EP0602374B1 - Vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle lamp with a reflector or a lens for focusing the light rays emerging from an incandescent filament of an incandescent lamp and with a light disc connected in the beam path, with light-scattering optical elements arranged in rows and / or columns with a predetermined division on the inside of the light disc, wherein the optical elements are designed as lenses which scatter in the horizontal direction and / or vertical direction.

From US-A-1 916 514 a motor vehicle headlight is arranged with a reflector for focusing the light rays emerging from a filament of an incandescent lamp and with a light disc connected in the beam path in rows and / or columns with a predetermined division on the inside of the light disc light-deflecting optical elements known. These optical elements are designed as prisms and are formed from two prism flanks running towards one another. The prism flanks are connected to each other by radii, which are due to manufacturing technology and have no light-deflecting effect. This known embodiment has the disadvantage that the lens also acts purely from the optical impression as a prism optic, it being disadvantageous in particular that the light is deflected into two lateral areas which are separated from one another and a central area connecting these lateral areas is not illuminated.

From the German patent application DE 37 07 738 A1 a vehicle lamp is known which has a reflector or a lens for focusing the light rays emerging from an incandescent filament of an incandescent lamp. The light, which is directed essentially parallel by the reflector or the lens, is followed in the beam path by a light disk which has lenses arranged next to one another. The lenses are designed as vertically extending cylindrical lenses in order to achieve a predetermined horizontal scattering of the light. In order to best adhere to a given light distribution, the surfaces of the cylindrical lenses are provided with flat surfaces so that each surface deflects the light striking them into a predetermined area.

A vehicle lamp with the same features is known from German published patent application DE 40 20 081 A1, wherein in addition to scattering in the horizontal direction, scattering of the light in the vertical direction is additionally generated by the optical elements.

In both previously known embodiments, it proves to be disadvantageous that the prism surfaces applied to the lenses are adapted to the radius or the free shapes of the lens surface with a predetermined division of the lens and thus no light deflection angles greater than or equal to 30 degrees can be achieved. For example, it is not possible, as in the light shown in DE 40 20 081 A1, which is installed in the side area of the motor vehicle and whose front section of the lens has an arrow to the horizontal vehicle transverse axis, with the previously known lens optics which have prism surfaces, to meet the legal requirements for reversing lights, which require a 30 to 45 degree deflection, since neither the lenses nor prisms in the housing or the reflector allow light to exit the light in a 45 degree direction to the vehicle's longitudinal axis.

When installing the vehicle lamp on the side, prism optics are used to achieve the light deflection required to comply with legal requirements. Prism optics of this type are known from the German patent DE 31 03 175 C2 and the European patent application EP 0 322 370 A1.

If a prism lens is used for a multi-chamber luminaire for a light function and lens optics for the other light functions, this also results in an inconsistent appearance of the luminaire, as if a luminaire with only one light function also uses prisms in addition to lenses. In addition to this disadvantage, it proves to be particularly disadvantageous that the use of the conventional prism optics is complex and costly Tools must be made from chopsticks for the manufacture of the lens.

The invention has for its object to provide a vehicle lamp, in which the lens has the uniform appearance of a lens optics with arranged at a predetermined division in rows and / or columns, designed as lenses, with a deflection behavior of the light, which both lens optics as well as a prism optics.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

It is advantageous that part or all of the optical elements in the horizontal or vertical section have two prism flanks, which form a light-deflecting prism, and a radius connecting the prism flanks, which forms a light-scattering lens, such that the prism flanks form angles to the lens, which deflect the light rays hitting the prism flanks into outer areas, which enclose an inner area into which the light rays hitting the radius are scattered, because in this way a vehicle light is created in a simple and cost-effective manner with a lens which has both the properties and the stylistic appearance of a lens optic also has the advantages of a prism optic, which consist in the fact that larger scattering angles can be achieved compared to the lens optic without the need for complex and expensive tools for producing the lens.

In this context, it proves to be particularly advantageous that the radius has a tangential transition into the prism flanks, as a result of which, in particular in the case of multi-chamber lamps, a uniform appearance of the lens covering all the light functions can be achieved with a predetermined division of the optical elements arranged in columns and / or rows, since the tangential transition of the radius into the prism flanks due to the lack of sharp-edged transitions between the prism flanks and the radius of each optical element when viewed from the outside in its Appearance corresponds to the design of the overall optics of the lens of a cylinder or torus lens.

The fact that the transition points between the prism flanks and the radius in the horizontal or vertical section of the lens through the predetermined division, the prism angles and the predetermined divisions for the prism flanks are given, the advantage is that in a simple and inexpensive manner by varying the predetermined Divisions for the prism surfaces can determine both the appearance of the optical elements having the prism surfaces and the amounts of light to be scattered into the individual areas.

