Lighting device for vehicle

A lighting device for a vehicle configured to create a segmented light function. The device includes a holding frame, a light source holder having first and second light source groups mounted thereto; and at least two optical elements. The light source holder, the first optical element (FOE), and the second optical element (SOE) are configured to be mounted to the holding frame. The FOE has a first protrusion, and the SOE has a second protrusion, and the holding frame includes first and second receiving elements configured to receive the first and second protrusions, respectively. The holding frame includes a first stopping element configured to engage a first contact surface of the FOE and a second stopping element configured to engage a second contact surface of the SOE. The lighting device further includes a cover element configured to secure the FOE and SOE against movement opposite to a main beam direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 23160752.4, filed Mar. 8, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, said lighting device is configured to create a segmented light function, in particular a segmented signal light, composed of at least two segments, said lighting device comprises:a holding frame with a longitudinal extension limited by a proximal end portion and a distal end portion opposite of the proximal end portion,a light source holder having a first light source group and a second light source group mounted thereto, wherein each light source group is configured to emit light along a, preferably common, main beam direction,at least two optical elements, whereina first optical element comprises a light receiving surface, a light emitting surface and a lateral surface, extending between the light receiving surface and the light emitting surface, said lateral surface of the first optical element has a longitudinal extension, anda second optical element comprises a light receiving surface, a light emitting surface and a lateral surface, extending between the light receiving surface and the light emitting surface, said lateral surface of the second optical element has a longitudinal extension,wherein the light source holder, the first optical element and the second optical element are configured to be mounted to the holding frame in a mounting position, in whichthe light source holder is disposed at the proximal end portion of the holding frame such that the main beam direction of the light source groups is oriented along the longitudinal extension of the holding frame,the light receiving surface of the first optical element and the light receiving surface of the second optical element are disposed at the proximal end portion of the holding frame, such that light from the first light source group is emitted towards the light receiving surface of the first optical element and light from the second light source group is emitted towards the light receiving surface of the second optical element, wherein light received via the light receiving surface of the first optical element traverses through the first optical element and gets emitted via the light emitting surface of the first optical element, and wherein light received via the light receiving surface of the second optical element traverses through the second optical element and gets emitted via the light emitting surface of the second optical element,the longitudinal extension of the lateral surface of the first optical element and the longitudinal extension of the lateral surface of the second optical element extend along the main beam direction respectively, andthe light emitting surface of the first optical element and the light emitting surface of the second optical element are disposed at the distal end portion of the holding frame,wherein the holding frame is configured to secure the first optical element and the second optical element in the mounting position, such thatthe first optical element and the second optical element are secured against a movement along the main beam direction beyond the mounting position and along a direction in a plane perpendicular to the main beam direction, andthe first optical element and the second optical element are spaced relative to each other by a gap, which is defined as a normal distance between the lateral surface of the first optical element and the lateral surface of the second optical element.

The invention also relates to a vehicle lamp, in particular a vehicle turn signal lamp, a vehicle headlamp or a vehicle taillamp, comprising a lighting device.

In the prior art lighting devices for vehicles, which are configured to create segmented light functions, in particular segmented signal lights, are well known. Usually, each segment of the segmented light function is created by a specific optical element (e.g. thick wall optics, which guide light via total internal reflexion towards a light emitting surface of the thick wall optic). In order to have a clean distinction between individual light segments, it is known to either have a relatively large gap between individual optical elements, or to dispose shielding elements or blinds between optical elements along the direction of light propagation. By installing blinds or applying large gaps, light from different optical elements can be distinguished more easily by an observer, resulting in a sharp and crisp visualization of the individual segments of the segmented light function. However, blinds and shielding elements make the entire lighting device more complex and such parts are difficult to apply and fixate in a vehicle lamp, because vehicle lamps are subject to vibrations and other mechanical forces. The alternative of having a rather large gap between individual optical elements deteriorates the optical impression of a holistic light function, which is being compiled of multiple segments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a lighting device for a vehicle, which is capable of creating a segmented light function and at the same has an improved, simplified construction.

