The invention relates to a lighting device for an automobile, preferably a lighting unit, with at least one light source to radiate light, and at least one cup (or bowl)-shaped reflector to reflect at least a portion of the light emitted from at least a singular light source onto a reflection surface of the reflector. The reflector is formed as a light-conductor structure with a totally-reflecting reflector surface. At least one first partial surface facing toward one of the optical axes is formed as a light-coupling surface, and at least a second partial surface is formed as a light-decoupling surface. At least one partial surface facing away from one of the optical axes of the light-conductor structure serves as the reflection surface. Of course, other partial surfaces of the light-conductor structure may be formed as reflection surfaces.
Reflectors that bundle light on the basis of total reflection are known to the State of the Art. In total reflection, a light beam coming from a medium that is more optically dense and that strikes a border surface of a medium that is less optically dense is reflected at the border surface when the incidence angle of the light beam exceeds a defined limiting angle (critical angle) (Comment: the incidence angle is measured with respect to a perpendicular to the border surface). This means that mirror surfaces and/or metallized surfaces may at least partially be abandoned for reflectors.
A lighting device of the type mentioned at the outset is known, for example, from GB 408,366. This known lighting device includes a light source with a filament to emit light, and an essentially cup (or bowl)-shaped, transparent reflector of glass that operates according to the principle of total reflection. Partial surfaces are provided on the inner side of the reflector facing the optical axis to couple light. Optically-active elements in the form of prisms, slots, or grooves are formed on these partial surfaces that provide for a limited lateral scattering of incident light beams. The actual scattering of incident light beams, however, occurs by means of the longitudinal extent of the filament of the light source.
Use of a reflector of the known lighting device with light sources including one or more light-emitting diodes (LED's) is not possible since LED's essentially represent point light sources, so that scattering of the light emitted from the light source based on the longitudinal extent of the light source practically does not occur with LED's. Thus, if LED's are used as a light source in the known lighting device, the degree of effectiveness is worsened because less light would be totally reflected, and a desired, legally-prescribed light distribution could not be realized, or could be realized only poorly.
Additionally, lighting devices are known from the State of the Art with LED's as the light sources and attached optical elements to bundle the light beams emitted from the LED's. The attached optical elements are formed as light conductors that bundle the light according to the principle of total reflection. The attached optical elements are formed in such a way that they surround the LED's to the greatest spatial angle possible. The light-coupling surfaces are essentially smooth, and are particularly without optically-active elements. In any case, the total coupling surface of an attached optical element includes a single optically-active element, e.g., in the form of a convex lens. Also, the attached optical elements are not cup (or bowl)-shaped, since they possess a solid interior. Such lighting devices with attached optical elements are known, for example, from DE 197 28 354 A1 and DE 10 2004 036 850 A1.
Starting from the described State of the Art, it is the task of this invention to configure and expand a lighting device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that a highly-efficient total reflection reflector is realized at the lowest possible cost, and in particular is intended for use with LED's.
To solve this task, it is proposed starting from the described State of the Art that a minimum of one light-coupling surface and a minimum of one light-decoupling surface and/or the reflection surface of the reflector include means for the targeted diversion of light passing through it or reflected by it, so that the reflector of the light from the minimum of one light source forms a desired light distribution in collaboration with light-coupling surfaces, reflection surfaces, and light-decoupling surfaces. Diversion means may be formed on one or several of the three various surface types: light-coupling surfaces, light-decoupling surfaces, and reflection surfaces.
