Lighting device for vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device for vehicles comprising a light source (1) for emitting light (9), a collimation optic (4) comprising a light entry surface (7) arranged on a side facing the light source (1) and a light exit surface (8) arranged on a side facing away from the light source (1) for parallelizing the light (9) entering the light source on the light entry surface (7), an array arrangement (10) for deflecting the light (9) according to a predetermined light distribution (L1), wherein the array arrangement is designed as a faceted array arrangement (10) comprising a first faceted array (13) comprising a plurality of facets (25) of a first shape and a second faceted array (14) comprising a plurality of facets (27, 28) of a second shape, wherein the facets (25) of the first shape are configured,to deflect light (9) generated by a first light source (1) in a horizontal direction, wherein the facets (27, 28) of the second shape are arranged to deflect the light (9) in a vertical direction, so that a symmetrical light distribution (L1) is generated, and wherein a lens arrangement (11) is additionally provided with at least one lens (18, 20) which is arranged to image a second light source (2) to generate an asymmetrical light distribution (L2).

Description

The invention relates to a lighting device for vehicles according to the preamble of claim 1. From DE 10 2020 102 226 A1, a lighting device for vehicles is known, comprising a light source, collimation optics, and projection optics. The collimation optics are designed to align the light emitted by the light source. The projection optics comprise a lens array arrangement with a first lens array and a second lens array arranged in front of it in the main emission direction, each having a plurality of lenses with cylindrical cross-section. Depending on the orientation of the cylinder axes of the cylindrical lenses, the incident light can be deflected in the horizontal and / or vertical direction to produce a predetermined light distribution. A disadvantage of the known lighting device is that an aperture is provided on the light-intake side of the collimation optics, which absorbs a portion of the light emitted by the light source. This limits the luminous efficacy. German patent application DE 10 2023 113 254 A1 discloses a lighting device for vehicles comprising a light source, collimating optics, and an array arrangement for deflecting the light. The array arrangement is designed as a faceted array with a plurality of facets configured as cylindrical lenses. The faceted array has a first array with a plurality of facets that deflect light from a first light source in a horizontal direction. Furthermore, the array has a second array with a plurality of facets that deflect light from the first light source in a vertical direction. This allows, for example, the creation of a symmetrical light distribution, such as daytime running lights. The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a lighting device for vehicles in such a way that a predetermined light distribution is generated in a space-saving and effective manner, wherein in particular the light distribution may have an asymmetrical part. To solve this problem, the invention has the features of claim 1. According to the invention, a facet array arrangement and a lens arrangement are provided. The facet array arrangement consists of a first facet array and a second facet array, each having a plurality of facets arranged side by side. The facet array arrangement enables the deflection of the light emitted by a first light source, which has preferably been parallelized by the collimator optics, to generate a symmetrical light distribution, e.g., a symmetrical part of a predetermined light distribution, in particular a low-beam distribution. In contrast, the lens arrangement has at least one lens by means of which light emitted by a second light source is directly deflected to generate an asymmetrical part (asymmetrical light distribution) of the predetermined light distribution.The at least one lens of the lens arrangement has a large surface area compared to the lenses of the facet array arrangement. This causes the light from the second light source to be refracted into a relatively small, asymmetrical portion of the light distribution compared to the symmetrical portion. Advantageously, the invention enables a space-saving and highly efficient asymmetrical light distribution, for example, a low beam distribution with an oblique light / dark boundary or a discontinuous light / dark boundary. According to the invention, the freeform facets of the second facet array are designed as facets arranged in pairs, with a first facet of the facet pair being arranged on a light-entry side of the second facet array and a second facet of the facet pair being arranged on a light-emission side of the second facet array. This results in a double refraction of the light at the second facet array, which can be used to generate the specified symmetrical light distribution. Preferably, this results in improved light output and efficiency, since a large proportion of the light emitted by the light source can strike a light-entry surface of the collimator optics. No aperture is positioned between the light source and the collimator optics, so no light can be lost. According to a further development of the invention, the at least one lens of the lens arrangement is arranged in a plane of the collimation optics and / or in a plane of the second facet array of the facet array