DE102021201788A1 - VEHICLE AND PROCEDURE - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle with a vehicle lamp for projecting a light image onto an imaging surface on which the vehicle is arranged is disclosed. The vehicle light has at least one LED strip. The light of the LED strip couples into a lens or the light of a respective LED of the LED strip couples into a respective lens to project the light image. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing the vehicle lamp of the vehicle is disclosed.

Description

The invention is based on a vehicle with a vehicle light and a method for producing the vehicle light.

Lighting scenarios are being used more and more frequently to differentiate between different vehicle models or vehicle brands. These can be used, for example, to greet a driver. For example, upon unlocking the vehicle, a carpet of light may be projected next to a vehicle door, such as a driver's door, of the vehicle.

For this purpose, a projection module that projects the light carpet is usually arranged in a sill of the vehicle or in an exterior mirror of the vehicle. To project the light carpet, the projection module can have, for example, a light source with illumination optics arranged downstream and a mask arranged downstream of the illumination optics, which mask can be a slide or gobo or imaging optics, for example. It is also possible for a plurality of light sources, illumination optics and masks to be present, in particular integrated in an MLA element (microlens array element), so that a number of projection modules generate the overall image and direct the light over large areas.

The carpet of light is projected in a direction away from the vehicle in the area of the vehicle door, for example. For example, the projection can be towards the rear and away from the vehicle in the lateral direction of the vehicle. In particular, the projection, i.e. the carpet of light, shows vehicle-specific logos. For example, a brand logo of the vehicle can be projected in the area of the vehicle doors.

The object of the present invention is to create a vehicle that has a simple design in terms of device technology and is inexpensive, with a vehicle lamp for projecting an image, in particular a carpet of light. A further object of the invention is to create a simple and inexpensive method for manufacturing the vehicle lamp.

The object regarding the vehicle is solved according to the features of claim 1 and the object regarding the method is solved according to the features of claim 14 .

Particularly advantageous configurations can be found in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a vehicle with the vehicle light is created, with the vehicle light being able to project a light image onto an imaging surface. The imaging surface is a surface on which the vehicle is placed. That is, the imaging surface can be, for example, a road on which the vehicle can travel or park, or a parking lot on which the vehicle can park. The vehicle light has at least one LED strip (LED = light-emitting diode), also known as an LED strip. In particular, the LED strip has a plurality of LEDs which are arranged in a row next to one another. Furthermore, the vehicle light has at least one lens, which is connected downstream of the LED strip in the beam path. The light of the LEDs can be radiated through the lens and a light image can thereby be generated. Alternatively, the vehicle lamp has a plurality of lenses. In this case, a respective lens is connected downstream of a respective LED in the beam path and the light of the respective LED can be radiated through the respective lens. A light image can thereby be projected. In other words, the vehicle lamp has a plurality of LEDs arranged in an LED strip, whose light can be radiated through a lens to generate a projection, or whose light can be radiated through a respective lens to generate a projection . The projection takes place onto the imaging surface.

By integrating the vehicle light into the vehicle, a carpet of light in front of a vehicle door can be realized on the imaging surface in a simple manner in terms of device technology. For example, in comparison to a conventional vehicle light, no mask or slide is necessary to produce an aesthetically appealing light image. In contrast to conventional systems, which in particular must have a mask, a cost-optimized system for projecting a carpet of light can be created as a result. In particular, very simple optical components are used, so that the vehicle with the vehicle light can be designed in a favorable manner.

The vehicle lamp is preferably arranged on a sill or on an underbody or on a bumper and/or at the level of a sill on the vehicle. Depending on the arrangement of the vehicle lamp on the vehicle, different areas around the vehicle can be illuminated. The LED strip with the lens or lenses can be arranged, for example, in the longitudinal direction and/or in the transverse direction along the sill or along the bumper.

In particular, the LEDs in the LED strip are arranged in a row next to each other. The LEDs can be offset from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the row extends. However, it is also possible that the LEDs are arranged in a line, ie not offset from one another. Depending on the design of the LED strip, the projected light pattern can be designed differently and can therefore be adapted to different design requirements.

Furthermore, depending on the distance between the LEDs in the LED strip and/or depending on the length of the LED strip and/or a number of LEDs, the design of the light pattern can also be varied. That is, for example, the LEDs can be at a small distance from one another or at a greater distance from one another. Another way to change the design of the light image is to increase the number of LEDs. In this way, the geometry of the light image can be easily changed.

