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EP1160506B1 - Vehicle headlamp of the projection type and lighting device comprising at least one such a headlamp - Google Patents

Vehicle headlamp of the projection type and lighting device comprising at least one such a headlamp Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1160506B1
EP1160506B1 EP01111391A EP01111391A EP1160506B1 EP 1160506 B1 EP1160506 B1 EP 1160506B1 EP 01111391 A EP01111391 A EP 01111391A EP 01111391 A EP01111391 A EP 01111391A EP 1160506 B1 EP1160506 B1 EP 1160506B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
light
wavelength region
screening device
headlamp
reflector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01111391A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1160506A3 (en
EP1160506A2 (en
Inventor
Johannes Eschler
Reinhold Fiess
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Robert Bosch GmbH
Original Assignee
Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robert Bosch GmbH filed Critical Robert Bosch GmbH
Publication of EP1160506A2 publication Critical patent/EP1160506A2/en
Publication of EP1160506A3 publication Critical patent/EP1160506A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1160506B1 publication Critical patent/EP1160506B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V9/00—Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters
    • F21V9/14—Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters for producing polarised light
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/12—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of emitted light
    • F21S41/13—Ultraviolet light; Infrared light
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/20—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S41/25—Projection lenses
    • F21S41/255—Lenses with a front view of circular or truncated circular outline
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/20—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S41/285—Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S41/24 - F21S41/2805
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/30—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by reflectors
    • F21S41/32—Optical layout thereof
    • F21S41/321—Optical layout thereof the reflector being a surface of revolution or a planar surface, e.g. truncated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/40—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades
    • F21S41/43—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades characterised by the shape thereof
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
    • F21S41/63—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on refractors, filters or transparent cover plates
    • F21S41/635—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on refractors, filters or transparent cover plates by moving refractors, filters or transparent cover plates
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
    • F21S41/68—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on screens
    • F21S41/683—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on screens by moving screens
    • F21S41/689—Flaps, i.e. screens pivoting around one of their edges
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V9/00—Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters
    • F21V9/04—Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters for filtering out infrared radiation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/162—Incandescent light sources, e.g. filament or halogen lamps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/17—Discharge light sources
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2102/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for illuminating purposes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a headlamp for vehicles according to the projection principle and a lighting device with at least one such headlamp according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • a generic headlight is known from DE 196 21 254 A1.
  • the headlamp has a light source and a reflector, is reflected by the emitted light from the light source.
  • a shielding device in the form of a diaphragm is arranged, through which a part of the light beam reflected by the reflector is shielded and which is impermeable to light in the visible wavelength range.
  • the shielding device generates a light-dark boundary of the visible light emerging from the headlight.
  • a lens is arranged through which the light reflected by the reflector and passing by the shielding device passes.
  • the shielding device for generating the light-dark boundary is required to prevent dazzling of the oncoming traffic by visible light, but this is the visibility for the vehicle driver itself limited so that it can not perceive objects located at a greater distance, since they are not illuminated.
  • a headlamp for vehicles wherein a shielding device for ultraviolet radiation is partially transparent.
  • the headlamp according to the invention with the features according to claim 1 has the advantage that in addition to the illumination of the area in front of the vehicle with light in the visible wavelength range, a lying at a greater distance range is illuminated with light in the infrared wavelength range, which improves the visibility conditions for the Vehicle driver allows without the oncoming traffic is dazzled.
  • the headlight while no additional components compared to the known design are required.
  • the fact that the shielding device (24) on its side facing the reflector (22) is at least partially reflective for light in the visible wavelength range at least in regions makes it possible to use the light shielded by the shielding device in the visible wavelength range.
  • the lighting device according to claim 9 has the advantage that detected by the sensor device illuminated by the light in the infrared wavelength range and displayed on the display device for the driver so that the driver can perceive objects located at a great distance.
  • the development according to claim 3 additionally allows a high beam function with light in the visible wavelength range.
  • the embodiment according to claim 5 enables a specific determination of the area (s) that are illuminated with light in the infrared wavelength range.
  • the embodiment according to claim 7 makes it possible to avoid influencing light originating from other light sources in the infrared wavelength range.
  • the embodiment according to claim 8 also makes it possible to avoid influencing light originating from other light sources in the infrared wavelength range.
  • FIG. 1 shows a vehicle with a lighting device in a schematic representation with a headlight
  • Figure 2 shows the headlight in an enlarged view
  • Figure 3 is arranged in front of the headlight measuring screen.
  • FIG. 1 shows a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a lighting device.
  • the lighting device has at least one arranged at the front end of the body of the motor vehicle headlight 10, which will be described in more detail below.
  • two headlights 10 are provided, which are arranged near the lateral edges of the body of the vehicle.
  • the headlight emits both light in the visible wavelength range and light in the invisible infrared wavelength range.
  • the visible light is a directly noticeable to the driver Lighting causes in front of the vehicle, while for the vehicle driver caused by the infrared light illumination is not directly perceptible.
  • the illumination device has a sensor device 12, by means of which the area illuminated by the infrared light is detected in front of the vehicle.
  • the sensor device 12 may, for example, a video camera, a CCD sensor or be a CMOS sensor.
  • the sensor device 12 is connected to a display device 14 which is arranged in the field of vision of the vehicle driver and on which the region illuminated by the infrared light and detected by the sensor device 12 is represented for the vehicle driver.
  • the display device 14 may be, for example, a screen or a projection device with which an image of the region detected by the sensor device 12 is generated on the windshield of the vehicle.
  • the headlamp 10 is constructed according to the Giionsprnzip and has a light source 20, which emits both light in the visible wavelength range and light in the non-visible wavelength range, at least in the infrared wavelength range.
  • the light source 20 may be an incandescent lamp or preferably a gas discharge lamp.
  • the light source 20 is inserted into a concave curved reflector 22, through which light emitted from the light source 20 is reflected as a light beam.
  • the reflector 22 may for example have an ellipsoidal or ellipsoidal shape, so that a converging light beam is reflected by this.
  • the luminous element of the light source 20, that is to say its filament or arc, is arranged approximately in the area of the inner focal point of the reflector 22.
  • a shielding device 24 is arranged in the form of a diaphragm, which is impermeable to light in the visible wavelength range.
  • the shielding device 24 is arranged substantially below the optical axis 23 of the reflector 22 and has an upper edge 26.
