Optics, arrangement and headlights

Abstract

Optics with a plurality of optical fibers (10 to 30), each arranged in at least one row, each having an input surface (32) into which light from at least one light source can be coupled, and having a common output surface (4) for coupling the light out along a principal optical axis of the optics (1), characterized in that a cutting surface (6) is provided at the output surface (4) which delimits the output surface (4) in order to provide at least a section of a defined outer edge (40) in a photographic image (38) of the emerging light, and / or that a cutting surface (36) is provided at each optical fiber (10 to 30) or at least a part of the optical fibers (10 to 30) which delimits the respective optical fiber (10 to 30) in order to provide at least a section of a defined outer edge (40) in a photographic image (38) of the emerging light, and wherein the cutting surface (6, 36) or the cutting surfaces (6,36) extend parallel to the principal optical axis of the optics (1), wherein the optical fibers (10 to 30) widen in their cross-section in the direction of the center of the series of optical fibers (10 to 30) along a curve (33).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an optic according to the preamble of claim 1, an arrangement according to claim 14 and a headlight according to claim 15.

[0002] For lighting applications, such as in the automotive sector, individually tailored light patterns and shapes, such as a customized outer contour, are usually required. The design of the light patterns depends on optical elements, such as reflectors or lenses, which may be part of a vehicle headlight.

[0003] Projector systems with matrix-like light sources and at least one primary lens or optic downstream of the light sources, as well as a secondary lens downstream of the primary lens, are also known. The secondary lens, for example, projects the light image formed or projected onto the focal plane of the primary lens into a far field. Prior art describes, for example, segmented primary lenses that have a multitude of individual light guides, each with its own light source. This makes it possible to illuminate a limited area by switching individual light sources on or off (ADB Adaptive Driving Beam). An outer contour of the entire light image can then be achieved by the sum of the individual illuminated areas.

[0004] For example, DE 10 2011 005 582 A1 describes an optic for a matrix headlight with a multitude of light guides. US 2008 / 0198574 A1 also relates to systems for light distribution in motor vehicle headlights. US 2017 / 0292671 A1 discloses a matrix-like arrangement of collectors, while DE 10 2017 206 817 A1 describes an optic for intensity control, and AT 518 090 A1 describes an optic with correction curves.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide optics for outputting an improved photographic image, as well as an arrangement for outputting the improved photographic image and a spotlight for outputting the improved photographic image.

[0006] This problem is solved with regard to the optics according to the features of claim 1, with regard to the arrangement according to the features of claim 13 and with regard to the headlight according to the features of claim 14.

[0007] Particularly advantageous features can be found in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, an optical system is provided. This system has a plurality or multiple optical fibers, each arranged in at least one or more rows. Each optical fiber has an input area into which light from one or more light sources can be coupled. The optical system has an output area through which the light can be extracted. Preferably, the output area of ​​the optical system can have a cut surface that can at least partially delimit the output area in order to provide, at least partially, a defined, and in particular, a high-contrast outer edge or contour for a photographic image produced by the light exiting the optical system or the output area. Alternatively or additionally, a cut surface can be provided for some or all of the optical fibers, which laterally delimits the respective optical fiber.This allows a defined outer edge to be easily formed, at least in sections, in the photograph using technical equipment.

[0009] This solution has the advantage that the cut surface allows for the simple shaping of a sharp outer contour of the light image along a desired line or curve. In other words, a desired light image can be achieved by designing the optics as a primary lens. Furthermore, this allows for a sharp separation between light and dark areas, i.e., a sharp light-dark contrast, which, for example, enables certain areas to be masked or left unilluminated. This makes it possible, for instance, if the optics are used in a vehicle, to avoid dazzling other road users. Advantageously, the outer edge or contour of the light image, or the image contour itself, can be individually adapted to specific customer requirements through the design of the optics.Furthermore, the output light distribution or light pattern can thus be adapted to regulatory requirements in a technically simple manner.

[0010] Advantageously, the optical fibers are arranged adjacent to each other in at least one row. It is also possible to provide several rows of optical fibers. Each row can then have one or, preferably, several, particularly adjacent, optical fibers. In other words, the optical fibers can be arranged, for example, in a matrix-like configuration. A cross-sectional area is then particularly preferably provided on an outer row of optical fibers, viewed from a principal optical axis of the optics, and especially on the outside. In this way, a space-saving design of the optics is advantageously enabled.

[0011] The output surface can advantageously be designed to be convex when viewed from the outside. This allows the desired light image to be directed towards the secondary lens.

