Lighting device for vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, comprising a light module (1) having: a flat light guide (3) with a rear flat side (14) and a front flat side (15), on which the coupled light is totally reflected; a narrow side (13); a light source (12), the light energy of which is coupled in at the narrow side; means for coupling out light exiting at the front flat side; at least one micro-optical structural film arranged above the front of the front flat side, by means of which the coupled-out light is scattered and focused; 25, 26) and / or at least one recess in some regions, such that a front surface of the cover, which is arranged in front of the front flat side in the light exit direction, extends in a non-flat manner, said front surface being arranged in front of the flat light conductor in the light exit direction, and the at least one micro-optically structured film. The flat light conductor also comprises a cover (4) which is arranged in front of the front flat side in the light exit direction and in front of the at least one micro-optically structured film, and the cover has at least one protrusion (19, 19 ', 19' ') in some regions and / or has at least one recess in some regions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, the lighting device having an optical module comprising a housing, the optical module having: a flat light conductor with a rear flat side and a front flat side, wherein coupled light is totally reflected at the rear flat side and the front flat side; a narrow side, wherein light energy is coupled into the flat light conductor at the narrow side; a light source for generating light, wherein the light energy of the light source is coupled into the narrow side; a device for coupling light emitted from the front flat side of the flat light conductor; at least one micro-optical structure film or optical lens disposed above the front flat side of the flat light conductor, wherein the coupled light is scattered and focused by means of the micro-optical structure film or optical lens; and a cover disposed along the light emission direction of the flat light conductor in front of the front flat side of the flat light conductor and in front of the at least one micro-optical structure film or the at least one optical lens, wherein light is emitted from the optical module at the cover. Background Technology

[0002] US2006 / 0044825A1 discloses a lighting device for a vehicle, which has two flat light conductors arranged parallel to each other. Each flat light conductor is equipped with a light source, the light emitted by which is coupled into the flat light conductor at a narrow side. This ensures the generation of two different light functions.

[0003] A lighting device for a vehicle is known from DE102018106171A1. This device includes a circuit board with a plurality of light sources arranged in a matrix. The light sources are manipulated to produce a predetermined emission pattern. To change the emission pattern, a light mirror with micro-optical elements is positioned in front of the matrix-arranged light sources. A disadvantage of the known lighting device is that it requires a relatively large number of light sources and cannot produce uniform illumination of the surface.

[0004] A lighting device for a vehicle is known from DE102023108470A1. The lighting device includes a flat light conductor, which is mounted in a housing together with a film and a cover located at the front. A reflective film may be arranged on the back side of the flat light conductor, and light emitted from the back side of the flat light conductor is reflected by the reflective film in a direction toward the front flat side of the flat light conductor for coupling light out along the main emission direction. The known lighting device can achieve a uniformly illuminated surface. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to improve a lighting device for vehicles with a flat light conductor, thereby producing a uniformly illuminated surface, wherein the appearance of the light-emitting module with the flat light conductor is variable.

[0006] To address this task, the present invention, in conjunction with the preamble of claim 1, features that the cover partially has at least one raised portion and / or partially has at least one recessed portion, such that the front surface of the cover arranged in front along the light emission direction extends non-flatly.

[0007] A particular advantage of this invention is that the optical module with a flat light conductor has a sculptural appearance. The outer surface of the front side of the optical module does not smoothly follow the predetermined curvature of the vehicle body, but rather has a shaped appearance through convex and / or recessed surface areas. The cover of the optical module here has a dual function. On the one hand, the cover is used to cover the optical module or to cover an illumination device configured as a signal light. On the other hand, the cover has a front surface that is raised and / or deepened compared to the flat base section of the cover that rests on the flat light conductor, so that the optical module has a three-dimensional profile on the light output side. When the cover is also a cover for the illumination device, the vehicle body recess for receiving the illumination device only needs to have a small structural depth. Only the flat base section of the cover extends along the extension direction of the vehicle body surface, while, for example, the convex ridges of the cover extend outside the extended vehicle body surface, or outside the opening cross-section of the vehicle body opening for the illumination device.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the raised and / or recessed portions of the cover have dimensions in the range of at least millimeters, preferably in the range of centimeters. Therefore, the raised and / or recessed portions of the cover are visually perceptible to an observer from the outside and provide a specific visual appearance for the lighting device.

