Light module for a motor vehicle lighting device

Abstract

A light module for a motor vehicle lighting device, comprising at least a first illuminant (20), a diffusely reflecting reflection surface (30), and a first optical device that collects light emanating from the reflection surface (30) and converts it into a light distribution compliant with motor vehicle regulations. A second optical device that inhomogeneously illuminates the reflection surface (30) with light from the illuminant (20) is arranged between the illuminant (20) and the reflection surface (30). The first optical device comprises an imaging lens (10) that is arranged behind the reflection surface (30) at a distance equal to its object-side focal length in the light path. The second optical device comprises a reflector (22) as an optical element that illuminates the reflection surface (30). The reflector (22) has reflective facets (24, 26, 28).andwherein at least one facet (26) focuses light onto a central region of the reflection surface (30) and at least one further facet (24, 28) illuminates an edge region of the reflection surface (30) with parallel light.,

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a light module according to claim 1.

[0002] DE 10 2013 206 850 A1 already discloses a motor vehicle lamp with a light source, two reflectors, and a transparent lens. The light source is positioned on a focal line of the first reflector such that light emanating from it strikes the first reflector. The arrangement of the light source, first reflector, second reflector, and lens is designed to generate a signal light distribution that complies with regulations.

[0003] DE 10 2011 119 859 A1 discloses a vehicle lamp designed to emit light more uniformly through an elongated region from a small number of light sources. The vehicle lamp comprises an outer lens, a plurality of light sources arranged along an outer edge of the outer lens to emit light in an optical axis direction orthogonal to their arrangement direction, and an inner lens.

[0004] Another light module is known from EP 2 770 247 A2 and has at least a first illuminant, a reflection surface having a Lambert radiation characteristic and a first optical device collecting light emanating from the reflection surface and converting it into a light distribution that complies with the regulations for motor vehicles.

[0005] When it comes to signal lights for motor vehicles, a distinction is often made between statutory requirements that must be met and supplementary and additional requirements that arise from design considerations. These include, among other things, a so-called viewing area or visibility area.

[0006] The viewing area must be distinguished from an area in which a lighting device, in particular a signal lamp such as a turn signal or daytime running light, must meet predetermined luminous intensity requirements. When the lighting device is used as intended, the normal straight-ahead direction of travel is a reference direction. Deviations from this reference direction are specified in angular degrees for the horizontal direction (H) and the vertical direction (V). The reference direction has the values H = 0° = V = 0°.

[0007] The legal requirement for indicators or daytime running lights, for example, when used as intended in a motor vehicle, requires that the greatest luminous intensity occurs in the direction H = 0° and V = 0° and that the luminous intensity decreases towards the sides and upwards and downwards in a predetermined manner. The specifications range up to + / -20° horizontally and up to + / -10° vertically. At these limits, the luminous intensity should be approximately 20% of the central value, and the decrease in luminous intensity from the center to the edge should be monotonic. Since the visible luminous area and the legally prescribed minimum brightness values depend on the viewing direction, the brightness with which the imaging lens is perceived changes when the viewing position changes.

[0008] The viewing area is independent of the legal requirement and is usually specified by the vehicle manufacturer. It can be asymmetrical (usually only angles above 0° vertically). The viewing area encompasses a larger angular range than the legally specified angular range, within which certain minimum brightness levels must be achieved. The viewing area is characterized by the fact that the lighting device is perceived as luminous from viewing positions within this range.

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a lighting device of the type mentioned above that can meet the lighting requirements particularly efficiently. This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

[0010] Thereafter, a second optical device is arranged between the illuminant and the reflection surface, which inhomogeneously illuminates the reflection surface with light from the illuminant, wherein the first optical device has an imaging lens which is arranged behind the reflection surface in the light path at a distance of its object-side focal length.

[0011] Because the optical device is an imaging lens positioned behind the reflective surface in the light path at a distance equal to its object-side focal length, the potentially inhomogeneously illuminated reflective surface is projected as a light distribution into the area in front of the light module. This ultimately allows the directional dependence of a regulatory-compliant signal light distribution to be created by deliberately illuminating the reflective surface in a non-homogeneous manner with respect to the reflective surface.

