Signal light device for motor vehicle headlamps

Abstract

A signaling device for a motor vehicle headlamp comprising at least one light module comprising at least one light source for emitting a light beam and at least one scattering device, at least one transparent light refractor having a light entry section for coupling in the light beam diffusely scattered by the light module and a light exit section for coupling out the light beam coupled into the light refractor, and wherein the light refractor in combination with the at least one light module is configured for generating a signaling light distribution, wherein the at least one light refractor comprises a reflection section configured for total reflection of the light beam coupled into the light refractor, wherein the light entry section is configured as a flat light entry face arranged normal to a main radiation direction, wherein the light exit section is composed of a plurality of differently oriented, flat exit faces which in their totality substantially follow a convex basic shape, such that the light beam diffusely coupled into the light refractor is coupled out via the plurality of exit faces as a diffusive signaling light distribution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a signal light device (or signal light device, i.e., Signallichtvorrichtung) for motor vehicle headlights, the signal light device comprising the following:

[0002] - At least one optical module, comprising at least one light source for emitting a light beam and at least one scattering device configured to diffusely scatter the light beam from the at least one light source in a direction generally in the direction of the main radiation direction.

[0003] - At least one transparent light refractor having a light incident section for coupling into a light beam diffusely scattered by a light-emitting module and a light exit section for coupling out a light beam coupled into the light refractor, wherein the light refractor and at least one light module are configured together to generate a signal light distribution.

[0004] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle headlight having at least one signal light device according to the invention. Background Technology

[0005] Signal lights, for example, should be understood as daytime running lights and / or flashing lights.

[0006] When daytime running lights are on, other road users (such as pedestrians) should be able to identify motor vehicles in the traffic space in advance in order to avoid accidents.

[0007] In existing technologies, optical conductors are often used for this purpose, which require a certain luminous flux so that pedestrians can be identified even from a greater distance. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved traffic light device.

[0009] This objective is achieved by comprising at least one light refractor including a reflecting section configured for total internal reflection of a light beam coupled into the light refractor, wherein the light refractor is spatially confined by a shell constructed from the surfaces of the light incident section, the light exit section, and the reflecting section, wherein...

[0010] The light incident section is constructed as a flat light incident surface, which is arranged approximately orthogonally to the main radiation direction. The light exit section is composed of multiple flat exit surfaces with different orientations. The exit surfaces generally follow a convex basic shape, so that the light beam that is diffused and coupled into the light refractor is coupled out through multiple exit surfaces as a diffused signal light distribution.

[0011] In the case of daytime running lights, special luminous effects (such as flashing) are desirable for both optical and safety reasons, such as allowing daytime running lights to be better identified by other road users from a greater distance without using the large luminous flux of the light source, because the flashing effect can be clearly identified by its light peak.

[0012] "Approximately orthogonal" should be understood as follows: the light incident section or a flat light incident surface may also have a slight tilt.

[0013] The signal device according to the invention, based on its structure, can also utilize existing sunlight or glare and produce a flashing effect in the absence of any additional luminous flux from any light source.

[0014] The signal device may be configured such that a holder, at least one optical module and at least one optical refractor are disposed at the holder.

[0015] The signal light device may be configured such that, in order to fix the light refractor at the holder, it includes a first fixing device, which includes at least one first engaging element and at least one first mating engaging element, wherein the first engaging element is arranged at the reflective section of the light refractor, and wherein the first mating engaging element is arranged at the holder, and wherein the light refractor can be brought into the fixed state in such a way that the light refractor is placed at the holder, such that the first engaging element acts at the first mating engaging element to fix the light refractor at least to prevent linear movement along an axis extending parallel to the main radiation direction.

[0016] It can be configured such that the first engaging element is configured as at least one spring and the first mating engaging element is configured as at least one groove, or the first mating engaging element is configured as at least one spring and the first engaging element is configured as at least one groove.

[0017] The signal light device may be configured to include a second fixing device for fixing the light refractor to the holder, wherein the second fixing device includes at least one second engaging element configured to have at least one adhesive surface at the holder; and includes at least one second mating engaging element configured to be a planar segment of the reflective section of the light refractor, wherein the planar segment abuts against at least one adhesive surface at the holder in the fixed state.