To achieve this object a lighting device according to claim1is provided. Preferred embodiments are described in the depended claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the first optical element comprises a first protrusion, extending away from the lateral surface of the first optical element, and the second optical element comprises at least one second protrusion, extending away from the lateral surface of the second optical element, whereinthe holding frame comprises a first receiving element and a second receiving element, wherein the first receiving element is configured to receive the first protrusion of the first optical element and the second receiving element is configured to receive the second protrusion of the second optical element, wherein when the first protrusion is received by the first receiving element and the second protrusion is received by the second receiving element the first optical element and the second optical element are moveable along the main direction and immovable along a plane perpendicular to the main beam direction, whereinthe holding frame comprises at least one first stopping element configured to engage with a first contact surface of the first optical element and at least one second stopping element configured to engage with a second contact surface of the second optical element, wherein in the mounting position, the stopping element engages with the first contact surface and the second stopping element engages with the second contact surface, such that a movement of the first optical element and the second optical element along the main beam direction beyond the mounting position is blocked,wherein the lighting device further comprises a cover element, wherein in the mounting position, the cover element is mounted to the proximal end portion of the holding frame via mounting means, wherein the cover element is configured to secure the first optical element and the second optical element against a movement along a direction opposite to the main beam direction.

This has the advantage, that the first optical element and the second optical element are both secured (or fixed) along the direction of light propagation (the main beam direction), along a direction opposite to the direction of light propagation, and also along a (essentially vertical) plane, which is perpendicular to the direction of light propagation. Another advantage of the invention is, that the mounting position can be established in a convenient way, because the first optical element and the second optical element can slide along the main beam direction within the confined space defined by the frame element (which can also be described as a longitudinal hull or shell element) in order to arrive at the mounting position. The first receiving element, the second receiving element, the first stopping element, the second stopping and the cover element together advantageously provide a fixation of the first optical element and the second optical element within the frame element. Preferably, the lateral surface of the first optical element limits the first optical element in a direction orthogonal to the main beam direction, and the later surface of the second optical element limits the second optical element in a direction orthogonal to the main beam direction. The lighting device may comprise a third or more optical elements, wherein these additional optical elements may comprise protrusions equivalent to the first protrusion of the first optical element, furthermore, the frame element may comprise additional receiving elements, wherein each receiving element corresponds to a specific protrusion of a corresponding optical element. Each optical element may comprise two or more protrusions, wherein the frame element may comprise multiple receiving elements, wherein each receiving element corresponds to a specific protrusion and is configured to engage with its corresponding protrusion.

Advantageously, the holding frame further comprises at least one, preferably multiple, distance element, wherein in the mounting position the distance element is disposed at least partially between the first optical element and the second optical element and/or between the first optical element and the holding frame and/or between the second optical element and the holding frame, wherein the at least one distance element is configured to keep the gap between the first optical element and the second optical element and/or between the first optical element and the holding frame and/or between the second optical element and the holding frame, constant along the longitudinal extension of the first optical element, the longitudinal extension of the second optical element, and/or the longitudinal extension of the holding frame. This has the advantage of providing clear and distinguishable light segments. The distance elements may be disposed at the distal end portion or the proximal end portion of the frame element.

Advantageously, the holding frame is formed as a hollow body comprising an inner surface, said inner surface faces the first optical element and the second optical element in the mounting position, and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, wherein the first receiving element is disposed at the inner surface of the hollow body and the second receiving element is disposed at the proximal end portion.

Advantageously, the first contact surface is formed at the first protrusion of the first optical element and the second contact surface is formed at the second protrusion of the second optical element. Preferably the first contact surface is oriented perpendicular to the main beam direction. Preferably the second contact surface is oriented perpendicular to the main beam direction.

Advantageously, the first receiving element is formed as a groove along the longitudinal extension of the holding frame and the second receiving element is formed as a receiving recess formed at the proximal end portion of the holding frame, wherein the first protrusion of the first optical element is formed corresponding to the groove, and the second protrusion of the second optical element is formed corresponding to the receiving recess.

Advantageously, in the mounting position the light source holder is disposed relative to the first optical element and the second optical element, such that the first optical element receives light only from the first light source group and the second optical element receives light only from the second light source group.

