CZ2017480A3 - Lighting of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The lighting device comprises an inner chamber (2) which is covered by a translucent cover separating the lighting device from the surroundings of the motor vehicle. It accommodates at least one surface-shaped illumination unit (3), whose active surface (4) for outputting the light beams (10) from the illumination unit (3) is situated opposite the translucent cover and which comprises a light-conducting core (15) of optically transparent a material with an associated light unit (7) disposed against the light guide core entry surface (9) (15) for emitting light beams (10) into the light conducting core body (14). Between the light-guiding core (15) and the translucent cover, there is a functional layer (23) configured to direct light beams (10) that extend from its surface away from the light-guiding core (15) to a predetermined direction. The lighting device comprises a technological layer (24) configured for total reflection of the light rays (10) which contacts the upper surface (17) of the light-guiding core (15).

Description

Technical field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle which comprises a flat-shaped lighting unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new vehicle lighting systems focus not only on optical performance enhancing driving comfort and road safety, but appearance is also important for modern motor vehicle lighting devices such as headlights or signal lamps. Modern point and area light sources, especially LED and OLED, opened a new chapter for new stylistic possibilities for automotive designers.

The use of a flat light source, in particular the OLED - Organic light-emitting diode, brings not only an extension of the stylistic possibilities of the emitted light function, but also certain technical benefits, such as narrow installation, lower heat production, low energy consumption, etc. there are still limits to OLED technology that prevent wide-scale deployment of this technology in mass production of automotive lighting. For example, durability, degradation, moisture penetration, low brightness for performance functions, limited to flat surfaces and last but not least, high cost. Another disadvantage of OLED technology is the fact that the motor vehicle lamp must be adapted to detect the fault condition of the light source. In the case of conventional LEDs, this state is relatively easy to detect, because in the vast majority of cases a short circuit or so-called diode disconnection occurs, resulting in a change in the electrical quantity, which can be detected relatively easily electronically. For surface power supplies, the situation is more complicated because the OLED contains organic layers that emit light when power / current is applied.

In US9335460, US7651241, US5791757, US20160356942, US20160349570, US20150331169, US20140268873, US20130033895, US20110249939, US20110170315, US20100309677, US20000309677, US20080186726, large area output, can be found using large-area output, GB1137088, KR2008 OLEDs. A disadvantage of the above solutions is that the lighting units are not adapted to be used for external lighting equipment of motor vehicles, where a number of technical specifications and legal requirements have to be complied with, but also low cost requirements for manufacturing and assembling the lighting equipment. For example, the use of chemically cured cover glass, which is used in the manufacture of displays, is unsuitable for the lamp glass of a motor vehicle as it entails excessive costs.

In order to achieve maximum efficiency in lighting devices, it is necessary to ensure effective binding of the light beams to the light-conducting components. The individual optical elements, as a set of refractive and reflective surfaces and the interface of optical environments, must be arranged so as to avoid as much as possible light losses and at the same time produce an output light pattern with the desired luminous characteristic, ie desired luminous intensity and homogeneous brightness throughout the output area.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel solution of a lighting device of a motor vehicle comprising a flat-shaped lighting unit with a light beam exit surface. The lighting unit is powered by point light sources, in particular LEDs, and is provided with optical elements to create signal light functions, while the flat-shaped lighting unit offers stylistic advantages comparable to OLED technology while ensuring

- 1 EN 2017 - 480 A3 technical specifications and legal requirements for the use of lighting equipment in automotive operation with acceptable production costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above object of the invention fulfills a motor vehicle lighting device comprising an inner chamber, which is covered by a transparent cover separating the lighting device from the motor vehicle environment, accommodates at least one flat-shaped lighting unit, the active light-emitting surface of the lighting unit facing and comprising a light-conducting core of optically transparent material with an associated light unit positioned opposite the entrance surface of the light-conducting core for emitting light rays into the body of the light-conducting core. Between the light guide core and the translucent housing, there is a functional layer configured to direct light beams emanating from its surface facing away from the light guide core in a predetermined direction, the light device comprising a technological layer configured to totally reflect the light beams in contact with the light guide. the top surface of the light guide core.

According to a preferred embodiment, the functional layer is also configured to homogenize the light beams.

According to one preferred embodiment, the lighting device comprises a reflector situated against the lower surface of the light guide core and configured to reflect light rays escaped through the lower surface from the light guide core, and another technological layer that separates the light guide core from the reflector.

