Lighting device for vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle and a vehicle. The lighting device comprises a light source unit (1) comprising a plurality of light sources (2); the invention relates to an optical unit comprising at least one light guide body (3), which has a first side (6), on which light generated by the light source unit (1) is coupled, which has an opposite flat side (8), on which the coupled light is totally reflected in a light guiding direction (H), which has a second side (7), on which the light source unit (1) is coupled. The coupled-in light is coupled out of the light guide body (3) on the second side; a housing (10) on which the light source unit (1) and / or the optical unit are / is held; wherein the housing (10) has a recess (13), through which the light guide (3) extends, and wherein at least the second side (7) of the light guide (3) is arranged outside the housing (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, the lighting device comprising: a light source unit comprising a plurality of light sources; an optical unit comprising at least one light guide, the light guide having a first side, on which light generated by the light source unit is coupled in, the light guide having an opposite flat side, on which the coupled in light is totally reflected along a light guiding direction, the light guide having a second side, on which the coupled in light is coupled out from the light guide; and a housing, on which the light source unit and / or the optical unit is held.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle on which a lighting device is fastened. Background Art

[0003] DE 10 2019 108 312 A1 discloses a lighting device for a vehicle, which has a light source unit and an optical unit for generating a predetermined light function, such as a turn signal. The lighting device is designed to be longitudinally extended and extends on the outer side of the vehicle body. Advantageously, a light signature can be generated over the entire vehicle width. However, the body contour of the vehicle is changed by this.

[0004] DE 10 20 20 12 6 9 44 A1 discloses a lighting device for a vehicle, which has a light source unit and an optical unit for generating a predetermined light function or light distribution, wherein the light source unit and the optical unit are usually arranged inside a housing of the lighting device. The housing of the lighting device is fastened to the body of the vehicle, wherein a light-transmissive cover lens covering the housing of the lighting device is arranged following the contour of the body opening of the vehicle. Therefore, the light source unit and the optical unit are always located on the inner side of the body or more precisely on the inner side of the body opening. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to further develop a lighting device for a vehicle and a vehicle in such a way that a signal light function that is as uniform as possible is provided in a space-saving and sustainable manner.

[0006] To achieve this object, the invention is characterized in combination with the preamble of claim 1 in that the housing has a recess through which the light guide extends, wherein at least the second side of the light guide is arranged outside the housing.

[0007] The present invention provides a space-saving lighting device with as few components as possible, which displaces a part of the components into a space outside a housing. The basic idea of ​​the present invention is that the housing has a recess, so that a part of the light coupling-out component of the lighting device, namely the light guide, is arranged on the one hand outside the housing and on the other hand inside the housing or at least in the recess of the housing. Advantageously, the space requirement of the lighting device can be significantly reduced thereby.

[0008] According to a further development of the invention, the edge course of the notch is adapted to the contour of the light guide, thereby forming a constant seam that can be used to receive a sealing device. In this way, the light guide is supported in a sealing manner on the notch of the housing. The sealing device is preferably arranged on the edge of the notch and rests on the flat sides of the light guide and on the narrow sides connecting the flat sides, so that a circumferential seal around the light guide is ensured in the region of the notch.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the light coupling-in surface and the light coupling-out surface of the flat light guide are constructed as narrow sides. Light is therefore coupled in and coupled out at different edges of the flat light guide. The direction of the narrow side of the light coupling-out, which is preferably constructed to extend longitudinally, predetermines the direction of the housing notch. Advantageously, light can thus be emitted directly from the light guide into the surroundings. An additional transparent cover lens is not required. The contour or shape of the housing notch is predetermined or determined by the shape of the narrow side of the light coupling-out of the light guide.

[0010] According to an extension of the present invention, the light sources are each configured as a two-color light source. The two-color light source is designed to emit light not only in a first light color but also in a second light color, wherein the second light color is different from the first light color. If one light color is red and the other light color is yellow, the tail light / if necessary the brake light and the turn signal light can be emitted through the same light guide in a space-saving manner. If the first light color is white and the second light color is yellow, for example, the daytime running light and the turn signal light can be emitted through the same light guide. Advantageously, a uniform and light-intense signal light function can be generated thereby.

