Ground projection apparatus for vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a ground projection device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, for generating a ground projection, the ground projection device comprising at least one projection module, the projection module comprising: a light source; a first optical element; and a structure to be imaged downstream of the first optical element as viewed in the direction of light propagation, the structure to be imaged being a light-transmissive region separated from a light-opaque region by one or more baffle edges. The structure to be imaged lies in a surface which is curved, the surface being shell-shaped and curved away from a second optical element arranged downstream of the structure to be imaged. The first optical element is configured to concentrate or collimate the light emitted by the at least one light source in a point which is downstream of the structure to be imaged as seen in the direction of light propagation.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a ground projection device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, the ground projection device being configured to generate a ground projection, wherein the ground projection device comprises at least one projection module, and wherein the projection module comprises:

[0002] · at least one light source configured to emit light in a light propagation direction, and

[0003] · a first optical element downstream of the at least one light source in the light propagation direction, and

[0004] · a structure to be imaged downstream of the first optical element in the light propagation direction, wherein

[0005] o the structure to be imaged is a light-transmissive region separated from an opaque region by one or more baffle edges, and wherein

[0006] o the structure to be imaged lies in a plane, and

[0007] · a second optical element downstream of the structure to be imaged in the light propagation direction, wherein the second optical element has an object plane,

[0008] wherein

[0009] the first optical element focuses or collimates the light emitted by the at least one light source at a point downstream of the structure to be imaged in the light propagation direction, and wherein

[0010] the structure to be imaged lies substantially in the object plane of the second optical element, such that the light passing through the structure to be imaged is projected by the second optical element into an image plane, in particular into a region outside the ground projection device, for example onto the ground, as a light image forming part of the ground projection or the ground projection.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, in particular a motor vehicle lamp, comprising at least one such ground projection device, and the present invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising at least one such ground projection device or at least one vehicle lamp, the ground projection device or the vehicle lamp being installed in the vehicle. Background Art

[0012] Ground projection devices for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, are generally used to project specific patterns or symbols onto the ground below the vehicle or into regions in front of, behind or to the side of the vehicle. Such ground projection devices are implemented in modern vehicles, for example, as part of a lighting system or an assistance system or as an independent device.

[0013] Common applications of ground projection in motor vehicles are for example:

[0014] - Welcome lights: When the vehicle is unlocked or when a door is opened, a special pattern or brand logo of the vehicle can be projected onto the ground. This is typically used to add a visually appealing element and welcome the vehicle owner.

[0015] - Warning symbols: In some vehicles, warning symbols or indications are projected onto the ground to indicate danger or specific conditions to the driver. This can for example be a warning symbol for an open door.

[0016] - Parking assistance: Ground projection is sometimes used in combination with parking assistance. When reversing or parking, lines or patterns can be projected onto the ground to provide visual guidance to the driver and assist the driver when parking.

[0017] - Exit lighting: When a door is opened, this function projects light onto the ground to illuminate the area around the vehicle. This should help to identify possible obstacles or dangers when getting in and out of the vehicle.

[0018] The exact implementation and application of ground projection can vary depending on the vehicle model and manufacturer. Generally, the ground projection is used to improve the safety, comfort, and aesthetics of the vehicle.

[0019] As described at the beginning, known ground projection devices generally have the following disadvantages, the edges of the generated ground projection are blurred and distorted or appear blurred and distorted. Usually, a part of the ground projection is also imaged clearly, while another part is imaged blurred. Summary of the Invention

[0020] The object of the present invention is to provide a ground projection device that provides an improved display of the generated ground projection.

[0021] The object is achieved by the lighting device described at the beginning in such a way that, according to the invention, the surface on which the structure to be imaged is located is curved, wherein the surface is shell-shaped and curved away from the second optical element.

[0022] Preferably, the surface is curved such that a baffle / structure / point etc. located in the surface is imaged substantially clearly by the second optical element in a flat / plane image plane.

[0023] Preferably, the point at which the first optical element focuses / collimates the light of the light source is located between the first optical element and the second optical element.

[0024] The object plane (Objektebene) is usually not a flat plane, but a curved object "plane", which causes undesirable effects in the imaging of the structure to be imaged, as described at the beginning. According to the design of the present invention for the plane in which the structure to be imaged is located, this fact is taken into account, and by a curved design of the plane in which the structure to be imaged is located that is preferably matched to the curvature or arching of the object plane, the described adverse effects on the imaging of the structure to be imaged can be largely avoided.

