Lighting device with light guides for vehicles
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PL2024204883T
- Authority / Receiving Office
- PL · PL
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-10-27
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-10-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle lighting devices with crossing flat light guides can only produce limited light functions in a space-saving manner, lacking the capability to generate multiple extended light functions simultaneously.
The first and second flat light guides form a U-shaped lighting element by crossing each other, creating a U-shaped lighting element that allows for the generation of multiple light functions, including line-shaped and surface light functions, in a compact design.
This configuration enables the production of a majority of light functions in a space-saving manner, with a defined light flow and adjustable light distribution, effectively enhancing the lighting capabilities of vehicle lighting devices.
Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a lighting device for vehicles with a first light unit containing a light source and a first planar light guide which has a linear light input surface and a light output surface, and with a second light unit containing a light source and a second planar light guide which has a linear light input surface and a linear light output surface, wherein the first planar light guide and the second planar light guide are integrally connected to one another to form a light guide element, wherein opposite flat sides of the first light guide and opposite flat sides of the second light guide intersect in an intersection region and wherein the first planar light guide has a deflection section between a first planar section and a second planar section of the first planar light guide.
[0002] EP 2 354 637 A2 discloses a lighting device for vehicles, which has a first light unit and a second light unit, each containing a light source and a planar light guide. The planar light guides of the first light unit and the second light unit are integrally connected to one another and intersect in an intersection region. The first light unit and the second light unit each have planar light guides, which have a light coupling surface on one narrow side, at which the light is coupled in and passed on via opposite flat sides of the respective planar light guides. While the first planar light guide has a deflection section and a first planar section starting from the intersection region, the second planar light guide is planar and extends in one plane.In this way, a linear light output can be achieved on a side of the second planar light guide opposite the light input surface to generate a lighting function. The second light guide has output means so that light is output on a front flat side of the same to generate a lighting function. This advantageously allows a linear lighting function and a planar lighting function to be arranged directly next to each other. It is desirable to arrange extended lighting functions in a space-saving manner.
[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a lighting device for vehicles with two intersecting flat light guides in such a way that several lighting functions can be provided in a space-saving manner.
[0004] To achieve this object, the invention in conjunction with the preamble of patent claim 1 is characterized in that the first planar light guide and the second planar light guide form a U-shaped light guide element in a transverse plane running transversely to the linear light coupling surface of the first light guide and the second light guide, wherein an extension section of the first light guide and an extension section of the second light guide protrude at an angle from the crossing region.
[0005] The particular advantage of the invention is that a plurality of lighting functions can be generated in a space-saving manner. A front view of the lighting device reveals only one light-emitting surface, consisting of a planar light beam generated by a first light unit on the one hand and a linear light beam generated by the second light unit on the other. The light-emitting surface of the emerging planar light beam is delimited by a deflection section of the first light unit and the intersection region from which the second planar light guide protrudes in the main emission direction. By providing a U-shaped light-guiding element, a width of the planar light output can be defined between the intersection region and the deflection region.The emission of the linear light beam by the first light unit takes place in the light guide direction within the planar light guide, so that by forming coupling-out means of the first light unit, a defined luminous flux for the planar and linear light emission of the first light unit can be easily adjusted.
[0006] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the U-shaped light-guiding element has a relatively large-area apex formed by the second section of the first light guide. A first leg is formed by a first section of the first light guide, and a second leg is formed by a first section of the second light guide. Advantageously, the light-emitting surface can be produced in a space-saving manner, with the first leg and the second leg extending approximately parallel or at an acute angle in the extraction direction of an injection mold.
[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, narrow sides are formed as light output surfaces on a side of the extension sections of the first light guide and the second light guide facing away from the intersection area. This advantageously allows two different linear light functions, preferably emitted at right angles, to be generated. The extension section of the first light guide can, in particular, serve to generate a side marker light that runs perpendicular to the direction of the light beam emerging from the second section of the first light guide, along the vehicle's longitudinal axis.
[0008] According to a further development of the invention, an extension axis of the intersection region runs parallel to an extension of the linear light outputs on the extension sections of the first light guide and the second light guide. The extension axis of the intersection region and the extension of the light input surfaces run in the vertical direction.
[0009] According to the invention, the linear light coupling occurs at the extension sections of the first light guide and the second light guide, respectively, in the direction of a light guide direction of the first light guide and the second light guide, respectively. This advantageously results in a relatively high light yield.
