Illumination Device of a Motor Vehicle Headlamp

Abstract

Lighting device of a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising a lens (1, 10) and at least one light source (2), wherein a lighting pattern (LI) can be generated by the at least one light source (2), wherein the lighting pattern (LI) generated by the light source (2) can be projected in front of the lighting device in the form of a light distribution by means of the lens (1, 10), wherein the lens (1, 10) has at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) and one projection optics holder (4, 40), wherein at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) is designed in the projection optics holder (4, 40), wherein the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) corresponds to the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31), the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) is accommodated in the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51), wherein a reference point system (6, 60, 61) is defined in the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) for determining a position of the projection optics (3, 30, 31) accommodated in this receiving means (5, 50, 51) in such a way that the lighting pattern (LI) is essentially located in a focal plane of the lens (1, 10), wherein reference points (6-1 to 6-6, 60-1 to 60-16, 61-1 to 61-10) of the reference point system (6, 60, 61) are arranged according to the 3-2-1 rule, wherein the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) is closed by means of a closing element (7, 70) in such a way that the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) is fixed and held in the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) in the position determined by the reference point system (6, 60, 61).

Claims

1. A lighting device of a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising: a lens (1, 10) which has at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) and one projection optics holder (4, 40); and at least one light source (2), which is configured to generate a lighting pattern (LI), wherein the lighting pattern (LI) generated by the light source (2) can be projected in front of the lighting device in the form of a light distribution by means of the lens (1, 10), wherein: the lens (1, 10) has at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) and one projection optics holder (4, 40), at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) is designed in the projection optics holder (4, 40), the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) corresponds to the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31), the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) is accommodated in the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51), a reference point system (6, 60, 61) is defined in the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) for determining a position of the projection optics (3, 30, 31) accommodated in this receiving means (5, 50, 51) in such a way that the lighting pattern (LI) is essentially located in a focal plane of the lens (1, 10), reference points (6-1 to 6-6, 60-1 to 60-16, 61-1 to 61-10) of the reference point system (6, 60, 61) are arranged according to the 3-2-1 rule, and the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) is closed by means of a closing element (7, 70) in such a way that the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) is fixed and held in the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) in the position determined by the reference point system (6, 60, 61).

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lens (1, 10) comprises at least two projection optics (3, 30, 31) and at least two receiving means (5, 50, 51) are designed in the projection optics holder (4, 40), wherein each receiving means (5, 50, 51) corresponds to a projection optics (3, 30, 31) and different receiving means (5, 50, 51) correspond to different projection optics (3, 30, 31), wherein: each projection optics (3, 30, 31) is accommodated in a receiving means (5, 50, 51) corresponding to the projection optics (3, 30, 31) and different projection optics (3, 30, 31) are accommodated in different receiving means (5, 50, 51), a reference point system (6, 60, 61) is defined in each receiving means (5, 50, 51) for determining the position of the projection optics (3, 30, 31) accommodated in this receiving means (5, 50, 51), reference points (6-1 to 6-6, 60-1 to 60-16, 61-1 to 61-10) of each reference point system (6, 60, 61) are arranged according to the 3-2-1 rule, and the reference points (6-1 to 6-6, 60-1 to 60-16, 61-1 to 61-10) of the different reference point systems (6, 60, 61) are designed in such a way that all defined positions of the projection optics (3, 30, 31) are coordinated with each other in such a way that optical axes of the different projection optics (3, 30, 31) coincide and that the lighting pattern (LI) is located in the focal plane of the lens (1, 10).

3. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein each receiving means (5, 50, 51) is closed by means of one closing element (7, 70) each, wherein at least one of the closing elements (7, 70) is designed as one of the at least two projection optics (3, 30, 31).

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the reference points (6-1 to 6-6, 60-1 to 60-16, 61-1 to 61-10) of the reference point system (6, 60, 61) are arranged according to the area principle or translation-rotation-constraint principle of the 3-2-1 rule.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) has a receiving means bottom (5a, 50a, 51a), at least three of the reference points (6-1 to 6-6, 60-1 to 60-16, 61-1 to 61-10) are designed as referencing elements (6-1 to 6-3, 60-1 to 60-4, 61-1 to 61-4), wherein the at least three referencing elements (6-1 to 6-3, 60-1 to 60-4, 61-1 to 61-4) are arranged between the receiving means bottom (5a, 50a, 51a) and the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31), make contact with both the receiving means bottom (5a, 50a, 51a) and the projection optics (3, 30, 31) and define a primary plane (YZ) of the reference point system (6, 60, 61).

