DE102018122829A1 - Light module for a lighting device of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A light module (2) for a motor vehicle is provided, which comprises: a light guide (8) with a light guide area (20), which follows a first level (XY), with a light coupling area (12), which has a first level (XY) follows, the light coupling area (12) comprising: a light coupling section (14) arranged on the first side (A) of a second plane (XZ) and oriented on the second narrow side (26) for coupling in a signal emanating from a first light source (4) Light, and a second light coupling section (16) arranged on the second side (B) of the second plane (XZ) and directed towards the first narrow side (24) for coupling in a light coming from a second light source (6).

Description

The invention relates to a light module for a lighting device of a motor vehicle.

Light modules comprising light guides are generally known. It is also known that collimated light is generated in a light guide in order to enable a controlled decoupling of light from the light guide. However, due to their low efficiency, these light guides are only suitable to a limited extent for implementing high-intensity light functions such as daytime running lights or turn signals.

It is therefore an object of the invention to increase the light efficiency of a light module.

The object on which the invention is based is achieved by a light module according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are specified in the subclaims and can also be found in the following description and in the drawing.

According to a first aspect of this description, a light module for a motor vehicle is provided. The light module comprises: at least a first and a second light source and a light guide. The light guide comprises: a light guide area which follows a first level, the light guide area comprising: a first narrow side arranged on a first side of a second level, which runs perpendicular to the first level, and a second side arranged on a second side of the second level Narrow side; a light coupling-in area which follows the first level, the light coupling-in area comprising: a light coupling-in section arranged on the first side of the second plane and aligned with the second narrow side for coupling in a light coming from the first light source, and one on the second side of the second plane arranged and directed to the first narrow side second light coupling section for coupling a light emanating from the second light source; and a light decoupling area, which decouples light guided in the light guiding area from the light guide.

Advantageously, the light coupled into the light guide section is first introduced from the light coupling area into the light guide area following the first level in order to be guided there along the course of the light guide with total reflection. The design of the light coupling area advantageously creates degrees of freedom in the design of the light guiding area and the light coupling area. In particular, the course of the flat light-guiding region can be curved or curved, since deviations from the homogeneous illumination of the light-guiding region are essentially compensated for by the two symmetrically coupled light bundles. In addition, the effective light coupling area is increased by the first and second light guide sections projecting away from one another and the larger light coupling sections resulting in this way. It is consequently possible to increase the luminous flux coupled into the light guiding region with the light module provided. For example, this can be achieved by using a higher number of light sources to introduce light into the light guide area.

In an advantageous example of the light module, the first light coupling section comprises a first collimator structure in order to generate a first collimated light bundle with a first main direction of propagation directed towards the second narrow side, and wherein the second light coupling section comprises a second collimator structure in order to provide a second collimated light bundle with one onto the to generate the first narrow side directed second main direction of propagation. Collimated light with two main propagation directions that are different from one another is advantageously introduced into the light guide section, as a result of which the tolerance sensitivity to light guides that collimate in only one direction is reduced. In addition, particularly dark or particularly bright areas in the light decoupling, which would be generated by a deviation of the light guide area from the cuboid shape, are reduced or completely prevented by the two main directions of propagation provided.

An advantageous example of the light module is characterized in that the light coupling area and the light guiding area are constructed symmetrically to the second level. The bilaterality provided ensures that the two light beams are always totally reflected at the same angle on the narrow inner surfaces of the light guide area. As a result, the symmetry of the light guide area is penetrated by a homogeneously structured light distribution. In particular, the degree of collimation of the internally totally reflected light bundles is maintained or changed uniformly by the symmetry, which has an advantageous effect on the light conduction and coupling-out.

An advantageous example of the light module is characterized in that the narrow sides of the light guide area and / or of the light decoupling area extend perpendicular to the first level. The homogenized light penetration of the light-guiding region is advantageously maintained by the course of the narrow sides perpendicular to the first level.

An advantageous example of the light module is characterized in that a distance between the narrow sides of the light guide increases at least in sections, starting from the transition between the light coupling section and the light guide section. This widening of the light guide provides an enlarged radiation area of the light decoupling area, the light decoupling area being homogeneously illuminated.

An advantageous example of the light module is characterized in that a distance between the narrow sides of the light guide, based on the transition between the light coupling section and the light guide section, is continuously reduced at least in sections. This tapering of the light guide provides a smaller radiation area of the light decoupling area, which is supplied with an increased luminous flux.

