Lighting apparatus for vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: a first light unit comprising a light source and a planar first light guide having a linear light input surface and a light output surface; the light guide device comprises a first light unit and a second light unit, the second light unit comprises a light source and a planar second light guide, the second light guide is provided with a linear light coupling input surface and a linear light coupling output surface, and the first light guide and the second light guide are integrally connected with each other to form a light guide element. The opposing flat sides of the first light guide and the opposing flat sides of the second light guide each intersect in an intersection region, and the first light guide has a deflection section between a planar first section and a planar second section of the first light guide, the first light guide and the second light guide form a U-shaped light guide element in a transverse plane extending transversely to the linear light coupling-in surfaces of the first light guide and the second light guide, and the extension section of the first light guide and the extension section of the second light guide project at an angle from the intersection region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, the lighting device comprising a first light unit, the first light unit including a light source and a planar first light guide, the planar first light guide having a linear light coupling-input surface and a light coupling-out surface; and the lighting device comprising a second light unit, the second light unit including a light source and a planar second light guide, the planar second light guide having a linear light coupling-input surface and a linear light coupling-out surface, wherein the planar first light guide and the planar second light guide are integrally connected to each other to form a light guide element, the opposite flat sides of the first light guide and the opposite flat sides of the second light guide respectively intersect in an intersection region, and the planar first light guide has a deflection section between a first section of the plane and a second section of the plane of the first light guide. Background Art

[0002] EP 2 354 637 A2 discloses a lighting device for a vehicle, which has a first light unit and a second light unit, each of which includes a light source and a planar light guide. The planar light guides of the first light unit and the second light unit are connected to each other in one piece and intersect in a crossover region. The first light unit and the second light unit each have a planar light guide, which has a light coupling-in surface on one of the narrow sides, on which light is coupled-in and continues to be conducted via the opposite flat side of the respective planar light guide. The planar first light guide has a deflection section and a planar first section starting from the crossover region, while the planar second light guide is formed to be planar and extends in a plane. In this way, a linear light coupling-out can be performed on the side of the planar second light guide opposite to the light coupling-in surface to generate a light function. The second light guide has a coupling-out device so that light is coupled-out on the flat side in front of it to generate a light function. Advantageously, the linear light function and the light function associated with the surface can be arranged directly side by side. It is desirable to arrange the extended light function in a space-saving manner. Summary of the invention

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to further develop a lighting device for a vehicle having two intersecting planar light guides in such a way that a plurality of light functions can be provided in a space-saving manner.

[0004] In order to solve this problem, the present invention is characterized in that the planar first optical waveguide and the planar second optical waveguide form a U-shaped optical waveguide element in a transverse plane extending transversely to the linear light coupling input surface of the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide, wherein an extended section of the first optical waveguide and an extended section of the second optical waveguide extend from the intersection area at an angle.

[0005] The particular advantage of the present invention is that a variety of light functions can be generated in a space-saving manner. In the front view of the lighting device, only one luminous surface is formed, which is composed of a planar light beam generated by the first light unit on the one hand and a linear light beam generated by the second light unit on the other hand. The luminous surface of the emerging planar light beam is limited by the deflection section and the intersection area of ​​the first light unit, and the planar second light guide extends from the intersection area in the main emission direction. By providing a U-shaped light guide element, the width of the planar light coupling out can be limited between the intersection area and the deflection area. The linear light beam is emitted by the first light unit along the light guide direction within the planar light guide, so that the defined light flux for the planar and linear light emission of the first light unit can be simply adjusted by the coupling-out device constituting the first light unit.

