EP3677831A1 - Vehicle light and method for generating a minimum illuminated area in a light function for a vehicle light - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle lamp (10) and a method for generating a minimum illuminated area for a light function of a vehicle lamp (10) are described. The vehicle lamp (10) is equipped with a mirror (01), which spans a surface and is inclined with respect to a main geometric axis (X), and at least one optical element (05) comprising at least one light surface (55). When viewed along the main axis (X), the luminous surface (55) is arranged in front of the mirror (01). The luminous surface (55) complements itself with its true-to-image reflection in the mirror (01) standing at an angle to the main axis (X) to form a total luminous surface (550). A number of through openings (12) corresponding to the number of optical elements (05) are arranged in the mirror (01). A minor axis (Y) is orthogonal to the major axis (X). The secondary axis (Y) runs in the constructionally intended installation position of the vehicle lamp (10) in the horizontal direction. The method provides for a luminous surface (55) to be arranged in front of a mirror surface (01) that is inclined with respect to a main geometric axis (X). When viewed along the main axis (X), the luminous surface (55) complements itself with its true-to-image reflection in the mirror surface (01) to form a total luminous surface (550).

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle lamp according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for generating a minimum luminous area for a light function of a vehicle lamp according to the preamble of claim 10.

A vehicle lamp comprises, for example, a lamp interior that is essentially completely or partially enclosed by a lamp housing and a lens, and at least one illuminant that is accommodated therein and comprises at least one light source for at least one light function of the vehicle lamp.

Examples of vehicle lights are on the front of the vehicle, on the side of the vehicle and / or on the side mirrors and on the rear of the vehicle, repeat lights, exit lights, e.g. for ambient lighting, position lights, brake lights, fog lights, reversing lights, and typically high-placed third brake lights, so-called central, high-mounted Braking lights, daytime running lights, headlights and also fog lights used as cornering or cornering lights, as well as combinations thereof.

Such a combination is regularly implemented, for example, in the known rear lights. In these, for example, turn indicators, marker lights, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights are used, to name just one of many combinations realized in rear lights. This list does not claim to be complete, nor does it mean that all the lights mentioned must be combined in a rear light. For example, only two or three of the named or other lights can be combined in a common light housing of a rear light.

Depending on the design, each vehicle lamp fulfills one or more tasks or functions. A light function of the vehicle lamp is provided to fulfill each task or function. Light functions are for example with a Design as a headlamp is a function illuminating the road or, in the case of a design as a signal lamp, a signal function, such as a repeated flashing light function to indicate the direction of travel or a brake light function to indicate braking activity, or for example a marker light function, such as a tail light function, to ensure visibility of the vehicle during the day and / or night, such as in a configuration as a rear light or daytime running light.

Each light function must fulfill a light distribution prescribed by law, for example. The light distribution specifies at least the luminous fluxes to be observed, colloquially referred to as brightness, in at least the solid angle ranges to be observed.

For the individual light functions, different brightnesses or visibility ranges and partly different light colors are assigned.

Reflectors are used to redirect the light emitted by point light sources according to a desired light distribution.

An alternative is offered by optical bodies, such as light guides, which couple the light that is coupled into them again in accordance with a desired light distribution.

Disadvantages of optical bodies are their large space requirement and their high constructional and manufacturing expenditure.

Because of their high efficiency in converting electrical current into light visible to the human eye, semiconductor light sources are increasingly being used as light sources of illuminants for vehicle lights which are provided and / or contribute to the fulfillment of one or more light functions. These include, for example, inorganic light-emitting diodes, organic light-emitting diodes and laser light sources.

Inorganic light-emitting diodes consist of at least one light-emitting diode semiconductor chip, or LED chip for short. In addition, they can have at least one primary optic molded on, for example by injection molding, which completely or partially envelops the at least one LED chip. However, vehicle lights are also known in which pure LED chips without molded primary optics are used.

Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, no distinction is made in the following between inorganic light-emitting diodes and LED chips, and instead the term LED is used as a representative for both, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Outstanding properties of LEDs compared to other, conventional light sources of lamps are a much longer lifespan and a significantly higher luminous efficacy with the same power consumption. In other words, at the same light intensity, LEDs have a lower power consumption than other light sources. As a result, when one or more LEDs are used as the light source of a lamp, for example in a vehicle lamp, the load on an on-board electrical system of a vehicle provided for power supply can be reduced, along with savings in the energy consumption of the vehicle. Furthermore, LEDs have a much longer service life than other light sources that can be used in a vehicle lamp. The longer service life increases the operational safety and the quality of the vehicle lamp, among other things, due to the lower failure rate.

An organic light-emitting diode, referred to for short as OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode; OLED), is a luminous thin-layer component made of organic semiconducting materials with at least one emitter layer enclosed between electrically conductive, for example metallic layers for the anode and cathode. The thickness or, in other words, the thickness of the layers is of the order of magnitude of approximately 100 nm. Typically, depending on the structure, it is 100 nm to 500 nm. For protection against water, oxygen and for protection against other environmental influences, such as scratch damage and / or pressure loads OLEDs typically encapsulated with an inorganic material, especially glass. There are efforts to replace the glass with plastic, but in particular to meet the service life requirements of vehicle lights and their light sources with several 1000 hours, for example, are not yet crowned with the desired success because the tightness of the alternative materials for the encapsulation is not is sufficiently good enough.

In contrast to inorganic light-emitting diodes, OLEDs do not require single-crystalline materials. Compared to LEDs, OLEDs can therefore be manufacture inexpensive thin-film technology. OLEDs thereby enable the production of planar light sources which, on the one hand, are very thin and, on the other hand, have a particularly homogeneous appearance when used as a luminous surface visible through the lens of a vehicle lamp.

For the operation of both LEDs and OLEDs as light sources for a lamp, for example a vehicle lamp, one or more more or less complex electronic control circuits can be provided, which can be arranged, for example, on one or more lamp carriers of the lamp and housed in the interior of the lamp.

A simple example of an electronic control circuit relates to the adjustment of different brightnesses of individual LEDs or of LED strings within a group of LEDs operated together and arranged on one or more illuminant carriers. Such an electronic control circuit consists of at least one or more series resistors for adapting the forward voltage of the LEDs to the vehicle electrical system. For example, it is known to sort the LEDs in so-called binning according to forward voltage and intensity. In order to compensate for differences between several LED strings, each consisting of LEDs of the same forward voltage and intensity connected in series, and to obtain a homogeneous brightness distribution of the neighboring LED strands from LEDs with different forward voltage and intensity, at least each LED strand is equipped with a another series resistor.

LEDs and OLDEs often require separate failure detection when used as a light source, particularly in vehicle lights. This is due to the low power consumption of LEDs and OLEDs in general. For example, a control unit housed in a vehicle is unable to detect a change in the power consumption from the vehicle electrical system that corresponds to the failure of one or fewer LEDs or OLEDs, since a resulting vehicle electrical system voltage change is below the vehicle electrical system voltage fluctuations that occur during normal operation of a vehicle. An electronic circuit arrangement for failure detection, for example housed in the vehicle lamp, detects the failure of one or more light-emitting diodes in the vehicle lamp, for example by means of one or more comparators, and communicates this to the operator Control unit with. This electronic circuit arrangement for failure detection can be implemented by an electronic control circuit mounted, for example, on the illuminant carrier.

• zur Regelung und/oder Steuerung der Helligkeit bzw. Leuchtkraft der LEDs und/oder OLEDs, beispielsweise durch eine pulsweitenmodulierte Taktung der Stromversorgung für einen außerhalb des für das menschliche Auge wahrnehmbaren Bereichs gepulsten Betrieb,
• zur Kompensation oder Vermeidung elektromagnetischer Störungen, beispielsweise aufgebaut aus Kondensatoren und/oder Ferriten,
• zum Schutz der LEDs und/oder OLEDs z.B. vor einer Überspannung des Bordnetzes oder vor fehlerhafter Polung, beispielsweise umfassend eine oder mehrere Zenerdioden.

