WO2016202589A1

WO2016202589A1 - Device for generating light distributions for headlights for a vehicle, and headlights for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2016202589A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/062372
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian HÜSTER
Original assignee: Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co.
Priority date: 2015-06-19
Filing date: 2016-06-01
Publication date: 2016-12-22
Also published as: DE102015109837A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for generating light distributions (20) for headlights (40) for a vehicle (50), having a light unit (11), wherein the light unit (11) is designed to emit light for the light distribution (20) in substantially one beam direction (22) and the light distribution (20) has multiple illumination regions (23). Additionally, projection regions (31) are produced when the illumination regions (23) are projected onto a projection plane (30) which forms an angle greater than 90° with the beam direction (22), wherein each projection region (31) is illuminated by light from a respective illumination region (23). The invention also relates to a headlight (40) for a vehicle (50) having a device (10) for generating light distributions (20).

Description

Device for generating light distributions for headlights for a vehicle and headlights for a vehicle

description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating

Light distributions for headlights for a vehicle, comprising a light unit, wherein the light unit for emitting light for the distribution of light in the

Essentially, a beam direction is formed and the light distribution has a plurality of illumination areas, wherein further in a projection of the

Illumination areas on a projection plane which forms an angle greater than 90 ° with the beam direction, result in projection areas, one projection area each being illuminated by light from one illumination area each. Furthermore, the

Invention a headlamp with such a device.

High-resolution headlamps are known in modern technology. High-resolution means in particular that the generated by the headlight

Light distribution is divided into several areas or at least can be divided, which can be controlled independently. In modern headlamps, special devices are usually used to generate such light distributions. There are several known

Design variants to produce these high-resolution light distributions, such as LED arrays, the introduction of high-resolution LC displays in a beam path of the headlight or the use of micromirrors. It is also known to adaptively control the high-resolution light distribution in order, for example, to ensure uniform, bright illumination irrespective of the surface on which the light distribution falls, see, for example, DE 10 2013 104 276 A1.

Current devices produce light distributions that are divided evenly or at least substantially perpendicular to their main beam direction uniformly in rows and columns. The light distributions are thus divided into equal square or rectangular illumination areas. When using a Such a light distribution in a headlamp is such a design of the illumination areas in the high beam area, ie in particular above a horizon, without disadvantages. In a projection of a, in particular lower, part of

Light distribution on a road surface, however, differ significantly in the shape and size of the projection areas illuminated by each of the illumination areas. This can at least restrictively, but usually also adversely affect a functional design of a high-resolution headlamp for this range of light distribution. For example, the resolution of the over the illuminated area is not constant and it is necessary to have a luminosity of

Adjust the device in the individual footprints the different sizes of the projection areas.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages described above. In particular, it is the task of

The invention relates to a device for generating light distributions for headlamps for a vehicle and to a headlamp for a vehicle, which is disclosed in US Pat

particularly simple and cost effective way improved

Provide light distribution, which in particular in a projection, for example on a road, as constant as possible resolution and / or a

uniform illumination results.

The above object is achieved by a device for generating light distributions for headlights for a vehicle with the features of

independent claim 1. Further, the object is achieved by a headlight for a vehicle having the features of the independent claim 6. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. In this case, features and details that are described in connection with the device according to the invention, of course, also in connection with the inventive

Headlight and in each case vice versa, so that with respect to the disclosure of the individual invention aspects always reciprocal reference is made or

can be. In a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a device for generating light distributions for headlights for a vehicle, comprising a lighting unit, wherein the lighting unit for emitting light for the

Light distribution is formed in a substantially beam direction and the

Has light distribution a plurality of illumination areas, which also result in a projection of the footprints on a projection plane that forms an angle greater than 90 ° with the beam direction, projection areas result, each one

Projection area is illuminated by light from each one footprint. A device according to the invention is characterized in that the

Illumination areas are formed at least in a first region of the light distribution such that the through the illumination areas of the first area

illuminated projection areas are the same or at least substantially the same shape.

