CZ291098A3 - Headlight unit for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The light unit (1) has a real light source (200) a radiation beam means (300) for the light source (200) at one end (101) of the light guide system (100) which is substantially substantially transverse to the direction of illumination (B) and having means (112, 122) for outputting the light beam from the outer light-emitting surface (111, 121) of the light-guide system (100). The light system (100) is divided into at least two in-line light guides (110, 120), between which switching elements (400) are arranged influencing the optical transmission, that is, the transmission from one a world guide (110) to the downstream world guide (120).

Description

Luminaire unit for motor vehicles

Obl5St_techniky

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a light source unit for a motor vehicle with a real light source and means for bundling the light source radiation to one end of a light guide system that is substantially transverse to the direction of illumination.

? 2Previous_technologies

Such a lighting unit is known, for example, from DE 32 36 683 A1. Here is disclosed a headlamp in which the light guide system consists of a single strip of glass or other similar transparent material. One end of the light guide system is formed as a light input end. The light guide system is arranged transversely to the illumination direction and has a light output surface in the illumination direction. In the light-guide system, reflective facets arranged at an angle to the illumination direction are arranged as a means for binding the light beam, i.e. as balancing optics. A lens arrangement is provided in front of the light-emitting surface of the light guide system .________ "_ — __________

In a known luminaire unit, the radiation produced by a real light source is bound by an elliptical mirror or reflector and coupled to the light input end of the light guide system. There the beam of light rises on the facets and is reflected by them. Individual light beams of facets extend through the light exit surfaces

- 2 light guide system and impact on the lens arrangement. The lens arrangement reconnects the individual beams of light again into a single beam of beams and deflects the beam of beams into the illumination direction.

In this known luminaire unit, the fact that the radiation of a single light source can only be used for one lighting task at a time has proved to be disadvantageous. Indeed, it has often proved desirable to use radiation from a single light source for multiple lighting tasks.

Establishment3

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lighting unit for a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset and to improve it so that radiation from a single light source can be used for multiple lighting tasks without the need for expensive switching elements.

In order to solve this problem, it is envisaged according to the invention that the light guide system is divided into at least two light guides arranged in series, between which switching elements are arranged for influencing optical transmission, i.e. the transmission from one light guide to the subsequent light guide.

The individual light pipes according to the invention can comprise ^e zi ^ djnoyi ovýchí5.> Or? Víeeyidóvých glass fibers, fibers of a plastic fiber optic rod of glass or plastic or reflective or totally reflective hollow conductors. Each light guide has an external light in the direction of illumination.

And a light output surface and means for binding the light beam from the light output surface, i.e., a balancing optic. As a rule, only two light guides are arranged in a single board. However, it is also possible to arrange more than two light guides in a row for certain applications of the luminaire unit according to the invention in motor vehicles.

By means of the switching elements between the individual light guides, it is possible to adjust any transmission from one light guide to the next light guide. Thus, it is possible to control the light distribution within the light guide system, i.e. it is possible to precisely determine how many light beams that are coupled to the light input end of the light guide system into the first light guide are further led to the next light guide. Individual light guides can perform various functions, such as low beam, high beam, position light, fog, rear light, brake light or functional tail fog. By using a switching element that periodically changes the transmission, the flashing function of the light guide can also be realized.

Different operating states are possible in the luminaire unit according to the invention, depending on the set transmission. With a set transmission value of T-0, the entire beam of light remains connected to the light input end of the world-wide sys- tem in the first light guide. All subsequent light guides are disconnected. Thus, the first light guide can assume light functions in which, in neglecting the losses within the light guide system, the light intensity of the entire light beam involved is utilized, for example the function of a dimmed and high beam headlamp.