At least one light color, preferably a plurality of light colors, can be emitted via the respective LED of the LED strip. For example, the LED can have multiple chips, each of which emits a different color of light, such that a respective LED can be an RGB LED. Other colors are also possible. In this case, the chips of an individual LED can in particular be switched on and off simultaneously or separately from one another, so that different light colors can be generated. For example, an LED can have a white chip and a red chip. Depending on which chip is turned on, the light image may have a white or red portion formed across the light from this LED. Due to the formation of the chip, it is possible that the red portion is formed slightly offset from the white portion of the light image. If a respective LED can emit different colors of light, this is advantageous in that light images of different colors can easily be generated. For example, a driver of the vehicle can select different colors via an interface in the vehicle.

In order to achieve color mixing of the different colors of a respective LED with a plurality of chips, a light guide or a reflector can be interposed between the respective LED or LEDs or the respective lens or lenses. In particular, an optical fiber is interposed. The light guide is in particular a tapered optic. The light guide is advantageous because the light colors that are emitted by individual chips of a respective LED can be mixed, so that a mixed light color can be generated. For example, an LED can be an RGB LED that can emit red, green, and blue light across a respective chip. For example, by emitting red and blue light mixed by the light guide, the vehicle lamp can emit magenta light, for example.

In particular, the light guide is designed in such a way that a desired homogenization of the light colors is possible. However, if the length of the light guide is limited, for example, by installation space, so that the light guide is too short for complete color mixing of the light colors, the light exit surface can have a structure so that the light colors can be further homogenized. For example, the light exit surface of the light guide can be designed to be rough. Due to the light guide, it is easily possible in terms of device technology for a viewer of the light image to perceive different light colors that can be generated by mixing individual light colors.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the light image can have different brightnesses in sections. This can be made possible, for example, by PWM (pulse width modulation) of individual LEDs of the LED strip. This means that the individual LEDs of the LED strip can be controlled differently so that they emit light with different intensities.

The vehicle light can be designed in such a way that a light exit surface of the light guide can be imaged in the light image. In other words, the shape of a light exit surface of the light guide can be imaged by the lens on the imaging surface, in particular in a distorted manner due to the arrangement of the vehicle lamp. Other forms of the light exit surface are also possible. For example, the light exit surface can have a triangular shape, as a result of which the projected strip of light can be narrower at one end than at the other end.

In particular, a respective or the light guide or a respective or the lens can be formed in one piece, in particular by injection molding. This means that depending on the light guide and lens geometry, both elements can be combined to form a molded part. This is advantageous because after an initial tool production for the injection molding, an element consisting of a light guide and a lens can be formed in a cost-effective, high-quality manner. Another advantage is that the light guide to the lens or the respective light guide to the respective lens is always positioned in the same way. Thus, the or the respective lens no longer has to be positioned to the or the respective light guide. In other words, only the element containing the light guide and the lens has to be positioned in relation to the LED. This shortens the assembly time and thus also costs. Due to the fact that the or the respective light guide has a defined position in relation to the or the respective lens, imaging errors due to incorrect positioning of the light guide in relation to the lens are minimized or avoided. This is advantage liability, since the shape and position of the photograph does not change undesirably.

The vehicle can have at least one strip, in particular a plastic strip, into which the vehicle light can be mounted. For example, the bar may be elongated and have a U-shaped or L-shaped cross-section to accommodate the LED strip and/or lens(es). The vehicle light can be connected to the strip in a materially and/or positively and/or force-fitting manner. For example, the vehicle light can be glued to the strip. The bar can be arranged on the vehicle. For example, the strip with the vehicle light can be connected to the vehicle in a materially and/or positively and/or force-fitting manner. In particular, the strip can be attached to the vehicle via at least one clip connection. In particular, the strip is attached to the vehicle in such a way that a standing person only sees the vehicle light when it is switched on. For example, the strip, which is in particular U-shaped or L-shaped, can be arranged on the vehicle in such a way that it covers the vehicle lamp from above and/or at least from the side of the vehicle lamp that is opposite the vehicle. In other words, the strip with the vehicle light is arranged on the vehicle in such a way that the vehicle light is uncovered at the bottom and in particular is at least partially enclosed or surrounded by the strip at the side and from above.

In particular, the vehicle lamp is configured such that the light image extends in a longitudinal direction or in a lateral direction of the vehicle away from the vehicle. For example, if the light image is to extend in the form of a light carpet in front of a vehicle door, the vehicle light can be arranged in the area of the vehicle door on the sill of the vehicle and the light image can thus extend away from the vehicle in the area of the vehicle door. In particular, the LED strip with the or the respective lens is arranged over at least part of the length of the vehicle door in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in particular on the sill of the vehicle. In particular, the LED strip extends over essentially the entire length of the vehicle door.

