Main optical components of motorcycle headlights

Abstract

A primary optical device for a motorcycle headlamp, the primary optical device being a non-imaging primary optical device, configured to irradiate a segmented light distribution in front of the primary optical device, the primary optical device comprising a plurality of light-guiding elements for forming a predetermined segmented light distribution in a primary direction from light of a light source, each light-guiding element having a light input surface and a common light output surface, the light-guiding elements being arranged in groups, each group comprising at least two light-guiding elements juxtaposed along a straight arrangement line orthogonal to the primary direction, the light segments generated by the light-guiding elements of a group being juxtaposed along a line corresponding to and parallel to the straight irradiation line, the common light output surface comprising a homogenizing structure, the homogenizing structure being formed by a plurality of grooves, each groove extending along an extension line transverse to the straight arrangement line of each group of light-guiding elements, the groove having a constant radius along the extension line in a cross section orthogonal to the extension line, and the grooves being arranged relative to each other so that the extension lines of the grooves are parallel to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a primary optics for a motorcycle headlamp, the primary optics being a non-imaging primary optics configured to irradiate a segmented light distribution in front of the primary optics, wherein the primary optics comprises:

[0002] - the substrate, and

[0003] - a plurality of light-guiding elements protruding from the base body for forming a predetermined segmented light distribution in a main direction from the light of the light source,

[0004] wherein each light guide element has a light input surface into which light from a light source can be coupled into the light guide element, and a common light output surface for irradiating light received by the light guide element, wherein each light guide element is configured to contribute to generating a corresponding light segment of the segmented light distribution,

[0005] Wherein the light-guiding elements are arranged in groups, wherein each group comprises at least two light-guiding elements arranged juxtaposed along a straight arrangement line orthogonal to the main direction, wherein the light segments generated by the light-guiding elements of a group are irradiated juxtaposed along straight irradiation lines corresponding to and parallel to the respective straight arrangement lines of the respective group.

[0006] The present invention also relates to a lighting device comprising a primary optical device according to the invention, a plurality of light sources, at least one of which is associated with a respective light input surface of a light-guiding element, and a projection lens system, the projection lens system being configured to receive light emitted from a common light output surface of the primary optical device and to project a segmented light distribution in front of the lighting device.

[0007] The invention further relates to a motorcycle headlamp comprising at least one lighting device according to the invention or at least one primary optical system according to the invention. Background Art

[0008] Primary optical devices in lighting devices that allow for the emission of segmented light patterns are known from the prior art. For example, document AT513341 A1 discloses a lighting device for emitting segmented light patterns. This lighting device is designed for automotive use. In contrast to motorcycles, headlamps for automobiles are generally less restricted by dimensional requirements and do not require any adjustment for the vehicle's lateral inclination. Typically, automobiles have a low lateral inclination.

[0009] Due to limited space, motorcycle headlights often segment the light pattern with fewer segments (particularly columns). Consequently, each segment covers a wider solid angle. This wider solid angle for a given segment can lead to issues with visible differences in light intensity within the light pattern. Specifically, darker vertical gaps can be seen in areas where segments are adjacent to each other. Summary of the Invention

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a primary optics for a motorcycle headlamp which provides a light distribution with increased homogeneity.

[0011] To achieve this purpose, the common light output surface includes a homogenization structure, which is configured to homogenize the light distribution of the light segment irradiated along a straight irradiation line, wherein the homogenization structure is formed by a plurality of grooves, each groove extending along an extension line transverse to the straight arrangement line of each group of light guide elements, wherein the groove has a constant radius along the extension line in a cross section orthogonal to the extension line, and wherein the grooves are arranged relative to each other in such a way that the extension lines of the grooves are parallel to each other.

[0012] A motorcycle is typically a two-wheeled, single-track motor vehicle, but generally a two- or three-wheeled motor vehicle, designed to lean / roll about its longitudinal axis when turning. A possible roll angle of 45° is common.

[0013] Each light guide element of the primary optics is assigned to a specific segment of a light distribution pattern that can be irradiated by the primary optics or a lighting device having the primary optics, wherein adjacent light guide elements are assigned to adjacent segments in the light distribution.

[0014] Preferably, each row or group of light-guiding elements of the primary optics, including the light sources assigned to these rows or groups of rows, can be activated and deactivated independently of one another. The primary optics, or the lighting device having the primary optics, is configured to be controlled based on a measured motorcycle roll angle, wherein the rows are tilted relative to one another. The activation and deactivation of the rows or groups is performed based on the measured motorcycle roll angle, particularly to add additional light irradiation to the low-beam headlight pattern. This maximizes the resolution of the lighting device while optimizing its behavior during cornering, thereby avoiding glare while maintaining optimal road illumination. As the motorcycle tilts, some light segments of the high-beam headlight pattern used in the upright position will irradiate into the low-beam pattern due to the lowered position, providing appropriate cutoff at varying horizon levels depending on the direction and degree of tilt. Thus, the low-beam module can be supported by the high-beam module by selectively activating segments, particularly rows, of the lighting device. A larger number of rows can improve the adaptability of the low-beam headlight light pattern during cornering.

