Traffic light segment having inside for homogeneous overall illumination

Abstract

To provide a segment and a traffic signal capable of transmitting clear and prominent signals.SOLUTION: The present invention proposes a segment S for a visual traffic light, where the inside of a lateral surface 2 has a longitudinal groove structure with at least two rows of indentations in each of first and second illumination areas AB1, AB1, where the rows of valleys and peaks alternate along the line of curvature of the lateral surface, while the valleys and / or peaks are arranged in straight lines parallel to the lateral surface and / or substantially perpendicular, preferably completely perpendicular, to the line of curvature along the inside of the lateral surface. For an improved signal, at least two of the indentations in one of the illumination areas AB1, AB2 have a geometrically different design.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a segment for a visual signal device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a signal device according to the preamble of claim 19. The prior art discloses a signal device in the form of a signal post that is attached to or on a machine, for example, a machine (such as a production machine, for example, a machine tool). The signal post uses visual signals, for example, a green segment for the normal operating state, orange for a more critical state that requires checking (for example, when material replenishment is soon required, when tool replacement is soon required, etc.), and red for a failure, to inform the operating state of the machine. Usually, such a signal post is composed of individual segments arranged side by side or stacked on top of each other. Generally, the signal post has a cylindrical basic shape. Next, its interior includes a light source, for example, a light-emitting diode or an array of light-emitting diodes. The fundamental problem with a light source that is locally placed at a single point inside a diffuser and has only a small radiation surface with respect to the area of the viewing window is that when the light source is clearly switched, the light spot can be seen where the light source is placed or over the range of the radiation cone, while the surrounding area is illuminated but the brightness further decreases as the distance increases. This is very prominent in standard segments from the prior art, and in the case of some domes having a width of several centimeters, only the local light-emitting spot is visible. For this reason, some segments have a regular longitudinal groove structure on the inside or outside of the dome or on the outside of the diffuser. However, the described effect is only inadequately corrected thereby. The associated problem is that the signal emitted by the signal device is sometimes not immediately prominent or not very clearly recognizable.

[0002] The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a segment that enables particularly clear and prominent signal transmission. Using segments and signal lights of the above types as a starting point, the problems are solved by the characteristic features of claims 1 and 19, respectively.

[0003] Advantageous embodiments and developments of the present invention are possible by means mentioned in the dependent claims. The segment according to the present invention is a component for a visual signal light. A segment capable of emitting a visual signal can usually be provided with a dome that is transparent as a viewing window or a housing part, and its surface usually has a smooth form. However, a diffuser can be used inside the dome. It is also conceivable that the dome and the diffuser are designed as a common component or as a single component. For example, the diffuser can have a cylindrical basic shape, and its side surface is made of a transparent material in the visible spectrum range. In principle, the diffuser does not necessarily have an exactly cylindrical design. For example, a frustum of a cone basic shape is also conceivable. Similarly, the dome can have, for example, a cylindrical or frustum of a cone design.

[0004] Generally, the transparent area of the diffuser extends over a range of 360°. However, it is also conceivable that a smaller angular range, for example, only slightly 180°, is included. Furthermore, the segment has a reference plane.

[0005] Usually, a plurality of electronic components of a visual signal element including a light source, or at least some of the plurality of electronic components, are arranged on a printed circuit board, which is arranged perpendicular to the base of the diffuser or the segment. Therefore, such a printed circuit board can extend in the reference plane or parallel to it, for example, slightly offset. The longitudinal axis of the segment, which is also perpendicular to the base and is arranged at its center or the center, can be arranged in the reference plane.

[0006] The visual signal element can emit light from the reference plane. Therefore, the reference plane divides the space into two sides, and one of the signal elements is located on one of the two sides. As a whole, the signal elements can be attached to both sides. The visual signal transmission element often has its own specific radiation angle.

