DE102020108891A1 - Light module, headlight and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a light module (10) for a headlight (50) of a motor vehicle (60), the light module (10) having: a circuit board (30) which has at least one illuminant (31) for emitting light, the circuit board (30) has a longitudinal extension along a Y-axis, a widthwise extension running perpendicular to the longitudinal extension along an X-axis and a vertical extension running perpendicular to the longitudinal extension and the widthwise extension along a Z-axis, a reflector (20) on which the Printed circuit board (30) is referenced by means of a first referencing means (23) and / or a second referencing means (24) in such a way that the at least one lighting means (31) is in a reference position in the direction of the Y-axis and relative in the direction of the X-axis to the reflector (20), and a heat sink (40) which is attached to the reflector (20) and to which the circuit board (30) by means of at least one first attachment transmission means (1) is attached in such a way that the at least one lamp (31) is in a reference position in the direction along the Z-axis relative to the reflector (20). The invention also relates to a headlight (50) and a motor vehicle (60).

Description

The invention relates to a light module for a headlight of a motor vehicle, a headlight for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle.

Light modules, such as those used in headlights of motor vehicles, have a reflector and a printed circuit board arranged in a reference position for this purpose. To be precise, a light source is arranged on the printed circuit board in a reference position opposite the reflector. As a result, the illuminant assumes a predetermined position with respect to the reflector in order to optimally cast the light emitted by the illuminant onto the reflector and to be reflected from there. The reflected light penetrates a headlight cover lens in the headlight and illuminates the road.

In order to produce the reference position, the circuit board is usually attached to the reflector in three mutually perpendicular coordinate directions. This secures the reference position in the assembly process of the light module and prevents the reference position from changing during the operation of the headlight. In the reference position, the components have a defined and fixed position relative to one another. Instead of reference position, one can also speak of position position and instead of referencing also of positioning.

It is desirable to make the circuit board as small as possible, since its size is a major cost driver of the light module, not least because of the use of material. When the circuit board is attached to the reflector, this is not always easy to do.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved light module that is inexpensive to manufacture.

The above object is achieved by the subjects of the claims, in particular by a light module for a headlight of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, a headlight for a motor vehicle according to claim 14, and a vehicle according to claim 15. Further advantages and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description and the drawings. Features and details that are disclosed in connection with the light module according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the headlight according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure, reference is or can always be made to the individual aspects of the invention.

According to a first aspect, the object is achieved by a light module for a headlight of a motor vehicle, the light module having: a circuit board which has at least one illuminant for emitting light, the circuit board having a longitudinal extension along a Y-axis, one perpendicular to the Has a longitudinal extent running width extent along an X-axis and a height extent running perpendicular to the longitudinal extent and the width extent along a Z-axis, a reflector on which the printed circuit board is referenced in this way, in particular applied, by means of a first referencing means and / or a second referencing means that the at least one lamp is in a reference position in the direction of the Y-axis and in the direction of the X-axis relative to the reflector, and a heat sink which is attached to the reflector and to which the circuit board by means of at least one first attachment means bef It is established that the at least one lighting means is located in a reference position in the direction along the Z-axis relative to the reflector.

The fact that the lighting means of the circuit board assumes the reference position in the direction along the Z-axis relative to the reflector by means of the fastening on the heat sink avoids the need for a correspondingly configured fastening of the circuit board on the for referencing in the direction along the Z-axis Reflector is necessary, which would require a larger and therefore more expensive circuit board. Instead, the reference position is conveyed in the direction along the Z-axis by means of the heat sink, which itself can turn out to be larger than the circuit board in order to provide more area for cooling so that it can be easily attached, in particular screwed, to the reflector. This definition of the reference position along the Z-axis between the heat sink and reflector consequently enables the circuit board to be comparatively small.

The at least one lighting means can be designed as a light-emitting diode or LED. Accordingly, the light module can also be referred to as an LED light module. The circuit board can at least partially or predominantly consist of copper.

The chosen designation of elements, such as referencing means, as first, second, etc. serves solely to distinguish the elements from one another. This does not imply that when a second element is named, a first element must also be present. Only the elements mentioned in the main claim are relevant for the scope of protection and this regardless of their designation as first, second, etc., but solely dependent on their occurrence in the main claim.

The first referencing means and / or the second referencing means can in particular be designed as contact means with at least one contact surface for contact with another element. The referencing then takes place accordingly as an attachment to the other element.