In particular, the vehicle light is arranged in such a way that the LED strip is arranged at least partially circumferentially around the vehicle in a plane that contains the vehicle longitudinal direction and/or the vehicle transverse direction. In particular, a plurality of vehicle lights are arranged on the vehicle, the LED strips of the vehicle lights preferably extending around the vehicle in one plane or in several parallel planes, each containing the vehicle longitudinal direction and/or the vehicle transverse direction. This means that first vehicle lights can be arranged, for example, on the respective sills of the vehicle, and the respective LED strips can extend along the sill, preferably in a plane containing the vehicle longitudinal direction and/or the vehicle transverse direction, from the respective front wheel in the direction Tail extend to the respective rear wheel. Furthermore, the vehicle can have another vehicle lamp, which is arranged on the rear bumper and extends from one rear wheel to the other rear wheel of the vehicle, in particular in a plane that contains the vehicle longitudinal direction and/or the vehicle transverse direction. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle can have a further vehicle lamp, which can be arranged on the front bumper of the vehicle and which, in particular in a plane containing the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and/or the transverse direction of the vehicle, extends from one front wheel to the other front wheel of the Vehicle extends. It is thus possible to achieve a 360° projection of the light image around the vehicle in a simple and cost-effective manner.

In particular, a respective section of the light image can be projected via a respective LED of the LED strip. In particular, a respective section of the light image can be in the form of a line and can extend away from the vehicle.

The or the respective lens is preferably a cylindrical lens. The or the respective cylindrical lens can be a concave or convex cylindrical lens which has a cylindrical surface and a flat surface opposite the cylindrical surface. In particular, the planar surface is a coupling surface for light from the respective LED and this is therefore preferably facing the LED strip. The convex or concave cylindrical surface is preferably arranged on the side of the lens facing away from the LED bar. This means that the convex or concave cylindrical surface is preferably a decoupling surface for light from the LED strip. Furthermore, the or the respective cylinder lens can be a biconcave or biconvex cylinder lens, which has two cylinder surfaces that face each other. The light of the respective LED is collected on a focal line by the respective cylindrical lens or lenses, as a result of which a section of the light image that can be generated via a respective LED can be linear. The light of a respective LED would be collected in a focal point via a or a respective spherical lens, as a result of which the respective section of the light image that can be projected via a respective LED is more point-shaped or circular. A use of the or the respective cylindrical lens is advantageous because a cylindrical lens is a standard lens and therefore are particularly inexpensive to produce. Furthermore, a light image with a plurality of sections can be generated in this way, with a respective section being able to be emitted via a respective LED and a respective section being able to be formed in the form of a line.

Depending on the arrangement of the cylindrical lens or the respective cylindrical lens, the light image can have a different shape. The at least one cylindrical surface of the respective cylindrical lens can be arranged in space, for example, in such a way that parallel strips of light are emitted. For this purpose, the cylinder axes of the cylinder surfaces of the cylinder lenses can be parallel to one another, for example. Depending on the orientation of the cylinder axis of the at least one cylinder surface of the cylinder lens or lenses, the light image can be formed. This means that the arrangement of the cylindrical lenses means that the light image can be formed in a simple manner in terms of device technology and can be adapted to different applications.

In order to generate light image sections that propagate from the vehicle in different directions, the orientation of the cylinder axis of at least one cylinder surface of one of the cylinder lenses can differ from an orientation of the cylinder axis of at least one cylinder surface of another cylinder lens. In other words, cylinder axes of different cylinder lenses associated with different LEDs can point in different directions.

In addition, the geometries of the lenses can also differ. For example, a focal length and/or a focal position of the lenses for the respective LEDs can differ in order to produce different visual effects. Thus, in addition to the parallel light strips or the light strips arranged in a fan shape, other, in particular simple, geometric patterns as well as more complex figures can be generated.

For example, as described above, parallel strips of light can be projected over the vehicle light, it being possible for a respective strip of light to be projected over a respective LED with a respective lens. In order to generate the parallel strips of light, an LED and a respective lens can be arranged in particular on the respective sections of the vehicle on which a strip of light is to be generated. If parallel strips are to be able to be generated via a respective LED and a respective cylindrical lens, then in particular the cylinder axes of the cylindrical lenses are parallel to one another. In particular, the cylinder axes can be parallel to a vertical direction of the vehicle. It is also possible that a fan-shaped light image formed of a plurality of stripes of light fanned out from a point or an approximately circular area can be generated. In other words, the light stripes can extend in different directions from approximately one point or from an approximately circular area. A fan-shaped light image can be generated by arranging the LEDs of the LED strip, the light of which radiates through a respective lens, and the lenses in such a way that the respective light strip is emitted in a different direction. For this purpose, the cylinder axes of at least one cylinder surface of the cylinder lenses can point in different directions. Another possibility is that the light from the LEDs of the LED strip or part of the LED strip can be radiated through a cylindrical lens. If the light from the LEDs shines through one cylindrical lens, this is preferably a biconvex cylindrical lens, so that a fan-shaped light image can be generated. It is also possible to combine the arrangements of the LEDs and lenses or the LEDs and the lens described above and create customized light images.