In addition, both LEDs and OLEDs may require further electronic control circuits. Examples of this are electronic control circuits:

• for regulating and / or controlling the brightness or luminosity of the LEDs and / or OLEDs, for example by means of pulse-width-modulated clocking of the power supply for an operation pulsed outside the range perceptible to the human eye,
• to compensate or avoid electromagnetic interference, for example made up of capacitors and / or ferrites,
• to protect the LEDs and / or OLEDs, for example against overvoltage in the vehicle electrical system or against incorrect polarity, for example comprising one or more Zener diodes.

In summary, for almost all LED and / or OLED applications, a more or less extensive electronic control circuit designed for the special LEDs and / or OLEDs, e.g. are applied to the at least one lamp carrier. In the simplest case, the electronic control circuit comprises a series resistor and a protective diode, but depending on the application, it can also contain significantly more electronic components, e.g. Microcontrollers or controllers, comparators, transistors, protective diodes, electrical resistors e.g. as series resistor, capacitors, ferrites, etc.

Thus, a light source with one or more LEDs and / or OLEDs as a light source usually comprises at least one further electronic component mentioned above in addition to one or more LEDs and / or OLEDs which represent electronic components due to their diode structure. Accordingly, a light source with one or more LEDs and / or OLEDs as light sources can have at least one further electronic component in addition to the at least one LED and / or OLED.

The at least one light source of an illuminant and at least one further electronic component can be electrically on a common illuminant carrier which represents a conductor track carrier, or on spatially separated ones, for example by means of a wire harness or one or more parts of a wire harness connected conductor track supports, of which at least one forms the illuminant support.

The interconnect carriers used in connection with an illuminant carrier are interconnect carriers as are also used for the electrical connection of electronic components, for example for controlling illuminants other than LEDs and OLEDs.

Conductor carriers can be designed, for example, rigidly as so-called printed circuit boards, or as flexible plates, also known as flexible printed circuit boards, also known as flexible conductor foils, for example, they can be deformed elastically or limp. In addition, injection-molded circuit carriers manufactured using MID technology (MID technology: Molded Interconnect Device Technology) are known, which are manufactured in the form of a component, for example a vehicle lamp with integrated conductor tracks, using injection molding technology and, in addition to their function for electrical contacting, for example of electronic components and / or light sources simultaneously take over a mechanical function of the vehicle lamp, for example an arrangement of light sources along a predetermined geometry with simultaneous formation of a reflector.

In order to increase the perceptibility or perceptive power of light functions of a vehicle lamp for other road users, it is also known to revive them within the limits permitted by law.

A well-known example are so-called dynamic light functions, in which the time allowed by the legislature, which an incandescent lamp as a legally permitted light source of an illuminant provided to fulfill a light function, in order to achieve its full luminosity, is used in order to use semiconductor light sources to achieve visual effect.

The reason for using semiconductor light sources, such as LEDs and / or OLEDs and / or laser light sources in connection with dynamic light functions, is essentially their short activation time, typically a few milliseconds, from the start of a current application to the emission of light. The light is emitted from the first moment of current application with full luminosity proportional to the current.

The use of semiconductor light sources significantly shortens the switch-on time until the full light intensity is reached compared to conventional thermal radiators, such as light bulbs.

An example of a visual effect of a dynamic light function mentioned above is the wiping in the direction of an intended direction indicator in the case of a repeated flashing light function of a direction indicator.

Such a dynamic light function realized by wiping is implemented by a light source with a plurality of semiconductor light sources which proceed in succession.

Within the first 200 ms of lighting, individual segments of the illuminated area assigned to the light function and formed by individually controllable semiconductor light sources are activated one after the other from the center of the vehicle, so that a wiping movement occurs optically when the device is switched on.

These and courses of other dynamic light functions can be achieved by means of electronic control circuits with microcontroller control or discrete circuit construction.

In summary, a large number of electronic control circuits are known in connection with the operation of semiconductor light sources, in particular those provided for realizing light functions in modern vehicle lights.

For the sake of economy only, when handling vehicle lights when arranging and / or replacing them on a vehicle, these electronic control circuits are integrated in the vehicle light or are accommodated on or in this.

However, the accommodation of the electronic control circuits on or in a vehicle lamp requires space.

In addition, studies have shown that light intensity reduces the response time of humans when a light function is detected (eg " Evaluation of rear lights in driving situations "by C. Ries, D. Polin, C. Schiller, TQ Khanh, ISAL 2017 ). On the other hand, too high a light intensity leads to glare, which means that a compromise between response time and glare has to be found in order to improve and optimize road safety.

In order to avoid glare associated with a high light intensity, it is therefore desirable to make the luminous area perceptible by the human eye as large as possible. This enables a lower luminous flux while maintaining the same light intensity.

This is due to the fact that with a constant luminous flux per unit area, an increasing luminous area leads to an increase in light intensity or light intensity.

In addition to the requirement to adhere to certain light distributions for the individual light functions of a vehicle lamp, there are therefore minimum lighting area requirements in some countries, in accordance with the specification of a minimum lighting area for individual lighting functions, in accordance with the minimum visible minimum areas of signal light functions, e.g. from the FMVSS and SAE requirements out.

In order to comply with such minimum luminous area requirements, the light emitted by a very bright light source must be distributed over a luminous area which is visible through the lens from outside the vehicle lamp and which is considerably larger than the visible area of the luminous source. In particular, LEDs representing point light sources are preferably arranged so that they are not directly visible from outside the luminaire interior through the lens, since they otherwise appear very brightly in the luminous area surrounding them. A typical arrangement of a semiconductor light source therefore provides for the light emitted by it to be coupled into a totally reflecting (TIR; total internal reflection), light-guiding element with a light coupling area and a light coupling area. The light guide directs the light coupled into it, for example from a light source arranged concealed at the light coupling-in area, in the direction of the coupling-out area and decouples it there again. The decoupled light can directly, without contributing a reflector according to a desired light distribution or such, or indirectly, by irradiating it into a reflector which then reflects it according to the desired light distribution or this.

This is accompanied by the disadvantage of a high space requirement for appropriately designed optical bodies of light guides.

Together with the accommodation of electronic control circuits necessary for the operation of modern semiconductor light sources, there is a not inconsiderable space requirement, which is further increased by minimum lighting area requirements.

An object of the invention is to provide a vehicle lamp which preferably contributes to a high level of traffic safety by appropriate brightness of semiconductor light sources, in particular LEDs, but at the same time has the possibility of accommodating electronic control circuits required for operating semiconductor light sources without requiring additional space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for generating and / or maintaining a minimum illuminated area for a light function of a vehicle lamp, while at the same time requiring minimal installation space.

The object is achieved in each case by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are given in the claims, the drawings and in the following description, including those belonging to the drawings.

A first object of the invention accordingly relates to a vehicle lamp. This can be equipped with a luminaire interior that is wholly or partially enclosed by a lens and a luminaire housing.

The vehicle lamp has a constructionally provided installation position with a main emission direction along a main axis passing through the lens.

In the installed position, a secondary axis preferably runs in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the main axis.

It is important to emphasize at this point that, in contrast to the term shaft, the term axis in this document denotes a geometric axis and not a machine element.

The interior of the lamp houses at least one lamp provided with at least one semiconductor light source to fulfill at least one light function of the vehicle lamp.

The interior of the lamp houses at least one optic body which is illuminated or can be illuminated by at least one semiconductor light source or at least one illuminant provided for fulfilling at least one light function of the vehicle lamp or which comprises a semiconductor light source.

A mirror is arranged in the interior of the lamp and spans a surface in the interior of the lamp.

The mirror has a through opening for each optic body housed in the interior of the lamp.

The surface spanned by the mirror encloses an angle with the main axis which is different from 0 ° and from 180 ° and their integer multiples.

The mirror divides the interior of the luminaire into a viewing area facing the lens and into an installation space facing away from the lens.

The optic body protrudes through the through opening into the viewing area.

