EP2291594B1 - Lighting unit for vehicle headlights and vehicle headlight - Google Patents

Lighting unit for vehicle headlights and vehicle headlight Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2291594B1
EP2291594B1 EP09772310.0A EP09772310A EP2291594B1 EP 2291594 B1 EP2291594 B1 EP 2291594B1 EP 09772310 A EP09772310 A EP 09772310A EP 2291594 B1 EP2291594 B1 EP 2291594B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lighting unit
housing
heat sink
emitting diode
unit according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP09772310.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2291594A1 (en
Inventor
Peter Frey
Christian Meier
Jürgen Beck
Siegfried FÖRSTNER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Osram GmbH
Original Assignee
Osram GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Osram GmbH filed Critical Osram GmbH
Publication of EP2291594A1 publication Critical patent/EP2291594A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2291594B1 publication Critical patent/EP2291594B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/12—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of emitted light
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V29/00—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • F21V29/50—Cooling arrangements
    • F21V29/70—Cooling arrangements characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21K—NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21K9/00—Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S45/00—Arrangements within vehicle lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, for purposes other than emission or distribution of light
    • F21S45/40—Cooling of lighting devices
    • F21S45/47—Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S45/00—Arrangements within vehicle lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, for purposes other than emission or distribution of light
    • F21S45/40—Cooling of lighting devices
    • F21S45/47—Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings
    • F21S45/48—Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings with means for conducting heat from the inside to the outside of the lighting devices, e.g. with fins on the outer surface of the lighting device
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V29/00—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • F21V29/85—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems characterised by the material
    • F21V29/89—Metals
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/141—Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/19—Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/19—Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
    • F21S41/192—Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a lighting unit for vehicle headlights according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Such a lighting unit is for example in the WO 2008/065030 A1 disclosed.
  • This document describes a lighting unit for a vehicle headlight with a light-emitting diode device and a metallic housing, which surrounds the light emitting diode device at least partially and which is provided with fastening means for mounting the lighting unit in a vehicle headlight.
  • These fastening means are designed such that they allow alignment of the LED chips with respect to the optics of the vehicle headlight.
  • the metallic housing can be connected to a heat sink for cooling the LED chips.
  • the production of the metallic housing is comparatively complicated and costly.
  • document JP 2008 098 185 is considered to be the closest prior art and discloses a vehicle headlamp with light-emitting diodes as the light source, each on a cooling device, which is disposed respectively within the housing.
  • the lighting unit according to the invention has a light-emitting diode device, a housing, in the interior of which components of an operating circuit for operating the light-emitting diode device are arranged.
  • the housing consists of electrically insulating material, preferably of plastic, and is provided with adjustment means for aligning the illumination unit in a vehicle headlight, and in the housing electrical connections for powering the illumination unit are embedded, so that they are accessible to mating contacts or socket contacts of a vehicle headlamp are.
  • the light emitting diode device of the lighting unit according to the invention is fixed on a surface of a heat sink made of heat conductive material, which forms a arranged on an outer side of the housing bearing surface for an external cooling system.
  • the combination of the aforementioned features of the lighting unit according to the invention ensures that the housing material can be used for electrical insulation of the electrical connections and the housing can be inexpensively formed, for example, as an injection molded part, in particular as a plastic injection molded part.
  • the heat sink allows a thermal coupling of the light emitting diode device to an external cooling system and thus ensures sufficient cooling or removal of heat from the light emitting diode device during operation of the lighting unit.
  • the first adjustment means ensure alignment of the light-emitting diode device fixed on the metallic heat sink with respect to any optics of the illumination unit and with respect to an optical system of the vehicle headlight.
  • second adjustment means are provided for the relative alignment of light-emitting diode device, housing or heat sink. These second adjustment means facilitate the alignment of their aforementioned components to each other during assembly of the lighting unit.
  • the electrical connections of the lighting unit according to the invention are housed in a trained as a plug or socket housing portion to allow electrical contact between lighting unit and vehicle headlights by means of a simple plug connection.
  • the electrically insulating material of the housing can be used in an advantageous manner for electrical insulation of the electrical connections.
  • the entire housing of the lighting unit or only designed as a plug or socket housing portion may be formed as a plastic injection molded part, in the plastic material, the electrical connections are embedded. As a result, a good fixation and electrical insulation of the electrical connections are achieved.
  • the first adjustment means advantageously comprise at least three protrusions which are arranged along an outer circumference of the housing of the illumination unit according to the invention, in order thereby to serve as a contact surface in the vehicle headlight.
  • the second adjustment means advantageously comprise a portion of the metallic heat sink and boundaries of a matching recess in the housing to prevent in the simplest possible manner rotational movements between the heat sink and the housing and to ensure a defined orientation of the light emitting diode device with respect to the housing.
  • the heat sink preferably has a disc-shaped portion which forms the bearing surface or thermal coupling surface for an external cooling system.
  • the heat sink is preferably made of metal, since metals have a very good thermal conductivity.
  • a metallic heat sink can also be used for the electromagnetic shielding of the lighting unit and of the vehicle headlight.
  • the metallic heat sink is advantageously connected in an electrically conductive manner to an electrical contact, which is at ground reference potential, of a mounting board on which electrical components of the operating circuit are mounted.
  • the metallic reflection surfaces of the vehicle headlight and any metallic housing parts of the vehicle headlamp can also be connected to the ground reference potential to ensure the electromagnetic compatibility of the vehicle headlamp as a whole.
  • the aforesaid disc-shaped portion of the heat sink and the boundaries of a fitting recess in the housing are designed to prevent rotation in order to prevent rotational movements of the heat sink about an axis perpendicular to its disk-shaped section in the housing.
  • the disc-shaped portion of the heat sink for this purpose preferably has a geometry deviating from the rotational symmetry.
  • the second adjustment means advantageously comprise pins attached to the housing, which bear against the metallic heat sink in order to ensure a play-free fit of the metallic heat sink in the housing.
  • the aforementioned webs can compensate for dimensional tolerances in the housing production.
  • the second adjustment means comprise at least three webs, which are integrally formed on the housing and together define a reference plane for the alignment of the light-emitting diode device or the surface of the metallic heat sink on which the light-emitting diode device is fixed.
  • a temperature sensor is preferably attached to the heat sink to monitor the operating temperature of the light emitting diode device. Since the light emitting diode device is fixed on the metallic heat sink, this has the same temperature as the light emitting diode device and offers, in contrast to the light emitting diode device, sufficient space for receiving a temperature sensor.
  • the lighting unit according to the invention can advantageously be used in a vehicle headlight, for example as a fog light or daytime running light or as a low beam or high beam.
  • the primary optics of the illumination unit can be adapted to the aforementioned applications accordingly. It is also also possible to use the lighting unit according to the invention for a direction indicator or as a tail light in the vehicle. For this purpose, for example, a translucent orange or red cover may be used as the primary optic.
  • the lighting unit according to the first embodiment of the invention has a designed as a plastic injection molded housing 200, a metallic heat sink 100 made of aluminum, a sealing ring 300 made of rubber or silicone, a mounting board 400 with thereon arranged electrical components (not shown) and conductor tracks (not shown) and contact surfaces (not shown), a light emitting diode device 500 and a primary optics 600.
  • the FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the lighting unit with its individual components. In the following, the aforementioned components of this lighting unit and their interaction will be described in more detail.
  • the housing 200 is in one piece and designed as a plastic injection molded part. It has a hollow-cylindrical housing section 210 and a housing section 230 designed as a plug.
  • the hollow-cylindrical housing section 210 has a circular-cylindrical side wall 211 and a bottom 212.
  • the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 has an outer diameter of 50 millimeters.
  • the circular cylindrical side wall 211 is provided with three elevations 213a, 213b, 213c arranged equidistantly along its outer lateral surface and at the same height above the floor 212, which project outwardly from the lateral surface and which serve as adjustment means for aligning the illumination unit in the vehicle headlight.
  • these three protrusions 213a, 213b, 213c define a reference outer diameter of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 for the alignment of the illumination unit in the vehicle headlight.
  • the outer diameter of the housing portion 210 is set to a value with high accuracy.
  • the upper edge 214 of the hollow cylindrical Housing portion 210 is provided with three equidistant along the circumference of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 arranged webs 214a, 214b, 214c.
  • These three webs 214a, 214b, 214c form coaxially arranged ring segments, which are integrally formed on the upper edge 214 of the circular-cylindrical side wall 211 and extend in the direction of the cylinder axis of the circular-cylindrical side wall 211.
  • the width of these webs 214a, 214b, 214c that is, their extent in the circumferential direction of the circular cylindrical side wall 211, corresponds to the width or extent of the elevations 213a, 213b, 213c along the outer circumferential surface of the circular cylindrical side wall 211.
  • the webs 214a, 214b, 214c are arranged along the circumference of the circular-cylindrical side wall 211 at the same locations as the protrusions 213a, 213b, 213c.
  • the upper edges of the three webs 214a, 214b, 214c define a plane which is perpendicular to the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 and serves as a reference plane for alignment of the light-emitting diode device 500.
  • the formed as a plug housing portion 230 is formed off-center on the bottom 212 of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 on the back.
