Rotatable aerodynamic device with vehicle light
By designing a rotatable aerodynamic device and utilizing multiple intersecting light guide paths, the conflict between vehicle lighting and aerodynamic performance was resolved, achieving a compact lighting arrangement and regulatory compliance, while optimizing aerodynamic characteristics.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202480089917.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-07-31
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-03
AI Technical Summary
There is a conflict between the vehicle's external lighting and driver visibility requirements and aerodynamic performance, and existing technologies struggle to find a balance between compactness and regulatory requirements.
Design a rotatable aerodynamic device, including a rotatable aerodynamic component and an illumination device arranged thereon, and achieve the intersection of multiple light guide paths through a light guide component to ensure that the illumination device meets regulatory requirements and optimizes aerodynamic characteristics in different positions.
It achieves a compact arrangement of lighting devices that does not obstruct the driver's view, meets the regulatory requirements of various jurisdictions, and optimizes the vehicle's aerodynamic performance.
Smart Images
Figure CN123036241A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] Preferred embodiments relate to a rotatable aerodynamic device for a vehicle, and a vehicle including the rotatable aerodynamic device. Background Technology
[0002] In vehicle design, legal and regulatory constraints, as well as the practical needs of drivers, often conflict with the desired compactness and / or aerodynamic performance of the vehicle. Typical requirements include external lighting such as brake lights, turn signals, headlights, fog lights, reversing lights, and rear fog lights, as well as a sufficiently wide forward field of vision for the driver (and possibly rearward vision), which is usually limited by the vehicle's structure.
[0003] An improved technology is needed to alleviate or avoid the above problems. Summary of the Invention
[0004] Accordingly, an aerodynamic device according to claim 1, a vehicle according to claim 16, and a method of operating the aerodynamic device according to claim 17 are provided.
[0005] According to one aspect, an aerodynamic device for a vehicle is provided. The aerodynamic device includes: an aerodynamic member configured to rotate relative to the vehicle body between a first position and at least one other position different from the first position when the aerodynamic device is mounted on the vehicle. The aerodynamic device further includes: a lighting device disposed on the aerodynamic member and configured to rotate with the aerodynamic member; the lighting device includes: at least one light guide member configured to: receive light to be coupled into the light guide member from one or more light sources of the aerodynamic device and / or the vehicle when the aerodynamic member is in either the first position or the at least one other position; guide the light coupled into the light guide member toward the light emitting portion of the lighting device along a first light guide path when the aerodynamic member is in the first position; and guide the light coupled into the light guide member toward the light emitting portion of the lighting device along at least one other light guide path different from the first light guide path when the aerodynamic member is in the at least one other position. The first light guide path and the at least one other light guide path intersect in the light guide member.
[0006] The lighting device can be configured to: output light guided by a first light guide path to the outside of the vehicle along a first optical axis of the lighting device, and output light guided by at least one other light guide path to the outside of the vehicle along at least one other optical axis of the lighting device that is different from the first optical axis.
[0007] This aerodynamic device allows for alteration of a vehicle's aerodynamic characteristics by rotating and moving aerodynamic components. This alteration can modify one or more of the vehicle's driving characteristics, such as drag and downforce. Modifying aerodynamic characteristics offers advantages, particularly depending on driving conditions, driving modes, driver skill, and / or the driver's personal preferences and comfort. Furthermore, providing lighting devices that can be mounted on the aerodynamic components enables a compact arrangement of external vehicle lighting, ensuring that the lighting devices do not extend further into the driver's field of vision and / or occupy additional space within the vehicle body. Light guide components further enhance this compactness by providing intersecting light paths coupled to the light input to the light guide components when the aerodynamic components are in any of several selectable positions. This avoids structural separation of the individual light guide paths. Conversely, by providing multiple light guide paths, the lighting device allows light coupled to the light input to the light guide components when the aerodynamic components are in any of several selectable positions to be output in a manner adaptable to the corresponding position of the aerodynamic components. This further enables compliance with common regulatory requirements for safety-related vehicle lights (such as brake lights or fog lights) in terms of output direction and / or other optical characteristics.
[0008] The term "aerodynamic component" can refer to any part of a vehicle that can rotate and move relative to the vehicle body and affect the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle; wherein, moving an aerodynamic component will change its effect on the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle.
[0009] The first optical axis and at least one of the aforementioned other optical axes are oriented to at least partially compensate for rotation of the aerodynamic component relative to the main illumination direction of the lighting device, which is relative to the exterior of the vehicle, between the first position and at least one of the aforementioned other positions.
[0010] Compensation is provided for the rotation of aerodynamic components relative to the main lighting direction of the lighting device, so that it can be used in vehicle safety-related lighting devices, such as brake lights and fog lights, which must meet the requirements of predetermined directional range, predetermined emission angle range and / or predetermined spatial light intensity distribution in each jurisdiction.