arrangement. For example, the lens can be integrally connected with the adjacent collimation optics and / or the second facet array, thus reducing the manufacturing effort. According to a further development of the invention, the first facet array has a retaining frame surrounding the facets, which includes fastening means for attachment to a carrier that supports the at least one collimation optic. Advantageously, this allows a compact light module to be created, wherein the distance of the first facet array from the carrier of the collimation optic depends on the protrusion of the single lens of the collimation optic. According to a further development of the invention, the mounting frame of the first facet array has an opening that runs perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens of the lens arrangement. This ensures that the light emitted by the second light source is refracted only by the at least one lens and that no unwanted scattering occurs through the first facet array of the facet array arrangement. For example, the lens arrangement can have two or three lenses arranged one behind the other in the main emission direction, each integrated into the carrier of the collimation optics and / or a frame of the second facet array. Advantageously, this allows the installation space in the main emission direction to be used to enable light shaping adapted to the specified asymmetry of the light distribution. According to a further development of the invention, the facets of the first facet array are cylindrical and / or partially cylindrical in cross-section. The partially cylindrical facets can, for example, form a ribbed optic, wherein the partially cylindrical facets extend vertically in the installation position of the lighting device, so that the light is scattered horizontally. The facets of the second facet array, positioned in front of the first facet array in the main emission direction, extend horizontally in the installation position of the lighting device, thus deflecting the light vertically. The first and second facet arrays therefore exhibit a functional separation. One facet array is responsible for scattering in the vertical direction, and the other for scattering in the horizontal direction. According to a further development of the invention, the facet pairs of the second facet array are configured differently such that they deflect the incoming light in different angular ranges relative to a predetermined light / dark boundary. For example, one facet pair is configured to deflect the light in a first acute angular range, while a second facet pair deflects the light in a second acute angular range that is larger than the first acute angular range. The first and second light beams emitted by the first and second facet pairs, respectively, have in common that a critical angle of the angular ranges coincides with the common light / dark boundary of the symmetrical part of the light distribution. In this way, a predetermined illuminance distribution can be generated by means of the facet pairs. According to a further development of the invention, an intermediate surface is provided between adjacent first facets of the second facet array, which prevents a superposition of light between two pairs of facets. Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the further dependent claims. An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a lighting device according to the invention, seen from above; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the lighting device according to the invention, seen from the rear; Figure 3 shows a perspective exploded view of the lighting device according to the invention, seen from the front; Figure 4 shows a perspective exploded view of the lighting device according to the invention, seen from the side and rear; Figure 5 shows a section through the exploded view of the lighting device according to the invention according to Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a representation of an overall light distribution consisting of a symmetrical part and an asymmetrical part of the light distribution; and Figure 7 shows an exemplary representation of different pairs of facets of a second facet array depicted as light spots in the symmetrical part of the overall light distribution. In the present embodiment, a lighting device for vehicles serves as a headlight to generate a predetermined light distribution, namely an asymmetrical light distribution L as the low beam distribution. The lighting device according to this embodiment comprises a number of first light sources 1 and a single second light source 2, which are arranged on a common circuit board 3. The circuit board 3 is flat and preferably designed as a rigid circuit board. The first light source 1 and the second light source 2 are preferably designed as LED light sources or LED chips that emit white light. Furthermore, the lighting device comprises a number of collimation optics 4, each positioned in front of the first light sources 1. The collimation optics 4 are arranged in a common carrier 5, which is rigidly connected to the circuit board 3 via spacers 6. Identical components or component functions are provided with the same reference numerals. Each first light source 1 is thus preceded by a translucent and / or crystal-clear collimation optic 4, which has a light-entry surface 7 on the side facing the first light source 1 and a light-emission surface 8 on the side facing away from the first light source 1. The light-entry surfaces 7 of the collimation optic 4 are each flat. The