In order to generate a light image in the transverse direction and/or longitudinal direction away from areas where the vehicle lamp is difficult or impossible to attach, for example in areas of wheels of the vehicle, it is possible to use at least one LED of the LED strip and the or the respective lens align accordingly. For example, at least one of the LEDs can be located near one of the wheels. The LED can be assigned a cylinder axis which is designed and aligned such, for example with regard to the focal length and/or the focus position, that at least one, in particular linear, section of the light image can be projected in the area of the wheels.

It is also possible for the LED strips to be arranged next to one another in multiple rows, in particular parallel to one another. In other words, a plurality of LED strips can be arranged next to one another, so that for example two or more LEDs from different LED strips are arranged next to one another. In particular, the LEDs of the LED strips can thus be arranged in the form of a matrix. This is advantageous because different light patterns can be achieved depending on the arrangement of the LED strips. Furthermore, a large number of different light patterns can be achieved by switching different LEDs on and off.

A respective LED strip can preferably have a plurality of printed circuit board sections which are arranged in series and which are connected to one another. The circuit board sections can form a circuit board strip. in particular The printed circuit board sections, that is to say the printed circuit board strip, are at least partially made of a flexible or bendable material, so that the printed circuit board strip can be flexibly adapted to different shapes. For example, the printed circuit board strip can be made of a plastic, such as silicone, which is particularly flexible or dimensionally unstable or pliable, and electrical elements, such as conductor tracks and/or other electrical contacts or electrical connections or electrical connections, can be at least partially in or on the Plastic can be arranged.

In particular, the electrical elements are at least partially encapsulated in the plastic so that they are protected from external influences. The electrical elements are preferably arranged or formed in or on the respective printed circuit board section in such a way that the printed circuit board sections can preferably also be present and function individually. In other words, an individual printed circuit board section can be supplied with current, and an LED can be arranged on the respective printed circuit board section, which LED can be supplied with current via the printed circuit board section. Furthermore, the printed circuit board sections are preferably designed in such a way that it is sufficient to supply one of the printed circuit board sections with current, so that all printed circuit board sections which together form a printed circuit board strip are supplied with current via this one printed circuit board section. Furthermore, each printed circuit board section can have a respective controller that can be connected to a controller of the vehicle, for example, so that the printed circuit board sections that form a common printed circuit board strip can be controlled separately and independently of one another.

A respective LED is preferably arranged on a respective printed circuit board section. The LED can be supplied with current and controlled via the printed circuit board section.

Furthermore, a respective lens can be formed on a respective printed circuit board section. The respective lens can be formed on the respective printed circuit board section, for example by a casting process. It is also possible that the respective lens is formed, for example by a casting process, and can be connected to the respective printed circuit board section in a form-fitting and/or non-positive and/or material-locking manner. For example, the respective lens can be glued to the printed circuit board section. It is also possible that a lens array, produced in particular by an injection molding process, can be arranged and attached to the LED strip, which is formed from the printed circuit board strip and the LEDs. In other words, a one-piece lens array can be arranged on the LED strip, so that a respective lens of the lens array is assigned to a respective printed circuit board section and thus to a respective LED. The lens array can be connected to the LED strip in a materially and/or positively and/or force-fitting manner. For example, the lens array can be glued to the LED strip.

It is also possible to arrange several vehicle lights on a vehicle. For example, different vehicle lights can be arranged in such a way that the light image can be formed from light images of different vehicle lights. In particular, the light images of the respective vehicle lights can complement or overlay one another.

In addition to the vehicle light, the vehicle can also have at least one projection device. This can be arranged in the sill or in the exterior mirror of the vehicle in order to project another light image. Thus, the light image of the vehicle light can be combined with at least one other light image of the projection device. For example, a logo or some other, in particular high-resolution, graphic can be projected via the projection device. The logo that is projected via the projection device can be supplemented, for example by switching the LEDs on and off, in particular dynamically, via the vehicle light. It is also conceivable that an animation and/or a video can be projected via the projection device. The video or the animation can also be supplemented by the light image of the vehicle lamp. One advantage of this is that the projection device can be constructed much more simply, in particular compared to conventional projection devices, since the light output required can be lower since the projection of the projection device is supplemented by the light image of the vehicle lamp. In a conventional projection device, which is arranged, for example, in the sill in order to project a carpet of light, high demands are placed on the positioning of the various components, since this is the only way to generate sufficient brightness. By supplementing the light image with the vehicle light, the costs of the projection device, which shows a video or some other graphic light image, for example, can be reduced.