[0010] According to a further development of the invention, at least the second section of the first light guide has output coupling means, so that light is output at a front flat side of the second section to generate a predetermined light distribution. If necessary, further second output coupling means can be provided so that, additionally or alternatively, the input light is generated on the second section of the first light guide according to a predetermined label or to generate a logo. The illuminated area can thus be used for information purposes.
[0011] According to a further development of the invention, an inclined surface is provided in the deflection section of the first optical fiber, by means of which the coupled light is deflected by 90°. The inclined surface is preferably flat and arranged at an angle of between 40° and 50°, preferably 45°, to an extension direction of the first and second sections of the first optical fiber. The inclined surface preferably has reflective optical elements or a mirrored surface.
[0012] According to a further development of the invention, retaining arms for attaching the U-shaped light-guiding element to a housing of the lighting device extend along a narrow side of the first section of the first light guide and the second light guide, which is on the light-input side. In this way, a relatively large-area U-shaped light-guiding element can be held stably.
[0013] Further advantages of the invention emerge from the further subclaims.
[0014] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0015] They show: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lighting device according to the invention and Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the lighting device.
[0016] A lighting device for vehicles according to the invention can be used, for example, in the rear area to generate a tail light function, a clearance light function and a side marker light function.
[0017] The lighting device according to the invention has a first light unit 1 and a second light unit 2, which independently generate a predetermined light distribution.
[0018] The first light unit 1 comprises a number of light sources 3 and a first planar light guide 4, which has two opposite flat sides 5, 5'. The opposite flat sides 5, 5' are connected to one another via a narrow side 6. At a first end of the first light guide 4, a narrow side 6 is formed as a linear light coupling surface. Several light sources 3 are arranged along the light coupling surface 6', so that a first light 7 is coupled at the light coupling surface 6' and transmitted along the opposite flat sides 5, 5' by total reflection towards a linear light coupling surface 6" of the first light guide 4. The linear light coupling surface 6' can be straight or curved, with the light sources 3 being arranged following the contour of the light coupling surface 6.
[0019] The second light unit 2 comprises light sources 8 and a second light guide 9, which has opposite flat sides 10, 10' and narrow sides 11 connecting the same. A narrow side 11' of the second light guide 9 is designed as a linear light coupling surface, along which several light sources 8 are arranged in rows or in an elongated manner. The second light 12 emitted by the light sources 8 is coupled into the second light guide 9 through the light coupling surface 11' and is totally reflected at the opposite flat sides 10, 10' thereof in the direction of another narrow side 11, which is designed as a linear light coupling surface 11". The second light 12 is coupled out at the linear light coupling surface 11".
[0020] The first light guide 4 and the second light guide 9 are formed in one piece and, in particular, manufactured as an injection-molded part. In an intersection region 13, the parallel flat sides 5, 5' of the first light guide 4 intersect with the flat sides 10, 10' of the second light guide 9. Since the intersection region 13 is arranged in a region of the first light guide 4 and the second light guide 9, which is adjoined downstream of the light flux by only a comparatively short extension section 14 of the first light guide 4 and an extension section 15 of the second light guide 9, the proportion of the light 7, 12 that is lost due to scattering in the other intersecting light guide 9 or 4 is relatively small. In particular with regard to the first light guide 4, the extension section 14 has a substantially smaller length I V1 than a length I 1 of a second section 20 of the first light guide 4, which is located upstream of the intersection region 13.The length I V1 of the extension section 14 is less than 50%, preferably less than 30%, in particular less than 10% of the length I 1 of the second section 20 of the first optical fiber 4.
[0021] A length I V2 of the extension section 15 of the second light guide 9 is smaller than a length I 2 of the first section 16 of the second light guide 9 running upstream of the intersection region 13.
[0022] The total length of the second light guide 9 is the sum of the length l2 of the first section 16, the length lV2 of the extension section 15, and the thickness d1 of the first light guide 4. Both the extension section 15 and the first section 16 of the second light guide 9 are arranged at an angle of 85° to 95° relative to the second section 20 of the first light guide 4 passing through the intersection region 13 (intersection point), preferably not at a right angle, so that extraction from an injection mold is possible. The linear light output surface 11" arranged opposite the linear light input surface 11' can have scattering optics elements 17 for scattering light output according to a predetermined light distribution.
[0023] A region of the first light guide 4 arranged upstream of the intersection region 13 has a first flat section 18, which has the light coupling surface 6'. In the direction of the light flux, the first section 18 is adjoined by a deflection section 19, at which the coupled-in first light 7 is deflected by approximately 90° in the direction of the second section 20, which is flat and extends to the intersection region 13. The deflection section 19 has an inclined surface 29, at which the light 7 is deflected. The inclined surface 29 can have reflective optical elements or a mirrored surface.
