JP2011100729A - Automotive lighting lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automotive lighting lamp (10) in which light (18) emitted from a light source (20) is emitted via an internal space (12) of the lighting lamp (10) and a surface (22) from which light outflows and which limits the internal space (12). <P>SOLUTION: The lighting lamp (10) has a mirror system (24) disposed in the internal space (12). The mirror system (24) has at least two mirrors (26, 28), which each have a different reflectivity and transmissivity. A first mirror (26) has a relatively small reflectivity and a relatively large transmissivity, while a second mirror (28) has a relatively large reflectivity and a relatively small transmissivity, and is disposed to return the light reflected from the first mirror (26) to the first mirror. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular illuminating lamp provided to cause light from a light source to be emitted from the illuminating lamp through an internal space of the illuminating lamp and a light outflow surface of the illuminating lamp that restricts the internal space.

  Such illuminating lamps are known per se, for example from DE 102005021079 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,970.

  The illuminating lamp of an automobile is usually characterized in that the illuminating lamp is incorporated in a curved portion of the body of the automobile. In order to minimize the restrictions on the shape and structure in designing the body as much as possible, the smallest possible installation depth of the illuminating lamp and the smallest possible area are aimed at. At the same time, the light-emitting surface of the illuminating lamp must still appear as large as possible even when perceiving the illuminating lamp under a perspective angle where the glittering surface appears to contract in perspective.

  In other words, when permitting an illuminating lamp for use in an automobile, the requirement to perceive the illuminating lamp must be satisfied even at a large observation angle, for example, an observation angle of 80 degrees between the viewing direction and the vehicle longitudinal axis. This requirement can be met essentially by a large mounting depth and / or by a wide light exit surface.

  German Offenlegungsschrift 102005021079 shows a vehicular illuminating lamp having a longitudinally extending optical body, a light output area, and a light output element having a light input surface. Light is output from the optical waveguide through the light output region and is deflected to a built-in region on the light outflow surface of the illuminating lamp. A free region that is not used for polarization to the light exit surface of the illuminating lamp is provided between the light output regions of the optical body. By this method, individual light output areas are illuminated with a light source that is switched on the light exit surface of the illuminating lamp, and there is a relatively dark area between the illuminated areas. A known illumination lamp has a plurality of optical bodies that are arranged back and forth in the radiation direction of the illumination lamp and have a light output region and a free region that are shifted from each other. In that case, the area illuminated by the optical body is in a relatively dark area between the areas of the light output surface of the illuminating lamp otherwise illuminated by the other optical body, so that it shines as a whole A wide distribution of the regions and a high area ratio of the shining regions occur. However, the back-and-forth arrangement of optical elements requires a relatively large mounting depth.

  U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,970 discloses a vehicle illuminating lamp comprising a lamp in a bowl-shaped reflector and a flat light guide disposed in front of the lamps supplied by an arrangement of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Show. The flat light guide has a light output region arranged so that the light output region replicates the shape of the illuminating lamp, which is regarded as identity information (signature) in US Pat. No. 7,111,970. Thereby, it has been achieved that the illumination lamp produces the same recognition effect whether the lamp is switched on or off. Without a flat light guide, the appearance image of the illuminating lamp is strongly emphasized by the light distribution in the case of a switched-on lamp, so the impression is strongly different from each other, which is passed around a particularly wide vehicle corner The visibility of the shape of the illuminating lamp is impaired by the illuminating lamp. The main function of the illuminating lamp is still fulfilled there by a lamp arranged in a bowl-like reflector, so that the vehicle illuminating lamp has a relatively large mounting depth, which is undesirable.

German Patent Application No. 102005021079 US Pat. No. 7,111,970

  The subject of this invention is providing the illuminating lamp which can fully perceive even the said big observation angle, and does not require a big attachment depth.

  This problem is solved by the main features of claim 1. The invention features a mirror system having at least two mirrors, each having one different reflectivity and transmissivity, wherein the first mirror has a relatively low reflectivity, a relatively high transmissivity, and The second mirror has a relatively high reflectivity and a relatively low transmissivity, and the second mirror is arranged to repel the light reflected from the first mirror to the first mirror; Yes.

  The both mirror arrangements correspond to an infinite mirror arrangement whereby a virtual image of the light source that appears to be arranged back and forth in the depth of the illuminating lamp is generated. This method gives the impression of a stepped back-and-forth arrangement of multiple light sources. This effect is utilized in the illuminating lamp according to the present invention to create an impression of the depth of the illuminating lamp that does not actually exist to the observer. This impression also occurs in observations made at a large angle with respect to the optical axis of the illuminating lamp, in particular obliquely. Thereby, the illuminating lamp can be perceived even at the observation angle as described above, regardless of the depth that does not actually exist.

