DE102014205994B4 - Light module with semiconductor light source and attachment optics and motor vehicle headlight with such a light module - Google Patents

Abstract

Light module (8) comprising:- at least one semiconductor light source (9) for emitting light; and- at least one attachment lens (10) made of a transparent material for beam shaping and for deflecting at least part of the light emitted by the at least one light source (9),- the or each attachment lens (10) having a light coupling section (11) with a light entry surface ( 13), through which at least part of the light emitted by the at least one light source (9) enters the optical attachment (10), and has a light decoupling section (12) with a light exit surface (14) through which at least part of the light emitted by the optical attachment (10) shaped and deflected light exits from the attachment optics (10), - with a main emission direction (17) of the at least one light source (9) of an optical axis of the light coupling section (11) and a main exit direction (18) of the light from the light exit surface (14 ) corresponds to an optical axis of the light decoupling section (12), - the attachment optics (10) being designed in such a way that the two o Optical axes (17, 18) are arranged at an angle to one another, and- wherein the attachment optics (10) at a transition section (11 ') between the two sections (11, 12) has a deflection surface (19) which the light from the deflects the coupling section (11) into the decoupling section (12) by means of total reflection, the light module (8) being designed for use in a headlight (1) of a motor vehicle and projection optics (20) for imaging at least a part of the or each attachment optics ( 10) shaped and deflected light as the resulting light distribution (28) of the light module (8) onto a roadway in front of the motor vehicle, characterized in that the light coupling section (11) and the light decoupling section (12) of the or each attachment lens (10) with respect to the respective optical axis (17; 18) have a round cross-section, that the light module (8) has a plurality of attachment optics (10), and that the light module (8) has a diaphragm arrangement (22) with a surface extension comprising an optical axis (21) of the projection optics (20) or one thereto has a parallel imaginary axis and at least one plane above a predetermined surface extension of the diaphragm arrangement (22) and at least one optical head (10) arranged below the plane.

Description

The present invention relates to a light module according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a headlight for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing with a light exit opening closed by a transparent cover pane and at least one light module arranged inside the housing for generating a light and/or headlight function.

A light module according to the preamble of claim 1 is already made DE 10 2009 010 510 A1 known. US 2007/0 019 429 A1 relates to a lighting or flashing device, in particular for motor vehicles, comprising at least one light source and at least one output optical system in order to form a regulation lighting or flashing beam. JP2012- 84 330 A discloses a vehicle lamp provided with a semiconductor light-emitting element and an optical system structured so that a light source image of the semiconductor light-emitting element can be projected forward.

Another light module is, for example, from the DE 10 2005 042 523 A1 known. This light module is used to backlight a display. In order to be able to illuminate a flat display as evenly as possible, the attachment optics of the known light module have a longitudinal extension transverse to the course of the optical axes of the light coupling and light decoupling section. This results in an essentially rectangular shape for the light entry and light exit surfaces. In front of the light entry surface, several semiconductor light sources are distributed over the longitudinal extent of the attachment optics and arranged at a distance from one another. The light coupled out via the light exit surface of the attachment optics is coupled into a flat light guide via an end face of the latter. In the planar light guide, the light is propagated by reflection until it is coupled out of the planar light guide via a surface running perpendicularly to the end face and is used for backlighting a display. The well-known light module is intended to enable particularly cost-effective and uniform backlighting of displays.

The use of a light module from the DE 10 2005 042 523 A1 known type in a motor vehicle headlight for generating a resulting light distribution for making the motor vehicle visible and/or for illuminating a roadway area in front of the vehicle fails for a number of reasons. On the one hand, with the known light module, it is not possible to realize a light distribution of a motor vehicle headlight in which it is not a matter of uniform illumination of a large area, but rather the generation of a light distribution that meets the legal requirements (e.g. according to ECE in Europe or FMVSS in North America ) e.g. with regard to illuminance distribution, visibility for other road users and avoidance of dazzling other road users. The resulting light distribution of a motor vehicle headlight must therefore have pronounced illuminance maxima and clear lateral scattering. Examples of such a light distribution are low beam, high beam, fog light, daytime running light, position or boundary light, or any adaptive light distribution, in particular city light, cornering light (static and dynamic), country road light, freeway light, partial high beam or marking light. Such a light distribution, which satisfies the relevant legal requirements, cannot be generated with the luminous surface of the known light module. In addition, due to its length, the known light module is too large to be installed in the front area of a motor vehicle.

Furthermore, from the DE 10 2008 036 192 A1 a light module of a motor vehicle headlight is known, which has semiconductor light sources with respective associated attachment optics, a diaphragm arrangement with a horizontal surface extension and projection optics in the form of a lens. The components of the light module mentioned are all arranged one behind the other essentially along an optical axis of the projection optics, ie in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. In particular, the semiconductor light sources are arranged behind the attachment optics in the direction of travel, so that the installation space required for the light module must be relatively deep. The problematic structural situation is exacerbated by the fact that heat sinks are usually arranged on the back of the semiconductor light sources (in the DE 10 2008 036 192 A1 not shown), which ensure sufficient cooling of the semiconductor light sources. As a result, the space required is increased again.

Based on the prior art described, the present invention is therefore based on the object of designing and developing a light module of the known type in such a way that it can be used to generate a resulting light distribution of a motor vehicle headlight and at the same time is designed to be as small and light as possible.

To solve this problem, it is proposed based on the light module of the type mentioned that the light coupling section and the light decoupling section of the or each Vorsat zoptik have a round cross-section with respect to the optical axes of the attachment optics, that the light module has several attachment optics, and that the light module has a diaphragm arrangement with a surface extension comprising an optical axis of the projection optics or an imaginary axis parallel thereto and at least one above one through the surface extension of the diaphragm arrangement having a predetermined level and at least one optical head arranged below the level.