The projection device can have, for example, a spatial modulator for light, in particular a DMD (Digital Micro Mirror Device). In this case, a DMD has a plurality of mirrors, in particular micromirrors, which can be tilted between two mirror positions at high frequency and can each form a light pixel. In a first position of a mirror, light incident on the mirror is usually emitted from the projection device and in a further, second position it is directed to an absorber surface. In particular, a 0.2 inch DMD is used for the projection device because of its low cost. However, it is also possible that a 0.3 inch DMD is used.

To control the vehicle light, a connection to the vehicle bus CAN or LIN can be used, for example. In a simple implementation, a fixed sequence of switching various LEDs of the LED strip on and off can take place as soon as the vehicle lamp is supplied with power. A connection to the vehicle bus is therefore not necessary. The power supply can take place, for example, via a connection to the vehicle electrical system.

A respective LED of the LED strip can be present in the form of at least one individually housed LED or in the form of a micro-LED or a nano-LED (Smart Dust). A plurality of LED chips can be mounted on a common substrate (submount) and form an LED, or they can be fixed individually or together, for example on a circuit board, using a chip on board process (CoB). Instead of or in addition to inorganic LEDs, for example based on AlInGaN or InGaN or AlInGaP, it is also generally possible to use organic LEDs, for example OLEDs such as polymer OLEDs. The LEDs can be direct emitting or have an upstream phosphor.

Alternatively, the light-emitting component can be a laser diode or a laser diode array. It is also conceivable to provide an OLED luminescent layer or several OLED luminescent layers or an OLED luminescent area. The emission wavelengths of the light-emitting components can be in the ultraviolet, visible or infrared spectral range. The light-emitting components can also be equipped with their own converter. The LEDs can emit white light in the standardized ECE white field of the automotive industry, realized for example by a blue emitter and a yellow/green converter.

In a method according to the invention for producing the vehicle light for the vehicle, which is designed according to one or more of the aspects mentioned above, a plurality of LEDs can in particular be arranged on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board can have a plurality of printed circuit board sections, with a respective printed circuit board section having an LED in each case. In particular, the LEDs and the printed circuit board sections are arranged in the form of a matrix, for example in rows that are arranged next to one another. A respective lens for a respective LED can be arranged or formed on a respective printed circuit board section. For example, prefabricated elements, which each have a lens and/or an optical waveguide, for example, can be mounted on a respective printed circuit board section. The elements can be assembled by clipping and/or screwing and/or caulking. For example, the respective element can each have a fastening means and the respective printed circuit board can have a corresponding fastening means. It is also possible for lenses to be molded directly onto the circuit board sections. In this exemplary embodiment, the lenses can be formed from silicone, for example, on the respective printed circuit board sections by casting. One advantage of this is that the LEDs are thus protected from dirt and/or moisture by the lenses that are arranged on the respective LED. Furthermore, the method can be used to produce several vehicle lights in parallel, which can later be individually separated depending on the application. For example, the circuit board sections can be separated from one another and a plurality of LED strips can thus be produced in one production process. It is possible that a flexible length division is possible by separating the printed circuit board sections from one another. In other words, the printed circuit board sections can each be mechanically separated from one another or reconnected in order to achieve flexible adaptation to the respective installation location of the vehicle light. An LED strip can thus be formed from a plurality of printed circuit board sections, the printed circuit board sections preferably being arranged in a row.

A vehicle with a vehicle lamp for projecting a light image onto an imaging surface on which the vehicle is arranged is disclosed. The vehicle light has at least one LED strip. The light of the LED strip couples into a lens or the light of a respective LED of the LED strip couples into a respective lens to project the light image. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing the vehicle lamp of the vehicle is disclosed.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a vehicle lamp for a vehicle for projecting a light image onto an imaging surface on which the vehicle is arranged. In a first variant, the vehicle light has at least one LED strip and at least one lens, which is connected downstream of the LED strip in the beam path and through which the light of the LED strip can be radiated. In a further variant, the vehicle lamp has a plurality of lenses, with a respective Lens of a respective LED of the LED strip is connected downstream in the beam path and the light of the respective LED can be radiated through the respective lens.

The embodiments mentioned in connection with the vehicle according to the invention and the method according to the invention apply in a corresponding manner to the vehicle light according to the invention.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Fahrzeugleuchte für ein Fahrzeug gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,
• 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht von Linsen einer Fahrzeugleuchte für ein Fahrzeug gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel,
• 3 eine Draufsicht auf eine Fahrzeugleuchte für ein Fahrzeug gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel,
• 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Lichtleiters mit einer Linse für eine Fahrzeugleuchte gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel,
• 5 bis 7 jeweils eine Draufsicht auf ein Fahrzeug mit der Fahrzeugleuchte gemäß einem jeweiligen Ausführungsbeispiel, wobei ein jeweiliges Lichtbild der jeweiligen Fahrzeugleuchten gezeigt ist,
• 8 eine Seitenansicht eines Fahrzeugs mit der Fahrzeugleuchte gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel,
• 9 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Mehrzahl von Fahrzeugleuchten gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel der 1.