Advantageously, the light source holder comprises at least two reference elements and the first optical element and the second optical element each comprise at least one counter reference element respectively, wherein each counter reference element is configured to engage with a corresponding reference element of the light source holder, such that in the mounting position the engagement of the reference elements with corresponding counter reference elements secure the position of the light source holder relative to the first optical element and the second optical element respectively, preferably such that the first optical element receives light only from the first light source group and the second optical element receives light only from the second light source group. Advantageously, the cover element comprises additional reference elements, which are located on the cover element in specific positions, such that, in the mounting position, the additional reference elements align with the reference elements of the light source holder and the counter reference elements of the first optical element and the second optical element. Preferably, the reference elements and the additional elements are formed as through holes, and the counter reference elements are formed as spikes, wherein the shape of the spikes correspond to the shape of the through holes.

Advantageously, the first light source group and/or the second light source group comprises two different types of light sources disposed alternating to each other on the light source holder, wherein a first light source type is configured to emit white light, wherein a second light source type is configured to emit non-white, in particular amber, light. This has the advantage of providing a larger variety in the creatable segmented light functions.

Advantageously, the light receiving surface, the light emitting surface and the lateral surface of the first optical element and/or the second optical element form a transparent solid body respectively, wherein light received by the light receiving surface traverses within the solid body towards the light emitting surface via total internal reflection at the lateral surface.

Advantageously, in the mounting position the holding frame at least partially, preferably fully, surrounds the lateral surface of the first optical element and/or the lateral surface of the second optical element.

Advantageously, in the mounting position the longitudinal extension of the holding frame, the longitudinal extension of the first optical element and the longitudinal extension of the second optical element are essentially parallel to each other.

Advantageously, the cover element is configured as a cooling device, in particular a cooling plate, wherein in the mounting position the light source holder is disposed between the cover element and the first optical element and the second optical element, wherein the cover element is disposed at a light source averting backside of the light source holder and is configured to cool the first light source group and the second light source group. Preferably, the cover element comprises of a flat portion, to which cooling fins are mounted, wherein the flat portion is oriented perpendicular to the main beam direction in the mounting position and the fins are located on the light source averting backside of the flat portion.

Advantageously, in the mounting position the mounting means mount the cover element, and preferably the light source holder, to the holding frame, wherein the at least one second protrusion of the second optical element comprises a through hole, wherein in the mounting position the mounting means extend from the cover element through said through hole and into the receiving recess at the proximal end portion of the holding frame, wherein the receiving recess is configured to engage with the mounting means in order to fasten the position of the cover element, the second optical element, and preferably the light source holder, at the proximal end portion of the holding frame.

Advantageously, the light source holder is mounted to the cover element, wherein the light source holder comprises a, preferably flat, light source holding surface, to which the first light source group and the second light source group is mounted to, such that the first light source group and the second light source group are disposed in the same plane, wherein in the mounting position the light source holding surface is oriented essentially orthogonal to the main beam direction.

Advantageously, in order to establish the mounting position, the first optical element and the second optical element are configured to be moveable relative to the holding frame, preferably insertable into a holding portion of the holding frame, along an insertion direction, which is essentially parallel to the main beam direction.

Advantageously, in the mounting position the light emitting surface of the first optical element and the light emitting surface of the second optical element are disposed essentially in the same plane.

Advantageously, the first stopping element is disposed at a distal end portion of the first receiving element, in particular, the first stopping element may limit the longitudinal extension of the first receiving element along the main beam direction.

Advantageously, the second stopping element is disposed at the proximal end portion of the frame element, in particular, the second stopping element may limit the longitudinal extension of the second receiving element along the main beam direction.

According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle lamp, in particular a vehicle turn signal lamp, a vehicle headlamp or a vehicle taillamp, is provided, comprising a lighting device according to the invention.

Terms indicating an orientation, like “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, etc., are to be understood as directions, when the lighting device is mounted to a vehicle head lamp that is installed in a vehicle in its designated position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a lighting device1according to the invention. The lighting device is preferably for a vehicle, said lighting device1is configured to create a segmented light function, in particular a segmented signal light, composed of at least two segments.

The lighting device1comprises a holding frame2with a longitudinal extension limited by a proximal end portion2aand a distal end portion2bopposite of the proximal end portion2a. The lighting device1comprises a light source holder3having a first light source group4aand a second light source group4bmounted thereto, wherein each light source group4a,4bis configured to emit light along a, preferably common, main beam direction x1. In the shown embodiment, the first light source group4aand the second light source group4bcomprises two different types of light sources disposed alternating to each other on the light source holder3. Preferably, a first light source type is configured to emit white light, wherein a second light source type is configured to emit non-white, in particular amber, light.