It is advantageous that the radius is determined by the length of the chord between the transition points and the opening angle of the circular arc, which ensures that there is a tangential transition between the radius and the prism flanks and thus the appearance of the optical elements, the prism flanks have the appearance of cylindrical or torus lenses.

It is advantageous that the prism scattering angle, which determines the deflection of the light rays into the outer regions, is greater than or equal to 30 degrees, as a result of which any desired light function can be fulfilled by means of the vehicle lamp in accordance with the legal requirements.

This applies in particular when the lens has an arrow corresponding to an angle to the horizontal vehicle transverse axis of the vehicle network, so that a predetermined light distribution cannot be achieved by normal lens optics and also in particular when installing a vehicle lamp in the side area of the motor vehicle through prisms in the housing wall or the required light deflection cannot be achieved on the reflector, because of the lateral installation position of the vehicle lamp and the depth of the vehicle lamp required light direction is covered by a housing or vehicle wall.

The fact that the optical elements provided with prism flanks are combined in a partial section of the lens results in a simple and inexpensive embodiment of a vehicle lamp in which only a part of the optical elements has to have prism flanks in order to achieve the required light distribution, the overall stylistic impression the lens maintains a uniform appearance.

It is advantageous that at least a portion of at least one light function of the lens is assigned to a multi-chamber light having multiple light functions, because in this way a uniform appearance of the optical elements can be achieved even with multi-chamber lights over the entire lens, without individual light functions being separate from the multi-chamber light arranged vehicle lights must be arranged in the motor vehicle.

The fact that rows or columns of two optical elements having different prism scattering angles are arranged alternately results in the advantage of a particularly homogeneous light distribution, since the best possible coverage of the areas to be taken into account in the light distribution is achieved.

The use of the vehicle lamp as a reversing lamp proves to be particularly advantageous, since large deflection angles are required for reversing lamps and these are otherwise designed as prism optics which disrupt the stylistic appearance of a multi-chamber lamp, which is not the case when using the vehicle lamp according to the invention.

The use of the vehicle lamp as a rear fog lamp proves to be particularly advantageous because of the use of the light directed in parallel and the formation of the optical elements, high light values can be directed into the outer areas and thus the most homogeneous possible light distribution can be generated.

An embodiment of the subject of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Identical or equivalent features are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

Figur 1

einen horizontalen Schnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Fahrzeugleuchte;

Figur 2

als Einzelheit (U) gemäß Figur 1 einen horizontalen Schnitt durch die Lichtscheibe;

Figur 3

ein optisches Element der Lichtscheibe;

Figur 4

einen beispielhaften ersten Strahlengang;

Figur 5

einen beispielhaften zweiten Strahlengang.

Show it

Figure 1

a horizontal section through a vehicle lamp according to the invention;

Figure 2

as a detail (U) according to FIG. 1, a horizontal section through the lens;

Figure 3

an optical element of the lens;

Figure 4

an exemplary first beam path;

Figure 5

an exemplary second beam path.

FIG. 1 shows a horizontal section through a vehicle lamp which has a reflector (RE) and an incandescent lamp (GL) inserted into the reflector (RE). The light rays emerging from the filament (GW) of the incandescent lamp (GL) are bundled by the reflector (RE) into light directed essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (Y). The reflector (RE) is part of a housing, for. B. a multi-chamber lamp, which is covered by a downstream lens (L). The lens (L) has light-scattering optical arranged in rows and / or columns over its entire area at a predetermined division (T) on the inside Elements (OE), of which only a few are shown here. The optical elements (OE) can be designed as cylindrical lenses with essentially horizontal scattering behavior, but also as torus lenses that scatter the light impinging on them in both the horizontal and vertical directions. In another embodiment, the reflector (RE) can also be replaced by a lens that bundles the light.

Depending on the desired appearance of the lens (L), the optical elements (OE) can be designed as convex optical elements (OE) as shown or, as is possible in another exemplary embodiment, as concave optical elements (OE), as a result of which the greatest possible variation in the design the lens (L) and predetermined light distribution is guaranteed.

The lens (L) can be crystal clear or have a color, in particular a gray color, the good light utilization of the light bundled by the reflector (RE) through the optical elements (OE) resulting in the light losses caused by the coloration, in particular in the outer areas (B1, B2) can be compensated.