  • the shielding device 24 is thus a part of the visible light of the reflector 22nd Shielded light beam shielded so that it can not escape from the headlight.
  • the light passing past the shielding device 24 in the visible wavelength range receives a light-dark boundary corresponding to the position and shape of the upper edge 26 of the shielding device 24.
  • the shielding device 24 may be arranged offset in the plane of the front edge of the reflector 22 facing in the light exit direction 28 or in the light exit direction 28 ,
  • a lens 30 is arranged, through which the reflector 22 reflects and passes on the shielding device 24 passing light bundle.
  • the light beam is deflected as it passes through the lens 30 so that it generates a predetermined illumination intensity distribution for illuminating the area in front of the vehicle.
  • the lens 30 has an approximately flat side facing the reflector 22 and a convexly curved side facing away from it, which preferably has an aspherical curvature.
  • the upper edge 26 of the shielding device 24 is imaged as an upper bright-dark boundary, which limits the area illuminated by the light beam leaving the headlight. The light-dark border avoids dazzling oncoming traffic.
  • the light beam emerging from the headlight in the visible wavelength range is a dimmed light beam, preferably a dipped beam.
  • the light exit opening of the headlamp 10 may be covered with a translucent disk 32, which may be smooth, so that it passes through this light substantially unaffected, or at least partially optical profiles may be deflected by the passing light and / or scattered.
  • FIG. 3 shows a measuring screen 80 arranged at a distance in front of the headlight, which is illuminated by the light emitted by the headlight.
  • the measuring screen 80 has a horizontal center plane HH and a vertical center plane VV, which intersect at a point HV.
  • the screen 80 represents the projection of a road ahead of the headlight, which would be illuminated accordingly.
  • the measuring screen 80 is illuminated by the light emitted by the headlight in the visible wavelength range in a region 82.
  • the area 82 is bounded above by the light-dark boundary, which is determined by the upper edge 26 of the shielding device 24.
  • the light-dark boundary has on the opposite side of the traffic, which is the left side of the Meß containers 80, in the illustrated embodiment of the headlamp for right-hand traffic, a horizontal portion 83 which extends slightly below the horizontal center plane HH of Meß containers 80.
  • the light-dark boundary On the own traffic side, which is the right side of the measuring screen 80 in the case of right-hand traffic, the light-dark boundary has a section 84 rising from the horizontal section 83 to the right.
  • the light beam emitted by the headlamp in the visible wavelength range thus has a greater range on its own traffic side than on the oncoming traffic side.
  • the shielding device 24 is at least partially transparent to light in the infrared wavelength range, at least in regions.
  • the shielding device 24 is at least partially transmissive to light in the near infrared wavelength range between about 780 nm and about 7 ⁇ m.
  • the reflector 22 is formed in a region through which light emitted from the light source 20 is reflected, which passes to the shielding device 24, formed such that through this light is reflected, the proportion of which in the infrared wavelength range after passing through the shielding device 24 and the lens 30 has a greater range than the passing of the shielding device 24 light in the visible wavelength range.
  • the light passing through the shielding device 24 in the infrared wavelength range thus illuminates an area 88 of the measuring screen 80 which is higher than the area illuminated by the visible light 82 and which is further arranged on the carriageway than the area 82.
  • the far range 88 is detected and displayed on the display device 14 for the vehicle driver, so that the driver can recognize also located in the remote area 88 objects.
  • the far-end area 88 corresponds approximately to a high-beam area that would be illuminated with visible light when the high beam is turned on.
  • the shielding device 24 may be formed on its side facing the reflector 22 at least partially reflective in the region in which it is transparent to the light in the infrared wavelength range, for light in the visible wavelength range. In this way, visible light is reflected back to the reflector 22 by the shielding device 24, through which this light can be at least partially reflected such that it passes the shielding device 24 and exits the headlight.
  • the shielding device 24 may be formed at least partially as a reflective interference filter.
  • the shielding device 24 may be permeable over its entire surface for light in the infrared wavelength range or only in one or a plurality of subregions, wherein the shielding device 24 absorbs or reflects light in the infrared wavelength range in the other subregions. In this way, the position and size of the far region 88, which is illuminated on the measuring screen 80 by the light in the infrared wavelength range, and the illuminance of the far region 88 can be determined.
  • the light source 20 can be operated constantly or pulsed or modulated.
  • the modulation frequency is preferably at least about 100 Hz, so that the modulation is not disturbing to the human eye.
  • the sensor device 12 is synchronously with the light source 20, that is, operated at the same modulation frequency, so that the illumination of the remote area 88 is detected by this only when it is illuminated by the light source 20.
  • the sensor device 12 can have a diaphragm 34, by means of which the incidence of light into the sensor device 12 is controlled.
  • glare of the sensor device 12 can be avoided or at least reduced by light incident from other light sources, for example light sources of the headlights of oncoming vehicles, and incident directly into the sensor device 12.
  • a polarizer 36 is arranged, through which the light emerging from the headlight infrared light is linearly polarized.
  • the polarizer device 36 may, for example, on the shielding device 24 or on the cover 32nd be applied or be arranged as a separate component in the beam path of the passing through the shielding device 24 light.
  • a second polarizer means 38 may be arranged, which is also referred to as an analyzer, and whose polarization direction is rotated relative to the polarization direction of the polarizer 36 by 90 °.
  • glare of the sensor device 12 is avoided by light coming from other light sources, for example light sources of the headlights oncoming vehicles, and incident directly into the sensor device 12, since this is not or only attenuated in the sensor device 12 due to the different polarization directions can occur.
  • the shielding device 24 may be arranged fixedly in the headlight 10 or be movable between a position in which it is arranged as explained above in the beam path of the light reflected by the reflector 22 light beam and with its upper edge 26, the light-dark boundary 83,84 of the visible light beam generated, and at least one further position in which the shielding device 24 projects at least a little less into the beam path of the light beam reflected by the reflector 22 or is arranged outside the beam path.
  • To move the shielding device 24 engages an adjusting element 40 at this.
  • the shielding device 24 may, for example, be displaceable in an approximately vertical direction or may be pivotable about an axis 42 extending horizontally, for example.
  • the shielding device 24 is shown in Figure 2 in their projecting into the beam path position and with dashed lines in their out of the beam path distant position.
  • the shielding device 24 When the shielding device 24 is in its position projecting into the beam path, it generates the light-dark boundary 83, 84 of the visible light beam, and through the headlamp 10 a visible-light dipped beam illuminating the area 82 and a far-infrared beam with infrared Light that illuminates the far-end area 88 emitted, in which no glare of oncoming traffic occurs.
  • the shielding device 24 is when the low beam of the vehicle is turned on.
  • the shielding device 24 When the shielding device 24 is moved out of the beam path of the light beam reflected by the reflector 22, the visible light beam which illuminates the region 82 continues to emerge from the headlight 10. In this position, the shielding device 24 is when the high beam of the vehicle is turned on and no oncoming traffic is present. In addition, visible light that would otherwise be shielded by the shielding device 24 also emerges, so that also the far-end region 88 is illuminated with visible light and thus a conventional high-beam light in the visible wavelength range is realized.
  • the shielding 24 needs to be modified over known fully opaque embodiments such that it is at least partially transparent to light in the infrared wavelength range.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Description