[0012] The resulting local inhomogeneity with respect to the reflective surface is converted by the imaging lens into an angle-dependent inhomogeneous light distribution. This allows the legal requirements for the light distribution to be generated to be met very efficiently. The second optical device has a reflector as the optical element illuminating the reflective surface. The reflector has reflective facets. At least one facet focuses light onto a central area of the reflective surface. At least one further facet illuminates an edge area of the reflective surface with parallel light.

[0013] Due to the reflector having reflective facets and arranged between the light source and the reflection surface, the illumination of the reflection surface can be designed in a targeted, inhomogeneous manner even with just one light source, depending on the design of the facets.

[0014] It is also preferred that the reflection surface is limited by white side walls.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferred that a light module of the above-mentioned type is combined as a first light module with a further light module designed to generate a headlight light distribution to form a structural unit.

[0016] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the structural unit has first light-emitting diodes of the first light module and further light-emitting diodes of the further light module, wherein the first light-emitting diodes and the second light-emitting diodes are arranged on a common, flat printed circuit board such that they radiate in the same direction.

[0017] It is also preferred that each first light-emitting diode is assigned its own reflector having specularly reflecting facets, which collects the light from the first light-emitting diode assigned to it and directs it onto the reflection surface.

[0018] It is further preferred that the reflectors are arranged with respect to the main emission directions of the first light-emitting diodes and the further light-emitting diodes in such a way that they deflect the light emanating from the first light-emitting diodes transversely to the main emission direction of the first and second light-emitting diodes, so that the propagation direction of the reflected light of the first light-emitting diodes emanating from the reflectors intersects the main emission direction of the second light-emitting diodes.

[0019] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the reflection surface is arranged in the beam path of the light emanating from the reflectors with an inclination to the propagation direction of this light and thus also with an inclination to the main emission direction of the second light-emitting diodes.

[0020] It is also preferred that a normal of the reflection surface, or its cross-section, which lies in a plane spanned by the two directions mentioned, forms an angle bisector of the two directions mentioned.

[0021] It is further preferred that the reflection surface is divided into a first partial surface and a second partial surface, wherein the first partial surface lies in front of the second light-emitting diodes in the beam path of the light emanating from the reflectors and wherein the second partial surface lies behind the second light-emitting diodes in the beam path of the light emanating from the reflectors.

[0022] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first partial area lies in front of the second partial area in the main radiation direction of the second light-emitting diodes, wherein the second partial area directly adjoins the first partial area in this direction.

[0023] It is also preferred that both partial surfaces are offset from one another by a distance in the direction of the light emanating from the reflectors, so that an empty space in the form of a window-like framed opening is formed between the two partial surfaces, in which a row of the further light-emitting diodes is arranged together with an associated lens array.

[0024] Further advantages arise from the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying figures.

[0025] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0026] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. Like reference numerals in different figures designate like or at least functionally comparable elements. They show, in schematic form: Fig. 1 shows a section through an imaging lens with a plane radiator and a first beam of rays; Fig. 2 the same imaging lens with a plane radiator and a beam of rays having a different direction; Fig. 3 the imaging lens with a flat radiator and another beam of rays which has yet another direction; Fig. 4 an imaging lens with a curved radiator; Fig. 5 a section through an embodiment of a light module according to the invention; Fig. 6 an arrangement which is produced by deep drawing or extruding the cut figure from Fig. 5 along a straight line; Fig. 7 a reflector with a mirrored side surface; Fig. 8 an arrangement not covered by the scope of protection and merely for illustration purposes, in which an element illuminating a reflective surface is implemented as an illuminating lens; Fig. 9 shows a cross-section of an illumination lens with a cylindrical imaging lens; Fig. 10 a particularly preferred embodiment in a perspective view; Fig. 11 the subject of Fig. 10 with a first beam path; Fig. 12 the subject of Fig. 10 with a second beam path; and Fig. 13 an alternative to the Fig. 6 depicted object.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a section through an imaging lens 10, at whose focal point a planar radiator 12 is arranged. A point on the radiator 12 is considered, from which a beam 14 emanates. Since the light path is reversible, the beam can also be considered as an incident beam, as long as only the paths of the rays and not the direction of energy transport in the beam are important. This applies analogously to other beam paths presented in this application, and this change of perspective will also be partially applied below.