The light module according to the invention is part of a motor vehicle headlight. So that the headlight in the front area of a motor vehicle takes up as little installation space as possible, particularly in terms of width, the coupling and decoupling sections have a round cross section with respect to their optical axes. In this way, the light module can also be used to realize light distributions that have pronounced luminous intensity maxima in the center or elsewhere in the light distribution and/or that have a relatively large lateral illumination, as is required for light distributions from motor vehicle headlights. In particular, the legal requirements for light distribution can be met in this way. Unlike in the DE 10 2005 042 523 A1 the present invention is not concerned with a uniform, homogeneous illumination of an illuminated surface.

Due to the angled shape of the attachment optics, this and thus the light module and the entire headlight can be designed to be particularly compact. In particular, the semiconductor light sources can be arranged in the light module in such a way that their main emission directions run transversely or at an angle to the light exit direction of the light module, so that the light module has a particularly small depth. In other words, the main emission directions of the semiconductor light sources run at an angle (>0°) to an optical axis of the projection optics of the light module. As a result, only a small installation depth is required for the headlight with the light module according to the invention in the front area of a vehicle body. The space saved in the front area of the vehicle can be used for other components or assemblies of the vehicle, for example for additional units, additional control units, etc.

The projection optics can be designed as a projection lens or as a reflector. Alternatively, the projection optics can also have a combination of several lenses and/or reflectors. The decisive factor is that the projection optics depict the resulting light distribution on the road in front of the vehicle, i.e. project it onto the road.

The resulting light distribution of the light module according to the invention is, for example, a low beam, a high beam, a fog light, a daytime running light, a position or boundary light, or any adaptive light distribution, in particular a city light, a cornering light (static and dynamic), a country road light, a highway light , a partial high beam or a marker light. Of course, it is also conceivable that the light module generates only a part of one of the light distributions mentioned, e.g. In this case, the resulting light distribution of the light module would then be a partial light distribution which, together with the partial light distribution of at least one other light module of the motor vehicle, produces one of the overall light distributions mentioned above. For example, a low beam basic light together with a low beam spot could produce a conventional low beam distribution in accordance with the legal requirements. The same applies to a high beam basic light and a high beam spot. Likewise, an illuminated area below a horizontal light-dark boundary could produce a low beam distribution, and switching on an illuminated area above the light-dark boundary could produce a high beam distribution. One of the above-mentioned total light distributions results from superimposing the partial light distributions of a number of light modules, with at least one of the light modules being designed in the manner according to the invention. The resulting overall light distribution of the headlight satisfies the relevant statutory regulations, so that the headlight with the light module according to the invention receives the approval required for operation on public roads.

A round cross section of the light in-coupling and light out-coupling section of the attachment optics means that these sections do not have an angular cross-section. According to an advantageous development of the present invention, it is proposed that the light coupling-in section and the light coupling-out section of the or each attachment lens have a circular or elliptical cross-section with respect to the optical axes of the corresponding sections. Coupling and decoupling sections configured in this way particularly advantageously allow the generation of a resulting light distribution which, either alone or after superimposition with at least one other light distribution from at least one other light module of the motor vehicle, meets legal requirements for light distribution of a motor vehicle headlight.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the light exit surface of the or each attachment lens is concavely or convexly curved. As a result, the exit surface can have the refractive properties of a lens, which bundles passing light rays either in a single focus or a focus area, or else fans them out. The concave or convex exit surface can also be specifically designed point by point (so-called free form).

The light module according to the invention can generate almost any resulting light distribution. The light module has a diaphragm arrangement arranged in the beam path between the or each attachment optic and the projection optics for shading at least part of the light bundled and deflected by the or each attachment optic. Such a diaphragm arrangement is used to produce a shielded resultant light distribution of the light module with a light-dark boundary. The shape of an edge of the diaphragm arrangement located in the beam path determines the course of the light-dark boundary. This preferably runs essentially horizontally. In this context, "essentially" means that the light-dark boundary does not have to be strictly horizontal. Rather, a first horizontal section of the light-dark boundary can be provided on the oncoming traffic side and a second horizontal section on the traffic side of the vehicle, with the second section running above the first section. The transition between the two sections can be configured differently. For example, it can be designed obliquely in the form of a 15° rise (Europe) or in steps in the form of a vertical rise (USA). All of these types of chiaroscuro are said to be "substantially" horizontal. An edge of the panel arrangement located in the beam path is projected onto the roadway in front of the motor vehicle by the projection optics to generate the light-dark boundary. An extrapolation of the diaphragm edge sections for generating the horizontal sections of the light-dark boundary runs in the area of the optical axis of the secondary optics and perpendicular to it.

It is conceivable that light-scattering structures, e.g. in the form of a frosting or a microstructure (with structural elements with dimensions in the micrometer range), are provided in a targeted manner on the light exit surface of the light decoupling section of the attachment optics, in order to blur the imaged light-dark boundary if necessary. A blurred light-dark boundary can have advantages in terms of a driver's subjective perception of a motor vehicle provided with the light module according to the invention and/or in terms of correcting a color fringe of the resulting light distribution in the area of the light-dark boundary. In addition, traffic signs can also be recognized better if a small amount of light is emitted above the light-dark boundary.

