ES2698358T3 - Lighting unit for a car - Google Patents

Abstract

Lighting unit (100) for a car to produce at least one lighting function and / or a signaling function, the lighting unit (100) having a housing (10) with a housing opening (11), as well as a protective glass (12) that closes the opening of the housing (11), an adhesive bed (13), adhesive bed (13) being provided on a circumferentially extending edge around the housing opening (11). in which the protective glass (12) is inserted with a section of the protective glass (12a), or with several sections of the protective glass, and is adhesively bonded to the housing (10) by means of an adhesive material (14). ), and wherein in the housing (10) - at least one elongated light conductor (1, 2) and at least one light source (3, 4) assigned to the at least one light conductor (1) are arranged. , 2), where the light from the at least one light source (3, 4) can be introduced through an introduction zone (1a, 2a) in a first end region of the at least one light conductor (1, 2) in the light conductor (1, 2), - wherein the at least one conductor of light (1, 2) on its front side has a light output surface (1b, 2b) and on a rear side opposite the front side has a light deflecting surface (1c, 2c), such that the light introduced by the at least one light source (3, 4) in the at least one light conductor (1, 2) is deflected on the light deflecting surface (1c, 2c) and radiated through the surface of light output (1b, 2b) out of the light conducting element (1, 2), characterized in that the at least one light conductor (1, 2) in a second end zone (21, 22) presents a terminal surface (21a, 22a) transparent to light, which delimits the at least one light conductor (1, 2), and wherein the second end region (21, 22) of the light conductor (1, 2) ) extends within the adhesive bed (13), in such a way that the light-transparent terminal surface (21a, 22a) comes into contact at least in zones with the adhesive material (14) disposed in the adhesive bed (13).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Lighting unit for a car

The present invention relates to a lighting unit for a motor vehicle for generating at least one lighting function and / or a signaling function, the lighting unit having a housing with a housing opening, as well as a protective glass that it closes the opening of the housing, whereby on an edge extending circumferentially around the opening of the housing an adhesive bed is provided, in whose adhesive bed the protective glass is inserted with a section of the protective glass or with several sections of the protective glass and is adhered to the housing by means of an adhesive agent, and in what inside the housing

- at least one elongated light conductor and at least one light source assigned to the at least one light conductor is provided, wherein the light of the at least one light source can be introduced into the light conductor through of an introduction zone in a first end region of the at least one light conductor,

- in which the at least one light conductor on its front side has an output surface of the light and on a rear side opposite the front side has a light deflection surface, in such a way that the light introduced by the light the at least one light source in the at least one light conductor is deflected on the deflection surface of the light and radiated from the light-conducting element through the light-emitting surface.

Additionally, the present invention relates to a lighting unit according to what is mentioned above, which is designed as a car headlight.

Also, the present invention also relates to a car headlight having one or more of the aforementioned lighting units.

The elongated light conductors, as known from EP 2 669 721 A1, are frequently used in the construction of automotive headlights, for example, to produce a position light diffusion or a daytime driving light diffusion , or to produce signaling functions, for example, an intermittent light function. In this regard, under the term "elongated" or "elongated" it is to be understood that the longitudinal extent of the light conductor (i.e., the extension in the direction of diffusion of light in the light conductor) is substantially greater, for example, at least 5 times or at least 10 times greater than the transverse extension (in the transverse extension it is, for example, the diameter or diameter of the light conductor). In the present invention, the light conductor employed has two open ends; at one end the light of a light source is introduced, while at the other open end there is no introduction of light.

In conventional lighting units for automobile headlights, these elongated light conductors terminate in an area opposite to the introduction zone, usually a few millimeters after their visible section, ie they extend only a few millimeters beyond the surface of light output. On the terminal surface, where the light conductor ends in this area opposite the light source, light reflections of the light introduced into the light conductor and propagating through the light conductor due to reflection occur. total, and, therefore, a substantial increase in the intensity of light in the terminal area of the light conductor, which normally results in one and occasionally several hotspots ("hot spots" or "concentration points"). This exerts a negative influence on the appearance of the light conductor with the light source turned on for an observer on the outside of the car, since the homogeneity of the appearance is disturbed by a hotspot (or several) of this type.

In order to solve the problem described above, the use of shutters is provided in the state of the art, with which the problematic terminal area of a light conductor can be covered, in such a way that the hotspots can no longer be seen. With this, however, the effective length of the light conductor is reduced, the light conductor is optically shortened and, correspondingly, the available building space, which in a car is normally limited in itself, can not be used optimum

In addition, it also results from this that the light conductor has an effective lower light output surface and, therefore, emits less light with the same power of the light source than an identical light conductor which is not coated with light. a shutter.

