EP3765781B1 - Light module for motor vehicle headlight - Google Patents

Description

The present application relates to a light module for a motor vehicle headlight according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a light module is from EP 3 163 155 A1 known. the US 8,733,992 B1 shows a fog light. From the WO 2015/058227 A1 a light module having micro-projectors for motor vehicle headlights is known. From the abstract of JP-2017-084581A a light module for a motor vehicle having a plurality of primary optics and a plurality of secondary optics is known.

In this application, location information such as above and below always refers to an orientation of the light module that corresponds to its orientation when used as intended corresponds to a motor vehicle.

the U.S. 6,948,836 B2 discloses a low-beam module that creates a light-dark boundary through an approximately horizontal mirrored panel. The light used to generate a low beam distribution is generated by a semiconductor light source and bundled by a reflector. The bundled light is directed onto the front edge of the aperture from above. An image of the edge of the aperture is projected onto the road by a light decoupling optics implemented as a projection lens as the light-dark boundary of a low beam distribution.

From the DE 10 2008 036 192 A1 an LED bi-function module for generating a low beam and high beam distribution of a motor vehicle headlight is known. A horizontal panel is thin here and is additionally illuminated from below to generate the high beam component. Reflectors or catadioptric optics are used to collimate the LED light.

From the DE 10 2014 226 650 A1 a lighting device for motor vehicles is known which implements at least three light functions such as low beam, high beam, daytime running lights and/or position lights. Here, the low beam is analogous to the description in the U.S. 6,948,836 B2 and the high beam and daytime running lights in a similar way as in the DE 10 2008 036 192 A1 generated.

A light module that is assumed to be known per se has a first semiconductor light source and a first primary optics, which bundles light from the first semiconductor light source into a first focal region. The known light module also has a second semiconductor light source and a second primary optics, which bundles light from the second semiconductor light source into a second focal area. The known light module also has a diaphragm combination that protrudes into the first focal region and into the second focal region and is delimited by a diaphragm edge, and refractive secondary optics, which collects light from the focal regions of the first semiconductor light source and the second semiconductor light source and directs it into an area in front of the light module and thus, for example, illuminates a road ahead of a motor vehicle.

Based on the state of the art having these features, the object of the invention is to construct a light module that is as compact as possible, with which at least one low beam distribution can be generated and which is as simple as possible and can be produced with minimal manufacturing and/or adjustment effort of its optical elements is.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. The light module according to the invention differs from the prior art mentioned at the outset EP 3 163 155 A1 by its distinctive features.

Due to the fact that the second focal area is different from the first focal area, and that the secondary optics has a first partial volume, which is in the beam path of light from the first semiconductor light source, which emanates from the first focal area, and has a second partial volume, which is in the beam path of light of the second semiconductor light source, which emanates from the second focal region, a first low-beam light beam path results, which has the first semiconductor light source, the first primary optics and the first partial volume, and a second low-beam light beam path, which has the second semiconductor light source, the second primary optics and the second partial volume. The two low-beam beam paths result in more possibilities for optimizing the overall light distribution generated by the light module than with only one low-beam beam path.

Because the low beam beam paths can be switched on and off or dimmed separately, for example, different light distributions can be generated through different combinations, e.g. city light or motorway light. City light is characterized by a comparatively wide light distribution with a comparatively small range, while highway light is characterized by a comparatively narrow light distribution and a comparatively large range.

Because the light module has a one-piece, refractive secondary optics, a specified, required accuracy of the positioning of the two partial volumes of the secondary optics to each other and in Relation to the focal areas of the primary optics with a lower manufacturing precision of the components involved and / or a reduced adjustment effort than when using multi-part secondary optics.

Because a light entry surface of the first partial volume has a shape that bundles the first beam path more strongly in a horizontal direction when the light module is used as intended than in a vertical direction when it is used as intended, the light propagating in the associated first beam path is focused on a horizontal Concentrated towards a comparatively narrow area, so that there is a comparatively large brightness and range.

Because a light exit surface of the secondary optics for both partial volumes has a shape that bundles the light emerging from the light exit surface from the first semiconductor light source and the second semiconductor light source more strongly in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction when used as intended, a similar brightness profile for both partial volumes is achieved in generated in the vertical direction.

Because the light entry surface of the second partial volume is designed such that the second partial volume bundles the light from the second semiconductor light source less strongly in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction, a light component of a low beam distribution that is broad in the horizontal direction is generated.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the light exit surface of the secondary optics is a generally cylindrical-convex light exit surface, with the axis of the cylinder extending transversely to the main emission direction of the light module.

It is also preferred that the light module has a combination of a low beam module and a high beam module.