The diaphragm arrangement with the diaphragm edge described has a surface extension running perpendicularly or at any desired angle obliquely to an optical axis of the projection optics. The diaphragm arrangement has a surface extension comprising an optical axis of the projection optics or parallel thereto, so that the diaphragm arrangement has a substantially horizontal surface extension. As a result, the front edge of the panel arrangement is projected by the projection optics as a light-dark boundary onto the roadway in front of the vehicle. A light module with a “lying” screen arrangement enables a particularly small construction and a particularly efficient operation of the light module, in particular if the screen arrangement has a reflective coating. Of course, it is conceivable that the area of the panel arrangement is not flat, but curved or inclined transversely or longitudinally. In particular, the surface of a vertical diaphragm arrangement can be slightly curved about an imaginary axis running perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection optics. It is also conceivable that the surface of a horizontal diaphragm arrangement is slightly curved around the optical axis of the projection optics or an imaginary axis parallel thereto. Furthermore, it would be conceivable for the horizontal sections of the front edge to be curved about an imaginary axis running perpendicularly to the optical axis of the projection optics in the horizontal diaphragm arrangement.

However, the decisive factor is the aperture edge and its course. The rays of light that would pass below the edge must be blocked (or reflected) to produce a shielded light distribution, whether through a vertical or horizontal shutter. In the special case that the light module is also to realize a high beam distribution, the rays running below the edge must be used. In this case, for purely geometric reasons, an aperture arrangement with a more horizontal surface extension is recommended.

If the light module has a diaphragm arrangement, it is proposed according to a particularly preferred development of the present invention that the deflection surface and the light exit surface of the decoupling section of the or each attachment optic are designed in such a way that the light deflected by the attachment optics in the area of a Edge, preferably one of the attachment optics facing away and the projection optics facing front edge, the diaphragm assembly is bundled. In particular, it is conceivable that an intermediate image of the resulting light distribution is generated in the area of a focal point, a focal point area or a focal plane of the projection optics, which is then projected onto the roadway by the projection optics to generate the resulting light distribution. The intermediate image particularly preferably has a pronounced maximum and side scatter. The edge of the diaphragm arrangement is preferably arranged in the vicinity of or in the focal point, the focal point range or the focal plane of the projection optics, so that the intermediate image is imaged sharply on the roadway by the projection optics. Alternatively, the edge of the diaphragm arrangement can also be arranged at a distance from the focal point, the focal point range or the focal plane of the projection optics, so that the intermediate image is imaged slightly blurred on the road by the projection optics.

The maximum and the side scatter can be generated by a single attachment lens. However, it is also conceivable that, in the case of a light module with several attachment optics, at least one of the attachment optics is designed so that the light bundled and deflected by the attachment optics produces a pronounced maximum zone with limited scattering and increased illuminance values, and at least one other of the attachment optics of the light module is designed to have a side outlet in the resultant light distribution with compared to the light bundled and deflected by the other attachment optics after imaging by the projection optics on the roadway in front of the motor vehicle the maximum zone of greater horizontal spread and lower illuminance values. A superimposition of the two partial light distributions then results in the resulting total light distribution of the headlight.

Advantageously, the diaphragm arrangement is designed to be movable, so that it can be moved more or less far into the beam path and more or less shades the light that is bundled and deflected by the or each attachment lens. In this way, the light module can be used to generate variable or adaptive light distribution. For example, if the diaphragm arrangement is fully inserted into the beam path, a shielded light distribution with a horizontal light-dark boundary (e.g. low beam or fog light) is generated. When the diaphragm arrangement is moved completely out of the beam path, a light distribution without a light-dark boundary (e.g. high beam) is generated. In intermediate positions of the panel arrangement, for example, a city light, a country road light or a freeway light can be generated.

The light module according to the invention can be implemented with only one attachment lens of the type described. However, it is particularly preferred if the light module has a plurality of attachment optics of the type described. In this way, a relatively bright light distribution of the headlight can be generated with inexpensive normal semiconductor light sources in efficient mode operation (no high-power LEDs), and the resulting light distribution composed of the partial light distributions of several attachment optics can be changed with greater variability and flexibility.

The light module can have a horizontal diaphragm arrangement with a surface extension which encompasses the optical axis of the projection optics or an imaginary axis parallel thereto. The screen edge and, in the case of a substantially horizontal screen surface, also the screen surface extends on both sides of a horizontal compensating plane, which is referred to below as the screen plane. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed for such a light module that the light module has at least one plane above a predetermined surface extent of the diaphragm arrangement and at least one attachment optics arranged below the plane.

The multiple attachment optics of the light module can either be designed separately from one another or be designed in one piece as an attachment optics element. The design as a one-piece attachment optics element has the advantage that the individual attachment optics in the finished attachment optics element are already positioned and aligned with one another in such a way that the desired resultant light distribution is generated with high accuracy in interaction with one another and the projection optics. In particular, the resulting partial light distributions of the individual attachment optics are positioned relative to one another in a predetermined manner in the resulting overall light distribution of the light module. This considerably simplifies the assembly of the light module and thus of the entire headlight.

The one-piece attachment optics element can have several fully formed attachment optics, ie each of the attachment optics of the attachment optics element has all the parts of an attachment optics, namely its own light coupling section, its own deflection surface and its own light coupling section. But it would also be think bar that the individual attachment optics of the light module are only partially formed separately and share some parts with each other. According to a preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the optical attachment element of the light module has its own light coupling section and its own deflection surface for each optical attachment of the optical attachment element, and a common light decoupling section for each of several optical attachments, into which the deflection surfaces direct the coupled light of the optical attachments. The light from the various attachment optics of the light module is thus collected in the common light decoupling section of the light module and emerges from the attachment optics via the one light exit surface in the direction of the projection optics.

Advantageously, the deflection surfaces of the attachment optics of an attachment optics element are formed by at least one recess in the material of the attachment optics element. The walls of the attachment optics element directed towards the recess then form totally reflecting boundary surfaces which deflect impinging light from the coupling-in sections into the at least one coupling-out section. In this way, the production of the front optical element, in particular in the area of the deflection element, can be simplified. In addition, material thicknesses of the attachment optics element that are too thick can be prevented, so that excessive changes in dimensions when the sprayed material of the attachment optics cools down are prevented.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that at least one of the attachment optics is designed so that the light bundled and deflected by the attachment optics, after being imaged by the projection optics on the roadway in front of the motor vehicle, produces a shielded light distribution with a substantially horizontal light-dark boundary as the resulting light distribution generate, and at least one other of the attachment optics is designed to illuminate an area above the light-dark boundary in the resulting light distribution by the light bundled and deflected by the other attachment optics after imaging by the projection optics on the roadway in front of the motor vehicle.