[0011] The first light guide path may intersect with at least one other light guide path mentioned above in the light-transmitting medium of the light guide component.
[0012] The light guide component may include multiple light reflectors. The first light guide path may include reflection at one or more of the multiple light reflectors; the at least one other light guide path may include reflection at one or more of the multiple light reflectors; the one or more other light reflectors are not the same as the one or more first light reflectors.
[0013] The light guide component may include multiple incident light coupling surface regions and multiple exit light coupling surface regions. A first light guide path may extend from a first incident light coupling surface region to a first exit light coupling surface region; at least one other light guide path may extend from at least one other incident light coupling surface region to at least one other exit light coupling surface region; the at least one other incident light coupling surface region and the at least one other exit light coupling surface region are respectively different from the first incident light coupling surface region and the first exit light coupling surface region.
[0014] The lighting device may further include a light source device comprising a plurality of light sources. A first light source among the plurality of light sources may be configured to generate light, which is coupled into a light guide member and guided through the light guide member along a first light guide path. At least one other light source among the plurality of light sources may be configured to generate light, which is coupled into the light guide member and guided through the light guide member along at least one other light guide path. The first light source and the at least one other light source may be activated independently of each other.
[0015] The first light source can be configured to be activated when the aerodynamic device is in a first position, and deactivated when the aerodynamic device is in at least one other position. The at least one other light source can be configured to be activated when the aerodynamic device is in at least one other position, and deactivated when the aerodynamic device is in the first position.
[0016] The aerodynamic device may also include a switch, configurable to switch the activatability of each of the plurality of light sources based on the position of the aerodynamic component.
[0017] Alternatively, the aerodynamic device may also include a control device configured to control each of the plurality of light sources based at least in part on the position of the aerodynamic component.
[0018] The aerodynamic device may also include: a position sensor configured to detect the position of the aerodynamic component and output a sensor signal to the control device of the aerodynamic device and / or the control device of the vehicle, the sensor signal indicating the detected position of the aerodynamic component.
[0019] The light-emitting part of the lighting device may include at least one output lens having multiple output lens regions. Light guided by a light guide member along a first light guide path can be output through the first output lens region, and light guided by the light guide member along at least one other light guide path can be output through at least one other output lens region different from the first output lens region.
[0020] The aerodynamic component can also be configured to rotate relative to the vehicle body to a third position. Furthermore, the at least one light guide component can be configured to: receive light to be coupled into the light guide component from one or more light sources of the aerodynamic device and / or the vehicle when the aerodynamic component is in the third position, and guide the light coupled into the light guide component towards the light-emitting portion of the lighting device along a third light guide path when the aerodynamic component is in the third position.
[0021] The aerodynamic component can be an active aerodynamic component that can automatically rotate between a first position and at least one other position.
[0022] Aerodynamic components may include rotatable spoilers.
[0023] The rotatable spoiler can be a rotatable rear spoiler. In this case, the lighting can be configured as one or more brake lights constituting the vehicle, especially the center high-mount stop light (CHMSL).
[0024] Integrating the CHMSL into the rotatable rear spoiler allows for a compact arrangement of both the movable rear spoiler and the CHMSL. This eliminates the need for additional space within the vehicle structure to accommodate the CHMSL. Furthermore, the driver's rearward visibility is not reduced by the inclusion of the CHMSL. Additionally, the light guide component provides multiple intersecting light paths, facilitating the compact integration of the CHMSL into the rear spoiler.
[0025] Alternatively, the rotatable spoiler can be a rotatable front spoiler. In this case, the lighting devices can be configured as one or more headlights and / or one or more fog lights constituting the vehicle.
[0026] According to another aspect, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes the aforementioned aerodynamic device.
