WO2016074766A1 - Individual headlight for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an individual headlight (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one light source (2, 3) for emitting a first and a second light beam (4, 5), and a first and a second controllable deflection element (14, 15) for variably deflecting the first and second light beams (4, 5) onto a predefined illuminated surface (20) within a first and second spatial angle range (α₁, α₂), respectively, wherein illumination zones (18, 19) that are illuminated by said light beams (4, 5) correspond to the spatial angle range (α₁, α₂) on the illuminated surface (20). Furthermore, the illuminated surface (20) has two peripheral areas (22, 23, 24) and a central area (21, 25, 26), the two peripheral areas (22, 23, 24) making up a large part of the illuminated surface (20); the two illumination zones (18, 19) both extend into the central area (21, 25, 26) and each encompass only one of the two peripheral areas (22, 23, 24) in order for the surroundings of a motor vehicle to be illuminated better.

Description

 Single headlight for a motor vehicle

DESCRIPTION The invention relates to an individual headlight for a motor vehicle, having at least one light source for emitting at least a first and a second light beam, and having a first and a second controllable deflection element for respectively variably deflecting the first and the second light beam into a respective first and second light beam second solid angle range to a predetermined illumination surface. Corresponding to the respective solid angle regions on the illumination surface respective illumination areas, which are illuminated by the respective light beams. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with such a single headlight and a method for operating such a single headlight.

In beam-guided single headlights, a light beam is used to run a predetermined illumination surface, so scan or scan, and thus illuminate. Thus, for example, the illumination surface can be excited to emit light. The light beam is deflected variable via controllable deflecting elements, so that individual points of the lighting surface are traversed one after the other. Similarly, this is known from a screen of a cathode ray tube that is illuminated with an electron beam.

For example, DE 10 2010 048 659 B4 discloses a lighting device of a motor vehicle with a light source, a micromirror arrangement, an absorber and at least one optical element. Here, light from the light source is incident on the micromirror arrangement and is reflected by the latter, depending on the configuration of the micromirror arrangement, on the absorber or on an optical element. DE 10 2012 002 232 A1 describes an illumination device of a vehicle with laser light sources and with an optical system for setting a light distribution, wherein the laser light sources emit laser light of the colors red, green or blue. The optics comprises two mirror systems with respective fixed or movable mirror elements. The laser light sources are each assigned a mirror element of the first mirror system, by means of which the laser light is deflected onto the second mirror system in such a way that the laser light reflected by the second mirror system appears white. DE 197 37 653 A1 describes a lighting device with a plurality of electronically controllable and switchable between two mirror settings micromirrors, which form a mirror surface, which is illuminated by a light source. By switching a part of the micromirrors, a light distribution of a light leaving a light exit opening can be varied.

WO 2014/121 315 A1 describes a headlight for motor vehicles. The headlamp comprises a first group of at least two laser sources and a second group of at least two laser sources. The first and the second group of laser sources each generate at least two light bands. The light bands are directed to a light conversion means via a beam deflection means.

WO 2014/121 314 A1 discloses a headlight for a motor vehicle. In the headlight, a modulated light beam is directed via a pivotable micromirror onto a light conversion means. The light image generated at the light conversion means is projected onto a roadway. It is the object of the present invention to achieve an improved illumination of an environment of a motor vehicle.

This object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

The invention relates to an individual headlight, that is to say a single headlight, for a motor vehicle which has at least one light source for emitting a first and a second light beam. It Thus, at least two light beams are emitted by one or more light sources. The individual headlight further comprises at least a first and at least one second controllable deflection element for respectively variably deflecting the first and the second light beam in a respective first and second solid angle range to a predetermined illumination surface. It can also be provided here more than two light beams, for example, three light beams, each with at least one deflection, so then the individual headlamp has at least three deflection. In particular, the individual headlight for controlling the deflection elements may have a control unit. The respective solid angle regions correspond to respective illumination regions on the illumination surface which are illuminated by the respective light rays. Thus, in each case a partial area, the respective illumination area, the illumination area is traversed, respectively scanned or scanned, and thus illuminated or illuminated by the light beams. The light rays can also be pulsed. The solid angle ranges can be determined by at least two respective extreme positions of the controllable deflection elements. In these as well as in a plurality of intermediate positions of the deflection elements, the respective deflection elements can then direct the respective light beams on the extreme positions and the intermediate positions assigned points in the respective illumination area. In the respective extreme positions of the respective light beam can be directed by the controllable deflection on the edge of the footprint.