[0018] The signal light device may be configured such that it includes a cover plate and a third fixing device for fixing a light refractor to a retainer, wherein the third fixing device includes at least one third engaging element and at least one third mating engaging element, wherein the third engaging element is disposed at the cover plate, and wherein the third mating engaging element is disposed at the light emitting section of the light refractor, and wherein the cover plate may be brought into a fastened state in such a way that the cover plate is placed at the retainer and sectionally placed at the light refractor, such that the third engaging element acts at the third mating engaging element to fix the light refractor at least to prevent linear movement along an axis extending parallel to the main radiation direction.

[0019] The optical module may be configured to include a deflection device configured to redirect the beam of at least one light source toward at least one scattering device in the direction of the main radiation direction.

[0020] The optical module can be configured to have at least one collimator downstream of at least one light source and configured to align the beams of the at least one light source parallel to each other.

[0021] It can be configured such that at least one collimator, deflection device and at least one scattering device are as a one-piece optical body made of a certain material, wherein, preferably, the optical body is made of plastic, more preferably of polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate.

[0022] The scattering device can be configured to include multiple flat exit surfaces with different orientations for detaching beams that have been coupled into the optical body via at least one collimator in a direction generally in the direction of the main radiation.

[0023] The scattering device of the optical module can be configured as a reflector, which includes multiple deflection surfaces with different orientations, so that the light beam incident on the reflector can be diffusely deflected in the direction of the main radiation direction.

[0024] It can be configured such that the reflective sections of the light refractor have at least a sectional metallic coating.

[0025] This objective is also achieved by a motor vehicle headlight with at least one signal light device according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the exemplary accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0027] Figure 1 A side view of an exemplary traffic light device is shown, which includes a light module with a scattering device and a light refractor disposed on a retainer.

[0028] Figure 2A side view of another exemplary traffic light device is shown, in which the scattering device is configured as a reflector.

[0029] Figure 3 A side view of the light refractor and the holder is shown, wherein the light refractor can be brought into a fixed state by means of a first fixing device at the holder.

[0030] Figure 4 Showing Figure 1 and 2 Detailed view of the second engaging element of the second fixing device of the signal light assembly.

[0031] Figure 5 A side view of a light refractor in a fixed position on a retainer is shown, which additionally includes a cover plate for a signal light device, which secures the light refractor to prevent it from being moved out of the fixed position by means of a third fixing device. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Figure 1 An exemplary signal light device 10 for a motor vehicle headlight is shown. The signal light device includes an optical module 100, which includes a light source 110 configured as an LED for emitting a light beam and a scattering device 150 configured to diffuse the light beam of the light source 110 in a direction generally in the main radiation direction X.

[0033] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the optical module 100 further includes a deflection device 120 configured to redirect the beam of light from the light source 110 toward the scattering device 150 in the direction of the main radiation direction X. Additionally, the optical module 100 has a collimator 130 downstream of the light source 110 in the light propagation direction and configured to align the beams of light from the light source 110 parallel to each other.

[0034] exist Figure 1 In the example, the collimator 130, deflector 120, and scattering device 150 are a one-piece optical body made of a certain material, such as polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate. For diffuse light scattering, the scattering device 150 has multiple flat exit surfaces with different orientations for coupling out the light beam coupled into the optical body via at least one collimator 130 in a direction generally in the principal radiation direction X.

[0035] In addition, the signal light device 10 includes a transparent light refractor 200 made of quartz glass and having a light incident section 210 for coupling in a light beam diffused by the light module 100 and a light exit section 220 for coupling out a light beam coupled into the light refractor 200, wherein the light refractor 200 and at least one light module 100 are configured together to generate a signal light distribution, such as daytime running lights.

[0036] Furthermore, the light refractor 200 includes a reflective section 230 configured for total internal reflection of a light beam coupled into the light refractor 200. The light refractor 200 is spatially confined by a shell formed by the surfaces of a light incident section 210, a light exit section 220, and a reflective section 230. The light incident section 210 is configured as a flat light incident surface, orthogonal to the main radiation direction X. To improve beam reflection, the reflective section 230 of the light refractor 200 may have at least a segmental metallic coating.

[0037] The light emission section 220 is composed of multiple flat emission surfaces 221 with different orientations. It generally follows a convex basic shape, so that the light beam that is diffusely coupled into the light refractor 200 is coupled out as diffuse signal light through the multiple emission surfaces 221.

[0038] Additionally, the signal device 10 includes a holder 300, an optical module 100, and a light refractor 200 arranged and fixed at the holder, wherein the light refractor 200 is at least sectionally attached to or fixed at the holder 300 by means of a reflective section 230.

