Lighting device, rearview device and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a lighting device (5, 5 ', 5 ") comprising at least one housing (51', 51"), at least one lens (52 ', 52 ") and at least one light guide (53', 53") arranged at least in some area between the housing (51 ', 51 ") and the lens (52', 52"), where light generated by the at least one light source (55 ', 55 ") can be coupled to the light guide (53', 53"). The light guide (53 ', 53' ') is guided in the mask (54', 54 '') to be guided to the lens (52 ', 52''), where the light guide (53', 53 '') is formed together with the mask (54 ', 54'') as a two-part mold unit having a three-dimensional shape adapted to a selected light pattern (40). The invention further relates to a rear view device (1) having such a lighting device (5, 5 ', 5' ') and to a motor vehicle having such a rear view device (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an illumination device for a rearview device of a motor vehicle, a rearview device having such an illumination device, and a motor vehicle having such a rearview device. The illumination device includes at least one housing, at least one lens, at least one light source, and at least one light guide disposed at least partially between the housing and the lens, wherein light emitted by the at least one light source is configured to be coupled into the light guide, guided to the at least one lens, and exit the at least one lens. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles generally include rearview devices mounted inside and outside the vehicle. The rearview device generally includes one or more mirrors, cameras, or any combination thereof for observing at least the scene around the rear end of the vehicle, and one or more illumination devices.

[0003] The term "vehicle" denotes any motor vehicle, with or without a trailer, driven by a driver, where the driver requires information about the people, other vehicles, or objects in the vicinity of the vehicle in order to be able to drive safely. By way of example, the vehicle is a car, a truck, a tractor, or a trailer.

[0004] The term "rearview" is hereby defined as the observation of the area around the vehicle that is not within the field of view of the driver of the vehicle, i.e., in the directions opposite to the observation direction, to the left, right, below, and above the observation direction, but may also include the observation in the direction of the driver's observation direction and / or any combination of these directions.

[0005] The terms "driver" and "driver of the vehicle" hereby refer to the person who controls the main parameters of the vehicle (such as, for example, direction, speed, and / or altitude), for example, typically the person located at the position (e.g., seat) designated for the control person, but may also refer to any other person or entity inside or outside the vehicle.

[0006] The term "light source" denotes a device from which light is generated and emitted. The light source may include one or more light-emitting devices or solid-state light sources. The term "solid-state" generally refers to light emitted by solid-state electroluminescence rather than by an incandescent bulb or a fluorescent lamp. For example, the light source may include a semiconductor light-emitting diode (LED), a laser diode, an OLED, a polymer light-emitting diode (PLED), an LED lamp package, an LED chip, or an LED die, or an array of one or more of these devices. It should be understood that the light source may also include a color-changing LED, i.e., the LED may be configured to change color when needed.

[0007] The term "light guide" refers to a light-conducting element that at least partially forms part of a housing, where the light guide has: a light-receiving surface located within the enclosure, which can be at least partially provided by the housing; and a light-emitting surface located outside the enclosure, such that light emitted from a light source is received by the light-receiving surface of the light guide and guided towards the light-emitting surface of the light guide, such that light is emitted from the light guide. The light guide can be made of a transparent material. Light can be emitted from the light guide with a uniform brightness over the entire light-emitting surface.

[0008] The term "reflective element" refers to a reflective surface, for example, on which light emitted from the light guide falls and is reflected along a reflection direction to emit reflected light. The reflective element can be a polished surface or a coated surface that provides a mirror-like surface finish.

[0009] Different functions and devices can be incorporated into and / or controlled by means of a rear-view device. Of particular interest are functions and devices that enhance, extend, and / or maintain the functionality of the rear-view device during normal or extreme conditions. Corresponding facilities can include heating and / or cooling facilities, cleaning facilities (such as wipers, liquid and / or gas sprays), actuator facilities for moving the rear-view device or parts thereof (such as a display, a camera system, and / or parts of a camera system, including, for example, lenses, filters, light sources, adaptive optics such as deformable mirrors, sensors, and / or mirrors); and / or actuator facilities for causing the movement of other objects (such as parts of a vehicle and / or objects around the vehicle). In addition, a linear track and / or a rotating wheel for exchanging optical elements, such as a filter wheel, can also be included, and the optical elements include, for example, lenses, mirrors, light sources, sensors, adaptive optics such as deformable mirrors, and / or filters.