[0027] According to another aspect, a method for operating an aerodynamic device is provided. This method can be performed by a control device for the aerodynamic device and / or a control device for a vehicle on which the aerodynamic device is mounted. The aerodynamic device includes: an aerodynamic component configured to rotate relative to the vehicle body between a first position and at least one other position different from the first position when the aerodynamic device is mounted on the vehicle; and a lighting device disposed on the aerodynamic component and configured to rotate with the aerodynamic component. The lighting device includes: at least one light guide member configured to: receive light to be coupled into the light guide member from one or more light sources of the aerodynamic device and / or vehicle when the aerodynamic member is in a first position and at least one other position; guide the light coupled into the light guide member toward the light emitting portion of the lighting device along a first light guide path when the aerodynamic member is in the first position; and guide the light coupled into the light guide member toward the light emitting portion of the lighting device along at least one other light guide path different from the first light guide path when the aerodynamic member is in the at least one other position, wherein the first light guide path and the at least one other light guide path intersect in the light guide member; and a light source device including a plurality of light sources, wherein a first light source among the plurality of light sources is configured to generate light coupled into the light guide member and guided through the light guide member along the first light guide path, and wherein at least one other light source among the plurality of light sources is configured to generate light coupled into the light guide member and guided through the light guide member along the at least one other light guide path, wherein the first light source and the at least one other light source can be activated independently of each other. The aerodynamic device further includes: a position sensor configured to detect the position of an aerodynamic component and output a sensor signal to a control device of the aerodynamic device and / or a control device of the vehicle, the sensor signal indicating the detected position of the aerodynamic component. The method includes: receiving a sensor signal from the position sensor indicating the detected position of the aerodynamic component; determining, based on the received sensor signal, whether the detected position corresponds to a first position of the aerodynamic component or at least one other position; and controlling the activation state of a first light source or at least one other light source of the light source device based at least in part on the determined first position or at least one other position of the aerodynamic component. Attached Figure Description
[0028] Further details and advantages of this disclosure will be illustrated by the accompanying drawings and detailed embodiments. The drawings show:
[0029] Figure 1 It is based on an example of an aerodynamic device;
[0030] Figures 2A to 2CIt is based on the various positions of the aerodynamic device in another example;
[0031] Figure 3 It is based on the spatial light distribution of each light guide path of the aerodynamic device;
[0032] Figure 4 It is a graph showing the relative light intensity of each light guide path as a function of the rotational position of the aerodynamic device;
[0033] Figure 5 It is based on an example vehicle; and
[0034] Figure 6 This is a method of operating an aerodynamic device according to an example. Detailed Implementation
[0035] Figure 1 A cross-section of an aerodynamic device 100 for a vehicle is shown schematically and exemplary. The aerodynamic device 100 includes an aerodynamic component 110. The aerodynamic device 100 also includes a lighting device 120 disposed on the aerodynamic component 110. This cross-section corresponds to the longitudinal vertical plane of the vehicle on which the aerodynamic device can be mounted. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the lighting device 120 is substantially disposed inside the aerodynamic component 110 and configured to output light to the outside of the aerodynamic component 110.
[0036] As detailed below, the aerodynamic component 110 is configured to rotate about the lateral axis of the aerodynamic device 100 and relative to the vehicle body at multiple positions. One or more aerodynamic characteristics of the aerodynamic device 100 may vary with the rotational position of the aerodynamic component 110. Furthermore, the lighting device 120 is arranged on the aerodynamic component 110 in a manner that rotates with the rotation of the aerodynamic component 110.
[0037] In the example shown, aerodynamic device 100 is a rear spoiler for the vehicle, and lighting device 120 constitutes a central high-mounted brake light for the vehicle. In other examples, it is implemented as other types of rotatable aerodynamic devices for the vehicle (e.g., rotatable front spoilers), and / or other vehicle lights (e.g., one or more fog lights) arranged on aerodynamic components.
[0038] The lighting device 120 includes a light guide member 140. The light guide member 140 is configured to receive light coupled to it at its incident light coupling portion 142 and guide the coupled light toward its exit light coupling portion 144. Furthermore, as... Figure 1As schematically shown, the light guide member 140 includes a plurality of light reflectors 146, 148, 150 that internally reflect light coupled into the light guide member 140. In some examples, the light guide member 140 includes a light-transmitting medium (e.g., transparent glass, plastic, gas, or air) for guiding the coupled-input light.
[0039] like Figure 1 As schematically shown, the light guide member 140 provides multiple light guide paths LP1, LP2, and LP3. Light coupled to the light guide member 140 via any one of the multiple light-incident coupling surface regions 152, 154, and 156 at the light-incident coupling portion 142 of the light guide member 140 can be guided along the aforementioned light guide paths. For example, light coupled to the light guide member 140 via the first light-incident coupling surface region 152 is guided by the light guide member 140 along the first light guide path LP1. The first light guide path LP1 includes reflection of the coupled light at the first light-reflecting portion 146, reflecting the coupled light towards the first light-exit coupling surface region 158 at the light-exit coupling portion 144 of the light guide member 140. Similarly, light coupled to the light guide member 140 via the second light-incident coupling surface region 154 is guided along the second light guide path LP2. The second light guide path LP2 includes reflection at the second light-reflecting portion 148, reflecting the coupled light towards the second light-exit coupling surface region 160 of the light guide member 140. In the example shown, the light guide member 140 also provides a third light guide path LP3, on which light coupled to the light guide member 140 through the third light input coupling surface region 156 is guided toward the third light reflection part 150, and then guided from there to the third light output coupling surface region 162 at the light output coupling part 144 of the light guide member 140.
[0040] In the example shown, the light guide member 140 is provided with three light guide paths LP1, LP2, and LP3. In other examples, the light guide member may have more or fewer than three light guide paths.