[0039] In order to fix the light refractor 200 at the holder 300, the signal device 10 includes a first fixing device 400, which includes a first engaging element 410 and a first mating engaging element 420, wherein the first engaging element 410 is arranged at the reflective section 230 of the light refractor 200 and is configured as a groove, the longitudinal extension of the groove extending approximately orthogonal to the main radiation direction X.

[0040] The first mating engagement element 410 is arranged at the retainer 300 and configured as a spring, corresponding to the slot of the light refractor 200. The light refractor 200 can be brought into the fixed state P1 by placing it at the retainer 300, thereby causing the first engagement element 410 to act at the first mating engagement element 420 to fix the light refractor 200 in the illustrated example to prevent linear movement along an axis extending parallel to the main radiation direction X. Here, the spring-shaped fit acts on the slot to prevent gaps within the connection that could cause minute movements during vibration. More detailed illustrations of the first fixing device 400 and the fixed state P1 are shown, for example, in... Figure 3 or Figure 5 It is displayed better in the middle.

[0041] Furthermore, the signal light device 10 includes a second fixing device 500 for further fixing the light refractor 200 to the holder 300, wherein the second fixing device 500 includes at least one second engaging element 510 configured as at least one adhesive surface at the holder 300; and includes at least one second mating engaging element 520 configured as a planar segment of the reflective segment 230 of the light refractor 200, wherein the planar segment abuts against at least one adhesive surface at the holder 300 in the fixed state P1. The adhesive surface of the second fixing device 500 is... Figure 4 It can be clearly identified that the second fixing device 500 fixes the light refractor 200 at least to prevent linear movement along an axis orthogonal to the direction of the longitudinal extension of the slot of the first fixing device 400 or the main radiation direction X.

[0042] In addition, the signal light device 10 includes a cover plate 600 and a third fixing device 700 for further fixing the light refractor 200 to the holder 300. The third fixing device 700 includes a third engaging element 710 and a third mating engaging element 720. The third engaging element 710 is arranged at the cover plate 600, and the third mating engaging element 720 is arranged at the light emitting section 220 of the light refractor 200.

[0043] The cover plate 600 can be brought into the fastened state P2 in such a way that it is placed on the retainer 300 and segmentally placed on the light refractor 200, thereby causing the third engaging element 710 to act on the third mating engaging element 720 to fix the light refractor 200 to prevent linear movement along an axis extending parallel to the main radiation direction X. In the fastened position P2, the cover plate 600 is further fastened or fixed to the retainer 300 via a fourth fixing device to prevent movement.

[0044] For example in Figure 5 As is evident from the diagram, the combination of the first, second, and third fixing devices 400, 500, and 700 secures the light refractor 200 in its fixed position P1 to prevent any movement.

[0045] Figure 2 Another example of the traffic light device 10 is shown, in which the previously described content also applies to this additional example, wherein only the scattering device 150 of the light module 100 is configured as a reflector, which includes multiple deflecting surfaces with different orientations, so that the light beam incident on the reflector can be diffusely deflected in the direction of the main radiation direction X. Additionally, another scattering device may be arranged between the light source 110 and the reflector 150 in terms of beam trajectory.

[0046] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0047] 10. Signal light device

[0048] 100 optical modules

[0049] 110 Light Source

[0050] 120 deflection device

[0051] 130 collimator

[0052] 150 Scattering Device

[0053] 200 light refractor

[0054] 210 Light Incident Section

[0055] 220 light emission section

[0056] 221 exit surface

[0057] 230 Reflection Section

[0058] 300 Maintain body

[0059] 400 First Fixed Equipment

[0060] 410 First Connecting Element

[0061] 420 First mating engagement element

[0062] 500 Second Fixed Equipment

[0063] 510 Second coupling element

[0064] 520 Second mating engagement element

[0065] 600 cover plate

[0066] 700 Third Fixed Equipment

[0067] 710 Third Connecting Element

[0068] 720 Third mating coupling element

[0069] X Main Radiation Direction

[0070] P1 Fixed state

[0071] P2 Tightened state.

