Lighting device for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle, in particular a headlight for a motor vehicle, comprising: a plurality of light sources from which light is emitted during operation of the lighting device; a collimating optical device having a plurality of collimating lenses arranged side by side with each other in a row extending in a first direction, the collimating lenses each having an incident surface and an exit surface through which light emitted from the light source sequentially passes during operation of the illumination device; and a secondary optic having at least one array of structures through which at least part of the light emitted from the collimating optic passes during operation of the lighting device, the at least one light source having a light exit surface comprising at least two individually controllable sections, the lighting device is arranged such that light emitted from a first section of the at least one light source produces a first light function and light emitted from a second section of the at least one light source produces a second light function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] A lighting device of the above type is known from DE 10 2021 122 953 B3. The lighting device described here, which is particularly designed as a headlight for a motor vehicle, comprises: a plurality of light sources from which light is emitted during operation of the lighting device; a collimating optical device having a plurality of collimating lenses, each of which has an entrance surface and an exit surface, through which the light emitted from the light source passes; and a secondary optical device having a plurality of cylindrical lens arrays, through which the light emitted from the collimating optical device passes. Here, the collimating lenses are arranged in at least two rows, wherein at least two collimating lenses in each row are arranged side by side in a first direction, and the rows are arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. An aperture opening is arranged on each entrance surface of the collimating lens, which aperture opening is configured as an opening in a light-proof layer on the entrance surface. The aperture openings are designed differently for different rows. The lower edges of some of the aperture openings on the incident surface of the collimating lens can be imaged from the optical system of the lighting device formed by the collimating optical device and the secondary optical device into the exterior space of the motor vehicle as a horizontal light-dark boundary. By means of the three rows arranged one above the other disclosed in DE 10 2021 122 953 B3, the front field component of the high beam, the low beam and the range component of the low beam can be generated as different light functions.

[0003] A disadvantage of such lighting devices known in the prior art is that different warm appearances are visible in different functions (eg, in parts of the low beam and in the high beam). The warm appearance here refers to the design of the lighting device that is visible from the outside during operation. Summary of the invention

[0004] The problem underlying the present invention is therefore to provide a lighting device of the type mentioned at the outset which, despite the generation of different light functions, retains a consistently warm appearance.

[0005] This is achieved by a lighting device of the type mentioned at the outset having the characterizing features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0006] According to claim 1, at least one of the light sources, in particular each light source, has a light output surface with at least two individually controllable segments, wherein the lighting device is arranged such that the light emitted from the first segment of the at least one light source generates a first light function and the light emitted from the second segment of the at least one light source generates a second light function. With this design, a plurality of light functions can be generated by a row of collimating lenses arranged next to one another. In addition, a consistent warm appearance can be ensured.

[0007] It can be provided that the first light function is a high beam or a part of a high beam, and the second light function is a low beam or a part of a low beam. For example, the second light function can be a front field component of a low beam.

[0008] At least two individually controllable sections of at least one light source can be arranged side by side with each other in a first direction and / or a second direction in a light output surface, in particular wherein the first direction corresponds to a horizontal direction when the lighting device is installed in a motor vehicle and the second direction corresponds to a vertical direction when the lighting device is installed in a motor vehicle.

[0009] There is a possibility that the optical device of the lighting device formed by the collimating optical device and the secondary optical device is arranged to image the light exit surface of at least one light source into the exterior space of the motor vehicle. In particular, here, the second segment of the at least one light source can have an edge arranged in the light exit surface, which edge faces the first segment of the at least one light source, wherein the optical device of the lighting device is arranged to image the edge of the second segment of the light exit surface of the at least one light source arranged in the light exit surface as a horizontal light-dark boundary into the exterior space of the motor vehicle. When the segment of the light source that generates the second light function emits light and the adjacent first segment does not emit light, a clear boundary between the luminous area and the non-luminous area is automatically formed. Then, this clear boundary is imaged into the exterior space of the motor vehicle as a horizontal light-dark boundary. In this way, a diaphragm for generating a light-dark boundary is no longer required, and its boundary must be imaged into the exterior space of the motor vehicle.