A device according to the invention is provided in particular for use in a headlight of a vehicle. Of course, where possible and appropriate, a device according to the invention can also be used in other places. The device according to the invention has in particular a

Lighting unit, which is designed for generating and emitting light. The light is emitted by the lighting unit mostly at least approximately conical or pyramidal and substantially in a beam direction. In the sense of the invention, jet direction means in particular the middle direction of the essentially conical or pyramid-like radiation. The light distribution of a device according to the invention has several illumination areas and is composed of these in particular. It is thus a high-resolution light distribution. A footprint can consist for example of a single radiating element or even smaller

Abstrahlelementen be composed, which are driven together as a whole. In a projection of these Ausleuchtbereiche on a projection plane, which forms an angle greater than 90 ° with the beam direction, arise

Projection areas, each one projection area is illuminated by one footprint each. This means between the beam direction and the

Projection plane formed angle greater than 90 °, that in particular the Projection plane is not perpendicular to, in particular middle, beam direction is arranged. In other words, the, in particular middle, beam direction with the projection planes can include any angle other than 90 ° or even be parallel to it. The projection areas thus provide one

Illustration of the footprints on the projection plane.

According to the invention, it is provided that the illumination regions are formed, at least in a first region, such that the projection regions illuminated by these illumination regions are the same or at least substantially the same shape on the projection plane. The first region may preferably be a continuous region of illumination regions. In particular, the first area can also cover the entire light distribution. In addition to the substantially same shape can also be provided that the projection areas are the same size. This allows a uniform illumination of the

Projection level particularly easy to be achieved. For the same size of

Projection areas automatically results in a constant resolution, which can be achieved with the high-resolution light distribution on the projection plane. A design and / or change of light distribution on the

Projection level can be facilitated and improved.

A device according to the invention can furthermore be characterized in that the lighting unit has a light source and / or a diaphragm device, wherein the light source and / or the diaphragm device are designed to form the illumination areas. The light source is used to do this for the

Light distribution needed to produce light. By means of the diaphragm device, which is usually arranged in the beam path of the generated light, this light can be shaped and, for example, locally shaded. Such light sources may be, for example, (halogen) lights, LEDs or laser-induced light sources. As diaphragm devices, for example LC displays, lens systems or mechanical screens can be used. Of course, a combination of a light source and a diaphragm device may also be used to form the footprints. By using a light source and / or an aperture device can thus be achieved particularly easily by means of an apparatus according to the invention forming illumination areas.

It can also be provided in a device according to the invention that the projection areas, by the footprints of the first area

be illuminated, at least substantially rectangular, in particular square, are formed. By a rectangular, in particular a square, shape of the projection areas, a particularly uniform illumination of the projection surface can be achieved particularly easily. An adaptation of the

Light distribution, for example, on properties of the screen, such as

Obstacles or different degrees of reflection can thus be made particularly precisely and in particular particularly precisely by the uniform shape of the individual projection areas.

In addition, it can be provided in a device according to the invention that the first region extends over the entire width of the light distribution.

In particular, it may also be provided that the first area

For example, a lower part of the light distribution extending over the entire width and from the lower edge of the light distribution up to a fixed height of

Light distribution extends forms. Of course, an upper part and / or the entire light distribution can be covered by the first area. In this case, in particular an abrupt change in the resolution and / or the shape of the projection regions at the edge of the projection surface can be prevented by a first region which extends over the entire width of the light distribution. An even better illuminating capability by a device according to the invention can be achieved.

