OPTICAL DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE HEADLIGHT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an optical device for a motor vehicle headlight for generating a continuously closed light distribution, in particular a daytime running light distribution, a turn signal light distribution and / or a rear light light distribution, which light distribution has a maximum luminous intensity, wherein the optical device comprises the following: Light sources which are configured to emit light in the direction of a light emission direction, collimators which are connected downstream of the light sources in the direction of the light emission direction, wherein a collimator is assigned to a respective light source and is configured to align the light of the light source assigned to the respective collimator parallel to a main emission direction, a light guide body which is connected downstream of the collimators in the direction of the main emission direction, wherein the light guide body has a light entry side into which emitted light from the collimators can be coupled, and a light exit side opposite the light entry side from which the light coupled in via the light entry side exits, wherein the light guide body is configured to project the light directed in parallel by the collimators and coupled into the light guide body via the light entry side in the form of a continuously closed light distribution in the main emission direction in front of the optical device.

[0002] The light guides of an optical device for motor vehicle headlights disclosed in the prior art, which are intended to fulfill a crystal optic, are not capable of producing a continuously closed light distribution that complies with legal standards (for example, in the ECE regulations) while simultaneously maintaining the desired sparkling effect of the crystal optics. EP 2 708 800 A2 or DE 10 2010 013931 A1 or DE 10 2014 218991 A1 disclose various optical devices for motor vehicle headlights.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved optical device. This object is achieved in that the light-guiding body has a light-shaping structure which is formed from a plurality of connected facets, wherein the facets are planar and each have an inclination to the main emission direction, wherein the area vector of a facet, viewed in a correctly installed state of the projection device in a motor vehicle includes a horizontal angle of inclination to the main radiation direction and includes a vertical angle of inclination to the main radiation direction, wherein the inclinations of all facets are distributed such that the horizontal inclination angles and the vertical inclination angles are each distributed around an expected value, wherein the expected value corresponds to the luminous intensity maximum of the light distribution such that light which is coupled into the light guide body or coupled out of the light guide body via facets which have a horizontal and vertical inclination angle corresponding to the expected value forms the luminous intensity maximum of the light distribution, and wherein the light shaping structure forms the light entry side and / or the light exit side of the light guide body, wherein the facets are arranged such that the facets are distributed substantially homogeneously on the light entry side and / or light exit side with respect to their respective inclinations.

[0004] This makes it possible to preserve the sparkling effect of the crystal optics while simultaneously creating a light distribution with a maximum luminous intensity. The resulting light distribution exhibits a uniform, gradual decrease in luminous intensity radiating from the maximum luminous intensity. The light distribution can exhibit isolux lines that are essentially circular or even circularly arranged around the maximum luminous intensity.

[0005] It can be provided that the inclinations of all facets are distributed in such a way that the horizontal inclination angles and the vertical inclination angles are each normally distributed around an expected value.

[0006] It can be provided that the horizontal inclination angles are normally distributed around an expected value equal to 0°.

[0007] It can be provided that the vertical inclination angles are normally distributed around an expected value equal to 0°.

[0008] It can be provided that the facets are arranged relative to one another in such a way that they lie essentially in a common virtual surface, wherein the virtual surface is preferably flat.

[0009] It can be provided that the facets are arranged in a grid-like manner, preferably in rows and columns.

[0010] It can be provided that the projection device comprises additional light sources which are configured to emit light in the direction of an additional light emission direction, wherein at least one additional light source is assigned to a collimator and is configured to couple light into the collimator, wherein preferably the emittable light of the additional light sources has a different color from the light sources.

[0011] It can be provided that the at least one additional light source of a collimator is arranged outside the focal point of the corresponding collimator, so that the additional light emission direction forms a non-zero angle to the light emission direction of the light sources. This creates an additional twinkling effect of the light guide, with the light from the additional light sources being reflected as often as possible in the light guide due to the oblique irradiation into the collimator.

[0012] It can be provided that light parallelized by a collimator is coupled into the light guide body via a group of facets comprising at least two facets into the light guide body and / or coupled out of the light guide body.

[0013] This ensures that the luminous flux that can be generated is used optimally to create the desired light distribution with the maximum luminous intensity while simultaneously achieving the desired sparkling effect of the light guide.