It is also preferred that the light module is set up to generate at least two low-beam beam paths and at least two high-beam beam paths.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the two low-beam beam paths run adjacent to one another between the two high-beam beam paths.

It is also preferred that the secondary optics has a separate light entry surface for each low-beam beam path and for each high-beam beam path.

It is also preferred that a first low beam beam path is generated with the following elements: two low beam semiconductor light sources, two catadioptric primary optics for bundling the light of the low beam semiconductor light sources, one in the Focal area of the two primary optics projecting mirrored diaphragm combination, which has a step, and with a projection lens, which is a partial volume of the refractive secondary optics.

A further preferred configuration is characterized in that a light entry surface of this partial volume is set up to concentrate the light more strongly in a horizontal plane when the light module is used as intended than in a vertical plane.

It is also preferred that the second low beam beam path is generated with the following elements: two low beam semiconductor light sources, two catadioptric primary optics for bundling the light of the low beam semiconductor light sources, a mirrored diaphragm half that projects into the focal area of the two primary optics and has no step, and with one Lens, which is another sub-volume of the refractive secondary optics.

It is also preferred that the light entry surface of the further partial volume is a concave free-form surface.

Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the low beam and high beam primary optics are catadioptric primary optics.

It is also preferred that the light module has a signal light module, for example a daytime running light and/or a position light and/or a flashing light module.

It is further preferred that the catadioptric low-beam and high-beam primary optics together with a signal light attachment optics are components of a one-piece cohesive attachment optics combination made of transparent plastic.

It is also preferred that the signal light attachment optics is a Fresnel lens.

Further advantages result from the following description, the drawings and the dependent claims. It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Kraftfahrzeugscheinwerfers;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht des Kraftfahrzeugscheinwerfers aus der Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine Schrägansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls;

Figur 4

eine Schrägansicht eines Kühlkörpers mit einer Platine des Lichtmoduls aus Figur 3;

Figur 5

eine Schrägansicht von Bestandteilen des Lichtmoduls der Figur 4 zusammen mit einer Vorsatzoptikkombination;

Figur 6

eine Schrägansicht der Bestandteile des Lichtmoduls der Figur 5 zusammen mit weiteren Bestandteilen eines Lichtmoduls;

Figur 7

eine Draufsicht auf Bestandteile des Lichtmoduls der Figur 6

Figur 8

eine Schrägansicht einer lichtbrechenden Sekundäroptik eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls;

Figur 9

eine Draufsicht auf Bestandteile eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls mit zwei Abblendlichtstrahlengängen;

Figur 10

eine Draufsicht auf Bestandteile eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls mit einem zweiten Abblendlichtstrahlengang;

Figur 11

eine Draufsicht auf Bestandteile eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls mit zwei Fernlichtstrahlengängen;

Figur 12

eine Draufsicht auf Bestandteile eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls mit zwei Abblendlichtstrahlengängen und zwei Fernlichtstrahlengängen;

Figur 13

eine Draufsicht auf Bestandteile eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls mit einem Signallichtstrahlengang;

Figur 14

eine Seitenansicht von Bestandteilen eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls mit Abblendlichtstrahlengängen und/oder Fernlichtstrahlengängen und einem Signallichtstrahlengang; und

Figur 15

eine Schrägansicht von Bestandteilen eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls mit Abblendlichtstrahlengängen, Fernlichtstrahlengängen und einem Signallichtstrahlengang.

Show, each in schematic form:

figure 1

a plan view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle headlight;

figure 2

a side view of the motor vehicle headlight from the figure 1 ;

figure 3

an oblique view of an embodiment of a light module according to the invention;

figure 4

shows an oblique view of a heat sink with a circuit board of the light module figure 3 ;

figure 5

an oblique view of components of the light module figure 4 together with a lens combination;

figure 6

an oblique view of the components of the light module figure 5 together with other components of a light module;

figure 7

a plan view of components of the light module of FIG figure 6

figure 8

an oblique view of a refractive secondary optics of a light module according to the invention;

figure 9

a plan view of components of a light module according to the invention with two low-beam beam paths;

figure 10

a plan view of components of a light module according to the invention with a second low beam beam path;

figure 11

a plan view of components of a light module according to the invention with two high-beam beam paths;

figure 12

a plan view of components of a light module according to the invention with two low beam paths and two high beam paths;

figure 13

a plan view of components of a light module according to the invention with a signal light beam path;

figure 14

a side view of components of a light module according to the invention with low beam beam paths and / or high beam beam paths and a signal light beam path; and

figure 15

an oblique view of components of a light module according to the invention with low beam beam paths, high beam beam paths and a signal light beam path.

