HEADLIGHT LENS FOR A VEHICLE HEADLIGHT

Abstract

A headlight lens for a vehicle headlight, the headlight lens having a body of transparent material. The monolithic body includes a light passage section having at least one optically operative light exit face and a light tunnel having at least one optically operative light entry face. The light tunnel transits into the light passage section via a bend being curved in its longitudinal extension, wherein the light tunnel at the bend has a smaller cross section than the light passage section at the bend and wherein the light passage section is configured for imaging the bend as a bright-dark-boundary.

Claims

1-30. (canceled)

31. Headlight lens for a vehicle headlight, the headlight lens having: a monolithic body of transparent material, the monolithic body including a light passage section having at least one optically operative light exit face; and a light tunnel having at least one light entry face, the light tunnel transiting into the light passage section via a bend; wherein the light tunnel at the bend has a smaller cross section than the light passage section at the bend; and wherein the light passage section is configured for imaging the curved transition as a bright-dark-boundary.

32. The headlight lens of claim 31, wherein the bend is a curved transition.

33. The headlight lens of claim 32, wherein the bend is curved in a vertical plane.

34. The headlight lens of claim 32, wherein the curved transition has a radius of curvature being no larger than 5 mm.

35. The headlight lens of claim 32, wherein the curved transition has a radius of curvature being no larger than 0.25 mm.

36. The headlight lens of claim 33, wherein the curved transition has a radius of curvature being no larger than 5 mm.

37. The headlight lens of claim 33, wherein the curved transition has a radius of curvature being no larger than 0.25 mm.

38. The headlight lens of claim 33, wherein the curved transition has a radius of curvature being no less than 50 nm.

39. The headlight lens of claim 33, wherein the bend is additionally curved in a horizontal plane.

40. The headlight lens of claim 33, wherein the light entry face is inclined with respect to an optical axis of the light passage section.

41. The headlight lens of claim 31, wherein the light entry face is inclined with respect to an optical axis of the light passage section.

42. The headlight lens of claim 31, wherein the light entry face is inclined with respect to an optical axis of the light passage section at an angle of between 5° and 70°.

43. The headlight lens of claim 31, wherein the light entry face is inclined with respect to an optical axis of the light passage section at an angle of between 20′ and 50°.

44. The headlight lens of claim 31, wherein the light tunnel comprises a region on its surface which corresponds essentially to a part of the surface of an ellipsoid.

45. The headlight lens of claim 33, wherein the light tunnel comprises a region on its surface which corresponds essentially to a part of the surface of an ellipsoid.

46. The headlight lens of claim 38, wherein the transparent material is inorganic glass.

47. The headlight lens of claim 33, wherein a surface of the light passage section facing the light tunnel is curved at least in the region of the bend.

48. The headlight lens of claim 33, wherein a surface of the light passage section facing the light tunnel is curved convexly at least in the region of the bend.

49. The headlight lens of claim 33, wherein the length of the headlight lens, when viewed in the orientation of the optical axis of the light passage section amounts to no more than 7 cm.

50. Vehicle headlight comprising at least a first light source and a headlight lens, the headlight lens including a light passage section having at least one optically operative light exit face; and a light tunnel having at least one light entry face, the light tunnel transiting into the light passage section via a bend; wherein the light tunnel at the bend has a smaller cross section than the light passage section at the bend; and wherein the light passage section is configured for imaging the bend as a bright-dark-boundary by means of light irradiating from the light source into the light entry face.

51. The vehicle headlight of claim 50, wherein the bend is a curved transition

52. The vehicle headlight of claim 51, wherein the curved transition is curved in a vertical plane.

53. The vehicle headlight of claim wherein the curved transition has a radius of curvature being no larger than 5 mm.

54. The vehicle headlight of claim 51, wherein the curved transition has a radius of curvature being no larger than 0.25 mm.

55. The vehicle headlight of claim 51, wherein the curved transition has a radius of curvature being no smaller than 50 mm.

56. The vehicle headlight of claim 52, wherein the curved transition has a radius of curvature being no larger than 5 mm.

57. The vehicle headlight of claim 52, wherein the curved transition has a radius of curvature being no larger than 0.25 mm.

58. The vehicle headlight of claim 52, wherein the curved transition has a radius of curvature being no smaller than 50 nm.

59. The vehicle headlight of claim 52, wherein the bend is additionally curved in a horizontal plane.

60. The vehicle headlight of claim 51, wherein the light entry face is inclined with respect to an optical axis of the light passage section.

61. The vehicle headlight of claim 51, wherein the light entry face is inclined with respect to an optical axis of the light passage section.

62. The vehicle headlight of claim 50, wherein the light tunnel comprises a region on its surface which corresponds essentially to a part of the surface of an ellipsoid.