[0010] Prominent examples of functions and devices incorporated into and / or controlled by means of a rear-view device include lighting devices, such as lighting devices in the form of any type of lamp module, such as an external lamp module, an internal lamp module, a headlamp, a taillamp, a fog lamp, a brake lamp, an acceleration lamp, a turn signal lamp, a marker lamp, a puddle lamp, a flash lamp, a navigation lamp, a position lamp, an emergency lamp, a spotlight, a green lamp, a red lamp, a warning lamp, a turn signal lamp module, an approach lamp, a searchlight, an information lamp, a display, and / or any combination thereof.

[0011] In recent years, lighting devices for vehicles have become important because they are aesthetically appealing to consumers. Therefore, vehicle manufacturers have made efforts to design vehicle lighting devices in consideration of the styling of the vehicle on which the lighting device is installed. In addition, vehicle manufacturers can provide optional lighting effects (in addition to legally required lighting functions) to enhance vehicle styling.

[0012] It is difficult to provide an aesthetically appealing vehicle lighting device that meets the required technical specifications. For example, the taillights on existing vehicles tend to be energy-intensive and require various components, such as reflectors. Headlights are similar in that they require multiple components, such as reflectors, cut-off devices, etc. An aesthetic lighting effect results in an even greater number of components and complexity. Such vehicle lighting devices are not easily adaptable to the styling of the vehicle.

[0013] Rearview devices with lighting devices for providing signal lights such as turn signals, warning lights, fog lights, etc. are commonly used in vehicles. These lighting devices not only enhance or expand the functionality of the rearview device, but also provide aesthetic appeal to the vehicle. The lighting device of the rearview device may include a light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED) and a light guide that is irradiated to provide a signal outside the vehicle. These lighting devices can be further enhanced to emit a light pattern that not only provides a lighting function for the vehicle, but also provides aesthetic appeal and enhances the styling of the vehicle.

[0014] For example, a lighting device is known from US10,800,322B2, in which, on the one hand, a light guide device and, on the other hand, a housing device and / or a lens are connected to each other at least in some regions by overmolding at least some regions of the light guide device.

[0015] US 7,357,542 B2 relates to an exterior rearview mirror for a vehicle, which includes: a lens portion firmly fixed to the vehicle; a housing defining an opening and a housing rear wall, the housing rear wall defining a recess extending along a part thereof; a turn signal light for generating light, the turn signal light being firmly fixed to the housing rear wall and extending into the recess, the turn signal light including a light lens covering the turn signal light and defining an outer surface and an opening extending through the light lens; and an optical waveguide having a source portion end extending through the opening in the light lens for guiding the light generated by the turn signal light outside the light lens and around the lens portion, the remaining part of the optical waveguide being firmly fixed to the outer surface of the light lens.

[0016] US 7,850,350 B2 describes a rearview mirror for a vehicle, which includes a lens portion with a housing, in which at least one lamp area is arranged, the lamp area including a turn signal device with a lamp window and a turn signal lamp back plate and at least one color light source. The lamp window is a fully transparent light guide for the color light source, the turn signal device includes a separate color screen located in front of a reflector visible through the lamp window, the color screen being positioned such that the light of the light source does not directly pass through the color screen. The color screen can be constructed according to a defined design to fill at least a part of the lighting device. Summary of the Invention

[0017] The object of the present disclosure is to further develop a lighting device for a rear-view device for a motor vehicle in order to improve the aesthetic impression.

[0018] This object is achieved by a lighting device comprising at least one housing, at least one lens, at least one light source and at least one light guide arranged at least partly between the housing and the lens, wherein light emitted by the at least one light source is configured to be coupled into the at least one light guide, guided to the at least one lens and exit the at least one lens, wherein the light guide and the mask together form a two-component mold unit having a three-dimensional shape adapted to a selected light pattern.