[0009] According to an improved embodiment of the invention, the cover has a flat base section, which preferably extends parallel to the flat optical conductor. The size of the base section is equal to or smaller than the size of the flat optical conductor. Preferably, the area of ​​the base section is reduced relative to the size of the flat optical conductor, thereby narrowing the fixing portion between the housing frame of the optical module and the base section of the cover. Advantageously, in this way, the housing can compactly surround the flat optical conductor and the cover with their surfaces in contact, or with a membrane placed parallel in the middle if necessary.

[0010] According to an improved embodiment of the invention, the raised portion is configured to be elongated. The raised portion has a side surface protruding from the base section of the cover and a top surface connected to the edge of the side surface. Therefore, the top surface of the cover extends outside the housing frame.

[0011] According to an improved embodiment of the invention, the top surface of the raised portion and / or a portion of the base section of the cover that constitutes the bottom surface of the raised portion has a flat and / or convex and / or concave surface. Advantageously, additional optical effects can be induced in this way through the refraction of the transmitted light beam.

[0012] According to an improved embodiment of the invention, the top and / or side and / or bottom surfaces of the raised portion have micro-optical elements or optical structures. Advantageously, this allows for the optimization of the light guide device (Lichtführung) used to generate light.

[0013] According to an improved embodiment of the invention, the side of the raised portion protrudes near the edge of the base section of the cover. In this way, the cover has a solid raised portion that protrudes along the main emission direction of the lighting device.

[0014] According to an improved embodiment of the invention, the cover has a plurality of raised portions that can extend parallel to each other or arbitrarily oriented relative to each other. These raised portions can be configured to be identical or different. Thus, the lighting device can have a specific, contoured outer profile.

[0015] According to an improved embodiment of the invention, the micro-optical structure comprises multiple films, each equipped with a micro-optical device, arranged between a flat photoconductor and a cover. Advantageously, this provides a uniform and consistent illumination surface and improves system efficiency.

[0016] According to an improved embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary device for coupling light from a flat optical conductor is composed of a reflective film disposed on the side of the flat optical conductor opposite to the cover, preferably embedded in the housing shell of the housing. The reflective film can be made, for example, of a white plastic material, thereby improving the light efficiency for generating light.

[0017] Other advantages of the invention are derived from the other dependent claims. Attached Figure Description

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

[0019] In the attached diagram:

[0020] Figure 1 A side view of the optical module is shown.

[0021] Figure 2 The diagram shows an exploded view of an optical module, which comprises a two-piece housing, a reflective film, a flat optical conductor, two micro-optical films, and a cover.

[0022] Figure 3 A side view of the cover with solid raised sections is shown.

[0023] Figure 4 A side view of a cover with pointed protrusions is shown.

[0024] Figure 5 A side view of the optical module with two parallel protrusions at the cover is shown.

[0025] Figure 6 The image shows a side view of a mask having a flat top surface of a raised portion and a concave bottom surface of the raised portion, and...

[0026] Figure 7 A side view of a mask is shown, the mask having a concave top surface and a convex bottom surface. Detailed Implementation

[0027] According to the present invention, the optical module 1 can be installed as a lighting device in a body opening (not shown) at the rear of a vehicle to form a taillight.

[0028] The optical module 1 has a housing 2, which is essentially used to receive a flat optical conductor 3 and a cover 4 that shields the flat optical conductor. The housing 2 has a housing shell 5 and a housing frame 6, which are preferably connected to each other by a locking connection.

[0029] The housing cascade 5 has a bottom 7 and edge surfaces 8 projecting from the bottom at least on three sides, the edge surfaces being configured to surround the flat optical conductor 3. The housing frame 6 has a shaped portion 9 such that it is connected to the retaining tab 10 of the cover 4 in a form-locking and / or force-locking manner.

[0030] As by Figure 2 As can be seen, a circuit board 11 is arranged on the edge side of the flat optical conductor 3, and the circuit board is equipped with a plurality of light sources 12 arranged in rows. The light sources 12 extend along the narrow side 13 of the flat optical conductor 3, which serves as the optical coupling surface.

[0031] The flat optical conductor 3 has parallel flat sides 14 and 15 connected to the narrow side 13 of the light coupling, wherein the rear flat side 14 extends on the side facing the housing shell 5 of the housing 2, and the front flat side 15 extends on the side of the flat optical conductor 3 away from the housing shell 5. The other narrow sides of the flat optical conductor 3 are preferably covered by the housing shell 5.

