Lighting device for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, the lighting device having a matrix structure unit (3), the matrix structure unit comprising a plurality of light-emitting elements (4) arranged in a matrix, the light-emitting elements being individually and independently controllable, characterized in that a line structure unit (1) is provided, the line structure unit having an optical unit and a plurality of light sources for generating a linear signal light function, the matrix structure unit (3) being at least partially part of the line structure unit (1), wherein a sub-region (5) of the matrix structure unit (3) forms a sub-region of the line structure unit (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, the lighting device having a matrix structure unit that includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a matrix, and the plurality of light-emitting elements can be individually and independently controlled respectively. Background Art

[0002] A lighting device for a vehicle having a matrix structure unit is known from DE 10 2012 004 759 A1. The matrix structure unit has a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a matrix. The light-emitting elements can be controlled individually and independently of each other, so that different signal light functions, such as taillights, brake lights, etc., or information-emitting patterns, such as arrows or other symbols, can be generated. The disadvantage of the known lighting device is that it can only generate either a signal light function or an information-emitting pattern.

[0003] A lighting device for a vehicle is known from WO 2017 / 071945 A1. The lighting device has a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a matrix. By arranging a plurality of light-emitting elements per unit area, different signal light functions can be generated by controlling the corresponding light-emitting elements. The known lighting device is used to generate a predetermined signal light function, and the signal light function can have different light-emitting patterns. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to further improve a lighting device for a vehicle such that the variability in providing a light-emitting pattern is increased in a simple manner.

[0005] To achieve the object, the lighting device according to the present invention is characterized in that a line structure unit is provided. The line structure unit has an optical unit and a plurality of light sources for generating a linear signal light function. The matrix structure unit is at least partially a component of the line structure unit, and a sub-region of the matrix structure unit forms a sub-region of the line structure unit.

[0006] According to the present invention, at least two structure units are provided, namely, on the one hand, a line structure unit by means of which a linear signal light function is generated. On the other hand, a matrix structure unit is provided by means of which different information-emitting patterns can be generated. According to the present invention, the sub-region of the matrix structure unit forms the sub-region of the line structure unit, so that there is a direct spatial connection between the line structure unit and the matrix structure unit. Therefore, due to the positional arrangement structure of these two structure units with respect to each other, a functional association between the signal light function and the information function is caused.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light-emitting elements provided in the sub-regions of the matrix structure unit (the light-emitting elements are in the same position as the sub-regions of the line structure unit) are driven in terms of brightness and color such that the brightness and color of the light-emitting elements are consistent with those of the ends of the line structure unit facing the sub-regions of the matrix structure unit. The sub-regions of the matrix structure unit thus form an extension or a bridging portion of the other sub-regions of the line structure unit, and the other sub-regions are provided in the extension of the matrix structure unit. Advantageously, a braking light function can be generated by means of the line structure unit, for example, as a signal light function, while an information text "Stop" or "Congestion" is generated by the matrix structure unit as an information light-emitting pattern, which additionally prompts other traffic participants of the actual signal light function of the line structure unit or a special traffic situation. Thereby, an enhancement of the signal light function for other traffic participants in terms of space and function is advantageously provided.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first sub-region of the matrix structure unit is provided for generating a light function predetermined by the line structure unit. Whenever the line structure unit is turned on, the first sub-region of the matrix structure unit is also turned on. The second sub-region of the matrix structure unit serves as a display surface for generating a predetermined information light-emitting pattern, and the information light-emitting pattern can be turned on and off independently of the light function (signal light function) generated by the line structure unit. Advantageously, it is thus possible to generate a light function and an information light-emitting pattern that are spatially close to each other simultaneously.

[0009] According to a further improvement of the present invention, the first sub-region of the matrix structure unit is configured to be linear, wherein the linear sub-region can extend straight in at least one sub-segment and the respective ends of the line structure unit are respectively connected to the two ends of the linear sub-region. Therefore, the first sub-region of the matrix structure unit fills the gap between the ends of the line structure unit or forms an extension of the line structure unit connected to the free ends of the line structure unit.

[0010] According to a further improvement of the present invention, the first sub-region of the matrix structure unit forms an edge of the matrix structure unit, so that the planar display function for generating the information light-emitting pattern is directly adjacent to the line light function of the line structure unit.

[0011] According to a further improved embodiment of the present invention, the first sub-region of the matrix structure unit is arranged on the sub-region of the line structure unit, wherein the support surface of the first sub-region of the matrix structure unit covers the sub-region of the line structure unit, such that light is generated only from the first sub-region of the matrix structure unit and not from the sub-region of the line structure unit to be replaced. Alternatively, the line structure unit may also have voids or blank spaces, which are filled by the first sub-region of the matrix structure unit. Thereby, the structural depth can be advantageously reduced.