The invention is to be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. The figures show:

• 1 a perspective view of a vehicle lamp for a vehicle according to a first embodiment,
• 2 a perspective view of lenses of a vehicle lamp for a vehicle according to an embodiment,
• 3 a plan view of a vehicle lamp for a vehicle according to a further embodiment,
• 4 a perspective view of a light guide with a lens for a vehicle lamp according to a further embodiment,
• 5 until 7 each a plan view of a vehicle with the vehicle light according to a respective embodiment, wherein a respective light image of the respective vehicle lights is shown,
• 8th a side view of a vehicle with the vehicle lamp according to a further embodiment,
• 9 a perspective view of a plurality of vehicle lamps according to the embodiment of FIG 1 .

1 shows a vehicle lamp 1 with a printed circuit board 2 which has a plurality of printed circuit board sections 4 . A respective LED 6 is arranged on a respective printed circuit board section 4 and has three chips in this exemplary embodiment. The LED 6 can be an RGB LED, for example, which can emit red, green and blue light via a respective chip. The circuit board sections 4 are arranged in a row next to each other and form an LED strip 7. The distance between the circuit board sections 4 having the LEDs 6 is rather small compared to the size of the circuit board sections 4. A respective lens 8 is arranged on a respective LED 6 , ie on a respective light guide plate section 4 . This is a respective plano-convex cylindrical lens, the light of the respective LED 6 being coupled into a planar surface of the lens 8 and being coupled out of a convex surface of the respective lens 8 . For reasons of clarity, only one of the printed circuit board sections 4, the LEDs 6 and the lenses 8 is provided with a reference number.

In 2 three lenses 10, 12, 14 are shown which are plano-convex cylindrical lenses and are each oriented differently. For example, if a vehicle light, which is not shown here and has lenses 10, 12, 14, is arranged in a vehicle, the lens 10 can be aligned in such a way that a cylinder axis 15 of a cylinder surface 16 of the lens 10 is parallel to a vertical axis of the vehicle . A cylinder axis 18 of a cylinder surface 20 of the lens 14 can, for. B. be parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, especially when the vehicle lamp having these lenses 10, 12, 14 is arranged on a sill of the vehicle. The lens 12 can be arranged, for example, in such a way that a cylinder axis 22 of a cylinder surface 24 of the lens 12 is at an angle to the vertical direction or longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Depending on how the lenses 10, 12, 14 are arranged, light image sections which are emitted via the respective lenses 10, 12, 14 can be formed.

3 12 shows one embodiment of a vehicle light 26 that includes an LED strip 28 having a plurality of LEDs 30 arranged in a row. Only one of the LEDs 30 is provided with a reference number.

The light from the LEDs 30 couples into a lens 32 which is biconvex. Overall, the cylindrical surfaces of the lens 32 are designed in such a way that a circular cylindrical surface is created.

A light image 34 which can be emitted by the vehicle lamp 26 has individual sections 36 which can each be generated via a respective LED 30, the sections 36 being linear and extending away from a circular area. Overall, the sections 36 extend in different directions, so that the light image 43 is designed in the form of a fan overall.

4 shows a light guide 38 in which the light of an LED, for example one of the LEDs 6 of 1 , Can be coupled in, so that light colors from different chips that can emit light of different colors can be mixed. The light guide 38 has a square cross-section perpendicular to the beam path, which increases steadily from a coupling-in surface 40 to a coupling-out surface 42 . A lens 44 can be connected downstream of the light guide 38 in order to project the light that can be coupled out of the coupling-out surface 42 . the Lens 44 is a cylindrical lens, which in this embodiment is biconvex.

5 shows a vehicle 46 with a vehicle light, which is not shown here, and a light image 48 of the vehicle light. The light image 48 is formed from a plurality of light stripes 50, 52, 54, each light stripe being emittable by a respective LED and a respective lens. A respective strip of light 50, 52, 54 forms a respective section of the light image 48, with the respective section being able to be projected via a respective LED. The light strips 50, 52, 54 extend in different directions, respectively, with the light strips 50 being parallel to one another, the light strips 52 being parallel to one another and the light strips 54 also being parallel to one another. For reasons of clarity, only one of the light strips 50, 52, 54 is provided with a reference number.

In an area of a tailgate, that is, a rear area of the vehicle approximately from a B-pillar of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle, LEDs of an LED strip and associated respective lenses are arranged at equal intervals, so that the light strips 50 are also equally spaced . In other words, the light strips 50 forming the light image 48 in the rear of the vehicle extend uniformly away from the vehicle 46 in the transverse direction. The light strips 50 are followed in the direction of the rear bumper by the light strips 52 which are not parallel to the light strips 50 and extend away from the vehicle 46 in a different direction. The light stripes 52 extend more in a longitudinal direction compared to the light stripes 50 because the body of the vehicle 46 is slightly curved in this area.