light-emission surfaces 8 of the collimation optic 4 are convex or spherical. The light-emission surfaces 7 are shaped such that the light 9 emitted by the respective first light sources 1 is parallelized and fed as parallel light to a facet array 10. The facet array 10 serves as a projection optic, by means of which the parallelized light 9 is deflected to form a symmetrical light distribution L1. A lens arrangement 11 is positioned in front of the second light source 2. This lens arrangement focuses the light 12 emitted by the second light source 2 into an asymmetric light distribution L2, in this embodiment as a step, so that a discontinuous light / dark boundary (HDG) forms in the light distribution L. Alternatively, the asymmetric light distribution L2 can have an oblique light / dark boundary (HDG). The light distribution L (total light distribution) is obtained by superimposing the symmetric light distribution L1 and the asymmetric light distribution L2. The lens arrangement 11 thus serves as a projection optic, directly imaging the second light source 2. The symmetric light distribution L1 forms a symmetrical part of the light distribution L, while the asymmetric light distribution L2 forms an asymmetrical part of the light distribution L. The facet array arrangement 10 consists of a first facet array 13 and a second facet array 14, which are arranged offset from each other in the main emission direction H of the lighting device. The second facet array 14 is positioned upstream of the first facet array 13, i.e., the second facet array 14 is arranged in front of the first facet array 13 in the main emission direction H. The first facet array 13 is integrated into a mounting frame 15, which can be connected to the support 5 via fastening means 16. The mounting frame 15 has wall sections 17 extending in the main emission direction H with such an extent in the main emission direction H that, when the mounting frame 15 is mounted on the support 5, a sufficient distance is ensured between the first facet array 13 and the light emission surface 8 of the collimation optics 4. In the present embodiment, four first light sources 1 and four collimation optics 4 positioned upstream of them are provided. In the main emission direction H upstream of the respective collimation optics 4, four first facet arrays 13 are thus provided, wherein only the light 9 of the corresponding upstream collimation optic 4 or of the first light source 1 passes through each first facet array 13. In the main emission direction H in front of a first lens 18 of the lens arrangement 11 integrated in the carrier 5, the retaining frame 15 has an opening 19, so that light 12 of the second light source 2 deflected by the first lens 18 can shine through the opening 19 to a second lens 20, which is integrated in a frame 21 for receiving the second facet arrays 14. The second facet arrays 14 are each arranged in the main emission direction H in front of the respective first facet arrays 13 and are surrounded by the frame 21. In the assembled state of the lighting device, the frame 21 can rest directly against the mounting frame 15, with the first facet arrays 13 and second facet arrays 14, which are aligned with each other, being arranged at a small distance from one another. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the second lens 20 consists of a first lens section 22 and a second lens section 23, which form a common optical axis A with the optical axis of the first lens 18. The second light source 2 is arranged in the optical axis A of the lens arrangement. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the first light sources 1 and the second light source 2 are arranged at such a distance a to the crystal-clear and / or transparent light entry surface 7 of the collimation optics 4 or the first lens 18 that the light 9 emitted by the first light sources 1 and the light 12 emitted by the second light source 2 strikes the light entry surface 7 of the collimation optics 4 or a light entry surface 24 of the first lens 18 at a beam angle α of 40° to 80°, preferably 60°. The first facet array 13 has a plurality of adjacent facets 25 that have a different basic shape than facets 26 of the second facet array 14. The facets 25 of the first facet array 13 have a semi-cylindrical cross-section. In the installed position of the lighting device, the semi-cylindrical facets extend in a straight line in the vertical direction. One axis of the facets 25 thus runs perpendicular to the main emission direction H. This forms a kind of ribbed structure or ribbed optic. Due to the arc shape of the respective facets 25 extending in a horizontal direction, the parallelized light 9 is scattered in a horizontal direction. The facets 26 of the second facet array 14 are designed as free-form facets. They are formed by facets arranged in pairs, namely a first facet 27 of a facet pair 26 and a second facet 28 arranged in front of it in the main emission direction H. The first facets 27 are arranged on a light-entry side of the second facet array 14 and the second facets 28 on a light-emission side of the second facet array 14. The facet pairs 26 preferably extend in a plane that runs in the main emission direction H and perpendicular to a plane of extension of the second facet array 14. The facet pairs 26 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, with the facets 27 and 28 each extending in the horizontal direction. The facets or facet pairs 26 of the second facet array 14 extend in a straight line in the horizontal direction when the lighting device is