[0028] In this sense, the Fig. 1 a beam of rays 14 which is incident parallel to the axis of rotation from the direction 0° / 0° of the imaging lens 10 and is focused by the imaging lens 10 into an area which is at a distance of the object-side focal length from the latter.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 shows the same imaging lens 10 and the same radiator. The beam 14 now falls onto the imaging lens 10 at an angle (here 12°). It is no longer combined into a single point, and some of the rays (dotted) miss the radiator 12.

[0030] In Fig. 3, the beam falls at an even larger angle (here 24°) onto the imaging lens 10. This results in further blurring of the focus, and all rays miss the radiator 12.

[0031] An outside observer looking from the direction 0° / 0° at the arrangement of imaging lens 10 and radiator 12 sees in the case of Fig. 1 over each point of the imaging lens 14 onto the area of the radiator 12 on which the imaging lens focuses. As a result, the observer perceives the entire imaging lens 10 as brightly luminous.

[0032] In the case of Fig. 2, an observer looking from a direction of 12° over the lower (approximately ¾) portion of the imaging lens onto the edge area of the radiator 12, which thus appears bright. The upper quarter of the imaging lens appears dark, since there is no radiator at the location where the corresponding rays should be generated.

[0033] In the case of Fig. 3, an observer looks from the direction of 24° over the entire imaging lens 10 past the radiator 12, which is why the entire imaging lens surface appears dark to him.

[0034] In summary, this means that the visibility requirement in this example is met in a viewing range from 0° to an estimated 8°. As the viewing angle increases further, a dark area grows from the upper edge, encompassing the entire imaging lens surface somewhere between the viewing directions of 12° and 24°. The visibility requirement of the (luminous) imaging lens 10 is not met here, but the system still makes (decreasing) contributions to the statutory light distribution.

[0035] An enlargement of the viewing area in which the requirement for visibility of the luminous imaging lens 10 is met can be achieved by enlarging the radiator 12 or, as in Fig. 4, by curving the radiator 12 or by a combination of both measures.

[0036] The Lambert radiation law plays a role in further understanding. A Lambert radiator appears equally bright from every viewing angle. There are two basic types: self-radiators such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), or diffusely reflecting reflective surfaces. If all surface elements of a Lambert radiator radiate equally brightly, it is referred to here as a homogeneous Lambert radiator; otherwise, it is referred to as an inhomogeneous Lambert radiator.

[0037] Provided that the radiator 12 is in the Fig. 1 to 4 is a homogeneous Lambert radiator, the result is Fig. 1, that the entire imaging lens surface is illuminated with constant brightness. (This applies up to approximately 8°.) This fulfills the requirement for a homogeneously bright imaging lens, which goes beyond the legal requirements and is also important for the overall appearance.

[0038] In the Fig. 2, the lower area appears under the above condition with the same constant brightness, while the upper area is dark. The requirement for a homogeneously bright appearance is therefore not met. Fig. 3 the entire area appears dark, so that the requirement for visibility is not met.

[0039] In Fig. 4, the entire lens surface appears equally bright from all observed directions (here 0° to 24°). The requirement for a homogeneously bright appearance is met. The legal requirement for the light distribution emitted by a luminaire refers to the luminous intensity. This is defined as the luminous area multiplied by the luminance. As stated above, the luminance in the observed angular range for the object of the Fig. 4 constant. However, since the visible luminous area decreases with the cosine of the angle when viewed at an angle, the luminous intensity decreases accordingly. This means that the arrangement of Fig. 4 at the limit of the light distribution has about 91% of the luminous intensity in the direction of 0° / 0°.