• · ··· • ·

With a transmittance of 0 4. r 1 set, a small portion of the light-guide end of the light guide system of the connected light beam is routed further to the next light guide. As before, the first light guide can assume the function of the headlights without any problems. The following light guide can assume light functions where only a small amount of light is required, such as the function of the position lights. A further light guide arranged in line could assume, for example, the function of a flashing light. With a set transmission value of 1, the greater part of the light beam, which is bound to the light input end of the light guide system, is further guided to the subsequent light guide. As before, the first light guide can assume the function of the headlight without any problems. The following light guide can also assume light functions that require a high light intensity, such as the function of an additional headlamp. In this case too, another light guide arranged in line could assume, for example, the function of flashing light. Thus, the luminaire unit according to the invention can be used in an advantageous manner to irradiate one single light source for multiple lighting tasks.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the means for outputting the light beam from the light output surface of the light guide system are formed as triangular prisms and the switching elements reflect the light beam through prevented transmission. On its path through the first light guide, part of the light beam falls on the front side of the triangular prisms and is reflected from the light guide by the light exit surface. For this purpose, the front sides of the triangular prisms are either mirrored or made entirely reflective. The remaining part of the light beam is further guided through the light guide and impinges on the reflecting switching element. The light rays reflected back by the switching element then impinge on the back of the triangular prisms and are themselves reflected through the light exit surface of the light guide. For this purpose, the rear sides of the triangular prisms are either mirrored or made completely reflective. In this way, the front side and the back side can also be used for balancing. In addition, by backscattering the portion of the light beam that impinges on the switching element, losses occurring in the first light guide can be reduced by gelling in the region of the switching element. Thus, a larger part of the light beam can be effectively used and the first light guide consequently emits a light beam with a particularly high light intensity.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the switching elements are designed as electro-optical modulators. These are electronically controlled and modulate the beam of light rays in the light guide system so that the transmission from one light guide to the next light guide can be adjusted in the range S = 0 to -T # 1.

According to another advantageous further development of the invention the switching elements are configured as mechanically controllable reflective ^- ele ments ^-;

According to a particularly advantageous further development of the invention, it is proposed that the switching elements are designed as electronically controllable reflectors in the form of hybrid cells, wherein the hydrogen in the hybrid cells reacts in particular with yttrium Y. Such a yttrium hybrid cell is known.

- 6 ·· 99

9 9 4 • 9 99 ·· · · 4 example from Switchable mirror ?, Elektronik 9/1996, page 22. The function of these hybrid cells is based on the fact that, under certain conditions, hydrogen atoms penetrate the metallic yttrium Y and form a reflective YHg . YHg then passes into the light transmittable θ. By applying electrical voltage to the hybrid cell, the diffusion of hydrogen atoms into the yttria Y and thereby also the transmission of the hybrid cell can be arbitrarily controlled.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the switching elements vary the refractive index in the light guide system. By means of the refractive index, the condition for total reflection in the region of the switching element can be varied so that the switching elements guide the beam of light rays more or less well from the light guide to the subsequent light guide.

Overleaf _ _ § 5

The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the drawing.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a luminaire unit according to the invention for motor vehicles with a second light guide disconnected.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a luminaire unit for motor vehicles according to the invention of FIG. 1, wherein a second light guide is connected.

THE DAY OF THE FIND

1 and 2 show the luminaire unit.

For motor vehicles according to the invention as a whole, the motor vehicle according to the invention. The luminaire unit 1 has a light guide system 100, a real light source 200 and means 300 for beaming the light source 200. The radiation beam means 300 of the light source 200 is configured as a reflector. Fiber optic system

100 is divided into two light guide 110 and 120 arranged in a row, between which a switching element 400 is arranged. The light guide 110 and 120 are arranged substantially transverse to the direction

The light illumination B and the exterior light exit surfaces 111 and 121 are in the B direction of illumination. In the light guides 110 and 120, means 112 and 122 are provided for outputting the light beam from the light output surfaces 111 and 121. designed as triangular prisms. Lens arrangements 113 and 123 are provided in front of the light exit surfaces 111 and 121.

In Fig. 1, the switching element 400 is adjusted such that optical transmission, i.e. transmission, from the first light guide 110 to the second light guide 120 is prevented. The second light guide 120 is therefore disconnected.

The light source 200 generated by the radiation is bundled with a reflector 300. The beam is through the end

101 of the light guide system 100 inserted into the first light guide 100; There, the beam of light beams on the front sides of the light beam beam exit means 112 is reflected and reflected by them. The reflected individual light beams extend through the light exit surface 111 from the first light guide 110 and impinge on the lens arrangement 113. The lens arrangement 113 again brings together the individual light beams.