The reflector based on the invention is preferably used in a lighting unit, e.g., a taillight, backup light, turn signal, fog light, or brake light, in a marker light, or in an active clearance light of an automobile. It requires no reflection surface, i.e., one may do away with the reflections from reflection surfaces. It is preferably manufactured from a transparent plastic, e.g., PMMA (poly-methyl acrylate; also known as Plexiglas or acrylic glass) or PC (Poly-carbonate), but it may also be manufactured of shatter-proof glass. The targeted configuration of the light-coupling surfaces, light-decoupling surfaces, and/or reflection surfaces of the light-conductor structures allows the light distribution of the lighting device to be intentionally varied. For this, at least one of the light-coupling surfaces, light-decoupling surfaces, and/or reflection surface elements includes means to divert the light. These diversionary elements may include several of the surfaces, or even all of the surfaces. Because of the variation options of the diversionary elements on the light-coupling surface, light-decoupling surface, and/or reflection surface of the lighting device, the light beams may be manipulated such that, when viewed from the outside with the lighting device switched on, an effective impression is created that supports the function of the particular lighting unit to an appropriate extent.
Thus for example a higher degree of effectiveness is expected when signaling with a brake light in contrast to a backup light, with the result being that a following driver executes an intuitive, very rapid performance of a braking function. For this, light emission may be adjusted in such a way by the configuration of the reflector and/or the diversion means that the lighting unit is clearly visible to a following driver at his eye level, and with less scattering. Configuration of the reflector and/or of the diversion means for a backup light, in contrast, may possess a greater degree of scattering so that the vehicle may be recognized not only directly from the rear, but also at oblique rearward angles, or even from the side of the rearward direction. Configuration of the reflector and/or the diversion means for a turn signal should also be such that the light distribution possesses a relatively high degree of lateral scattering. Each light function places varying requirements on the light reflector in order to comply with legal restrictions and to produce the optimum effect, and can easily be realized using the reflector based on the invention through various configurations of the elements used to divert the light beams.
Additionally, the use of point-source light sources in the form of LED's becomes possible through the invention because of the configuration and positioning of the diversion means on the light-coupling surfaces, light-decoupling surfaces, and/or reflection surfaces without decreasing the degree of effectiveness when compared to conventional light sources.
Because of the transparency of the reflector, it is conceivable to position additional light sources behind the reflector that pass light through the reflector during a switched-on or switched-off state of the lighting device that may be used to generate an additional light distribution, or to support the light distribution generated by the lighting device. It is thus conceivable, for example, to realize an additional blinking function for a taillight by means of at least one additional light source positioned behind the reflector in a lighting device.
Advantageous embodiments and expansions of the invention are listed in the Dependent Claims. Additional characteristics significant to the invention, and advantages connected with them, are described in the following Description and shown in the Figures, whereby these characteristics may be significant to the invention both intrinsically and in various combinations without explicit reference to them.
It is proposed that the light-decoupling surface extend essentially perpendicular to the optical axis. Thus, the light emitted from the light source is simply diverted within the light-conductor structure essentially along the light exit direction of the reflector. Details of light scattering and diversion may be realized by means of potential configurations of the light-decoupling surfaces.
It is thus further proposed that the diversion means surround a first radial wave pattern about the circumference of the reflector. For this, the wave pattern may be wave-shaped (e.g., sine and/or cosine function, or an overlapping of several such functions) or curved (e.g., polynomial function of the nth order, spline function), or it may possess radials (e.g., compiled from various circular arcs), or it may be in any free shape. The wave pattern may be formed on all of the light-conductor structure or only on part of it, i.e., the light-coupling surface and/or the light-decoupling surface and/or the reflection surfaces. This means that, using almost any positioning and configuration of the diversion means on the light-conductor structure, the light beams emitted from the light source may be formed or diverted in order to create a prescribed light distribution as desired.
For this reason, it is particularly advantageous if the diversion means mounted on the minimum of one light-coupling surface and/or the minimum of one light-decoupling surface include a second wave pattern spreading out essentially radially and/or parallel to the optical axis of the reflector. In conjunction with the wave pattern extending about the circumference of the reflector, three-dimensional patterns may thus be formed with locally-differing amplitudes and curvatures. Naturally, the configuration of the light-coupling surface may be different than that of the light-decoupling surface and/or reflection surface. The optimum configuration of the reflector for a specific lighting function may thus be determined in the laboratory either empirically or through mathematical simulation of the light distribution of the lighting device achieved by positioning or shaping the reflector.
