EP2910847A2 - Light module of a motor vehicle headlight and headlight with such a light module - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a light module (7) of a headlight (1) of a motor vehicle. This comprises a plurality of matrix-like, individually controllable semiconductor light sources (10) for emitting light, a plurality of semiconductor light sources (10) associated matrix-like arranged primary optics (12) for bundling the light emitted from the semiconductor light sources (10) and for generating a primary light distribution (15) on light exit surfaces (16) of the primary optics (12), and a common secondary optics (18; 36) for imaging the primary light distributions (15) as secondary light distributions (19) on a roadway in front of the motor vehicle such that the secondary light distributions (19) Illuminate the distant area. In order to reduce the height of the secondary optics (18, 36) without loss of efficiency, it is proposed that in the beam path of the light module (7) between the primary optics (12) and the secondary optics (18, 36) a cylinder optics (30; Cylinder axis (31, 35) is arranged, which is oriented substantially horizontally.

Description

• mehrere matrixartig neben- und/oder übereinander angeordnete, einzeln ansteuerbare Halbleiterlichtquellen zum Aussenden von Licht,
• mehrere den Halbleiterlichtquellen zugeordnete matrixartig neben- und/oder übereinander angeordnete Primäroptiken zum Bündeln zumindest eines Teils des von den Halbleiterlichtquellen ausgesandten Lichts und zum Erzeugen einer primären Lichtverteilung auf Lichtaustrittsflächen der Primäroptiken, und
• eine gemeinsame Sekundäroptik zum Abbilden der primären Lichtverteilungen als sekundäre Lichtverteilungen auf einer Fahrbahn vor dem Kraftfahrzeug derart, dass die sekundären Lichtverteilungen einen Fernbereich ausleuchten,

The present invention relates to a light module of a headlamp of a motor vehicle. The light module comprises:

• a plurality of matrix-like juxtaposed and / or stacked, individually controllable semiconductor light sources for emitting light,
• a plurality of primary optics associated with the semiconductor light sources in a matrix-like manner next to and / or above one another for bundling at least part of the light emitted by the semiconductor light sources and for generating a primary light distribution on light exit surfaces of the primary optics, and
• a common secondary optics for imaging the primary light distributions as secondary light distributions on a roadway in front of the motor vehicle in such a way that the secondary light distributions illuminate a distant area,

Furthermore, the invention relates to a headlight for a Motor vehicle. The headlight comprises a housing with a light exit opening closed by a transparent cover pane and at least one light module arranged in the housing.

Light modules and motor vehicle headlights of the type mentioned are, for example, from the DE 10 2012 223 658 known. The light module described there has a plurality of semiconductor light sources arranged side by side for emitting light. A semiconductor light source is formed, for example, as a light emitting diode (eg, LED chip) having a substantially square or rectangular light emitting surface. Each of the semiconductor light sources is assigned a primary optic embodied as a converging lens, which concentrates the light emitted by its associated semiconductor light source. Several converging lenses are arranged side by side according to the arrangement of the semiconductor light sources and combined to form a primary optics array. The collecting lenses are preferably made of a solid transparent material, for example. Glass or plastic. They each have one of the associated semiconductor light source facing the light entry surface and a semiconductor light source remote from the light exit surface. A bundling of the light emitted by the semiconductor light source is effected by refraction at the light entrance and / or the light exit surface and / or by total reflection at outer boundary surfaces of the collection optics. Each collection optics generates - corresponding to the shape of the light-emitting surface of the associated light-emitting diode - a substantially square or rectangular primary light distribution on its light exit surface.

The known light module further comprises a common secondary optics designed as a projection lens for all primary optics. The projection lens is focused on the light exit surfaces of the primary optics so that it images the primary light distributions as corresponding secondary light distributions on the road ahead of the motor vehicle. The totality of all secondary light distributions corresponds to the resulting total light distribution produced by the light module, which is, for example, a high beam distribution. The projection lens images the primary light distributions as strip-shaped secondary light distributions with a significantly greater vertical than horizontal extent. It is conceivable that the individual strip-shaped secondary light distributions are limited laterally by sharp vertical light-dark boundaries. The secondary optics can also be designed in several parts, for example as a two-lobed achromatic device.

With the known light module, a so-called anti-glare high beam or partial high beam can be generated. By deactivating individual semiconductor light sources, areas are excluded from the resulting high beam distribution where other road users have been detected. The deactivation of the individual semiconductor light source (s) takes place as a function of a signal from detection means which are provided in the motor vehicle for the detection of other road users in front of the motor vehicle. The detection means may comprise at least one camera, at least one ultrasonic sensor and / or at least one radar sensor.

The secondary optics can be designed such that the from this on the road ahead of the motor vehicle pictured secondary light distributions without overlap of the secondary light distributions directly adjacent to each other. When one of the semiconductor light sources is deactivated, the range of non-existent corresponding secondary light distribution in the resulting light distribution of the light module is limited by relatively sharp vertical light-dark boundaries of the illuminated secondary light distributions of the activated adjacent semiconductor light sources. This large gradient of the illuminance can be perceived by a driver of the motor vehicle as subjectively disturbing.