[0025] Advantageous designs of the present invention are described below.

[0026] Preferably, it is proposed that the deepest point of the shell-shaped plane is the point on the plane that is farthest from the second optical element.

[0027] It can be proposed that the deepest point of the plane lies on the optical axis of the second optical element.

[0028] For example, when the second optical element is also rotationally symmetrically configured, the plane can be configured rotationally symmetrically about the optical axis of the second optical element.

[0029] When the shape of the plane substantially follows the field curvature of the object plane of the second optical element, the imaging quality can be optimized.

[0030] Thereby, the field curvature of the object plane can be compensated, so that the image of the structure to be imaged is also clearly imaged towards the edge of the object plane and not only in the flat plane in the center in the image plane.

[0031] For example, it can be proposed that the object plane is parallel to the Petzval plane of the second optical element i.e., the curved plane that contains all the foci of the second optical element.

[0032] It can be proposed that the structure to be imaged is a single region or includes two or more separate sub-regions.

[0033] Furthermore, it can be proposed that the plane is the outer surface of a light-transmitting optical body, in particular the light-emitting surface.

[0034] Here, preferably, it is proposed that the outer surface of the light-transmitting optical body is configured to be light-impermeable outside the structure to be imaged.

[0035] For example, the light-impermeable region of the outer surface can be formed in the form of a light-impermeable coating.

[0036] The light-impermeability can be achieved, for example, by painting the region that should be light-impermeable with a light-impermeable paint or by vapor deposition of, for example, aluminum.

[0037] It can be proposed that the structure to be imaged is arranged such that the optical axis of the second optical element extends through the structure to be imaged.

[0038] The ground projection device may include one, two or more projection modules.

[0039] It can be proposed that the projection modules have the same structure to be imaged, or at least one of the projection modules has a structure to be imaged that is different from that of the other projection modules, or all the projection modules are different from each other in terms of the structure to be imaged.

[0040] The differences in the structure to be imaged can be attributed, for example, to the shape and / or size of the structure to be imaged.

[0041] For example, it can be proposed that the same structure to be imaged is positioned identically with respect to the optical axis of the second optical element or is offset relative to each other.

[0042] It can be proposed that the projection modules are constructed identically with respect to the first optical element and the second optical element and in terms of the arrangement of these two optical elements.

[0043] Preferably, the projection modules are also identical with respect to at least one light source, namely especially in terms of the positioning of at least one light source and also, for example, in terms of the specific design of at least one light source.

[0044] It can be expedient that the light sources of the projection modules can be controlled independently of each other.

[0045] Furthermore, it can be proposed that the normal vector passing through the center of the plane in which the structure to be imaged is located extends at an angle greater than 0° with respect to the optical axis of the second optical element.

[0046] Typically, the normal vector and the optical axis of the second optical element coincide or occupy an angle of 0° with respect to each other, but the implementation described above can also be proposed, in which the inclined position of the image plane can be compensated for by the curvature of the plane in which the structure to be imaged is located.

[0047] In connection with the ground projection device or the vehicle in which the vehicle lamp is installed, it can be proposed that the optical axis of the ground projection device or the optical axis of at least one projection module extends inclinedly with respect to the image plane, i.e., at an angle not equal to 90°.

[0048] Due to the curvature of the plane in which the structure to be imaged is located, although the ground projection device is inclined with respect to the optical axis, the structure to be imaged can still be clearly imaged in the image plane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The present invention will be further elaborated below with reference to the drawings. Shown in the drawings are:

[0050] Figure 1 A ground projection device having three projection modules, only partially shown, is shown in a perspective view,

[0051] Figure 2 The projection module as used in a floor projection device is shown in a side view,

[0052] Figure 3 Another embodiment of the projection module is shown,

[0053] Figure 4 A motor vehicle having a floor projection device is shown,

[0054] Figure 5a A floor projection with three imaged structures by means of a floor projection device according to the prior art is shown, and

[0055] Figure 5b A floor projection with three imaged structures by means of a floor projection device according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Description

[0056] Figure 1 A floor projection device 100 for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is shown, which is used to generate a floor projection and includes three projection modules 1, 2, 3. Such projection modules 1, 2, 3 - where the projection modules are not fully shown in Figure 1 - as is also shown in Figure 2 - include light sources 10, 20, 30 configured to emit light in the light propagation direction X. Furthermore, downstream of at least one of the light sources 10, 20, 30 in the light propagation direction X, the projection module includes a first optical element 11, 21, 31. Downstream of the first optical element 11, 21, 31 in the light propagation direction X, the projection module includes a structure 12, 22, 32 to be imaged. And downstream of the structure 12, 22, 32 to be imaged in the light propagation direction X, the projection module includes a second optical element 13, where the second optical element 13 has an object plane OE.

