Headlight arrangement for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a headlight arrangement (1) for a vehicle, wherein the headlight arrangement (1) comprises a plurality of lighting modules. The invention is characterised in that at least one first lighting module (3) is provided with a flap unit (4), wherein the flap unit (4) can expose or cover the first lighting module (3), and wherein at least one second lighting module (5) is arranged in an uncovered manner independently of the flap unit (4).

Description

[0001] Headlight arrangement for a vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a headlight assembly for a vehicle. Known headlight assemblies comprise at least one lighting module, but preferably a plurality of lighting modules. Since the lighting modules are visible on an exterior surface of the vehicle, they serve not only their lighting function but also design purposes.

[0003] To achieve the desired vehicle appearance, the design of the headlight arrangements is crucial. The vehicle's appearance can be described as a signature. Therefore, there are various options for the design of the headlight modules.

[0004] DE 102019 007 708 A1 discloses a headlight with a cover. The cover consists of an upper and a lower cover element, allowing the light-emitting surface of a headlight to be covered. The cover elements are pivotally mounted and each equipped with a drive unit. This allows the cover elements to be mechanically moved into a closed and an open position. The design of the vehicle can be influenced by the different arrangement of the cover elements. For example, a kind of "wink" can be realized, allowing communication with vehicles or people outside the vehicle through the cover elements.

[0005] In such known devices, the cover elements must be at least partially open to enable basic use of the headlight. In the closed position, the headlight cannot emit any light that can be detected from outside the vehicle.

[0006] Alternatively, DE 102019 008 729 A1 describes a headlight with a cover, where the cover itself can be converted into an opaque and a transparent state. For example, the cover is not visually recognizable if the body has the same color as the opaque state. Furthermore, the cover and the body merge seamlessly into one another to avoid any noticeable transition. In the transparent state, however, the headlight can be separated from the body. In such known headlights, the cover is therefore integrated directly into the headlight.

[0007] DE 102012 108 772 A1 shows a headlight with an actuatable cover for functional parts of the headlight. The cover consists of a textile element. A similar structure is also known from DE 102012 107 946 A1. Within a headlight, one of the light-emitting elements is covered by an actuator, for example, in the form of a cover or flap that can be rotated about an axis.

[0008] In addition, it is known from the prior art to cover headlights entirely when not in use. In this context, reference can be made, for example, to FR 2 387416 A1, which shows a headlight that is covered entirely by two folding elements rotating around an axis. When the structure is opened, these flaps disappear completely into the interior of the body. A similar structure, in which the flap is only opened and does not completely disappear into the body, is also known from US 2,524,442 A.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a headlight arrangement which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and by which an individual design of the vehicle is not or only slightly impaired.

[0010] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a headlight arrangement having the features in claim 1, and in particular in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims.

[0011] The core of the headlight arrangement according to the invention is formed by at least a first lighting module which is provided with a flap unit, wherein the flap unit can expose or conceal the first lighting module, wherein at least a second lighting module is arranged uncovered, independently of the flap unit. In other words, a movable flap is proposed which cannot cover all of the lighting modules of a headlight arrangement. This is particularly advantageous when a design requirement exists that the lighting modules should only take up a small area on the outer skin of the vehicle. The flap unit can therefore be used to conceal larger-area or generally any lighting modules when they are not in use. In other words, the flap unit can be referred to as a movable flap which can be moved in front of a first lighting module or can expose it.

[0012] Each lighting module can have multiple lighting units, which can be shaped differently. In particular, the lighting units of the second lighting module can be shaped as desired and arranged as desired on the body, since they do not need to be reached by the flap unit. In contrast, the first lighting module is preferably shaped such that the lighting units of the first lighting module are arranged next to one another, so that they can all be reached or covered by the flap unit.

[0013] It is also conceivable to provide several different flap units that can independently expose or cover different lighting units of the first lighting module. Each of the flap units can therefore be designed as provided according to the invention.

[0014] The headlight assembly is designed for a vehicle, wherein the headlight assembly comprises a plurality of lighting modules. Advantageously, in a "normal state," only those lighting modules are visible that are necessary for normal use of the vehicle under daytime conditions. Conversely, lighting modules that are not used continuously can be concealed by the flap unit. The external appearance of the vehicle can therefore be decisively influenced, wherein the vehicle is drivable in the "normal state," particularly when the flap unit is closed, even with the assistance of autonomous driving functions. In particular, daytime running lights, sensors for autonomous driving functions, and, for example, a headlight flasher, cannot be concealed by the flap unit.

[0015] A further advantage is that standard modules can be used for both the low beam and high beam, saving costs because they don't have to be adapted to a specific design or model. Furthermore, the flap unit protects the second light module from contamination and damage. This prevents contamination of the main light function, which includes the low beam required at night, thereby increasing safety. Likewise, additional sensors that are not used during the day can be installed behind the flap unit.

