Lighting device for a vehicle headlight

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device (1) for a vehicle headlight, wherein the lighting device comprises: at least one LED light source (2), at least one light-shaping optics body (3), which is paired with the at least one LED light source (2), and at least one LED light source carrier (4), on which the at least one LED light source (2) is fastened. In accordance with the invention, positioning means (3a, 3b, 3c) for positioning the at least one LED light source carrier (4) are provided on the optics body (3), positioning means (30; 3a) for the subsequent positioning of a heat sink (5) on the optics body (3) are also provided, wherein a fixing element (6) is also provided, which can be fastened to the optics body (3) in such a way that in the fastened state the fixing element (6) presses the heat sink (5) against the LED light source carrier (4), such that this is fixed in its position on the optics body (3).

Claims

1. A lighting device (1) for a vehicle headlight, wherein the lighting device comprises: at least one LED light source (2); at least one light-shaping optics body (3), which is paired with the at least one LED light source (2); and at least one LED light source carrier (4), on which the at least one LED light source (2) is fastened; positioning means (3a, 3b, 3c) on the optics body (3) for positioning the at least one LED light source carrier (4); positioning means (31; 3a) for the subsequent positioning of a heat sink (5) on the optics body (3); and a fixing element (6), which can be fastened to the optics body (3) in such a way that in a fastened state the fixing element (6) presses the heat sink (5) against the LED light source carrier (4), such that this is fixed in its position on the optics body (3), wherein at least two domes (3a) are arranged on the optics body (3), wherein the fixing element (6) has a number of resilient clamp portions (6a) corresponding to the number of the at least two domes (3a), wherein each dome (3a) in a region extending away from the optics body (3) has at least one run-on portion (3a′) for in each case one resilient clamp portion (6a) of the fixing element (6), and wherein the fixing element (6) is configured to be slid onto the optics body (3) or the heat sink (5) in a direction normal to the orientation (Z) of the domes (3a), and the resilient clamp portions (6a) are configured to be pressed and clamped against the at least one run-on portion (3a′) in the direction of the optics body (3).

2. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the at least two domes (3a) protrude from the optics body (3) in a manner extending parallel to one another.

3. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the at least two domes (3a) are formed in one piece with the optics body (3).

4. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the optics body (3)-comprises at least one retaining spring (3b), wherein the positioning means for the LED light source carrier (4) comprises the least two domes (3a) and the at least one retaining spring (3b).

5. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the LED light source carrier (4) has a number of recesses (4a) corresponding to the number of domes (3a), by means of which recesses the LED light source carrier (4) can be positioned in a direction (X) normal to the orientation (Z) of the domes (3a).

6. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a positioning pin (3c) arranged on the optics body (3), wherein the LED light source carrier (4) has a corresponding recess (4b), by means of which the LED light source carrier (4) can be positioned in a direction (Y) normal to the orientation of the at least two domes (3a).

7. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the positioning means for the heat sink (5) comprise at least one positioning recess (31) and/or positioning rib, which is/are arranged on the optics body (3).

8. The lighting device of claim 7, which comprises at least two positioning recesses and/or positioning ribs arranged on the optics body, and the at least two positioning recesses (31) and/or positioning ribs extend parallel to one another.

9. The lighting device of claim 7, wherein the heat sink (5) on a side facing towards the optics body (5) has at least one positioning rib (30) corresponding to the at least one positioning recess (31) arranged on the optics body.

10. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the positioning means for the heat sink (5) are formed by the at least two domes (3a) arranged on the optics body (3).

11. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the heat sink (5) has a number of dome openings (5a) corresponding to the number of the at least two domes (3a), through which openings the at least two domes (3a) are inserted.

12. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein in the fully inserted state of the at least two domes (3a), the run-on portions (3a′) lie at a distance above the respective dome opening (5a).

13. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the heat sink (5) has at least one stop pin (5b), wherein the at least one stop pin (5b) limits the sliding movement of the fixing element (6) onto the heat sink (5).

14. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the heat sink (5) and the fixing element (6) have retaining means (5′, 6′), which prevents the fixing element (6) from becoming detached from the heat sink (5) in the slid-on state.

15. The lighting device of claim 14, wherein the retaining means comprises at least one chamfered pin (6′) and at least one corresponding indentation (5′).

16. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the fixing means (6) is formed as a design screen.

17. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the optics body (3) is formed as a reflector.

