DE202018006805U1 - automotive light module - Google Patents

Abstract

Motor vehicle light module (1) comprising - a lamp (2) set up to generate light (3), - a projection system (4) arranged downstream of the lamp (2) and which projects the light (3) generated by the lamp (2) into a region ( 5) projected in front of the motor vehicle light module (1), wherein the projection system (4)* has a carrier (40) made of a material through which light (3) can pass,* a micro exit optics array (41), and* an aperture device (42 ), wherein the diaphragm device (42) is arranged on a side of the carrier (40) facing the illuminant (2) and the micro exit optics array (41) is arranged close to a side of the carrier (40) facing away from the illuminant (2). ,- the aperture device (42) has a plurality of aperture areas (42a to 421), with each aperture area (42a to 421) being assigned at least one micro exit optics (41a to 41d) of the micro exit optics array (41) and each aperture area (42a to 421) and at least one, this aperture Be rich (42a to 421) associated micro-exit optics (41a to 41d), form a part-projection system, each part-projection system being assigned an illuminant area (2a to 2d) of the illuminant (2) in such a way that this illuminant -Area (2a to 2d) generated light (3a to 3d) essentially only hits that partial projection system to which this illuminant area (2a to 2d) is assigned, characterized in that the partial projection systems are designed differently and the Lamp areas (2a to 2d) can be controlled independently of one another by means of a control device (6), each partial projection system converting light (3a to 3d) emitted by the lamp area (2a to 2d) in the form of a controllable partial light pattern into a Projected area (5) in front of the motor vehicle light module (1) and the controllable partial light patterns together form a controllable light pattern, and wherein the light source (2) comprises a plurality of individual LEDs nde LED light source is formed, wherein preferably each illuminant area (2a to 2d) comprises at least one LED.

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle light module comprising an illuminant designed to generate preferably collimated light, a projection system arranged downstream of the illuminant and which projects the light generated by the illuminant into an area in front of the motor vehicle light module, the projection system having a carrier made of a material through which light can pass, a micro exit optics array, and an aperture device, wherein the aperture device is arranged on a side of the carrier facing the illuminant and the micro exit optics array is arranged close to a side of the carrier remote from the illuminant, the aperture device has a plurality of aperture areas, each Aperture area is assigned at least one micro-exit optics of the micro-exit optics array and each aperture area and at least one micro-exit optics assigned to this aperture area form a partial projection system, with each partial projection system a Illuminant area of the illuminant is assigned in such a way that the preferably collimated light generated by this illuminant area essentially only hits that partial projection system to which this illuminant area is assigned.

The invention also relates to a lighting system for a motor vehicle comprising at least one motor vehicle light module as mentioned above.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle headlight with at least one motor vehicle light module mentioned above or one lighting system mentioned above.

In addition, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with at least one motor vehicle light module, the motor vehicle light module being installed in the interior of the motor vehicle.

Light staging in and around the vehicle is being discussed more and more frequently. In addition, with the change to autonomous driving, a change in vehicle lighting is also to be expected. There is an increasing demand for additional lighting scenarios with a focus on personalization. The light modules developed for this purpose should have a high degree of flexibility in terms of light patterns that they can generate, but at the same time require little installation space and have a robust design.

Motor vehicle light modules of the type mentioned above are known in the prior art (see e.g DE 102015220911 A1 , DE 102015115242 A1 ). Such motor vehicle light modules have the disadvantage that they are static. That means the number of possible light patterns is quite limited.

The object of the present invention is to create a motor vehicle light module in which, firstly, the number of possible lighting patterns is increased and, secondly, dynamic lighting patterns (for example playable in real time) are possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a motor vehicle light module of the above-mentioned type in that the partial projection systems are designed differently and the illuminant areas can be controlled independently of one another by means of a control device, with each partial projection system showing light emitted by the illuminant area in the form of a ( for example in color, brightness, etc.) of a controllable partial light pattern is projected into an area in front of the motor vehicle light module and the controllable partial light patterns together form a controllable light pattern, and the lighting means is designed as an LED light source comprising a number of individual LEDs, with each Lamp area includes at least one LED.