[0015] Preferably, the primary optics or a lighting device comprising the primary optics is configured so as to be able to radiate a high-beam distribution. This can be achieved when the motorcycle is driving straight ahead, typically in an upright position. When the motorcycle is tilted into a curve, for example, depending on the roll angle, only one side of a row, two rows, or three rows or groups of light-guiding elements (like a pizza slice) can be activated. This is where the "homogenizing structure" according to the invention is particularly useful: in contrast to the sharp boundaries of a segmented high-beam distribution, the light segments of the individual light-guiding elements will overlap smoothly in the radial direction from the center to the periphery. When cornering, a uniform low-beam distribution is produced, with the cutoff line aligned with the horizontal at different roll angles.

[0016] Advantageously, the extension line is a linear axis.

[0017] Advantageously, the extension line has a curvature at least partially in the direction of the main direction.Preferably, the curvature follows a Petzval surface of the projection lens system.

[0018] Advantageously, each groove has the same radius.

[0019] Advantageously, the radius is between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, preferably between 0.175 mm and 0.5 mm, preferably 0.35 mm.

[0020] Advantageously, each groove follows a semicircle along the extension line in a cross section orthogonal to the extension line.

[0021] Advantageously, the primary optical system is made of silicon.

[0022] Advantageously, the primary optical system is made of a transparent polycarbonate material.

[0023] Advantageously, the primary optical system is formed as a one-piece component by molding, in particular injection molding.

[0024] The objects of the present invention are also achieved by a lighting device, which comprises a primary optical device according to the present invention, a plurality of light sources and a projection lens system, at least one light source being associated with a respective light input surface of the light guide element, the projection lens system being configured to receive light emitted from a common light output surface of the primary optical device and to project a segmented light distribution in front of the lighting device.

[0025] Advantageously, the projection lens system comprises at least one projection lens, preferably exactly one projection lens.

[0026] Preferably, the projection lens system has an optical axis and a Petzval region, wherein the primary optics and the projection lens system are arranged relative to one another in such a manner that a common light output surface of the primary optics is positioned in the Petzval region of the projection lens system. Preferably, the projection lens system comprises an achromatic doublet for reducing chromatic aberrations.

[0027] Preferably, the primary optics and the projection lens system are arranged coaxially with respect to a main beam direction of the lighting device.

[0028] Preferably, each extension line lies in an extension plane, wherein the grooves of the homogenizing structure are arranged in such a way that the extension planes of each groove are parallel to one another.

[0029] Preferably, the extension plane is parallel to the vertical mirror plane.Due to this straight orientation of the grooves, in addition to the overlap along straight irradiation lines in radial direction, the uniformity of the rows or groups of segments is positively influenced due to the overlapping effect of the horizontal orientation.

[0030] Preferably, the extension plane is vertical when viewed from a correctly mounted state of the primary optical system in the motorcycle, wherein the motorcycle is in an upright position.

[0031] The effect of this feature is that the segments of the light distribution along straight irradiance lines are even more homogenized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The objects of the present invention are also achieved by a motorcycle headlamp comprising at least one lighting device according to the invention or at least one primary optical device according to the invention. Below, in order to further illustrate the invention, illustrative and non-limiting embodiments are discussed, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is an example of a lighting device comprising a primary optics having a light guide element, and a plurality of light sources, at least one light source being associated with a respective light input surface of the light guide element, and a projection lens system configured to receive light emitted from a common light output surface of the primary optics and to project a segmented light distribution in front of the lighting device,

[0034] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Rear view of the primary optics of the lighting fixture,

[0035] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 a front view of the primary optical device in FIG, wherein the common light output surface comprises a homogenizing structure, wherein the homogenizing structure is constructed as a plurality of parallel grooves,

[0036] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 、 2 and a top view of the primary optical device of 3 and the irradiated light segment produced by the first set of light-guiding elements;

[0037] Figure 5 is a detailed perspective view of the grooves of the common light output surface of the primary optics,

[0038] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a single groove of a homogenization structure,

[0039] Figure 7A is an exemplary segmented light distribution, wherein the light distribution comprises segmented light generated by a first set of light guide elements, wherein the segmented light distribution is irradiated by a primary optic according to the present invention, and

[0040] Figure 7B is an exemplary segmented light distribution, wherein the light distribution comprises segmented light generated by a first set of light-guiding elements, wherein the segmented light distribution is irradiated by a primary optical device without a homogenizing structure not according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Figure 1 A lighting device 10 for a motorcycle headlamp is shown, which includes a primary optical device 100, which is a non-imaging primary optical device configured to irradiate a segmented light distribution, wherein the primary optical device 100 includes a base body 110 and a plurality of light guide elements 200 protruding from the base body 110, the light guide elements 200 being used to guide light and form a predetermined segmented light distribution LD1' in a main direction x from the light of the light source 50.

