Headlamp for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A headlight for a motor vehicle includes: a plurality of first light sources for high beam, the plurality of first light sources emitting light during operation of the headlight; a plurality of second light sources for low beam, the plurality of second light sources emitting light during operation of the headlight; a first light guide (3) having a plurality of light-injecting surfaces (5) and a first light-exiting surface (7) for light emitted from the first light sources; and a second light guide (4) having a plurality of light-injecting surfaces (6) and a second light-exiting surface (8) for light emitted from the second light sources, wherein the headlight includes an optical component (1), particularly a single optical component, the optical component including both the first light guide and the second light guide (3, 4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a headlight for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. Background Technology

[0002] Headlights of the aforementioned type are known from DE 10 2016 109 147 A1. The headlights described therein include a plurality of first light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for high beam and a plurality of second light-emitting diodes for low beam. The LEDs can be individually controlled to adapt the generated light distance to traffic conditions, for example, to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers. The headlights also include a first light guide for the light emitted by the first LEDs and a second light guide for the light emitted by the second LEDs. The first and second light guides are arranged separately on a cooling and support body, with the second light guide positioned above the first light guide and further rearward than the first light guide in the light propagation direction. The cooling and support body is L-shaped, with the first light guide attached to a first branch of an L-limb and the second light guide attached to a second branch of the L-limb. The headlights further include a lens through which light emitted from the light-emitting surfaces of the first and second light guides passes.

[0003] The disadvantages of such headlights are their complex design and relatively large overall depth. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The fundamental problem of this invention is to create headlights of the type described above that are simpler and / or require less space.

[0005] According to the invention, this is achieved by a headlight of the aforementioned type having the characteristic features of claim 1. The appended claims relate to preferred forms of the invention.

[0006] Claim 1 provides that the headlight includes optical components, particularly a single optical component, the optical component comprising both a first light guide and a second light guide. This design allows for a reduction in the overall depth of the headlight. Furthermore, it simplifies assembly, especially because the components can be integrated with each other. Additionally, weight reduction is possible.

[0007] Provided, the optical component has a light-emitting surface formed by the light-emitting surfaces of the first and second light guides. Specifically, the light-emitting surfaces of the first and second light guides are adjacent to and / or merged with each other. Therefore, the optical component facilitates the generation of both high-beam and low-beam light.

[0008] The headlight may include means for generating a horizontal cut-off line.

[0009] Specifically, the first light-emitting surface can be tilted relative to the second light-emitting surface. This ensures that the high beam and low beam overlap in the region of the horizontal cutoff line.

[0010] It is expected that the optical component will serve as a primary optical device.

[0011] Preferably, the optical component may have at least one collimating lens, which is specifically integrated into the light-emitting surface of the optical component. By integrating the collimating lens into the primary optical element, the efficiency of the headlight can be improved. In particular, it may be provided that the light-guiding surface each has a collimating lens. In particular, these collimating lenses may be tilted relative to each other, which allows the high beam and low beam to overlap with each other in the cutoff region.

[0012] It is possible that the light-emitting surface of the optical component has a structuring portion. The structuring portion can homogenize the emitted light, which in particular avoids undesirable local intensity maxima on components arranged behind the component.

[0013] It can be provided that the ends of light-guiding elements protruding from the component form a light-injection surface. These light-guiding elements (e.g., finger-shaped or tree trunk-shaped) can effectively receive light emitted from various light sources and couple the light into the optical component.

[0014] The first light source and / or the second light source can be controlled individually or in a separate group. In this way, the light distribution produced by the headlights can be adapted to traffic conditions, for example, to avoid dazzling drivers of oncoming vehicles.

[0015] It can be provided that the light source is designed as a light-emitting diode (LED), which is specifically arranged on a common circuit board. Arranging the LED on a common circuit board also helps to make the headlight more compact.

[0016] The light source can be arranged in a plane, specifically corresponding to the contour of the cutoff line. Compared to existing technologies, the high beam and low beam light sources are therefore not offset from each other in the light propagation direction, which also makes the design more compact. By arranging the light source according to the contour of the cutoff line to be produced, the legally required contour is more easily achieved.

[0017] Provided, the headlight has a secondary optics element through which light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the first and / or second light guide passes during operation of the headlight. The secondary optics element may have a collimating lens, which, in particular, is adapted with respect to its cut-off width to act as at least one collimating lens of the optical element of the primary optics element. By adjusting the cut-off widths of the collimating lenses of the primary and secondary optics elements, collimation is effectively defined between the primary and secondary optics elements, allowing the desired effect to be achieved with less effort.

