DE102012100139B4 - Light module for a headlight of a vehicle with a laser beam source - Google Patents

Abstract

Light module (1), in particular for a headlight of a vehicle, with at least one laser beam source (10) and at least one converter element (11), which can be irradiated with a laser beam (14) by the laser beam source (10), whereby light (15) with a light spectrum qualified for vehicle lighting can be radiated by the converter element (11) into at least one beam-shaping element (12), wherein at least one carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) is provided, on which the converter element (11) is accommodated and wherein the Converter element (11) with the carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) is movable at least relative to the beam-shaping element (12), characterized in that a movement of the converter element (11) relative to the beam-shaping element (12) changes the angle for the light field , which can be provided by the light module (1), can be generated.

Description

The present invention relates to a light module, in particular for a headlight of a vehicle, with at least one laser beam source and at least one converter element, which can be irradiated with a laser beam by the laser beam source, wherein light with a light spectrum qualified for vehicle lighting passes through the converter element into at least one beam-shaping element can be radiated.

STATE OF THE ART

the DE 10 2008 063 634 A1 discloses an illuminant with at least one semiconductor laser which is set up to emit a primary radiation with a wavelength between 360 nm and 485 nm inclusive, and at least one conversion means which is arranged downstream of the semiconductor laser and is set up to convert at least part of the primary radiation into a secondary radiation with a different, longer wavelength from the primary radiation, the radiation emitted by the illuminant having an optical coherence length which is at most 50 μm. For example, several different conversion means are attached to a movably mounted carrier, so that a color locus of the secondary radiation can be defined by moving the carrier.

the DE 10 2010 062 465 A1 discloses a lighting device having at least one reflector, at least one lighting area containing a phosphor and at least one laser, wherein the at least one lighting area can be excited by means of at least one laser to emit light and at least part of the light emitted by the at least one lighting area is directed onto the at least one reflector falls. In this case, the at least one phosphor region can be arranged on a rotating phosphor carrier, with the rotating phosphor carrier having, in particular, a plurality of phosphor regions which emit light of different colors.

From the U.S. 2011/0141754 A1 a light module for a headlight of a vehicle is known, and the light module has a laser beam source, wherein the laser beam of the laser beam source can be directed to various converter elements having a phosphor element with an optical switching element. In this case, the converter elements are irradiated from the back, and a beam-shaping element is connected to the converter elements in each case at the front, with which finally a light qualified for vehicle lighting is provided. The mechanical mounting of the converter elements and the corresponding arrangement of the converter elements relative to the laser beam source are only shown schematically. The arrangement shown disadvantageously allows only one light function at a time, so that several light functions cannot be switched at the same time. Also, no possibility of a dynamic cornering light is possible, likewise no adjustment and no basic setting of the emitted light can take place. It is therefore desirable to create an advantageous mounting of the converter elements, in particular relative to the laser beam source and/or relative to the beam-shaping elements.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to create an improved light module, in particular for a headlight of a vehicle, with which an advantageous accommodation of at least one converter element, in particular relative to a beam-shaping element, is made possible.

This object is achieved based on a light module according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with the characterizing features. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The invention includes the technical teaching that at least one carrier element is provided, on which the converter element is accommodated and wherein the converter element with the carrier element is movable at least in relation to the beam-shaping element, such that a movement of the converter element relative to the beam-shaping element changes the angle for the light field that can be provided by the light module can be generated.

The movable arrangement of the converter element in relation to the beam-shaping element achieves the advantage that the light which leaves the light module can be moved in a simple manner for the vehicle lighting without moving the entire light module. For example, a cornering light function can be fulfilled by the arrangement according to the invention, and the entire light module does not have to be pivoted about an axis, since the movement of a relatively small converter element is sufficient. By being irradiated with the laser beam, the converter element forms a pseudo light source, which emits the light into the beam-shaping element with a light spectrum that is qualified for vehicle lighting. If the position of the converter element relative to the beam-shaping element is changed by small movements, angle changes are caused for the light field that is at least partially provided by the light module. As a result, just enough a small movement of a small mass in order to have a comparatively large influence on the light field and in particular a cornering light function.