[0019] The definition of an embodiment of the present disclosure may lie in that the light guide formed together with the mask is formed with:

[0020] i) at least one light guide projection extending towards the at least one lens, in particular tapering in the direction of the lens, and / or

[0021] ii) at least one recess, in particular, the recess being located in the region of the at least one light guide projection, and / or on the side facing away from the lens and / or the mask, and / or providing at least one light coupling-in region, and / or

[0022] iii) at least one opening, in particular, the opening being located between two light guide projections, and / or on both sides of each light guide projection, and / or extending through the light guide, and / or

[0023] iv) optical elements in at least one light coupling-in region, at least one light reflection region and / or at least one light coupling-out region not covered by the mask.

[0024] It may also lie in that the mask is formed with:

[0025] i) at least one first masking portion on at least one light guide projection,

[0026] ii) at least one second masking portion between two light guide projections,

[0027] iii) third masking portions on both sides of one or more light guide projections, and / or

[0028] iv) at least one fourth masking portion in the at least one opening, and / or

[0029] v) at least one fifth masking portion having an end facing the lens, and / or

[0030] The mask of the two-component mold unit faces the lens and / or extends at least partially parallel to the lens.

[0031] In a further embodiment, the at least one light source includes one or more LEDs, including at least one color-changing light source, and / or cooperates with a color-changing element, and / or generates one or more light colors, and / or the light emitted by the at least one light source is redirected at least once by the two-component mold unit and / or at least one reflector, and / or the at least one light source is shielded by the mask and / or cannot be seen through the lens.

[0032] Furthermore, it can also be that the two-component mold unit is attached to, in particular detachably attached to, at least one of the housing and / or the lens.

[0033] The features of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be that the housing includes an upper cover element and a lower cover element, wherein the lens extends between the upper cover element and the lower cover element, the upper cover element and / or the lower cover element is provided with a housing attachment extension, and / or the lens is provided with a lens attachment extension at at least one of its ends.

[0034] The at least one reflector can be provided by a light guide and / or a support element, or is provided on the light guide and / or the support element, in particular provided on the housing, especially provided on the support element of the housing, and the at least one light guide and / or the at least one light source is detachably mounted to this support element.

[0035] It is also proposed that the at least one light source is arranged behind a part of the housing (in particular the upper cover element) and / or the reflector, and / or the at least one light source is shielded so that it cannot be seen from the outside.

[0036] The present disclosure also provides an external rearview device for a motor vehicle, the external rearview device including: a foot configured to be firmly fixed to the vehicle; a head attached to the foot, the head defining at least one opening for at least one rearview element and defining at least one recess extending along a part thereof, the recess for at least one lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims.

[0037] The at least one lighting device can provide a turn signal lamp.

[0038] The definition of an embodiment of the external rearview device can be that the head includes at least two cover elements, in particular an upper cover element and a lower cover element, wherein the outer surface of the lens or a lens part is flush with the outer surface of the head and / or the at least two cover elements.

[0039] It can also be that the at least one rearview element includes at least one camera, at least one rearview mirror and / or at least one display.

[0040] Furthermore, the present disclosure also provides a motor vehicle, which includes at least one external rearview device according to the present disclosure.

[0041] The two-component mold unit of the lighting device of the present disclosure allows different iconic lighting concepts to be realized, especially for the rearview device of a motor vehicle. The three-dimensional shape allows a three-dimensional impression and even has a depth effect.

[0042] Since the light guide and the mask are provided as a single unit, the assembly of the lighting device of the present disclosure is facilitated, which reduces costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure result from the following description, in which embodiments are explained within the framework of schematic diagrams, wherein:

[0044] Figure 1a is a perspective view of a rearview device with a lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 1b is a front view of a vehicle according to the present disclosure, the vehicle having Figure 1a the rearview device;

[0046] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the lighting device of the present disclosure; and

[0047] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the lighting device of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure can be implemented in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; some features may be enlarged or minimized to show details of specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as restrictive, but only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the present disclosure in different ways.