Alternatively, it is in the DE 10 2012 223 658 described that the secondary optics is formed such that the latter of these on the road ahead of the motor vehicle depicted secondary light distributions are arranged side by side, wherein at least lateral regions of adjacent secondary light distributions overlap each other. This can be achieved by modulating a basic shape of a light exit surface of the projection optics in such a way that a single primary light distribution is converted into a multiplicity of corresponding subregions of the corresponding secondary light distribution, the subregions being displaced in the same direction and with the same orientation in the horizontal direction relative to one another and are arranged overlapping each other. The totality of all subsections resulting from a given primary light distribution forms the corresponding secondary light distribution. In this way, sharp vertical light-dark boundaries, which limit the strip-shaped secondary light distributions, and thus with a switched off semiconductor light source large gradients of illuminance are avoided. Grouping lens arrays are best suited as primary optics because they place only minimal demands on materials, molding and positioning accuracies. When using collective lens arrays, comparatively small secondary optics suffice. Thus, the aberrations of secondary optics can be kept small. A prerequisite for this, however, is a relatively large f-number (ratio of the focal length to the diameter of the effective entrance surface of the secondary optics). In lens systems, the aberrations are mainly color errors, while it is in coma with reflection systems with small f-numbers above all.

A disadvantage of the primary optics designed as a collecting lens array is that an opening angle of the emitted light bundle is approximately the same in all directions with respect to an optical axis of the secondary optics, that is, it can only be varied slightly. In other words, enlarging the light-emitting area of the semiconductor light sources in a lens that is located close to the light source is similar in the horizontal and vertical directions. Anamorphic enlargement of the primary light distributions is possible only within very narrow limits. However, since the vertical extent of strip-shaped matrix light distributions is several times their width, it would be desirable to match the magnification of the light-emitting surfaces of the semiconductor light sources to the strip-shaped secondary light distributions, ie to increase the illuminated areas on the light exit surfaces of the primary optics vertically more than horizontally.

wobei

• y, y' die Objekt- bzw. Bildgröße,
• σ,σ' der objekt- bzw. bildseitige Öffnungswinkel, und
• n, n' der objekt- bzw. bildseitige Brechungsindex ist.

According to the Helmholtz-Lagrangian invariant, this measure could significantly reduce the radiation angle of the primary optics in a vertical section, which would reduce the vertical extent, ie the height, of the secondary optics in the opposite way: $$y\times n\times \sigma =\mathit{y\; \text{'}}\times \mathit{n\text{'}}\times \mathit{\sigma \text{'}}.$$

in which

• y, y 'the object or image size,
• σ, σ 'is the object or image-side opening angle, and
• n, n 'is the object or image refractive index.

In addition, there are problems with the length of the light module in the known matrix high-beam modules due to the necessary large focal lengths of the secondary optics. The long focal lengths result from the required width / pitch of the generated matrix light distributions on the one hand and the division of the semiconductor light sources / primary optics on the other hand. The width of the light distributions depends largely on the desired resolution and performance of the light module, while the division of the primary optics is predetermined primarily by the required minimum distances and component sizes of the semiconductor light sources.

For this reason, it has already been envisaged in the prior art to fold the beam path through a deflection mirror or a deflecting prism so as to reduce the critical length of the light modules. However, deflection mirrors or prisms cause additional luminous flux losses in the beam path.

Based on the described prior art is the The present invention therefore an object of the invention to realize a light module for generating at least two in at least one line directly adjacent or overlapping strip-shaped secondary light distributions, wherein the at least two adjacent secondary light distributions of a plurality of semiconductor light sources or light source groups are formed, and wherein the overall height of Secondary optics can be reduced without significant luminous flux loss. Furthermore, the light module with comparable performance data (eg resolution, maximum illuminance, etc.) compared to known light modules have a shorter overall length.

To solve this problem, it is proposed starting from the light module of the type mentioned above, that in the beam path of the light module between the primary optics and the secondary optics, a cylinder optics is arranged, which has substantially no refractive power in horizontal sections and has light collecting properties in vertical sections.

As a cylinder optics in the context of the present invention, an optic is understood that in the horizontal sections no refractive power or at most a very low refractive power, in which therefore the horizontal cutting curves are at least approximately straight lines, and which acts collecting in the vertical sections, so a collective lens profile or has a concave mirror profile. The vertical cutting curves do not necessarily have to be circular. Furthermore, the centers of curvature do not have to coincide in vertical section in a cylinder axis.

The cylinder optics can significantly reduce the opening angle of the light beam from the primary optics in vertical section, so that the overall height of the secondary optics can be reduced to a corresponding extent. The secondary optics focuses on the cylindrical optics on the light exit surfaces of the primary optics array. The cylinder optics causes an anamorphic enlargement of the primary light distributions on the light exit surfaces of the primary optics, so that secondary light distributions (so-called pixels) are produced whose height can amount to a multiple of the respective pixel width. In return, the amount of secondary optics can be reduced to about the same extent. This is particularly contrary to common light module and headlight designs, which often require particularly flat and wide lenses and / or reflectors as secondary optics. This is i.a. a consequence of the increasingly streamlined vehicle fronts to achieve fuel economy and low wind noise.

