Signal light for vehicles that illuminates an area close to the body and an area far from the body and uses two spread light guides for this purpose

Abstract

Signal light for vehicles with a first lighting unit (3) containing a number of light sources (6) and an optical unit (7) for generating a first light function containing an illumination area remote from the body, and with a second lighting unit (4) containing a number of light sources (12) and an optical unit (13) for generating an orientation light function containing an illumination area (18, 18') close to the body, characterized in that - that the optical unit (7) of the first lighting unit (3) and the optical unit (13) of the second lighting unit (4) are each designed as a flat light guide (7, 13) which has a narrow light coupling surface (8, 14) on a rear side in the main emission direction (H), a narrow light coupling surface (9, 15) on a front side in the main emission direction (H), and large surfaces (13, 16) lying opposite one another between the narrow light coupling surface (8, 14) and the narrow light coupling surface (9, 15), at which the coupled-in light (L1, L2) is totally reflected in the direction of the narrow light coupling surface (9, 15), - that the narrow light output surface (15) of the flat light guide (13) of the second lighting unit (4) extends linearly in the horizontal direction, wherein at least one end region (22) of the light output surface (15) of the flat light guide (13) of the second lighting unit (4) assigned to a corner region (21) of the vehicle body extends in an arcuate and / or stepped manner, so that the second lighting unit (4) illuminates not only a front section (25) of the illumination area (18, 18') close to the body, but also a corner section (23) and / or a longitudinal section (24) of the illumination area (18, 18') close to the body, - that the light sources (12) of the second lighting unit (4) arranged along the light coupling surface (14) are controlled in such a way that, depending on a sensor signal, a luminous intensity emitted by the narrow light coupling surface (15) of the flat light guide (13) of the second lighting unit (4) is completely or partially variable in the direction of extension (E) of the narrow light coupling surface (15) of the flat light guide (13) of the second lighting unit (4), - that the light sources (6) of the first lighting unit (3) are arranged in the extension direction (E) of the light coupling surface (8) of the first lighting unit (3) and the light sources (12) of the second lighting unit (4) are each arranged in rows in the extension direction (E) of the light coupling surface (14) of the second lighting unit (4), wherein the flat light guide (7) of the first lighting unit (3) is arranged in front of the light sources (6) of the first lighting unit (3) in the main emission direction (H) and the flat light guide (13) of the second lighting unit (4) is arranged in front of the light sources (12) of the second lighting unit (4) in the main emission direction (H), that the flat light guide (13) of the second lighting unit (4) is arranged in the installed position below or above the flat light guide (7) of the first lighting unit (3), wherein the two light coupling surfaces (8, 14) and the two light coupling surfaces (9, 15) of the flat light guide (7,13) each run parallel to each other and wherein a distance (a1) between the two flat light guides (7, 13) in the region of the narrow light output surface (9, 15) is smaller than a distance (a2) thereof in the region of the narrow light input surface (8, 14), wherein the flat light guides (7, 13) of the first lighting unit (3) and the second lighting unit (4) spread out opposite to the main emission direction (H), wherein the light sources (6, 12) each arranged on a linear support (28, 29) can emit light directly into the respectively associated light input surface (8, 14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a signal light for vehicles according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] DE 10 2005 042 573 A1 discloses a signal light for vehicles comprising a first light unit for generating a reversing light function and a second light unit for generating an orientation light function. The second light unit illuminates an illumination area close to the vehicle body, encompassing a vertical solid angle range of up to -80° with respect to a horizontal zero line of light emission. This advantageously allows the illumination area to be significantly expanded. However, this requires a relatively bulky optical unit.

[0003] DE 10 2012 112 066 A1 discloses a signal light for vehicles that utilizes a wing-shaped light guide element to generate both a first lighting function and a second orientation light function. A disadvantage of the known signal light is that the optical unit comprising the wing-shaped light guide element must be relatively deep.

[0004] DE 10 2013 108 337 A1 discloses a signal light for vehicles comprising two lighting units. Each lighting unit has a plurality of light sources and a flat light guide with a narrow light coupling surface and a narrow light coupling surface. Flat sides extend between the narrow light coupling surface and the narrow light coupling surface, where the coupled light is totally reflected toward the light coupling surface. A light coupling optic is provided between the light coupling surface of the flat light guide and the respective light sources. In addition, an inclined surface is provided between the light coupling optic and the flat sides of the flat light guide so that the light can be deflected by 90°. This results in a relatively large space requirement for the lighting units.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a signal light for vehicles in such a way that several lighting functions can be generated in a space-saving manner, wherein in particular a depth of the signal light is limited and an advantageous linear design is provided for easy integration of the signal light into a rear or front area of a vehicle.