[0032] For example, a coupling element (not shown) can be arranged at the rear flat side 14 or the front flat side 15 as a device for coupling light out of the flat optical conductor 3, where the light coupled in is refracted or reflected along the main emission direction H.

[0033] In this embodiment, a reflective film 16 is arranged between the flat optical conductor 3 and the bottom 7 of the housing 5. Light emitted from the rear flat side 14 of the flat optical conductor 3 is reflected back towards the flat optical conductor 3 by means of the reflective film and passes through the flat optical conductor, so that the light is emitted from the flat optical conductor 3 along the main emission direction H. The reflective film 16 can be arranged adjacent to the rear flat side 14 of the flat optical conductor 3 or spaced apart from the rear flat side of the flat optical conductor.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first portion of light coupled into the flat optical conductor 3 is totally reflected at the rear flat side 14 and the front flat side 15 of the flat optical conductor 3 until it strikes the rear flat side 14 and / or the front flat side 15 of the flat optical conductor 3 at a steep angle, causing it to exit at the front flat side 15 of the flat optical conductor 3 along the main emission direction H. When the second portion of light exits from the flat optical conductor 3 at the rear flat side 14, the light is reflected back towards the rear flat side 14 by means of the reflective film 16, causing the light to re-enter the flat optical conductor 3 at the rear flat side 14, and then exit directly and / or after further total internal reflection at the rear flat side 14 and / or the front flat side 15 (at the front flat side 15 of the flat optical conductor 3) along the main emission direction H from the flat optical conductor 3. The luminous flux of the second portion of the coupled light is less than that of the first portion of the coupled light. Therefore, the reflective film 16 serves as an auxiliary device for light coupling. The main device for optical coupling consists of a rear flat side 14 and a front flat side 15, which preferably extend in parallel from the flat optical conductor 3. The reflective film 16 serves as other devices for optical coupling.

[0035] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the bottom 7 of the housing 5 may be provided with a reflective or specular coating so as to reflect light emitted from the rear flat side 14 of the flat light conductor 3 back toward the flat light conductor 3.

[0036] In this embodiment, two micro-optical structure films, hereinafter referred to as micro-optical films 17 and 18, are arranged between the flat light conductor 3 and the cover 4. Each micro-optical film has a micro-optical element. The micro-optical devices in the micro-optical films 17 and 18 can homogenize the emitted light, ensuring uniform light emission, similar to the case when using an OLED light source. In this embodiment, an LED light source is used as the light source. Preferably, the micro-optical films 17 and 18 have micro-optical elements on their front side facing away from the flat light conductor 3. The back side of the micro-optical films 17 and 18 is constructed to be smooth.

[0037] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, other numbers of micro-optical films 17 may also be provided, for example, only one unique micro-optical film 17 may be provided.

[0038] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, instead of the at least one micro-optical film 17, an optical lens may be arranged between the flat optical conductor 3 and the optical lens.

[0039] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, a plurality of protrusions are provided on the front flat side 15 of the flat optical conductor 3 as spacer bumps against the smooth back side of the micro-optical film 17 disposed on the front flat side 15. The spacer bumps can be arranged in a manner within centimeters of each other, i.e., adjacent spacer bumps have a spacing of several centimeters between them. This prevents the smooth back side of the micro-optical film 17 from adhering or sticking to the front flat side 15, which is perceived as a point of interference (wet effect) in the light distribution.

[0040] The cover 4 according to the invention does not have two flat, flat sides, like the flat optical conductor 3. Instead, the cover 4 may partially have at least one raised portion 19 and / or partially have at least one recess (not shown). The raised portion 19 is configured to protrude relative to the surrounding environment of the vehicle body edge, while the recess is configured to extend into the vehicle body opening of the receiving optical module.

[0041] As by Figure 1 As can be seen, the raised portion 19 is integrally connected to the base section 20 of the cover 4. The base section 20 of the cover 4 has retaining tabs 10 on the edge side for connection with the housing frame 6 or housing 2. As a result, the cover 4 or optical module 1 is arranged on the front surface of the front portion with an uneven orientation.

[0042] The base section 20 of the cover 4 has a flat light incident surface facing the flat photoconductor 3. A raised portion 19 extends from the base section 20 along the main emission direction H. The raised portion 19 is elongated and, for example, extends from one lateral end of the optical module 1 to an opposite lateral end of the optical module. The raised portion 19 has opposite side surfaces 21 protruding from the base section 20 of the cover 4. Furthermore, the raised portion 19 has a top surface 22 connected to the edge of the side surface 21. Preferably, at least the opposite side surfaces 21 gradually taper towards the top surface 22. The raised portion 19 transitions into the base section 20 on the back side, wherein, in the extension of the side surface 21, a portion of the base section 20 forms the bottom surface 23 of the raised portion 19.