  In this case, the mirror system supplements the front-rear arrangement of a plurality of optical bodies of known illumination lamps from the function, thereby avoiding the required mounting space of the front-rear arrangement prepared at the depth.

  Other advantages are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the attached drawings.

  It will be appreciated that the features described above and further described below can be used not only in the respective combinations shown, but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the framework of the present invention.

  Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail in the following specification. Each is shown in schematic form.

1 is a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part of 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the principal part of a 3rd Example, and is a figure which shows the aspect by which the light source was arrange | positioned in front of the 2nd mirror in the direction of the optical axis. It is a figure which shows the principal part of 3rd Example, and is a figure which shows the aspect by which the light source was arrange | positioned in the intermediate space of a mirror arrangement | sequence. It is a top view of the aspect of an optical element, and is a figure which shows the top view of the optical system which has the arrangement | sequence of a some rod-shaped optical waveguide. It is a top view of the aspect of an optical element, and is a figure which shows the top view corresponding to a ring-shaped optical waveguide as an optical system.

  Individually, FIG. 1 shows an automotive lamp 10 in a highly schematic cross-sectional view. The illuminating lamp 10 has an internal space 12 limited by an opaque housing 14 and a transparent cover disk 16. The illuminating lamp 10 is provided to cause the light 18 of the light source 20 to be emitted from the illuminating lamp 10 through the internal space 12 of the illuminating lamp 10 and the light outflow surface 22 that restricts the internal space 12. In the display of FIG. 1, the light outflow surface 22 is a surface or a partial surface of the cover disk 16.

  As the light source 20, a glow lamp, a fluorescent tube or preferably a semiconductor light source, for example an LED, may be used. The semiconductor light source is on the circuit board. The optical module comprises a circuit board including a semiconductor light source, a cooling body, and if necessary an optical system. The illumination lamp according to the present invention may use one or a plurality of optical modules.

  The illuminating lamp 10 features a mirror system 24 disposed in an interior space having at least two mirrors 26, 28, each having one different reflectance and transmittance. Here, the first mirror 26 has a relatively small reflectance and a relatively large transmittance, while the second mirror 28 has a relatively large reflectance and a relatively small transmittance. The second mirror is arranged so that the light reflected from the first mirror 26 is bounced back to the first mirror 26.

  The first mirror 26 is arranged in the internal space 12 of the illuminating lamp 10 so that the first mirror is located between the light source 20 and the observer's eye 30 when perceived according to the definition of the illuminating lamp 10. In one modification, the mirror 26 is disposed on the inner surface of the cover disk 16 facing the internal space 12. The second mirror 28 is arranged in the interior space 12 of the illuminating lamp 10 so that the second mirror is behind the light source 20 when viewed from the observer when the illuminating lamp 10 is perceived by the regulation. In one variation, the second mirror 28 is disposed on the inner surface of the housing 14.

  The back-and-forth arrangement of both mirrors 26, 28 and the reflectivity and transmission results in multiple reflections between both mirrors. Thereby, a continuation of the virtual image 20 ′, 20 ″,... Of the light source 20 or the light emitting area is generated, and the image shown in FIG. So that it seems to be placed back and forth.

  Radiation path a represents light that reaches the observer's eye 30 directly without reflection at the mirror array 24. When the transmittance of the first mirror 26 is 50%, this has 50% of the intensity emanating from the light source 20 in the direction a. Radiation path b represents light that is reflected once each by the first mirror 26 and the second mirror 28 in the mirror system 24. To the viewer, this light appears to be emitted from the virtual light source 20 '. About 25% of the intensity emanating from the light source 20 in the direction b arrives at the observer because of the dimming due to the additional reflection at the first mirror 26 that occurs compared to the radiation path a. Therefore, the virtual light source 20 ′ appears to be weaker than the actual light source 20. This is comparable to having about one-eighth the intensity emanating from the light source 20 in the direction c due to two additional reflections on the light source side compared to the radiation path a on the light source side. This also applies to another virtual light source 20 ″ that can be seen.

  Depending on what light function is to be fulfilled and how strong the depth effect is, the reflection and transmission values of the mirror array 24 are defined. As the proportion of the light reflected by the first mirror 26 increases, the virtual light sources 20 ′ and 20 ″ of the light source 20 appear to shine brighter. At that time, the actual light source 20 may be disposed directly between the mirrors 26 and 28. Another possible sequence is further described below with reference to that other figure.