[0041] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, each light guide path LP1, LP2, LP3 is provided with a reflector 146, 148, 150 to guide the coupled input light from the input light coupling section 142 to the output light coupling section. In other examples, one or more light guide paths are provided with a greater number of light reflectors, for example, to achieve multiple internal reflections of the coupled input light at the optical boundary of the light-transmitting medium of the light guide member 140.
[0042] Light guided by arbitrary light guide paths LP1, LP2, and LP3 is coupled out from the light guide member 140 through the corresponding light-exit coupling surface regions 158, 160, and 162. The coupled outgoing light is output at the light-exiting part 122 of the lighting device 120 to the aerodynamic device 100 and the exterior of the vehicle on which the aerodynamic device 100 is installed.
[0043] Light guided by the first light guide path LP1 and output through the first light-emitting coupling surface region 158 is output at the light-emitting section 122 along the first optical axis A1 of the illumination device 120. Similarly, light guided by the second light guide path LP2 and output through the second light-emitting coupling surface region 160 is output at the light-emitting section 122 along the second optical axis A2 of the illumination device 120. Furthermore, in the example shown, light guided by the third light guide path LP3 and output through the third light-emitting coupling surface region 162 is output at the light-emitting section 122 along the third optical axis A3 of the illumination device 120.
[0044] Each optical axis A1, A2, A3 is defined, for example, by the direction in which the maximum value and / or geometric center of the light intensity distribution of the light guided and output from the lighting device 120 along the corresponding light guide paths LP1, LP2, LP3 propagates.
[0045] The aerodynamic device 100 is configured to receive light through different incident light coupling surface regions 152, 154, and 156 depending on the rotational position of the aerodynamic component 110. In this way, the light coupled to the light guide component 140 can be output from the aerodynamic device 100 along one or more of the first, second, or third optical axes A1, A2, and A3, depending on the rotational position of the aerodynamic component 110.
[0046] Therefore, in the illustrated example, the lower region of the housing of the aerodynamic component 110 is provided with a light-transmitting portion or opening through which light from an external light source (not shown) can be provided. For example, below the opening in the lower region of the aerodynamic component 110, a light source is arranged in the vehicle to emit a beam of light from the light guide component 140. Depending on the rotational position of the aerodynamic component 110, the beam of light emitted from the light guide component 140 will reach the first, second, or third incident light coupling surface regions 152, 154, 156, and will be guided by the light guide component 140 according to the corresponding path in the first, second, or third light guide path LP1, LP2, LP3.
[0047] In the example shown, light to be emitted from the aerodynamic device 100 passes through the output lens 124 of the illumination device 120. The output lens 124 includes multiple output lens regions 126, 128, and 130, each associated with one of the light guide paths LP1, LP2, and LP3. With the aid of the output lens 124, the orientation of each optical axis A1, A2, and A3 can be adjusted, and / or the light intensity distribution of light emitted through any of the output lens regions 126, 128, and 130 can be adjusted, for example, according to the corresponding rotational position of the aerodynamic component 110, and / or according to the intended use of the illumination device 120.
[0048] Alternatively, the output light characteristics other than those described above can be adjusted according to the corresponding rotational position of the aerodynamic component 110 using each light guide path and / or each output lens region 126, 128, 130. For example, by providing output lens regions 126, 128, 130 with different optical characteristics, the color, dimming, polarization, etc. of the output light can be adjusted according to the corresponding rotational position of the aerodynamic component 110.
[0049] In the example shown, optical axes A1 to A3 are not parallel to each other. Furthermore, the first, second, and third optical axes A1, A2, and A3 are oriented to at least partially compensate for the rotation of the aerodynamic component 110 relative to the main illumination direction of the lighting device 120, which is relative to the exterior of the vehicle. This effect is achieved by combining the selective use of different paths among multiple light guide paths according to the variable position of the aerodynamic component 110, as described below. Figures 2A to 2C Detailed explanation.
[0050] In the example where the aerodynamic device 100 constitutes a rotatable rear spoiler of a vehicle, the lighting device 120 facilitates the implementation of a vehicle center high-mounted brake light that complies with the regulations of various jurisdictions. For example, the lighting device 120 is configured to receive light at different incident light coupling surface regions 152, 154, and 156 depending on the rotational position of the aerodynamic component 110; and the optical axes A1, A2, and A3 are oriented such that, at each corresponding position of the aerodynamic component 110, the light output at the light-emitting portion 122 is emitted substantially in the same main illumination direction relative to the exterior of the vehicle. This facilitates the adjustment of the direction and intensity distribution of the output light at any position of the aerodynamic component 110 according to regulatory requirements, and in particular, keeps the direction and intensity distribution of the output light substantially constant at multiple positions of the aerodynamic component 110.
