EP2828571B1 - Headlamp for vehicles with projection lens - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a light module for a motor vehicle as from the generic document EP 1 225 388 known.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle headlight with at least one such light module.

1. a) reine Reflektorsysteme mit Paraboloid- und Freiformreflektoren und
2. b) Projektionssysteme, bei welchen eine Sammellinse das Bild einer Strahlenblende auf den Bereich vor dem Kraftfahrzeug, also in der Regel auf die Straße projiziert. Die Beleuchtung der Strahlenblende erfolgt dabei durch eine dahinter liegende Einheit, welche neben einer Lichtquelle üblicherweise noch eine Primäroptik in Form eines Reflektors/Spiegels, Lichtleiters etc. aufweist.

The desired for headlamps of motor vehicles emission characteristics can be realized by means of different technical approaches. Are known

1. a) pure reflector systems with paraboloid and Freiformreflektoren and
2. b) projection systems in which a converging lens projects the image of a radiation aperture on the area in front of the motor vehicle, that is usually on the road. The illumination of the beam diaphragm is effected by a unit located behind it, which in addition to a light source usually still has a primary optics in the form of a reflector / mirror, light guide, etc.

Both approaches have specific advantages and disadvantages. A common disadvantage of both approaches is that both systems require a relatively large amount of space. In approach a), especially in the nowadays almost exclusively used free-form reflectors, a lot of space is required in the direction transverse to the optical axis, while in projection systems according to approach b) a lot of space in the direction of the optical axis is needed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a compact light module for a motor vehicle, without thereby impairing the photometric properties.

This object is achieved with an aforementioned light module according to claim 1 and with an associated vehicle headlight according to claim 13.

The light module according to the invention is a projection system in which light from a light source is focused by a primary optics in the form of a reflector and directed onto a (projection) lens, which projects the desired light image onto an area in front of the light module or vehicle ,

In contrast to a classic structure in which a real intermediate image is generated by the reflector, in the present invention, the reflector generates a virtual intermediate image of the light source, which then imaged by the lens in the form of a converging lens in the area in front of the light module or vehicle becomes. For this purpose, the reflector is designed as a hyperbolic reflector or essentially has the behavior of a hyperbolic reflector.

In a first variant of the invention, provision is made for the reflector to be formed essentially as a reflector subshell, for example as a reflector half shell, to form the at least one light-dark line in the light image, and light from a region of the boundary edge of the reflector Reflector part shell forms the light distribution on the light-dark line in the photograph.

In this variant, the edge of the reflector (quasi the "edge trimming" of a full reflector) acts as a hatch between the virtual object and the lens. Parts of a reflector, which are close to the lens, behave approximately like an aperture diaphragm and therefore offer little leeway in terms of the light image, since when a change in the aperture, the image section remains unchanged, the light image is not or only slightly changed.

However, portions of the reflector that are farther away from the lens have more of the character of a field of view diaphragm, a change of these areas also changes the imaged image section and accordingly these areas can be used to form the light image.

For example, in a reflector described in more detail below, which is designed as a half-shell and is open at the bottom, the upper regions of the reflector can be trimmed in order to reduce the intensity of the light distribution in advance, while the trimming at the lower edge of the shape the light distribution on the HD line can be varied.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the reflector sub-shell in the installation position of the light module is open at the bottom, so that there is a light-dark line in the overhead light.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the boundary edge of the reflector partial shell extends substantially above a plane in which the at least one light source lies.

In this way, the light-dark line in the photograph can be lowered, for example, by 0.57 ° (ECE control) or 0.4 ° (SAE control), as required for a law-compliant low beam distribution.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the boundary edge is bent towards the front, to the front reflector opening towards the top.

Curved "upwards" means primarily that the boundary edge of the plane in which the light source is located, bent away. For example, it can be provided that the light source is inclined to a horizontal plane and the boundary edge is basically parallel to the inclined light source. The effect can occur that in an outer edge region of the light distribution, the light distribution is bent upward, so that light reaches an area above the legally permitted areas.

Due to the upward curved course of the boundary edge, this effect can be counteracted, so that no light reaches unauthorized areas above the HD limit.

In order to increase the sharpness of the image of the light-dark boundary of the reflector, it can be provided that the at least one light source has an elongated configuration, and that the light source is arranged with respect to the reflector that in the light image that of the reflective Surface of the reflector generated helical images are substantially parallel to the cut-off in the light image, since the extent of the blur is directly proportional to the size of a helical image, measured across the cut-off line.

The longitudinal axis of the light source thus runs substantially parallel to the light-dark boundary to be generated, wherein an inclination of a few degrees with respect to the light-dark boundary may well be visually meaningful.