In order to improve the illumination, the illumination surface has two edge areas and a central area, wherein the edge areas make up a large part of the illumination area. The central area and the two border areas are disjoint, ie each different from each other without an overlap. The two footprints both extend into the central area and furthermore each comprise only one, respectively different, of the two edge areas. In the central region, which may for example comprise a center of the illumination surface, there is thus a respective part of the edge of the respective illumination regions. This has the advantage that the central area is illuminated not only by a light beam, but by at least two light beams. Since just the edges of the illumination areas have a particularly high brightness, the brightness in the central area is particularly greatly increased compared to the two edge areas, in particular by more than a factor of two. When The result is a spatial light distribution generated by the irradiation of the illumination surface with the light beams, which is radiated from the individual headlamp into an environment of the motor vehicle, in a region of the light distribution corresponding to the central region, preferably the center of the light distribution. This corresponds to the requirements a caused by the light distribution illumination of the surroundings of the motor vehicle, since in a central area a strong illumination is desired by a particularly bright light and in a peripheral area a weaker illumination by a less bright light. In this way, the required minimum brightness values in a central region of the light distribution are also easier to achieve, so that the light source can also have a lower beam power and be designed to be weaker. In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the light beams each have the same wavelength or wavelength distribution. This has the advantage that multiple light beams can be generated with only a single light source. Moreover, in the different areas, especially in the different edge areas, a uniform color of the light distribution is achieved.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment it is provided that the illumination surface comprises a surface of a, in particular fluorescent, converter element for converting the light beams into light of a different, larger wavelength. This has the advantage that a particularly pleasant spectrum of a light distribution emitted into the surroundings of the motor vehicle is thus achieved with the light beams.

In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the illumination surface comprises a transparent surface of the individual headlamp, in particular a surface of a disc and / or a surface of an optical lens of the individual headlamp. The disc may for example be part of a front glazing of the individual headlamp. This has the advantage that an environment of the motor vehicle without wavelength conversion can be illuminated directly by the light beams of the light source and in this environment so a light distribution is generated, which is particularly bright in the middle. By adjusting the wavelength of the light emitted by the light source, so the illumination of the environment can be set very precisely. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the two illumination areas overlap in the central area. Thus, an overlapping region of the illumination surface can be illuminated by the first light beam and the second light beam, wherein a first residual region of the illumination surface, which is different from the overlap region, can be illuminated by the first and not by the second light beam, and a second remaining region of the illumination surface, which is different from the overlap region and the first residual region, can be illuminated by the second and not by the first light beam. In this case, the first and / or the second residual region corresponds in each case to a majority of the first or second solid angle range. The overlapping area may preferably correspond to between 5 and 15% of the respective entire illumination areas or between 5 and 15% of the solid angle ranges or a solid angle range between 2.5 and 5 ° of at least one of the deflection elements. This has the advantage that a maximum brightness can be achieved in the central area or in the overlapping area by overlapping the illumination areas.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that at least one of the two deflection elements is arranged more remote from one of the two edge regions than from the other edge region and the illumination region assigned to this deflection element comprises the edge region which is more remote from this deflection element. It can be maximized at a given geometric arrangement of lighting surface and deflecting the average distance between the deflector and associated footprint. Thus, the angular offset of the light beam can be reduced within the footprint. This has the advantage that the resolution in the central area is improved. This corresponds to the requirements for a light distribution for a motor vehicle.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the deflection elements each comprise at least one micromirror. Micromirrors are usually operated resonantly or quasi-statically for beam deflection. Accordingly, in a peripheral region in which a direction of movement of a deflected beam must be reversed, very long residence times of the beam on the illumination surface generated. This is especially true for the resonant mode. Since the brightness of an irradiated area point is, according to Talbot's law, given by the intensity and the residence time of the beam at this surface point, the brightness in the middle of the illumination area is smallest and at the edge of the illumination area the largest. The factor between edge area and center is typically between 10 and 90 in the case of a micromirror. The use of micromirrors thus has the advantage that the brightness improvement in the central area is particularly high. An average brightness can thus be increased in the central region by a factor of, for example, at least 10 and up to 90 in comparison to an average brightness in the edge regions per micromirror.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the light source comprises a semiconductor light source, in particular a laser diode and / or a light emitting diode. This has the advantage that the light beams are generated particularly efficiently and when using a laser diode particularly high luminance can be achieved. The invention also includes a motor vehicle with a single headlight according to one of the described embodiments.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a single headlamp, ie a single headlamp, for a motor vehicle. This comprises radiating a first and a second light beam through a light source. It also comprises a respective variable deflection of the first and the second light beam into a respective first and second solid angle range to a predetermined illumination surface by a first and a second controllable deflection element. In this case, the illumination surface has two edge regions and a central region, and the edge regions make up a major part of the illumination surface. The driving of the deflecting element can be effected for example by a control unit. Finally, the method comprises illuminating respective illuminating regions corresponding to the respective solid angle regions on the illuminating surface, both of which extend into the central region and, moreover, each comprise only one of the two edge regions. The illumination can be done by a departure of the respective illumination areas with the respective light beam. All the features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or in isolation without the scope of To leave invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary

 Embodiment of a single headlamp; and

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary light distribution on an illumination surface, as can be produced by a further exemplary embodiment of an individual headlight.