For example, the beam-shaping element can be formed by a reflector and/or a lens. In this case, the beam-shaping element has an emission side via which the light leaves the light module. If the beam-shaping element is designed as a reflector, the carrier element with the converter element can advantageously be arranged on the emission side of the reflector and the carrier element with the converter element is located to the side of or in the beam path of the light that leaves the light module. Alternatively, the beam-shaping element can be embodied as a lens, and the carrier element with the converter element is located on the back of the emission side of the lens, since this forms a transmitting optic.

A further advantageous embodiment of the light module according to the invention can have several beam-shaping elements next to one another, and the beam-shaping elements can each emit light that forms a light field that can be provided by the headlight, in particular summarily or partially overlapping. For example, several reflectors can be arranged next to one another, and each reflector is assigned a converter element, through which light can be radiated into the reflector. In this case, the reflectors can, for example, be designed to be connected and form a structural unit. In particular, a plurality of converter elements can be arranged on a carrier element, and according to an advantageous embodiment, the converter elements can be moved together with the carrier element relative to the reflectors.

With particular advantage, the carrier element can be movable in the propagation direction of the laser beam emitted by the laser beam source. If several laser beam sources are provided, which irradiate several converter elements arranged on a carrier element, the laser beams can run parallel to one another, for example, and the carrier element can be moved in the direction of propagation of the laser beams. The movement of the carrier element can take place perpendicular to the propagation direction of the laser beam source as a preferably vertical translational movement, for example to fulfill the function of an adaptive light-dark boundary, but preferably also to fulfill a vertical adjustment function for setting the headlight range of the headlight, and the carrier element can do this can also be rotated and adjusted in the direction of its longitudinal axis.

According to a further embodiment, a plurality of converter elements can be provided and arranged on respectively associated carrier elements, and the respective carrier elements can be moved individually and/or in groups. For example, the light module can provide a light field that is composed of the light from a plurality of beam-shaping elements. For example, several reflectors can be arranged next to one another, and a complete light field is formed by the light module only when all of the reflectors are illuminated. If individual converter elements are moved by a discrete movement of carrier elements on which the converter elements are arranged, parts of the light field provided by the light module can be moved. For example, a light field can be compressed, stretched or its light distribution changed by individually controlled movement of carrier elements.

For example, at least one drive element can be provided, with which the carrier element can be moved, in particular to fulfill a cornering light function. If several carrier elements are provided, a drive element can be assigned to each individual carrier element.

With a further advantage, each carrier element can be assigned an adjustment element, with which the carrier element can be moved, in particular for the preferably horizontal basic setting of the light module. In particular, the drive element can be accommodated on the adjustment element or coupled to it, and an adjustment of the adjustment element causes a change in the basic setting of the drive element in order to fulfill the adjustment function for the horizontal basic setting of the light module with the adjustment element. The drive element and/or the adjustment element can in particular be designed as a spindle-nut unit in order to carry out small, in particular precise adjustment movements with the elements.

The light can leave the light module essentially in a main axis, whereby the at least one laser beam source can be arranged in such a way that the laser beam or beams impinge on the converter elements at approximately 90° to the main axis or that the laser beams strike the converter elements at an angle of between 0° and 90° to the Main axis impinge on the converter elements. Consequently, the converter elements can be arranged, for example, at an angle of 45° to the main axis on the carrier element, without the laser beam sources having to be arranged in the beam path of the light exiting the light module. It can also be advantageous to arrange the laser beam sources adjacent to or adjacent to the beam-shaping element, and the laser beams run obliquely for example at an angle of 20° to 80° to the main axis, so that the angle of inclination of the converter elements on the carrier element can be made smaller.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the light module, the carrier element can be designed in such a way that the converter element arranged on the carrier element can be cooled by the carrier element. The process of wavelength conversion generates heat in the carrier element that has to be dissipated. The carrier element comprises, for example, a phosphor material or a phosphor material mixture and is irradiated with the laser beam source, for example with a wavelength of 480 nm, and due to the partial conversion of the wavelength into a spectrum of visible light, for example from 480 nm to 780 nm, heat loss develops in the converter element. This heat loss can advantageously be dissipated through the carrier element. For example, the carrier element can be made of copper, brass or, in particular, aluminum. It is also conceivable to design the carrier element itself as a heat pipe, or a heat pipe can be accommodated in the carrier element. White headlight light is generated by partially converting the blue laser beam with the phosphor converter body.