[0007] Within the scope of the present invention, the lateral regions adjacent to the reference plane have generally been recognized as being illuminated to a minimal extent. The reason is that they are located outside the radiation angle and are only indirectly illuminated, which even causes significantly weak illumination.

[0008] The present invention therefore solves the problem of improving the signal so that a more homogeneous overall illumination can be provided. The longitudinal grooves on the inside of the diffuser side can ensure the indirect illumination of the regions inside the diffuser, but only an approximately homogeneous overall illumination inside the diffuser is ensured to an insufficient extent thereby. According to the present invention, this disadvantage is improved by a structure on the inside of the diffuser side that is formed inhomogeneously so that the regions that are hardly illuminated receive stronger indirect illumination.

[0009] The reference plane intersects the side surface at two opposite points, and therefore it includes a number of secant lines passing through the side surface. Considering the perpendicular lines to the reference plane, each of which passes through the center of the secant line, these separate the two illumination regions.

[0010] In the segment according to the present invention, the inside of the side surface is formed in such a way with respect to its surface having a longitudinal groove structure having at least two rows of indentations in each of the first and second illumination regions, and the arrangement of valleys and mountains alternates along the curvature line of the side surface, while the valleys and / or mountains are arranged in a straight line parallel to the side surface and / or substantially perpendicular, preferably completely perpendicular, to the curvature line along the inside of the side surface.

[0011] The curvature lines extend along a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is equally perpendicular to the base of the standard cross-section, i.e., the geometric body, i.e., a cylinder or a truncated cone. However, the segment according to the invention is further distinguished in that at least two of the notches in one of the illumination areas have geometrically different designs. This achieves an anisotropic, angle-dependent reflection of the incident light rays inward, so that, for example, not only the area located at the center of the emission angle range of the signal element and clearly illuminated, but also the peripheral area is supplied with sufficient light by reflection so that the inner diffuser appears to be evenly illuminated. It is particularly advantageous that all the notches have geometrically different designs so that a homogeneous transition of the adapted overall illumination occurs between the individual areas within the diffuser, i.e., there are no steps in brightness with respect to the overall illumination and it can be visually recognized from the outside.

[0012] Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment of the invention is distinguished in that, with respect to its surface, the inner side of the side surface consists of parallel light rays emitted at a specific angle for at least a part of the light from one signal element or a plurality of signal elements, and the light beam extending through the first illumination area and reaching the side surface is reflected to at least a part of the first illumination area and at least a part of the second illumination area.

[0013] The light beam consisting of a plurality of parallel light rays has a certain width. In this case, for example, light beams having a width of at least 10 μm, preferably at least 50 μm, particularly preferably at least 100 μm are considered. The means according to the invention provides light that is very widely distributed within the two illumination areas and the overall illumination can be significantly improved. This is due to the fact that parts of the light capture both illumination areas.

[0014] A light beam consisting of parallel light rays has a certain specific width. The inside of the side surface where the light from the beam is incident is generally adjusted so that a part of the light beam is incident at a slightly different incident angle on the profile of the differently aligned surfaces than on another part that is slightly incident on the profile. A part of the light beam is reflected into an illumination area different from the other parts.

[0015] Advantageously, this is made possible for both a single row of signal elements and an arrangement of a large number of rows. For example, one or more signal elements can be arranged centrally between the side walls. Furthermore, the signal elements can also be arranged on both sides of the central part in the reference plane between the side surfaces, specifically, they can be arranged symmetrically. Different rows are then arranged, for example, in different illumination areas respectively.

[0016] The inside of the side surface can also have edges, and therefore, in this case, there can be a sharp change between differently aligned partial areas. In such an embodiment, the change between the differently aligned surfaces can occur at a higher frequency and with a higher density than when the change between the surfaces is smooth. Furthermore, the manufacturing is generally simpler, that is, the manufacturing cost can also be lower.

