DE102019125571A1 - Lighting device for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle for generating a light distribution (LV) in its exterior, comprising a light module (2) composed of one or more light sources (2a) for generating a number of light beams (LS) and a scanning device (3) with a Deflection unit (3a) and a control device (3b), wherein a respective light beam (LS) of the number of light beams (LS) falls on the deflection unit (3a) and the control device (3b) is set up to control the deflection unit (3a) in such a way that that a time-varying deflection of the respective light beam (LV) is effected by means of the deflection unit (3a). In the lighting device according to the invention, a multi-aperture projection unit (4) with a plurality of projection channels (7) is provided, each projection channel (7) having separate projection optics with at least one projection lens (5) and an object structure (9a, 9b, ..., 9e). Furthermore, the scanning device (3) and the multi-aperture projection unit (4) are designed and arranged in such a way that a respective deflected light beam (LS ') selectively illuminates individual projection channels (7) as it moves along the specified scan path in order to display the respective object structures ( 9a, 9b, ..., 9e) to project the selectively illuminated projection channels (7) into the outside space and thereby generate a predetermined light distribution (LV), which results from the projections of the object structures (9a, 9b, ..., 9e ) composed.

Description

The invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle for generating a light distribution in its outer space and to a corresponding motor vehicle.

It is known from the prior art to install scanning lighting devices in motor vehicles which move a light beam along a scanning path by means of a scanning device, so that the moving light beam generates a predetermined light distribution.

Scanning lighting devices make it possible to generate high-resolution light distributions, but the structure of the light distribution is only determined by the scanning path or by switching the light beam on and off along the scanning path.

The object of the invention is to create a scanning lighting device for a motor vehicle with which a light distribution can be generated differently than in the prior art.

This object is achieved by the lighting device according to claim 1. Developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The lighting device according to the invention is for a motor vehicle such. B. a car or a truck, provided. It is used to generate a light distribution in the exterior of the motor vehicle, i. H. it is an exterior lighting of the motor vehicle.

If interactions between the lighting device and components of the motor vehicle or the light distribution generated for the motor vehicle are described below and in particular in the claims, this is always to be understood as meaning that the interaction occurs when the lighting device is arranged or installed in the motor vehicle.

The lighting device according to the invention comprises a lighting module made up of one or more light sources for generating a number of light beams. Furthermore, the lighting device includes a scanning device with a deflection unit and a control device, wherein a respective light beam (ie each light beam) of the number of light beams falls on the deflection unit and the control device is set up to control the deflection unit in such a way that a time-varying deflection of the respective light beam is effected by means of the deflection unit, so that the respective deflected light beam moves along a predetermined scan path. The speed of movement along the scan path is preferably so high that the movement cannot be perceived by the human eye.

In the lighting device according to the invention, a multi-aperture projection unit with a plurality of projection channels is provided, each projection channel comprising separate projection optics with at least one projection lens and an object structure to be projected. In a variant of the invention, the projection display that can be used in the document as the multi-aperture projection unit DE 10 2009 024 894 A1 or in the document DE 10 2011 076 083 A1 is described.

The scanning device and the multi-aperture projection unit are configured and arranged in the lighting device according to the invention in such a way, d. H. they interact during the operation of the lighting device in such a way that a respective deflected light beam selectively illuminates different individual projection channels as part of its movement along the specified scan path in order to project the respective object structures of the selectively illuminated projection channels into the outside space and thereby generate a specified light distribution that is composed of the projections of the object structures. The concept of selective illumination of the individual projection channels is to be understood in such a way that a light beam along its scan path illuminates different projection channels, but only ever falls on a single projection channel at a given point in time.

In the lighting device according to the invention, a scanning lighting unit comprising a light module and a scanning device is combined with a multi-aperture projection unit for the first time. The structure of the generated light distribution is also determined by the object structures through the selective illumination of object structures, which can be achieved with a corresponding activation of the deflection unit by the control device and a suitable arrangement and configuration of the multi-aperture projection unit.

