Vehicle lamp and motor vehicle comprising such a vehicle lamp

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle lamp (10), in particular a headlamp (40) for a motor vehicle (100). The vehicle lamp comprises a light source (12) for emitting light rays and an intermediate lens (18). The intermediate lens (18) comprises a light-receiving first surface (52) and a light-emitting second surface (54). The intermediate lens (18) is divided into at least two regions (20, 22, 24, 26, 28), wherein the intermediate lens (18) has, on the light-receiving surface (52) or light-emitting surface (54) thereof in a first region (22, 24, 26), a first emission direction for the light from the light source (12), and wherein the intermediate lens (18) has, in a second region (20, 28), light-refracting elements (30, 32) which bring about a second emission direction of the light rays, which differs from the first emission direction, in such a way that the light rays are divided and / or deflected between a first illuminated region (46), a second illuminated region (48) and a non-illuminated gap (50) accordingly, the latter situated between the first illuminated region (46) and the second illuminated region (48). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (100) comprising such a vehicle lamp (10).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Vehicle light and motor vehicle with such a vehicle light

[0003] The invention relates to a vehicle light for a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle with such a vehicle light according to the preamble of the independent claims.

[0004] Motor vehicles, especially passenger cars, typically have lighting devices at the front, rear, and sides to increase their visibility. While the design of vehicle lights in the past focused almost exclusively on safety aspects, particularly improving the driver's visibility in the dark and the vehicle's visibility to others, newer generations of vehicles are often equipped with lighting systems that can give the vehicle a distinctive light signature. These lighting systems can consist not only of illuminated surfaces but also of more complex, three-dimensionally shaped light elements (so-called light sculptures) to ensure better visibility and / or recognizability of the vehicle.

[0005] The light signature can be designed to reflect a specific brand, thus improving the identification of the vehicle as belonging to a particular make or model. Furthermore, automotive and / or lighting designers frequently request that vehicle lights react to passing vehicles. However, due to legal regulations, it is not possible to implement such a change in the light pattern electronically by simply switching specific light sources on and off.

[0006] German patent DE 102020216 061 A1 discloses a vehicle light in which the light source is arranged behind a mask. The light source is, for example, designed as a light guide and the mask as a cover plate. To enable the cover plate to function as a mask, it could, for example, be partially designed, particularly with a regular and irregular pattern. To further enhance a dynamic effect, the pattern can be irregular, i.e., it can change with a change in the relative position between the viewer and the pattern.

[0007] DE 102022 115618 A1 discloses a lighting arrangement for a vehicle, comprising a lens array device, which has a lens array and an image element arrangement with several first image elements and several second image elements. When viewing the lens array device along a first viewing axis, a first image formed by the first image elements is visible, and when viewing the lens array device along a second viewing axis different from the first viewing axis, a second image formed by the second image elements is visible.The lighting arrangement further comprises a lighting device with a planar light guide and at least one optical fiber, which is arranged at least sectionally on a lateral edge of the planar light guide, wherein the optical fiber is arranged to emit light coupled into the optical fiber and to couple it into the planar light guide, and wherein the planar light guide is arranged to couple the light coupled into the planar light guide out in such a way that it strikes the image element arrangement from a side of the lens array opposite the lens array.

[0008] A disadvantage of the solutions known from the prior art is that masking a portion of the headlight reduces its energy efficiency through light absorption. Furthermore, masking limits the number of possible switching images to just two. In addition, such a solution is expensive and complex, as the mask and lenses must be precisely matched during the manufacturing process.

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of realizing optical effects, which are perceived by an observer as an interaction of the light of the motor vehicle with the observer, with a headlight in a simple and inexpensive way, overcoming the disadvantages known from the prior art and complying with the applicable regulations for motor vehicle lights.