[0006] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the U-shaped light guide element has a relatively large top area, which is formed by the second section of the first light guide. The first arm is formed by the first section of the first light guide, and the second arm is formed by the first section of the second light guide. Advantageously, the luminous surface can be produced in a space-saving manner, wherein the first arm and the second arm can extend in the removal direction of the injection mold in a nearly parallel manner or at an acute opening angle.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a narrow side is formed as a light coupling-out surface on the side of the extension section of the first light guide and the second light guide facing away from the intersection area. Advantageously, two different linear light functions, preferably emitted at right angles, can be generated thereby. In particular, the extension section of the first light guide can be used to generate a side marker light, which extends perpendicularly to the direction of the light beam emerging from the second section of the first light guide extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0008] According to a further improvement of the present invention, the extension axis of the intersection region extends parallel to the extension direction of the linear light coupling-out on the extended sections of the first and second light guides. The extension axis of the intersection region and the extension of the light coupling-in surface extend in the vertical direction.

[0009] According to the present invention, linear light coupling-out is performed on the extended sections of the first light guide and the second light guide respectively along the light guiding directions of the first light guide and the second light guide. Advantageously, the light extraction rate is relatively high.

[0010] According to a further development of the invention, at least the second section of the first light guide has a coupling-out device, so that light is coupled out on the front flat side of the second section to produce a predetermined light distribution. If necessary, a further second coupling-out device can be provided, so that in addition or alternatively, the light coupled in is generated on the second section of the first light guide in accordance with a predetermined inscription or for the purpose of producing an icon. Thus, the illuminated surface can be used for information purposes.

[0011] According to a further improvement of the present invention, an inclined surface is provided in the deflection section of the first light guide, by means of which the coupled-in light is deflected by 90°. The inclined surface is preferably flat and is arranged at an angle between 40° and 50°, preferably 45°, relative to the extension direction of the first and second sections of the first light guide. The inclined surface preferably has a reflective optical element or a reflective (mirror) surface.

[0012] According to a further improvement of the present invention, a holding arm for fixing the U-shaped light guide element on the housing of the lighting device extends on the narrow side of the light coupling-in side of the first section of the first light guide and the second light guide. In this way, a relatively large-area U-shaped light guide element can be stably held.

[0013] Further advantages of the invention result from the further dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] In the figure:

[0016] Figure 1 A perspective view showing a lighting device according to the present invention, and

[0017] Figure 2 A horizontal cross-section of the lighting device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The lighting device for a vehicle according to the invention can be used, for example, in the rear region to produce a tail light function, a contour light function and a side marker light function.

[0019] The lighting device according to the present invention comprises a first light unit 1 and a second light unit 2, wherein the first light unit and the second light unit generate predetermined light distribution independently of each other.

[0020] The first light unit 1 includes a certain number of light sources 3 and a planar first light guide 4 having two opposite flat sides 5, 5'. The opposite flat sides 5, 5' are connected to each other via a narrow side 6. At the first end of the first light guide 4, the narrow side 6 is configured as a linear light coupling-in surface. A plurality of light sources 3 are arranged along the light coupling-in surface 6', so that the first light 7 is coupled into the light coupling-in surface 6' and is further guided by total reflection along the opposite flat sides 5, 5' toward the linear light coupling-out surface 6'' of the first light guide 4. The linear light coupling-in surface 6' can extend in a straight line or in a curved manner, wherein the light source 3 is arranged to conform to the contour of the light coupling-in surface 6.

[0021] The second light unit 2 includes a light source 8 and a second light guide 9, which has opposite flat sides 10, 10' and a narrow side 11 connecting them. One narrow side 11' of the second light guide 9 is configured as a linear light coupling-in surface, and a plurality of light sources 8 are arranged in a row or longitudinally extending along the light coupling-in surface. The second light 12 emitted by the light source 8 is coupled into the second light guide 9 through the light coupling-in surface 11' and is totally reflected on the opposite flat sides 10, 10' of the second light guide in the direction of the other narrow side 11 configured as a linear light coupling-out surface 11". The second light 12 is coupled out on the linear light coupling-out surface 11".

