EP3848626B1 - Frontbeleuchtungssystem für kfz-scheinwerfer - Google Patents

Frontbeleuchtungssystem für kfz-scheinwerfer Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3848626B1
EP3848626B1 EP20150752.2A EP20150752A EP3848626B1 EP 3848626 B1 EP3848626 B1 EP 3848626B1 EP 20150752 A EP20150752 A EP 20150752A EP 3848626 B1 EP3848626 B1 EP 3848626B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
light
light beam
notch
sub
lighting system
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Active
Application number
EP20150752.2A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3848626A1 (de
Inventor
Kang Lu
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Lumileds LLC
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Lumileds LLC
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Publication date
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Priority to EP20150752.2A priority Critical patent/EP3848626B1/de
Priority to CN202022881189.3U priority patent/CN214249440U/zh
Publication of EP3848626A1 publication Critical patent/EP3848626A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3848626B1 publication Critical patent/EP3848626B1/de
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/20—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S41/25—Projection lenses
    • F21S41/27—Thick lenses
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/141—Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • F21S41/143—Light emitting diodes [LED] the main emission direction of the LED being parallel to the optical axis of the illuminating device
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/141—Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • F21S41/151—Light emitting diodes [LED] arranged in one or more lines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/30—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by reflectors
    • F21S41/32—Optical layout thereof
    • F21S41/322—Optical layout thereof the reflector using total internal reflection
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/30—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by reflectors
    • F21S41/32—Optical layout thereof
    • F21S41/36—Combinations of two or more separate reflectors
    • F21S41/365—Combinations of two or more separate reflectors successively reflecting the light
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
    • F21S41/65—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on light sources
    • F21S41/663—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on light sources by switching light sources
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/20—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S41/25—Projection lenses

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of automotive front-lighting, and particularly to a front-lighting system for a vehicle.
  • Bi-function Poly-Ellipsoidal System (PES) solution for a headlamp has been widely used in automotive lighting today.
  • the low light beam function and the high light beam function are provided respectively by two individual modules, i.e., the low beam module and the high beam module.
  • the low beam module may be composed of a low beam light source and a low beam optics, which comprises such as a reflector and a light redirecting lens.
  • the high beam module may be composed of a high beam light source and a high beam optics comprising such as another reflector and another light redirecting lens.
  • the low light beam and the high light beam can be both projected for example by a single projection lens towards a road in front of a vehicle, which projection lens is located at an optically downstream position as compared with the low beam module and the high beam module.
  • the low light beam and the high light beam can be also projected separately in front of the vehicle, i.e., by a low beam projection lens and a high beam projection lens respectively.
  • the complex structural constitution of conventional Bi-function PES solution tends to give a front-lighting system comprising too many optical parts used for different purposes, such as the two individual modules to provide the high light beam function and the low light beam function respectively.
  • EP3124854A1 relates to a lighting system for a motor vehicle comprising at least one primary optical device for emitting a light beam exhibiting a cut-off profile, the primary optical emission device comprising at least one light source and one single-piece primary optical member comprising an input surface suitable for receiving a light beam emitted by the light source, a ray interception surface configured to form the cut-off profile in the light beam received and an output surface for the light beam.
  • EP3093557A1 relates to a lighting module for a motor vehicle headlight intended to produce a low beam having an at least partly oblique cut-off.
  • the lighting module further comprises an additional lighting function making it possible to generate a high type beam, wherein the light sources of the two respective low and high beam functions are arranged in a vicinity of the focus of an optical portion of the module such that the lighting module remains compact.
  • EP 3 124 854 A1 discloses another front-lighting system for a vehicle.
  • the present invention provides a front-lighting system for a vehicle, so as to eliminate or at least alleviate one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages.
  • a front-lighting system for use in a vehicle.
  • the front-lighting system comprises a light source and an integrated lens, wherein the integrated lens comprises a light entrance surface, a light exit surface, and a light guiding portion sandwiched between the light entrance surface and the light exit surface.
  • the light source is configured to emit a first light beam and a second light beam onto the light entrance surface of the integrated lens. After being incident onto the light entrance surface, the first and second light beams are guided by the light guiding portion of the integrated lens towards the light exit surface. At the light exit surface, the first light beam and the second light beam are both redirected out from the integrated lens.
  • the light guiding portion also comprises at least a first notch and a second notch opposite to the first notch, wherein, while being guided, the first light beam undergoes an at least partial reflection successively by the first notch and the second notch, and the second light beam undergoes a refraction by the second notch.
  • the first light beam undergoes a total reflection successively by the first notch and the second notch, while it is guided by the light guiding portion of the integrated lens.