  • the bottom 212 has a circular disk-shaped, arranged coaxially to the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 opening 215 through which a columnar portion 110 of the metallic heat sink 100 protrudes.
  • the bottom 212 is provided on the inside of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 with three pins 216 a, 216 b, 216 c, which are arranged equidistantly along the edge circular disc-shaped aperture 215 and parallel to Direction of the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 extend. These pins 216a, 216b, 216c abut against a circular cylindrical portion 111 of the columnar portion 110 of the metallic heat sink 100 and serve to align the metallic heat sink 100 in the plastic housing 200.
  • the pins 216a, 216b, 216c ensure a play-free fit of the metallic heat sink 100 in the housing 200 and prevent movements of the metallic heat sink 100 in all directions perpendicular to the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210.
  • the bottom 212 is provided on the inside with three further pins 217, which also extend parallel to the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 and the Fixing the mounting board 400 serve.
  • the tapered ends of these pins 217 protrude through openings 401 in the mounting board 400 and are hot caulked at the top, that is, at the side facing away from the bottom 212 of the mounting board 400.
  • the circular cylindrical side wall 211 has on its inside an annular collar 218, on which the sealing ring 300 rests.
  • the bottom 212 is also provided with two hollow webs 219, 220, which extend parallel to the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 and are arranged diametrically on the edge of the circular disc-shaped opening 215. These webs 219, 220 serve to fix the primary optics 600.
  • projections 229 a, 229 b are mounted, behind which the holder 610, 620 of the primary optics 600 engages.
  • the bottom 212 protrude a plurality of metal pins 221, which embedded in the plug 230 electrical connections of the lighting unit are electrically connected and which protrude through openings 402 in the mounting board 400 and soldered or welded to tracks or contact surfaces on the mounting board 400 or contacted by Pressfit or press-fit zone.
  • the electrical connections are furthermore connected to metallic contact pins 222, which protrude from the plastic material of the plug 230 and are accessible on the rear side of the lighting unit or of the housing section 230 designed as a plug.
  • the bottom 212 has on the outer side or rear side of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 a mating recess 223 for a disk-shaped portion 120 of the metallic heat sink 100.
  • This recess 223 is bounded by a circular arc-shaped wall portion 224 and a rectilinear wall portion 225.
  • a pressure equalization hole 227 attached, which allows in particular for closed systems, a pressure equalization in the vehicle headlight.
  • This pressure equalizing hole 227 is optional and may be covered by a pressure compensating membrane (not shown).
  • From the outside of the circular cylindrical side wall 211 are two reference lugs 228, which serve as a reference for the orientation of the illumination unit in the vehicle headlight. In particular, these reference projections 228 define an unambiguous installation position of the illumination unit in the vehicle headlight.
  • the metallic heat sink 100 is composed of a columnar portion 110 and a disk-shaped portion 120 formed at one end of the columnar portion 110.
  • the rear 120a of the disk-like portion 120 of the metallic heat sink 100 facing away from the columnar portion 110 serves as a support surface for an external cooling system.
  • the columnar portion 110 has a circular-cylindrical portion 111 which directly adjoins the disk-shaped portion 120.
  • the edge of the disk-shaped section 120 is formed by a circular-arc-shaped edge section 121 and a rectilinear edge section 122.
  • the rectilinear edge portion 122 of the heat sink 100 abuts the rectilinear wall portion 225 in the recess 223 and the circular arc-shaped edge portion 121 of the heat sink 100 abuts the circular arc-shaped wall portion of the recess 223.
  • the columnar section 110 of the heat sink 100 protrudes through the opening 215 in the bottom 212 of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 and the circular cylindrical portion 111 is free of play on the pin 216a, 216b, 216c.
  • the columnar portion 110 has at its end a plane parallel to the disk-shaped portion 120 extending, planar mounting surface 112, which is bounded by two mutually parallel side edges 113, 114.
  • the light-emitting diode device 500 is adhesively bonded by means of a placement machine in a well-defined orientation and distance from the side edges 113, 114.
  • the mounting surface 112 On both sides of the mounting surface 112 are each a parallel to the mounting surface 112 extending surface 115, 116, which are arranged at a lesser height above the disk-shaped portion 120 and are each provided with a recess 117, 118.
  • the columnar portion 110 of the heat sink 100 projects through an aperture 403 in the mounting board 400 such that the mounting surface 112 lies in the plane defined by the upper edges of the webs 214a, 214b, 214c and the metallic heat sink 100 is adhesively bonded at this level fixed to the housing 200.
  • a temperature sensor is arranged and fixed by means of thermally conductive paste.
  • the temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the light emitting diode device 500 during operation of the illumination device.
  • a metal spring is arranged, which presses with spring action against lying on ground reference potential electrical contact on the mounting board 400.
  • the metallic heat sink 100 is at the ground reference potential connected and becomes part of an electromagnetic shielding of the driver circuits for the light emitting diode device. The electromagnetic compatibility of the lighting unit is thus improved.
  • the sealing ring 300 is made of rubber or silicone and rests on the collar 218 on the inside of the circular cylindrical side wall 211.
  • the mounting board 400 is located, which carries the electrical components of the driver circuit for operating the light emitting diode device.
  • the mounting board 400 is formed in a circular disk shape and has a central opening 403 through which the columnar portion 110 of the metallic heat sink 100 projects with the light-emitting diode device 500 fixed thereon.
  • the mounting board 400, the sealing ring 300, the circular cylindrical side wall 211 and the bottom 212 of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 form an interior space.
  • electrical components (not shown) of an operating circuit for operating the light-emitting diode arrangement 500 are arranged and possibly interconnected by conductor tracks which are likewise arranged on the mounting board.
  • the mounting board 400 is preferably multi-layered formed and has in addition to the interconnects on the front and back an inner metal layer (not shown), which is embedded in the electrically insulating material of the mounting board 400 and connected to the ground reference potential of the operating circuit for the light emitting diode device 500 to increase the electromagnetic compatibility of the lighting unit ,
  • the aforementioned inner, lying on ground reference potential metal layer contributes together with the also lying on ground reference potential metallic heat sink 100 for electromagnetic shielding of arranged on the back of the mounting board 400 electrical components of the operating circuit for the light-emitting device 500 at.
  • the mounting board 400 is provided with three holes 401, which are arranged around the central opening 403.
  • the mounting board 400 sits on the pin 217, so that their tapered ends protrude through the openings 401. By hot caulking the tapered ends of the pins 217, the mounting board 400 is fixed to the housing 200.
  • the mounting board 400 also has four further holes 402, which are arranged at its edge, above the plug-formed housing portion 230 and through which the metal pins 221 protrude to allow an electrically conductive connection to contact surfaces on the front side of the mounting board 400.
  • the central opening 403 in the mounting plate 400 is designed so that holders 610, 620 of the primary optics 600 also project through the opening 403 and can engage in the hollow webs 219, 220.
  • the light-emitting diode device 500 consists of five light-emitting diode chips, which are arranged on a carrier plate in a row and surrounded by the walls of a frame. These light-emitting diode chips are provided with a phosphor coating (chip layer coating), which partially converts the blue light generated by the light-emitting diode chips into light of other wavelengths, so that the lighting unit emits white light during its operation.
  • the light-emitting diode chips are, for example, thin-film light-emitting diode chips, the basic principle of which, for example, in US Pat Reference I. Schnitzer et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 63 (16), 18 October 1993, 2174-2176 is described.
  • the light-emitting diode device 500 is aligned parallel to the side edges 113, 114 by means of a placement machine and glued centrally on the end face 112 of the columnar portion 110 of the metallic heat sink 100 equidistant from the edges of the face 112 serving as a mounting surface.
  • the light-emitting diode device 500 is electrically conductively connected to electrical contacts on the mounting board 400 and is operated by means of the operating circuit whose components are arranged on the mounting board 400.
  • the operating circuit supplies power to the LED chips 500 of the light-emitting diode device 500 and allows control of the electrical power consumption of the light-emitting diode device 500 as a function of the temperature of the light-emitting diode device 500 with the aid of the above-mentioned temperature sensor.
  • the temperature sensor can be designed for this purpose, for example, as a temperature-dependent resistor, in particular as an NTC resistor with a negative temperature characteristic.
  • the primary optics 600 is a transparent, dome-like cover of the light-emitting diode device 500 made of plastic or glass.
  • the primary optics 600 has two hook-shaped holders 610, 620, which are inserted into the hollow webs 219, 220 and whose hooks 611, 621 engage behind the projections 229a, 229b there.
  • the web 220 is provided with a slot having an oval cross section, while the web 219 has a cavity with a circular edge.
  • a clear orientation can also be specified for the primary optics 600. This is significant when the translucent dome-like cover 600 is replaced with primary optics with light directing properties.
  • the dome-like cover 600 can also be omitted or replaced by a primary optics with imaging properties or optical fiber properties, which directs or bundles the light from the light emitting diode device in predetermined spatial directions.
  • FIG. 9 the lighting device according to the first embodiment of the invention is shown in the assembled state of all its individual parts.
  • FIG. 10 shows a lighting unit according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • This lighting unit differs from the lighting unit according to the first embodiment only in that the lighting unit according to the second embodiment has three fastening devices 241, 242, 243, which are integrally formed on the housing 200 of the lighting unit according to the second embodiment of the invention.
  • the lighting units according to the first and second embodiments of the invention coincide.
  • wear in FIG. 10 identical components the same reference numerals as the corresponding components of the first embodiment, which in the FIGS. 1 to 9 is shown.
  • the three holding devices 241, 242, 243 are provided with holes tabs which are arranged equidistantly along the outer circumference of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 of the plastic housing 200.
  • the holes provided with holes 241, 242, 243 are in a common plane perpendicular to the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 and allow attachment of the illumination device by means of screws in the vehicle headlight.
  • the transparent, dome-like cover 600 can be dispensed with or replaced by a primary optic with optical imaging properties.
  • the heat sink may also consist of other metals, such as copper, or of non-metals with good thermal conductivity.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Beleuchtungseinheit für Fahrzeugscheinwerfer gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The invention relates to a lighting unit for vehicle headlights according to the preamble of claim 1.