In addition, it is also disadvantageous that such a shutter requires a constructive space, which in modern automobiles in itself is strongly restricted.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution for the above-mentioned problems. This objective is achieved through a lighting unit for a car, due to the fact that According to the present invention, the at least one light conductor in a second end region has a terminal surface transparent to light that defines the at least one light conductor, and wherein the second end region of the light conductor is light extends into the adhesive bed, such that the terminal surface transparent to light contacts at least in areas with the adhesive material disposed in the adhesive bed.

By means of the invention it is achieved that the light can leave the light conductor through the terminal area transparent to light and can be absorbed in the adhesive material, with which the transparent end-to-light area comes into contact.

A light conductor in the context of the present invention, therefore, preferably is formed by an elongated body which in turn is formed by a jacket surface, comprising the light output surface and the deflection surface of light, as well as a base surface, which corresponds to the light input surface, as well as a cover surface, which corresponds to the terminal surface. The jacket surface can be a cylindrical jacket, while the base surface and the cover surface can be made flat. However, both the jacket surface and also the base surface and the cover surface can also be made in any other desired manner, and in particular the cross section of the jacket surface can be made in any desired way, and can also be to be variable along the length of the light conductor, and the cover surface and the base surface do not have to be flat, and in the same they do not have to be respectively a single continuous surface.

It is advantageous if the adhesive material is made so as to absorb the light, so that as much light as possible can be absorbed in the adhesive and thus can not be reflected back to the light conductor. For example, the adhesive material may have a dark coloration, in particular black.

It may be advantageous if the end surface comes into full contact with the adhesive material. In this way, the light can leave the light conductor over the entire terminal surface of the second terminal zone and be absorbed by the adhesive.

It can be provided that at least one support, preferably exactly one support, is arranged in the housing to support the at least one light conductor.

In this regard, it can be provided that the at least one support together with the housing forms the adhesive bed for the protective glass, for example, if the support forms an inner delimiting wall for the adhesive bed. In another variant, the entire adhesive bed is formed by the housing.

Preferably, it is provided that an inner wall, delimiting the adhesive bed, and forming part of the housing or formed by the at least one support, has at least one recess or opening, through which the second terminal area of the at least one light conductor extends inside the adhesive bed.

The adhesive bed is, for example, a kind of U-shaped or V-shaped profile, in which an outer branch, ie the outer wall of the adhesive bed, and, for example, also the bottom of the adhesive bed. , they are formed by the housing, that is to say that they are part of the housing. The inner wall, i.e. the inner branch of the U-shaped profile can also be part of the housing, although it is frequently formed by the support for the light conductor (s), ie the inner wall forms part of the support.

In order that as much light as possible can leave the second end region of the light conductor and be absorbed by the adhesive, it is advantageous if the end surface, in particular the geometry of the end surface, is selected in such a way as to present a transmission degree as high as possible, in such a way that a good transmission of light, particularly as large as possible, occurs through the terminal surface. For example, the terminal surface may be formed by a continuous surface.

It may be advantageous if the end surface is formed by two or more individual surfaces.

In this regard, it may be advantageous if the mutually adjacent individual surfaces border each other in a stepped manner, wherein preferably the steps extend in the direction from the rear or rear side of the at least one light conductor towards their side. Forward.

For example, it has proven advantageous if the continuous surface or the individual surfaces are made in a flat manner.

In particular, it may be advantageous if the individual surfaces are arranged parallel to each other.

In this regard, it has been shown that good transmission can be achieved through the terminal surface, if the continuous surface or the individual surfaces are arranged perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the light conductor.

In this way, a large part of the light that falls on the terminal surface can impinge on it at a low angle in which no total reflection returns to the light conductor, so that the light can leave the driver of light to the adhesive bed, where it is absorbed by the adhesive material. For example, the angles with which the light falls on the terminal surface are located at 90 ° or about 90 °. Frequently, or even normally, in the lighting devices according to the state of the art, the hotspots that disadvantageously are formed in the light conductors at the final end of the light conductor are produced by the light that propagates substantially in the longitudinal direction through the light conductor, and which is reflected by the terminal surface. This can be prevented or at least strongly reduced by means of a preferred embodiment according to the described terminal surface.