  • the first light beam coming out from the light source exhibits a cut-off profile, for example a clear cut-off line in a vertical plane, which is formed by the first notch while the first light beam is guided along the light guiding portion of the integrated lens.
  • the light source of the front-lighting system comprises specifically a first sub-light source and a second sub-light source.
  • the first sub-light source is configured to emit the first light beam as a low light beam
  • the second sub-light source is configured to emit the second light beam as a high light beam.
  • the low light beam and the high light beam are both emitted out from the light source, for example emitted by two sub-light sources separately. Then, the low and high light beams are both permitted to be incident into the integrated lens, i.e., into the single lens element, where they are guided until being redirected out therefrom and projected for example towards a road in front of the vehicle.
  • the low light beam function and the high light beam function are provided by a single optical module, i.e., comprising the light source and the only integrated lens, which helps to give a much simpler and more compact front-lighting system for a vehicle.
  • the low light beam and the high light beam undergo different optical processes.
  • the light guiding portion of the integrated lens is provided with at least two notches which are opposite to each other, the first notch and the second notch.
  • the first light beam for example, the low light beam
  • the first light beam is at least partially reflected (preferably, totally reflected) successively by the first notch and the second notch, i.e., reflected firstly by the first notch and then by the second notch, while it is guided through the light guiding portion of the integrated lens.
  • the first notch is configured further to help forming a cut-off profile within the first, low light beam.
  • the second light beam for example the high light beam, it is only refracted by the second notch while being guided along the light guiding portion of the integrated lens.
  • a cut-off profile (such as a clear cut-off line in a vertical plane) is generated within the first, low light beam, helping to obtain finally a simple and cost-effective Bi-function PES solution suitable for use in a vehicle.
  • the light guiding portion of the integrated lens comprises at least a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein both of the first surface and the second surface extend between the light entrance surface and the light exit surface.
  • the light entrance surface and the light exit surface can be the left and right sides of the hexahedron respectively, while the first and second surfaces can be respectively the upper and lower sides of the hexahedron.
  • the example of hexahedron is merely provided herein to illustrate, rather than limit the present invention, and any other suitable shape, such as cylinder, can be used for the integrated lens.
  • the first notch is provided on the first surface, and the second notch is provided on the second surface, or vice versa. More preferably, in the above mentioned embodiment, the first notch comprises a first facet, and the second notch comprises a second facet parallel to the first facet.
  • the first sub-light source providing the first, low light beam can be positioned, as seen when installed in the vehicle, at a lower position as compared with the second sub-light source providing the second, high light beam, rendering the first, low light beam to be incident onto a lower position at the light entrance surface than the second, high light beam.
  • the first, low light beam can be incident onto the first facet of the first notch in the first place, and then onto the second facet of the second notch.
  • the second facet is parallel to the first facet.
  • the front-lighting system proposed by an embodiment of the present invention further comprises a projection lens, which is configured to receive the first light beam and the second light beam from the integrated lens, and then redirect them towards a road in front of a vehicle.
  • the light exit surface of the integrated lens is positioned preferably at a focal point of the projection lens. In this way, the first and second light beams, coming out from the integrated lens, are projected by the projection lens into the far field, i.e., towards the road in front of the vehicle.
  • the projection lens further comprises a first sub-projection lens and a second sub-projection lens.
  • the first sub-projection lens is used to receive and redirect the first light beam towards the road in front of the vehicle.
  • the second sub-projection lens is used to receive and redirect the second light beam towards the road in front of the vehicle. This means that the first and second light beams are projected separately by different portions of the projection lens, helping to give more freedom in design of the final first and second beam patterns as projected towards the road in front of the vehicle, such as in design of intensity distribution and/or pattern shape.
  • the first notch can be positioned at a focal point of the first sub-projection lens, while the second notch can be positioned at a focal point of the second sub-projection lens, so that the two light beams ( i.e., the first and second light beams) are projected properly by their own sub-projection lenses.
  • the light exit surface of the integrated lens comprises a light projecting surface.
  • the light projecting surface is configured to receive the first light beam and the second light beam from the light guiding portion, and then redirect them towards a road in front of a vehicle.
  • the light projecting surface can be formed by a light refractive surface or a Fresnel surface, whose purpose is to project both of the first light beam and the second light beam out from the integrated lens and then into the far field, for example, towards the road in front of the vehicle.
  • no separate projection element such as the above mentioned projection lens, is required to redirect the first and second light beams, leading to a front-lighting system with a simplified structure and a smaller number of constitutive elements.