According to another preferred embodiment, between the functional layer and in contact with the process layer that is in contact with the upper surface of the light-conducting core, a homogenizer configured to homogenize the light beams extending from its exit surface is situated. According to a further preferred embodiment, the lighting device further comprises an additional process layer which separates the homogenizer from the functional layer.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the functional layer comprises functional elements which are arranged on its surface or are part of its internal structure, adapted to direct the beams of light rays emanating from its surface facing away from the light guide core in a predetermined direction. The predetermined direction may be a direction parallel to or near the normal direction to said surface facing away from the light guide core, or a direction diverted from normal to said surface facing away from the light guide core by a predetermined acute angle.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the functional layer comprises two flat-shaped and superimposed segments which are provided on their upper surface with functional elements formed by differently oriented functional textures, preferably 90 ° relative to each other, the lighting device comprising a further technological layer, this technological layer is located between said segments.

The functional elements may advantageously be surface-linear and have an acute saw profile or a saw profile with rounded tips.

Preferably, the light guide core may be provided at its lower surface or in its body with anchoring elements for directing the light beams towards the upper surface of the light guide core.

-2GB 2017 - 480 A3

According to one preferred embodiment, at least one of the process layers is an air layer.

According to another preferred embodiment, at least one of the process layers comprises a film and / or a spray and / or a surface treatment.

According to another preferred embodiment, at least one of the process layers comprises an adhesive and thus also serves as a connecting element of the two flat-shaped components of the lighting unit between which it is disposed.

The lighting unit may advantageously comprise at least one clamping element in the form of a frame surrounding at least some side of the assembly of flat-shaped components of the lighting unit to position these components in the desired position.

The lighting unit may advantageously comprise separators to produce the desired thickness of the process layers.

Separators may be part of the box.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the lighting unit comprises clamping elements disposed in the process layers to maintain their desired thickness and to couple respective pairs of surface-shaped components of the illumination unit separated by the process layers.

The clamping elements are preferably formed by adhesive and / or adhesive pads and / or laser or ultrasonic welds.

Clarification of drawings

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a lighting device of a motor vehicle according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a front view of another embodiment of a lighting device of a motor vehicle according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of a lighting device of a motor vehicle according to the invention,

FIG. 4 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a lighting unit according to the invention provided with a mask.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting unit with mask of FIG. 4,

FIG. 5b shows an exploded perspective view of the lighting unit with the mask of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a lighting unit according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment

-3 GB 2017 - 480 A3 of the lighting unit according to the invention in the unfolded state,

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of a lighting unit according to the invention;

9 to 11 are side views of further exemplary embodiments of a lighting unit according to the invention, including clamping elements,

FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment of a lighting unit according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view of another embodiment of a lighting unit according to the invention;

14 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lighting unit according to the invention, FIG.

FIG. 15 is a side view of another embodiment of a lighting unit according to the invention,

FIG. 16 is a side view of another embodiment of a lighting unit according to the invention,

FIG. 17 is a side view of another embodiment of a lighting unit according to the invention with a schematic representation of the light beams,

18 to 21 show schematically a side view schematically of the light rays between the individual flat-shaped components of the lighting unit,

22 to 24 illustrate embodiments of balancing elements,

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate embodiments of the functional layer,

Figs. 27 and 28 show examples of a method of positioning a light source to the light guide, and

FIG. 29 is a side view of a last embodiment of the lighting unit according to the invention with a schematic representation of the course of light rays.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of the present invention, the terms " upper and " of the individual parts used in the description and claims correspond to the location of these parts in Figures 5 to 29, i.e. when considering the lighting unit 3 lying flat so that its active surface 4, from which the light rays emerge in the direction of the translucent cover out of the illumination unit 3 is at the top. By said position of the illumination unit 3, of course, it is not meant the position in which the illumination unit 3 is located in the lighting device during operation of the vehicle.

Giant. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a lighting device of a motor vehicle according to the invention, which comprises a carrying case 1 covered by a transparent cover and an inner chamber 2 in which a flat-shaped lighting unit 3 containing an active surface 4 is mounted.

-4GB 2017 - 480 A3

Giant. 2 shows a further embodiment of a lighting device of a motor vehicle according to the invention, in which an assembly 5 of lighting units 3 is arranged in the inner chamber 2 to form an assembly 6 of active surfaces 4 adapted to produce at least one light spot with the desired light characteristics.

Giant. 3 shows a further embodiment of a lighting device of a motor vehicle according to the invention, in which each lighting unit 3 comprises two active surfaces 4 to form two different sets of active surfaces 6 for emitting different light trails with different light characteristics.

Giant. 4 to 29 describe several exemplary embodiments of a lighting unit according to the invention.

