Rear light for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a rear light (100) for a motor vehicle, having a light conductor element (101), a light source (400) and a light exit face (401), the light source (400) being designed to emit light in the direction of a first end of the light conductor element (101), the light conductor element (101) being designed to guide the light in the direction from the first end to a second end, wherein the light conductor element (101) is designed to output a portion of the light between the first and second ends through the light exit face (401) to the environment of the rear light (100), the light conductor element (101) having a curved region in which the light conductor element (101) curves away from the light exit face (401), wherein the rear light (100) has a reflector means (103) which is designed to reflect light released by the light conductor element (101) in the direction of the light exit face (401) and which is arranged directly adjacent to the curved region.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a tail light for a motor vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] Tail lights comprising a light conductor element are known. The light conductor element should here often extend over as much as possible of the entire width of the motor vehicle, whereby the motor vehicle is also clearly visible in its entire width in the dark.

[0003] From DE 10 2018 009 729 B3 a tail light comprising a light source and a light conductor element is known, wherein light of the light source is emitted in the direction of a first end of the light conductor element. The light is then guided from the first end to a second end of the light conductor element and emitted in the region between the two ends. The light conductor element has a curved region. Adjacent to the curved region a light body is arranged, which sends light emitted by the light conductor element in the curved region. Not only the light conductor element but also the light body has a front region, through which light is released. The released light is released by the tail light through an optical diffuser to the environment of the tail light. SUMMARY

[0004] In contrast thereto, it is the task of the invention to enable a better utilization of the light generated by the light source.

[0005] This task is solved by the tail light according to the invention.

[0006] The tail light has a light conductor element, a light source and a light exit surface. The light source is configured to emit light in the direction of a first end of the light conductor element. The light conductor element is configured to guide the light from the first end in the direction of a second end. It is possible here that the first and second end are the two ends of the light conductor element that are farthest away from each other. The light conductor element is furthermore configured to output a portion of the light between the first and second end through the light exit surface to the environment of the tail light.

[0007] The light conductor element has a curved region, in which the light conductor element curves away from the light exit surface. The curved region can for example be connected to the first end.

[0008] The tail light can have a reflector mechanism. The reflector mechanism can be configured to reflect light released by the light conductor element in the direction of the light exit surface. The reflector mechanism can be arranged directly adjacent to the curved region. This can for example mean that no further components are arranged between the reflector mechanism and the curved region. This can also mean that only a gap is arranged between the reflector mechanism and the curved region.

[0009] The reflector arrangement is advantageous in order to better utilize the light generated by the light source and released by the light conductor element. Since the light conductor element emits light diffusely, the light is emitted in particular in the curved region, which does not reach the light exit face and thus does not contribute to the visibility of the tail light. Furthermore, the curved region is curved away from the light exit face, so that it is further away from the light exit face than the central region of the light conductor element, which is connected to the curved region. That is, without the reflector arrangement, the tail light acts darker where the curved region is provided than in other regions.

[0010] The reflector arrangement can be mirror-reflecting or, for example, embodied as a white, diffusely reflecting element.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the application, the curved region of the light conductor element can be arranged between the reflector arrangement and the light exit face.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the application, the tail light can have a rear wall, which is arranged opposite the light exit face. At least a portion of the reflector arrangement can be arranged between the rear wall and the light conductor element. In this way, light released by the light conductor element in the direction of the rear wall can be reflected in the direction of the light exit face.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the application, the reflector arrangement can have a curved portion.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the application, the curved portion of the reflector arrangement can be adapted to the curved region of the light conductor element. For example, the radius of curvature of the curved portion can be adapted to the radius of curvature of the curved region. For example, it can be possible that the radius of curvature of the curved portion is identical to the radius of curvature of the curved region.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the application, the reflector arrangement can surround the light conductor element. This can mean, for example, that the reflector arrangement is arranged above, below and laterally relative to the light conductor element. This can be the case in particular in the entire curved region or in a section of the curved region.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the application, the tail light can have a light body, which is arranged between the light conductor and the light exit face adjacent to the curved region. The light body can be configured to receive light from the light conductor element and release the light to the environment through the light exit face. The light body can furthermore improve the uniformity of the light released by the tail light. The light body can be configured, for example, as described in DE 10 2018 009 729 B3.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the application, the light body can be arranged adjacent to the reflector means and the light conductor element. It is possible, in particular, for the light body to be arranged directly adjacent to the reflector means and the light conductor element. For example, no further components can be arranged between the reflector means and the light body and between the light body and the light conductor element. It is possible for only a gap to be arranged between the reflector means and the light body and between the light body and the light conductor element.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the application, the light conductor element can have a first delimitation directed in the direction of the light exit face. The first delimitation can delimit a geometric straight line. The geometric straight line can be, for example, a straight line, on which the entire first delimitation lies. It is also possible for the geometric straight line to be a straight line on which a section of the light conductor element adjoining the curved region lies. It is noted here that the geometric straight line does not exist as a real component, but only as a virtual straight line. The light body can have a second delimitation facing in the direction of the light exit face. The second delimitation can extend along the geometric straight line. This can mean, for example, that the second delimitation is connected to the first delimitation. This improves the uniformity of the light emitted by the tail light and visible from outside the tail light.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the application, the light body can be arranged between the reflector means and the light exit face.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the application, the light conductor element can constitute a light diffuser for diffusely emitting light between the first and second end portions.

