely, a light pattern LM, for example in the form of a striped pattern, is displayed in illumination zone B2, which extends longitudinally rearward along the vehicle and connects to illumination zone B1. Alternatively or additionally, illumination zone B2 may contain a uniformly illuminated surface HF. The two illumination zones B1 and B2 are generated based on projection.

[0038] To generate the two illumination areas B1 and B2, the light radiation is divided into two partial radiations in the light-emitting module 2, and these two partial radiations are projected onto the ground by different projection optical systems. This will be explained below. Figure 2 Further detailed description. One projection optics system ensures that the symbol SY in the illumination area B1 is clearly and preferably also correctly displayed, while the other projection optics system ensures that a large area of ​​luminous pattern or a uniform light distribution with constant brightness is displayed in the illumination area B2.

[0039] To simplify the clear display of the symbol, illumination area B1 is positioned closer to the light emission opening 3 of the light-emitting module 2 than illumination area B2. Unlike illumination area B1, illumination area B2 does not require the symbol to be clearly displayed. Instead, a planar light distribution must be generated in illumination area B2. Therefore, illumination area B2 occupies a much larger area than illumination area B1. Furthermore, the average brightness of illumination area B2 on the corresponding surface of the illumination area is lower than the average brightness of illumination area B1.

[0040] Figure 2 Show Figure 1A schematic diagram of the light-emitting module 2 is shown. The light-emitting module includes a digital imager, which includes a light source 4 and an imaging surface 5. Light L generated by the light source is incident on the imaging surface 5. In the embodiment described herein, the imager is a DMD imager, wherein the imaging surface is a DMD device composed of multiple tiltable micromirrors. By using actuators to correspondingly manipulate the micromirrors, an image with a brightness distribution can be generated on the micromirror array by the light from the light source 4. For this purpose, the DMD device 5 receives digital image data BD, which is provided by a microprocessor 10, which reads digital information IN from a memory 11.

[0041] The information IN describes one or more images to be generated on the DMD device and is provided by the microprocessor 10 as image data BD, the format of which can be processed by the DMD device 5. The DMD device generates light radiation LS based on the image data BD, which corresponds to the corresponding images, including symbols, light patterns, and / or uniform surfaces. In a variant of the invention, image data from the changing images is supplied to the DMD device 5 in the form of a video stream, such that the image content of the illuminated areas B1 and B2 changes over time and displays animated images.

[0042] Instead of a DMD imager, any other imager can be used according to the present invention. The only crucial element is that the imager generates two-dimensional image information through symbols or through light patterns and / or uniform surfaces. For example, the imager can also be an LCD display or an OLED display. Similarly, the imager can be a scanning imager, in which corresponding image information is generated through the scanning motion of a light beam.

[0043] In a scanning imager, the DMD device or imaging surface 5 can be replaced by a corresponding scanning mirror that deflects the beam of light source 4 (e.g., a laser beam) and whose scanning motion describes two-dimensional image information. Similarly, it is possible that the beam deflected by the scanning mirror is aligned with a surface on which the corresponding image content is generated through the scanning motion of the beam. For example, this surface could be a conversion layer that converts a monochromatic beam into white light. The scanning mirror of the scanning imager can, for example, be fabricated as a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System). Preferably, the DMD device is also a MEMS device.

[0044] The light radiation LS generated by the DMD device 5 is incident on the optical device 6 in the light-emitting module 2. This optical device specifically divides the light radiation into a first portion TS1 and a second portion TS2. Figure 1In this embodiment, the division is caused by a prism 7, which appropriately deflects a portion of the light radiation LS, resulting in the two non-intersecting, spatially separated partial radiations TS1 and TS2. Partial radiation TS1 contains image information for symbolic representation, and partial radiation TS2 contains image information for light patterns and / or for uniform surfaces.

[0045] The two separate partial radiations TS1 and TS2 are incident on separate projection optical systems 8 and 9, respectively. These projection optical systems are designed differently and each contains one or more lenses. Using projection optical system 8, the symbol SY is clearly imaged in the first illumination area B1. In contrast, the task of projection optical system 9 is to generate a large-area second illumination area B2 from the partial radiation TS2. This second illumination area contains a light pattern LM or a uniformly illuminated surface HF.

[0046] The previously described embodiments of the present invention have a number of advantages. In particular, they realize an ambient lighting device having one or more light-emitting modules, which generate not only symbolic representations but also large-area illumination areas in the surrounding environment of a motor vehicle. To accommodate the different requirements of representing symbolic representations and large-area illumination areas, the light radiation is divided such that the light responsible for generating symbolic representations is separated from the light used to generate large-area illumination areas.