In this respect, the "central axis" of a light conductor refers to an axis that extends in the longitudinal direction of the light conductor and connects respectively the geometric centers of the surfaces of cross section along the longitudinal extension of the light conductor, which are arranged perpendicular to this axis.

The above-mentioned objective is also achieved by means of a lighting unit according to what has been described above, carried out as a car headlight.

Additionally, the aforementioned objective is also achieved through a car headlight having one or more lighting units according to what has been described above.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a front view of a lighting unit according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded representation of the lighting unit of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a section A-A according to Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of one of the two light conductors of the lighting unit according to the present invention, with a corresponding cooling body for the light source that feeds the light in the light conductor.

Fig. 5 shows the second terminal end of the light conductor extending within an adhesive bed (without adhesive material) of the lighting unit.

Fig. 6 shows the second terminal end of the light conductor extending inside an adhesive bed (with adhesive material) of the lighting unit.

Fig. 7 shows the second terminal region of the light conductor of Fig. 3 in an enlarged representation. The direction indications employed in the following refer respectively to the mounted state of the lighting unit in a car or, respectively, in a car headlight which in turn is mounted in a motor vehicle.

Figure 1 , the exploded representation of Figure 2 and the section AA of Figure 3 show a lighting unit 100 for a car to produce at least one lighting function and / or a signaling function, wherein the lighting unit 100 has a housing 10 with a housing opening 11, as well as a protection glass 12 that closes the housing opening 11.

An adhesive bed 13 is provided on an edge extending circumferentially around the housing opening 11, which is shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 16 in the region of a light conductor. In this adhesive bed 13, the protective glass 12 is inserted with a protective glass section 12a extending around the circumference of the protective glass 12 and adhesively bonded to the housing 10 by means of an adhesive material 14.

The elongated light conductors 1, 2 are arranged in the housing 10, whereby a light source 3, 4 is assigned to each light conductor 1, 2 and in which the light from the respective light source 3, 4 it can be introduced into the light conductor 1, 2 through an introduction zone 1 a, 2 a which is arranged in a first terminal region of the light conductor 1, 2, when the respective light source 1, 2 is switched on. Normally, the two light sources operate simultaneously, but it can also be provided that the two are controlled independently of each other.

In the light sources 1, 2 these are usually LED light sources, in which a light source of the LED of this type has one or more luminescent diodes (LED). In principle, other light sources can also be used.

In the embodiment shown, the lighting unit 100 has two elongated light conductors 1, 2. However, it would also be possible to provide only one light conductor or also three or more light conductors.

The two light conductors 1, 2 are held in the housing 10 by a support 15. The support 15 can be stapled to the housing 10 or clamped therein in some other way.

The adhesive bed 13, which has already been mentioned previously, can be, for example, a kind of U or V profile, in which an outer branch, that is to say, the outer wall 13b of the adhesive bed 13 and, for example, , also the bottom 13c of the adhesive bed 13, is formed by the housing 10, that is part of the housing 10. The inner wall 13a, that is, the inner branch of the profile approximately U-shaped, in the example shown it is formed by the support 15 for the light conductor 1, 2, that is to say that the inner wall 13a forms part of the support 15. In the direction of exit of the light X, after the light conductors 1, 2 in the example shown there are provided two optical bodies 16, for example, a so-called thick-walled optics, in which the light conductors 1, 2 feed the light emitted by them. Within the optical bodies 16, light propagates, preferably by total reflection, and exits on a front side of the respective optical body 16 and radiates through the protective glass 12 towards an area of the lighting unit 100, where produces the desired light distribution or a part of such light distribution.

The optical bodies can also be made in a single component.

The distribution of light produced by a light conductor 1, 2 is dispersed rather extensively; the thick-walled optics picks up the light by total reflection and thus forms on its front side, through which the light comes out, a clearly defined luminous surface.

However, it can also be provided that no optical body of this type is provided and that the light conductors radiate the light directly through the protective glass towards an area of the lighting unit.

The protective glass can be completely transparent, but it can also present an optical structure to influence the light that passes through it.

The lighting unit described in the present example is intended to realize a daytime driving light, which normally must have a characteristic luminous appearance due to its shape and as homogeneous as possible. However, with a lighting unit according to the present invention other lighting functions can also be realized, such as, for example, a direction indicator, a brake light, a tail light, a position light , a rear fog lamp, etc.