The object is also achieved with a lighting system of the type mentioned above, which includes the control device.

By switching on or dimming different light source areas, partial projection systems assigned to these light source areas are illuminated with different amounts of light, as a result of which the number of light patterns can be increased. Dynamic light patterns can also be generated. It should be noted that the shape of the controllable light pattern can be influenced both by the control device (e.g. switching the partial light pattern on and off) and by the design of the aperture areas (shape and position of the aperture edges in aperture areas, etc.).

The illuminant can be an LED light source, for example. Optionally, the LED light source can be followed by an optics element, such as optics, for example a TIR optics or a silicone optics body, which optics or which silicone optics body collimates the light emitted by the LED light source. The lighting means can also be a light conversion means. The light conversion means can also be followed by an optical element of the type mentioned above, which collimates the mostly diffuse light generated by the light conversion means.

The micro exit optics array - an array of micro optics, preferably micro lenses (characteristic size is preferably in the micrometer range), which in a matrix-like array in a transverse to the optical axis of the motor vehicle light module standing level are arranged. Such micro exit optics arrays are, for example, in the applications WO 2015/058227 A1 , WO 2017/066817 A1 and WO 2017/066818 A1 described in detail by the applicant.

The micro exit optics array can be permanently connected to the carrier, which is designed as a glass substrate, for example.

Accordingly, the carrier can be connected both to the diaphragm device and to the micro exit optics array. As a result, for example, an optical thickness of the entire projection system and consequently its optical parameters, such as back focus, can be changed more easily. The beam path of the light from the illuminant passes through both materials - the carrier and the micro exit optics array. The material of the carrier, for example glass, thus takes over part of the lens bodies of the micro exit optics of the micro exit optics array. As a result, for example, the amount of material that is required for the production of the micro exit optics array can be reduced.

Provision can advantageously be made for the projection system to be exchangeable.

Provision can also be made for the panel device to be exchangeable.

Insofar as the interchangeability of the projection system is explained below, these statements also apply mutatis mutandis to the interchangeability of the diaphragm device.

For this purpose, corresponding adjustment and fixing means can be provided in the motor vehicle light module, for example, which allow the projection system to be positioned in relation to the lighting means, adjusted and fixed after the adjustment. In order to simplify the handling of the motor vehicle light module, the adjusting and fixing means can be designed in such a way that the projection system or screen device can be easily replaced. Mechanisms similar to those in a slide projector, for example, can be used for this purpose. The corresponding projection system or the aperture device of the corresponding projection system in the present invention can be exchangeable in a projection system similar to slides in a slide projector.

As a result, the user-friendliness of the motor vehicle light module can be increased in that the user can, for example, purchase the projection systems or their aperture device with differently designed aperture devices, replace them if necessary and in this way achieve a desired lighting pattern.

In addition, it can be provided that the aperture areas of the different partial projection systems are configured differently. For example, the aperture areas of an aperture device may be arranged in a 4x5 array. The aperture devices in the present invention can reach sizes of about 7.2x10mm.

In an embodiment that has been tried and tested in practice, it can be provided that the micro exit optics array is designed as a lamina, the lamina being approximately 1 to 10 mm wide and 1 to 10 mm long, preferably 1 to 2 mm wide and 2 to 3 mm long , in particular 1.8 mm by 2 mm.

It can be expedient if the micro-exit optics in the micro-exit optics array are arranged in a regular pattern, for example in a square or hexagonal pattern, and are preferably designed as convex lenses, the lenses having a characteristic size, for example a characteristic diameter of their the illuminant side facing, have in the micrometer range.

The area utilization (for example of the carrier) can be improved by the above-mentioned hexagonal arrangement.

Furthermore, it can be expedient if the control device comprises a control unit with an internal storage medium, software being stored in the control unit, which software is configured to control the individual lighting means areas.