[0042] The lighting device 10 shown in the figures is configured to irradiate or project a high-beam distribution, but the lighting device 10 may further include an additional low-beam module for irradiating or projecting a low-beam distribution.

[0043] Each light guide element 200 has a light input surface 210 into which light from the light source 50 can be coupled and a common light output surface 220 for irradiating light received by the light guide element 200, wherein each light guide element 200 is configured to contribute to the generation of a corresponding light segment of a segmented light distribution, as in Figure 2 and Figure 3 You can see this in more detail.

[0044] The primary optics 100 is made of silicon, but can also be made of a transparent polycarbonate material (PC), wherein the primary optics 100 is formed as a one-piece component by molding, in particular injection molding.

[0045] The lighting device 10 includes a plurality of light sources 50 and a projection lens system 400, at least one light source 50 being associated with a corresponding light input surface 210 of the light guide element 200, and the projection lens system 400 being configured to receive light emitted from a common light output surface 220 of the primary optical device 100 and to project a segmented light distribution LD1 in front of the lighting device 10.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the light guide elements 200 are arranged in groups GP1, GP2, GP3, wherein these groups are mirrored along the vertical plane VP, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG, where the vertical plane VP is parallel to the main direction X. Figure 2 The groups GP1', GP2', and GP3' in the figure are mirror images of the groups GP1, GP2, and GP3. In the embodiment shown in the figure, each group GP1, GP2, and GP3 includes three light guide elements 200, which are arranged juxtaposed along straight arrangement lines AL1, AL2, and AL3 orthogonal to the main direction X (the same applies to the mirror images of the groups GP1', GP2', and GP3'), wherein the light segments generated by the light guide elements 200 of a group are juxtaposed along straight irradiation lines IL corresponding to and parallel to the corresponding straight arrangement lines of the corresponding group. With reference to this, Figure 7A and Figure 7B The resulting segmented light distribution LD1 is shown, wherein the light segments LS1 , LS2 , LS3 are generated by the light guiding elements of the first mirror group GP1 ′.

[0047] The common light output surface 220 includes a homogenizing structure 300 configured to homogenize the light distribution LD1 of the light segments LS1, LS2, LS3 irradiated along the straight irradiation line IL, wherein the homogenizing structure 300 is formed by a plurality of grooves 310, each groove 310 extending along an extension line EL transverse to the straight arrangement line AL1, AL2, AL3 of each group GP1, GP2, GP3 of the light guide element 200, wherein the grooves 310 have a constant radius R along the extension line E1 in a cross section orthogonal to the extension line E1, and wherein the grooves 310 are arranged relative to each other in such a manner that the extension lines E1 of the grooves 310 are parallel to each other. Each groove 310 has the same radius R, wherein the radius R is between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, preferably between 0.175 mm and 0.5 mm, preferably 0.35 mm.

[0048] For example, Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG, each extension line EL lies in an extension plane EP, wherein the grooves 310 of the homogenization structure 300 are arranged in such a way that the extension planes EP of each groove are parallel to each other. In addition, each extension plane EP is parallel to the vertical plane VP.

[0049] above Figure 7A shows the resulting segmented light distribution with the homogenization structure 300, and Figure 7B The resulting segmented light distribution without homogenization structure 300 is shown.

[0050] from Figure 4 It can be seen that Figure 4 A top view of the primary optical device 100 and a schematically illustrated segmented light distribution with light segments LS1 ', LS2', LS3' are shown, wherein light distribution gaps LDG are indicated between adjacent light segments LS1 ', LS2', LS3' (at Figure 7B Due to the homogenization structure 300, these light distribution gaps LDG are illuminated by light, so that the light distributions of the light segments LS1', LS2', and LS3' are homogenized along the straight irradiation line IL. It should be noted that the illustrated light distribution LD1' refers to the intermediate image generated by the first mirror group GP1' at the common light output surface 220 of the primary optical device 100.

[0051] As in Figure 3 and Figure 5 As can be seen in FIG. 3 , the grooves 310 of the homogenizing structure 300 are parallel to each other, wherein the extension line EL is the linear axis.

[0052] It is also possible that the extension line EL has a curvature at least partially in the direction of the main direction X, such as Figure 6 It is also possible that each groove 310 follows a semicircle along the extension line EL in a cross section orthogonal to the extension line EL, which is also in the Figure 6 Instructions.

