Illumination device for a motor vehicle headlamp

Abstract

A lighting device (10) for a motor vehicle headlamp, the lighting device (10) comprising: - at least one light module (11) for generating a dipped beam distribution by means of at least one light source, the light source being designed for emitting light; - a light barrier (20) having an optically relevant obscuring edge for generating a cut-off, wherein the light module (11) is arranged on an upper side of the light barrier (20) in a mounting position of the lighting device (10) in the motor vehicle headlamp and jointly acts in conjunction with the optically relevant obscuring edge of the light barrier (20) for generating a dipped beam distribution; - a projection lens (100) having an optical axis (B), the projection lens (100) being designed for mapping light, which can be generated by the light module, in a main radiation direction in front of the lighting device (10), wherein the projection lens (100) has a light entry face (110) and a convex light exit face (120) opposite the light entry face (110), wherein the projection lens (100) comprises optical means (200) arranged on the projection lens, the optical means comprising a plurality of free-form lenses (210) having a respective one acting face (211), wherein the optical means are designed for deflecting a portion of light, which is incident in the projection lens (100) and exits via the acting face of the free-form lens, onto a region above an asymmetric cut-off of the dipped beam distribution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a lighting device for motor vehicle headlights, the lighting device comprising:

[0002] - At least one optical module for generating near-light distribution, the optical module having at least one light source configured to emit light.

[0003] - A light shield with optically correlated blocking edges to create a light-dark boundary, wherein the light module is positioned on the upper side of the light shield in the mounting location of the lighting device in the motor vehicle headlight and works together with the optically correlated blocking edges of the light shield to produce a low beam distribution.

[0004] - A projection lens having an optical axis, the projection lens being configured to project light that can be generated by the optical module along the main radiation direction onto the front of the lighting device, wherein the projection lens has a light incident surface and a convex light exiting surface opposite to the light incident surface.

[0005] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle headlight having at least one lighting device according to the present invention. Background Technology

[0006] The area of ​​light distribution above the boundary between light and dark is also called the airspace or signal light area (derived from the visibility of traffic signs).

[0007] The legally defined measurement points in the area extend up to 4° above the horizon and are characterized by the minimum and maximum values, as well as the so-called sum of the illumination intensities that occur at the measurement points.

[0008] Projection systems with near-light distribution have very little light above the light-dark boundary because this area of ​​the air is effectively blocked by the light shield used in the projection system.

[0009] Due to effective shading, special measures are required to adequately illuminate these measurement points with appropriate light levels. At the same time, it is important to adhere to the specified maximum values ​​near the light-dark boundary. These maximum values ​​are also known as glare values.

[0010] Optical devices are typically modifications of the "original" lens incident or light exit surface of a projection lens, with a wide variety of modifications possible in order to deflect light into a region above the light-dark boundary.

[0011] The fundamental problem with all known solutions with such optical devices is that the deflected beam is concentrated in a relatively small area, resulting in too much light entering that area on the one hand while other areas have too little light value on the other, meaning that the area is not uniformly illuminated by the known solutions. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved lighting device.

[0013] This objective is achieved by the following method: the projection lens includes an optical device disposed on the projection lens, the optical device including a plurality of free-form lenses, each of the free-form lenses having an effective surface, wherein the optical device is configured to deflect a portion of the light entering the projection lens and exiting through the effective surface of the free-form lenses to a region above the asymmetric light-dark boundary of the near-light distribution.

[0014] By selectively choosing the action surface and its orientation on the projection lens, signal lights can achieve the widest and most uniform illumination in the near beam distribution.

[0015] It can be proposed that the optical device is set on the light emitting surface of the projection lens and forms a processed portion that is different from the convex light emitting surface.

[0016] It can be proposed that the working surface and the light emitting surface of each free-shaped lens form an initial edge in a common intersecting line, wherein the working surface extends from the initial edge along the two side edges of the light emitting surface to the rising edge opposite the initial edge, preferably extending along the main radiation direction, the rising edge having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is at a first distance from the light emitting surface along the surface normal in the orthogonal projection onto the light emitting surface, and wherein the second end is at a second distance from the light emitting surface along the surface normal in the orthogonal projection onto the light emitting surface.

