Illumination device for a motor vehicle headlight and motor vehicle headlight

Abstract

An illumination device (100) for a motor vehicle headlight, with an optical body (1) and a plurality of light guiding bodies (2), wherein the light guiding bodies merge into the optical body with their light exit surfaces (2b) in an optical body merging surface (11) opposite an optical body light exit surface (10) of the optical body. The light guiding bodies are arranged such that light exit surfaces of adjacent light guiding bodies have a distance from one another greater than zero resulting respectively in an open space (12) between two adjacent light guiding bodies on the optical body merging surface. The illumination unit (101) further includes an additional optical device (200) that has at least one light entry area (201) and one or more light extraction areas (202). Each light entry area is associated with at least one additional light source (250), and at least some of the light injected by an additional light source into the additional optical device via a light entry area propagates in the additional optical device to the one or more light extraction areas and leaves the additional optical device there, wherein respectively at least one, preferably exactly one, light extraction area is arranged between two adjacent light guiding bodies in such a way that light exiting the light extraction area can enter the optical body via the open space between the two light guiding bodies and can propagate therein to the optical body light exit surface of the optical body.

Claims

1. An illumination device (100) for a motor vehicle headlight, the illumination device (100) comprising: an illumination unit (101), which comprises: an optical body (1) with an optical body light exit surface (10), wherein the optical body (1) is formed from an optically transparent material; a plurality of light guiding bodies (2), wherein each light guiding body (2) has a light entry surface (2a) and a light exit surface (2b); and at least one light source (3) for each light guiding body (2), wherein the at least one light source (3) of a light guiding body (2) can only inject light into this light guiding body (2), and wherein the light from the at least one light source (3) of a light guiding body (2) is injected into the light guiding body (2) via the light entry surface (2a) thereof, wherein the light guiding bodies (2) are formed from an optically transparent material such that light that enters a light guiding body (2) can propagate from the light entry surface (2a) to the light exit surface (2b) and wherein at least some of the light injected into the light guiding body (2) and striking lateral boundary surfaces (2c) of the light guiding body (2) is totally reflected at the boundary surfaces (2c), wherein the light guiding bodies (2) are arranged side-by-side, wherein the light guiding bodies (2) merge into the optical body (1) with their light exit surfaces (2b) in an optical body merging surface (11) opposite the optical body light exit surface (10) of the optical body (1), wherein the light guiding bodies (2) are arranged in such a way that light exit surfaces (2b) of adjacent light guiding bodies (2) have a distance from one another greater than zero resulting respectively in an open space (12) between two adjacent light guiding bodies (2) on the optical body merging surface (11), wherein the illumination device (100) further comprises a projection device (500), which displays the light emitted by the light sources (3) in the form of segmented light distribution (FLV), wherein the illumination unit (101) further comprises an additional optical device (200), which has at least one light entry area (201) and which has one or more light extraction areas (202), wherein each light entry area (201) is associated with at least one additional light source (250), and wherein at least some of the light injected by an additional light source (250) into the additional optical device (250) via a light entry area (201) propagates in the additional optical device (250) to the one or more light extraction areas (202) and leaves the additional optical device (200) there, and wherein respectively at least one light extraction area (202) is arranged between two adjacent light guiding bodies (2) in such a way that light exiting the light extraction area (202) can enter the optical body (1) via the open space (12) between the two light guiding bodies (2) and can propagate therein to the optical body light exit surface (10) of the optical body (1).

2. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light extraction areas (202) are arranged below an upper edge (2b) of the light exit surfaces (2b).

3. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein a main light emission direction (X2) of the light exiting a light extraction area (202) is directed approximately parallel to the light emission direction (X1) in which light travels from a light guiding body (2) adjacent to the light extraction area (202).

4. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein a main light emission direction (X2) of the light exiting a light extraction area (202) is directed in such a way that the light is projected by the projection device (500) into an area above a 0-0 line, in such a way that the light of all light extraction areas (202) forms a sign light light distribution (SV).

5. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the additional optical device (200) consists of a body (200) which is formed from a light-guiding material.

6. The illumination device according to claim 5, wherein two or more light extraction areas (202) are provided, and wherein the distribution area (204) and the light extraction areas (202) have a comb-like shape.