The same reference symbols in different figures denote the same or at least their function comparable items.

In detail, the figure 1 a plan view of a motor vehicle headlight 10 with a horizontally cut housing 12, the light exit opening is covered by a transparent cover plate 14. figure 2 shows the headlight from the figure 1 in a side cut. An exemplary embodiment of a light module 16 according to the invention is arranged in the interior of the housing 12 . The light module 16 has a first semiconductor light source 18 and a first primary optics 20 which bundles light 22 from the first semiconductor light source 18 into a first focal region 24 . The light module 16 also has a second semiconductor light source 26 and a second primary optics 28 which bundles light 30 from the second semiconductor light source 26 into a second focal region 32 . A diaphragm combination 34 implemented as a mirror diaphragm protrudes into the first focal area 24 and into the second focal area 32 . A refractive secondary optics 36 arranged in the luminous flux downstream of the diaphragm 34 collects light emanating from the focal regions of the first semiconductor light source and the second semiconductor light source and directs this light in an area in front of the light module 16 and the motor vehicle headlight 10, for example to illuminate a roadway.

The second focal area 32 differs from the first focal area 24 . Both focal areas 24, 32 are preferably next to each other, and they can overlap. The spatial dimensions of both focal areas 24, 32 can be identical. The refractive secondary optics 36 is a one-piece cohesive solid and has a first partial volume 36 . This beam path is a first low beam beam path. The secondary optics 36 also has a second partial volume 36.7, which lies in the beam path of light 30 from the second semiconductor light source 26, which emanates from the second focal region 32. This beam path is a second low beam beam path.

According to the invention, a light entry surface of the first partial volume 36.6 has a shape that bundles the first low-beam light beam path more strongly in a horizontal direction when the light module 16 is used as intended than in a vertical direction when it is used as intended. A light exit surface of the secondary optics 36 for both partial volumes 36.6, 36.7 has a shape that bundles the light 22 exiting the light exit surface from the first semiconductor light source 18 and light 30 from the second semiconductor light source 26 more strongly in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction when used as intended. The light entry surface of the second partial volume 36.7 is designed in such a way that the second partial volume 36.7 as a whole bundles the light from the second semiconductor light source 26 less strongly in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction.

figure 3 shows an advantageous embodiment of a light module 16 according to the invention, which is able to produce several different light distributions.

On the back of the light module 16 there is a heat sink 38 which has a plurality of cooling ribs in the form of representation shown. The heat sink 38 is mechanically connected to a holding frame 40 . The optical components required for generating light distributions, such as light sources and primary optics, and secondary optics 36 are fastened to the holding frame 40 and/or the heat sink 38 .

The light module 16 has a signal light component from which in the figure 1 a transparent lens 42 having scattering structures can be seen. In addition, the light module 16 has a combination of a low beam module and a high beam module, of which combination in the figure 1 the refractive secondary optics 36 is visible. Other parts of the signal light component and the combination of a low beam module and a high beam module are in the figure 1 covered by opaque covers 44.

Furthermore, a bracket 46 for the mechanical headlight range control is attached to the holding frame 40 of the light module 16 . An axis of rotation 50 of a headlamp leveling system is defined by a suspension 48 fastened laterally, for example, to the holding frame 40 . An actuator (not shown) acts on the boom 46 from below and pivots the boom 46 and thus the entire light module 16 in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation 50 .

figure 4 shows the cooling body 38 from FIG figure 3 together with a circuit board 52 attached thereto. Circuit board 52 has first low-beam semiconductor light sources 18.1, 18.2 for a first low-beam beam path, second low-beam semiconductor light sources 26.1, 26.2 for a second low-beam beam path, first high-beam semiconductor light sources 54.1, 54.2 for a first high-beam beam path, second high-beam light -Semiconductor light sources 56.1, 56.2 for a second high beam path, and a signal light semiconductor light source 58.

The semiconductor light sources preferably have a square light exit surface. The low-beam semiconductor light sources 18.1, 18.2 of the first low-beam light beam path are arranged rotated relative to the low-beam semiconductor light sources 26.1, 26.2 of the second low-beam light beam path. The low-beam semiconductor light sources and the high-beam semiconductor light sources are arranged next to one another, with the low-beam semiconductor light sources 18.1, 18.2, 26.1, 26.2 being arranged centrally and the high-beam semiconductor light sources 54.1, 54.2 of the first high-beam beam path on the outside next to the low-beam semiconductor light sources 18.1, 18.2 of the first low beam path are arranged and the high beam semiconductor light sources 56.1, 56.2 of the second high beam path are arranged laterally outside next to the low beam semiconductor light sources 26.1, 26.2 of the second low beam path. In height the high beam semiconductor light sources are all at a first level and the low beam semiconductor light sources are all at a second level. The second level is above the first level. The semiconductor light source 58 for the signal light is centrally arranged above the low beam semiconductor light sources and the high beam semiconductor light sources.