In addition, it is conceivable that the control device is portable, preferably designed as a smartphone or a tablet, and the software is designed as application software, preferably a smartphone or tablet app.

Further structural advantages result if the LEDs are mounted on a common circuit board in a matrix-like arrangement, with each individual LED preferably being followed by a light-collimating optic body, for example a TIR lens or a silicone optic body. For example, there can be 20 LEDs arranged in a 4×5 matrix.

With regard to adjusting the projection system and adapting the light pattern, it can be advantageous if the projection system also includes a micro entry optics array, which the carrier ger is upstream in such a way that each micro exit optics is assigned at least one micro entry optics of the micro entry optics array.

In addition, it can be provided that different illuminant areas are set up to emit light in different wavelengths. Another area of application is ambient or contour lighting in vehicles.

In a preferred lighting system according to the invention, it can be provided that software is stored on the control device, which software is configured to control the individual light source areas, and the control device is either an integral part of the motor vehicle light module or - with regard to the motor vehicle light module - external control device is.

It is conceivable that the software of the control device can be operated remotely using a portable control device, with the portable control device preferably being designed as a smartphone or a tablet, and the software being designed as application software.

Provision can also be made for the lighting system to be installed in a motor vehicle headlight.

Alternatively, the above-mentioned control device can be a motor vehicle on-board computer, for example. In this case, only the motor vehicle light module can be installed in a motor vehicle headlight or, for example, in the interior of a motor vehicle.

• 1 einen schematischen Aufbau eines Beleuchtungssystems für ein Kraftfahrzeug;
• 2 einen schematischen Aufbau eines Beleuchtungssystems für ein Kraftfahrzeug mit Lichtquellen in unterschiedlichen Farben;
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Lichtmoduls des Beleuchtungssystems der 1 oder 2;
• 4 ein Mikro-Austrittsoptik-Array;
• 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Lichtmoduls der 1 oder 2, das an einem Kühlkörper befestigt ist, und
• 6a und 6b zwei Blendenvorrichtungen.

The invention, together with further advantages, is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the drawing. In this shows

• 1 a schematic structure of a lighting system for a motor vehicle;
• 2 a schematic structure of a lighting system for a motor vehicle with light sources in different colors;
• 3 a perspective view of a light module of the lighting system of FIG 1 or 2 ;
• 4 a micro exit optics array;
• 5 a perspective view of a light module 1 or 2 , which is attached to a heat sink, and
• 6a and 6b two aperture devices.

First up 1 and 2 referenced. Both show a schematic structure of a lighting system for a motor vehicle with a light module 1, which light module 1 can be installed both in a motor vehicle headlight and, for example, in the interior of a motor vehicle, and a control device 6. The control device can be both an integral part of the light module 1 and also assigned externally to the light module 1 and designed, for example, as a motor vehicle on-board computer. The light module 1 can correspond to a motor vehicle light module according to the invention. The light module 1 has an illuminant 2 and a projection system 4 arranged downstream of the illuminant 2 . The light source 2 is set up, preferably designed in such a way that it generates light 3 when it is switched on. As described above, light-collimating optical elements (not shown here) can be placed in front of the light source 2 . These optical elements are not necessary and are used for improved coupling of the light 3 emitted by the lighting means 2 into the projection system 4. The coupling can also be achieved by reducing the distance between the lighting means 2 and the projection system 4.

Projection system 4 projects light 3, for example in the form of a predefined controllable light pattern, in particular a desired logo or an arrow, into an area 5 in front of light module 1, for example into the traffic area, in particular onto the road surface when the light module is in a Motor vehicle is put into operation, shown. Alternatively, the area 5 can also be inside the motor vehicle if the light module 1 is installed in the interior of the motor vehicle.