Stand der TechnikState of the art

Die Erfindung geht aus von einem Scheinwerfer für Fahrzeuge nach dem Projektionsprinzip und einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung mit wenigstens einem solchen Scheinwerfer nach der Gattung des Anspruchs 1.The invention relates to a headlamp for vehicles according to the projection principle and a lighting device with at least one such headlamp according to the preamble of claim 1.

Ein gattungsgemäßer Scheinwerfer ist durch die DE 196 21 254 A1 bekannt. Der Scheinwerfer weist eine Lichtquelle und einen Reflektor auf, durch den von der Lichtquelle ausgesandtes Licht reflektiert wird. Im Strahlengang des vom Reflektor reflektierten Lichtbündels ist eine Abschirmvorrichtung in Form einer Blende angeordnet, durch die ein Teil des vom Reflektor reflektierten Lichtbündels abgeschirmt wird und die für Licht im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich undurchlässig ist. Durch die Abschirmvorrichtung wird eine Helldunkelgrenze des aus dem Scheinwerfer austretenden sichtbaren Lichts erzeugt. In Lichtaustrittsrichtung nach der Abschirmvorrichtung ist eine Linse angeordnet, durch die vom Reflektor reflektiertes und an der Abschirmvorrichtung vorbeigelangendes Licht hindurchtritt. Die Abschirmvorrichtung zur Erzeugung der Helldunkelgrenze ist erforderlich, um eine Blendung des Gegenverkehrs durch sichtbares Licht zu vermeiden, jedoch ist dadurch die Sichtweite für den Fahrzeuglenker selbst begrenzt, so daß dieser sich in größerer Entfernung befindende Objekte nicht wahrnehmen kann, da diese nicht beleuchtet werden.A generic headlight is known from DE 196 21 254 A1. The headlamp has a light source and a reflector, is reflected by the emitted light from the light source. In the beam path of the light beam reflected by the reflector, a shielding device in the form of a diaphragm is arranged, through which a part of the light beam reflected by the reflector is shielded and which is impermeable to light in the visible wavelength range. The shielding device generates a light-dark boundary of the visible light emerging from the headlight. In the light exit direction after the shielding device, a lens is arranged through which the light reflected by the reflector and passing by the shielding device passes. The shielding device for generating the light-dark boundary is required to prevent dazzling of the oncoming traffic by visible light, but this is the visibility for the vehicle driver itself limited so that it can not perceive objects located at a greater distance, since they are not illuminated.

Aus dem Dokument FR 2 648 541 ist ein Scheinwerfer für Fahrzeuge bekannt, wobei eine Abschirmvorrichtung für ultraviolette Strahlung teilweise durchlässig ist.From the document FR 2 648 541 a headlamp for vehicles is known, wherein a shielding device for ultraviolet radiation is partially transparent.

Vorteile der ErfindungAdvantages of the invention

Der erfindungsgemäße Scheinwerfer mit den Merkmalen gemäß Anspruch 1 hat demgegenüber den Vorteil, daß zusätzlich zu der Beleuchtung des Bereichs vor dem Fahrzeug mit Licht im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich ein in größerer Entfernung liegender Bereich mit Licht im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich beleuchtet wird, der eine Verbesserung der Sichtbedingungen für den Fahrzeuglenker ermöglicht, ohne daß der Gegenverkehr geblendet wird. Beim Scheinwerfer sind dabei keine zusätzlichen Bauteile gegenüber der bekannten Ausführung erforderlich. Daß die Abschirmvorrichtung (24) auf ihrer dem Reflektor (22) zugewandten Seite wenigstens bereichsweise für Licht im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich zumindest teilweise reflektierend ausgebildet ist, ermöglicht die Nutzung des von der Abschirmvorrichtung abgeschirmten Lichts im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich. Die Beleuchtungseinrichtung gemäß Anspruch 9 hat den Vorteil, daß durch die Sensoreinrichtung der durch das Licht im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich beleuchtete Bereich erfaßt und auf der Anzeigevorrichtung für den Fahrzeuglenker dargestellt wird, so daß der Fahrzeuglenker auch in großer Entfernung sich befindende Objekte wahrnehmen kann.The headlamp according to the invention with the features according to claim 1 has the advantage that in addition to the illumination of the area in front of the vehicle with light in the visible wavelength range, a lying at a greater distance range is illuminated with light in the infrared wavelength range, which improves the visibility conditions for the Vehicle driver allows without the oncoming traffic is dazzled. When the headlight while no additional components compared to the known design are required. The fact that the shielding device (24) on its side facing the reflector (22) is at least partially reflective for light in the visible wavelength range at least in regions makes it possible to use the light shielded by the shielding device in the visible wavelength range. The lighting device according to claim 9 has the advantage that detected by the sensor device illuminated by the light in the infrared wavelength range and displayed on the display device for the driver so that the driver can perceive objects located at a great distance.