7. The illumination device according to claim 5, wherein the supply area (203) runs approximately parallel to the light guiding bodies (2) and the distribution area (204) runs transverse to the light guiding bodies (2) and/or transverse to the supply area (203), in particular substantially normal to the supply area (203), and wherein a diversion section (205) is provided for each light extraction area (202), which is connected to the distribution area (204), in particular is formed integrally therewith, with which diversion section (205) light is supplied to the light extraction area (202).

8. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein respectively at least one light extraction area (202) is arranged between all adjacent light guiding bodies (2), or wherein at least one light extraction area (202) is arranged at least between two adjacent light guiding bodies (2), which are arranged centrally.

9. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light extraction areas (202) are formed and/or arranged in such a way between adjacent light guiding bodies (2) that a sign light light distribution is produced.

10. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the optical body (1) and the light guiding bodies (2) are formed in one piece, from the same optically transparent material.

11. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light entry surfaces (2a) of the light guiding bodies (2) are arranged at a distance greater than zero to one another.

12. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light rays emitted by the light guiding bodies (2) of the illumination unit (101) are projected by the projection device (500) as segmented light distribution (FLV), wherein the light distribution (FLV), which comprises two or more adjacent light segments (SEG) lies at least partially, in particular for the most part, above a 0-0 line.

13. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein open spaces (12), in particular all open spaces are flat and/or an optical structure, for example in the form of grooves, is provided in or on open spaces (12), in particular in or on all open spaces, in order to achieve uniformity of the generated light distribution, in particular the sign light light distribution SV, in the horizontal direction.

14. The illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination unit (102), the so-called main illumination unit (102), wherein the main illumination unit (102) is designed to produce a main light distribution (HLV), in particular a dipped beam distribution, preferably a dipped beam distribution with a cut-off line, or a front area light distribution, wherein the main light distribution (HLV) and the segmented light distribution (FLV) together form a full beam distribution if all light segments (SEG) of the segmented light distribution (FLV) are illuminated, and wherein, for example, in a main lighting mode, the main illumination unit (102) for generating the light distribution (LV) and the additional light source (250) for generating the sign light light distribution (SV) are activated and the light sources (3) of the illumination unit (101) are deactivated, and wherein in a partial full beam mode, the main illumination unit (102) and at least one light source (3), but not all light sources (3) of the illumination unit (101), are activated and the additional light source (250) is dimmed or deactivated.

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

16. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein exactly one light extraction area (202) is arranged between the two adjacent light guiding bodies (2).

17. The illumination device according to claim 5, wherein the body (200) which forms the additional optical device (200) has the at least one light entry area (201) as well as at least one supply area (203) adjacent thereto, wherein the at least one supply area (203) transitions into a distribution area (204), via which the light coming from the at least one additional light source (250) is distributed to the one or more light extraction areas (202).

18. The illumination device according to claim 7, wherein the diversion section (205) has a first deflection area (205a), which deflects the light injected by the distribution area (204) into the diversion section (205) in the main light emission direction (X2).

19. The illumination device according to claim 8, wherein respectively exactly one light extraction area (202) is arranged between several central adjacent light guiding bodies (2).

20. The illumination device according to claim 11, wherein the light guiding bodies (2) taper from the light exit surface (2b) towards the light entry surface (2a).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in more detail below based on the drawing.

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows the components of an illumination device for a motor vehicle headlight in a view from behind.

(3) FIG. 2 shows the illumination device from FIG. 1 in a schematic exploded side view.

(4) FIG. 2A shows the illumination device from FIG. 2 in an assembled state.

(5) FIG. 3 shows an illumination unit of the illumination device from FIG. 1 in a perspective schematic view.

(6) FIG. 4 shows the illumination unit from FIG. 3 in a view from diagonally behind.

(7) FIG. 4A shows a section of a merging surface of an optical body in the region of open spaces.

(8) FIG. 5 shows an additional optical device for producing a sign light light distribution in a view from behind.

(9) FIG. 6 shows the additional optical device from FIG. 5 in a side view.

(10) FIG. 7 shows an exemplary, schematic illustration of light distribution in the form of dipped beam distribution and sign light light distribution.

(11) FIG. 8 shows dipped beam distribution together with partial full beam distribution without sign light light distribution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 2A show an illumination device 100 according to the invention for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exploded view and FIG. 2A shows the illumination device 100 in an assembled state.

(13) The illumination device 100 comprises an illumination unit 101 (also referred to as the first illumination unit) as well as a further illumination unit 102, the so-called main illumination unit 102 or second illumination unit.

(14) The main illumination unit 102 is designed to produce a main light distribution HLV, e.g. a dipped beam distribution with a cut-off line HD, as shown in FIG. 8.