[0016] According to the invention, the flap unit is guided along two opposing guideways. The guideways have a straight section and a curved section. This ensures that the flap unit can be moved completely beneath the body.

[0017] The flap unit can be guided, for example, via pin elements in the respective guideway and moved along the guideway via a drive. The drive can be an electric drive, a pneumatic drive, or a similar type of gear, such as a coupling gear.

[0018] According to an advantageous further development, gear wheels can be used to ensure guidance along the guideways.

[0019] A further advantageous embodiment can provide for the flap unit to be movable completely underneath a body. In this case, the flap unit can be moved parallel to the body, for example. This can be ensured in particular by the shape of the guide tracks along which the flap unit moves. The first lighting module can preferably form a main lighting module which comprises at least a low beam, a high beam, a cornering light and / or an Adaptive Drive Beam. The first lighting module therefore comprises lighting elements which are not used continuously in “normal use”. For example, the low beam is only used from a certain time of day or night. The high beam is also not used continuously. The Adaptive Drive Beam (ADB) is an additional headlight to support a main lighting function. This main lighting function can in particular be the high beam ora so-called partial high beam, which is also called permanent high beam.

[0020] According to a very advantageous development of the idea, the second lighting module can be provided with a daytime running light, a position light, a headlight flasher, a direction indicator and / or an Autonomous Drive System marker light. The second lighting module therefore forms a distinguishing feature of the vehicle design. In contrast to the first lighting module, the second lighting module can be smaller, thus allowing fewer design restrictions. The second lighting module can comprise several lighting units that are arranged independently of one another on the outer skin of the vehicle. An Autonomous Drive System Marker Light (ADS Marker Light) is a light source required for an autonomous driving system. In particular, it can be used to identify or track detected objects even more effectively. Visible light or infrared light can be used.

[0021] The transparent part of the light unit, the lens, may be made of PMMA, which is located behind the flap unit and is not constantly exposed to stone chips. The lens may also be partially made of PMMA.

[0022] The flap unit can be moved outwards or inwards.

[0023] The flap unit can be attached to the body bumper or to the lighting unit.

[0024] According to a very advantageous development of the idea, it can be provided that the flap unit, in a closed position, merges essentially seamlessly into the surrounding outer skin of the vehicle, so that the flap unit does not visually impair the outer skin. As a result, the flap unit, in the closed state, does not impair the vehicle design, so that in particular the area of ​​the first lighting module can be formed from a continuous outer surface in terms of appearance. If the first lighting module is not visibly arranged next to the second lighting module, the focus is only directed to the second lighting module. The design of the vehicle is therefore not impaired by the first lighting module.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that a surface that can be covered by the flap unit is larger than a surface of the second lighting module. In particular, the large-area lighting modules of a main light module can therefore be covered when they are not needed. The main light module is, in particular, a low beam and / or a high beam. Consequently, the flap unit can achieve a design that is, for example, as elegant as possible during the day. Larger headlight surfaces are not visible or can be concealed.

[0026] A further advantageous embodiment may provide for the headlight assembly to be designed as a front headlight or as a rear headlight of the vehicle. Therefore, a rear headlight as well as a front headlight can also be designed with a corresponding flap unit.

[0027] Further advantageous embodiments of the headlight arrangement according to the invention also emerge from the exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0028] The flap unit can be designed with sealing lips to prevent wind noise and the ingress of water, snow and ice.

[0029] Showing:

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of a headlight arrangement;

[0031] Fig. 2 shows another possible embodiment of a headlight arrangement;

[0032] Fig. 3 is a sectional view through a possible embodiment of a headlight arrangement; and Fig. 4 is the sectional view from Fig. 4 in an open state of the flap unit.

[0033] The illustration in Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the headlight assembly 1. The left-hand illustration shows the headlight assembly 1 with the flap unit 4 open, although the flap unit 4 is not visible. The right-hand illustration shows the headlight assembly 1 with the flap unit 4 closed, although the flap unit 4 covers part of the headlight assembly 1. Since the flap unit 4 can visually blend into the outer skin of the vehicle, it is shown in dashed lines.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the headlight assembly 1 comprises a first lighting module 3 and a second lighting module 5, each comprising two lighting units 2. The first lighting module 3 has a larger footprint than the second lighting module 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting modules are arranged one below the other. Another design is also conceivable.

[0035] For example, in an embodiment not shown, the arrangement of the lighting units 2 of each lighting module 3, 5 can be configured as desired. For example, the lighting units 2 of the second lighting module 5 can be provided at a distance from one another and at a distance from the first lighting module 3. This is possible in particular because they do not have to be reached in front of the flap unit 4. For example, the lighting units 2 of the second lighting module 5 can be arranged in a circular formation or similar. In contrast, the lighting units 2 of the first lighting module 3 are preferably arranged closer together in order to be able to be covered by a flap unit 4.