[0006] To solve this problem, the invention has the features of patent claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, both a first lighting unit for generating a first lighting function and a second lighting unit for generating an orientation lighting function have a flat light guide that has a narrow or linear light input and output surface. Large surfaces of the flat light guide serve to totally reflect the input light in the direction of the narrow light output surface. The invention advantageously enables the integration of the flat light guides into a vehicle body or into a vehicle lamp. This results in relatively narrow illuminated surfaces that lead to broad illumination. Because an end region of the light output surface of the first lighting unit and / or the second lighting unit is curved and / or stepped, not only a front section of an illumination area close to the body can be illuminated, but also a corner and / or longitudinal section thereof.This essentially fans out the near-field illumination, allowing a relatively large illumination area in the horizontal direction. According to the invention, light sources of the second lighting unit are controlled as a function of a sensor signal, so that the luminance emitted by the light output surface changes completely or partially in the direction of extension of the light output surface. The light sources are thus controlled for different lighting situations in a stationary or moving vehicle. Some or all of the light sources of the second lighting unit can be controlled, so that light can be emitted where it is needed for illumination. For example, the light sources can be controlled such that the luminance in a corner section of the illumination area close to the body is greater than in a front section of the same.According to the invention, the flat light guide of the second lighting unit is arranged below or above a flat light guide of the first lighting unit in the installed position, with the distance between the flat light guides being smaller in the region of the light output surface than in the region of the light input surface. Advantageously, the light output surfaces of the two lighting units can be located relatively close to one another, while the light input surfaces are spaced apart such that the light can be coupled in via separate light sources.

[0008] According to a further development of the invention, the sensor signal can be activated as a function of the vehicle's standstill and / or its locked state and / or its door being open and / or its steering wheel being turned. For example, if the driver unlocks the vehicle remotely, the light sources of the second lighting unit can be switched on, illuminating the roadway around the rear or front of the vehicle. For example, if a passenger gets out of the vehicle, opening the vehicle door can activate the light sources of the second lighting unit so that a lateral section of the illumination area close to the vehicle's body is illuminated.

[0009] According to a development of the invention, the sensor signal can be generated by a detection unit, by means of which the current location of a person located in the illumination area close to the body can be identified. The light sources of the second lighting unit are then controlled accordingly in such a way that the emitted luminance in the section of the illumination area close to the body in which the person is currently located is greater than in a section in which the person is not. This results in a shift in the light center of the second lighting unit to the section in which the person is currently located. Such a light center can occur, for example, when a person approaches the vehicle. If the person walks around the vehicle in the illumination area close to the body, the light center is shifted horizontally, since the second lighting unit has an extension that follows the contour of the vehicle.The light can thus – sensor-based – track the person moving around the vehicle. The detection unit used can be parking sensors, a radar detection unit, or another sensor.

[0010] According to a further development of the invention, the light output surface of the second lighting unit has a height in the range of 2 mm to 12 mm. This advantageously results in a linear or relatively narrow light functional surface.

[0011] According to a further development of the invention, the second lighting unit can be controlled depending on the steering wheel angle when reversing, so that a maximum luminance is generated in the illumination area near the body on the side of a vehicle's longitudinal axis toward which the vehicle is steered. This advantageously provides the driver with visual support, since the eye physiologically follows the light. The gaze is preferably directed toward the area of greater brightness. This can advantageously increase safety when maneuvering.

[0012] According to a further development of the invention, light sources of different light colors can be provided, so that different vehicle states defined by different sensor signals, for example, the locking states of the vehicle, can be indicated by correspondingly different light colors. When the vehicle is unlocked via a remote control, for example, the second light unit can emit light in a first light color, and when the vehicle is locked, the second light unit can emit light in a second light color.

[0013] Further advantages of the invention emerge from the further subclaims.

[0014] They show: Fig. 1 a front view of a first part of a rear light which is firmly connected to a tailgate of the vehicle without a cover plate shown, Fig. 2 a side view of the Fig. 1 rear light shown, Fig. 3 a side view of a first lighting unit and a second lighting unit of the Fig. 1 rear light shown, Fig. 4 a plan view of only flat light guides of the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit of a first part and a second part of the rear light, Fig. 5 a schematic plan view of a vehicle with a marked illumination area close to the body and Fig. 6 a diagram of the luminance shift depending on the detection of a person in the illumination area close to the body.

[0015] A signal light according to the invention is preferably used in the rear area of a vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be used in the front area of the vehicle.