When looking along the main axis from outside the lamp interior through the lens, the optic body comprises a first part of a total luminous area for a light function of the vehicle lamp, which is in line with a second part of the total luminous area, which is caused by the reflection, which is true-to-image reflection of the first part at an angle to the main axis standing mirror arises and / or is formed, seen against the main axis to the total illuminated area.

The area, referred to briefly as the mirror surface, spanned by the mirror can be designed to be convexly curved around one or two axes from the perspective of an observer looking outside the lamp interior through the lens into the vehicle lamp towards the lens.

The surface in front of the mirror is convex when viewed along the main axis.

The mirror surface can be designed as a 2.5D surface, i.e. curved in one plane. In this way, a specific distortion of the optic body in the mirror surface can be obtained and the size of the total illuminated surface can thus be adjusted.

The convex curvature can be adapted to a lighting fixture.

The convex curvature is in contrast to a focussing concave curvature in the case of a reflector which reduces its optical image.

The surface can span one level.

Accordingly, a plane-parallel mirror can be arranged in the interior of the lamp, which spans a plane in the interior of the lamp.

The plane-parallel mirror also has a through opening for each optic body housed in the interior of the lamp.

The plane spanned by the plane-parallel mirror encloses an angle with the main axis which is different from 0 ° and from 180 ° and their integer multiples.

The plane-parallel mirror also divides the luminaire interior into a viewing space facing the lens and into an installation space facing away from the lens, the optical body protruding through the through opening into the viewing space.

The vehicle lamp may include one or more electronic control circuits necessary for operating the one or more semiconductor light sources.

The electronic control circuits required to operate the semiconductor light sources are preferably located in the installation space.

The plane spanned by the mirror preferably includes the minor axis.

The angle is preferably 45 °.

If only one side of the plane-parallel mirror, for example, is mirrored, then this is facing the viewing area.

If the optical body is illuminated or can be illuminated by one or more semiconductor light sources and the optical body itself does not comprise a semiconductor light source or if the optical body is not covered by a semiconductor light source, then the optical body accommodated in the interior of the lamp can be formed by a light guide or a light guide body with at least one light coupling area into which at least one semiconductor light source of an illuminant provided to fulfill at least one light function of the vehicle lamp couples the light emitted by it, and with a light decoupling area in the direction of which the optic body guides the light coupled into it from the semiconductor light source at the light coupling area and decouples it there again.

This vehicle lamp is also characterized by a surface in the lamp interior, for example a plane-spanning, for example plane-parallel mirror, each with a through opening for each optical body accommodated in the lamp interior.

Here, too, the mirror divides the interior of the luminaire into a viewing area facing the lens and into an installation space facing away from the lens.

Likewise, the surface spanned by the mirror, for example forming a plane, encloses an angle with the main axis which is different from 0 ° and from 180 ° and their integral multiples.

The light coupling area of each optic body is located in the installation space.

The semiconductor light sources radiating their light into the optic body are located in the installation space.

The light decoupling area of each optic body is in the view room.

A part of the optic body passing through the through opening in the mirror connects a part comprising the light coupling area of an optic body to a part comprising the light decoupling area of the respective optic body.

The light decoupling area comprises a luminous area which forms the first part of the total luminous area of a light function of the vehicle lamp. In this embodiment of the vehicle lamp, the first part of the total luminous area is complemented by a second part to the total luminous area when viewed along the main axis from outside the lamp interior through the lens. Here, the second part of the total luminous area is formed by the reflection in the mirror of the first part of the total luminous area corresponding to the luminous area of the light decoupling region, or it arises thereby.

It can be seen that the first object of the invention can be realized by a vehicle lamp with an inclined with respect to a main geometric axis and thereby inclined, for example, a plane-forming surface spanning, for example, plane-parallel mirror and an optical element comprising a luminous surface, which luminous surface when When viewed along the main axis, the view is arranged in front of the mirror, so that when viewed along the main axis, it complements to form an overall illuminated surface with its true-to-image reflection in the mirror which is at an angle to the main axis.

The light emitted by the optic body, for example in the light decoupling area of the optic body, and the light reflected by the mirror are preferably radiated without further deflection by a reflector in accordance with a desired light distribution or such.

The geometry of each through opening preferably corresponds to the cross section of a part of an optic body that passes through the through opening in the mirror.

An OLED can also be used as an optical body. This can make a very expensive OLED appear larger than it actually is. Conversely, an OLED with a luminous area that is only half as large is required to meet a minimum luminous area requirement by doubling its luminous area in the mirror.

In order to remedy the disadvantages of the prior art, the invention accordingly provides for a (plan) mirror, which is preferably inclined at 45 °, to be arranged in a lamp interior, which mirror this in a front area between the lens and mirror - the viewing area - and in a rear area hidden area - the installation space - divided. An optical body protrudes through the mirror into the front area. The optical body is only half the size of the size that the human observer perceives when looking through the lens into the front area. The mirror doubles the view of the optic body, which thereby emits its light intensity over an apparent, double luminous surface.

The hidden area can be used to accommodate any electronics and light sources for one or more optical bodies protruding through the mirror.

The interior of the luminaire appears twice as large to the viewer due to the mirror, which is preferably inclined at 45 °, than its actual installation space requirement.

A surprising side effect is that the part of the optic body protruding through the mirror is perceived as a doubling of the actual part of the optic body floating freely in the apparent interior of the lamp.

A second subject of the invention relates to a method for generating and / or maintaining a minimum luminous area for a light function of a vehicle lamp.

The method provides for a luminous area to be provided, for example, by a light decoupling area of an optical body. This luminous area is at least half as large as a minimum luminous area requirement for a light function implemented or to be implemented by them.

At the same time, it has a luminous intensity which, when illuminated, is at least twice as bright as a minimum luminous intensity requirement for a light function which is or is to be implemented by it.

The method is distinguished by the fact that, from a viewer's point of view, a mirror apparently doubles the luminous area at least to the size of the minimum luminous area requirement, accompanied by a reduction in its apparent brightness from the viewer's perspective to at least the minimum luminous intensity requirement.

The method can provide that the luminous surface protrudes rearward through the mirror, so that there is no shadowing of both the directly visible luminous surface and the visible luminous surface reflected in the mirror, such as attachments, electronic components, illuminant carriers, conductor track carriers, etc. ..

The optic body is preferably attached to the rear of the mirror. For example, the attachment can be provided on the back of the mirror.

The vehicle lamp can have individual or a combination of the features described above and / or below in connection with the method, just as the method can have and / or implement individual or a combination of several features described above and / or below in connection with the vehicle lamp.

The vehicle lamp and / or the method may alternatively or additionally individually or a combination of several in the introduction in connection with the prior art and / or in one or more of the documents mentioned in the prior art and / or in the following description of the in the drawings have described described embodiments.

Additional advantages over the prior art that go beyond the complete solution of the task and / or the advantages mentioned above for the individual features are listed below.

These include an improvement in the visibility and perceptibility of light functions of a rear light for a motor vehicle with a simultaneous reduction in the space requirement.

The improvement in perceptibility results from the inventive generation of a spatial impression of a signal function, as a result of which the perceptual power is increased. Due to the reflection, the perceptible luminous surface appears larger than it actually is.

The reduction in the space requirement results from the fact that the space perceptible to the viewer, namely the view space visible to the viewer through the lens, through the reflections appears larger than it actually is, for example at least twice as large. This leaves space for electronics and / or fastenings behind the mirror.

An additional, surprising advantage is the appearance of a floating optic element, which, due to its unusual appearance of a luminous optic body that seems to float in the room, literally attracts the viewer's gaze and thereby further increases the perception.

Fig. 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Fahrzeugleuchte mit einem gegenüber einer geometrischen Hauptachse geneigt angeordneten und hierdurch schräg stehenden, eine Ebene aufspannenden, planparallelen Spiegel und mindestens einem wenigstens eine Leuchtfläche umfassenden Optikelement, welche Leuchtfläche beim Blick entlang der Hauptachse gesehen vor dem Spiegel angeordnet ist und sich beim Blick entlang der Hauptachse gesehen mit ihrer abbildungsgetreuen Spiegelung im schräg zur Hauptachse stehenden Spiegel zu einer Gesamtleuchtfläche ergänzt, in einem die Hauptachse einschließenden Querschnitt.