[0047] The division of light radiation allows the use of two different projection optical systems. Here, the projection optical system used to generate the symbol ensures that the symbol is clearly displayed on the ground. In contrast, the projection optical system responsible for generating a large area of ​​illumination produces a light projection, which is used to achieve uniform illumination or appropriate presentation of the light pattern over a large surface area, without necessarily being clear across its entire surface.

[0048] List of reference numerals

[0049] 1 Motor vehicles

[0050] 2. Light-emitting module

[0051] 3. Light emission opening

[0052] B1 First Lighting Area

[0053] SY symbol

[0054] B2 Second Lighting Area

[0055] LM light pattern

[0056] HF uniform surface

[0057] 4. Light-emitting devices

[0058] 5. Imaging planes

[0059] 6. Optical devices

[0060] 7 prisms

[0061] 8, 9 Projection Optical System

[0062] 10 microprocessors

[0063] 11. Memory

[0064] BD image data

[0065] IN Digital Information

[0066] L light

[0067] LS light radiation

[0068] TS1 and TS2 partial radiation

Claims

1. A motor vehicle, comprising an ambient lighting device on the ground for emitting light into the environment surrounding the motor vehicle (1), wherein, The ambient lighting device includes one or more light-emitting modules (2), each designed to generate a light distribution (LV) on the ground, wherein: The corresponding light-emitting module (2) includes an imager designed to generate light radiation (LS) from the light (L) of the light-emitting device (4), the light radiation containing two-dimensional image information about the symbol (SY) on the one hand and the light pattern (LM) and / or a uniform surface (HF) with substantially constant brightness on the other hand. The corresponding light-emitting module (2) includes an optical device (6) onto which the light radiation (LS) of the imager is incident; The optical device (6) is configured to divide the light radiation (LS) of the imager, such that a first part of radiation (TS1) and a second part of radiation (TS2) that do not intersect each other are formed. The optical device (6) is also configured to generate a first illumination area (B1) including a symbol (SY) in the light distribution (LV) on the ground by the first partial radiation (TS1), and to generate a second illumination area (B2) including a light pattern (LM) and / or a uniform surface (HF) in the light distribution (LV) on the ground by the second partial radiation (TS2). The optical device (6) includes a prism (7), the portion of the light radiation (LS) of the imager that does not pass through the prism (7) forms the first portion of radiation, and the portion of the light radiation (LS) of the imager that is deflected by the prism (7) forms the second portion of radiation. The optical device (6) includes a first projection optical system (8) for a first partial radiation (TS1) to generate a first illumination area (B1) by means of projection onto the ground. The first projection optical system (8) is designed such that the symbol (SY) is clearly and / or correctly imaged onto the ground; and The optical device (6) includes a second projection optical system (9) for second partial radiation (TS2) to generate a second illumination area (B2) by means of projection on the ground.

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The area of ​​the second lighting area (B2) is larger than the area of ​​the first lighting area (B1).

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The centroid of the first illumination area (B1) is closer to the light emission opening (3) of the corresponding light-emitting module (2) on the outside of the vehicle (1) than the centroid of the second illumination area (B2).

4. The motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first illumination area (B1) has a higher average brightness than the second illumination area (B2).

5. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The imager is a digital imager designed to generate light radiation (LS) based on digital image data (BD).

6. The motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that, The digital imager is designed such that digital image data (BD) for the first illumination area (B1) and digital image data (BD) for the second illumination area (B2) can be read from the storage medium (11) independently of each other, thereby enabling the first illumination area (B1) and the second illumination area (B2) to be generated independently of each other.

7. The motor vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The digital imager includes an imaging surface (5).

8. The motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that, The digital imager includes an LCD display and / or an LED display and / or an OLED display and / or a DMD imager.

9. The motor vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The digital imager is a scanning imager configured to generate light radiation (LS) with a moving beam.

10. The motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The light-emitting device (4) includes an LED light source consisting of one or more LEDs and / or a laser light source consisting of one or more laser diodes.

11. The motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The optical device (6) for dividing optical radiation (LS) includes a beam deflection device, wherein the beam deflection device comprises one or more mirrors and / or one or more prisms.

12. The motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The corresponding light-emitting module (2) is designed to enable the animation to display the first lighting area (B1) and / or the second lighting area (B2).

13. The motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one light-emitting module (2) is mounted on the lateral vehicle side, which extends between the front and rear of the vehicle (1) to generate a light distribution (LV) next to the lateral vehicle side during operation; and / or at least one light-emitting module (2) is mounted on the front of the vehicle (1) to generate a light distribution (LV) in front of the vehicle (1) during operation; and / or at least one light-emitting module (2) is mounted on the rear of the vehicle (1) to generate a light distribution (LV) behind the vehicle (1) during operation.

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