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 (7) on which light generated by the light source unit (1) is coupled, which has opposite flat sides on which the coupled light is totally reflected in a light guiding direction (H), which has a second side (9) 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 (11) on which the light source unit (1) and / or the optical unit are / is held; wherein the housing (11) has a recess (15), through which the light guide (3) extends, and wherein at least the second side (9) 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 for accommodating a lighting device. 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 driving direction indicator. The lighting device is configured to extend longitudinally and extends on the outer side of the vehicle body. Advantageously, a light sign can be generated over the entire vehicle width. However, the body contour of the vehicle is changed thereby.

[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 lighting device is arranged in a body opening of the vehicle following the contour and flush with the edge of the body opening. Therefore, the light source unit and the optical unit are always located on the inner side of the vehicle 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 the installation space of the lighting device can be reduced in a simple manner. The goal is to save on components in terms of sustainability.

[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] Advantageously, the present invention enables a space-saving arrangement of the lighting device, since a part of the lighting device, namely at least a part of the optical unit, is arranged outside the housing. The present invention is based on a modified lighting concept. Without the conventional additional cover lens, the light guide now constitutes the light-emitting terminal of the lighting device. Advantageously, the component expenditure can be reduced, which protects resources. According to the present invention, the housing of the lighting device has a notch, in which the light guide is held, wherein at least one light coupling-out side of the light guide extends outside the housing. Since the light-emitting side of the light guide is located outside the housing, other components of the lighting device or sections of the light guide that are located inside as necessary can be covered or surrounded by the housing. According to the present invention, the non-light-emitting surface of the lighting device is therefore covered by the housing, which is preferably made of an opaque material.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light guide is arranged outside the housing with a front section and inside the housing with a rear section. Therefore, the light coupling-in side of the light guide is located inside the housing, while the light coupling-out side of the light guide is located outside the housing. An optional light shaping element or primary optical element may be provided between the light source unit and the light guide to effectively capture the light of the LED light source and introduce it into the light guide in a scattered manner. If the light guide is a flat light guide, the front narrow side is preferably used for light coupling-out, while the lateral flat sides have a significant impact on the appearance of the lighting device according to their size and their distance from each other.

[0009] According to a further development of the invention, the opening of the housing is provided with sealing means on the inside, so that the light guide is supported in a sealed manner, thereby preventing unwanted dirt particles from entering the interior of the housing.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing device is connected to the housing or the notch of the housing in one piece. For example, at least a part of the housing is made by two-component injection molding, wherein the housing is constructed to be rigid, and the sealing device is constructed to be yielding or flexible.

[0011] According to a further development of the invention, the light source of the light source unit is designed as a multicolor light source, which emits light of different colors according to a predetermined light function. Advantageously, different light functions can be generated in the head area and the rear area of ​​the vehicle by means of the same lighting device. Advantageously, resources can be conserved because the lighting devices for different light functions have the same structure.

[0012] According to an extension of the invention, the housing is constructed in two parts with a rear housing part and a front housing part, in which the light source unit is fastened, and in which a recess for the light guide is arranged. Advantageously, the rear housing part is used to fasten components of the lighting device, while the front housing part enables the light guide to extend from the housing. The light guide can also be retained by the sealed retention of the light guide element in the recess of the front housing part.

[0013] In order to achieve the stated task, the vehicle has a body opening which extends following the contour of a light guide of the lighting device. The light guide thus at least partially protrudes from the body opening or is arranged flush with the edge of the body opening. Advantageously, the size of the body opening can thereby be reduced to the minimum required for the light function. According to the invention, the area of ​​the body opening is equal to or smaller than the area of ​​the light coupling-out side of the light guide. If the light guide is arranged, for example, flush with the body surface, wherein the light coupling-out side of the light guide extends in the body opening flush with the edge of the body opening, the area of ​​the body opening is the same as the area of ​​the light coupling-out surface of the light guide. If the light guide protrudes from the body opening and has a first portion extending parallel to the extension of the body opening and a second portion extending at an angle to the extension of the body opening, the area of ​​the light emitting side is greater than the area of ​​the body opening. Therefore, the present invention enables minimization of the area of ​​the body opening.

[0014] According to a further development of the invention, means are provided so that the housing of the lighting device is arranged linearly displaceably perpendicular to the extension plane of the vehicle body opening, thereby forming a movable mounting of the lighting device which can be used in different operating states.

