Frost filter module for a headlight
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE202024107394
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-31
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a frost filter module for a headlight. Furthermore, the invention relates to a headlight with such a frost filter module.
[0002] Frost filter modules are well-known from the state of the art. These filters, also called diffusers, scatter and refract light to increase the effective light emission area. This can, for example, soften or reduce harsh, glare-inducing light.
[0003] The object of the invention is to improve the usability and safety of a frost filter.
[0004] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. The subclaims contain preferred developments of the invention.
[0005] The frost filter module for a headlight has at least one filter disc and at least one frame module. The at least one filter disc is designed as a diffusion filter. This means that the filter disc refracts and scatters the light in order to increase an effective light exit area. The at least one filter disc is mounted on the frame module so that it can move along a direction of movement. The frame module is designed to arrange the frost filter module in an optical path of the headlight such that the direction of movement is oriented transversely to the optical path. In particular, the direction of movement is oriented perpendicular to the optical path. It is therefore possible to move the at least one filter disc along the direction of movement into the optical path in order to create a frost effect, i.e. diffuse light.Likewise, the filter disk can be moved out of the optical path along the direction of movement to prevent a frost effect. In particular, any intermediate position is possible to create a partial frost effect. The frame module can be arranged or positioned fixedly with respect to the optical path, or it can be displaced along the optical path, e.g., on a lens slide.
[0006] The frame module has a rotatably mounted engagement element. The engagement element is, for example, a rotary handle. The engagement element is designed to be rotated by a user. The frame module has a force transmission system designed to transmit force between the engagement element and the filter disc. In this way, the force transmission system is designed to convert a rotation of the engagement element into a translational movement of the at least one filter disc along the direction of movement. This makes it possible to move the filter disc along the direction of movement, completely or partially, into the optical path by rotating the engagement element.
[0007] The frost effect is adjusted entirely manually by the frost filter module. The engagement element allows the user to adjust the frost effect and the degree of the frost effect. The frost effect can be continuously adjusted from no effect, in which the at least one filter disc is positioned outside the optical path, to a complete effect, in which the entire optical path passes through the at least one filter disc. This makes adjusting the frost effect simple, effortless, and intuitive.
[0008] The frost filter module preferably has a first filter disc and a second filter disc. The first filter disc and the second filter disc are each designed as diffusion filters and particularly advantageously have identical properties. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the first filter disc and the second filter disc are movably mounted on the frame module along the same direction of movement. The force transmission system enables the first filter disc and the second filter disc to move in opposite directions to one another, with the two filter discs being movable by the same engagement element. Thus, the position of both filter discs can be adjusted using one engagement element. This ensures optimal adjustment of the frost effect.
[0009] Particularly advantageously, the first filter disc and the second filter disc are movable relative to one another between a first end position and a second end position. In the first end position, the first filter disc and the second filter disc are arranged outside the optical path. In particular, in the first end position, the two filter discs are arranged completely outside the optical path. In the second end position, the first filter disc and the second filter disc are arranged completely in the optical path. This means that the entire optical path, i.e. in particular all of the light emitted by the headlight, runs through at least one of the two filter discs. Between the two end positions, the two filter discs are in particular continuously adjustable. This makes it possible to set a continuously variable frost effect.
[0010] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous that the first filter disc and the second filter disc are arranged offset from one another. In particular, the first filter disc and the second filter disc are arranged at different positions along the optical path. It is preferably provided that the two filter discs at least partially overlap in the second end position with respect to the optical path. In other words, there are regions of the optical path in which the light penetrates both the first frost disc and the second frost disc. The offset arrangement of the two filter discs ensures that the two filter discs cannot collide. This increases the safety of the frost filter module.
[0011] The power transmission system preferably has a belt that runs between two pulleys. The belt is in particular a toothed belt. The belt can be moved by the engagement element. Each filter disc is coupled to the belt. Therefore, movement of one or more filter discs, in particular the described first filter disc and second filter disc, can occur by moving the belt. If in particular two filter discs are present, it is preferably provided that the two filter discs are arranged on the belt in opposite sections, i.e. on different sides with respect to a pulley. This leads to an opposite movement of the two filter discs when the belt is moved. Depending on the direction of movement of the belt, the two filter discs move towards each other or away from each other. The kinematics of the filter discs can therefore be implemented simply and with little effort.Alternatively, the power transmission system could also include other power transmission elements, such as gears or friction wheels or similar.
[0012] The at least one filter disc is preferably fastened to at least one linkage. The linkage is in particular arranged to be movable along a guide rod of the frame module. Preferably, each filter disc is fastened to at least two links, with at least two parallel guide rods being provided for receiving the links. Particularly advantageously, each linkage of a filter disc has its own guide rod. If several filter discs are present, it is preferably provided that each guide rod receives at least two links, with one linkage being fastened to each of the filter discs. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the linkage is fastened to the belt. If several links are provided per filter disc, preferably only one of the links is connected to the belt. Advantageously, all links connected to the belt are mounted on the same guide rod.The connection between the link and the belt is made in particular by form fit and / or friction fit.