In this way, compared to known light modules without cylinder optics invention light modules with about two to five times lower secondary optics can be realized almost without sacrificing the optical efficiency. Only the reflection and / or transmission losses at the cylinder optics must be considered additionally in the calculation of the efficiency. But these losses are well below the losses of known light modules, in which deflecting mirrors or prisms are arranged in the beam path.

It is conceivable that the cylinder optics in a vertical section on circular sectional curves and the centers of curvature in vertical section fall in one Cylinder axis together. This describes the special case of a "real" cylindrical lens or a "true" cylindrical reflector with constant curvature over the entire surface and a common cylinder axis.

If a cylindrical concave mirror is used as cylinder optics, this mirror can simultaneously fold the beam path, for example by folding the optical axis in a horizontal and / or vertical plane. In this way, the length of the optics can be significantly reduced. A cylinder optic designed as a cylindrical reflector may have an at least partially parabolic profile.

Fig. 1a

ein erfindungsgemäßes Lichtmodul gemäß einer ersten bevorzugten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 1b

ein Detail Z der Halbleiterlichtquellen und der Primäroptiken des Lichtmoduls aus Figur 1a;

Fig. 2

ein erfindungsgemäßes Lichtmodul gemäß einer zweiten bevorzugten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 3

ein erfindungsgemäßes Lichtmodul gemäß einer dritten bevorzugten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 4

einen Vertikalschnitt durch das Lichtmodul aus Figur 1a;

Fig. 5

einen Vertikalschnitt durch das Lichtmodul aus Figur 2;

Fig. 6

einen Vertikalschnitt durch ein Lichtmodul gemäß einer vierten bevorzugten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 7a

eine primäre Lichtverteilung als ausgeleuchtete Lichtaustrittsfläche einer Primäroptik eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls;

Fig. 7b

die ausgeleuchtete Fläche aus Fig. 7a nach einer Vergrößerung durch eine Zylinderoptik des erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls;

Fig. 8

einen erfindungsgemäßen Scheinwerfer für ein Kraftfahrzeug gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform; und

Fig. 9

eine Ersatzlichtquellenanordnung in einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform wie sie in dem erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmodul verwendet werden kann.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention can be taken from the subclaims. Further features and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1a

an inventive light module according to a first preferred embodiment;

Fig. 1b

a detail Z of the semiconductor light sources and the primary optics of the light module FIG. 1a ;

Fig. 2

an inventive light module according to a second preferred embodiment;

Fig. 3

an inventive light module according to a third preferred embodiment;

Fig. 4

a vertical section through the light module FIG. 1a ;

Fig. 5

a vertical section through the light module FIG. 2 ;

Fig. 6

a vertical section through a light module according to a fourth preferred embodiment;

Fig. 7a

a primary light distribution as an illuminated light exit surface of a primary optic of a light module according to the invention;

Fig. 7b

the illuminated area Fig. 7a after enlargement by a cylinder optics of the light module according to the invention;

Fig. 8

a headlamp for a motor vehicle according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment; and

Fig. 9

a replacement light source arrangement in a preferred embodiment as it can be used in the light module according to the invention.

In FIG. 8 is an example of a motor vehicle headlamp according to the invention designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 1. The headlight 1 comprises a housing 2, which is preferably made of a plastic material. A light exit opening 4 provided in the light exit direction 3 in the housing 2 is closed by means of a transparent cover 5. The cover 5 is, for example, made of glass or plastic. The cover 5 may be formed without optically effective profiles (eg prisms or cylindrical lenses) (so-called clear disc) or at least partially be provided with optically effective profiles, which can cause a scattering of the light passing through, in particular in the horizontal direction (so-called diffusion disc). Inside the headlight 1, a lamp module 6 may be arranged, which serves for the realization of a lighting function (eg flashing light, daytime running lights, position or limiting light, etc.).

Further, an inventive light module 7 is arranged in the interior of the housing 2, which is designed to realize a high beam distribution by superimposing a plurality of strip-shaped secondary light distributions each with a substantially vertical longitudinal extent (hereinafter also referred to as stripline). By deliberately dimming or switching off individual strip-shaped secondary light distributions, areas of the high-beam distribution can be hidden in which other road users were detected in order to prevent their dazzling (so-called anti-glare high beam or partial high beam). The high beam generated by the light module 7 can be one of a plurality of light distributions that can be generated by the light module 7. It is likewise conceivable that the high-beam distribution generated by the light module 7 is only part of a light distribution meeting the legal requirements, wherein another part of the light distribution fulfilling the legal requirements is generated by at least one other light module, for example the light module 8, of the headlight 1 can be. For example, it would be conceivable that the light distribution generated by the light module 7 is a high-beam spot, while the light module 8 generates a high-beam basic distribution. A superposition of the two high-beam partial light distributions (Spot and basic light) produces a high beam, which meets the legal requirements and / or ensures a particularly efficient illumination of the road ahead of the vehicle. Of course, it would be conceivable that the light distribution generated by the light module 7 already meets the legal requirements for a high beam, but by the superposition with the partial light distribution generated by the light module 8 a subjectively and / or objectively better illumination with high beam can be realized.