[0014] It can be provided that the size of the facets is distributed in such a way that sizes are each distributed around an expected value, preferably normally distributed.

[0015] This has the advantage of further increasing efficiency, meaning that fewer surfaces need to be aligned to the expected value to produce the desired light distribution.

[0016] It can be provided that the facets are distributed substantially homogeneously in terms of their size on the light entry side and / or light exit side.

[0017] It can be provided that the light-shaping structure forms the light entry side, wherein the facets of the light-shaping structure are arranged in a grid-like manner, preferably in rows and columns, wherein the light exit side is formed from facets, which facets are triangular in shape and have an inclination to the main emission direction, wherein the inclination of the facets of the light exit side are homogeneously distributed, and wherein the facets of the light exit side are arranged such that the facets are distributed substantially homogeneously on the light exit side with respect to their respective inclinations.

[0018] The object is also achieved by a motor vehicle headlight comprising at least one optical device according to the invention.

[0019] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary drawings. Fig. 1a perspective front view of an optical device which is designed to generate a light distribution with a maximum luminous intensity, wherein the optical device comprises a light guide body with a light entry and a light exit side, wherein collimators can couple parallel light from light sources into the light entry side and out of the light exit side of the light guide body, and wherein the light guide body has a light-shaping structure with a plurality of facets, Fig. 2A a perspective rear view of the optical device from Fig. 1 , Fig. 2B a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical device from Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 which is emitted by the optical device Fig. 1 producible light distribution with a maximum luminous intensity, Fig. 4 a schematic sketch of the vertical and horizontal inclination angle of the facets of the light-shaping structure, Fig. 5Aa schematic representation of an exemplary facet in a view from above, Fig. 5B a schematic representation of an exemplary facet in a side view, and Fig. 6 a perspective view of another exemplary light guide body of an optical device.

[0020] In the following figures, unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols denote the same features.

[0021] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is defined by the entire scope of the claims. Individual aspects of the invention or the embodiments may also be taken up and combined with one another. Any reference symbols in the claims are exemplary and serve only to facilitate the readability of the claims, without limiting them.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows an optical device 10for a motor vehicle headlight to produce a continuously closed light distribution 15, in particular a daytime running light distribution, a turn signal light distribution and / or a rear light light distribution, which light distribution has a maximum light intensity 16 has.

[0023] The projection device 10 includes light sources 100, which are designed to emit light in the direction of a light emission direction X1 to emit, as well as collimators 200, which the light sources 100 in the direction of light emission X1 are connected downstream, whereby a collimator 200 one light source each 100 and is set up so that light from the respective collimator 200 assigned light source 100 parallel to a main radiation direction X2 to align, whereby the collimators 200 and light sources 100 in Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 are presented more clearly.

[0024] Furthermore, the optical device comprises 10 a light guide 300, which the collimators 300 in the direction of the main radiation direction X2 is connected downstream, whereby the light guide 300 a light entry side 310, into which light emitted by the collimators 200 can be coupled, and one of the light entry side 310 opposite light exit side 320, from which the light entry side 310 coupled light exits.

[0025] The light guide 300 is designed to transmit the light directed parallel by the collimators into the light guide 300 via the light entry side 310 coupled light in the form of a continuously closed light distribution 15 in main radiation direction X2 in front of the optical device10 to project.

[0026] The term "continuously closed" in this context means that the light distribution has no holes, but is formed continuously, as for example in Fig. 3 by an exemplary light distribution 15 with a maximum light intensity 16 is shown.

[0027] The light guide 300 has a light-forming structure 400 which consists of a multitude of interrelated facets 410 is formed, with the facets 410 each with an inclination to the main radiation direction X2 where the area vector A a facet seen in a correctly installed state of the projection device 10 in a motor vehicle a horizontal angle of inclination β H to the main radiation direction X2 and a vertical inclination angle β V to the main radiation directionX2 This also includes angles of inclination equal to zero.