[0015] According to a first variant of the movable mounting of the lighting device relative to the vehicle body opening, means are provided so that the lighting device can be moved into the vehicle body interior due to external mechanical forces. For this purpose, the housing can be coupled to a stationary base element at the rear via a spring element or via a compressible material, wherein the stationary base element is fixedly connected to the vehicle body or a carrier of the vehicle body. The housing is thus designed to be retractable relative to the vehicle body opening or the vehicle body and can automatically move back into the starting position when no mechanical forces are present. Advantageously, pedestrian protection can be achieved thereby.

[0016] According to a further variant, the means for linear movement can be caused by an electric motor so that, for example, when the vehicle is maneuvered / parked or when the vehicle is locked, the housing of the lighting device is moved back, wherein the light-outcoupling side of the light guide is arranged flush with the body surface in the retracted position (state). For example, when the vehicle is opened and closed by means of a radio key or a smartphone, the electric motor can be controlled in such a way that the light guide is moved out of the body opening for a welcome animation and is moved back into the retracted position for a farewell animation, in which the light-outcoupling side of the light guide is arranged flush with the edge of the body opening, i.e., flush with the body surface.

[0017] Further advantages of the invention emerge from the further dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0019] Figure 1 A side view of a lighting device is shown, wherein the housing of the lighting device is shown open in the rear area,

[0020] Figure 2 An exploded view of the lighting device is shown from the side,

[0021] Figure 3 A side view showing the mounted lighting device in a position protruding from a vehicle body opening and in a position retracted into the vehicle body opening and flush with the vehicle body surface,

[0022] Figure 4 shows a side view of a mounted lighting device, wherein the lighting device is retractably fastened to the vehicle body by means of a helical spring,

[0023] Figure 5 shows a side view of a mounted lighting device, wherein the lighting device is retractably fastened to the vehicle body by means of a metallic spring element,

[0024] Figure 6 shows a side view of a mounted lighting device, wherein the lighting device is retractably fastened to the vehicle body by means of a plastic spring element,

[0025] Figure 7 A side view of a mounted lighting device is shown, wherein the lighting device is retractably fastened to the vehicle body by means of a compressible material, and

[0026] Figure 8 A side view of a mounted lighting device is shown, wherein the lighting device is fastened to the vehicle body by means of an adjusting motor (adjustably in at least two linear operating positions). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

[0028] The lighting device basically comprises a light source unit 1 having a plurality of light sources 2 and a light guide 3 which is arranged in a main emission direction H in front of the light source unit 1 .

[0029] The light sources 2 are designed as LED light sources and are arranged on a common printed circuit board 4. A primary optical system 5 is preferably arranged in front of the light sources 2 in the main emission direction H, which has primary optical elements 6 respectively assigned to the light sources 2. The primary optical system 5 - like the light guide 3 - is part of the optical unit and serves to capture light and to guide the light emitted by the light source 2 into the light guide 3.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the light guide 3 is designed as a flat light guide, which faces the light source 2 or the primary optics 5 on a first side 7 (first narrow side) for coupling the light of the light source 2 transmitted by the primary optics 5 into the light guide 3. An opposite flat side 8 is adjacent to the first side 7 in the main emission direction H, on which the coupled light is totally reflected and transmitted in the light guidance direction or the main emission direction H to the second side 9 (second narrow side) for light coupling out. The opposite flat sides 8 are connected via narrow side faces 10, which, like the flat sides 8, extend from the first side 7 to the second side 9. The second narrow side 9 from which the light is emitted has a straight main section 9' and an inclined secondary section 9". In the present embodiment, the light guide 3 is designed in a plate-like manner. The main section 9' and the secondary section 9" of the first narrow side 7 and the narrow side 9 for light coupling out are each arranged linearly or linearly.

[0031] The housing 11 for receiving the components of the lighting device B is constructed in two parts, or more precisely, is constructed with a rear housing part 12 and a front housing part 13. In order to connect the rear housing part 12 and the front housing part 13, the rear housing part and the front housing part have corresponding edge-side fastening means 14, 14'.