18. The lighting device of claim 1, which is formed as a light module for a vehicle headlight.

19. The lighting device of claim 18, wherein the light module is a reflection module.

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

21. The lighting device of claim 4, wherein the positioning means for the LED light source has precisely two of the at least two domes and the optics body has precisely two of the at least one retaining spring.

22. The lighting device of claim 7, wherein the heat sink (5) on a side facing towards the optics body (5) has at least one positioning recess corresponding to the at least one positioning rib arranged on the optics body.

Description

(1) The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter on the basis of the drawing, in which

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exploded illustration of a lighting device according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 shows the optics body of the lighting device from FIG. 1 in a perspective view together with a light source carrier prior to the positioning,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a view of the optics body together with a schematic illustration of a heat sink from above with placed-on light source carrier,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the optics body with placed-on a light source carrier,

(6) FIG. 5 shows the arrangement from FIG. 4 with additionally placed-on heat sink in a perspective view,

(7) FIG. 6 shows the arrangement from FIG. 5, additionally with the fixing means in placed, but not yet slid-on position in a perspective view,

(8) FIG. 7 shows the arrangement from FIG. 5, additionally with the fixing means in placed position, now already slid on, in a perspective view,

(9) FIG. 8 shows the situation from FIG. 6 in a side view in the region of the fixing means,

(10) FIG. 9 shows the situation from FIG. 7 in a side view in the region of the fixing means,

(11) FIG. 10 shows a vertical section along the line B-B from FIG. 9,

(12) FIG. 11 shows a lighting device from FIG. 1 in the assembled state in a view from the front, and

(13) FIG. 12 shows a section along the line A-A from FIG. 11.

(14) FIG. 1 shows the components relevant to the invention of a lighting device 1 for a vehicle headlight. The lighting device 1 here other comprises, in the shown embodiment, an LED light source 2, which in the shown embodiment consists of a plurality of LEDs (light-emitting diodes). The lighting device 1 also comprises a light-shaping optics body 3, which is paired with the LED light source 2. The LED light source 2 couples light into the optics body 3 via a coupling-in point 3d.

(15) In the specific example the optics body 3 is a reflector 3, and the coupling-in point 3d is formed as an opening in the reflector, via which the LED light source 2 can emit its light onto the reflective surface of the reflector.

(16) Generally, i.e. independently of the type of optics body, one or more LED light sources may be provided, wherein each LED light source may have one or more LEDs. Some or all of the LED light sources preferably can be controlled, i.e. can be switched on/off and where necessary also dimmed, independently of one another. It may also be advantageous when individual LEDs or each LED of an LED light source can be controlled independently.

(17) The lighting device also comprises an LED light source carrier 4, on which the LED light source 2 is fastened. The carrier 4 is generally an LED circuit board.

(18) Lastly, the lighting device 1 also comprises a heat sink 5 for dissipating the heat generated by the LED light source 2, and a fixing means 6, of which the function will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

(19) When the lighting device 1 is assembled, the LED circuit board 4 is positioned and temporarily fixed on the optics body 3 for the time being, and the heat sink 5 is then positioned on the optics body 3 and the LED circuit board 4 and is fixed using the fixing means 6.

(20) In the shown embodiment the optics body 3 here has two preferably parallel webs or ribs 60, on which the carrier 4 rests.

(21) For this purpose positioning means 3a, 3b, 3c for positioning the LED light source carrier 4 are provided for the time being on the optics body 3.

(22) The positioning means on the optics body 3 here comprise two domes 3a, which are formed in one piece with the optics body 3 and protrude therefrom in a manner extending parallel to one another. Here, the domes 3a are—generally, i.e. independently of the specific embodiment of the optics body—preferably arranged in the region of the “coupling-in point”, i.e. in the specific example in the region of the opening 3d of the reflector 3. It is optimal when the domes 3a are arranged here symmetrically around the coupling-in point.

(23) The positioning means also comprise two retaining springs 3b, which in turn are preferably formed in one piece with the optics body 3.

(24) FIGS. 2 and 3 show the carrier 4 before the placement, this being placed onto the optics body 3 along the domes 3a in the direction of said optics body. FIG. 4 shows the carrier 4 in the state already placed and positioned on the optics body 3. Here, the carrier 4, once the LED light source carrier 4 has been placed onto the optics body 3, is pressed by the retaining springs 3b in the direction of the domes 3a and is thus temporarily positioned.

