LIGHTING DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOG LIGHT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract

The lighting device, in particular the fog light for motor vehicles comprises a lighting unit for emitting light beams and a lens on which the light beams fall, configured as a Fresnel lens to form light paths in the plane (zy), which is perpendicular to the axis (x) passing through the centre of the lens and located at a distance in front of the lens. The lens is not axially symmetrical with respect to the axis (x) and its zones are configured to form a light path whose height (v) is smaller than its width (s).

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising a lighting unit for emitting light rays, a lens on which the light rays fall, configured as a Fresnel lens to produce a light footprint in the plane (zy), which plane (zy) is perpendicular to the axis (x) passing through the centre of the lens and located at a distance in front of the lens, wherein the lens is not axially symmetrical to the axis (x) and its zones are configured to form a light footprint whose height (v) is smaller than its width (s).

2. A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lens is planar.

3. A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lens is symmetrical with respect to the horizontal plane (xy).

4. A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lens is symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane (zx).

5. A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lens comprises zones arranged as rings around a centre of the lens, where each ring farther from the centre of the lens surrounds the rings closer to the centre of the lens, wherein from each pair of the adjacent zones the zone farther away from the centre of the lens deflects, in the vertical plane (zx), a beam of light rays from a direction of the axis (x) at a vertical angle () that is greater than or equal to the vertical angle () at which, in this plane (zx), the other zone from the pair of the zones deflects a beam of light rays from the direction of the axis (x).

6. A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lens comprises zones arranged as rings around a centre of the lens, where each ring farther from the centre of the lens surrounds the rings closer to the centre of the lens, wherein from each pair of the adjacent zones the zone farther away from the centre of the lens deflects, in the horizontal plane (xy), a beam of light rays a direction of the axis (x) at a horizontal angle () which is greater than or equal to a horizontal angle () at which, in this plane (xy), the other zone from the pair of the zones deflects a beam of light rays from the direction of the axis (x).

7. A lighting device according to claim 5, wherein for each zone it is true that it deflects beam of light rays by a horizontal angle () which is greater than a vertical angle (), by which it deflects a beam of light rays.

8. A lighting device according to claim 7, wherein the horizontal angle () is twice the vertical angle ().

9. A lighting device according to claim 6, wherein the horizontal angle () by which the zone that is the most distant of zones from the centre of the lens deflects a beam of light rays is less than or equal to 20.

10. A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the height (v) of the light footprint is approximately half its width (s).

11. A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lens comprises a central part for directing a beam of light rays in the direction of the axis (x).

12. A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein in the projection into the lens surface, each of the zones of the lens is delimited by a ring whose edges are formed by closed curves which are in this projection in each of four parts of the lens made from a first adjacent arc (with a first radius (R1), a second arc with a second radius (R2) and a third arc with a third radius (R3), wherein the first radius (R1) is equal to the third radius (R3), and the second radius (R2) is twice the first radius (R1).

13. A lighting device according to claim 12, wherein for each zone, the first radius (R1) of the zone is equal to two thirds of a distance (a), measured in the horizontal plane (xy), of an edge of the zone from the centre of the lens.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The invention will be further clarified by means of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which it is shown:

[0023] FIG. 1Longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention;

[0024] FIG. 2Front view of an exemplary embodiment of the lens of the lighting device according to the invention;

[0025] FIG. 3Longitudinal horizontal sectional view through line A-A through the lens of FIG. 2;

[0026] FIG. 4Longitudinal vertical sectional view through line B-B through the lens of FIG. 2;

[0027] FIG. 5Example of a curve shape defining a zone of a lens of a lighting device according to the invention in one of the quadrants;

[0028] FIG. 6Shape and luminous intensity prescribed by the relevant regulations for the light path of the fog light;

[0029] FIGS. 7 to 12Partial angular distribution of luminous intensity of the light beams coming out from individual zones of the exemplary embodiment of the lens of the lighting device according to the invention;

[0030] FIG. 13Overall angular distribution of luminous intensity of the light beams coming out from all the highlighted zones of the exemplary embodiment of the lens of the lighting device of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 14Another example of the lens embodiment according to the invention; and

[0032] FIG. 15One more example of the lens embodiment according to the invention.

EXAMPLES OF INVENTION EMBODIMENTS

[0033] For the purposes of this application, x, y, z axes are axes of the rectangular coordinate system, whereas x axis passes through the centre 18 of the lens 6 and lies in the optical axis. The lens 6 can be planar or non-planar (for example, slightly dish-shaped), and the plane in which it is approximately located is perpendicular to x axis and parallel to zy plane, into which the light path 12 is projected. X and y axes are referred to as horizontal and z axis as vertical so that xy plane is referred to as horizontal and zy and zx planes as vertical, although this designation does not necessarily mean that the lens 6 is located in the vertical plane in the geographical sense.