The vehicle lamp shown here by way of example is a version to be installed in the rear corner region of the motor vehicle body, which is particularly suitable for use in combination models. It can be seen from the auxiliary line (H) shown that light-directing elements on the reflector (RE) do not allow the light emitted by the filament (GW) to be deflected in the 45 degree direction specified by the auxiliary line (H), since here the housing wall (GH) and a vehicle body, not shown here, is in the way. Since a normal lens optics with which a maximum light deflection of less than or minus 30 degrees is possible, with the arrow of the lens specified here, which cannot be reached here by the auxiliary line (H) given the 45 degree deflection direction, this lamp is, for. B. as Reversing light can only be used if the lens has a prism optic. However, this is complex and costly to manufacture and considerably disturbs the overall stylistic appearance of the lens, in particular a multi-chamber lamp.

FIG. 2 shows a horizontal section through the lens (L) according to the detail (U) from FIG. 1. Part or all of the optical elements of the lens (L) have two prism flanks (PF1, PF2) and, depending on the desired light distribution in the horizontal section a radius (R) connecting the prism flanks (PF1, PF2). The prism flanks (PF1, PF2) have angles (A1, A2) to the lens and deflect the light beams (LS) impinging on the prism flanks (PF1, PF2) according to a predetermined prism scattering angle (D), the angles on the first prism flank (D) PF1) impinging light rays (LS) with positive prism scattering angle (D) are deflected and the light rays impinging on the second prism flank (PF2) (LS) with negative prism scattering angle (D) are deflected. The section of the optical elements (OE), which is predetermined by the radius (R), has a scattering behavior, such as a known cylinder or torus lens. The division (T) determining the distance between the individual optical elements (OE) is predetermined and is the same over the entire optical disc or is used alternately from column to column or row to row with a further division.

The prism angles (A1, A2) result from the desired angular deflection of the light beams (LS), which corresponds to the prism scattering angle (D), taking into account the angle (G) of the lens (L) to the horizontal vehicle transverse axis (X), which is referred to as the arrow. . The longitudinal axis of the vehicle is designated (Y). The angle (G) indicating the arrowing is here, for example, 25 degrees.

To determine the first transition point (P1) and the second transition point (P2) between the radius (R) and The prism flanks (PF1, PF2) use the specified division (T) and the first division (T1) and the second division (T2) for the prism flanks (PF1, PF2), through their variation both the stylistic appearance of the optical elements (OE ) as well as those determined by the prism flanks (PF1, PF2) and by the radius (R) for certain light values.

Figure 3 shows a single optical element (OE) in its assignment to the vehicle network (FN), represented by the vehicle longitudinal axis (Y) and the horizontal vehicle transverse axis (X).

The chord (S) of the arc between the transition points (P1, P2) is determined in a known manner from the coordinates for the transition points (P1, P2), the opening angle (O) of the arc, a prism angle (A1 or A2) and the angle (G). The radius (R) can be determined in a known manner from the length of the chord (S) and the opening angle (O) of the circular arc.

Such a mathematical, empirical or experimentally determined form of the optical element (OE) creates a vehicle lamp with a lens (L) whose stylistic appearance corresponds to that of a pure lens optic, since the radius tangentially merges into the prism flanks and which both Effect of a lens optics and that of a prism optics with large light deflection angles.

Following the prism flanks (PF1, PF2) shown in FIG. 3, no further structure of the lens (L) is shown.

FIG. 4 shows a beam path through a lens (L) of a vehicle lamp according to the invention, in which the prism angles (A1, A2) are designed to deflect the light by 45 degrees. The lens (L), which is shown here again in horizontal section, has optical elements (OE), only a few of which are shown here. The light bundled by the reflector (RE), not shown here, essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (Y) of the vehicle is directed into a first region (B1) by the first prism flank (PF1) of the optical element (OE) in accordance with the predetermined prism angle (D). The light impinging on the second prism flank (PF2) is directed into the second outer region (B2) in accordance with the predetermined prism scattering angle (D). The essentially parallel light striking the radius (R) is scattered into a third region (B3) lying between the outer regions (B1, B2). The light beams (LS) are thus deflected by each prism flank (PF1, PF2) and the radius (R) into a predetermined, defined area (B1, B2, B3).

FIG. 5 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 4, in which, with the same division (T), the prism angles (A1, A2) are designed for light deflection according to the prism scattering angle (D) of 30 degrees and a larger radius (R) is used, as a result of which less scattering in the inner region (B3) of the light beams (LS) is generated.

Depending on the intended use and the light function to be displayed, all optical elements (OE) can have prism flanks (PF1, PF2), it is possible that only special sub-areas required to represent a given light distribution have optical elements (OE) with prism flanks (PF1, PF2) or can have individual prism flanks (PF1, PF2) distributed over all optical elements (OE). Columns or rows of two different prism scattering angles (D) having optical elements (OE) can be arranged alternating in columns or rows. Here is z. For example, a combination of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 in this way is advantageous, since a particularly uniform light distribution is thus generated, in which high light components in the side areas are ensured.