• 1 ein erfindungsgemäßes Lichtmodul gemäß einer ersten bevorzugten Ausführungsform in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;
• 2 das Lichtmodul aus 1 mit beispielhaft eingezeichneten Lichtstrahlen;
• 3 das Lichtmodul aus 1 in einer Schnittansicht entlang einer Längsachse des Lichtmoduls;
• 4 das Lichtmodul in der Ansicht aus 3 mit beispielhaft eingezeichneten Lichtstrahlen;
• 5 eine mit einem Lichtmodul gemäß den 1 bis 4 beispielhaft erzeugte abgeblendete Lichtverteilung auf einem Messschirm;
• 6 ein erfindungsgemäßes Lichtmodul gemäß einer zweiten bevorzugten Ausführungsform in einer Schnittansicht entlang einer Längsachse des Lichtmoduls mit beispielhaft eingezeichneten Lichtstrahlen;
• 7 ein erfindungsgemäßes Lichtmodul gemäß einer dritten bevorzugten Ausführungsform ohne Blendenanordnung in einer Schnittansicht entlang einer Längsachse des Lichtmoduls mit beispielhaft eingezeichneten Lichtstrahlen;
• 8 ein erfindungsgemäßes Lichtmodul gemäß einer vierten bevorzugten Ausführungsform ohne Blendenanordnung in einer Schnittansicht entlang einer Längsachse des Lichtmoduls mit beispielhaft eingezeichneten Lichtstrahlen;
• 9 das Lichtmodul aus 7 mit in den Strahlengang eingebrachter Blendenanordnung;
• 10 ein erfindungsgemäßes Lichtmodul gemäß einer fünften bevorzugten Ausführungsform mit mehreren Vorsatzoptiken in einer Schnittansicht entlang einer Längsachse des Lichtmoduls;
• 11 das Lichtmodul aus 10 mit eingeschalteter oberer Lichtquelle und beispielhaft eingezeichneten Lichtstrahlen;
• 12 das Lichtmodul aus 10 mit eingeschalteter oberer und unterer Lichtquelle und beispielhaft eingezeichneten Lichtstrahlen;
• 13 ein erfindungsgemäßes Lichtmodul gemäß einer sechsten bevorzugten Ausführungsform mit mehreren Vorsatzoptiken in einer Schnittansicht entlang einer Längsachse des Lichtmoduls; und
• 14 ein Kraftfahrzeugscheinwerfer mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmodul.

Further features and advantages of the present invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the light module according to the invention with reference to the figures. Show it:

• 1 a light module according to the invention according to a first preferred embodiment in a perspective view;
• 2 the light module off 1 with light rays shown as examples;
• 3 the light module off 1 in a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the light module;
• 4 the light module in the view 3 with light rays shown as examples;
• 5 one with a light module according to 1 until 4 exemplary shielded light distribution on a measuring screen;
• 6 a light module according to the invention according to a second preferred embodiment in a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the light module with light rays drawn in by way of example;
• 7 a light module according to the invention according to a third preferred embodiment without a screen arrangement in a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the light module with light rays drawn in by way of example;
• 8th a light module according to the invention according to a fourth preferred embodiment without a diaphragm arrangement in a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the light module with light rays drawn in by way of example;
• 9 the light module off 7 with diaphragm arrangement placed in the beam path;
• 10 a light module according to the invention according to a fifth preferred embodiment with a plurality of attachment optics in a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the light module;
• 11 the light module off 10 with the upper light source switched on and the light rays drawn in as an example;
• 12 the light module off 10 with the upper and lower light sources switched on and the light rays shown as examples;
• 13 a light module according to the invention according to a sixth preferred embodiment with a plurality of attachment optics in a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the light module; and
• 14 a motor vehicle headlight with a light module according to the invention.

The present invention relates to the technical field of motor vehicle headlights. An example of such a motor vehicle headlight is in 14 shown. The headlight is denoted by the reference numeral 1 in its entirety. It includes a housing 2, which is preferably made of plastic. One in the light emission direction 3 directed side of the housing 2 has a light exit opening 4, which is closed by a transparent cover plate 5. The cover plate 5 is preferably made of glass or a transparent plastic, such as polycarbonate. Openings can be provided in the housing 2 in order to allow access to the interior of the housing, for example for maintenance purposes, and/or to be able to guide cables into the interior of the housing 2 .

Inside the housing 2, the headlight 1 can have one or more light modules. In the example shown, the headlight 1 includes a lamp module 6, which is used to generate a signal or lamp function (for example flashing light, position or boundary light, or daytime running lights). The lighting module 6 can have any shape, be based on any technical and optical principle and be arranged at any point inside the housing 2 . For example, it would also be conceivable for a light module 7 to take over the function of the lamp module. Alternatively, the light module 7 can also be a light module provided in addition to the light module 6 .

Finally, inside the housing 2 there is also a light module 8 which can be designed as a light module according to the invention. The light module 8 serves in particular to generate the usual headlight light functions (for example low beam, high beam, fog light, city light, country road light, freeway light or any adaptive or variable light distributions). It is conceivable that the light module 8 generates only part of the resulting light distribution of the headlight 1, with another part of the resulting light distribution being able to be generated by a further light module, for example the light module 7 . A superimposition of the partial light distribution generated by the light modules 7, 8 then produces the desired resulting light distribution of the headlight 1. The resulting light distribution of the light module 8 or the headlight 1 satisfies the legal requirements applicable in the respective countries, so that a headlamp 1 provided Motor vehicle may also be operated in the respective country and both the headlight 1 and the motor vehicle equipped with it receive proper approval.