Furthermore, a device according to the invention can be further developed such that the first region and / or the illumination regions of the first region are designed to be variable. In this case, variable means in particular that the size and / or shape of the first region and / or of the illumination regions of the first region can be changed. By means of a variable configuration of the first region and / or the illumination regions of the first region, it may in particular be possible to to respond to a change in the projection plane. For example, an angle at which the light distribution strikes the projection surface has a great influence on the shape and size of the projection areas illuminated by the illumination areas of the first area. A variable configuration of the first area and / or the illumination areas of the first area may make it possible to react to a change in this angle and the light distribution

adjust accordingly. Of course, can be responded to other changes in the projection level by such a variable design. A uniform illumination of the projection plane, even with a changing projection plane, can be achieved thereby.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a headlight for a vehicle with a device for generating

Light distributions for headlights for a vehicle. An inventive

Headlamp is characterized in that the device is designed according to the first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, a headlight according to the invention brings with it the same advantages as have been explained in detail with reference to a device according to the invention according to the first aspect of the invention. Of course, an inventive headlight, where necessary and / or useful, also have several devices according to the first aspect of the invention.

Particularly preferred may be provided in a headlight according to the invention, that in a headlight in the installed state, a roadway as

Projection level is usable. When installed, the headlamp is installed in a vehicle and can be used in this particular for lighting a

Driveway of the vehicle can be used. By a headlight according to the invention, in which a device according to the invention is installed, it is thus possible when using the roadway as a projection surface to improve the illumination of the road, in particular to produce more uniform both in terms of brightness of the illumination and in terms of resolution of the illumination. In this case, in particular, the first region of the light distribution which is produced by the device according to the invention, to a use of the Lane adapted as a projection level. Thus, for example, only a central part of the light distribution may be formed as a first region, in particular if this middle part is sufficient to illuminate the roadway to the edge in a high-resolution manner. An improvement in visibility for the driver of the

Vehicle can be achieved. By uniform illumination of a roadway as part of the infrastructure can thus be increased safety for the user of the vehicle, especially when driving in bad outside

Lighting conditions.

A headlight according to the invention can also be designed in such a way that the first region is configured in such a way that, in the case of a headlight, a lower section of the light distribution is formed by the first region when installed. According to the invention, the lower section is understood to mean, in particular, a part of the light distribution which at least partially lies on a roadway

Projection surface is displayed. By forming a lower portion of the light distribution through the first region, it is possible, in particular, others

To provide areas of light distribution with another, in particular simpler design at footprints. Such other areas can

For example, be a high beam area that is illuminated by the headlight that the light is emitted above a horizon. One

Headlight according to the invention can thus be constructed overall simpler.

It can also be provided in a headlight according to the invention that the first area and / or the illumination areas of the first area are made variable and that in the installed state of the headlight, the first area and / or the illumination areas of the first area to a

Vehicle environment are customizable. By a variably formed first area and / or by variably formed footprints arise in a headlight, the same advantages as they correspond to one

Device according to the invention have already been described. In the case of a headlamp mounted in a vehicle, this variability can result in additional advantages. In particular, an adaptation of the first area and / or the illumination areas of the first area to a vehicle environment be made. In this case, for example, the size and shape of the first region and / or the illumination regions of the first region can be adapted.

Changes in the vehicle environment, in particular changes that bring about a change in the projection plane, can be detected, for example, by sensors of the vehicle and the corresponding data sent to the headlight. In the headlight then the first area and / or the

Illuminated areas of the first area are changed to compensate for these changes. A consistent illumination of a

Projection level can thus be ensured, even if this

Projection plane changes.

According to a particularly preferred further development of a headlamp according to the invention, it can further be provided that the vehicle surroundings have a road surface and / or a roadway inclination and / or a

Road course and / or a roadway boundary includes. Of course, a change in the vehicle environment may also include other elements. As a road surface while a pavement of the roadway but also a form of the roadway such as a curvature of the road and / or potholes is considered. All these properties of the road surface can influence the size and shape of the projection areas. A road inclination, in particular in the direction of travel changes the angle at which the light distribution hits the road and thus the projection plane. As stated above, this has a great influence on the size and shape of the projection areas. Under a