[0057] The light sources 10, 20, 30 of the projection modules 1, 2, 3 can be controlled independently of each other, so that for example, an animated floor projection can be generated.

[0058] The light source is configured as an LED or includes one or more LEDs respectively.

[0059] The structures 12, 22, 32 to be imaged are defined by light-transmissive regions 12a, 22a, 32a, which are separated from the light-impermeable regions 12e, 22e, 32e by one or more, in the current example three, baffle edges 12b - 12d, 22b - 22d, 32b - 32d. In this example, each structure 12, 22, 32 to be imaged is composed of a continuous region, but in principle it can also be composed of two or more sub-regions.

[0060] The first optical elements 11, 21, 31 focus or collimate the light emitted by the light sources 10, 20, 30 at a point F11 which, when viewed in the light propagation direction X, is downstream of the structure 12, 22, 32 to be imaged.

[0061] Preferably, when viewed in the light propagation direction X, the point F11 is upstream of the second optical element 13, that is to say between the first optical elements 11, 21, 31 and the second optical element 13.

[0062] The structures 12, 22, 32 to be imaged are located in the planes 112a, 122a, 132a and are substantially in the object plane OE of the second optical element 13, such that the light passing through the structures 12, 22, 32 to be imaged is projected by the second optical element 13 in the image plane BE, in particular into a region outside the floor projection device 100, for example onto the floor, as a light image which forms part of a floor projection or a floor projection.

[0063] The planes 112a, 122a, 132a in which the structures 12, 22, 32 to be imaged are located are curved, where the planes 112a, 122a, 132a are shell-shaped and curved away from the second optical element 13.

[0064] The object plane is usually not flat but a curved object "plane", which thus produces undesired effects in the imaging of the structure to be imaged, such as blurred edges, distortion, etc., as described at the beginning. By virtue of the design according to the invention of the plane in which the structure to be imaged is located, this fact is taken into account, and by virtue of the preferably curved design of the plane in which the structure to be imaged is located which is matched to the curvature or camber of the object plane, the described adverse effects on the imaging of the structure to be imaged can be largely avoided.

[0065] When the shape of the planes 112a, 122a, 132a substantially follows the field curvature of the object plane OE of the second optical element 13, the imaging quality can be optimized. Thereby, the field curvature of the object plane can be compensated, such that the image of the structure to be imaged is also clearly imaged towards the edge of the object plane and not only in a flat plane in the center in the image plane BE.

[0066] For example, it can be proposed that the object plane OE is parallel to the Petzval plane of the second optical element 13, that is to say the curved plane which contains all the foci of the second optical element 13.

[0067] The second optical element is, for example, a projection lens or a projection system, that is to say a system composed of two or more lenses which together act as a projection.

[0068] The point F11, in which the light of the light source is focused / collimated by the first optical element, is positioned outside (behind) the object plane OE of the second optical element and not within the object plane, in such a way that excessive beam divergence and an uneven light image can be avoided, which is disadvantageous for the projection sharpness.

[0069] More precisely, by means of this positioning, an improvement in the projection sharpness can be achieved and the object plane and / or the optical structure to be imaged is / are illuminated uniformly, such that the light distribution finally imaged by the second optical element has, in addition to the improved projection sharpness, an improved uniformity.

[0070] The shell-shaped surfaces 112a, 122a, 132a have a deepest point S, where the deepest point is, for example, the point on the surfaces 112a, 122a, 132a that is furthest from the second optical element 13, as shown in Figure 2 Here, the spacing is measured along the normal vector N passing through the center or the deepest point S of the surfaces 112a, 122a, 132a in which the structures 12, 22, 32 to be imaged are located.

[0071] In the example shown according to Figure 2 the normal vector N coincides with the optical axis X2 of the second optical element 13, and the optical axes X1 of the first optical elements 11, 21, 31 also coincide further with the optical axis X2 of the second optical element 13, and these two axes X1, X2 lie in or form the optical axis XP of the projection modules 1, 2, 3.