6. The lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) has a side wall (5b, 50b, 51b), wherein at least two more of the reference points (6-1 to 6-6, 60-1 to 60-16, 61-1 to 61-10) are designed as centring elements (6-4 to 6-6, 60-5 to 60-16 and 61-5 to 61-10), wherein the at least two centring elements (6-4 to 6-6, 60-5 to 60-16 and 61-5 to 61-10) are arranged between an interior circumference of the side wall (5b, 50b, 51b) and the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31), make contact with both the side wall (5b, 50b, 51b) and the projection optics (3, 30, 31) and restrict the movement of at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) along the primary plane (YZ).

7. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) has a receiving means opening (5c, 50c, 51c), wherein the closing element (7, 70) closing the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51) is designed in the receiving means opening (5c, 50c, 51c) in such a way that the light emitted from the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) can pass through the closing element (7, 70).

8. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the closing element is designed as a fastening clip (70).

9. The lighting device according to claim 8, wherein the fastening clip (70) is attached to the projection optics holder (4, 40) in such a way that it pushes the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) accommodated in the projection optics holder (4, 40) at least in a direction opposite to the direction of an optical axis (X) of the lens (1, 10).

10. The lighting device according to claim 8, wherein the fastening clip is connected to the projection optics holder (4, 40) by means of a locking connection.

11. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source (2) comprises a spatial light modulator, in particular a DMD chip, and generates the lighting pattern (LI) on the spatial light modulator.

12. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lens (1, 10) further comprises at least one aperture device (11, 12).

13. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) consists of two partial lenses (30a, 30b).

14. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lens (1, 10) comprises elastic elements which are configured to clamp the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) in the at least one receiving means (5, 50, 51).

15. A motor vehicle headlight having at least one device according to claim 1.

16. The lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the primary plane (YZ) of the reference point system (6, 60, 61) is arranged essentially parallel to the receiving means bottom (5a, 50a, 51a).

17. The lighting device according to claim 11, wherein the mirror array of the spatial light modulator is located in a focal plane of the lens (1, 10).

18. The lighting device according to claim 12, wherein the at least one aperture device (11, 12) is a flat aperture device.

19. The lighting device according to claim 13, wherein the at least one projection optics (3, 30, 31) has an achromatic effect.

20. The lighting device according to claim 14, wherein the elastic elements are arranged in the projection optics holder (4, 40).

Description

[0053] The invention and other advantages are explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the drawings. In these,

[0054] FIG. 1a shows a lighting device with a projection optics in perspective view;

[0055] FIG. 1b shows a lighting device from FIG. 1a in perspective view without closing element;

[0056] FIG. 1c shows a lighting device from FIG. 1a in perspective view without closing element and without projection optics;

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a lighting device with three lens elements in an exploded view;

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a projection optics holder of the lighting device from FIG. 2;

[0059] FIG. 4 shows the projection optics holder from FIG. 3 with a first projection optics, and

[0060] FIG. 5 is a sectional representation of the lens system of the lighting device from FIG. 2.

[0061] First, reference is made to FIG. 1a to 1c. These show a lighting device designed as a light module for a motor vehicle headlight with a lens 1 and a light source 2. The light source 2 can generate a lighting pattern LI. As can be seen in FIG. 1a to 1c, the light source 2 may comprise a surface on which it can generate the lighting pattern LI. In particular, the at least one light source can generate the lighting pattern LI on a side of the surface facing the lens 1. This surface may be designed, for example, as a surface of a micromirror array of a spatial light modulator, such as a DMD chip, as a surface of a light-converting means (phosphorus), which can convert light from a laser diode source into essentially white light, as a light-emitting layer of an LED, or as a light-emitting surface of an attachment optics (made of silicone), for example a TIR lens. When the lighting device is switched on, the light source 2 thus generates the lighting pattern LI, which is projected by the lens 1 in front of the lighting device in the form of a light distribution. The lens 1 has at least one projection optics 3 and one projection optics holder 4. A receiving means 5 corresponding to the projection optics 3 is designed in the projection optics holder 4. The projection optics 3 is accommodated in the at least one receiving means 5. The projection optics 3 may be, for example, a lens, for example a rotationally symmetrical lens (see FIG. 1a to 1c). A reference point system 6 is defined in the at least one receiving means 5, i.e., a system of reference points 6-1 to 6-6, which specify a position of the projection optics 3 accommodated in the receiving means 5. The position is specified in such a way that the lighting pattern is essentially located in a focal plane of the lens 1. Therein, the term “essentially located in a focal plane” is taken to mean that the lighting pattern is located at least in a plane which is arranged parallel to the focal plane and preferably coincides with the focal plane, wherein this phrase also covers small, unavoidable inaccuracies commonly accepted in the art with regards to the positioning of the lighting pattern in front of or behind the focal plane.