[0053] Furthermore, the common light output surface 220 substantially follows a virtual curved surface, which may follow a Petzval surface of the projection lens system 400. In the same way as the common light output surface 220, the grooves 310 and their respective extension lines EL follow a virtual curved surface.

[0054] Reference Signs List

[0055] Lighting fixtures… 10

[0056] Light source… 50

[0057] Primary optics… 100

[0058] Matrix… 110

[0059] Light guide components… 200

[0060] Light input surface… 210

[0061] Common light output surface 220

[0062] Homogenized structure… 300

[0063] Groove… 310

[0064] Projection lens system… 400

[0065] Layout lines… AL1, AL2, AL3; AL1', AL2', AL3'

[0066] Extension cord… EL

[0067] Irradiation line… IL

[0068] Group… GP1, GP2, GP3; GP1', GP2', GP3'

[0069] Segmented light distribution…LD1, LD1'

[0070] Light segments… LS1, LS2, LS3; LS1', LS2', LS3'

[0071] Vertical plane… VP

[0072] Extended Plane… EP

[0073] Radius… R

[0074] Main direction... X.

Claims

1. A primary optical device (100) for a motorcycle headlamp, the primary optical device (100) being a non-imaging primary optical device configured to irradiate a segmented light distribution (LD1) in front of the primary optical device (100), wherein: The primary optical device (100) comprises: - a base body (110), and - a plurality of light guide elements (200) protruding from the base body (110) for forming a predetermined segmented light distribution (LD1) in a main direction (X) from the light of the light source (50), Each light guide element (200) has a light input surface (210) into which light from a light source (50) can be coupled into the light guide element (200), and a common light output surface (220) for irradiating light received by the light guide element (200), wherein each light guide element (200) is configured to contribute to generating a corresponding light segment (LS1, LS2, LS3) of a segmented light distribution (LD1), wherein the light guide elements (200) are arranged in groups (GP1, GP2, GP3), wherein each group (GP1, GP2, GP3) comprises at least two light guide elements (200) arranged juxtaposed along a straight arrangement line (AL1, AL2, AL3) orthogonal to the main direction (X), wherein the light segments (LS1, LS2, LS3) generated by the light guide elements (200) of a group (GP1) are juxtaposedly irradiated along a straight irradiation line (IL) corresponding to and parallel to the corresponding group (GP1), It is characterized by The common light output surface (220) comprises a homogenizing structure (300) configured to homogenize the light distribution (LD1) of the light segments (LS1, LS2, LS3) irradiated along the straight irradiation line (IL), wherein the homogenizing structure (300) is formed by a plurality of grooves (310), each groove extending along an extension line (EL) transverse to the straight arrangement line (AL1, AL2, AL3) of each group (GP1, GP2, GP3) of the light guide element (200), wherein the groove (310) has a constant radius (R) along the extension line (EL) in a cross section orthogonal to the extension line (EL), And wherein the grooves (310) are arranged relative to each other in such a manner that the extension lines (EL) of the grooves (310) are parallel to each other.

2. The primary optical device according to claim 1, wherein The extension line (EL) is the linear axis.

3. The primary optical device according to claim 1, wherein The extension line (EL) has a curvature at least partially in the direction of the main direction (X).

4. The primary optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Each groove (310) has the same radius (R).

5. The primary optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The radius (R) is between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm.

6. The primary optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Each groove (310) follows a semicircle along the extension line (EL) in a cross section orthogonal to said extension line (EL).

7. The primary optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The primary optical device (100) is made of silicon.

8. The primary optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The primary optical device (100) is made of transparent polycarbonate material.

9. The primary optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The primary optics (100) is formed as a one-piece component by molding.

10. The primary optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Each extension line (EL) lies in an extension plane (EP), wherein the grooves (310) of the homogenization structure (300) are arranged in such a way that the extension planes (EP) of each groove (310) are parallel to each other.

11. The primary optical device according to claim 5, wherein: The radius (R) is between 0.175 mm and 0.5 mm.

12. The primary optical device according to claim 11, wherein The radius (R) is 0.35 mm.

13. The primary optical device according to claim 9, wherein: The primary optical device (100) is formed by injection molding.

14. A lighting device (10), comprising a primary optical device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, a plurality of light sources (50), and a projection lens system (400), at least one light source (50) being associated with a respective light input surface (210) of a light guide element (200), the projection lens system (400) being configured to receive light emitted from a common light output surface (220) of the primary optical device (100) and to project a segmented light distribution (LD1) in front of the lighting device (10).

15. A motorcycle headlamp comprising at least one lighting device (10) according to claim 14 or at least one primary optical device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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