It can be provided that the reference position is formed in the direction of the Y-axis and in the direction of the X-axis solely by means of the first referencing means and / or the second referencing means. In particular, it can be provided that the fastening of the circuit board to the heat sink by means of the at least one first fastening means does not form a reference position in the direction along the X-axis or Y-axis. Correspondingly, the reference position can only be formed in the direction along the Z-axis by means of the fastening of the printed circuit board to the heat sink.

In particular, it can be provided that a reference position of the at least one illuminant in the direction along the Z-axis relative to the reflector is not formed by means of any fastening of the circuit board to the reflector. Accordingly, it can also be provided that the circuit board is fastened to the reflector by means of the first referencing means and / or the second referencing means in such a way that the at least one lamp is in a reference position only in the direction of the Y-axis and in the direction of the X-axis, but not in the direction of the Z-axis, relative to the reflector. As a result, the referencing of the circuit board or the lighting means located on it in the direction along the Z-axis relative to the reflector is left solely to the at least one first fastening means via the heat sink. The circuit board can be made correspondingly small and inexpensive.

It can also be provided that the reference position in the direction along the Z-axis of the at least one illuminant relative to the reflector is ensured solely by fastening the printed circuit board to the heat sink by means of the at least one first fastening means. The surface of the circuit board required for referencing in the direction along the Z-axis on the reflector can then be omitted and the light module can be manufactured more cost-effectively due to the smaller circuit board. It is also possible that the circuit board is not screwed to the reflector. The area of the circuit board required for a screw connection is then deliberately left out in order to make the circuit board as small as possible.

Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one reflection surface of the reflector extends transversely relative to the circuit board. The reflective surface can extend in height in the direction along the Z-axis. In particular, the at least one reflection surface of the reflector can extend essentially perpendicular to the circuit board. This provides a structure in which the reflector and the printed circuit board are in any case not parallel to one another. In such a case, the reflector and the circuit board could possibly be screwed to one another in order to ensure the reference position in the direction along the Z-axis. In the case of an embodiment as described above, on the other hand, this is not possible in such a simple manner, so that the invention is particularly suitable for making the printed circuit board inexpensive.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one first fastening means is a rivet. This enables an attachment that can be produced easily, safely and inexpensively.

In addition, it can be provided that the heat sink is designed as a cooling plate, in particular a cooling plate. This enables the printed circuit board to simply rest flat against the heat sink. Correspondingly, the printed circuit board can be placed flat against the heat sink.

In addition, it can be provided that the circuit board has at least two illuminants and the reflector has at least two reflector parts with separate reflector surfaces, each of the at least two illuminants each relative in a reference position in directions along the Y-axis, X-axis and Z-axis to one of the at least two reflector surfaces. The reflector parts can be designed in one piece. They can accordingly have a common reflector base body. The two reflector parts can be separated from one another except for the reflector base body. In particular, their reflection surfaces can be separate from one another. This enables an advantageous design in which the lighting means on the circuit board can be further apart.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the cooling body extends with a front section in the direction along the X-axis in front of at least one reflector surface of the reflector. In addition, the heat sink can have a rear section. The heat sink can be fastened to the reflector on the rear section.

It can be provided that the printed circuit board is attached to the heat sink in the front section. This enables the printed circuit board to be fastened to the heat sink, remote from the reflector.

Here it can be provided that the printed circuit board is located with a predominant surface on the front section of the heat sink. This minimizes or avoids a possible surface area of the circuit board on the rear section of the heat sink or on the reflector, which otherwise could only be used for fastening to the reflector, thereby lowering the costs of the circuit board.

It can also be provided that the reflector has the first referencing means, which is designed as a projection extending in the direction along the Z-axis from the reflector, the first referencing means being arranged in a first recess of the heat sink and against a wall of the Circuit board is applied so that the circuit board is applied to the reflector in the direction along the Y-axis and / or along the X-axis. By placing the projection on the wall of the circuit board, the reference position of the circuit board relative to the reflector in the direction along the Y-axis and / or along the X-axis is thus created in a simple manner. The projection can be designed in the form of a prong. The projection can extend through the first recess. In particular, it can be provided that the projection is not placed against the heat sink. In this respect, it can be provided in particular that the wall of the circuit board protrudes or protrudes beyond the first recess. In other words, a part of the circuit board that has the wall covers the first recess. It can thus be ensured that the first referencing means is applied to the wall of the circuit board and not to the heat sink.