[0018] It is possible that the secondary optics have a structured portion specifically arranged on the collimating lens. By structuring the secondary optics, any artifacts generated by the structured portion of the primary optics can be minimized. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the components of the headlight of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 For example Figure 1 A side view of the primary optics of the headlight shown;

[0022] Figure 3 For example Figure 1 A front view of the primary optics of the headlight shown; and

[0023] Figure 4 For example Figure 1 Rear view of the primary optics of the headlight shown.

[0024] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to label the same and functionally identical parts. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The illustrated version of the headlight according to the invention includes a circuit board (not shown) on which a plurality of light sources in the form of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged. In this case, a plurality of first light sources of LEDs designed for high beams and a plurality of second light sources of LEDs designed for low beams are arranged on the circuit board.

[0026] Other light sources can be used instead of light-emitting diodes. For example, semiconductor lasers can also be used as a light source.

[0027] The light source can be controlled independently to switch between low beam and high beam. Other functions of the adaptive headlight system can also be achieved by changing the power supply to the light source (e.g., city lights, suburban lights, or highway lights). The first and / or second light sources can also be controlled individually or in groups. In this way, the light distribution generated by the headlights can be adapted to traffic conditions, for example, to avoid dazzling drivers of oncoming vehicles.

[0028] The illustrated design of the headlight according to the invention further includes an optical component 1 acting as a primary optics element, specifically a single optical component 1, and a secondary optics element 2. During operation of the headlight, light emitted by the light source first passes through the primary optics element and then through the secondary optics element 2 (see...). Figure 1 ).

[0029] The optical component 1, which acts as a primary optical device, includes a first light guide 3 for high beam and a second light guide 4 for low beam (see [reference]). Figure 2 The first and second light guides 3 and 4 are each on their left side (in...). Figure 2 (As shown in the diagram) The light source has several light-injection surfaces 5 and 6, and when the light source is in operation, the light from the light-emitting diode is coupled into the light-injection surfaces 5 and 6. Figure 2 On the right side shown, the first and second light guides 3 and 4 each have light emitting surfaces 7 and 8, through which light is emitted.

[0030] The first and second light guides 3 and 4 each have multiple light guiding elements 9 and 10 protruding from the first and second light guides 3 and 4 (see...). Figure 2 and Figure 3 The ends of the light guiding elements 9 and 10 that are away from the light guiding elements 3 and 4 form the light-injecting surfaces 5 and 6. The light guiding elements 9 and 10 are basically finger-shaped or tree trunk-shaped.

[0031] Figure 2 As illustrated, each of the light-emitting surfaces 7 and 8 is curved, such that two collimating lenses 11 and 12 are formed on the optical component 1, which acts as a primary optics device. Each of the two collimating lenses 11 and 12 is assigned to one of the first and second light guides 3 and 4. These collimating lenses 11 and 12 are tilted relative to each other, thereby allowing the high beam and low beam to overlap in the region of the cutoff line. The efficiency of the headlight can be improved by integrating at least one collimating lens 11 or 12 into the optical component 1.

[0032] The illustrated version of the secondary optical device 2 also includes a collimating lens 13, which is designed, for example, as a biconvex lens (see...). Figure 1The collimating lens 13 can also be designed in different ways, for example, as a plano-convex lens. The cut width of the collimating lens 13 of the secondary optical device 2 is suitable for the cut width of the collimating lenses 11 and 12 of the primary optical device.

[0033] The illustrated design of the headlight according to the invention further includes a housing (not shown), in which optical components 1, which act as primary optics, a circuit board, secondary optics 2, and a heat sink (also not shown) for arranging light-emitting diodes on the circuit board can be mounted or on the housing.

[0034] Figure 4 The example illustrates that the light-emitting surface 8 of the second light guide 4 has a structured portion 14. Of course, this structured portion, or a equivalent structured portion 14, can also be provided at least partially for the light-emitting surface 7 of the first light guide 3. For example, the structured portion 14 can be designed as a prism array. The structured portion 14 at least partially homogenizes the light emitted from the light-emitting surface 8 so that undesirable intensity maxima do not appear on the secondary optics 2 and / or the cover glass (not shown).

[0035] The structured portion 14 is recessed in the intermediate region 15. Light can pass through this recessed region 15 relatively unimpeded, thereby enabling higher light intensity.

[0036] Furthermore, the collimating lens 13 of the secondary optics 2 is also provided with a structured portion (not shown). This structured portion of the secondary optics 2 can minimize artifacts generated by the structured portion 14 of the primary optics.