[0062] The reference points 6-1 to 6-6 of the reference point system are arranged according to the 3-2-1 rule. This refers to the 3-2-1 rule known from the field of tolerance management, which is less commonly also referred to as the 3-2-1 principle.

[0063] In order to fix and hold the projection optics 3 in the position specified by the reference point system 6 in the receiving means 5, a closing element 7 is provided. Preferably, the closing element 7 prevents the projection optics 3 from falling out of the receiving means 5. The closing element 7 closes the projection optics 3 in the receiving means 5 in such a way that it pushes onto the projection optics 3 from preferably two directions (shown in FIG. 1b with arrows F), in which the projection optics 3 located in the above position can “fall out” of the receiving means 5, and thus fixes and holds the projection optics 3 in the position specified by the reference point system 6. Nevertheless, a certain clearance in the YZ plane, which is considered tolerable in the art, may be permissible.

[0064] The projection optics holder 4 can be designed as a single piece. For example, it can be made from magnesium diecast. However, a plastic injection-moulded part or thixomoulding is also conceivable. This is decided according to the required accuracy requirements (tolerance fluctuations in production) required by the optical design. For very high requirements, post-processing, e.g., milling of the reference surfaces, is also conceivable.

[0065] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a lighting device with a light source 2 and a lens 10, wherein more than one projection optics is accommodated in the lens 10. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows a lens 10 with a projection optics holder 40, in which two projection optics 30, 31 are accommodated, wherein one of the projection optics 30, 31—the projection optics 30—consists of two partial lenses 30a and 30b. The projection optics 30, 31 are not rotationally symmetrical. A projection optics 30 consisting of two partial lenses 30a and 30b can reduce achromatic errors, such as, e.g., longitudinal chromatic aberrations.

[0066] The projection optics holder 40 has a handling area 40a. For example, the handling area 40a is arranged at the end of the projection optics holder 40 closest to the light source 2. The handling area 40a may also be arranged in another place along the longitudinal direction X of the projection optics holder 40. The handling area 40a may, as already described, serve to facilitate automated gripping of the lens 10 and may include laterally protruding tabs with bars protruding upwards.

[0067] Two receiving means 50, 51 are designed in the projection optics holder 40 for accommodating the projection optics 30, 31. Each receiving means 50, 51 corresponds to a projection optics 30, 31 and the different receiving means 50, 51 correspond to different projection optics 30, 31. Therein, each projection optics 30, 31 is accommodated in one of these receiving means 50, 51 corresponding to the projection optics 30, 31. Different projection optics 30, 31 are accommodated in different receiving means 50, 51.

[0068] A reference point system 60, 61 is defined in each receiving means 50, 51 for specifying the position of the projection optics 30, 31 accommodated in the respective receiving means 50, 51. As already described above, the reference points 60-1 to 60-16, 61-1 to 61-10 of each reference point system 60, 61 are arranged according to the 3-2-1 rule. Therein, the reference points 60-1 to 60-16, 61-1 to 61-10 of the different reference point systems 60, 61 are designed in such a way that all specified positions of the projection optics 30, 31 are coordinated with each other in such a way that optical axes of the different projection optics 30, 31 coincide and that the lighting pattern LI is essentially located in the focal plane of the lens 10. “Essentially located in the focal plane” means that the lighting pattern LI is located at least in a plane that is arranged parallel to the focal plane and preferably coincides with the focal plane. Small inaccuracies in the positioning, in front of or behind the focal plane, are of course permissible.

[0069] Each receiving means 50, 51 is closed by means of a closing element. As indicated in FIG. 2 (see also FIG. 4), one of the closing elements, namely the closing element which closes the first projection optics 30 in its receiving means 50, may be designed as the second projection optics 31.