An advantageous example of the light module is characterized in that the light guiding area or the light decoupling area comprises a further light guiding section which adjoins a light guiding section following the first level and which comprises a curvature in a section according to the second level. The light guide area advantageously emerges from the first level with this further light guide section. A degree of freedom is thus created when guiding the light guide area.

An advantageous example of the light module is characterized in that the light outcoupling area comprises a number of outcoupling structures with at least two deflection surfaces, which are formed symmetrically to a respective third level, the respective third level running parallel to the second level. This orientation of the line advantageously specifies a main emission direction of the light output region parallel to the second plane.

Another aspect of this description relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle comprising the light module according to one of the above aspects.

Another aspect of this description relates to a motor vehicle comprising the lighting device according to the above aspect.

• 1 in einer schematischen perspektivischen Ansicht ein Lichtmodul;
• 2 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer Ausführungsform des Lichtmoduls entlang einer ersten Ebene; und
• 3 eine Ausführungsform des Lichtleiters im Bereich eines Lichtauskoppelbereichs.

The drawing shows:

• 1 a schematic perspective view of a light module;
• 2nd a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the light module along a first plane; and
• 3rd an embodiment of the light guide in the area of a light output area.

1 shows a schematic perspective view of a light module 2nd for a lighting device of a motor vehicle. The light module 2nd comprises a first light source 4th , a second light source 6 and an optical fiber 8th . The light guide 8th includes a light decoupling area 10th and a light coupling area 12th . The light coupling area 12th comprises a first light coupling section 14 and a second light coupling section 16 . Between the light coupling area 12th and the light decoupling area 10th is a light guide area 20th arranged. The light coupling area 12th and the light guide area 20th follow a common first level XY and are through to the first level XY parallel light guiding surfaces limited. The light guide 2nd exhibits symmetry to a second plane XZ on, which can also be designated as median level. The light guide 8th extends in mirror image to two sides A , B the second level XZ . The light guide area 20th is preferably flat and has a rectangular cross section.

The light guide area 20th is through a first narrow side 24th and a second narrow side 26 limited. The first light source 4th and the first light coupling section 14 are arranged in relation to one another and designed in such a way that the injected light according to a first main direction of propagation 34 to the second narrow side 26 meets. The second light source 6 and the second light coupling section 16 are arranged in relation to one another and designed in such a way that the injected light according to a second main direction of propagation 36 to the first narrow side 24th meets. The two light coupling sections 14 and 16 are shaped in such a way that a light beam is coupled in each case within the light-guiding region 12th in the first level XY is collimated, which means that the light rays of the respective light beam in the first level XY run parallel to each other. In one to the first level XY The vertical plane is the one over the light coupling sections 14 and 16 coupled light bundle, however, not collimated. This training in the light guide 8th Coupled light bundle enables on the one hand that the light guide 8th in the further course a curvature 40 can have. On the other hand, the non-collimation of the rays in the first level XY vertical level that reached in the course of the light guide 8th successive light decoupling structures are supplied with light beams having sufficient light intensity.

The narrow sides 24th and 26 and the light guiding surfaces reflect the respective collimated light bundle with total reflection and thus guide them together within the light guide according to a third main direction of propagation 38 further. In the course of the light guide 8th is, for example, the curvature 40 provided to redirect the light. Of course, designs without curvature are also conceivable. The light decoupling area 10th includes the light decoupling structures around that in the light guide 8th led light according to a main emission direction 42 decouple.

2nd shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the light module 2nd along the first level XY . First light sources 4a , 4b couple their light via a respective light coupling section 14a , 14b in the light coupling area 12th on. Second light sources 6a , 6b couple their light via a respective light coupling section 16a , 16b in the light coupling area 12th on. The light coupling sections 16a , 16b such as 14a and 14b comprise a respective collimator structure, which in the present case is realized by a central convex curvature and projections surrounding the central convex curvature. The central convex curvature couples light directly collimated into the light guide 8th on. The projections first couple light into the light guide 8th to collimate it over the respective deflection surface and to radiate in the same direction as the light coupled in via the central curvature. The main direction of propagation results 34 and 36 of the coupled collimated light bundle, the main directions of propagation 34 , 36 to the opposite narrow side 26 , 24th is directed. The main directions of propagation 36 and 34 close with the second level XZ an angle α with which the light coupling sections 14a , 14b and the light coupling sections 16a , 16b symmetrical of the second level XZ protrude.