A connector 60 is arranged on circuit board 52 below the semiconductor light sources, which plug serves as an interface for supplying energy to the semiconductor light sources mounted on circuit board 52 and for controlling the semiconductor light sources by a light control device.

figure 5 shows the subject of figure 4 after mounting an attachment optics combination 62. The attachment optics combination 62 consists of an attachment optics 64 for the signal light semiconductor light source and one primary optics 20.1, 20.2, 28.1, 28.2 for each low beam semiconductor light source and one primary optics 64.1, 64.2, 66.1, 66.2 for each high beam -Semiconductor light source. The front optics 64 are arranged in front of the signal light semiconductor light source 58 . In each case one primary optics is arranged in front of one low-beam semiconductor light source and one high-beam semiconductor light source.

The attachment optics combination 62 is preferably a one-piece plastic injection molded part. The signal light attachment optics 64 is a Fresnel lens in the illustrated embodiment. The low beam and High beam primary optics 20.1, 20.2, 28.1, 28.2, 64.1, 64.2, 66.1, 66.2 are catadioptric primary optics in the embodiment shown. They are preferably, together with the signal light attachment optics 64, components of the one-piece cohesive attachment optics combination 62 made of transparent plastic.

the figure 6 shows the subject of Figures 3 to 5 together with an aperture combination 68, the structured lens 42 for the signal light, the secondary optics 36 and a secondary optics holder 37, which is used to attach the secondary optics 36 to the rest of the light module and which also has no optical function.

The diaphragm combination 68 serves as a diaphragm for the low beam distribution and is located between the front lens combination 62 on the one hand and the secondary lens 36 on the other side. In the embodiment shown, the diaphragm combination 68 is a mirror diaphragm which has a reflecting diaphragm surface. The reflective panel surface protrudes into the low beam beam path. The diaphragm combination 68 is arranged in such a way that its diaphragm edge facing the secondary optics 36 is illuminated by all low-beam semiconductor light sources. The reflecting screen surface preferably encloses an acute angle, that is to say an angle which is less than 90°, with the light rays which are incident from the primary optics of the low beam and impinge on the reflecting screen surface. At least most of the is preferred reflective panel surface is aligned horizontally when the light module 16 is used as intended, or has only an angle of inclination to the horizontal that is less than 30°. The reflecting surface of the screen reflects the incident light back into the low beam beam path, which contributes to the good optical efficiency of the light module. The optical efficiency is the proportion of the light generated by the low beam semiconductor light sources that ultimately contributes to the generation of the desired light distribution in front of the light module.

The panel combination 68 has a first panel half 68.1 and a second panel half 68.2. The first screen half 68.1 has a step 68.3. The step 68.3 consists of three sub-areas, which in each case border one another in pairs and of which the two outer sub-areas are arranged offset in relation to one another in the vertical direction when the light module is used as intended. The step is arranged in such a way that a surface normal of the inner partial surface located between the two outer partial surfaces is transverse to the main emission direction 70 of the light module.

A side of the diaphragm combination 68 that faces the secondary optics 36 and is delimited by a diaphragm edge projects into the focal regions 24, 32 (cf figure 1 ) of the low beam beam paths. The step 68.3 is arranged in such a way that it protrudes into the beam path of the first low beam beam path. This step 68.3 is used to generate a step in the light-dark boundary of an asymmetrical low beam distribution. The the level 68.3 exhibiting (first) low-beam beam path is a low-beam beam path that bundles the light strongly.

The other low-beam beam path is the second low-beam beam path, which bundles the light less and distributes it more widely. The second diaphragm half projecting into this second low beam beam path preferably has no step. In principle it is possible to use several individual diaphragms instead of a diaphragm combination 68 . In order to reduce the number of components of the light module 16, an embodiment in the form of a one-piece screen combination 68 is preferred.