In den abhängigen Ansprüchen sind vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen und Weiterbildungen des erfindungsgemäßen Scheinwerfers angegeben. Die Weiterbildung gemäß Anspruch 3 ermöglicht zusätzlich eine Fernlichtfunktion mit Licht im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich. Die Ausbildung gemäß Anspruch 5 ermöglicht eine gezielte Bestimmung des oder der Bereiche, die mit Licht im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich beleuchtet werden. Die Ausbildung gemäß Anspruch 7 ermöglicht die Vermeidung einer Beeinflußung durch von anderen Lichtquellen herrührendem Licht im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich. Die Ausbildung gemäß Anspruch 8 ermöglicht ebenfalls die Vermeidung einer Beeinflußung durch von anderen Lichtquellen herrührendem Licht im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich.In the dependent claims advantageous refinements and developments of the headlamp according to the invention are given. The development according to claim 3 additionally allows a high beam function with light in the visible wavelength range. The embodiment according to claim 5 enables a specific determination of the area (s) that are illuminated with light in the infrared wavelength range. The embodiment according to claim 7 makes it possible to avoid influencing light originating from other light sources in the infrared wavelength range. The embodiment according to claim 8 also makes it possible to avoid influencing light originating from other light sources in the infrared wavelength range.

Zeichnungdrawing

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ist in der Zeichnung dargestellt und in der nachfolgenden Beschreibung näher erläutert. Es zeigen Figur 1 ein Fahrzeug mit einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung in schematischer Darstellung mit einem Scheinwerfer, Figur 2 den Scheinwerfer in vergrößerter Darstellung und Figur 3 einen vor dem Scheinwerfer angeordneten Meßschirm.An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description. 1 shows a vehicle with a lighting device in a schematic representation with a headlight, Figure 2 shows the headlight in an enlarged view and Figure 3 is arranged in front of the headlight measuring screen.

Beschreibung des AusführungsbeispielsDescription of the embodiment

In Figur 1 ist ein Fahrzeug, insbesondere ein Kraftfahrzeug, mit einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung dargestellt. Die Beleuchtungseinrichtung weist wenigstens einen am Frontende der Karosserie des Kraftfahrzeugs angeordneten Scheinwerfer 10 auf, der nachfolgend noch näher beschrieben wird. üblicherweise sind zwei Scheinwerfer 10 vorgesehen, die nahe den seitlichen Rändern der Karosserie des Fahrzeugs angeordnet sind. Durch den Scheinwerfer wird sowohl Licht im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich ausgesandt als auch Licht im nicht sichtbaren infraroten Wellenlängenbereich. Durch das sichtbare Licht wird eine für den Fahrzeuglenker direkt wahrnehmbare Beleuchtung vor dem Fahrzeug bewirkt, während für den Fahrzeuglenker die durch das infrarote Licht bewirkte Beleuchtung nicht direkt wahrnehmbar ist. Hierzu weist die Beleuchtungseinrichtung eine Sensoreinrichtung 12 auf, durch die der durch das infrarote Licht beleuchtete Bereich vor dem Fahrzeug erfaßt wird. Die Sensoreinrichtung 12 kann beispielsweise eine Videokamera, ein CCD-Sensor oder ein CMOS-Sensor sein. Die Sensoreinrichtung 12 ist mit einer Anzeigevorrichtung 14 verbunden, die im Blickfeld des Fahrzeuglenkers angeordnet ist und auf der der mit dem infraroten Licht beleuchtete und von der Sensoreinrichtung 12 erfaßte Bereich für den Fahrzeuglenker dargestellt wird. Die Anzeigevorrichtung 14 kann beispielsweise ein Bildschirm sein oder eine Projektionseinrichtung, mit der eine Abbildung des von der Sensoreinrichtung 12 erfaßten Bereichs auf die Windschutzscheibe des Fahrzeugs erzeugt wird.FIG. 1 shows a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a lighting device. The lighting device has at least one arranged at the front end of the body of the motor vehicle headlight 10, which will be described in more detail below. Usually, two headlights 10 are provided, which are arranged near the lateral edges of the body of the vehicle. The headlight emits both light in the visible wavelength range and light in the invisible infrared wavelength range. The visible light is a directly noticeable to the driver Lighting causes in front of the vehicle, while for the vehicle driver caused by the infrared light illumination is not directly perceptible. For this purpose, the illumination device has a sensor device 12, by means of which the area illuminated by the infrared light is detected in front of the vehicle. The sensor device 12 may, for example, a video camera, a CCD sensor or be a CMOS sensor. The sensor device 12 is connected to a display device 14 which is arranged in the field of vision of the vehicle driver and on which the region illuminated by the infrared light and detected by the sensor device 12 is represented for the vehicle driver. The display device 14 may be, for example, a screen or a projection device with which an image of the region detected by the sensor device 12 is generated on the windshield of the vehicle.

Nachfolgend wird der Aufbau des Scheinwerfers 10 näher erläutert. Der Scheinwerfer 10 ist nach dem Projektionsprnzip aufgebaut und weist eine Lichtquelle 20 auf, die sowohl Licht im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich als auch Licht im nicht sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich, zumindest im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich aussendet. Die Lichtquelle 20 kann eine Glühlampe oder vorzugsweise eine Gasentladungslampe sein. Die Lichtquelle 20 ist in einen konkav gekrümmten Reflektor 22 eingesetzt, durch den von der Lichtquelle 20 ausgesandtes Licht als ein Lichtbündel reflektiert wird. Der Reflektor 22 kann beispielsweise eine ellipsoide oder ellipsoidähnliche Form aufweisen, so daß durch diesen ein konvergierendes Lichtbündel reflektiert wird. Der Leuchtkörper der Lichtquelle 20, das heißt deren Glühwendel oder Lichtbogen, ist dabei etwa im Bereich des inneren Brennpunkts des Reflektors 22 angeordnet.The structure of the headlamp 10 will be explained in more detail. The headlamp 10 is constructed according to the Projektionsprnzip and has a light source 20, which emits both light in the visible wavelength range and light in the non-visible wavelength range, at least in the infrared wavelength range. The light source 20 may be an incandescent lamp or preferably a gas discharge lamp. The light source 20 is inserted into a concave curved reflector 22, through which light emitted from the light source 20 is reflected as a light beam. The reflector 22 may for example have an ellipsoidal or ellipsoidal shape, so that a converging light beam is reflected by this. The luminous element of the light source 20, that is to say its filament or arc, is arranged approximately in the area of the inner focal point of the reflector 22.