Fig. 2

die Fahrzeugleuchte aus Fig. 1 in einem die Hauptachse einschließenden Querschnitt in einer den Eindruck eines Betrachters bei dessen Blick entlang der Hauptachse widerspiegelnden Ansicht, entsprechend dem Eindruck eines Betrachters beim Blick entlang der Hauptachse von Außerhalb der Fahrzeugleuchte in einem der Ansicht in Fig. 1 entsprechenden Querschnitt gesehen.

Fig. 3

die Fahrzeugleuchte aus Fig. 1 in einer ihre realen Geometrien darstellenden perspektivischen Ansicht.

Fig. 4

die Fahrzeugleuchte aus Fig. 1 in einer ihre realen und gespiegelten Geometrien darstellenden, den Eindruck eines Betrachters beim der Ansicht in Fig. 3 entsprechenden Blick auf die Fahrzeugleuchte widerspiegelnden perspektivischen Ansicht.

Fig. 5

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer Fahrzeugleuchte mit einem gegenüber einer geometrischen Hauptachse geneigt angeordneten und hierdurch schräg stehenden, eine Ebene aufspannenden, planparallelen Spiegel und mindestens einem wenigstens eine Leuchtfläche umfassenden Optikelement, welche Leuchtfläche beim Blick entlang der Hauptachse gesehen vor dem Spiegel angeordnet ist und sich beim Blick entlang der Hauptachse gesehen mit ihrer abbildungsgetreuen Spiegelung im schräg zur Hauptachse stehenden Spiegel zu einer Gesamtleuchtfläche ergänzt, in einem die Hauptachse einschließenden Querschnitt.

Fig. 6

die Fahrzeugleuchte aus Fig. 5 in einem die Hauptachse einschließenden Querschnitt in einer den Eindruck eines Betrachters bei dessen Blick entlang der Hauptachse widerspiegelnden Ansicht, entsprechend dem Eindruck eines Betrachters beim Blick entlang der Hauptachse von Außerhalb der Fahrzeugleuchte in einem der Ansicht in Fig. 5 entsprechenden Querschnitt gesehen.

Fig. 7

die Fahrzeugleuchte aus Fig. 5 in einer ihre realen Geometrien darstellenden perspektivischen Ansicht.

Fig. 8

die Fahrzeugleuchte aus Fig. 5 in einer ihre realen und gespiegelten Geometrien darstellenden, den Eindruck eines Betrachters beim der Ansicht in Fig. 7 entsprechenden Blick auf die Fahrzeugleuchte widerspiegelnden perspektivischen Ansicht.

Fig. 9

ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Fahrzeugleuchte mit einem gegenüber einer geometrischen Hauptachse geneigt angeordneten und hierdurch schräg stehenden, eine Fläche aufspannenden Spiegel und mehreren jeweils eine Leuchtfläche umfassenden Optikelementen, welche Leuchtflächen beim Blick entlang der Hauptachse gesehen vor dem Spiegel angeordnet sind und sich beim Blick entlang der Hauptachse gesehen mit ihren abbildungsgetreuen Spiegelungen im schräg zur Hauptachse stehenden Spiegel zu einer Gesamtleuchtfläche ergänzen, in einer ihre realen Geometrien darstellenden perspektivischen Ansicht bei volltransparenter Darstellung ihrer Optikelemente.

Fig. 10

die Fahrzeugleuchte aus Fig. 9 in einer ihre realen Geometrien darstellenden perspektivischen Ansicht bei nichttransparenter Darstellung ihrer Optikelemente.

Fig. 11

die Fahrzeugleuchte aus Fig. 9 in einem normal auf der vom Spiegel aufgespannten Fläche aufstehenden Querschnitt.

Fig. 12

die Fahrzeugleuchte aus Fig. 9 in einem die Hauptachse einschließenden Querschnitt

Fig. 13

ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zur Erzeugung einer Mindestleuchtfläche einer Lichtfunktion einer Fahrzeugleuchte unter minimalem Bauraumbedarf.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. The size relationships of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the real size relationships, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration. Identical reference numerals are used for identical or identically acting elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the invention can be designed and do not represent a final limitation. They show in a schematic representation:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of a vehicle lamp with a plane-parallel mirror arranged at an angle to a geometrical main axis and thereby inclined, thereby spanning a plane, and at least one at least one luminous surface comprehensive optical element, which is arranged in front of the mirror when viewed along the main axis and, when viewed along the main axis, is complemented to form a total illuminated surface with its true-to-image reflection in the mirror at an angle to the main axis, in a cross section that includes the main axis.

Fig. 2

the vehicle light off Fig. 1 in a cross section enclosing the main axis in a view reflecting the impression of a viewer looking at him along the main axis, corresponding to the impression of a viewer looking along the main axis from outside the vehicle lamp in one of the views in Fig. 1 seen corresponding cross-section.

Fig. 3

the vehicle light off Fig. 1 in a perspective view showing their real geometries.

Fig. 4

the vehicle light off Fig. 1 in a representation of their real and mirrored geometries, the impression of a viewer when viewing in Fig. 3 corresponding view of the vehicle light reflecting perspective view.

Fig. 5

a second exemplary embodiment of a vehicle lamp with a plane-parallel mirror arranged inclined with respect to a main geometric axis and thereby inclined, spanning a plane, and at least one optical element comprising at least one light-emitting surface, which light-emitting surface is arranged in front of the mirror when viewed along the main axis and when viewed Seen along the main axis with its true-to-image reflection in the mirror at an angle to the main axis, it has been supplemented to form a total luminous area in a cross section that includes the main axis.

Fig. 6

the vehicle light off Fig. 5 in a cross section enclosing the main axis in a view reflecting the impression of a viewer looking at him along the main axis, corresponding to the impression of a viewer looking along the main axis of Outside the vehicle lamp in one of the views in Fig. 5 seen corresponding cross-section.

Fig. 7

the vehicle light off Fig. 5 in a perspective view showing their real geometries.

Fig. 8

the vehicle light off Fig. 5 in a representation of their real and mirrored geometries, the impression of a viewer when viewing in Fig. 7 corresponding view of the vehicle light reflecting perspective view.

Fig. 9

a third embodiment of a vehicle lamp with an inclined to a geometric main axis and thereby inclined, a surface spanning mirror and several optical elements each comprising a luminous surface, which luminous surfaces are arranged in front of the mirror when viewed along the main axis and when viewed along the main axis seen with their true-to-image reflections in the mirror at an angle to the main axis to form a total illuminated area, in a perspective view showing their real geometries with a fully transparent representation of their optical elements.

Fig. 10

the vehicle light off Fig. 9 in a perspective view showing their real geometries with a non-transparent representation of their optical elements.

Fig. 11

the vehicle light off Fig. 9 in a cross section standing up normally on the surface spanned by the mirror.

Fig. 12

the vehicle light off Fig. 9 in a cross section including the main axis

Fig. 13

a flowchart of a method for generating a minimum luminous area of a light function of a vehicle lamp with minimal space requirements.

The invention relates to a Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 , Fig. 6 , Fig. 7 , Fig. 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig. 10 , Fig. 11 , Fig. 12 Vehicle lamp 10 shown in whole or in part and a in Fig. 13 The process shown in its sequence for generating a minimum illuminated area of a light function of a vehicle lamp 10 with a minimal space requirement.

In its most general configuration, the vehicle lamp 10 is equipped with a mirror surface 01, for example comprising a mirror that spans a surface and is inclined with respect to a geometrical main axis X, and at least one optical element 05 comprising at least one lighting surface 55. When viewed along the main axis X, the luminous surface 55 is arranged in front of the mirror surface 01, for example, which is surrounded by a mirror. The luminous surface 55 complements itself with its true-to-image reflection in the mirror surface 01 standing at an angle to the main axis X, for example by the mirror standing at an angle to the main axis X, to form a total lighting surface 550.