  • the light projecting surface of the integrated lens comprises a first sub-surface and a second sub-surface.
  • the first sub-surface is configured to receive and redirect the first light beam
  • the second sub-surface is to receive and redirect the second light beam.
  • the light projecting surface of the integrated lens is composed of two separate sub-surfaces, which are used respectively to receive and redirect the two light beams from the light guiding portion of the integrated lens.
  • the first notch of the integrated lens is positioned at a focal point of the first sub-surface, and the second notch of the integrated lens is positioned at a focal point of the second sub-surface, helping to provide the first and second light beams with a proper projection towards the road in front of the vehicle.
  • the light entrance surface of the integrated lens comprises a light refractive surface, more preferably a light collimating surface.
  • the light collimating surface of the integrated lens can be used to receive the first and second light beams from the light source, and then redirect both of them as collimated light beams into the light guiding portion.
  • light refractive surface (not a preferred, light collimating one)
  • suitable degrees of refraction can be offered to the first and second light beams, so that they are incident into the guiding portion of the integrated lens at proper angles of incidence as desired.
  • the light refractive surface of the integrated lens can be shaped into a convex or flat surface, such as a sphere, aspheric or a freeform surface.
  • the above proposed front-lighting system also comprises one or more further light sources in an array, and one or more further integrated lenses in an array.
  • each further light source comprises a first sub-light source and a second sub-light source as well, wherein the first and second sub-light sources are configured to emit respectively a further first light beam and a further second light beam.
  • each further integrated lens is configured to receive the further first light beam and the further second light beam from a respective one of the one or more further light sources. That is to say, in the front-lighting system proposed by the above embodiment, there is a plurality of light sources and correspondingly also a plurality of integrated lenses, both disposed in an array distribution.
  • the front-lighting system in this case is composed of multiple individual sub-systems, wherein each sub-system comprises a single light source and a single integrated lens, just as the system we mentioned for example in each of the above embodiments.
  • each sub-system comprises a single light source and a single integrated lens, just as the system we mentioned for example in each of the above embodiments.
  • flexibilities are enabled for example in design of the final light beam pattern in front of the vehicle, comprising specifically the first and second light beams as mentioned above.
  • the front-lighting system comprises a light source 10 and an integrated lens 20, wherein light emitted by the light source 10 is incident into the integrated lens 20, guided therethrough and then redirected out from it, for example redirected towards a road in front of the vehicle.
  • the light source 10 can comprise two sub-light sources, for example, a first sub-light source 11 and a second sub-light source 12 as shown respectively at a lower position and an upper position in the figure.
  • the first sub-light source 11 is configured to provide a low light beam of the front-lighting system.
  • the second sub-light source 12 can be configured to provide a high light beam of the front-lighting system.
  • the first sub-light source 11 located at a lower position within the front-lighting system will emit light (such as the low light beam) onto a lower part of the integrated lens 20, while light from the second sub-light source 12 (such as the high light beam) will be incident onto an upper part of the integrated lens 20.
  • the two light beams, i.e., the low light beam and the high light beam are guaranteed to be separated from each other within the front-lighting system. This helps to provide flexibility in for example the individual beam shaping of both the low and high light beams.
  • the single, integrated lens 20 of the front-lighting system consists of three parts, i.e., the first one being its light entrance surface 21, the second one being its light exit surface 23, and the third one being its light guiding portion 22 which is sandwiched between the light entrance surface 21 and the light exit surface 23.
  • the first and high light beams emitted respectively by the first and second sub-light sources 11, 12 are incident firstly onto the light entrance surface 21 of the integrated lens 20, redirected thereby, and then guided along the light guiding portion 22 of the integrated lens 20, such as by means of reflection and/or refraction at outer surfaces of the light guiding portion 22.
  • both of the low light beam and the high light beam arrive at the light exit surface 23, where they are refracted out from the integrated lens 20 towards for example a road in front of the vehicle.
  • the light entrance surface 21 may be configured as a light refractive surface, which is to receive light, both the low and high light beams, from the light source 10 and redirects them respectively as refracted light beams into the light guiding portion 22.
  • the low light beam coming out from the first sub-light source 11 is refracted by a lower part of the light entrance surface 21, and then incident also into a lower part of the light guiding portion 22.
  • the high light beam coming out from the second sub-light source 12 is refracted by an upper part of the light entrance surface 21, and then incident also into an upper part of the light guiding portion 22.
  • the two light beams i.e., the low and high light beams, are separated in a way within the integrated lens 22, so that while propagating and being guided there along, mutual effects between the two are avoided greatly.
  • the integrated lens 20 further comprises a light projecting surface as its light exit surface 23.
