Vehicle lighting device

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle lighting device (1) with at least one light element (2) which is movable by means of a mechanical actuator (13). The vehicle lighting device according to the invention is characterized in that the light element (2) is spirally shaped, wherein the spirally shaped light element (2) is rotatable about its central axis (4) by means of the actuator (13). The direction of rotation and / or rotational speed can be changed, for example, depending on the vehicle's acceleration.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle lighting device with at least one luminous element of the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a vehicle lighting device.

[0002] Vehicle lighting devices with at least one lighting element are known from the prior art.

[0003] KR 10 2020 0 073 026 A describes, for example, a lighting device with a cover element which can be rotated via an actuator in order to allow or prevent the emission of light depending on the position of the cover element, so that the lighting elements are only visible when they are needed.

[0004] For further examples of the state of the art, reference can also be made to the front lights of the Volvo EX90, which was released in 2024. The term "Transformer Headlight" or "Thor Hammer Headlight" refers to a design in which two supports with mounted lights are used for daytime running lights and can be swivelled as needed to expose the headlights underneath.

[0005] Another vehicle lighting device with a lighting element which is movable by means of a mechanical actuator is also described in the unpublished German patent application with file number 10 2023 004 939.5 of the applicant.

[0006] Decorative lighting for the vehicle interior with spirally arranged movable illuminated elements is known from DE 10 2023 002 652 A1.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 10 2017 114 476 A1 and CN 1 05 371 208 A1 show vehicle lighting with spiral movable light sources.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved lighting device for a vehicle and a method for its operation, in order to enable attractive and innovative lighting of a vehicle.

[0009] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a vehicle lighting device having the features of claim 1, and in particular those of the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. Furthermore, a method for operating such a vehicle lighting device solves the problem.

[0010] The vehicle lighting device utilizes a spirally shaped lighting element, which is rotatable around its central axis by means of an actuator. This spirally shaped lighting element, rotatable around its central axis within the spiral, creates the illusion of movement in one direction or the other, depending on the direction of rotation. Thus, the vehicle lighting device achieves a unique effect, enabling a highly appealing lighting concept and integrating an apparent element of movement into the lighting design.

[0011] According to the invention, the vehicle lighting device comprises several spiral-shaped lighting elements arranged around a central axis, the central axis of each spiral-shaped lighting element being perpendicular to the central axis and extending radially outwards from it. Thus, several spiral-shaped lighting elements are arranged around the central axis and extend radially outwards from this central axis, for example in a star-like pattern. In particular, a multi-pointed star, such as the three-pointed star in the applicant's trademark, can be implemented with such a vehicle lighting device.

[0012] The inventive method for operating such a vehicle lighting device therefore provides that the direction and / or rotational speed is varied depending on the vehicle's acceleration and / or the drive speeds of a drive unit of the vehicle. If the direction and rotational speed of the spiral lighting element about its central axis are varied according to the vehicle's acceleration, it can, for example, change its direction of rotation depending on whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating with negative acceleration. When used as a rear light in the vehicle, this could make it very easy for a following road user to recognize whether the vehicle is braking or accelerating.By additionally varying the rotational speed of the lighting element, information could be conveyed regarding whether the vehicle is decelerating gently or sharply, or accelerating gently or strongly. The acceleration itself can be indirectly calculated from various vehicle data or directly measured via suitable sensors. Alternatively, drive speeds, such as those of the wheels, the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, or the drive shaft of an electric motor, can be used to generate the corresponding values ​​for controlling the vehicle's lighting system.

[0013] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the vehicle lighting device can provide that the diameter of the spiral of the helical lighting element is larger at one axial end than at the other, perpendicular to its central axis. The spiral is then not cylindrical, but frustoconical. This can further enhance the effect of apparent movement in one direction or the other, for example, to illustrate deceleration or acceleration.

[0014] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the spiral-shaped lighting element is fixedly mounted on a carrier, which can be rotated accordingly by the actuator. Specifically, in this embodiment, the end with the larger diameter is the end that rests on the carrier, while the spiral becomes progressively smaller, i.e., more tightly wound, with increasing distance from the carrier.