According to a special exemplary embodiment, which is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, in which the refraction factor (N) of the lens (L) has the value N equal to 1.492, the prism scattering angle (D) the value D equal to plus / minus 45 Degrees, the angle (G) is minus 25 degrees, the pitch (T) is 3.5 mm, the first pitch (T1) is 0.68 mm and the second pitch is 1.1 mm, the first prism angle is ( A1) is 64 degrees, the second angle (A2) is minus 54.5 degrees, the first transition point (P1) has the coordinates 1.2 mm and 0.98 mm, the second transition point (P2) has the coordinates 2 , 83 mm and 0.38 mm, the chord (S) has a length of 1.737 mm and the opening angle (O) of the circular arc is 118.4 degrees and the radius (R) is 1.01 mm. With variations in the specified parameters, any desired light distribution can thus be represented in a simple and inexpensive manner.

In order to be able to direct large amounts of light into vertical outer areas (B1, B2), as required, for example, with rear fog lamps, the optical elements (OE) can also have the structure shown and described in FIG. 2 in the vertical section of the lens (L) .

Reference list Vehicle light

A1

first prism angle

A2

second prism angle

B1

first outer area

B2

second outer area

B3

inner area

D

Prism angle

FN

Vehicle network

G

Angle to the horizontal vehicle transverse axis

GH

Housing wall

GL

Light bulb

GW

Incandescent filament

H

Auxiliary line

L

Lens

LS

Rays of light

N

Refractive index

NP

Zero point

O

opening angle of the circular arc

OE

optical element

P1

first transition point

P2

second transition point

PF1

first prism flank

PF2

second prism flank

R

radius

RE

reflector

S

tendon

T

division

T1

first division

T2

second division

X

horizontal vehicle transverse axis

Y

Vehicle longitudinal axis

Claims (12)

1. Vehicle lamp comprising a reflector (RE) or a lens for beaming lightrays (LS) emitted by the light filament (GW) of a light bulb (GL) and with a light cover (L) downstream of the lightbeam, with light scattering optical elements (OE) offered in rows and/or gaps on the inside of the light cover (L), and with the optical elements (OE) designed as lenses which scatter in the horizontal and/or the vertical direction, characterised in that a portion or all of the optical elements (OE) have in the horizontal or vertical plane two prism flanks (PF1, PF2) which form a light deflecting prism, and a radius (R) which connects the prism flanks (PF1, PF2) and forms a light scattering lens, that the prism flanks (PF1, PF2) establish angles (A1, A2) relative to the light cover (L) which deflect light rays (LS) hitting the prism flanks (PF1, PF2) into outer regions (B1, B2) which include an inner area (B3) into which light rays (LS) which hit the radius (R) are scattered, and that the radius (R) has a tangential transposition into the prism flanks (PF1, PF2).
2. Vehicle lamp according to Claim 1, characterised in that the transitional points (P1, P2) between the prism flanks (PF1, PF2) and the radius (R) in the horizontal or vertical plane of the light cover (L) are offered by a given division (T), the prism angles (A1, A2) and offered divisions (T1, T2) for the prism flanks (PF1, PF2).
3. Vehicle lamp according to Claim 2, characterised in that the radius (R) is determined by the length of the chord (S) between the transitional points (P1, P2) and the opening angle of the arc (0).
4. Vehicle lamp according to one of the above claims, characterised in that the prism scatter angle (D), which determines the deflection of the light rays (LS) into the outer areas (B1, B2), is greater than 30 degrees.
5. Vehicle lamp according to one of the above claims, characterised in that the optical elements (OE) which are provided with prism flanks (PF1, PF2), are combined in a section of the light cover (L).
6. Vehicle lamp according to Claim 5, characterised in that at least a section of at least one light function of the light cover (L) is associated with a multi-chamber lamp comprising a plurality of light functions.
7. Vehicle lamp according to one of the above claims, characterised in that rows or gaps of two optical elements (OE) with different prism scatter angles (D) are alternately arranged.
8. Vehicle lamp according to one of the above claims, characterised in that the light cover (L) has an orientation to correspond with an angle (G) to the horizontal vehicle transverse axis (X) of the vehicle net (FN).
9. Vehicle lamp according to one of the above claims, characterised in that the optical elements (OE) are designed as concave or convex optical elements (OE).
10. Vehicle lamp according to one of the above claims, characterised in that the light cover (L) is tinted grey.
11. Vehicle lamp according to one of the above claims, characterised by its use as a reversing lamp.
12. Vehicle lamp according to one of the above claims, characterised by its use as a rear fog lamp.

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