[0021] The tail light according to the application has a light conductor element, a light source and a light exit face. The light source constitutes a light emitter for emitting light in the direction of a first end portion of the light conductor element. The light conductor element constitutes a light guide for guiding the light from the first end portion in the direction of a second end portion. It is possible here for the first and second end portions to be the two end portions of the light conductor element that are most distanced from one another. It is possible, in particular, for the first end portion to be spaced apart from the second end portion by more than one meter. The light conductor element furthermore constitutes a light diffuser for outputting a portion of the light between the first and second end portions through the light exit face to the environment of the tail light.

[0022] The light conductor element has a curved region in which the light conductor curves away from the light exit face. The curved region can be connected to the first end portion, for example.

[0023] The tail light can have a light body, which has an optical structure. The optical structure can be directed toward the light exit face, so that the light body constitutes a light guide for guiding the light emitted by the light conductor element and releasing the light through the optical structure in the direction of the light exit face. The optical structure can be particularly advantageous in order to scatter the light and thus improve the uniformity of the light visible from outside the tail light.

[0024] The light body according to the application can also have the features mentioned further above in the description.

[0025] It is also possible that the light body has other optical structures, which are directed towards the light conductor element. The light body can be designed to receive the light emitted by the light conductor element by means of the other optical structures. The other optical structures can be designed for example as pillow optical elements or strip optical elements or have etched structures, etched structures or laser structures or diffractive or micro-optical structures.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the application, the optical structures can be designed as optical elements or diffractive diffusers.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the application, the region between the light body and the light conductor element can be free of optical elements.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the application, the optical structures can have etched structures, etched structures or laser structures or diffractive or micro-optical diffuser structures. This improves the uniformity of the light emitted by the tail light into the environment.

[0029] The light body can be designed for example as a thin-walled light pane. In this case, the reflector element, which redirects the light, can be arranged between the light conductor element and the light pane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] The application is explained further below with the aid of the drawings. Identical or similar components are denoted by the same reference symbols here. Herein:

[0031] Figure 1 schematic perspective view showing a portion of a tail light according to an embodiment of the application comprising a light body;

[0032] Figure 2 schematic perspective view showing a light conductor element comprising a reflector mechanism arranged adjacent thereto and a light body;

[0033] Figure 3 schematic perspective view showing a light conductor mechanism surrounded by a reflector mechanism;

[0034] Figure 4 schematic plan view showing a portion of a tail light according to an embodiment of the application comprising a light body;

[0035] Figure 5 schematic plan view showing a portion of a tail light according to an embodiment of the application without a light body; and

[0036] Figure 6 schematic perspective view showing a light body according to an embodiment of the application. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The taillight 100 has a light conductor element 101, a light body 102, and a reflector mechanism 103. Figures 1 to 3 The light source is shielded. The light source is positioned opposite to the first end of the light conductor element 101 and emits light in the direction of the first end, thereby coupling light input into the light conductor element 101. The light conductor element 101 guides the light to a second end, which is not shown in the figure. The second end is furthest away from the first end of the light conductor element 101. Between the first and second ends, the light conductor element 101 diffusely emits a portion of the light.

[0038] A curved region of the light conductor element 101 is connected to a first end, and this region is surrounded by a similarly curved reflector mechanism 103. The reflector mechanism 103 has the same radius of curvature as the curved region. In the curved region, light emitted by the light conductor element 101 is reflected by the reflector mechanism 103 toward the light body 102. This is, for example, in... Figure 4 As shown in the diagram, the light beam is exemplarily represented by some arrows. Figure 4 The light source 400 is also shown in the image.

[0039] The light source 102 is disposed directly adjacent to the light conductor element 101 and the reflector mechanism 103. The light source 102 receives light from the light conductor element 101 and the reflector mechanism 103 and emits it toward the light emitting surface of the taillight (not shown).

[0040] exist Figure 2 and 4 It can be clearly seen that the edge of the light-emitting surface 401 of the light body 102 is aligned with the end of the light-emitting surface 401 of the light conductor element 101. This produces an optically very pleasing light image from outside the taillight 100.