[0040] However, according to legal requirements, only about 20% of the luminous intensity resulting from the 0° / 0° direction is required in this direction. Installing such a system in a vehicle would therefore waste a very significant portion of the available light for large angles, or conversely, it would require installing an unnecessary amount of light output, with the associated costs for light sources, heat sinks, etc. The system would therefore be highly inefficient. This is unavoidable when using an OLED film (also, the curvature of the emitter shown in Figure 4 is currently not possible with OLED films; a larger OLED emitter would be required).

[0041] To determine the efficiency to be improved, consider a reflective surface with a Lambertian characteristic whose surface elements are not equally bright and are therefore inhomogeneously illuminated. Under the normal assumption that all surface elements of the reflective surface have the same reflectance, these elements no longer appear equally bright to the observer; this results in an inhomogeneous Lambertian radiator. This situation remains even when the reflective surface is viewed through the imaging lens.

[0042] To create the most efficient system possible, the area of the reflective surface that the imaging lens images toward the 0° / 0° direction must be illuminated approximately five times as brightly as the area that the imaging lens images toward the edges of the legal light distribution. Furthermore, the illumination should fall off evenly between the 0° / 0° area and the edge areas. Overall, a location-dependent illuminance distribution is created on the white reflective surface, which is transformed into an angle-dependent luminous intensity distribution by the imaging lens.

[0043] There are a variety of methods for transforming the light emitted by one or more light sources such as incandescent lamps, LEDs, laser diodes, etc., so that it forms a predetermined, inhomogeneous brightness distribution on a white reflective surface. This can be achieved, for example, with a light guide that emits inhomogeneously across a surface, or with an inhomogeneously illuminating reflector, or with an inhomogeneously converging or scattering illumination lens.

[0044] Fig. Figure 5 shows a section through an embodiment of a light module according to the invention. The light emitted by a light source 20 strikes a reflector 22, which here consists of n = three different, reflective facets 24, 26, 28, which merge into one another with almost identical tangents. The mirroring is preferably achieved by a metallic coating. However, the number n is not limited to the value 3, but can in particular also assume values greater than 3. The reflector 22 deflects light incident on it from the light source 20 onto a reflection surface 30, which radiates according to Lambert's law. From there, a first portion of the light reaches an imaging lens 10. The imaging lens 10 is an embodiment of a first optical device that collects light emanating from the reflection surface 30 and converts it into a light distribution that complies with the regulations for motor vehicles.

[0045] A second part of the light emanating from the reflection surface 30 hits the object of the Fig. 5 onto a white side wall 32 radiating with a Lambert characteristic and is reflected from there preferably in the direction of the imaging lens 10 or again onto the reflector 30 and from there through the lens 10 or again onto the side wall 32.

[0046] The same line type was used for each of the rays hitting the edge of each facet, although the line types differ from facet to facet.

[0047] The small distance between the beams at the inner boundaries of the area is for clarity, but it is not present in the realization. For the same reason, Fig. 5 the size of the lamp 20 is not shown to scale.

[0048] The central facet 24, shown in dashed lines, is formed by a small section of an ellipse whose focal points are located at the location of the illuminant 20 and in the center of the reflecting surface 30, which radiates with a Lambertian characteristic. This, as is known, results in all the light striking the facet 24 from the illuminant 20 being concentrated on the center of the reflecting surface 30.

[0049] The facets 26 and 28 adjacent to the central facet 24, shown in dashed and solid lines, preferably consist of parabolic segments. The focal points of these parabolas coincide with the light source-side focal point of the elliptical facet, so that the edge regions of the reflective surface 30 are illuminated with parallel light. Since no focusing effect occurs here, as with the elliptical region, the edge regions of the reflective surface located outside a central region of the reflective surface and adjacent to this central region are illuminated with less light per unit area than is the case for the central region.

[0050] Overall, in this way, an inhomogeneous illumination of the reflection surface 30 can be generated which satisfies the above-described requirements for inhomogeneity (factor five).