[0011] According to an extension of the present invention, a coupling-in optical device is arranged between the light source unit and the light guide, and the coupling-in optical device has a plurality of TIR optical elements (total internal reflection optical elements) respectively assigned to the light sources on the rear side facing the light source unit and has a scattering optical element extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the front side on the front side facing away from the light source unit. Advantageously, the light guidance can be optimized thereby, so that the coupled-in light can be transmitted relatively uniformly by total reflection to the narrow side of the light coupling-out through the light guide. The scattering optical element oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the front side causes the coupled-out light to be scattered along the longitudinal direction of the light coupling-in surface of the light guide, which increases the light guidance effect.

[0012] According to an extension of the invention, the narrow side of the light guide for coupling in light has a strip-shaped optical element extending in the longitudinal direction of the narrow side for coupling in light. Advantageously, this promotes lateral scattering of the coupled-in light. In particular, when the light guide is arranged vertically, this can cause horizontal scattering of the coupled-out light. This horizontal scattering can continue on the flat side of the light guide by total reflection to the front light coupling-out side and, as the light is emitted, a lateral angular distribution of the light is generated to meet the legal light distribution.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the light-coupling narrow side of the light guide is provided with a plurality of micro-optical elements and / or a plurality of micro-diffuser elements and / or micro-diffuser optical elements. Advantageously, the light-coupling narrow side can thereby be perceived by an observer as a strongly illuminated surface.

[0014] To achieve this object, the vehicle according to the invention has the features of claim 13 .

[0015] According to the present invention, the housing of the lighting device is arranged behind the inner side of the vehicle body opening or in close proximity to the inner side of the vehicle body opening, wherein only the protruding light guide extending from the housing is arranged in the vehicle body opening. For example, the light coupling-out side of the light guide can be arranged flush with the edge of the vehicle body opening. Alternatively, the housing can be fastened to the vehicle body so that the light coupling-out side of the light guide protrudes relative to the vehicle body opening, i.e., is arranged at a distance from the plane formed by the edge of the vehicle body opening. The design of the vehicle is thereby influenced by the protruding arrangement structure of the light coupling-out side of the light guide. If the light guide is arranged at least partially protruding from the vehicle body, the observer perceives the light guide more strongly. Advantageously, the vehicle outer skin can thereby be influenced for design purposes.

[0016] According to a further development of the invention, the lighting device or the housing of the lighting device is mounted so that it can be moved linearly, so that the light guide can be arranged in different positions relative to the vehicle body opening depending on the driving situation. Advantageously, different design effects of the vehicle can be achieved in this way. In addition, the light guide can be adjusted to be moved in in a targeted manner for maintenance purposes, maneuvering and parking or for specific driving, such as driving in a city. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0018] Figure 1 A side view showing a lighting device according to the present invention,

[0019] Figure 2 showing an exploded view of the lighting device,

[0020] Figure 3 A front view showing a light source unit and coupling-in optics of the lighting device,

[0021] Figure 4 A diagram showing the rear side of the coupling-in optics,

[0022] Figure 5 a diagram showing the rear side of a light guide of the lighting device,

[0023] Figure 6 showing an enlarged illustration of the light outcoupling face of the light guide,

[0024] Figure 7 A side view showing a lighting device installed in an opening in a vehicle body,

[0025] Figure 8 a front view showing a lighting device mounted in a vehicle body opening, and

[0026] Fig. 9 Schematic diagram showing the arrangement of multiple identical lighting devices on a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The lighting device for a vehicle according to the invention can be used to generate signal light functions, for example as a tail light for generating tail light, rear fog light, side marker light and brake light as well as reversing light and / or turn signal light. Alternatively or additionally, the lighting device can also be used as a signal light in the head area to generate daytime running light and / or turn signal light.