The lighting device according to the invention can take on different functionalities in the motor vehicle, depending on the configuration. In one variant, the lighting device according to the invention is a motor vehicle headlight and in particular a front headlight or a component of such a motor vehicle headlight. In a further variant, the lighting device according to the invention is a rear light or a component of a rear light. The lighting device according to the invention can also be a Be environment lighting device in order to generate a light distribution (z. B. on the ground) in the environment of the motor vehicle from a few meters. For example, a predefined light pattern or symbols in the vicinity of the motor vehicle can be projected onto the floor.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the object structures of at least some of the projection channels are identical to one another, the projection channels of the at least one part of the projection channels being designed and arranged in relation to one another in such a way that the projections of the object structures of at least some of the projection channels are in the same position and in the the same size can be generated in the specified light distribution. This can be achieved by using the same projection lenses and a suitable offset of the object structures in relation to the projection lenses, as is also the case for the projection display in the above-mentioned publication DE 10 2009 024 894 A1 is described. With this embodiment it can be achieved that projections of object structures with high light intensity are generated by generating the projection of a respective object structure by means of a plurality of projection channels.

In a further embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, the multi-aperture projection unit contains projection channels, the object structures of which are projected into different image planes. This can be achieved in that the focal lengths of the projection lenses or the object planes in which the respective object structures are located are selected to be different in some cases. With this embodiment, sharp projections can be generated in different projection planes.

In a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, the multi-aperture projection unit comprises several (disjoint) groups each consisting of one or more projection channels, the object structures of the projection channels of the same group corresponding to one another and the object structures of different groups being different, with the one or more deflected light rays projection channels from different groups can be illuminated. In this way, different light distributions can be generated in a simple manner by illuminating the corresponding different groups.

The embodiment just described is preferably combined with the above embodiment, in which the projections of the object structures of at least some of the projection channels are generated at the same position and in the same size in the specified light distribution. In other words, the projections of the object structures are generated at the same position and in the same size in the specified light distribution for each group.

In a preferred configuration of the above embodiment, the scanning device and the multi-aperture projection unit are designed and arranged such that a group of projection channels generates a low beam distribution in the given light distribution and at least one further group of projection channels generates an area in the given light distribution in addition to or instead of the low beam distribution Illuminated outside of the low beam distribution. In this embodiment, in which the lighting device represents a headlight or a component part of a headlight, a group of projection channels is responsible for a low beam distribution. B. when activating the high beam, further areas outside the low beam distribution can be illuminated via appropriate groups of projection channels.

In a preferred variant of the embodiment just described, a glare-free high beam can be generated with the lighting device. For this purpose, the lighting device comprises a sensor device to detect one or more road users located in front of the lighting device, the at least one further group of projection channels additionally or instead of the low beam light distribution illuminating an area in the specified light distribution that leaves out the road user (s).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the multi-aperture projection unit of the lighting device according to the invention is a projection unit with micro-optics. In other words, the at least one projection lens of each projection optics is a microlens. Such a microlens is preferably 2000 micrometers or less in diameter. Furthermore, the number of projection channels in the multi-aperture projection unit can be selected to be different. In a preferred variant, the multi-aperture projection unit comprises 10 or more projection channels and in particular 100 or more projection channels.

Depending on the configuration, the light module of the lighting device according to the invention can have different light sources. In particular, the light module comprises one or more LEDs and / or one or more laser diodes as a light source or light sources. This ensures a compact design of the lighting device with high illuminance at the same time.

In a further variant, the light source or light sources of the light module are monochromatic light sources, ie light sources which emit monochromatic light. In other words, the number of light beams generated by the light sources consists of monochromatic light. For example, the light sources can emit red light. Such light sources can be used, for example, in a lighting device that is a rear light or part of a rear light.