With a further advantage, the converter element can have a width, extending in particular in the direction of movement, which is greater than the area on the converter element irradiated by the laser beam. If the laser beam source is moved relative to the converter element, for example to move the light spot generated on the converter element, which consequently illuminates an associated reflector from different positions, the function of moving the light emitted by the light module can also be achieved. In this case, for example, the converter element can be held stationary on a carrier element, and a relative movement between the converter element and the beam-shaping element is achieved by moving the laser beam source relative to the beam-shaping element.

Finally, at least one heat sink can be provided, which is in heat-dissipating connection with the at least one laser beam source, and at least one heat sink can be provided, which is in heat-dissipating connection with the carrier element. In particular, the arrangement of the carrier element on a heat sink brings about an advantageous heat dissipation of the converter elements, with the heat dissipating function of the heat sink and the mechanically retaining function of the carrier element being able to be equally fulfilled by the heat sink.

The invention is also directed to a headlight with a light module having at least one laser beam source and at least one converter element, which can be irradiated with a laser beam by the laser beam source, with which light with a light spectrum qualified for vehicle lighting can be emitted through the converter element into at least one beam-shaping element, and wherein at least one carrier element is provided, on which the converter element is accommodated and wherein the converter element is movable with the carrier element at least in relation to the beam-shaping element, such that a movement of the converter element relative to the beam-shaping element changes the angle of the light field passing through the light module can be provided, can be generated. The features and advantages of the light module described above can also be used and achieved for a headlight with such a light module.

MOST PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Lichtmoduls mit den Merkmalen der vorliegenden Erfindung,
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht eines Lichtmoduls mit beispielhaft drei Laserstrahlquellen, beispielhaft drei Konverterelementen und beispielhaft drei Reflektoren als strahlformende Elemente, wobei die Konverterelemente auf einzeln bewegbaren Trägerelementen angeordnet sind,
• 3 ein Lichtmodul mit einer Anordnung der Laserstrahlquellen, in der die Konverterelemente schräg bestrahlt werden,
• 4 eine schematische Ansicht eines Lichtmoduls mit drei Konverterelementen, die jeweils durch drei Laserstrahlquellen bestrahlt werden, wobei die Konverterelemente eine längliche Erstreckung aufweisen,
• 5 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines Lichtmoduls mit einem Spiegel zur Strahlumlenkung, Justage und Aufweitung der Laserstrahlen und
• 6 eine schematische Ansicht eines Lichtmoduls mit einem Bewegungssystem nach Art eines Parallel-Koppel-Getriebes zur Bewegung der Konverterelemente und der Laserstrahlquellen gegenüber den Reflektoren.

Further measures improving the invention are presented in more detail below together with the description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. It shows:

• 1 a perspective view of a light module with the features of the present invention,
• 2 a schematic view of a light module with, for example, three laser beam sources, three converter elements, for example, and three reflectors, for example, as beam-shaping elements, the converter elements being arranged on individually movable carrier elements,
• 3 a light module with an arrangement of the laser beam sources in which the converter elements are irradiated at an angle,
• 4 a schematic view of a light module with three converter elements, which are each irradiated by three laser beam sources, the converter elements having an elongate extension,
• 5 a further exemplary embodiment of a light module with a mirror for beam deflection, adjustment and expansion of the laser beams and
• 6 a schematic view of a light module with a movement system in the manner of a parallel linkage for movement of the converter elements and the laser beam sources in relation to the reflectors.