[0028] Illustrative explanations regarding the horizontal and vertical inclination angles β H , β V are in Fig. 4, Fig. 5A or Fig. 5B shown, where Fig. 5A a horizontal angle of inclination β H shows and Fig. 5B a vertical angle of inclination β V shows. Fig. 4 shows a facet with a horizontal and vertical inclination angle greater than zero, where Fig. 4 also shows an exemplary schematic measuring screen according to ECE guidelines (25m from the vehicle headlight) with angle information drawn on the HH or VV line.

[0029] The inclinations of all facets 410 the light-forming structure 400 are distributed in such a way that the horizontal inclination angles β H and the vertical inclination angles β V are each distributed around an expected value, whereby the light-forming structure 400 In the examples shown in the figures, the light exit side 320 of the light guide 300 However, it is also possible that the light-forming structure 400 the light entry side 310 of the light guide 300, or the light entry side 310 and the light exit side 320 forms. The facets 410 are arranged in such a way that the facets 410 are substantially homogeneous on the light entry side with respect to their respective inclinations 310 and / or light exit side 320 The light beam from a collimator 200 parallelized light couples into the light guide 300 about a group of facets 410 comprising at least two facets 410 into the light guide 300 in and / or out of the light guide 300 out of.

[0030] The expected value corresponds to the maximum luminous intensity 16 the light distribution 15, so that light, which passes through facets having a horizontal and vertical inclination angle corresponding to the expected value, into the light guide body 300 couple in and / or out of the light guide 300 decouple (depending on where the light-shaping structure is arranged), the maximum light intensity 16 the light distribution 15 form.

[0031] The facets 410 the light-forming structure 400 are evenly formed, whereby the inclinations of all facets 410 in the examples shown are distributed in such a way that the horizontal inclination angles β H and the vertical inclination angles β V are each normally distributed around an expected value, with the horizontal inclination angles preferably β H are normally distributed around an expected value equal to 0°, and preferably the vertical inclination angles β V are normally distributed around an expected value equal to 0°.

[0032] In addition, the size of the facets 410 be distributed in such a way that variables are each distributed around an expected value, preferably normally distributed, with the facets 410 in terms of their size essentially homogeneous on the light entry side 310 and / or light exit side 320 are distributed.

[0033] The facets 410 are furthermore arranged in such a way that they essentially lie in a common virtual surface, whereby the virtual surface is flat, as for example in Fig. 1 or Fig. 6 is evident.

[0034] In the example shown in Fig. 6 are the facets 410In contrast to the examples in the other figures, they are arranged in a grid-like manner, so that the facets 410 arranged in rows and columns.

[0035] Furthermore, the projection device includes 10 Additional light sources 110, which are designed to emit light in the direction of an additional light emission direction X3 to emit, whereby at least one additional light source 110 a collimator 200 assigned and is set up to direct light into the collimator 200 to couple, whereby the emittable light of the additional light sources 110 one of the light sources 100 has a different color. Fig. 2B clearly shows the additional light source 110.

[0036] At least one additional light source 110 a collimator 200 is outside the focal point of the corresponding collimator 200arranged so that the additional light emission direction X3 an angle other than zero to the light emission direction X1 the light sources 100 includes, as also in Fig. 2B can be seen.

[0037] In a further embodiment, which is not shown in the figures, the light-forming structure 400 the light entry side 310, where the facets 410 the light-forming structure 400 are arranged in a grid, preferably in rows and columns, with the light exit side 320 is formed from facets, which facets are triangular in shape and have an inclination to the main radiation direction X2 wherein the inclination of the facets of the light exit side is homogeneously distributed, and wherein the facets of the light exit side 320are arranged such that the facets are substantially homogeneous on the light exit side with respect to their respective inclinations 320 are distributed. However, the above also applies to this embodiment. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0038] Optical device 10 Light distribution 15 Maximum luminous intensity 16 light sources 100 Additional light sources 110 Collimators 200 Light guide body 300 Light entry side 310 Light exit side 320 Light-shaping structure 400 facets 410 Horizontal tilt angle β H Vertical tilt angle β V Area vector A Light emission direction X1 Main radiation direction X2 Additional light emission direction X3