The same or functionally identical elements are provided in the different figures with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a single headlamp. In the example shown, the individual headlamp 1 has a first light source 2 and a second light source 3, which are embodied identically here and emit, for example, monochromatic light of a predetermined wavelength, for example 450 nm, in the form of a first light beam 4 and a second light beam 5 as laser diodes. In the present case, the individual headlamp 1 also comprises a first and a second optical system 6, 7, which may each contain a plurality of optical components. In the present case, these are, for example, in each case a filter element 8, 9, a fixed deflection element 10, 11 and respective optical lenses 12, 13. The individual headlight 1 further comprises a first controllable deflection element 14 and a second controllable deflection element 15. Finally, the individual headlight 1 comprises In the example shown, a fluorescent converter element 16 and here also a converging lens 17. The illustration here is a sectional view perpendicular to an illumination surface 20 of the converter element 16 embodied here as a plane. The illumination surface 20 may alternatively also be curved.

After being emitted by the first and second light sources 2, 3, the respective first and second light beams 4, 5 pass through the respective first and second optical systems 6, 7 in order then to strike the first and second deflection elements 14, 15, respectively. At these controllable deflection elements 14, 15, the two light beams 4, 5 are deflected variable. Due to the variable deflection, the two light beams 4, 5 pass over a respective first and second solid angle range α- ₁ , α ₂ . In the figure, the light beam 4, 5 is shown in three exemplary positions or positions of the deflecting elements 14, 15 so that the first light beam 4 is shown as splitting into first light beams 4a, 4b, 4c and the second light beam 5 is shown as in three Light beams 5a, 5b, 5c splitting. The respective middle light beams 4b, 5b correspond to a deflection by the deflection element 14, 15 in a neutral position, the respective edge light beams 4a, 4c, 5a, 5c correspond to a deflection of the respective light beams 4, 5 by the two deflection elements 15, 15 in extreme positions. Between these two extreme positions, the deflecting elements 14, 15 are respectively pivoted so as to cover the first and the second solid angle range αι, 0: 2 with the respective light beam. In the illustration, the two solid angle regions c, 02 are each shown two-dimensionally in an xz plane, but in this example they also include a region which extends in the y direction perpendicular to the xz plane. Due to the variable deflection of the two light beams 4, 5, a respective first illumination area 18 and second illumination area 19 of an illumination area 20 of the converter element 16 are illuminated or driven off by the respective light beams 4, 5. The respective light beam 4, 5 is thus repeatedly guided or driven over the respective illumination area 18, 19, so that in the present case the illumination area 20 in the worn illumination areas 18, 19 is excited to shine. The light beams 4a, 4c, 5a, 5c deflected in the extreme positions of the respective deflection elements 14, 15 each determine an edge of the associated respective illumination area 18, 19 and excite it Emitting a light. Since the deflecting elements 14, 15 are embodied here as micromirrors, the deflecting elements 14, 15 are moved back and forth between the two extreme positions. Since the deflecting elements 14, 15 thus have a zero speed in the extreme positions and the brightness is given by a given intensity and a given dwell time at a point according to Talbot ^'s law, the brightness is at the edge of the respective footprints 18, 19 by a multiple higher than in a central region of the two footprints 18, 19.

In the present example, the two illumination areas 18, 19 adjoin one another in a center of the illumination area 20, so that this center is particularly bright. However, the two illumination areas 18, 19 could not adjoin one another directly but could be separated by a small area of the illumination area 20 which is not illuminated by the light beams 4, 5. Particularly advantageously, the two illumination areas 18, 19 may also overlap. In all cases, an increased brightness is achieved in a central area 21, in which the two illumination areas 18, 19 extend, whereas in a respective first edge area 22 and in a second edge area 23 of the illumination area 20 only the usual state of the art usual brightness is achieved. Since in the present example, the central region 21 corresponds to a central region of a light distribution and thus a center of illumination of an environment of the motor vehicle, this arrangement is particularly advantageous. In the arrangement shown here by way of example, the respective light sources 2, 3 and deflection elements 14, 15 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the illumination surface 20. Of course, asymmetric arrangements are possible.