(25) In order to be able to place the carrier 4 on the optics body 3, the LED light source carrier 4 has two—preferably open on one side—recesses 4a, which surround the associated domes 3a—in the shown example on three sides. The LED light source carrier 4 can be positioned in the X direction, normal to the orientation Z of the domes 3a, via the recesses 4a.

(26) The recesses 4a are thus arranged and formed in principle in such a way that the LED light source carrier 4 can be threaded via the recesses 4a into the domes 3a and then can be moved in the direction of the optics body 3, where the carrier 4 is lastly pressed into the retaining springs 3b, such that these press the carrier having the recesses 4a against the domes 3a (see FIG. 3, for example).

(27) The carrier 4 is in this way at least temporarily positioned and held in its position on the optics body in the X direction (see FIG. 1 with regard to the coordinates), i.e. in the light exit direction.

(28) The positioning means additionally also comprise a positioning pin 3c, which is arranged on the optics body 3, is preferably formed in one piece with the optics body 3, and the LED light source carrier 4 has a corresponding recess 4b, by means of which the LED light source carrier 4 can be positioned on the optics body 3 in the Y direction.

(29) Here, “can be positioned” means that the position of the carrier, etc. in the respective direction (X, Y, etc.) is determined with the respective component (dome, pin, retaining spring).

(30) Here, the positioning pin 3c is preferably arranged between the two retaining springs 3b, most expediently in the middle between the positioning pins 3c.

(31) With this pin the carrier 4 can thus be positioned in the Y direction, i.e. in the horizontal direction and normal to the X direction.

(32) In a next step the heat sink 5 is positioned on the optics body 3, for which purpose positioning means 31 for the heat sink 5 are provided on the optics body 3.

(33) The positioning means for the heat sink 5 are formed in the shown embodiment as two positioning recesses 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 for example), which positioning recesses 31 are arranged on the optics body 3, preferably formed in one piece therewith. The two positioning recesses 31 advantageously extended parallel to one another.

(34) The heat sink 5 has, on a side facing towards the optics body 5, two positioning ribs 30 corresponding to the positioning recesses 31, for example see FIG. 1.

(35) The heat sink is inserted via its positioning ribs 30 into the positioning recesses 31, such that these surround the ribs 30 laterally and the position of the heat sink transversely to the longitudinal extension of the ribs is thus defined.

(36) In addition, the heat sink 5 has two dome openings 5a, through which the domes 3a are inserted when the heat sink 5 is applied. Here, the domes 3a have two run-on portions 3a′, of which the function will be explained in greater detail further below, and the dome openings 5a are made sufficiently large that the domes 3a inclusive of the run-on portions 3a′ thereof can be inserted therethrough. The run-on portions 3a′ are formed here preferably in one piece with their respective dome 3a.

(37) It is favourable in particular when, in the fully inserted-through state of the domes 3a, the run-on portions 3a′ are arranged at a distance above the respective dome opening 5a.

(38) In order to fix the heat sink 5 and thus the LED light source carrier 4 on the optics body 3, a fixing element 6 is also provided. This fixing element 6 can be fastened to the optics body 3 in such a way that in the fastened state the fixing element 6 presses the heat sink 5 against the LED light source carrier 4, such that this is fixed in its position on the optics body 3.

(39) Here, the fixing element 6 holds the heat sink 5 in a clamped manner on the optics body 3. For this purpose the fixing element 6 has one or more retaining areas, which exert a clamping force when the fixing element 6 is applied to, in particular slid onto, the optics body 3 and heat sink 5. This clamping force here presses the heat sink 5 against the LED light source carrier 4 and presses this against the optics body 3, such that the carrier 4 is permanently fixed in its set, temporary position described above.

(40) Due to the clamping fixing with the fixing element 6, a screwing-on of the carrier and/or heat sink on the optics body can be avoided, such that the optics body, in particular a reflector, for example a free-form reflector, can preferably be connected to the LED light source(s).

(41) Here, the LED light source carrier 4 is to be precisely fitted here accordingly with the LED light source(s) 2 already before the assembly of the lighting device 1, and the optics body 3 is also to be precisely manufactured accordingly. The lighting device presented in accordance with the invention, however, can thus also be manufactured without difficulty on an assembly line, since an adjustment of the optics body in relation to the LED light source(s) on the assembly line is no longer necessary and therefore the lighting device can be manufactured quickly and efficiently.