63. The vehicle headlight of claim 50, the vehicle headlight further comprising a second light source for irradiating light into the headlight lens, wherein at least a second light source spatially separated from the first light source.

64. The vehicle headlight of claim 63, being configured that light irradiated by means of the second light source is irradiated above the light-dark-boundary.

65. The vehicle headlight of claim 63, the second light source being arranged between the light entry face and the light passage section.

66. The vehicle headlight of claim 63, wherein the second light source includes a laser.

67. The vehicle headlight of claim 50, wherein the first light source includes a laser.

68. The vehicle headlight of claim 50, wherein the first light source includes a plane luminous field.

69. Headlight lens for a vehicle headlight, the headlight lens having: a body of transparent material, the monolithic body including a light passage section having at least one optically operative light exit face; and a light tunnel having at least one light entry face, the light tunnel passing over into the light passage section via a curved transition, the curved transition having a radius of curvature of no more than 5 mm; wherein the light tunnel at the curved transition has a smaller cross section than the light passage section at the curved transition; and wherein the light passage section is configured for imaging the curved transition as a bright-dark-boundary.

70. The headlight lens of claim 69, wherein the light entry face is inclined with respect to an optical axis of the light passage section, and wherein the light tunnel comprises a region on its surface which corresponds essentially to a part of the surface of an ellipsoid.

71. The headlight lens of claim 69, wherein the light tunnel comprises a region on its surface which corresponds essentially to a part of the surface of an ellipsoid.

72. The headlight lens of claim 69, wherein the light entry face is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the light passage section at an angle of between 5° and 70°.

73. The headlight lens of claim 69, wherein the radius of curvature is no less than 50 nm.

74. The headlight lens of claim 73, wherein the transparent material is inorganic glass.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a motor vehicle;

[0074] FIG. 2 shows an example of an embodiment of a headlight lens for use in the motor vehicle according to FIG. 1;

[0075] FIG. 3 shows a cut -out representation of a headlight lens of the motor vehicle headlight lens according to FIG. 2 by way of a perspective view from below;

[0076] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged representation of a cut-out cross section of a bend for the transition of a light tunnel into a passage section of a headlight lens according to FIG. 3;

[0077] FIG. 4A is the same as FIG. 4 with reference lines 1080 and 1090 added.

[0078] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a cut-out representation of a headlight lens according to FIG. 3;

[0079] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a cut-out representation of a light tunnel of headlight lens of FIG. 3;

[0080] FIG. 7 shows an example of embodiment for an ellipsoid;

[0081] FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional representation of the ellipsoid according to FIG. 7 with a superimposed representation of a portion of the light tunnel represented in FIG. 6;

[0082] FIG. 9 shows a side view of an example of embodiment of a headlight lens for alternative use in the headlight lens according to FIG. 2;

[0083] FIG. 10 shows a side view of a further example of embodiment of a headlight lens for alternative use in the motor vehicle headlight according to FIG. 2;

[0084] FIG. 11 shows a top view of the headlight lens according to FIG. 10;

[0085] FIG. 12 shows a rear view of the headlight lens according to FIG. 10;

[0086] FIG. 13 shows a bright-dark-boundary generated by means of the headlight lens according to FIG. 10;

[0087] FIG. 14 shows a side view of a further example of embodiment of a headlight lens for alternative use in the motor vehicle headlight according to FIG. 2;

[0088] FIG. 15 shows a top view of the headlight lens according to FIG. 14;

[0089] FIG. 16 shows a rear view of the headlight lens according to FIG. 14;

[0090] FIG. 17 shows a principle representation of an example of embodiment for superimposing two ellipsoids;

[0091] FIG. 18 shows a side view of a further example of embodiment of a motor vehicle headlight for use in the motor vehicle according to FIG. 1; and

[0092] FIG. 19 shows a top view of the motor vehicle headlight according to FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0093] FIG. 1 shows an example of embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 including a motor vehicle headlight 10. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the motor vehicle headlight 10 having a headlight lens 100, but without a housing, fittings and energy supply, with the headlight lens 100 being represented in FIG. 3 in a cut-out manner by way of a perspective bottom view (view from below). The headlight lens 100 comprises a monolithic body of inorganic glass, in e.g. glass, which comprises [0094] 0.2 to 2% by weight Al.sub.2O.sub.3, [0095] 0.1 to 1% by weight Li2O, [0096] 0.3 (in particular 0.4) to 1.5% by weight Sb.sub.2O.sub.3, [0097] 60 to 75% by weight SiO.sub.2, [0098] 3 to 12% by weight Na.sub.2O, [0099] 3 to 12% by weight K.sub.2O, and [0100] 3 to 12% by weight CaO.