[0016] The signal light according to the invention is integrated in a housing 1 of a rear light, in which all essential, legally prescribed lighting units for generating a tail, brake, reverse and direction indicator light functions are accommodated. Fig. 1 shows only a first part 2 of the housing 1 or a first light unit 3 and a second light unit 4 of the signal light according to the invention. The first part 2 of the housing 1 is firmly connected to a pivoting tailgate of the vehicle. A second part 5 of the housing 1 or of the two light units 3, 4 is firmly connected to a stationary corner body area of the vehicle. As can be seen from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the first lighting unit 3 and the second lighting unit 4 extend in an arcuate manner in an extension direction E, wherein, in particular, the second part 5 of the first lighting unit 3 or second lighting unit 4 extends in an arcuate manner or following the contour of the vehicle body in the corner region, while the first part 2 of the lighting units 3, 4 extends essentially in a straight line. The first lighting unit 3 and the second lighting unit 4 are thus elongated or linear.

[0017] The first lighting unit 3 serves to generate a reversing light function as the first lighting function and has a plurality of light sources 6 arranged in rows in the direction of extension E and a flat light guide 7 arranged in front of the same in the main radiation direction H as an optical unit. The flat light guide 7 has a narrow light input surface 8 on a rear side in the main radiation direction H, a narrow light output surface 9 on a front side in the main radiation direction H, and opposite large surfaces 10 arranged between the narrow light input surface 8 and the narrow light output surface 9, which preferably run parallel to one another. The input light is totally reflected at the large surfaces 10 in the direction of the light output surface 9. The light output surface 9 is shaped such that a light beam L1 is emitted in an illumination area remote from the body to generate the reversing light distribution.

[0018] The housing 1 is closed by a transparent cover plate 11.

[0019] The second lighting unit 4 serves to generate an orientation light function and has a number of light sources 12 extending in the direction of extension E and a flat light guide 13 arranged in front of the light sources 12 in the main emission direction H as an optical unit. The flat light guide 13 has a narrow light coupling surface 14 on a side facing the light sources 12, i.e., on a rear side in front of the light sources 12 in the main emission direction H, a narrow light output surface 15 on a front side in the main emission direction H, and two opposing, essentially parallel large surfaces 16 extending between the light coupling surface 14 and the light output surface 15. The large surfaces 16 serve to transmit the coupled light toward the narrow light output surface 15.The light output surface 15 has scattering elements 17, which are designed, for example, as prism-shaped scattering elements, for emitting a light beam L2 into an illumination area 18 near the body. Alternatively, the light output surface 15 can be prismatically shaped. The illumination area 18 near the body comprises the area of a roadway 19 that is directly adjacent to a vehicle 20. The light beam L2 thus extends in a vertical solid angle range of -5° to -80°. The light beam L2 thus drops steeply downwards compared to the light beam L1 of the first lighting unit 3. The second lighting unit 4 thus serves to illuminate a roadway area adjacent to the vehicle 20.

[0020] As from Fig. 4, the light output surfaces 9, 15 of the first lighting unit 3 and the second lighting unit 4 extend linearly in a horizontal direction. The second part 5 of the second lighting unit 4 extends into a corner region 21 of the vehicle 20 or the vehicle body, with an end region 22 of the light output surface 15 extending in an arcuate manner or following the contour of the body of the vehicle 20 into the corner region 21 thereof. Thus, the second part 5 of the second lighting unit 4 can illuminate a corner-side section 23 and preferably a longitudinal section 24 of the illumination area 18 near the body. The first part 2 of the second lighting unit 4 preferably illuminates a front-side section 25 of the illumination area 18, see Fig. 5. Thus, the illumination area 18 close to the body has a relatively large length I, which enables illumination of the rear of the vehicle 20 in an angular range of at least 180°. This assumes that rear lights 26 are provided on both sides of a vertical vehicle center plane M, which include the first lighting unit 3 and the second lighting unit 4.

[0021] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), signal lights 27 can additionally be arranged in the front area of the vehicle 20, so that an illumination area 18' close to the body can be generated in the front area of the vehicle 20.

[0022] For example, Fig. 3, the second lighting unit 4 extends below the first lighting unit 3. The two lighting units 3, 4 run essentially parallel, wherein a parallel distance a1 thereof in the region of the light output surfaces 8, 15 is smaller than a distance a2 in the region of the light input surfaces 8, 14. The flat light guides 7 and 13 thus spread out opposite to the main emission direction H, so that the light sources 6 and 12, respectively arranged on a linear support 28 and 29, can emit light directly into the light input surface 8 and 14, respectively. Alternatively, the second lighting unit 4 can also be arranged above the first lighting unit 3.