A width b1 of the respective collimated beam is smaller than a width b of the light guide area 20th . The width b1 results from equation 1. $$\text{b}1=\text{b}*\text{cos}\left(\mathrm{\alpha }\right)$$

$$2*\text{cos}\left(\mathrm{\theta }\text{tot}\right)<2*\text{b}1<2*\text{b}$$

The narrow sides 24th and 26 in the present case run parallel to the second level XZ . The narrow sides 24th , 26 give way for example in the course of the light guide 8th from the aforementioned orientation and run symmetrically to the second level XZ and perpendicular to the first level XY . The light enters at a width of 2 * b1, which provides an overall larger light coupling area than the width b of the light guide area 20th . For the angle α inequality 2 applies, where θtot describes the angle of total reflection. Inequality 3 applies to the total width of the light entry. $$\mathrm{\alpha }<90°-\mathrm{\theta }\text{dead}$$

$$\mathrm{2nd}*\text{cos}\left(\mathrm{\theta }\text{dead}\right)<\mathrm{2nd}*\text{b}1<\mathrm{2nd}*\text{b}$$

3rd shows an embodiment of the light guide 8th in the area of the light decoupling area 10th . The light decoupling area 10th includes light coupling structures on its back 50 with at least two deflection surfaces 52 and 54 , which are formed symmetrically to a third level, and wherein the respective third level parallel to the second level XZ is. The respective third level runs through an edge 56 , in which the deflecting surfaces 52 and 54 clash. The outcoupling structures are in the back of the light outcoupling area 10th recessed to deflect incident light so that it passes through one on the front of the light output area 10th arranged light decoupling surface 60 is coupled out in the main emission direction. Of course, the light decoupling structures 50 also be raised. In addition, the deflection surfaces 54 and 52 enlarge in the course towards the end of the light guide from the light decoupling structure to the light decoupling structure in order to achieve a homogeneous radiation of light. Furthermore, the narrow sides include scattering structures such as pillows.

Claims (10)

A light module (2) for a motor vehicle, the light module (2) comprising: at least a first and a second light source (4, 6); and a light guide (8), the light guide (8) comprising: a light guide region (20) which follows a first plane (XY), the light guide region (20) comprising: one on a first side (A) of a second plane ( XZ), which runs perpendicular to the first plane (XY), arranged first narrow side (24), and a second narrow side (26) arranged on a second side (B) of the second plane (XZ); a light coupling region (12) which follows the first plane (XY), the light coupling region (12) comprising: a light coupling section (14) arranged on the first side (A) of the second plane (XZ) and oriented towards the second narrow side (26) ) for coupling in a light from the first light source (4), and a second light coupling section (16) arranged on the second side (B) of the second plane (XZ) and directed towards the first narrow side (24) for coupling in one of outgoing light from the second light source (6); and a light outcoupling area (10) which outcouples light guided in the light guide area (20) from the light guide (8). The light module (2) according to the Claim 1 , wherein the first light coupling section (14) comprises a first collimator structure to generate a first collimated light beam with a first main direction of propagation (34) directed towards the second narrow side (26), and wherein the second light coupling section (16) comprises a second collimator structure to generate a second collimated light beam with a second main propagation direction (36) directed towards the first narrow side (24). The light module (2) according to the Claim 1 or 2nd , wherein the light coupling area (12) and the light guide area (20) are constructed symmetrically to the second plane (XZ). The light module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the narrow sides (24, 26) of the light guide region (20) and / or the light output region (10) extend perpendicular to the first plane (XY). The light module (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance between the narrow sides (24, 26) of the light guide (8) starting from a transition between the light coupling section (12) and the light guide section (20) increases at least in sections. The light module (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance between the narrow sides (24, 26) of the light guide (8) starting from the transition between the light coupling section (12) and the light guide section (20) is continuously reduced at least in sections. The light module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide area (20) or the light coupling-out area (10) comprises a further light guide section which adjoins a light guide section following the first plane (XY), and which is in a section according to the second Plane (XY) comprises a curvature (40). The light module (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light outcoupling region (10) comprises a number of outcoupling structures (50) with at least two deflection surfaces (52, 54), which are formed symmetrically to a respective third level, the respective third level runs parallel to the second plane (XZ). A lighting device for a motor vehicle comprising the light module (2) according to one of the preceding claims. A motor vehicle comprising the lighting device according to the preceding claim.

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