headlights

Abstract

Headlight (20) with a housing (21), a light source (23) provided in a cavity (22) of the housing, a front face (24) on the light output side of the headlight (20) and a filter (10) provided on the light output side of the headlight (20), wherein the filter (10) has a glazing (14) which is at least partially a tintable glazing (smart glass) whose light transmission can be changed by applying an electrical voltage, and has a frame (12) to which the glazing (14) is fixed, wherein an electrical voltage can be applied to the filter (10) to change the light transmittance of the tintable glazing (14), wherein the glazing (14) of the filter (10) has at least two areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3), wherein at least one of the areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) has the tintable glazing and wherein each area of ​​the glazing (14) of the filter (10) with tintable glazing can be supplied with electrical voltage independently, so that by selectively applying the voltage to the areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) with tintable glazing these can be tinted independently of each other.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a headlight, in particular for professional lighting technology, with a filter having a variably tintable or frosted glazing (also known as smart glass) which can be continuously transparent or opaque or colored. State of the art

[0002] Spotlights for event technology, such as PAR (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector), floodlights, Fresnel or profile spotlights, and strobes, are known. It is also known to attach optical filters to such spotlights, which, for example, have tintable glass whose light transmission can be changed by applying an electrical voltage (smart glass, intelligent glass, switchable glass). Such filters can be permanently installed in the spotlight housing or they can be detachably and interchangeably attached to the housing. This allows different optical effects to be achieved with the spotlight as needed by attaching various filters, possibly also combinations of filters and / or other optical elements, thus making the spotlight as versatile as possible.

[0003] It is known to manufacture optical filters for headlights from so-called SmartGlass, i.e., a glazing whose tint can be variably changed by applying a voltage. Such a filter and associated headlight are described, for example, in DE 20 2024 104 851 U1 and DE 202024 106 523 U1. The use of SmartGlass filters on headlights offers the possibility of achieving at least two different lighting effects without changing the filter: one with a tinted or frosted filter and one without tinting or frosting. Object of the invention

[0004] Based on this, it is an object of the invention to provide a headlight that makes it possible to provide several different lighting effects even without changing the filter, and thus to increase the flexibility in the use of the headlight without having to change the filter. Description of the invention

[0005] The above problem is solved by a headlight having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] The invention is based on the idea of ​​creating a headlight that can produce a large number of different lighting effects without changing any filter. This is achieved by using a SmartGlass filter whose tintable glass is divided into several areas or zones that can be controlled independently with regard to creating the SmartGlass effect, i.e., changing the light transmission of the SmartGlass. In other words, a single, continuous pane of tintable glass is divided into several zones or areas. Alternatively, the SmartGlass filter can be switched on and off only in one section of the filter, while a second section does not have SmartGlass but has a fixed, non-adjustable light transmission.In this case, too, the common pane of glazing is divided into several zones or areas which, when the SmartGlass effect is switched off, are visually indistinguishable from one another, so that the pane appears uniform. This allows the SmartGlass effect, e.g., a frosted effect, to be applied to one or more of the filter zones during operation, while one or more other zones remain clear, meaning no SmartGlass effect or a different intensity is applied there. The SmartGlass effect can be, for example, a frosted finish, a tinted color, continuously variable light transmission, etc.

[0007] It is also conceivable to provide different types of SmartGlass effect on the tintable glazing in different zones. However, tintable glazing is preferred for the filter area, which has several zones in which the same SmartGlass effect can be switched on or off, or continuously adjusted.

[0008] The switching on and off of the SmartGlass effect, as well as its stepless adjustment if applicable, is triggered by applying an electrical voltage. In the headlight according to the invention, the voltage can be selectively applied to the individual areas or zones of the filter, so that it is possible to have a SmartGlass effect in a first area of ​​the tintable glazing of the filter, while simultaneously having no SmartGlass effect (clear glazing) or a SmartGlass effect different from the first area, e.g., a different level or intensity of light transmission, in an adjacent second area.

[0009] Preferably, the filter has at least two areas with tintable glazing that can be controlled and supplied with voltage separately. More preferably, the entire filter, or substantially the entire filter, has tintable glazing that is divided into several separately controllable and voltage-supplied areas.

[0010] Additionally, areas can be provided that do not have tintable glazing but rather non-variable glazing, in particular glazing whose light transmission is not adjustable.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the headlight filter is essentially circular, and the areas comprise a central circular region and at least one adjacent and concentric ring. This allows for particularly interesting lighting effects, especially when the SmartGlass effect is a frosted effect.

[0012] Alternatively, for example, in an essentially circular configuration of the filter, a central circular area and several areas designed as ring segments and extending radially outwards from the central circular area can be provided.