1 shows an embodiment of a light module 1, which can be used for example in the headlight of a vehicle. For example, a low beam and/or a high beam can be provided with the light module 1 , and the light can leave the light module 1 in the direction of a main axis 18 . In this case, the light module 1 can be part of a projection module, with a projection lens not being shown in any more detail. However, the light module 1 can also be designed as a simple reflector module, in particular to form a segmented high beam of a headlight, for example.

The light module 1 has three laser beam sources 10, and the three laser beam sources 10 emit three laser beams 14. The laser beam sources 10 are shown schematically and are arranged on a heat sink 19 in order to cool the laser beam sources 10.

The laser beam sources 10 provide three laser beam sources 14 running parallel to one another, and the laser beams 14 irradiate three converter elements 11, with each converter element 11 being assigned a beam-shaping element 12 in the form of a reflector 12.

If the laser beam sources 10 are put into operation and the converter elements 11 are consequently irradiated with a laser beam 14, the discrete wavelength of the laser beam 14, for example 480 nm, can be predominantly converted into a broad spectrum of visible light by the converter elements 11, so that the converter element 11 acts as a pseudo light source that emits light having a wide visible light spectrum into the reflectors 12. The reflection of the light in the reflectors 12 results in a light distribution along the main axis 18 of the light module 1, and the light distribution consists, for example, of three areas which are formed by the three reflectors 12 adjoining one another or at least partially overlapping.

As an essential feature of the invention, a carrier element 13 is shown, on which the three converter elements 11 are accommodated. The converter elements 11 are mounted on steps and can have an inclination between the direction of propagation of the laser beam 14 and the direction of the reflector 12 . The carrier element 13 is accommodated on a heat sink 20 , for example, and can be moved by a drive element 16 in the propagation direction of the laser beams 14 . If the drive element 16 is activated and the converter elements 11 are moved back and forth in front of the reflectors 12, the reflectors 12 are illuminated from different angles by the movement of the pseudo light sources formed by the converter elements 11. The result is a movement of the main axis 18 of the emitted light field that is provided by the light module 1 .

Also shown is an adjustment element 17 on which the drive element 16 is accommodated, and the adjustment element 17 can also cause a movement of the carrier element 13 in the direction of the double arrow shown. The adjustment element 17 can be used, for example, for the basic setting of the light module 1 and the drive element 16 is used to activate a cornering light function, with the movements that can be caused by the drive element 16 and the adjustment element 17 being superimposed in their direction. The inventive arrangement of the converter elements 11 on a carrier element 13, which protrudes into the beam path between the reflectors 12 and the light propagation along the main axis 18 of the light module 1, an adjustment of the main axis 18 can be achieved in an advantageous manner with a small movement of the converter elements 11 , along which the light leaves the light module 1.

2 shows another embodiment of a light module 1 with three laser beam sources 10, which are arranged on a heat sink 19. The laser beam sources 10 emit laser beams 14 which run parallel to one another. Each of the laser beams 14 irradiates a converter element 11 and the light provided by the converter elements 11 can radiate into respective reflectors 12 in order to create, for example, three light areas 15 which leave the light module 1 to form a light field together.

According to the invention, the converter elements 11 are accommodated on carrier elements 13a, 13b and 13c, which can be moved individually along the double arrows shown. For this purpose, each carrier element 13a, 13b and 13c is assigned a drive element 16, in which case an adjustment element 17 can also be assigned to the drive elements 16 in a manner not shown in detail, in order to enable a basic setting of the light module 1. A heat sink 20 is again shown in order to heat the converter elements 11 via the carrier elements 13a, 13b and 13c.

With the light module shown, it is possible to pivot the three parts of the light field 15 shown by way of example individually by changing the position of the converter elements 11 relative to the reflectors individually and independently of one another. Thus, for example, a Light field, which is formed from the parts 15 of the light field together, can be stretched or compressed or changed in shape in any other way.