In the area of a front door of the vehicle, two LEDs, which are not shown here, are arranged next to one another at a small distance in the LED strip, or two LED strips are arranged next to one another so that two light strips 50, 54 are approximately the same extend point away from the vehicle. While some of the light strips 50 are parallel to the light strips 50 emitted in the area of the rear vehicle door, the light strips 54 are slanted thereto and radiate towards the front of the vehicle and away from the vehicle. In other words, the light strips 50, 54 overlap. In order to generate this light image 48, the respective lenses, via which the light strips 50, 52, 54 can be generated, can each be aligned differently. For example, this is in 2 shown.

In 6 Another vehicle 56 is shown, which has a plurality of vehicle lights that are not shown here, with a first vehicle light emitting a light pattern 58 that is formed from parallel strips of light 60 . The respective strip of light 60 forms a respective section of the light image. The vehicle lamp that emits the light image 58 is arranged on a side of the vehicle 56 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 56 at the rocker. The light image 58 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 56 approximately from a front to a rear wheel of the vehicle 56, which are not shown here. Individual LEDs of an LED strip of the vehicle light are evenly spaced, so that the light strips 60 are also equally spaced.

Two further vehicle lights, which are arranged at a distance from one another, each project a light image 62 which is formed from light strips 64 arranged in a fan shape with respect to one another, with a respective light strip 64 forming a respective section of the light image 62 . The vehicle lamps are arranged on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 56 and are also attached to the rocker. The light strips 64 extend away from the vehicle 65 in different directions from a common point. The light images 62 can be projected, for example, through a vehicle light with an LED strip and a lens, which can be used, for example, in 3 is shown.

7 Figure 6 shows another vehicle 66 having a vehicle light, not shown, in or on the rocker panel that emits a light image 68 formed of parallel light strips, the light strips extending laterally away from the vehicle and each have a different color and/or a different brightness. Different levels of brightness can be achieved, for example, by a PWM (pulse width modulation), in particular a dynamic one. Furthermore, the vehicle has a projection device in a vehicle exterior mirror, which is also not shown here and via which a light image 70 representing a logo can be projected. The light image 70 is projected in the area of a front wheel on one side of the vehicle 66 in the longitudinal direction, while the light image 86 is projected on the same side in the area of the front door to the rear of the vehicle 66 .

8th shows a vehicle 72 with a plurality of vehicle lights 74, 76, 78, vehicle light 74 being arranged in the area of a sill of the vehicle, vehicle light 76 in the area of a front bumper of vehicle 72 and vehicle light 78 in the area of a rear bumper of vehicle 72. The vehicle lights 74, 76, 78 form a light pattern 80, which is formed from parallel strips of light 82. The vehicle lights 74, 76, 78 each have an LED strip with a plurality of elements 84, 85, with each element 84, 85 containing an LED and a lens. A respective section, ie a respective light strip 82, can be formed via a respective LED. For reasons of clarity, only one of the elements 84 is provided with a reference number.

In the area of the wheels 86 of the vehicle 72, vehicle lights can only be arranged with difficulty. In order to generate the light image 80 that extends from a rear of the vehicle 72 to a front of the vehicle 72 also in the area of the wheels 86, elements 85 of the vehicle lights 74, 76, 78 are arranged closest to the wheels 86 are designed in such a way that strips of light 82 can also be projected in the area of the wheels 72 . That is, the elements 85 project their respective portion, which is a respective light stripe 82, offset in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 72 to their position. The elements 84, on the other hand, project a respective strip of light 82 not offset from their position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 72.

9 shows a plurality of vehicle lights 1, s. 1 that can be made together. Individual printed circuit board sections 4 can be arranged next to one another in the form of a matrix. This means that the printed circuit board sections 4 can be arranged next to one another in several rows. On the respective circuit board sections 4, respective LEDs 6 are arranged and a respective lens 8 is arranged. The respective lens 8 can be formed directly on the respective circuit board section 4 by casting from silicone, or the lenses 8 can form a common component which is positioned on the circuit board sections 4 with a precise fit. The lenses 8 can, for example, be formed together as a component in an injection molding process. After the lenses 8 are arranged or formed, the printed circuit board sections 4 can be separable from one another, so that a plurality of vehicle lamps 1 can be easily produced. A row of circuit board sections 4 with respective LEDs can form an LED strip 7 .