[0017] When light rays emitted from the center of the diffuser or from the longitudinal axis are incident on the smooth cylindrical side surface, it seems that they will be incident perpendicular to the surface and ideally retroreflected. When the diffuser has a frustum of a cone shape, the beam will only experience a deflection in the inclined direction or the opposite direction. For a larger absolute value of the incident angle, the beam will experience a stronger lateral deflection within the cross-sectional area of the diffuser to improve the overall illumination.

[0018] The inner side of the side has a stepped structure in the development of the present invention. Each step is composed of an edge and respective rims extending along both sides thereof. The edge extends substantially parallel to the side or perpendicular to the curvature line of the side. When the shape of the side is cylindrical, they extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. If the incident region of the light beam includes the edge, the light beam can thus be reflected in one spatial direction, i.e., to one of the two illumination regions by reflecting to one rim and to a different illumination region by reflecting to the other rim. This can improve the overall illumination.

[0019] As already described, the edge can also be rounded. As a result, the light rays can be deflected over a continuous angular range at the transition, which can also contribute to a more homogeneous overall illumination.

[0020] In a particularly preferred variant embodiment, the rims have different forms. They can have different lengths and / or can be inclined at different angles. Generally, the length of the rim affects the proportion of light reflected in a specific direction. Different inclinations affect the light distribution in space.

[0021] If the rim monotonically grows longer to one side of the substantially parallel edge, an increasing proportion of the light is deflected to the region in the direction where the rim also grows longer. For example, as a result of the light emission from the signal element, if it is simply assumed that a weaker overall illumination is in the peripheral region directly adjacent to the reference plane, more of the reflected light can reach this region for the purpose of a more homogeneous overall illumination.

[0022] Accordingly, the surface alignment, i.e., their angular positions associated with each incident light ray, can also change, so that the incident angle specifically increases or decreases in one direction along the side surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the steps can be designed such that the light rays are deflected differently depending on whether they are incident on one side or the other side of the edge of the step on the side surface. The alignment of the surface of the rim can be selected such that a portion of the light rays reaches each other illumination area approximately vertically or within a specific angular range centered on the perpendicular to the reference plane, so that as a result, a strong beam can also reach the peripheral area that is hardly illuminated. This improves the overall illumination uniformity. In order to prevent significantly bright points from occurring in the area of the main emission angle, the central light ray extending substantially perpendicular to the reference plane should be deflected more strongly than the light rays passing through the peripheral area, especially in any case.

[0023] Each illumination area inside the side surface can have a form that is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the perpendicular bisector. This configuration is particularly advantageous when the radiation areas of the signal elements on both sides of the perpendicular bisector also have a mirror-symmetrical design.

[0024] When the step is exactly located in the change area between the two illumination areas, this step can be formed axially symmetrically with a rim of equal length and equal direction, and the perpendicular bisector corresponds to its axis of symmetry.

[0025] In principle, the symmetry of these exemplary embodiments serves to provide more homogeneous overall illumination within the segment. The inner side of the side has a specific design as a result of a corresponding profile, for example an arrangement of steps for a more homogeneous overall illumination of the internal volume of the segment. Depending on the embodiment, specifically depending on the emission angle of one or more signal elements, it can cover various angular ranges, specifically an angular range of at least 60°, preferably at least 80°, particularly preferably at least 90°. In any case, the last-specified angular dimension means that the entire inner region is covered by the profile. If the emission angle of one or more signal elements is large enough, the angular range with the profile or steps on the inside can also be adapted accordingly.

[0026] Advantageously, the optical medium or diffuser can be manufactured from plastic. This enables cost-effective and precise mass production using injection molding methods. And the plastic can be transparent in the visible wavelength range so that light is perceptible as a visual signal. Furthermore, since plastic is a relatively light material, the signal device does not cause problems due to excessive weight.