[0051] In examples where the aerodynamic device is a rotatable front spoiler and the lighting device constitutes one or more fog lights, the corresponding advantages can be achieved. In such scenarios, the regulations of various jurisdictions typically also impose strict restrictions on the direction and intensity distribution of the output light.
[0052] like Figure 1 As schematically shown, the first, second, and third light guide paths LP1, LP2, and LP3 intersect in the light guide member 140, for example, in the light-transmitting medium of the light guide member 140. This helps to eliminate multiple spatially (and structurally, for example) separate light guide paths, thereby improving the compactness of the lighting device 120.
[0053] In some examples, the aerodynamic device 100 is a passive aerodynamic device, capable of manually changing the rotational position of the aerodynamic component 110. In other examples, the aerodynamic device 100 is an active aerodynamic device, capable of automatically changing the rotational position of the aerodynamic component 110, for example, driven by one or more actuators (not shown).
[0054] Figures 2A to 2C Cross-sections of an aerodynamic device 200 according to another example are shown schematically and exemplaryly at various locations. Features in the aerodynamic device 200 that are structurally or functionally identical or similar to those in the aerodynamic device 100 are employed in the same manner. Figure 1 The same reference numerals are used in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly stated in the drawings and the following description, the above description of aerodynamic device 100 applies accordingly to aerodynamic device 200.
[0055] Unlike aerodynamic device 100, aerodynamic device 200 includes an illumination device 220, which includes a light source device 270 configured to generate light for coupling input to light guide member 140. Because the illumination device 220 includes the light source device 270, the housing of the aerodynamic member 210 of aerodynamic device 200 does not need to provide a channel for external light to reach the light coupling surface regions 152, 154, 156.
[0056] The light source device 270 includes multiple light sources 272, 274, and 276, such as multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs), each associated with a different incident light coupling surface region 152, 154, and 156. Furthermore, light generated by any of the light sources 272, 274, and 276 is coupled into the light guide member 140 through one of the incident light coupling surface regions 152, 154, and 156, and guided along corresponding paths in light guide paths LP1, LP2, and LP3, respectively. To couple the light generated by the light sources 272, 274, and 276 into the light guide member 140, in some examples, a coupling input optical element (not shown) of the illumination device 220 is disposed between one or more light sources 272, 274, and 276 and one or more corresponding incident light coupling surface regions 152, 154, and 156. Additionally, in the illustrated example, the light sources 272, 274, and 276 are arranged on a printed circuit board (PCB) of the light source device 270.
[0057] Light sources 272, 274, and 276 are configured to be activated independently of each other depending on the position of the aerodynamic component 210.
[0058] Figure 2A The aerodynamic component 210 is shown in a first rotational position P1. Position P1 corresponds to the lowered position of the aerodynamic component 210. When the aerodynamic component 210 is in the lowered position P1, the lighting device 220 is configured to generate light through a first light source 272, such that the generated light is guided along a first light guide path LP1. Figure 2A As shown, when the first light source 272 is activated in the aerodynamic component 210 at the first position P1, the first optical axis A1 is oriented to correspond to the main illumination direction D of the lighting device 220 relative to the outside of the vehicle. At position P1, the other light sources 274 and 276 of the light source device 270 are in a deactivated state.
[0059] Figure 2B An aerodynamic device 200 is shown, wherein the aerodynamic component 210 is in a rotating position P2, which is different from... Figure 2A Position P1 is shown. Position P2 corresponds to the middle position of aerodynamic component 210.
[0060] At position P2, the second light source 274 of the light source device 270 is activated, while the first and third light sources 272 and 276 are deactivated. The light generated by the second light source 274 is coupled into the light guide member 140 and guided along the second light guide path LP2. As schematically shown, the second optical axis A2 of the illumination device 220 is oriented such that the light output by the aerodynamic device 200 at position P2 substantially corresponds to the same main illumination direction D, i.e., with... Figure 2A The first optical axis A1 in the scene is similar.
[0061] Therefore, the aerodynamic device 200 allows the lighting device 220 to maintain its main lighting direction D relative to the exterior of the vehicle in multiple rotational positions of the aerodynamic component 210. For example, when the center high-mounted brake light is implemented via the lighting device 220, this facilitates compliance with the regulatory requirements for main lighting direction and light distribution in numerous jurisdictions.
[0062] Figure 2C An aerodynamic device 200 is shown, wherein the aerodynamic component 210 is in a rotating position P3, which is different from... Figure 2A , Figure 2B Positions P1 and P2 are shown. Position P3 corresponds to the raised position of aerodynamic component 110.