In principle, it is also possible that the diaphragm combination 68 is only narrow along the main light propagation direction of the light in the low beam beam paths (e.g. like the narrow side of a metal sheet that is e.g. less than 1 mm thick), so that the step 68.3 is only part of a contoured one edge of a thin metal sheet. In this case, the diaphragm can also extend in the vertical direction, starting from the optically effective diaphragm edge. The optically effective edge of the screen, which is imaged as the light-dark boundary of the low beam distribution in the area in front of the light module, is then an upper edge of the screen.

the figure 6 shows in particular a preferred configuration of the light exit surface 36.1 of the secondary optics 36 as a generally cylindrical-convex light exit surface, with an axis 71 of the cylinder extending transversely to the main emission direction 70 of the Light module 16 extends. When the light module 16 is used as intended, the main direction of emission 70 coincides with the straight-ahead direction of travel of the motor vehicle and lies parallel to an imaginary line in the figure 4 runs through the center points of the high beam semiconductor light sources 54.1, 54.2, 56.1, 56.2 and parallel to another imaginary line that runs through the center points of the low beam semiconductor light sources 18.1, 18.2, 26.1, 26.2. In planes that are perpendicular to these lines and that intersect the secondary optics 36, the cross-sectional shape of the refractive secondary optics 36 does not change. An exception applies at most to the left and right end of the light exit surface 36.1, which, however, each extends over less than 5% of the length of the light exit surface 36.1 in the direction of the cylinder axis.

figure 7 shows parts of the light module 16 in a plan view. In the example shown, the light from the associated semiconductor light sources exiting from the second pair of primary optics 20.1, 20.2, viewed from the left, runs in a first low-beam light beam path, and the light from the associated semiconductor light sources, exiting from the third pair of primary optics 28.1, 28.2, viewed from the left, runs in a second low beam beam path. A first high beam path runs to the left of the two low beam beam paths, and a second high beam path runs to the right of the two low beam beam paths.

figure 7 also shows that the light entry surfaces of the refractive secondary optics 36 in a plane in which the Cylinder axis 71 and the main emission direction 70 of the light module 16 are, have different shapes. The secondary optics has a separate light entry surface for each low-beam beam path and each high-beam beam path. The light entry surface 36.2 is a light entry surface of the first high beam path. The light entry surface 36.3 is a light entry surface of the first low-beam light beam path and delimits an imaging partial volume 36.6 of the refractive secondary optics 36. The light entry surface 36.4 is a light entry surface of the second low-beam light beam path and delimits a horizontally fanning and vertically focusing partial volume (36.7) of the light-refracting secondary optics. The light entry surface 36.5 is a light entry surface of the second high beam path. The individual light entry surfaces are next to each other in the same order as the associated pairs of primary optics.

figure 8 shows the secondary optics from the figure 7 with a view of the four light entry surfaces 36.2, 36.3, 36.4, 36.5 of the four beam paths. The refractive secondary optics 36 is a one-piece component. The shape of the two light entry surfaces 36.2, 36.5 of the partial volume of the refractive secondary optics of the high beam path and the light entry surface 36.3 of the partial volume of the refractive secondary optic of the first low beam path are convex in the plane mentioned, in which the cylinder axis 71 and the main emission direction 70 of the light module 16 lie, while the shape of the light entry surface 36.4 of the partial volume of the refractive secondary optics of the second Low beam beam path is concave in said plane.

In summary, the following structural and functional features and properties result. A low-beam light distribution is generated by superimposing light propagating in at least two low-beam light beam paths, with a first low-beam light path having an imaging partial volume of refractive secondary optics, while a second low-beam light path has a partial volume of refractive secondary optics, which scatters light in the horizontal plane and focuses it in the vertical plane . The two low beam beam paths are arranged next to each other directly adjacent (i.e. without further beam paths/light bundles running between them), so that the bundle cross section of the light propagating in the respective beam path can be and is also limited by the one-piece diaphragm combination, with the protruding into the respective beam paths Surfaces of the panel combination are offset from each other in the vertical direction only by the height of a stage that is projected as a stage of an asymmetric low beam distribution in a front of the light module. As a result, the panel combination can be produced easily and with low tolerances with regard to the height offset relative to one another. The number of low beam or high beam beam paths can be increased by adding beam paths horizontally or by placing beam paths one on top of the other. Through the measures described, the number of Parts that make up the light module 16 are reduced. This makes the system simpler and cheaper. In addition, the system tolerances are reduced. The one-piece realization of the secondary optics has the advantage over a separate realization of a light entry lens combination and a cylindrical lens that an exact positioning of such a lens combination to the cylindrical lens, be it through precisely manufactured holders or adjustment, is not necessary.

figure 9 shows a top view of the beam paths of the two low beam beam paths 72 and 74 in the example shown.