[0027] The side or its inner side can be subdivided into parts. In the case of a reference plane, for example, two parts or illumination regions can be arranged on each side of the reference plane, and the illumination regions are separated from each other by the perpendicular bisector in any case. Therefore, in this case, four parts or illumination regions are distributed over the entire diffuser, and each part covers a maximum of 90°. In relation to the reference plane, these illumination regions then have a mirror-symmetrical form. This embodiment is particularly recommended when signal elements emitting in a similar or analogous manner are arranged on both sides of the reference plane in any case, because as a result, the optical appearance or overall illumination on both sides of the reference plane is similar or identical.

[0028] It should be taken into account that the segment is usually, in principle, observable from all directions, i.e., it is advantageous when the visual appearance (in the emitting and non-emitting states) of the segment is practically angle-independent.

[0029] When the quantity further increases in one direction or at least does not change from a certain position in the sequence depending on, for example, its position or angular position, there is a monotonically increasing behavior. In the case of a strictly monotonically increasing behavior, the quantity increases every time in between and does not even stay at a constant value for once. In the case of a (strictly) monotonically decreasing behavior, the reverse is true.

[0030] In one variant embodiment of the present invention, the height of the step can also be monotonically lower, specifically, strictly monotonically lower. As a result, the steps can have a design with continuously larger obtuse angles. Therefore, the light rays are deflected more strongly in one region than in adjacent regions that bring the inner smooth extension closer to a wider range.

[0031] The outer side of the side surface can have a profile designed such that radiation is implemented as widely as possible. As a result, the segment always emits homogeneously and appears to glow homogeneously from the outside. Since radiation to the outside in all spatial directions is actually desirable, the structure can also have a surface aligned in all three spatial directions on the outside. To achieve approximately homogeneous radiation, for example, a honeycomb-like structure, particularly including valleys and / or mountains, can be used. These structures can be arranged on the outside of the diffuser, but can also be arranged, for example, on the inside of the dome. In the development of the invention, for example, the segment is embodied as a signal lamp and functions as a terminal element. The diffuser has a roof, and the roof can be, for example, arched and seated on the side surface. Also in this case, a structure for diffusely distributing the emitted light can be engraved on the outside of the roof.

[0032] Optionally, the reference plane may be not only a mathematical plane, but also, so to speak, specifically, a carrier on which one or more signal elements are arranged, specifically, a printed circuit board may be arranged as the reference plane instead. This geometric arrangement again increases the need to divide the diffuser into parts or illumination areas. The printed circuit board itself represents a visually substantially opaque area, i.e., a visual barrier that divides the segment into two. In principle, the printed circuit board may extend from one edge of the diffuser to the other, but individual gaps may also be left on one or both sides. If the gaps remain open, the emitted light may also be guided from one side of the reference plane to the back side of the reference plane. If the printed circuit board reaches the side surface of the diffuser, the shadow caused by the printed circuit board at this point is generally clearly visible from the outside, so the gaps still advantageously exist.

[0033] As already mentioned, it can be assumed that the signal element emits radiation from the reference plane or the printed circuit board within a certain specific radiation angle range. Therefore, in order to achieve a more homogeneous overall illumination inside the diffuser, in principle, it is advantageous to deflect the beam that tends to travel perpendicular to the reference plane to a wider range than the peripheral area where less light tends to be emitted and where the light rays have to be advanced.

[0034] Therefore, the rim facing the printed circuit board in a series of steps can thus be made shorter, and the rim facing away from the printed circuit board can be made longer. Advantageously, the height of the step is further reduced, so that the beam reaching the peripheral area is also reflected and returns to a wider range without being scattered widely in space.

[0035] Furthermore, the signal device according to the present invention having homogeneous overall illumination or radiation is distinguished in that the segment according to the present invention, or an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is used to distribute the emitted light more homogeneously. Such a signal device can utilize the advantages of the present invention with the proposed segment. [Exemplary Embodiment] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below, along with further details and the resulting advantageous points.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0037] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a diffuser 1 as part of a segment S of a visual signal device. The diffuser 1 is integrally formed as a plastic injection molded part. The plastic forms an optical medium, that is, it is designed to transmit light. In this case, the diffuser 1 has a substantially cylindrical design. It comprises a side surface 2, and the side surface 2 is also cylindrical in its exterior or basic shape and has an inner side 3 and an outer side 4.