According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 5b, the lighting unit 3 comprises a light guide core 15 made of optically transparent material with an associated light unit 7, which is located at the side entrance surface 9 of the light guide core 15 to emit light rays 10 into the light guide body 14. The light guide core 15 comprises, on its upper surface 17, an exit surface 30 for the light beams 10 led through the body 14 out of the light guide core 15. The exit surface 30 of the light guide core 15 is simultaneously the active surface 4 in the illustrated embodiment. the light beam 10 extends out of the illumination unit 3. The light unit 1, by means of the carriers 8 and 8b, is located at the laterally located entrance surface 9 of the light guide core 15 and comprises a plurality of light sources 11, for example LEDs mounted on the support element 12 e.g. PCB. From the front side, in front of the illumination unit 3, a masking mask 13 in the form of a frame is situated, which from the front view preferably covers the edges of the active surface 4 of the illumination unit 3.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a lighting unit 3 comprising a light guide core 15 with at least one associated light source 11 situated at the entrance surface 9 of the light guide core 15 to emit light rays 10 into the body 14 of the light guide core 15. 11, an exit surface 30 for outputting light beams 10 guided by the body 14 out of the light guide core 15, wherein on the lower surface 18 the light guide core 15 is further provided with shunting elements 19 for directing light beams 10 towards the top surface 17 of the light guide 15. or the balancing element 19 is realized as a continuous treatment of the lower surface 18, for example by sandblasting or by the injection molding. A reflector 21 is positioned opposite the lower surface 18 of the light guide core 15, and a functional layer 23 is disposed opposite the upper surface 17 of the light guide core 15, the upper surface of which comprises functional elements 26 configured to direct the light beams 10 to a predetermined desired direction. The functional elements 26 are surface-aligned with a sharp-edged saw profile of the structure and / or a saw profile with rounded tips. The functional layer 23 and the reflector 21 are separated from the light-conducting core 15 by the process layer 24. The process layer 24 is preferably implemented as an air gap as an air layer.

By functional layer 23, in the present invention we mean a layer that is configured to direct the beams of light beams 10, more specifically the axes of the beams, to a predetermined desired direction. This desired direction may be the direction of the normal N to the surface or a direction close to the normal N, or a direction diverted from the normal N by the desired angle α. However, in addition to the above configuration, the functional layer 23 may be additionally configured (as in the embodiments of FIG. 25, 26 and 29) to fulfill the homogenizer property of homogenization - scattering of light rays 10.

The technological layer 24 in the sense of the present invention is a layer configured for total reflection of the light rays 10 guided in the light guide core 15, preferably having a low refractive index, and may be, for example, an air-air gap layer or

-5 EN 2017 - 480 A3 contain a low refractive index adhesive or a combination of a standard optically pure spray or glue film with a low refractive index or surface treatment. If the process layer 24 comprises an adhesive, this layer 24 also functions as a connecting element interconnecting the flat-shaped portions of the lighting unit between which it is disposed.

Balancing elements 19, for example diffuse particles, may be positioned (but not necessary) in the body 14 of the light guide core 15.

Figures 7 and 8 show another example of an illumination unit 3 according to the invention, wherein a homogenizer 20 having a surface or internal volume structure affecting the direction of the light beam 10 is situated between the functional layer 23 and the light-conducting core 15. The homogenizer 20 is away from the light-conducting core 15 on the one hand and from the functional layer 23 on the other, separated by technological layers 24, which are preferably air layers or air gaps. The homogenizer 20 is adapted to homogenise the scattering of the light beams 10, for example it is implemented as a dairy material or other material with a surface or internal structure affecting the direction of the light beam flow 10. The light beams 10 passing through the homogenizer 20 and emerging from its exit surface 22 may be scattered isotropically or aninosotropically.

A further embodiment of the illumination unit 3 is shown in FIG. 9. The individual light components of the illumination unit 3, i.e. the light conductor core 15, the homogenizer 20, the reflector 21 and the functional layer 23 are held by the clamping element 27 equipped with separators 20. to create the desired size of the process layers 24, which are preferably air gaps, and / or aligning the individual components in a prescribed position. In an embodiment (not shown), the clamping element 27 may be adapted to snap individual components, wherein a technological layer 24 is formed between the light components of the lighting unit 3, preferably in the form of an air layer / gap, merely loosely supported with pressure without using a separator 28. and / or the separator 23 is formed in part or all of its volume from a transparent material transmitting at least partially light rays 10 and / or a non-transparent material, the composition, for example of color, being preferably a clamping element 21 and / or a separator 28 adapted to create design elements.