(15) The first illumination unit 101 is designed to produce segmented light distribution FLV (FIG. 8).

(16) Together, when the main illumination unit 102 produces the main light distribution HLV and the first illumination unit 101 is also activated, full beam distribution is produced if all light segments SEG of the segmented light distribution FLV are activated.

(17) Furthermore, an ADB light function can be produced as individual light segments SEG can be switched off, as shown by way of example in FIG. 8, where those light segments that would illuminate areas where a vehicle QFK, in particular an oncoming vehicle, is located, are switched off.

(18) Returning to FIGS. 1, 2, 2A, and 3-6, it can be seen that the illumination unit 101 comprises an optical body 1 with an optical body light exit surface 10, wherein the optical body 1 is formed from an optically transparent material.

(19) As shown in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4, the illumination unit 101 further comprises a plurality of light guiding bodies 2, wherein each light guiding body 2 has a light entry surface 2a and a light exit surface 2b. At least one light source 3 (schematically indicated as x in FIGS. 2, 2A), usually in the form of one or more LEDs, is associated with each light guiding body 2, wherein the at least one light source 3 of a light guiding body 2 can only inject light into this light guiding body 2 via its light entry surface 2a if it is switched on.

(20) The light guiding bodies 2 are also formed from an optically transparent material such that light that enters a light guiding body 2 can propagate from the light entry surface 2a to its light exit surface 2b, wherein at least some of the light injected into the light guiding body 2 and striking lateral boundary surfaces 2c of the light guiding body 2 is totally reflected at the boundary surfaces 2c.

(21) The light guiding bodies 2 are arranged side-by-side when installed in a motor vehicle. The light guiding bodies 2 merge into the optical body 1 with their light exit surfaces 2b in an optical body merging surface 11 opposite the optical body light exit surface 10 of the optical body 1.

(22) The light guiding bodies 2 are arranged in such a way that light exit surfaces 2b of the (laterally) adjacent light guiding bodies 2 have a distance from one another greater than zero resulting respectively in an open space 12 between two adjacent light guiding bodies 2 on the optical body merging surface 11, see FIG. 4 and FIG. 4A.

(23) By way of example, it can be provided that the optical body 1 and the light guiding bodies 2 are formed in one piece, and preferably from the same optically transparent material. It can further be provided that the light entry surfaces 2a of the light guiding bodies 2 are arranged at a distance greater than zero to one another, and the light guiding bodies 2 preferably taper from the light exit surface 2b towards the light entry surface 2a and have, for example, a conical shape.

(24) Light from the light guiding bodies 2 enters the optical body 1 via the merging surface 11 and exits it again via the optical body light exit surface 10. The illumination device 100 further comprises a projection device 500 (see FIG. 2, 2A), in particular a projection optical device, for example a projection lens, which is arranged downstream of the two illumination units 101, 102 in the light propagation direction. The light that is emitted by the light sources 3, injected into the optical body 1 via the merging surface 11 and exits via the light exit surface 10 is projected by the projection device 500 in the form of segmented light distribution FLV (see FIG. 8).

(25) As already described above, the illumination unit 101 is an illumination unit for generating segmented light distribution FLV, which lies substantially above the horizontal 0-0 line H-H line) and additionally forms a full beam with a dipped beam or front area light distribution HLV. The segmented light distribution FLV lies largely above the 0-0 line, while the lower areas lie on the 0-0 line or preferably slightly below it in a known manner, such that they connect to a dipped beam or front area light distribution or overlap it slightly.

(26) In particular, such segmented light distribution can be used for ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam), in which areas above the cut-off line, in particular oncoming traffic areas, can be blanked out, as has already been described.

(27) The illumination unit 101 further comprises an additional optical device 200, wherein the additional optical device 200 has at least one, preferably as shown exactly one light entry area 201 as well as one or, as shown preferably more light extraction areas 202. Each light entry area 201 is associated with at least one additional light source 250, in particular in the form of one or more LEDs. In the example shown, exactly one additional light source 250 is provided.

(28) If the additional light source 250 is switched on, at least some of the light emitted by it and injected into the additional optical device 200 via the light entry area 201 propagates in the additional optical device 200 to the light extraction areas 202 and exits the additional optical device 200 there.