Figure 4 shows one of the two light conductors 1 of the lighting unit 100, in which a cooling body 17 is also shown, on which the light source 3 is arranged. The light conductor 1 is formed by a optically transparent material, in which the light introduced through the introduction zone 1a, in particular in the outer jacket of the light-conducting element 1, is fully reflected and thus propagates along the longitudinal extent of the light conductor one.

The light conductor 1, that is to say, for example the outer jacket of the light conductor, has on its front side a light output surface 1b and on its rear side opposite the front side has a light deflecting surface 1c, such so that the light introduced by the light source 3 into the light conductor 1 and propagated therein is deflected on the light deflecting surface 1c and irradiated through the light output surface 1b outside the light conductor 1.

For example, the light deflecting surface 1c comprises - generally, i.e., without being limited to the embodiment shown - in a known manner a plurality of prismatic elements, preferably arranged in a juxtaposed manner, which deflect the light incident on the light deflecting surface 1c, which propagates inside and along the light conductor 1, towards the front side, where it can exit through the light exit surface 1b in the manner described above.

Figure 5 and Figure 6 show, with reference to the light conductor 1 described above, and preferably analogously also to the second light conductor 2, that it in its second terminal area 21 has a terminal surface 21a transparent to light which delimits the light conductor 1, whereby the second terminal zone 21 of the light conductor 1 extends inside the adhesive bed 13, such that the terminal surface 21a of the light conductor 1 at least in zones, preferably at all its surface, comes in contact with the material adhesive 14 which is disposed inside the adhesive bed 13.

Preferably, something analogous also applies to the second light conductor 2, whose second terminal zone 22 extends inside the adhesive bed 13, in such a way that its light-transparent terminal surface 22a is brought into contact with the adhesive material 14, preferably in all its surface.

With this it can be achieved that the light can leave the light conductor 1, 2 through the terminal surface transparent to the light and be absorbed in the adhesive material 14, which is contacted by the terminal surface 21, 22a. It is advantageous if the adhesive material 14 is made in such a way as to absorb the light, in order that as much light as possible can be absorbed by the adhesive material and correspondingly not reflected back into the light conductor. For example, the adhesive material may have a dark coloration, in particular black.

Preferably it is provided that the inner wall 13a, which delimits the adhesive bed 13 towards the interior and which is formed by the support 15, has recesses 15a ( Figure 2 ), through which the second end areas 21, 22 of the two light conductors 1, 2 extend inside the adhesive bed 13.

Figure 7 shows the second end zone 21 of the first light conductor 1 in an enlarged representation. In order that as much light as possible can leave the second end region 21 of the light conductor 1 and be absorbed by the adhesive material 14, it is advantageous if the end surface 21 a, in particular the geometry of the end surface 21 a, is it selects in such a way that it presents a degree of transmission as high as possible, in such a way that a good light transmission is achieved, and in particular as high as possible, through the terminal surface 21a.

The end surface 21a is formed, for example, by a continuous surface, or may also be formed, as shown, by two or more individual surfaces 21a1, 21a2, 21a3, 21a4, 21a5.

With regard to the latter, it may be advantageous if the mutually adjacent individual surfaces 21a1, 21a2, 21a3, 21a4, 21a5 border each other in a staggered manner, as shown, in which preferably the steps extend in the direction from the rear side 1c of the light conductor 1 to the front side 1b. For example, in the example shown, in the area of the light exit surface 1b the individual surface 21a1 adjacent to it is further away from the light input surface, measured along the longitudinal extent of the light conductor. light 1, than the next adjacent individual surface 21a2, while the individual surface 21a5 adjacent to the light deflecting surface 1c have the smallest distance.

If the end surface is made as a flat and continuous surface, it can happen that the adhesive bed, which is preferably closed by the end area of the light conductor, is too small or too large and that optimum coverage can not be ensured and in particular complete the terminal surface with the adhesive. In particular, this may be the case if, as shown in the figures, the housing in the area of the adhesive bed does not extend parallel to the end surface, but obliquely with respect to it.

By means of an embodiment in the form of several individual surfaces, arranged in a staggered manner, it can be ensured that optimum coverage is achieved, in particular complete coverage of the end surface with the adhesive material.

Additionally, in the area of the exit surface of the light 21a a kind of pivot 18 is provided, which projects above the jacket of the light conductor 1, preferably on its rear side. With this pivot 18, the light conductor 1 can be positioned and / or fastened to the support 15. In this embodiment, the pivot 18 is made in such a way that it forms an extension of the individual surface 21a3, which divides the two surfaces Individuals 21a4, 21a5 respectively on two additional surfaces.