It is also possible to adjust the respective deflection elements 14, 15 so that an average distance between the respective illumination region 18, 19 and the deflection element 14, 15 is maximized. In this case, at least one of the two deflecting elements 14, 15, in the present case both, is located more remote from one of the two edge regions 22, 23 than from the respective other edge region 23, 22. Thus, in the present case, the first deflecting element 14 is further away from the second edge region 23 arranged as from the first edge region 22. Accordingly, the second deflecting element 15 is arranged farther from the first edge region 22 than from the second Edge region 23. The respective illumination regions 18, 19 can now be displaced by setting the corresponding solid angle range θ |, a ₂ such that the respective deflection elements 14, 15 scan or extend the more distant edge regions 23, 22 of the illumination surface 20. In the present case would no longer include the second edge portion 23 but the first edge portion 22 and the first footprint 18 no longer the first edge portion 22 but the second edge portion 23. Moreover, now no longer corresponding to the respective edge light beams 4c and 5c edges of Illumination areas 18, 19 are located in the central area 21, but the margins corresponding to the edge light beams 4a, 5a. In this way, a smaller angular offset can be achieved, whereby the resolution in the central region 21 and at the central region 21 adjacent portions of the edge regions 22, 23 are improved.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary illumination surface of a further exemplary embodiment of a single headlight. The illumination surface 20, which extends in an xy plane, here has a first illumination region 18, a second illumination region 19 and a third illumination region 24. The first and second illumination regions 18, 19 overlap in a first central region 21. Here, both illumination regions 18, 19 are embodied in a rectangular shape and together also form a rectangle, which extends mainly in the x-direction. The third footprint area 24 also forms a rectangle which extends mainly in the x direction and in the example shown is longer in this direction than either of the two footprints 18, 19. In the present case, the third footprint is offset in the y direction from the first two footprints 18, 19 and overlaps with the first illumination area 18 in a second central area 25 and with the second illumination area 19 in a third central area 26. All three central areas 21, 25, 26 overlap here again in a region which in this example a Center M of the illumination surface 20 includes. It can be achieved by the overlap of all three footprints 18, 19, 24 in the center M and a surrounding area of the illumination surface 20, a maximum brightness. The illumination surface is here symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry A, which runs through the center M in the y-direction. Moreover, light functions, such as a dipped beam or a high beam can be realized by adjusting the amount of overlap or even certain illumination areas 18, 19, 24 are no longer illuminated by a respective light beam. Thus, for example, in the example shown, it is conceivable that a lighting of the entire illustrated illumination surface 20 corresponds to a high beam and, for example, a low beam function can be achieved by no longer illuminating or illuminating the first illumination region 18 and thus obscuring it.

Claims

CLAIMS: Single headlight (1) for a motor vehicle, with  - At least one light source (2, 3) for emitting a first and a second light beam (4, 5);  - a first and a second controllable deflection element (14, 15) for respectively variably deflecting the first and the second light beam (4, 5) in a respective first and second solid angle range (ai, 02) on a predetermined illumination surface (20), wherein the respective solid angle regions (ai, 02) on the illumination surface (20) correspond to respective illumination regions (18, 19) which are illuminated by the respective light rays (4, 5); characterized in that  - The illumination surface (20) has two edge regions (22, 23, 24) and a central region (21, 25, 26), wherein the edge regions (22, 23, 24) constitute a major part of the illumination surface (20), and  - The two Ausleuchtbereiche (18, 9) both in the central region (21, 25, 26) extend and beyond each only one of the two edge regions (22, 23, 24). Individual headlight (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light beams (4, 5) each have the same wavelength or wavelength distribution. Individual headlamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the illumination surface (20) comprises a surface of a converter element (16) for converting the light beams (4, 5) into a light of another wavelength. Individual headlamp (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the illumination surface (20) comprises a transparent surface of the single headlamp (1), in particular a surface of a disc and / or a surface of an optical lens of the individual headlamp (1). Individual headlamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that  the two footprints (18, 19) overlap in the central area (21, 25, 26). Individual headlamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that  at least one of the two deflecting elements (14, 15) is arranged more remote from one of the two edge regions (22, 23, 24) than from the other edge region (22, 23, 24) and the illuminating region associated with this deflecting element (14, 15) (18, 19) comprises the edge region (22, 23, 24) remote from this deflection element (14, 15). Individual headlamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that  the deflection elements (14, 15) each comprise a micromirror. 8. Single headlight (1) according to one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that  the light source (2, 3) comprises a semiconductor light source (2, 3), in particular a laser diode and / or a light-emitting diode. 9. Motor vehicle with a single headlight (1) according to one of the preceding claims. 10. A method for operating a single headlamp (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:  - emitting a first and a second light beam (4, 5) by at least one light source (2, 3);  each variable deflection of the first and the second light beam (4, 5) in a respective first and second solid angle range (α-ι, 02) on a predetermined illumination surface (20) by a first and a second controllable deflection element (14, 15), wherein the illumination surface (20) has two edge regions (22, 23, 24) and a central region (21, 25, 26) and the edge regions (22, 23, 24). 23, 24) make up a major part of the illumination surface (20); - Illuminating respective the respective solid angle ranges (α-ι, 02) corresponding illumination areas (18, 19) on the illumination surface, both extending into the central region (21, 25, 26) and above each only one of the two edge regions (22, 23, 24) include.