  In any case, virtual images 20 ′ and 20 ″ of the actual light source 20 that appear to be arranged stepwise in the depth are generated by multiple reflection. As a result, a desired impression of a mounting depth T 'that does not actually exist is produced. With this constant virtual mounting depth T ′, the illuminating lamp 10 can actually perceive even with a large viewing angle, although it only requires a small mounting depth T.

  Thereby, it seems that the area of the illuminating lamp 10 that can be perceived while clearly emitting light is enlarged. Obviously, a larger mounting depth is required to generate a similarly sized surface without the mirror system 24.

  The difference between the reflectivity and transmittance of both mirrors is a pre-specified percentage of the intensity that causes only a very small intensity loss when reflected by the second mirror 28 and is incident on the first mirror 26. Has the desired effect of causing the illuminating lamp 10 to appear as if it is clearly emitting light in the external space.

  In a preferred embodiment, the reflectivity of the first mirror is between 30% and 60%, in particular between 45% and 55%, in particular 50%.

  Half of the light from the light source 20 that strikes the first mirror 26 is transmitted and half is reflected. The reflected light is incident on the second mirror 28, reflected from there again to the first mirror 26, where it is divided into parts that are newly transmitted and reflected. This division is repeated many times by multiple reflection. Thereby, the light source 20 appears many times when the illumination lamp 10 is observed obliquely.

  It is also suitable when the reflectance of the second mirror is 90% or more. The higher the value, the more light is emitted to the external space via the light exit surface 22 by definition.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the reflecting surfaces of both mirrors 26 and 28 are arranged parallel to each other. The arrangement of the reflecting surfaces affects the virtual image arrangement of the light source and thereby the phenomenon image of the illuminating lamp 10. Therefore, a number of effects that produce various phenomenon images can be generated by the change in the arrangement. That is, at least one of both mirrors may have a curved surface. Depending on whether this curvature is concave or convex with respect to the incident light, respectively, an influence on the reflected light that promotes radiation convergence or radiation divergence occurs, which finally appears stepwise in the depth. Can be used to change the arrangement and size of the virtual image.

  The distance between the two mirrors 26 and 28 can adjust the distance between the virtual images 20 ′ and 20 ″ together with the depth effect of reflection.

  In this case, each of the first mirror 26 and / or the second mirror 28 can be formed as a single body or have a mirror surface separately. In such a case, a mirror having a relatively small reflectance and a relatively large transmittance under the first mirror 26 and disposed along the light exit surface 22 of the illuminating lamp 10. The whole is understood.

  Similarly, in such a case, the second mirror 28 has a relatively large reflectance and a relatively small transmittance, and the second mirror is reflected from the first mirror 26. The entire mirror is understood to be arranged to bounce light back to one of the first mirrors 26.

  FIG. 2 shows an aspect in which the illuminating lamp 10 provided to direct the light 18 of the light source 20 to the first mirror 26 has an optical system 32.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the optical system 32 particularly has an optical waveguide 34. The light guide 34 has a light inflow side 36, a first long side 38 aligned along the light outflow surface 22 of the illuminating lamp, and a second long side 40 opposite the first long side 38. The second longitudinal side 40 is characterized in that it has at least one transition region 42 in which the cross section of the optical waveguide 34 is reduced. The light inflow side is preferably formed as a light collecting lens or reflector. The light source 20 is preferably arranged at the focal point of the lens.

  However, the light collecting element is not necessarily an integrated component of the optical waveguide. The corresponding optical system may be a component of an optical module that is structurally separated from the optical waveguide. It is important here that each such light collecting element is provided and arranged in the form of a reflector and / or a lens in order to enlarge the part received by the light guide 34 with the light flow of the light source. is there.

  The transition region 42 has a first region 44 aligned along the first longitudinal side and a polarization plane 46 where a cross-sectional change occurs. Here, the polarization plane 46 is provided to direct the light 18 diffusing in the optical waveguide 34 toward the first region 44 along the longitudinal side of the optical waveguide. Here, the deflected light is polarized so as to enter the boundary surface of the first region 44 of the optical waveguide where total reflection does not occur at a certain angle. This causes the light to be output from the optical waveguide 34 via the first region 44 and to be directed to the first mirror 26. The first region 44 is thereby a light emitting region in which the array between the mirrors 26 and 28 of the mirror array 24 emits light corresponding to the array of light sources 20 of FIG.