[0028] The lighting device has a light source unit 1 with a plurality of light sources 2 and an optical unit comprising a light guide 3 and coupling-in optics 4. The coupling-in optics 4 are arranged between the light source unit 1 and the light guide 3.

[0029] The light source 2 is designed as an LED light source and is arranged on a common printed circuit board 5. The light source 2 is designed as a two-color light source, wherein the light source can be controlled so that the light source can emit light of a first light color and light of a second light color. The second light color is different from the first light color. In this way, different signal light functions can be generated when the two-color light source is controlled accordingly.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the light sources 2 can each be designed as an RGB-LED light source and / or a multi-chip LED light source and / or individual LED light sources arranged directly adjacent to one another.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the light guide 3 is configured as a flat light guide. The light guide has a first narrow side 6 serving as a light coupling-in surface on a first side and a second narrow side 7 serving as a light coupling-out surface on a second side. Opposite and parallel flat sides 8 extend between the first narrow side 6 and the second narrow side 7, and are used to totally reflect the light coupled into the first narrow side 6 along a light guiding direction H toward the second narrow side 7. The opposite flat sides 8 are connected to each other by relatively short narrow sides 9.

[0032] As from Figure 2 It can be seen that the housing 10 of the lighting device is constructed in two parts. The housing has a rear section 11 and a front section 12, which are fixedly connected to each other. The light source unit 1 and the coupling optical device 4 are fastened in the rear section 11 of the housing 10. The front section 13 of the housing 10 has a slit-shaped notch 13, into which the light guide 3 can be partially inserted, and the light guide is arranged outside the housing 10 with the front section 14 and inside the housing 10 with the rear section 15.

[0033] As from Figure 2 It can be seen that the flat light guide 8 has an integrally formed web 16 in the region of the end edge of the rear section 15, which can be connected to a corresponding fastening eye 17 which is integrally formed laterally on the coupling optical system 4. In this way, the flat side 8 is securely fastened inside the housing 10.

[0034] It can be seen that the edge course of the recess 13 of the housing 10 is adapted to the contour of the flat side 8. The recess 13 of the housing 10 can be provided with a sealing device (not shown) so that the flat side 8 is held sealingly in the recess 13. In this way, it is prevented that undesirable dust particles can enter the interior of the housing 10. The sealing device preferably rests flexibly on the flat side 8 or the narrow side 9.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the light guide 3 is plate-shaped, wherein the first section 7 ′ and the second section 7 ″ of the first narrow side 6 and the second narrow side 7 respectively extend in a straight line, and the second section adjoins the first section at an angle.

[0036] Alternatively, the first narrow side 6 and the second narrow side 7 can also extend in an arcuate manner. In this case, the flat side 8 also extends in an arcuate manner. In any case, each narrow side 6, 7 is configured to extend in length, so that despite the relatively small thickness of the light guide 3, a sufficiently large illumination surface can be generated.

[0037] The housing 10 may be made of an opaque material, for example. The light guide 3 and the coupling optical device 4 are preferably made of a light-transmitting material.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the light sources 2 are arranged in a row or in a straight line. Accordingly, the rear side 18 of the coupling-in optical element 4 and the front side 19 of the coupling-in optical element 4 arranged on the side facing away from the light sources 2 are configured to be elongated.

[0039] The rear side 18 of the coupling-in optical system 4 has a plurality of TIR optical elements 28 (total internal reflection optical elements), each of which is assigned to a light source 2. The TIR optical elements 28 can be designed in a parabolic or (conical) conical manner and have a central lens.

[0040] The front side 19 of the coupling-in optical device 4 has a scattering optical element, preferably a strip-shaped optical element, in the present embodiment a cylindrical optical element 20, which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the front side 19, so that light can enter in a scattered manner in the longitudinal direction of the light coupling-in first narrow side 6 of the light guide 3. The cylindrical optical elements 20 are arranged closely side by side.