I. Stand der Technik I. State of the art

Eine derartige Beleuchtungseinheit ist beispielsweise in der WO 2008/065030 A1 offenbart. Diese Schrift beschreibt eine Beleuchtungseinheit für einen Fahrzeugscheinwerfer mit einer Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung und einem metallischen Gehäuse, das die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung zumindest teilweise umschließt und das mit Befestigungsmitteln zur Montage der Beleuchtungseinheit in einem Fahrzeugscheinwerfer versehen ist. Diese Befestigungsmittel sind derart ausgestaltet, dass sie eine Ausrichtung der Leuchtdiodenchips gegenüber der Optik des Fahrzeugscheinwerfers ermöglichen. Das metallische Gehäuse kann mit einem Kühlkörper zur Kühlung der Leuchtdiodenchips verbunden werden. Allerdings ist die Fertigung des metallischen Gehäuses vergleichsweise aufwendig und kostspielig.Such a lighting unit is for example in the WO 2008/065030 A1 disclosed. This document describes a lighting unit for a vehicle headlight with a light-emitting diode device and a metallic housing, which surrounds the light emitting diode device at least partially and which is provided with fastening means for mounting the lighting unit in a vehicle headlight. These fastening means are designed such that they allow alignment of the LED chips with respect to the optics of the vehicle headlight. The metallic housing can be connected to a heat sink for cooling the LED chips. However, the production of the metallic housing is comparatively complicated and costly.

Dokument JP 2008 098 185 wird als nächst liegender Stand der Technik angesehen und offenbart einen Fahrzeugscheinwerfer mit Leuchtdioden als Lichtquelle, welcher jede auf einer Kühlvorrichtung, welche jeweils innerhalb des Gehäuses angeordnet ist.document JP 2008 098 185 is considered to be the closest prior art and discloses a vehicle headlamp with light-emitting diodes as the light source, each on a cooling device, which is disposed respectively within the housing.

II. Darstellung der Erfindung II. Presentation of the invention

Es ist Aufgabe der Erfindung, eine gattungsgemäße Beleuchtungseinheit mit einem kostengünstigeren Gehäuse bereitzustellen, wobei eine Ausrichtung der Beleuchtungseinheit bezüglich der Optik eines Fahrzeugscheinwerfers und eine Unterbringung der elektrischen Anschlüsse in dem Gehäuse sowie eine ausreichende Kühlung der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung ermöglicht werden sollen.It is an object of the invention to provide a generic lighting unit with a lower-cost housing, with an alignment of the lighting unit with respect to the appearance of a vehicle headlight and housing the electrical connections in the housing and a sufficient cooling of the light emitting diode device to be enabled.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch die Merkmale des Patentanspruchs 1 gelöst. Besonders vorteilhafte Ausführungen der Erfindung sind in den abhängigen Patentansprüchen beschrieben.This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

Die erfindungsgemäße Beleuchtungseinheit besitzt eine Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung, ein Gehäuse, in dessen Innenraum Komponenten einer Betriebsschaltung zum Betreiben der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung angeordnet sind. Erfindungsgemäß besteht das Gehäuse aus elektrisch isolierendem Material, vorzugsweise aus Kunststoff, und ist mit Justagemitteln zur Ausrichtung der Beleuchtungseinheit in einem Fahrzeugscheinwerfer versehen, und in dem Gehäuse sind elektrische Anschlüsse zur Spannungsversorgung der Beleuchtungseinheit eingebettet, so dass sie für Gegenkontakte bzw. Fassungskontakte eines Fahrzeugscheinwerfers zugänglich sind. Zusätzlich ist die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung der erfindungsgemäßen Beleuchtungseinheit auf einer Oberfläche einer Wärmesenke aus Wärme leitendem Material fixiert, die eine an einer Außenseite des Gehäuses angeordnete Auflagefläche für ein externes Kühlsystem ausbildet. Durch die Kombination der vorgenannten Merkmale der erfindungsgemäßen Beleuchtungseinheit wird gewährleistet, dass das Gehäusematerial zur elektrischen Isolierung der elektrischen Anschlüsse genutzt werden kann und das Gehäuse kostengünstig beispielsweise als Spritzgussteil, insbesondere als Kunststoffspritzgussteil ausgebildet sein kann. Dabei ermöglicht die Wärmesenke eine thermische Kopplung der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung an ein externes Kühlsystem und sorgt somit für eine ausreichende Kühlung bzw. Abfuhr der Wärme von der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung während des Betriebs der Beleuchtungseinheit.The lighting unit according to the invention has a light-emitting diode device, a housing, in the interior of which components of an operating circuit for operating the light-emitting diode device are arranged. According to the invention, the housing consists of electrically insulating material, preferably of plastic, and is provided with adjustment means for aligning the illumination unit in a vehicle headlight, and in the housing electrical connections for powering the illumination unit are embedded, so that they are accessible to mating contacts or socket contacts of a vehicle headlamp are. In addition, the light emitting diode device of the lighting unit according to the invention is fixed on a surface of a heat sink made of heat conductive material, which forms a arranged on an outer side of the housing bearing surface for an external cooling system. The combination of the aforementioned features of the lighting unit according to the invention ensures that the housing material can be used for electrical insulation of the electrical connections and the housing can be inexpensively formed, for example, as an injection molded part, in particular as a plastic injection molded part. The heat sink allows a thermal coupling of the light emitting diode device to an external cooling system and thus ensures sufficient cooling or removal of heat from the light emitting diode device during operation of the lighting unit.

Die ersten Justagemittel gewährleisten eine Ausrichtung der auf der metallischen Wärmesenke fixierten Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung bezüglich einer etwaigen Optik der Beleuchtungseinheit und bezüglich eines optischen System des Fahrzeugscheinwerfers.The first adjustment means ensure alignment of the light-emitting diode device fixed on the metallic heat sink with respect to any optics of the illumination unit and with respect to an optical system of the vehicle headlight.

Vorteilhafterweise sind zweite Justagemittel zur relativen Ausrichtung von Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung, Gehäuse oder Wärmesenke vorgesehen. Diese zweiten Justagemittel erleichtern bei der Montage der Beleuchtungseinheit die Ausrichtung ihrer vorgenannten Komponenten zueinander.Advantageously, second adjustment means are provided for the relative alignment of light-emitting diode device, housing or heat sink. These second adjustment means facilitate the alignment of their aforementioned components to each other during assembly of the lighting unit.

Gemäß den bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispielen der Erfindung sind die elektrischen Anschlüsse der erfindungsgemäßen Beleuchtungseinheit in einem als Stecker oder Buchse ausgebildeten Gehäuseabschnitt untergebracht, um eine elektrische Kontaktierung zwischen Beleuchtungseinheit und Fahrzeugscheinwerfer mittels einer einfachen Steckverbindung zu ermöglichen. Das elektrisch isolierende Material des Gehäuses kann dabei in vorteilhafter Weise zur elektrischen Isolierung der elektrischen Anschlüsse verwendet werden. Beispielsweise kann das gesamte Gehäuse der Beleuchtungseinheit oder nur der als Stecker bzw. Buchse ausgebildete Gehäuseabschnitt als Kunststoffspritzgussteil ausgebildet sein, in dessen Kunststoffmaterial die elektrischen Anschlüsse eingebettet sind. Dadurch werden eine gute Fixierung und elektrische Isolierung der elektrischen Anschlüsse erreicht.According to the preferred embodiments of the invention, the electrical connections of the lighting unit according to the invention are housed in a trained as a plug or socket housing portion to allow electrical contact between lighting unit and vehicle headlights by means of a simple plug connection. The electrically insulating material of the housing can be used in an advantageous manner for electrical insulation of the electrical connections. For example, the entire housing of the lighting unit or only designed as a plug or socket housing portion may be formed as a plastic injection molded part, in the plastic material, the electrical connections are embedded. As a result, a good fixation and electrical insulation of the electrical connections are achieved.

Die ersten Justagemittel umfassen vorteilhafterweise mindestens drei Erhebungen, die entlang eines Außenumfangs des Gehäuses der erfindungsgemäßen Beleuchtungseinheit angeordnet sind, um dadurch als Anlagefläche im Fahrzeugscheinwerfer dienen zu können.The first adjustment means advantageously comprise at least three protrusions which are arranged along an outer circumference of the housing of the illumination unit according to the invention, in order thereby to serve as a contact surface in the vehicle headlight.