installed, so that the light 9 spreads out or scatters in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the first facets 27 and / or the second facets 28 have a triangular or wedge-shaped cross-section and a height of 0.03 mm to 0.6 mm relative to a base plane. The first facets 27 are shaped such that the parallel incident light 9 is collected in a region between the respective first facets 27 and second facets 28 of the facet pair 26, preferably in a midpoint between the first and second facets 27, 28 of the respective facet pair 26. A focal point of the first facets 27 is thus located in a region between the first facet 27 and the second facet 28 of the respective facet pair 26. It should be noted that the facet pairs 26 extend side by side and in different horizontal planes. The second facets 28 of each facet pair 26 are designed such that an imaginary parallel light ray entering the second facet 28 opposite to the main emission direction H is collected in a plane in which the first facet 27 of the respective facet pair 26 is located. The focal point of the second facet 28 thus lies in the vertical plane of the first facets 27. The first facets 27 of the second facet array 14 are arranged regularly distributed over a surface and / or plane. They preferably have the same shape and / or size. The second facets 28 of the second facet array 14 are arranged regularly distributed over a surface and / or plane that runs parallel to the surface and / or plane of the first facets 27. They preferably do not have the same shape and / or size, but rather have a shape and / or size such that they deflect the light coming from the first facets 27 into light spots of the symmetrical light distribution L1. The second facets 28 of the second facet array 14 preferably have the same length in the extension direction of the elongated second facets 28. They differ in their cross-section. This is because the different contour in the cross-section leads to different vertical light emission angles. The second facets 28 of the second facet array 14 are elongated and preferably have the same length in the direction of extension as the elongated first facets 27. They preferably have the same shape. The longitudinal extension of the first facets 27 is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the second facets 28. The light 9 emitted by the respective facet pairs 26 superimposes to form the symmetrical light distribution L1. The first facets 27 and the second facets 28 of the respective facet pairs 26 are aligned with a predetermined light / dark boundary HDG, the facet pairs 26 differing such that the light 9 from different facet pairs 26 is deflected in different vertical angular ranges β1, β2, ... β with respect to the predetermined light / dark boundary HDG. As can be seen from Fig. 7, the first facet 27 and the second facet 28 of a first facet pair 26' are designed such that the light 9 is deflected in a first angular range β1. A second pair of facets 26" is configured such that the light 9 is deflected by it in a vertical angular range β2 that is larger than the first angular range β1. An nth pair of facets 26n deflects the light 9 into an angular range βnum that covers the entire height of the symmetrical light distribution L1. The number of facet pairs 26 can be equal to or less than n.A boundary ray of the light beam emitted by the respective facet pairs 26 hits the light / dark boundary HDG. Preferably, an intermediate surface 29 is provided between adjacent first facets 27 of the facet pairs 26, which has no optical effect or only a slight optical effect. This prevents the light rays 9 of adjacent facet pairs 26 from mixing. It should be ensured that light entering a first facet 27 strikes only the second facet 28 of the facet pair 26 thus formed, which is located upstream in the main emission direction H, and exits from the second facet array 14 there. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the opening 19 of the retaining frame 15 is arranged perpendicular to the optical axis A of the lenses. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the lens arrangement 11 may comprise only a single lens which is integrated into the carrier 5 or the frame 21. The lens arrangement 11 is positioned in front of the light source 2 in the main emission direction H and extends along an axis running in the main emission direction H. The first facet arrays 13 and the second facet arrays 14 are each positioned in front of the light sources 1 in the main emission direction H and each extend along an axis running in the main emission direction H. The axis of the lens arrangement 11 is therefore parallel to the respective axes of the first and second facet arrays 13, 14. Alternatively, the first facet array 13 can be arranged in front of the second facet array 14 in the main radiation direction H instead of behind the second facet array 14. Reference symbol list 1 First light source 2 Second light source 3 Circuit board 4 Collimation optics 5 Support 6 Spacer 7 Light entry surface 8 Light exit surface 9 Light 10 Facet array 11 Lens arrangement 12 Light 13 First facet array 14 Second facet array 15 Mounting frame 16 Fastener 17 Wall section 18 First lens 19 Aperture 20 Second lens 21 Frame 22 First lens section 23 Second lens section 24 Light entry surface 25 Lenses 26, 26', 26', 26", 26" Facet pairs 27 First facet 28 Second facet 29 Intermediate surface a Distance α Spacing angle HDG Light / dark boundary L Light distribution L1 Symmetrical light distribution L2 Asymmetrical light distribution H Main emission direction A Optical axis