[0070] Furthermore, it is indicated in FIGS. 2 to 4 that the projection optics 30, 31 and the receiving means 50, 51 are of different sizes. This means, for example, that the receiving means 50 can be smaller than the receiving means 51 (FIGS. 2 to 4). The size of the receiving means 50, 51 may taper down toward the at least one light source 2. In addition, FIGS. 2 to 4 indicate that the receiving means 50 consists of two partial receiving means, wherein each of the partial receiving means is set up/designed for accommodating a corresponding partial lens 30a, 30b. In addition, three or four, e.g., additional referencing elements (not shown in the drawings) may be arranged between the partial lenses 30a, 30b, which elements reference the partial lens 30b to the partial lens 30a in the X direction. The partial receiving means for the first partial lens 30a may be smaller than the partial receiving means for the second partial lens 30b.

[0071] The two projection optics 30, 31 may be designed in such a way that the lens 10 has an apochromatic effect.

[0072] FIGS. 1 to 4 further indicate that each of the receiving means has a receiving means bottom, wherein at least three of the reference points are designed as referencing elements arranged between the corresponding receiving means bottom and the at least one projection optics accommodated in the corresponding receiving means. The referencing elements make contact with both the receiving means bottom and the projection optics and are designed in such a way that they define a primary plane YZ—in the sense of the 3-2-1 rule.

[0073] Specifically, FIGS. 2 to 4, e.g., indicate that each of the two receiving means 50, 51 has a receiving means bottom 50a, 51a (the receiving means 5 in FIG. 1a to 1c also has a bottom 5a). The bottom of the respective receiving means 50, 51 may, for example, be formed either by the upstream projection optics, as is the case with the receiving means 51 in FIGS. 2 and 4, or by the projection optics holder 40, as is the case with the receiving means 50 (see FIG. 3). This applies mutatis mutandis to the partial receiving means described above (cf. FIGS. 2 to 4). At least three of the reference points are designed as referencing elements 60-1 to 60-4, 61-1 to 61-4, which are arranged between the respective receiving means bottom 50a, 51a and the respective projection optics 30, 31. Both the receiving means bottom 50a, 51a in question and the corresponding projection optics 30, 31 are contacted by the referencing elements 60-1 to 60-4, 61-1 to 61-4. For example, the second projection optics 31 rests on the referencing elements 61-1 to 61-4, wherein the referencing elements 61-1 to 61-4 are designed on the first projection optics 30. The first projection optics 30, in particular the first partial lens 30a, rests on the referencing elements 60-1 to 60-4, which referencing elements are designed on the projection optics holder 40. FIG. 2 shows that these referencing elements 61-1 to 61-4 are designed on the second partial lens 30b.

[0074] The referencing elements 60-1 to 60-4 and 61-1 to 61-4 each define a different primary plane YZ. The different primary planes are preferably parallel to each other. In addition, it is advantageous if all primary planes YZ are arranged essentially parallel to at least the receiving means bottom 50a of the first receiving means 50 (as seen from the light source).

[0075] FIGS. 3 and 4 indicate that the referencing elements 60-1 to 60-4 (FIGS. 3) and 61-1 to 61-4 (FIG. 4) may be designed as protrusions extending in the direction of the optical axis X. In addition, FIGS. 3 and 4 indicate that four referencing elements are provided in each receiving means. The fourth referencing element helps prevent, for example, a tilting of the projection optics 30, 31 in the receiving means 50, 51. It is quite conceivable that more referencing elements (five, six or more) are provided.

[0076] The referencing elements 60-1 to 60-4 (FIGS. 3) and 61-1 to 61-4 (FIG. 4) shown here have approximately the shape of a hemisphere flattened at its top. Other geometric shapes of the referencing elements are quite conceivable.

[0077] The referencing elements 6-1 to 6-3, 60-1 to 60-4, 61-1 to 61-4 can therefore be designed on the projection optics holder 4, 40 and/or on one or more projection optics 3, 30, 31. They can form a monolithic structure with the projection optics holder 4, 40 and/or with at least one projection optics 3, 30, 31. If the referencing elements are designed on the projection optics, it is useful if they are designed on the optically ineffective surfaces of the projection optics.

[0078] FIGS. 1 to 4 also indicate that the referencing elements 6-1 to 6-3, 60-1 to 60-4, 61-1 to 61-4 can be designed as spacers.