Die zweiten Justagemittel umfassen vorteilhafterweise einen Abschnitt der metallischen Wärmesenke und Begrenzungen einer passgerechten Aussparung im Gehäuse, um auf möglichst einfache Weise Drehbewegungen zwischen der Wärmesenke und dem Gehäuse zu verhindern und eine definierte Ausrichtung der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung bezüglich des Gehäuses zu gewährleisten.The second adjustment means advantageously comprise a portion of the metallic heat sink and boundaries of a matching recess in the housing to prevent in the simplest possible manner rotational movements between the heat sink and the housing and to ensure a defined orientation of the light emitting diode device with respect to the housing.

Die Wärmesenke weist vorzugsweise einen scheibenförmigen Abschnitt auf, der die Auflagefläche bzw. thermische Ankopplungsfläche für ein externes Kühlsystem bildet. Dadurch kann eine große Kontaktfläche mit einer entsprechend guten thermischen Kopplung zum externen Kühlsystem geschaffen werden.The heat sink preferably has a disc-shaped portion which forms the bearing surface or thermal coupling surface for an external cooling system. As a result, a large contact area with a correspondingly good thermal coupling to the external cooling system can be created.

Die Wärmesenke besteht vorzugsweise aus Metall, da Metalle eine sehr gute Wärmeleitfähigkeit besitzen. Zusätzlich kann eine metallische Wärmesenke, aufgrund ihrer elektrischen Leitfähigkeit, auch zur elektromagnetischen Abschirmung der Beleuchtungseinheit und des Fahrzeugscheinwerfer genutzt werden. Zu diesem Zweck ist die metallische Wärmesenke in vorteilhafter Weise elektrisch leitend mit einem auf Massebezugspotenzial liegenden elektrischen Kontakt einer Montageplatine verbunden, auf der elektrische Komponenten der Betriebsschaltung montiert sind. Über den vorgenannten elektrischen Kontakt und die metallische Wärmesenke sowie das externe Kühlsystem des Fahrzeugscheinwerfers können die metallischen Reflexionsflächen des Fahrzeugscheinwerfers und etwaige metallische Gehäuseteile des Fahrzeugscheinwerfers ebenfalls mit dem Massebezugspotenzial verbunden werden, um die elektromagnetische Verträglichkeit des Fahrzeugscheinwerfers insgesamt zu gewährleisten.The heat sink is preferably made of metal, since metals have a very good thermal conductivity. In addition, due to their electrical conductivity, a metallic heat sink can also be used for the electromagnetic shielding of the lighting unit and of the vehicle headlight. For this purpose, the metallic heat sink is advantageously connected in an electrically conductive manner to an electrical contact, which is at ground reference potential, of a mounting board on which electrical components of the operating circuit are mounted. About the aforementioned electrical contact and the metallic Heat sink and the external cooling system of the vehicle headlamp, the metallic reflection surfaces of the vehicle headlight and any metallic housing parts of the vehicle headlamp can also be connected to the ground reference potential to ensure the electromagnetic compatibility of the vehicle headlamp as a whole.

Vorteilhafterweise sind der vorgenannte scheibenförmige Abschnitt der Wärmesenke und die Begrenzungen einer passgerechten Aussparung im Gehäuse als Verdrehsicherung ausgebildet, um Drehbewegungen der Wärmesenke um eine senkrecht zu ihrem scheibenförmigen Abschnitt stehende Achse in dem Gehäuse zu verhindern. Beispielsweise besitzt der scheibenförmige Abschnitt der Wärmesenke zu diesem Zweck vorzugsweise eine von der Rotationssymmetrie abweichende Geometrie.Advantageously, the aforesaid disc-shaped portion of the heat sink and the boundaries of a fitting recess in the housing are designed to prevent rotation in order to prevent rotational movements of the heat sink about an axis perpendicular to its disk-shaped section in the housing. For example, the disc-shaped portion of the heat sink for this purpose preferably has a geometry deviating from the rotational symmetry.

Die zweiten Justagemittel umfassen vorteilhafterweise am Gehäuse angebrachte Zapfen, die an der metallischen Wärmesenke anliegen, um einen spielfreien Sitz der metallischen Wärmesenke im Gehäuse zu gewährleisten. Die vorgenannten Stege können Abmessungstoleranzen bei der Gehäusefertigung ausgleichen.The second adjustment means advantageously comprise pins attached to the housing, which bear against the metallic heat sink in order to ensure a play-free fit of the metallic heat sink in the housing. The aforementioned webs can compensate for dimensional tolerances in the housing production.

Vorteilhafterweise umfassen die zweiten Justagemittel mindestens drei Stege, die am Gehäuse angeformt sind und zusammen eine Referenzebene für die Ausrichtung der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung bzw. der Oberfläche der metallischen Wärmesenke, auf der die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung fixiert ist, definieren.Advantageously, the second adjustment means comprise at least three webs, which are integrally formed on the housing and together define a reference plane for the alignment of the light-emitting diode device or the surface of the metallic heat sink on which the light-emitting diode device is fixed.

An der Wärmesenke ist vorzugsweise ein Temperatursensor angebracht, um die Betriebstemperatur der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung zu überwachen. Da die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung auf der metallischen Wärmesenke fixiert ist, besitzt diese die gleiche Temperatur wie die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung und bietet, im Unterschied zur Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung, ausreichenden Platz zur Aufnahme eines Temperatursensors.A temperature sensor is preferably attached to the heat sink to monitor the operating temperature of the light emitting diode device. Since the light emitting diode device is fixed on the metallic heat sink, this has the same temperature as the light emitting diode device and offers, in contrast to the light emitting diode device, sufficient space for receiving a temperature sensor.

Die erfindungsgemäße Beleuchtungseinheit kann vorteilhaft in einem Fahrzeugscheinwerfer, beispielsweise als Nebellicht oder Tagfahrlicht oder auch als Abblendlicht oder Fernlicht verwendet werden. Die Primäroptik der Beleuchtungseinheit kann an die vorgenannten Applikationen entsprechend angepasst werden. Es ist ferner auch möglich, die erfindungsgemäße Beleuchtungseinheit für einen Fahrtrichtungsanzeiger oder als Heckleuchte im Fahrzeug zu verwenden. Zu diesem Zweck kann als Primäroptik beispielsweise eine lichtdurchlässige orangefarbene oder rote Abdeckung verwendet werden.The lighting unit according to the invention can advantageously be used in a vehicle headlight, for example as a fog light or daytime running light or as a low beam or high beam. The primary optics of the illumination unit can be adapted to the aforementioned applications accordingly. It is also also possible to use the lighting unit according to the invention for a direction indicator or as a tail light in the vehicle. For this purpose, for example, a translucent orange or red cover may be used as the primary optic.

III. Beschreibung der bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiele III. Description of the preferred embodiments

Nachstehend wird die Erfindung anhand von bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Figur 1
Eine Abbildung aller Komponenten der Beleuchtungseinheit gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in einer auseinander gezogenen Darstellung der Beleuchtungseinheit
Figur 2
Eine Seitenansicht des Gehäuses der in Figur 1 abgebildeten Beleuchtungseinheit
Figur 3
Eine Vorderansicht des in Figur 2 abgebildeten Gehäuses
Figur 4
Eine Rückansicht des in den Figuren 2 und 3 abgebildeten Gehäuses
Figur 5
Eine Seitenansicht der metallischen Wärmesenke der in Figur1 dargestellten Beleuchtungseinheit
Figur 6
Eine Vorderansicht der in Figur 5 abgebildeten metallischen Wärmesenke
Figur 7
Eine perspektivische Darstellung der in den Figuren 5 und 6 abgebildeten metallischen Wärmesenke
Figur 8
Eine Seitenansicht der Primäroptik der in Figur 1 dargestellten Beleuchtungseinheit
Figur 9
Eine perspektivische Darstellung der in Figur 1 abgebildeten Beleuchtungseinheit im montierten Zustand aller ihrer Komponenten
Figur 10
Eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Beleuchtungseinheit gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung
The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments. Show it:
FIG. 1
An illustration of all components of the lighting unit according to the first embodiment of the invention in an exploded view of the lighting unit
FIG. 2
A side view of the housing of the FIG. 1 pictured lighting unit
FIG. 3
A front view of the in FIG. 2 pictured housing
FIG. 4
A rear view of the in the Figures 2 and 3 pictured housing
FIG. 5
A side view of the metallic heat sink of Figur1 illustrated lighting unit
FIG. 6
A front view of the in FIG. 5 pictured metallic heat sink
FIG. 7
A perspective view of the illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 metallic heat sink
FIG. 8
A side view of the primary optics of in FIG. 1 illustrated lighting unit
FIG. 9
A perspective view of in FIG. 1 illustrated lighting unit in the assembled state of all its components
FIG. 10
A perspective view of a lighting unit according to the second embodiment of the invention

Die Beleuchtungseinheit gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung besitzt ein als Kunststoffspritzgussteil ausgebildetes Gehäuse 200, eine metallische Wärmesenke 100 aus Aluminium, einen Dichtring 300 aus Gummi oder Silikon, eine Montageplatine 400 mit darauf angeordneten elektrischen Komponenten (nicht abgebildet) und Leiterbahnen (nicht abgebildet) sowie Kontaktflächen (nicht abgebildet), eine Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 und eine Primäroptik 600. Die Figur 1 zeigt eine auseinander gezogene Darstellung der Beleuchtungseinheit mit ihren einzelnen Komponenten. Im Folgenden werden die vorgenannten Komponenten dieser Beleuchtungseinheit und ihr Zusammenwirken näher beschrieben.The lighting unit according to the first embodiment of the invention has a designed as a plastic injection molded housing 200, a metallic heat sink 100 made of aluminum, a sealing ring 300 made of rubber or silicone, a mounting board 400 with thereon arranged electrical components (not shown) and conductor tracks (not shown) and contact surfaces (not shown), a light emitting diode device 500 and a primary optics 600. The FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the lighting unit with its individual components. In the following, the aforementioned components of this lighting unit and their interaction will be described in more detail.