A first example of a light module 7 according to the invention is shown in FIG FIG. 1a shown. The light module 7 comprises a plurality of individually controllable semiconductor light sources 10 arranged in a horizontal center plane 11 or parallel thereto in a matrix-like manner (cf. FIG. 1b ) to send out light. The light sources 10 are, for example, designed as light-emitting diodes (LEDs or LED chips). "Matrix-like" in the sense of the present invention means that a plurality of LEDs 10 can be arranged both side by side in only one row as well as side by side and one above the other in a plurality of rows. The light sources 10 are preferably attached to a heat sink 13 (directly or indirectly via a printed circuit board 14) that during the operation of the light sources 10 occurring waste heat can be effectively dissipated and discharged to the environment.

Furthermore, the light module 7 comprises a plurality of primary optics 12 associated with the semiconductor light sources 10 and likewise arranged in matrix-like fashion for bundling at least part of the light emitted by the semiconductor light sources 10 and for producing a primary light distribution 15 (cf. Figure 7a ) each on light exit surfaces 16 of the primary optics 12th The primary optics 12 are preferably designed as converging lenses, so that the totality of the primary optics 12 forms a collective lens array. The primary light distributions 15 correspond to a uniform illumination of the light exit surfaces 16 by the light of one of the light-emitting surfaces 17 of a light source 10.

Furthermore, the light module 7 comprises a common secondary optics, which is formed in the illustrated embodiment as a projection lens 18. By means of the lens 18, the primary light distributions 15, which are shown on the light exit surfaces 16 of the primary optics 12, shown as strip-shaped secondary light distributions 19 on a roadway in front of the motor vehicle. The secondary light distributions 19 together result in an illuminated remote area. The light module 7 thus serves to generate a high-beam distribution 21.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the secondary light distributions 19 are not imaged on the roadway but on a vertically aligned measuring screen 20 arranged at a distance from the light module 7. When using a plurality of light sources 10 arranged side by side in a row and correspondingly arranged primary optics 12, each of the secondary light distributions 19 comprises the entire vertical extent shown. It can be clearly seen that the resulting high-beam distribution 21 is composed of a plurality of juxtaposed, vertically aligned, strip-shaped (with substantially vertical longitudinal extent) secondary light distributions 19. In the example shown are ten secondary light distributions 19 arranged side by side. The lines 22 shown within the light distributions 19 are areas of equal illuminance (so-called isolux lines). The secondary light distributions 19 preferably each have their greatest illuminance values in the region of the horizontal plane 11. Upwards or downwards, the illuminance values drop within a strip-shaped secondary light distribution 19.

On the measuring screen 20, a horizontal line HH is shown, which corresponds to a section line of the horizontal plane 11 with the measuring screen 20. Accordingly, a vertical line VV is drawn on the measuring screen 20, which corresponds to a section line of a vertical center plane 23 with the measuring screen 20. A section line of the horizontal plane 11 and the vertical plane 23 corresponds to an optical axis 24 of the secondary optics 18 or in this case the entire light module 7. It can be clearly seen that a large part of the resulting light distribution 21 is above the horizontal HH, i. It is illuminated a long range in front of the motor vehicle.

Each secondary light distribution 19 is generated by the light of one of the semiconductor light sources 10 after it has been focused by the corresponding primary optics 12 and imaged by the secondary optics 18 on the measuring screen 20. By deliberately switching off individual light sources 10, individual secondary light distributions 19 can be purposefully removed from the resulting high-beam distribution 21. For example, such light sources 10 can be deactivated, in the corresponding secondary light distribution 19 another road user (eg preceding vehicle or oncoming vehicle) has been detected. In this way, an optimal illumination of the road area in front of the motor vehicle (usually with high beam) is achieved and at the same time ensures that the detected other road users are not dazzled.

The secondary optics 18 may be designed in such a way that the secondary light distributions 19 projected by the latter on the roadway (or the measuring screen 20) in front of the motor vehicle directly adjoin one another without overlapping. When one of the semiconductor light sources 10 is deactivated, the region of the absent corresponding secondary light distribution 19 in the resulting light distribution 21 of the light module is limited by relatively sharp vertical light-dark boundaries 19a of the illuminated secondary light distributions 19 of the activated adjacent semiconductor light sources 10. This large gradient of the illuminance can be perceived by a driver of the motor vehicle as subjectively disturbing. Furthermore, the secondary optics 18 may be configured such that the secondary light distributions 19 projected by the latter on the roadway (or the measuring screen 20) in front of the motor vehicle are arranged next to each other, with at least lateral regions of mutually adjacent secondary light distributions 19 overlapping one another. This can be achieved by modulating a basic shape of a light exit surface 18a of the projection optical system 18 in such a way that a single primary light distribution 15 on a light exit surface 16 of a primary optics 12 is converted into a multiplicity of corresponding subregions of the corresponding secondary light distribution 19. The subregions are preferably the same size and relative to the same orientation in the horizontal direction shifted from each other and arranged overlapping each other. The entirety of all resulting from a given primary light distribution portions 15 forms the corresponding secondary light distribution 19. In this way, sharp vertical chiaroscuro boundaries 19a, which limit the strip-shaped secondary light distributions 19, and thus with an off semiconductor light source 10 large gradient of the illuminance avoided.