[0038] As is apparent from FIG. 1, the diffuser 1 is terminated on one side by a terminating end face 5 that is interrupted in the center. This end face 5 can be used, for example, for the assembly of a printed circuit board, for through contacting from segment to segment, for the mechanical connection of two adjacent segments, for light separation between two segments that radiates as little light as possible or no light at all from one segment to the next, or for similar purposes. The diffuser 1 is terminated by a base 6, which is fitted into the diffuser 1 as a cylinder with a smaller diameter. The terminating end face 5 is located on this base 6.

[0039] The side face 2 has an outer side 4 with a honeycomb pattern formed by valleys. Generally, light is radiated more homogeneously as a result. The inner side 3 of the side face is provided with a stepped profile. This can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2, which shows a perspective view from below. The edges between the steps extend parallel to the inner side 3 of the side face or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical segment 1.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through the side face 2. The inner side 3 of the side face has a stepped or serrated profile. Two axes R and M are drawn. One axis is labeled as the reference plane R, and the other axis M extends as the perpendicular bisector M between two intersection points where the axis R intersects the inner side 3 of the side face. The quadrant of FIG. 1 located on the left side of the perpendicular bisector M is designated as the first illumination region AB1, while the quadrant adjacent on the right side on the other side of the perpendicular bisector M is designated as the second illumination region AB2.

[0041] Around the center point, two light rays including the angular range 7 extend from the reference plane R. Within this region, one signal element that radiates within the angular range 7 is arranged within the reference plane R. The step having two rims to the right and left of the vertical bisector M is located at the point where the vertical bisector M intersects the inner side 3. This step has a symmetrical form with respect to the vertical bisector M as the axis. For example, when the inner side 3 is traced to the left in the first illumination region AB1, the right rim becomes longer and is arranged more flatly from step to step, while the left rim becomes shorter and has a steeper slope. Similarly, the height of the step becomes lower in the direction of the reference plane R. The inner side 3 appears to have a substantially smooth outer edge in the region of the reference plane R.

[0042] However, it is also conceivable that the length of the rim changes only on one side (for example, only on the right side or only on the left side of each edge) from step to step, while the other side remains the same. FIG. 4 only shows the diffuser 1 as seen from vertically below, that is, it is possible to confirm the annular side surface 2 and the end surface 5 as seen from below.

[0043] In principle, FIG. 5 shows the same scene as FIG. 3. A printed circuit board P having two signal elements (LEDs) 8a, 8b, that is, in the form of two rows, is depicted on the reference plane R. The signal elements 8a, 8b emit light within a certain radiation angle. Individual light rays 9a, 9b from each of the signal elements 8a, 8b are selected here as an example. Although the light rays 9a travel almost perpendicular to the reference plane R, as a result of the step structure on the inner side 3, they are reflected very far into the peripheral region 10 of the side of the printed circuit board P. As expected, the region near the vertical bisector M is very brightly illuminated because of the arrangement and radiation angle of the signal elements 8a, 8b and because of the wide spread of the high light ray density there. When many light rays from exactly this region are reflected in the direction of the peripheral regions 10, 11, the overall illumination becomes even stronger. Therefore, the overall illumination in the regions 10, 11 can achieve a similar brightness level. A more homogeneous overall illumination inside the diffuser 1 is obtained as a result.