Thus, such a light source has a significantly longer longitudinal than transverse extent, for example, it is a light source of a plurality of light emitting diodes, e.g. in a (1 x n) arrangement in which n LEDs are arranged in a row, the light source thus has a width of one LED and a length of n LEDs. Other examples of such elongated light sources are the arc of a Xe torch or the filament of an incandescent lamp.

Likewise, to increase the sharpness of the image of the light-dark boundary of the reflector acting as a real aperture, it can be provided that the at least one light source has a plane light exit surface, the light exit surface facing the reflective surface of the reflector.

Preferably, it is provided that the light-emitting surface of the at least one light source is preferably substantially planar and wherein the boundary edge of the reflector forming the light-dark boundary is arranged in a region, in which the light-emitting surface of the at least one light source is shortened in perspective.

This latter measure can be realized independently or together with the above-mentioned elongated embodiment of the light source.

In the embodiment described above, the reflector generates one or more light-dark boundaries in the light image by the reflector acts as a real aperture, so the boundary edge (s) of the reflector in the light image as light-dark boundaries (or areas of maximum brightness) be imaged.

According to the invention, it is provided that the reflecting surface of the reflector is embodied such that light from the at least one light source, which is reflected along at least one defined curve on the reflecting surface, is imaged in the light image as a region with maximum brightness.

According to the invention, the generation of one or more light-dark boundaries with a reflector is based on the effect of the so-called caustics, so that one or more fundamentally arbitrarily shaped light-dark boundaries can be generated without the use of diaphragms. The at least one defined curve on the reflecting surface is displayed in the light image as a caustic line, ie as a line with maximum brightness, on one side (eg below this line) the brightness decreases, on the other side (eg above the line) no or hardly any light shown.

Furthermore, it is provided that the reflective surface of the reflector is formed such that light from both sides of the at least one defined curve on the reflective surface in the light image on one side of the area with maximum brightness, is subsequently imaged on this area.

With a substantially horizontal cut-off line (caustic line), the light from both reflector areas below the caustic line is correspondingly imaged and generates the light distribution below the HD line.

Such a reflector according to the invention can be varied flexibly, for example in order to make it smaller with regard to the installation space.

For example, it can be provided that starting from a reflector which generates a defined light distribution with a defined brightness distribution, this reflector is substantially parallel to the defined curve on the reflecting surface, which is imaged in the light image as an area with maximum brightness, on at least one side the defined curve is cropped.

By this trimming substantially parallel to the defined curve, the shape of the light image is substantially preserved, whereby the light image becomes darker.

In another variant, it is provided that starting from a reflector which generates a defined light distribution with a defined brightness distribution, this reflector is trimmed substantially normal to the defined curve on the reflecting surface, which is imaged in the light image as a region with maximum brightness ,

As a result of this trimming substantially normal to the defined curve, the light image becomes smaller, but the brightness in the areas still remaining in the light image remains essentially unchanged.

Of course, it can also be provided that a designed as a real aperture reflector is provided with one or more defined curves which produce a Kaustiklinie, resulting in a variety of design options with regard to the generation of the light image.

A light module according to the invention has the particular advantage that the total depth of the light module is no longer determined by the sum of the focal lengths of primary optics (reflector) and secondary optics (lens), but by the difference of the two focal lengths and thus can be greatly reduced theoretically. Even if practical limitations (finite size of the light source, manufacturing tolerances, etc.) are given, and thus the reduction of the installation depth limits are set, in a light module or headlight according to the invention the construction volume can be significantly lower than in conventional, known systems.

Since only the difference between the focal lengths of primary and secondary optics is included directly in the size, the focal length per se is a quasi-free design parameter that can be used to improve the light image.

In a light module according to the invention, the total refractive power is distributed to reflector and lens. The cross section of the lens is comparable to a classical projection system with a real intermediate image and otherwise similar characteristics, so that the required numerical aperture of the lens decreases. Since chromatic aberration occurs only in refraction, but not in reflection, can be achieved by the fact that a part of the refractive power is taken over by the reflector, already an improvement in color fidelity.