[0079] Furthermore, it is indicated in FIGS. 1 to 4 that the receiving means 5, 50, 51 each have a side wall 5b, 50b, 51b. The side wall 5b in FIG. 1a to 1c is partly formed by the projection optics holder 4 and partly by the closing element 7. The side walls 50b, 51b in FIGS. 2 to 4 are formed by the projection optics holder 40. At least two more of the reference points, namely those which are not designed as referencing elements, are designed as centring elements 6-4 to 6-6, 60-5 to 60-16 and 61-5 to 61-10, wherein these at least two centring elements 6-4 to 6-6, 60-5 to 60-16 and 61-5 to 61-10 are arranged between an interior circumference of the side wall 5b, 50b, 51b and the projection optics 3, 30, 31 accommodated in the corresponding receiving means 5, 50, 51. The centring elements 6-4 to 6-6, 60-5 to 60-16 and 61-5 to 61-10 make contact with both the side wall 5b, 50b, 51b and the projection optics 3, 30, 31 and restrict the movement of the at least one projection optics 3, 30, 31 along the primary plane YZ.

[0080] It should be noted that not all projection optics 3, 30, 31 have to make contact with the corresponding centring elements 6-4 to 6-6, 60-5 to 60-16 and 61-5 to 61-10 when the lens 1, 10 is assembled. This means that some clearance between the projection optics 3, 30, 31 and the receiving means 5, 50, 51 along the primary plane YZ is permissible. However, a situation is conceivable in which there is no such clearance. For example, spring elements (not shown here) may be provided in the projection optics holder 4, 40 to compensate for the clearance. These spring elements may, for example, be designed integrally with the projection optics holder 4, 40 or as separate inserts.

[0081] Preferably, the centring elements 6-4 to 6-6, 60-5 to 60-16 and 61-5 to 61-10 are designed on the projection optics holder 4, 40. In the projection optics holder 4 from FIG. 1a to 1c, two centring elements 6-4 and 6-6 are designed as two ridges, which are designed in an approximately triangular shape in a cross-section located parallel to the YZ plane and are connected in a lower region of the projection optics holder 4 by means of a bar to form a V-shape (as seen from the front). The rotationally symmetrical projection optics 3, for example a lens, can be inserted in this V-shape. The described V-shape is particularly advantageous when using rotationally symmetrical projection optics. Centring elements that together form a V-shape can also be used with projection optics holders accommodating multiple rotationally symmetrical projection optics.

[0082] In the projection optics holder 40 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the centring elements 60-5 to 60-16 and 61-5 to 61-10 are designed on the interior circumference of the side wall 50b, 51b of the corresponding receiving means 50, 51, which wall is formed by the projection optics holder 40. Preferably, the centring elements 60-5 to 60-16 and 61-5 to 61-10 form a monolithic structure with the projection optics holder 40.

[0083] Specifically, the centring elements 60-5 to 60-16 and 61-5 to 61-10 are designed in the projection optics holder 40 as centring ridges extending in the direction of the optical axis X, preferably flattened at their top.

[0084] The longitudinal direction of these ridges is the X-direction—the optical axis of the lens 10. In addition, the centring elements 60-5 to 60-16 and 61-5 to 61-10 protrude from the interior of the projection optics holder 40 toward the centre of the lens 10, preferably perpendicular to the optical axis X.

[0085] The at least one projection optics 30, 31 may have counter elements 60-17 to 60-22, 61-11 to 61-13 corresponding to the centring elements 60-5 to 60-16 and 61-5 to 61-10. The counter elements 60-17 to 60-22, 61-11 to 61-13 of all lenses 30a, 30b and 31 are designed as recesses corresponding to the centring ridges. This is particularly evident in FIG. 2.

[0086] The receiving means 5, 50, 51 each have a receiving means opening 5c, 50c, 51c. As already mentioned, each receiving means 5, 50, 51 can be, or is, closed by a closing element 7, 70. The closing element 7 of FIG. 1a to 1c is designed as a (square-shaped) bracket, which, seen laterally, has approximately the shape of a Greek capital letter gamma and, seen from the front, has a centrally arranged opening, such that light emitted from the projection optics 3 can escape from the lens 1. The shape of bracket 7 can also be different. The closing element 7 is attached to the projection optics holder 4 by locking, screwing, clamping or gluing it to the same, for example.

[0087] In the lens 10 from FIGS. 2 to 4, the first receiving means 50 is closed by the second projection optics 31. The second receiving means 51 is closed by means of a fastening clip 70, which has an opening in the middle from which the second projection optics 31 protrudes.

[0088] The closing elements 7, 70 are designed in such a way that light can be emitted from the corresponding projection optics 3, 30, 31 and escape from the lens 1, 10.