[0013] The at least one slide rests, in particular, against a slide stop when the at least one filter disc is located completely outside the optical path. The slides of the two filter discs rest, in particular, against respective slide stops when the first filter disc and the second filter disc are in the first end position.
[0014] In the second end position, the gates attached to different filter discs preferably abut one another. In particular, the gates attached to the first filter disc abut the gates attached to the second filter disc. Thus, the gates form mutual stops that block further movement of the filter discs toward one another. This prevents the filter discs from moving beyond the second end position.
[0015] At least one filter disc is firmly connected to a stop element. The stop element is coupled, in particular immovably, to the filter disc by the connection. Particularly advantageously, the stop element is fastened to a link to which the filter disc is also fastened. Relative movement between the link, filter disc and stop element is thereby avoided or at least minimized. The stop element is designed to prevent movement of another component of the headlight into a range of movement of the filter disc when the filter disc is at least partially arranged in the optical path. The other component is, in particular, a movable optical system of the headlight. It may be necessary for the optical system to be able to be moved into the range of movement of the at least one filter disc, in particular of the two filter discs.In order to avoid the risk of a collision between the other component and the at least one filter disc, provision is made for movement of the other component to be limited by striking the stop element when the at least one filter disc is inserted so far into the optical path that a collision is imminent. Since the stop element is moved together with the filter disc, a simple and reliable securing mechanism is achieved by mechanically blocking the movement of the other component. Alternatively or additionally, the stop element is designed to limit movement of the at least one filter disc by striking another component of the headlight when the other component is located within a range of movement of the filter disc.Analogous to the previously described case, a collision is also avoided if the other component has already moved into the movement range of the at least one filter disc. In this case, the stop element rests against the other component before a collision can occur, thus preventing further movement of the at least one filter disc along the direction of movement. A collision is therefore easily and reliably prevented by mechanical blocking.
[0016] At least one filter disc preferably has a recess that allows another component of the headlight, in particular a movable optical system of the headlight, to engage in a movement area of the filter disc when the filter disc is moved out of the optical path. The recess allows the movement path of at least one filter disc to be reduced so as not to block the movement of the other component.
[0017] The invention further relates to a headlight. The headlight has a light source designed to emit light along an optical path of the headlight. Furthermore, the headlight has a frost filter module as described above. The frost filter module is arranged in the optical path. Preferably, the frame module of the frost filter module is arranged stationary relative to the optical path and / or the light source. Alternatively, the frame module is preferably arranged displaceably along the optical path. In particular, it is not possible to move the frame module out of the optical path. For example, the frame module is firmly attached to a housing of the headlight.
[0018] Particularly advantageously, the headlight has an optical system that is displaceable relative to the frost filter module. At least a portion of the optical system is designed to be moved into the range of motion of the at least one filter disc. Thus, the range of motion of the at least one filter disc and the optical system overlap. As described above, a stop element is particularly advantageously provided to prevent a collision between the at least one filter disc and the optical system.
[0019] Further details, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic illustration of a headlight according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic illustration of a frost filter module according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3 a schematic illustration of the frost filter module according to the embodiment of the invention in a first position, and Fig. 4 a schematic illustration of the frost filter module according to the embodiment of the invention in a second position.
[0020] Fig. 1 schematically shows a headlight 20 according to an embodiment of the invention. The headlight 20 has a light source 17 and an optical system 18, each arranged in a housing 19 of the headlight 20. The light source 17 serves to emit light along an optical path 200 of the headlight 20. The optical system 18 is arranged to be movable relative to the housing 19 and can therefore, in particular, set different zoom levels.
[0021] The headlight 20 also has a frost filter module 1 arranged in the optical path 200. The frost filter module 1 is adjustable and can be operated manually by a user. Movable filter disks 2, 3 are provided for this purpose, which will be explained later. Components of the frost filter module 1 are mounted on the housing 19, allowing the frost filter module 1 to be moved along the optical path 200. The frost filter module 1 always remains arranged in the optical path 200. The optical system 18 is movable relative to the frost filter module 1, in particular along the optical path 200. Provision is made for at least a portion of the optical system 18 to be designed to be moved into the movement range of the filter disks 2, 3.
[0022] Fig. Fig. 2 schematically shows a frost filter module 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, which is used in a headlight 20 according to Fig. 1 can be used. In this exemplary embodiment, the frost filter module 1 has two filter discs 2, 3, a first filter disc 2 and a second filter disc 3. The two filter discs 2, 3 are designed as diffusion filters and, in particular, have identical properties.
