DE102020216046B3 - OPTICAL GRAPHIC PROJECTION DEVICE AND VEHICLE WITH OPTICAL GRAPHIC PROJECTION DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical device for projecting a graphic onto a surface comprises a projection device with a plurality of projection units, each of which forms a projection channel with an optical system and is suitable for generating a light beam that can be directed onto a surface, the light beams directed onto the surface each having a section of the surface and the illuminated sections together form an illuminated area of the surface, and the projection units each comprise a graphic element generating means and are suitable for projecting a respective graphic element of the graphic onto the respective section by the respective light beam. The optical device is characterized in that the optical systems each have an optical axis that is parallel to one another, and the optical device has a beam deflection device with a plurality of beam deflection units, which is suitable for deflecting the light beams generated by the projection units independently of one another and thereby on the surface so that the graphic is created in the illuminated area.

Description

The present invention relates to an optical device for projecting graphics (hereinafter called graphics projector) with an asymmetric light beam.

From the US 2019/0049090 A1 is a vehicle lamp assembly (there "Vehicle Lamp Assembly") known, which is arranged, for example, in an exterior rear view mirror of a vehicle to project logos, images, lettering or the like onto an area in front of the vehicle, this projection either directly or indirectly by irradiation a phosphorescent or fluorescent area of the vehicle, such as part of the bodywork, so that the luminescence radiation thereby generated directs the desired graphic to the desired area in front of the vehicle. The vehicle lamp arrangement comprises a plurality of identically constructed projectors which are inclined relative to one another, ie are arranged along an arc. The relative orientation of the projectors can be changed by controlling each projector independently. In this way, the beams emitted by the projectors can either project independent content or be brought into a conceptual context, ie, for example, be coordinated to form a fan-shaped projection light, which can be used to create elongated lettering in the desired area. The projectors of the vehicle lamp assembly may each include a housing housing a light source and focusing optics such as a lens.

the U.S. 2017/0050558 A1 by the same applicant as the US 2019/0049090 A1 discloses an essentially identical structure, with a dynamic animation being generated by appropriate temporal control of the individual projectors. This means that the beams emitted by the projectors are emitted at different times, but are aimed at the same area, and the projectors each project a specific phase of a movement of a motif.

In the EP 2 674 328 A2 discloses projection devices attached to the rear or to the side of a motor vehicle, which generate a “carpet of light” in an area in front of the vehicle or in the footwell of the vehicle, the size of which depends on the opening angle of a vehicle door. According to the EP 2 674 328 A2 For generating the carpet of light, instead of the projection devices or in addition to them, a lighting device can be used that includes a plurality of light sources, preferably LEDs, with different beam angles that are generated by the LEDs being oriented differently. According to the EP 2 674 328 A2 the LEDs can also each be arranged in an entry opening of a screen or shield described there as a tube-like hollow body, with the respective shape of the screens achieving an opening angle of the light beam emitted by the corresponding LED, as a result of which the light strips generated by them on the ground have different widths will. According to the EP 2 674 328 A2 the individual lamps can be switched on and off in a time-controlled manner.

In the U.S. 2020/0110330 A1 is a in a passenger compartment, z. A projector is described, e.g.

From the U.S. 2018/0170244 A1 a projection device with a plurality of projection channels for a motor vehicle is known.

The known optical devices have the disadvantage that they are expensive in the case of non-rotationally symmetrical graphics, that a desired distribution of the illuminance is problematic and that - if several separate lamps are used - the adjustment of the individual lamps is demanding and therefore expensive and error-prone.

The object of the present invention is (a) to provide an optical device for projecting a graphic which, in a technically simple and inexpensive manner, is suitable for projecting an oblong, in particular oval, image using a flat light beam

generate graphics (logo, figure, lettering or the like) on a flat or non-flat surface, and (b) provide a vehicle with such an optical device.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1 with regard to the device and by the features of claim 10 with regard to the vehicle. Advantageous developments are defined in the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, an optical device for projecting a graphic onto a surface comprises a projection device with a plurality of projection units, each of which forms a projection channel with an optical system and is suitable for generating a light beam that can be directed onto a surface. The ones on the top Surface-directed light beams can each illuminate a portion of the surface, and the illuminated portions together form an illuminated area of the surface. The projection units each include a graphic element generation means and are suitable for projecting a respective graphic element of the graphic onto the respective section using the respective light beam. The optical device is characterized in that (a) the optical systems each have an optical axis which are parallel to each other, ie the optical axes of the optical systems are parallel to each other; and (b) the optical device has a beam deflection device with a plurality of beam deflection units, which is suitable for independently deflecting the light beams generated by the projection units and thereby directing them onto the surface such that the graphic is generated in the illuminated area.