[0089] In reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, it is noteworthy that the fastening clip 70 is attached to the projection optics holder 40 in such a way that it pushes the at least one projection optics 30, 31 accommodated in the projection optics holder 40 at least in a direction opposite to the direction of an optical axis X of the lens 10. As a result, the projection optics 30, 31 are fixed in the projection optics holder 40 in such a way that they can no longer move along the optical axis X—thus determining the focal length of the lens 10. This means that the fastening clip 70 clamps the projection optics 30, 31 in the projection optics holder 40, such that a clearance between the optics 30, 31 in the direction of the optical axis X is no longer possible. In an advantageous embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 2, two protrusions 70a are designed on the fastening clip 70, which define a preferably horizontal line which extends perpendicular to the optical axis X. The protrusions 70a, or ridges, protrude from the fastening clip 70 in the direction opposite to the direction of the optical axis X. But more than two protrusions 70a can also be provided.

[0090] In addition, the fastening clip 70 has locking openings 70b corresponding to the locking catches 40b designed on the projection optics holder 40, such that the fastening clip 70 can lock onto the projection optics holder 40. The locking catches 70b are designed on an exterior circumference of the projection optics holder 40.

[0091] The lens 10 optionally comprises two, preferably two-dimensional, in particular flat, aperture devices 11 and 12, which are arranged perpendicular to the optical axis X (in the YZ plane). Each aperture device 11, 12 has an aperture edge 11a, 12a which is continuous within itself. The (first) aperture device 11 is designed integrally with, or constitutes, the receiving means bottom 50a. The (second) aperture device is designed as a separate plate 12. Through-openings 12d are provided in the plate, which match the referencing elements 9-1 to 9-4 designed as ridges. In the assembled state of the lens 10, the ridges 9-1 to 9-4 are accommodated in the through-openings 12d. This specifies the position of the plate 12 in the lens 10 relative to the projection optics30, 31. Furthermore, both or only one of the aperture devices 11, 12 may have one or more (preferably two) spring tab(s) 12b, 12c. FIG. 2 shows that only the plate 12 has the spring tabs 12b, 12c (two in this example). Due to the spring tabs, e.g., 12b, 12c, the projection optics 30, 31 are clamped more securely in the corresponding receiving means 50, 51 and the clearance of the projection optics 30, 31 in the YZ plane is reduced. Two spring tabs also reduce the likelihood of tilting. The two tabs 12b, 12c are preferably arranged to the side of the aperture edge 12a which is continuous in itself.

[0092] As already described, the first projection optics 30 from FIGS. 2 to 4 consists of two partial lenses 30a, 30b. FIG. 5 shows a section of the lens system from FIG. 2 with an XZ plane, i.e., with a plane which defines the optical axis X and the vertical direction Z. The partial lenses 30a and 30b together are set up to at least correct longitudinal chromatic aberrations; i.e., they have an achromatic effect. The projection optics 30 is therefore a so-called air-spaced achromate (see description of the prior art from DE 10 2010 046 626 84 and in particular paragraphs [0009] to) [0013]. An air-spaced achromat has the advantage that multiple parameters are present which enable a more accurate correction of the longitudinal chromatic aberration. These parameters are, for example, the size of the air gap d1, curvatures of the entry and light-emitting surfaces of the partial lenses 30a, 30b, as well as the material of which the partial lenses 30a, 30b are made. A three-lens element system has the advantage that the distances d1, d2 can be varied to reduce longitudinal and/or lateral chromatic aberrations for further improving the quality of the light distribution generated by the lighting device.

[0093] The lighting device described above can be used with advantage in a motor vehicle headlight.

[0094] The object of the above description merely is to provide illustrative examples and to indicate further advantages and peculiarities of the present invention. The above description cannot therefore be interpreted as a restriction of the field of application of the invention or the patent rights claimed in the claims. In the above detailed description, for example, various features of the invention are summarized in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This type of disclosure is not to be understood as reflecting the intention that the claimed invention requires more features than those expressly mentioned in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects are present in fewer than all features of a single embodiment described above. (Thus, the following claims are hereby included in this detailed description, with each claim alone representing a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.)

[0095] In addition, although the description of the invention contains the description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications, for example those within the skills and knowledge of persons skilled in the art, are within the scope of the invention according to the understanding of the present disclosure.

[0096] The reference numbers in the claims merely serve for a better understanding of the present invention and in no way constitute a limitation of the present invention.