[0049] Figure 1a Shows the external rearview device 1 of the present disclosure. It includes being fixedly attached to as Figure 1bThe outrigger 2 of the vehicle 100 shown. The head 3 is movably attached to the outrigger 2. The head 3 includes two cover elements 30, 32, and the lighting device 5 serving as a turn signal extends between the two cover elements. In addition to the turn signal function, the lighting device 5 can also provide, for example, iconic lighting related to the manufacturer of the vehicle 100. Such iconic lighting can be in the form of a specific light pattern 40, which has a three-dimensional impression with a depth effect due to the specific structure of the lighting device 5 to enhance the aesthetic appeal.

[0050] Before the structure of the steering lighting device 5 is described, it should be mentioned that the rearview device 1 (the front part of which is shown in Figure 1a in perspective view) also carries: a camera device 4 extending through the cover element 32; and a rearview mirror (not shown) on its front side.

[0051] Regarding Figure 2 and Figure 3 the two embodiments shown further illustrate the internal structure of the lighting device 5.

[0052] Figure 2 The lighting device 5' attached between two cover elements 30', 32' of the housing is shown, and the two cover elements can be provided by the head of the rearview device. The lighting device 5' includes a support element 51' as another part of the housing and a lens 52' having a main part 522' flush with the two cover elements 30', 32'. A two-component mold unit (including a light guide 53' and a mask 54') and a light source 55' are arranged between the lens 52' and the support element 51', so that the light emitted from the light source 55' is guided through the light guide 53' and exits the light guide between the mask portions 511' to 514', see Figure 2 for the light beam L in.

[0053] The light guide 53' and the mask 54' together form a three-dimensional shape; that is, having two protrusions 501', 502'. Mask portions 511' and 514' are provided on both sides of the protrusions 501', 502'. Additional mask portions 512' and 513' can be arranged on the tops of the two protrusions 501', 502' facing the lens 52', so that the light beam L can only exit the light guide 53' between the two protrusions 501', 502'. As an alternative (not shown), the tops of each protrusion 501', 502' facing the lens 52' can determine the preferred light decoupling regions. Other mask portions can also be arranged between the two protrusions.

[0054] In order to have a uniform light output, specific optical devices 503′, 504′ can be provided at the light-coupling-in region and the opposite light-coupling-out region of the light guide 53′, wherein the optical device 504′ reflects the light beam propagating within the light guide 53′ and thus serves as a reflector.

[0055] The lens 52′ is provided with three regions or parts, wherein the main part 522′ is arranged between the cover elements 30′ and 32′ such that its outer surface is flush with the outer surfaces of the cover elements 30′, 32′. Additionally, two lens parts 521′, 523′ can extend from the lens main part 522′ so as to extend along the inner surfaces of the cover elements 30′, 32′ respectively, thereby enabling attachment.

[0056] The support element 51′ can be provided with a housing extension 532′, which extends substantially parallel to the lens part 521′ and the cover element 32′ in the attachment region. Further, the mask 54′ can be provided with an extension part 514′, which extends towards the inner surface of the lens 52′ (especially its part 523′), also for facilitating attachment.

[0057] The three-dimensional effect achieved by the two-component mold units 53′, 54′ can result in the generation of the light pattern 40 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0058] Figure 3 An alternative lighting device 52″ is shown, which is also arranged between two cover elements 30″ and 32″ of the head of the rearview mirror, wherein the lens 52″ corresponds to the lens 52′ as Figure 2 discussed and is thus provided with lens parts 521″, 522″ and 523″.

[0059] In Figure 3 the illustrated embodiment, the light source 55″ emits light, which is reflected by a reflector in the form of a reflective layer 541″ provided on the inner surface of the support element 51′ such that the light enters the two-component mold units 53″, 54″ in the regions of two recesses 505″ and 506″, the two recesses being provided within two protrusions 501″, 502″ of the light guide 53″, wherein the protrusions 501″, 502′ are not covered by the unmasked parts. Instead, the masked parts 511″, 512″ and 513″ are arranged on the sides of the protrusions 501″, 502″ and even extend through the openings 507″, 508″, 509″ within the light guide 53″. This structure causes the light beams emitted by the light source 55″ to be bundled together such that the light exits the two-component mold unit in the form of two light beams L1, L2, as Figure 3 shown.