“Graphic” here means a logo, an image, lettering or the like. In contrast to geometrical optics, “ray of light” here means an electromagnetic wave with a cross-sectional area perpendicular to its direction of propagation (the direction of its optical axis) that is greater than zero (also called a ray bundle). And by "asymmetric light beam" is meant here a light beam whose cross-section perpendicular to the direction of propagation (i.e. perpendicular to the principal ray of the light beam) is not rotationally symmetrical. The "optical axis" is an axis of symmetry of the optical system of the respective projection unit and can coincide with a longitudinal axis or an axis of symmetry or a main beam axis of a light source of the projection unit or another characteristic preferred axis of the projection unit. The "Surface" is a projection surface, which may or may not be flat. The "sections" of the surface can in principle be of any type, preferably in the form of a circular disk or rectangular, with their respective shape deviating from the cross-sectional area of the light beam that forms them if the light beam does not strike the section perpendicularly and/or the section is not flat. The sections may be disjoint, or join, or partially or fully overlap by appropriate settings of the projection units to form the "area". The emission directions of the light beams and thus the positions of the sections can vary over time, as can the wavelengths and intensities of the light beams. To create a logo (or lettering or any other graphic), which is only created by combining the light beams, a temporal variation can only take place in a coordinated manner, so that the graphic is “shifted” on the surface. "Coordinated" does not necessarily mean in unison, but also includes a control such that, for example, one graphic element is moved up and another (coordinated) down. Components or portions of the Graphic are referred to herein as "Graphic Elements" that together make up the Graphic. For example, the graphic "optical device" with two projection units can be intuitively created from the graphic elements "optical" and "device" or, if the division cannot or should not be semantic for geometric or technical reasons, from the graphic elements "opt" and "optical device". " consist. According to the present invention, the (controlled) alignment of the individual light beams does not take place by aligning the projection units, but by aligning the beam deflection units. This is technically less complex and therefore less susceptible to faults and more cost-effective. In particular, the projection device and the beam deflection device can be produced as separate, modular units that can be connected to one another and separated from one another in a non-destructive manner and can therefore be combined and exchanged as desired. In particular, a distance between the two is possible and can be advantageous. The parameters of the projection units and thus the light beams emitted by them can be adjusted manually and on demand or, e.g. B. linked to certain boundary conditions, done automatically. The boundary conditions can e.g. B. opening a door or the like. As mentioned above, the terms "section" and "area" refer to the area illuminated by the light beams of the projection units on the surface, and within this area the graphic is "projected" by means of the light beams. The graphic is therefore embedded in the area, or the edge of the area encloses the graphic.

According to an advantageous development of the optical device, the beam deflection device can deflect the light beams of the projection units in such a way that the illuminated area is symmetrical. Depending on the angle of incidence, this may require an asymmetrical emission of the light beams. It is clear that when connecting several sections into one area, "symmetrical" can only mean strictly in some cases, but in most cases only "substantially symmetrical". So a strict symmetry z. This is possible, for example, in the case of a complete superimposition of identical circular discs with any number of projection units or in the case of a square that is formed from several squares. But even in the latter case, a square area will generally be arranged next to one another by several small circular discs, ie approximately.

According to a further advantageous development of the optical device, the beam deflection device, the light beams of the projection Redirect units so that the illuminated area is asymmetrical. An asymmetrical area can be realized in particular by linear—curved or curved—sequencing of the sections.

According to a further advantageous development of the optical device, the illuminated area has the shape of a rectangle or an oval, each with a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. These axes define the maximum extents of the graphic in these two mutually perpendicular directions.

According to a further advantageous development of the optical device, the projection device can generate a total radiation angle of 140° in the direction of the longitudinal axis and a total radiation angle of 40° in the direction of the transverse axis. It is clear that the angle of incidence (measured to the perpendicular) of a light beam is all the greater, i.e. the light beam can be all the "flatter", the smaller the emission angle is in the direction of that axis of the two axes mentioned above which is essentially perpendicular to the surface; regardless of the angle in the direction of the other axis. This is due to the fact that optical distortions increase the larger this beam angle is, which also means that the illuminated section becomes larger and thus the illuminance becomes smaller.

According to a further advantageous development of the optical device, the projection device and the beam deflection device are two separate units or are integrally connected to one another. In the first case it is possible to place the two devices at a distance from each other and to their surroundings, i. H. for example other components etc. to arrange. In particular, the projection unit can be arranged inside and the deflection device outside of a vehicle, or both can be arranged at different points in the vehicle cabin. “Integrally connected to one another” means preferably detachably connected to one another.