The design of the light module 8 of the headlight 1 is described below with reference to FIG 1 until 13 explained in more detail. The light module 8 is embodied as a so-called projection module, ie the light generated by a light source is imaged onto a roadway in front of the motor vehicle by means of projection optics, if necessary after bundling and passing through a screen arrangement. In order to enable an objective comparison of different resulting light distributions and to be able to objectively check compliance with legal requirements, a measuring screen 27 (cf. 5 ) arranged, on which a horizontal axis HH and a vertical axis W are located. The measuring screen 27 is aligned with respect to the headlight 1 in such a way that an optical axis of the headlight 1 runs through the intersection point HV of the horizontal line HH and the vertical line VV. Areas of the resulting light distribution with the same illuminance are in 5 characterized by so-called Isolux lines 33. In the 5 The resulting light distribution of a light module 8 of the headlight 1 shown is a dimmed light distribution with an asymmetrical, essentially horizontal light-dark boundary, such as a conventional low beam has. Of course, the light module 8 according to the invention can also generate any other resultant light distribution, for example a fog light, a high beam, a city light, a country road light, a freeway light, or any variable or adaptive light distribution.

In the embodiment of 1 the light module 8 includes a semiconductor light source 9. The semiconductor light source 9 has, for example, one or more light-emitting diodes, each of which includes at least one light-emitting diode chip. For example, the light source 9 is a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged along a straight line in a plane. It is also conceivable for the light source 9 to be a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged in a matrix-like manner in a number of rows and columns.

Attached to the semiconductor light source 9 is an optical attachment 10 made of a transparent material, for example glass or plastic. It is preferably a solid body formed from a heat-resistant transparent material. The attachment optics 10 consists, for example, of one of the following materials: PMMA, PMMI, polycarbonate, COC or glass. The refractive index of the material of the front optics 10 is preferably at least 1.3, particularly preferably between 1.4 and 1.7, in a frequency range of visible light. The attachment optics 10 is preferably produced by means of injection molding.

The attachment optics 10 has a light coupling-in section 11 and a light coupling-out section 12 . The coupling-in section 11 transitions into a cylindrical deflection section 11', which merges with the decoupling section 12 in the form of an edge 12'. blended. A light entry surface of the light coupling section 11 that faces the semiconductor light source 9 is denoted by reference numeral 13 . Light emitted by the semiconductor light source 9 can be coupled into the optical attachment 10 via the light entry surface 13 . In this case, the entry surface 13 is preferably designed in such a way that the efficiency of the coupling of light is improved. A light exit surface of the light decoupling section 12 is denoted by reference numeral 14 . The light exit surface 14 can be flat or curved concavely or convexly in any way. In the illustrated embodiment of the 1 the light exit surface 14 is convex.

The light entry surface 13 can also be flat or designed in any other way to improve the efficiency of the coupling of light. In the sectional view of the optics 10 in 3 it can be seen that the light entry surface 13 has an approximately hollow-cylindrical light entry section 15 and a central lens section 16 . Since light-emitting diodes usually emit light in a 180° half-space, the special configuration of the light entry surface 13 enables a particularly efficient coupling of the light into the optical attachment 10 . The light beams emitted in the main emission direction 17 and in this respect with a small angular deviation enter through the lens section 16 into the light coupling section 11 of the optical attachment 10 . The light beams are largely collimated. The laterally or radially emitted light beams from the semiconductor light source 9 enter the light coupling section 11 of the attachment optics 10 via the hollow-cylindrical light entry section 15 and are totally reflected at an outer boundary surface 11a of the light coupling section 11, so that they are also approximately parallel to the main emission direction 17 of the semiconductor light source 9 get lost. The corresponding beam paths are shown as examples in 4 drawn.

The main emission direction 17 of the semiconductor light source 9 corresponds to an optical axis of the light coupling section 11 of the attachment optics 10. An optical axis of the light decoupling section 12 of the attachment optics 10 corresponds to the main exit direction of the light from the attachment optics 10 through the light exit surface 14 and is denoted by the reference number 18.

It is in 1 It can be clearly seen that the optical axes 17, 18 of the sections 11, 12 extend at an angle to one another. The axes 17, 18 can intersect at one point or run skewed to one another. In the transition section 11′ between the two sections 11, 12, the optical attachment 10 has a deflection surface 19, which deflects the coupled-in light from the coupling-in section 11 into the coupling-out section 12, preferably by means of total reflection. The point of intersection between the axes 17, 18 is preferably on the deflection surface 19. In the case of skewed axes 17, 18, the shortest connection between the axes 17, 18 determines the position of the deflection surface 19. The coupling-in section 11 and the coupling-out section 12 of the optical attachment 10 have a round cross-section with respect to their optical axis 17, 18, ie without corners. In particular, the cross section of the coupling-in section 11 and the coupling-out section 12 is circular or elliptical with respect to the optical axes 17, 18.

Furthermore, the light module 8 has a projection optics 20, which in the example of 1 is designed as a plano-convex converging lens. Of course, the projection optics 20 can also be configured as any other lens or even as a reflector. The projection optics 20 images at least part of the light emitted by the attachment optics 10 on the roadway in front of the motor vehicle in order to generate the resulting light distribution. The projection lens 20 can be made of glass or a transparent plastic material. An optical axis 21 of the projection optics 20 runs obliquely to the optical axis 18 of the decoupling section 12 of the attachment optics 10 and thus also obliquely to the main exit direction 18 of the light from the light exit surface 14.