In den Figuren 2 bis 4 sind Details des Gehäuses 200 dargestellt. Das Gehäuse 200 ist einteilig und als Kunststoffspritzgussteil ausgebildet. Es besitzt einen hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitt 210 und einen als Stecker ausgebildeten Gehäuseabschnitt 230. Der hohlzylindrische Gehäuseabschnitt 210 weist eine kreiszylindrische Seitenwand 211 und einen Boden 212 auf. Der hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 besitzt einen Außendurchmesser von 50 Millimeter. Die kreiszylindrische Seitenwand 211 ist mit drei äquidistant entlang ihrer äußeren Mantelfläche und auf gleicher Höhe über dem Boden 212 angeordneten Erhebungen 213a, 213b, 213c versehen, die von der Mantelfläche nach außen vorstehen und die als Justagemittel zur Ausrichtung der Beleuchtungseinheit im Fahrzeugscheinwerfer dienen. Insbesondere definieren diese drei Erhebungen 213a, 213b, 213c einen Referenzaußendurchmesser des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 für die Ausrichtung der Beleuchtungseinheit im Fahrzeugscheinwerfer. Im Bereich der Erhebungen 213a, 213b, 213c ist daher der Außendurchmesser des Gehäuseabschnitts 210 auf einen Wert mit hoher Genauigkeit eingestellt. Durch die Erhebungen 213a, 213b, 213c wird ferner die Wandstärke der kreiszylindrischen Seitenwand 211 in diesem Bereich erhöht und die Seitenwand 211 versteift. Die Oberkante 214 des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 ist mit drei äquidistant entlang des Umfangs des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 angeordneten Stegen 214a, 214b, 214c versehen. Diese drei Stege 214a, 214b, 214c bilden koaxial angeordnete Ringsegmente, die an die Oberkante 214 der kreiszylindrischen Seitenwand 211 angeformt sind und sich in Richtung der Zylinderachse der kreiszylindrischen Seitenwand 211 erstrecken. Die Breite dieser Stege 214a, 214b, 214c, das heißt, ihre Erstreckung in Umfangsrichtung der kreiszylindrischen Seitenwand 211, entspricht der Breite bzw. Erstreckung der Erhebungen 213a, 213b, 213c entlang der äußeren Mantelfläche der kreiszylindrischen Seitenwand 211. Die Stege 214a, 214b, 214c sind entlang des Umfangs der kreiszylindrischen Seitenwand 211 an denselben Stellen wie die Erhebungen 213a, 213b, 213c angeordnet. Die oberen Kanten der drei Stege 214a, 214b, 214c definieren eine Ebene, die senkrecht zur Zylinderachse des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 verläuft und als Referenzebene zur Ausrichtung der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 dient. Der als Stecker ausgebildete Gehäuseabschnitt 230 ist außermittig an den Boden 212 des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 an der Rückseite angeformt. Der Boden 212 weist einen kreisscheibenförmigen, koaxial zur Zylinderachse des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 angeordneten Durchbruch 215 auf, durch den ein säulenartiger Abschnitt 110 der metallischen Wärmesenke 100 hindurchragt. Der Boden 212 ist an der Innenseite des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 mit drei Zapfen 216a, 216b, 216c ausgestattet, die äquidistant entlang des Randes kreisscheibenförmigen Durchbruchs 215 angeordnet sind und sich parallel zur Richtung der Zylinderachse des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 erstrecken. Diese Zapfen 216a, 216b, 216c liegen an einem kreiszylindrischen Teilabschnitt 111 des säulenartigen Abschnitts 110 der metallischen Wärmesenke 100 an und dienen zur Ausrichtung der metallischen Wärmesenke 100 in dem Kunststoffgehäuse 200. Insbesondere gewährleisten die Zapfen 216a, 216b, 216c einen spielfreien Sitz der metallischen Wärmesenke 100 in dem Gehäuse 200 und verhindern Bewegungen der metallischen Wärmesenke 100 in allen Richtungen senkrecht zur Zylinderachse des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210. Der Boden 212 ist an der Innenseite mit drei weiteren Zapfen 217 versehen, die sich ebenfalls parallel zur Zylinderachse des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 erstrecken und zur Fixierung der Montageplatine 400 dienen. Insbesondere ragen die verjüngten Enden dieser Zapfen 217 durch Durchbrüche 401 in der Montageplatine 400 hindurch und werden an der Oberseite, das heißt, an der vom Boden 212 abgewandten Seite der Montageplatine 400 heiß verstemmt. Die kreiszylindrische Seitenwand 211 besitzt an ihrer Innenseite einen ringförmigen Kragen 218, auf dem der Dichtungsring 300 aufliegt. Der Boden 212 ist außerdem mit zwei hohlen Stegen 219, 220 ausgestattet, die sich parallel zur Zylinderachse des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 erstrecken und diametral am Rand des kreisscheibenförmigen Durchbruch 215 angeordnet sind. Diese Stege 219, 220 weisen dienen zur Fixierung der Primäroptik 600. In dem Hohlraum der Stege 219, 220 sind Vorsprünge 229a, 229b angebracht, hinter denen die Halterung 610, 620 der Primäroptik 600 einrastet. Aus dem Boden 212 ragen mehrere Metallstifte 221, die mit im Stecker 230 eingebetteten elektrischen Anschlüssen der Beleuchtungseinheit elektrisch leitend verbunden sind und die durch Durchbrüche 402 in der Montageplatine 400 hindurchragen und mit Leiterbahnen oder Kontaktflächen auf der Montageplatine 400 verlötet oder verschweißt oder mittels Pressfit oder Einpresszone kontaktiert sind. Die elektrischen Anschlüsse sind ferner mit metallischen Kontaktstiften 222 verbunden, die aus dem Kunststoffmaterial des Steckers 230 herausragen und an der Rückseite der Beleuchtungseinheit bzw. des als Stecker ausgebildeten Gehäuseabschnitts 230 zugänglich sind. Der Boden 212 besitzt an der Außenseite bzw. Rückseite des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 eine passgerechte Aussparung 223 für einen scheibenförmigen Abschnitt 120 der metallischen Wärmesenke 100. Diese Aussparung 223 wird von einem kreisbogenförmigen Wandabschnitt 224 und einem geradlinig verlaufenden Wandabschnitt 225 begrenzt. Mittels dieser nicht-rotationssymmetrischen Geometrie der Aussparung 223 und des scheibenförmigen Abschnitts 120 der metallischen Wärmesenke 100 wird eine Verdrehsicherung verwirklicht, die Rotationen der metallischen Wärmesenke 100 um die Achse ihres zylindrischen Teilabschnitts 111 in dem Durchbruch 215 im Boden 212 des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 verhindert. Im Boden 212 befinden sich an der Rückseite bzw. Außenseite des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 drei ringförmig und äquidistant angeordnete Muttern 226, die derart im Kunststoffmaterial des Gehäuseabschnitts 210 eingebettet und verankert sind, dass ihr Schraubgewinde zum Anschrauben eines externen Kühlsystems zugänglich ist. An der Rückseite des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 ist ferner ein Druckausgleichsloch 227 angebracht, das insbesondere bei geschlossenen Systemen einen Druckausgleich im Fahrzeugscheinwerfer ermöglicht. Dieses Druckausgleichsloch 227 ist optional und kann mittels einer Druckausgleichsmembran (nicht abgebildet) abgedeckt werden. Von der Außenseite der kreiszylindrischen Seitenwand 211 stehen zwei Referenznasen 228 ab, die als Referenz für die Ausrichtung der Beleuchtungseinheit im Fahrzeugscheinwerfer dienen. Insbesondere definieren diese Referenznasen 228 eine eindeutige Einbaulage der Beleuchtungseinheit im Fahrzeugscheinwerfer.In the FIGS. 2 to 4 Details of the housing 200 are shown. The housing 200 is in one piece and designed as a plastic injection molded part. It has a hollow-cylindrical housing section 210 and a housing section 230 designed as a plug. The hollow-cylindrical housing section 210 has a circular-cylindrical side wall 211 and a bottom 212. The hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 has an outer diameter of 50 millimeters. The circular cylindrical side wall 211 is provided with three elevations 213a, 213b, 213c arranged equidistantly along its outer lateral surface and at the same height above the floor 212, which project outwardly from the lateral surface and which serve as adjustment means for aligning the illumination unit in the vehicle headlight. In particular, these three protrusions 213a, 213b, 213c define a reference outer diameter of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 for the alignment of the illumination unit in the vehicle headlight. In the region of the protrusions 213a, 213b, 213c, therefore, the outer diameter of the housing portion 210 is set to a value with high accuracy. By the elevations 213a, 213b, 213c, the wall thickness of the circular cylindrical side wall 211 is further increased in this area and the side wall 211 stiffened. The upper edge 214 of the hollow cylindrical Housing portion 210 is provided with three equidistant along the circumference of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 arranged webs 214a, 214b, 214c. These three webs 214a, 214b, 214c form coaxially arranged ring segments, which are integrally formed on the upper edge 214 of the circular-cylindrical side wall 211 and extend in the direction of the cylinder axis of the circular-cylindrical side wall 211. The width of these webs 214a, 214b, 214c, that is, their extent in the circumferential direction of the circular cylindrical side wall 211, corresponds to the width or extent of the elevations 213a, 213b, 213c along the outer circumferential surface of the circular cylindrical side wall 211. The webs 214a, 214b, 214c are arranged along the circumference of the circular-cylindrical side wall 211 at the same locations as the protrusions 213a, 213b, 213c. The upper edges of the three webs 214a, 214b, 214c define a plane which is perpendicular to the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 and serves as a reference plane for alignment of the light-emitting diode device 500. The formed as a plug housing portion 230 is formed off-center on the bottom 212 of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 on the back. The bottom 212 has a circular disk-shaped, arranged coaxially to the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 opening 215 through which a columnar portion 110 of the metallic heat sink 100 protrudes. The bottom 212 is provided on the inside of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 with three pins 216 a, 216 b, 216 c, which are arranged equidistantly along the edge circular disc-shaped aperture 215 and parallel to Direction of the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 extend. These pins 216a, 216b, 216c abut against a circular cylindrical portion 111 of the columnar portion 110 of the metallic heat sink 100 and serve to align the metallic heat sink 100 in the plastic housing 200. In particular, the pins 216a, 216b, 216c ensure a play-free fit of the metallic heat sink 100 in the housing 200 and prevent movements of the metallic heat sink 100 in all directions perpendicular to the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210. The bottom 212 is provided on the inside with three further pins 217, which also extend parallel to the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 and the Fixing the mounting board 400 serve. In particular, the tapered ends of these pins 217 protrude through openings 401 in the mounting board 400 and are hot caulked at the top, that is, at the side facing away from the bottom 212 of the mounting board 400. The circular cylindrical side wall 211 has on its inside an annular collar 218, on which the sealing ring 300 rests. The bottom 212 is also provided with two hollow webs 219, 220, which extend parallel to the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 and are arranged diametrically on the edge of the circular disc-shaped opening 215. These webs 219, 220 serve to fix the primary optics 600. In the cavity of the webs 219, 220 projections 229 a, 229 b are mounted, behind which the holder 610, 620 of the primary optics 600 engages. From the bottom 212 protrude a plurality of metal pins 221, which embedded in the plug 230 electrical connections of the lighting unit are electrically connected and which protrude through openings 402 in the mounting board 400 and soldered or welded to tracks or contact surfaces on the mounting board 400 or contacted by Pressfit or press-fit zone. The electrical connections are furthermore connected to metallic contact pins 222, which protrude from the plastic material of the plug 230 and are accessible on the rear side of the lighting unit or of the housing section 230 designed as a plug. The bottom 212 has on the outer side or rear side of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 a mating recess 223 for a disk-shaped portion 120 of the metallic heat sink 100. This recess 223 is bounded by a circular arc-shaped wall portion 224 and a rectilinear wall portion 225. By means of this non-rotationally symmetrical geometry of the recess 223 and the disk-shaped portion 120 of the metallic heat sink 100, a rotation is realized, which prevents rotations of the metallic heat sink 100 about the axis of its cylindrical portion 111 in the opening 215 in the bottom 212 of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210. In the bottom 212 are located on the back or outside of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210, three annular and equidistantly arranged nuts 226 which are embedded and anchored in the plastic material of the housing portion 210 so that its screw thread for screwing an external cooling system is accessible. At the rear of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 is also a pressure equalization hole 227 attached, which allows in particular for closed systems, a pressure equalization in the vehicle headlight. This pressure equalizing hole 227 is optional and may be covered by a pressure compensating membrane (not shown). From the outside of the circular cylindrical side wall 211 are two reference lugs 228, which serve as a reference for the orientation of the illumination unit in the vehicle headlight. In particular, these reference projections 228 define an unambiguous installation position of the illumination unit in the vehicle headlight.