[0012] Light from a light source or individual light sources can preferably be coupled into the optical fiber via the respective coupling surfaces of the optical fibers. The coupling surfaces of the individual optical fibers are preferably arranged in a single plane. This particularly allows for a space-saving design of the optics. The coupling surface can, for example, also be designed as a TIR lens (Total Internal Reflection). The TIR lens can have a refractive coupling surface and a refractive output coupling surface. An outer surface can be designed, for example, as a paraboloid and configured as a TIR surface. A central light path and a lateral light path can enter the TIR lens. The radiation in the lateral light path can be reflected at the TIR surface. This advantageously allows all light coupling into the coupling surface to be directed in a desired direction.Scattering losses and / or crosstalk between individual optical fibers can thus be prevented or at least limited.

[0013] The optics can advantageously include a connecting section, particularly a plate-shaped one. This section can be designed such that it is positioned on a surface facing away from the coupling surfaces of the optical fibers, allowing at least some, or preferably all, of the optical fibers to terminate in it. On the side facing away from the optical fibers, the connecting section can advantageously have the output coupling surface of the optics. This allows any light that couples into the respective coupling surfaces of the optical fibers to be coupled out of the optics via the output coupling surface. The connecting section can advantageously be perpendicular to the main optical axis or the main optical emission direction of the optics. The connecting section can, for example, have mounting recesses with which the optics can be attached to another component.Due to its plate-like design, the connecting section can also be used, at least partially, as a mounting surface for other components. This advantageously allows for easy installation of the optics. It is also conceivable to design the connecting section with a flange.

[0014] At least one or a portion of the optical fibers, or all of them, can have a rectangular, square, triangular, round, or elliptical cross-section. Preferably, at least one or a portion of the optical fibers, or all of them, can be frustoconical and widen towards the connecting section or the output coupling surface. This allows for a desired light path through the optics.

[0015] If at least one cross-sectional surface is provided for one or more optical fibers, this surface can, for example, form a circumferential section of the respective optical fiber. Preferably, the cross-sectional surfaces of the optical fibers can be arranged adjacent to one another. They can, for example, lie in a plane or extend along a curve.

[0016] The cut surface or surfaces can particularly preferably extend parallel to or at a parallel distance from the principal optical axis of the optics. This advantageously enables a particularly sharp outer contour of the light image. It is particularly preferred that the cut surface of the output coupling surface and the respective cut surfaces of the optical fibers are arranged in a common plane, for example, at a parallel distance from the principal optical axis of the optics. In other words, an advantageous embodiment is that the cut surfaces of the output coupling surface and the optical fibers lie coincidentally in one plane. The cut surfaces can, for example, be at a right angle to the connecting section. However, it is also possible that the cut surfaces are at a different angle to the connecting section. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the cut surfaces follow a common curve.It is also possible that the output coupling surface, viewed from the main optical axis of the optics, extends beyond the intersection surface of the optical guides.

[0017] The output surface can have a curved edge on the side opposite the cut surface, viewed in a direction perpendicular to the main optical axis. This edge can preferably approach the cut surface of the output surface towards its ends and thus, for example, be arc-shaped. This results in a particularly advantageous configuration of the output image with an image height that decreases towards the outer edges of the image.

[0018] The optical fibers can each have a circumferential surface section pointing away from the cut surface, extending along a curve. The curve can, for example, approach the cut surface in both directions, starting from a central region of the array and moving towards it.

[0019] The at least one light source can be, for example, designed as: an incandescent lamp; a halogen lamp, a halogen retrofit LED lamp, an LED lamp for vehicle applications, such as the OSRAM XLS LED lamp (as described, for example, in DE 20 2014 002 809 U1); a light-emitting diode (LED); a pixelated LED (such as the OSRAM EVIYOS COB matrix light source) or, more generally, a semiconductor light source with matrix arrangements; a laser (such as a system operating on the principle of Laser Activated Remote Phosphor (LARP) (note: the term phosphor also includes phosphor-free phosphors in technical terminology)); an IR radiation source, in particular an IR laser diode; or another device that emits, reproduces, and / or generates electromagnetic radiation in and / or partially in and / or near and / or partially near the visible range.A light-emitting diode shall be understood to include, in particular, an LED with a downstream phosphor for the partial conversion of primary light (emission light of the LED) into secondary light (conversion light of the phosphor); a warm white light-emitting LED; a cool white light-emitting LED; an LED operating in full conversion mode; an LED without a downstream phosphor; a pixelated LED matrix arrangement; an organic LED (OLED); and / or the like. Preferably, the LEDs emit white light within the standardized ECE white field of the automotive industry, for example, achieved by a blue emitter and a yellow / green converter. This allows the light source to be used, for example, for an auxiliary lighting function in a vehicle, such as a fog light, daytime running light, low beam, high beam, or similar function.