A diaphragm arrangement 22 is arranged in the beam path between the attachment optics 10 and the projection optics 20 . This has in the embodiment of 1 until 4 and 6 has a substantially horizontal surface extension, which includes the optical axis 21 of the projection optics 20 or at least runs parallel to it. The panel arrangement 22 has a front edge 23 which has two horizontal sections 24, 25 at different levels and an inclined section 26 which connects the two horizontal sections 24, 25 to one another. The inclined section 26 preferably has an angle of 15° with respect to the horizontal sections 24, 25. The front edge 23 of the screen arrangement 22 serves to generate a horizontal light-dark boundary 29 in the resulting light distribution of the light module 8 (cf. 5 ). The panel arrangement 22 can have a mirrored surface, at least towards the top, but possibly also on both sides, so that light beams that are shadowed by it are specifically reflected and can be used to generate the resulting light distribution 28 of the light module 8 and are not lost. In this way, the efficiency of the light module 8 can be improved. An extrapolation of the apertures Edge sections 24, 25 for generating the horizontal sections of the light-dark boundary 29 runs in the area of the optical axis 21 of the secondary optics 20 and preferably perpendicular to this. The optical axis 18 of the light decoupling section 12 is directed towards the diaphragm edge 23 .

The light module 8 off 1 has a horizontal diaphragm arrangement 22 with a surface extension which includes the optical axis 21 of the projection optics 21 or an imaginary axis parallel thereto. The diaphragm edge 23 and, in the case of a substantially horizontal diaphragm surface, also the diaphragm surface extends on both sides of an imaginary horizontal compensating plane, which is referred to below as the diaphragm plane. In 1 For example, the diaphragm edge section 24 and the associated diaphragm surface section are arranged above the diaphragm plane and the diaphragm edge section 25 and the associated diaphragm surface section are arranged below the diaphragm plane.

The edge 12' at the transition between the sections 11, 12 and the resulting kink in the cross section of the attachment optics 10 serve to suppress scattered light in the attachment optics 10, e.g would fall on the deflection surface 19 is directed. Furthermore, the edge 12 'from the screen edge 23 is to be distinguished, because the edge 12' at the transition between the sections 11, 12 is not in the focus area of the projection lens 20 and is therefore not on the road in front of the vehicle or on a measuring screen, such as e.g. the measuring screen 27 in 5 , pictured.

In 5 a resulting shielded light distribution 28 is shown as an example on a measuring screen 27 arranged at a defined distance from the light module 8 or the headlight 1 . The light distribution 28 has an upper, essentially horizontal light-dark limit 29 . Corresponding to the sections 24 to 26 of the front edge 23 of the diaphragm arrangement 22, the light-dark boundary 29 also has two horizontal sections 30, 31 on different levels which are connected to one another by an inclined section 32 which preferably corresponds to a 15° rise. The lower horizontal section 30 of the light-dark boundary 29 of the resulting shielded light distribution 28 is arranged on the opposite side of traffic, so that oncoming road users can be prevented from being dazzled. The higher horizontal section 31 is arranged on the own traffic side in order to achieve a better view of the road ahead for the driver, but without dazzling preceding road users. The transition between the horizontal sections 30, 31 of the light-dark boundary 29 can also be implemented differently than with the slope 32 shown, for example by means of a step. The shape and height of the light-dark boundary 29 can also be different than in 5 be shown formed. Areas of the same illuminance of the light distribution 28 are in 5 marked with so-called Isolux lines 33.

coming back on 1 It can be clearly seen there that the main exit direction 18 of the light from the light exit surface 14 of the attachment optics 10 runs obliquely to the optical axis 21 of the projection optics 20 . In particular, the main exit direction 18 of the attachment optics 10 intersects the optical axis 21 of the projection optics 20 in the area of the front edge 23 of the diaphragm arrangement 22. Very particularly preferably, an intersection of the main exit direction 18 and the optical axis 21 is in the area of the oblique transition 26 between the two horizontal sections 24 , 25 of the front edge 23. The point of intersection of the main exit direction 18 and the optical axis 21 preferably corresponds to a focal point of the projection optics 20. An intermediate image generated by the attachment optics 10 in this focal point is projected by the projection optics 20 on the roadway in front of the motor vehicle to generate the resulting light distribution pictured. The intermediate image of the light distribution in the area of the intersection of the main exit direction 18 and the optical axis 21 therefore has a pronounced maximum and a relatively large side scatter. The intermediate image is only imaged on the roadway by the projection optics 20 and thereby enlarged; the lens 20 does not cause a change in the illuminance distributions within the light distribution.

A particular advantage of the light module 8 according to the invention can be seen in the fact that the semiconductor light source 9 viewed in the optical axis 21 of the projection optics 20 can be arranged not behind the attachment optics 10 but laterally offset to this, i.e. next to a light exit surface 14 of the attachment optics 10. As a result, a particularly small installation depth of the light module 8 can be implemented.

In the first embodiment of the 1 until 4 and 6 the semiconductor light source 9 is arranged below a horizontal line which encompasses the surface extent of the diaphragm arrangement 22 or the optical axis 21 of the projection optics 20 . In another embodiment, which is 6 is shown, the front optics 10 are aligned differently, so that the semiconductor light source 9 is arranged above the horizontal or the optical axis 21 of the projection optics 20 . Exactly where the semiconductor light source 9 is arranged in the light module 8 can be decided on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the available installation space in the front area of the motor vehicle. In order to achieve a variable light distribution by switching individual light sources on or off, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of semiconductor light sources 9 with associated optical attachments 10 in the light module 8 . By activating or deactivating one or more semiconductor light sources 9, variable light distribution can be generated with or without a light-dark boundary. Corresponding exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to FIG 10 until 13 explained in more detail.