[0023] The narrow light output surface 15 of the second lighting unit 4 has a height h in the range of 2 mm to 12 mm. The flat light guide 7 of the first lighting unit 3 can have a height in the same range.

[0024] The flat light guide 7 of the first lighting unit 3 can be arranged at a distance b in the range of 5 mm to 15 mm from the flat light guide 13 of the second lighting unit 4.

[0025] The light sources 12 of the second lighting unit 4 are preferably controlled as a function of a sensor signal that can be activated as a function of the vehicle being stationary and / or as a function of the vehicle being locked and / or as a function of the vehicle being door open and / or as a function of the vehicle's steering wheel angle. Individual light sources 12 or groups of light sources 12 can be controlled simultaneously, so that the luminous intensity emitted by the light output surface 15 changes completely or partially in the direction of extension E. For example, individual light sources 12 or a group of light sources 12 can be switched on or dimmed between a maximum luminous intensity and zero, while other light sources 12 or groups of light sources 12 are switched off or emit the light L2 with a comparatively lower luminous intensity.A complete change in luminous intensity occurs, for example, when all light sources 12 are switched on or off simultaneously. When switched on, the illumination area 18 close to the body is fully illuminated. Alternatively, all light sources 12 can also be switched on dimmed, so that the maximum luminance is not emitted.

[0026] According to a further control variant, the light sources 12 of the second lighting unit 4 are controlled such that the luminous intensity emitted by the light output surface 15 partially changes in the direction of extension E thereof. Thus, a sensor signal can be generated by a detection unit, which is designed, for example, as a parking sensor or as a radar unit, wherein the detection unit detects a current location P1, P2 of a person located in the illumination area 18 near the body. The light sources 12 are then controlled such that the emitted luminance or luminous intensity for a section of the illumination area 18 near the body in which the person is located is greater than in a section of the illumination area 18 near the body in which the person is not located. As can be seen from Fig. 5, the person is located at location P1 within the front section 25 of the illumination area 18 close to the body at a time t1. At this time, the light sources 12 are controlled in such a way that a luminance distribution V1 results which has a maximum max1 in the area of location P1. If the person moves to location P2, which is located in the corner section 23 of the illumination area 18 close to the body, a further luminance distribution V2 is generated which has a maximum max2 at location P2. The maxima max1, max2 of the light distributions V1, V2 thus follow the movement of the person, so that maximum illumination is always guaranteed in the area of the person. The center of gravity of the light is thus shifted to the area in which maximum illumination is desired.For this purpose, groups of light sources 12 are operated at maximum power, while the other light sources 12 are operated at a reduced power and only provide a basic brightness.

[0027] According to a further control variant, the sensor signal can be generated by a remote unlocking unit, which the driver uses to unlock or lock the vehicle 20. If the driver unlocks the vehicle 20, for example, by pressing a button in the remote unlocking unit, all light sources 12 of the second lighting unit 4 are switched on, so that the entire illumination area 18 near the body is then illuminated. For example, the light sources 12 can emit light of different colors, so that, for example, when the vehicle is locked, different colored light sources 12 are activated. The driver can thus recognize whether they have locked or unlocked the vehicle.

[0028] The light sources 6, 12 are preferably designed as semiconductor-based light sources, for example as LED light sources.

[0029] According to a further control variant of the light sources 12, these can be controlled depending on the steering angle of the vehicle, so that, for example, when reversing the vehicle in conjunction with a reversing camera, a section 23, 24, 25 of the illumination area 18 towards which the vehicle 20 is steered is illuminated with an increased luminance. The maximum of the luminance distribution is thus located at a fixed location, namely on the side to which the vehicle 20 is to be maneuvered. This provides visual support for the driver, since the eye orients itself on the brightest location. In this control variant, the maximum of the luminance distribution is fixed and cannot be changed, in contrast to the control variant according to Fig. 6.

[0030] It is understood that the aforementioned features can be used individually or in combination. The described embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather serve as examples for describing the invention. List of reference symbols 1 housing 2 Part 1 3 1. Lighting unit 4 2. Lighting unit 5 Part 2 6 Light source 7 flat light guides 8 Light coupling surface 9 Light output surface 10 large areas 11 Cover plate 12 Light source 13 flat light guides 14 Light coupling surface 15 Light output surface 16 large-scale 17 Scattering element 18.18' illumination area 19 Roadway 20 vehicles 21 Corner area 22 End area 23 corner section 24 longitudinal section 25 front section 26 Rear light 27 Signal light 28 carriers 29 carriers a1,a2 distance E Extension direction H Main radiation direction M Middle level L1,L2 light beam