3 12 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a light module 1 with three laser beam sources 10, and the laser beam sources 10 are arranged in such a way that the laser beams 14 irradiate the converter elements 11 at an angle relative to the main axis 18. The arrangement of the laser beam sources 10 is provided in the area adjacent to the reflectors 12 , the laser beam sources 10 not being arranged in the beam path of the light reflected by the reflectors 12 . The converter elements 11 are arranged on a carrier element 13 which is shown in a simplified manner in one piece with a heat sink 20 . The laser beam sources 10 are arranged on a heat sink 19, and in order to cause the converter elements 11 to move transversely to the main axis 18 of the emitted light, either the carrier element 13 with the converter elements 11 and the laser beam sources 10 with the heat sink 19 can be moved, or the reflectors 12 can be moved moved transversely to the main axis 18 . In both cases, a relative movement of the converter elements 11 in front of the reflectors 12 is achieved in order to achieve the desired cornering light function through the light module 1 .

4 shows another embodiment of a light module 1 with three reflectors 12, which together form a reflector unit. A converter element 11 is assigned to each reflector 12, and each converter element 11 is irradiated by laser beams 14 from three laser beam sources 10, for example. The laser beam sources 10 are accommodated on a heat sink 19 which can be moved transversely to the main axis 18 with a movement system 22 so that the laser beam sources 10 with the laser beams 14 also move with the movement of the heat sink 19 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the converter elements 11 have an elongate extension with a width B, and if the heat sink 19 with the laser beam sources 10 are moved transversely to the main axis 18 of light propagation, the focal spot generated by the laser beam sources 10 on the converter elements 11 can be moved in the width direction B hiking Due to the resulting change in location of the focal point on the converter element 11, the pseudo light source generated by the converter elements 11 also moves, and a cornering light function can also be generated. The movement system 22 can, for example, include a drive element 16 and an adjustment element 17 with the features and advantages already described in a manner that is not shown in detail. In the arrangement shown, the converter elements 11 are accommodated by way of example on a heat sink 20 which is located in the beam path of the light along the main axis 18 . The heat sink 20 can be dimensioned in such a way that it does not significantly affect the light field that can be generated by the light module.

5 finally shows a light module 1 with three laser beam sources 10, which are accommodated on a heat sink 19. The three laser beam sources 10 provide laser beams 14 which are deflected via a mirror 23 onto converter elements 11 which are accommodated on a carrier element 13 in the manner described above and are cooled via a heat sink 20 . The mirror 23 can be pivoted by a recording, so that the laser beams 14 can be adjusted to the converter elements 11 in a simple manner. The mirror 23 has for each laser beam 14 partial mirrors which have a curved shape in order to slightly expand the laser beam 14 impinging on the mirror 23 . As a result of the widening, the converter elements 11 are irradiated over a large area, as a result of which advantages are achieved in terms of effective utilization of the converter material, for example phosphorus, of the converter elements 11, so that the converter effect is optimized. A relative movement between the converter elements 11 and the reflectors 12 can be generated in a manner not shown in detail by moving the carrier element 13 or by moving the reflectors 12 in order to correspondingly deflect the light 15 in its direction of propagation.

6 shows another embodiment of a light module 1 with three laser beam sources 10, which are arranged on a movement system 24. The movement system 24 has coupling rods 25 which are rotatably accommodated at attachment points 26 . Furthermore, the carrier element 13 on which the converter elements 11 are arranged is accommodated on the coupling rods 25 . The exemplary embodiment shown enables the laser beam sources 10 to be pivoted in such a way that they can irradiate the converter elements 11 with their laser beams 14 unchanged when the carrier element 13 is pivoted. The converter elements 11 can be pivoted in front of the reflectors 12 by the pivoting movement of the movement system 24, so that the pivoting results in a change in the propagation direction of the light 15 that leaves the reflectors 12. Thus, a pivoting movement of the converter elements 11 in front of the reflectors 12 can be achieved by the movement system 24 designed as a mechanical parallelogram, and in the reflectors 12 there are opening slots in a manner not shown in detail, through which the laser beams 14 of the laser beam sources 10 can pass.