Details der metallischen Wärmesenke 100 sind in den Figuren 5 bis 7 abgebildet. Sie ist einteilig ausgebildet und besteht aus Aluminium. Die metallische Wärmesenke 100 besteht aus einem säulenartigen Abschnitt 110 und einem scheibenförmigen Abschnitt 120, der an einem Ende des säulenartigen Abschnitts 110 angeformt ist. Die von dem säulenartigen Abschnitt 110 abgewandte Rückseite 120a des scheibenartigen Abschnitts 120 der metallischen Wärmesenke 100 dient als Auflagefläche für ein externes Kühlsystem. Der säulenartige Abschnitt 110 weist einen kreiszylindrischen Teilabschnitt 111 auf, der unmittelbar an den scheibenförmigen Abschnitt 120 grenzt. Der Rand des scheibenförmigen Abschnitts 120 wird von einem kreisbogenförmigen Randabschnitt 121 und einem geradlinig verlaufenden Randabschnitt 122 gebildet. Der geradlinig verlaufende Randabschnitt 122 der Wärmesenke 100 liegt an dem geradlinig verlaufenden Wandabschnitt 225 in der Aussparung 223 an und der kreisbogenförmige Randabschnitt 121 der Wärmesenke 100 liegt an dem kreisbogenförmigen Wandabschnitt der Aussparung 223 an. Der säulenartige Abschnitt 110 der Wärmesenke 100 ragt durch den Durchbruch 215 im Boden 212 des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 und der kreiszylindrische Teilabschnitt 111 liegt spielfrei an den Zapfen 216a, 216b, 216c an. Der säulenartige Abschnitt 110 weist an seinem Ende eine parallel zum scheibenförmigen Abschnitt 120 verlaufende, ebene Montagefläche 112 auf, die durch zwei parallel zueinander verlaufende Seitenkanten 113, 114 begrenzt wird. Auf dieser Montagefläche 112 wird die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 mittels eines Bestückungsautomaten in wohl definierter Ausrichtung und Abstand zu den Seitenkanten 113, 114 aufgeklebt. Zu beiden Seiten der Montagefläche 112 befinden sich jeweils eine parallel zur Montagfläche 112 verlaufend Oberfläche 115, 116, die in geringerer Höhe über dem scheibenförmigen Abschnitt 120 angeordnet sind und jeweils mit einer Vertiefung 117, 118 versehen sind. Der säulenartige Abschnitt 110 der Wärmesenke 100 ragt durch einen Durchbruch 403 in der Montageplatine 400 hindurch, so dass die Montagefläche 112 in der von den oberen Kanten der Stege 214a, 214b, 214c definierten Ebene liegt und die metallische Wärmesenke 100 wird in dieser Höhenlage mittels Kleber an dem Gehäuse 200 fixiert. In der als Langloch ausgebildeten Vertiefung 118 ist ein Temperatursensor angeordnet und mittels wärmeleitfähiger Paste fixiert. Der Temperatursensor überwacht die Temperatur der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 während des Betriebs der Beleuchtungseinrichtung. In der anderen Vertiefung 117 ist eine Metallfeder angeordnet, die mit Federwirkung gegen einen auf Massebezugspotential liegenden elektrischen Kontakt auf der Montageplatine 400 drückt. Dadurch ist die metallische Wärmesenke 100 mit dem Massebezugspotenzial verbunden und wird zum Bestandteil einer elektromagnetischen Abschirmung der Treiberschaltungen für die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung. Die elektromagnetische Verträglichkeit der Beleuchtungseinheit wird damit verbessert.Details of the metallic heat sink 100 are in the FIGS. 5 to 7 displayed. It is integrally formed and made of aluminum. The metallic heat sink 100 is composed of a columnar portion 110 and a disk-shaped portion 120 formed at one end of the columnar portion 110. The rear 120a of the disk-like portion 120 of the metallic heat sink 100 facing away from the columnar portion 110 serves as a support surface for an external cooling system. The columnar portion 110 has a circular-cylindrical portion 111 which directly adjoins the disk-shaped portion 120. The edge of the disk-shaped section 120 is formed by a circular-arc-shaped edge section 121 and a rectilinear edge section 122. The rectilinear edge portion 122 of the heat sink 100 abuts the rectilinear wall portion 225 in the recess 223 and the circular arc-shaped edge portion 121 of the heat sink 100 abuts the circular arc-shaped wall portion of the recess 223. The columnar section 110 of the heat sink 100 protrudes through the opening 215 in the bottom 212 of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 and the circular cylindrical portion 111 is free of play on the pin 216a, 216b, 216c. The columnar portion 110 has at its end a plane parallel to the disk-shaped portion 120 extending, planar mounting surface 112, which is bounded by two mutually parallel side edges 113, 114. On this mounting surface 112, the light-emitting diode device 500 is adhesively bonded by means of a placement machine in a well-defined orientation and distance from the side edges 113, 114. On both sides of the mounting surface 112 are each a parallel to the mounting surface 112 extending surface 115, 116, which are arranged at a lesser height above the disk-shaped portion 120 and are each provided with a recess 117, 118. The columnar portion 110 of the heat sink 100 projects through an aperture 403 in the mounting board 400 such that the mounting surface 112 lies in the plane defined by the upper edges of the webs 214a, 214b, 214c and the metallic heat sink 100 is adhesively bonded at this level fixed to the housing 200. In the well 118 formed as a slot, a temperature sensor is arranged and fixed by means of thermally conductive paste. The temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the light emitting diode device 500 during operation of the illumination device. In the other recess 117, a metal spring is arranged, which presses with spring action against lying on ground reference potential electrical contact on the mounting board 400. As a result, the metallic heat sink 100 is at the ground reference potential connected and becomes part of an electromagnetic shielding of the driver circuits for the light emitting diode device. The electromagnetic compatibility of the lighting unit is thus improved.

