LIGHT DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

The light device for a vehicle comprises an optical module comprising a reflector (2), common for signal light functions, e.g. the daily running light or position light, and for the low beam/high beam lighting, a main light source (4) designed for the said low beam/high beam lighting, and a secondary light source (3) designed for the signal light functions. Between the secondary light source (3) and the reflector (2), a micro-lens (1) is situated, configured to increase the diffusion of light emitted by the secondary light source (3) before it falls onto the reflector (2).

Claims

1. A light device for a vehicle, comprising an optical module including a reflector common for signal lighting and for the low beam/high beam lighting, a main light source designed for the low beam/high beam lighting, and a secondary light source designed for the signal lighting, wherein between the secondary light source and the reflector, a micro-lens is situated, the micro-lens being configured to increase diffusion of a light emitted by the secondary light source before the light falls onto the reflector.

2. The light device according to claim 1, wherein the main light source is situated at a focal point of the reflector.

3. The light device according to claim 1, wherein the secondary light source is situated at a focal point of the micro-lens.

4. The light device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector has a parabolic shape.

5. The light device according to claim 1, wherein the secondary light source and the main light source are positioned on a common PCB that a cooler is connected to.

6. The light device according to claim 1, wherein the micro-lens is, on its surface, fitted with a structure configured to increase diffusion of light emitted by the secondary light source.

7. The light device according to claim 6, wherein the said structure is a surface roughening.

8. The light device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the micro-lens averted from the secondary light source is spherical.

9. The light device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the micro-lens facing the secondary light source comprises a groove created in a horizontal direction and configured to increase, in a vertical plane running through the secondary light source and being perpendicular to the groove, diffusion of the light emitted by the secondary light source.

10. The light device according to claim 9, wherein a transversal profile of the groove is a segment of a circle.

11. The light device according to claim 9, wherein the groove is created in a vertical plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

12. The light device according to claim 1, wherein the micro-lens is configured so that a diffuse of light in a vertical plane being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and running through the secondary light source differs from a diffuse of light in a vertical plane being parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis and running through the secondary light source.

13. The light device according to claim 1, wherein the micro-lens is attached by means of fixing pins to a PCB and positioned against the secondary light source.

14. The light device according to claim 13, wherein the micro-lens is seated in a holder carried by the fixing pins.

15. The light device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the secondary light source and the main light source are LED sources.

Description

CLARIFICATION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention will be clarified in more detail with reference to drawings where:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the optical module of a light device according to the invention,

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the optical module of FIG. 1,

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the optical module of FIG. 1,

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view from the bottom of an embodiment example of the micro-lens seated in a holder,

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a view from the bottom of the micro-lens in the holder of FIG. 4,

[0032] FIG. 6 shows a perspective top view of the micro-lens in the holder of FIG. 4,

[0033] FIG. 7 shows coordinates X and Y of the vehicle, and

[0034] FIG. 8 shows examples of possible orientation of the groove that the surface of the micro-lens facing the secondary light source is fitted with in a preferred embodiment.

EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION EMBODIMENTS

[0035] For the purposes of this invention, the micro-lens does not refer to a lens in a conventional sense, but it refers to a diffusing optical micro-element. This diffusing optical micro-element is called the micro-lens 1 for the purposes of the present invention. The micro-lens 1 is configured for the diffusion of light that is produced by the secondary light source 3 and falls onto the micro-lens 1.

[0036] The main light source 4 and the secondary light source 3 are preferably LED sources. A multi-chip LED diode is also considered as a single LED source.

[0037] The light device according to the invention comprises an optical module that comprises one reflector 2 that is common for the main light source 4 and secondary light source 3. The secondary light source 3 is designed for the signaling function and a micro-lens 1 is associated with it, ensuring diffusion of light produced by the secondary light source 3 and falling onto the micro-lens 1. Besides the said optical module, the light device according to the invention can (but need not) comprise other/different optical modules, which, however, are not covered by this invention. [0038] Below, embodiments of this invention will be described.

[0039] An embodiment example of the light device is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. In this embodiment, the optical module comprises a single PCB 5 on which the main light source 4 is situated, a micro-lens 1 seated in a holder 10 being arranged next to it. The micro-lens 1 provides for the dispersion function. Its surface 8 averted from the secondary light source 3 can have a spherical shape. The secondary light source 3 is situated at the focal point of the micro-lens 1. The surface 9 of the micro-lens 1 facing the secondary light source 3 can be fitted with a groove 7.

[0040] The main light source 4 is especially designed for the high-beam lighting and for the low-beam lighting and the secondary light source 3 is designed for the signal lighting, especially the daytime running light or the outline light. The optical module further comprises a reflector 2, preferably of a parabolic shape that is common for the main light source 4 and the secondary light source 3. The PCB 5 can be provided with openings for mounting of fixing pins 6. The fixing pins 6 can be made of plastic. The holder 10 is fitted with fixing pins 6 designed to be attached to the PCB 5 through the openings in this PCB 5. The holder 10 and the micro-lens 1 can be made integrally as one piece.

[0041] FIGS. 4 to 6 show an example of a particular embodiment of the micro-lens 1 seated in the holder 10 designed for attachment to the PCB 5. The micro-lens 1 has a surface 8 averted from the secondary light source 3 and a surface 9 facing the secondary light source 3, which has a spherical shape in this embodiment, and the surface 9 facing the light source is fitted with a groove adapted for diffusion of light in this embodiment. Other embodiments of the micro-lens 1 may have a different shape of the surfaces 8 and 9 and they do not need to have a groove 7 either, or they may have a differently designed groove.

[0042] The groove 7 may have any suitable profile and any suitable orientation on condition it fulfils the required function, i.e. it contributes with its design to diffusion of light produced by the secondary light source 3. The groove 7 can thus be used to achieve controlled diffusion of micro-lens 1. The profile 7 of the groove can, e.g., have the form of a segment of a circle and it can be oriented in a horizontal direction transversally to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to create additional light diffusion in the vertical direction. Examples of possible orientations of the groove 7 are shown in FIG. 8 in association with FIG. 7.

[0043] The micro-lens 1 in the optical module converts the Lambertian characteristic of the LED to a characteristic with large scattering of light. Advantageously, the new characteristic is not symmetrical and is different on the horizontal and vertical plane. To eliminate high intensity of light for the signal function, the surface 8 and/or 9 of the micro-lens 1 can be fitted with a structure configured to increase the diffusion of the light emitted by the secondary light source 3. This structure can, e.g., be surface roughening.

[0044] The invention also comprises a light device design that comprises more optical modules the structures of which can differ from each other. The invention also comprises a design wherein the module that comprises the reflector 2 comprises more main light sources 4 and/or secondary light sources 3.

[0045] The invention is not only limited to the embodiments described above, but it covers all modifications and adaptations that fall within the scope of the patent claims below.

LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS

[0046] 1micro-lens

[0047] 2reflector

[0048] 3secondary light source

[0049] 4main light source

[0050] 5PCB

[0051] 6fixing pin

[0052] 7groove

[0053] 8, 9surface (of the micro-lens)

[0054] 10holder