Im Strahlengang des vom Reflektor 22 reflektierten Lichtbündels ist eine Abschirmvorrichtung 24 in Form einer Blende angeordnet, die für Licht im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich undurchlässig ist. Die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 ist im wesentlichen unterhalb der optischen Achse 23 des Reflektors 22 angeordnet und weist eine Oberkante 26 auf. Durch die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 wird somit ein Teil des sichtbaren Lichts des vom Reflektor 22 reflektierten Lichtbündels abgeschirmt, so daß dieses nicht aus dem Scheinwerfer austreten kann. An der Abschirmvorrichtung 24 vorbeigelangendes Licht im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich erhält eine Helldunkelgrenze entsprechend der Lage und Form der Oberkante 26 der Abschirmvorrichtung 24. Die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 kann etwa in der Ebene des in Lichtaustrittsrichtung 28 weisenden Vorderrands des Reflektors 22 oder zu dieser in Lichtaustrittsrichtung 28 versetzt angeordnet sein.In the beam path of the light beam reflected by the reflector 22, a shielding device 24 is arranged in the form of a diaphragm, which is impermeable to light in the visible wavelength range. The shielding device 24 is arranged substantially below the optical axis 23 of the reflector 22 and has an upper edge 26. By the shielding device 24 is thus a part of the visible light of the reflector 22nd Shielded light beam shielded so that it can not escape from the headlight. The light passing past the shielding device 24 in the visible wavelength range receives a light-dark boundary corresponding to the position and shape of the upper edge 26 of the shielding device 24. The shielding device 24 may be arranged offset in the plane of the front edge of the reflector 22 facing in the light exit direction 28 or in the light exit direction 28 ,

In Lichtaustrittsrichtung 28 nach der Abschirmvorrichtung 24 ist eine Linse 30 angeordnet, durch die das Reflektor 22 reflektierte und an der Abschirmvorrichtung 24 vorbeigelangende Lichtbündel hindurchtritt. Das Lichtbündel wird beim Durchtritt durch die Linse 30 abgelenkt, so daß dieses zur Beleuchtung des Bereichs vor dem Fahrzeug eine vorgegebene Beleuchtungsstärkeverteilung erzeugt. Die Linse 30 weist eine dem Reflektor 22 zugewandte etwa ebene Seite und eine diesem abgewandte konvex gekrümmte Seite auf, die vorzugsweise eine asphärische Krümmung besitzt. Dabei wird die Oberkante 26 der Abschirmvorrichtung 24 als eine obere Helldunkelgrenze abgebildet, die den von dem aus dem Scheinwerfer austretenden Lichtbündel beleuchteten Bereich begrenzt. Durch die Helldunkelgrenze wird eine Blendung des Gegenverkehrs vermieden. Das aus dem Scheinwerfer austretende Lichtbündel im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich ist ein abgeblendetes Lichtbündel, vorzugsweise ein Abblendlichtbündel. Die Lichtaustrittsöffnung des Scheinwerfers 10 kann mit einer lichtdurchlässigen Scheibe 32 abgedeckt sein, die glatt ausgebildet sein kann, so daß durch diese Licht im wesentlichen unbeeinflußt hindurchtritt, oder die zumindest bereichsweise optische Profile aufweisen kann, durch die hindurchtretendes Licht abgelenkt und/oder gestreut wird.In the light exit direction 28 after the shielding device 24, a lens 30 is arranged, through which the reflector 22 reflects and passes on the shielding device 24 passing light bundle. The light beam is deflected as it passes through the lens 30 so that it generates a predetermined illumination intensity distribution for illuminating the area in front of the vehicle. The lens 30 has an approximately flat side facing the reflector 22 and a convexly curved side facing away from it, which preferably has an aspherical curvature. In this case, the upper edge 26 of the shielding device 24 is imaged as an upper bright-dark boundary, which limits the area illuminated by the light beam leaving the headlight. The light-dark border avoids dazzling oncoming traffic. The light beam emerging from the headlight in the visible wavelength range is a dimmed light beam, preferably a dipped beam. The light exit opening of the headlamp 10 may be covered with a translucent disk 32, which may be smooth, so that it passes through this light substantially unaffected, or at least partially optical profiles may be deflected by the passing light and / or scattered.

In Figur 3 ist ein mit Abstand vor dem Scheinwerfer angeordneter Meßschirm 80 dargestellt, der durch das vom Scheinwerfer ausgesandte Licht beleuchtet wird. Der Meßschirm 80 weist eine horizontale Mittelebene HH und eine vertikale Mittelebene VV auf, die sich in einem Punkt HV schneiden. Der Meßschirm 80 repräsentiert die Projektion einer vor dem Scheinwerfer liegenden Fahrbahn, die entsprechend beleuchtet würde. Der Meßschirm 80 wird durch das vom Scheinwerfer ausgesandte Licht im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich in einem Bereich 82 beleuchtet. Der Bereich 82 ist nach oben durch die Helldunkelgrenze begrenzt, die durch die Oberkante 26 der Abschirmvorrichtung 24 bestimmt ist. Die Helldunkelgrenze weist auf der Gegenverkehrsseite, das ist bei der dargestellten Ausführung des Scheinwerfers für Rechtsverkehr die linke Seite des Meßschirms 80, einen horizontalen Abschnitt 83 auf, der etwas unterhalb der horizontalen Mittelebene HH des Meßschirms 80 verläuft. Auf der eigenen Verkehrsseite, das ist bei Rechtsverkehr die rechte Seite des Meßschirms 80, weist die Helldunkelgrenze einen ausgehend vom horizontalen Abschnitt 83 nach rechts ansteigenden Abschnitt 84 auf. Das vom Scheinwerfer im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich ausgesandte Lichtbündel weist somit auf der eigenen Verkehrsseite eine größere Reichweite auf als auf der Gegenverkehrsseite.FIG. 3 shows a measuring screen 80 arranged at a distance in front of the headlight, which is illuminated by the light emitted by the headlight. The measuring screen 80 has a horizontal center plane HH and a vertical center plane VV, which intersect at a point HV. The screen 80 represents the projection of a road ahead of the headlight, which would be illuminated accordingly. The measuring screen 80 is illuminated by the light emitted by the headlight in the visible wavelength range in a region 82. The area 82 is bounded above by the light-dark boundary, which is determined by the upper edge 26 of the shielding device 24. The light-dark boundary has on the opposite side of the traffic, which is the left side of the Meßschirms 80, in the illustrated embodiment of the headlamp for right-hand traffic, a horizontal portion 83 which extends slightly below the horizontal center plane HH of Meßschirms 80. On the own traffic side, which is the right side of the measuring screen 80 in the case of right-hand traffic, the light-dark boundary has a section 84 rising from the horizontal section 83 to the right. The light beam emitted by the headlamp in the visible wavelength range thus has a greater range on its own traffic side than on the oncoming traffic side.