In order to reduce the height of the secondary optics 18, if possible, without significant loss of luminous flux and thus the overall height of the entire light module 7, the invention proposes that in the beam path of the light module 7 between the primary optics 12 and the secondary optics 18, a cylinder optics 30 is arranged. As a cylinder optics in the context of the present invention, an optic is understood that in the horizontal sections no refractive power or at most a very low refractive power, in which therefore the horizontal cutting curves are at least approximately straight lines, and which acts collecting in the vertical sections, ie a collective lens profile or has a concave mirror profile. The vertical cutting curves do not necessarily have to be circular. Furthermore, the centers of curvature do not have to coincide in vertical section in a cylinder axis.

In the example off FIG. 1a the cylinder optics is formed as a cylindrical lens 30 with a cylinder axis 31 which is oriented substantially horizontally, that is, runs parallel to the horizontal plane 11. The cylinder axis 31 can extend on or through the light exit surfaces 16 of the primary optics 12. The cylinder axis 31 preferably extends in the Horizontal plane 11 transverse to the optical axis 24 of the secondary optics 18th

The secondary optics 18, together with the cylinder optics 30, form an optical system that focuses on the light exit surfaces 16 of the primary optics 12. The cylindrical lens 30 reduces the radiation angle of the primary optics 12 in the vertical direction. Thereby, the height of the projection lens 18 can be significantly reduced. A beam path 32 'without use of the cylindrical lens 30 with associated large projection lens 18' is in FIG. 1a shown in dashed lines. A beam path 32 of the light module 7 according to the invention with the cylindrical lens 30 is shown by a solid line. It can be clearly seen that the required height of the projection lens 18 in the present invention is significantly lower than in the prior art projection lens 18 '.

In all horizontal sections (perpendicular to the vertical light-dark boundaries 19a of the secondary light distributions 19 or of the strip matrix), the cylinder optics has no or at most a very low refractive power. In these sections, the cylindrical lens 30 shows the same wall thicknesses. In the vertical sections, however, the refractive power of the cylinder optics is maximum. Here, the cylindrical lens 30 has the largest wall thickness differences between lens center and lens edge.

The cylindrical optics (cylindrical lens 30 or cylindrical reflector 33) preferably produces the entire vertical profile of the light distribution 21. The secondary optics 18, 36 in this case preferably have no refractive power in the vertical sections, ie the secondary optics 18 is also referred to as a cylindrical lens is formed. This concerns the special case of two crossed cylinder optics whose focal lines intersect in the middle of the light exit surfaces 16 of the primary optics 12. The cylindrical lens 30 preferably fulfills the sine condition, whereupon equal magnifications of magnification prevail in all lens zones. A vertical focal line of the cylindrical lens lies as centrally as possible on the light exit surfaces 16 of the primary optics 12.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that a superimposed modulation of a cylindrical basic shape of the cylindrical lens 30 on its light exit surface, which gives the lens sharp imaging properties. This modulation is functionally defined so that the cylindrical lens 30 has at least one optical surface modulating the basic shape such that the cylindrical lens 30 converts a single light distribution of the primary light distribution 15 into a plurality of second portions of an image 38 of the primary light distribution 15, which are equal are large and with the same orientation against each other shifted overlapping. Structurally, the modulation in the described embodiment of the cylindrical lens 30 is generated by a first undulating deformation of the optical surface, which is superimposed on the basic shape and which comprises at least one concave and one convex half-wave. The wave-shaped deformation has a partly cylindrical shape whose cylinder axis is aligned parallel to the light-dark boundary of the light distribution. The wave-shaped deformation of the light exit surface of the cylindrical lens 30 is a component of the last optical surface in a beam path which converts the primary light distribution 15 into the image 38.

FIG. 9 shows by way of example a section of a replacement light source arrangement for use in a light module 7 according to the invention. One of a plurality of semiconductor light sources 10 in the form of an LED chip 17 is shown. In the light exit direction after the LED chip 17, one of a plurality of converging lenses 12 of a collecting lens array is shown by way of example. A pitch of the lens array is designated T. The pitch T corresponds to the width of the individual converging lenses 12 and to the spacing of the centers of adjacent LED chips 17. B _LED denotes an edge length of the LED chip 17. A virtual LED chip is designated 17 '. The edge length of the virtual LED chip 17 'is denoted by B' _LED . An object-side focal point of the condenser lens 12 is F, and a major point of the lens 12 is H. The principal point H of a lens is defined as the intersection of a principal plane of the lens with the optical axis of the lens. The secondary optics 18, 36 of the light module 7 according to the invention is preferably focused on a main point H of one of the converging lenses 12, preferably on the main point H of the converging lens 12 located near an optical axis 24 of the light module 7. If the light module 7 has a bent optical axis (cf., for example. FIGS. 2 . 3 . 5 . 6 ), the secondary optics 18, 36 of the light module 7 according to the invention is preferably focused on a principal point H of the collecting lens 12 located in the vicinity of an optical sub-axis 24b of the secondary optics 18, 36. The reference f denotes the focal length of the lens 12, and S _{F is} a focal distance of the lens 12. A distance between the LED chip 17 and the light entrance surface of the condenser lens 12 is S ₁ and a distance between the virtual chip image 17 'and the light entrance surface the lens 12 denoted by S ₂ .