A number of through openings 12 corresponding to the number of optical elements 05 is preferably arranged in the mirror 01. A secondary axis Y preferably runs orthogonally to the main axis X. The secondary axis Y particularly preferably runs in a horizontal direction in a structurally provided installation position of the vehicle lamp 10.

In the Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 , Fig. 6 , Fig. 7 , Fig. 8 Exemplary embodiments of a vehicle lamp 10 shown, the spanned surface forms a plane.

In the in Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 , Fig. 6 , Fig. 7 , Fig. 8 In the illustrated embodiments, the vehicle lamp 10 is equipped with a mirror surface 01, for example, which comprises a mirror spanning a plane and inclined with respect to a geometric main axis X, and at least one optical element 05 comprising at least one light surface 55. When viewed along the main axis X, the luminous surface 55 is arranged in front of the mirror surface 01, which is comprised, for example, by a mirror. The luminous surface 55 complements itself with its true-to-image reflection in the mirror surface 01 standing at an angle to the main axis X, for example comprised by the mirror standing at an angle to the main axis X, to form a total lighting surface 550.

In the Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 , Fig. 6 , Fig. 7 , Fig. 8 Vehicle lamp 10 shown in whole or in part accordingly comprises at least one mirror surface 01, referred to briefly as a mirror, plane mirror or plane-parallel mirror, and at least one optical element 05.

In contrast, the surface spanned by the mirror surface 01, which is comprised, for example, by a mirror inclined with respect to a main geometric axis X, Fig. 9 , Fig. 10 , Fig. 11 , Fig. 12 Exemplary embodiments of a vehicle lamp 10 have a curvature about at least one axis.

The curvature is convex from the point of view of an observer looking outside the interior of the lamp 11 through the lens 08 of the vehicle lamp 10.

The surface is therefore convex when viewed along the main axis X in front of the mirror.

Such curvature or curvature around only one axis is also referred to as 2.5 dimensionally curved, that is to say curved in one plane.

In this way, a specific distortion of the optic body 50 in the mirror surface 01 can be obtained and the size of the total illuminated surface 550 can thus be adapted.

The convex curvature can be adapted to a lighting fixture.

The flat mirror surface 01 of the in Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 , Fig. 6 , Fig. 7 , Fig. 8 Vehicle lamp 10 shown in whole or in part is therefore a special case

The convex curvature is diametrically opposed to a concave curvature, as is realized with a reflector, both in its view and in its effect.

In the most general configuration of the vehicle lamp 10, a mirror is accordingly arranged in the lamp interior 11, which spans a surface in the lamp interior 11.

The mirror has a through-opening 12 in each case in the luminaire interior 11 accommodated optics body 50.

The surface spanned by the mirror encloses an angle with the main axis X which is different from 0 ° and from 180 ° and their integral multiples.

The mirror divides the luminaire interior 11 into a viewing space 111 facing the lens and into an installation space 112 facing away from the lens.

The optic body 50 projects through the through opening 12 into the viewing space 111.

When looking along the main axis X from outside the lamp interior 11 through the lens 08, the optic body 50 comprises a first part of a total luminous area 550 for a light function of the vehicle lamp 10, which coincides with a second part of the total luminous area 550, which is caused by the reflection which is a true-to-image reflection of the first part in the mirror which is at an angle to the main axis X and / or is formed, viewed against the main axis X and added to the total illuminated surface 550.

From the point of view of an observer looking from outside the interior of the lamp 11 through the lens 08 into the vehicle lamp 10, the area referred to briefly as the mirror surface 01 can be designed to be convexly curved around one or two axes.

The mirror surface 01 can be designed as a 2.5D surface, that is curved in one plane. In this way, a specific distortion of the optic body 50 in the mirror surface 01 can be obtained and the size of the total illuminated surface 550 can thus be adapted.

The convex curvature can be adapted to a lighting fixture.

The convex curvature is in contrast to a focussing concave curvature in the case of a reflector which reduces its optical image.

The surface can span one level.

The mirror surface 01 is arranged inclined with respect to a geometric main axis X of the vehicle lamp 10. As a result, the mirror surface 01 is inclined to the main axis X.

The geometric main axis X runs in a structurally provided installation position of the vehicle lamp 10, preferably in a main emission direction of its light functions.

The optical element 05 has at least one luminous area 55. If the optical element 05 is illuminated, for example by at least one semiconductor light source 04, for example an LED 40, which radiates its light, for example, via at least one light coupling surface 51 into the optical element 05, for example into an optical body 50 of the optical element 05, or by energizing a semiconductor light source 04 comprising the optical element 05 , for example an OLED, or semiconductor light source 04 comprised by the optical element 05, for example an LED 40 or an OLED, the optical element 05 emits light via the luminous surface 55.

The light radiation from the optical element 05 preferably takes place predominantly, particularly preferably exclusively, via the luminous surface 55. It should be noted that a small part of the light, which is negligible in relation to the total light radiation, can and / or will be emitted via other surfaces of the optical element 05.

The luminous surface 55 is arranged in front of the mirror surface 01 when viewed from the outside of the vehicle lamp 10 along the main axis. From the point of view of an observer looking at the main axis X, the luminous surface 55, with its true-to-image reflection, complements one another in the mirror surface 01 which is at an angle to the main axis X to form a total luminous surface.

The plane spanned by the mirror surface 01 preferably closes in with the main axis X Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 angle 07 indicated by a symbol α, which is different from 0 ° and from 180 ° and their integer multiples.

The angle 07 between the main axis X and the plane spanned by the mirror surface 01 is particularly preferably 45 °.

A preferably provided geometric secondary axis Y of the vehicle lamp 10 preferably runs orthogonal to the main axis X.

In a structurally provided installation position of the vehicle lamp 10, the secondary axis Y preferably runs in the horizontal direction.

The plane spanned by the mirror surface 01 particularly preferably includes the minor axis Y.

At this point it is emphasized once again that in the present document the term axis, in particular when mentioned in connection with the features of the main axis X and / or secondary axis Y, in contrast to the term shaft, denotes a geometric axis and not a machine element.

In the Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 , Fig. 6 , Fig. 7 , Fig. 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig. 10 , Fig. 11 , Fig. 12 Embodiments shown in whole or in part are a vehicle lamp 10 with a lamp interior 11 at least partially enclosed by a lens 08 and a lamp housing 02.

The geometric main axis X of such a vehicle lamp 10 passes through the lens 08.

The lamp interior 11 of such a vehicle lamp 10 houses at least one optical element 05 illuminated or illuminable by at least one semiconductor light source 04 or at least one illuminant provided to fulfill at least one light function of the vehicle lamp 10, or comprises an semiconductor element 04.

The vehicle lamp 10 is characterized by a plane-parallel mirror comprising the mirror surface 01, each having a through opening 12, each of the optical element 05 accommodated in the interior 11 of the lamp.

The mirror surface 01 of the mirror spans a surface, for example a plane, in the luminaire interior 11.

The mirror surface 01 divides the luminaire interior 11 into a viewing space 111 facing the lens 08 and into an installation space 112 facing away from the lens 08.

The optical element 05 protrudes through the through opening 12 into the viewing space 111.

When viewed from outside the interior of the lamp 11 through the lens 08 along the main axis X, the optical element 05 comprises a first part of a total lamp area for a light function of the vehicle lamp 10 formed by the projection or viewing surface of the lamp surface 55 thereof.

This first part of the total luminous area is complemented by a second part of the total luminous area to form the total luminous area.

The second part of the total luminous area is created and / or is formed by reflection of the first part of the total luminous area against the main axis, which reflection is a true-to-image reflection of the first part of the total luminous area in the flat mirror surface 01 that is oblique to the main axis X. .

The total luminous area is here preferably at least the same, preferably equal to the number of protruding through the mirror and thus also through the mirror surface 01 and subsequently accommodated in the lamp interior 11, serving and / or contributing to the same light function of the vehicle lamp 10 and / or provided optical elements 05 corresponding part of a minimum illuminated area predetermined for the light function.