[0063] Similar to positions P1 and P2, at position P3, the third light source 276 of the light source device 270 is activated, while the first and second light sources 272 and 274 are deactivated. The light generated by the third light source 276 is coupled into the light guide member 140 and guided along the third light guide path LP3. Furthermore, as schematically shown, the third optical axis A3 of the illumination device 220 is oriented such that the light output by the aerodynamic device 200 at position P3 substantially corresponds to the main illumination direction D, i.e., ... Figure 2A , Figure 2B The first and second optical axes A1 and A2 in the scene are similar.
[0064] Similarly, in other examples, any number of different light paths can be set up, each associated with a different rotational position of the aerodynamic component 210, and with the desired main illumination direction of the aerodynamic device.
[0065] In various examples of the aerodynamic device 200, individual light sources among a plurality of light sources 272, 274, 276 are activated / deactivated in various ways based on the position of the aerodynamic component 210. In some examples, the power supply circuit arranged in the vehicle for operating the lighting device 220 includes an electromechanical switch that interacts with the mechanical structure of the aerodynamic device 200, such that the electromechanical switch moves to any of a plurality of positions through interaction with the aerodynamic device 200, thereby switching between different sub-circuits of the power supply circuit and selectively powering corresponding light sources among the plurality of light sources 272, 274, 276. In other examples, the aerodynamic device 200 includes a position sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the aerodynamic component 2010 and outputs a corresponding sensor signal to a control device of the aerodynamic device. The control device activates or deactivates different light sources 272, 274, 276 based on the received sensor signal. In some examples, the control device is implemented as part of the aerodynamic device 200 (not shown). In other examples, the control device is implemented as a control device of the vehicle on which the aerodynamic device 200 is mounted.
[0066] Figure 3 The spatial light intensity distribution of each light guide path of the aerodynamic device provided herein relative to the same reference illumination direction is illustrated schematically, wherein the positions of the aerodynamic components remain constant. The first distribution (a) corresponds to the light intensity distribution of light emitted via the first light guide path LP1 in the example above. The second distribution (b) corresponds to the light intensity distribution of light emitted via the second light guide path LP2 in the example above. The third distribution (c) corresponds to the light intensity distribution of light emitted via the third light guide path LP3 in the example above.
[0067] As can be seen, in all distributions (a) to (c), the relative light intensity distribution remains basically constant, but the center of the light intensity distribution shifts downward. This corresponds to the orientation changes of the optical axes A1, A2, and A3, which exhibit a gradually downward orientation relative to the aerodynamic components, such as... Figure 1 As shown.
[0068] Figure 4 The relative light intensities of each light guide path LP1, LP2, and LP3, as detected when observed along the main illumination direction D, are shown. The relative light intensities are plotted with respect to the rotation angles of the aerodynamic components, including position P1 at 0 degrees, position P2 at 10 degrees, and position P3 at 20 degrees.
[0069] Depend on Figure 4 As can be seen from the graph, by appropriately switching between different light guide paths at different positions P1, P2, and P3, the light intensity emitted along the main illumination direction D can be maintained at its maximum value. Furthermore, the light intensity emitted in directions other than the main illumination direction can be minimized.
[0070] Figure 5 A vehicle 500 is shown schematically and exemplary. The vehicle 500 includes an aerodynamic device 502, which includes an aerodynamic component 510 on which a lighting device 530 is arranged. The aerodynamic device 502 is based on the above combination. Figures 1 to 4 The aerodynamic device described is one or more examples.
[0071] In the example shown, aerodynamic device 502 is an active rear spoiler for vehicle 500, and lighting device 530 constitutes a central high-mounted brake light for vehicle 500. Aerodynamic component 510 is rotatable about a lateral axis parallel to the direction of rotation R, such as... Figure 5 As shown by the arc-shaped arrow.
[0072] The vehicle 500 also includes a vehicle system 520. The vehicle system 520 includes an aerodynamic device 502, a battery 522, and an electronic control unit 524 operatively connected to each other. The battery 522 is configured to power one or more actuators (not shown) of the active rear spoiler 502 and a lighting device 530.
[0073] In the illustrated example, the aerodynamic device 502 includes a position sensor 512 that detects the rotational position of the aerodynamic component 510 and outputs a corresponding sensor signal to the electronic control unit 524 of the vehicle system 520. The electronic control unit 524 is configured to operate the lighting device 530 based on the position of the aerodynamic component 510 indicated by the sensor signal provided by the position sensor 512. Therefore, the electronic control unit 524 performs the function of controlling the aerodynamic device 502.
[0074] In other examples of vehicle 500, other embodiments of the aerodynamic devices described herein may be employed.
[0075] Figure 6 A flowchart of a method 600 for operating the aerodynamic device provided herein is shown. Method 600 can be executed by a control device of the aerodynamic device (e.g., electronic control unit 524).
[0076] Method 600 includes: step 610, receiving a sensor signal indicating the position of an aerodynamic component of a detected aerodynamic device. The sensor signal is received from a position sensor configured to detect the position of an aerodynamic component of the aerodynamic device.