$$0,1\mathrm{mm}\le {\mathrm{S}}_1\le 2\mathrm{mm}$$

$$\mathrm{1}\mathrm{x}{\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{LED}}\le \mathrm{T}\le \mathrm{4}\mathrm{x}{\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{LED}}$$

The LED chip 17 is located between the primary optics formed in this example as a lens 12 and the object-side focal point F. The LED chip 17 is enlarged by the lens 12 so that the (upright) virtual image 17 'of the chip 17 (in the light exit direction in front of the object-side lens focal point F) is approximately the same size as the lens 12, ie B ' _LED ≈ T. Approximately the following relationships apply to the quantities indicated: $$\frac{{\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{F}}-{\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{1}}}{{\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{F}}}\approx \frac{{\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{LED}}}{\mathrm{T}}\approx \frac{{\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{LED}}}{{\mathrm{B\; \text{'}}}_{\mathrm{LED}}}$$

$$0.1\mathrm{mm}\le {\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="S"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0006.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">S</figure-callout>}}_1\le 2\mathrm{mm}$$

$$\mathrm{1}\mathrm{x}{\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{LED}}\le \mathrm{T}\le \mathrm{4}\mathrm{x}{\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{LED}}$$

The collecting lenses 12 of the lens array are not used for generating real intermediate images of the light sources 10 and the light-emitting surface 17, but form only an illuminated surface (the primary light distribution 15) on the light exit surface 16 of the converging lenses 12. The light sources 10 are so between the light entry surfaces the lenses 12 and the object-side foci F of the lenses 12 arranged so that the edges of the LED chip surfaces 17 are on geometric connections from the focal points F to the lens edges. The radiating surfaces 17 of the light sources 10 are arranged perpendicular to the optical axes of the lenses 12. This results in a very uniform illumination of the lenses 12 and on the light exit surfaces 16 of the lenses 12 a particularly homogeneous light distribution, the so-called. Intermediate light distribution or primary light distribution 15. These primary light distributions 15 are through the Secondary optical arrangement 18, 36 for generating the resulting total light distribution 21 of the light module 7 on the roadway in front of the vehicle shown. The optical axes of the individual lenses 12 of the lens array all run in one plane, preferably they are parallel to each other. If the light module 7 does not have a bent optical axis 24 (see, for example, FIG. FIGS. 1a . 4 ), the optical axis of the secondary optics 18, 36 on the side facing the primary optics 12 is parallel to the optical axis of at least one of the lenses 18.

In FIG. 2 a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The cylindrical optics in the beam path between the primary optics 12 and the secondary optics 18 is designed as a cylindrical reflector 33. If this has a cylinder axis 35, this is preferably aligned substantially horizontally, ie it is parallel to the horizontal plane 11. The cylinder axis 35 can extend to or through the light exit surfaces 16 of the primary optics 12. The reflector 33 folds the beam path (folded beam path 34) in the vertical center plane 23. By folding the beam path, the overall length of the light module 7 can be significantly shortened. By the cylindrical reflector 33 so the beam path is folded, that is, the optical axis 24 of the light module 7 angled, so that there are two partial axes 24a, 24b extending at an angle to each other. This is preferably done in the vertical plane 23 (cf. Figures 2 and 5 ) or in a horizontal plane 11 (cf. FIG. 3 ) containing the kinked optical axis 24a, 24b. In this case, a first optical axis 24a is preferably assigned to one of the primary optics 12 and a further optical axis 24b to the secondary optics 18. The beam path is through the Cylinder reflector 33 preferably folded at a right or acute angle.

Also in this embodiment, the cylinder optics has no or at most a very low refractive power in all horizontal sections (perpendicular to the vertical light-dark boundaries 19a of the secondary light distributions 19 or the strip matrix). In these sections, the curvature of a cylindrical reflector 33 is zero. In the vertical sections, however, the refractive power of the cylinder optics is maximum. The cylindrical reflector 33 or its reflection surface shows maximum curvatures in the vertical sections. The cylindrical reflector 33 may have an at least partially parabolic profile. A horizontal focal line of the cylindrical reflector 33 lies as centrally as possible on the light exit surfaces 16 of the primary optics 12.