[0041] The first narrow side 6 of the light guide 3, on which light is coupled in, has a strip-shaped optical element 21 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first narrow side 6. For example, the strip-shaped optical element can be configured as a cylindrical optical element. The strip-shaped optical element causes lateral scattering of the coupled-in light in the light guide material. As a result, the lighting device is suitable for being preferably installed on a vehicle, so that the light guide 3 extends in the vertical direction, or more precisely, the second narrow side 7 on which light is coupled out extends in the vertical direction. Horizontal scattering of the light coupled out on the second narrow side 7 is performed with the aid of the strip-shaped optical element 21. Therefore, the strip-shaped optical element 21 can promote lateral or horizontal angular distribution of light in order to meet legal requirements.

[0042] The light-decoupling second narrow side 7 of the light guide 3 has a plurality of micro-optical elements 22, which protrude slightly but have a relatively small extension along the second narrow side 7. The micro-optical elements 22 can each have a dimension of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm, up to a minimum of 0.1 mm, extending along the second narrow side 7. Advantageously, an intense and uniformly radiated illumination surface can thereby be achieved on the second narrow side 7.

[0043] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the second narrow side 7 can have a micro-diffuser element or a micro-diffuser optical element instead of the micro-optical element 22 , which micro-diffuser element or micro-diffuser optical element also has smaller dimensions than the micro-optical element 22 .

[0044] The micro-optical element 22 can be produced on the second narrow side 7 by milling or laser or by means of photolithography. Alternatively, the micro-optical element 22 can be produced together with the light guide 3 by injection molding.

[0045] Figure 7 and Figure 8 An exemplary installation position of a lighting device on a body opening 23 of a vehicle is shown. The body opening 23 is designed to be elongated or slot-shaped and has an elongated edge 24 which delimits the body opening 23. The edge 24 is part of a body 25 of the vehicle.

[0046] The edge 24 of the vehicle body opening 23 or the vehicle body 25 is configured to follow the contour of the light guide 3. For example, the light guide 3 can be held in the vehicle body opening 23 by a seal (not shown). In the installed position, the light guide 3 is arranged with the second narrow side 7 for light coupling out protruding relative to the edge 24 of the vehicle body opening 23 or the vehicle body 25. The area and / or volume of the part of the light guide 3 protruding from the vehicle body opening 23 is smaller than the area or volume of the front section 14 of the light guide 3, which is arranged outside the housing 10.

[0047] The light guide 3 is therefore arranged so as to extend through the body opening 23 , wherein the non-protruding part of the light guide is arranged in the body opening 23 and / or behind the body opening 23 .

[0048] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, which is not shown, the lighting device can be fastened to the vehicle body 25 so that the light-decoupling second narrow side 7 of the light guide 3 extends flush with the edge 24 of the vehicle body opening 23 or with the vehicle body 25 .

[0049] According to this embodiment, the lighting device is arranged linearly movable by means of an adjusting motor (not shown), so that in special operating states of the vehicle, such as parking, maneuvering or during a workshop visit, the lighting device B or the housing 10 and thus the light guide 3 are moved back into the interior of the vehicle body 25 to such an extent that the second narrow side for light coupling out is arranged in the area of ​​the vehicle body opening 23 or flush with the vehicle body opening edge 24. In this way, undesired damage to the lighting device can be avoided.

[0050] As from Fig. 9 It can be seen in FIG. 2 that a plurality of identical lighting devices can be arranged in the head region 26 and the tail region 27 of the vehicle body 25. For different signal light functions, only different light sources 2 with correspondingly different emitted light colors need to be used.