[0022] The first optical waveguide 4 and the second optical waveguide 9 are formed as one piece and are especially manufactured as injection molded parts. In the intersection region 13, the parallel flat sides 5, 5' of the first optical waveguide 4 intersect with the flat sides 10, 10' of the second optical waveguide 9. Since the intersection region 13 is arranged in the following region of the first optical waveguide 4 and the second optical waveguide 9, only the relatively short extension section 14 of the first optical waveguide 4 and the extension section 15 of the second optical waveguide 9 are adjacent to the region downstream of the light path, so the part of the light 7, 12 lost due to scattering in the other intersecting optical waveguides 9 and 4 is relatively small. In particular, for the first optical waveguide 4, the extension section 14 has a length l V1 is significantly smaller than the length l1 of the second section 20 of the first light guide 4, which is located upstream of the light path of the intersection region 13. The length l1 of the extension section 14 V1 Less than 50%, preferably less than 30%, in particular less than 10% of the length l1 of the second section 20 of the first light guide 4 .

[0023] The length l of the extension section 15 of the second optical waveguide 9 V2 Smaller than the length l2 of the first section 16 of the second light guide 9 extending upstream of the light passage of the intersection region 13 .

[0024] The total length of the second optical waveguide 9 is the length l2 of the first section 16, the length l2 of the extension section 15 V2 and the sum of the thickness d1 of the first light guide 4. Both the extended section 15 of the second light guide 9 and the first section 16 are arranged at an angle of 85° to 95°, preferably not at a right angle, relative to the second section 20 of the first light guide 4 passing through the intersection region 13 (intersection point), so as to enable removal from the injection mold. The linear light coupling-out surface 11 ″ arranged opposite the linear light coupling-in surface 11 ′ can have a scattering optical element 17 for coupling out light in a scattered manner according to a predetermined light distribution.

[0025] The region of the first light guide 4 arranged upstream of the light flow of the intersection region 13 has a planar first section 18 with a light coupling-in surface 6'. In the light flow direction, the first section 18 is adjoined by a deflection section 19, on which the coupled-in first light 7 is deflected by approximately 90° in the direction of a second section 20, which is planar and extends up to the intersection region 13. The deflection section 19 has an inclined surface 29, on which the light 7 is deflected. The inclined surface 29 can have a reflective optical element or a mirror.

[0026] The first section 18, the deflection section 19 and the second section 20 of the first optical waveguide 4 together with the first section 16 of the second optical waveguide 9 form a U-shaped light-guiding element 21 formed in a plane extending transversely to the linear light coupling-in surfaces 6', 11' of the first optical waveguide 4 and the second optical waveguide 9. The intersection region 13 is located in the region close to the coupling-out of the first optical waveguide 4 and the second optical waveguide 9. The second section 20 of the first optical waveguide 4 forms the top of the U-shaped light-guiding element. The first section 18 and the deflection section 19 of the first optical waveguide 4 form the first arm of the U-shaped light-guiding element 21. The first section 16 of the second optical waveguide 9 forms the second arm of the U-shaped light-guiding element 21.

[0027] In the intersection region 13 , the flat sides 5 , 5 ′ of the first light guide 4 and / or the flat sides 10 , 10 ′ of the second light guide 9 continue to extend in the same direction, wherein the flat sides 5 , 5 ′ of the first light guide 4 and the flat sides 10 , 10 ′ of the second light guide 9 are alternately interrupted.

[0028] The first light guide 4 and the second light guide 9 preferably have a constant thickness d1 or d2 , so that the interruption widths of the respective flat sides 5 , 5 ′ of the first light guide 4 and the flat sides 10 , 10 ′ of the second light guide 9 in the intersection region 13 are equally large.

[0029] The flat sides 5, 5' of the first light guide 4 and the flat sides 10, 10' of the second light guide 9 each extend straight toward the intersection region 13 along the light transmission direction, wherein they form an angle φ in the intersection region 13. Since the flat sides 5, 5' of the first light guide 4 and the flat sides 10, 10' of the second light guide 9 extend straight, respectively, the extension section 14 of the first light guide 4 and the extension section 15 of the second light guide 9 also form the same angle φ with each other. Since in the present embodiment, the flat sides 5, 5' of the first light guide 4 and the flat sides 10, 10' of the second light guide 9 are not completely perpendicular to each other, the opening angle φ is not 90°, but has a deviation of + / -5° from 90°.