The projection system 4 comprises a carrier 40 made of a material through which the, for example, collimated light 3 can pass, a micro exit optics array 41 and a diaphragm device 42. The diaphragm device 42 is arranged on a side of the carrier 40 facing the illuminant 2. The micro exit optics array 41 is close, so that there is an air gap of, for example, 0 to 10 mm, or is arranged directly on a side of the carrier 40 facing away from the illuminant 2 . The air gap should be such that all of the light 3 that has passed through the carrier 40 strikes the micro exit optics array 41 and preferably almost no scattered light and/or light losses occur. The aperture device 42 has a plurality of aperture areas 42a to 421 (see also 6a and 6b) , At least one micro exit optics 41a to 41d of the micro exit optics array 41 corresponding to each aperture area 42a to 421, each aperture area 42a to 421 and at least one aperture Area 42a to 421 corresponding micro-exit optics 41a to 41d form a partial projection system. Each partial projection system is assigned an illuminant area 2a to 2d of the illuminant 2 in such a way that the light 3a to 3d generated by this illuminant area 2a to 2d, for example collimated, essentially only hits the partial projection system to which this illuminant Area 2a to 2d is assigned. The illuminant 2 of the light module 1 of 2 is designed in such a way that its different illuminant areas 2a to 2d can emit light in different colors and wavelengths. Both the carrier 40 and the micro exit optics array 41 can be made of different materials, for example UV acrylate, silicone, glass or plastic. Glass carriers - glass carriers - have proven themselves in practice. The micro exit optics array 41 can, for example, be attached directly to the carrier 40, in particular glued to it.

At this point it should be noted that the number of lighting means areas 2a to 2d is preferably the same as the number of partial projection systems. It can also be provided that exactly one micro exit optics 41a to 41d corresponds to each diaphragm area 42a to 421 . The number of illuminant areas 2a to 2d and the number of partial projection systems vary. It can be 1 to 20 or 30, depending on the desired light output of the system. The number of partial projection systems depends, for example, on the luminous efficacy, since the amount of light/area depends on the respective light source, which can be designed, for example, as an LED light source with an upstream collimator element. A collimator element can include, for example, one or more collimating attachment optics or optic bodies, such as TIR lenses, or one or more collimating reflectors (hollow optic bodies). For applications that require little light, even a single partial projection system can suffice. 6a shows, for example, five screen areas 42a to 42e arranged in a row. 6b shows, for example, twelve aperture areas 42a to 421 arranged in a 3x4 matrix.

The partial projection systems are designed differently. Taking into account what has been said above, it means that different controllable partial light patterns can be generated using different partial projection systems. The partial light patterns together form the controllable light pattern. The control device 6 mentioned above is set up to control the lighting means areas 2a to 2d independently of one another. This significantly increases the number of variations in the emitted light pattern. In this way, certain individual illuminant areas 2a to 2d can be dimmed or even switched off or brightened by means of the control device 6, as a result of which some partial light patterns no longer arise, but the others do. For example, it is possible to switch between different logos or other signs or combine them as you wish.

Provision can be made for the entire projection system 4 or only its diaphragm device 42 to be exchangeable. This results in even more design freedom. A customer can thus purchase and replace a projection system or their screen device with the desired symbols. This means that individual personalization can be significantly expanded without making the basic structure of the system more expensive.

The micro exit optics array 41 can be designed as a small plate. Which platelet is approximately 1 to 10 mm wide and 1 to 10 mm long, preferably 1 to 2 mm wide and 2 to 3 mm long. In particular, a micro-exit optic can be 1.8 mm by 2 mm. Micro exit optics arrays 41 of different sizes, for example 10×10 mm but also 36×55 mm, can be formed from this. In this case, the small plate, as can undoubtedly be seen from the figures, is arranged in a plane which is perpendicular to a main emission direction of the light module.

The micro exit optics 41a to 41d in the micro exit optics array 41 are preferably arranged in a regular, for example square (see FIG 4 ) or hexagonal (not shown) pattern. The micro exit optics can be designed as convex lenses which have a characteristic size, for example the diameter of their side facing the illuminant 2, in the micrometer range. A very advantageous overall depth of the entire light module is thereby achieved. By using such small optics, which are arranged in the micro exit optics array, the light yield can be increased and adapted for the corresponding application.