[0032] The rear housing part 12 has a receptacle for receiving the light source unit 1 and, if necessary, the primary optical device 5, and has fastening means (not shown). The front housing part 13 of the housing 10 is fastened to the (integrally) formed fastening means 31 of the primary optical device 5. For this purpose, the front housing part 13 has a fastening flange (not shown) protruding laterally on the rear side.

[0033] The light conductor 3 is preferably held or fastened in the front housing part 13 .

[0034] The front housing part 13 has a recess 15 on the front side 16 facing away from the rear housing part 12, and the light guide 3 is partially inserted into the recess. Figure 1 It can be seen that in the installed position, the front section 17 of the light guide 3 is located outside the housing 11 , while the rear section 18 of the light guide 3 is located inside the housing 11 .

[0035] The front housing part 13 is used on the one hand to cover the light source unit 1 and the primary optical device 5, and with its recess 15 is used to partially (hold) the light guide 3 arranged outside the housing 11. The rear housing part 12 is basically used to hold the light source unit 2 and, if necessary, the primary optical device 5 and a possible heat sink.

[0036] Preferably, the front housing part 13 has an extension a in the main emission direction H such that it is suitable for holding the light conductor 3 .

[0037] The recess 15 of the front housing part 13 has a sealing device (not shown), by means of which the front housing part rests sealingly on the opposite flat side 8 and the side surface 10 of the light guide 3. This prevents unwanted dust particles from entering the interior of the housing 11.

[0038] The sealing device is preferably connected in one piece with the front housing part 13. The sealing device can be rigid or flexible. Preferably, the sealing device is integrally formed on the inner side or edge of the notch 15. For example, the front housing part 13 can be made by two-component injection molding, wherein the sealing device that delimits the notch 15 has a lower strength than the rest of the front housing part 13. For example, the sealing device can be configured as a soft component, which is preferably manufactured together with the hard component of the front housing part 13 by two-component injection molding.

[0039] Alternatively, the sealing means can be connected to the front housing part 13 in a materially bonded manner, preferably by means of an adhesive.

[0040] The light source 2 is preferably configured as a multicolor light source. In the present embodiment, the light source is configured as a two-color LED light source 2, which is suitable for emitting light of a first light color and light of a second light color different from the first light color. If the lighting device is used as a tail light, the two-color LED light source 2 is configured to emit a red light color on the one hand and a yellow light color on the other hand, so that the same lighting device B can generate a rear brake light on the one hand and a driving direction indicator light on the other hand. If the lighting device B is used in the head area of ​​the vehicle, the two-color LED light source is configured to emit a white light color on the one hand and a yellow light color on the other hand. In this way, the same lighting device B can generate daytime running lights on the one hand and driving direction indicator lights on the other hand. Advantageously, the same lighting device B can be used not only in the tail area but also in the head area for different light functions.

[0041] Alternatively, the light source 2 may be configured as an RGB-LED light source and / or a multi-chip LED light source.

[0042] exist Figure 3 , a lighting device B installed in a body opening 19 of a vehicle is shown in a first operating state (left side) and in a second operating state (right side). In the first operating state, the lighting device B is arranged so that a part 17' of the front section 17 of the light guide 3 protrudes from the body opening 19. Not only the second side 9 of the light coupling-out, but also the part 17' of the light guide 3 protrudes outward relative to the outer surface 20 of the body 21. Since the lower end area 9" of the narrow side 9 of the light coupling-out is configured as an inclined surface, a part of the light coupled into the light guide 3 is emitted obliquely downward through the flattened (short) side 9'. It is assumed that the body opening 19 extends in the vertical direction as a gap.

[0043] Alternatively, the body opening can also extend in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction. If necessary, the body opening 19 can also extend in an arcuate shape instead of a straight line. In any case, the direction of the body opening 19 is adapted to the direction of the light guide 3, so that the light guide is held in the body opening 19 with a constant joint.

[0044] The chamfered portion 9 ″ of the narrow side 9 for light coupling out ends at the edge 22 of the vehicle body opening 19 in the extended installation position of the lighting device B or of the housing 11 .

[0045] It can be seen that in the first operating state of the lighting device B, part 17' of the light guide 3 is arranged outside the vehicle body 21, while the remaining part of the front section 17 of the light guide 3 is arranged inside the vehicle body opening 19, or the rear section 18 of the light guide 3 is arranged inside the vehicle body opening 19 and inside the shell 11.