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a motor vehicle lighting device according to the invention comprising a supporting housing 1 covered by a translucent cover 2 and an inner chamber 3, in which an optical system 4 is provided to form light paths 12 by means of radiated light rays 10. The optical system 4 comprises an illumination unit 5 for emitting the light rays 10 and a compact transparent lens 6 configured as a Fresnel lens and comprising optical elements 8 for directing/deflecting the light rays 10 into the sub-areas 11 of the light path 12.

[0035] Optical elements 8 are located in zones 61. The number of zones 61 may vary in the individual embodiments of the invention, with the lens 6 having at least two zones 61. The lens 6 can also include a central part 60, which directs beams of light rays 10 in the direction of x axis. The individual zones 61 are arranged in the rings surrounding the centre 18 of the lens 6 located on x axis, whereas the zone 61 farther from the centre 18 surrounds the zones 61, which are located closer to the centre 18.

[0036] For each zone 61 there is a vertical angle , which denotes an angle between x axis and the direction, in which there is the greatest luminous intensity in zx plane from a beam of light rays 10 deflected by this zone 61. Whereas it is true that from each pair of the adjacent zones 61, the zone 61 farther from the centre 18 of the lens 6 deflects a beam of light rays 10 by the vertical angle greater than or equal to the vertical angle by which the zone 61, which is closer to the centre 18 from this pair, deflects a beam of light rays 10.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, next to the angle , the horizontal angle is also provided for each zone 61, which is the angle between x axis and the direction in which in xy plane there is the greatest luminous intensity from beam of light rays 10 deflected by this zone 61. Whereas it is true that from each pair of adjacent zones 61, the zone 61 farther from the centre 18 of the lens 6 deflects beam of light rays 10 by the horizontal angle greater than or equal to the horizontal angle , by which the zone 61, which is closer to the centre 18 from this pair, deflects beam of light rays 10.

[0038] In the advantageous embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the horizontal angle for each zone 61 is twice the vertical angle . In other embodiments, the ratio of the angles and of the zones 61 may be different, and this ratio may also vary for the individual zones 61.

[0039] As noted, the central part 60 is adapted to form a beam of light rays 10 whose maximum luminous intensity is in the direction of x optical axis, or the horizontal angle and the vertical angle for the central part 60 is zero.

[0040] The zones 61 are, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in the lens 6 located in such a way that they have one edge on pi plane and the other on .sub.2 plane, the .sub.1 and .sub.2 planes being parallel to one another and apart by the distance d. The lens shown in FIG. 1 is planar. However, there may also be embodiments in which the lens 6 may have a non-planar shape, for example, being slightly convex or concave.

[0041] In the case of the embodiment used to make the rear fog light with respect to the required photometry, the vertical angle , by which the zone 61, which is the farthest from the centre, deflects a beam of light rays 10 with the maximum luminous intensity, i.e. the maximum vertical angle , by which a beam of light rays 10 is deflected by the lens 6, is less than or equal to 10. In other embodiments, the maximum vertical angle may be different.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows the projection of the lens 6 to zy plane. As can be seen, the lens 6 is in this embodiment symmetrical with respect to xy plane and it is also symmetrical with respect to zx vertical plane. The face of the lens 6 is composed of four mutually identical parts 7. Each of the zones 61 of the lens 6 is defined by a ring. The edges of this ring are formed by closed curves, which, as shown in FIG. 5 depicting one of the possible embodiments, consist in each of the four parts 7 of the lens 6 of three successive circular arcs 71, 72, 73, of which the first arc 71 has the first radius R1, the second arc 72 has the second radius R2, and third arc 73 has the third radius R3. In one embodiment, the first radius R1 is equal to the third radius R3 and the second radius R2 is twice the first radius R1, whereas the first radius R1 can be equal to two thirds of the distance a of the edge of the zone 61 in xy plane from the centre 18 of the lens 6.

[0043] The relevant requirements set out to meet the required fog light characteristics are shown in FIG. 6. In the horizontal direction the rear fog light must have a minimum luminous intensity of 150 cd in the range of 10 to 10, and in the vertical direction in the range of 5 to 5, thus the area with a minimum luminous intensity of 150 cd has the shape of a cross. In the diamond area drawn around this cross, a minimum luminous intensity of 75 cd must be met outside this cross.