[0051] Reference numerals list

[0052] 1 Light source unit

[0053] 2 Light Source

[0054] 3 Light guide

[0055] 4 Coupling optics

[0056] 5. Printed Circuit Board

[0057] 6 First narrow side

[0058] 7, 7', 7" second narrow side

[0059] 8 Flat side

[0060] 9 Narrow side

[0061] 10 Housing

[0062] 1 Rear section

[0063] 12 Front section

[0064] 13 Gap

[0065] 14 Front section

[0066] 15 Rear section

[0067] 16. Splice

[0068] 17 Fastening eyelets

[0069] 18 Rear

[0070] 19 Front

[0071] 20 Columnar optical elements

[0072] 21 Strip-shaped optical elements

[0073] 22 Micro-optical components

[0074] 23 Body opening

[0075] 24 Edge

[0076] 25 Body

[0077] 26 Head area

[0078] 27 Tail Area

[0079] 28 TIR optics

[0080] H Light guiding direction

Claims

1. A lighting device for a vehicle, the lighting device comprising: - a light source unit (1) comprising a plurality of light sources (2); - an optical unit comprising at least one light guide (3), the light guide has a first side (6) on which the light generated by the light source unit (1) is coupled in, The light guide has oppositely disposed flat sides (8) on which the coupled-in light is totally reflected in the light guiding direction (H), The light guide has a second side (7) on which the coupled-in light is coupled out from the light guide (3); - a housing (10), on which the light source unit (1) and / or the optical unit is held; It is characterized in that The housing (10) has a notch (13), through which the light guide (3) extends, wherein at least the second side (7) of the light guide (3) is arranged outside the housing (10).

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that The light guide (3) is arranged partially inside the housing (10) and partially outside the housing, and the edge course of the notch (13) of the housing (10) is adapted to the contour of the light guide (3).

3. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A sealing device is provided between the edge (24) of the notch (13) and the light guide (3).

4. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first side of the light guide (3) is configured as a first narrow side (6), and the second side of the light guide (3) is configured as a second narrow side (7), the first narrow side and the second narrow side respectively extending in a straight line and / or in an arcuate shape.

5. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The light sources (2) are respectively constructed as two-color light sources and / or RGB-LED light sources and / or multi-chip LED light sources and / or single LED light sources arranged closely side by side, which can be controlled so that they emit light of a first light color or light of a second light color different from the first light color.

6. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The optical unit has a coupling-in optical device (4), which is arranged between the light source unit (1) and a first side (6) of the light guide (3) for coupling in light.

7. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The coupling optical device (4) is designed to be elongated and has a plurality of TIR optical elements respectively assigned to each light source (2) on a rear side (18) facing the light source (2) and a scattering optical element extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the front side (19) on a front side (19) facing away from the light source (2).

8. The lighting device according to claim 7, characterized in that The diffuser optical elements are designed as strip-shaped optical elements (21), in particular cylindrical optical elements (20), which are arranged adjacent to one another.

9. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: A light coupling-in first narrow side (6) of the light guide (3) comprises a strip-shaped optical element (21), in particular a cylindrical optical element (20), extending along the longitudinal direction of the first narrow side (6).

10. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The light-coupling second narrow side (7) of the light guide (3) has a plurality of micro-optical elements (22) and / or a plurality of micro-diffuser elements and / or a plurality of micro-diffuser optical elements.

11. The lighting device according to claim 10, characterized in that The micro-optical element (22) has a dimension extending in the plane of the second narrow side (7) of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm.

12. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The micro-optical element (22) can be produced on the second narrow side (7) by milling or by laser or by means of photolithography, or can be produced together with the light guide (3) by injection molding.

13. A vehicle having a body opening (23) and having a lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The vehicle body opening (23) is constructed to follow the contour of the light guide (3), wherein the light guide (3) is arranged to extend through the vehicle body opening (23), and the light coupling-out side of the light guide (3) is arranged to protrude relative to the edge (24) of the vehicle body opening (23), or the light guide (3) is arranged with the light coupling-out side in the edge (24) region of the vehicle body opening (23).

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, characterized in that The lighting device is arranged to be linearly movable so that, depending on the operating state of the vehicle, the second narrow side (7) of the light guide (3) is arranged flush with the edge (24) of the vehicle body opening (23) or is arranged to protrude at a predetermined distance relative to the edge (24) of the vehicle body opening (23).

15. The vehicle according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The lighting device can be linearly adjusted relative to an edge (24) of a vehicle body opening (23) by means of an adjustment motor.

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