阅读说明：本技术 带有以矩阵形式布置的导光元件的机动车大灯 (Motor vehicle headlight with light-guiding elements arranged in a matrix ) 是由 L·托德 N·布劳内 J·黑兴贝格尔 M.柯恩 C·朗高尔 M·施拉格 于 2019-01-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种机动车大灯(1),所述机动车大灯包括发光单元(2),所述发光单元具有至少一个光源(3)和带有光离开面(5)的前置光学装置(4),并且所述机动车大灯包括布置在发光单元下游的投影光学装置(7),其中,前置光学装置具有多个导光元件(6),所述导光元件各带有一个用于将所述至少一个光源的光馈入的光耦入面(8)并且带有处于前置光学装置的光离开面中的光耦出面(9),并且将光图案向前投影到交通空间中,导光元件在光耦入面与光耦出面之间延伸,其中,光耦出面具有比光耦入面更大的面积,并且每个导光元件在侧向由两个侧面(10),在上面由顶部面(11)以及在下面由底部面(12)限界并且在光耦出面与光耦入面之间收缩伸延地构造,其中,底部面的宽度从光离开面起减小,其中,至少一个导光元件(6)的底部面(12)和/或顶部面(11)在其宽度方面在光耦出面(9)与光耦入面(8)之间具有正好一个收缩部(14),所述收缩部具有底部面和/或顶部面的最小宽度(b<Sub>m</Sub>)。(A motor vehicle headlight (1) comprising a light unit (2) having at least one light source (3) and a front optical arrangement (4) having a light exit surface (5), and comprising a projection optical arrangement (7) arranged downstream of the light unit, wherein the front optical arrangement has a plurality of light-guiding elements (6) which each have a light coupling-in surface (8) for feeding in light of the at least one light source and a light coupling-out surface (9) in the light exit surface of the front optical arrangement and project a light pattern forward into a traffic space, the light-guiding elements extending between the light coupling-in surface and the light coupling-out surface, wherein the light coupling-out surface has a larger area than the light coupling-in surface, and each light-guiding element is laterally bounded by two side surfaces (10), above by a top surface (11) and below by a bottom surface (12) and between the light coupling-out surface and the light coupling-out surface A convergent-divergent design between the entrance surfaces, wherein the width of the bottom surface decreases from the light exit surface, wherein the bottom surface (12) and/or the top surface (11) of the at least one light-conducting element (6) has exactly one constriction (14) in its width between the light exit surface (9) and the light entrance surface (8), said constriction having a minimum width (b) of the bottom surface and/or the top surface m )。)

1. Motor vehicle headlight (1) comprising a light unit (2) having at least one light source (3) and a front optical arrangement (4) having a light exit surface (5), and comprising a projection optical arrangement (7) arranged downstream of the light unit, wherein the front optical arrangement has a plurality of light guiding elements (6) which each have a light coupling-in surface (8) for feeding in light of the at least one light source and a light coupling-out surface (9) in the light exit surface of the front optical arrangement and project forward into a traffic space, which light guiding elements extend between the light coupling-in surface and the light coupling-out surface, wherein the light coupling-out surface has a larger area than the light coupling-in surface and each light guiding element is laterally bounded by two side surfaces (10), is bounded at the top by a top surface (11) and at the bottom by a bottom surface (12) and is designed to be retracted between the light exit surface and the light entry surface, wherein the width of the bottom surface and/or the top surface decreases from the light exit surface,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the bottom surface (12) and/or the top surface (11) of the at least one light-guiding element (6) has exactly one constriction (14) in its width between the light outcoupling surface (9) and the light incoupling surface (8), said constriction having the smallest width (b) of the bottom surface and/or the top surface_m)。

2. The motor vehicle headlight (1) according to claim 1, wherein the top surface (11) and/or the bottom surface (12) merge into the side surface (10) on both sides via a narrow chamfer (13).

3. The motor vehicle headlight (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light guiding elements (6) are combined in a matrix arrangement.

4. The motor vehicle headlight (1) according to claim 3, wherein the light-guiding elements (6) of the lowermost row of the matrix of at least two rows of light-guiding elements have a constriction (14).

5. The motor vehicle headlight (1) according to claim 3, wherein the light-guiding elements (6) of the uppermost row of the matrix of at least two rows of light-guiding elements have a constriction (14).