Reference List

1, 26, 74, 76, 78

vehicle light

2

circuit board

4

circuit board section

6, 30

LEDs

7

LED strip

8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44

lens

15, 18, 22

cylinder axis

16, 20, 24

cylinder surface

28

LED tape

34, 48, 58, 62, 68, 70, 80

photograph

36, 50, 52, 54, 60, 64, 82

streaks of light

38

light guide

40

coupling surface

42

decoupling surface

46, 56, 66, 72

vehicle

84

component

86

Wheels

Claims (14)

Vehicle with a vehicle lamp (1, 26, 74, 76, 78) for projecting a light image (34, 48, 58, 62, 68, 80) onto an imaging surface on which the vehicle (46, 56, 66, 72) is arranged is, the vehicle light (1, 26, 74, 76, 78) having at least one LED strip (7), characterized in that the vehicle light (1, 26, 74, 76, 78) has at least one lens (8, 10 , 12, 14, 32, 44) which is located downstream of the LED strip (7) in the beam path and through which the light of the LED strip (7) can be radiated, or wherein the vehicle light (1, 26, 74, 76 , 78) has a plurality of lenses (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44), wherein a respective lens (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44) of a respective LED (6, 30) of the LED Strip (7) is connected downstream in the beam path and the light of the respective LED (6, 30) can be radiated through the respective lens (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44). vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the or the respective lens is a cylindrical lens (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44). vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the vehicle light (1, 26, 74, 76, 78) is arranged on a sill or on an underbody or on a bumper and/or at the height of a sill on the vehicle (46, 56, 66, 72). Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the vehicle lamp (1, 26, 74, 76, 78) is configured such that the light image (34, 48, 58, 62, 68, 80) comprises a plurality of sections (36, 50, 52, 54, 60, 64, 82), wherein a respective section (36, 50, 52, 54, 60, 64, 82) can be emitted via a respective LED (6, 30) of the LED strip (7). vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein a respective section (36, 50, 52, 54, 60, 64, 82) of the light image (34, 48, 58, 62, 68, 80) is linear and extends in the longitudinal direction and/or in Transverse direction of the vehicle (46, 56, 66, 72) extends away. vehicle according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein at least one LED (6, 30) of the LED strip (7) and the lens (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44) or the respective lens (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44) , into which the light from the LED (6, 30) can be coupled, is designed and/or arranged in such a way that a position of the section (36, 50, 52, 54, 60, 64, 82) of the light image (34, 48 , 58, 62, 68, 80) which can be projected via the LED (6, 30) is formed next to a wheel of the vehicle as seen in the transverse direction. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the LED strip (7) extends at least partially in a plane that contains a transverse and/or longitudinal direction of the vehicle (46, 56, 66, 72), surrounding the vehicle (46, 56, 66, 72) extends, so that the light image (34, 48, 58, 62, 68, 80) extends at least partially around the vehicle (46, 56, 66, 72) away from the vehicle (46, 56, 66, 72). Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the vehicle (46, 56, 66, 72) has at least one projection device in order to project a common light image with the light image (34, 48, 58, 62, 68 , 80) to form. Vehicle according to one of claims 2 until 8th , wherein the cylinder axis of at least one cylinder surface of one of the cylinder lenses (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44) or the cylinder lens (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44) is parallel to a vertical axis of the vehicle (46, 56 , 66, 72). Vehicle according to one of claims 2 until 9 , wherein a cylinder axis of at least one cylinder surface of one of the cylinder lenses (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44) and at least one cylinder axis of at least one cylinder surface of another cylinder lens (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44) in different show directions. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , wherein in the beam path between the respective LED (6, 30) or the LEDs (6, 30) and the lens (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44) or the respective lens (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44) a light guide (38) or a reflector is arranged. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 until 11 , wherein the vehicle light (1, 26, 74, 76, 78) has a plurality of printed circuit board sections (4) which are arranged in a row next to one another and which are connected to one another, a respective LED (6, 30) is arranged, wherein the printed circuit board sections (4) with the LEDs (4, 30) form the LED strip (7). vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein a respective lens (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44) is arranged on a respective printed circuit board section (4), so that the light of the LED (6, 30) can be radiated through it, and/or with a one-piece lens array is arranged on the printed circuit board sections (4), so that a respective lens of the lens array is arranged in each case in such a way that the light of a respective LED (6, 30) can be radiated through it. Method for producing a vehicle lamp (1, 26, 74, 76, 78) for the vehicle according to one of Claims 1 until 13 , wherein a plurality of printed circuit board sections (4), which are arranged in a matrix and on which a respective LED (6, 30) is arranged, are formed in one piece and wherein a respective lens (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44) or a respective lens section of a lens array for a respective LED (6, 30) is arranged on the respective printed circuit board section (4), and the printed circuit board sections (4) are separated from one another in such a way that single or multi-line LED strips (7) with a respective lens (8, 10, 12, 14, 32, 44) or are formed with a respective lens section for a respective LED (6, 30), the LED strips (7) respectively carrying the vehicle light (1, 26, 74, 76 , 78).

Images