DE102019214226B4 - Method for producing a side indicator with a lens and a separate light guide for an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle and side indicator produced by the method - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for producing a side indicator light (20) for an exterior mirror (10) with at least one light source (22), - at least one light guide (24), the light guide (24) being elongated and curved and having a main extension in a longitudinal direction (L) and comprises a first light coupling section (28) at a first end region (24a) and a first light coupling section (29) at a second end region (24b), the first light coupling section (29) being formed opposite the first light coupling section (28) and wherein the light guide (24) furthermore has a second light coupling-out section (30) which is formed in the longitudinal direction (L) along the surface of the light guide (24), - an optical lens (25) and - an opaque housing element (16b) - wherein the lens (25) is produced in an injection molding process and comprises several sections: - a first section (25 a) with a first luminous area (L1) for producing a diffuse light, with a transparent first window section (33) for the light of the at least one light guide (24) emitted from the second light coupling section (30) to shine through, - a second section (25b) with a second lighting area (L2) for producing a flashing light according to a legal requirement and a third lighting area (L3) for producing diffuse light, the second section (25b) forming a first end section of the lens (25), and along the surface of a transparent second window section (34) of the second section (25b) the third luminous area (L3) is formed and the second luminous area (L2) is formed at the end of the transparent second window section (34), the lens (25) in the second section (25b) has a light-guiding function, the light-guiding function being injected through an interior on the second window section (34) zte thickening (V, 34a) is formed, wherein the injection-molded thickening is formed with a third light decoupling section (35) designed as an optical system, and wherein the light disc (25) comprises at least one fourth light output section (36) arranged at the end for light to shine through, wherein the fourth light decoupling section (36) is produced as optics with a light decoupling structure (36a), - a third section (25c) which is arranged between the first and second sections (25a, 25b), and a recess in the area of the outer surface (A) (37) for receiving the housing element (16b), and which comprises a second light coupling section (38) injected onto the inner surface in the region of the recess (37), the second light coupling section (38) being made in one piece with the thickening (34a) and has a light guide function and wherein the second light coupling section (38) is designed with optics, the second light coupling absc h section (38) receives the light (PF1) of the light guide (24) emitted from the first light decoupling section (29), and wherein at least in the area between the first and third section, which includes a sudden increase in the component cross-section of the lens (25), a sprue tab (40) running downward in the z-direction in the installed position of the exterior mirror (10) is injection-molded on the lower edge area of the lens (25).

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a side indicator with a lens and a separate light guide for an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle and a side indicator produced by the method.

State of the art

Exterior mirrors with side indicators are, for example, from the documents EP 0 941 892 A2 , EP 1 698 515 A2 and EP 0 858 932 A2 famous. For these so-called side indicator lights, it is a legal requirement that the light be emitted against the direction of travel in an angle range of 5 to 60 °. For better visibility of the lighting function of such lighting units, light emission in the direction of travel in a further lighting area is also desired.

This is done, for example, from the document EP 0 941 892 A2 known arrangement of light-emitting diodes, so-called. LEDs, achieved as lighting means, which are arranged in the mirror housing and emit light in the required angular ranges and directions. It is also from the document DE 20 2005 014 267 U1 known to use LEDs as light sources in a side indicator light, which couple the light into light guides. The light guides used are designed as rod-shaped elements and are arranged and designed in such a way that the coupled-in light is guided to a large-area light exit surface of a lens. This light exit surface of the light slide often extends in the form of a strip from a point of the mirror housing facing the motor vehicle to an external point in the mirror housing facing away from the motor vehicle. The overall height of these light panes in the area of the light exit surface is very high, greater than 8 mm, and accordingly a large amount of space is required when integrating the side indicator light in the mirror housing.

In the case of the known side indicator lights, when they are switched on, light is coupled into the light guide and is deflected outward on the light guide by prisms or a structure (eg grain) - which is also called a light decoupling structure. Optionally, LEDs with or without a reflector can also be used to emit light outwards. From the DE 10 2010 027 648 A1 a side indicator with two light areas is known, which enables light to be emitted in the direction of travel and against the direction of travel. This is achieved in that the side indicator has a light guide and a light source. The light of the illuminant coupled into the light guide is aligned on a surface section according to the angular dependence of the division of the radiation power between reflection and transmission so that a small part of the coupled light remains in the light guide and is reflected in its longitudinal direction Surface section leaves.