  • the light projecting surface may be configured to receive light, such as the low and high light beams, from the light guiding portion 22 of the integrated lens 20, and then project them out towards a road in front of the vehicle.
  • the low light beam can be projected by the light projecting surface at a lower vertical position in front of the vehicle, rendering it possible to provide both of the low and high light functions by the same front-lighting system.
  • the specific forms may comprise for example a light refractive surface, a Fresnel surface, and so on.
  • the light guiding portion 22 of the integrated lens 20 comprises at least two notches, a first notch 221 and a second notch 222 as seen in Fig. 1 .
  • the integrated lens 20 can be designed in a shape of a hexahedron, wherein the light entrance surface 21 and the light exit surface 23 are the left and right sides of the hexahedron respectively.
  • the first and second notches 221, 222 can be formed for example on the upper and lower sides of the hexahedron respectively.
  • the first notch 221 can be provided on the front side of the hexahedron, while the second notch 222 can be provided on the back side of the hexahedron. In this way, it is ensured that the first notch 221 is located at an opposite position as compared with the second notch 222.
  • the low light beam coming from the first sub-light source 11 is emitted firstly onto a lower part of the light entrance surface 21 and refracted thereby as a lower refracted light beam, thus propagating for example rightwards until being incident onto the first notch 221.
  • Fig. 1 the low light beam coming from the first sub-light source 11 is emitted firstly onto a lower part of the light entrance surface 21 and refracted thereby as a lower refracted light beam, thus propagating for example rightwards until being incident onto the first notch 221.
  • each of the first notch 221 and the second notch 222 consists of two facets being carved into the light guiding portion 22 and enclosing a certain angle therebetween.
  • the low light beam is incident firstly onto a first facet 2210 of the first notch 221 (such as the left one in the figure), reflected thereby towards for example an upward direction, and then incident onto a second facet 2220 of the second notch 222 (such as the right one which is especially in parallel to the first, left facet 2210 of the first notch 221, and reflected thereby towards for example a rightward direction.
  • the low light beam continues its rightwards propagation or guidance within the remaining part of the light guiding portion 22, until being incident onto an upper part of the light exit surface 23, where it is projected out from the integrated lens 20 for example towards a lower right direction.
  • reflections of the low light beam by the first notch 221 and the second notch 222 can be either total reflections or partial reflections.
  • the first facet 2210 of the first notch 221 can be either transparent or coated, and so does the second facet 2220 of the second notch 222.
  • total reflection is preferred according to the present invention.
  • the high light beam is emitted onto an upper part of the light entrance surface 21, and refracted thereby as an upper refracted light beam propagating for example rightwards until being incident onto a left facet of the second notch 222.
  • the high light beam is firstly incident onto the left facet and refracted thereby.
  • the incoming high light beam arrives at the right facet 2220 of the second notch 222, and refracted further towards a lower right direction, thus being incident onto a lower part of the light exit surface 23 and refracted there out from the integrated lens 20 for example towards an upper right direction.
  • the low light beam coming from the first sub-light source 11 may be not reflected entirely by the first notch 22, especially by the left facet 2210 thereof in the figure.
  • the low light beam has one of its uppermost light rays (indicated by a dashed ellipse in Fig. 1 ) to be incident at an uppermost position of the first notch 221 or its left facet 2210, leading to the remaining uppermost light rays at an even higher position (i.e., above the light ray indicated by a dashed ellipse in Fig.
  • the first notch 221 of the integrated lens 20 helps to form an upper edge profile of the low light beam.
  • this upper edge profile of the low light beam constitutes a final cut-off profile at its upper edge.
  • the low light beam and the high light beam can be provided for example by different parts of the single system, but also a clear cut-off profile can be formed automatically within the low light beam such as by a suitable configuration of the first notch 221 on the light guiding portion 22 of the integrated lens 20.
  • Fig. 2 Simulated distributions of light intensity projected by the front-lighting system of Fig. 1 are shown in Fig. 2 , where the distribution of light intensity is illustrated in the first plot (a) only for the low light beam, the distribution of light intensity is illustrated in the second plot (b) only for the high light beam, and the combined distribution of light intensity is illustrated in the third plot (c) for both the low and high light beams.
  • the low light beam and the high light beam can be both obtained by the same front-lighting system of Fig. 1 comprising for example a light source 10 and an integrated lens 20, where the high light beam is projected at an upper vertical position as compared with the low light beam, making it suitable in practical applications.