[0010] The problem is solved by a vehicle light according to claim 1. The vehicle light comprises a light source for emitting light rays and an intermediate light filter. The intermediate light filter has a light-receiving first surface and a light-emitting second surface.The intermediate light disk is divided into at least two areas, wherein the intermediate light disk has a first direction of emission for the light from the light source in a first area on its light-receiving surface or on its light-emitting surface, and wherein the intermediate light disk has light-refracting elements in a second area which cause a second direction of emission of the light rays different from the first direction of emission, such that the light rays are divided and / or deflected into a first illuminated area, a second illuminated area and an unilluminated gap located between the first illuminated area and the second illuminated area.

[0011] In other words, the intermediate light panel has at least two sections with different emission characteristics. This is achieved by using differently oriented prisms. If more than one area is to be illuminated by a section of the intermediate light panel, this can be achieved by arranging several types of prisms / refracting elements side by side in regular or irregular patterns within that section, so that from a greater distance, where the viewer's eye cannot distinguish the individual prisms, a uniform appearance is achieved. An additional diffuser in front of the intermediate light panel can further homogenize the light.

[0012] This allows different "images" to be illuminated from different viewing angles, as the corresponding areas between the light lenses appear bright from the illuminated angles, while those areas not illuminated by these angles appear dark. This creates a change in brightness when the lighting unit moves relative to the viewer, giving the impression that the vehicle is interacting with the viewer as the light passes by. To the viewer's eye, the shape of the illuminated surfaces changes, or sections of the illuminated surfaces are lit to varying degrees, with the intensity of the illumination also changing.In this way, a lighting effect can be achieved in a constructively relatively simple and cost-effective manner compared to solutions known from the prior art, which increases the degrees of freedom of the designers in the design of vehicle lighting and enables additional optical effects.

[0013] The additional features specified in the dependent claims enable advantageous embodiments and improvements of the vehicle light specified in the independent claim. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle light additionally comprises a reflector which aligns the light rays substantially parallel to each other after they exit the light source and before they enter the intermediate lens. A reflector allows the light rays from the light source to be aligned substantially parallel to each other in a simple manner, thereby simplifying the design of the intermediate lens to achieve the desired optical effect.In particular, with parallel light beams, a multiple identical refractive elements, especially prisms, can be used, thereby reducing the number of different components and thus the cost of the vehicle light. Furthermore, the reduced number of different components can eliminate or minimize assembly errors, as the possibility of installing an incorrect refractive element is reduced or eliminated.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the vehicle light, a light collector is arranged between the light source and the intermediate lens. In this context, a light collector is understood to be, in particular, a converging lens or a collimator. By collecting the light and subsequently deflecting it at the intermediate lens, the desired effect can be intensified or made more pronounced, thus further increasing design freedom.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the vehicle light, the intermediate lens is divided into three areas, with a central area of ​​the intermediate lens being free of additional light-refracting elements, and the outer areas surrounding the central area each being provided with two groups of additional light-refracting elements. This ensures that, firstly, the legal requirements for the visibility of the vehicle and the illumination of the road are met, and secondly, the technical effect of the changing, unilluminated areas is achieved.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the vehicle light, it is advantageously provided that a light signal function is realized by the entire light-emitting surface of the intermediate lens, wherein a portion of the light-emitting surface is equipped with optics that selectively illuminate only specific areas. This allows for maximum lighting efficiency and, in particular, increases efficiency compared to prior art solutions in which individual areas of a headlight are covered by a light-absorbing mask. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light source is designed as a point light source. A point light source is a particularly simple and cost-effective lighting solution. The desired effects can be achieved without expensive additional lighting elements and / or masks.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the light-refracting elements are designed to align with the beam path of the point light source. This allows the described lighting effects to be achieved simply and cost-effectively, in which the different refraction or deflection of the light rays in the second area of ​​the intermediate light filter creates a corresponding gap that appears dark compared to the two illuminated areas, thus achieving the desired effect.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light source is designed as an LED, OLED, or laser diode. LEDs, OLEDs, and laser diodes are light sources that are particularly energy-efficient and offer high luminous efficacy. Such light sources are especially suitable for achieving the desired effects resulting from a change in the relative position to the vehicle light. The vehicle light preferably comprises a plurality of such light sources to achieve optimal illumination of the area in front of the vehicle light. Alternatively, the light source can also be designed as a conventional incandescent lamp.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that instead of or in addition to the intermediate light disk, a segmented faceted reflector is provided, wherein the segmented faceted reflector is divided into at least two areas, wherein a first area is free of light-refracting additional elements, and wherein in a second area two groups of light-refracting elements are arranged which cause a deflection of the light rays, such that the light rays are divided and / or deflected into a first illuminated area, a second illuminated area and an unilluminated gap located between the first illuminated area and the second illuminated area.