[0060] The three-dimensional structure of the two-component mold units 53″, 54″ not only allows for obtaining a specific three-dimensional appearance signature illumination, but also facilitates attachment through the ends of the units facing the lens 52″, in particular the ends provided by the lens parts 521″, 523″.

[0061] For Figure 2 and Figure 3 the two embodiments shown respectively, due to the mask arrangement, the light sources 55′, 55″ cannot be seen from the outside through the lenses 52′, 52″.

[0062] Thus, the two-component mold units used with the lighting device of the present disclosure can be provided with three-dimensional shapes and masks on selected areas of the light guide to produce a variety of different lighting effects, no longer limited to a two-dimensional appearance, but allowing three-dimensional effects. This allows new lighting concepts to personalize the appearance of the turn signal lights of the rearview device or other components of a motor vehicle, without being limited thereto.

[0063] When using a color-changing light source and / or multiple light sources associated with multiple ones of the one or more two-component mold units, additional lighting effects can be achieved. Each of the units can be provided with a plurality of protrusions to provide any type of pattern, such as a pattern in the form of a logo, symbol, icon, and / or text.

[0064] The features shown in the above description, claims, and drawings may be necessary for the present disclosure in its different embodiments, whether alone or in any desired combination.

[0065] Reference numerals

[0066] 1 Rearview device

[0067] 2 Leg

[0068] 3 Head

[0069] 4 Camera device

[0070] 5, 5′, 5″ Lighting device

[0071] 30, 30′, 30″ Cover element

[0072] 32, 32′, 32″ Cover element

[0073] 40 Light pattern

[0074] 51′, 51″ Support element

[0075] 52′, 52″ Lens

[0076] 53′, 53″ Light guide

[0077] 54′, 54″ Mask

[0078] 55′, 55″ light source

[0079] 100 vehicle

[0080] 501′, 501″ protrusion

[0081] 502′, 502″ protrusion

[0082] 503′ optical device

[0083] 504′ optical device

[0084] 505″ recess

[0085] 506″ recess

[0086] 507″ opening

[0087] 508″ opening

[0088] 509″ opening

[0089] 511′, 511″ masking portion

[0090] 512′, 512″ masking portion

[0091] 513′, 513″ masking portion

[0092] 514′ masking portion

[0093] 521′, 521″ lens portion

[0094] 522′, 522″ lens portion

[0095] 523′, 523″ lens portion

[0096] 532′ housing extension

[0097] 541″ reflective layer

[0098] L light beam

[0099] L1 light beam

[0100] L2 light beam

Claims

1. A lighting device (5, 5′, 5″) comprising at least one housing (30, 30′, 30″, 32, 32′, 32″, 51′, 51″), at least one lens (52′, 52″), at least one light source (55′, 55″) and at least one light guide (53′, 53″), the light guide being arranged at least partially between the housing (30, 30′, 30″, 32, 32′, 32″, 51′, 51″) and the lens (52′, 52″), wherein, The light (L, L1, L2) emitted by the at least one light source (55′, 55″) is configured to be coupled into the at least one light guide (53′, 53″), guided to the at least one lens (52′, 52″) and exit the at least one lens (52′, 52″). It is characterized in that the light guide (53′, 53″) and the mask (54′, 54″) together form a two-component mold unit having a three-dimensional shape adapted to a selected light pattern (40).

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide (53′, 53″) formed together with the mask (54′, 54″) is formed with · at least one light guide projection (501′, 501″, 502′, 502″) extending towards the at least one lens (52′, 52″), in particular ○ the light guide projection tapers in the direction of the lens (52′, 52″), and / or · at least one recess (505″, 506″), in particular ○ the recess is located in the region of the at least one light guide projection (501″, 502″), and / or ○ the recess is on the side facing away from the lens (52′, 52″) and / or the mask (54′, 54″), and / or ○ the recess provides at least one light coupling-in region, and / or · at least one opening (507″, 508″, 509″), in particular ○ the opening is located between two light guide projections (501″, 502″), and / or ○ the opening is on both sides of each light guide projection (501″, 502″), and / or ○ the opening extends through the light guide (52″), and / or · optical devices (503′, 504′) located in at least one light coupling-in region, at least one light reflection region and / or at least one light coupling-out region not covered by the mask.

3. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the mask (54′, 54″) is formed with · at least one first masking portion (512′, 513′) located on at least one light guide projection (501′, 502′), · at least one second masking portion (512″) located between two light guide projections (501″, 502″), · third masking portions (511′, 514′, 511″, 512″, 513″) located on both sides of one or more light guide projections (501′, 501″, 502′, 502″), and / or · at least one fourth masking portion located in the at least one opening (507″, 508″, 509″), and / or · at least one fifth masking portion (511″, 513″, 514′) having an end facing the lens (52′, 52″), and / or The masking members (54′, 54″) of the two-component mold unit face the lenses (52′, 52″) and / or extend at least partially parallel to the lenses (52′, 52″).

4. The lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein · the at least one light source (55′, 55″) includes one or more LEDs, includes at least one color-changing light source, and / or cooperates with a color-changing element, and / or generates one or more light colors, and / or · the light (L, L1, L2) emitted by the at least one light source (55′, 55″) is redirected at least once by the two-component mold unit and / or at least one reflector (504′, 541″), and / or · the at least one light source (55′, 55″) is shielded by the masking members (54′, 54″) and / or cannot be seen through the lenses (52′, 52″).

5. The lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two-component mold unit is detachably attached to at least one of the housing (30, 30′, 30″, 32, 32′, 32″, 51′, 51″) and / or the lenses (52′, 52″).

6. The lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (30, 30′, 30″, 32, 32′, 32″, 51′, 51″) includes an upper cover element (30, 30′, 30″) and a lower cover element (32, 32′, 32″), wherein the lenses (52′, 52″) extend between the upper cover element and the lower cover element (30, 30′, 30″, 32, 32′, 32″), the upper cover element (30, 30′, 30″) and / or the lower cover element (32, 32′, 32″) is provided with a housing attachment extension (532′), and / or the lenses (52′, 52″) are provided with lens attachment extensions (521′, 521″, 523′, 523″) at at least one of their ends.

7. The lighting device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the at least one reflector (504′, 541″) can be provided by the light guide (53′) and / or the support element (51″), or can be provided on the light guide and / or the support element, particularly on the housing, especially on the support element (51″) of the housing (30, 30′, 30″, 32, 32′, 32″, 51′, 51″), and the at least one light guide (53′, 53″) and / or the at least one light source (55′, 55″) are detachably mounted on the support element.

8. The lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one light source (55′, 55″) is arranged behind a part of the housing (30, 30′, 30″, 32, 32′, 32″, 51′, 51″), in particular behind the upper cover element (30, 30′, 30″) and / or the reflector (504′, 541″), and / or the at least one light source (55′, 55″) is shielded such that the light source is not visible from the outside.

9. An external rearview device (1) for a motor vehicle (100), comprising: a foot (2) configured to be fixedly attached to the vehicle (100); a head (3) attached to the foot (2), the head defining at least one opening for at least one rearview element and defining at least one recess extending along a part thereof for at least one lighting device (5, 5′, 5″), the lighting device being the lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. The external rearview device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one lighting device (5, 5′, 5″) provides a turn signal lamp.

11. The external rearview device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the head (3) comprises at least two cover elements, in particular the upper cover element (30, 30′, 30″) and the lower cover element (32, 32′, 32″), wherein the outer surface of the lens (52′, 52″) or the lens part (522′, 522″) is flush with the outer surface of the head (3) and / or the at least two cover elements (30, 30′, 30″, 32, 32′, 32″).

12. The external rearview device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the at least one rearview element comprises at least one camera, at least one rearview mirror and / or at least one display.

13. A motor vehicle (100) comprising at least one external rearview device (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

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