EP3012521B1 - Light for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a luminaire for a motor vehicle, which has at least one light source, a light coupling module and a transparent luminous body, which has an elongated light exit surface. A luminaire is a lighting device which fulfills signal light functions and is thus distinguished from a floodlight which actively illuminates the surroundings with a significantly larger luminous flux. Such a light is from the EP2587120 A1 known. Such a lamp is also from the DE 199 25 363 A1 known. This document shows a flat light guide, in which the light coupling module is integrated in the serving as a transparent luminous light guide. The light coupling module consists of a nearly circular recess. The light of the light source is coupled via the interface of the recess. The elongate light exit surface lies on a first side of the circular opening in the radial direction. About the light exit surface necessarily remote semicircle coupled light then has a propagation direction, which leads away from the light exit surface. In order to direct this light to the light exit surface, the rear side remote from the light exit surface of the light guide is configured as a parabolic reflector, which deflects the light forward and aligned in parallel, which is favorable for the generation of a rule-compliant light distribution.

A disadvantage of this solution results from the fact that the directly coupled-in light is not parallelized, which is correspondingly unfavorable for the generation of a rule-compliant light distribution.

Another disadvantage is that the light is reflected away at a strong curvature of the plate-shaped light guide on the curved side walls, which prevents homogeneous illumination of the light exit surface and complicates the generation of a rule-compliant light distribution.

Against this background, the object of the invention in the specification of a lamp of the type mentioned, which also allows the use of highly curved light guide plates, or transparent luminous bodies, without having to accept the disadvantages mentioned in purchasing.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. The invention differs from the prior art mentioned at the outset in that the transparent luminous body has an elongate light entry surface having a light coupling facet, the light coupling module having coupling facets and is arranged to illuminate the coupling-out facets with light of the light source that is homogeneous and focused around a preferred direction, and wherein the coupling-out facets are adapted to couple out incident light from the light source and direct them onto the light coupling facets, light coupled out via a coupling-out facet was focused on exactly one Lichteinkoppelfacette and wherein the Lichteinkoppelfacetten are adapted to couple incident light on them and to direct a portion of the light exit surface.

Characterized in that the transparent luminous element has a Lichteinkoppelfacetten having elongate light entry surface, the light can be coupled already distributed widely, which favors the desired homogeneous, that is uniformly bright illumination of the light exit surface.

Because the light coupling module has coupling-out facets, the light of the light source can be divided into the light coupling module and the components can be treated individually by individual design of the facets. They can, for example, be bundled out in individually different preferred directions by means of the coupling-out facets, which can likewise be used for the desired homogeneous illumination of the light-emitting surface.

Because the light coupling module is set up to illuminate the coupling-out facets with light of the light source that is homogeneous and focused around a preferred direction, the design of the coupling-out facets can be optimized with a view to the respective desired change in direction become. The design of the decoupling facet which takes place with this aim is facilitated by the fact that the light bundled around a preferred direction (and ideally in parallel) reacts to a certain extent uniformly to changes in shape of the decoupling facet.

The fact that the coupling-out facets are adapted to extract light incident thereon from the light source and to direct it to the light-coupling facets allows the already preformed light to be coupled in a distribution that is favorable for the desired result of homogeneous illumination of the light-emitting surface over the length of the light-entry surface.

Due to the fact that light which has been coupled out via a coupling-out facet is concentrated on exactly one light-coupling facet, a locally tailored coupling can take place, very precisely and, as measured by the intended goal of homogeneous and parallel illumination of the light-emitting surface. In addition, the targeted coupling also allows optimized coupling into curved regions of the transparent luminous element in that light bundles of the light coupling module, which have a light bundle composition suitable for a specific curved region of the transparent luminous element, can be precisely coupled into this curved region. For illustration, imagine ring-shaped coupling-out facets and annularly arranged coupling-in facets of a correspondingly curved transparent luminous body. It is obvious that a Auskoppelfacette lying, for example, at 6 o'clock is suitable for lighting a lying at 6 o'clock Einkoppelfacette.

The fact that the Lichteinkoppelfacetten are adapted to couple light incident on them and to direct a portion of the light exit surface, the desired homogeneous illumination of the light exit surface (or any other desired type of illumination) by a corresponding orientation and design of the Einkoppelfacetten be realized ,

In this case, the light that emerges from the Lichteinkoppelmodul, not be parallel, even in the transparent filament. The light beam should in the hypothetical case that the light exit surface is smooth and thus has no molded cushions or rollers, be parallel only after the exit, which can be achieved, for example, in the luminous body not parallel light by a curvature of a smooth light exit surface. Since a roll optics or cushion optics are formed in the light exit surface, there is the possibility that the individual light bundles will never be parallel when propagated in a corresponding luminaire. It is advantageous, for example, if the light between the light coupling module and the transparent luminous element is slightly convergent. This ensures that light only incident on the light entrance side of the transparent solid according to the intended assignment of Auskoppelfacette and Einkoppelfacette.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the decoupling facets are moreover configured to concentrate light which has been coupled out via a coupling-out facet to exactly one light-coupling facet of the transparent luminous body.