[0023] In addition, the frost filter module 1 has a frame module 4. The frame module 4 serves to attach the frost filter module 1 to a component of the headlight 20, in particular to the housing 19 of the headlight 20. The frame module 4 is arranged in a particularly immovable manner relative to the optical path 200 of the headlight 20.
[0024] The first filter disc 2 and the second filter disc 3 are each mounted on the frame module 4 so as to be displaceable along a direction of movement 100. For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiment shown, each filter disc 2, 3 is fastened to two guide rails 10. Each guide rail 10 is arranged so as to be movable along a guide rod 9 of the frame module 4, with the guide rods 9 being oriented parallel to the direction of movement 100. In the exemplary embodiment shown, two guide rods 9 are provided, with two guide rails 10 attached to each guide rod 9, with one of the guide rails being fastened to one of the filter discs 2, 3.
[0025] The mobility of the filter discs 2, 3 allows them to be inserted into and removed from the optical path 200. The filter discs 2, 3 can also be partially inserted into the optical path 200. This allows for the adjustment of a, in particular, continuous, frost effect of the headlight 20. The direction of movement 100 is oriented at least transversely, and in the illustrated embodiment preferably perpendicularly, to the optical path 200.
[0026] The first filter disc 2 and the second filter disc 3 are arranged offset from one another. In particular, the first filter disc 2 and the second filter disc 3 are not located at the same position along the optical path 200, so that the filter discs 2, 3 can overlap with respect to the optical path 200. This prevents, in particular, a collision of the filter discs 2, 3. The movement of the filter discs 2, 3 relative to one another is limited, in particular, only by the abutment of the guides 10.
[0027] In order to move the first filter disc 2 and the second filter disc 3, the frame module 4 has a rotatably mounted engagement element 5. The engagement element 5 is intended for engagement by a user and is designed to be rotated by a user. In addition, the frame module 4 has a force transmission system 6 designed to transmit force between the engagement element 5 and the filter discs 2, 3. In particular, the force transmission system is designed to convert a rotation of the engagement element 5 into a displacement of the filter discs 2, 3 along the direction of movement 100. This allows the filter discs 2, 3 to be displaced wholly or partially into the optical path 200. The force required for this is applied by the user applying a torque to the engagement element 5. A separate actuator is not necessary.
[0028] The power transmission system 6 comprises a belt 7, which is in particular a toothed belt. The belt 7 is arranged between two pulleys 8. One of the pulleys 8 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an intermediate pulley 14, wherein the intermediate pulley 14 is connected to the engagement element 5 by an intermediate belt 15. Thus, rotation of the engagement element 5 by a user can lead to a movement of the belt 7 running between the pulleys 8.
[0029] Each filter disc 2, 3 is coupled to the belt 7. In the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved by coupling a respective link 10, which is connected to the first filter disc 2 and to the second filter disc 3, to the belt 7. For example, the respective link 10 is fastened to the belt 7 by positive locking and / or frictional locking. The coupling of the respective links 10 to the belt 7 occurs at different sections of the belt 7, so that the first filter disc 2 and the second filter disc 3 can move opposite to each other along the direction of movement 100 of the power transmission system 6.
[0030] By rotating the engagement element 5, the first filter disc 2 and the second filter disc 3 are movable relative to each other between a first end position and a second end position. The first end position is in Fig. 3, wherein in the first end position the first filter disc 2 and the second filter disc 3 are arranged outside, in particular completely outside, the optical path 200. The second end position is shown in Fig. 4, wherein the first filter disc 2 and the second filter disc 3 are arranged completely within the optical path 200. As previously described, the first filter disc 2 and the second filter disc 3 overlap in the second end position.
[0031] In the first end position, the gates 10 rest against gate stops 16. The gate stops 16 limit the movement of the gates 10 and thus of the filter discs 2, 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the gate stops 16 also serve as a holder for the guide rods 9.
[0032] In the second end position, the gates 10 connected to the first filter disc 2 rest against the gates 10 connected to the second filter disc 3. This, in turn, limits the mobility of the gates 10 and thus of the filter discs 2, 3.
[0033] In both the first end position and the second end position, a user cannot rotate the engagement element 5 any further, since further movement of the filter discs 2, 3 toward or away from each other along the direction of movement 100 is blocked. This provides an easily recognizable end of the range of motion for the user.
[0034] At least one filter disk 2, 3 is firmly connected to a stop element 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this is achieved in that the stop element 11 is attached to a link 10 of the first filter disk 2. The stop element 11 is provided to prevent a collision of the filter disks 2, 3 with the optical system 18. Thus, the stop element 11 is designed to limit a movement of the optical system 18 and to prevent the optical system 18 from colliding with one of the filter disks 2, 3 when the filter disks 2, 3 are at least partially inserted into the optical path 200. The optical system 18 is designed to be moved into the range of movement of the filter disks 2, 3. If the filter disks 2, 3 are in the first end position, there is no risk of a collision.The filter discs 2, 3 additionally have recesses 2a, 3a, which allow the optical system 18 to engage the movement range of the filter discs 2, 3 without collision. However, if the filter discs 2, 3 are partially or completely arranged in the optical path 200, there is a risk of collision with the optical system 18. In this case, the stop element 11 serves as a stop for the optical system to limit movement of the optical system and prevent a collision of the optical system 18 with the filter discs 2, 3.