Claims

Lighting device for vehicles comprising: - a light source (1) for emitting light (9), - a collimation optic (4) comprising a light entry surface (7) arranged on a side facing the light source (1) and a light exit surface (8) arranged on a side facing away from the light source (1) for parallelizing the light (9) entering the light source on the light entry surface (7), - an array arrangement (10) for deflecting the light (9) according to a predetermined light distribution (L1), wherein - the array arrangement is designed as a faceted array arrangement (10) comprising a first faceted array (13) comprising a plurality of adjacent facets (25) of a first shape and a second faceted array (14) comprising a plurality of adjacent facets (27, 28) of a second shape, wherein the facets (25) of the first shape are configured,to deflect light (9) generated by a first light source (1) in a horizontal direction, and wherein the facets (27, 28) of the second form are configured to deflect the light (9) of the first light source (1) in a vertical direction, so that a symmetrical light distribution (L1) is generated, characterized in that the second facet array (14) has a plurality of facet pairs (26) each consisting of a first facet (27) and a second facet (28), wherein the second facets (28) of the respective facet pairs (26) map the first facet (27) of the same facet pair (26) to luminous spots of the symmetrical light distribution (L1), so that a horizontal light-dark boundary and / or a gradual vertical light distribution is generated, and in that additionally a lens arrangement (11) is provided with at least one lens (18, 20) configured to reflect a second light source (2). to create an asymmetric light distribution (L2). Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one lens (18, 20) of the lens arrangement (11) is arranged in a plane of the collimation optics (4) and / or in a plane of the second facet array (14) and / or in a plane of the first facet array (13). Lighting device claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lens arrangement (11) is arranged laterally offset with respect to the first facet array (13) and / or the second facet array (14) and / or the collimation optics (4) transversely to the main emission direction (H). Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lens arrangement (11) is designed such that the asymmetric light distribution (L2) forms a central area of ​​an overall light distribution (L), wherein the asymmetric light distribution (L2) forms an oblique course of a light / dark boundary (HDG) or a jump of the light / dark boundary (HDG). Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the facets (25) of the first facet array (13) are each cylindrical and / or partially cylindrical in cross-section and of the same size. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the facets (27, 28) of the second facet array (14) are arranged in two different planes, wherein first facets (27) are arranged on a light entry side and second facets (28) are arranged on a light exit side. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first facets (27) of the second facet array (14) have an irregular size and / or shape and that the second facets (28) of the second facet array (14) have a regular size and / or shape. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first facets (27) of the respective pair of facets (26) focus light onto the center of the second facets (28) of the same pair of facets (26). Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that most of the facet pairs (26) of the second facet array (14) are designed such that light emerging from different facet pairs (26) is deflected in different vertical angular ranges (β1, β2, ...βn) to form the respective luminous spots, wherein a limiting ray of the light deflected by the facet pairs (26) coincides with the light / dark boundary (HDG) of the light distribution. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the facets (25) of the first facet array (13) extend in a straight line in the vertical direction in the installation position of the lighting device and the facets (27, 28) of the second facet array (14) extend in a straight line in the horizontal direction in the installation position of the lighting device. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first facets (27) and / or second facets (28) of the second facet array (14) rise wedge-shaped from a base surface and that the elevation of the first facets (27) and / or the second facets (28) relative to the base surface corresponds to a height in the range of 0.03 mm to 0.6 mm. Lighting device according to claim 11, characterized in that the elevation of the second facets (28) of the second facet array (14) is the same and that at least in some areas the inclination of adjacent second facets (28) is different. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the first facet array (13) is arranged behind or in front of the second facet array (14) in the main emission direction (H) and that the collimation optics (4) is arranged behind the first facet array (13) and the second facet array (14) in the main emission direction (H). Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the second facets (28) of the second facet array (14) are designed such that an imaginary light entering the second facets (28) opposite to the main emission direction (H) and parallel is collected in a plane in which the first facets (27) of the respective facet pair (26) are located.

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