[0043] For example, the top surface 22 of the raised portion 19 can be constructed to be flat, and the bottom surface 23 can be constructed to be concave, see [reference needed]. Figure 6 .

[0044] For example, the top surface 22 of the raised portion 19 can be configured to be concave, and the bottom surface 23 of the raised portion can be configured to be convex, see [reference needed]. Figure 7 .

[0045] Therefore, depending on the visual appearance, the bottom surface 23 and the top surface 22 of the raised portion 19 can be configured as flat and / or convex and / or concave.

[0046] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the top surface 22 and / or side surface 21 and / or bottom surface 23 of the protrusion 19 may be provided with micro-optical elements or optical structures. The optical structures may be generated, for example, by etching, corrosion, or laser. This results in further altered optical characteristics of the optical module.

[0047] The raised portion 19 can have dimensions in the range of centimeters. This means that the spacing b constituting the width of the raised portion 19 can be in the range of several centimeters. The width b of the raised portion 19 can, for example, be in the range of 0.5 cm to 10 cm. Here it is assumed that the side 21 of the cover 4 is constructed to be relatively steep. If the side 21 has an angle in the range of 10° to 20° relative to the main emission direction H, then it is conceivable to take the middle width as the width b, and the opposite side 21 extends the middle width in the middle region, that is, in the middle region between the top surface 22 and the bottom surface 23.

[0048] The same components or component functions are given the same reference numerals.

[0049] According to Figure 3 One embodiment of the optical module 1 includes a raised portion 19', the opposite side 21 of which rests on the edge 24 of the base section 20. The bottom width of the raised portion 19' substantially corresponds to the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening for light emission formed by the housing frame 6. Therefore, the average width b' of the raised portion 19' is in the range of 3 cm to 10 cm. The average width b' is defined by the width of the raised portion 19' located at the midpoint of the opposite side 21 between the base section 20 and the top surface 22.

[0050] According to the present invention Figure 4 In another embodiment, a raised portion 19” is provided, which is constructed with a pointed tail and has a relatively large protrusion dimension E. The protrusion dimension E corresponds to the distance between the top surface 22 of the raised portion 19” and the base section 20 of the cover 4, or the bottom surface 23 of the raised portion 19”.

[0051] Here, the top surface 22 has a much smaller area than the bottom surface 23. For example, the area of ​​the top surface 22 can be less than 50% of the area of ​​the bottom surface 23 of the raised portion 19'.

[0052] The top surface 22 of the raised portions 19 and 19' has an area larger than 50% of the bottom surface 23 of the same raised portions 19 and 19'.

[0053] According to the present invention Figure 5 In another embodiment, two adjacent protrusions 25 and 26 may protrude from the base section 20 of the cover 4. One of the protrusions 25 has a protrusion dimension E1 that is larger than the protrusion dimension E2 of the second protrusion 26.

[0054] Therefore, the shield 4 always has a larger light emitting surface than the flat light conductor 3. Here, starting from this, light is coupled out not only at the top surface 22 of the protrusions 19 and 19', but also at the front surface 27 of the base section 20 and at the opposite side surface 21.

[0055] The front surface 27 of the base section 20 preferably extends parallel to the rear surface 28 for light incidence.

[0056] It should be noted that the light module 1 can be used to generate functions such as taillights, brake lights, and / or hazard lights. Depending on the light function, it can be equipped with LED light sources emitting different colors, namely red, yellow, or white. Therefore, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, or reversing lights can be generated by controlling the LED light sources emitting different colors.

[0057] If the optical module 1 according to the invention is not installed in a common housing 2 in combination with other optical modules, but rather the optical module 1 is installed as the only optical module in the vehicle body opening, then the cover 4 also serves as a cover for the lighting device, wherein the base section 20 of the cover 4 extends along the extension direction of the edge side of the vehicle body opening.