[0044] Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the optical medium or the inside 3 of the side 2. The cross-section of the stepped structure or profile can be visually recognized here. The step 12 has an edge 13 and two rims 14, 15. The right rim 14 is significantly longer than the left rim 15, but the left rim 15 has a steeper working angle than the rim 14 over the extent of the side 2. Therefore, light rays can be appropriately reflected very far into the region 10 or the region 11. A relatively wide beam of light rays incident on the periphery of the edge 13 can therefore reach the two illumination regions AB1, AB2.

[0045] Figure 7 shows the development of the form of a so-called signal lamp. Only the diffuser 1 is depicted. The diffuser 1 is used as a terminal element on the signal post and also emits upwards. Therefore, the diffuser 1 is not only the outside 4 of the side 2 provided with a honeycomb-like structure, but also the dome-like arched roof 20. In principle, it is also conceivable to provide a groove pattern or a stepped structure inside the roof 20. However, generally, the printed circuit board having the light-emitting elements is perpendicular to the base, and the roof 20 is located only within the side region of the light-emitting elements. Therefore, the inside has a smooth form in the region of the roof 20. [List of reference signs] 1…diffuser, 2…side / optical medium, 3…inside, 4…outside, 5…end face, 6…base, 7…emission angle, 8a…signal element, 8b…signal element, 9a…light ray, 9b…light ray, 10…peripheral region, 11…peripheral region, 12…step, 13…edge, 14…rim, 15…rim, 20…roof, AB1…illumination region, AB2…illumination region, M…perpendicular bisector, P…printed circuit board, R…reference plane, S…segment

Claims

1. A segment (S) for a visual signal, comprising: - A diffuser (1) for transmitting visible light and for homogenizing the light distribution within the volume surrounded by said diffuser (1), said diffuser (1) having a light-transmitting side surface (2) in the visible range made of an optical medium and surrounding a cylindrical or frustoconical volume; - A reference plane (R) on which at least one visual signal element (8a, 8b) is arranged for emitting light towards said optical medium, said reference plane (R) extending perpendicular to the base of said cylindrical or frustoconical volume; - A perpendicular bisector (M) of a secant passing through said side surface (2) within said reference plane (R) classifies said volume into first and second illumination regions (AB1, AB2) on at least one side of said reference plane (R); - Regarding the surface of the inner side (3) of said side surface (2) having a longitudinal groove structure with an arrangement of at least two notches (12) in each of said first and second illumination regions (AB1, AB1), the arrangement of valleys and ridges alternates along the curvature line of said side surface (2), while said valleys and / or said ridges are arranged in a straight line parallel to said side surface (2) and / or substantially perpendicular, preferably completely perpendicular, to the curvature line along the inner side (3) of said side surface (2); In the segment (S): - At least two of said notches (12) in one of said illumination regions (AB1, AB2) have geometrically different designs; Specifically, all of said notches (12) in one of said illumination regions (AB1, AB2) have geometrically different designs; A segment (S), characterized in that.

2. In the segment (S) according to Claim 1, The inner side (3) of said side surface (2) is formed such that, with respect to its surface, for at least a part of the light from one of said signal elements or a plurality of said signal elements (8a, 8b), the light beam traveling through said first illumination region (AB1) and reaching said side surface (2) is composed of parallel light rays emitted at a specific angle, and is at least partially reflected to said first illumination region and at least partially reflected to said second illumination region (AB2); A segment (S), characterized in that.

3. In the segment (S) according to Claim 1 or 2, A ray of light emanating from one of the central points of the secant lines passing through the side surface (2) within the reference plane (R), specifically, a ray of light emanating from the center of the volume or from the central point of the cross-sectional area of the volume, has a larger angle of incidence in absolute value at the point of incidence on the side surface (2) than in the case of the tangential arrangement around the point of incidence on the inner side (3) of the side surface (2) with respect to the curvature line along the inner side (3) of the side surface (2). A segment (S) is characterized by this.

4. In the segment (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, One of the light beams or a plurality of the light beams has a diameter of at least 10 μm, preferably at least 50 μm, and particularly preferably at least 100 μm. A segment (S) is characterized by this.