A first low beam beam path 72 is generated with the following elements: two low beam semiconductor light sources 18.1, 18.2, two catadioptric primary optics 20.1, 20.2 for bundling the light of the low beam semiconductor light sources 18.1, 18.2, a mirrored diaphragm combination 68 protruding into the focal area of the two primary optics 20.1, 20.2 with stage 68.3 and a projection lens, which is a partial volume 36.6 of a refractive secondary optics 36. The light entry surface of this partial volume 36.6 bundles the light more strongly in the horizontal plane than in the vertical plane. The light exit surface 36.1 has the cylindrical shape described and thus bundles the light less strongly in horizontal planes than in the vertical planes.

The second low beam beam path 74 is with the following Elements generated: Two low beam semiconductor light sources 26.1,26.2, two catadioptric primary optics 28.1, 28.2 for bundling the light of the low beam semiconductor light sources 26.1,26.2, one projecting into the focal area of the two primary optics 28.1, 28.2 mirrored diaphragm half 68.2 without step, a lens that a further sub-volume 36.7 of a refractive secondary optics 36 is. The light entry surface 36.4 of this further partial volume 36.7 is preferably a concave free-form surface. The light exit surface 36.1 has the cylindrical shape described and thus bundles the light less strongly in horizontal planes than in the vertical planes.

The light entry surface 36.4 is thus designed in such a way that the associated further partial volume 36.7 of the refractive secondary optics 36 bundles the light less in the horizontal plane than in the vertical plane. In the horizontal plane, this further partial volume 36.7 acts as a diverging lens, while in the vertical plane it acts as a convergent lens with the same image point as the partial volume 36.6 of the first low-beam light beam path 72.

The catadioptric primary optics of the low beam beam paths, i.e. the primary optics 20.1, 20.2, 28.1, 28.2 in the exemplary embodiment described, are designed in such a way that they bundle and deflect the light from the semiconductor light sources, so that the light from the semiconductor light sources emanating from these primary optics falls obliquely from above onto the front edge of the screen falls and focuses in the vicinity of the aperture edge, i.e. in a focal area of the primary optics becomes. In this way, a light distribution inside the light module with a light-dark boundary is created in the plane of the cover edge. The exact shape of this light-dark boundary is determined by the shape of the aperture edge. In the exemplary embodiment described here, a diaphragm half 68.1 of diaphragm combination 68 that protrudes into the first focal region, i.e. into the focal region of the first low-beam light beam path, is provided with a step 68.3, in order in this way to create a step in the course of the light-dark boundary of the to generate the external low beam distribution resulting from the light module.

This screen half 68.1 is in the first low beam path 72. The other screen half 68.2 of the screen combination 68 is in the second low beam path 74 and has no step. In this way, the second low-beam beam path 74 produces a straight, horizontally running external light-dark boundary.

The refractive secondary optics 36 are designed in such a way that they image the internal light distribution, which is generated in the plane of the aperture edge with step 68.3, onto the road. Since the light entry surface 36.3 of the partial volume 36.6 of the refractive secondary optics 36, which belongs to the first low-beam light beam path 72, bundles the light horizontally more than vertically and the light exit surface of this partial volume bundles the light vertically more than horizontally, resulting in a distorted image, i.e. the vertical and horizontal image scales are the same Not same.

The associated diaphragm half 68.2 of the diaphragm combination 68, which has no step, is illuminated in the second low-beam light beam path 74. In the second low-beam light beam path 74, the associated light entry surface 36.4 of the refractive secondary optics 36 is concave and focuses the light more weakly than the corresponding light entry surface 36.3 of the first low-beam light beam path 72. As a result, the light rays exiting in the second low-beam light beam path 74 from the refractive secondary optics 36 have a horizontally broader directional distribution than the light beams exiting in the first low beam beam path 72 from the refractive secondary optics 36 . This fanning out of the beams in the horizontal plane increases the width of the low beam light distribution. The distribution of the light and the width of the light distribution can be controlled by shaping the free-form surface serving as the light entry surface 36.4.

figure 10 shows a plan view of the second low-beam light beam path 74. It can be seen that due to the weaker bundling in the horizontal plane, the light cone is wider on the cylindrical light exit surface 36.1 of the refractive secondary optics than on the associated light entry surface.