  • a clear cut-off line is formed of the final low light beam, which requires no extra component or element added into the front-lighting system, but rather a suitable configuration of the first notch on the light guiding portion of the integrated lens. In this way, a simplified structure is guaranteed of the above proposed front-lighting system, which contributes also to a lower complexity in optics and a reduced cost in manufacture.
  • a front-lighting system according to another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in a cross section view.
  • the front-lighting system shown in Fig. 3 has basically a similar structure as that shown in Fig. 1 , and thus the same or similar reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar elements or components. That is, the front-lighting system of Fig. 3 comprises also a light source 10 and an integrated lens 20, wherein, as similar to Fig. 1 , the light source 10 comprises the first and second sub-light sources 11, 12, and the integrated lens 20 comprises a light entrance surface 21', a light guiding portion 22 and a light exit surface 23.
  • the light entrance surface 21' which is configured especially to be a light collimating surface in Fig. 3 .
  • light coming from the light source 10 is incident onto the light collimating surface of the integrated lens 20.
  • the low light beam coming from the first sub-light source 11 and the high light beam coming from the second sub-light source 12 are incident respectively at the lower and upper parts of the light entrance surface 21' which is now light collimating.
  • the low light beam from the first sub-light source 11 is refracted as a lower collimated light beam propagating for example horizontally towards the first notch 221 provided on the light guiding portion 22 (such as on its lower surface) of the integrated lens 20, while the high light beam from the second sub-light source 12 is refracted as an upper collimated light beam also propagating for example horizontally towards the second notch 222 provided also on the light guiding portion 22 (such as on its upper surface) of the integrated lens 20.
  • the low light beam is reflected successively by the first and second facets 2210, 2220 as indicated above, thus arriving at the light exit surface 23 (such as its upper portion) of the integrated lens 20.
  • the high light beam it is refracted for example by the left facet and the right facet 2220 of the second notch 222 successively (especially just passing through the left face of the second notch 222 due to a normal incidence, and then being refracted by the right facet 2220 of the second notch 222), thus arriving at the light exit surface 23 (such as its lower portion) of the integrated lens 20.
  • the light exit surface 23 both of the low and high light beams are projected out from the integrated lens 20 for example towards a road in front of the vehicle, just as the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the light entrance surface 21 being light refractive in Fig. 1 and the light entrance surface 21' being light collimating in Fig. 3 are both shown to consist of several sloped facets having different sloped angles and bordered end to end, the present invention is not limited only to it. Any other suitable shape of the light entrance surface 21, 21' can be used, as long as the incoming low and high light beams are refracted properly into the light guiding portion 22 of the integrated lens 20.
  • Fig. 4 shows another front-lighting system in a cross section view according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the basic structure of the front-lighting system shown in Fig. 4 is similar to that shown in Fig. 1 , and thus the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same components. That is, there are also a light source 10 (including a first sub-light source 11 and a second sub-light source 12) and an integrated lens 20 (comprising a light entrance surface 21, a light guiding portion 22 and a light exit surface 23) existing within the front-lighting system of Fig. 4 , wherein a first notch 221 and a second notch 222 are formed as well on the light guiding portion 22.
  • a light source 10 including a first sub-light source 11 and a second sub-light source 12
  • an integrated lens 20 comprising a light entrance surface 21, a light guiding portion 22 and a light exit surface 23
  • the front-lighting system of Fig. 4 now comprises an extra component, i.e., a projection lens 30 located at an optically downstream position as compared with the light source 10 and the integrated lens 20.
  • the light exit surface 23 of the integrated lens 20 is configured to be a flat surface, not like the light projecting one which is for example curved in Fig. 1 . More preferably, the flat, light exit surface 23 is positioned further at a focal point F of the projection lens 30, thus rendering the incoming low and high light beams to be projected into the far field, for example towards a road in front of the vehicle.
  • a projection lens 30 located at an optically downstream position as compared with the light source 10 and the integrated lens 20.
  • the light exit surface 23 of the integrated lens 20 is configured to be a flat surface, not like the light projecting one which is for example curved in Fig. 1 . More preferably, the flat, light exit surface 23 is positioned further at a focal point F of the projection lens 30, thus rendering the incoming low and high light beams to
  • the low light beam incident at an upper portion of the light exit surface 23 is refracted onto an upper portion of the projection lens 30, and projected thereby towards a lower right direction in front of the vehicle.
  • the high light beam incident at a lower portion of the light exit surface 23 is refracted onto a lower portion of the projection lens 30, and projected thereby towards an upper right direction in front of the vehicle.
  • the low and high light beams are projected respectively by the projection lens 30 towards a lower vertical position and an upper vertical position in front of the vehicle, making the above proposed front-lighting system suitable for use in automotive lighting.