In FIG. 3 a further embodiment is shown in which the beam path is folded in a horizontal plane 11 (folded beam path 34). The cylinder optics is designed as a cylindrical reflector 33. If the cylinder optics 33 has a cylinder axis 35, this is preferably oriented transversely to an angle bisector of an angle which is spanned by an optical axis 24a associated with one of the primary optics 12 and an optical axis 24b associated with the secondary optics 18. In the horizontally folded beam path, the curvature in the vertical sections of the cylindrical deflection mirror 33 is preferably varied so that the curvature (1 / radius) is greater at a mirror side 33a facing the primary optics 12 than at a side 33b facing the secondary optics 18 (cf. FIG. 3 ). The reflection surface of the cylinder reflector 33 should continue to be designed as a ruled surface, so that the curvature in the horizontal sections, for example. In the horizontal plane 11, is still zero. The cylindrical surface thus becomes a conical surface, with a conical tip lying on the side of the primary optics 12. However, the curvature in the vertical sections is preferably not constant (= circular arc segment), but can be varied along the profile such that the desired vertical illumination intensity profile (compare the isolux lines 22) in the matrix light distributions 19 results.

The optical system downstream of the primary optics 12, i. the cylinder optics 30; 33 and the secondary optics 18; 36 (each optionally designed as a lens or as a reflector), form the vertical boundaries between adjacent light exit surfaces 16 of the lens array 12 as a vertical bright-dark boundaries 19a. In this case, the vertical chiaroscuro boundaries 19a are essentially separated by the secondary optics 18; Generated 36 and the cylinder optics 30; 33 has essentially no refractive power in the relevant horizontal sections. This means that in horizontal sections through the optical system 30; 33 and 18; 36 same optical path lengths between the light exit surfaces 16 of the primary optics 12 and the associated edges (= vertical light-dark boundaries) 19a of the matrix light distributions 19 are present. In addition, the light exit surface 18a of the projection lens 18 is preferably provided with an at least horizontally scattering microstructure.

• Der Zylinderreflektor 33 erzeugt im Gegensatz zu einem Rotationshyperboloid keine gedrehten Abbilder der Lichtquelle 10 bzw. der Licht emittierenden Fläche 17 und keine Koma. Ferner gibt es keinen negativen Einfluss auf die Objektfeldwölbung bzw. Randschärfe der Pixel 19. Die Helldunkelgrenzen 19a der Matrix-Lichtverteilungen 19 bleiben in ihrer Schärfe bzw. in ihrer definierten Unschärfe (wenn eine streuende Sekundäroptik 18 eingesetzt wird) erhalten.
• Ein Öffnungswinkel der Strahlenbündel, welche die Primäroptiken 12 in Richtung der Sekundäroptik 18, verlassen, kann durch den Zylinderreflektor 33 in den Vertikalschnitten wesentlich reduziert werden, wodurch sich im Unterschied zu einem ebenen Umlenkspiegel die erforderliche Öffnung der Sekundäroptik 18, (Linsenhöhe bzw. Reflektorhöhe) deutlich verringert.

A cylinder reflector 33 according to the embodiments of the Figures 2 . 3 . 5 and 6 has the following advantages over other deflecting mirrors introduced into the beam path:

• The cylindrical reflector 33, unlike a hyperboloid of revolution, does not produce rotated images of the light source 10 or the light emitting surface 17 and no coma. Furthermore, there is no negative influence on the object field curvature or edge sharpness of the pixels 19. The light-dark boundaries 19a of the matrix light distributions 19 remain in their sharpness or in their defined blur (when a scattering secondary optics 18 is used).
• An opening angle of the beam leaving the primary optics 12 in the direction of the secondary optics 18, can be substantially reduced by the cylindrical reflector 33 in the vertical sections, which in contrast to a plane deflection mirror, the required opening of the secondary optics 18, (lens height or reflector height) significantly reduced.

With the help of a cylindrical reflector 33 so can length of the light module 7 and height of the secondary optics 18, significantly reduced. In this way, particularly compact, but at the same time efficient light modules 7 and headlights 1 for motor vehicles can be realized. The invention offers advantages in most headlamp assembly spaces or only allows the installation of a matrix high-beam module 7.

FIG. 4 shows a vertical section through an inventive light module 7, as for example. In FIG. 1a is shown. It comprises an LED array 10, a primary lens array 12, a cylindrical lens 30 and a projection lens 18. Thanks to the cylindrical lens 30, the radiation angle of the primary lenses 12 is reduced from Φ to φ. Thus, the height of the projection lens 18 can also be reduced from H to h. The at the projection lens 18 of Light module 7 according to the invention no longer required part of the conventional projection lens 18 'of the light module known from the prior art is shown hatched. By removing the shaded areas results in a top and bottom flattened projection lens 18 with a very low overall height.

In FIG. 5 is a vertical section through an inventive light module 7 shown as it is, for example. In FIG. 2 is shown. It comprises an LED array 10, a primary lens array 12, a cylindrical reflector 33 and a projection lens 18. Thanks to the cylindrical reflector 33, the radiation angle of the primary lenses 12 is reduced and the beam path is bent. Thus, the height of the projection lens 18 can also be reduced from H to h. The part of the known projection lens 18 'which is no longer required for the projection lens 18 of the light module 7 according to the invention is also shown hatched here.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a light module according to the invention 7, similar to the example of FIG. 5 is, but with a reflector 36 as secondary optics. The reflector 36 is preferably formed as a parabolic reflector. Again, it is so that the cylinder reflector 33 reduces the radiation angle of the primary optics 12 in the vertical direction, so that the height of the secondary optics 36 compared to conventional light modules without a cylindrical reflector can be significantly reduced. The parabolic reflector 36 forms the means of
Cylindrical reflector 33 magnified primary light distributions 15 on the roadway (or a measuring screen 20) in front of the motor vehicle as secondary light distributions 19. The resulting light distribution 21 of the light module 7 results from an overlay all active secondary light distributions 19.