[0077] Method 600 further includes step 620, determining whether the detected location is a first location corresponding to an aerodynamic component or at least one other location. This determination is based on received sensor signals.
[0078] Method 600 further includes: step 630, controlling the activation state of a first light source or at least one other light source of the lighting device of the aerodynamic device. Control of the activation state is based at least in part on a determined first position or at least one other position of the aerodynamic component.
[0079] In the examples above, the aerodynamic device is described in conjunction with a rear spoiler, on which the vehicle's center high-mounted brake light is positioned. In other examples, the aerodynamic device includes a rotatable front spoiler. In some such examples, the lighting device constitutes one or more fog lights of the vehicle. Furthermore, it should be understood that combining other aerodynamic devices and / or other vehicle lighting fixtures can also achieve the same or similar advantages as described above.
Claims
1. An aerodynamic device (100; 200;) for a vehicle (500); 502), the aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502) includes: - An aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510) configured to rotate relative to the body of the vehicle (500) between a first position (P1) and at least one other position (P2, P3) different from the first position (P1) when the aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502) is mounted on the vehicle (500); and - An illumination device (120; 220; 530) may be arranged on the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510) and configured to rotate with the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510), the illumination device (120; 220; 530) comprising: at least one light guide member (140) configured to: o When the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510) is in either the first position (P1) or the at least one other position (P2, P3), light to be coupled into the light guide component (140) is received from the aerodynamic device (200; 502) and / or one or more light sources (272, 274, 276) of the vehicle (500); and When the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510) is in the first position (P1), light coupled to the light guide component (140) is guided toward the light emitting part (122) of the lighting device (120; 220; 530) along a first light guide path (LP1), and when the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510) is in at least one other position (P2, P3), light coupled to the light guide component (140) is guided toward the light emitting part (122) of the lighting device (120; 220; 530) along at least one other light guide path (LP2, LP3) different from the first light guide path (LP1), wherein the first light guide path (LP1) and the at least one other light guide path (LP2, LP3) intersect in the light guide component (140).
2. The aerodynamic device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device (120; 220; 530) can be configured as follows: - Light guided by the first light guide path (LP1) is output to the outside of the vehicle (500) according to the first optical axis (A1) of the lighting device (120; 220; 530), and light guided by the at least one other light guide path (LP2, LP3) is output to the outside of the vehicle (500) according to at least one other optical axis (A2, A3) of the lighting device (120; 220; 530) different from the first optical axis (A1).
3. The aerodynamic device according to claim 2, wherein the first optical axis (A1) and the at least one other optical axis (A2, A3) are oriented to at least partially compensate for rotation of the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510) relative to the main illumination direction (D) of the lighting device (120; 220; 530) between the first position (P1) and the at least one other position (P2, P3), the main illumination direction (D) of the lighting device (120; 220; 530) being relative to the exterior of the vehicle (500).
4. The aerodynamic device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first light guide path (LP1) intersects with the at least one other light guide path (LP2, LP3) in the light-transmitting medium of the light guide member (140).
5. The aerodynamic device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide member (140) comprises a plurality of light reflectors (146, 148, 150), wherein: - The first light guide path (LP1) includes reflections at one or more of the first light reflectors (146) among the plurality of light reflectors (146, 148, 150); and - The at least one other light guide path (LP2, LP3) includes reflection at one or more other light reflectors (148, 150) among the plurality of light reflectors (146, 148, 150), which are not the same as the one or more first light reflectors (146).
6. The aerodynamic device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide member (140) comprises a plurality of incident light coupling surface regions (152, 154, 156) and a plurality of exit light coupling surface regions (158, 160, 162), wherein: - The first light guide path (LP1) extends from the first input light coupling surface region (152) to the first output light coupling surface region (158); and - The at least one other light guide path (LP2, LP3) extends from at least one other light input coupling surface region (154, 156) to at least one other light output coupling surface region (160, 162), wherein the at least one other light input coupling surface region (154, 156) and the at least one other light output coupling surface region (160, 162) are different from the first light input coupling surface region (152) and the first light output coupling surface region (158), respectively.
7. The aerodynamic device according to claim 6, wherein the lighting device (120; 220; 530) further comprises: A light source device (270) includes a plurality of light sources (272, 274, 276), wherein a first light source (272) of the plurality of light sources (272, 274, 276) is configured to generate light, the light being coupled to a light guide member (140) and guided through the light guide member (140) along a first light guide path (LP1), and wherein at least one other light source (274, 276) of the plurality of light sources (272, 274, 276) is configured to generate light, the light being coupled to the light guide member (140) and guided through the light guide member (140) along at least one other light guide path (LP2, LP3). The first light source (272) and the at least one other light source (274, 276) can be activated independently of each other.