[0072] Generally speaking, that is, in the usual context it can be stated that the surfaces 112a, 122a, 132a are the outer surfaces, in particular the light-emitting surfaces, of the light-transmissive optical bodies 112, 122, 132. Here, the outer surface is preferably the surface of the light-transmissive optical bodies 112, 122, 132 that faces away from the light sources 10, 20, 30. The outer surfaces of the light-transmissive optical bodies 112, 122, 132 are made opaque outside the structures 12a, 22a, 32a to be imaged (i.e., in the regions 12e, 22e, 32e). For example, the opaque regions 12e, 22e, 32e of the outer surface can be formed in the form of an opaque coating.

[0073] This opacity can be achieved, for example, by painting the regions that are to be opaque with an opaque paint or by vapor deposition of, for example, aluminum.

[0074] Figure 2 A device is shown that exemplarily has three projection modules 1, 2, 3. It can be stated that the projection modules 1, 2, 3 have the same structures 12, 22, 32 to be imaged, but the structures to be imaged can also differ in their dimensions and / or shapes.

[0075] It can be proposed that the structures 12, 22, 32 to be imaged are arranged on the surfaces 112a, 122a, 132a such that the optical axis X2 of the second optical element 13 and / or the optical axis X1 of the first optical elements 11, 21, 31 extends through the structures 12, 22, 32 to be imaged. In the example shown, the structures 12, 22, 32 to be imaged are arranged differently with respect to the optical axis X1 of the respective first optical elements 11, 21, 31. More precisely, the optical axis X1 is located below the structure 12 at the structure 12 to be imaged, at the structure 22 to be imaged, the optical axis X1 extends through the structure 22, and at the structure 32 to be imaged, the optical axis X1 extends above the structure 12.

[0076] Figure 4 A motor vehicle 1000 is shown in which a ground projection device 100 as described according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 is installed. The ground projection device 100 is installed in the motor vehicle 1000 here such that the optical axis of the ground projection device or the optical axis XP of at least one projection module of the ground projection device extends obliquely, that is, at an angle other than 90°, with respect to the image plane BE, for example, the road in front of the vehicle 1000.

[0077] Due to the curvature of the surface on which the structure to be imaged is located, although the ground projection device is inclined with respect to the optical axis, the structure to be imaged can still be clearly imaged in the image plane.

[0078] According to Figure 3 , it can also be proposed in the projection module 1 that the normal vector passing through the center of the surfaces 112a, 122a, 132a on which the structures 12, 22, 32 to be imaged are located extends at an angle greater than 0° with respect to the optical axis X2 of the second optical element 13 and / or the optical axis X1 of the first optical elements 11, 21, 31. Due to the inclination of the surfaces 112a, 122a, 132a containing the structures 12, 22, 32 to be imaged, when the ground projection device 100 installed in Figure 4 has one or more projection modules as described according to Figure 3 , the negative optical effects that may be caused by the inclination of the ground projection device 100 as shown in Figure 4 or the inclination of the projection module of the ground projection device 100 can be compensated.

[0079] Figure 5a and Figure 5b Finally, a ground projection is also shown, where Figure 5a three imaged structures generated based on the prior art, that is, by means of the structures to be imaged in a flat surface, are shown, while Figure 5bThe structure of the image formed therein is generated by means of the structure to be imaged in the curved surface corresponding to the present invention. As can be clearly seen, Figure 5b the bounding edges of the structure of the image formed therein are Figure 5a significantly sharper than the bounding edges of the structure of the image formed therein.

[0080] The three structures of the image formed correspond in their shape to the structure to be imaged, i.e., in the example according to Figure 1 , Figure 2 the shapes of the structure to be imaged and the structure of the image formed are each triangular. The different positions of the structure of the image formed (triangular) on the image plane BE are obtained by the different positioning of the structures 12, 22, 32 to be imaged with respect to the respective optical axes XP of the projection modules 1, 2, 3.

[0081] The optical elements and the light-transmissive body are formed, for example, in a known manner from a light-transmissive plastic.