Erfindungsgemäß ist die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 wenigstens bereichsweise für Licht im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich zumindest teilweise durchlässig. Vorzugsweise ist die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 für Licht im nahen infraroten Wellenlängenbereich zwischen etwa 780 nm und etwa 7 µm zumindest teilweise durchlässig. Der Reflektor 22 ist in einem Bereich, durch den von der Lichtquelle 20 ausgesandtes Licht reflektiert wird, das zur Abschirmvorrichtung 24 hin verläuft, derart ausgebildet, daß durch diesen Licht reflektiert wird, dessen Anteil im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich nach Durchtritt durch die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 und die Linse 30 eine größere Reichweite aufweist als das an der Abschirmvorrichtung 24 vorbeigelangende Licht im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich. Durch das durch die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 hindurchtretende Licht im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich wird somit ein Bereich 88 des Meßschirms 80 beleuchtet, der höher angeordnet ist als der durch das sichtbare Licht beleuchtete Bereich 82 und auf der Fahrbahn entsprechend ferner angeordnet ist als der Bereich 82. Vorzugsweise schließt sich der Fernbereich 88 direkt oberhalb der Helldunkelgrenze 83,84 an den Bereich 82 an. Durch die Sensoreinrichtung 12 wird der Fernbereich 88 erfaßt und auf der Anzeigevorrichtung 14 für den Fahrzeuglenker dargestellt, so daß der Fahrzeuglenker auch sich im Fernbereich 88 befindende Objekte erkennen kann. Der Fernbereich 88 entspricht beispielsweise etwa einem Fernlichtbereich, der bei eingeschaltetem Fernlicht mit sichtbarem Licht beleuchtet würde.According to the invention, the shielding device 24 is at least partially transparent to light in the infrared wavelength range, at least in regions. Preferably, the shielding device 24 is at least partially transmissive to light in the near infrared wavelength range between about 780 nm and about 7 μm. The reflector 22 is formed in a region through which light emitted from the light source 20 is reflected, which passes to the shielding device 24, formed such that through this light is reflected, the proportion of which in the infrared wavelength range after passing through the shielding device 24 and the lens 30 has a greater range than the passing of the shielding device 24 light in the visible wavelength range. The light passing through the shielding device 24 in the infrared wavelength range thus illuminates an area 88 of the measuring screen 80 which is higher than the area illuminated by the visible light 82 and which is further arranged on the carriageway than the area 82. Preferably closes the far-end region 88 directly above the light-dark boundary 83, 84 adjoins the region 82. By the sensor device 12, the far range 88 is detected and displayed on the display device 14 for the vehicle driver, so that the driver can recognize also located in the remote area 88 objects. For example, the far-end area 88 corresponds approximately to a high-beam area that would be illuminated with visible light when the high beam is turned on.

Die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 kann auf ihrer dem Reflektor 22 zugewandten Seite wenigstens teilweise in dem Bereich, in dem diese für das Licht im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich durchlässig ist, für Licht im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich zumindest teilweise reflektierend ausgebildet sein. Hierdurch wird durch die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 sichtbares Licht auf den Reflektor 22 zurückreflektiert, durch den dieses Licht zumindest teilweise derart reflektiert werden kann, daß dieses an der Abschirmvorrichtung 24 vorbeigelangt und aus dem Scheinwerfer austritt. Die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 kann zumindest bereichsweise als reflektierendes Interferenzfilter ausgebildet sein. Die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 kann über ihre gesamte Fläche durchlässig sein für Licht im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich oder nur in einem oder mehreren Teilbereichen, wobei die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 in den übrigen Teilbereichen Licht im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich absorbiert oder reflektiert. Hierdurch können gezielt die Lage und Größe des Fernbereichs 88, der auf dem Meßschirm 80 durch das Licht im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich beleuchtet wird, sowie die Beleuchtungsstärke des Fernbereichs 88 bestimmt werden.The shielding device 24 may be formed on its side facing the reflector 22 at least partially reflective in the region in which it is transparent to the light in the infrared wavelength range, for light in the visible wavelength range. In this way, visible light is reflected back to the reflector 22 by the shielding device 24, through which this light can be at least partially reflected such that it passes the shielding device 24 and exits the headlight. The shielding device 24 may be formed at least partially as a reflective interference filter. The shielding device 24 may be permeable over its entire surface for light in the infrared wavelength range or only in one or a plurality of subregions, wherein the shielding device 24 absorbs or reflects light in the infrared wavelength range in the other subregions. In this way, the position and size of the far region 88, which is illuminated on the measuring screen 80 by the light in the infrared wavelength range, and the illuminance of the far region 88 can be determined.

Die Lichtquelle 20 kann konstant betrieben werden oder gepulst bzw. moduliert. Die Modulationsfrequenz beträgt dabei vorzugsweise wenigstens etwa 100 Hz, so daß für das menschliche Auge die Modulation nicht störend wahrnehmbar ist. Die Sensoreinrichtung 12 wird synchron zur Lichtquelle 20, das heißt mit derselben Modulationsfrequenz, betrieben, so daß durch diese die Beleuchtung des Fernbereichs 88 nur erfaßt wird, wenn dieser durch die Lichtquelle 20 beleuchtet wird. Die Sensoreinrichtung 12 kann hierbei eine Blende 34 aufweisen, durch die der Lichteinfall in die Sensoreinrichtung 12 gesteuert wird. Durch einen modulierten Betrieb der Lichtquelle 20 und der Sensoreinrichtung 12 kann eine Blendung der Sensoreinrichtung 12 durch von anderen Lichtquellen, beispielsweise Lichtquellen der Scheinwerfer entgegenkommender Fahrzeuge, herrührendes und direkt in die Sensoreinrichtung 12 einfallendes Licht vermieden oder zumindest verringert werden.The light source 20 can be operated constantly or pulsed or modulated. The modulation frequency is preferably at least about 100 Hz, so that the modulation is not disturbing to the human eye. The sensor device 12 is synchronously with the light source 20, that is, operated at the same modulation frequency, so that the illumination of the remote area 88 is detected by this only when it is illuminated by the light source 20. In this case, the sensor device 12 can have a diaphragm 34, by means of which the incidence of light into the sensor device 12 is controlled. By means of a modulated operation of the light source 20 and of the sensor device 12, glare of the sensor device 12 can be avoided or at least reduced by light incident from other light sources, for example light sources of the headlights of oncoming vehicles, and incident directly into the sensor device 12.