It is also preferred that the transparent filament to the main light propagation direction of the light propagating in it is curved.

Furthermore, it is preferred that a Lichteinkoppelfacette of the transparent filament, which is located in a curved portion of the transparent filament, is associated with a Auskoppelfacette of the annular Lichteinkoppelmoduls, which lies in a region of the Lichteinkoppelmoduls, which is curved in the same direction.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that each Lichteinkoppelmodul has a number of Auskoppelfacetten that are different from each other.

It is also preferred that the transparent luminous body has different Lichteinkoppelfacetten on its narrow and elongated back, which serves as a light entrance surface.

It is further preferred that each Lichteinkoppelfacette the transparent filament is aligned in a one-to-one assignment to a Auskoppelfacette a Lichteinkoppelmoduls and vice versa.

It is also preferred that the Lichteinkoppelmodul has a first central deflector, the shape of which results by rotation of a parabola branch around an axis of rotation, which coincides with the main emission of the light source.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the light source is arranged at the focal point of this parabola branch.

It is also preferred that the Lichteinkoppelmodul has a second deflector, which is realized as a conical surface which extends around the main radiation at a fixed distance around and with the main radiation at an angle of 45 °, which opens in the main emission.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the Lichteinkoppelfacetten are adapted to direct the individual, coupled via them light bundles in a common direction to the light exit surface.

It is also preferred that the transparent filament and the Lichteinkoppelmodul are each separate components.

It is further preferred that the light exit surface of the transparent luminous body has a curvature about an axis perpendicular to the main light propagation direction.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the Auskoppelfacetten the Lichteinkoppelmodule are arranged in the form of a closed loop, in particular in the form of a circular loop.

It is also preferred that the coupling-out facets of each light-coupling module are not arranged in a closed loop, but in an open loop, in particular a section of a circle, in particular in a semicircle or an even smaller section of a circle.

Further advantages will become apparent from the following description, the drawings and the dependent claims. It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description.

Figur 1

wesentliche Elemente einer Leuchte für ein Kraftfahrzeug;

Figur 2

eine Zuordnung von Auskoppelelementen eines Lichteinkoppelmoduls zu Einkoppelfacetten eines transparenten Leuchtkörpers;

Figur 3

eine Draufsicht auf einen Schnitt durch einen transparenten Leuchtkörper und ein Lichteinkoppelmodul;

Figur 4

den Gegenstand der Figur 3 mit einer veränderten Geometrie der Lichtaustrittsfläche;

Figur 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausgestaltung, bei der die Auskoppelfacetten in einem Halbkreis angeordnet sind;

Figur 6

einen Querschnitt durch die Anordnung gemäß der Figur 5;

Figur 7

eine auf dem Gegenstand der Figur 6 basierende Ausgestaltung, bei der jeweils zwei Lichteinkoppelmodule längs ihrer Rotationsachse hintereinander angeordnet sind.

Figur 8

das Erscheinungsbild der Anordnung aus der Figur 6 in einem eingeschalteten Zustand;

Figur 9

eine Anordnung eines transparenten Leuchtkörpers zusammen mit drei Lichteinkoppelmodulen mit Platinen und Kühlkörper;

Figur 10

eine Ausgestaltung eines Leuchtkörpers als schmale Streuscheibe;

Figur 11

eine Ausgestaltung, bei der die Lichteinkoppelmodule als Hohlspiegelreflektoren verwirklicht sind.

Figur 12

eine weitere Ausgestaltung, die auf den Gegenständen der Figuren 1 bis 4 basiert und die sich in der Gestaltung des transparenten Leuchtköpers von diesen Gegenständen unterscheidet; und

Figur 13

den Gegenstand der Figur 12 aus einer auf die Lichtaustrittsflächen gerichteten Blickrichtung.

Show, in schematic form:

FIG. 1

essential elements of a lamp for a motor vehicle;

FIG. 2

an assignment of outcoupling elements of a light coupling module to Einkoppelfacetten a transparent filament;

FIG. 3

a plan view of a section through a transparent filament and a Lichteinkoppelmodul;

FIG. 4

the object of FIG. 3 with a changed geometry of the light exit surface;

FIG. 5

a perspective view of another embodiment in which the Auskoppelfacetten are arranged in a semicircle;

FIG. 6

a cross-section through the arrangement according to the FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 7

one on the object of FIG. 6 based embodiment in which two Lichteinkoppelmodule along its axis of rotation are arranged one behind the other.