[0024] The first section 18, the deflection section 19, and the second section 20 of the first light guide 4, together with the first section 16 of the second light guide 9, form a U-shaped light-guiding element 21 arranged in a plane extending transversely to the linear light coupling surface 6', 11' of the first light guide 4 and the second light guide 9. The intersection region 13 is located in a region of the first light guide 4 and the second light guide 9 near the light coupling out. The second section 20 of the first light guide 4 forms an apex of the U-shaped light-guiding element. The first section 18 and the deflection section 19 of the first light guide 4 form a first leg of the U-shaped light-guiding element 21. The first section 16 of the second light guide 9 forms a second leg of the U-shaped light-guiding element 21.
[0025] In the intersection region 13, the flat sides 5, 5' of the first light guide 4 and the flat sides 10, 10' of the second light guide 9 continue in the same direction, wherein the flat sides 5, 5' and 10, 10' of the first light guide 4 and the second light guide 9 are alternately interrupted.
[0026] Preferably, the first light guide 4 and the second light guide 9 have a constant thickness d 1 and d 2 respectively, so that the interruption width of the respective flat sides 5, 5' of the first light guide 4 and flat sides 10, 10' of the second light guide 9 in the intersection region 13 are the same.
[0027] The flat sides 5, 5' of the first light guide 4 and the flat sides 10, 10' of the second light guide 9 each extend in a straight line in the direction of the luminous flux toward the intersection region 13, enclosing an angle ϕ in the intersection region 13. Since the flat sides 5, 5' and 10, 10' of the first light guide 4 and the second light guide 9 each extend in a straight line, the extension sections 14 of the first light guide 4 and the extension sections 15 of the second light guide 9 also enclose the same angle ϕ with respect to one another. Since, in the present exemplary embodiment, the flat sides 5, 5' and 10, 10' of the first light guide 4 and the second light guide 9 do not extend exactly perpendicular to one another, the aperture angle ϕ is not 90°, but has a deviation from 90° of + / - 5°.
[0028] An extension axis EK of the intersection region 13 runs parallel to an extension direction of the light coupling surfaces 6', 11' of the first and second light guides 4, 9 or parallel to the light coupling surface 6", 11" of the extension sections 14, 15.
[0029] Between the deflection section 19 and the intersection region 13, in which the second section 20 of the first light guide 4 is located, coupling-out means (not shown) are arranged such that the light coupled into the first light guide 4 is coupled out at a front flat side 5' thereof in the main emission direction H of the lighting device. The coupled-out light 30 can, for example, serve to generate a tail light function. For example, elongated prism elements or scattering elements can be arranged as coupling-out means on the rear flat side 5 of the second section 20 of the first light guide 4. Alternatively, corresponding coupling-out means can also be arranged on the front flat side 5'.
[0030] Additionally or alternatively, coupling-out means can be arranged in the second section 20 of the first light guide 4 such that light 31 exits in the main emission direction H in accordance with a predetermined inscription or logo 22 on the front flat side 5'.
[0031] If the light beam emitted in the main emission direction H by the second section 20 of the first light guide 4 is intended to have the lighting function (tail light function) and the logo function, the first decoupling means providing the lighting function can result in a different luminance of the output light than the second decoupling means responsible for the logo 22. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first decoupling means are arranged over the entire surface of the second section 20, while the second decoupling means for displaying the logo 22 are arranged only in a region of the second section 20 of the first light guide in which the logo 22 is intended to be located.
[0032] To hold the U-shaped light-guiding element 21, holding arms 23 are arranged on a side facing the light sources 3, 8 as an extension on a narrow side of the first section of the light guide 4 and the second light guide 9, which extends toward the light coupling surface. At their ends, the holding arms 23 have fastening tabs 24 for fastening the U-shaped light-guiding element 21 to a housing (not shown) of the lighting device.
[0033] The extension section 14 of the first light guide 4 has, on a side facing away from the intersection area 13, the linear light output surface 6", which can be used to generate a side marker light 26. The side marker light 26 is thus emitted substantially perpendicular to the tail light 30 or the outline light 28 and to the logo lighting 31.
[0034] The linear light coupling surface 11" of the extension section 15 of the second light guide 9, arranged on a side facing away from the intersection area 13, can serve to generate a clearance light function 28. This light of the clearance light is emitted in the same direction (main emission direction H) as the tail light 30.
[0035] Advantageously, the invention allows several lighting functions to be created in a compact and space-saving manner.
