Rear lamp for a vehicle
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-08
Smart Images
Figure EP2024065969_06032025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Rear light for a vehicle
[0002] The invention relates to a rear light for a vehicle. The rear light is typically designed to display a reversing light and a brake light. For this purpose, the rear light has an outer lens tinted in a red shade.
[0003] For example, if multiple lighting functions are to be represented by the red lens of the rear light, the rear light should still retain a consistently red appearance to the observer. In particular, a specific shade of red with a predefined color number is usually specified for the rear window.
[0004] DE 102018 009248 A1 discloses a light for a motor vehicle with a surface light guide, wherein a graphic composed of areas with different reflectances or colors is arranged on the rear side of the light guide. Coupling structures are provided on the front side, wherein the coupling structures and the graphic have the same graphic pattern and are aligned with one another. This makes it possible to create a visual design that can be perceived as identical by an observer during the day or at night. It can therefore be used as an independent, brand-typical design element that can be integrated into the rear light. However, the disadvantage is that a rear light cannot be expanded with any additional lighting function that is designed differently from a tail light or brake light.
[0005] DE 102019 001 757 A1 describes a light for a vehicle, wherein light from a light source is directed directly or via a reflector onto a lens. The lens is transparent to a first predetermined wavelength range and, when the light source is deactivated, can reflect light into a second, different wavelength range. The light source is designed as a diode and can also emit light in a third wavelength range. After transmission through the lens, the light is converted into a fourth wavelength range. Compared to known lights, the light has a simpler design, requiring less installation space. Likewise, a very homogeneous color distribution can be achieved. With this type of design, cyan light can be emitted directly, which then appears white due to the red-colored rear light.
[0006] A disadvantage, especially with a rear light, is that only one color can be emitted, making it impossible to design different areas in different colors within the red rear light. The only known solution is to provide a transparent functional area for a reversing light, for example, which is partially visible to the viewer within the red rear light. Therefore, the use of a rear light is severely limited in its ability to produce different light colors. Furthermore, this has a significant impact on the design.
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a rear light for a vehicle which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.
[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a rear light for a vehicle 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.
[0009] At the core of the rear light according to the invention, a defined area of the outer pane is formed with a second red color, with the first red color being darker than the second red color. This defined area can be viewed as a functional field in which other colors can be emitted, while maintaining a consistent red appearance when the second functional field of the rear light is inactive.
[0010] The rear light is designed for a vehicle, comprising an outer pane in a first red color and at least one light source arranged behind the pane. Different color schemes can be emitted via the light source, which can then be reproduced in the desired color by the defined area and perceived from the outside. In particular, legal regulations can be complied with; for example, ADS marker lamps can be implemented in cyan light color for identification purposes for autonomous driving.
[0011] A brighter red color has reduced transmission losses compared to a darker red color. The brighter red color is specifically designed so that different light colors, such as yellow, white, or even cyan, shine through this specific bright red color and are recognizable from the outside as the respective color. In particular, this eliminates the need to create three different defined areas for the three different colors within the rear light.
[0012] The defined area is particularly small compared to the total area of the outer pane of the rear light, and can, for example, be 1 / 5 to 1 / 20 of the total area of the outer pane. Furthermore, the defined area can be formed in the lower half of the rear light. Thus, the defined area can also be approximately half the total area of the outer pane.
[0013] In a further embodiment, more than one defined region may be proposed, wherein each defined region may be formed as described.
[0014] Preferably, the defined area can be used to functionally divide the rear light into a first functional field and a second functional field, wherein more than one color can be displayed in the defined area. Thus, a functional field that is clear in the active state can be implemented to display a function within the rear light, wherein the functional field is not visually distinguishable from the rest of the outer lens of the rear light when a function indicator is inactive.
[0015] According to a very advantageous development of the idea, it can be provided that the first red color corresponds to a color number 33780 and / or the second red color corresponds to a Röhm color number 3V125. In particular, the three different light colors such as yellow, white and cyan can shine through the specific red tone light red 3V125 and be recognizable as such by an observer. The color tone and the material-specific transmission properties correspond to those of the manufacturer Röhm GmbH. The material thickness in the respective area of the second specific red tone is designed in such a way that the light from the light source travels a path of 2.5 mm + / - 0.2 mm through the material in order to achieve the desired light color.
[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that a cyan color tone can be displayed in the defined area to indicate an autonomous driving function, and / or a white color tone can be displayed in the defined area to indicate a rear light function, and / or an orange color tone can be displayed in the defined area to indicate a direction of travel function. Thus, different lighting functions can be implemented in one and the same functional area.
[0017] A further advantageous embodiment can provide for the light source to be an RGB LED light source. The LED light source can be adjusted, in particular, in terms of color mixing according to the required functional lighting. The different light colors can be implemented with just one light source.