[0046] In accordance with Figure 3In the second operating state, the second narrow side 9 of the light guide 3 extends flush with the outer surface 20 of the vehicle body 21. In this case, the light guide 3 does not protrude from the vehicle body opening 19. Instead, the light guide extends in the opening plane formed by the vehicle body edge 22.

[0047] The lighting device B or the light guide 3 changes from the first operating state to the Figure 3 The linear mobility of the second operating state may be necessary to provide pedestrian protection. Figure 4 In the first embodiment, the rear side 23 of the housing 11 or the rear housing part 12 can be coupled to a base element (base plate 25) that is fixed in position or fixedly connected to the vehicle body 21 via a helical spring 24. As a result, the lighting device B is arranged to be elastically or retractably movable in a linear direction opposite to the main emission direction H, wherein, as the mechanical force acting on the light guide 3 is released, the lighting device B can automatically move again to the starting position in which the light guide 3 extends from the vehicle body opening 19.

[0048] Preferably, the base element 25 and the spring element 24 form a structural unit together with the lighting device B installed in the body 21 of the vehicle. Alternatively, the base element 25 and the spring element 24 can also be pre-installed on the body 21.

[0049] According to Figure 5 As an alternative embodiment of the linear displaceability of the lighting device B, a metallic spring element 26 may be provided, by means of which the lighting device B is supported in a resilient manner relative to the base element 25 .

[0050] According to Figure 6 In a further alternative embodiment, the spring element 26 can be designed as a plastic spring element 27 , by means of which the lighting device B is resiliently mounted in the main emission direction H and perpendicularly to the opening plane of the vehicle body opening 19 .

[0051] According to Figure 7 In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, a compressible material 28 can be provided as means for linear mobility, said compressible material extending between the rear side 23 of the housing 11 and the base plate 25 .

[0052] According to Figure 8In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, an adjustment motor (not shown) is provided as a means for the linear mobility of the lighting device, and the adjustment motor adjusts the housing 11 of the lighting device B to different extended positions (operating states), and the different extended positions have different distances between the second narrow side 9' extending perpendicularly to the main emission direction H and the extension plane formed by the edge 22 of the vehicle body opening. In order for the linear movement to extend in the direction of the main emission direction H or counter to the main emission direction, a guide element 30 is provided, which extends inside the vehicle body 21 along the main emission direction H. The guide element 30 causes the linear movement between the different extended positions and the retracted positions to be performed smoothly (without shaking).

[0053] The linear adjustability of the housing 11 by means of an adjusting motor can be used, for example, for a welcome or farewell animation, wherein the housing 11 is extended when the vehicle is opened by means of a radio key or a smartphone, and in the case of a farewell animation, when the vehicle is closed by means of a radio key or a smartphone, the housing is moved into the retracted position. While the lighting device B is being extended and retracted, the light source 2 can be controlled in such a way that a predetermined light animation is produced.

[0054] Depending on the vehicle state, the adjusting motor can be controlled so that it moves to a position depending on the vehicle state, for example when the vehicle is parked or locked, or when the vehicle is maneuvering. Figure 3 For example, the adjusting motor 29 can be controlled in such a way that the housing 11 of the lighting device B moves from the vehicle body 21 to different extended positions, depending on the current vehicle state. For example, the adjusting motor 29 can be controlled in such a way that, when driving in the city, the lighting device B is arranged flush with the vehicle body surface (retracted position), or the second narrow side 9' is arranged at a relatively small distance from the outer surface 20 of the vehicle body 21. For example, the adjusting motor can be controlled in such a way that, when driving on a country road, the lighting device B extends the second narrow side 9' more strongly than when driving in the city. For example, the adjusting motor can be controlled in such a way that, when driving on a highway, the lighting device B extends the second narrow side 9' further than when driving on a country road, or occupies a position in the external extended position (state).

[0055] The adjusting motor can be controlled in such a way that the housing 11 can be moved into the retracted position when driving through a car wash or when stopping in a workshop.

[0056] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, which is not shown, the light guide may also have other shapes. If the flat side is not planar but arched, then there is no linear positional movement between the outer position of the housing 11 and the inner position of the housing flush with the vehicle body surface, but an arched positional movement.

[0057] Since part of the light guide 3 is always arranged inside the vehicle body 21 or inside the vehicle body opening 19 , only the projecting part 17 ′ of the light guide 3 or the light-coupling narrow sides 9 , 9 ′, 9 ″ are visible from the outside in the retracted position.