Accordingly, all of the optical elements 05 which are used and / or provided to fulfill and / or contribute to the same light function of the vehicle lamp 10, together with their luminous areas 55, meet half the requirement for a minimum luminous area. The minimum luminous area requirement is met by the reflection and the associated doubling of the luminous areas 55 of the optical elements 05.

The optical element 05 can comprise a transparent optical body 50.

Accordingly, in the case of a vehicle lamp 10, a number of through openings 12 corresponding to the number of optical elements 05 of the vehicle lamp 10 can be arranged in the plane mirror surface 01, for example in a mirror spanning the plane mirror surface 01, for example a plane. One through opening 12 is provided in the vehicle lamp 10, for example in the lamp interior 11 of the optical element 05 accommodated therein. The geometry of each through-opening 12 corresponds to the cross-section of a part of an optical element 05 passing through the through-opening 12 in the mirror. The part of an optical element 05 passing through the through-opening 12 in the mirror can, for example, have a cross-sectional geometry corresponding to the geometry of a through-opening 12 Act optic body 50.

For example, the optical body 50 can be a light guide or a light guide body with at least one light coupling area which is characterized by at least one light coupling surface 51 because it comprises at least one light coupling surface 51.

At least one semiconductor light source 04 of an illuminant provided to fulfill at least one light function of the vehicle lamp 10 couples the light emitted by it via the at least one light coupling surface 51 into the light coupling area.

The optical body 50, which is designed, for example, as a light guide or light-guiding body, is also equipped with at least one light-coupling area which is characterized by at least one light coupling-out area 54 and comprises at least one light coupling-out area 54, in the direction of which the optic body 50 guides the light coupled in the light coupling-in area.

The optic body 50 couples out the light that is coupled into it at the light coupling-in area by the semiconductor light source 04 and directed in the direction of the light coupling-out area in the light coupling-out area.

Accordingly, the optic body 50 can be a light guide or a light guide body with at least one that is characterized by at least one light coupling surface 51 because at least one light coupling surface 51 comprising light coupling-in area, into which at least one semiconductor light source 04 of an illuminant provided to fulfill at least one light function of vehicle lamp 10 couples the light emitted by it, and with at least one light coupling-out area which is characterized by at least one light coupling-out area 54, because at least one light coupling-out area 54 comprises in the direction thereof the optical body 50 conducts the light coupled into it from the semiconductor light source 04 at the light coupling region and decouples it there again.

• mindestens ein zur Erfüllung wenigstens einer Lichtfunktion der Fahrzeugleuchte 10 vorgesehenes Leuchtmittel mit zumindest einer Halbleiterlichtquelle 04, und
• darüber hinaus mindestens einen einen Lichtleiter oder einen Lichtleitkörper bildenden Optikkörper 50 mit wenigstens einem Lichteinkoppelbereich, in den zumindest eine Halbleiterlichtquelle 04, insbesondere eine LED 40, eines zur Erfüllung wenigstens einer Lichtfunktion der Fahrzeugleuchte 10 vorgesehenes Leuchtmittels das von ihr ausgestrahlte Licht einkoppelt, und mit wenigstens einem Lichtauskoppelbereich, in Richtung dessen der Optikkörper 50 das in ihn von der Halbleiterlichtquelle 04 am Lichteinkoppelbereich eingekoppelte Licht leitet und es dort wieder auskoppelt,

beherbergt.The vehicle lamp 10 is then designed with a lamp interior 11 at least partially enclosed by a lens 08 and a lamp housing 02 and a geometric main axis X passing through the lens 08, the lamp interior 11:

• at least one illuminant provided to fulfill at least one light function of the vehicle lamp 10 with at least one semiconductor light source 04, and
• in addition, at least one optic body 50 forming a light guide or a light guide body with at least one light coupling area into which at least one semiconductor light source 04, in particular an LED 40, of an illuminant provided to fulfill at least one light function of the vehicle lamp 10 couples the light emitted by it, and with at least one a light decoupling area, in the direction of which the optic body 50 directs the light coupled into it from the semiconductor light source 04 at the light coupling area and decouples it there again,

houses.

• die von der Spiegelfläche 01 beziehungsweise vom Spiegel aufgespannte, beispielsweise eine Ebene bildende Fläche mit der Hauptachse X einen Winkel 07 einschließt, der von 0° und von 180° und deren ganzzahligen Vielfachen verschieden ist,
• die Spiegelfläche 01 beziehungsweise der Spiegel den Leuchteninnenraum 11 in einen der Lichtscheibe 08 zugewandten Ansichtsraum 111 und in einen der Lichtscheibe 08 abgewandten Einbauraum 112 unterteilt,
• sich der vorzugsweise zumindest wenigstens eine Lichteinkoppelfläche 51 umfassende Lichteinkoppelbereich vorzugswesie eines jeden im Leuchteninnenraum 11 beherbergten Optikkörpers 50 im Einbauraum 112 befindet,
• sich die ihr Licht in den mindestens einen Optikkörper 50 bevorzugt via dessen mindestens eine Lichteinkoppelfläche 51 einstrahlenden Halbleiterlichtquellen 04 ebenfalls im Einbauraum 112 befinden,
• sich der vorzugsweise zumindest wenigstens eine Lichtauskoppelfläche 54 umfassende Lichtauskoppelbereich vorzugswesie eines jeden im Leuchteninnenraum 11 beherbergten Optikkörpers 50 im Ansichtsraum 111 befindet, und
• ein durch die Durchgangsöffnung 12 in der Spiegelfläche 01 beziehungsweise im Spiegel hindurchführender Teil des Optikkörpers 50 einen den Lichteinkoppelbereich mit der mindestens einen Lichteinkoppelfläche 51 eines Optikkörpers 50 umfassenden Teil mit einem den Lichtauskoppelbereich mit der mindestens einen Lichtauskoppelfläche 54 des jeweiligen Optikkörpers 50 umfassenden Teil verbindet, und

wobei beim Blick entlang der Hauptachse X von außerhalb des Leuchteninnenraums 11 durch die Lichtscheibe 08 hindurch gesehen der Lichtauskoppelbereich mit der mindestens einen Lichtauskoppelfläche 54 einen ersten Teil einer Gesamtleuchtfläche 550 einer Lichtfunktion der Fahrzeugleuchte 10 umfasst, der sich mit einem zweiten Teil der Gesamtleuchtfläche 550, welcher durch die Reflektion des ersten Teils in der Spiegelfläche 01 beziehungsweise im Spiegel entsteht und/oder gebildet ist, entgegen der Hauptachse X gesehen zu der Gesamtleuchtfläche 550 ergänzt.This vehicle lamp 10 is characterized by a surface-spanning, for example flat mirror surface 01, which can be formed, for example, by a plane-parallel mirror or can be encompassed by one that spans a plane in the lamp interior 11, each with a through opening 12 in the lamp interior 11 housed optical body 50, wherein

• the surface spanned by the mirror surface 01 or by the mirror, for example forming a plane, encloses an angle 07 with the main axis X which is different from 0 ° and from 180 ° and their integral multiples,
• the mirror surface 01 or the mirror divides the luminaire interior 11 into a viewing space 111 facing the lens 08 and into an installation space 112 facing away from the lens 08,
• the light coupling area, which preferably comprises at least one light coupling area 51, is preferably located in the installation space 112 of each optical body 50 accommodated in the lamp interior 11,
• the semiconductor light sources 04, which preferably emit their light into the at least one optics body 50 via its at least one light coupling surface 51, are also located in the installation space 112,
• the light outcoupling area, which preferably comprises at least one light decoupling surface 54, is preferably located in the viewing area 111 of each optical body 50 accommodated in the interior of the luminaire 11, and
• a part of the optic body 50 leading through the through opening 12 in the mirror surface 01 or in the mirror connects a part comprising the light coupling area with the at least one light coupling surface 51 of an optic body 50 to a part comprising the light coupling area with the at least one light coupling surface 54 of the respective optic body 50, and

whereby when looking along the main axis X from outside the lamp interior 11 through the lens 08, the light decoupling area with the at least one light decoupling surface 54 comprises a first part of a total luminous area 550 of a light function of the vehicle lamp 10, which is in contact with a second part of the total luminous area 550, which as a result of the reflection of the first part in the mirror surface 01 or in the mirror, and / or is formed, supplemented to the total luminous surface 550, viewed against the main axis X.

