Headlight device for a tilting vehicle as well as a tilting vehicle with such a headlight device

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a headlight device having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to a tilting vehicle with such a headlight device.

[0002] Headlight devices for tilting vehicles are known in various embodiments from the prior art. In these devices, light is emitted from at least one light source to illuminate, for example, the section of road in front of the tilting vehicle. The light source is enclosed on one side by a transparent and / or translucent diffuser, through which the light from the light source can pass, and on the other side by an optical housing.

[0003] In known headlight devices, a reflector is arranged in the optical housing on the surface facing the light source, or is formed as a surface section of the optical housing. This causes the light emitted by the light source to be scattered in a multitude of directions. This can lead to unintentional glare for other road users or the operator of the tilting vehicle.

[0004] To prevent unwanted scattering of light emitted from the light source, it is known to create a diaphragm element by gluing on an opaque film or by painting with an opaque dye. Since the diffuser lens can have a complex geometry, applying the diaphragm element to known headlight devices is cumbersome. High demands on aesthetics and optical performance lead to increased assembly effort and a high rate of component rejects.

[0005] Headlight devices of this type are known from DE 10 2004 018876 A1, US 2019 / 0154223 A1, JP 2017 030262 A, EP 2 650 098 A1, FR 2 765 665 A1 and DE 10 2011 015 012 A1.

[0006] Non-conforming headlight devices in which the optical element and the aperture element each comprise separate components are known from JP 2016 134 266 A and JP 2016 115 631 A.

[0007] One object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a headlight device in which stray light exposure can be reduced in a simple manner.

[0008] This problem is solved by a headlight device according to claim 1, i.e., comprising at least one optical housing comprising at least one cavity accessible from the outside via an opening, comprising at least one light source arranged in the cavity of the optical housing through which electromagnetic waves can be emitted in the visible and / or invisible range, comprising at least one cover unit which can be fixed or is fixed to the optical housing, in particular completely, overlapping the opening of the optical housing in order to limit the cavity together with the optical housing to the outside, comprising at least one transparent and / or translucent optical element which is optically downstream of the light source and which is optically transparent to the electromagnetic waves of the light source, and which comprises at least one opaque aperture element which is optically opaque to the electromagnetic waves of the light source.wherein the cover unit comprises a common one-piece component formed from an optical element and an aperture element, and with at least one additional aperture, which is formed as a separate component and which is detachably fixed to the aperture element of the cover unit at a distance from the optical element without contact, wherein the aperture element of the cover unit comprises at least one receptacle on the side facing the additional aperture, in which the additional aperture can be arranged with a joining section and aligned with respect to the cover unit.

[0009] Because the cover unit comprises a single, integrated component formed from the optical element and the aperture element, the aperture element can be positioned more precisely on the optical element in terms of arrangement, alignment, and extent. This allows for the simple creation of clean edges, thereby simplifying the reduction of unwanted scattering effects. Furthermore, a subsequent processing step in manufacturing the cover unit—namely, gluing or painting the aperture element—is eliminated.

[0010] Because the cover completely encloses the opening of the optics housing, the light source is entirely shielded from environmental influences. This increases the lifespan of the headlight assembly and reduces the risk of moisture and dirt ingress.

[0011] Because the aperture element of the cover unit includes at least one receptacle on the side facing the additional aperture, in which the additional aperture can be arranged with a joining section and aligned with respect to the cover unit, the additional aperture can be easily arranged in the cavity and positioned and aligned with respect to the cover unit.

[0012] The electromagnetic waves emitted by the light source can include visible light and / or infrared radiation. The latter can functionally support a sensor system of the tilting vehicle.

[0013] The additional aperture allows optical effects to be influenced even before the electromagnetic waves emitted by the light source reach the cover unit.

[0014] Because at least one additional aperture can be positioned or fixed at a distance from the optical element without contact, the additional aperture can be arranged in close proximity to the light source. The additional aperture can cover the cover unit like a mask and expose one or more light windows.

[0015] A tilting vehicle is understood to be bicycles, motorcycles or motorcycle-like motor vehicles, such as motor scooters, in particular two-, three- or four-wheeled motor scooters, scooters, tilting trikes, quads or the like.

