Illumination device for a motor vehicle headlight

Abstract

The invention relates to an illumination device for a motor vehicle headlight, said illumination device comprising the following: —multiple light sources (10) which are designed to emit light beams in a main emission direction, —a primary optical system (100) having multiple light-guiding elements (110), said light-guiding elements (110) being arranged in the main emission direction of the light sources (10) and each having a light entry face (120) into which the light beams of the light sources can be fed, and a light exit face (130), the light-guiding elements (110) opening into a common light exit face (130), and—a holder (200) which is designed to hold the light entry faces (120) of the light-guiding elements (110) in position in relation to the light sources (10), the holder (200) having at least one latching element (210) formed with a latching tab (220) to fasten the primary optical system (100), the latching tab (220) being designed to engage in an undercut (140) associated with the latching tab (220) and provided on the primary optical system (100).

Claims

1. An illumination device for a motor-vehicle headlamp, the illumination device comprising: a plurality of light sources (10), which are configured to emit light beams in a main emission direction: a primary optical element (100) having a plurality of light-conducting bodies (110), which light-conducting bodies (110) are arranged in the main emission direction of the light sources (10) and respectively have a light entry face (120), into which the light beams of the light sources can be fed, and a common light exit face (130), the light-conducting bodies (110) opening into the common light exit surface (130); and a holder (200), which is configured to hold the light entry faces (120) of the light-conducting bodies (110) in position with respect to the light sources (10), wherein the holder (200) has at least one latching element (210) for fastening the primary optical element (100), wherein the latching element (210) is configured to engage in a mating latching element (140) provided on the primary optical element (100), which is assigned to the latching element (210), wherein the holder (200) has at least one positioning wall (240) protruding in the main emission direction, which is configured to engage into a depression (242) provided on the primary optical element (100), wherein the at least one positioning wall (240) has at least one projection (241) which extends longitudinally in the direction of the main emission direction and is configured to engage in a positive-fitting manner into a guide groove (150) in the depression in the primary optical element (100), which is assigned to the at least one projection (241), and wherein the primary optical element (100) is made in one piece from a transparent, light-conducting and shapeable plastic, and wherein the primary optical element (100) is made from a silicone material.

2. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one latching element (210) has a catch (220).

3. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the mating latching element (140) is constructed as an undercut (140).

4. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one latching element (210) is produced in one piece with the holder (200).

5. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the holder (200) has an accommodating section (230) having at least one opening (231), in which the light-conducting bodies (110) can be accommodated and positioned, wherein the holder (200) has openings (231) in accordance with the number of the light-conducting bodies (110), which are each assigned to a light-conducting body (110).

6. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein, in the main emission direction, the at least one positioning wall (240) is arranged to the side of the accommodating section (230) of the holder (200).

7. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light-conducting bodies (110) are of elongated construction, with a larger extent in the main emission direction of the light beams than transversely thereto.

8. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light-conducting bodies (110) have a cross section that tapers towards their light entry faces (120).

9. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein each light source of the plurality of light sources (10) comprises one or more light-emitting diodes.

10. A light module having at least one illumination device according to claim 1.

11. A motor vehicle headlamp having at least one light module according to claim 10.

12. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the silicone material comprises a poly(organo)siloxane.

Description

(1) In the figures

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary illumination device in an exploded illustration, with a holder and a primary optical element, wherein the holder has two latching elements for fixing the primary optical element,

(3) FIG. 2 shows the illumination device from FIG. 1 in a view from the rear,

(4) FIG. 3 shows the exemplary illumination device from the previous figures in an assembled state,

(5) FIG. 3a shows the illumination device from FIG. 3 through the section C-C, and

(6) FIG. 4 shows an exemplary light module with an illumination device in an exploded illustration.

(7) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary illumination device, which comprises a plurality of light sources 10, which are configured to emit light beams in a main emission direction, a primary optical element 100 having a plurality of light-conducting bodies 110, which light-conducting bodies 110 are arranged in the main emission direction of the light sources 10 and in each case have a light entry face 120 and a light exit face 130, and a holder 200, which holder 200 is configured to hold the light entry faces 120 of the light-conducting bodies 110 in position with respect to the light sources 10. Furthermore, the light-conducting bodies 110 open into a common light exit face 130.

(8) The light sources 10 in each case comprise one or more light-emitting diodes, wherein each light source comprises one or more light-emitting diodes in each case. Preferably, each light source can be controlled and correspondingly switched on and off, preferably also dimmed, separately. If a light source consists of a plurality of light-emitting diodes, it may also be advantageous if each of the light-emitting diodes can be controlled separately.

(9) “Main emission direction” is, in general, to be understood as the direction in which light sources 10 emit light most strongly or most as a consequence of their directionality.

(10) In the figures shown, the main emission direction corresponds to the x direction of the coordinate system respectively drawn in the figures.