[0030] The extension axis E of the intersection region 13 KThe extension sections 14 , 15 extend parallel to the extension direction of the light coupling-in surface 6 ′ of the first light guide 4 and the light coupling-in surface 11 ′ of the second light guide 9 or parallel to the light coupling-out surfaces 6 ″, 11 ″.

[0031] A coupling-out device (not shown) is arranged between the intersection region 13 and the deflection section 19 where the second section 20 of the first light guide 4 is located, so that the light coupled into the first light guide 4 is coupled out on the flat side 5' in front thereof along the main emission direction H of the lighting device. For example, the coupled-out light 30 can be used to generate a tail light function. For example, an elongated prismatic element or a scattering element can be arranged as a coupling-out device on the flat side 5 behind the second section 20 of the first light guide 4. Alternatively, a corresponding coupling-out device can also be arranged on the flat side 5' in front.

[0032] Additionally or alternatively, a coupling-out means may be arranged in the second section 20 of the first light guide 4 in such a way that the light 31 emerges in the main emission direction H according to a predetermined inscription or logo 22 at the front flat side 5 ′.

[0033] If the light beam emitted from the second section 20 of the first light guide 4 along the main emission direction H is to have a light function (tail light function) and an icon function, the first coupling-out device that realizes the light function can cause the coupled-out light to have a different illumination brightness than the second coupling-out device responsible for the icon 22. In the present embodiment, the first coupling-out device is arranged on the entire surface of the second section 20, while the second coupling-out device for displaying the icon 22 is only partially arranged in the part of the second section 20 of the first light guide where the icon 22 is to be located.

[0034] In order to hold the U-shaped light guide element 21, a holding arm 23 is arranged on the side facing the light sources 3, 8 as an extension on the narrow side extending toward the light coupling-in surface of the first section of the light guide 4 and the second light guide 9. At the end side, the holding arm 23 has a fixing ear 24 for fixing the U-shaped light guide element 21 on a housing (not shown) of the lighting device.

[0035] The extension section 14 of the first light guide 4 has a linear light coupling-out surface 6 ″ on the side facing away from the intersection region 13 , which can be used to generate side marker light 26 . The side marker light 26 is therefore emitted substantially perpendicularly to the tail light 30 or contour light 28 and the icon lighting 31 .

[0036] The linear light coupling-out surface 11 ″ of the extension section 15 of the second light guide 9 , which is arranged on the side facing away from the intersection region 13 , can be used to generate a contour light function 28 . This light of the contour light is emitted in the same direction (main emission direction H) as the rear light 30 .

[0037] Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to produce a plurality of light functions in a compact, space-saving manner.

[0038] The light sources 3 , 8 are preferably designed as LED light sources, which are each arranged on a printed circuit board (not shown). The light sources 3 , 8 are arranged in a row.