[0012] According to a further improved embodiment of the present invention, the matrix structure unit is configured as an LED display, an OLED display or a liquid crystal display with a backlight unit. The configuration of the matrix structure unit is in principle different from the configuration of the line structure unit, which may, for example, have a light conductor with a light coupling-in section on the end side or on the longitudinal side, or the line structure unit has lens optics, TIR optics or a reflector with a scattering glass arranged upstream, linearly arranged with each other. Advantageously, the matrix structure unit can be driven in such a way that the brightness during the presentation of the information function is higher than the brightness of the line structure unit. Advantageously, by presenting a warning signal, for example, by the matrix structure unit, a more conspicuous presentation can be achieved compared to the presentation realized with a single structure unit, and for a vehicle autonomously driving in the future, there is an additional information surface available for communication with other traffic participants or pedestrians. Description of the Drawings

[0013] The embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with the aid of the drawings. In the figures:

[0014] Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of the light emission pattern generated by the lighting device according to the first embodiment,

[0015] Figure 2 shows a schematic front view of the light emission pattern generated by the lighting device according to the second embodiment,

[0016] Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of the light emission pattern generated by the lighting device according to the third embodiment,

[0017] Figure 4 shows a schematic front view of the light emission pattern generated by the lighting device according to the fourth embodiment,

[0018] Figure 5 shows a schematic front view of the light emission pattern generated by the lighting device according to the fifth embodiment,

[0019] Figure 6 shows a schematic front view of the light emission pattern generated by the lighting device according to the first embodiment, and

[0020] Figure 7 Schematic front view showing the light emission pattern generated by the lighting device according to the seventh embodiment. Detailed Description

[0021] The lighting device for a vehicle according to the present invention can be provided in the front region or the rear region of the vehicle, wherein two light emission patterns are generated, one having a signal light function and the other having an information light function. The line structure unit 1 is for generating a signal light function, such as a tail light, a brake light, etc., and the line structure unit has an optical unit and a plurality of light sources. The line structure unit has, for example, a linear light guide 2 into which the light of the light sources is coupled on one end side. Alternatively, the light coupling can be realized along the longitudinal side of the light guide 2, where a plurality of light sources and reflectors and / or lenses associated with the light sources are provided on the longitudinal side.

[0022] In addition, a matrix structure unit 3 is provided, which has a plurality of light emitting elements 4 arranged in a matrix. The light emitting elements 4 are arranged in rows and columns and are preferably constructed identically. The matrix structure unit 3 can be constructed as, for example, an LED display, an OLED display or a liquid crystal display with a backlight unit. The light emitting elements 4 can be driven individually and independently of one another.

[0023] According to a first embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 the line structure unit 1 is constructed in an L-shape. The matrix structure unit 3 is constructed in a rectangular shape, wherein a first sub-region 5 of the matrix structure unit 3 forms a sub-region of the line structure unit 1. The matrix structure unit 3 is provided in the corner region of the line structure unit 1, wherein the shorter edge section 6 of the matrix structure unit 3 extends in the extension of the first line section 7 of the line structure unit 1, and the second edge section 8 of the matrix structure unit 3 extends in the extension of the second line section 9 of the line structure unit 1. The first edge section 6 and the second edge section 8 of the matrix structure unit 3 form the corner region of the line structure unit 1. The first edge section 6 and the second edge section 8 of the matrix structure unit 3 have the same lateral extension dimension q as the lateral extension dimension q of the first and second line sections 7, 9. The first edge section 6 and the second edge section 8 thus form a gap filled between the end 10 of the first line section 7 and the end 11 of the second line section 9.

[0024] If the line structure unit 1 is actuated by switching on the corresponding light source, the matrix structure unit 3 is actuated simultaneously such that the first edge section 6 and the second edge section 8 of the matrix structure unit 3 emit light, more precisely light having a brightness and color consistent with the brightness and color of the line sections 7, 9 of the line structure unit 1. For this purpose, the corresponding light-emitting elements 4 in the edge sections 6, 8 are brightness-calibrated and / or color-calibrated based on the corresponding color values and / or brightness values of the line structure unit 1.

[0025] The matrix structure unit 3 can be actuated independently of the line structure unit 1. For example, the matrix structure unit 3 can be actuated simultaneously with the line structure unit 1 such that the second part 21 of the matrix structure unit 3 emits an information-emitting pattern 12 in the form of the word "STOP" as an information light function display. This provides additional information about the function of the switched-on line structure unit 1.

[0026] Alternatively, the matrix structure unit 3 can also be actuated independently of the line structure unit 1 for generating information for other road users, for example by means of arrow-shaped information-reading patterns or the like.

[0027] For the purpose of Figure 1 it to be seen that the edge sections 6, 8 of the matrix structure unit 3 extend in the extension of the line sections 7, 9, the edge sections 6, 8 are drawn in grey.

[0028] It can be seen that the first edge section 6 and the second edge section 8 of the matrix structure unit 3 are straight. The first edge section and the second edge section extend in an L-shape between the ends 10 and 11 of the line structure unit 1.

[0029] The matrix structure unit 3 can be arranged in the gap present between the ends 10, 11 of the line structure unit 1. Alternatively, the matrix structure unit 3 can also be arranged three-dimensionally on an invisible sub-region of the line structure unit 1, and the matrix structure unit takes over the function of the sub-region.