It is often a disadvantage of the known side indicator lights that both the coupling points of the light into the light guide and the prisms of the light guide can be seen as individual decoupling points in the illuminated state.

For lighting reasons and in order to achieve better homogeneity, the alignment and shape of the coupling-out points along the light guide must be adapted. Without such an adjustment, there will be more brightness near the light sources.

From the EP 3 354 517 A1 a side indicator with two lighting areas is known, which has a homogeneous appearance both in the illuminated and in the non-illuminated state. The first lighting area has lighting means and a light guide for producing a diffuse light, the second lighting area has at least one lighting means and components for illuminating the second lighting area for the legal requirements mentioned above. In particular, this is achieved because the light guide assigned to the first luminous area is arranged invisibly behind the lens and the light is directed from this light guide onto a reflector and can then radiate outward through the light guide of the second luminous area. Homogeneous lighting is achieved as a result, since no decoupling points are visible.

It is therefore an object of the present invention under a first aspect to develop a method for producing a side indicator light with a lens and a separate light guide for an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle in such a way that the side indicator light can be produced using a simple, inexpensive and continuous process, and the side indicator light can be produced both has a very homogeneous appearance in both the illuminated and non-illuminated operating state and includes a light area to meet the legal requirements and a light area to produce a diffuse light.

This object is achieved under the first aspect by the features specified in claim 1.

The design of the light disk with several sections, the light disk being designed with a light guide function in the second and third section and comprising an integrated light guide, and the first section comprising a transparent window section with a separate light guide behind, leads locally between the first and third section to a sudden increase in the component cross-section of the lens. The inventive production of the lens with a sprue tab, which is formed in this area of the abrupt rise in the component cross-section in the area of the first and third sections, during the injection molding of the lens

Sink marks avoided, which leads to a more homogeneous light distribution when the lens is illuminated.

Due to the inventive design of the light disk divided into sections and its configuration and the assignment of the separate light guide in the first section and the design of the light disk with a light function in the second section with a correspondingly configured light coupling section that includes optics and third and fourth light output sections that an optics with light decoupling structures, the legal requirements of the side indicator can be ensured. In particular, through the formation of the fourth light coupling-out section, the light is specifically directed into the legal area.

The optics of the second section are advantageously designed to be concave or planar or sawtooth-shaped.

Due to the design of the third section, which in the installed state lies behind a non-transparent housing section, the lighting has a homogeneous effect when viewed from different angles, since no coupling-out / coupling-in points or structures are visible.

Advantageous refinements of the present invention are specified in the subclaims.

The transparent first band-shaped window section and the second window section are preferably designed on the outside with a grained outer surface. This makes the appearance even more homogeneous for a viewer in the illuminated state.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings.

• 1 eine Ansicht auf die Rückseite eines Außenspiegels,
• 2 eine Draufsicht auf einen Außenspiegel,
• 3 eine Ansicht auf die Vorderseite auf einen Außenspiegel in einer Ausführung für die Fahrerseite mit Seitenblinkleuchte,
• 4 einen horizontalen Querschnitt durch den Außenspiegel im Bereich der Seitenblinkleuchte längs des Schnittes III-III in 3 mit schematisch dargestelltem Strahlengang,
• 5 die Lichtscheibe einer Seitenblinkleuchte für einen Beifahreraußenspiegel als Einzelteil in einer Vorderansicht,
• 6 einen vergrößerten perspektivischen Ausschnitt eines Endbereichs der Lichtscheibe in einer Rückansicht,
• 7 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Lichtscheibe für den Fahreraußenspiegel,
• 8 eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Details D nur der Lichtscheibe gemäß 4,
• 9 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Lichtscheibe eines Fahreraußenspiegels in einer Vorderansicht,
• 10 eine Ansicht auf ein Gehäuse der Seitenblinkleuchte mit Lichtleiter; und
• 11 eine Ansicht auf einen Lichtleiter der Seitenblinkleuchte.

It shows:

• 1 a view of the back of an exterior mirror,
• 2 a top view of an outside mirror,
• 3 a view of the front of an exterior mirror in a version for the driver's side with a side indicator light,
• 4th a horizontal cross-section through the exterior mirror in the area of the side indicator along the section III-III in 3 with schematically shown beam path,
• 5 the lens of a side indicator light for a passenger side mirror as an individual part in a front view,
• 6th an enlarged perspective section of an end region of the lens in a rear view,
• 7th a perspective view of a lens for the driver's exterior mirror,
• 8th an enlarged representation of a detail D according to only the lens 4th ,
• 9 a perspective view of the lens of a driver's exterior mirror in a front view,
• 10 a view of a housing of the side indicator with light guide; and
• 11 a view of a light guide of the side indicator.

An outside mirror 10 usually includes a mirror base 18th , an amplifier plate as part of a mirror head 12th and one between the mirror base 18th and reinforcement plate formed articulation. The mirror base 18th serves to connect the exterior mirror 10 on the vehicle body on the outside of the driver or front passenger 11a of the motor vehicle 11 . The reinforcement plate is in the assembled state of the exterior mirror 10 from a housing half-shell 16 of the mirror head 12th surrounds and holds the glass assembly or the mirror glass 14th .

On the mirror glass 14th facing away or opposite side of the housing half-shell 16 is a side indicator 20th in a receiving opening 16a the housing half-shell 16 integrated. The housing half-shell 16 can be made in one piece or in several parts. The side indicator 20th as it extends from the 3 and 4th can be seen over almost the entire width of the housing half-shell 16 starting from one of the vehicle 11 facing side FI of the housing half-shell 16 or the mirror head 12th up to an outside the vehicle 11 turned away Side FA of the housing half-shell 16 or the mirror head 12th .

The side indicator 1 has a first lighting area L1 with at least one lighting means and components for producing a diffuse light, as well as a second lighting area L2, which has components for illuminating the second lighting area for legal requirements. Furthermore, the side indicator also includes a third lighting area L3 for producing diffuse light.

The side indicator 20th essentially comprises a housing element 21 , at least one light source 22nd , at least one board 23 with electrical connections, a light guide 24 as well as a lens 25th .

From the representation of the 3 one can see that the housing element 21 the side indicator 20th in the interior I of the mirror head 12th or the housing half-shell 16 is arranged and by means of the lens 25th covered in the housing half-shell 16 is arranged integrated. The housing element 21 and the lens 25th are joined to form a waterproof and dustproof housing unit. The two components are preferably a lens 25th and housing element 21 welded to one another at a circumferential edge area. The lens 25th forms the outer contour of the side indicator light at least in the lighting areas described below 20th in the mirror head. The outside of the side indicator is designated by A in the figures. From the sectional view of 4th you can see that the side indicator 20th such in the housing half-shell 16 or the recess 16a What is held is that the lens is visible from the outside when installed 25th or outer contour flush with the housing half-shell 16 runs.

The housing element 21 is designed essentially as a bowl-shaped curved element and has a trough-shaped recess 26th on. This is between the housing element 21 and lens 25th an installation space 27 to hold the circuit board 23 with lamp 22nd and light guides 24 given. The housing element 21 is manufactured in an injection molding process.

From the sectional view of 4th it can be seen that the board 23 with lamp 22nd on one of the motor vehicle 11 facing end area in the installation space 27 is recorded. The light source 22nd , preferably an LED 5 emits its light in a first light coupling section 28 of the light guide 24 on. The first light coupling section 28 is present at a first end area 24a of the light guide 24 educated. The light guide 24 is elongated and curved and has a main extent which is indicated by the arrow L. Opposite to the light coupling section 28 is on the light guide 24 a first light output section 29 at the second end area 24b educated. The light guide also includes 24 a second light output section 30th that in the longitudinal direction along the surface of the light guide 24 is formed.

The one from the lamp 22nd emitted light is in the light guide 24 coupled in and a portion of the light is through total reflection through the entire light guide 24 guided in the longitudinal direction and on the first light output section 29 broadcast. At this second end area 24b of the light guide 24 owns the light guide 24 a very bright surface. The other portion of the light is through the second light coupling-out section 30th is coupled out along the surface of the light guide. The light decoupling section 30th is, as it is from the detailed representation of the 6th can be seen, with light decoupling structures 30a formed, these are in the installed state on that of the lens 25th executed facing away surface area.

More details about the light guide 24 are not detailed here, since light guides are known in a large number of embodiments. The light guide 24 has, for example, a circular cross-section and is produced in an injection molding process.

On the housing element 21 fastening straps are molded on. The side indicator light is attached to the fastening straps 20th when assembling the exterior mirror 10 on the housing half-shell 16 fixed, preferably screwed.

The lens 25th is preferably designed as an elongated plate-shaped curved element made of a thermoplastic material, for example from a PMMA, and is produced in an injection molding process. The lens 25th includes an outer surface 31 and an inner surface 32 . The curvature of the lens 25th is the curvature of the housing half-shell 16 customized. The longitudinal direction is indicated by the arrow L.

• Der erste Abschnitt 25a weist den ersten Leuchtbereich zur Herstellung eines diffusen Lichts auf, der einen transparenten ersten bandförmigen Fensterabschnitt 33 umfasst. Der transparente bandförmige Fensterabschnitt 33 bildet ein Lichtfenster, zum Durchscheinen des Lichtes des Lichtleiters 24, welches aus dem zweiten Lichtauskoppelabschnitt 30 ausgestrahlt wird. Die Lichtstrahlen des ersten Leuchtbereichs L1 werden in Fahrtrichtung in Richtung der Pfeile PF2 nach außen geleitet. Der transparente erste bandförmige Fensterabschnitt 33 ist auf der Außenseite mit einer genarbten Außenfläche ausgestaltet.

The lens 25th is made in such a way that it has multiple sections 25a , 25b , 25c , 25d to which different functions are assigned, as described below:

• The first paragraph 25a has the first luminous area for producing a diffuse light, which has a transparent first band-shaped window section 33 includes. The transparent ribbon-shaped window section 33 forms a light window for the light from the light guide to shine through 24 , which from the second light decoupling section 30th is broadcast. The light beams of the first luminous area L1 are directed outwards in the direction of travel in the direction of the arrows PF2. The transparent first ribbon-shaped window section 33 is designed on the outside with a grained outer surface.

The first ribbon-shaped window section 33 is on the outside surface 31 designed as an outwardly protruding, strip-shaped shoulder, which is rectangular or trapezoidal in cross section. The height of the window section 33 extends in the built-in, mounted exterior mirror in the z-direction of a vehicle coordinate system and is approx. 2mm.

The second section 25b has the second luminous area L2 for providing a light for legal requirements (emitted light shown by the arrows PF4) and a third luminous area for producing a diffuse light (emitted light in the direction of travel shown by the arrows PF3). The second section 25b forms an end section of the lens 25th which is in the installed situation of the side indicator on the outer side FA and is arranged in the longitudinal direction L at a distance from the first section.

The second section 25b forms a light window and is also made transparent and comprises a second window section 34 . The second section of the window 34 is on the outside surface 31 , designed as an outwardly protruding paragraph. The lens 25th points in the second section 25b or at least in the second window section 34 a light guide function by an inwardly cantilevered roof-shaped thickening V of the lens 25th is formed. The light guide function is accordingly achieved by the one-piece, integrated design of a light guide with the lens 25th achieved in this area.

In the longitudinal direction L along the surface of the second window section 34 the third luminous area L3 is formed. The transparent second window section 34 is designed on the outside with a grained outer surface.

On the opposite inner side of the third luminous area L3, there is a thickening V designed as a light guide, 34a with a third light output section 35 executed. This third light decoupling section 35 is designed with optics, the light decoupling structure 35a having. From the sectional view of 8th as well as the 7th and 6th one can see that this light decoupling structure 35a is designed as a sawtooth profile and has a tooth structure extending transversely to the longitudinal direction.

The end of the second window section 34 the second luminous area is formed, this has a fourth light decoupling section arranged at the end 36 on. This fourth light decoupling section 36 is on the side at the end in the area of the lens 25th designed to emit light against the direction of travel (arrow PF4). On the lateral outer surface, the fourth light decoupling section is designed with optics, which act as a light decoupling structure 36a allows a targeted deflection of the decoupled light in the legally prescribed area.

As already stated above, the lens is 25th with thickening 34a is preferably a one-piece design of a light guide with the lens 25th .

The third section 25c , is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lens (L) between the first and second sections and forms in the area of the outer surface A between the two window sections 33 , 34 a groove or recess 37 . The third section 25c is in the mounted position of the side indicator 20th in the outside mirror behind a non-transparent housing element 16b the housing half-shell 16 arranged.

The third section 25c has one on the inner surface 32 arranged second light coupling section 38 for that from the first light extraction section 29 emitted light (PF1) of the at least one separate light guide 24 on. The second light coupling section 38 is integral with the thickening 34a executed and also has a light guide function. The lens 25th is accordingly manufactured in one piece with the thickening V in the third section, at least in some areas, also with a light guide function. The second light coupling section 38 is designed as a concave optics and in the assembled state of the side indicator is the light coupling section 38 directly in front of the first light extraction section 29 of the separate light guide 24 arranged lying down. The light coupling section 38 can also be planar or sawtooth-shaped.

The fourth section 25d forms the second end section of the lens 25th which is arranged in the installed situation of the side indicator on the inner side FI and is arranged in the longitudinal direction L adjacent to the first section. The fourth section 25d is designed as a plate-shaped element that expands in the z-direction and is in the assembled situation of the side indicator 20th in the outside mirror behind a non-transparent housing element of the housing half-shell 16 arranged. This fourth section covers the board 23 with light source, as well as the first light coupling section 28 of the light guide 24 .

The fourth section 25th d is in the mounted position of the side indicator 20th in the outside mirror 10 behind the non-transparent housing element 16b the housing half-shell 16 arranged.

The lens 25th has a sprue tab running downwards in the z-direction in the lower edge area 40 on. This is provided at least in the area between the first and third sections where there is a sudden increase in the component cross-section of the lens. This sudden increase in the cross section is in particular from the 8th can be seen, the cross-sections being labeled Q1 and Q2. Advantageously, the sprue tab completely covers the third section with regard to the longitudinal direction L and also protrudes laterally into the second section.

As already described above, part of the in the light guide 24 coupled light beam at the first light output section 29 broadcast (PF1). The first light extraction section 29 is in the present case on the first light coupling section 28 opposite end area. The light guide 24 is a separate component behind the lens 25th arranged in the first, third and fourth sections. In the first part 25a is the light guide 24 behind the transparent window section 33 . The first light extraction section 29 is behind the third section in the assembled situation 25c arranged. The second light coupling section is located opposite in the longitudinal direction L 38 . The one from the first light extraction section 29 Radiated light beams (PF1) are in the second light coupling section 38 coupled in and a portion of the light is through total reflection through the second section 25b the lens with thickening 34 a guided in the longitudinal direction and at the fourth light output section 36 radiated against the direction of travel in an angular range of 5 to 60 ° (PF4) and the other portion of the light through the third light decoupling section 30th along the surface of the lens 25th in the second section 25b is decoupled in the direction of travel (PF3).

The side indicator 20th is preferably in such a way in the receiving opening 16a the housing half-shell 16 inserted so that a smoothly cohesive surface results over the edge of the receiving opening, the third and fourth sections 25c , 25d concealed behind the housing element 16b the housing half-shell 16 are arranged to run. This concealed arrangement makes it possible for the entire lens to be 25th can be produced from a transparent material in an injection molding process.

List of reference symbols

10

Exterior mirrors

11

Motor vehicle

11a

Driver and passenger side

12th

Mirror head

14th

Mirror glass

16

Housing half-shell

16a

Receiving opening

16b

Housing element

18th

Mirror base

20th

Side indicator light

21

Housing element

22nd

Bulbs

23

circuit board

24

Light guide

24a

first end area

24b

second end area

25th

Lens

25a

first section

25b

second part

25c

third section

25d

fourth section

26th

trough-shaped depression

27

Installation space

28

first light coupling section

29

first light output section

30th

second light output section

30a

Decoupling structure

31

Exterior surface

32

Inner surface

33

first window section

34

second window section

34a

thickening

35

third light extraction section

35a

Light decoupling structure

36

fourth light extraction section

36a

Decoupling structure

37

Recess

38

second light coupling section

40

Sprue tab

Claims (8)

Method for producing a side indicator (20) for an exterior mirror (10) with - at least one lamp (22), - At least one light guide (24), wherein the light guide (24) is elongated and curved and has a main extension in a longitudinal direction (L) and a first light input section (28) at a first end region (24a) and a first light output section ( 29) at a second end region (24b), the first light coupling-out section (29) being formed opposite the first light coupling-in section (28), and wherein the light guide (24) furthermore has a second light coupling-out section (30) which extends in the longitudinal direction (L ) is formed along the surface of the light guide (24), - An optical lens (25) and - an opaque housing element (16b), - wherein the lens (25) is manufactured in an injection molding process and comprises several sections: - A first section (25a) with a first luminous area (L1) for producing a diffuse light, with a transparent first window section (33) for the light of the at least one light guide (24) emitted from the second light coupling section (30) to shine through, - A second section (25b) with a second lighting area (L2) for producing a flashing light in accordance with a legal requirement and a third lighting area (L3) for producing diffuse light, the second section (25b) having a first end section of the lens (25) forms, and the third luminous area (L3) is formed along the surface of a transparent second window section (34) of the second section (25b) and the second luminous area (L2) is formed at the end of the transparent second window section (34), the light pane (25 ) has a light-guiding function in the second section (25b), the light-guiding function being formed by an injection-molded thickening (V, 34a) located on the inside of the second window section (34), the injection-molded thickening being formed with a third light decoupling section (35) designed as an optical system , and wherein the lens (25) has at least one fourth light output coupling arranged at the end section (36) for light to shine through, the fourth light output section (36) being produced as an optical system with a light output structure (36a) - A third section (25c) which is arranged between the first and second sections (25a, 25b), and in the area of the outer surface (A) comprises a recess (37) for receiving the housing element (16b), and the one on the The inner surface in the area of the recess (37) comprises a second light coupling section (38) injected onto the surface, the second light coupling section (38) being made in one piece with the thickening (34a) and having a light-guiding function and the second light coupling section (38) being made with optics, wherein the second light coupling-in section (38) receives the light (PF1) of the light guide (24) emitted from the first light-coupling-out section (29), and at least in the area between the first and third section, the abrupt increase in the component cross-section of the lens (25 ) comprises, at the lower edge area of the lens (25) a sprue tab ( 40) is injected. Method for producing a side indicator (20) for an exterior mirror (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the transparent first window section (33) and the transparent second window section (34) are designed on the outside with a grained outer surface. Method for producing a side indicator (20) for an exterior mirror (10) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the third light decoupling section (35) designed as optics is produced with a light decoupling structure (35a) which is designed as a sawtooth profile with a tooth structure running transversely to the longitudinal direction (L). Method for producing a side indicator (20) for an outside mirror (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optics of the second light coupling section (38) are concave, planar or sawtooth-shaped. Method for producing a side indicator light (20) for an outside mirror (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light decoupling structure (36a) of the fourth decoupling area is produced in such a way that a targeted deflection of the decoupled light into a legally prescribed area is achieved . Method for producing a side indicator light (20) for an outside mirror (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lens (25) is injection-molded with a fourth section (25d) which forms a second end section of the lens (25), wherein the second section (25d) is made adjacent to the first section in the longitudinal direction L and is in the form of a plate in the installation position of the exterior mirror (10) z-direction expanding element is formed. Method for producing a side indicator (20) for an exterior mirror (10) according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the lens (25) with the first, second, third and fourth sections (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) is injection-molded in one piece from an optically transparent plastic material. Side indicator light (20) produced by the method according to one of the Claims 1 - 7th .

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