[0010] It can be provided that each individually controllable segment of the at least one light source is designed as a light emitting diode (LED) or a group of light emitting diodes, whose active surfaces together form the light exit surface of the at least one light source. In this case, at least one of the light sources, preferably each light source, can be designed as a solid-state LED array. This makes it possible to utilize the advantages of SSL technology, which can be provided in particular in terms of small installation space and high efficiency.

[0011] It is possible that at least one of the light sources, preferably each light source, comprises two to six light emitting diodes. Alternatively, each light source may also be provided with more than six light emitting diodes. When the number is two light emitting diodes, the first section and the second section each consist of one light emitting diode. When the number is more than two light emitting diodes, the first section and / or the second section and / or a possible further section and / or a possible plurality of further sections may have more than one light emitting diode.

[0012] It can be provided that the active surface of the light-emitting diode of at least one light source, preferably the active surface of the light-emitting diode of each light source, has a width of 0.3 mm. 2 Up to 2.0 mm 2 size, especially with 0.4 mm 2 Up to 1.5 mm 2 The size is preferably 0.5 mm 2 Up to 1.0 mm 2 In this case, the size of the total effective area of ​​the light-emitting diodes of a light source can in particular be equal to 6 mm 2 or less than 6 mm 2 .

[0013] It is possible that one of the collimating lenses is assigned to each light source, so that the light emitted from the light source sequentially passes through the incident surface and the exit surface of the assigned collimating lens.

[0014] It can be provided that at least one structure array of the secondary optical device is configured as a lens array. In particular, the lenses of at least one lens array can be configured as cylindrical lenses, in particular wherein the cylindrical lenses are arranged next to each other in a first direction and the cylindrical axes of the cylindrical lenses extend in a second direction. By this arrangement of the cylindrical axes in the vertical direction, a horizontal spread of the light distribution generated by the lighting device is achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic side view showing a lighting device according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 Show according to Figure 1 A view of the collimating optical device toward the lighting device as shown by arrow II;

[0018] Figure 3 Show according to Figure 1 A view towards the light source of the lighting device as shown by arrow III. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the figures, identical or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals. For better orientation, a Cartesian coordinate system is drawn in each of the figures.

[0020] The embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention shown in the drawings is configured as a headlamp. The lighting device comprises a plurality of light sources 1, a collimating optical device 2 and a secondary optical device 3 (see Figure 1 ).

[0021] The light sources 1 are arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other in a row extending along a first direction X (see Figure 3 ). If a plurality of such rows are provided, the rows of light sources 1 are arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other in a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X. In particular, the first direction X corresponds to the horizontal direction in a state where the lighting device is installed in a vehicle, and the second direction Y corresponds to the vertical direction in a state where the lighting device is installed in a motor vehicle. The light sources 1, the collimating optical device 2 and the secondary optical device 3 are arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other in a third direction Z perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y (see Figure 1 ). In this case, in particular, when the lighting device is installed in a motor vehicle, the third direction Z corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0022] The light sources 1 each include a plurality of light emitting diodes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, from which light is emitted during operation of the lighting device. The effective surfaces of the light emitting diodes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d jointly form the light exit surface of the corresponding light source 1. At least one of the light sources 1, preferably each light source 1, can be configured as a solid-state LED array.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, two light emitting diodes 4a, 4b are arranged one above the other in the Y direction in each light source 1. The two light emitting diodes 4a, 4b form a first section 5 of the light source 1 in each light source 1. Figure 3 Above the light-emitting diode 4 b , two light-emitting diodes 4 c , 4 d are arranged next to one another in the X direction. In each light source 1 , the two light-emitting diodes 4 c , 4 d form a second section 6 of the light source 1 .

[0024] It is entirely possible that more or fewer light-emitting diodes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d are provided for each section 5, 6. It is also possible that more than two sections 5, 6 of the light exit surface of the corresponding light source 1 are provided. For example, it can be provided that at least one of the light sources 1, preferably each light source 1, includes two to six light-emitting diodes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. Alternatively, more than six light-emitting diodes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d can also be provided for each light source 1. When the number is two light-emitting diodes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, the first section 5 and the second section 6 are each composed of one light-emitting diode 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. When the number is more than two light-emitting diodes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, the first section 5 and / or the second section 6 and / or a possible further section and / or a possible further plurality of sections 5, 6 may include more than one light-emitting diode 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d.