The lighting device1comprises at least two optical elements5,6. In the shown embodiment, three optical elements are shown. The third (and every additional) optical element is optional. A first optical element5comprises a light receiving surface5a, a light emitting surface5band a lateral surface5c, extending between the light receiving surface5aand the light emitting surface5b. The lateral surface5cof the first optical element5has a longitudinal extension. A second optical element6also comprises a light receiving surface6a, a light emitting surface6band a lateral surface6c, extending between the light receiving surface6aand the light emitting surface6b. The lateral surface6cof the second optical element6has a longitudinal extension. In the shown embodiment, the light receiving surfaces5a,6a, the light emitting surfaces5b,6band the lateral surfaces5c,6cof the first optical element5and the second optical element6form a transparent solid body respectively. Light received by the light receiving surfaces5a,6atraverses within the respective solid body towards its light emitting surface5b,6bvia total internal reflection at the respective lateral surface5c,6c.

The light source holder3, the first optical element5and the second optical element6are configured to be mounted to the holding frame2in a mounting position. In the mounting position, the light source holder3is disposed at the proximal end portion2aof the holding frame2, such that the main beam direction x1of the light source groups4a,4bis oriented along the longitudinal extension of the holding frame2. In the mounting position the longitudinal extension of the holding frame2, the longitudinal extension of the first optical element5and the longitudinal extension of the second optical element6are essentially parallel to each other.

Essentially, in the mounting position the holding frame2at least partially, preferably fully, surrounds the lateral surface5cof the first optical element5and/or the lateral surface6cof the second optical element6, as a shell-like structure.

The light receiving surface5aof the first optical element5and the light receiving surface6aof the second optical element6are disposed at the proximal end portion2aof the holding frame2, such that light from the first light source group4ais emitted towards the light receiving surface5aof the first optical element5and light from the second light source group4bis emitted towards the light receiving surface6aof the second optical element6, in order to form a segmented light function. For this purpose, light received via the light receiving surface5aof the first optical element5traverses through the first optical element5and gets emitted via the light emitting surface5bof the first optical element5and light received via the light receiving surface6aof the second optical element6traverses through the second optical element6and gets emitted via the light emitting surface6bof the second optical element6. The longitudinal extension of the lateral surface5cof the first optical element5and the longitudinal extension of the lateral surface6cof the second optical element6extend along the main beam direction x1respectively. Furthermore, in the mounting position the light source holder3is disposed relative to the first optical element5and the second optical element6, such that the first optical element5receives light exclusively from the first light source group4aand the second optical element6receives light exclusively from the second light source group4b.

The light emitting surface5bof the first optical element5and the light emitting surface6bof the second optical element6are disposed at the distal end portion2bof the holding frame2. Furthermore, in the shown embodiment, in the mounting position the light emitting surface5bof the first optical element5and the light emitting surface6bof the second optical element6are disposed essentially in the same, preferably vertical, plane.

The holding frame2is configured to secure the first optical element5and the second optical element6in the mounting position, such that the first optical element5and the second optical element6are secured against a movement along the main beam direction x1beyond the mounting position and along a direction in a plane perpendicular to the main beam direction x1. Furthermore, the first optical element5and the second optical element6are spaced relative to each other by a gap, which is defined as a normal distance between the lateral surface5cof the first optical element5and the lateral surface6cof the second optical element6.

In order to establish the secured connection of the first optical element5and the second optical element6within the holding frame2, the first optical element5comprises a first protrusion5d, extending away from the lateral surface5cof the first optical element5and the second optical element6comprises at least one second protrusion6d, extending away from the lateral surface6cof the second optical element6. The holding frame2comprises a first receiving element2d1and a second receiving element2d2. The first receiving element2d1is configured to receive the first protrusion5dof the first optical element5and the second receiving element2d2is configured to receive the second protrusion6dof the second optical element6. When the first protrusion5dis received by the first receiving element2d1and the second protrusion6dis received by the second receiving element2d2the first optical element5and the second optical element6are moveable (or slidable) along the main direction x and immovable along a plane perpendicular to the main beam direction x1.