[0058] Reference numerals list

[0059] 1 Light source unit

[0060] 2 Light Source

[0061] 3 Light guide

[0062] 4. Printed Circuit Board

[0063] 5 Primary Optics

[0064] 6 Primary Optics

[0065] 7 First side

[0066] 8 Flat side

[0067] 9', 9', 9" Second Side / Section

[0068] 10 Side

[0069] 11 Housing

[0070] 12 Rear housing part

[0071] 13 Front housing part

[0072] 14, 14' Fastening device

[0073] 15 Gap

[0074] 16 Front

[0075] 17, 17' front section / part

[0076] 18 Rear section

[0077] 19 Body opening

[0078] 20 External surface

[0079] 21 Body

[0080] 22 Edge

[0081] 23 Rear

[0082] 24 Spring element (helical spring)

[0083] 25 Basic components

[0084] 26 Metal spring element

[0085] 27 Plastic spring element

[0086] 28 Compressible Materials

[0087] 30 Guide element

[0088] 31 Fastening devices

[0089] H Main emission direction

[0090] a, b extension dimensions

[0091] B. Lighting Equipment

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 (7) on which the light generated by the light source unit (1) is coupled in, the light guide has opposite flat sides, on which the coupled-in light is totally reflected in the light guiding direction (H), The light guide has a second side (9) on which the coupled-in light is coupled out from the light guide (3); - a housing (11), on which the light source unit (1) and / or the optical unit is held; It is characterized in that The housing (11) has a notch (15), through which the light guide (3) extends, wherein at least the second side (9) of the light guide (3) is arranged outside the housing (11).

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that The light guide (3) is arranged partially inside the shell (11) and partially outside the shell, wherein a front section (17) of the light guide (3) is arranged outside the shell (11) and a rear section (18) of the light guide (3) is arranged inside the shell (11).

3. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The recess (15) of the housing (11) is adapted with its surrounding inner side to the contour of the light guide (3), wherein the inner side of the recess (15) has a sealing device for sealingly abutting against the flat side (8) and, if necessary, sealingly abutting against a further side surface (10) of the light guide (3) extending between a first side (7) and a second side (9).

4. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The sealing means is connected to the housing (11) in one piece and / or in a materially bonded manner.

5. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The front section (17) of the light guide (3) is produced by two-component injection molding, wherein the sealing device has a lower strength than the rest of the front section (17).

6. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first side (7) of the light guide (3) is configured as a first narrow side, and the second side (9) of the light guide (3) is configured as a second narrow side, the first narrow side and the second narrow side respectively extending in a straight line and / or in an arcuate shape.

7. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The light source (2) of the light source unit (3) is configured as a multicolor light source, which emits light of different colors according to a predetermined light function.

8. The lighting device according to claim 7, characterized in that The multicolor light source is configured as a two-color LED light source and / or an RGB-LED light source and / or a multi-chip LED light source.

9. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The housing (11) is constructed in two parts and comprises a rear housing part (12) and a front housing part (13), wherein the light source unit (1) is fastened in the rear housing part, the front housing part has the notch (15), and the light guide (3) partially protrudes from the front housing part.

10. A vehicle having a vehicle body opening and having a lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The vehicle body opening (19) is arranged following the contour of the light guide (3), wherein, in the operating state of the lighting device (B), the light guide (3) is at least partially arranged outside the vehicle body (21), or is arranged with the light coupling-out side (9) flush with the outer surface (20) of the vehicle body (21).

11. The vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that Means are provided so that the lighting device (B) can be arranged to be linearly movable perpendicularly to the extension plane of the vehicle body opening (19).

12. The vehicle according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The lighting device (B) can be operated such that in different operating states, the lighting device is arranged with a light-decoupling second narrow side (9) at different distances from a plane formed by an edge (22) of a vehicle body opening (19).

13. The vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that As a means for linearly moving the lighting device, a rear side (23) of the housing (11) is coupled to a stationary base element (25) via a number of spring elements (24).

14. The vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that As means for linearly moving the lighting device, a rear side (23) of the housing (11) is coupled to a stationary base element (25) via a compressible material (28).

15. The vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that As means for linearly moving the lighting device, an adjustment motor is provided.

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