[0058] List of reference numerals

[0059] 1 optical module

[0060] 2 shells

[0061] 3 Flat optical conductors

[0062] 4 Cover

[0063] 5. Housing / Outer Shell

[0064] 6 Shell Frame

[0065] 7 bottom

[0066] 8 edge faces

[0067] 9 Molding section

[0068] 10. Maintain splicing

[0069] 11 circuit boards

[0070] 12 light sources

[0071] 13 Narrow Side

[0072] 14 Post-flat side

[0073] 15 Anterior Flat Side

[0074] 16 reflective film

[0075] 17 Micro Optical Films

[0076] 18 micro-optical films

[0077] 19, 19', 19” raised sections

[0078] 20 base sections

[0079] 21 side view

[0080] 22 top surface

[0081] 23 bottom

[0082] 24 Edges

[0083] 25 raised sections

[0084] 26 raised sections

[0085] 27 front surface

[0086] 28 Back Surface

[0087] H Main Launch Direction

[0088] B, b' width / distance

[0089] E, E1, E2 protrusion dimensions

Claims

1. A lighting device for a vehicle, the lighting device having a light module (1), the light module comprising a housing (2), the light module having: —A flat optical conductor (3) with a rear flat side (14) and a front flat side (15) is used to totally reflect coupled light at the rear flat side and the front flat side. —On the narrow side (13), light energy is coupled into the flat optical conductor (3) at the narrow side. —A light source (12) for generating light, the light energy of which is coupled into the narrow side (13), —A device for coupling light emitted from the front flat side (15) of the flat optical conductor (3) out of the flat optical conductor (3), —At least one micro-optical structure film or optical lens is arranged above the front flat side (15) of the flat optical conductor (3), and the coupled light is scattered and focused by means of the micro-optical structure film or the optical lens. —A cover (4) is arranged in front of the flat side (15) of the flat optical conductor (3) and in front of the at least one micro-optical structure film or the at least one optical lens, along the light emission direction of the flat optical conductor (3). Light is emitted from the optical module (1) at the cover. Its features are, The cover (4) has at least one raised portion (19, 19', 19"; 25, 26) and / or at least one recessed portion, such that the front surface of the cover (4) arranged in front along the light emission direction extends non-flatly.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The raised portions (19, 19', 19”; 25, 26) and / or the recesses have dimensions in the range of at least millimeters, preferably in the range of centimeters.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cover (4) has a flat base section (20) at which the raised portions (19, 19', 19"; 25, 26) and / or the recesses are integrally formed, and the base section (20) extends parallel to the flat optical conductor (3), the size of the base section (20) corresponding to the size of the flat optical conductor (3).

4. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The base section (20) of the cover (4) has a retaining tab (10) at at least one edge side for fixing to the housing frame (6); and / or the housing frame (6) has a molding portion (9) for fixing the housing frame to the flat optical conductor (3) and / or the base section (20) of the cover (4).

5. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The raised portion (19, 19', 19”; 25, 26) is constructed to be elongated, and the raised portion has opposing side surfaces (21) protruding from the base section (20) and a top surface (22) connected to the edge of the side surface (21).

6. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The top surface (22) of the raised portion (19, 19', 19”; 25, 26) and / or a portion of the base section (20) constituting the bottom surface (23) of the raised portion (19, 19', 19”; 25, 26) are configured to be flat and / or convex and / or concave.

7. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The top surface (22) and / or side surface (21) and / or bottom surface (23) of the raised portion (19, 19', 19”; 25, 26) are provided with micro-optical elements or optical structures, which are manufactured by etching or corrosion or by laser.

8. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The side (21) of the raised portion (19, 19', 19”; 25, 26) protrudes from the base section near the edge (24) of the base section (20).

9. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The cover (4) has multiple raised portions (25, 26).

10. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Multiple protrusions are provided on the front flat side (15) of the flat optical conductor (3) as spaced protrusions for the smooth back side of the micro-optical structure film (17) or optical lens arranged on the front flat side (15).

11. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The micro-optical structure film (17, 18) or the optical lens is arranged between the flat optical conductor (3) and the cover (4).

12. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, A reflective film (16) is provided as a device for coupling light out of the flat optical conductor (3). The reflective film is arranged on the side of the flat optical conductor (3) away from the cover (4) and assists in the coupling of light out of the flat optical conductor (3).

13. The lighting device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The reflective film (16) is embedded in the outer shell (5) of the housing (2).

14. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The outer shell (5) of the housing is configured to be mirror-reflective on the side facing the flat optical conductor (3).

15. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The housing (2) has a housing frame (6) connected to the housing shell (5), the housing frame surrounding the edge of the flat optical conductor (3) and / or the cover (4).

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