[0036] A further embodiment of the headlight arrangement 1 can be seen in Fig. 2. The same components are provided with the same reference numerals, so that they need not be discussed in detail here. In contrast to Fig. 1, the different lighting functions are shown, which can be hidden behind the first lighting module 3 and the second lighting module 5. For example, the first lighting module 3 can have a low beam 6, a high beam 7, a cornering light 8 and an ADB 9. These can be arranged next to one another or one above the other. The second lighting module 5 can have, for example, a daytime running light 10, a position light 11, a headlight flasher 12, a direction indicator 13 and an ADS marker light 14. All of these lighting units 2 of the second lighting module 5 can be arranged arbitrarily on the outer skin of the vehicle and do not have to be in direct contact with one another. In the right-hand area of ​​the illustration in Fig.2 it can be seen that the lighting units 2 of the first lighting module 3 can be covered by a single flap unit 4.

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a sectional view through a possible embodiment of a headlight assembly 1 with the flap unit 4 closed. The flap unit 4 merges essentially seamlessly into the surrounding outer skin 17 of the vehicle, so that the flap unit 4 visually impairs the outer skin 17 only to a very slight extent. If the first lighting module 3 is not visibly arranged next to the second lighting module 5, the focus is directed only to the second lighting module 5. The design of the vehicle is therefore not impaired by the first lighting module 3.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the flap unit 4 is guided over two opposing guideways 15, whereby the flap unit 4 can be moved beneath a body 16. In the sectional view shown, only one guideway 15 is visible.

[0039] The flap unit 4 can, for example, be guided via two pin elements in the respective guide track 15 and moved along the guide tracks 15 via a drive. In particular, gears 18 can be used to ensure guidance along the guide tracks 15.

[0040] The guide track 15 can have a straight section 15' and a curved section 15". This can ensure, in particular, that the flap unit 4 can be moved completely beneath the body 16, as shown in Fig. 4. The flap unit 4 can be pivoted relative to the outer skin 17 of the vehicle in order to reach beneath the body. This can be ensured, in particular, by the shape of the guide tracks 15 along which the flap unit 4 moves. Toothings 19 can be provided on the curved section 15" of the guide track 15 so that a gearwheel 18 can engage therein. The gearwheel 18 is, in particular, connected to the flap unit 4 so that the flap unit can be moved along the guide track 15 by guiding the gearwheel 18 in the toothing 19.

[0041] Fig. 4 shows the sectional view from Fig. 3 in an open state of the flap unit 4. The flap unit 4 is pivoted relative to the outer skin 17, arranged below the body 16, and is not visible from outside the vehicle. This exposes the first lighting module 3. Since the guide tracks 15 are located next to the first lighting module 3, in particular to its right and left, the lighting units 2 of the first lighting module 3 are not affected by the guide tracks 15.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, it can be seen that the first lighting module 3 and the second lighting module 5 can be arranged in a common housing. Consequently, the flap unit 4 can be arranged such that it covers a part of the housing, namely the part in which the first lighting module 3 is arranged.

[0043] Of course, the described embodiments of the headlight assembly 1 in Figures 1 to 4 can also be combined with one another, thus creating various possibilities. For example, the shape of the guide tracks 15, the shape of the lighting modules 3, 5, and the shape of the flap unit 4 can differ from the illustrated embodiment. This ensures, in particular, that differently shaped first lighting modules 3 can be covered by one flap unit 4 according to the invention.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Headlight arrangement (1) for a vehicle, wherein the headlight arrangement (1) comprises a plurality of lighting modules, wherein at least a first lighting module (3) is provided with a flap unit (4), wherein the flap unit (4) can expose or conceal the first lighting module (3), and wherein at least a second lighting module (5) is arranged uncovered independently of the flap unit (4), characterized in that the flap unit (4) is guided over two opposite guide tracks (15), wherein the guide tracks (15) have a straight section (15') and a curved section (15"), and wherein the flap unit (4) is movable under a body (16).

2. Headlight arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first lighting module (3) forms a main light module which comprises at least one low beam (6), one high beam (7), one cornering light (8) and / or one adaptive drive beam (9).

3. Headlight arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second lighting module (5) has a daytime running light (10), a position light (11), a headlight flasher (12), a direction indicator (13) and / or an Autonomous Drive System marker light (14).

4. Headlight arrangement (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that at least a part of the lens contains a polymethyl methacrylate.

5. Headlight arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on the curved section (15") of the guide tracks (15) toothings (19) for a gear wheel (18) which is connected to the flap unit (4) are provided.

6. Headlight arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flap unit (4) can be moved inwards or outwards.

7. Headlight arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flap unit (4) in a closed position merges substantially seamlessly into a surrounding outer skin (17) of the vehicle, so that the flap unit (4) does not visually impair the outer skin (17).

8. Headlight arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the flap unit includes a lip seal.

9. Headlight arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a surface that can be covered by the flap unit (7) is larger than a surface of the second lighting module (5).

10. Headlight arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the headlight arrangement (1) is designed as a front headlight or as a rear headlight of the vehicle.

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