As figure 9 shows is the width of the first Dipped light beam path 72 when the light exits the refractive secondary optics 36 is approximately the same size as when it enters the refractive secondary optics 36. It makes sense not to realize the second low beam path 74 as an external beam path. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second low beam path 74 lies between the adjacent first low beam path 72 and the adjacent second high beam path. Due to this position between two adjacent beam paths, a wide area of the light exit surface 36.1 of the refractive secondary optics 36 can be used to generate the widely distributed low beam component. The function of the adjacent beam paths is not disturbed by this. As a desirable result, the horizontal width of the light module 16 can be kept small.

figure 11 shows a top view of the high beam paths 76, 78. Each high beam path consists of the following elements: two high beam semiconductor light sources, two primary optics for bundling the light of the two high beam semiconductor light sources, a projection lens, which is a partial volume of a refractive secondary optics. Each light entry surface of a partial volume bundles the light more strongly in the horizontal plane than in the vertical plane. The cylindrical light exit surface bundles the light more strongly in the vertical plane than in the horizontal plane.

figure 12 shows a plan view of the two low beam beam paths 72, 74 and the two High beam beam paths 76, 78 in comparison. The focal lengths of the primary optics of the low beam and the high beam are the same in the embodiment described. The focal point of the primary optics for the low beam paths is approximately on the front edge of the diaphragm combination 68, the focal point of the primary optics for the high beam paths is approximately in the same plane. In general, however, the focal lengths can also be designed differently, which makes the system very flexible in design. As a result, the overall magnification of the optical system for the high-beam beam paths 76, 78 can be designed differently than for the low-beam light beam paths 72, 74. This can be advantageous, since different requirements are placed on the low-beam and high-beam distributions with regard to width, height and maximum illuminance.

figure 13 shows a plan view of a signal light beam path 80. The light from the signal light semiconductor light source 58 is bundled by the Fresnel lens 64 and directed onto the structured light pane 42. FIG. Prism-shaped structures on the structured lens 42 further bundle the light and distribute it in the desired angular range of a signal light or position light distribution. Advantageously, having each prism illuminate approximately the same angular range results in a bright and uniform appearance of the entire structured lens 42.

figure 14 shows the beam paths 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 of all Light functions of the light module 16 functions in a side view and figure 15 shows the beam paths 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 of all functions in an oblique view.

In a preferred embodiment, the low-beam semiconductor light sources can be switched and/or dimmed separately. This allows different light distributions to be generated, e.g. a wide city light with a large luminous flux of the second low beam path when the luminous flux of the first low beam path is not so high, or a motorway light with a large luminous flux of the first low beam beam path with a not so high luminous flux of the second low beam.

By inserting additional screens in the high-beam beam paths, which have a vertically running edge in the intermediate image plane of the high-beam beam path, external high-beam light distributions with vertically running light-dark boundaries can be generated. As a result, different high-beam beam paths can illuminate different angular ranges, and an electronically controllable partial high beam can thus be implemented. (so-called "matrix beam").

The number of low beam or high beam beam paths can be increased by adding beam paths horizontally or by placing beam paths one on top of the other. In the first case, the refractive secondary optics simply have to be extended horizontally. In the second case, an additional refractive secondary optic is required for each additional level. To save space and the In order to make the construction stable, it is advantageous in this case to arrange the beam paths offset from one another when stacked, so that a low-beam beam path is arranged above a high-beam beam path and a high-beam beam path is positioned above a low-beam beam path.

The signal light beam path can alternatively or additionally be used as a beam path for a flashing light. It is advantageous to use semiconductor light sources that glow yellow for this purpose, particularly if the beam path is to be used in parallel for signal light. However, it is also possible to use semiconductor light sources emitting white light and to color the front optics and/or the structured pane yellow.

In order to enlarge the luminous surface for a daytime running light function as a signal light function, the main beam beam paths can also be used for the daytime running light function. To do this, they are dimmed and switched on together with the daytime running (signal) light source, which illuminates both the surface of the structured lens and the associated surface of the refractive secondary optics.

The light module according to the invention can be used as a cornering light module because the light module is mounted such that it can rotate about a vertical axis and can be rotated in a controlled manner via a suitable actuator.

The semiconductor light sources are preferably light-emitting diodes. On Instead of light-emitting diodes as semiconductor light sources, a laser light source can also be used as the light source in conjunction with a phosphor platelet that is illuminated by the laser and thereby excited. This applies both to a subset of the light sources and to all light sources of the light module. As a result, the luminance of the light source and thus the maximum illuminance can be increased if necessary.

In a preferred embodiment, the light module does not have any components serving to generate a signal light light distribution. In this case, the light module is a bi-functional light module that can be used to generate low beam and high beam distributions.

The catadioptric primary optics can be implemented in whole or in part as concave mirror reflectors which, for example, have a metallic-reflecting coating and delimit a reflection volume filled with air. In this case, it is preferred that the circuit board plane is approximately horizontal and the semiconductor light sources arranged thereon radiate upwards, preferably vertically upwards, into the reflectors in order to direct their light in the direction of travel into the various intermediate image planes or focal areas.

The catadioptric primary optics can also be replaced in whole or in part by lenses or lens systems. Furthermore, it is also possible to replace the catadioptric primary optics in whole or in part with light guide optics.