[0017] It can be proposed that the freeform lenses of the optical device are arranged horizontally side by side in the installation position of the lighting equipment in the headlight of a motor vehicle, wherein, starting from the first freeform lens in the horizontally arranged freeform lenses, the first distance of the working surface is initially less than the second distance in the direction to the last freeform lens, wherein the first distance increases in the direction toward the optical axis and the second distance decreases, such that the first distance of the freeform lens in the region of the optical axis is equal to the second distance, wherein the first distance further increases in the direction away from the optical axis and the second distance further decreases.

[0018] It can be proposed that the optical device is set on the light incident surface of the projection lens and forms a processed portion that deviates from the light incident surface.

[0019] It is possible to propose that free-form lenses be arranged side by side in multiple parallel rows.

[0020] It can be proposed that an action surface and a light incident surface of free shape form an initial edge in a common surface intersection line, wherein the action surface extends away from the light incident surface from the initial edge along the two side edges until a rising edge opposite to the initial edge, the rising edge having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a first distance relative to the light incident surface along the surface normal in the orthogonal projection onto the light incident surface, and wherein the second end has a second distance relative to the light incident surface along the surface normal in the orthogonal projection onto the light incident surface.

[0021] It can be proposed that the first and second distances of an action surface are of equal size, wherein preferably, the first and second distances of each action surface are of equal size.

[0022] It is possible to propose that the free-shaped lenses of the optical device are configured to form a mark, such as a manufacturer's mark.

[0023] It is possible to propose that free-form lenses be arranged directly side by side in a row.

[0024] It can be proposed that the working surface is curved.

[0025] It can be proposed that the boundary between light and dark can be asymmetrical or straight.

[0026] This objective is also achieved by a motor vehicle headlight having at least one lighting device according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the exemplary accompanying drawings. In this case, it is shown that:

[0028] Figure 1 A side view of an exemplary lighting device is shown, wherein the lighting device includes a light module, wherein light from the light module can be projected onto the front of the lighting device via a light shield and a projection lens.

[0029] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A front view of a projection lens, wherein the projection lens includes an optical device having multiple free-form lenses.

[0030] Figure 3 Show Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the optical device in the image.

[0031] Figure 4A A stereoscopic view of an exemplary freeform lens is shown.

[0032] Figure 4B A stereoscopic view of another exemplary freeform lens is shown.

[0033] Figure 4CA stereoscopic view of another exemplary freeform lens is shown, and

[0034] Figure 5 This shows a cross-sectional view of the projection lens and optical device as viewed from above. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Figure 1 An exemplary lighting device 10 for motor vehicle headlights is shown, the lighting device including a light module 11 for generating a low beam distribution by means of at least one light source.

[0036] In addition, the lighting device 10 includes a light shield 20 with optically associated shielding edges, the light shield being used to generate an asymmetrical light-dark boundary, wherein in the installation position of the lighting device 10 in a motor vehicle headlight, the light module 11 is disposed on the upper side of the light shield 20 and works in combination with the optically associated shielding edges of the light shield 20 to generate a low beam distribution.

[0037] In addition, the lighting device includes a projection lens 100 having an optical axis B, the projection lens 100 being configured to project light that can be generated by the light module along the main radiation direction onto the front of the lighting device 10, wherein the projection lens 100 has a light incident surface 110 and a convex light emitting surface 120 opposite to the light incident surface 110.

[0038] An optical device 200 is disposed on the projection lens 100 at the light emitting surface 120. The optical device 200 forms a control portion of the light emitting surface 120 that differs from the convex shape of the light emitting surface 120. The optical device includes a plurality of free-form lenses 210, each having an operating surface 211, for example… Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the optical device 200 is configured to deflect a portion of the light incident on the projection lens 100 and emitted through the working surface 211 of the free-form lens onto the region above the asymmetrical light-dark boundary of the near-light distribution.