[0036] The light sources 3, 8 are preferably designed as LED light sources, each arranged on a circuit board (not shown). The light sources 3, 8 are arranged in a row. List of reference symbols
[0037] 11th light unit 22nd light unit 3 light sources 41st light guide 5.5' flat sides 6 narrow sides 6' light coupling surface 6" light coupling surface 71st light 8 light sources 92nd light guide 10.10' flat sides 11 narrow sides 11' light coupling surface 11" light coupling surface 122nd light 13 intersection area 14 extension section 15 extension section 161st section 17 scattering optics 181st section 19 deflection section 202nd section 21 U-shaped light guide element 22 logo 23 support arm 24 fastening tabs 25 light coupling surface 26 side marker light 27 light coupling surface 28 clearance light function 29 inclined surface 30 tail light 31 logo light function H main beam direction EK Extension axis ϕAngle I 1 ,I 2 Length I V1 ,I V2 Length d 1 ,d 2 Thickness
Claims
1. Lighting device for vehicles with a first light unit (1) containing a light source (3) and a first planar light guide (4) which has a linear light input surface (6') and a light output surface (6"), and with a second light unit (2) containing a light source (8) and a second planar light guide (9) which has a linear light input surface (11') and a linear light output surface (11"), - wherein the first planar light guide (4) and the second planar light guide (9) are integrally connected to one another to form a light guide element, - wherein opposite flat sides (5, 5') of the first light guide (4) and opposite flat sides (10,10') of the second optical fiber (9) intersect in an intersection region (13) and - wherein the first planar optical fiber (4) has a deflection section (19) between a first planar section (18) and a second planar section (20) of the first planar optical fiber (4), , characterized in that the first planar light guide (4) and the second planar light guide (9) form a U-shaped light guide element (21) in a transverse plane running transversely to the linear light coupling surface (6', 11') of the first light guide (4) and the second light guide (9), wherein an extension section (14) of the first light guide (4) and an extension section (15) of the second light guide (9) protrude from the crossing region (13) at an angle (ϕ).
2. Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe second section (20) of the first light guide (4) forms an apex of the U-shaped light guide element (21), the first section (18) of the first light guide (4) forms a first leg and the first section (16) of the second light guide (9) forms a second leg of the U-shaped light guide element (21).
3. Lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on a side of the extension sections (14, 15) facing away from the crossing region (13), a narrow side is designed as a linear light output surface (6") of the first light guide (4) and as a linear light output surface (11") of the second light guide (9).
4. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatthe extension sections (14, 15) enclose an angle (ϕ) to one another that is the same as that of second sections (20) of the first light guide (4) and a first section (16) of the second light guide (9) running in the direction of the luminous flux to the crossing region (13).
5. Lighting device according to 4, characterized in that the included angle (ϕ) between the extension sections (14, 15) is 90°.
6. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an extension axis (E K ) of the crossing region (13) runs parallel to an extension direction of the linear light coupling surface (6', 11') of the first light guide (4) and the second light guide (9).
7. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the extension axis (E K ) of the crossing area (13) runs in the vertical direction.
8. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in thatthe first planar light guide (4) has decoupling means in the second planar section (20) thereof, such that coupled-in light (7) is coupled out at a front flat side (5') of the second planar section (20) in the main emission direction (H) to generate a predetermined light function.
9. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the decoupling means are arranged distributed in the second section (20) of the first light guide (4) in such a way that light is coupled out over the entire surface of the second section (20) of the first light guide (4) in the main emission direction (H) to generate the light function.
10. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in thatin the second section (20) of the first planar light guide (4), second coupling-out means are arranged only in certain regions in such a way that light (31) is coupled out on the front flat side (5') of the first light guide (4) to display a lettering or logo (22).
11. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the deflection section (19) of the first light guide (4) has an inclined surface (29) on which the coupled-in light (7) is deflected.
12. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the inclined surface (29) is flat or provided with reflection optical elements and extends at an angle in a range of 40° to 50°, preferably at an angle of 45°, to an extension direction of the first section (18) and the second section (20) of the first optical fiber (4).
13. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in thata row of light sources (3, 8) is arranged on the linear light coupling surface (6') of the first light guide (4) and on the linear light coupling surface (11') of the second light guide (9).
14. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that in extension of a narrow side of the first light guide (4) and of the second light guide (9) connected to the light coupling surface (6', 11'), a holding arm (23) is formed in each case for fastening the U-shaped light guide element (21) to a housing of the lighting device.
15. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the second section (20) of the first light guide (4) runs substantially perpendicular to the first section (18) of the first light guide (4) and perpendicular to the second light guide (9).