Road course are understood in particular substantially horizontal changes in the road, for example, curves, which lie in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle. In order to ensure a particularly good illumination of areas of the road, which are not arranged directly in particular in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle, it may be advantageous to adjust the first area accordingly. Thus, for example, a cornering light function with a high resolution can be provided by a headlight according to the invention. Even a road boundary, such as tunnel walls or houses, can change the respective projection level. By considering these elements of a vehicle environment when setting the first area and / or the Illuminated areas of the first area, an influence of the vehicle environment can be compensated or at least minimized in particular to a uniformity of the light distribution. A uniform light distribution, even in a changing vehicle environment, can be provided thereby.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the invention are described in detail. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any desired combination. Elements with the same function and mode of operation are provided with the same reference numerals in the individual figures. They show schematically:

1 shows a light distribution generated by illumination areas according to the prior art,

FIG. 2 shows a light distribution produced by illumination areas according to the invention, FIG. 3 shows a device according to the invention, and FIG

4 shows a headlight according to the invention.

In Fig. 1, a light distribution 20 is shown on the left side, as by

Illumination areas 23 is generated according to the prior art. There are shown several footprints 23, of which only one example with a

Reference number is provided. It is clearly visible that the illumination areas 23 are regularly arranged in columns and rows. The pictured

Illuminated areas 23 are also even square. Shown is a

Frontal view of the light distribution 20, the central beam direction 22 therefore points out of the plane of the drawing. On the right side, a projection of the light distribution 20 shown on the left is shown on a projection plane 30. The projection plane 30 encloses an angle with the central beam direction 22 or is parallel to it. The beam direction 22 is shown as an arrow. It is clearly visible that the projection areas 31, of which in turn only one example is provided with a reference numeral, clearly show each other in size and shape

differ. A uniform illumination of the projection plane 30 becomes at least made more difficult. In addition, a uniform resolution of the light distribution 20 by the differently shaped and different sized projection areas 31 is not possible.

FIG. 2 likewise shows a light distribution 20 on the left-hand side and its projection onto a projection plane 30 on the right-hand side. The beam direction 22 of the light distribution 20 is selected as in FIG. However, in FIG. 2, a first region 21 of a light distribution 20 is shown, whose illumination regions 23 are shaped differently, in particular both in shape and in size. The shape and the size of the illumination areas 23 of the first area 21 are selected such that the corresponding projection areas 31 are now shaped the same. The

Projection areas 31, which in turn are produced by a projection of the light distribution 20 onto a projection plane 30, wherein each projection area 31 is illuminated by a footprint area 23, are in this embodiment

especially even square. As a result, a uniform illumination of the projection plane 30 is particularly easy to reach. In addition, due to the constant shape of all projection areas 31, a uniform resolution of the light distribution 20 over the entire illuminated area of the projection plane 30 can be made possible.

FIG. 3 shows a device 10 according to the invention. The device 10 according to the invention in this case has in particular a lighting unit 11, which has a

Light source 12 and a diaphragm device 13 includes. In the shown

Embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention, the light source 12 and the diaphragm device 13 are formed together to produce a high-resolution light distribution 20. Possible light sources 12 are, for example, (halogen) lamps, LEDs or laser-induced light sources, possible

Aperture devices 13 may be, for example, LC displays, lens systems or mechanical diaphragms. The light unit 11 is designed in such a way that it generates the light in illumination areas 23 (not shown) when the light distribution 20 is generated. At least in a first area 21 (not shown), the illumination areas 23 are shaped in such a way that they are illuminated by them

Projection areas 31 are formed equally shaped. The footprints 23 can be designed for example as shown in Fig. 2 for this purpose. In this case, the first region 21 extends over the entire width 24 of the light distribution 20. A configuration of the projection regions 31 (not shown), which are each illuminated by one of the illumination regions 23 of the first region 21, with constant shape and size, can therefore be used for the entire width 24 of the light distribution 20 can be achieved.