[0020] The light-emitting diode (LED) can be in the form of at least one individually packaged LED, at least one LED chip containing one or more LEDs, or a micro-LED or nano-LED (smart dust). Multiple LED chips can be mounted on a common substrate ("submount") to form a single LED, or they can be individually or collectively mounted on a circuit board (e.g., FR4, metal core board, etc.) ("CoB" = Chip on Board). The LED can be equipped with at least one dedicated and / or shared optical system for beam guidance, such as at least one Fresnel lens or a collimator. Organic LEDs (OLEDs, e.g., polymer OLEDs) can also be used instead of or in addition to inorganic LEDs, such as those based on AlInGaN, InGaN, or AlInGaP. The LED chips can be direct emitters or have a phosphor layer.Alternatively, the light-emitting component can be a laser diode or a laser diode array. It is also conceivable to use an OLED light-emitting layer, multiple OLED light-emitting layers, or an OLED light-emitting area. The emission wavelengths of the light-emitting components can be in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared spectral range. The light-emitting components can also be equipped with their own converter. The LED chips can emit white light in the standardized ECE white field of the automotive industry, for example, achieved with a blue emitter and a yellow / green converter.

[0021] According to the invention, an arrangement is further provided. This arrangement can advantageously include optics according to one or more of the preceding aspects. The arrangement can further include at least one light source. Preferably, the arrangement can include a light source for each optical element. Furthermore, the arrangement can advantageously include a secondary lens by which the light emitted by the optics can be directed further into a far field, for example, an area to be illuminated.

[0022] According to the invention, a headlight is further provided which has the optics and / or the arrangement according to one of the preceding aspects.

[0023] The headlight is preferably used on a vehicle. The vehicle can be an aircraft, a watercraft, or a land vehicle. The land vehicle can be a motor vehicle, a rail vehicle, or a bicycle. A truck, a passenger car, or a motorcycle is particularly preferred. The vehicle can also be designed as a non-autonomous, semi-autonomous, or autonomous vehicle. If the headlight is used on a vehicle, it is preferably a front headlight. The optics can then, for example, be used for an "Adaptive Driving Beam" (ADB) matrix.

[0024] Other areas of application for the spotlight can include effect lighting, entertainment lighting, architectural entertainment lighting, general lighting, medical and therapeutic lighting, or lighting for horticulture.

[0025] An optical system is revealed that comprises a multitude of optical fibers arranged in a row. Each optical fiber has an input surface into which light from a light source can be coupled, and terminates in a common output surface. The output surface and / or the optical fibers feature a cross-sectional interface that delimits either the output surface or a specific optical fiber, in order to create a defined, sharp outer edge, at least partially, in the image of the emerging light.

[0026] The invention will now be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. The figures show: Fig. 1. In a perspective top view, an optic according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 2 in a perspective low angle view the optics and Fig. 3. A photograph of the optics.

[0027] According to Fig. Figure 1 shows an optic 1 according to the invention. This has a plate-shaped connecting section 2, into which the light guide is inserted. Fig. 1 are not visible (see below) Fig. 2). In the optics 1, an output coupling surface 4 is arranged. This surface is approximately convex and projects away from the connecting section 2. The output coupling surface 4 is bounded by a cross-sectional surface 6, which intersects the output coupling surface 4 and is arranged at a right angle to the connecting section 2 and / or parallel to the optical principal axis. The output coupling surface 4 has a curved edge 8 on the side facing away from the cross-sectional surface 6, which approaches the cross-sectional surface 6 towards the ends of the output coupling surface 4. The output coupling surface 4 is elongated and has a section 9, 11 on each of its short sides, each of which is perpendicular to the connecting section 2.