[0039] Figures 4A to 4CAn exemplary embodiment of a freeform lens 210 is shown, wherein the active surface 211 and the light-emitting surface 120 of each freeform lens 210 form an initial edge 211a in a common intersecting line. The active surface 211 extends from the initial edge 211a along two side edges, preferably along the main radiation direction away from the light-emitting surface, until a rising edge 211b opposite to the initial edge 211a. The rising edge 211b has a first end 212a and a second end 212b. The first end 212a has a first distance A1 relative to the light-emitting surface 120 along the surface normal in its orthogonal projection onto the light-emitting surface 120, and the second end 212b has a second distance A2 relative to the light-emitting surface 120 along the surface normal in its orthogonal projection onto the light-emitting surface 120. The active surface is in this configuration with a curved shape, preferably with varying degrees of curvature.

[0040] exist Figure 4A In the embodiment shown, the first distance A1 is greater than the second distance A2, wherein the second distance A2 is zero.

[0041] exist Figure 4B In the embodiment shown, the first distance A1 is greater than the second distance A2.

[0042] exist Figure 4C In the embodiment shown, the first distance A1 is equal to the second distance A2.

[0043] In the example shown in the accompanying drawings, the freeform lenses 210 of the optical device 200 are arranged in a horizontal row side-by-side in the mounting position of the lighting device 10 in a motor vehicle headlight. Starting with the first freeform lens in the horizontally arranged freeform lenses, the first distance A1 of the working surface 211 is initially smaller than the second distance A2 in the direction leading to the last freeform lens. The first distance A1 increases while the second distance A2 decreases in the direction towards the optical axis B, such that the first distance A1 of the freeform lens is equal to the second distance A2 in the region of the optical axis B. The first distance A1 further increases while the second distance A2 further decreases in a further direction away from the optical axis B, as in... Figure 5 As shown in the simplified diagram, Figure 5 The projection lens 100 and optical device 200 are shown from above.

[0044] Alternatively, in another example, the optical device 200 is disposed on the light incident surface 110 of the projection lens 100, wherein the free-form lenses 210 are arranged side by side in multiple parallel rows.

[0045] Here, the working surface 211 of each free-form lens 210—similar to the example shown in the figure—and the light incident surface 110 form a starting edge on a common plane intersection line, wherein starting from the starting edge 211a, the working surface 211 extends away from the light incident surface 110 along the two side edges to the rising edge 211b opposite to the starting edge 211a, wherein the rising edge 211b has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a first distance A1 relative to the light incident surface 120 along the plane normal in the orthogonal projection onto the light incident surface 110, and wherein the second end 212b has a second distance A2 relative to the light exit surface 120 along the plane normal in the orthogonal projection onto the light incident surface 120.

[0046] In this case, the first and second distances A1 and A2 of an action surface 211 are of the same size, preferably the first and second distances A1 and A2 of each action surface 211 are of the same size.

[0047] For example, it can be proposed that, when the optical device is disposed on the light incident surface 110, the free-form lenses 210 of the optical device 200 are configured to form a mark, such as a manufacturer's mark.