FIG. 8

the appearance of the arrangement from the FIG. 6 in an on state;

FIG. 9

an arrangement of a transparent filament together with three Lichteinkoppelmodulen with boards and heat sinks;

FIG. 10

an embodiment of a filament as a narrow lens;

FIG. 11

an embodiment in which the Lichteinkoppelmodule are realized as a concave mirror reflectors.

FIG. 12

another embodiment, based on the objects of the FIGS. 1 to 4 and which differs in the design of the transparent luminous body from these objects; and

FIG. 13

the object of FIG. 12 from a directed to the light exit surfaces viewing direction.

The same reference numerals in all figures denote the same or at least functionally comparable elements.

In detail, the shows FIG. 1 as essential elements of a lamp n = three light sources 10, 12, 14, for each the n = three light sources exactly one light coupling module 16, 18, 20 and a transparent luminous body 22, which has an elongated light exit surface 24 and an elongated light entry surface 26. These components together form the main lighting components of a light module of the lamp. Of course, the lamp further has, of course, a housing in which these components are arranged fixed and that has a light exit opening, which is covered by a transparent cover. In the housing further light modules can be accommodated, which fulfill further signal light functions and / or headlight functions.

Of course, the number n is not set to the values 3 and is preferably between 1 and 20. The elongate light entry surface has Lichteinkoppelfacetten 28 and faces the Lichteinkoppelmodulen. Under an elongated light exit surface is understood in this application, a light exit surface which is at least five times as long as wide.

Each Lichteinkoppelmodul has Auskoppelfacetten 30. As will be explained in more detail below, the light coupling module is set up by its material properties such as transparency and refractive index in conjunction with its geometry to illuminate its coupling facets from the inside with homogeneous and focused around a preferred direction light of the light source. In the example shown, the coupling-out facets are arranged in a ring shape.

The Auskoppelfacetten are set up by their shape and arrangement in Lichteinkoppelmodul to incident on them To couple out light 32 of the light source and to direct this decoupled light 34 on the Lichteinkoppelfacetten 28 of the transparent luminous body. The decoupling facets are furthermore configured to concentrate light 34, which has been decoupled via a decoupling facet, onto precisely one light coupling facet 28 of the transparent filament. The Lichteinkoppelfacetten the transparent filament are adapted to couple incident light 34 and to direct this coupled light 36 to a portion of the light exit surface 24 of the transparent filament 22.

This coupled-in light 36 emerges from the transparent luminous element 22 via the elongated light exit surface 24. Since the invention causes a largely homogeneous illumination of the elongated light exit surface 24 with light bundles which have a small opening angle, which can also be zero (parallel light), it is easily possible, with molded into the light exit surface 24 pads or rollers 38 a rule-compliant signal light distribution to produce, in the example An angle width of + - 20 ° in the horizontal and + - 10 ° in the vertical must be illuminated with prescribed brightness values.

The angle data refer to angle deviations to a straight line, which is parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis at a proper use of the lamp in the motor vehicle, passes through the lamp and coincides with the main emission of the lamp. The main emission direction is the direction in which the brightness maximum is achieved. At the subject of FIG. 1 is that the z-direction. The x-direction is eg parallel to the vehicle transverse axis, and the y-direction is parallel to the vehicle's vertical axis.

FIG. 1 in particular also shows an embodiment with a strongly curved transparent luminous element 22. The transparent luminous element is curved in particular around the main light propagation direction of the light propagating in it. At the subject of FIG. 1 this is the z direction.

In such an embodiment, it is preferred that a Lichteinkoppelfacette 38 of the transparent luminous body, which is located in a curved portion of the transparent filament, a Auskoppelfacette 40 of the annular Lichteinkoppelmoduls 16 is assigned, which lies in a region of the Lichteinkoppelmoduls, which is curved in the same direction ,

The assignment is in each case given by the light bundle which connects the respective coupling-off facet 40 to the respective Lichteinkoppelfacette 38 by starting from the respective Auskoppelfacette 40 and illuminates the respective Lichteinkoppelfacette 38.

The FIG. 1 shows in particular an arrangement of a transparent filament 22 and separate light input modules 16, 18, 20. Each Lichteinkoppelmodul has a number of Auskoppelfacetten that are generally different from each other. The transparent luminous element 22 has different Lichteinkoppelfacetten on its narrow and elongated back, which serves as a light entry surface 26, wherein preferably each Lichteinkoppelfacette the transparent filament in a one to one - assignment to a Auskoppelfacette a Lichteinkoppelmoduls is aligned and vice versa.