[0028] The optics 1 are advantageously arranged together with a secondary lens 13 and at least one light source 15 or a plurality of light sources 15 in a headlight 17, which are in Fig. 1 each are schematically represented by dashed lines.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 shows another view of the optics 1 according to the invention. Fig. 1. Eleven optical fibers 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 are shown, each having a coupling surface 32 (for simplicity, only optical fiber 10 is labeled with a reference symbol). The coupling surface 32 is designed as a TIR lens (Total Internal Reflection) or as part of a TIR lens. The optical fibers 10 to 30 are frustoconical in shape and arranged in a row. They each terminate on the side pointing away from the respective coupling surface 32 into the connecting section 2. The optical fibers 10 to 30 widen in cross-section towards the center of the row of optical fibers 10 to 30 along a curve 33, with the optical fibers 10 and 30 being the narrowest and having the smallest cross-section at the respective edge of the row, and the optical fiber 18 being the widest in the middle of the row, and thus having the largest cross-section of the optical fibers 10 to 30.Adjacent to the coupling surface 32, the optical fibers 10 to 30 each have a contact surface 34 (for simplicity, only the optical fiber 18 is designated with a reference symbol), the size of which varies depending on the width of the optical fibers 10 to 20, or rather their cross-section. Thus, optical fiber 18 has the largest contact surface 34, while optical fibers 10 and 30 at the edge of the row have only a comparatively very small contact surface 34. The optical fibers 10 to 30 are approximately frustoconical in shape, with three sides of each optical fiber 10 to 30 arranged at an angle to the connecting section 2, while the fourth side has a respective cut surface 36 (in the view from ). Fig. (2 not directly visible, therefore only marked at one point by an arrow). The cut surfaces 36 of the respective optical fibers 10 to 30 are arranged in a common plane. They are perpendicular to the connecting section 2 of the optic 1.

[0030] Fig. Figure 3 shows a photograph 38, as seen with optics 1, see also the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, outputs. It can be seen that the image 38 of optic 1 is bent downwards at the lateral edges (shown here horizontally). In the middle area, on the side where the cut surfaces 6 and 36 meet, see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, are located, in Fig. Figure 3 below shows an area with a sharp outer edge or dividing line 40 of the photograph 38. A softer light transition is visible on the upper side, pointing away from the cut surfaces. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 Optics 2 Connection section 4 Disconnection area 6 Cut surface 8 rand Sections 9 and 11 10 - 30 fiber optic cables 32 coupling area 33 Curve 34 Plant area 36 Cut surface 38 photographs 40 dividing edge

Claims

Optics with a plurality of optical fibers (10 to 30), each arranged in at least one row, each having an input surface (32) into which light from at least one light source can be coupled, and having a common output surface (4) for coupling the light out along a principal optical axis of the optics (1), characterized in that a cutting surface (6) is provided at the output surface (4) which delimits the output surface (4) in order to provide at least a section of a defined outer edge (40) in a photographic image (38) of the emerging light, and / or that a cutting surface (36) is provided at each optical fiber (10 to 30) or at least a part of the optical fibers (10 to 30) which delimits the respective optical fiber (10 to 30) in order to provide at least a section of a defined outer edge (40) in a photographic image (38) of the emerging light, and wherein the cutting surface (6, 36) or the cutting surfaces (6,36) extend parallel to the principal optical axis of the optics (1), wherein the optical fibers (10 to 30) widen in their cross-section in the direction of the center of the series of optical fibers (10 to 30) along a curve (33). Optics according to claim 1, wherein the respective coupling surfaces (32) of the optical fibers (10 to 30) lie in one plane. Optics according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a connecting section (2) is provided on a side of the light guides (10 to 30) facing away from the coupling surfaces (32), into which the light guides (10 to 30) open and which has the coupling surface (4) on the side facing away from the coupling surfaces (32). Optics according to claim 3, wherein the connecting section (2) extends perpendicular to the principal optical axis of the optics (1). Optics according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one optical fiber (10 to 30) or at least a part of the optical fibers (10 to 30) or all optical fibers (10 to 30) have a rectangular and / or square and / or triangular and / or round and / or elliptical cross-section. Optics according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one optical fiber (10 to 30) or part of the optical fibers (10 to 30) or all optical fibers (10 to 30) are frustoconical in shape and each widen towards the coupling surface (4). Optics according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cut surface (6, 36) or the cut surfaces (6, 36) extend along at least one row of the optical fibers (10 to 30). Optics according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cut surface (6, 36) of a respective light guide (10 to 30) each forms a circumferential surface section of a respective light guide (10 to 30). Optics according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cut surfaces (36) of the light guides (10 to 30) or all cut surfaces (6, 36) lie in one plane. Optics according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cut surfaces (36) of the light guides (10 to 30) or all cut surfaces (6, 36) extend along a curve. Optics according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the coupling surface (4) has, viewed in a direction transverse to the optical principal axis, a curved surface edge (8) on the side opposite the cutting surface(s) (6, 36), which approaches the cutting surface(s) (6, 36) in the direction of its ends. Optics according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the optical fibers (10 to 30) each have a circumferential surface section pointing away from the respective cut surface (36), wherein the circumferential surface sections extend along the common curve (33) which approaches the cut surfaces (36) in both directions of the series from a central region. Arrangement comprising an optic (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims and comprising at least one light source (15) and a secondary lens (13), wherein the image (38) emitted by the optic (1) can be changed by the secondary lens (13). Headlights with optics (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12 or with an arrangement according to claim 13 .

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