Der Dichtungsring 300 besteht aus Gummi oder Silikon und liegt auf dem Kragen 218 an der Innenseite der kreiszylindrischen Seitenwand 211 auf. Auf dem Dichtungsring 300 liegt die Montageplatine 400 auf, welche die elektrischen Komponenten der Treiberschaltung zum Betreiben der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung trägt.The sealing ring 300 is made of rubber or silicone and rests on the collar 218 on the inside of the circular cylindrical side wall 211. On the sealing ring 300, the mounting board 400 is located, which carries the electrical components of the driver circuit for operating the light emitting diode device.

Die Montageplatine 400 ist kreisscheibenförmig ausgebildet und besitzt einen zentralen Durchbruch 403, durch den der säulenartige Abschnitt 110 der metallischen Wärmesenke 100 mit der darauf fixierten Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 hindurchragt. Die Montageplatine 400, der Dichtungsring 300, die kreiszylindrische Seitenwand 211 und der Boden 212 des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 bilden einen Innenraum. Auf der dem Innenraum zugewandten Rückseite 420 der Montageplatine 400 sind elektrische Komponenten (nicht abgebildet) einer Betriebsschaltung zum Betreiben der Leuchtdiodenanordnung 500 angeordnet und gegebenenfalls durch Leiterbahnen, die ebenfalls auf der Montageplatine angeordnet sind, miteinander verbunden. Auf der Vorderseite 430 der Montageplatine 400 sind Leiterbahnen (nicht abgebildet) und elektrische Kontaktflächen (nicht abgebildet) zum Kontaktieren der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 sowie gegebenenfalls weitere Komponenten der Betriebsschaltung angeordnet, die während ihres Betriebs keine hochfrequenten Störsignale verursachen können. Die Montageplatine 400 ist vorzugsweise mehrlagig ausgebildet und besitzt zusätzlich zu den Leiterbahnen auf der Vorderseite und Rückseite eine innere Metallschicht (nicht abgebildet), die im elektrisch isolierenden Material der Montageplatine 400 eingebettet und mit dem Massebezugspotential der Betriebsschaltung für die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 verbunden ist, um die elektromagnetische Verträglichkeit der Beleuchtungseinheit zu erhöhen. Die vorgenannte innere, auf Massebezugspotential liegende Metallschicht trägt zusammen mit der ebenfalls auf Massebezugspotential liegenden metallischen Wärmesenke 100 zur elektromagnetischen Abschirmung der auf der Rückseite der Montageplatine 400 angeordneten elektrischen Komponenten der Betriebsschaltung für die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 bei. Die Montageplatine 400 ist mit drei Bohrungen 401 versehen, die ringsum den zentralen Durchbruch 403 angeordnet sind. Nach ihrer Montage sitzt die Montageplatine 400 auf den Zapfen 217 auf, so dass deren verjüngte Enden durch die Durchbrüche 401 hindurchragen. Durch Heißverstemmen der verjüngten Enden der Zapfen 217 wird die Montageplatine 400 am Gehäuse 200 fixiert. Die Montageplatine 400 besitzt außerdem vier weitere Bohrungen 402, die an ihrem Rand, oberhalb des als Stecker ausgebildeten Gehäuseabschnitts 230 angeordnet sind und durch die die Metallstifte 221 hindurchragen, um eine elektrisch leitende Verbindung zu Kontaktflächen auf der Vorderseite der Montageplatine 400 zu ermöglichen. Der zentrale Durchbruch 403 in der Montageplatine 400 ist so gestaltet, dass auch Halterungen 610, 620 der Primäroptik 600 durch den Durchbruch 403 hindurchragen und in die hohlen Stege 219, 220 eingreifen können.The mounting board 400 is formed in a circular disk shape and has a central opening 403 through which the columnar portion 110 of the metallic heat sink 100 projects with the light-emitting diode device 500 fixed thereon. The mounting board 400, the sealing ring 300, the circular cylindrical side wall 211 and the bottom 212 of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 form an interior space. On the back side 420 of the mounting board 400 facing the interior, electrical components (not shown) of an operating circuit for operating the light-emitting diode arrangement 500 are arranged and possibly interconnected by conductor tracks which are likewise arranged on the mounting board. On the front side 430 of the mounting board 400 conductor tracks (not shown) and electrical contact surfaces (not shown) for contacting the light-emitting diode device 500 and optionally other components of the operating circuit are arranged, which can not cause high-frequency noise during their operation. The mounting board 400 is preferably multi-layered formed and has in addition to the interconnects on the front and back an inner metal layer (not shown), which is embedded in the electrically insulating material of the mounting board 400 and connected to the ground reference potential of the operating circuit for the light emitting diode device 500 to increase the electromagnetic compatibility of the lighting unit , The aforementioned inner, lying on ground reference potential metal layer contributes together with the also lying on ground reference potential metallic heat sink 100 for electromagnetic shielding of arranged on the back of the mounting board 400 electrical components of the operating circuit for the light-emitting device 500 at. The mounting board 400 is provided with three holes 401, which are arranged around the central opening 403. After assembly, the mounting board 400 sits on the pin 217, so that their tapered ends protrude through the openings 401. By hot caulking the tapered ends of the pins 217, the mounting board 400 is fixed to the housing 200. The mounting board 400 also has four further holes 402, which are arranged at its edge, above the plug-formed housing portion 230 and through which the metal pins 221 protrude to allow an electrically conductive connection to contact surfaces on the front side of the mounting board 400. The central opening 403 in the mounting plate 400 is designed so that holders 610, 620 of the primary optics 600 also project through the opening 403 and can engage in the hollow webs 219, 220.

Die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 besteht aus fünf Leuchtdiodenchips, die auf einer Trägerplatte in einer Reihe angeordnet und von den Wänden eines Rahmens umgeben sind. Diese Leuchtdiodenchips sind mit einer Leuchtstoffbeschichtung (Chip-Layer-Coating) versehen, die das von den Leuchtdiodenchips generierte blaue Licht teilweise in Licht anderer Wellenlängen konvertiert, so dass die Beleuchtungseinheit während ihres Betriebs weiß erscheinendes Licht emittiert. Bei den Leuchtdiodenchips handelt es sich um beispielsweise um Dünnfilm-Leuchtdiodenchips, deren Grundprinzip beispielsweise in der Druckschrift I. Schnitzer et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 63 (16), 18. Oktober 1993, 2174-2176 beschrieben ist. Die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 ist mittels eines Bestückungsautomaten parallel zu den Seitenkanten 113, 114 ausgerichtet und mittig auf der Stirnfläche 112 des säulenartigen Abschnitts 110 der metallischen Wärmesenke 100 mit gleichem Abstand zu den Rändern der als Montagefläche dienenden Stirnfläche 112 aufgeklebt. Die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 ist elektrisch leitend mit elektrischen Kontakten auf der Montageplatine 400 verbunden und wird mit Hilfe der Betriebsschaltung, deren Komponenten auf der Montageplatine 400 angeordnet sind, betrieben. Die Betriebsschaltung versorgt die Leuchtdiodenchips der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 mit Strom und ermöglicht mit Hilfe des bereits oben erwähnten Temperatursensors eine Regelung der elektrischen Leistungsaufnahme der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 in Abhängigkeit von der Temperatur der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500. Im Fall einer drohenden Überhitzung der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 kann beispielsweise der von der Betriebsschaltung bereitgestellte Strom für die Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 reduziert werden. Der Temperatursensor kann zu diesem Zweck beispielsweise als temperaturabhängiger Widerstand, insbesondere als NTC-Widerstand mit negativer Temperaturcharakteristik, ausgebildet sein.The light-emitting diode device 500 consists of five light-emitting diode chips, which are arranged on a carrier plate in a row and surrounded by the walls of a frame. These light-emitting diode chips are provided with a phosphor coating (chip layer coating), which partially converts the blue light generated by the light-emitting diode chips into light of other wavelengths, so that the lighting unit emits white light during its operation. The light-emitting diode chips are, for example, thin-film light-emitting diode chips, the basic principle of which, for example, in US Pat Reference I. Schnitzer et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 63 (16), 18 October 1993, 2174-2176 is described. The light-emitting diode device 500 is aligned parallel to the side edges 113, 114 by means of a placement machine and glued centrally on the end face 112 of the columnar portion 110 of the metallic heat sink 100 equidistant from the edges of the face 112 serving as a mounting surface. The light-emitting diode device 500 is electrically conductively connected to electrical contacts on the mounting board 400 and is operated by means of the operating circuit whose components are arranged on the mounting board 400. The operating circuit supplies power to the LED chips 500 of the light-emitting diode device 500 and allows control of the electrical power consumption of the light-emitting diode device 500 as a function of the temperature of the light-emitting diode device 500 with the aid of the above-mentioned temperature sensor. In the case of an impending overheating of the light-emitting diode device 500, for example, that of the operating circuit provided electricity for the Light emitting diode device 500 can be reduced. The temperature sensor can be designed for this purpose, for example, as a temperature-dependent resistor, in particular as an NTC resistor with a negative temperature characteristic.