According to this, the light decoupling area comprises a luminous area 55, which forms a first part of a total luminous area 550 of a light function of the vehicle lamp 10. When viewed along the main axis X from outside the interior of the lamp 11 through the lens 08, this first part of the total luminous area 550 is complemented by a second part to the total luminous area 550, the second part of the total luminous area 550 by the reflection of the luminous area of the Light decoupling area corresponding to the first part of the total luminous area 550 is created and / or formed in the mirror area 01 or in the mirror.

The luminous surface 55 can, for example, encompass the light exit surface 54 or be encompassed or formed by it.

The luminous surface 55 can also be one or more light exit surfaces 54.

If the vehicle lamp 10 comprises one or more electronic control circuits necessary for operating the one or more semiconductor light sources 04, the electronic control circuits are wholly or partly accommodated and / or arranged in the installation space.

The electronic control circuits can, for example, be arranged together with the semiconductor light source (s) 04 on a conductor track carrier 03, also referred to as a circuit board for short.

The most widespread interconnect carriers are rigid circuit boards, referred to briefly as printed circuit boards, printed circuit boards or printed circuit boards (PCBs).

A printed circuit board is a carrier for electronic components. It is used for mechanical fastening and electrical connection. Almost every electronic device contains one or more printed circuit boards.

Another possibility for the mechanical fastening and electrical connection of electronic components are injection molded circuit carriers manufactured using MID technology (MID technology: Molded Interconnect Device Technology). Here, the electrical connections of an electronic component are made, for example, by surface mounting technology, push-through mounting technology or by Wire or ACF bonding conductor tracks to be contacted are integrated into an injection molded part, which also serves as a carrier for the one or more electronic components, in the injection molding process.

The conductor track carrier 03, in addition to the semiconductor light sources 04 arranged thereon and, if appropriate, additional electronic components, is preferably arranged in the installation space 112.

The light emerging from the optical element 05 via its luminous surface 55, for example the light coupled out, for example, in the light decoupling area and emerging from the light decoupling surface 54 of the optical body 50, is preferably emitted in accordance with a desired light distribution or such in a contributing manner free from further deflection by a reflector.

Preferably, the light emerging from the optical element 05 via its luminous surface 55 and reflected via the mirror surface 01 or the mirror, for example the light that is coupled out, for example, in the light decoupling area, emerges from the light decoupling surface 54 of the optical body 50 and is reflected via the mirror surface 01 or the mirror radiated without further deflection by a reflector according to a desired light distribution or such.

If the mirror surface 01 is formed by a mirror that is only mirrored on one side, for example plane-parallel, then this mirrored side is preferably directed towards the viewer from outside the vehicle lamp 10, in particular the viewing area 111.

It is important to emphasize that an OLED can be used as the optical element 05 in the vehicle lamp 10. In this case, a substrate or a seal of the OLED can form an optical body 50 of the optical element 05 or comprise it or be comprised by it.

An OLED can therefore also be used as the optical element 05 and / or optical body 50. This can make a very expensive OLED appear larger than it actually is. Conversely, in order to meet a minimum lighting area requirement by doubling its lighting area 55 in the mirror, an OLED with a lighting area that is only half as large is required.

It is important to emphasize that a core element of the above-described part of the invention is, for example, a plane mirror surface 01, for example, which is formed by a plane-parallel mirror that spans a surface, for example a plane, which is preferably 45 ° relative to one in the installed position of the vehicle lamp 10, preferably in FIG horizontal axis X is arranged.

In addition, the mirror surface 01 can preferably be arranged at 45 ° with respect to a vertical axis Z, which preferably extends in the vertical direction in the installed position of the vehicle lamp 10.

A plane occupied by the mirror surface 01 preferably includes a minor axis Y.

The vertical axis Z, the main axis X and a secondary axis Y are preferably perpendicular to one another.

For example, the surface spanned by the mirror surface 01 can be made convex about the vertical axis Z. Alternatively, the convex curvature can be designed around an axis that is perpendicular to the secondary axis Y and is inclined to the main axis X.

The mirror surface 01 is delimited, for example, by a base and side walls of a lamp housing 02 which, together with a lens 08, at least partially surrounds a lamp interior 11. The main axis X runs through the lens 08. A ceiling surface of the lamp housing 02 is preferably located behind the tilted mirror surface 01. Any optical element 05 projects through the mirror surface 01. The optical element 05 can comprise an optical body 50 which extends from the rear, that is, along the main axis X, from outside the interior 11 of the lamp Seen through the lens 08 behind the mirror surface 01 can preferably be illuminated with LEDs 40. The optical element 05 is also fastened behind the mirror surface 01 and thus remains invisible to the viewer who looks through the lens 08 from outside the luminaire interior 11.

Fastening elements 52 can be provided, for example, on the side of the optical element 05 remaining in the installation space 112 ( Fig. 2 , Fig. 5 ).

For the viewer looking through the lens 08 from outside the luminaire interior 11, whose view of the actual geometries in FIG Fig. 3 and Fig. 7 such as Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 Attempted to be shown, only that part of the optical element 05 which projects through the mirror surface 01 is visible. This part is reflected in the mirror surface 01 and the viewer's view is that in his eyes apparent geometries in Fig. 4 and Fig. 8 Attempted to be shown, sees this part of the optical element 05 twice when looking from outside the lamp interior 11 through the lens 08 due to the angle 07 enclosed between the main axis X and the mirror surface 01. This creates the impression of a symmetrical body floating in space. Due to the 45 ° arrangement of the mirror surface 01, the observer, looking along the main axis X, which preferably corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle in the installed position, also sees no image of himself.

The spatial impression can be intensified further by virtue of geometries 06 being delimited on the floor and the side walls of the delimiting luminaire housing 02 in order to increase the spatial effect, such as pyramid structures 60, which can be mirrored as seamlessly as possible symmetrically. As a result, the floor for the viewer who looks through the lens 08 from outside the lamp interior 11 acts in his eyes as a rear wall lying in the depth ( Fig. 4 , Fig. 8 ).

These limiting geometries 06 can also be at least partially self-illuminating and / or illuminate one another in order to further enhance the spatial effect.

Through a skilful arrangement of grains, for example on the light decoupling surface 54 and / or light deflection geometries 53, such as decoupling elements, on the optical element 05, for example on the edges of an optical body 50 of the optical element 05, light can be directed in the direction of the mirror surface 01 and these luminous surfaces are also reflected. As a result, the perceptible effective area becomes larger than it actually is.

An optical body 50 in the form of a semicircular disk thus acts as in FIG Fig. 5 , Fig. 6 , Fig. 7 , Fig. 8 Embodiment 2 shown in the view for a viewer looking through the lens 02 from outside the lamp interior 11 like a full circular disk.

An OLED can also be considered, in particular, as an optical element 05 comprising a semiconductor light source 04.

Due to the arrangement according to the invention in front of the flat mirror surface 01, the luminous surface 55 of an OLED appears larger than it actually is. As a result, a smaller OLED and thus, in comparison with an OLED with a luminous area corresponding to the size of the total luminous area, appears larger than it actually is.

A transparent substrate and / or a transparent encapsulation of the OLED can, for example, be provided with light decoupling structures as an optical body 50.

As an alternative or in addition to the above explanations, the invention can be implemented by a method for generating a minimum illuminated area of a light function of a vehicle lamp 10.

This in Fig. 13 In its most general embodiment, the method shown in its sequence provides for, in a first method step I, to arrange a luminous surface 55 in front of a mirror surface 01, for example, which is inclined with respect to a geometrical main axis X.

In a second method step II following the first method step I, the luminous surface 55, when viewed along the main axis X, complements itself with its true-to-image reflection in the mirror surface 01 to form a total luminous surface 550.