[0041] exist Figure 3 It is particularly clear how the reflector mechanism 103 surrounds the light conductor element 101 from above, below, and sides.

[0042] exist Figure 5 The embodiment shown does not have a light body. The light conductor element 101 emits light not only directly but also indirectly through the reflector mechanism 103 toward the light emitting surface 401. Based on the light reflected by the reflector mechanism 103, the light emitted by the taillight appears relatively uniform, even though no light body is present.

[0043] exist Figure 6The light body 102 shown in the middle has an optical structure 600 on its side facing the light exit face 401. The optical structure 600 can be introduced for example by etching, engraving or using a laser. Here it can be a diffractive and / or micro-optical diffuser structure. These diffuser structures are advantageous for a uniform light emission of the tail light.

[0044] List of reference signs

[0045] 100 tail light

[0046] 101 light guide element

[0047] 102 light body

[0048] 103 reflector mechanism

[0049] 400 light source

[0050] 401 light exit face

[0051] 600 optical structure

Claims

1. A taillight (100) for a motor vehicle, the taillight having a photoconductor element (101), a light source (400), and a light emitting surface (401), wherein, The light source (400) is configured to emit light toward a first end of a light conductor element (101), the light conductor element (101) is configured to guide light from the first end toward a second end, the light conductor element (101) is configured to output a portion of the light between the first and second ends through a light emitting surface (401) to the environment of the taillight (100), the light conductor element (101) has a curved region in which the light conductor element (101) bends away from the light emitting surface (401), characterized in that the taillight (100) has a reflector mechanism (103) configured to reflect the light emitted by the light conductor element (101) toward the light emitting surface (401), and the reflector mechanism (103) is directly adjacent to the light conductor element. The curved area of ​​the reflector mechanism (103) is surrounded by the curved portion of the reflector mechanism (103), and the curved portion of the reflector mechanism (103) has the same radius of curvature as the curved area of ​​the light conductor element (101). The taillight (100) has a light body (102), which is disposed adjacent to the curved area between the light conductor element (101) and the light emitting surface (401). The light body (102) is configured to receive light from the light conductor element (101) and release light to the environment through the light emitting surface (401). The light body (102) is disposed adjacent to the reflector mechanism (103) and the light conductor element (101), and the entire surface of the light body (102) facing the light conductor element is concave.

2. The taillight (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The curved area of ​​the photoconductor element (101) is located between the reflector mechanism (103) and the light emitting surface (401).

3. The taillight (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The taillight (100) has a rear wall disposed opposite to the light emitting surface (401), and at least a portion of the reflector mechanism (103) is disposed between the rear wall and the light conductor element (101).

4. The taillight (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The reflector mechanism (103) surrounds the photoconductor element (101).

5. The taillight (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The photoconductor element (101) has a first defining portion pointing toward the light emitting surface (401), the first defining portion defining a straight line of geometry, wherein the light body (102) has a second defining portion pointing toward the light emitting surface (401), wherein the second defining portion extends along the straight line of the geometry.

6. The taillight (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The light body (102) is disposed between the reflector mechanism (103) and the light emitting surface (401).

7. The taillight (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The photoconductor element (101) is configured to diffusely emit light between the first and second ends.

8. A taillight (100) for a motor vehicle, the taillight having a photoconductor element (101), a light source (400), and a light emitting surface (401), wherein, The light source (400) is configured to emit light toward a first end of a light conductor element (101), the light conductor element (101) is configured to guide light from the first end toward a second end, the light conductor element (101) is configured to output a portion of the light between the first and second ends through a light emitting surface (401) to the environment of the taillight (100), the light conductor element (101) has a curved region in which the light conductor element (101) bends away from the light emitting surface (401), characterized in that the taillight (100) has a light body (102) having an optical structure (600) facing the light emitting surface (401), thereby the light body (102) is configured to guide light from the light conductor element (101) The light emitted by the taillight (101) is released through an optical structure (600) toward a light emitting surface (401). The light body (102) is disposed adjacent to a curved region between the light conductor element (101) and the light emitting surface (401). The taillight (100) has a reflector mechanism (103) with a curved portion. The curved region of the light conductor element (101) is surrounded by the curved portion of the reflector mechanism (103). The curved portion of the reflector mechanism (103) has the same radius of curvature as the curved region of the light conductor element (101). The light body (102) is disposed adjacent to the reflector mechanism (103) and the light conductor element (101). The entire surface of the light body (102) facing the light conductor element is concave.

9. The taillight (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The optical structure (600) is configured as an optical element or a diffracting diffuser.

10. The taillight (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, There are no optical elements in the region between the optical body (102) and the optical conductor element (101).

11. The taillight (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The optical structure (600) has a corrosion structure, an etching structure, a laser structure, or a diffractive or micro-optical diffuser structure.

Images