Claims

1. A ground projection device (100) for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, for generating a ground projection, wherein the ground projection device (100) comprises at least one projection module (1, 2, 3), wherein the projection module (1, 2, 3) comprises: at least one light source (10, 20, 30) configured to emit light in a light propagation direction (X), and a first optical element (11, 21, 31) downstream of the at least one light source (10, 20, 30), seen in the light propagation direction (X), and further a structure (12, 22, 32) to be imaged downstream of the first optical element (11, 21, 31), as viewed in the direction of light propagation (X), wherein o The structure to be imaged (12, 22, 32) is a light-transmitting area (12a, 22a, 32a) separated from a light-impermeable area (12e, 22e, 32e) by one or more baffle edges (12b-12d, 22b-22d, 32b-32d), and wherein o the structure (12, 22, 32) to be imaged is located in a surface (112a, 122a, 132a), and a second optical element (13) downstream of the structure (12, 22, 32) to be imaged, seen in the direction of light propagation (X), wherein the second optical element (13) has an object face (OE), wherein The first optical element (11, 21, 31) collects or collimates the light emitted by the at least one light source (10, 20, 30) in a point (F11) which is downstream of the structure (12, 22, 32) to be imaged, as seen in the light propagation direction (X), and wherein The structure (12, 22, 32) to be imaged is substantially located in the object plane (OE) of the second optical element (13), so that light passing through the structure (12, 22, 32) to be imaged is projected by the second optical element (13) into an image plane (BE), in particular into a region outside the ground projection device (100), for example onto the ground, as a light image forming the ground projection or a part of the ground projection, It is characterized in that The surface (112a, 122a, 132a) on which the structure (12, 22, 32) to be imaged is located is of curved design, wherein the surface (112a, 122a, 132a) is of shell-shaped design and is curved away from the second optical element (13).

2. The terrestrial projection device according to claim 1, wherein the deepest point (S) of the shell-shaped surface (112a, 122a, 132a) is the point of the surface (112a, 122a, 132a) farthest from the second optical element (13).

3. A terrestrial projection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deepest point (S) of the surface (112a, 122a, 132a) is located on the optical axis (X2) of the second optical element (13).

4. A terrestrial projection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of the surface (112a, 12a, 132a) substantially follows the field curvature of the object surface (OE) of the second optical element (13).

5. The terrestrial projection device according to claim 1, wherein the object surface (OE) is parallel to the Petzval surface of the second optical element (13), ie the curved surface which contains all focal points of the second optical element (13).

6. The terrestrial projection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the structure (12, 22, 32) to be imaged is a single area or comprises two or more sub-areas separated from one another.

7. The terrestrial projection device according to claim 1, wherein the surface (112a, 122a, 132a) is an outer surface of a light-transmitting optical body (112, 122, 132), in particular a light exit surface.

8. The terrestrial projection device according to claim 7, wherein the outer surface of the light-transmissive optical body (112, 122, 132) is configured to be light-proof outside the structure to be imaged, wherein, for example, the outer light-proof area is configured in the form of a light-proof coating.

9. A terrestrial projection device according to any one of the above claims, wherein the structure to be imaged (12, 22, 32) is arranged so that the optical axis (X2) of the second optical element (13) extends through the structure to be imaged (12, 22, 32).

10. A terrestrial projection device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two or more projection modules (1, 2, 3).

11. A terrestrial projection device according to any one of the above claims, wherein the projection modules (1, 2, 3) have the same structure to be imaged (12, 22, 32), or at least one of the projection modules has a structure to be imaged that is different from that of the other projection modules, or all projection modules are different from each other in terms of the structure to be imaged.

12. A terrestrial projection device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein identical structures (12, 22, 32) to be imaged are positioned identically or offset relative to one another with respect to the optical axis (X2) of the second optical element (13).

13. The terrestrial projection device according to claim 10, wherein the projection modules (1, 2, 3) are designed identically to one another with respect to the first optical element and the second optical element and with respect to the arrangement of the two optical elements.

14. The terrestrial projection device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the light sources (10, 20, 30) of the projection modules can be controlled independently of each other.

15. A terrestrial projection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a normal vector passing through the center of the surface (112a, 122a, 132a) on which the structure to be imaged (12, 22, 32) is located extends at an angle greater than 0° relative to the optical axis (X2) of the second optical element (13).

16. A vehicle lamp, in particular a motor vehicle lamp, comprising at least one ground projection device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A vehicle (1000), in particular a motor vehicle, comprising at least one ground projection device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 15 or a vehicle lamp according to claim 16, wherein the ground projection device or the vehicle lamp is installed in the vehicle (1000), wherein preferably, the ground projection device (100) or the vehicle lamp is installed in the vehicle (1000) so that the optical axis of the ground projection device (100) or the optical axis of at least one projection module of the ground projection device (100) extends obliquely relative to the image plane (BE), that is, at an angle not equal to 90°.

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