[0016] The cover unit can be manufactured easily and cost-effectively if the cover unit comprises a multi-component injection-molded part, especially if the optical element comprises a transparent and / or translucent plastic and if the aperture element comprises an opaque plastic.

[0017] Because the cover unit comprises a multi-component injection-molded part, the optical element and the aperture element can be optimally aligned directly during the injection molding process, i.e., when the plastic is injected into the molds, resulting in high-quality edges. This improves the optical performance and accuracy of the headlight assembly.

[0018] The transparent and / or translucent plastic and / or the opaque plastic can, for example, include polycarbonate (PC).

[0019] In principle, it is conceivable that the cover unit comprises only a disc that is essentially flat and lies in a plane. However, in embodiments of the headlight device, it is preferred if the cover unit, in particular the transparent and / or translucent optical element, comprises a free-form optic.

[0020] By shaping the cover unit as a freeform optical element, the optical effect of the transparent and / or translucent optical element can be further improved, and a visually appealing exterior can be achieved. Furthermore, the headlight assembly can be improved in terms of aerodynamics.

[0021] For example, the optical element can include, in whole or in part, a light-exit window through which electromagnetic waves from the light source can pass essentially unimpeded and without refraction. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the optical element, in whole or in part, acts like a lens, prism, or reflector, thereby enabling the electromagnetic waves from the light source to be deflected.

[0022] In one embodiment of the headlight device, it is provided that the transparent and / or translucent optical element completely covers the opening of the optical housing and that the aperture element is fixed to the optical element section by section, forming at least one viewing window.

[0023] If the transparent and / or translucent optical element completely covers the opening of the optical housing, the cavity can be completely enclosed by the optical element in the position of the cover unit on the optical housing. In this case, the transparent and / or translucent optical element can form the supporting structure of the cover unit. Because the aperture element is fixed to the optical element in sections, forming at least one viewing window, it can be ensured that light from the light source passes through the cover unit.

[0024] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it proves advantageous if the aperture element is arranged to surround at least one edge section of the optical element facing the optical housing, either section by section or in its entirety.

[0025] This makes it easy to prevent scattering effects towards the driver.

[0026] Furthermore, embodiments of the headlight device are conceivable in which the aperture element is arranged on the side of the optical element facing the light source or in which the aperture element is arranged on the side of the optical element facing away from the light source. If the aperture element is arranged on the side of the optical element facing the light source, scattering or deflection of the electromagnetic waves passing through the optical element can be reduced. If the aperture element is arranged on the side of the optical element facing away from the light source, the aperture element is better protected against overheating caused by the light source.

[0027] In particular, if the aperture element is arranged on an edge section of the optical element facing the optical housing and completely encircling it, it proves advantageous if the cover unit with the aperture element can be fixed or fixed to the optical housing in a position abutting the optical housing.

[0028] In this case, the optical element can comprise a rigid plastic with enhanced optical properties that is only plastically deformable. The aperture element can comprise an elastic plastic and, by contacting the optical housing, create an inherent seal between the cover unit and the optical housing.

[0029] The technical operation of the headlight device can be further improved if the optical housing includes at least one reflector element that comprises a section of the optical housing and forms a common component with the optical housing and / or includes a component separate or separable from the optical housing that is detachably or indetachably fixed to the optical housing.

[0030] Furthermore, embodiments of the headlight device are conceivable in which at least one area of ​​the optical element of the cover unit and / or the aperture element of the cover unit forms a reflector element. It is also conceivable that areas of the additional aperture are designed as reflector elements.

[0031] Finally, the problem is solved by a tilting vehicle with a headlight device according to claim 1.

[0032] The drawing shows: Figure 1: A perspective front view of an embodiment of the headlight device; Figure 2: A rear view of the headlight device according to Figure 1 Figure 3: A detailed view of an arrangement of an additional aperture on an aperture element of the cover unit.

[0033] The figures show an embodiment of a headlight device for a tilting vehicle, designated overall by reference numeral 2 (not shown in the figures). The headlight device 2 comprises at least one optical housing 4, which includes at least one cavity 6 accessible from the outside via an opening. A light source (not shown in the figures) is arranged in the cavity 6 of the optical housing 4. The light source can emit electromagnetic waves in the visible and / or invisible range, in particular light or infrared radiation.