[0030] According to another embodiment of the invention according to Figure 2 a line structure unit 14 can be provided having two light conductors 15 extending parallel to each other. As in the embodiment according to Figure 1 the matrix structure unit 3 is arranged in the corner region, wherein the sub-region 5 of the matrix structure unit 3 includes two parallel line sections 16.

[0031] According to another embodiment of the invention according to Figure 3 the matrix structure unit 3 can also be joined to the end 17 of an arcuate line structure unit 18.

[0032] According to Figure 4A linear structural unit 19 may be provided, which has two bifurcated arms 20 . The sub-regions 5 of the matrix structural unit 3 extend in the extension of the arms 20 , wherein the matrix structural unit 3 extends between these sub-regions 5 .

[0033] According to the present invention Figure 5 In another embodiment of the present invention, the matrix structural unit 3 can also extend over the entire width of the line structural unit 19 , wherein the subregion 5 of the matrix structural unit 3 is formed by the edge section 22 and the middle section 23 .

[0034] According to the present invention Figure 6 In another embodiment, the matrix structure unit 3 may not be formed by a single display, but by a plurality of small displays 24, which extend, for example, between two legs 25 of the line structure unit 26. Alternatively, the plurality of small displays may be arranged staggered in depth.

[0035] According to the present invention Figure 7 In another specific embodiment, a subregion of the line structure unit 27 can be completely filled with the matrix structure unit 3 , wherein in this exemplary embodiment the line structure unit 27 has light conductor sections of different widths. The matrix structure unit 3 is arranged in the wide light conductor section 28 .

[0036] According to an embodiment of the invention which is not shown, the line structure unit 1 can have a lens strip or a reflector strip with a light lens.

[0037] It should be noted that identical components or component functions are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0038] Reference numerals list

[0039] 1-line structural unit

[0040] 2 Photoconductor

[0041] 3 Matrix structural unit

[0042] 4 Light-emitting elements

[0043] 5 sub-areas

[0044] 6First edge section

[0045] 7First Line Section

[0046] 8 Second edge segment

[0047] 9Second Line Section

[0048] 10 ends

[0049] 11 end

[0050] 12-word "stop"

[0051] 14-line structural unit

[0052] 15-photoconductor

[0053] 16-line section

[0054] 17-end

[0055] 18-line structural unit

[0056] 19-linear structural unit

[0057] 20-arm

[0058] 21-subregion

[0059] 22-edge section

[0060] 23-middle section

[0061] 24-display

[0062] 25-leg

[0063] 26-line structural unit

[0064] 27-line structural unit

[0065] 28-photoconductor section

[0066] q-lateral extension dimension

Claims

1. A lighting device for a vehicle, the lighting device having a matrix structure unit (3) comprising a plurality of light-emitting elements (4) arranged in a matrix, the light-emitting elements being drivable separately and independently of one another, characterized in that, A line structure unit (1) is provided, the line structure unit having an optical unit and a plurality of light sources for generating a linear signal light function, a matrix structure unit (3) being at least partially a component of the line structure unit (1), wherein a sub-region of the matrix structure unit (3) forms a sub-region of the line structure unit (1), and an information light function can be generated by means of the matrix structure unit (3), The light-emitting element (4) arranged in the sub-region of the matrix structure unit (3) is driven so that the brightness and color of the end of the sub-region of the matrix structure unit (3) are consistent with the brightness and color of the end of the line structure unit (1), and the end of the line structure unit is connected to the end of the sub-region of the matrix structure unit (3). The line structure unit (1) has an optical waveguide with a light coupling-in at the end, or has an optical waveguide with a light coupling-in arranged on the longitudinal side of the optical waveguide, or has a lens strip or has a reflector strip with a light lens.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first sub-region (5) of the matrix structure unit (3) forms a sub-region of the line structure unit (1) for generating a predetermined signal light function, the signal light function being predetermined by the line structure unit (1), and the second sub-region (21) of the matrix structure unit (3) forms a display surface for generating a predetermined information light function (12).

3. The lighting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first sub-region (5) of the matrix structure unit (3) is designed to be linear and extends between a first end (10) and a second end (11) of the line structure unit (1) or merely adjoins the free end of the line structure unit (1).

4. The lighting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first sub-region (5) of the matrix structural unit (3) forms an edge of the matrix structural unit (3).

5. The lighting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first sub-region (5) of the matrix structural unit (3) or the entire matrix structural unit (3) extends between the two ends of the line structural unit (1).

6. The lighting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first sub-region (5) of the matrix structure unit (3) is arranged in a gap of the wire structure unit (1) or on a sub-region of the wire structure unit (1).

7. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The matrix structure unit (3) is configured as an LED display or an OLED display or a liquid crystal display with a backlight unit.

8. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The matrix structure unit (3) is constructed as a one-piece display or is composed of a plurality of small displays arranged in a plane or a plurality of small displays arranged to be staggered in depth.

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