[0020] In such a configuration, a light pattern can also be realized that has a continuous central light cone and a light cone that varies in at least one peripheral region, and which has a gap between two illuminated areas. A further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a vehicle light as described in the preceding sections. The use of such a vehicle light in a motor vehicle offers vehicle and lighting designers additional possibilities that can make a vehicle appear more appealing and thus positively influence a potential customer's purchasing decision for that vehicle.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the motor vehicle, the vehicle's light is a headlight, particularly a front headlight. The described effect of the vehicle "winking" is especially advantageous when this effect is achieved by a headlight, particularly a front headlight. Such a headlight is generally highly visible to an observer as the vehicle passes by. Therefore, the observer perceives the change in light intensity in their area as the car winking, which is generally considered positive and appealing.

[0022] Unless otherwise stated in individual cases, the various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another.

[0023] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0024] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle according to the invention with an inventive

[0025] Vehicle light,

[0026] Figure 2 shows a first preferred embodiment of an invention.

[0027] Automotive headlight in a schematic representation,

[0028] Figure 3 shows a second preferred embodiment of an invention.

[0029] Automotive headlight in a schematic representation,

[0030] Figure 4 shows a third preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention.

[0031] Motor vehicle light in a schematic representation, Figure 5 a fourth preferred embodiment of a motor vehicle light according to the invention in a schematic representation, and

[0032] Figure 6 shows a fifth preferred embodiment of an invention.

[0033] Automotive headlight in a schematic representation,

[0034] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 100 according to the invention with a vehicle light 10 according to the invention. The motor vehicle 100 has a vehicle front 102 and a vehicle rear.

[0035] 105 as well as two vehicle sides 104, which connect the vehicle front 102 with the vehicle rear

[0036] 106 connect. The motor vehicle 100 also has a vehicle roof 108.

[0037] Two vehicle lights 10 in the form of headlights 40 are arranged at the front 102 of the vehicle. Two vehicle lights 10 in the form of taillights 42 are arranged at the rear 106 of the vehicle. Furthermore, a continuous light strip 112 may be arranged at the front 102 and / or the rear 106 of the vehicle, extending across the width of the rear 106 or the front 102 and, in particular, connecting the two taillights 42 or the two headlights 40. The motor vehicle 100 also has an interior 114 in which a vehicle light 10 in the form of an interior light 44 is arranged.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a vehicle light 10 according to the invention. The vehicle light 10 comprises a light source 12, preferably a light source 12 designed as an LED 14, OLED, or laser diode, a reflector 16, and an intermediate lens 18. The intermediate lens 18 has a first light-receiving surface 52 and a light-emitting surface 54 opposite the first light-receiving surface 52. Furthermore, the intermediate lens 18 is divided into at least two regions 20, 22, 24, 26, 28. Figure 2 shows an intermediate lens 18 which is divided into three regions 20, 24, 28. A first region 24, which lies between an upper edge region 20 and a lower edge region 28 of the intermediate lens 18, is free of light-refracting additional elements 30, 32.The edge regions 20, 28 of the intermediate light disk 18 are each provided with two groups of light-refracting elements 30, 32, in particular with two groups of prisms 30, 32, which cause the light rays to be deflected, such that the light rays are divided and / or deflected into a first illuminated region 46, a second illuminated region 48, and an unilluminated gap 50 located between the first illuminated region 46 and the second illuminated region 48. Alternatively, the intermediate light disk 18 can also be divided into five regions 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, wherein the central region 24 is free of additional light-refracting elements 30, 32.In this embodiment, between an upper edge region 20 and the middle region 22 lies a further region 22, which is also provided with two groups of light-refracting elements 30, 32. The light-refracting elements in this region are arranged such that, compared to the upper edge region 20, a small unilluminated gap 50 is created, so that the gap increases from the middle region towards the edge region. Similarly, between the middle region 24 and the lower edge region 28 lies a further region 26, which, analogous to region 22, is also provided with two groups of light-refracting elements 30, 32 and forms a smaller unilluminated gap 50 than the lower edge region 28. This allows an additional intermediate optical image to be created during relative movement of the vehicle light 10, thereby enhancing an effect such as "blinking".