The FIG. 2 FIG. 2 illustrates such an assignment of coupling-out facets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, a light-coupling module 20 and light-coupling facets 1 ', 2', 3 ', 4', 5 ', 6', 7 ', 8'. , a transparent filament 22 by pairs of equal numbers. The light beam emanating from the coupling-out facet 1 is concentrated on the light-coupling facet 1 '. An analog one-to-one mapping results for the other pairs of numbers.

The FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a section through a transparent filament and a Lichteinkoppelmodul in a plane in which the light propagates between the Lichteinkoppelmodul and the transparent filament.

The light coupling module 20 is here a transparent solid having a refractive index greater than one. It has a light entry surface 40. Densely (distance less than 1 mm) in front of the light entrance surface 40, a half-space radiator is arranged as the light source 14. The half-space radiator is preferably a semiconductor light source, for example a light-emitting diode. A light beam emanating from the light source 14 enters the light input module 20 via the light entry surface 40. Due to the refraction, the opening angle of the light beam is reduced. Half space radiators which have an approximately rotationally symmetrical emission characteristic are preferred here.

A first central deflector 42 deflects the light of the light source by total internal internal reflection radially outward around. The shape of the deflector 42 results, for example, by rotation of a parabola branch around an axis of rotation 44 which coincides with the main emission direction of the light source 14. The light source is preferably arranged in the focal point of this parabola branch, wherein this focal point, since it is in air and thus in a medium with refractive index other than the refractive index of Lichteinkoppelmoduls 20, located at a different location, as if the light only in a single medium would spread.

Under the given conditions, the light propagates after deflection at the first central deflector 42 in planes parallel to each other which are perpendicular to the main radiation direction and axis of rotation, and also propagates radially outward in each such plane. A second deflector 46 is arranged and configured in the light path of the radially outwardly propagating light such that it deflects the incident light parallel to the main emission direction of the light source. The second deflector 46 is e.g. realized as a conical surface which extends around the main emission direction at a fixed distance and with the main emission direction forms an angle of 45 °, which opens in the main emission direction.

The purpose of the second deflector 46 is to produce a light bundle bundled around the main emission direction of the semiconductor light source as a preferential direction. In a further embodiment, the second deflector is composed of individual facets. It is essential in any case that the second deflector generates a largely concentrated light 32.

This collimated light 32 falls on the inside Auskoppelfacetten 30 a. The coupling-out facets 30 are just arranged so that they are illuminated by the collimated light. At the same time, the individual output coupling facets 30 are tilted relative to each other in such a way that they just break the exiting light such that this light 34 is focused precisely on the associated Lichteinkoppelfacette 28 of the transparent filament and illuminate them as homogeneously as possible.

Compared to a realization of the Lichteinkoppelmodule as concave reflectors has the realization as a transparent solid has the advantage that can be easily achieved by the described deflector 42, 46 a uniform distribution of the luminous flux on the different, serving for coupling Auskoppelfacetten the Lichteinkoppelmodule.

The individual Lichteinkoppelfacetten 28 of the transparent filament 22 direct the coupled light on the light exit surface 24 of the transparent filament. The Lichteinkoppelfacetten 28 are preferably adapted to direct the individual, coupled via them light bundles in a common direction, so as bundles that are parallel to each other, to the light exit surface. Said direction is preferably parallel to the narrow side edges 48 of the transparent luminous body, which lie between the light entry surface and the light exit surface of the transparent filament.

As already mentioned, the light exit surface 24 in one embodiment has molded cushion and / or roll optics. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the light exit surface 24 is smooth. In In this case, a further preferred embodiment provides a cushion disk in the light path behind the light exit surface. Under a cushion disc is understood here a lens, are formed in the light-refracting pad and / or rollers in the light entry surface or light exit surface of the lens. It is also preferred that the light exit surface 24 is stepped, wherein it may have, depending on the embodiment, smooth or molded cushion containing stages.

The FIG. 3 shows in particular an arrangement of a transparent filament 22 and a separate Lichteinkoppelmodul 20. Each Lichteinkoppelmodul has a number of Auskoppelfacetten, which are mutually different in general. The transparent luminous element 22 has different Lichteinkoppelfacetten 28 on its narrow and elongated back, preferably each Lichteinkoppelfacette 28 of the transparent filament 22 is aligned in a one-to-one assignment to a Auskoppelfacette 30 of a Lichteinkoppelmoduls 20 and vice versa.