In 7 Another exemplary embodiment of the light module 8 according to the invention is shown, which, however, does not have a diaphragm arrangement for shading part of the light that is bundled and deflected by the optical attachment 10 . The resulting light distribution therefore has no light-dark boundary. The resulting light distribution is, for example, a high beam. The light module 8 off 7 an optical attachment 10 with a convexly curved light exit surface 14 of the light decoupling section 12 has for generating a high beam distribution. In this case, the exiting light is bundled in the area of a focal point or in an area of several focal points (in a so-called focal point cloud), which approximately corresponds to the focal point of the projection optics 20 or is in its vicinity.

At another, in 8th shown embodiment of a light module 8 according to the invention for generating a high beam distribution, the light exit surface 14 of the optical attachment 10 is concave. Thus, diverging light beams emerge from the optical head 10 via the light exit surface 14 . The exiting light beams meet in the area of an imaginary focal point 34 which lies on the optical axis 18 of the decoupling section 12 to the left of (or behind) the optical attachment 10 . The imaginary focal point 34 corresponds approximately to a focal point of the projection optics 20. For this reason, the projection optics 20 are moved relatively close to the light exit surface 14. The projection optics 20 are designed in such a way that the light beams diverging from the light exit surface 14 are approximately collimated.

A special feature of the light modules 8 for generating the high beam distribution according to 7 and 8th is that the main exit direction 18 of the attachment optics 20 through the light exit surface 14 of the decoupling element 12 is approximately congruent with the optical axis 21 of the projection optics 20, whereas in the in the 1 until 4 and 6 In the embodiments shown, the main exit direction 18 from the attachment optics 20 runs obliquely to the optical axis 21 of the projection optics 20 . Roughly congruent means that the axes run parallel to one another with little or no distance (less than 1/10 of the diameter of the front optics 20) or they intersect at a very small angle (up to about 3°).

In 9 the light module 8 is off 7 shown, a diaphragm arrangement 22 being arranged in the beam path between the attachment optics 10 and the projection optics 20 . This is a panel arrangement 22 with a vertical surface extension. An upper edge 23 of the panel arrangement 22 is projected onto the roadway by the projection optics 20 in order to generate the light-dark boundary 29 of the resulting light distribution 28 . A light module 8 for generating a variable light distribution can be realized by means of a movable diaphragm arrangement 22 . The diaphragm arrangement 22 can be shifted parallel in the vertical direction (see double arrow 22a) or be designed to be foldable about an essentially horizontal axis of rotation 22b arranged at a distance from the optical axis 21 of the projection optics 20 (see double arrow 22c). Of course, it is also the case with the diaphragm arrangement 22 with a horizontal surface extension (cf. 1 until 4 and 6 ) conceivable that the panel assembly 22 is designed to be movable in order to be able to generate a variable light distribution.

Based on 10 until 12 a further exemplary embodiment of the light module 8 according to the invention is explained, a plurality of semiconductor light sources 9 with a plurality of optical attachments 10 assigned to the light sources 9 being provided. In the exemplary embodiment shown, two semiconductor light sources 9 and two attachment optics 10 are provided for each light module 8 . Of course, more than the two semiconductor light sources 9 and two attachment optics 10 shown can also be arranged in a light module 8 . In the exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor light source 9 with its associated attachment optics 10 is arranged above a horizontal plane which encompasses the surface extent of the diaphragm arrangement 22 and/or the optical axis of the projection optics 20 (so-called diaphragm plane). A further semiconductor light source 9 with a further optical attachment 10 is arranged below the horizontal or diaphragm plane. When viewed from the front against the light exit direction 3 of the headlight 1, the attachment optics 10 with the associated semiconductor light sources 9 would therefore be arranged at 12 o'clock and at 6 o'clock. Of course, it would be conceivable to arrange further attachment optics 10 with further light sources 9 in the light module 8, for example at 3 o'clock and at 9 o'clock. This works particularly well for high beam or when the associated exit surfaces 14 are complete lie above or below the aperture level. The main exit direction 18 of the light from the light exit surface 14 of the two attachment optics 10 is directed obliquely onto the diaphragm arrangement 22, so that the main exit directions 18 of the two attachment optics 10 intersect in the area of the front edge 23 of the diaphragm arrangement 22.

In 11 the light module 8 is off 10 shown with activated upper semiconductor light source 9 and corresponding light beams drawn in by way of example. By activating the upper semiconductor light source 9, a shielded light distribution can be generated, for example, as shown in 5 is shown. Of course, any other shielded light distributions with any other shaped horizontal light-dark boundary 29 can also be generated in this way.

According to another variant, it is conceivable that, when looking from the front against the light exit direction 3 of the headlight 1, the optical attachments 10 with the associated semiconductor light sources 9 are arranged at 3 o'clock and at 9 o'clock. Such a light module would be, for example, in 11 shown if one 11 as a horizontal section. In this case, the panel assembly 22 could extend with the panel edge 23 vertically. With such a light module, a light distribution with a vertical light-dark boundary could be generated, for example a partial high beam.

In 12 In addition to the upper light source 9, the lower semiconductor light source 9 is also activated, so that the resulting light distribution of the light module 8 is generated by superimposing the partial light distributions generated by the two attachment optics 10. The light emitted by the lower light source 9 illuminates an area above the light-dark limit 29 of the shielded light distribution 28 after being concentrated and deflected by the lower attachment optics 10 and after being projected onto the roadway by the projection optics 20 . The resulting light distribution is in the case of the 12 for example, a high beam distribution. The light from both semiconductor light sources 9 and attachment optics 10 together then results in the resulting high beam distribution.