[0051] Fig. 6 shows an arrangement which is produced by deep drawing or extruding the cut figure from Fig. 5 along a straight line perpendicular to the drawing plane of the Fig. 5. The rear side of the imaging lens 10 and the reflection surface are preferably approximately perpendicular to the direction of travel 34, which incidentally coincides with the H = 0°, V = 0° direction. The mirrored reflector 22 is arranged below. The illuminant 20 lies on a focal line of the mirrored, deep-drawn reflector 22. The mirrored reflector 22 is delimited by two reflection surfaces 22.1, 22.2, which here, for example, are perpendicular to the extrusion direction, the function of which is explained in more detail in the schematic diagram. Fig. 7 becomes understandable.

[0052] Fig. Figure 7 shows that rays emanating from the illuminant 20 strike the mirrored reflector 22, the left half of which is shown without the mirrored side wall and the right half with the mirrored side wall 22.2. The reflective surface 30 to be illuminated is indicated by dots at the top. Two rays emanating from the left edge of the reflective reflector 22 miss the reflective surface 30. Rays emanating from the right edge of the reflective reflector 22 to the right, however, are not lost, but are deflected by the reflective side wall 22.2 in such a way that they strike the reflective surface 30. Thus, the two rays in the example of the Fig. 6 provided reflective side walls 22.1, 22.2, the efficiency of the system can be significantly increased.

[0053] If the side walls 22.1, 22.2 are positioned at a different angle rather than vertically and flatly, and if a curvature of the respective side wall 22.1, 22.2 is also permitted, the rays reflected there can be directed specifically to specific areas of the reflection surface, thus advantageously influencing not only the efficiency but also the brightness distribution on the reflection surface 30. A further advantage is that the length of the entire system is minimized for a given efficiency, so that for a given total length, a larger number of illuminants per unit length, including the associated mirrored reflectors 22, can be arranged in series.

[0054] A further advantage of the deep-drawn shape of the mirrored reflector 22 is that the light of several light-emitting diodes, which can also emit light of different colors (white and yellow for headlights, red and yellow for rear lights), can be irradiated into only one reflector 22.

[0055] The shape of the imaging lens 10 preferably depends on the shape of the white reflection surface 30. If the reflection surface 30 has a round shape, a round-shaped imaging lens 10 is preferably used. An imaging lens of this type is obtained by rotating the Fig. 1 around an axis 16 which passes through the focal point of the section figure and is parallel to the emitted rays.

[0056] If the reflection surface 30 has a rectangular shape, a cylindrical imaging lens 10 is preferably used, as shown in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 8. Such a cylindrical imaging lens 10 is created by translating the section from Fig. 9 in a direction perpendicular to the drawing plane.

[0057] In a further embodiment of the example with the rectangular reflection surface 30, a curved reflection surface 30 with a width that varies along its length is used. In this case, an imaging lens 10 is preferably used whose shape follows the curved shape of the reflection surface 30 and which has different cross-sections to image the different widths of the reflection surface 30. When designing such an arrangement, it is useful to first define the shape of the white reflection surface 30.

[0058] In the second step, follow the Fig. 1 to 3, and allows "backward-moving rays" from different directions to pass through an imaging lens that is considered helpful and is already present. This identifies the areas that need to be illuminated by the illuminating optical element. Here, too, the areas that are imaged by the imaging lens 10 in the 0° / 0° direction will be more intensely illuminated than areas that are imaged at the edges of the legally prescribed light distribution.

[0059] Of course, the reverse procedure is also possible: one illuminates the white reflecting surface with different brightnesses and then searches for the imaging lens 10, which generates the desired legal light distribution from this brightness distribution. Both procedures can be achieved using the wavefront method known from geology (and also from optics). This is very simple here, since only two refracting surfaces are required, and the speed of light in air and plastic is known, as well as the desired wavefront.

[0060] In a further embodiment, all imaging lenses are designed as Fresnel lenses. This saves weight, material (costs), and installation space. In another embodiment, the light module has two Fresnel lenses arranged one behind the other instead of a single imaging lens. This design allows for more light to be captured, improving efficiency.