  • the additionally introduced projection lens 30 comprises further two parts, i.e., a first sub-projection lens 301 and a second sub-projection lens 302 as shown in Fig. 5 , wherein Fig. 5 illustrates a front-lighting system in a cross section view according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the front-lighting system shown in Fig. 5 is in a similar configuration as compared with that of Fig. 4 , except for the only difference that the projection lens 30 consists of two parts, i.e., a first sub-projection lens 301 and a second sub-projection lens 302 stacked especially up and down in the figure.
  • the upper, first sub-projection lens 301 is configured to receive and redirect the incoming low light beam from the integrated lens 20, while the lower, second sub-projection lens 302 is configured to receive and redirect the incoming high light beam from the integrated lens 20.
  • the first notch 221 and the second notch 222 are positioned respectively at the focal points F1, F2 of the two sub-projection lenses 301, 302 in object space, thus rendering an optimized projection effect for the low and high light beams by the respective first and second sub-projections lenses 301, 302. It should be noted herein that although the two sub-projections lenses 301, 302 are shown in Fig.
  • the first sub-projection lens 301 can occupy only the upper one-third part of the whole projection lens 30, while the second sub-projection lens 302 occupies the remaining lower part, meaning that the separation line between the two sub-projection lenses 301, 302 is located above, not at the optical axis of the whole front-lighting system.
  • the first sub-projection lens 301 occupies the upper two-thirds part of the whole projection lens 30, while the second sub-projection lens 302 occupies the remaining one-third part, meaning that the separation line between the two sub-projection lenses 301, 302 is located below the optical axis of the whole system.
  • a front-lighting system according to another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in a cross section view, wherein the same or similar reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar elements or components as in Fig. 1 .
  • the front-lighting system shown in Fig. 6 comprises also a light source 10 (consisting of a first sub-light source 11 and a second sub-light source 12) and an integrated lens 20 (comprising a light entrance surface 21, a light guiding portion 22 and a light exit surface 23'), wherein a first notch 221 and a second notch 222 are formed as well on the light guiding portion 22.
  • a light source 10 consisting of a first sub-light source 11 and a second sub-light source 12
  • an integrated lens 20 comprising a light entrance surface 21, a light guiding portion 22 and a light exit surface 23'
  • a first notch 221 and a second notch 222 are formed as well on the light guiding portion 22.
  • the light exit surface 23' is configured to comprise two sub-surfaces, i.e., a first sub-surface 231 and a second sub-surface 232 as shown in Fig. 6 .
  • the first sub-surface 231 and the second sub-surface 232 are designed in such a way that projections of the two incident light beams, i.e., the low and high light beams, are enabled properly towards a road in front of the vehicle.
  • the two sub-surfaces 231, 232 of the light exit surface 23' are stacked up and down in the front-lighting system, rendering the low light beam to be incident onto the upper, first sub-surface 231 while the high light beam to be incident onto the lower, second sub-surface 232.
  • the low light beam is projected or redirected by the first sub-surface 231 for example towards a lower right direction
  • the high light beam is projected or redirected by the second sub-surface 232 for example towards an upper right direction, contributing together to the combined beam pattern comprising an upper high beam pattern and a lower low beam pattern.
  • the separation line between the two sub-surfaces 231, 232 of the light exit surface 23' is not limited only to be above the optical axis (indicated by a dashed horizontal line in the figure) of the whole system, like that shown in Fig. 6 .
  • the two sub-surfaces 231, 232 of the light exit surface 23' can be separated also by a separation line located at or even below the optical axis (indicated by a dashed horizontal line in the figure) of the whole front-lighting system, and the present invention shall encompass all these alternatives within the scope thereof.
  • the first notch 221 and the second notch 222 are positioned especially at the focal points F1', F2' of the two sub-surfaces 231, 232 of the light exit surface 23', such that proper projections of the low and high light beams are guaranteed into the far field so as to facilitate use in automotive lighting.
  • front-lighting system as proposed by the present invention may comprise one or more light sources and correspondingly one or more integrated lenses.
  • each light source is paired with a respective integrated lens, meaning that light emitted by each light source is incident into a corresponding integrated lens and then refracted therefrom towards a road in front of the vehicle.
  • the present invention is never restricted only to this special embodiment. Having benefited from the teaching of the present invention, those skilled in the art shall easily conceive that more than two notches can be formed as well.
  • the light guiding portion of the integrated lens can be provided further with a third notch and a fourth notch opposite to the third notch.