Claims

1. Optical device (10) for a motor vehicle headlamp for generating a continuously closed light distribution (15), in particular a daytime running light distribution, a direction indicator light distribution and / or a rear light distribution, which light distribution has a maximum light intensity (16), the projection device (10) comprising the following: - Light sources (100) which are configured to emit light in the direction of a light emission direction (X1), - collimators (200) which are connected downstream of the light sources (100) in the direction of the light emission direction (X1), a collimator (200) being assigned in each case to a light source (100) and being set up to align the light of the light source (100) assigned to the respective collimator (200) parallel to a main emission direction (X2), - a light guide body (300), which is connected downstream of the collimators (300) in the direction of the main emission direction (X2), the light guide body (300) having a light inlet side (310), into which radiated light from the collimators (200) can be coupled, and a light outlet side (320), which is opposite the light inlet side (310) and from which the light coupled in via the light inlet side (310) emerges, wherein the light guide body (300) is configured to project the light, which is directed in parallel by the collimators and coupled into the light guide body (300) via the light entry side (310), in front of the optical device (10) in the form of a continuously closed light distribution (15) in the main emission direction (X2), characterized in that the light guide body (300) has a light shaping structure (400) which is formed from a plurality of contiguous facets (410), the facets (410) being of planar design and each having an inclination with respect to the main emission direction (X2), the surface vector (A) of a facet, as seen in a correctly installed state of the projection device (10) in a motor vehicle, having - includes a horizontal angle of inclination (βH) to the main emission direction (X2) and - includes a vertical angle of inclination (βV) to the main emission direction (X2), wherein the inclinations of all facets (410) are distributed in such a way that the horizontal inclination angles (βH) and the vertical inclination angles (βV) are each distributed around an expected value, wherein the expected value corresponds to the maximum luminous intensity of the light distribution, so that light which is coupled into the light guide body (300) via facets which have a horizontal and vertical angle of inclination corresponding to the expected value or is coupled out of the light guide body (300) forms the luminous intensity maximum of the light distribution, and wherein the light shaping structure (400) forms the light entry side (310) and / or the light exit side (320) of the light guide body (300), wherein the facets (410) are arranged such that the facets (410) are substantially homogeneously distributed on the light entry side (310) and / or light exit side (320) with respect to their respective inclinations.

2. Optical device according to claim 1, wherein the inclinations of all facets (410) are distributed such that the horizontal inclination angles (βH) and the vertical inclination angles (βV) are each normally distributed around an expected value.

3. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the horizontal tilt angles (βH) are normally distributed about an expected value equal to 0°.

4. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vertical tilt angles (βV) are normally distributed around an expected value equal to 0°.

5. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the facets (410) are arranged relative to each other such that they lie substantially in a common virtual surface, preferably wherein the virtual surface is planar.

6. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the facets (410) are arranged in a grid-like manner, preferably arranged in rows and columns.

7. Optical device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the projection device (10) comprises additional light sources (110) which are arranged to emit light in the direction of an additional light emission direction (X3), wherein in each case at least one additional light source (110) is assigned to a collimator (200) and is arranged to couple light into the collimator (200), wherein preferably the emittable light of the additional light sources (110) has a color different from the light sources (100).

8. Optical device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one additional light source (110) of a collimator (200) is arranged outside the focal point of the corresponding collimator (200), so that the additional light emission direction (X3) includes a non-zero angle to the light emission direction (X1) of the light sources (100).

9. Optical device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein light parallelized by a collimator (200) couples into the light guide body (300) via a group of facets (410) comprising at least two facets (410) into the light guide body (300) and / or couples out of the light guide body (300).

10. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the size of the facets (410) are distributed such that sizes are each distributed around an expected value, preferably normally distributed.

11. Optical device according to claim 10, wherein the facets (410) are distributed substantially homogeneously on the light entry side (310) and / or light exit side (320) with respect to their size.

12. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the light shaping structure (400) forms the light entrance side (310), wherein the facets (410) of the light shaping structure (400) are arranged in a grid-like manner, preferably in rows and columns, wherein the light exit side (320) is formed of facets, which facets are triangular in shape and have an inclination to the main radiation direction (X2), wherein the inclination of the facets of the light-emitting side are homogeneously distributed, and wherein the facets of the light-emitting side (320) are arranged in such a way that the facets are essentially homogeneously distributed on the light-emitting side (320) with respect to their respective inclinations.

13. Motor vehicle headlamp, comprising at least one optical device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.