6. The motor vehicle headlight (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the light guiding element (6) is connected to each other in one piece in the region of its front.

7. The motor vehicle headlight (1) according to one of the claims 3 to 6, wherein a light outcoupling surface (9) of the light guiding element (6) coincides with a light exit surface (5) of the front optical arrangement (4).

8. The motor vehicle headlight (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a width (b) of the constriction (14)_m) Is the width (b) of the light incoupling surface (8)_e) 10% to 80%.

9. The motor vehicle headlight (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the constriction (14) is configured in a half of the light guiding element (6) which is closest to the light incoupling surface (8).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a motor vehicle headlight comprising a light unit having at least one light source and a front optical arrangement having a light exit surface, and comprising a projection optical arrangement arranged downstream of the light unit, wherein the front optical arrangement has a plurality of light guiding elements which each have a light coupling-in surface for feeding in light of the at least one light source and a light coupling-out surface which is located in the light exit surface of the front optical arrangement and projects a light pattern forward into a traffic space, the light guiding elements extending between the light coupling-in surface and the light coupling-out surface, wherein the light coupling-out surface has a larger area than the light coupling-in surface, and each light guiding element is formed laterally by two side surfaces, by a top surface on the top side and by a bottom surface on the bottom side and is bounded between the light coupling-out surface and the light coupling-in surface in a telescopically manner, wherein the width of the bottom face and/or the top face decreases from the light exit face.

Background

A headlight of this type is shown, for example, in its own WO 2013/166535 a 2. In such headlights, what is important for a practically useful light image is the construction of a light guiding element in which the light is guided at the boundary wall by total reflection.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to optimize the design of the light guide element in a headlight of the type of the present embodiment, in particular with regard to a still better homogeneity and maximum brightness of the generated light image.

This object is achieved by a headlight of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the bottom surface and/or the top surface of at least one light guiding element has exactly one constriction between the light exit surface and the light entry surface in terms of its width, said constriction having a minimum width of the bottom surface and/or the top surface.

Thanks to the invention, for each light-guiding element used and constructed according to the invention, a light distribution with less disturbing areas but with a higher maximum light intensity is produced at the light exit face or in the light image produced, so that the light-guiding element can also improve the light image produced overall by a plurality of light-guiding elements among the light-guiding elements.

In a further development that is suitable in terms of light technology, it can be provided that the top surface merges into the side surface on both sides via narrow chamfers.

Furthermore, it can be recommended that the light-guiding elements are combined in a matrix-like arrangement.

It can be advantageous if the light-guiding elements of the lowermost row of the matrix of at least two rows of light-guiding elements have constrictions.

In other cases it can be advisable for the light-guiding elements of the uppermost row of the matrix of at least two rows of light-guiding elements to have a constriction.

It is advantageous if the light-guiding elements are connected to one another in the region of their front, since this facilitates the production and leads to a compact and stable front optical arrangement.

In this case, it is expedient for the light outcoupling surface of the light-conducting element to coincide with the light exit surface of the front-end optic.

In a practical embodiment, the width of the constriction is 10% to 80% of the width of the light coupling-in surface.

In practice, particularly suitable results in terms of the desired light image are obtained if the constriction is configured in the half of the light-guiding element closest to the light incoupling face.

Drawings

The invention together with further advantages and differences thereof from the prior art are also explained in detail below with the aid of exemplary embodiments and are illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows schematically and diagrammatically a component of a headlight, namely a light-emitting unit, with a front convex lens plate and a projection lens,

fig. 2 diagrammatically shows the front optical arrangement, seen obliquely from behind towards the light entry face of the light-guiding element,

fig. 3 shows a single light-guiding element according to the invention, seen obliquely from behind towards its light-incoupling face,

figure 4 shows the light-guiding element of figure 3 from a perspective from below looking in the direction of its bottom face,

fig. 5 shows a single light-guiding element according to the prior art, seen obliquely from behind towards its light entry face,

figure 6 shows the light-guiding element of figure 5 from a perspective from below looking in the direction of its bottom face,

figure 7 shows an exemplary light distribution of a headlight according to the invention,

figure 8 shows the progression of light intensity along the middle line of figure 7,

fig. 9 shows an exemplary light distribution of a headlight according to the prior art, an

Fig. 10 shows the course of the light intensity along the center line of fig. 9.