5. In the segment (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, The fluting on the inner side (2) of the side surface (3) has a stepped structure with a series of at least two steps (12) as the indentations, and each step (12) is bounded in any case by two rims (14, 15) intersecting at an edge (13), and the edge (13) is arranged in a straight line parallel to the side surface (2) and / or substantially perpendicular, preferably completely perpendicular, to the curvature line along the inner side (3) of the side surface (2). A segment (S) is characterized by this.

6. In the segment (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, The inner side (2) of the side surface (3) has a rounded stepped structure with a series of at least two steps, and each step is bounded in any case by two rims intersecting at a rounded edge. A segment (S) is characterized by this.

7. In the segment (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, In each of the illumination regions (AB1, AB2), their rims (14, 15) from step (12) to step (12) are designed to be monotonically longer or shorter, specifically, strictly monotonically longer or shorter, towards one of the two sides of the edge (13). A segment (S) is characterized by this.

8. In the segment (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, The stepped structure is - With respect to the perpendicular bisector (M) of the secant line passing through the side surface (2), and in relation to the stepped structure, the inner side (2) of the side surface (3) in the first illumination region (AB1) is designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the inner side of the side surface in the second illumination region (AB2), - At least one of the steps (12) is located at the boundary between the first and second illumination regions (AB1, AB2) such that one of the rims (14, 15) is located in the first illumination region (AB1) and one of the rims (14, 15) is located in the second illumination region (AB2), - The inner sides (3) of the four illumination regions of the annular side surface (2) are arranged to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the reference plane (R), Segment (S), characterized in that it is designed as such.

9. In the segment (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, At least one of the illumination regions (AB1, AB2), specifically all of the illumination regions (AB1, AB2), extends in an angular range of at least 60°, more specifically at least 80°, preferably 90° in cross-section with respect to the shape of the inner side (3), specifically the stepped structure, and / or the annular side surface (2) in each part is classified and / or arranged into one of the four illumination regions (AB1, AB2) respectively, specifically each illumination region (AB1, AB2) extends 90° in cross-section. Segment (S) characterized by this.

10. In the segment (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, The optical medium (2) is a plastic that is transparent in the visible wavelength range. Segment (S) characterized by this.

11. In the segment (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, The height of the step (12) in at least one of the illumination regions (AB1, AB2) is monotonically lower from step (12) to step (12), specifically strictly monotonically lower. The height of the step (12) is the radial distance from the envelope of the contact points of each adjacent step (12) of each edge (13). Segment (S) characterized by this.

12. In the segment (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, The side surface (2) and / or the optical medium (2) is provided on its outer side (4) with a regular structure, in particular a honeycomb-like structure, which structure is preferably formed from valleys and / or mountains, segment (S).

13. In the segment (S) according to any of the preceding claims, the printed circuit board (P) on which one of said signal elements, or a plurality of said signal elements (8a, 8b) are arranged thereon is arranged on said reference plane (R), said printed circuit board (P) is · separating said first and second illumination regions (AB1, AB2) from the rest of said volume and / or · leaving a space between said inner side (3) of said side surface (2) at least on one side, in particular at the ends of at least two opposite sides and / or · said inner side (3) of said side surface (2) is shaped such that a part of said light beam is advanced through said space by reflection, segment (S).

14. In the segment (S) according to any of the preceding claims, said printed circuit board (P) is · the rims (14, 15) which shorten from step (12) to step (12) face towards said printed circuit board (P) and / or · the rims (14, 15) which lengthen from step (12) to step (12) face away from said printed circuit board (P) and / or · in at least one of said illumination regions (AB1, AB2), the height of said step (12) monotonically decreases, in particular strictly monotonically decreases, from step (12) to step (12) as the corresponding step (12) is arranged closer to said printed circuit board (P), segment (S).

15. A traffic signal having the segment (S) according to any of the preceding claims.

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