Alternativ oder zusätzlich zu dem vorstehend erläuterten modulierten Betrieb der Lichtquelle 20 kann auch vorgesehen sein, daß im Strahlengang des durch die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 hindurchtretenden Lichts im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich eine Polarisatoreinrichtung 36 angeordnet ist, durch die das aus dem Scheinwerfer austretende infrarote Licht linear polarisiert wird. Die Polarisatoreinrichtung 36 kann beispielsweise auf die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 oder auf die Abdeckscheibe 32 aufgebracht sein oder als separates Bauelement im Strahlengang des durch die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 hindurchtretenden Lichts angeordnet sein. Im Strahlengang des in die Sensoreinrichtung 12 einfallenden Lichts kann eine zweite Polarisatoreinrichtung 38 angeordnet sein, die auch als Analysator bezeichnet wird, und deren Polarisationsrichtung gegenüber der Polarisationsrichtung der Polarisationseinrichtung 36 um 90° gedreht ist. Durch die Polarisationseinrichtungen 36,38 wird eine Blendung der Sensoreinrichtung 12 durch von anderen Lichtquellen, beispielsweise Lichtquellen der Scheinwerfer entgegenkommender Fahrzeuge, herrührendes und direkt in die Sensoreinrichtung 12 einfallendes Licht vermieden werden, da dieses wegen der unterschiedlichen Polarisationsrichtungen nicht oder nur abgeschwächt in die Sensoreinrichtung 12 eintreten kann.Alternatively or in addition to the above-described modulated operation of the light source 20 may also be provided that in the beam path of passing through the shielding device 24 light in the infrared wavelength range, a polarizer 36 is arranged, through which the light emerging from the headlight infrared light is linearly polarized. The polarizer device 36 may, for example, on the shielding device 24 or on the cover 32nd be applied or be arranged as a separate component in the beam path of the passing through the shielding device 24 light. In the beam path of the incident light in the sensor device 12, a second polarizer means 38 may be arranged, which is also referred to as an analyzer, and whose polarization direction is rotated relative to the polarization direction of the polarizer 36 by 90 °. By means of the polarization devices 36, 38, glare of the sensor device 12 is avoided by light coming from other light sources, for example light sources of the headlights oncoming vehicles, and incident directly into the sensor device 12, since this is not or only attenuated in the sensor device 12 due to the different polarization directions can occur.

Die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 kann feststehend im Scheinwerfer 10 angeordnet sein oder beweglich sein, zwischen einer Stellung, in der diese wie vorstehend erläutert im Strahlengang des vom Reflektor 22 reflektierten Lichtbündels angeordnet ist und mit ihrer Oberkante 26 die Helldunkelgrenze 83,84 des sichtbaren Lichtbündels erzeugt, und wenigstens einer weiteren Stellung, in der die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 zumindest weniger weit in den Strahlengang des vom Reflektor 22 reflektierten Lichtbündels ragt oder außerhalb des Strahlengangs angeordnet ist. Zur Bewegung der Abschirmvorrichtung 24 greift an dieser ein Verstellelement 40 an. Die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 kann beispielsweise in etwa vertikaler Richtung verschiebbar sein oder um eine beispielsweise horizontal verlaufende Achse 42 verschwenkbar sein. Mit durchgezogenen Linien ist die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 in Figur 2 in ihrer in den Strahlengang ragenden Stellung dargestellt und mit gestrichelten Linien in ihrer aus dem Strahlengang entfernten Stellung. Wenn sich die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 in ihrer in den Strahlengang ragenden Stellung befindet, so wird durch diese die Helldunkelgrenze 83,84 des sichtbaren Lichtbündels erzeugt und durch den Scheinwerfer 10 wird ein Abblendlichtbündel mit sichtbarem Licht, das den Bereich 82 beleuchtet, und ein Fernlichtbündel mit infrarotem Licht, das den Fernbereich 88 beleuchtet, ausgesandt, bei dem keine Blendung des Gegenverkehrs auftritt. In dieser Stellung befindet sich die Abschirmvorrichtung 24, wenn das Abblendlicht des Fahrzeugs eingeschaltet ist. Wenn die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 aus dem Strahlengang des vom Reflektor 22 reflektierten Lichtbündels herausbewegt ist, so tritt aus dem Scheinwerfer 10 weiterhin das sichtbare Lichtbündel aus, das den Bereich 82 beleuchtet. In dieser Stellung befindet sich die Abschirmvorrichtung 24, wenn das Fernlicht des Fahrzeugs eingeschaltet ist und kein Gegenverkehr vorhanden ist. Zusätzlich tritt auch sichtbares Licht aus, das sonst von der Abschirmvorrichtung 24 abgeschirmt würde, so daß auch der Fernbereich 88 mit sichtbarem Licht beleuchtet wird und somit ein herkömmliches Fernlicht im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich realisiert ist.The shielding device 24 may be arranged fixedly in the headlight 10 or be movable between a position in which it is arranged as explained above in the beam path of the light reflected by the reflector 22 light beam and with its upper edge 26, the light-dark boundary 83,84 of the visible light beam generated, and at least one further position in which the shielding device 24 projects at least a little less into the beam path of the light beam reflected by the reflector 22 or is arranged outside the beam path. To move the shielding device 24 engages an adjusting element 40 at this. The shielding device 24 may, for example, be displaceable in an approximately vertical direction or may be pivotable about an axis 42 extending horizontally, for example. With solid lines, the shielding device 24 is shown in Figure 2 in their projecting into the beam path position and with dashed lines in their out of the beam path distant position. When the shielding device 24 is in its position projecting into the beam path, it generates the light-dark boundary 83, 84 of the visible light beam, and through the headlamp 10 a visible-light dipped beam illuminating the area 82 and a far-infrared beam with infrared Light that illuminates the far-end area 88 emitted, in which no glare of oncoming traffic occurs. In this position, the shielding device 24 is when the low beam of the vehicle is turned on. When the shielding device 24 is moved out of the beam path of the light beam reflected by the reflector 22, the visible light beam which illuminates the region 82 continues to emerge from the headlight 10. In this position, the shielding device 24 is when the high beam of the vehicle is turned on and no oncoming traffic is present. In addition, visible light that would otherwise be shielded by the shielding device 24 also emerges, so that also the far-end region 88 is illuminated with visible light and thus a conventional high-beam light in the visible wavelength range is realized.