(29) As described, there are open spaces or areas 12 between adjacent light guiding bodies 2 on the merging surface 11 of the optical body 1 where the light guiding bodies 2 merge into it, which the present invention makes use of, and respectively at least one, preferably exactly one, light extraction area 202 of the additional optical device 200 is positioned between two adjacent light guiding bodies 2 in such a way that light exiting a light extraction area 202 enters the optical body 1 via the open space 12 between the two light guiding bodies 2 and propagates therein to the optical body light exit surface 10 of the optical body 1.

(30) The light injected into the optical body 1 via the additional optical device 200 in this way and exiting via the light exit surface 10 is projected via the projection device 500 as separate light distribution SV, in particular as sign light light distribution SV.

(31) The open spaces 12 are, for example, flat. It can be advantageous if an optical structure, for example in the form of grooves, is provided in the open spaces 12, for example in the generally flat open spaces, in order to achieve uniformity of the generated light distribution, in particular the sign light light distribution SV, in the horizontal direction.

(32) The optical body light exit surface 10 is delimited towards the top by an edge 10a. The edge 10a is preferably approximately or exactly level with the upper edge 2b of the light guiding bodies 2b. The optical body light exit surface 10 isnot limited to the specific embodiment described here, but in the general contextpreferably arranged in such a way that the optical body light exit surface 10 lies approximately in a focal surface of the projection device 500 or in such a way that the edge 10a lies in a focal point F500 of the projection device 500. This results in an image of the light distribution FLV with the desired sharpness, in particular of the light segments SEG. In particular, the edge 10a is displayed in the light image as the lower, sharp boundary of the light segments SEG.

(33) The same applies to the main illumination unit 102, which as described is designed to produce a main light distribution HLV, e.g. a dipped beam distribution with a cut-off line HD, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. By way of example, the main illumination unit 102 comprises one or more light sources 112, in particular one or more LEDs, which produce the main light distribution HLV in a known manner in interaction with an optical body 113 which comprises a light exit surface 114. The light exiting the light exit surface 114 of the optical body 113 is correspondingly projected by the projection device 500 into the traffic area. The light exit surface 114 is delimited towards the bottom by an edge 114a, which is displayed in the main light distribution (dipped beam or front area light distribution) as a sharp line or boundary, the so-called cut-off line, which delimits this light distribution towards the top. In order to produce a main light distribution with desired sharpness, in particular with desired sharpness of the cut-off line, the light exit surface 114 lies substantially in the focal surface of the projection device 500 or the focal point F500 lies substantially in or on the edge 114a.

(34) The use of (a) separate light source(s) 250 to produce a separate light distribution SV, in particular a sign light light distribution, wherein this/these separate light source(s) 250 can be operated independently of the light source(s) 3 of the illumination unit 101 and also independently of the light source(s) 112 of the main illumination unit 102, means that the sign light light distribution SV does not have to be permanently activated, either in dipped beam/front area mode or in ADB mode. In particular in ADB mode, this therefore has the advantage that, with blanked out light segments in the segmented light distribution FLV, glare can be prevented in the blanked-out areas as a result of the sign light SV if this is switched off orwith merely a dimmed light source 250the risk of glare can be reduced.

(35) The light source 250 can be switched on or off as required and dimmed in different ways, such that the different sign light specifications of ECE, CCC and FMVSS can be met individually. This of course applies in the general context of the present invention and is not limited to a specific exemplary embodiment.

(36) As shown, it is advantageously further provided that the light extraction areas 202 inject into the open spaces 12 below an upper edge 2b of the light exit surfaces 2b. The light extraction areas 202 are typically spaced apart from the open spaces, but can also rest against them.

(37) The light coming from the light extraction areas 2b is usually projected into an area above a horizontal 0-0 line in the light image and thus produces the segmented light distribution FLV. In a vertically inverting projection device 500, the light exit surfaces 2b of the light guiding bodies 2 are positioned such that their upper edge 2b is approximately level with or just above the optical axis X500 of the projection device 500. As a result of the inverting effect of the projection device 500, light from the light exit surfaces 2b is (largely) projected above the 0-0 line, wherein light from the area of the upper edge 2b is projected in the lower area of the light distribution, close to the 0-0 line, in particular just below it. (If the upper edge 2b lies exactly on the optical axis X500 of the projection device 500, light coming from the area of the upper edge 2b is projected onto the 0-0 line.)

(38) Accordingly, light from the light extraction areas 202 of the additional optical device 200 below the upper edge 2b is projected at a distance above a lower boundary of the segmented light distribution FLV, preferably above the horizontal 0-0 line in the light distribution, resulting in a distance between the main light distribution and the light distribution SV formed with the light from the light extraction areas 202.