  • the third notch can be formed on the lower surface of the light guiding portion as well, but displaced by a small distance with respect to the first notch in a direction parallel to the extending plane of the lower surface and perpendicular to the optical axis of the whole system, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the cross section view in the figure.
  • the first and third notches are formed in a line on the lower surface of the light guiding portion.
  • a similar configuration applies to the second and fourth notches as well.
  • a rod light source with its main axis perpendicular to the cross section view in the figure such as a rod first sub-light source and a rod second sub-light source, can be used, so that a larger and also stronger light output is obtained to provide front-lighting for the vehicle.
  • one or more further pairs of notches such as a fifth one and a sixth one, can be used as well according to different practical applications.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Frontbeleuchtungssystem für ein Fahrzeug, mit:
    einer Lichtquelle (10), und
    einer integrierten Linse (20) mit einer Lichteintrittsfläche (21, 21'), einer Lichtaustrittsfläche (23, 23'), und einem Lichtleitbereich (22), der zwischen der Lichteintrittsfläche (21, 21') und der Lichtaustrittsfläche (23, 23') angeordnet ist, wobei
    die Lichtquelle (20) dazu ausgebildet ist, einen ersten Lichtstrahl und einen zweiten Lichtstrahl auf die Lichteintrittsfläche (21, 21') zu emittieren,
    der Lichtleitbereich (22) dazu ausgebildet ist, den ersten Lichtstrahl und den zweiten Lichtstrahl von der Lichteintrittsfläche (21, 21') zu empfangen und diese in Richtung der Lichtaustrittsfläche (23, 23') zu leiten, wo sowohl der erste Lichtstrahl als auch der zweite Lichtstrahl aus der integrierten Linse (20) heraus umgelenkt werden,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    der Lichtleitbereich (22) mindestens eine erste Kerbe (221) und eine der ersten Kerbe (221) gegenüberliegende zweite Kerbe (222) aufweist, wobei, während des Leitens, der erste Lichtstrahl nacheinander einer zumindest teilweisen Reflexion durch die erste Kerbe (221) und die zweite Kerbe (222) unterzogen wird, und der zweite Lichtstrahl einer Brechung durch die zweite Kerbe (222) unterzogen wird.
  2. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach Anspruch 1, bei welchem
    der erste Lichtstrahl während des Leitens nacheinander einer Totalreflexion durch die erste Kerbe (221) und die zweite Kerbe (222) unterzogen wird.
  3. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach Anspruch 1, bei welchem
    der erste Lichtstrahl ein durch die erste Kerbe (221) gebildetes Hell-Dunkel-Grenzprofil aufweist.
  4. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, bei welchem
    die Lichtquelle (10) eine erste Unter-Lichtquelle (11), die zum Emittieren des ersten Lichtstrahls als Abblendlichtstrahl ausgebildet ist, und eine zweite Unter-Lichtquelle (12) aufweist, die zum Emittieren des zweiten Lichtstrahls als Fernlichtstrahl ausgebildet ist.
  5. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, ferner mit
    einer Projektionslinse (30), die dazu ausgebildet ist, den ersten Lichtstrahl und den zweiten Lichtstrahl von der integrierten Linse (20) zu empfangen und diese in Richtung einer Straße vor dem Fahrzeug umzulenken.
  6. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach Anspruch 5, bei welchem
    die Lichtaustrittsfläche (23) an einem Brennpunkt (F) der Projektionslinse (30) angeordnet ist.
  7. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach Anspruch 5, bei welchem
    die Projektionslinse (30) eine erste Unter-Projektionslinse (301), die zum Empfangen und Umlenken des ersten Lichtstrahls ausgebildet ist, und eine zweite Unter-Projektionslinse (302) aufweist, die zum Empfangen und Umlenken des zweiten Lichtstrahls ausgebildet ist.
  8. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach Anspruch 7, bei welchem
    die erste Kerbe (221) an einem Brennpunkt (F1) der ersten Unter-Projektionslinse (301) angeordnet ist, und
    die zweite Kerbe (222) an einem Brennpunkt (F2) der zweiten Unter-Projektionslinse (302) angeordnet ist.
  9. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, bei welchem
    die Lichtaustrittsfläche (23, 23') eine Lichtprojektionsfläche aufweist, die dazu ausgebildet ist, den ersten Lichtstrahl und den zweiten Lichtstrahl von dem Lichtleitbereich (22) zu empfangen und diese in Richtung einer Straße vor dem Fahrzeug umzulenken.
  10. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach Anspruch 9, bei welchem
    die Lichtprojektionsfläche eine erste Unter-Fläche (231), die zum Empfangen und Umlenken des ersten Lichtstrahls ausgebildet ist, und eine zweite Unter-Fläche (232) aufweist, die zum Empfangen und Umlenken des zweiten Lichtstrahls ausgebildet ist.