In a particularly preferred configuration of the above embodiment, each projection channel of the multi-aperture projection unit comprises a converter to convert the monochromatic light of a deflected light beam illuminating the respective projection channel into white light, which then falls on the object structure of the respective projection channel. Such converters are known per se from the prior art and consist, for. B. of appropriately doped phosphor material. By using such converters, white light can be generated in a simple manner. The lighting device thus generates a light distribution from white light and is therefore preferably a headlight or a component of a headlight.

In a further preferred variant, the converters of all projection channels of the multi-aperture projection unit are formed by a common converter layer. This ensures a simple and compact design of the multi-aperture projection unit.

In a further variant of the lighting device according to the invention, the deflection unit of the scanning device comprises at least one movable mirror for deflecting the light beam. A single mirror is preferably provided, but the deflection unit can optionally also comprise several mirrors, which then e.g. B. can be controlled separately from each other via the control device. In a preferred variant, the at least one movable mirror is a MEMS mirror (MEMS = Micro-Electro-Mechinal System), as a result of which a compact design of the deflection unit is achieved.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the scanning device of the lighting device according to the invention is a vector scanner, with the control device of which the predetermined scanning path of the deflected light beam can be changed. In this way, different light distributions can be generated in a simple manner. In particular, it is not necessary for the light module to be switched off temporarily during the scanning process in order to generate a specific light distribution. Nonetheless, it is possibly also possible that the scanning device built into the lighting device according to the invention is a line scanner with a fixed scan path, in which case the lighting module has to be switched off temporarily to generate certain light distributions.

In addition to the lighting device according to the invention, the invention relates to a motor vehicle which comprises one or more lighting devices according to the invention or one or more preferred variants of the lighting device according to the invention.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Beleuchtungsvorrichtung und
• 2 bis 6 verschiedenen Objektstrukturen, die in der Multiapertur-Projektionseinheit der Beleuchtungsvorrichtung der 1 integriert sind.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention and
• 2 to 6th different object structures in the multi-aperture projection unit of the lighting device of the 1 are integrated.

In the 1 Illumination device shown schematically in plan view 1 is a headlight in a motor vehicle and comprises a light module 2 , which is a monochromatic light source 2a (for example an LED or possibly also a laser diode). The light source 2a creates a monochromatic beam of light LS , for example a red, blue or green light beam. If necessary, the light module 2 also include multiple light sources for generating multiple separate light beams.

The ray of light LS falls on a deflection unit 3a a scanning device 3rd . In the variant described here, the deflection unit is designed as a MEMS mirror. The mirror can be tilted in two dimensions about two orthogonal axes, the orthogonal axes running in the plane of the scanning mirror. This is in 1 indicated by two arrows P. The scanning facility 3rd further comprises a control device 3b who have favourited the scan mirror 3a controls so that the mirror performs a periodically repeating scanning movement. The one on the scanning mirror 3a falling ray of light LS is deflected by means of the scan mirror and moves along a specified scan path. The control device 3b is in terms of communication with the deflection unit 3a connected, but it can optionally be arranged away from this.

The speed of the scanning movement of the deflection unit 3a is chosen so that the movement of the deflected light beam LS ' cannot be perceived by the human eye. This has the consequence that the scan path, which is caused by the deflected light beam LS ' is driven off, appears to the human eye as a full-surface light distribution. In a preferred variant, the scanning device is a vector scanner with which it is possible to adapt the scanning path in a suitable manner, so that the deflected light beam LS ' can follow different movement patterns.

The lighting device of the 1 is characterized by the fact that the deflected light beam LS ' using a multi-aperture projection unit 4th is projected onto the street. The multi-aperture projection unit 4th comprises a converter layer 6th as well as a variety of identical projection lenses 5 arranged on one side of the converter layer. A respective projection lens 5 with the section of the converter layer adjoining it 6th forms a separate projection channel 7th . For reasons of clarity, only one of the projection channels is designated with this reference symbol. The multi-aperture projection unit comprises a two-dimensional array of projection channels, which are located both in the plane of the sheet 1 as well as perpendicular to the plane of the sheet.