Für die Beleuchtung des Fernbereichs 88 ist kein zusätzlicher Scheinwerfer und keine zusätzliche Lichtquelle erforderlich, und beim Scheinwerfer 10 sind keine zusätzlichen Bauteile erforderlich, wobei lediglich die Abschirmvorrichtung 24 gegenüber bekannten vollständig lichtundurchlässigen Ausführungen derart modifiziert zu werden braucht, daß diese zumindest teilweise durchlässig ist für Licht im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich.For the illumination of the far range 88 no additional headlamp and no additional light source is required, and the headlamp 10 no additional components are required, with only the shielding 24 needs to be modified over known fully opaque embodiments such that it is at least partially transparent to light in the infrared wavelength range.

Claims (11)

  1. Vehicle headlamp based on the projection principle, comprising a light source (20), having a reflector (22) by means of which light emitted by the light source (20) is reflected as a light bundle, a screening device (24) which is arranged in the beam path of the light bundle reflected by the reflector (22), which is opaque to light in the visible wavelength region and which produces a light/dark boundary (83, 84) of the light in the visible wavelength region emerging from the headlamp (10), and a lens (30) which is arranged downstream of the screening device (24) in the light exit direction (28) and through which light reflected by the reflector (22) passes, characterized in that the screening device (24) is at least partially transparent at least in some regions for light in the infrared wavelength region, in that consequently light in the infrared wavelength region which penetrates the screening device (24) has a greater range than the light in the visible wavelength region which passes by the screening device (24) such that in addition to the illumination of an area in front of the vehicle with light in the visible wavelength region an area situated at a greater distance is illuminated with light in the infrared wavelength region, and in that on its side facing the reflector (22) the screening device (24) is designed to be reflective at least partially in some regions for light in the visible wavelength region.
  2. Headlamp according to Claim 1, characterized in that the screening device (24) is at least partially transparent to light in the near infrared wavelength region.
  3. Headlamp according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the screening device (24) can be moved between a position in which it projects into the beam path of the light bundle reflected by the reflector (22), and at least one further position in which it projects at least less far into the beam path.
  4. Headlamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screening device (24) is designed at least in some regions as a reflecting interference filter.
  5. Headlamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screening device (24) is at least partially transparent in some regions to light in the infrared wavelength region, and is opaque in some regions to light in the infrared wavelength region.
  6. Headlamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (20) is a gas discharge lamp.
  7. Headlamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (20) is operated with modulation, the modulation frequency preferably being at least approximately 100 Hz.
  8. Headlamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that arranged in the beam path of the light in the infrared wavelength region penetrating the screening device (24) is a polarization device (36) by means of which the penetrating light is linearly polarized.
  9. Illumination device with at least one vehicle headlamp based on the projection principle, comprising a light source (20), having a reflector (22) by means of which light emitted by the light source (20) is reflected as a light bundle, a screening device (24) which is arranged in the beam path of the light bundle reflected by the reflector (22), which is opaque to light in the visible wavelength region and which produces a light/dark boundary (83, 84) of the light in the visible wavelength region emerging from the headlamp (10), and a lens (30) which is arranged downstream of the screening device (24) in the light exit direction (28) and through which light reflected by the reflector (22) passes, characterized in that the screening device (24) is at least partially transparent at least in some regions for light in the infrared wavelength region, in that consequently light in the infrared wavelength region which penetrates the screening device (24) has a greater range than the light in the visible wavelength region which passes by the screening device (24) such that in addition to the illumination of an area in front of the vehicle with a light in the visible wavelength region an area situated at a greater distance is illuminated with light in the infrared wavelength region, in that the illumination device has a sensor device (12) which is sensitive to the light in the infrared wavelength region passing through the screening device (24) and which detects a region (88) illuminated by this light, and in that there is arranged in the visual range of the vehicle driver a display device (14) on which the region (88) detected by the sensor device (12) is displayed.
  10. Illumination device according to Claim 9 and with a headlamp according to Claim 7, characterized in that the sensor device (12) has a diaphragm (34) for controlling the incidence of light into the sensor device (12), and in that the diaphragm (34) is opened and closed synchronously at the modulation frequency of the light source (20).
  11. Illumination device according to Claim 9 and with a headlamp according to Claim 8, characterized in that arranged in the beam path of the light incident into the sensor device (12) is a further polarization device (38) by means of which penetrating light is linearly polarized, and in that the direction of polarization of the polarization device (36) of the headlamp (10) is at least approximately perpendicular to the direction of polarization of the further polarization device (38).
EP01111391A 2000-05-31 2001-05-10 Vehicle headlamp of the projection type and lighting device comprising at least one such a headlamp Expired - Lifetime EP1160506B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10027018A DE10027018B4 (en) 2000-05-31 2000-05-31 Vehicle headlight according to the projection principle and lighting device of a vehicle with at least one such headlight
DE10027018 2000-05-31

Publications (3)

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EP1160506A2 EP1160506A2 (en) 2001-12-05
EP1160506A3 EP1160506A3 (en) 2004-03-24
EP1160506B1 true EP1160506B1 (en) 2006-08-09

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EP01111391A Expired - Lifetime EP1160506B1 (en) 2000-05-31 2001-05-10 Vehicle headlamp of the projection type and lighting device comprising at least one such a headlamp

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US (1) US6467940B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1160506B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4838444B2 (en)
DE (2) DE10027018B4 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1160506A3 (en) 2004-03-24
DE10027018A1 (en) 2001-12-06
EP1160506A2 (en) 2001-12-05
DE10027018B4 (en) 2010-09-09
JP4838444B2 (en) 2011-12-14
DE50110661D1 (en) 2006-09-21
US20020001198A1 (en) 2002-01-03
US6467940B2 (en) 2002-10-22
JP2002008415A (en) 2002-01-11

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