[0013] In another alternative embodiment, the filter comprises one or more polygonal regions. For example, a central polygonal region can be provided in a substantially circular filter. In yet another alternative embodiment, further polygons can extend radially outward from the central polygonal region at one or more edges of the central polygon, forming a smart glass area. The polygons can also have rounded or curved edges, for example, to conform to the outer edge of the filter. Such additional polygons with rounded edges are particularly preferred as further polygons extending outward from a central polygon.

[0014] In an alternative preferred embodiment, the headlight has a filter with strip-shaped areas, e.g., two, three, four, or five parallel strips. This is particularly preferred when the filter has a substantially rectangular shape. Various lighting effects can also be achieved with this configuration. It is especially preferred that the strip-shaped areas run substantially parallel to one of the edges of a substantially rectangular filter.

[0015] However, the geometric design of the tintable glazing areas can be chosen independently of the shape of the entire tintable glazing and / or the shape of the filter (e.g., strip-shaped areas can be provided on an essentially circular tintable glazing) and a wide variety of geometric shapes can be provided for the individual areas, in addition to the aforementioned rectangles, circles and polygons, also squares or any freeform surface shape.

[0016] In all cases, the entire tintable glazing can be divided into separately controllable and voltage-supplied areas, or additional or alternative areas can be provided that do not have tintable glazing but a non-adjustable light transmission.

[0017] The filter is preferably permanently attached to the headlight and therefore cannot be replaced during operation. This allows for a simple and reliable power supply for the SmartGlass areas of the filter. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to attach the filter to the headlight in a removable manner, which offers even greater flexibility in the use of the headlight and the lighting effects achievable with it – especially if, for example, filters can be provided and attached to the headlight whose SmartGlass zones have different geometric configurations.

[0018] Advantageously, the headlight is equipped with a control system for selectively controlling the power supply to the areas of the tintable glazing of the filter. Brief description of the characters

[0019] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a filter for a headlight with tintable glazing (smart glass) in a first embodiment; and Fig. 2 a second embodiment of a headlight with a removable filter, wherein the filter is removed from the headlight. Description of preferred embodiments

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a filter 10 with a frame 12 which, according to this embodiment, has a substantially rectangular geometry. The filter 10 is mounted on a headlight (in Fig. (1 not shown) can be attached to the light-emitting side of the headlight (i.e., it can be designed to be removable from the headlight by the user) or alternatively, it can be permanently connected to a headlight so that the user cannot replace it. A glazing 14 is enclosed within the frame 12.

[0021] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, according to this embodiment, the glazing 14 has three strip-shaped areas 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, each designed as an area with tintable glazing (smart glass) 14, so that the light transmission properties of the areas can be changed by applying an electrical voltage. The areas 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 are separated by a grayed surface in Fig. The differences are indicated in section 1, but are generally not visually distinguishable or delineated from one another on the glazing 14 of filter 10 when the SmartGlass effect is not activated. This means that when the SmartGlass effect is not activated, the glazing 14 appears uniform and continuous. For example, a frosted effect can be switched on or off by applying an electrical voltage, a (continuous) tint can be achieved, or a frosted glass effect can be switched on or off.

[0022] As further in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the strip-shaped areas 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 in this embodiment run essentially parallel to a longitudinal edge of the frame 12 of the filter 10 and divide the glazing 14 of the filter 10 into essentially three equally sized strip-shaped areas or zones. Both the number of areas 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 and their geometric design can vary and are not limited to the embodiments described here.

[0023] To areas 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the electrical voltage for changing the properties of the tintable glazing 14 can be applied individually and independently of the adjacent areas. For example, during operation, an electrical voltage can be applied simultaneously to area 14-1 and area 14-3, thus triggering, for example, a frost effect there, while no electrical voltage (or a voltage with reverse polarity) is applied to area 14-2, and therefore no SmartGlass effect is present there. For this purpose, the filter 10 has an individual voltage supply for each of the areas 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3, which can be controlled by a controller provided on a spotlight or in an external system. Thus, by applying a voltage with the appropriate polarity to each of the areas 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3, the SmartGlass effect can be individually activated or deactivated during operation.

[0024] Alternatively, instead of all areas 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 of the glazing 14 of the filter 10 having tintable glazing 14, i.e., SmartGlass, it is also possible that one or more of the areas 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 do not have tintable glazing but have glazing with fixed light transmission properties, as long as at least two areas are provided, at least one of which has tintable glazing (Smart Glass, intelligent glass, switchable glass).