In another exemplary embodiment of the illumination unit 3 according to the invention shown in Fig. 10, the reflector 21 with the light guide core 15, the light guide core 15 with the homogenizer 20 and the homogenizer 20 with the functional layer 23 are connected to each other and / or spatially separated by a connecting element 27 such as an adhesive or adhesive pad, a laser or ultrasonic weld, wherein the connector 21 simultaneously functions as a separator 28.

In another exemplary embodiment of the illumination unit 3 according to the invention shown in Fig. 11, the reflector 21 is part of the clamping element 21, wherein the reflector 21 comprises a diffuse or specular reflective layer or is formed from a material having reflective diffuse or speculative properties. The color of the reflector 21 may be adapted to the color of the light rays 10.

In another exemplary embodiment of the illumination unit 3 according to the invention shown in Fig. 12, the functional layer 23 and the homogenizer 20 form a unitary body, with a functional layer 23 with functional elements 26 realized in the form of a functional structure attached to the homogenizing layer. A process layer 24 is disposed between the homogenizer 20 and the light guide core 15 and between the light guide core 15 and the reflector 21. For example, the process layer 24 may comprise a low refractive index adhesive or a combination of adjustment.

In another exemplary embodiment of the illumination unit 3 according to the invention shown in Fig. 13, the functional layer 23 and the homogenizer 20 form an integral body, with a functional layer 23 having an upper surface provided with functional elements 26 attached to the homogenizing layer. homogenizer 20 and light guide core 15, and between the light guide

480 A3 by the core 15 and the reflector 21 is configured to totally reflect the light rays 10 conducted in the light guide core 15, preferably having a low refractive index, and may take the form of, for example, foil, spray, adhesive, surface treatment, or combinations thereof.

In another exemplary embodiment of the lighting unit 3 according to the invention shown in FIG. 14, the lighting unit 3 comprises a functional layer 23 comprising two functional segments 23a, 23b which are provided with functional elements 26 formed by differently oriented functional textures, preferably 90 Between the functional segments 23a, 23b, a technological layer 24 formed by an air-air gap layer is formed.

In another exemplary embodiment of the illumination unit 3 of the invention shown in Fig. 15, the inner segment 23a of the functional layer 23 is connected to the homogenizer 20 in manufacture, wherein between the segments 23a and 23b, the homogenizer 20 and the light guide 15 and between the light guide 15 and The reflector 21 is the technological layer 24 formed by the air gap.

In another exemplary embodiment of the illumination unit 3 of the invention shown in Fig. 16, a semipermeable layer 29 is provided above the functional layer 23, for example as a film with a semipermeable coating to provide a mirror appearance of the illumination unit 3. The semipermeable layer 29 is adapted to pass only a portion the beams 10 emitted by the functional layer 23, wherein a portion of the light beams 10 is reflected back to the functional layer 23.

Another embodiment of the lighting unit 3 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 17. This embodiment differs from that of FIG. 16 in that the homogenizer 20 and the inner segment 23a are separated by a process layer 24. In this embodiment, the process layers 24 are air spaces.

As seen in FIG. 18, the semipermeable layer 29 is adapted to pass only a portion of the light beams 10 emitted by the functional layer 23, wherein a portion of the light beams 10 is reflected back to the functional layer 23.

As can be seen from FIG. 19, the functional layer 23 or its segment 23a, 23b is adapted to cause a portion of the light rays 10 to pass in a direction close to the normal N to the total surface and a portion is reflected back. The light rays 10 reflected back are bonded back into the light-conducting core

15 Dec

As seen in Figures 17 and 20, the homogenizer 20 scatters the light beam 10 emitted from the light guide core 15 or reflected from the functional layer 23 and / or the semipermeable layer 29.

Referring to Figures 17 and 21, the reflector 21 reflects or scatters the light beam 10 emitted from the light guide core 15 to reconnect the light beams 10 to the light guide core 15.

22 to 24, the balancing elements 19 of the light guide core 15 may be implemented in different pattern designs with or without a directional orientation of their balancing surfaces.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 25, the functional layer 23 is implemented such that, in addition to its configuration for directing (axes) the beams of light beams 10 toward the normal N (or near N) direction to the surface, it is also configured to homogenize the light beams 10 , it also works as a homogenizer. The scattering of the light rays 10 is provided by the surface scattering structure 31, for example by means of a calculated texture imprinted into the film.