FIG. 4 shows a headlight 40 according to the invention, in particular in a state 41 installed in a vehicle 50. The headlight 40, 41 in this case has a device 10 according to the invention (not shown) which can be constructed, for example, as described in FIG. In the case of a built-in headlight 40, 41, it is particularly advantageous if a roadway 32 is used as the projection plane 30. The mean beam direction 22 is in this example parallel to the projection plane 30, wherein a lower light beam 22 'with the projection plane 30 forms a first angle a', which is greater than 90 °. An upper light beam 22 "shown as a dotted line forms with the projection plane 30 a second angle a", which is also greater than 90 °. Especially, when a lower portion 25 of the light distribution 20 is formed by the first area 21, it is possible to project all the projection areas 31 (not shown) projected on the lane 32 by projection of the illumination areas 23 (not shown) of the first area 21, the same shape and, for example, the same size. A particularly uniform illumination of the roadway 32 and a constant resolution of the projected onto the roadway 32 portion of the light distribution 20 can be achieved.

Furthermore, it is possible to consider a vehicle environment 51 in the generation of the light distribution 20. This can be made possible, in particular, by designing the first region 21 and / or the illumination regions 23 of the first region 21 to be variable. This may be provided, data from vehicle sensors such as infrared, radar and / or ultrasonic sensors, but also information from external sources, such as

Navigation devices, to detect changes in the vehicle environment 51. Such changes, such as a change in a Inclination of the roadway 32 or a development on the edge of the roadway 32 may have an influence on the projection surface 30. By taking into account these changes in generating the light distribution 20, in particular in the

Forming the first region 21 and / or the illumination regions 23 of the first region 21, these influences can be compensated or at least minimized. Even more even illumination by a light distribution 20, which is produced by a headlight 40 according to the invention, can be made possible thereby.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 device

11 lighting unit

12 light source

13 aperture device

20 light distribution

21 first area of light distribution

22 beam direction

23 footprint

24 width

25 lower section

30 projection level

31 projection area

32 lane

40 spotlights

41 headlights when installed

vehicle

vehicle environment

Claims

claims

1. Device (10) for generating light distributions (20) for headlights

(40) for a vehicle (50), comprising a lighting unit (11), wherein the lighting unit (11) for emitting light for the light distribution (20) in substantially a beam direction (22) is formed and the light distribution (20) a plurality Illumination areas (23), wherein further projection regions (31) result in a projection plane (30) which forms an angle greater than 90 ° with the beam direction (22), projection regions (31) each being projected, one projection area (31 ) is illuminated by light from a respective illumination area (23),

characterized,

in that the illumination regions (23) are formed at least in a first region (21) of the light distribution (20) in such a way that

Illuminated areas (23) of the first area (21) illuminated

Projection regions (31) are the same or at least substantially the same shape.

2. Device (10) according to claim 1,

characterized,

in that the lighting unit (11) has a light source (12) and / or a light source (12)

Aperture device (13) aulweist, wherein the light source (12) and / or the diaphragm device (13) for forming the Ausleuchtbereiche (23) are formed.

3. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that the projection areas (31) which are illuminated by the illumination areas (23) of the first area (21) are formed at least substantially rectangular, in particular square.

4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that the first region (21) extends over the entire width (24) of the light distribution (20).

5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that the first region (21) and / or the illumination regions (23) of the first region (21) are designed to be variable.

6. headlight (40) for a vehicle (50) with a device (10) for generating light distributions (20),

characterized,

in that the device (10) is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

7. headlight (40) according to claim 6,

characterized,

in the case of a headlight (40) in the installed state (41), a roadway (32) can be used as the projection plane (30).

8. headlight (40) according to any one of claims 6 or 7,

characterized,

the first region (21) is designed in such a way that, in the case of a headlamp (40), in the installed state (41), a lower section (25) of the light distribution (20) is formed by the first region (21).

9. headlight (40) according to any one of claims 6 to 8,

characterized,

the first area (21) and / or the illumination areas (23) are designed to be variable and in the installed state (41) of the headlight (40) the first area (21) and / or the illumination areas (23) are connected to a vehicle environment (51 ) are customizable.

10. headlight (40) according to claim 9,

characterized,

in that the vehicle environment (51) comprises a roadway condition and / or a roadway inclination and / or a roadway course and / or a roadway boundary.