(11) Furthermore, the holder 200 has two latching elements 210 constructed with a catch 220 for fastening the primary optical element 100, wherein the catches are configured to engage in an undercut 140 respectively assigned to the catches, which undercut 140 is arranged on the primary optical element 100, but cannot be seen in FIG. 1 owing to the view.

(12) It may however also be possible that more than two latching elements 210 and the assigned undercuts 140 are provided on the primary optical element 100.

(13) In the example of an illumination device shown in the figures, the latching elements 210 are produced in one piece with the holder 200.

(14) The primary optical element 100 is made from a transparent, light-conducting and shapeable plastic, preferably from a silicone material or a poly(organo)siloxane.

(15) Furthermore, It can be seen in FIG. 1—better in FIG. 2 however—that the holder 200 has an accommodating section 230 with openings 231 provided in accordance with the number of light-conducting bodies, which openings 231 are each assigned to a light-conducting body 110 and in which the light-conducting bodies 110 of the primary optical element 100 can be accommodated and positioned, wherein the holder 200 accommodates the light-conducting bodies 110 on its end section facing the light entry faces 120.

(16) Furthermore, the holder 200 has two positioning walls 240 protruding in the main emission direction or x direction, which are configured to engage into a depression 242 provided on the primary optical element 100.

(17) A “positioning wall” is fundamentally to be understood as not only a projection in one plane. This term may also mean a coming together of a plurality of planar walls, which are connected to one another, preferably at their respective lateral end edges, as is shown in the exemplary illumination device in the figures. The individual walls are at right angles to one another here and form a type of open block or a U shape, wherein the connecting edge regions may be rounded.

(18) Furthermore, the individual walls of a positioning wall 240 do not have the same height, wherein gradual height differences or courses can be seen in FIG. 1.

(19) The positioning walls 240 in general ensure a further stability of the primary optical element 100 in the assembled state of the illumination device, so that vibration transverse to the main emission direction or vibration in the y direction can be prevented to the greatest extent possible.

(20) Furthermore, projections 241 may be arranged on the positioning walls 240, which projections 241 extend longitudinally in the direction of the main emission direction or x direction and are configured to engage in a positive-fitting manner into a guide groove 150 in the primary optical element 100 respectively assigned to the projections 241. Such projections 241 bring about an additional stability in a fastened state of the primary optical element 100 on the holder 200.

(21) As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the positioning walls 240 are respectively arranged to the side of or along the y axis of the accommodating section 230, wherein the open sides of the positioning walls 240 are aligned with respect to one another and partially delimit or demarcate the accommodating section 230.

(22) FIG. 2 shows a view from the rear of the illumination device from FIG. 1, wherein it can be seen in FIG. 2 that the light-conducting bodies 110 are constructed longitudinally in the illumination device shown, with a greater extent in the main emission direction of the light beams or the x axis than transversely thereto. Moreover, the light-conducting bodies 110 have a tapering cross section towards their light entry faces 120. Due to the cross sections of the light-conducting bodies 110, which thus increase in size in the main emission direction or x direction, the holder 200 can only be pushed onto the light-conducting bodies 110 up to a certain point.

(23) FIG. 3 shows the assembled state of the illumination device from the previous figures, wherein FIG. 3a illustrates a cross-sectional view along the section C-C. Here, it can be seen that the individual light-conducting bodies 110 are precisely accommodated and positioned in the openings 231.

(24) The openings 231 are holes or mounts in the holder, with an exactly matched cross section for the respective light-conducting body 110; these are pushed into the assigned openings 231 and may in this case protrude slightly rearwards out of the openings 231, as can be seen in FIG. 3a, or terminate flush with the holder 200 or with the openings 231.

(25) FIG. 4 shows an exemplary light module having an illumination device from the previous figures, wherein the light module additionally comprises a printed circuit board 11, on which the light sources 10 are arranged, a heat sink 500, which is configured to remove the heat created during operation of the light sources, a secondary optical element 300 and a housing 400, which is provided to accommodate the remaining components, wherein the secondary optical element is configured to shape the light beams emanating from the light exit face 130 of the illumination device, in order to obtain a desired light distribution, for example a dipped beam and/or a main beam distribution, wherein yet other or further light distributions are possible.

(26) In the assembled state of the light module, the printed circuit board 11 having light sources 10 is held between the heat sink 500 and the holder 200, wherein pins arranged on the heat sink pass through the printed circuit boards through openings provided therefor.

(27) TABLE-US-00001 REFERENCE LIST Light sources 10 Printed circuit board 11 Primary optical element 100 Light-conducting body 110 Light entry face 120 Light exit face 130 Undercut 140 Holder 200 Latching element 210 Catch 220 Accommodating section 230 Opening 231 Positioning wall 240 Projection 241 Secondary optical element 300 Housing 400 Heat sink 500