9 ftftft into one single beam and deflects beam into direction B of the illumination.

The portion of the light beam that does not impinge on the light beam exit means 112 in the form of triangular prisms is further guided in the first light guide 110 up to the switching element 400. The switching element 400 is reflective when the transmission is prevented. Therefore, the portion of the light beam that does not fall on the front sides of the triangular prism beam output means 112 is again reflected back into the first light guide 110. There, this portion of the light beam falls on the rear sides of the triangular prisms of the light beam output means 112. and is reflected by them. The reflected individual light beams then also project through the light exit surface 111 from the first light guide 110 and impinge on the lens arrangement 113.

In the case of the Γ-0 transmission, which is set in Fig. 1 by the switching element 400, the entire light guide system 100 remains connected to the light guide system 100 in the first light guide 110. Thus, the first light guide 110 can assume light functions in which losses within the light guide system 100 using the full power of light "ce ~ l EHO" Con ~ jenéh ^ '^ sva větúelTrý KIR ^ H ^ ^- ^ PAF-KPI Na- example Γ as a function of the headlamp, and with subdued light beam.

In Fig. 2, the switching element 400 is set so that optical transmission is possible, that is, the transmission from the first light guide 110 to the second light guide 120. The second light guide 120 is

· · Ttt · tt * ·· · tt připojen · ··· · • · · thus connected.

The radiation generated by the light source 200 is therefore, as explained above in connection with the description of FIG. 1, fed to the first light guide 110 and partially discharged therefrom through the light exit surface 111. That portion of the light beam that does not fall on the front side the output of the light beam in the form of triangular prisms is again routed in the first light guide 110 up to the switching element 400. Since the switching element 400 in FIG. 2 permits transmission, there is a portion of the light beam not falling on the front sides of the beam exit means 122 light beams in the shape of triangular prisms, not reflected at Ότά 1 or only partially reflected at 0 <ST <1 back to the first light guide 110. The non-reflected part of the light beam is further guided to the subsequent light guide 120, impinging there front side trojhr The beam arrangement 123 associates the individual beams of light into a single beam and deflects the beam into the illumination direction B.

In this case, the first light source can be operated by the headlight function or the like. The subsequent light guide 120 can also assume light functions for transmissive “2 $ 1, in which a considerable light intensity, such as an additional headlight function, is essential. For transmittance 0 <3 * 4.1, the second light guide 120 can assume light functions where only a small amount of light is required, for example a half-light function.

• ·

- 10 lights.

The switching element 400 is designed as an electronically controllable Y-shaped Y-cell hybrid cell reflector. By means of the actuator 401, an electric control voltage is applied to the Y-cell hybrid cell, thereby controlling the diffusion of hydrogen atoms into Yttrium Y and hence the hybrid cell.

Claims (7)

PATENT CLAIMS A luminaire unit (1) for motor vehicles with a real light source (200) and means (300) for bundling the radiation of a light source (200) to one end (101) of a light guide system (100) which is substantially transverse to the direction (B) illumination and has means (112, 122) for outputting the light beam from the outer light exit surface (111, 121) of the light guide system (100), characterized in that the light guide system (100) is divided into at least two in a row arranged light guides (110, 120) between which switching elements (400) are arranged for influencing optical transmission, i.e. the transmission from one light guide (110) to the subsequent light guide (120). Lamp unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (112, 122) for outputting the light beam from the light output surface (III, 121) of the light guide system (100) are designed as triangular prisms and that the switching elements (400) reflect a beam of light beams when the transmission is prevented. Lamp unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the switching elements (400) are designed as electro-optical modulators. Lamp unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the switching elements (400) are designed as mechanically controllable reflecting elements. • · • · Lamp unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the switching elements (400) are designed as electronically controllable reflecting elements in the form of hybrid cells. 6. The luminaire unit (1) reacts with yttrium Y. according to claim 5, characterized in that hydrogen is present in the hybrid cells A luminaire unit characterized by those (400) varying the index (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the switching elemenlom in the light guide system (100).