[0039] Reference numerals list

[0040] 1First light unit

[0041] 2 Second light unit

[0042] 3 Light Source

[0043] 4First Light Guide

[0044] 5, 5' flat side

[0045] 6 Narrow side

[0046] 6' optical coupling input surface

[0047] 6'' light coupling output surface

[0048] 7 First Light

[0049] 8 Light Source

[0050] 9 Second light guide

[0051] 10, 10' flat side

[0052] 11 Narrow side

[0053] 11' optical coupling input surface

[0054] 11'' light coupling output surface

[0055] 12 Second Light

[0056] 13 Crossover area

[0057] 14 Extended section

[0058] 15 Extended section

[0059] 16 Section 1

[0060] 17 Scattering optical elements

[0061] 18 Section 1

[0062] 19 Deflection section

[0063] 20Second Section

[0064] 21U-shaped light guide element

[0065] 22 Icons

[0066] 23 Holding arm

[0067] 24 fixed ears

[0068] 25 light coupling output surface

[0069] 26 side marker light

[0070] 27 Light coupling output surface

[0071] 28 contour light function

[0072] 29 bevel

[0073] 30 Tail Lights

[0074] 31 Icon Light Functions

[0075] H Main emission direction

[0076] E K Extended Axis

[0077] φ angle

[0078] l1, l2 length

[0079] l V1 , l V2 length

[0080] d1, d2 thickness

Claims

1. A lighting device for a vehicle, the lighting device comprising a first light unit (1), the first light unit comprising a light source (3) and a planar first light guide (4), the planar first light guide having a linear light coupling-in surface (6') and a light coupling-out surface (6''); and the lighting device comprising a second light unit (2), the second light unit comprising a light source (8) and a planar second light guide (9), the planar second light guide having a linear light coupling-in surface (11') and a linear light coupling-out surface (11''), wherein: The planar first light guide (4) and the planar second light guide (9) are integrally connected to each other to form a light guide element. The opposite flat sides (5, 5') of the first light guide (4) and the opposite flat sides (10, 10') of the second light guide (9) intersect in an intersection region (13), respectively; and The first planar light guide (4) has a deflection section (19) between a first planar section (18) and a second planar section (20) of the first planar light guide (4). The invention is characterized in that a planar first optical waveguide (4) and a planar second optical waveguide (9) form a U-shaped optical waveguide element (21) in a transverse plane extending transversely to linear light coupling-in surfaces (6', 11') of the first optical waveguide (4) and the second optical waveguide (9), wherein an extended section (14) of the first optical waveguide (4) and an extended section (15) of the second optical waveguide (9) protrude from an intersection region (13) at an angle (φ).

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that The second section (20) of the first light guide (4) forms the top of a U-shaped light guide element (21), the first section (18) of the first light guide (4) forms the first arm of the U-shaped light guide element (21), and the first section (16) of the second light guide (9) forms the second arm of the U-shaped light guide element.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: On the side of each of the extension sections (14, 15) facing away from the intersection region (13), a narrow side is formed as a linear light coupling-out surface (6") of the first light guide (4) and as a linear light coupling-out surface (11") of the second light guide (9).

4. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The extended sections (14, 15) form the same angle (φ) with respect to a second section (20) of the first light guide (4) extending toward the intersection region (13) in the light transmission direction and a first section (16) of the second light guide (9).

5. The lighting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The angle (φ) formed between the extension sections (14, 15) is 90°.

6. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The extension axis (E) of the intersection region (13) K ) extends parallel to the extension direction of the linear light coupling-in surfaces (6', 11') of the first light guide (4) and the second light guide (9).

7. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The extension axis (E) of the intersection region (13) K ) extends in the vertical direction.

8. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The planar first light guide (4) has a coupling-out means in its planar second section (20) so that the coupled-in light (7) is coupled out at a flat side (5') of the planar second section (20) in front in a main emission direction (H) to produce a predetermined light function.

9. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The coupling-out means are distributed in the second section (20) of the first light guide (4) so ​​that light is coupled out by the second section (20) of the first light guide (4) over the entire surface in a main emission direction (H) to generate a light function.

10. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: A second coupling-out means is arranged only partially in the second section (20) of the first planar light guide (4), so that light (31) is coupled out at the front flat side (5') of the first light guide (4) to display a logo or an image (22).

11. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The deflection section (19) of the first light guide (4) has an inclined surface (29) on which the coupled-in light (7) is deflected.

12. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The bevel (29) is flat or provided with a reflective optical element and extends at an angle in the range of 40° to 50°, preferably 45°, relative to the extension direction of the first section (18) and the second section (20) of the first light guide (4).

13. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: A row of light sources (3, 8) is arranged on a linear light coupling-in surface (6') of the first light guide (4) and a linear light coupling-in surface (11') of the second light guide (9), respectively.

14. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: Holding arms (23) are respectively formed in the extensions of the narrow sides of the first light guide (4) and the second light guide (9) connected to the light coupling-in surfaces (6', 11') for fixing the U-shaped light guide element (21) on the housing of the lighting device.

15. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The second section (20) of the first light guide (4) extends substantially perpendicularly to the first section (18) of the first light guide (4) and perpendicularly to the second light guide (9).

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