[0015] A further highly advantageous embodiment of the vehicle lighting device according to the invention can provide that all of the spiral-shaped lighting elements can be driven by a common actuator via gear elements. This design with a common actuator for all of the spiral-shaped lighting elements extending radially outwards from the central axis reduces the complexity of the drive and its control, resulting in a decisive advantage in terms of assembly, operation, and manufacturing costs of the vehicle lighting device according to the invention.

[0016] Another very advantageous embodiment of this design provides that each carrier has a bevel gear which meshes with a bevel gear rotatable around the central axis. A single bevel gear rotatable around the central axis by the actuator is then sufficient to transmit the movement, via further bevel gears, to the spiral lighting elements, for example, via a carrier that accommodates them. This allows a rotational movement in one direction or the other for all spiral lighting elements arranged around the common central axis, and at a suitable rotational speed that is the same for all spiral lighting elements around this central axis, to be achieved by rotating the bevel gear around the central axis.

[0017] The bevel gear can, for example, be arranged on a hollow shaft around a rigid shaft of the central axis. It can then be driven directly by the actuator or via other transmission elements such as gears, belt drives, or similar devices.

[0018] According to a further highly advantageous embodiment, the spiral-shaped lighting elements are also designed to be longitudinally displaceable along the central axis in its axial direction. Using a suitable additional actuator, such as a linear motor or a motor with a gear meshing on a rack of a support element, it is possible to achieve not only the rotational movement of the individual spiral-shaped lighting elements but also a displacement of all lighting elements together in the axial direction of the central axis. In a vehicle application, this typically means a movement towards and away from the lens of a headlight or taillight.

[0019] According to another very advantageous embodiment, it could also be provided that the spiral-shaped lighting elements are rotatable around the central axis, so that a rotational movement of the entire structure around the central axis is also possible.

[0020] Depending on the diameter of the individual spirals of the spiral lighting elements, particularly at their end with the larger diameter and especially at their end facing the central axis, an unlit area arises in the region of the central axis, which could potentially disrupt the harmonious overall impression. For this reason, according to a very advantageous embodiment of the vehicle lighting device according to the invention, it can now further be provided that the area of ​​the central axis, in the direction of view of the vehicle lighting device, is provided with an illuminated cover.Overall, this creates, for example, the aforementioned optical impression of a star, a central static point of light in the middle, which is surrounded by spirals that ideally become narrower towards the outer edges, which, depending on the acceleration of the vehicle, move more or less quickly in one direction or the other, in order to create an apparently outward-striving light in the case of acceleration and, in the other direction of rotation, an apparently towards the central illuminated cover in the case of deceleration of the vehicle.

[0021] As already mentioned, the vehicle lighting device is particularly suitable for use as a rear light when visually displaying the vehicle's acceleration. However, it can also be used as a headlight or daytime running light at the front of the vehicle.

[0022] Further advantageous embodiments of the vehicle lighting device according to the invention can also be seen from the exemplary embodiment, which is described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0023] This shows: Fig. 1 a three-dimensional representation of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle lighting device according to the invention; and Fig. 2. A sectional view to illustrate the generation of the primary motion.

[0024] In the presentation of the Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle lighting device 1 in a possible embodiment according to the invention. It is shown in a three-dimensional representation. In this representation, for the sake of simplicity, the housing of the vehicle lighting device 1 and a cover plate, behind which its light elements would typically be arranged, are deliberately omitted.

[0025] In the embodiment shown here, the vehicle lighting device 1 comprises three spiral-shaped lighting elements, each designated 2. These spiral-shaped lighting elements 2 are each arranged on a carrier designated 3. The spiral shape of the lighting elements 2 narrows along a central axis 4 of each spiral-shaped lighting element 2 from its end facing the carrier 3 to its end facing away from the carrier 3. That is, the spiral-shaped lighting element 2 is wound increasingly tightly in this direction, so that it has a contour corresponding to a cone or a truncated cone.

[0026] In the embodiment shown here, three of these spiral-shaped lighting elements 2 are provided, all of which are constructed in the same way and arranged on an identical support 3. Their central axes 4 intersect at a single point. Following the design of the applicant's trademark, three of the spiral-shaped lighting elements 2 are provided here, their central axes 4 being at an angle of 120° to each other. However, other numbers of spiral-shaped lighting elements 2 and / or non-uniform arrangements with respect to their circumference could also be implemented.