[0039] Figure 3 shows another preferred embodiment of a vehicle light 10 according to the invention. The vehicle light 10 comprises a light source 12, preferably a light source 12 designed as an LED 14, OLED or laser diode, a light collector 38, which is preferably designed as a converging lens 34 or as a collimator 36, and an intermediate light filter 18. The intermediate light filter 18 has a first light-receiving surface 52 and a light-emitting surface 54 opposite the first light-receiving surface 52. Furthermore, the intermediate light filter 18 is divided into at least two areas 20, 22, 24, 26, 28. In Figure 3, the intermediate light filter 18 is divided into two areas 20, 24. A first area 24 is free of additional light-refracting elements 30, 32.Furthermore, a second area 20 is provided with two groups of light-refracting elements 30, 32, in particular with two groups of prisms 30, 32, which cause the light rays to be deflected, such that the light rays are divided and / or deflected into a first illuminated area 46, a second illuminated area 48 and an unilluminated gap 50 located between the first illuminated area 46 and the second illuminated area 48.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of a vehicle light 10 according to the invention for a motor vehicle. With essentially the same construction as described for Figure 3, the intermediate lens 18 is integrated into the light collector 38 on the output side in this embodiment, thus eliminating the need for an additional component. The light-emitting surface 54 of the intermediate lens 18 is provided in a region 20 with light-refracting additional elements 30, 32, in particular prisms, which deflect the light rays parallel to each other in two different directions, so that an unilluminated gap is created between a first illuminated region 46 and a second illuminated region 48. This unilluminated gap leads to a change in brightness when the vehicle light is moved relative to a stationary object or observer, and thus to differently perceived optical illumination patterns.

[0041] Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of a vehicle light 10 according to the invention. The vehicle light 10 comprises a point light source 12, preferably a point light source 12 designed as an LED 14, OLED or laser diode, and an intermediate light filter 18. The intermediate light filter 18 has a first light-receiving surface 52 and a light-emitting surface 54 opposite the first light-receiving surface 52. Furthermore, the intermediate light filter 18 is divided into at least two areas 20, 22, 24, 26, 28. Figure 5 shows an intermediate light filter 18 which is divided into two areas 20, 24, 28. A first area 24 is free of additional light-refracting elements 30, 32.Furthermore, a second area 20 is provided with two groups of refractive elements 30, 32, in particular with two groups of prisms 30, 32, which cause the light rays to be deflected, such that the light rays are divided and / or deflected into a first illuminated area 46, a second illuminated area 48, and an unilluminated gap 50 located between the first illuminated area 46 and the second illuminated area 48. In this embodiment, geometrically differently shaped elements 30, 32, or elements with different refractive indices, are provided in order to deflect the light rays emerging from the refractive elements in two directions, with the light rays in one direction being emitted essentially parallel.This also allows a lighting pattern to be created with two illuminated areas 46, 48 and an unlit gap 50 in between.