CZ 2017 - 480 A3

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 26, the functional layer 23 is implemented such that, in addition to its configuration for directing (axes) the beams 10 towards the normal N (or near the N) direction to the surface, it is also configured to homogenize the light beams 10 , it also works as a homogenizer. The scattering of the light rays 10 is provided by the volume scattering structure 31, for example by scattering particles within the functional layer 23.

Giant. 27 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the inlet surface 9 of the light guide core 15 for emitting light rays 10 into the body 14 of the light guide core 15 is situated on the upper surface 17 of the light guide core 15.

Giant. 28 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the entrance surface 9 of the light guide core 15 for emitting light rays 10 into the body 14 of the light guide core 15 is situated on the lower surface 18 of the light guide core 15.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 29, the balancing elements 19 of the light guide core 15 may be implemented in various text patterns for directing light beams in the normal direction n or near the normal direction n, without the use of a reflector 21. 23 is realized such that, in addition to its configuration for directing (axes) the light beams 10 towards the normal N (or near the normal N) direction to the surface, it is also configured to homogenize the light beams 10, thus operating simultaneously as a homogenizer.

PATENT CLAIMS

Claims (19)

A motor vehicle lighting device comprising an inner chamber (2) which is covered by a transparent cover separating the lighting device from the surroundings of a motor vehicle, accommodating at least one surface-shaped lighting unit (3), the active light emitting surface of which (4) (10) of the illumination unit (3) is situated against the translucent housing and which comprises a light-conducting core (15) of optically transparent material with an associated light unit (7) positioned opposite the entrance surface (9) of the light-conducting core (15) The beams (10) into the body (14) of the light guide core (15), characterized in that a functional layer (23) configured to direct the light beams (10) emanating therefrom is located between the light guide core (15) and the transparent cover. a surface facing away from the light guide core (15), in a predetermined direction, wherein the lighting device comprises a technological layer (24) configured for total reflection of the light rays (10), which is in contact with the upper surface (17) of the light guide core (15). Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional layer (23) is also configured to homogenize the light beams (10). A lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a reflector (21) situated against the lower surface (18) of the light guide core (15) and configured to reflect light rays (10) escaped through the lower surface (18) from and a further processing layer (24) that separates the light guide core (15) from the reflector (21). A lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a homogenizer is situated between the functional layer (23) and in contact with the process layer (24) in contact with the upper surface (17) of the light-conducting core (15). (20) configured to homogenize light rays (10) extending from its exit surface (22). -8GB 2017 - 480 A3 A lighting device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a further process layer (24) which separates the homogenizer (20) from the functional layer (23). Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional layer (23) comprises functional elements (26) which are arranged on its surface or are part of its internal structure, adapted to direct the beams of light rays (10) which come out! from its surface facing away from the light guide core (15), in a predetermined direction. A lighting device according to claim 6, characterized in that the predetermined direction is a direction parallel to or close to the normal direction (N) to said surface facing away from the light guide core (15). The lighting device of claim 6, wherein the predetermined direction is a direction diverted from the normal (N) to said surface facing away from the light guide core (15) by a predetermined acute angle (α). Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional layer (23) comprises two surface-shaped and superimposed segments (23a, 23b) which are provided on their upper surface with functional elements (26) formed by differently oriented functional textures, preferably 90 ° relative to each other, the lighting device comprising a further process layer (24), the process layer (24) being positioned between the segments (23a, 23b). Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional elements (26) are surface-arranged and have a sharp-edged saw profile or a saw profile with rounded tips. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light-conducting core (15) is provided on its lower surface (18) or in its body (14) with beam elements (19) for directing the light beams (10) towards an upper surface (17) of the light-conducting core (15). Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the process layers (24) is an air layer. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the process layers (24) comprises a foil and / or a spray and / or a finish. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the process layers (24) comprises an adhesive and thus also serves as a connecting element of the two flat-shaped components of the lighting unit (3) between which it is disposed. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting unit (3) comprises at least one clamping element (27) in the form of a frame surrounding at least one side of the assembly of flat-shaped components of the lighting unit (3). parts in the desired position. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting unit (3) comprises separators (28) for producing the desired thickness of the process layers (24). -9GB 2017 - 480 A3 A lighting device according to claim 16 dependent on claim 15, characterized in that the separators (28) are part of said frame. A lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the lighting 5 the unit (3) comprises clamping elements (27) disposed in the process layers (24) to maintain their desired thickness and to couple respective pairs of flat-shaped components of the lighting unit (3) separated by the process layers (24). Lighting device according to claim 18, characterized in that the clamping elements (27) are formed by adhesive and / or adhesive pads and / or laser or ultrasonic welds.