According to a further advantageous development of the optical device, the beam deflection units each comprise a mirror or a prism arrangement. This means that the beam deflection device comprises one or more beam deflection units, which in turn can each comprise one or more mirror arrangements and/or one or more prism arrangements, each mirror arrangement in turn being able to comprise one or more mirrors and each prism arrangement being able to comprise one or more prisms. If a beam deflection device consists of both mirrors and prisms, it is clear that these can be combined in any way to form an optical system. Each optical component--mirror or prism--of a beam deflection device can advantageously be controlled independently of the other components in it, or not all components can be controlled, but some are fixed in their orientation and position. For reasons of susceptibility to failure, it is of course advantageous to use as few components as possible.

According to a further advantageous development of the optical device, the projection units and the deflection units can be exchanged separately. This is particularly advantageous with regard to a defect in a unit or the desired exchange of one unit for another.

According to a further advantageous development of the optical device, the direction, intensity, wavelength and/or the spatial orientation of the light beams can be controlled separately for each of the light beams and independently.

According to the present invention, a vehicle includes an optical device according to the present invention.

According to an advantageous development of the optical device, the optical device can project the graphic onto the outer skin of the vehicle or an area in front of the vehicle. When projected onto an area in front of the vehicle, the graphic can e.g. B. be a light pattern that facilitates entering or exiting the vehicle. When projected onto the outer skin of the vehicle, the graphic z. B. a logo or a warning or information notice.

According to a further advantageous development of the optical device, the optical device is arranged in an exterior mirror or in a sill of the vehicle.

According to a further advantageous development of the optical device, the optical device is arranged in the passenger cell. In this case the optical device can e.g. B. form a head-up display or part of such.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht im Längsschnitt eines Standard-Projektors zeigt;
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht im Längsschnitt eines Projektionsmoduls einer optischen Vorrichtung zur Projektion einer Grafik gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung zeigt;
• 3 eine schematische Ansicht der optischen Vorrichtung gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform zeigt.
• 4 eine schematische Seitenansicht im Längsschnitt eines Projektionsmoduls einer optischen Vorrichtung zur Projektion einer Grafik gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung zeigt;
• 5 eine schematische Seitenansicht im Längsschnitt der optischen Vorrichtung zur Projektion einer Grafik gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung zeigt;
• 6 eine schematische Draufsicht (von der Seite der Umlenkspiegel betrachtet) der in 5 gezeigten optischen Vorrichtung; und
• 7 eine Simulation der in 6 gezeigten optischen Vorrichtung.

Features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

• 1 shows a schematic view in longitudinal section of a standard projector;
• 2 Figure 12 shows a schematic view in longitudinal section of a projection module of an optical device for projection of a graphic according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
• 3 Figure 12 shows a schematic view of the optical device according to the first embodiment.
• 4 Figure 12 shows a schematic side view in longitudinal section of a projection module of an optical device for projection of a graphic according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
• 5 Figure 12 shows a schematic side view in longitudinal section of the optical device for projecting graphics according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
• 6 a schematic top view (seen from the side of the deflection mirrors) of in 5 optical device shown; and
• 7 a simulation of the in 6 shown optical device.

1 FIG. 12 shows a schematic view in longitudinal section of a standard projector 10 which comprises a light source 12, here in the form of an LED, a plano-convex illumination lens 14 and a biconvex imaging lens 16. FIG. A gobo (graphical optical blackout) 18 is arranged between the illumination lens 14 and the imaging lens 16, ie a mask or stencil. The gobo 18 and a projection surface (in 1 not shown and hereinafter referred to as “surface” for short) are optically conjugated to one another, so that a sharp image of the gobo 18 (the graphic) is generated on the surface. Arranged in a beam direction SR behind the imaging lens 18 is a pinhole diaphragm 20 which acts as a visual field diaphragm. The main ray HS of a light beam L generated by the standard projector 10 and emerging from it (of the entire beam path of the standard projector 10 is in 1 only this shown) coincides with the optical axis CL (center line) of the above-mentioned components of the standard projector 10.

2 shows a schematic view in longitudinal section of a projection module M as part of an optical device 22 for projecting a graphic (see 3 ) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The projection module M includes as a main component a projection unit 24, which is identical to the standard projector 10 of 1 (ie comprising the LED, lenses 14, 16, gobo 18 and pinhole 20) and a projection channel of the present invention, and a folding mirror 26 tilted at an angle α to the optical axis CL and chief ray HS respectively and deflects the light beam L emerging from the projection unit 24 onto a surface 28 with its main beam HS. The folding mirror 26 is an example of a beam bending unit of the present invention. like it in 2 As shown, this deflection stretches a line S in the plane of the drawing into a longer line S' in the plane of the drawing, while a dimension perpendicular to the plane of the drawing is not stretched. In order to obtain a distortion-free graphic on the surface 28, only the gobo 18, taking into account the geometry of the arrangement in 2 elements shown and the laws of geometric optics are adjusted, ie "compressed in the direction of stretching".