[0042] Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a vehicle lamp 10 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the intermediate light lens 18 is designed as a segmented faceted reflector 58, wherein the light rays emanating from the point light source 56 are deflected directly by the segmented faceted reflector 58 and divided and / or deflected into a first illuminated area 46 and a second illuminated area 48, as well as an unilluminated gap 50 located between the first illuminated area 46 and the second illuminated area 48. Furthermore, a partial area of ​​the reflector 58 is provided which is designed without additional light-refracting elements 30, 32 and thus emits parallel light rays in a main direction of light from the vehicle lamp 10.

[0043] Reference symbol list

[0044] Vehicle light

[0045] light source

[0046] LED

[0047] reflector

[0048] Intermediate lens

[0049] area of ​​the intermediate light lens

[0050] area of ​​the intermediate light lens

[0051] area of ​​the intermediate light lens

[0052] area of ​​the intermediate light lens

[0053] Area of ​​the intermediate light disk, first prism, second prism

[0054] lens

[0055] Collimator

[0056] Light collector

[0057] headlights

[0058] rear light

[0059] Interior light, first illuminated area, second illuminated area

[0060] Gap light-absorbing surface light-emitting surface

[0061] Point light source, segmented faceted reflector, motor vehicle, vehicle front, vehicle side, vehicle rear, vehicle roof, person, light strip, vehicle interior

Claims

Patent claims 1. Vehicle lamp (10) for a motor vehicle (100), comprising: a light source (12) for emitting light rays and an intermediate lens (18), wherein the intermediate lens (18) has a light-receiving first surface (52) and a light-emitting second surface (54), the intermediate lens (18) is divided into at least two areas (20, 22, 24, 26, 28), the intermediate lens (18) has a first emission direction for the light from the light source (12) in a first area (22, 24, 26) on the light-receiving first surface (52) or the light-emitting second surface (54), and the intermediate lens (18) has refractive elements (30, 32) in a second area (20, 28) which cause a second emission direction of the light rays different from the first emission direction, such that the light rays are directed into a first illuminated area (46),a second illuminated area (48) and an unilluminated gap (50) located between the first illuminated area (46) and the second illuminated area (48) are divided and / or deflected.

2. Vehicle light (10) according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle light (10) additionally comprises a reflector (16) which aligns the light rays substantially parallel to each other after exiting the light source (12) and before entering the intermediate light disc (18).

3. Vehicle light (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a light collector (38) is arranged between the light source (12) and the intermediate light disc (18).

4. Vehicle light (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the intermediate light lens (18) is divided into three areas (20, 24, 28), wherein a central area (24) of the intermediate light lens (18) is free of light-refracting additional elements (30, 32) and the peripheral areas surrounding the central area (24) (20, 28) each are provided with two groups of light-refracting elements (30, 32).

5. Vehicle light (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a light signal function is realized by the entire light-emitting surface (54) of the intermediate light lens, wherein a part of the light-emitting surface (54) is provided with optics that selectively illuminates only certain areas of the space.

6. Vehicle light (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light source (12) is designed as a point light source (56).

7. Vehicle light (10) according to claim 6, wherein the light-refracting elements (30, 32) are designed for the beam path of the point light source (56).

8. Vehicle light (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a segmented faceted reflector (58) is additionally provided, which is divided into at least two areas (20, 22, 24, 26, 28), wherein a first area (22, 24, 26) is free of light-refracting additional elements (30, 32), and wherein in a second area two groups of light-refracting elements (30, 32) are arranged which cause a deflection of the light rays, such that the light rays are divided and / or deflected into a first illuminated area (46), a second illuminated area (48) and an unilluminated gap (50) located between the first illuminated area (46) and the second illuminated area (48).

9. Motor vehicle (100) with a vehicle light (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 9, wherein the vehicle light (10) is a headlight (40) of the motor vehicle (100).

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