[0101] The blank-molded monolithic body comprises a light tunnel 108, which, on its one side, has a light entry face 101 and, on another side, passes (or transits) into a light passage (guide or conductive) section 109 (of the blank-molded monolithic body) via a bend 107 curved in two spatial directions, which section 109 has a light exit face 102, a light entry face 103 as well as a further light exit face 104. The headlight lens 100 is designed such that light entering the headlight lens 100 through the light entry face 101 and, in the region of the bend 107, entering the passage section from the light tunnel 108 will exit from the light exit face 104 essentially in parallel to the optical axis 120 of the headlight lens 100. Herein, the light passage section 109 maps the bend 107 as a light (or bright)/dark-boundary. A portion of the surface of the light passage section 109 facing the light tunnel 108 is designed as a Petzval surface, said surface portion having been designated by reference numeral 110.

[0102] The headlight lens 10 includes a light source 11 designed as an LED and a light source 12 designed as an LED. For the purpose of implementing dimmed headlights light is irradiated into or made to enter, respectively, the light entry face 101 of the light tunnel 108 by means of the light source 11. By means of light source 12, which may be switched-on selectively for implementing a sign light or a drive/flash light, light is, respectively, introduced or irradiated into a bottom side of the light tunnel 108 or into the portion 110 of the surface of the light passage section 109 facing the light tunnel 108, which portion 110 is designed as a Petzval surface.

[0103] FIG. 4 shows, by way of an enlarged representation, a cut-out of the bend 107 for transitory passing of the light tunnel 108 into the light passage section 109, the bend 107 being formed by blank-molding and designed as a continuous, curved transition.

[0104] As seen in FIG. 4A, line 1080 is between light tunnel 108 and bend or transition 107. Line 1090 is between light passage 109 and bend or transition 107. Stated differently, light tunnel 108 meets the bend or transition 107 at line 1080 (where a surface of the light tunnel 108 meets a beginning of the curvature of the bend or transition) and light passage 109 meets the bend or transition 107 at line 1090 (where a surface of the light passage 109 meets a beginning of the curvature of the bend or transition). As seen in FIG. 3, the cross section of light tunnel 108 at (e.g., adjacent or abutting) bend or transition 107 (at line 1080) is smaller than the cross section of light passage 109 at (e.g., adjacent or abutting) bend or transition 107 (at line 1090).

[0105] FIG. 5 shows a cut-out representation of a side view of the headlight lens 100. FIG. 6 shows an enlarged cut-out representation of a part of the light tunnel 108 up to the dotted line in FIG. 5 designated by reference numeral 111. The upper portion of the part of the light tunnel as shown in FIG. 6 has been designed as an ellipsoid 150 as represented in FIG. 7. Herein, the dotted line 111 approximately corresponds to the axis C-D. For clarifying this embodiment, a part of the cross section of the light tunnel 108 in FIG. 8 is shown in a manner overlaying the representation of the ellipsoid 150. For the ellipsoid 150 represented in FIG. 7 the following applies:

[00003]$\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{{}^2}{b^2}+\frac{z^2}{c^2}-1=0$

[0106] Herein, there is

[0107] z a coordinate in the direction of the optical axis of the light tunnel (A.fwdarw.B);

[0108] x a coordinate orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis of the light tunnel; and

[0109] y a coordinate orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis of the light tunnel and to the x-direction (D.fwdarw.C).

[0110] a, b and, consequently, c have been chosen such that all light beams or rays which pass through focus F1 will concentrate again in focus F2 after mirroring in the surface of the ellipsoid. The course of the beams of light from the light source 11, which is irradiated into or made to enter the light entry face 101 is illustrated by the light beams 121 and 122 depicted in FIG. 6. Reference numeral 120 of FIG. 6 designates the orthogonal of the light entry face 101. The mutual point of intersection of orthogonal 120 of the light entry face 101 with the light beams 121 and 122 has been designated by reference numeral 115. The position of this point of intersection 115 corresponds to focus F1 in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

[0111] FIG. 9 shows a side elevation of a headlight lens 200 in its intended alignment (within a motor vehicle headlight), which lens 200 is to be used alternatively with regard to headlight lens 100. The headlight lens 200 comprises a blank-molded monolithic body of inorganic glass and including a light tunnel 208, which has a light entry face 201 on one side and, on another side, transits into a light passage or conductive section 209 (of the blank-molded monolithic body) via a bend 207 curved in three spatial dimensions, which light conductive section 209 includes a light exit face 202, a light entry face 203, as well as a further light exit face 204. The headlight lens 200 is shaped such that (all) light, which enters the headlight lens 200 through the light entry face 201, and from the light tunnel 208 enters the passage section in the region of the bend 207, will exit from the light exit face 204 essentially parallel to the optical axis of the headlight lens 200. Herein, the light passage section 209 maps the bend 207 as a bright-dark-boundary. A portion of the surface of the light passage section 209 designated by reference numeral 210 and facing the light tunnel 208 is shaped as a Petzval surface.