It can be provided that the first referencing means is placed against the wall of the printed circuit board by means of a second fastening means, in particular a screw, which fastens the heat sink to the reflector. When the screw is tightened, the torque acts on the heat sink, takes it along a bit and pulls the heat sink and thus the wall of the circuit board against the first referencing means, so that it is applied to the wall of the circuit board. This is a particularly simple way of producing the reference position and compensating for possible manufacturing-related tolerances.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the reflector has the second referencing means, which is designed as a projection extending in the direction along the Z-axis from the reflector, the second referencing means being arranged in a third recess of the circuit board and against a wall of the third Recess is created so that the circuit board is applied in the direction along the Y-axis and / or along the X-axis on the reflector. As a result, the circuit board on the reflector is easily brought into the reference position in the direction along the Y-axis and / or along the X-axis. The projection can be designed in the form of a prong.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the aforementioned object is achieved by a headlight for a motor vehicle with a headlight housing, a translucent headlight cover lens arranged on the headlight housing and a light module according to the first aspect of the invention. The light module can be arranged on the headlight housing and / or at a distance from the translucent headlight cover lens. The translucent headlight cover lens can be a plastic cover lens.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the object mentioned at the beginning is achieved by a motor vehicle with at least one headlight according to the second aspect of the invention.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. All of the features emerging from the claims, the description or the figures, including structural details and spatial arrangements, can be essential to the invention both individually and in any various combinations.

Elements with the same function and / or mode of operation are each provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. If there is more than one element of the same type in one of the figures, the elements are numbered in ascending order, the ascending number of the element being separated from the reference number by a period.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Lichtmoduls gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;
• 2 eine Unteransicht des Lichtmoduls aus 1;
• 3 die Unteransicht des Lichtmoduls aus 2 mit Kennzeichnung des Unterschiedes zum Stand der Technik; und
• 4 eine Vorderansicht eines Kraftfahrzeugs gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

It showed:

• 1 a perspective view of a light module according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 a bottom view of the light module 1 ;
• 3 the bottom view of the light module 2 with identification of the difference to the state of the art; and
• 4th a front view of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

1 Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a light module 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The light module 10 has a reflector 20th , a heat sink 40 and a circuit board 30th on. The reflector 20th has reflector parts 25th , 25.2, each with a separate reflector surface 21 , 21.2. Alternatively, the reflector 20th only a reflector part 25th with a reflector surface 21 or more reflector parts 25th with reflector surfaces 21 to have.

A coordinate system with mutually perpendicular axes is shown in the lower right corner of the 1 and 2 pictured. The mutually perpendicular axes are an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis. Each of these axes has two directions along the axis that are opposite to each other. The X-axis has the directions X.1, X.2, the Y-axis has the directions Y.1, Y.2 and the Z-axis has the directions Z.1, Z.2.

As in 2 can be seen, point the reflector parts 25th , 25.2 a common reflector base 22nd on or has the reflector 20th a reflector body 22nd . The reflector body 22nd extends in the direction X.2 away from the reflector parts 25th , 25.2. The reflector parts 25th , 25.2 or the reflection surfaces 21 , 21.2 extend their height in the direction Z.1. Furthermore, the reflector 20th a first referencing means 23 and a second referencing means 24 on, which appear as protrusions from the reflector 20th extend in the direction of Z.2. In the present case, the projections are shaped as prongs. One of the first referencing means is located here 23 and the second referencing means 24 at or near one of the reflector parts 25th , 25.2.

The heat sink 40 is designed as a cooling plate, in particular a cooling plate. The heat sink 40 has a first recess 41 in the form of a hole and a second recess 42 in the form of a hole, as in 2 you can see. Furthermore, the heat sink 40 a front section 43 and a back section 44 on. The back section 44 lies in direction X.1, which is the direction of the reflector surfaces 21 , 21.2 corresponds to reflected light, in front of the reflector surfaces 21 , 21.2 and thus not in an area of the reflector 20th reflected light. On the back section 44 of the heat sink 40 becomes the reflector 20th by means of the second fastening means 2 , 2.2, 2.3 attached. The front section 43 however, lies in direction X.1 behind the reflector surfaces 21 , 21.2. So can the bulbs 31 , 31.2 on the circuit board 30th attached to the front section 43 of the heat sink 40 is attached, light on the reflector surfaces 21 , 21.2 emit. The front section 43 lies with it, different from the back section 44 , in the area of the reflector 20th reflected light.