[0035] The stop element 11 also serves as a stop for the filter disks 2, 3. The stop element 11 is designed to limit the movement of the filter disks 2, 3 by abutting against the optical system 18 when the optical system 18 is already within the range of movement of the filter disks 2, 3. Thus, a collision between the filter disks 2, 3 and the optical system 18 is prevented in this case as well. This always avoids a collision, regardless of which component is moving.
[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the frame module 4 has a holding plate 12. The holding plate 12 serves as a support and is provided with an opening 21 through which the optical path runs.
[0037] In addition to the above written description of the invention, reference is hereby explicitly made to the graphic representation of the invention in the figures for its supplementary disclosure. List of reference symbols 1 frost filter module 2 first filter disc 3 second filter disc 4 frame module 5 Attack element 6 Power transmission system 7 belts 8 pulleys 9 guide rods 10 backdrop 11 Stop element 12 Base plate 13 Slide stop 14 Intermediate pulley 15 intermediate belts 16 Slide stop 17 Light source 18 optical system 19 housings 20 headlights 21 Opening 100 Direction of movement 200 optical path
Claims
[1] Frost filter module (1) for a headlight (20), the frost filter module (1) comprising • at least one filter disc (2, 3) designed as a diffusion filter, • at least one frame module (4) on which the filter disc (2, 3) is mounted displaceably along a direction of movement (100), • wherein the frame module (4) is designed to arrange the frost filter module (1) in an optical path (200) of the headlight (20) such that the direction of movement (100) is oriented transversely to the optical path (200), • wherein the frame module (4) has a rotatably mounted engagement element (5) which is designed to be rotated by a user, • wherein the frame module (4) has a force transmission system (6) which is designed to transmit force between the engagement element (5) and the filter disc (2, 3) in order to move the filter disc (2, 3) along the direction of movement (100) completely or partially into the optical path (200) by rotating the engagement element (5). [2] Frost filter module (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a first filter disc (2) and a second filter disc (3), each designed as a diffusion filter, in particular with identical properties, wherein the first filter disc (2) and the second filter disc (3) are mounted on the frame module (4) so as to be movable along the direction of movement (100) and are movable in opposite directions to one another by the force transmission system (6). [3] Frost filter module (1) according to claim 2, characterized byin that the first filter disc (2) and the second filter disc (3) are movable relative to one another between a first end position and a second end position, wherein in the first end position the first filter disc (2) and the second filter disc (3) are arranged outside, in particular completely outside, the optical path (200) and wherein in the second end position the first filter disc (2) and the second filter disc (3) are arranged completely in the optical path (200). [4] Frost filter module (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the first filter disc (2) and the second filter disc (3) are arranged offset from one another, wherein the filter discs (2, 3) preferably at least partially overlap in the second end position with respect to the optical path (200). [5] Frost filter module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the power transmission system (6) has a belt (7), in particular a toothed belt, which runs between two pulleys (8) and which is movable by the engagement element (5), each filter disc (2, 3) being coupled to the belt (7). [6] Frost filter module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the at least one filter disc (2, 3) is fastened to at least one link (10), wherein the link (10) is arranged to be movable along a guide rod (9) of the frame module (4), and wherein in particular the link (10) is fastened to the belt (7), especially in particular by form-fitting and / or frictional locking. [7] Frost filter module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one filter disc (2, 3) is firmly connected to a stop element (11) which is designed • to prevent a movement of another component of the headlight (20) into a movement range of the filter disc (2, 3) when the filter disc (2, 3) is at least partially arranged in the optical path (200), and / or, • to limit a movement of the filter disc (2, 3) by resting against another component of the headlight (20) when the other component is located in a movement range of the filter disc (2, 3). [8] Frost filter module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that at least one filter disc (2, 3) has a recess (2a, 3a) which allows engagement of a further component of the headlight (20) in a movement range of the filter disc (2, 3) when the filter disc (2, 3) is moved out of the optical path (200). [9] Headlight (20) comprising a light source (11) designed to emit light along an optical path (200), and a frost filter module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frost filter module (1) is arranged in the optical path (200). [10] Headlight (20) according to claim 9, characterized by an optical system (18) which is displaceable relative to the frost filter module (1), wherein at least a partial region of the optical system (18) is designed to be moved into the movement region of the at least one filter disc (2, 3).
Citation Information
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