[0037] Figure 3 The example illustrates the arrangement of eleven light-incident surfaces 5 of the first light guide 3 and ten light-incident surfaces 6 of the second light guide 4, each formed by the distal ends of light guiding elements 9 and 10. If light sources, for example in the form of light-emitting diodes, are arranged in front of each light-incident surface 5 and 6, then eleven light sources for high beams and ten light sources for low beams will be provided.

[0038] However, it is quite possible to provide more or fewer light-injection surfaces 5 and 6 or more or fewer light-guiding elements 9 and 10 on the first light guide 3 and the second light guide 4.

[0039] Figure 3 As illustrated in the example, the light-injecting surfaces 5 of the first light guide 3 each have substantially the same shape and size. Furthermore, it can be seen that the light-injecting surfaces 6 of the second light guide 4 each have substantially the same shape and size.

[0040] The light-injecting surfaces 5 and 6, and therefore the light source additionally arranged in front of said light-injecting surfaces 5 and 6, have a vertical offset of 16 in the central region. For clarity, this offset 16 follows... Figure 3 The outline of the horizontal cutoff line is drawn in 17.

[0041] List of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0042] 1. Optical components

[0043] 2 Secondary Optical Devices

[0044] 3 First optical guide

[0045] 4 Second light guide

[0046] 5. Light entering the surface of the first light guide 3

[0047] 6. Light entering surface of the second light guide 4

[0048] 7. Light emission surface of the first light guide 3

[0049] 8. Light emitting surface of the second light guide 4

[0050] 9. The first light guide 3 is a light guiding element.

[0051] 10 The second light guide 4 light guiding element

[0052] 11 Collimating lens of the first light guide 3

[0053] 12 Collimating lens of the second light guide 4

[0054] 13 Collimating lens of secondary optical device 2

[0055] 14. Structured portion of light-emitting surface 8

[0056] 15. The recessed area of ​​structured part 14

[0057] 16. Vertical offset of light incident on surfaces 5 and 6

[0058] 17. The outline of the horizontal cutoff line

Claims

1. A headlight for a motor vehicle, comprising: - A plurality of first light sources for high beams, the plurality of first light sources emitting light during operation of the headlights; - A plurality of second light sources for low beam, the plurality of second light sources emitting light during operation of the headlight. - A first light guide (3) having a plurality of light-injecting surfaces (5) for emitting light from the first light source and a first light-emitting surface (7). - Second light guide (4), the second light guide (4) has a plurality of light-injecting surfaces (6) for light emitted from the second light source and a second light-emitting surface (8). The headlight is characterized in that it includes an optical component (1), which includes both a first light guide (3) and a second light guide (4); The second light-emitting surface (8) of the second light guide (4) has a structured portion (14) that is recessed in its middle region (15), which allows light to pass through relatively unobstructed, so as to achieve a higher light intensity than that achievable in other regions on the second light-emitting surface (8) by means of the recessed middle region (15).

2. The headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical component (1) has a light emitting surface formed by the first light emitting surface (7) of the first light guide (3) and the second light emitting surface (8) of the second light guide (4).

3. The headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first light emitting surface (7) of the first light guide (3) and the second light emitting surface (8) of the second light guide (4) are adjacent to each other and / or merged.

4. The headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The headlight includes means for generating a horizontal cut-off line.

5. The headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first light-emitting surface (7) is inclined relative to the second light-emitting surface (8).

6. The headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical component (1) serves as a primary optical device.

7. The headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical component (1) has at least one collimating lens (11, 12), which is integrated into the light emitting surface of the optical component (1).

8. The headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-injection surface (5, 6) is formed by the end of a light-guiding element (9, 10) protruding from the optical component (1).

9. The headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first light source and / or the second light source can be controlled individually or in a separate group.

10. The headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first light source and / or the second light source are designed as light-emitting diodes, which are arranged on a common circuit board.

11. The headlight according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first light source and / or the second light source are arranged in a plane, and the arrangement of the first light source and / or the second light source corresponds to the profile of the cutoff line (17).

12. The headlight according to claim 7, characterized in that, The headlight has a secondary optics (2) through which light emitted from the first light-emitting surface (7) of the first light guide (3) and / or the second light-emitting surface (8) of the second light guide (4) passes during operation of the headlight.

13. The headlight according to claim 12, characterized in that, The secondary optical device (2) has a collimating lens (13), and the collimating lens of the secondary optical device (2) is adapted with respect to its cut width to serve as at least one collimating lens (11, 12) of the optical component (1) of the primary optical device.

14. The headlight according to any one of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The secondary optical device (2) has a structured portion arranged on its collimating lens (13).

Images