The luminous surface 55 is preferably a luminous surface 55 of an optical element 05, which projects through the mirror surface 01 from a side facing away from an observer.

The optionally flat mirror surface 01 is formed, for example, by a mirror spanning a plane or encompassed by such a mirror.

In principle, the mirror surface can also be produced by a reflective coating of a surface, for example a surface that is flat in itself.

Due to the inclined arrangement of the mirror surface 01 with respect to the geometric main axis X, the mirror surface 01 is at an angle to the viewing direction of an observer and at an angle to the main axis X.

The luminous surface 55 or an optical element 05 comprising it can protrude through the mirror surface 01.

The optical element 05 comprising the luminous surface 55 can be fastened on a side of the mirror surface 01 facing away from the viewer and / or on the mirror surface 01, preferably on a through opening 12 provided in the mirror surface 01 for the optical element 05.

Due to the reflection, the method generates for a viewer an overall lighting area 550 corresponding in its extension to a minimum lighting area of a light function of a vehicle lamp 10 from a lighting area 55 that is smaller than the minimum lighting area.

For example, the method provides for a luminous area 55 to be provided by a light decoupling area comprising at least one light decoupling area 54, for example of an optic body 50 of an optic element 05. This luminous area 55 is at least half as large as a minimum luminous area requirement for a light function of a vehicle lamp 10 that is or is to be implemented by it.

At the same time, it has a luminous intensity which, when illuminated, is at least twice as bright as a minimum luminous intensity requirement for a light function which is or is to be implemented by it.

The method is distinguished by the fact that, from a viewer's perspective, a mirror surface 01 apparently doubles the luminous area at least to the size of the minimum luminous area requirement, accompanied by a reduction in its apparent brightness from the viewer's perspective to at least the minimum luminous intensity requirement.

The method can provide that the luminous area protrudes rearward through the mirror, so that there is no shadowing of both the directly visible luminous area and the visible luminous area reflected in the mirror, such as by fastening elements 52, electronic components, illuminant carriers, conductor track carriers 03 , Etc..

The optical element 05, for example comprising an optical body 50, is preferably attached to the rear of the mirror surface. For example, the fastening elements 52 can be provided on the back of the mirror surface 01, in particular on the back of a mirror.

It can be seen that the invention can be implemented by an optical element 05 with a luminous surface 55 which, with its true-to-image reflection in a mirror surface 01, complements, for example, an inclined plane mirror to form a total luminous surface 550.

The vehicle lamp 10 and / or the method may alternatively or additionally individually or a combination of several in the introduction in connection with the prior art and / or in one or more of the documents mentioned in the prior art and / or in the description above and / or in have the features mentioned in the following claims.

It can be seen that the invention can be implemented, for example, by arranging a mirror which is preferably inclined at 45 °, for example a plane mirror, in a luminaire interior 11, which mirrors this into a front area - the viewing space 111 - between the lens 02 and the mirror divided into a hidden area behind it - the installation space 112. An optical element 05 projects through the mirror into the front area. The optical element 05 can be illuminated to fulfill a light function of the vehicle lamp 10. For example, light can be coupled from the hidden area into an optical body 50 of the optical element 05, which then emerges from the part of the optical element 05 protruding into the front area. Alternatively, the optical element 05 can comprise or be comprised of an OLED which is electrically contacted from the hidden area and is held through the mirror from the hidden area. The attachment of the OLED is in the hidden area. As an alternative or in addition, the OLED can be grasped by the through opening 12 in the mirror and held thereby.

The optical element 05 is only half the size of the size that the human observer perceives when looking through the lens 02 into the front area. The mirror doubles the view of the in the part of the optical element 05 projecting the view space 111, which thereby emits its light intensity distributed over an apparent, double luminous surface 55.

The hidden area can be used to accommodate any electronics and light sources for one or more optical bodies 50 protruding through the mirror.

The interior of the luminaire 11 appears twice to the viewer due to the mirror, which is preferably inclined at 45 °, than its actual installation space requirement.

A surprising side effect is that the part of the optical element 05 protruding through the mirror is perceived as a doubling of the actual part of the optical element 05 floating freely in the apparent luminaire interior 11.

Additional advantages over the prior art that go beyond the complete solution of the task and / or beyond the advantages mentioned above for the individual features are listed below.

These include an improvement in the visibility and perceptibility of light functions of a rear light for a motor vehicle with a simultaneous reduction in the space requirement.

The improvement in perceptibility results from the inventive generation of a spatial impression of a signal function, as a result of which the perceptual power is increased. Due to the reflection, the perceptible luminous surface appears larger than it actually is.

The reduction in the space requirement results from the fact that the space perceptible to the viewer, namely the view space visible to the viewer through the lens, through the reflections appears larger than it actually is, for example at least twice as large. This leaves space for electronics and / or fastenings behind the mirror.

An additional, surprising advantage is the appearance of a floating optical element, which due to its extraordinary appearance is a luminous optic body, which seems to float in the room, literally attracts the viewer's gaze and thereby further increases the perception.

The invention is not limited by the description based on the exemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention encompasses every new feature and every combination of features, which in particular includes every combination of features in the claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly specified in the claims or exemplary embodiments.

The invention is commercially applicable in particular in the field of the manufacture of vehicle lights, in particular motor vehicle lights.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or changes of the invention can be made without leaving the scope of the following claims.

Reference list

01

Mirror surface

02

Luminaire housing

03

Conductor track carrier

04

Semiconductor light source

05

Optical element

06

limited geometries to increase the spatial effect

07

Angle α between mirror surface 01 and main geometric axis X

08

Lens

10th

Vehicle light

11

Luminaire interior

12th

Through opening

40

LED

50

Optic body, transparent

51

Light coupling surface

52

Fastener

53

Light deflection geometries

54

Light decoupling surface, possibly grained

55

Luminous area

60

Pyramid structure

111

View space

112

Installation space

550

Total luminous area

I.

Procedural step

II

Procedural step

X

main geometric axis

Y

geometric minor axis

Z.

Vertical axis and / or surface normal of the plane spanned by X and Y

Claims (11)

Vehicle lamp (10) with a mirror (01) arranged at an angle to a geometric main axis (X) and spanning a surface and at least one optical element (05) comprising at least one light surface (55), which light surface (55) when viewed along the main axis (X ) is arranged in front of the mirror (01) and, with its true-to-image reflection in the mirror (01) at an angle to the main axis (X), complements to form a total illuminated surface (550), one of the number of optical elements (05 ) corresponding number of through openings (12) are arranged and a secondary axis (Y) runs orthogonal to the main axis (X), and wherein the secondary axis (Y) extends in a constructively intended installation position of the vehicle lamp (10) in the horizontal direction. Vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the surface is convex when viewed along the main axis (X) in front of the mirror. Vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the surface forms a plane. Vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the plane spanned by the mirror (01) includes the minor axis (Y). Vehicle lamp according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light emerging from the luminous surface (55) and / or the light reflected via the mirror (01) is emitted free of a further deflection in accordance with a desired light distribution or such a contribution. Vehicle lamp according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an angle enclosed between the main axis (X) and the surface spanned by the mirror (01) is 45 °. Vehicle lamp according to one of the preceding claims, wherein if only one side of the mirror (01) is mirrored, this is facing the viewer from outside the vehicle lamp (10). Vehicle lamp according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each passage opening (12) corresponds in its geometry to the cross section of a part of an optical element (05) passing through it through the mirror (01). Vehicle lamp according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an OLED is used as the optical element (05). Method for generating a minimum luminous area for a light function of a vehicle lamp (10), which provides for arranging a luminous area (55) in front of a mirror surface (01) which is inclined with respect to a main geometric axis (X) and which is seen when looking along the main axis (X) complemented with their true-to-image reflection in the mirror surface (01) to form a total illuminated surface (550). The method of claim 10, wherein the luminous surface (55) or an optical element (05) comprising the same protrudes through the mirror surface (55) and is fastened on a side of the mirror surface (55) facing away from the viewer and / or on the mirror surface (55) .

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