[0018] According to a very advantageous development of the concept, reflectors can be provided behind the outer pane. This allows for optimized illumination of the rear light by distributing the light over a larger area of the outer pane or over a desired area of the outer pane.
[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the defined area is indistinguishable from a brake light or a tail light in an unlit state and an illuminated state. This is achieved in particular by the two functional surfaces being barely distinguishable from one another visually, only due to a slight color shift, while the functional surfaces differ in such a way that different light colors can shine through. Further advantageous embodiments of the rear light according to the invention for a vehicle also emerge from the exemplary embodiment, which is described in more detail below with reference to the figures.
[0020] Showing:
[0021] Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of a rear light; and Fig. 2 shows representations of different light colors.
[0022] Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the rear light 1 in a sectional view. The largest area of an outer pane 2 is formed from a first red color 3, so that a first functional field for a rear light or a brake light can be formed. Within the outer side 2, a defined area 5 is provided, which is colored in a second red color 6. This makes it possible to create a second functional field within the rear lights 1, which can be used in particular for a signaling function such as a turn signal, a signaling function for autonomous driving, or even for a rear light.
[0023] The defined area 5 is formed within the outer pane 2 of the rear light 1 and, in particular, has a smaller area than the outer pane 2 of the rear light 1. This allows a, in particular small, functional area to be created within the rear lights 1.
[0024] The defined area can have a different geometry and, in particular, can be adapted to the desired function. Furthermore, the defined area 5 can be adapted to the design of the rear light 1. For example, the defined area 5 can be arranged in a lower area of the outer pane 2 and, in particular, can be designed as an elongated rod. This is illustrated schematically in Figure 2 as an example.
[0025] Fig. 2 shows three examples in which different light colors or light functions can be represented in the defined area 5. Fig. 2 (a) shows an example in which an orange color tone can be represented in the function field in the defined area 5. This can be used, for example, to implement a flashing light in the form of a direction indicator in the rear light 1. The different color ranges are shown in the diagram below. Area A stands for green, area B for yellow, area C for red, area D for blue, and area D for cyan. The rectangle shown in dashed lines indicates a wavelength of an output color of the light source. The target color is shown with the circle, whereby the circle lies in the range in which the wavelength lies in the range of the defined area 5 with the second red color tone 6 after transmission through the outer pane 2.Consequently, a color tone can be emitted with the light source that reproduces the appearance of an orange hue after transmission through the defined area 5. This can be achieved, in particular, with a second red hue 6, which is identified by the color number 3V125.
[0026] Fig. 2 (b) shows another example, where a reversing light can be reproduced in white by the defined area 5. Transmission through the second red color 6 results in a shift from the area E (cyan) to the central area, which is assigned to the white color.
[0027] Fig. 2 (c) shows a possibility in which the defined area 5 can be reproduced in cyan, for example, to form an ADS marker lamp in the rear light 1. Only a slight shift occurs, as shown in the diagram below.
[0028] The diagrams in Figure 2 are merely examples, although other starting colors and thus, depending on the color of the defined area 5, other shifts to the target color tone can of course be implemented.
[0029] Advantageously, with the proposed rear light 1, the outer pane 2, in particular the cover pane, can still be manufactured in red or light red with just a few cycles during the production process. The appearance of the rear light 1 remains seamless red, creating an aesthetic appearance that meets the design requirements. The option of combining three light colors in one functional field, in particular, requires less surface area for the light itself. Furthermore, the light requires less installation space. The lighting functions can be arranged more flexibly within the light. The light colors can be achieved, for example, using specifically developed or defined light sources in combination with the "writing red tone" and a certain pane thickness.Advantageously, this allows multiple colors to be displayed without the need for additional mechanical filter elements.
Claims
Patent claims 1. Rear light (1) for a vehicle, comprising an outer pane (2) in a first red color tone (3), and at least one light source (4) arranged behind the pane, characterized in that a defined region (5) of the outer pane (2) is formed with a second red color tone (6), wherein the first red color tone (3) is darker than the second red color tone (6).
2. Rear light (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the defined area (5) creates a functional division into a first functional field and a second functional field within the rear light, wherein more than one color can be displayed in the defined area.
3. Rear light (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first red color tone (3) corresponds to a color number 33780 and / or the second red color tone (6) corresponds to a Röhm color number 3V125.
4. Rear light (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that in the defined area (5) a cyan color tone can be displayed in order to indicate an autonomous driving function and in the defined area (5) a white color tone can be displayed to indicate a rear light function and in the defined area (5) an orange color tone can be displayed to indicate a direction of travel function.
5. Rear light (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the light source (4) is an RGB LED light source.
6. Rear light (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that reflectors are provided behind the outer pane (2).
7. Rear light (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the defined area (5) is indistinguishable from a brake light or a rear light in an unlit state and in an illuminated state.