  The light output from the optical waveguide 34 through the first region from the polarization plane 46 and impinging on the first mirror 26 is divided into transmitted and reflected portions according to the transmission and reflection of the first mirror 26 there. The When the transmission to reflection ratio is 50:50, half of the light incident on the first mirror 26 is transmitted and half is reflected accordingly. The reflected light then strikes the optical waveguide 34 and then the second mirror 28, or directly hits the second mirror 28, where it bounces back almost undiminished depending on the high reflectivity of the second mirror 28. It is. The reflected light newly passes through the optical waveguide 34 and hits the first mirror 26, where half is transmitted and half is reflected, and so on. This can be repeated many times.

  As already described in relation to FIG. 1 for the light source 20, a virtual image of the light emitting region 44 is generated in the observation performed obliquely with respect to the optical axis 44 of the illuminating lamp, and clearly emits light with the depth effect. The area of the illuminating lamp perceived is enlarged.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has three transition regions 42, 42 ', 42 ". However, it is obvious that the number of transition regions can be made larger or smaller.

  The technique described here can be applied to any lighting function, with a corresponding distribution of any number of different regions to the light exit surface 22 of the lamp 10 and, if necessary, the transition regions 42, 42 ', 42' '. Is possible. This applies to the illumination function of a headlamp arranged in the vehicle as well as the illumination function of a tail lamp. The optical waveguide 34 can be used for a clearance lamp function for the transfer and distribution of incident light, for example.

  The polarization plane does not necessarily need to be realized by a stepwise cross-sectional change. What is essential is that each local cross-sectional change (reduction or enlargement) causes light not to be totally reflected at the location but to be deflected to the first mirror 26 in the desired direction. .

  The light source 20 is preferably an LED, but the invention is not limited to the use of such a light source.

  FIG. 2 relates to an embodiment having an optical waveguide 34 as the optical system 32, while FIGS. 3a and 3b show an embodiment using an attached mounting optical system. Here, FIG. 3 a shows an embodiment in which the light source is arranged in front of the second mirror 28 in the direction of the optical axis 45, and the light 18 of the light source 20 passes through the aperture 48 and both mirrors 26 and 26 of the mirror array 24. Into the intermediate space between 28. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3b, the light source 20 is conversely arranged in the intermediate space of the mirror array 24, which is also the case in the light source 20 of FIG.

  In both the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a and the embodiment shown in FIG. 3b, the attached mounting optical system 50 is considered as an embodiment of the optical system 32, and each of the attached mounting optical systems 50 collects light from the light source 20, and It is provided to face the mirror 26. As an attached mounting optical system that satisfies this function definition, in one aspect, a block made of a transparent material is used, and the refractive index of the material and the shapes of the entrance surface and the exit surface are set in advance so as to produce a desired effect. ing. Alternatively or additionally, a reflector or lens is used as the attached mounting optics 50. Here, each of the plurality of attached mounting optical systems 50 may be combined into one structural unit. Alternatively, the attached mounting optical system 50 may be realized as a separate component.

  Each light outflow surface 52 of the attached mounting optical system 50 forms an area that emits light in the light source 20 that is switched on. Each of the light emitting regions has the same function as the light source 20 of FIG. 1, and therefore one light source 20 can be substituted for each. Accordingly, the description of FIG. 1 applies to the arrangement of FIGS. 3a and 3b, with the necessary changes. That is, particularly in the observation of the light outflow surface 22 of the illuminating lamp 10 obliquely with respect to the optical axis 45, the light outflow surface 52 of the attached mounting optical system 50 is located behind the light emitting region in the direction of the optical axis. That is, a virtual image of the light emitting area disposed behind is created.

  FIG. 4 a shows a plan view of an optical system 32 having an array of a plurality of rod-shaped optical waveguides 54, 56, 58, 60. Each rod-shaped optical waveguide has one light inflow side 36 at each end thereof, and a light source 20 disposed in front thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the four bar-type optical waveguides are arranged as a quadrangle, and the two bar-type optical waveguides are arranged in parallel. However, it is self-evident that other patterns, in particular polygonal patterns and / or stripes and / or grating patterns, can also be constructed from rod-type optical waveguides. Each rod-shaped optical waveguide has a light output region 62. The arrangement of the light output regions here preferably does not extend over the entire length of each rod-shaped optical waveguide, but in the overall image of the rod-shaped optical waveguide configuration, between the desired light emission patterns, in this case between the intersections of the rod-shaped optical waveguides. The part which produces the rectangle fixed by a certain rod-shaped optical waveguide part is restricted. A fluorescent tube may be used as another method of the rod-shaped optical waveguide.