[0044] FIGS. 7 to 13 show the angular distribution of luminous intensity of the light beams 15. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the light beams 15 emerging from the central part 60 of the lens 6 in each part 7 of the lens 6 are adapted to form one sub-area 11 of the light path 12, comprising the area 16 with a higher luminous intensity around x optical axis and the area 17 with a lower luminous intensity located around the area 16 with a higher luminous intensity, whereas the areas 16, 17 are approximately elliptical. The area 16 with a higher luminous intensity is such a place of the light path 12 where a value of at least 50% of the maximum luminous intensity is reached. The area 17 of lower luminous intensity represents the light path 12, where the value from 25% to 50% of the maximum luminous intensity is reached.

[0045] As can be seen from FIG. 8, the light beams 15 coming out from the zone 61 of the lens 6 closest to the central part 60 are adapted to form one sub-area 11 of the light path 12 where the high luminous area 16 is centred around x optical axis and approximately cross-shaped, while the lower luminous area 17 is approximately diamond-shaped.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 9, the light beams 15 coming out from the following zone 61 of the lens 6 are adapted to form one sub-area 11 of the light path 12. The higher luminous intensity area 16 is no longer located in the immediate vicinity of x optical axis, where the lower luminous intensity area 17 is located. The extreme points 13 of the higher luminous intensity area 16 are located in the horizontal direction of y axis and can be at a double distance from x optical axis than in the vertical direction z. The lower luminous area 17 whose outer contour has a shape similar to a diamond is located around the higher luminous intensity area 16.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the following two zones 61 of the lens 6 form four areas 16 with a higher luminous intensity of one sub-area 11 of the light path 12, which move further away from x optical axis in comparison with the sub-areas 11 of the light path 12 formed by the preceding zones 61.

[0048] FIG. 12 shows a partial sum of the luminous intensities of the light beams 15 coming out from the two parts 7 of the lens 6 and formed by the central part 60 and the four zones 61 of the lens 6 closest to the central part 60. The individual sub-areas 11 formed by the central part 60 and the four subsequent zones 61 of two of the parts 7 of the lens 6 partially overlap each other so that the resulting luminous distribution is smooth. The two parts 7 shown in the lens 6 then form a compound area 16 with a higher luminous intensity in the form of a light pattern approximately in the shape of a half of a cross and a compound area 17 with a lower luminous intensity approximately in the shape of half of a diamond.

[0049] FIG. 13 shows the angular distribution of luminous intensity of all light beams 15 coming out from all four parts 7 of the lens 6. The sub-areas 11 of the light path 12 formed by the central part 60 and all the zones 61 partially overlap one another so that the higher luminous intensity area 16 produces a light cross-shaped pattern and the lower luminous intensity area 17 has a diamond shape, thereby meeting the prescribed standard for the rear fog light shown in FIG. 6, without unnecessary waste of light.

[0050] FIG. 14 shows an example of the invention which includes the lens 6 for whose zones 61 it is true that in each pair 63 of the adjacent zones 61, the zone 61 farther from x axis deflects a beam of light rays 10 in zx plane by the vertical angle that is greater than the vertical angle , by which a beam of light rays 10 is deflects by the zone 61 which is closer to x axis from this pair 63.

[0051] FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the invention utilizing the lens 6 comprising consecutive adjacent pairs 62 of the adjacent zones 61 where in each pair 62 both zones 61 exhibit the same vertical angle of deflection, whereas it is also true that the pair 62 that is more distant from the central part 60 contains the zones 61 with a greater vertical angle of deflection than the adjacent pair 62, which is closer to the central part 60.

[0052] In one embodiment, the height v of the light path (12) is approximately half of the width s of the light path.

LIST OF RELATED SIGNS

[0053] 1housing [0054] 2cover [0055] 3chamber [0056] 4optical system [0057] 5lighting unit [0058] 6lens [0059] 7part of the lens [0060] 8optical element [0061] 10light ray [0062] 11sub-area [0063] 12light footprint [0064] 13extreme point [0065] 15beam of light rays [0066] 16, 17area [0067] 18centre of the lens [0068] 60central part [0069] 61zone [0070] 62adjacent pairs of adjacent zones [0071] 63pair of adjacent zones [0072] 71the first arc [0073] 72the second arc [0074] 73the third arc [0075] R1first radius [0076] R2second radius [0077] R3third radius [0078] a, ddistance [0079] vertical angle [0080] horizontal angle [0081] 1, .sub.2plane [0082] vthe height of the light path [0083] Vvertical [0084] Hhorizontal [0085] swidth of the light path [0086] x, y, zaxes of the rectangular coordinate system [0087] xy, zx, zyplane