Claims (14)

1. Light module (16) for a motor vehicle headlight (10), comprising a first semiconductor light source (18) and a first primary optical system (20) which focuses light (22) from the first semiconductor light source (18) into a first focal region (24), comprising a second semiconductor light source (26) and a second primary optical system (28) which focuses light (30) from the second semiconductor light source (26) into a second focal region (32), comprising an aperture combination (34; 68) projecting into the first focal region (24) and into the second focal region (32), and comprising a refractive secondary optical system (36) which collects light (22) from the first semiconductor light source (18) and the second semiconductor light source (26), which light emanates from the focal regions (24, 32), and directs said light into an area in front of the light module (16), the second focal region (32) being different from the first focal region (24), and the refractive secondary optical system (36) being in one piece, having a first partial volume (36.6) which is in the beam path of light (22) from the first semiconductor light source (18), which light emanates from the first focal region (24), and having a second partial volume (36.7) which is in the beam path of light (30) from the second semiconductor light source (26), which light emanates from the second focal region (34), a light entry surface (36.3) of the first partial volume (36.6) having a shape that focuses the first beam path (72) more strongly in a direction that is horizontal when the light module (16) is used as intended than in a direction that is vertical when used as intended, characterized in that a light exit surface (36.1) of the secondary optical system (36) for the two partial volumes (36.6, 36.7) has a shape that focuses the light from the first semiconductor light source and the second semiconductor light source, which light exits from the light exit surface (36.1), more strongly in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction when used as intended, and in that the light entry surface (36.4) of the second partial volume (36.7) is designed in such a way that the second partial volume (36.7) focuses the light from the second semiconductor light source less strongly overall in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction.
2. Light module (16) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light exit surface (36.1) of the secondary optical system (36) is a generally cylindrical-convex light exit surface, the axis (71) of the cylinder extending transversely to the main emission direction (70) of the light module (16).
3. Light module (16) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light module (16) has a combination of a low-beam module and a high-beam module.
4. Light module (16) according to claim 3, characterized in that the light module (16) is designed to generate at least two low-beam beam paths (72, 74) and at least two high-beam beam paths (76, 78).
5. Light module (16) according to claim 4, characterized in that the two low-beam beam paths (72, 74) extend adjacently to one another between the two high-beam beam paths (76, 78).
6. Light module (16) according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the secondary optical system (36) has a separate light entry surface (36.3, 36.4, 36.2, 36.5) for each low-beam beam path (72, 74) and for each high-beam beam path (76, 78).
7. Light module (16) according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a first low-beam beam path (72) is produced having the following elements: two low-beam semiconductor light sources (18.1, 18.2), two catadioptric primary optical systems (20.1, 20.2) for focusing the light from the low-beam semiconductor light sources (18.1, 18.2), a mirrored aperture combination (68) which projects into the focal region of the two primary optical systems (20.1, 20.2) and which has a step (68.3), and a projection lens which is a partial volume (36.6) of the refractive secondary optical system (36).
8. Light module (16) according to claim 7, characterized in that a light entry surface (36.3) of this partial volume (36.6) is designed to focus the light more strongly in a plane that is horizontal when the light module (16) is used as intended than in a vertical plane.
9. Light module (16) according to any of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the second low-beam beam path (74) is generated having the following elements: two low-beam semiconductor light sources (26.1, 26.2), two catadioptric primary optical systems (28.1, 28.2) for focusing the light from the low-beam semiconductor light sources (26.1, 26.2), a mirrored aperture half (68.2) which projects into the focal region of the two primary optical systems (28.1, 28.2) and has no step, and a lens which is a further partial volume (36.7) of the refractive secondary optical system (36).
10. Light module (16) according to claim 9, characterized in that the light entry surface (36.4) of the further partial volume (36.7) is a concave free-form surface.
11. Light module (16) according to any of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the low-beam and high-beam primary optical systems (20.1, 20.2, 28.1, 28.2, 64.1, 64.2, 66.1, 66.2) are catadioptric primary optical systems.
12. Light module (16) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a daytime-running-light, position-light or indicator-light module.
13. Light module (16) according to claim 11, characterized in that the catadioptric low-beam and high-beam primary optical systems (20.1, 20.2, 28.1, 28.2, 64.1, 64.2, 66.1. 66.2), together with a daytime-running-light, position-light or indicator-light attachment optical system (64), are components of a one-piece integral attachment optical system combination (62) made of transparent plastics material.
14. Light module (16) according to claim 13, characterized in that the daytime-running-light, position-light or indicator-light attachment optical system (64) is a Fresnel lens.

Images