  FIG. 4 b shows a corresponding plan view of the ring-shaped optical waveguide 34 as the optical system 32. The optical systems 32 of FIGS. 4a and 4b are respectively arranged in the illumination lamp 10 as described above with reference to FIG. The virtual image of the optical system 32 (or another optical system) of FIG. 4 appearing stepwise behind the actual optical system at the depth in the use of the illuminating lamp 10 and the observation performed obliquely with respect to the optical axis 44. Is generated, and the illumination power decreases as the depth increases.

  In one embodiment, the first mirror 26 consists of or has a metal layer. Preferably, in particular, the reflective coating of the first mirror 26 is realized as a metal coating.

  An illuminating lamp having a metal-coated mirror has the advantage that the illuminating lamp can operate at different wavelengths. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a plurality of illumination lamps provided adjacent to each other with different light signal colors, and the illumination lamp has a single color appearance image in a state in which the switch is turned off, and various Light signal colors appear only when switched on. Such an illuminating lamp is preferably used as a tail lamp.

  In contrast, an alternative embodiment provides a first mirror 26 having a dielectric coating or a mirror 26 comprising or having a dielectric layer. Color effects can also be achieved with dielectric mirrors. In other words, the illuminating lamp appears blue with the corresponding dielectric coating turned off, but with the light source turned on, yellow flashing light or red brake light in each aspect can be realized.

  Another possibility for generating a color effect arises from the aspect of the first mirror 26 and / or the second mirror 28 as color filters.

Claims (17)

The light (18) of the light source (20) is emitted from the illuminating lamp (10) through the internal space (12) of the illuminating lamp (10) and the light outflow surface (22) limiting the internal space (12). An automotive lamp (10) provided for
In a mirror system (24) disposed in an interior space (12) having at least two first mirrors (26) and second mirrors (28) each having one different reflectance and transmittance, One mirror (26) has a relatively low reflectance and a relatively high transmittance, and the second mirror (28) has a relatively large reflectance and a relatively low transmittance, The illuminating lamp (10) is characterized in that the second mirror (28) is arranged to repel the light reflected from the first mirror (26) to the first mirror.   2. The lamp (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflectivity of the first mirror (26) is between 30% and 60%, in particular between 45% and 55%, in particular 50%. ).   The illuminating lamp (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reflectivity of the second mirror (28) is 90% or more.   The illuminating lamp (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one of the first and second mirrors (26, 28) has a curved reflective surface.   The illuminating lamp (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the reflecting surfaces of the first and second mirrors (26, 28) are arranged parallel or concentrically with each other. 10).   6. An optical system (32) provided for directing light (18) of the light source (20) towards a first mirror (26), according to any one of the preceding claims. Lighting (10).   The optical system (32) comprises an optical waveguide (34) provided for directing light (18) from the light source (20) to the first mirror (26). The illuminating lamp according to (10).   8. Illuminating lamp (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the light guide (34) has a polarization plane (46) provided for directing light towards the first mirror (26).   A light collecting element in the form of a reflector and / or a lens, provided and arranged to expand the portion taken up by the light guide (34) with the light flow of a light source. The illuminating lamp (10) according to 8.   The optical waveguide (34) has a light inflow side (36), a first longitudinal side (38) aligned parallel to the light outflow surface (22) of the illuminating lamp (10), and a first longitudinal side (38). And the second longitudinal side (40) has at least one transition region (42) in which the cross section of the optical waveguide (34) changes, and at least one The transition region (42) has a first region (44) aligned along the first longitudinal side (38), and a second region in which a cross-sectional change occurs, the second region being a polarization plane 10. (46) provided for directing light diffusing along the longitudinal side of the optical waveguide (34) to the first mirror (26). The illuminating lamp according to (10).   The optical system (32) has an attached mounting optical system (50) provided for collecting light (18) of the light source (20) and directing it to the first mirror (26). The illuminating lamp (10) according to claim 6.   12. The light source (20) and the attached mounting optical system (50) are arranged between mirrors (26, 28) in the interior space (12) of the illuminating lamp (10). The illuminating lamp according to (10).   The second mirror (28) has one opening (48) through which the light from the light source (20) is limited by the first and second mirrors (26, 28). 13. An illuminating lamp (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that it flows into and / or enters the optical system (32).   14. The lamp (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first mirror (26) consists of a dielectric layer or has a dielectric layer.   14. The lamp (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the first mirror (26) consists of or has a metal layer.   16. Illuminating lamp (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first mirror (26) forms a color filter.   The illuminating lamp (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second mirror (28) is a color filter.

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