The implementation of the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment specified above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the solution shown even in the case of fundamentally different designs. All of the features and/or advantages resulting from the claims, the description or the drawings, including structural details or spatial arrangements, can be essential to the invention both on their own and in a wide variety of combinations. In particular, the individual mobility of the converter elements 11 can be ensured by carrier elements 13a, 13b and 13c such as those in 2 are shown, are also used in the light modules 1, such as these, for example, in 1 or in 5 are shown.

Reference List

1

light module

10

laser beam source

11

converter element

12

beam-shaping element, reflector

13

carrier element

13a

carrier element

13b

carrier element

13c

carrier element

14

laser beam

15

Light, part of a light field

16

drive element

17

adjustment element

18

main axis

19

heat sink (on the laser beam source)

20

heat sink (on the carrier element)

21

light field

22

movement system

23

mirror

24

movement system

25

connecting rod

26

attachment point

B

Width of the converter element

Claims (12)

Light module (1), in particular for a headlight of a vehicle, with at least one laser beam source (10) and at least one converter element (11), which can be irradiated with a laser beam (14) by the laser beam source (10), whereby light (15) with a light spectrum qualified for vehicle lighting can be radiated by the converter element (11) into at least one beam-shaping element (12), wherein at least one carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) is provided, on which the converter element (11) is accommodated and wherein the Converter element (11) with the carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) is movable at least in relation to the beam-shaping element (12), characterized in that a movement of the converter element (11) relative to the beam-shaping element (12) changes the angle for the light field , which can be provided by the light module (1), can be generated. Light module (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the beam-shaping element (12) is formed by a reflector (12) and/or by a lens. Light module (1) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a plurality of beam-shaping elements (12) are arranged next to one another and through which light (15) can be emitted, which in particular collectively forms a light field (21) that can be provided by the headlight. Light module (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) is movable in the propagation direction of the laser beam (14) emitted by the laser beam source (10). Light module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of converter elements (11) are provided and arranged on respectively assigned carrier elements (13a, 13b, 13c), the carrier elements (13a, 13b, 13c) being arranged individually and/or in Groups are movable. Light module (1) according to one of claims 3 until 5 , characterized in that at least one drive element (16) is provided, with which the carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) can be moved, in particular to fulfill a cornering light function, and/or that at least one adjustment element (17) is provided , with which the carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) can be moved, in particular for the preferably horizontal basic setting of the light module (1). Light module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light (15) leaves the light module (1) essentially in a main axis (18), the at least one laser beam source (10) being arranged in such a way that the or the Laser beams (14) impinge on the converter elements (11) at about 90° to the main axis (18) or that the laser beam or beams (14) impinge on the converter elements (11) at an angle between 0° and 90° to the main axis (18). Light module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) is designed in such a way that the converter element (11) arranged on the carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) extends through the carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) can be cooled. Light module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the converter element (11) has a width (B) extending, in particular in the direction of movement, which is greater than the area irradiated by the laser beam (14) on the converter element ( 11). Light module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one heat sink (19) is provided, which is in heat-dissipating connection with the at least one laser beam source (10) and in that at least one heat sink (20) is provided, which is connected to the Carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) is connected to dissipate heat. Headlight with a light module (1) having at least one laser beam source (10) and at least one converter element (11), which can be irradiated with a laser beam (14) by the laser beam source (10), whereby light (15) with a light spectrum qualified for vehicle lighting can be radiated by the converter element (11) into at least one beam-shaping element (12), wherein at least one carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) is provided, on which the converter element (11) is accommodated and wherein the converter element (11) with the carrier element (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) is movable at least in relation to the beam-shaping element (12), characterized in that a movement of the converter element (11) relative to the beam-shaping element (12) causes angle changes for the light field passing through the light module (1) can be provided, can be generated. headlights after claim 11 with a light module (1) according to one of claims 2 until 10 .

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