FIG. 4 shows the subject of the FIG. 3 with a modified geometry of the light exit surface, which here has a curvature about an axis perpendicular to Hauptlichtausbreitungsrichtung axis. Incidentally, the description of the FIG. 3 also for them FIG. 4 , In addition, it applies to all configurations that, alternatively or in addition to structures molded into the light exit surface, such as cylindrical optics or concave or convex cushion optics, such structures can also be formed in at least one, but possibly also several or even all Lichteinkoppelfacetten. The previously presented embodiments have Lichteinkoppelmodule in which the Auskoppelfacetten a single Lichteinkoppelmoduls are arranged in the form of a closed loop, in particular a circular loop here.

The FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment in which the Auskoppelfacetten 30 are arranged by a Lichteinkoppelmodul not in a closed loop, but in an open loop, in particular a section of a circle, in particular in a semicircle or an even smaller section of a circle ,

In detail, the shows FIG. 1 n = three light sources 10, 12, 14, for each of the n = three light sources exactly one Lichteinkoppelmodul 50, 52, 54 and a transparent luminous body 22, which has an elongated light exit surface 24 us an elongated light entrance surface 26. The elongate light entry surface 26 has Lichteinkoppelfacetten. Under an elongated light exit surface is also understood here a light exit surface which is at least five times as long as wide.

Each Lichteinkoppelmodul 50, 52, 54 has Auskoppelfacetten 30. Each Lichteinkoppelmodul is set up by its material properties such as transparency and refractive index in conjunction with its geometry to illuminate its Auskoppelfacetten 30 from the inside with a homogeneous and focused around a preferred direction around light 32 of the light source. In the example shown, the decoupling facets 30 are each arranged in a semicircular manner by a light coupling module.

The Auskoppelfacetten are by their shape and arrangement in the Lichteinkoppelmodul adapted to decouple incident light 32 of the light source and to direct this decoupled light 34 on the Lichteinkoppelfacetten 28 of the transparent filament. The decoupling facets are furthermore configured to concentrate light 34, which is decoupled via a decoupling facet, onto precisely one light coupling facet 28 of the transparent luminous element 22. The Lichteinkoppelfacetten 28 of the transparent filament are adapted to couple incident light 34 and to direct this coupled light 36 to a portion of the light exit surface of the transparent filament.

The FIG. 6 shows a cross section through the arrangement according to the FIG. 5 , The cross-section is in the directions indicated in the figure x, y, and z parallel to a yz plane. The main light emission direction 56 therefore lies in the sectional plane, and the sectional plane lies transversely to the longitudinal extent of the light exit surface 24 of the transparent luminous element 22.

The light coupling module 52 is here also a transparent solid with a refractive index greater than one. It has a light entry side 58. A difference to the Lichteinkoppelmodul, which in the FIG. 4 is shown results from the position of the light entrance side. At the subject of FIG. 4 the light entrance side is a rear side facing away from the Auskoppelfacetten Lichteinkoppelmoduls. The axis of rotation of the Lichteinkoppelmoduls according to the FIG. 4 is perpendicular to this back. In contrast, the light entrance side 58 in the light coupling module 52, which in the FIG. 5 is shown, a side in which the axis of rotation of the Lichteinkoppelmoduls according to the FIG. 6 is, or a side that is at least parallel to this axis of rotation.

The light source 12, which is preferably a half-space radiator, in particular a semiconductor light source such as a light-emitting diode, is arranged so that its main radiation direction is aligned radially to the circular segment-shaped light coupling module 52. The light entry side 58 has a central recess 60 which has a central bottom region 62 with a convex lens cross-section in the plane of the drawing and side walls 64 adjoining it. The overall shape of the central recess 60 results from the rotation of the cross-section about the axis of rotation 44 shown in the plane of the drawing and bounded by the lens and the side walls.

Outside the recess 60, the light coupling module is delimited on its light entry side by two curved surfaces 66, 68, which appear as convex curved lines in the plane of the drawing. These surfaces are preferably curved in such a way that light from the light source 12, which has entered the light coupling module 52 via the side walls 64 of the recess and which is incident on these surfaces 66, 68 from the inside, is focused in the plane of the drawing or aligned in parallel. This is achieved, for example, by producing the shape of the surfaces by rotating the convex curved lines about the rotation axis 44, and that the convexly curved lines 64, 66 are branches of a parabola, at the focal point of which the light source 12 is arranged. Due to the refraction when light enters the light coupling module, this focus will deviate slightly from the geometric focus of the parabola branches, which will be compensated for by the person skilled in the art, however can.