(42) Is also advantageous that the heat sink is omitted from the tolerance chain in the case of the lighting device according to the invention.

(43) The above-mentioned retaining areas of the fixing element 6—one, two or more retaining areas in this case, the number corresponding preferably to the number of the domes 3a—are formed in the shown embodiment as (corresponding to the number of 2 domes) precisely two resilient clamp portions 6a, each clamp portion 6a constituting a retaining area.

(44) The resilient clamp portions 6a are formed here in particular or in any case so as to be resiliently deformable in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the domes, i.e. in the Z direction.

(45) As already mentioned above, each dome 3a in a region racing away from the optics body 3 has a run-on portion 3a′ for in each case one resilient clamp portion 6a of the fixing element 6.

(46) FIGS. 6 and 8 show the fixing element 6 in a state placed onto the heat sink 5, but not yet slid on. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the fixing element 6 has openings 6a′ for pushing through the domes 3 inclusive of run-on faces 3a. The clamp portions 6a are slotted, such that the fixing element can be slid onto the heat sink 5, wherein the domes 3a are slid into the corresponding slots 6a″ (FIG. 6).

(47) When the fixing element 6 is slid (FIGS. 7 and 9) onto the optics body 3 or the heat sink 5 in a direction normal to the orientation Z of the domes 3a—specifically in the negative X direction—the resilient clamp portions 6a are pressed in the direction of the optics body 3.

(48) In this way the LED light source carrier 4 and the heat sink are permanently fixed to the optics body by simply sliding the fixing element 6 from the front onto the optics body 3 with exposed heat sink 5.

(49) When the fixing element 6 is slid on, preferably from the front as illustrated, against the light exit direction, the resilient portions 6a of the fixing element 6 come beneath the run-on portions 3a, as can be clearly seen in FIGS. 7 and 9, i.e. between the run-on portion 3a and heat sink, wherein the resilient portions 6a are pressed by the run-on portions 3a′ against the heat sink 5.

(50) Due to the restoring force of the resilient portions 6a, the components constituted by the optics body 3 (via the domes 3a), heat sink 5 and LED light source carrier 4 are thus pressed against one another and thus fixed, without having to mount screws in the optics body 3.

(51) FIG. 10 shows once again the situation in the region of a resilient portion 6a once the fixing element 6 has been slid onto the heat sink 5.

(52) The heat sink 5 additionally has two stop pins 5b, which are preferably formed in one piece with the heat sink 5b, wherein the stop pins 5b delimit the sliding movement of the fixing element 6 onto the heat sink 5.

(53) A continued sliding the fixing element 6 is prevented by the stop pin 5b, the stop pin 5b thus forms a stop for the fixing element 6 so that this remains in a defined X position relative to the other components.

(54) Reference is also made hereinafter to FIGS. 11 and 12, wherein, in particular in FIG. 12, which shows a section along the line A-A through the lighting device 1, it can be seen that the heat sink 5 and the fixing element 6 have retaining means 5′, 6′, which prevents the fixing element 6 from detaching from the heat sink 5 in the slid-on state.

(55) It can thus be ensured that a manual detachment of the fixing element 6 from the heat sink 5 is no longer possible and is potentially only still possible with a tool.

(56) In the specific embodiment from the figures the retaining means have at least one, preferably chamfered pin 6′ and at least one corresponding indentation 5′.

(57) The indentation 5′ is preferably provided on the heat sink 5, and the pin 6′ is preferably provided on the fixing means; due to the chamfer, the pin 6′ can slide into the indentation 5′, then hooks there, such that the fixing element can no longer be drawn downwards by the heat sink against the slide-on direction.

(58) In accordance with a particularly advantageous embodiment as illustrated in the figures, the fixing means 6 is formed as a design screen, which for example is formed from plastic or sheet metal.

(59) On the one hand the fixing mean thus serves to fasten the heat sink and the LED light source carrier, and on the other hand regions of the lighting device which are not to be visually accessible can then also be screened by the fixing element.

(60) By way of example, the heat sink 5 can be covered by the design screen 6, such that the heat sink is not visible from the outside in the installed state of the lighting device.

(61) With the present invention is thus possible to fasten an LED light source carrier to an optics body, in particular a reflector, for example a free-form reflector, without screws, such that no torque acts on the optics body. Merely a tensile force is applied in the region of the domes, i.e. a tensile force is introduced into the optics body merely via the domes.