In operation of the lighting device 1 the deflected light beam moves LS ' according to the specified scan path on the converter layer 6th the multi-aperture projection unit 4th . The diameter of the light beam is such that at any given point in time only one single projection channel 7th is illuminated. Between each projection lens 5 and the adjacent portion of the converter layer 6th there is an object structure or a slide, whereby there are different object structures. In the embodiment of 1 object structures used are in 2 to 6th and are described in more detail below.

The monochromatic light of the on the converter layer 6th incident light beam LS ' is converted into white light by the converter layer, which then falls on the corresponding object structure and through a projection lens 5 is projected into the environment of the motor vehicle. This is how the light beam creates LS ' As part of its scanning movement, a large number of projected object structures, which then become a light distribution LV put together. This light distribution is only shown schematically as a hatched ellipse in 1 indicated.

In the embodiment of 1 there are several groups of projection channels which contain the same object structures. A suitable offset of these object structures in relation to the projection lenses ensures that all object structures are in the same position and with the same size in the generated light distribution LV can be mapped. In the variant described here there are five different object structures, it being possible for a significantly larger number of different object structures to be provided. In 2 to 6th are in plan view of the respective projection lenses 5 the different object structures indicated. A projection lens 5 is shown as a circle. The individual object structures are covered by an opaque chrome mask 8th generated, which are indicated by dotted areas in 2 to 6th is indicated. The chrome mask is applied to the side of the converter layer using suitable methods 6th applied adjacent to the corresponding projection lens 5 lies. Corresponding translucent areas are formed in the chrome mask, which creates the object structures.

2 shows an object structure in the form of a low beam distribution 9a with a known cut-off line. Is in the lighting device the 1 only the low beam is switched on, the light beam moves LS ' only to those projection channels, which the object structure 9a contain. In this way, a low beam distribution is generated in the far field of the motor vehicle.

3rd to 6th show object structures with which a glare-free high beam in a corresponding operating mode of the lighting device 1 is realized. The individual object structures 9b , 9c, 9d and 9e of the 3rd to Fig. 6 contain the object structure 9a out 2 , wherein in addition upwardly extending rectangular segments SE are formed at the upper edge of the light-dark boundary. The SE segments are in the individual property structures 9b to 9e arranged offset to one another.

In the operating mode of the glare-free high beam, the scanning movement of the light beam LS ' all projection channels with the object structures 9a traversed, so that a low beam distribution is generated in any case. Furthermore, a sensor device known per se is used to determine whether and at what point road users are in front of the lighting device. If no road users are detected, all projection channels are also linked with the object structures 9b to 9e illuminated as part of the scanning movement, so that the entire area above the upper edge of the light-dark border is illuminated and thus a high beam is generated. If, however, a road user is recognized by the sensor device, in addition to the projection channels with the object structure 9a only such Illuminated projection channels whose upwardly protruding segments SE do not overlap with the detected road user. In this way, the corresponding road user is included in the generated light distribution LV cut out so that it is not dazzled.

In the embodiment described above, all object structures are imaged in the same image plane, which is achieved in that all projection lenses are constructed in the same way and have the same focal length. Nevertheless, it is possibly possible to choose different focal lengths of the projection lenses so that object structures can also be imaged in different image planes. In this way, for example, projections at a shorter distance in front of the motor vehicle can be generated with a high image quality.

The embodiment of the invention described above has a number of advantages. In particular, a scanning illumination device is combined with a multi-aperture projection unit for the first time. In this way, different light distributions can be generated very flexibly by providing different object structures in the multi-aperture projection unit and illuminating them with a scanning light beam according to the desired light distribution.