The holding frame2further comprises a first stopping element2f1configured to engage with a first contact surface5eof the first optical element5and a second stopping element2f2configured to engage with a second contact surface6eof the second optical element6. In the mounting position, the first stopping element2f1engages with the first contact surface5eand the second stopping element2f2engages with the second contact surface6e, such that a movement of the first optical element5and the second optical element6along the main beam direction x1beyond the mounting position is blocked.

The lighting device1further comprises a cover element7, wherein in the mounting position, the cover element7is mounted to the proximal end portion2aof the holding frame2via mounting means7a. The cover element7is configured to secure the first optical element5and the second optical element6against a movement along a direction opposite to the main beam direction x1.

In the shown embodiment, the cover element7is configured as a cooling device, in particular a cooling plate, wherein in the mounting position the light source holder3is disposed between the cover element7and the first optical element5and the second optical element6. The cover element7is disposed at a light source averting backside of the light source holder3and is configured to cool the first light source group4aand the second light source group4b.

In the mounting position the mounting means7amount the cover element7, and preferably the light source holder3, to the holding frame2. The at least one second protrusion6dof the second optical element6comprises a through hole. In the mounting position the mounting means7aextend from the cover element7through said through hole and into the receiving recess at the proximal end portion2aof the holding frame2. The receiving recess is configured to engage with the mounting means7ain order to fasten the position of the cover element7, the second optical element6, and preferably the light source holder3, at the proximal end portion2aof the holding frame2.

The light source holder3may be mounted to the cover element7. The light source holder3comprises a, preferably flat, light source holding surface, to which the first light source group4aand the second light source group4bis mounted to, such that the first light source group4aand the second light source group4bare disposed in the same plane. In the mounting position the light source holding surface is oriented essentially orthogonal to the main beam direction x1.

FIG.3shows a partial back view of the assembled lighting device1, without the light source holder3and the cover element7mounted thereto.

FIG.5shows the lighting device1with the light source holder3mounted to the proximal end portion2aof the frame element2, without the cover element7mounted thereto.

FIG.2shows a partial front view, wherein the light emitting surface5bof the first optical element5and the light emitting surface6bof the second optical element6is depicted. Between the first optical element5and the second optical element6and the frame element2are distance elements2gand additional distance elements2h. In the mounting position the distance elements2g,2hare disposed at least partially between the first optical element5and the second optical element6and between the first optical element5and the holding frame2and between the second optical element6and the holding frame2. The distance elements2g,2hare configured to keep the gap between the first optical element5and the second optical element6and between the first optical element5and the holding frame2and between the second optical element6and the holding frame2, constant along the longitudinal extension of the first optical element5, the longitudinal extension of the second optical element6, and the longitudinal extension of the holding frame2.

As depicted inFIG.6and in more detail inFIG.4andFIG.5, the light source holder3comprises multiple reference elements3a,3band the first optical element5and the second optical element6each comprise multiple counter reference element5f,6frespectively. Each counter reference element5f,6fis configured to engage with a corresponding reference element3a,3bof the light source holder3, such that in the mounting position the engagement of the reference elements3a,3bwith corresponding counter reference elements5f,6fsecure the position of the light source holder3relative to the first optical element5and the second optical element6respectively.

As can be seen inFIG.7, in the shown embodiment, the holding frame2is formed as a hollow body comprising an inner surface2c, said inner surface2cfaces the first optical element5and the second optical element6in the mounting position, and an outer surface2eopposite to the inner surface2c. The first receiving element2d1is disposed at the inner surface2cof the hollow body and the second receiving element2d2is disposed at the proximal end portion2a.

In the shown embodiment, the first receiving element2d1is formed as a groove along the longitudinal extension of the holding frame2and the second receiving element2d2is formed as a receiving recess formed at the proximal end portion2aof the holding frame2. The first protrusion5dof the first optical element5is formed corresponding to the groove, and the second protrusion6dof the second optical element6is formed corresponding to the receiving recess. The first stopping element2f1is the end portion of the groove, the second stopping element2f2is the end portion of the receiving recess. In the shown embodiment, the first contact surface5eis formed at the first protrusion5dof the first optical element5and the second contact surface6eis formed at the second protrusion6dof the second optical element6.

In order to establish the mounting position, the first optical element5and the second optical element6are configured to be moveable relative to the holding frame2, preferably insertable into a holding portion of the holding frame2, along an insertion direction x2, which is essentially parallel to the main beam direction x1.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS