DE102012101958B4 - Lighting device for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Lighting device for vehicles with at least two light modules (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), each consisting of a light source (8) and an optical element (2', 3', 4', 5') arranged in front of the light source (8) in the direction of light emission , 6'), wherein the optical element (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') has a light coupling surface (9) for coupling the light emitted by the light source (8), a light coupling surface (10) for coupling the light which extends in an arc along a longitudinal center plane of the optical element (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') and has two opposite side surfaces (13) on which the coupled-in light can be totally reflected and each has an edge of the light-coupling surface (9) with an edge of the light coupling-out surface (10), that light coupling-in surfaces (9) of at least two optical elements (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') are designed to be oriented in different directions in order to generate a wide light distribution, thereby marked that the light output l surfaces (10) are designed as an asymmetrical light decoupling surface, with a light decoupling surface (10) of a first light module (3, 4) running at a first angle of inclination (β1) to the longitudinal center plane (M) of the same, so that a main part of the decoupled light is in one Angular range is coupled out on a first side of the longitudinal center plane (M), and that a light decoupling surface (10) of a second light module (5, 6) runs at a second angle of inclination (β2) from the longitudinal center plane (M), so that a main part of the decoupled light is decoupled in an angular range on a second side of the longitudinal center plane (M),that at least two light modules (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) are provided in a parallel orientation to one another, the longitudinal center planes (M) of the light modules running parallel to one another,that the optical elements (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') are arranged spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction and that the side faces (13) of the optical elements (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') extend parallel or approximately parallel in the vertical direction.

Description

The invention relates to a lighting device for vehicles according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

To generate predetermined light distributions, such as low beam distributions, it is after DE 10 2005 011 337 A1 It is known to provide lens-shaped optical elements with an ellipsoidal light decoupling surface, which is arranged in front of the light source in the light emission direction. In cooperation with a reflector surrounding the optical element, the low beam distribution can be generated with the necessary light-dark boundary.

From the DE 100 62 105 A1 a lighting device for vehicles with a light module is known, which consists of a light source and an optical element arranged in front of the light source in the light emission direction. The optical element has a narrow-sided light decoupling surface, which runs in an arc with respect to a longitudinal center plane of the optical element or in an arc in a vertical plane. A light coupling surface is arranged on a side facing the light source. At the edge, the light coupling-in surface and the light coupling-out surface are delimited by essentially parallel side surfaces, on which the coupled-in light is guided in the direction of the light coupling-out surface in a totally reflecting manner. In order to form a light-dark boundary, the light coupling-out surface has an edge or notch running in the horizontal direction. A disadvantage of the known lighting device is that the light intensity transitions are relatively strong in the edge areas.

From the DE 10 2009 053 581 B3 discloses a lighting device for vehicles with a plurality of light modules, each of which has an optical element and a light source associated therewith. The light modules form primary optics of the lighting device, by means of which the light is intended to be collected in the direction of secondary optics. The imaging of the desired light distribution is thus essentially effected by the secondary optics.

The object of the present invention is to further develop a lighting device for vehicles with a light module consisting of a light source and an optical element in such a way that light distribution with a relatively large spread and a light-dark boundary is created in a simple manner.

The invention has the features of patent claim 1 in order to solve this problem.

The invention provides at least two light modules with differently oriented light output surfaces, the light output surfaces being designed asymmetrically. In this way, a light distribution with a relatively high spread can advantageously be achieved. The individual optics elements have a relatively simple structure, the light coupling-out surfaces of which are specifically shaped to generate the specified light distribution. The light decoupling surfaces of at least two light modules are arranged oriented in different directions, in particular in order to generate a broad light distribution.

According to the invention, a light decoupling surface of a first light module runs at a first angle of inclination relative to a longitudinal center axis of the same, so that a major portion of the decoupled light is coupled out in an angular range related to a first side of the longitudinal center plane. Furthermore, the lighting device has a light coupling-out surface of a second light module, which is arranged at a second angle of inclination to the longitudinal center plane thereof, so that a major portion of the coupled-out light is coupled out in an angular range to a second side of the longitudinal center plane. Due to the different orientation transverse to the longitudinal center plane of the light modules, a relatively large spread can thus be achieved. The longitudinal center planes of the light modules run parallel to one another.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the optical elements of the light modules are connected to one another in one piece, with the side surfaces of the optical elements running parallel or approximately parallel to one another. The optical elements of the light modules can advantageously be removed from the mold as a single cast part.

According to a development of the invention, the optics elements of the light modules are connected to one another in one piece by a common frame, the frame being molded onto the narrow sides of the optics elements. This advantageously gives the optics elements a stability that enables them to be easily attached to a printed circuit board equipped with light sources.

According to a development of the invention, the light output surfaces of the light modules each have a number of aspherical base lines that extend in the direction of the arcuate light output surface. These aspherical baselines form the basis for aspheric light extraction sections, which can be calculated from these baselines by interpolation. By shaping this aspheric light decoupling cuts, an even more targeted light extraction is guaranteed.

According to a further development of the invention, the light decoupling surface of the optical element has differently running aspheric base lines and/or aspherical light decoupling surface sections in relation to a transverse center plane that intersects the optical axis, so that the light coupled out from the upper half is used to generate the light-dark boundary can, while the light decoupled from the lower half is used to generate the front-end light distribution.

According to a development of the invention, the light decoupling surface runs transversely to the longitudinal center plane in a straight line or as a continuous, curved line. This gives the optical element a prismatic effect that can be used to generate a relatively wide spread.

According to a further development of the invention, a plurality of light modules are arranged at a distance from one another in the horizontal direction, with a central light module having a light decoupling surface for generating the maximum illuminance on the one hand and outer light modules with light decoupling surfaces arranged on both sides of the central light module for generating the specified spread width in the horizontal direction on the other hand. A static cornering light in particular can advantageously be generated in this way.

Further advantages of the invention result from the further dependent claims.

An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

• 1 eine perspektivische Vorderansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Beleuchtungsvorrichtung,
• 2 eine Draufsicht auf die Beleuchtungsvorrichtung bestehend aus fünf Lichtmodulen, deren Optikelemente parallel zueinander ausgerichtet sind,
• 3 eine Seitenansicht eines Lichtmoduls,
• 4 eine perspektivische Vorderansicht des Lichtmoduls gemäß 3 und
• 5 einen Vertikalschnitt durch das Optikelement.

Show it:

• 1 a perspective front view of a lighting device according to the invention,
• 2 a plan view of the lighting device consisting of five light modules whose optical elements are aligned parallel to one another,
• 3 a side view of a light module,
• 4 a front perspective view of the light module according to FIG 3 and
• 5 a vertical section through the optical element.

A lighting device for vehicles has at least two light modules arranged parallel to one another, by means of which a low beam distribution or a cornering light distribution can be generated.

According to an embodiment of the invention according to 1 until 5 For example, a lighting device 1 for motor vehicles has five light modules 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, which are arranged at a distance from one another in the horizontal direction. The light modules 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 each have an optical element 2', 3', 4', 5', 6', which are each arranged in front of a light source 8 in the light emission direction 7. In 2 only the light source 8 assigned to the optical element 2' is shown as an example. It goes without saying that a corresponding light source 8 is also assigned to the other optical elements 2', 3', 4', 5', 6'. The optical elements 2′, 3′, 4′, 5′, 6′ each have a flat light coupling surface 9 running in the vertical direction for coupling the light L emitted by the light source 8. The optical elements 2′, 3′, 4′ also have , 5', 6' each have an arcuate strip-shaped light decoupling surface 10 extending along a longitudinal center plane M of the respective optical element 2', 3', 4', 5', 6', for decoupling the light L. An edge 11 of the light coupling surface 9 as well as an edge 12 of the light coupling-out surface 10 are delimited by side surfaces 13 which extend in the vertical direction opposite one another and essentially parallel (or approximately parallel). The side surfaces 13 define a width b of the optical elements 2', 3', 4', 5', 6', the optical elements 2', 3', 4', 5', 6' each being upright in order to generate a cornering light function extend in the vertical direction. The light coupling-in surface 9 and the light coupling-out surface 10 form a narrow surface of the optical element 2', 3', 4', 5', 6'.

The optical elements 2', 3', 4', 5', 6' are connected to one another in one piece by a frame 14. The frame 14 has bores 15 at opposite ends for the preferred screw fastening of the same to a carrier or to a printed circuit board which carries the light source 8 .

wobei
z = z-Koordinate auf der optischen Fläche
r = Lateralabstand eines Punktes auf der optischen Fläche von der z-Achse c = Scheitelkrümmung der asphärischen Basislinie
K = konische Konstante
α = Asphärenkoeffizient.The light decoupling surfaces 10 of the optical elements 2', 3', 4', 5', 6' each consist of four aspherical light decoupling surface sections 16, 16', 16'', 16''', which are obtained by interpolating six aspheric base lines A, B, C, D, E, F are calculated. The aspheric base lines A, C, E extend in an upper half 17 of the optical element 2', 3', 4', 5', 6' or above an optical axis 18. The aspheric base lines B, D, F extend in a lower half 19 of the respective optical elements 2', 3', 4', 5', 6' or below the optical axis 18. The equation for the aspheric base line A is listed below: $$\mathrm{e.g}=\frac{c_A{\mathrm{right}}^2}{1+\sqrt{1-\left(1+K_A\right)c_A{}^2{\mathrm{right}}^2}}+{\displaystyle \sum _{k=1}^5{a}_{A_{2K}}{\mathrm{right}}^{2k},}$$

whereby
z = z-coordinate on the optical surface
r = lateral distance of a point on the optical surface from the z-axis c = apex curvature of the aspheric baseline
K = conic constant
α = asphere coefficient.

The six aspheric base lines A, B, C, D, E, F differ in the different conic constants K, crown curvatures c and aspherical coefficients α.

How out 4 As can be seen, the aspheric base lines A, B, C, D, E, F each run in the direction of extension of the arcuate light decoupling surface 10.

The upper light coupling-out surface sections 16, 16' of the optical elements 2', 3', 4', 5', 6' are mainly used to form a light-dark boundary. The lower light decoupling surface sections 16'', 16''' of the optical elements 2', 3', 4', 5', 6' are mainly used to illuminate the area in front. The light decoupling surface sections 16, 16', 16'', 16''' are not rotationally symmetrical and not symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center plane M.

The aspherical base lines A, B, C, D, E, F can be connected by straight lines 20, 20', 20" perpendicular to the longitudinal center plane M. The straight lines 20 are particularly in the case of outer optical elements 3', 4', 5', 6' , 20′, 20″ inclined to the horizontal so that horizontal targeting is ensured. How out 2 As can be seen, the middle light module 2 with the middle optical element 2' has a light decoupling surface 10 which is not designed to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal center plane M in order to generate a maximum illuminance of the predetermined light distribution. On a first vertical side facing the middle light module 2, two light modules 3, 4 are arranged, whose optical elements 3', 4' have light decoupling surfaces 10, which are arranged oriented according to a first horizontal angle of inclination β ₁ with respect to the longitudinal center plane M, so that the light emitted by these light modules 3, 4 is essentially oriented towards one side 21 of the longitudinal center plane M. The light modules 5, 6 arranged on the opposite vertical side of the central light module 2 have optical elements 5' or 6', whose light decoupling surface 10 runs oriented according to a second horizontal angle of inclination β ₂ on an opposite side of the longitudinal center axis M, so that light L mainly in Direction of an opposite second side 22 of the longitudinal center plane M is radiated. The angles of inclination β ₁ , β ₂ can be of equal magnitude. With respect to the longitudinal center plane M, they point in different directions.

According to an alternative embodiment that is not shown, the straight lines 20, 20′, 20″ can also be designed as continuous, curved curves, so that the light decoupling surface 9 is not flat but curved transversely to the longitudinal center plane M.

According to a further embodiment of the invention that is not shown, the aspheric base lines of the light coupling-out surface 9 can also be developed according to even and odd aspheric terms, so that a distinction between the upper and lower half of the light coupling-out surfaces 10 is omitted.

According to a further embodiment of the invention that is not shown, the light coupling-out surface 10 can also be calculated by describing a larger number of aspherical base lines, so that a finer description is ensured.

The light sources 8 are preferably in the form of LED light sources and are arranged on a common printed circuit board.

Reference List

1

lighting device

2, 2'

Light module / optical element

3, 3'

Light module / optical element

4, 4'

Light guide module / optical element

5, 5'

Light module / optical element

6, 6'

Light module / optical element

7

light emission direction

8th

light source

9

light coupling surface

10

light extraction surface

11

edge

12

edge

13

side face

14

frame

15

drilling

16, 16', 16'',16'''

light decoupling surface sections

17

upper half

18

optical axis

19

bottom half

20, 20', 20''

straights

21

side

22

side

L

light

M

longitudinal median plane

b

Broad

A, B, C, D, E, F

baselines

β1, β2

tilt angle

Claims (9)

Lighting device for vehicles with at least two light modules (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), each consisting of a light source (8) and an optical element (2', 3', 4', 5') arranged in front of the light source (8) in the light emission direction. , 6'), wherein the optical element (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') has a light coupling surface (9) for coupling the light emitted by the light source (8), a light coupling surface (10) for coupling the light which extends in an arc along a longitudinal center plane of the optical element (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') and has two opposite side surfaces (13) on which the coupled-in light can be totally reflected and each has an edge of the light-coupling surface (9) with an edge of the light coupling-out surface (10), that light coupling-in surfaces (9) of at least two optical elements (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') are designed to be oriented in different directions in order to generate a broad light distribution, thereby characterized in that the light output el surfaces (10) are designed as an asymmetrical light decoupling surface, with a light decoupling surface (10) of a first light module (3, 4) running at a first angle of inclination (β ₁ ) to the longitudinal center plane (M) of the same, so that a main part of the decoupled light in is decoupled in an angular range on a first side of the longitudinal center plane (M), and that a light decoupling surface (10) of a second light module (5, 6) runs at a second angle of inclination (β ₂ ) from the longitudinal center plane (M), so that a major portion of the coupled-out light is coupled out in an angular range on a second side of the longitudinal center plane (M), that at least two light modules (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) are provided in a parallel orientation to one another, the longitudinal center planes (M) of the light modules running parallel to one another that the optical elements (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') are arranged spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction and that the side surfaces (13) of the optics elements (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') extend parallel or approximately parallel in the vertical direction. lighting device claim 1 , characterized in that the optical elements (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') of the light modules (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) are connected to one another in one piece. lighting device claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the optical elements (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') of the light modules (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) are connected to one another in one piece by a frame (14), the frame (14) is formed on the narrow sides of the optical elements (2', 3', 4', 5', 6'). Lighting device according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the light decoupling surface (10) of the optical element (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') has a number of aspherical base lines (A, B, C, D, E, F) which extend in the direction of the arcuate light output surface (10). Lighting device according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that above and below an optical axis (18) of the optical element (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') different aspheric base lines (A, B, C, D, E, F) and / or aspherical light decoupling surface sections (16, 16', 16'', 16''') are formed so that an upper half of the light decoupling surface (10) of the optical element (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') for Formation of the light-dark boundary and a lower half of the light decoupling surface (10) is used to form an apron. Lighting device according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the light decoupling surface (10) is designed as a narrow surface which extends in the vertical direction and which has a plurality of aspheric base lines (A, B, C, D, E, F) and/or aspheric base lines running in the vertical direction Has light coupling-out surface sections (16, 16', 16", 16'''). Lighting device according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the light decoupling surface (10) of the optical element (2', 3', 4', 5', 6') has six aspherical base lines (A, B, C, D, E, F) and/or four aspherical light decoupling surface sections (16, 16', 16", 16"'). Lighting device according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the light decoupling surface (10) runs transversely to the longitudinal center plane (M) in a straight line or as a continuous, curved line. Lighting device according to one of Claims 4 until 8th , characterized in that several light modules (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) in horizon spaced from one another in the valley direction, with a central light module (2) having a light output surface (10) for generating the maximum illuminance and with outer light modules (3, 4, 5, 6) with light output surfaces being arranged on both sides of the central light module (2). (10) to generate the specified spreading width in the horizontal direction.

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