[0112] FIG. 10 shows a headlight lens 300 by way of a side elevation in its intended alignment (within a motor vehicle headlight), which lens 300 is to be used alternatively with regard to headlight lens 100. FIG. 11 shows the headlight lens 300 by way of a top new and FIG. 12 shows the headlight lens 300 from the rear. The headlight lens 300 comprises a blank-molded monolithic body of inorganic glass, which body comprises a light tunnel 308, which has a light exit face 301 on one side and, on the other side, passes over into a light passage or conductive section 309 (of the blank-molded monolithic body) via a bend 307 curved in the two spatial dimensions, which light passage section 309 includes a light exit face 302. The headlight lens 300 is shaped such that light which enters the headlight lens 300 through the light entry face 301 and, from the light tunnel 308 enters the passage section in the region of the bend 307 will exit from the light exit face 302 essentially in parallel to the optical axis of the headlight lens 300. Herein, the light passage section 309 maps the bend 307 as a bright-dark-boundary, as has been depicted in FIG. 13. A portion of the surface of the light passage section 309 designated by reference numeral 310 and facing the light tunnel 308 is shaped as a Petzval surface. A rim or edge, e.g., a circumferential edge, may be provided on the section designated by reference numeral 330 of the surface of the passage section 309, by means of which edge the headlight lens 300 may be fixed in an appropriate manner.

[0113] FIG. 14 shows a side elevation of a headlight lens 400 in its intended alignment (within a motor vehicle headlight), which lens 400 is to be used alternatively with regard to headlight lens 100. FIG. 15 shows the headlight lens 400 by way of a top view, and FIG. 16 shows the headlight lens 400 from the rear. The headlight lens 400 comprises a blank-molded monolithic body of inorganic glass, which body includes a light tunnel section 408A and a light tunnel section 408B, which sections open out in(to) a light tunnel 408 which, in turn, transits into a light passage section 409 (of the blank-molded monolithic body) via a bend 407 curved in two spatial directions, which section 409 includes a light exit face 402, a light entry face 403, as well as a further light exit face 404. The light tunnel section 408A includes a light entry face 401A, and the light tunnel section 408B includes a light entry face 401B. The headlight lens 400 is shaped such that light which enters the headlight lens 400 through the light entry faces 401A and 401B and enters the passage section from the light tunnel 408 in the region of the bend 407, will exit from the light exit face 404 essentially in parallel to the optical axis of the headlight lens 400. Herein, the light passage section 409 maps the bend 407 as a bright-dark-boundary. A portion of the surface of the light passage section 409 designated by reference numeral 410 and facing the light tunnel 408 is shaped as a Petzval surface.

[0114] At least in their upper region, the light tunnel sections 408A and 408B are designed—taken in analogy to the explanations relating to FIG. 6—as part of an ellipsoid, as has been represented in principle in FIG. 17. Herein, reference numeral 150A designates an ellipsoid associated with the light tunnel section 408A, and reference numeral 150B designates an ellipsoid associated with the light tunnel section 408B. The ellipsoids 150A and 150B are, as has been represented in FIG. 17, aligned in relation to each other such that the respective focuses F2 will lie on top of each other. At the points designated by reference numerals 151A and 151B or starting at points 151A and 150B, respectively, (in the direction of light propagation or towards the right, respectively), the surface contour of the headlight lens 400 deviates from the contour of an ellipsoid. Herein, the angles α.sub.A and α.sub.S indicate the directions of a deviation from the elliptic shape.

[0115] FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 show a motor vehicle headlight 10A to be used alternatively with regard to motor vehicle headlight 10. Herein, FIG. 18 shows a side elevation of the motor vehicle headlight 10A, and FIG. 19 shows a top view of the motor vehicle headlight 10A. The motor vehicle headlight 10A comprises the headlight lens 100 as well as the light source 11. In addition, for implementing a corner or curve light and/or a front fog light, light sources 15 and 16 designed as LED have been provided. It may as well be provided for that in addition the light source 12 is implemented within the motor vehicle headlight 10A.

[0116] For implementing a corner light the light sources 15 and 16 may be switched on alternatively. In this context, a non-shown control is provided for in the motor vehicle 1, by means of which the light source 15 may be switched-on for the time of driving round a left corner and light source 16 may be switched-on for the time of driving round a right corner. For implementing a front fog light either the light source 16, only, or both light sources 15 and 16 are switched-on.