[0025] Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a headlight 20 according to the invention with a housing 21 and a light source provided in a cavity of the housing 21. Fig. Figure 2 further shows a connection area provided on the housing 21 on the light exit side for the removable mounting of one or more filters 10.

[0026] According to the in Fig. The headlight 20 and filter 10 shown are filter 10, unlike in the one shown in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the glazing is essentially circular and has a glazing 14 with two SmartGlass areas 14-1, 14-2 (shown as a grayed area in Figure 1). Fig. 2 indicated). The area 14-1 is circular and centrally located on the glazing 14 of the filter 10, the area 14-2 extends radially outwards from the area 14-1 as a circular ring. As in connection with Fig. As described in section 1, each of the areas 14-1, 14-2 also has an individual power supply that can be controlled in such a way that the SmartGlass effect can be switched on and off individually in each of the areas 14-1, 14-2.

[0027] The filter 10 according to the embodiment according to Fig. 2 can be detachable, as shown, meaning that a user can replace filter 10 with another filter during operation. Alternatively, filter 10 can also be permanently connected to the housing 21 of the headlight 20, so that it cannot be removed from the headlight 20 by the user.

[0028] The further features of the embodiment according to Fig. 2 are in accordance with those of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and will therefore not be repeated here.

[0029] Even in the embodiment according to Fig. Alternatively, only one of the areas 14-1 and 14-2 can be fitted with tintable glazing, while the other of the areas has non-changeable glazing.

[0030] It is explicitly emphasized that all features disclosed in the description and / or the claims are to be considered separate and independent of one another for the purposes of the original disclosure as well as for the purpose of limiting the claimed invention, irrespective of the combinations of features in the embodiments and / or the claims. It is explicitly stated that all range specifications or specifications of groups of units disclose every possible intermediate value or subgroup of units for the purposes of the original disclosure as well as for the purpose of limiting the claimed invention, in particular also as a boundary of a range specification. Summary:

[0031] A headlight (20) comprises a housing (21), a light source (23) provided in a cavity (22) of the housing, a front face (24) on the light-emitting side of the headlight (20), and a filter (10) provided on the light-emitting side of the headlight (20). The filter (10) has a glazing (14) which is at least partially tintable (smart glass) and whose light transmission can be changed by applying an electrical voltage. The filter (10) further comprises a frame (12) to which the tintable glazing (14) is fixed. An electrical voltage can be applied to the filter (10) to change the light transmission of the tintable glazing (14).The glazing (14) of the filter (10) has at least two areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3), wherein at least one of the areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) has the tintable glazing and each area of ​​the filter (10) with tintable glazing (14) can be supplied with electrical voltage independently, so that by selectively applying the voltage to the areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) with tintable glazing these can be tinted independently of each other. Reference symbol list 10 filters 12 frames 14 Glazing 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 tintable areas of the glazing 20 headlights 21 cases 24 Front QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2024 104 851 U1

[0003] DE 202024 106 523 U1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Headlight (20) comprising a housing (21), a light source (23) provided in a cavity (22) of the housing, a front face (24) on the light output side of the headlight (20) and a filter (10) provided on the light output side of the headlight (20), wherein the filter (10) has a glazing (14) which is at least partially a tintable glazing (smart glass) whose light transmission can be changed by applying an electrical voltage, and has a frame (12) to which the glazing (14) is fixed, wherein an electrical voltage can be applied to the filter (10) to change the light transmittance of the tintable glazing (14), wherein the glazing (14) of the filter (10) has at least two areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3), wherein at least one of the areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) has the tintable glazing and wherein each area of ​​the glazing (14) of the filter (10) with tintable glazing can be supplied with electrical voltage independently, so that by selectively applying the voltage to the areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) with tintable glazing these can be tinted independently of each other. [2] Headlight (20) according to claim 1, wherein at least two areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) are provided with tintable glazing (14) and each of the at least two areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) can be supplied with electrical voltage independently, so that by selectively applying the voltage to the at least two areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) with tintable glazing (14) these can be tinted independently of each other. [3] Headlight (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter (10) is substantially circular and the areas comprise a central circular area (14-1) and at least one concentric ring (14-2) thereto. [4] Headlight (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) are strip-shaped. [5] Headlight (20) according to claim 4, wherein the filter (10) has a substantially rectangular shape. [6] Headlight (10) according to claim 5, wherein the strip-shaped areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) run substantially parallel to one of the edges of a substantially rectangular filter. [7] Headlight (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter (10) can be detachably attached to the headlight (20). [8] Headlight (20) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control for selectively controlling a voltage supply to the areas (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) with the tintable glazing (14) of the filter (10).

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