[0025] It can be provided that the active surface of the light-emitting diodes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d of at least one light source 1, preferably the active surface of the light-emitting diodes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d of each light source 1, has a diameter of 0.5 mm. 2 Up to 1.0 mm 2 In this case, the size of the total active surface of the light-emitting diodes of a light source can in particular be equal to 6 mm 2 or less than 6 mm 2 .

[0026] The two segments 5, 6 of each light source 1 or the light-emitting diodes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d forming the segments 5, 6 can be controlled individually. In the switched-on state, the light emitted by the light-emitting diodes 4a, 4b of the first segment 5 can generate a first light function, which is, for example, a high beam. In addition, in the switched-on state, the light emitted by the light-emitting diodes 4c, 4d of the second segment 5 can generate a second light function, which is, for example, a low beam or part of a low beam.

[0027] The collimating optical device 2 is constructed as a single piece in the embodiment shown in the drawings and is arranged so that when the lighting device is in operation, the light emitted from the light source 1 at least partially passes through the collimating optical device 2. In the embodiment shown, the collimating optical device 2 has a row of three collimating lenses 7 arranged side by side in a first direction X.

[0028] If more than one row of light sources 1 is provided, the collimating optical device 2 also has more than one row of collimating lenses 7. In this case, the rows of collimating lenses 7 are arranged in the same manner as the light sources 1 in the second direction Y or in the same manner as the light sources 1. Figure 1 Arranged in an upper and lower stack.

[0029] It is entirely possible to provide more than three or fewer than three collimating lenses 7 per row. It is also possible not to connect the collimating lenses 7 of the collimating optical system 2 to one another in one piece, but to construct them on separate substrates, which can be arranged next to one another in the first direction X and / or the second direction Y. This makes it possible to distribute the collimating optical system 2 in columns or rows and / or rows on a plurality of substrates.

[0030] The collimating lenses 7 each have an incident surface 8 facing the light source 1 and an exit surface 9 opposite the incident surface 8. Here, a collimating lens 7 is respectively assigned to each light source 1 and is therefore arranged in front of the light source 1 so that the light emitted from the light source 1 is collimated as much as possible by the respectively assigned collimating lens 7.

[0031] In the embodiment shown, the secondary optics 3 has a transparent substrate with an entrance face 10 and an exit face 11, through which the light emitted from the collimating optics 2 can at least partially pass. It is entirely possible to provide more than one transparent substrate of the secondary optics 3, through which the light emitted from the collimating optics 2 can at least partially pass in sequence.

[0032] An array of structures, in particular an array of (circular) cylindrical lenses, may be arranged on the entrance surface 10 and / or the exit surface 11 of the secondary optics 3. In this case, the cylindrical lenses are arranged next to one another in a first direction X, and the cylindrical axes of the cylindrical lenses extend in a second direction Y. This arrangement of the cylindrical lenses enables a horizontal expansion of the light distribution generated by the lighting device in the exterior of the motor vehicle.

[0033] The cylindrical lenses of the array may have a spherical or aspherical cross section. They may also have a cross section corresponding to a section of a sine function. Furthermore, the cylindrical lenses may have a polygonal or multi-sided or polygonal cross section.

[0034] Instead of cylindrical lenses, the structures of the array can be designed as light deflecting elements, in particular as prisms.

[0035] The optical system of the lighting device formed by the collimating optical system 2 and the secondary optical system 3 images the light exit surface of the light source 1 into the exterior space of the motor vehicle. Here, the second segment 6 of the respective light source 1 has an edge 12 arranged in the light exit surface, which faces the first segment 5 of the respective light source 1. When the light emitting diodes 4a, 4b of the first segment 5 are turned off and the light emitting diodes 4c, 4d of the second segment 6 are turned on, the edge 12 of the second segment 6 arranged in the light exit surface is imaged as a horizontal light-dark boundary by the optical system of the lighting device into the exterior space of the motor vehicle. Reference numerals list