Detailed Description

In the illustration according to fig. 1, a headlight 1 according to the invention is seen in a schematic view with its components essential for explaining the invention, wherein it is clear to the person skilled in the art that the headlight has a large number of further components which are not shown here, such as adjusting and regulating devices, power supply components, sun visors and many more. When the term "headlight" is used in connection with the invention, the term shall also include projection modules which can also be included in combination in higher headlights.

In these and in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used for identical or comparable elements in order to make the explanation and the illustration simpler.

The reference signs used in the claims shall only make the readability of the claims and the comprehension of the invention easier and shall in no way have characteristics which detract from the scope of protection of the invention.

The motor vehicle headlight 1 has a light unit 2 with a plurality of light sources (here an array of light-emitting diodes, abbreviated as LEDs 3) and a front optical system 4 with a light exit surface 5, wherein the front optical system 4 comprises a number of light-guiding elements 6. The LED3 radiates its light into the light-conducting front-end optic 4, which outputs a desired light pattern forward. The light pattern is projected into the traffic space by means of projection optics 7, which in the present case is a one-piece lens.

The exemplary embodiment of the front optical system 4 with a plurality of light-conducting elements 6, each having a light coupling-in surface 8, is shown in the enlarged representation in fig. 2. Preferably, each light-guiding element 6 is associated with exactly one light source, in particular one LED3 or with a plurality of LEDs. It should be clear that other light sources can also be used as LEDs. In the exemplary embodiment of the light-emitting unit 2 shown, the light-guiding element 6 is of elongate design, with a greater extent in the direction of propagation of the light than transversely thereto. These light-guiding elements preferably consist of highly transparent, light-guiding and formable plastics which are well suited for the production of complex geometries. Particularly preferred here are silicone materials. However, glass can also be used.

In fig. 3 and 4 (which show the individual light-guiding elements 6 in an enlarged view), a more detailed shape of the light-guiding elements 6 is seen. These light-guiding elements have a cross-section which converges from the light outcoupling face 9 towards the light incoupling face 8 thereof. For example, it can be provided that the light-guiding element 6 is embodied in the form of a truncated cone or, as shown in the figures, approximately trapezoidal.

The at least one light source, here the light of the LED3, is fed into the light incoupling surface 8. The light outcoupling surface 9 is in the light exit surface 5 of the front optical arrangement 4. Due to the mentioned shrinkage, the light outcoupling face 9 has a larger area than the light incoupling face 8. The light-guiding element 6 is laterally delimited by two side faces 10, by an upper face 11 on the top and by a lower face 12 on the bottom. The top surface 11 in the embodiment shown merges into the side surface 10 on both sides via narrow chamfers 13.

As can be seen from fig. 3 and 4, the width of the bottom surface 12 decreases from the light outcoupling surface 9 toward the light incoupling surface 8, but does not decrease continuously, since the bottom surface 12 has a constriction 14 in its width between the light outcoupling surface 9 and the light incoupling surface 8, i.e. the width of the bottom surface 12 decreases from the width b of the light outcoupling surface 9_aDecreases until the width b of the constriction 14_mA smallest central area and then again with a width b in the direction of the light incoupling surface 8_eAnd (4) increasing. In other words, the width of the bottom surface 12 is withinWith a minimum b between the light outcoupling surface 9 and the light incoupling surface 8_m. This configuration in the sense of the invention leads to an improved light guidance and to a light distribution which produces less disturbing regions but a higher maximum light intensity, as will be explained below.

For the sake of description with respect to possible dimensions, the following is given for a practical embodiment:

light out-coupling surface 7.7mm²Optical coupling-in surface 1.5mm²Length of light guide element 15mm, width b_a1.8mm, width b_m0.3mm, width b_e0.6mm。

In the embodiment shown and described above, the constriction 14 is configured at the bottom face 12. However, it is also possible to design the constriction at the top side 11 in a meaningful manner, which is advantageous in particular for light images which are suitable for an upper row of front optical elements of a matrix-type design. In this case, which is mentioned recently, it can be provided that the width of the base surface 12 decreases continuously from the light coupling-in surface 8 as far as the light coupling-out surface 9. However, it is also possible for the constriction 14 to be formed not only in the top side 11 but also in the bottom side 12.

Generally, when the width b of the constriction 14 is large_mIs the width b of the light incoupling surface 8_eOf 10% to 80%, particularly good results are shown. Furthermore, particularly suitable results in terms of the desired light image are obtained if the constriction is configured in the half of the light-guiding element closest to the light incoupling surface.

As can also be seen from fig. 1 and 2, the light-conducting elements 6 are combined in a matrix-like manner in one piece, wherein the light coupling-out surface 9 of the light-conducting elements overlaps the light exit surface 5 of the front optical device 4. The light-guiding element 6 can also be combined into a plurality of segments, which then form the front optical device 4, as is shown in fig. 1 and 2 by means of three segments. The light exit surface of the individual segments can be planar or curved. Furthermore, depending on the desired light pattern, it can also be provided that only individual light-guiding elements 6 or individual groups of light-guiding elements 6 are constructed according to the invention, while the remaining parts are constructed without constrictions 14 according to the prior art.

The light outcoupling surface 9 of the light-guiding element 6 can coincide with the common light exit surface 5 of the front optical arrangement 4. The common light exit surface is typically a curved surface that generally follows the Petzval-Fl ä che of the imaging optics, such as an imaging lens. However, intentional deviations in curvature can also be used for specific applications in order to use imaging errors for light homogenization in the edge region.

The individual LEDs 3 or, in general, the light sources can be individually controlled in a known manner in order to produce a desired light image, respectively, which can also be varied dynamically.

The term "matrix" is to be understood within the scope of the present technical solution as also being applicable to the extreme case in which the matrix is a single row, so that only one row of light-conducting elements is present, which is of full significance in motor vehicle lighting technology. If the matrix is a plurality of rows, it can advantageously be provided that the light-guiding elements 6 of the lowermost row (row) or the uppermost row of light-guiding elements 6 have a constriction 14. Of course, it is also possible for the lowermost row and the uppermost row to have corresponding light-conducting elements, wherein it is to be noted that not all light-conducting elements in a row (row) must necessarily be of identical design or must have a constriction.

The configuration of the headlight or headlight module with a matrix-like arrangement is particularly efficient when the light-guiding elements are arranged in exactly three rows arranged one above the other, which rows together form a high beam distribution. In this arrangement, the upper row can be configured as a front field row, the middle row as an asymmetrical row, and the lower row as a high beam row, wherein the high beam row composed of high beam light guide elements is provided with a constriction of the type of the present embodiment.

In a so-called pixel high-beam module, all high-beam light guide elements can be arranged in exactly one row and configured with a constriction. Suitably, the lowermost row is the high beam row (or "row").

In fig. 5 and 6, in the figures, a meaningful imaging of the light-guiding element according to the prior art is shown, so that the constriction 14 according to the invention, which is strange to the prior art, can be better seen.

The advantages of the invention will now be made more apparent by the following explanations of the comparative cases of fig. 7 and 8 or 9 and 10.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary light distribution of a single light-guiding element, which is constructed according to the invention, with the same intensity of the drawn lines, while FIG. 8 shows the intensity of the light I_VThe course along the drawn central line z of fig. 7, the left side of the diagram corresponding to the lower region of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 corresponds to the illustration of fig. 7, however for a light-guiding element according to the prior art, as shown in fig. 5 and 6. Undesired scattered-light regions on both sides of the desired light image are visible, which are not found in the light-guiding element according to the invention, as shown in the comparative fig. 7.

In fig. 10 (which corresponds to the diagram of fig. 8, but for a light-guiding element according to the prior art), it is seen that the light intensity profile has a maximum light intensity which is smaller than the maximum light intensity of the light-guiding element according to the invention, as shown in the comparative fig. 8.

With the aid of the headlights of the type shown, for example, a low beam or a high beam can be generated, for which purpose, for example, the left headlight and the right headlight are each designed as a headlight according to the invention, with which the left part or the right part of the light distribution is generated in each case. On the other hand, the left headlight and the right headlight can also generate identical light images, which are superimposed on the road.

List of reference numerals

1 Motor vehicle headlight

2 light emitting unit

3 LED

4 front optical device

5 light exit surface

6 light guide element

7 projection optical device

8 light incoupling surface

9 light outcoupling surface

10 side surface

11 top surface

12 bottom surface

13 chamfering

14 constriction

b_aWidth of

b_eWidth of

b_mWidth of