8. The aerodynamic device according to claim 7, wherein the first light source (272) is configured to be activated when the aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502) is in the first position (P1) and deactivated when the aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502) is in the at least one other position (P2, P3), and wherein the at least one other light source (274, 276) is configured to be activated when the aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502) is in the at least one other position (P2, P3) and deactivated when the aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502) is in the first position (P1).
9. The aerodynamic device according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising: - A switch, configurable to toggle the activatability of each of the plurality of light sources (272, 274, 276) based on the position of the aerodynamic components (110; 210; 510); and / or - A control device configured to control each of the plurality of light sources (272, 274, 276) based at least in part on the position of the aerodynamic components (110; 210; 510).
10. The aerodynamic device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising: Position sensor (512) can be configured as follows: - Detect the position of the aerodynamic components (110; 210; 510); and - Output sensor signals to the control device of the aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502) and / or the control device of the vehicle (500), the sensor signals indicating the position of the detected aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510).
11. The aerodynamic device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the light-emitting portion (122) of the lighting device (120; 220; 530) includes an output lens (124) having a plurality of output lens regions (126, 128, 130), wherein light guided by the light guide member (140) along the first light guide path (LP1) is output through the first output lens region (126), and light guided by the light guide member (140) along the at least one other light guide path (LP2, LP3) is output through at least one other output lens region (128, 130) different from the first output lens region (126).
12. The aerodynamic device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510) is an active aerodynamic component, the active aerodynamic component being automatically rotatable between the first position (P1) and the at least one other position (P2, P3).
13. The aerodynamic device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510) includes a rotatable spoiler.
14. The aerodynamic device according to claim 13, wherein the rotatable spoiler is a rotatable rear spoiler, and the lighting device (120; 220; 530) is configured as one or more brake lights constituting the vehicle (500), particularly a central high-mounted brake light.
15. The aerodynamic device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the rotatable spoiler is a rotatable front spoiler, and the lighting device (130; 230) is configured as one or more headlights and / or one or more fog lights constituting the vehicle (500).
16. A vehicle (500) comprising an aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502) according to any of the preceding claims.
17. A method (600) for operating an aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502), the method being operable by a control device (524) of the aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502) and / or a control device (524) of a vehicle (500) equipped with the aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502), the aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502) comprising: - An aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510) is configured to rotate relative to the body of the vehicle (500) between a first position (P1) and at least one other position (P2, P3) different from the first position (P1) when the aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502) is mounted on the vehicle (500). - A lighting device (120; 220; 530), which may be arranged on the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510) and configured to rotate with the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510), the lighting device (120; 220; 530) comprising: At least one light guide member (140) is configured to: receive light to be coupled into the light guide member (140) from one or more light sources (272, 274, 276) of the aerodynamic device (100; 200; 502) and / or the vehicle (500) when the aerodynamic member (110; 210; 510) is in the first position (P1) and the at least one other position (P2, P3); and when the aerodynamic member (110; 210; 510) is in the first position (P1), guide the light towards the lighting device (120; 220) along a first light guide path (LP1); The light-emitting portion (122) of the illumination device (120; 220; 530) guides the light coupled into the light guide member (140), and when the aerodynamic member (110; 210; 510) is in the at least one other position (P2, P3), the light coupled into the light guide member (140) is guided towards the light-emitting portion (122) of the illumination device (120; 220; 530) along at least one other light guide path (LP2, LP3) different from the first light guide path (LP1), wherein the first light guide path (LP1) intersects with the at least one other light guide path (LP2, LP3) in the light guide member (140); and A light source device (270) includes a plurality of light sources (272, 274, 276), wherein a first light source (272) of the plurality of light sources (272, 274, 276) is configured to generate light, the light being coupled to a light guide member (140) and guided through the light guide member (140) along a first light guide path (LP1), and wherein at least one other light source (274, 276) of the plurality of light sources (272, 274, 276) is configured to generate light, the light being coupled to the light guide member (140) and guided through the light guide member (140) along at least one other light guide path (LP2, LP3), wherein the first light source (272) and the at least one other light source (274, 276) can be activated independently of each other; and - A position sensor, configurable to detect the position of the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510) and output a sensor signal to the control device (524), the sensor signal indicating the detected position of the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510); The method (600) includes: - Receive (610) sensor signals from the position sensors, the sensor signals indicating the position (P1, P2, P3) of the detected aerodynamic components (110; 210; 510). - Based on the received sensor signals, determine whether the detected position (620) corresponds to a first position (P1) of the aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510) or at least one other position (P2, P3). - The activation state of the first light source (272) or the at least one other light source (274, 276) of the light source device (270) is controlled (630) based at least in part on the first position or at least one other position (P1, P2, P3) of the determined aerodynamic component (110; 210; 510).