List of reference symbols

1

Lighting device

2

Light module

2a

Light source of the light module

3

Scanning facility

3a

Deflection unit of the scanning device

3b

Control device of the scanning device

4th

Multi-aperture projection unit

5

Projection lenses

6th

Converter layer

7th

Projection channel

LS, LS '

Beam of light

LV

Light distribution

8th

Chrome mask

9a, 9b, ..., 9e

Object structures

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102009024894 A1 [0009, 0013]
• DE 102011076083 A1 [0009]

Claims (14)

Lighting device for a motor vehicle for generating a light distribution (LV) in its outer space, comprising - a light module (2) composed of one or more light sources (2a) for generating a number of light beams (LS); - a scanning device (3) with a deflection unit (3a) and a control device (3b), wherein a respective light beam (LS) of the number of light beams (LS) falls on the deflection unit (3a) and the control device (3b) is set up to do so, to control the deflection unit (3a) in such a way that a time-varying deflection of the respective light beam (LV) is effected by means of the deflection unit (3a), so that the respective deflected light beam (LS ') moves along a predetermined scan path; characterized in that - the lighting device (1) has a multi-aperture projection unit (4) with a plurality of projection channels (7), each projection channel (7) having separate projection optics with at least one projection lens (5) and an object structure (9a) to be projected , 9b, ..., 9e); - The scanning device (3) and the multi-aperture projection unit (4) are designed and arranged in such a way that a respective deflected light beam (LS ') selectively illuminates individual projection channels (7) as part of its movement along the predetermined scan path in order to display the respective object structures ( 9a, 9b, ..., 9e) to project the selectively illuminated projection channels (7) into the outside space and thereby generate a predetermined light distribution (LV), which results from the projections of the object structures (9a, 9b, ..., 9e ) composed. Lighting device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the object structures (9a, 9b, ..., 9e) of at least some of the projection channels (7) correspond to one another and the projection channels (7) of the at least some of the projection channels (7) are designed and arranged in relation to one another, that the projections of the object structures (9a, 9b, ..., 9e) of at least some of the projection channels (7) are generated at the same position and in the same size in the predetermined light distribution (LV). Lighting device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the multi-aperture projection unit (4) contains projection channels (7), the object structures (9a, 9b, ..., 9e) of which are projected into different image planes. Lighting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multi-aperture projection unit (4) comprises several groups of one or more projection channels (7) each, the object structures (9a, 9b, ..., 9e) of the projection channels (7) of the same group correspond to one another and the object structures (9a, 9b, ..., 9e) of different groups are different, it being possible to illuminate projection channels from different groups with the deflected light beam (s) (LS '). Lighting device according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the scanning device (3) and the multi-aperture projection unit (4) are designed and arranged in such a way that a group of projection channels (7) generates a low beam distribution in the predetermined light distribution (LV) and at least one further group of projection channels ( 7) in addition to or instead of the low beam distribution, illuminates an area in the specified light distribution (LV) outside of the low beam distribution. Lighting device according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the lighting device (1) comprises a sensor device in order to detect one or more road users located in front of the lighting device (1), the at least one further group of projection channels (7) additionally or instead of the low beam distribution in an area in the specified Light distribution (LV) illuminated, which leaves out the road user (s). Lighting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one projection lens (5) of each projection optics is a microlens, in particular with a diameter of 2000 micrometers or less, and / or that the multi-aperture projection unit (4) has ten or more projection channels and in particular comprises 100 or more projection channels. Lighting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light module (2) comprises one or more LEDs and / or one or more laser diodes as the light source or light sources (2a). Lighting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source or light sources (2a) of the light module (2) are monochromatic light sources (2a). Lighting device according to Claim 9 , characterized in that each projection channel (7) of the multi-aperture projection unit (4) comprises a converter in order to convert the monochromatic light of a deflected light beam (LS ') illuminating the respective projection channel into white light, which is then applied to the object structure (9a, 9b, ..., 9e) of the respective projection channel (7) falls. Lighting device according to Claim 10 , characterized in that the converters of all projection channels (7) of the multi-aperture projection unit (4) are formed by a common converter layer (6). Lighting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflection unit (3a) of the scanning device (3) comprises at least one movable mirror for deflecting the light beam (LS), in particular at least one MEMS mirror. Lighting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the scanning device (3) is a vector scanner, with the control device (3a) of which the predetermined scanning path of the deflected light beam (LS ') can be changed. Motor vehicle, comprising one or more lighting devices (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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