For completion of the configuration options of the reflector and/or of the light-conductor structure, it is additionally proposed that the diversion means formed on the reflection surface include a third radiating wave pattern extending along the surface of a rear apex to a front edge of the reflector. The reflection surface represents the border surface between a medium that is more optically dense (the light-conductor structure) to a medium that is less optically dense, from which the light beams within the light conductor undergo total reflection. This border surface essentially corresponds to the exterior wall of the reflector. The exterior wall is preferably ellipsoid-, paraboloid-, or hyperboloid-shaped, or of a free shape deviating from one of these shapes. The formation of a wave pattern on the reflection surface does not change the basic shape of the reflector wall, but the diversion of the light beam may be thus advantageously varied depending on the striking point on the reflection surface. For this, the wave pattern may also extend obliquely (i.e., not in a circular plane) across the reflection surface.
Regarding another deviating configuration of the wave pattern, it is proposed that the diversion means on the light-coupling surface and/or the light-decoupling surface and/or the reflection surface include surface sections be arched toward the optical axis of the reflector. For this, the arched surface sections may all possess a specific radius of the same magnitude, or the surface sections may possess different radii. Also, the surface sections may be arched convex or concave. This means that the light-coupling surfaces include a series of adjacent cylindrical sections at different stages surrounding the inner side of the reflector. These cylindrical sections may thus extend toward the circumference, or they may extend parallel to the optical axis of the reflector. A combination of the two types of cylindrical sections is possible. This results in cushion-shaped surface sections. Additionally, the cylindrical sections may be tilted with respect to one another.
Expanding this concept, it is proposed that the surface sections distributed about the circumference of the light-coupling surface, light-decoupling surface, and/or reflection surface be arched to a varying degree. Depending on the desired light distribution of the reflector, a more or less strong scattering of the light beams may be achieved, and the progression of the light beams may be varied within the light-conductor structure such that light for a defined lighting function and/or specific areas of the reflector the light is bundled, while other areas in contrast reflect the light essentially parallel to the optical axis and additionally other areas reflect the light in divergence.
It is further proposed that an outer circumference shape of the reflector be configured to essentially be elliptical, particularly circular, or four-sided, particularly rectangular or square, or many sided. Along with the shape of the reflector outer wall, the circumference shape of the reflector may be freely configured since the multiple configuration options of the light-conductor structure may compensate from an optical point of view for an unfavorable circumference shape that, may be recommended for design reasons.
It is proposed based on a particularly advantageous embodiment of the lighting device that the outer shape of the light-conductor structure is provided with facets as used for diamonds. The light-conductor structure preferably includes on its underside an essentially centered recess to accommodate the light source. The outer circumference of the diamond-type light-conductor structure is multi-sided or circular. The underside of the diamond-type light-conductor structure or a wall of the central recess thus represents the light-coupling surfaces and/or the reflection surfaces. Along with a new design, the faceting allows enlargement of the surface, particularly in the area of the light-decoupling surface of the light-conductor structure. This may be achieved, for example, in that the individual facets are folded about an edge extending essentially radially. Each individual facet may moreover be further inclined, arched, or provided with optically-active media. This allows a particularly large degree of design freedom, and options to realize the desired light distribution are improved. This embodiment further offers the option of optimally realizing the light distribution of the reflector required by law, where a large amount of light is required in the central area of the light distribution, particularly in its width. The diamond-type light-conductor structure may also be designed to be open on its upper side in the area of the central recess that is opposite the light source.
It is particularly advantageous if the reflector is at least partially transparent. This is possible without further ado with a totally-reflecting reflector, and offers numerous options for innovative, eye-catching designs of the reflector, which, along with the design of the automobile body, provides an effective impression. Thus, the reflector may be almost 100% transparent, or may include only a certain degree of transparency. The reflector may also be at least partially tinted with a color. It may also possess a varying degree of transparency or color merely in certain sections.