[0061] The Fig. Figures 10 to 12 show a particularly preferred embodiment. This embodiment is characterized in that a light module according to the invention is combined with a light module configured to generate a headlight light distribution to form a structural unit. Such an example is shown in Figures Fig. 10 (oblique), 11 (section with rays of the headlight function) and 12 (section with rays of the light module according to the invention):

[0062] A lens array 38 is arranged approximately at a distance equal to the object-side focal length of an imaging lens 10, through which a number of lamps arranged in a row illuminate the headlight, thereby realizing a main headlight function (e.g., high beam, partial high beam, dipped beam, cornering light, etc.). These lamps are preferably light-emitting diodes and, to distinguish them from the lamps / light-emitting diodes of the light module according to the invention, are also referred to below as second lamps or light-emitting diodes 41. The beam path of the main headlight function is shown in the Fig. 11. When the light module is used as intended in a motor vehicle, the row is preferably aligned parallel to the horizon.

[0063] The function of the Fig. The purpose of the light module shown in Figures 10 to 12, which is fulfilled by the present invention, serves to illuminate the imaging lens 10 even when the main function is not switched on (i.e., when the second illuminating means 41 are switched off), in order to thereby fulfill design requirements within a given visibility range or viewing area. This is achieved by illuminating the light from, for example, two first light-emitting diodes 40 in Fig. 11 is directed by means of two reflectors 42, 44 onto a white reflection surface 30 adjacent to the lens array 38 of the main function, reflecting with a Lambert characteristic. The first light-emitting diodes 40 represent a particularly preferred embodiment of the first illuminating means 20. This reflected light is partially focused by means of the imaging lens 10 of the main function into a general cone around the direction 0° / 0°. This line also runs in the section plane which defines the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 is the basis. Fig. 12 shows the beam path up to and including the diffuse reflection at the white reflection surface.

[0064] The first light-emitting diodes 40 and the second light-emitting diodes 41 are preferably arranged on a common flat circuit board 43. This circuit board 43 is attached with thermal contact to a heat sink 46 common to the first light-emitting diodes and the second light-emitting diodes. The first and second light-emitting diodes are preferably arranged on the circuit board 43 such that they initially radiate in the same direction. Each first light-emitting diode 40 is preferably assigned its own reflector 42, 44 having specularly reflecting facets, which collects the light from the first light-emitting diode 40 assigned to it and directs it onto the reflection surface 30 such that the latter is illuminated inhomogeneously. The type of inhomogeneous illumination and the design of the facets are determined by the Fig. 5 and the associated description. The reflectors 42, 44 are arranged with respect to the main emission directions of the first LEDs 40 and the second LEDs 41 in such a way that they redirect the light emanating from the first LEDs transversely to the main emission direction of the first LEDs 40 and the second LEDs 41, so that the propagation direction of the reflected light of the first LEDs 20 emanating from the reflectors 42, 44 intersects the main emission direction of the second LEDs 41.

[0065] The reflective surface 30 is arranged in the beam path of the light emanating from the reflectors 40, 42 at an inclination relative to the propagation direction of this light and thus also at an inclination relative to the main emission direction of the second LEDs 41. In the illustrated embodiment, in which the said propagation direction forms a 90° angle with the said main emission direction, the angle of inclination is preferably 45°. Apart from this preferred special case, a normal of the reflective surface 30, or its cross-section, which lies in a plane spanned by the two mentioned directions, forms an angle bisector of the two mentioned directions. The reflective surface is preferably divided into a first partial surface 30.1 and a second partial surface 30.2. The first partial surface 30.1 lies in front of the second LEDs 41 in the beam path of the light emanating from the reflectors 42, 44.

[0066] The second partial surface 30.2 lies behind the second LEDs 41 in the beam path of the light emanating from the reflectors 42, 44. In the main radiation direction of the second LEDs 41, the first partial surface 30.1 lies in front of the second partial surface 30.2, with the second partial surface 30.2 directly adjoining the first partial surface 30.1 in this direction. In the direction of the light emanating from the reflectors 42, 44, the two partial surfaces are offset from one another by a certain distance. This distance creates an empty space between the two partial surfaces in which the row of second LEDs 41, together with the associated lens array 38 and, if applicable, also a low beam aperture 45, is arranged.In a preferred embodiment, the two partial surfaces are interfaces of a materially connected component that extends beyond the row on both sides in the direction of the row arrangement of the second LEDs, thus creating a connection there that defines the mutual position of the two partial surfaces 30.1, 30.2. In this embodiment, the aforementioned empty space is a window-like framed opening in the aforementioned component.