[0048] List of reference numerals

[0049] 10 Lighting equipment

[0050] 11 optical modules

[0051] 20 visors

[0052] 100 projection lens

[0053] 110 light incident surface

[0054] 120 light emission surface

[0055] 200 optical devices

[0056] 210 Freeform Lens

[0057] 211 Action Surface

[0058] 211a starting edge

[0059] 211b rising edge

[0060] 212a First End

[0061] 212b Second End

[0062] A1 First Distance

[0063] A2 Second Distance

[0064] B optical axis

Claims

1. A lighting device (10) for a motor vehicle headlight, the lighting device (10) comprising: - At least one optical module (11), the optical module being used to generate a near-light distribution by means of at least one light source, the light source being configured to emit light, - A light shield (20) having optically associated shading edges to create a light-dark boundary, wherein the light module (11) is disposed on the upper side of the light shield (20) in the mounting position of the lighting device (10) in the motor vehicle headlight and works in conjunction with the optically associated shading edges of the light shield (20) to generate a low beam distribution. - A projection lens (100) having an optical axis (B), the projection lens (100) being configured to project light generated by the optical module along the main radiation direction onto the front of the lighting device (10), wherein the projection lens (100) has a light incident surface (110) and a convex light exiting surface (120) opposite to the light incident surface (110). Its features are, The projection lens (100) includes an optical device (200) disposed on the projection lens. The optical device includes a plurality of free-form lenses (210), each having an effective surface (211). The optical device is configured to deflect a portion of the light incident on the projection lens (100) and exiting through the effective surface of the free-form lens onto a region above the asymmetric light-dark boundary of the near-light distribution. The optical device (200) is disposed on the light emitting surface (120) of the projection lens (100) and forms a processed portion of the light emitting surface (120) that is different from the convex light emitting surface (120). In this configuration, the working surface (211) of each free-form lens (210) and the light-emitting surface (120) form a starting edge (211a) along a common intersecting line. Starting from the starting edge (211a), the working surface (211) extends away from the light-emitting surface (120) along two side edges until it reaches a rising edge (211b) opposite to the starting edge (211a). The rising edge (211b) has a first end (212a) and a second end (212b). The first end (212a) has a first distance (A1) relative to the light-emitting surface (120) along the surface normal in the orthogonal projection onto the light-emitting surface (120), and the second end (212b) has a second distance (A2) relative to the light-emitting surface (120) along the surface normal in the orthogonal projection onto the light-emitting surface (120). In this arrangement, the freeform lenses (210) of the optical device (200) are arranged in a horizontal row in the mounting position of the lighting device (10) in the motor vehicle headlight. Starting from the first freeform lens in the horizontally arranged freeform lenses, the first distance (A1) of the working surface (211) is initially smaller than the second distance (A2) in the direction up to the last freeform lens. The first distance (A1) increases and the second distance (A2) decreases in the direction toward the optical axis (B), such that the first distance (A1) of the freeform lens is equal to the second distance (A2) in the region of the optical axis (B). The first distance (A1) further increases and the second distance (A2) further decreases in the direction away from the optical axis (B).

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical device (200) is disposed on the light incident surface (110) of the projection lens (100) and forms a processed portion of the light incident surface (110) that is different from the light incident surface (100).

3. The lighting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The free-form lenses (210) are arranged in multiple parallel rows.

4. The lighting device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The working surface (211) of each of the free-form lenses (210) and the light incident surface (110) form a starting edge (211a) in a common plane intersection line, wherein starting from the starting edge (211a), the working surface (211) extends away from the light incident surface (110) along the two side edges until a rising edge (211b) opposite to the starting edge (211a) is formed, the rising edge (211b) having a first end (212a) and a second end (212b), wherein the first end (212a) has a first distance (A1) relative to the light incident surface (120) along the plane normal in the orthogonal projection onto the light incident surface (110), and wherein the second end (212b) has a second distance (A2) relative to the light incident surface along the plane normal in the orthogonal projection onto the light incident surface (110).

5. The lighting device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first and second distances (A1, A2) of an action surface (211) are of the same size.

6. The lighting device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The free-form lenses (210) of the optical device (200) are configured to form a mark.

7. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The free-form lenses (210) are arranged side by side in a row.

8. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The working surface (211) is curved.

9. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The light and dark boundaries are either asymmetrical or straight.

10. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Starting from the initial edge (211a), the action surface (211) extends away from the light emitting surface (120) along the two side edges in the direction of the main radiation direction until the rising edge (211b) opposite to the initial edge (211a).

11. The lighting device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first and second distances (A1, A2) of each action surface (211) are of the same size.

12. The lighting device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The mark is the manufacturer's mark.

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

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