[0034] Furthermore, the headlight assembly 2 includes a cover unit 8, which is fixed to the optics housing 4, completely covering the opening of the optics housing 4. Together with the optics housing 4, the cover unit 8 completely encloses the cavity 6 to the outside.

[0035] The cover unit 8 comprises a transparent and / or translucent optical element 10, which, in the embodiment shown in the figures, completely covers the opening of the optical housing 4. The optical element 10 is optically downstream of the light source and is optically transparent to electromagnetic waves from the light source.

[0036] Furthermore, the cover unit 8 comprises an opaque aperture element 12, which is optically opaque to the electromagnetic waves of the light source. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the aperture element 12 is arranged on an edge section facing the optical housing 4, partially overlaps the optical element 10, and forms two viewing windows 14. In the embodiment of the headlight device 2 shown in the figures, the cover unit 8 is formed by a single, integrated component consisting of the optical element 10 and the aperture element 12. Here, the optical element 10 and the aperture element 12 comprise several plastic components that form the cover unit 8 using a multi-component injection molding process.

[0037] The figures show an embodiment of the headlight device 2 in which an additional aperture 16 is provided, which is arranged in the cavity 6 and is designed as a separate or separable component. The additional aperture 16 is fixed to the aperture element 12 of the cover unit 8 and spaced apart from the optical element 10 without contact.

[0038] To fix the additional aperture 16 on the aperture element 12, the aperture element 12 includes a receptacle 18 in which the additional aperture 16 can be arranged with a joining section 20 and aligned with respect to the cover unit 8. Reference symbol list

[0039] 2 Headlight device 4 Optic housing 6 Cavity 8 Cover unit 10 Optical element 12 Cover element 14 Viewing window 16 Additional cover 18 Receptacle 20 Joining section

Claims

1. Headlight device (2) for a vehicle with at least one optical housing (4), which comprises at least one cavity (6) accessible from the outside via an opening, with at least one illuminant arranged in the cavity (6) of the optical housing (4), by means of which electromagnetic waves in the visible and / or invisible range can be emitted, with at least one cover unit (8), which can be fixed or is fixed to the optical housing (4) overlapping the opening of the optical housing (4), in particular in its entirety, in order to delimit the cavity (6) towards the outside together with the optical housing (4), which comprises at least one transparent and / or translucent optical element (10), which is optically arranged downstream of the illuminant and which is optically transmissive for the electromagnetic waves of the illuminant, and which comprises at least one opaque aperture element (12), which is optically impermeable for the electromagnetic waves of the illuminant, wherein the cover unit (8) comprises a common one-piece component formed from optical element (10) and aperture element (12), characterized by at least one additional aperture (16) arranged in the cavity (6), which is formed as a separate component and which is detachably fixed to the aperture element (12) of the cover unit (8) spaced apart from the optical element (10) without contact, wherein the aperture element (12) of the cover unit (8) comprises on the side facing the additional aperture (16) at least one receptacle (18), in which the additional aperture (16) is arranged with a joining section (20) and is aligned with respect to the cover unit (8).

2. Headlight device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover unit (8) comprises a multi-component injection-moulded part, in particular that the optical element (10) comprises a transparent and / or translucent plastic and that the aperture element (12) comprises an opaque plastic.

3. Headlight device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover unit (8), in particular the transparent and / or translucent optical element (10), comprises a free-form optical system.

4. Headlight device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transparent and / or translucent optical element (10) overlaps the opening of the optical housing (4) in its entirety and that the aperture element (12) is fixed to the optical element (10) in sections and forming at least one viewing window (14).

5. Headlight device (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the aperture element (12) is arranged at least on an edge section of the optical element (10) facing the optical housing (4), surrounding the edge section in sections or in its entirety.

6. Headlight device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aperture element (12) is arranged on the side of the optical element (10) facing the illuminant or on the side of the optical element (10) facing away from the illuminant.

7. Headlight device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover unit (8) with the aperture element (12) can be fixed or is fixed to the optical housing (4) resting against the optical housing (4).

8. Tilting vehicle with a headlight device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7.