(39) It can preferably be provided that a main light emission direction X2 of the light exiting a light extraction area 202 is directed approximately parallel to the light emission direction X1 in which light travels from a light guiding body 2 adjacent to the light extraction area 202 (FIG. 3, FIG. 6).

(40) In this context, it should be noted that parallel light does not typically exit the light guiding bodies 2; the light emission direction X1 in this case refers to the resulting direction of all emitted light rays.

(41) The main light emission direction X2 of the light exiting a light extraction area 202 or the light extraction areas 202 is directed in such a way that the light is projected by the projection device 500 into an area above a 0-0 line, in particular in such a way that the light of all light extraction areas 202 forms a sign light light distribution SV.

(42) The additional optical device 200 preferably consists, as shown, of a body 200 which is formed from a light-guiding material, wherein this body 200 has the light entry area 201 as well as a supply area 203 adjacent thereto, wherein the supply area 203 transitions into a distribution area 204, via which the light coming from the at least one additional light source 250 is distributed to the one or more light extraction areas 202.

(43) The light extraction areas 202 are preferably also part of the body 200.

(44) The light entry area 201 preferably directs the injected light rays in parallel, for example by means of a Fresnel lens structure, see FIG. 5.

(45) The light entry area 201 preferably comprises optical elements or an optical structure which directs the inject light in parallel. By way of example, the light entry area 201 has a Fresnel lens structure (see FIG. 5) or is designed in the form of a collimator. The parallel directed light can thus subsequently propagate in the additional optical device 200 by means of total internal reflection, in that it propagates through the supply area 203; at the end of the supply area 203, it encounters a deflection structure, which in this specific case consists of two deflection surfaces 203a, where the parallel light is deflected from the supply area 203 into the distribution area 204.

(46) Furthermore, an area not shown in more detail is provided, which distributes light that propagates in the supply area 203 to the distribution areas 204 in a known manner, for example by means of one or more deflection surfaces.

(47) The supply area 203 can, as shown, run approximately parallel to the light guiding bodies 2 and the distribution areas 204 can run transverse to the light guiding bodies 2 and/or transverse to the supply area 203, in particular substantially normal to the supply area 203 (FIG. 5, FIG. 6). Furthermore, it is provided that a diversion section 205 is provided for each light extraction area 202, which is connected to the distribution area 204, in particular is formed integrally therewith, with which diversion section 205 light is supplied to the light extraction area 202.

(48) This results in a comb shape of the additional optical device 200 shown in FIG. 5, for example.

(49) The distribution area 204 comprises an optical structure 204a, which is designed in such a way that, on the one hand, light propagates along the distribution areas 204, and, on the other hand, part of it is deflected into the diversion sections 205. Such structures are well-known and are not explained here in more detail (FIG. 5, 6).

(50) A diversion section 205 respectively preferably has a deflection area 205a, which deflects the light injected by the distribution area 204 into the diversion section 205 in the main light emission direction X2 (FIG. 6).

(51) In the exemplary embodiment shown, respectively exactly one light extraction area 202 of the additional optical device 200 is arranged on both sides of the central light guiding body between adjacent light guiding bodies 2, wherein there is no light extraction area between the 3 outermost light guiding bodies respectively. This arrangement can be selected in such a way that the desired or prescribed horizontal width of the sign light light distribution SV is achieved.

(52) The light extraction areas 202 are preferably spaced apart from the open spaces 12 of the optical body 1. During assembly, for example, the additional optics 200 are inserted into the optical body 1 from above into the desired position and can be clamped between the optical body 1 and the optical body 113 of the main illumination unit 102 for fixation. Furthermore, an additional holding element (not shown) can be provided.

(53) The invention accordingly has advantages in terms of the glare value, in particular when the illumination device is operated in ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) mode, in which individual regions or segments of (partial) full beam distribution can be switched off. The fact that the sign light can be independently switched off or dimmed in this operating state, in contrast to the prior art, means that it cannot cause glare in the blanked-out region or in the blanked out/switched off segments or the risk of glare can be reduced. Safety can be enhanced for all road users thanks to the reduction or elimination of undesired residual light, in particular in blanked out regions, made possible by the invention. In dipped beam mode, the sign light can be activated to enable the driver, for example, to read overhead signs more easily. In normal full beam mode, the sign light light source can be switched on.