The circuit board 30th has two bulbs 31 , 31.2 on. Only one lamp can be used 31 or more bulbs can be used 31 be provided. This can be especially true if there is only one reflector surface 21 be the case. The circuit board 30th also has other electrical elements 32 , 33 such as a resistor 32 and a temperature sensor 33 , on. The bulbs 31 , 31.2 are a contact surface of the circuit board 30th attached to the heat sink 40 opposite.

The circuit board 30th is by means of several first fasteners 1 , 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 on the heat sink 40 attached. The first fasteners 1 , 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 are rivets here. By means of the first fastening means 1 , 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 becomes a reference position of the circuit board 30th with the bulbs 31 , 31.2 opposite the reflector 20th made in the direction of Z.1. In this reference position or position of the circuit board 30th is the circuit board 30th opposite the reflector 20th immovable. This is achieved by also having the heat sink 40 to the reflector 20th or their common reflector base 22nd is attached. This will be off 2 clear.

2 shows a bottom view of the light module 10 the end 1 . The heat sink 40 is only shown with its outlines or transparent to allow the view of the reflector below it in this perspective 20th or the reflector body 22nd not to be covered.

The reflector body 22nd or the reflector 20th is by means of three second fasteners 2 , 2.2, 2.3, in this case screws, with the heat sink 40 tied together. The number of second fasteners 2 , 2.2, 2.3 can be varied. The heat sink is by means of this fastening 40 in each of the directions along all axes X, Y and Z with respect to the reflector 20th defined or referenced. The reference position in direction Z.1 of the circuit board 30th opposite the reflector 20th is thereby by means of the heat sink 40 guaranteed. An attachment of the circuit board 30th on the reflector 20th to determine the reference position in direction Z.1 does not take place. There is no surface on the circuit board for this 30th made available as later with reference to 3 is explained in more detail.

The first referencing means 23 of the reflector 20th is through the first recess 41 of the heat sink 40 out and on a wall of a notch-shaped recess 36 the circuit board 30th laid out so that the circuit board 30th in direction Y.1 and direction X.1 on the reflector 20th is defined or referenced. This is done in the assembly process by means of the screw 2 . When tightening the screw 2 in a thread in the reflector 20th or the reflector body 22nd the applied torque takes the heat sink 40 with and sets thereby the printed circuit board attached to it 30th against the first referencing agent 23 at. From the wide variety of screws 2 , 2.2, 2.3, which is the heat sink 40 on the reflector 20th fasten, so that screw will be the first 2 , in this case screw 2 , tightened, which causes the torque applied to them when tightening the heat sink 40 and with it the circuit board 30th in the direction of the first referencing means 23 and / or the second referencing means 24 moved and against the circuit board 30th applies. The clamping force of the screw 2 secures the installation of the first referencing means 23 and / or the second referencing means 24 on the circuit board 30th and thus ensures that the system is statically overdetermined. Also the direction of rotation of the screw 2 can be selected accordingly for referencing. A left-hand or right-hand thread can be used to determine the direction in which the heat sink is driven 40 when tightening the screw 2 and thus the screw to be tightened first 2 to pretend. The first recess 41 is elongated or designed as an elongated hole. This enables a generous compensation of manufacturing-related tolerances for guiding the projection therein.

Furthermore, the second referencing means 24 of the reflector 20th through the second recess 42 of the heat sink 40 and a third recess 35 the circuit board 30th out and on a wall of the third recess 35 laid out so that the circuit board 30th in direction Y.1 and direction X.1 on the reflector 20th is defined or referenced. Referencing in one direction along the Z-axis of the circuit board 30th on the reflector 20th or the reflector body 22nd does not take place because there is no face of the printed circuit board lying opposite this for this purpose 30th is provided to the circuit board 30th keep it small and inexpensive. This is done in 3 illustrated.

3 shows the bottom view of the light module 10 the end 2 with identification of the difference to the state of the art. Potential fastening positions selected as an example 5 , 5.2, 5.3 on the circuit board 30th indicate that there is no mounting of the circuit board at this point 30th on the reflector 20th is possible, which would make it possible to produce the required reference position in the direction of the Z-axis, since such a fastening in the area of the reflector 20th reflected light.

For fastening the circuit board 30th on the reflector 20th would need the circuit board 30th can be enlarged considerably. The contours of such an enlarged circuit board 30th how it would be used according to the prior art is in 3 as an outline 4th shown. The outline 4th would then move up to the screws accordingly 2 , 2.2, 2.3 extend to the circuit board 30th together with the heat sink 40 and the reflector 20th would attach in direction along all axes X, Y, Z. This requires a very large circuit board 30th which is correspondingly expensive. By means of the solution presented here, however, the circuit board 30th , as in 3 shown, are made much smaller in order to save costs.