The attachment optics 10 of the light module 8 can either be installed as separate components (cf. 10 until 13 ) or as a single, common integral component in the form of an attachment optical element. If several attachment optics 10 of a light module 8 form a common component, it is conceivable that they use one or more parts of the attachment optics 10 together. A corresponding example is in 13 shown. The light module 8 shown there also has two semiconductor light sources 9 with two optical attachments 10 assigned to them. Although the two attachment optics 10 have separate light coupling sections 11 and deflection surfaces 19, both attachment optics 10 use a common light coupling section 12 and the corresponding common light exit surface 14.

The light from all the optical attachments 10 thus leaves the combined optical attachment element via a common light exit surface 14. A particularly compact light module 8 can be implemented with the optical attachment element, which includes a plurality of optical attachments 10. A special feature of the embodiment in 13 is that the deflection surfaces 19 of the attachment optics 10 are formed by a recess 34 in the material of the attachment optics element. Of course, a plurality of recesses 34 for forming the deflection surfaces 19 can also be provided in the attachment optical element.

Claims (13)

Light module (8) comprising: - at least one semiconductor light source (9) for emitting light; and - at least one optical attachment (10) made of a transparent material for beam shaping and for deflecting at least part of the light emitted by the at least one light source (9), - the or each optical attachment (10) having a light coupling section (11) with a light entry surface ( 13), through which at least part of the light emitted by the at least one light source (9) enters the optical attachment (10), and has a light decoupling section (12) with a light exit surface (14) through which at least part of the light emitted by the optical attachment (10) shaped and deflected light exits from the attachment optics (10), - with a main emission direction (17) of the at least one light source (9) of an optical axis of the light coupling section (11) and a main exit direction (18) of the light from the light exit surface (14 ) corresponds to an optical axis of the light decoupling section (12), - wherein the attachment optics (10) is designed such that the two en optical axes (17, 18) are arranged at an angle to one another, and - wherein the attachment optics (10) at a transition section (11 ') between the two sections (11, 12) has a deflection surface (19) which the light from deflects the in-coupling section (11) into the out-coupling section (12) by means of total reflection, the light module (8) being designed for use in a headlight (1) of a motor vehicle and projection optics (20) for imaging at least part of the or each attachment optic (10) shaped and deflected light as the resulting light distribution (28) of the light module (8) onto a roadway in front of the motor vehicle characterized in that the light coupling section (11) and the light decoupling section (12) of the or each attachment optic (10) have a round cross-section with respect to the respective optical axis (17; 18), that the light module (8) has a plurality of attachment optics (10) and that the light module (8) has a diaphragm arrangement (22) with a surface extension comprising an optical axis (21) of the projection optics (20) or an imaginary axis parallel thereto and at least one above a plane predetermined by the surface extension of the diaphragm arrangement (22). and at least one optical attachment (10) arranged below the plane. Light module (8) after claim 1 , characterized in that the light coupling section (11) and the light decoupling section (12) of the or each optical head (10) with respect to the respective optical axis (17; 18) have a circular or elliptical cross section. Light module (8) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the light exit surface (14) of the or each optical attachment (10) is curved concavely or convexly. Light module (8) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the light module (8) has a diaphragm arrangement (22) arranged in the beam path between the or each attachment optics (10) and the projection optics (20) for shading at least part of the light bundled and deflected by the or each attachment optics (10). having. Light module (8) after claim 4 , characterized in that the diaphragm arrangement (22) has a surface extension comprising an optical axis (21) of the projection optics (20) or an imaginary axis parallel thereto. Light module (8) after claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the deflection surface (19) and/or the light exit surface (14) of the light decoupling section (12) of the or each optical attachment (10) are designed in such a way that the light deflected by the optical attachment (10) is in the region of an edge (23 ), Preferably one of the projection optics (20) facing the front edge, the diaphragm assembly (22) is bundled. Light module (8) according to one of Claims 4 until 6 , characterized in that the diaphragm arrangement (22) is designed to be movable, so that it can be moved more or less far into the beam path and thereby more or less shades the light bundled and deflected by the or each attachment optic (10). Light module (8) after claim 1 , characterized in that the attachment optics (10) of the light module (8) are designed in one piece as an attachment optics element. Light module (8) after claim 8 , characterized in that the attachment optics element of the light module (8) has its own light coupling section (11) and its own deflection surface (19) for each attachment optics (10) of the attachment optics element and a common light decoupling section (12) for each of a plurality of attachment optics (10), in which the deflection surfaces (19) direct the coupled light. Light module (8) after claim 9 , characterized in that the deflection surfaces (19) of the attachment optics (10) of an attachment optics element are formed by at least one recess (34) in the material of the attachment optics element. Light module (8) according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that at least one of the attachment optics (10) is designed so that the light bundled and deflected by the attachment optics (10) after imaging by the projection optics (20) on the roadway in front of the motor vehicle in the resulting light distribution (28) to generate a pronounced maximum zone with limited scattering and increased illuminance values, and at least one other of the attachment optics (10) is designed, by the light bundled and deflected by the other attachment optics (10) after imaging by the projection optics (20) on the roadway in front of the motor vehicle in the resulting light distribution (28) to produce a side outlet with, in comparison to the maximum zone, greater horizontal scattering and lower illuminance values. Light module (8) according to one of Claims 1 until 11 , characterized in that at least one of the attachment optics (10) is designed to produce a shielded light distribution (28) with im to generate an essentially horizontal light-dark boundary (29) as the resulting light distribution, and at least one other of the attachment optics (10) is designed by the light bundled and deflected by the other attachment optics (10) after imaging by the projection optics (20) on the roadway to illuminate an area above the light-dark boundary (29) of the motor vehicle in the resulting light distribution. Headlight (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (2) with a by a light exit opening (4) closed by a transparent cover panel (5) and at least one light module (6, 7, 8) arranged inside the housing (2) for generating a lamp and/or headlight function, characterized in that at least one of the light modules (8) after one of Claims 1 until 12 is trained.

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