[0027] The central axes 4 all lie in a plane, which in turn is perpendicular to a central axis designated 5. A fixing foot 6 is provided with a slide guide 7 at its upper end. Around the central axis 5 is a Fig. Two identifiable rigid shafts 8 are visible, to which a rotatable hollow shaft 19 is arranged coaxially. At one end of the rigid shaft 8, viewed from the left, a cover plate 9 is mounted, on which an illuminated cover 10 is arranged. The shaft 8 and the hollow shaft 19 are supported in a bearing 11 and connected to a slide 12. This slide 12 can be moved axially along the guides 7 on the fixing base 6, parallel to or along the central axis 5. This allows the entire assembly to be moved forwards and backwards, i.e., linearly relative to the fixing base 6, as viewed from the left. This enables the vehicle lighting device 1 to be moved towards or away from the viewer as needed.

[0028] Additionally, the hollow shaft 19 can be moved via an actuator 13 and a [missing element] in the Fig. Rotate the belt drive marked 14 at the desired speed, either clockwise or counterclockwise. Behind the cover plate 9 or the illuminated cover 10 is the component shown in the sectional view. Fig. 2. A more easily recognizable structure. The hollow shaft 19 has a rotating bevel gear 15, which can be driven by the belt drive 14 via the actuator 13. Depending on the direction and speed of rotation of the hollow shaft 19, the bevel gear 15 transmits this motion to a bevel gear 16, which is fixedly connected to the carrier 3. The spiral-shaped lighting element 2, which is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 2, where only the first half turn of the spiral is visible, is moved together with the support 3, on which it is mounted in a rotationally fixed manner. This results in a rotational movement in one direction or the other around the central axis 4. This creates the illusion that the spiral is turning outwards or inwards, depending on the direction of rotation. Additionally, this can be adjusted by changing the rotational speed to create the illusion of a fast or slow outward or inward spiral. This can be done analogously for all three spiral-shaped light elements 2, since they all share the same characteristic. Fig. Figure 2 shows the setup with a bevel gear 16 which is non-rotatably connected to the carrier 3.

[0029] This enables a highly innovative lighting system that can rotate the spiral lighting elements 2 in one direction or the other at a suitable speed. Simultaneously, the entire assembly with the three spiral lighting elements 2 can be moved axially along the central axis 5 in one direction or the other.

[0030] In addition, it would be conceivable in principle, although this is not implemented in the mechanics shown and described here, that the rigid shaft 8 is also designed to be circumferential, in order to enable, in addition to the movements of the spiral light elements 2 and the illuminated cover 10 already mentioned, a rotation of the central axes 4 around the central axis 5.

Claims

[1] Vehicle lighting device (1) with at least one light element (2) which is designed to be movable by means of a mechanical actuator (13), wherein the light element (2) is designed to be spiral-shaped, wherein the spiral-shaped light element (2) is designed to be rotatable about its central axis (4) by means of the actuator (13), characterized by , that several of the spiral luminous elements (2) are arranged around a central axis (5), wherein the central axis (4) of each spiral luminous element (2) is perpendicular to the central axis (5) and extends radially outwards. [2] Vehicle lighting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the diameter of the spiral of the spiral luminous element (2) perpendicular to its central axis (4) is larger at one axial end than at the other axial end. [3] Vehicle lighting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the spiral-shaped lighting element (2) is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on a rotatable support (3), in particular with its axial end having the larger diameter. [4] Vehicle lighting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that all of the spiral light elements (2) can be driven by a common actuator (13) via gear elements (15, 16). [5] Vehicle lighting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that each of the spiral-shaped lighting elements (2) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a bevel gear (16), in particular via a support (3), which meshes with a bevel gear (6) rotatable about the central axis (5). [6] Vehicle lighting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the spiral-shaped lighting elements (2) are longitudinally displaceable along the central axis (5) in its axial direction. [7] Vehicle lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the spiral-shaped lighting elements (2) are designed to rotate about the central axis (5). [8] Vehicle lighting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the central axis (5) is arranged behind an illuminated cover (10) in the direction of view of the spiral light elements (2). [9] Method for operating a vehicle lighting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the direction of rotation and / or the rotational speed of the spiral lighting element (2) is varied depending on an acceleration of the vehicle and / or depending on a drive speed of a drive device of the vehicle.

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