4th Figure 3 shows a front view of a motor vehicle 60 according to an embodiment of the invention. The car 60 has two headlights 50 , 50.2 according to an embodiment of the invention. The headlights 50 , 50.2 each have the light module 10 the end 1 , a headlight housing 51 , 51.2 and a headlight cover lens 52 , 52.2 on.

List of reference symbols

1

First fastener, rivet

2

Second fastener, screw

4th

outline

5

Potential mounting position

10

Light module

20th

reflector

21

Reflector surface

22nd

Reflector body

23

First referencing agent

24

Second referencing means

25th

Reflector part

30th

Circuit board

31

Bulbs

32

Electrical element

33

Electrical element

34

Connection means

35

Third recess

36

Notch-shaped recess

40

Heat sink

41

First recess

42

Second recess

43

Front section

44

Back section

50

Headlights

51

Headlight housing

52

Headlight cover lens

60

Motor vehicle

Claims (15)

Light module (10) for a headlight (50) of a motor vehicle (60), the light module (10) having: (A) a printed circuit board (30) which has at least one illuminant (31) for emitting light, the printed circuit board (30) having a longitudinal extension along a Y-axis, a widthwise extension running perpendicular to the longitudinal extension along an X-axis and a has a vertical extension running perpendicular to the longitudinal extension and the width extension along a Z-axis, (b) a reflector (20) on which the circuit board (30) is referenced by means of a first referencing means (23) and / or a second referencing means (24) in such a way that the at least one lighting means (31) is in a reference position in the direction the Y-axis and in the direction of the X-axis relative to the reflector (20), and (c) a heat sink (40) which is fastened to the reflector (20) and to which the circuit board (30) is fastened by means of at least one first fastening means (1) in such a way that the at least one illuminant (31) is in a reference position in the direction along the Z-axis relative to the reflector (20). Light module (10) Claim 1 wherein a reference position of the at least one illuminant (31) in the direction along the Z-axis relative to the reflector (20) is not formed by any fastening of the printed circuit board (30) to the reflector (20). Light module (10) Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the reference position in the direction along the Z-axis of the at least one illuminant (31) relative to the reflector (20) is ensured solely by fastening the printed circuit board (30) to the heat sink (40) by means of the at least one first fastening means (1) is. Light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one reflection surface (21) of the reflector (20) extends transversely relative to the circuit board (30). Light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first fastening means (1) is a rivet. Light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling body (40) is designed as a cooling plate, in particular a cooling plate. Light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit board (30) has at least two lighting means (31) and the reflector (20) has at least two reflector parts (25) with separate reflector surfaces (21), each of the at least two lighting means ( 31) is each in a reference position in directions along the Y-axis, X-axis and Z-axis relative to one of the at least two reflector surfaces (21). Light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling body (40) extends with a front section (43) in the direction along the X-axis in front of at least one reflector surface (21) of the reflector (20). Light module (10) Claim 8 wherein the printed circuit board (30) is attached to the heat sink (40) in the front section (43). Light module (10) Claim 8 or 9 wherein the printed circuit board (30) is located with a predominant surface on the front section (43) of the heat sink (40). The light module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector (20) has the first referencing means (23) which is designed as a projection extending in the direction along the Z axis from the reflector (20), the first referencing means (23) is arranged in a first recess (41) of the heat sink (40) and is placed against a wall of the circuit board (30) so that the circuit board (30) in the direction along the Y-axis and / or along the X-axis is applied to the reflector (20). Light module (10) Claim 11 , wherein the first referencing means (23) is applied against the wall of the circuit board (30) by means of a second fastening means (2), in particular a screw (2), which fastens the heat sink (40) to the reflector (20). The light module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector (20) has the second referencing means (24) which is designed as a projection extending in the direction along the Z axis from the reflector (20), the second referencing means (24) is arranged in a third recess (35) of the circuit board (30) and is placed against a wall of the third recess (35) so that the circuit board (30) in the direction along the Y-axis and / or along the X- Axis is applied to the reflector (20). Headlight (50) for a motor vehicle (60) with a headlight housing (51), a light-permeable headlight cover lens (52) arranged on the headlight housing (51) and a light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims. Motor vehicle (60) with at least one headlight (50) according to Claim 14 .

Images