[0036] 1 Light Source

[0037] 2Collimation optics

[0038] 3 Secondary Optics

[0039] 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d LEDs

[0040] 5 The first section of the light exit surface of the light source

[0041] 6 The second section of the light exit surface of the light source

[0042] 7. Collimating lens

[0043] 8 Incident surface of the collimating lens

[0044] 9Outlet surface of collimating lens

[0045] 10Entrance surface of secondary optics

[0046] 11Exit surface of secondary optics

[0047] 12 Edge of the second section of the light exit surface

[0048] X first direction

[0049] Y second direction

[0050] Z Third direction

Claims

1. A lighting device for a motor vehicle, in particular a headlamp for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a plurality of light sources (1), from which light is emitted during operation of the lighting device; - a collimating optical device (2) having a plurality of collimating lenses (7), the plurality of collimating lenses (7) being arranged side by side in a row extending in a first direction (X), wherein each collimating lens (7) has an incident surface (8) and an exit surface (9), and during operation of the lighting device, light emitted from the light source (1) passes through the incident surface and the exit surface in sequence; and a secondary optical system (3) having at least one structure array, wherein during operation of the lighting device at least a portion of the light emitted by the collimating optical system (2) passes through the at least one structure array, The invention is characterized in that at least one of the light sources (1), in particular each light source (1), has a light exit surface comprising at least two individually controllable segments (5, 6), wherein the lighting device is arranged so that light emitted from a first segment (5) of the at least one light source (1) generates a first light function and light emitted from a second segment (6) of the at least one light source (1) generates a second light function.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first light function is a high beam or a part of a high beam, and the second light function is a low beam or a part of a low beam.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The at least two individually controllable sections (5, 6) of the at least one light source (1) are arranged adjacent to one another in a light exit surface along a first direction (X) and / or along a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X).

4. The lighting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first direction (X) corresponds to a horizontal direction in a state where the lighting device is installed in a motor vehicle, and the second direction (Y) corresponds to a vertical direction in a state where the lighting device is installed in a motor vehicle.

5. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The optical system of the lighting device, which is composed of a collimating optical system (2) and a secondary optical system (3), is provided for imaging a light exit surface of the at least one light source (1) into the exterior of the motor vehicle.

6. The lighting device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second section (6) of the at least one light source (1) has an edge (12) arranged in a light exit surface, which edge faces the first section (5) of the at least one light source (1), wherein the optical device of the lighting device is configured to image the edge (12) of the second section (6) of the light exit surface of the at least one light source (1) arranged in the light exit surface as a horizontal light-dark boundary in the exterior space of the motor vehicle.

7. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: Each individually controllable segment (5, 6) of the at least one light source (1) is designed as a light emitting diode (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) or a group of light emitting diodes (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), the active surfaces of which together form a light exit surface of the at least one light source (1).

8. The lighting device according to claim 7, characterized in that: At least one of the light sources (1), preferably each light source (1), is designed as a solid-state LED array.

9. The lighting device according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that: At least one of the light sources (1), preferably each light source (1), comprises two to six light emitting diodes (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d).

10. The lighting device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: An effective surface of the light emitting diodes (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) of the at least one light source (1) forming a light exit surface, preferably an effective surface of the light emitting diodes (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) of each light source (1) has a diameter of 0.3 mm 2 Up to 2.0 mm 2 The size, especially 0.4 mm 2 Up to 1.5 mm 2 Size, preferably 0.5 mm 2 Up to 1.0 mm 2 size.

11. The lighting device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that: The size of the total active surface of the light-emitting diodes (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) of the light source (1) is equal to 6 mm 2 or less than 6 mm 2 .

12. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: One of the collimating lenses (7) is assigned to each light source (1), so that light emitted from the light source (1) passes through the incident surface (8) and the exit surface (9) of the assigned collimating lens (7) in sequence.

13. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The at least one structure array of the secondary optical system (3) is designed as a lens array.

14. The lighting device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The lenses of the at least one lens array are designed as cylindrical lenses.

15. The lighting device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The cylindrical lenses are arranged side by side with each other in a first direction (X), and cylindrical axes of the cylindrical lenses extend in a second direction (Y).

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