Moreover, a transparent reflector offers the advantage that additional light sources may be mounted behind the reflector. This may be exclusively for design reasons, and/or it may, for example, allow integration of two lighting functions into one lighting module, which, for example, is worthwhile when combining a taillight and a brake light. Thus, the reflector may provide the backup-light function, while additional light sources are mounted behind the reflector to realize the brake-light function. This leads advantageously to an effective, compact multi-function lighting device.
According to another embodiment example of the lighting device, it is proposed that the light source is formed by a light-decoupling surface of at least one additional light conductor into which several light-conductor strands merge into which light from several separately-mounted light sources is coupled. This means that, to strengthen the light strength, the light from several light sources (e.g., LED's) mounted completely independently of one another is compiled into the additional light conductor, and the light-decoupling surface of the additional light conductor assumes the actual position of the light source.
Further, a lighting device is proposed in which, at least in areas or sections, small particles are embedded into the light-passing reflector body. These particles are preferably opaque, and are formed, for example, as tinsel or similar.
In the following, several embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail using Figures, which show:
In automobile lighting devices, along with reflectors with a mirror reflection surface, reflectors are also used that involve the physical principle of total reflection. In total reflection, a beam of light coming from a material that is more dense optically strikes a border surface of a material that is less dense optically, and is reflected by the border surface if the incident angle of the light beam exceeds a specific angle (critical angle) with the border surface. This angle is measured from a perpendicular to the border surface. This means that, in such reflectors, mirror surfaces need not be used.
Such reflectors include a light-conductor structure with a light-coupling surface facing toward a light source and by means of which the light beams are coupled into the reflector; a light-decoupling surface by means of which light beams are decoupled from the light conductor; and a reflection surface at which the light beams are totally reflected once or more on their path from the light-coupling surface to the light-decoupling surface. The light-conductor structure preferably consists of a transparent material, particularly a plastic (e.g., PMMA or PC) or glass, and is structured such that the light emitted from the light source strikes the light-coupling surface at a slight incident angle and is coupled into the light-conductor structure. Because of the geometrical configuration of the light-coupling surface, coupled light is diverted and/or scattered intentionally so that the light beams strike the reflection surface of the light-conductor structure at an angle greater than the critical angle. The above-mentioned physical rules of total reflection apply here. By means of the particular positioning and configuration of the various surfaces of the light-conductor structure, the light beam may be intentionally diverted or formed such that it exits from the light-conductor structure at a desired angle to the light-decoupling surface. The size of the critical angle is therefore dependent on the optical refractive index of the two optical media involved.
The light-conductor structure 12 includes several light-coupling surfaces 13 essentially directed radially into the interior of the cup (or bowl)-shaped structure 12. On the left side of the reflector 10 in
The Reflector Operates According to the Following Principle:
On the left side of the reflector 10 in
On the right side of the reflector 10 in
The arches on the light-coupling surfaces 13 have the effect that the light emitted from the light source 11 (shown by light beam 22 in the embodiment example) is scattered at the light-coupling surface 13. The scattered light is subsequently passed based on the rules described above into the light-conductor structure 12 toward one of the light-decoupling surfaces 15, where it may then exit.
A light beam 17 emitted from the light source 11 strikes the light-coupling surface 13 at a steep angle. The light beam 17 is coupled into the light-conductor structure 12 via the light-coupling surface 13, and passed to the wave pattern 29 of the border surface 16. At the light-coupling surface 13, no recognizable scattering occurs in
A different light beam 20 emitted from the light source 11 strikes the light-coupling surface 13, and is scattered there by the configuration of the light-coupling surface 13. Subsequently, the scattered light beams 21 are reflected at an angle prescribed by the wave pattern 29. The reflected light beams 21 are then diverted toward the light-decoupling surface 15, by means of which they are then decoupled as light beams 32. In
The reflector 10 includes on its underside an essentially central recess 33 to accommodate the light source 11. It is thus covered from above (see
In another embodiment example (not shown), the star-shaped mounted facets on the upper side of the reflector 10 converge toward the center so that no flat surface section 27 is formed, but rather an apex is formed.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2008 035 765.0 | Jul 2008 | DE | national |