Also, the lens of the central bottom portion 62 is preferably curved so that light of the light source 12, which has entered via the central lens surface of the recess in the Lichteinkoppelmodul, is aligned in parallel in the plane of the drawing. The light then propagates in the light coupling module as it is in the Lichteinkoppelmodul according to the FIGS. 1 to 4 spreads behind the first deflector used there. The lens surface and the parabolic branch-shaped limited surfaces thus represent an example of a first deflector.

Under the given conditions, the light then propagates in mutually parallel planes that are perpendicular to the main emission and rotational axes, and also propagates radially outward in each plane. A second deflector 46 is arranged and configured in the light path of the radially outwardly propagating light such that it deflects the incident light transversely to the main emission direction of the light source 12. The second deflector 46 is e.g. realized as a conical surface which extends around the main emission direction at a fixed distance and with the main emission direction forms an angle of 45 °, which opens in the main emission direction.

The purpose of the second deflector 46 is also to produce a light bundle that is bundled around the main emission direction of the semiconductor light source as a preferred direction. In a further embodiment, the second deflector is composed of individual facets. It is essential in any case that the second deflector as far as possible bundled light generated.

This largely parallel light is incident on the decoupling facet 30 from the inside. The decoupling facets are arranged so that they are illuminated by the collimated light. At the same time, the individual decoupling facets 30 are tilted relative to one another in such a way that they just break the exiting light in such a way that this light is concentrated precisely on the associated Lichteinkoppelfacette 28 of the transparent filament and this illuminates as homogeneously as possible.

Due to their shape and arrangement in the light coupling module, the decoupling facets 28 are set up to direct light coupled into the light coupling module onto the light exit surface of the transparent luminous body. Moreover, the coupling-out facets of the light-coupling modules are set up to concentrate light 34, which was decoupled via a coupling-out facet, onto exactly one light coupling surface of the transparent luminous body. The Lichteinkoppelfacetten the transparent solid are adapted to couple incident light 34 and to direct this coupled light 36 to a portion of the light exit surface 24 of the transparent filament 22.

The coupling-in facets 28 are preferably designed to direct the individual light bundles coupled in via them in a common direction, ie as bundles which are parallel to one another, onto the light exit surface. Said direction is preferably parallel to the narrow side edges of the transparent luminous body, between the light entry surface and the light exit surface of the transparent filament lie.

The FIG. 7 shows an embodiment based on the embodiment of the FIG. 6 based. In contrast to the subject of FIG. 6 are at the FIG. 7 two Lichteinkoppelmodule 70, 72 arranged along its axis of rotation 44 one behind the other. In this series arrangement, the second light coupling module 72, which is farther from the transparent light guide body 22, is so much larger in the radial direction than the first light coupling module 70 closer to the transparent light guide body 22 that the second light coupling module 72 moves past the first light coupling module 70 onto the first light coupling module the same Einkoppelfacetten 1 ', 2', 3 ', 4', and so on of the transparent filament 22 radiates as the first Lichteinkoppelmodul 70 and the same cushions and / or rollers in the light exit surface 24 of the transparent filament 22 illuminated.

The light sources of the first Lichteinkoppelmodule and second Lichteinkoppelmodule in this sense are preferably different and preferably differ in their light color. It is preferred that the light sources of the first Lichteinkoppelmodule produce white light and the light sources of the second light sources preferably produce yellow light, or vice versa. With the white light, a daytime running light function and, with dimmed light sources, a limiting light function can be realized. With the yellow light, a flashing light function can be realized. Thus, three different light functions can be realized separately from one another at the light exit surface of the transparent filament.

An alternative is to use light sources with the same light color for the first light coupling modules and the second light coupling modules to produce a correspondingly larger luminous flux of uniform light color.

The one-to-one correspondence between the coupling-out facets of the light-coupling modules and the coupling-in facets of the transparent luminous element results in each case from the designation with the same numbers. Also at the FIG. 7 are provided by the transparent filament 22 separate Lichteinkoppelmodule 70, 72 and so on. FIG. 7 moreover shows a beam path 74 of light of a smaller light coupling module and a beam path 76 of light of a larger light coupling module of a pair of light coupling modules arranged behind one another.

The FIG. 8 shows the appearance of the arrangement of the FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 in an on state from one of the main emission direction opposite viewing direction. In the appearance, the elongated shape of the light exit surface of the transparent filament forms.

FIG. 9 shows an arrangement of a transparent filament together with three Lichteinkoppelmodulen with boards and heat sink. Each light coupling module has fastening devices 89 for attachment to a circuit board 81 and / or the heat sink. Furthermore, the luminous body preferably also has devices for its attachment. The Lichteinkoppelmodule 16, 18, 20 are preferably aligned relative to the transparent luminous element 22, for which on the heat sink 78 adjustment devices can be present. Preferably, each Lichteinkoppelmodul is individually adjustable.