In particular, with the pivot 18 the position of the light conductor in the support 15 can be fixed, since the light conductor has a certain clearance in the opening 15a of the support 15. From this could result the danger that the second end of the light conductor, by the application of the adhesive material or, respectively, by the pressure insertion of the rib 12a of the protective glass in the adhesive bed, is pushed against a wall of the opening 15a and the adhesive material comes out on one side through the irregular slit formed in this way. This can be prevented if a pivot is provided as described.

Preferably, the individual surfaces 21a1,21a2, 21a3, 21a4, 21a5 are formed flat.

It may be advantageous if the individual surfaces 21a1, 21a2, 21a3, 21a4, 21a5 are arranged parallel to each other.

It has been shown that good transmission can be achieved through the terminal surface, if the surface or the individual surfaces 21a1, 21a2, 21a3, 21a4, 21a5 are arranged perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis Y of the light conductor 1.

In this regard, the "central axis Y" of a light conductor 1 is an axis in the longitudinal direction of the light conductor connecting respectively the geometric centers of the cross-sectional surfaces along the longitudinal extent of the light conductor , which are arranged perpendicular to this axis.

Claims (14)

Illumination unit (100) for a motor vehicle for producing at least one lighting function and / or a signaling function, the lighting unit (100) having a housing (10) with a housing opening (11), as well as a protection glass (12) that closes the opening of the housing (11), an adhesive bed (13), adhesive bed (19) being provided on an edge extending circumferentially around the housing opening (11). 13) in which the protective glass (12) is inserted with a section of the protective glass (12a), or with several sections of the protective glass, and is adhesively bonded to the housing (10) by means of an adhesive material (14), and where on the housing (10) - at least one elongated light conductor (1, 2) and at least one light source (3, 4) assigned to the at least one light conductor (1, 2) are provided, wherein the light of the at least one light source (3, 4) can be introduced through an introduction zone (1a, 2a) into a first end region of the at least one light conductor (1,2) in the light conductor (1). , two), - wherein the at least one light conductor (1, 2) on its front side has a light output surface (1b, 2b) and on a rear side opposite the front side has a light deflecting surface (1c) , 2c), in such a way that the light introduced by the at least one light source (3, 4) in the at least one light conductor (1, 2) is deflected on the light deflecting surface (1c, 2c). ) and is irradiated through the light output surface (1b, 2b) outside the light-conducting element (1,2), characterized by the at least one light conductor (1, 2) in a second end zone (21, 22) has a terminal surface (21a, 22a) transparent to light, which delimits the at least one light conductor (1). , 2), and wherein the second end region (21, 22) of the light conductor (1, 2) extends into the adhesive bed (13), such that the terminal surface transparent to light (21a, 22a) comes into contact at least in zones with the adhesive material (14) arranged in the adhesive bed (13). Illumination unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive material (14) is designed to absorb light. Illumination unit according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the light-transparent terminal surface (21a, 22a) is in contact with its entire surface with the adhesive material (14). Illumination unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one, preferably exactly one, support (15) is arranged in the housing (10) to support the at least one light conductor (1, 2). Illumination unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one support (15) together with the housing (10) form the adhesive bed (13) for the protective glass (12). Illumination unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an inner wall (13a), which delimits the adhesive bed (13) and forms part of the housing or is formed by the at least one support (15), has at least one recess (15a) or an opening, through which the second end region (21, 22) of the at least one light conductor (1,2) extends within the adhesive bed (13). Illumination unit according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the light-transparent terminal surface (21a, 22a) is formed by a continuous surface. Illumination unit according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the light-transparent end surface (21a, 22a) is formed by two or more individual surfaces. Illumination unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the mutually adjacent individual surfaces (21a1, 21a2, 21a3, 21a4, 21a5) abut one another in a stepped manner, the steps preferably extending in the direction from the side rear of the at least one light conductor (1, 2) towards its front side. Illumination unit according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the continuous surface or the individual surfaces (21a1, 21a2, 21a3, 21a4, 21a5) are embodied in a flat manner. Illumination unit according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the individual surfaces (21a1, 21a2, 21a3, 21a4, 21a5) are arranged parallel to each other. Illumination unit according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the continuous surface or the individual surfaces (21a1, 21a2, 21a3, 21a4, 21a5) are arranged perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis (Y) of the light conductor (1, 2). 13. Illumination unit according to one of claims 1 to 12, which is embodied as a car headlight. 14. Car headlight with one or more lighting units according to one of claims 1 to 12.