In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that software is stored on the control device, which software is configured to control the individual lighting means areas 2a to 2d. This can make the light module easier to operate.

The software is preferably in the form of application software. In addition, it can be particularly advantageous if the software of the control device can be operated remotely using a portable control device. The control device can be a smartphone or a tablet with an ent talking smartphone or tablet app that can be connected to the software. This immensely increases the number of users who can operate the lighting system or the light module. A further advantage results from the fact that the desired light pattern is not simulated and set directly on the lighting system or on the light module, but rather remotely from the light module, on the portable control unit, and can only be imported later on to the lighting system or to the light module.

This results in the advantage that symbols generated by partial projection systems can be actively switched for different customers or use cases via the application software or the smartphone or tablet app, so that the same light module can be used for several customers. The application software or the smartphone or tablet app could also be adjusted individually based on different panel devices 42 .

In a practice-proven embodiment (see e.g 3 ) the illuminant 2 is designed as an LED light source comprising a plurality of individual LEDs, with each illuminant region 2a to 2d preferably comprising at least one LED. The LEDs can be mounted on a common printed circuit board 20 in a matrix-like arrangement, with each individual LED preferably having a light-collimating optics body 21 located downstream. The light-collimating optic body 21 is often also referred to as a “collimator”. The term light-collimating optic body or collimator subsumes several terms, such as TIR lens, silicone optic body, light-conducting silicone optics or a reflector with mirrored reflector surfaces of a specific shape.

The 3 it can also be seen that all the light-collimating optic bodies 21 can be formed in one piece with one another. One-piece designs are easier to manufacture. In addition, the adjustment of the entire optical system—the motor vehicle light module—can thereby be simplified. The light-collimating optical bodies 21 (regardless of whether they are formed in one piece with one another or separately) can be fixed/attached to the common circuit board 20 .

In addition, the 3 an interface 6b arranged on the common circuit board 20 for the - in this case external - control device 6, via which the control device 6 can control the light source 2 and in particular the individual light source areas 2a to 2d, for example by sending control signals from the control unit 6a via the interface 6b transmits to the light source 2 and in particular to the individual light source areas 2a to 2d.

Furthermore, it is expedient if the motor vehicle light module 1 has adjusting and fixing means (not shown), which allow the projection system 4 to be positioned in relation to the lighting means 2, adjusted and fixed after the adjustment. In order to handle the motor vehicle light module 1, the adjusting and fixing means can be designed in such a way that the projection system 4 or its screen device 42 can be easily replaced. Mechanisms similar to those in a slide projector can be used for this, for example, with the present invention projecting system 4 or its diaphragm device 42 being interchangeable in a similar way to slides in a slide projector.

As already mentioned, the micro exit optics array 41 can be attached directly to the carrier 40, in particular glued to it.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the projection system 4 additionally comprises a micro entry optics array, which is positioned in front of the carrier 40 in such a way that each micro exit optics 41a to 41d is assigned at least one micro entry optics of the micro entry optics array (see 3 or 6 ). With the micro entrance optics array, the distribution of the light intensity can be influenced even more. If the light 3 is collimated, the most homogeneous possible illumination of the projection system 4 can be achieved. For example, in order to illuminate the center of a logo more intensely or to exploit unused peripheral areas in terms of lighting technology, the micro entry optics array can be used to design a basic light distribution according to the desired application.

Further shows 5 a perspective view of a light module 1 or 2 , which is attached to a heat sink 7.

It goes without saying that both micro-entry optics and micro-exit optics, which can be designed as (e.g. convex) lenses, for example, are designed for an intended application, i.e. for the desired light pattern.

The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. For example, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the invention are summarized in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This kind of open disclosure is not to be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single embodiment described above. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.