A further embodiment provides that diaphragms are still mounted between the light input modules and the luminous element or that the light coupling modules are accommodated in a separate housing in order to largely conceal the light coupling modules for a viewer.

The FIG. 9 shows additional, pattern-shaped decoupling structures 82, which are arranged on a different from the light entrance side and a light exit side top and / or bottom of the transparent luminous body 22 to modify the appearance by styling effects. These decoupling structures merely represent optional elements of preferred embodiments.

The FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a filament as a narrow lens 84. This diffuser can be used in all configurations. It differs from the previously described transparent luminous element 22 substantially in that, in the direction of the extension of the axes of rotation of the light coupling modules, it has a constant thickness in the light propagation direction apart from surface modulations. This thickness is preferably 2 mm to 5 mm. Your the Lichteinkoppelmodulen facing the light entrance side is just as faceted as it is the case with the luminaries of the other figures. This applies analogously for molded pillows and / or roller on the light entrance side and / or light exit side.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment in which the Lichteinkoppelmodule be realized as a concave mirror reflectors 86, 88, 90. As already mentioned above, transparent solids as Einkoppelemente have the advantage that can easily achieve a uniform distribution of the luminous flux on the different, serving for coupling facets by the described deflectors. In the case of a reflector, however, this can be achieved by facets 1 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 with facet-to-facet variable geometry. For this purpose, the reflector surface is divided into individual facets, which each receive an equal or at least similar large luminous flux from the light source. This can be done analogously to the faceting of the transparent solid bodies serving as light coupling modules by dividing an imaginary circle lying in a number of segments of equal size in a direction of the main radiation direction of the half-space radiator light source. The resulting figure is then projected onto the reflector surface. Subsequently, the reflector surface is divided according to the projected figure in individual facets. Then the resulting facets are aligned with respect to their associated Einkoppelfacetten the transparent filament in the design. The assignment between the coupling-out facets 1 to m of a concave mirror and the Lichteinkoppelfacetten 1 'to m' of a transparent luminous body 22 results again by the pairs of the same numerals, for example, 1 and 1 '. The number m is preferably a number in the range of 1 to 20.

It has been mentioned above that the light-coupling module is set up to illuminate the coupling-out facets with light of the light source that is homogeneous and focused around a preferred direction. The following describes how such homogeneity can be achieved. In principle, the distribution of the coupling-out facets of the light-coupling modules depends on the emission characteristic of the LED, which as a rule is a Lambert radiator.

With an approximately rotationally symmetrical radiation, as is often the case with LEDs, the coupling-out facets can be arranged regularly, such as e.g. in the modules 20.

This is no longer the case with the modules 52. The modules 52 have the profile of a catadioptric optical attachment which is rotated about an axis parallel to the light emission direction of the lamp. In that case, the semicircle must be divided so that similar amounts of light fall in each sector. This is also the case with the modules 52 and this can be seen in the figures - eg in Figure 7 , The facet 1 has a larger angular extent in the semicircle than the facet 2.

The procedure when using a reflector is described above. However, even there the luminous fluxes that fall on the individual facets must be similar to each other. In order to ensure this, the emission characteristic of the LED is preferably taken into account in the design of the coupling-out facets. A division into mutually equal angular ranges is not optimal, because the LED emits more light than Lambert radiator in the direction perpendicular to the emitter surface direction than under large radiation angles (eg at 75 °) to this vertical direction. In order to compensate for this, the solid angle range covered by the coupling-off facets is smaller for centrally arranged facets as with arranged in the edge areas facets.

The most general procedure for designing homogeneously illuminated coupling-out facets is to subdivide the emitted light of the light source into regions with the same or similar luminous flux, taking into account the geometry of the light coupling module, and to project this subdivision onto the light exit surface of the light coupling modules. This can be greatly simplified if appropriate symmetries are used.

For the modules 20 with approximately rotationally symmetrical radiation of the LED, all facets of the circular light exit surface can cover the same angle. This has the consequence that the facets of the coupling optics are different bright because the same luminous flux passes through different areas.

Alternatively, one can make the facets of the light coupling modules the same size, and to adjust the area / section of the light output surface of the transparent filament with respect to the length accordingly. There is nothing wrong with combining the methods.

The orientation of the Auskoppelfacetten the Lichteinkoppelmodule and the orientation of Lichteinkoppelfacetten the transparent filament can be done with known methods of optical beam calculation. When assigning the facets, it must be ensured that the inclination of the facets and thus the deflection angles of the beams in the totality are kept as small as possible. This is already shown in the figures.

FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment, which is based on the objects of FIGS. 1 to 4 and differs in the design of the transparent luminous body of these objects. The transparent luminous element is here divided into n = 3 Teilleuchtköper 22.1, 22.2, 22.3. Each partial luminaire is supplied with light by m = 1 light-coupled modules. The value of n is preferably between 2 and 10, respectively. The value of m is preferably between 1 and 5, respectively.

The in the FIG. 12 In principle, modules formed from in each case m light input modules and the respectively associated partial luminous body can in principle be arranged arbitrarily and independently of one another. In particular, as shown, they can be arranged next to one another in a row in the direction of the longitudinal extent of their light exit surfaces. But they can also be arranged in a row one above the other and / or laterally offset or offset in a plane to each other, they can also be arranged on a curved line and have the same or different main emission directions.

Another difference from the objects of the preceding figures is that the light exit surface of a partial luminous body is divided into separate partial surfaces 80, wherein each partial surface forms the end of a Lichtleitfingers 82, which merges with its other, its partial surface end remote into the rest of the partial luminous body. The partial surfaces are preferably at least partially not in the same plane with each other and / or the remaining partial luminous body, from which they lead out like fingers of a hand. To a height offset between the remaining part of the body and To achieve a light finger and to guide the light nonetheless to the light exit surface, the partial luminous body on a first deflection, which deflects the light from the surface, and it has a second deflection surface 86, which then deflects the deflected light to the light exit surface. Of course, the explanations on the partial luminaires also apply to all non-split luminaires. The FIG. 13 shows the subject of the FIG. 12 from a directed to the light exit surfaces viewing direction. The deflection surfaces result, so to speak, in that the transparent luminous body has kinks which bound the deflection surfaces. Such kinks and thus deflection surfaces can be combined with any of the embodiments presented here. With the height offset, for example, the light emitting diodes with the associated circuit board and the one or more heat sinks can be covered by a diaphragm, while the light exit surface is not covered by the diaphragm.

Claims (15)

1. A lamp for a motor vehicle, which lamp has at least one light source (10, 12, 14), one light input module (16, 18, 20) and one transparent light-emitting body (22) that has an elongated light input face (24), characterized in that the transparent light-emitting body has an elongated light input face (26) that has light input facets (28), and the light input module has output facets (30) and is arranged for illuminating the output facets with homogeneous light (32), also focused about a preferential direction, of the light source, and the output facets are arranged for outputting light (32) from the light source that reaches them and aiming it to the light input facets, and light (34) that has been output via an output facet is concentrated on precisely one light input facet, and the light input facets are arranged for inputting light (34) striking them and aiming it at a partial area of the light output face.
2. The lamp of claim 1, characterized in that the output facets are furthermore arranged for concentrating light (34), which was output via an output facet, onto precisely one light input facet (28) of the transparent light-emitting body.
3. The lamp of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the transparent light-emitting body is curved about the primary light propagation direction of the light propagated in it.
4. The lamp of claim 3, characterized in that a light input facet (38) of the transparent light-emitting body, which input facet is located in a curved area of the transparent light-emitting body, is associated with an output facet (40) of the annular light input module (16), which output facet is located in an area of the light input facet that is curved in the same direction.
5. The lamp of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that each light input module has a number of output facets, which are different from one another.
6. The lamp of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the transparent light-emitting body (22) has different light input facets on its narrow and elongated back side that serves as a light input face (26).
7. The lamp of claim 6, characterized in that each light input facet of the transparent light-emitting body is oriented in a one to one association with an output facet of a light input module, and vice versa.
8. The lamp of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the light input module has a first central deflector (42), the shape of which results from rotation of a parabolic branch about an axis of rotation (44) that coincides with the primary projection direction of the light source (14).
9. The lamp of claim 8, characterized in that the light source located at the focal point of this parabolic branch.
10. The lamp of claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the light input module has a second deflector (46), which is realized as a conical surface that extends around the primary projection direction at a fixed distance and forms an angle of 45° with the primary projection direction, which angle faces in the primary projection direction.
11. The lamp of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the light input facets (28) are arranged for aiming the individual light beams, input by way of them in the same direction at the light output face.
12. The lamp of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the transparent light-emitting body (22) and the light input module (20) are each separate components.
13. The lamp of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the light output face of the transparent light-emitting body has a curvature about an axis that is perpendicular to the primary light propagation direction.
14. The lamp of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the output facets of the light input modules are located in the form of a closed loop, in particular in the form of a circular loop.
15. The lamp of one of claims 1-14, characterized in that the output facets (30) of each light input module are located not in a closed loop but in an open loop, in particular a sector of a circle, in particular a semicircle or an even smaller sector of a circle.

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