3 12 shows a schematic view of the entire optical device 22 according to the first embodiment for a better understanding of the terminology used above. The optical device 22 includes a projection device 32 and a deflection device 34 . The projection device 32 includes three identical projection units 36 , each of which includes a light source 38 , an optical system 40 and a pinhole diaphragm 42 . The deflection device 34 comprises three identical deflection units 44. As shown in FIG 3 shown, each of the projection units 36 together with an associated deflection unit 44 forms a projection module M (see 2 ).

4 shows a schematic side view in longitudinal section of one of several projection modules M1, M2, M3 of an optical device 54 (see Fig 5 and 6 ) for projecting a graphic according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which comprises a projection unit 48 and a deflection unit 50. In 4 two light beams L1 and L2 are shown schematically, into which the light beam L of the projection unit 48 can be deflected.

5 and 6 12 show a schematic side view in longitudinal section and a top view looking at the deflection device 52 of the optical device 54 for projecting a graphic according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The optical device 54 comprises the three projection modules M1, M2, M3, which generate light beams L1, L2 and L3, respectively. According to this embodiment, deflection units 50-1, 50-2 and 50-3 of the deflection device 52 are in turn in the form of mirrors and are inclined differently. 7 shows an associated simulation.

Like it in the 3 and 5 is shown, the optical axes of the individual projection channels are aligned in parallel, this alignment, as is shown in 5 is shown, is independent of the position of the deflection units (mirrors).

Reference List

10

standard projector

10 12

light source from

14

Plano-convex illumination lens

16

Biconvex illumination lens

18

gobo

20

pinhole

22

optical device

24

projection unit

26

deflection mirror

28

surface

32

projection device

34

deflection device

36

projection unit

32 38

light source from

40

optics

42

pinhole

44

deflection unit

50-1, 50-2, 50-3

deflection units

52

deflection device

54

optical device

CL

Axis (Central Line)

HS

main beam

L

beam of light

L1, L2, L3

rays of light

M, M1, M2, M3

projection module

S

Route

S'

Route

a

angle

Claims (13)

Optical device (22, 54) for projecting a graphic onto a surface, wherein - the optical device (22, 54) comprises a projection device (32) with a plurality of projection units (24, 36), which each form a projection channel with an optical system and suitable for generating a light beam (L, L1, L2, L3) which can be directed onto a surface (28); - the light beams (L, L1, L2, L3) directed onto the surface (28) each illuminate a portion of the surface (28) and the illuminated portions together form an illuminated area of the surface (28); and - the projection units (24, 36) each comprise a graphic element generation means and are suitable for projecting a respective graphic element of the graphic onto the respective section by the respective light beam (L, L1, L2, L3); characterized in that - the optical systems each have an optical axis, the optical axes being parallel to one another; and - the optical device (22, 54) has a beam deflection device with a plurality of beam deflection units, which is suitable for deflecting the light beams (L, L1, L2, L3) generated by the projection units (24, 36) independently of one another and thereby onto the Directing surface (28) so that the graphic is created in the illuminated area. Optical device (22, 54). claim 1 , characterized in that the beam deflection device is suitable for deflecting the light beams (L, L1, L2, L3) of the projection units (24, 36) in such a way that the illuminated area is symmetrical. Optical device (22, 54). claim 1 , characterized in that the beam deflection device is suitable for deflecting the light beams (L, L1, L2, L3) of the projection units (24, 36) in such a way that the illuminated area is asymmetrical. Optical device (22, 54). claim 2 , characterized in that the illuminated area has the shape of a rectangle or an oval, each having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. Optical device (22, 54). claim 4 , characterized in that the projection device (32) is suitable for generating a total beam angle in the direction of the longitudinal axis of 140 ° and a total beam angle in the direction of the transverse axis of 40 °. Optical device (22, 54) according to any one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the projection device (32) and the beam deflection device form two separate units or are integrally connected to one another. Optical device (22, 54) according to any one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the beam deflection units each have a mirror or a prism arrangement. Optical device (22, 54) according to any one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the projection units (24, 36) and the deflection units are separately interchangeable. Optical device (22, 54) according to any one of Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that a direction and/or an intensity and/or a wavelength and/or a spatial orientation of the light beams (L, L1, L2, L3) are controllable separately for each of the light beams (L, L1, L2, L3) and independently. Vehicle with an optical device (22, 54) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 . vehicle after claim 10 , characterized in that the optical device (22, 54) is suitable for projecting the graphics onto the outer skin of the vehicle or an area in front of or to the side of the vehicle. vehicle after claim 11 , characterized in that the optical device (22, 54) is arranged in an exterior mirror or in a sill of the vehicle. vehicle after claim 10 , characterized in that the optical device (22, 54) is arranged in the passenger compartment.

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