[0067] Instead of the Fig. 6 described white side wall can also be another, as in Fig.The component shown in Figure 13 can be used. The white reflective surface 30 is shown in dotted lines, and an exemplary light beam 45 is shown in dashed lines. The new side wall 46 is mirrored, with the mirror surfaces aligned perpendicular to a beam emanating from the focal point of the imaging lens. This results in the brightest area of the white reflective surface becoming even brighter.

Claims

[1] Light module for a motor vehicle lighting device, which has at least a first illuminating means (20), a diffusely reflecting reflection surface (30) and a first optical device which collects light emanating from the reflection surface (30) and converts it into a light distribution compliant with motor vehicle regulations, wherein a second optical device which inhomogeneously illuminates the reflection surface (30) with light from the illuminating means (20) is arranged between the illuminating means (20) and the reflection surface (30), and wherein the first optical device has an imaging lens (10) which is arranged behind the reflection surface (30) at a distance of its object-side focal length in the light path, wherein the second optical device comprises a reflector (22) as an optical element illuminating the reflection surface (30), wherein the reflector (22) has reflective facets (24, 26, 28), and wherein at least one facet (26) focuses light onto a central region of the reflection surface (30) and wherein at least one further facet (24, 28) illuminates an edge region of the reflection surface (30) with parallel light. [2] Light module according to claim 1, characterized by that the reflection surface (30) is limited by white side walls (32). [3] Light module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it is combined as a first light module with a further light module designed to generate a headlight light distribution to form a structural unit. [4] Light module according to claim 3, characterized bythat the structural unit has first light-emitting diodes (40) of the first light module and further light-emitting diodes (41) of the further light module, wherein the first light-emitting diodes (40) and the second light-emitting diodes (41) are arranged on a common flat printed circuit board (43) such that they radiate in the same direction. [5] Light module according to claim 4, characterized by that each first light-emitting diode (40) is assigned its own reflector (42, 44) having specularly reflecting facets, which collects the light of the first light-emitting diode assigned to it and directs it onto the reflection surface (30). [6] Light module according to claim 5, characterized bythat the reflectors (42, 44) are arranged with respect to the main emission directions of the first light-emitting diodes (40) and the further light-emitting diodes (41) in such a way that they deflect the light emanating from the first light-emitting diodes (40) transversely to the main emission direction of the first (40) and the further light-emitting diodes (41), so that the propagation direction of the reflected light of the first light-emitting diodes (40) emanating from the reflectors (42, 44) intersects the main emission direction of the second light-emitting diodes (41). [7] Light module according to claim 6, characterized by that the reflection surface (30) is arranged in the beam path of the light emanating from the reflectors (42, 44) with an inclination to the propagation direction of this light and thus also with an inclination to the main emission direction of the further light-emitting diodes (41). [8] Light module according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized bythat the reflection surface (30) is divided into a first partial surface (30.1) and a second partial surface (30.2), wherein the first partial surface (30.1) lies in front of the second light-emitting diodes (41) in the beam path of the light emanating from the reflectors (42, 44) and wherein the second partial surface (30.2) lies behind the second light-emitting diodes (41) in the beam path of the light emanating from the reflectors (42, 44). [9] Light module according to claim 8, characterized by that the first partial surface (30.1) lies in front of the second partial surface (30.2) in the main radiation direction of the second light-emitting diodes (41), wherein the second partial surface (30.2) directly adjoins the first partial surface (30.1) in this direction. [10] Light module according to claim 9, characterized bythat both partial surfaces (30.1, 30.2) are offset from one another by a distance in the direction of the light emanating from the reflectors (42, 44), so that between the two partial surfaces there is an empty space in the form of a window-like framed opening, in which a row of the further light-emitting diodes (41) is arranged together with an associated lens array (38).

Images