Claims

1. A signal light device (10) for a motor vehicle headlight, the signal light device (10) comprising the following: - At least one optical module (100) includes at least one light source (110) for emitting a light beam and at least one scattering device (150) configured to diffusely scatter the light beam of the at least one light source (110) in the direction of the main radiation direction (X). - At least one transparent light refractor (200), the light refractor (200) having a light incident section (210) for coupling into a light beam diffusely scattered by the optical module (100) and a light exit section (220) for coupling out a light beam coupled into the light refractor (200), wherein, The light refractor (200) and the at least one optical module (100) are configured together to generate signal light distribution. Its features are, The at least one light refractor (200) includes a reflective section (230) configured for total internal reflection of a light beam coupled into the light refractor (200), wherein the light refractor (200) is spatially confined by a shell formed by the surfaces of the light incident section (210), the light exit section (220), and the reflective section (230), wherein, The light incident section (210) is constructed as a flat light incident surface, which is arranged orthogonally to the main radiation direction (X). The light exit section (220) is composed of multiple flat exit surfaces (221) with different orientations. The exit surfaces generally follow a convex basic shape, so that the light beam diffused and coupled into the light refractor (200) is distributed and coupled out as a diffused signal light through the multiple exit surfaces (221). The optical module (100) has at least one collimator (130) downstream of the at least one light source (110) and configured to align the light beams of the at least one light source (110) parallel to each other. The scattering device (150) has multiple flat exit surfaces with different orientations for detaching the light beam coupled in via the at least one collimator (130) in the direction of the main radiation direction (X).

2. The signal light device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal light device (10) includes a holder (300), and at least one optical module (100) and at least one light refractor (200) are arranged in the holder.

3. The signal light device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The signal light device (10) includes a first fixing device (400) for fixing the light refractor (200) to the holder (300), which includes at least one first engaging element (410) and at least one first mating engaging element (420), wherein the first engaging element (410) is arranged at the reflective section (230) of the light refractor (200), and wherein the first mating engaging element (420) is arranged at the holder (300), and wherein the light refractor (200) can be brought into a fixed state (P1) in such a way that the light refractor (200) is placed at the holder (300) such that the first engaging element (410) acts at the first mating engaging element (420) to fix the light refractor (200) at least to prevent linear movement along an axis extending parallel to the main radiation direction (X).

4. The signal light device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first engaging element (410) is configured as at least one tenon and the first mating engaging element (420) is configured as at least one groove, or the first mating engaging element (420) is configured as at least one tenon and the first engaging element (410) is configured as at least one groove.

5. The signal light device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The signal light device (10) includes a second fixing device (500) for fixing the light refractor (200) to the holder (300), wherein the second fixing device (500) includes at least one second bonding element (510) configured to have at least one adhesive surface at the holder (300); and includes at least one second mating bonding element (520) configured to be a planar segment of a reflective segment (230) of the light refractor (200), wherein the planar segment abuts against the at least one adhesive surface at the holder (300) in the fixed state (P1).

6. The signal light device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The signal light device (10) includes a cover plate (600) and a third fixing device (700) for fixing the light refractor (200) to the retainer (300), wherein the third fixing device (700) includes at least one third engaging element (710) and at least one third mating engaging element (720), wherein the third engaging element (710) is disposed on the cover plate (600), and wherein the third mating engaging element (720) is disposed on the light refractor (200). The cover plate (600) is located at the light emission section (220) of the light emitting section, and wherein the cover plate (600) can be brought into a fastened state (P2) in such a way that the cover plate (600) is placed at the retainer (300) and sectionally placed at the light refractor (200), thereby causing the third engaging element (710) to act at the third mating engaging element (720) to fix the light refractor (200) at least to prevent linear movement along an axis extending parallel to the main radiation direction (X).

7. The signal light device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The optical module (100) includes a deflection device (120) configured to deflect the beam of the at least one light source (110) toward the at least one scattering device (150) in the direction of the main radiation direction (X).

8. The signal light device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical module (100) includes a deflection device (120) configured to direct the beam of the at least one light source (110) toward the at least one scattering device (150) in the direction of the main radiation direction (X), wherein the at least one collimator (130), the deflection device (120) and the at least one scattering device (150) are constructed as a single optical unit.

9. The signal light device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The scattering device (150) of the optical module (100) is configured as a reflector, which includes a plurality of deflection surfaces with different orientations, such that the light beam incident on the reflector can be diffusely deflected in the direction of the main radiation direction (X).

10. The signal light device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The reflective section (230) of the light refractor (200) has at least a sectional metallic coating.

11. The signal light device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The optical element is made of plastic.

12. The signal light device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The optical body is made of polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate.

13. A motor vehicle headlight having at least one signal light device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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