Claims

[1] Signal light for vehicles with a first lighting unit (3) containing a number of light sources (6) and an optical unit (7) for generating a first light function containing an illumination area remote from the body, and with a second lighting unit (4) containing a number of light sources (12) and an optical unit (13) for generating an orientation light function containing an illumination area (18, 18') close to the body, characterized by , - that the optical unit (7) of the first lighting unit (3) and the optical unit (13) of the second lighting unit (4) are each designed as a flat light guide (7, 13) which has a narrow light coupling surface (8, 14) on a rear side in the main emission direction (H), a narrow light coupling surface (9, 15) on a front side in the main emission direction (H), and large surfaces (13, 16) lying opposite one another between the narrow light coupling surface (8, 14) and the narrow light coupling surface (9, 15), at which the coupled-in light (L1, L2) is totally reflected in the direction of the narrow light coupling surface (9, 15), - that the narrow light output surface (15) of the flat light guide (13) of the second lighting unit (4) extends linearly in the horizontal direction, wherein at least one end region (22) of the light output surface (15) of the flat light guide (13) of the second lighting unit (4) assigned to a corner region (21) of the vehicle body extends in an arcuate and / or stepped manner, so that the second lighting unit (4) illuminates not only a front section (25) of the illumination area (18, 18') close to the body, but also a corner section (23) and / or a longitudinal section (24) of the illumination area (18, 18') close to the body, - that the light sources (12) of the second lighting unit (4) arranged along the light coupling surface (14) are controlled in such a way that, depending on a sensor signal, a luminous intensity emitted by the narrow light coupling surface (15) of the flat light guide (13) of the second lighting unit (4) is completely or partially variable in the direction of extension (E) of the narrow light coupling surface (15) of the flat light guide (13) of the second lighting unit (4), - that the light sources (6) of the first lighting unit (3) are arranged in the extension direction (E) of the light coupling surface (8) of the first lighting unit (3) and the light sources (12) of the second lighting unit (4) are each arranged in rows in the extension direction (E) of the light coupling surface (14) of the second lighting unit (4), wherein the flat light guide (7) of the first lighting unit (3) is arranged in front of the light sources (6) of the first lighting unit (3) in the main emission direction (H) and the flat light guide (13) of the second lighting unit (4) is arranged in front of the light sources (12) of the second lighting unit (4) in the main emission direction (H), that the flat light guide (13) of the second lighting unit (4) is arranged in the installed position below or above the flat light guide (7) of the first lighting unit (3), wherein the two light coupling surfaces (8, 14) and the two light coupling surfaces (9, 15) of the flat light guide (7,13) each run parallel to each other and wherein a distance (a1) between the two flat light guides (7, 13) in the region of the narrow light output surface (9, 15) is smaller than a distance (a2) thereof in the region of the narrow light input surface (8, 14), wherein the flat light guides (7, 13) of the first lighting unit (3) and the second lighting unit (4) spread out opposite to the main emission direction (H), wherein the light sources (6, 12) each arranged on a linear support (28, 29) can emit light directly into the respectively associated light input surface (8, 14). [2] Signal light according to claim 1, characterized by that the sensor signal can be activated as a function of a standstill of the vehicle (20) and / or a locking state of the vehicle (20) and / or a door opening state of the vehicle (20) and / or a steering wheel angle of the vehicle (20). [3] Signal light according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the sensor signal can be transmitted from a detection unit which detects the current location (P1, P2) of a person located in the illumination area (18) close to the body to a control unit for controlling the light sources (12) of the second lighting unit (4) in such a way that the emitted luminance is greater in a section of the illumination area (18) close to the body in which the person is located than in a section of the illumination area (18) close to the body in which the person is not located. [4] Signal light according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the narrow light output surface (15) of the second lighting unit (4) has a height (h) in the range of 2 mm to 12 mm. [5] Signal light according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the first lighting unit (3) and the second lighting unit (4) are arranged in a rear area of the vehicle (20). [6] Signal light according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the second lighting unit (4) can be controlled as a function of the steering wheel angle when the vehicle (20) is reversing, such that a luminance maximum is generated in the illumination area (18) close to the body on the side of a vertical longitudinal center plane (M) of the vehicle towards which the vehicle (20) is steered. [7] Signal light according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the light sources (12) of the second lighting unit (4) are designed as LED light sources of white light color and other light colors, wherein light sources (12) emitting different light colors are controlled depending on the locking state of the vehicle (20). [8] Signal light according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the first lighting unit (3) and the second lighting unit (4) are designed to be split, wherein a first part (2) is connected to a movable tailgate and a second part (5) is connected to a stationary corner body area of the vehicle (20).

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