  11. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach Anspruch 10, bei welchem
    die erste Kerbe (221) an einem Brennpunkt (F1) der ersten Unter-Fläche (231) angeordnet ist, und
    die zweite Kerbe (222) an einem Brennpunkt (F2) der zweiten Unter-Fläche (232) angeordnet ist.
  12. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, bei welchem
    die Lichteintrittsfläche (21, 21') eine Lichtbrechungsfläche aufweist.
  13. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, ferner mit:
    einer oder mehr weiteren Lichtquellen in einem Array, und
    einer oder mehr weiteren integrierten Linsen in einem Array,
    wobei
    jede weitere Lichtquelle eine erste Unter-Lichtquelle, die zum Emittieren eines weiteren ersten Lichtstrahls ausgebildet ist, und eine zweite Unter-Lichtquelle aufweist, die zum Emittieren eines weiteren zweiten Lichtstrahls ausgebildet ist, und
    jede weitere integrierte Linse dazu ausgebildet ist, den weiteren ersten Lichtstrahl und den weiteren zweiten Lichtstrahl von einer jeweiligen der einen oder mehr weiteren Lichtquellen zu empfangen.
  14. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, bei welchem
    der Lichtleitbereich (22) mindestens eine erste Fläche und eine der ersten Fläche entgegengesetzte zweite Fläche aufweist, wobei
    die erste Fläche und die zweite Fläche sich jeweils zwischen der Lichteintrittsfläche (21, 21') und der Lichtaustrittsfläche (23, 23') erstrecken, und
    die erste Kerbe (221) in der ersten Fläche vorgesehen ist, und die zweite Kerbe (222) in der zweiten Fläche vorgesehen ist.
  15. Frontbeleuchtungssystem nach Anspruch 14, bei welchem
    die erste Kerbe (221) eine erste Facette (2210) aufweist, und
    die zweite Kerbe (222) eine zu der ersten Facette (2210) parallele zweite Facette (2220) aufweist, wobei
    der erste Lichtstrahl nacheinander in die erste Facette (2210) und die zweite Facette (2220) einfällt.
EP20150752.2A 2019-12-04 2020-01-08 Frontbeleuchtungssystem für kfz-scheinwerfer Active EP3848626B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20150752.2A EP3848626B1 (de) 2020-01-08 2020-01-08 Frontbeleuchtungssystem für kfz-scheinwerfer
CN202022881189.3U CN214249440U (zh) 2019-12-04 2020-12-04 用于车辆的前照明系统

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20150752.2A EP3848626B1 (de) 2020-01-08 2020-01-08 Frontbeleuchtungssystem für kfz-scheinwerfer

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EP3848626B1 true EP3848626B1 (de) 2023-03-08

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WO2023164023A1 (en) * 2022-02-28 2023-08-31 J.W. Speaker Corporation Headlamp for a vehicle
DE102022115250A1 (de) 2022-06-20 2023-12-21 Zkw Group Gmbh Linsenoptik zur flexiblen positionierung von lichtquellen
WO2024133261A1 (fr) * 2022-12-22 2024-06-27 Valeo Vision Dispositif d'eclairage pour vehicule automobile
FR3144249A1 (fr) * 2022-12-22 2024-06-28 Valeo Vision Module d’éclairage

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JP2010170836A (ja) * 2009-01-22 2010-08-05 Stanley Electric Co Ltd プロジェクタ型車両用前照灯
DE102013210257A1 (de) * 2013-06-03 2014-12-18 Automotive Lighting Reutlingen Gmbh Vorsatzoptik für eine Lichtquelle
JP6515525B2 (ja) * 2014-12-22 2019-05-22 スタンレー電気株式会社 灯具
JP6333470B2 (ja) * 2015-04-06 2018-05-30 三菱電機株式会社 前照灯用光源および前照灯
FR3036162B1 (fr) 2015-05-13 2017-06-16 Valeo Vision Module d'eclairage bifonction code - route pour vehicule automobile
FR3039630A1 (fr) 2015-07-28 2017-02-03 Valeo Vision Systeme d'eclairage pour projecteur de vehicule automobile
JP6659304B2 (ja) * 2015-10-27 2020-03-04 スタンレー電気株式会社 レンズ体、レンズ結合体及び車両用灯具
US10563832B2 (en) * 2016-09-30 2020-02-18 H.A. Automotive Systems, Inc. Condenser for low-beam vehicle light module

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