The reference numerals in the claims are only intended for a better understanding of the present inventions and do not imply any limitation of the present inventions.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102015220911 A1 [0006]
• DE 102015115242 A1 [0006]
• WO 2015058227 A1 [0012]
• WO 2017066817 A1 [0012]
• WO 2017066818 A1 [0012]

Claims (14)

Motor vehicle light module (1) comprising - an illuminant (2) set up to generate light (3), - a projection system (4) arranged downstream of the illuminant (2) and which projects the light (3) generated by the illuminant (2) into an area ( 5) projected in front of the motor vehicle light module (1), wherein - the projection system (4) * a carrier (40) made of a material through which light (3) can pass, * a micro exit optics array (41), and * a diaphragm device (42 ), wherein the diaphragm device (42) is arranged on a side of the carrier (40) facing the illuminant (2) and the micro exit optics array (41) is arranged close to a side of the carrier (40) facing away from the illuminant (2). , - the aperture device (42) has a plurality of aperture areas (42a to 421), each aperture area (42a to 421) being assigned at least one micro exit optics (41a to 41d) of the micro exit optics array (41) and each aperture area (42a to 421) and at least one, this Ble nd area (42a to 421) assigned micro-exit optics (41a to 41d), form a partial projection system, each partial projection system being assigned an illuminant area (2a to 2d) of the illuminant (2) in such a way that the light (3a to 3d) generated by this illuminant area (2a to 2d) essentially only strikes that partial projection system to which this illuminant area (2a to 2d) is assigned, characterized in that the partial projection systems are designed differently and the illuminant areas (2a to 2d) can be controlled independently of one another by means of a control device (6), each partial projection system receiving light (3a to 3d) emitted by the illuminant area (2a to 2d) in the form of a controllable partial light pattern projected into an area (5) in front of the motor vehicle light module (1) and the controllable partial light patterns together form a controllable light pattern, and the lighting means (2) as a plurality of individual LEDs comprehensive LED light source is formed, wherein preferably each illuminant area (2a to 2d) comprises at least one LED. Motor vehicle light module claim 1 , characterized in that the projection system (4) and/or its diaphragm device (42) is/are exchangeable. Motor vehicle light module claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the diaphragm areas (42a to 421) of the different partial projection systems are designed differently. Motor vehicle light module according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the micro exit optics array (41) is designed as a small plate, the plate being approximately 1 to 10 mm wide and 1 to 10 mm long, preferably 1 to 2 mm wide and 2 to 3 mm long, in particular 1.8 mm by 2 mm. Motor vehicle light module according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the micro-exit optics (41a to 41d) in the micro-exit optics array (41) are arranged in a regular pattern, for example in a square or hexagonal pattern, and are preferably designed as convex lenses, the lenses having a characteristic Size, for example, have a characteristic diameter of their the light source (2) facing side in the micrometer range. Motor vehicle light module according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the LEDs are mounted on a common circuit board (20) in a matrix-like arrangement, with each individual LED preferably having a light-collimating optics body (21), for example a TIR lens or a silicone optics body, downstream. Motor vehicle light module according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the projection system (4) further comprises a micro entry optics array, which is upstream of the carrier (40) in such a way that each micro exit optics (41a to 41d) has at least one micro entry optics of the micro entry optics array assigned. Motor vehicle light module according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that different lamp areas (2a to 2d) are set up to emit light (3) in different wavelengths. Lighting system for a motor vehicle comprising at least one motor vehicle light module according to one of Claims 1 until 8th and the control device (6). lighting system claim 9 , characterized in that the control device, wherein software is stored on the control device (6), which software is configured to control the individual illuminant areas (2a to 2d), and the control device is either an integral part of the motor vehicle light module or a with regard to the motor vehicle light module - is an external control device (6). lighting system claim 10 , characterized in that the software of The control device (6) can be operated remotely by means of a portable control device (6a), the portable control device (6a) preferably being designed as a smartphone or a tablet, and the software being designed as application software. Lighting system according to one of claims 9 until 11 , characterized in that the control device (6) is designed as a motor vehicle on-board computer. Motor vehicle headlights with at least one motor vehicle light module according to one of Claims 1 until 8th or a lighting system according to any one of claims 9 until 12 . Motor vehicle with at least one motor vehicle light module according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the motor vehicle light module is installed in the interior of the motor vehicle.

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