Bei der Primäroptik 600 handelt es sich um eine durchsichtige, kuppelartige Abdeckung der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung 500 aus Kunststoff oder Glas. Die Primäroptik 600 weist zwei hakenförmige Halterungen 610, 620 auf, die in die hohlen Stege 219, 220 eingeführt werden und deren Haken 611, 621 dort hinter den Vorsprüngen 229a, 229b einrasten. Der Steg 220 ist mit einem Langloch versehen, das einen ovalen Querschnitt besitzt, während der Steg 219 einen Hohlraum mit kreisförmigem Rand besitzt. Dadurch kann auch für die Primäroptik 600 eine eindeutige Orientierung vorgegeben werden. Das ist von Bedeutung, wenn die durchsichtige kuppelartige Abdeckung 600 durch eine Primäroptik mit Licht lenkenden Eigenschaften ersetzt wird. Allerdings kann die kuppelartige Abdeckung 600 auch entfallen oder durch eine Primäroptik mit Abbildungseigenschaften oder Lichtleitereigenschaften ersetzt werden, die das Licht von der Leuchtdiodeneinrichtung in vorgegebene Raumrichtungen lenkt oder bündelt.The primary optics 600 is a transparent, dome-like cover of the light-emitting diode device 500 made of plastic or glass. The primary optics 600 has two hook-shaped holders 610, 620, which are inserted into the hollow webs 219, 220 and whose hooks 611, 621 engage behind the projections 229a, 229b there. The web 220 is provided with a slot having an oval cross section, while the web 219 has a cavity with a circular edge. As a result, a clear orientation can also be specified for the primary optics 600. This is significant when the translucent dome-like cover 600 is replaced with primary optics with light directing properties. However, the dome-like cover 600 can also be omitted or replaced by a primary optics with imaging properties or optical fiber properties, which directs or bundles the light from the light emitting diode device in predetermined spatial directions.

In Figur 9 ist die Beleuchtungseinrichtung gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung im montierten Zustand aller ihrer Einzelteile dargestellt.In FIG. 9 the lighting device according to the first embodiment of the invention is shown in the assembled state of all its individual parts.

Figur 10 zeigt eine Beleuchtungseinheit gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung. Diese Beleuchtungseinheit unterscheidet sich von der Beleuchtungseinheit gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel nur dadurch, dass die Beleuchtungseinheit gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel drei Befestigungsvorrichtungen 241, 242, 243 besitzt, die am Gehäuse 200 der Beleuchtungseinheit gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung angeformt sind. In allen anderen Details stimmen die Beleuchtungseinheiten gemäß dem ersten und zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung überein. Aus diesem Grund tragen in Figur 10 identische Bauteile dieselben Bezugszeichen wie die entsprechenden Bauteile des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels, das in den Figuren 1 bis 9 abgebildet ist. Die drei Haltevorrichtungen 241, 242, 243 sind mit Bohrungen versehene Laschen, die äquidistant entlang des Außenumfangs des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 des Kunststoffgehäuses 200 angeordnet sind. Die mit Bohrungen versehenen Laschen 241, 242, 243 liegen in einer gemeinsamen Ebene senkrecht zur Zylinderachse des hohlzylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitts 210 und ermöglichen eine Befestigung der Beleuchtungseinrichtung mit Hilfe von Schrauben im Fahrzeugscheinwerfer. FIG. 10 shows a lighting unit according to a second embodiment of the invention. This lighting unit differs from the lighting unit according to the first embodiment only in that the lighting unit according to the second embodiment has three fastening devices 241, 242, 243, which are integrally formed on the housing 200 of the lighting unit according to the second embodiment of the invention. In all other details, the lighting units according to the first and second embodiments of the invention coincide. For this reason, wear in FIG. 10 identical components the same reference numerals as the corresponding components of the first embodiment, which in the FIGS. 1 to 9 is shown. The three holding devices 241, 242, 243 are provided with holes tabs which are arranged equidistantly along the outer circumference of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 of the plastic housing 200. The holes provided with holes 241, 242, 243 are in a common plane perpendicular to the cylinder axis of the hollow cylindrical housing portion 210 and allow attachment of the illumination device by means of screws in the vehicle headlight.

Die Erfindung beschränkt sich nicht auf die oben näher erläuterten Ausführungsbeispiele. Beispielsweise kann auf die durchsichtige, kuppelartige Abdeckung 600 verzichtet oder durch eine Primäroptik mit optischen Abbildungseigenschaften ersetzt werden. Außerdem kann die Wärmesenke auch aus anderen Metallen, wie beispielsweise Kupfer, oder aus Nicht-Metallen mit guter Wärmeleitfähigkeit bestehen. The invention is not limited to the embodiments explained in more detail above. For example, the transparent, dome-like cover 600 can be dispensed with or replaced by a primary optic with optical imaging properties. In addition, the heat sink may also consist of other metals, such as copper, or of non-metals with good thermal conductivity.

Claims (11)

  1. Lighting unit for vehicle headlights comprising a light-emitting diode device (500), a housing (200), in the interior of which are arranged components of an operating circuit for operating the light-emitting diode device (500),
    wherein
    - electrical connections (222) for the voltage supply of the lighting unit are embedded in the housing (200), and the housing (200) has adjustment means (213a, 213b, 213c) for orienting the lighting unit in a vehicle headlight, and
    - the light-emitting diode device (500) is arranged on a surface (112) of a heat sink (100) composed of metal,
    characterized in that
    the housing (200) is composed of electrically insulating material, and
    - the heat sink (100) forms a bearing surface (120a) for an external cooling system, said bearing surface being arranged at an outer side of the housing (200), and
    - the components of the operating circuit are arranged on a mounting circuit board (400), wherein the mounting circuit board (400) has an electrical contact which is at the ground reference potential of the operating circuit and is electrically conductively connected to the heat sink (100).
  2. Lighting unit according to Claim 1, wherein the adjustment means are formed by at least three elevations (213a, 213b, 213c) arranged along an outer circumference of the housing (200).
  3. Lighting unit according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein provision is made of second adjustment means (214a, 214b, 214c, 216a, 216b, 216c, 217, 225, 111, 121, 122) for the relative orientation of light-emitting diode arrangement (500), housing (200) or heat sink (100).
  4. Lighting unit according to Claim 3, wherein the second adjustment means comprise a section (120) of the heat sink (100) and boundaries (224, 225) of a precisely fitting cutout (223) in the housing (200).
  5. Lighting unit according to Claims 3 and 4, wherein the disk-shaped section (120) and the boundaries (224, 225) of the precisely fitting cutout (223) in the housing (200) are embodied as protection against rotation, which prevents a rotation of the heat sink (100) about an axis perpendicular to its disk-shaped section (120) in the cutout (223).
  6. Lighting unit according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the second adjustment means comprise pins (216a, 216b, 216c) which are attached to the housing (200) and which bear against the metallic heat sink (100).
  7. Lighting unit according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the second adjustment means comprise at least three webs (214a, 214b, 214c) which are integrally formed on the housing (200) and together form a reference plane for the orientation of the light-emitting diode device (500) or the surface (112) of the heat sink (100) on which the light-emitting diode device (500) is fixed.
  8. Lighting unit according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the bearing surface (120a) is formed by a disk-shaped section (120) of the heat sink (100).
  9. Lighting unit according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the housing (200) has a section (230) which is embodied as a plug or socket and in which the electrical connections (222) are accommodated.
  10. Lighting unit according to any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein a temperature sensor is arranged on the heat sink (100).
  11. Vehicle headlight comprising a lighting unit according to any of Claims 1 to 10.
EP09772310.0A 2008-07-02 2009-06-16 Lighting unit for vehicle headlights and vehicle headlight Not-in-force EP2291594B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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DE102008031256A DE102008031256A1 (en) 2008-07-02 2008-07-02 Lighting unit for vehicle headlights and vehicle headlights
PCT/EP2009/057449 WO2010000610A1 (en) 2008-07-02 2009-06-16 Lighting unit for vehicle headlights and vehicle headlight

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EP2291594A1 EP2291594A1 (en) 2011-03-09
EP2291594B1 true EP2291594B1 (en) 2013-08-14

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EP (1) EP2291594B1 (en)
JP (1) JP5409782B2 (en)
KR (1) KR101594943B1 (en)
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US8231254B2 (en) 2012-07-31
JP5409782B2 (en) 2014-02-05
WO2010000610A1 (en) 2010-01-07
KR101594943B1 (en) 2016-02-18
EP2291594A1 (en) 2011-03-09
CN102084180A (en) 2011-06-01
US20110103076A1 (en) 2011-05-05
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CN102084180B (en) 2014-02-05
JP2011526412A (en) 2011-10-06

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