Motor vehicle lamp and motor vehicle

Abstract

A motor vehicle light includes an optical waveguide system and a reflector. The optical waveguide system is arranged in the focal line of the reflector and is configured to project a plurality of light beams onto the reflector to generate a light signature having a plurality of parallel light beams emitting from the motor vehicle light. The motor vehicle light may include a housing with a transparent cover lens in order to protect the optical waveguide system from environmental influences such as sunlight and mechanical stresses.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle light comprising: an optical waveguide system having an optical waveguide element, the optical waveguide system configured with a light source on an end face of the optical waveguide element, a reflector including a reflective surface having a focal line, and a lateral region extending from the reflective surface and supporting the optical waveguide system, wherein the optical waveguide system is arranged in the focal line of the reflector and is configured to project a plurality of light beams through the optical waveguide system and reflect off the reflector to generate a light signature having a plurality of parallel light beams emitting from the motor vehicle light.

2. The motor vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the reflective surface comprises a shell-shaped structure having a two-dimensional curvature.

3. The motor vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a one-piece component.

4. The motor vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the reflective surface comprises a metallized surface.

5. The motor vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises an injection-molded reflector.

6. The motor vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a polymeric reflector.

7. The motor vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the lateral region further comprises an enclosure for the optical waveguide system, wherein the enclosure is arranged along the focal line of the reflector.

8. The motor vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the focal line is a straight focal line.

9. The motor vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide system comprises a plurality of light sources, each light source configured to project a light beam through the optical waveguide system and reflect off the reflector.

10. The motor vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide system comprises a diffusion element.

11. The motor vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide system comprises a linear waveguide system.

12. The motor vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide system comprises one or more LED.

13. A motor vehicle light comprising: a reflector including a shell-shaped structure having a two-dimensional curvature and a reflective surface defining a focal line, a lateral region extending from the reflective surface and an enclosure supporting an optical waveguide system, wherein the enclosure is arranged along the focal line of the reflector; and a linear waveguide system arranged in the focal line of the reflector and having a plurality of light sources, each light source configured to project a light beam through the optical waveguide system and reflect off the reflector to generate a light signature having a plurality of parallel light beams emitting from the motor vehicle light.

14. The motor vehicle light according to claim 13, wherein the reflective surface comprises a metallized surface.

15. The motor vehicle light according to claim 13, wherein the reflector comprises a one-piece component.

16. The motor vehicle light according to claim 13, wherein the optical waveguide system comprises a diffusion element.

17. The motor vehicle light according to claim 13, wherein the focal line is a straight focal line.

18. The motor vehicle light according to claim 17, wherein the optical waveguide system comprises a linear waveguide system.

19. The motor vehicle light according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises one or more LED.

20. A motor vehicle light comprising: a reflector that has a two-dimensional curvature, a reflective surface defining a focal line, and a lateral region extending from the reflective surface; an enclosure disposed in the lateral region and supporting the optical waveguide system, wherein the enclosure is arranged along the focal line of the reflector; and an optical waveguide system arranged in the focal line of the reflector and having an optical waveguide, a diffusion element, and a light source; wherein the light source is configured to project a light beam through the optical waveguide system and reflect off the reflector to generate a light signature having a plurality of parallel light beams emitting from the motor vehicle light.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle light;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the motor vehicle light with a light distribution; and

(4) FIG. 3 shows a front view of the motor vehicle light.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description.

(6) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle light 2. The motor vehicle light 2 is installed in a motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle light 2 includes a reflector 4, as well as an optical waveguide system 6.

(7) The reflector 4 is essentially realized in the form of a shell that is curved in two dimensions. The reflector 4 has a focal line L (illustrated in the form of a broken line). The optical waveguide system 6 is arranged in the focal line L. The reflector 4 is realized in one piece. The reflector 4 consists of a highly reflective polymer. The reflector 4 is manufactured in an injection molding process.

(8) An enclosure 8 is formed in a lateral region 4.1 of the reflector 4. The optical waveguide system 6 is held in the enclosure 8. The enclosure 8 conceals the optical waveguide system 6 from the viewing side B. In this way, direct light emission is prevented.

(9) The enclosure 8 may be made of the same material as the remaining reflector 4 such that light emitted by the optical waveguide system 6 is reflected back and the luminous efficiency is increased. The motor vehicle light 2 may include a housing with a transparent cover lens in order to protect the optical waveguide system 6 from environmental influences such as sunlight and mechanical stresses.

(10) A surface 4.2 of the reflector 4 is realized in a granular fashion in order to produce slightly diffuse scattering of the light of the optical waveguide system 6 on the surface 4.2. The light emission of the motor vehicle light 2 is thereby homogenized.

(11) The optical waveguide system 6 includes an optical waveguide 10, as well as a diffusion element 12. The diffusion element 12 is bonded onto the optical waveguide 10.

(12) A light source, e.g. in the form of one or more LEDs, is arranged on an end face of the optical waveguide element 6. Multiple white or identically colored light sources may be used. Alternatively, it is also possible to use multiple light sources with different colors for producing various colors, if applicable also with additive color mixing.

(13) The optical waveguide 10 acts as a diffusion lens and uniformly distributes the light of the LEDs of the diffusion element 12. The light distribution of the diffusion element 12 is thereby improved.

(14) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the motor vehicle light 2 with the light distribution produced thereby. This figure shows multiple light beams 14.1 to 14.4 that are emitted at the reflector 4 from the optical waveguide system 6. Since the light beams 14.1 to 14.4 are all radially emitted at the surface 4.2 of the reflector 4 from the focal line L, the light beams 14.1 to 14.4 are essentially emitted into the surroundings parallel to one another. A linear illumination into the sheet plane is created due to the shape of the reflector 4.

(15) FIG. 3 shows a front view of the motor vehicle light 2. The reflector 4 has a straight focal line L. In alternative embodiments, a curved focal line may be provided instead of a straight focal line. Strips 16 of metallic material are applied onto the reflector 4. These metallic strips 16 produce a defined visible light structure because they are more reflective than the surface 4.2 of the reflector 4.

(16) While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment as contemplated herein. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.