In the FIGS. 7a and 7b the images of the primary lenses 12 are shown, each having an infinitesimal small area of secondary optics 18; 36 design. Without cylindrical optics 30, 33, each secondary lens zone would design images of the primary lenses 12 of substantially equal size and the same orientation. The images of the different secondary optical zones would thus all have the same shape and size and are merely shifted from one another to produce the desired light distribution 19. Through the cylinder optics 30, 33, these images are now all pulled apart vertically in the same way (see. FIG. 7b ). The images of an infinitesimal optical surface are all sharp due to the infinitesimal opening. Figure 7a shows a primary light distribution 15 on the indicated light exit surface 16 of a primary optics 12, in particular a converging lens. From these illuminated surfaces 15, the secondary optics 18, 36 generates the secondary light distributions 19, which complement each other and form the desired resulting light distribution 21 of the light module 7. Through the cylinder optics 30, 33, the illuminated surfaces 15 on the light exit surfaces 16 of the primary optics 12 in the vertical direction can be pulled apart (anamorphic magnification), so that an enlarged image 38 results (see. Fig. 7b ). The width of the illuminated surfaces 15 remains essentially unchanged, ie the width of the enlarged images 38 is substantially the same as the width of the illuminated surfaces 15 on the light exit surfaces 16 of the primary optics 12.

Claims (15)

Light module (7) of a headlight (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of semiconductor light sources (10) arranged in a matrix-like manner next to and / or one above the other, individually controllable semiconductor light sources (10) for emitting light, - A plurality of the semiconductor light sources (10) associated matrix-like juxtaposed and / or superimposed primary optics (12) for bundling at least a portion of the light emitted from the semiconductor light sources (10) and for generating a primary light distribution (15) on light exit surfaces (16) of the primary optics (12), and a common secondary optics (18; 36) for imaging the primary light distributions (15) as secondary light distributions (19) on a roadway in front of the motor vehicle such that the secondary light distributions (19) illuminate a long range, characterized in that the secondary light distributions ( 19) of the secondary optics (18, 36) have generated vertical light-dark boundaries (19a) and in the beam path of the light module (7) between the primary optics (12) and the secondary optics (18, 36) a cylindrical optic (30, 33) is arranged In horizontal sections substantially no refractive power has and has light collecting properties in vertical sections. Light module (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cylinder optics (30; 33) has a cylinder axis (31; 35) which is substantially horizontal and transverse to an optical axis (24; 24b) of the secondary optics (18; is aligned. Light module (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cylinder optics (30; 33) has a cylinder axis (31; 35) which is aligned transversely to an angle bisector of an angle which is defined by an optical axis (24a) of a primary optics (12 ) and an optical axis (24b) of the secondary optics (18; 36) is clamped. Light module (7) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cylinder optics as a cylindrical lens (30) or as a cylindrical reflector (33) is formed. Light module (7) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the secondary optics as a projection lens (18) or as a secondary reflector (36) is formed. Light module (7) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the primary optics (12) are designed as converging lenses. Light module (7) according to claim 6, characterized in that the semiconductor light sources (10) between the collecting lenses (12) and the object-side Focal points (F) of the collecting lenses (12) are arranged. Light module (7) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cylinder optics as a cylindrical reflector (33) is formed, which is arranged in the beam path such that it folds the beam path. Light module (7) according to claim 8, characterized in that the cylindrical reflector (33) folds an optical axis (24; 24a, 24b) of the light module (7) in a horizontal or a vertical plane. Light module (7) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cylinder optics (30; 33) causes an anamorphic enlargement of the primary light distributions (15) on the light exit surfaces (16) of the primary optics (12) by a multiple. Light module (7) according to claim 10, characterized in that the secondary optics as a projection lens (18) is formed, wherein the projection lens (18) above and / or below has a substantially horizontally flattened area. Light module (7) according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the secondary optics (18; 36) are designed in such a way that the secondary light distributions (19) imaged therefrom on the road ahead of the motor vehicle without overlapping the secondary light distributions (19 ) immediately adjoin one another. Light module (7) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the secondary optics (18; 36) is formed such that the secondary light distributions (19) imaged by the latter on the roadway in front of the motor vehicle are arranged next to one another, with at least lateral regions of mutually adjacent secondary light distributions (19) overlapping one another. Light module (7) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the light module (7) for selectively deactivating individual semiconductor light sources (10) is formed, in the corresponding secondary light distribution (19) another road user has been detected, wherein the deactivation of individual semiconductor light source (s) (10) in response to a signal from detection means for detecting the other road user in front of the motor vehicle. Headlight (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (2) with a light exit opening (4) closed by a transparent cover (5) and at least one light module (6, 7, 8) arranged in the housing (2), characterized in that at least one light module (7) of the headlight (1) is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

Images