Furthermore, the lens can be designed as achromatic, which is also useful for correcting chromatic aberrations. In classical projection lenses with very large numerical aperture, it is not possible to perform the lens as achromats.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls,
• Fig. 2 eine erste Variante eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von schräg unten,
• Fig. 3 das Lichtmodul aus Figur 2 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von schräg oben,
• Fig. 4 der Reflektor samt Lichtquelle eines Lichtmoduls aus Figur 2 in einer Seitenansicht,
• Fig. 5 der Strahlengang bei einem Reflektor entsprechend Figur 4,
• Fig. 6 eine mit einem Reflektor aus Figur 4 erzeugte Lichtverteilung,
• Fig. 7 eine mit einem modifizierten Reflektor aus Figur 4 erzeugte modifizierte Lichtverteilung,
• Fig. 8 eine zweite Variante eines erfindungsgemäßen Reflektors in einer Ansicht von hinten,
• Fig. 9 der Reflektor aus Figur 8 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von schräg unten,
• Fig. 10 schematisch Reflexionspunkte auf einer Reflektorfläche,
• Fig. 11 Abbildungen erzeugt über die Reflexionspunkte der Reflektorfläche aus Figur 10,
• Fig. 12 Lichtverteilungen erzeugt mit einem Segment des Reflektors des Lichtmoduls aus Figur 8,
• Fig. 13 eine dritte Variante eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls,
• Fig. 14 eine mit einem Lichtmodul aus Figur 13 erzeugte Lichtverteilung,
• Fig. 15 eine vierte Variante eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls,
• Fig. 16 eine mit einem Lichtmodul aus Figur 14 erzeugte Lichtverteilung,
• Fig. 17 schematisch den Strahlenverlauf bei einem Reflektor zur Erzeugung einer Kasutik,
• Fig. 18 zu den Strahlenverläufen aus Figur 17 korrespondierende Bereiche im Lichtbild,
• Fig. 19 eine Darstellung spezifischer Bereiche auf einem Reflektor nach Figur 17, und
• Fig. 20 zu den spezifischen Bereichen auf dem Reflektor korrespondierende Bereiche im Lichtbild.

In the following the invention is discussed in more detail with reference to the drawing. In this shows

• Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a light module according to the invention,
• Fig. 2 a first variant of a light module according to the invention in a perspective view obliquely from below,
• Fig. 3 the light module off FIG. 2 in a perspective view obliquely from above,
• Fig. 4 the reflector together with the light source of a light module FIG. 2 in a side view,
• Fig. 5 the beam path in a reflector accordingly FIG. 4 .
• Fig. 6 one with a reflector FIG. 4 generated light distribution,
• Fig. 7 one with a modified reflector FIG. 4 generated modified light distribution,
• Fig. 8 a second variant of a reflector according to the invention in a view from behind,
• Fig. 9 the reflector off FIG. 8 in a perspective view obliquely from below,
• Fig. 10 schematically reflection points on a reflector surface,
• Fig. 11 Illustrations are generated via the reflection points of the reflector surface FIG. 10 .
• Fig. 12 Light distributions generated with a segment of the reflector of the light module FIG. 8 .
• Fig. 13 a third variant of a light module according to the invention,
• Fig. 14 one with a light module FIG. 13 generated light distribution,
• Fig. 15 a fourth variant of a light module according to the invention,
• Fig. 16 one with a light module FIG. 14 generated light distribution,
• Fig. 17 schematically the beam path in a reflector for generating a Kasutik,
• Fig. 18 to the ray trajectories FIG. 17 corresponding areas in the photograph,
• Fig. 19 a representation of specific areas on a reflector FIG. 17 , and
• Fig. 20 to the specific areas on the reflector corresponding areas in the photograph.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a light module 1 for a motor vehicle, comprising a light source 1, a reflector 2 and a lens. 3

The reflecting surface 2a of the reflector 2 is shaped in such a way that a first focal point F1 of the reflector 2 lies between the reflecting surface 2a and the lens 3. A second focal point F2 lies on the side of the reflector 2 facing away from the lens 3, ie behind the reflector.

The light emitted by the light source 1 is formed by the reflective surface 2a of the reflector 2 to a light distribution and - in the installed state of the light module 1 in a vehicle - is imaged via the lens 3 in an area in front of the vehicle.

In the light module 1 according to the invention (and also in all other modules or systems shown) is a projection system in which light from a light source by a primary optics in the form of a reflector is focused and directed to a (projection) lens, which the desired light image is projected onto an area in front of the light module or vehicle. In contrast to a classical construction in which a real intermediate image is generated by the reflector, in the present invention the reflector 2 generates a virtual intermediate image of the light source, which essentially comes to lie in the rear focal point F2 of the reflector 2, and becomes this intermediate image then imaged by the lens 3 in the form of a converging lens in the area in front of the light module or vehicle. For this purpose, the reflector is designed as a hyperbolic reflector or essentially has the behavior of a hyperbolic reflector, and the focal point of the lens 3 lies substantially in the rear focal point F2 of the reflector 2.

If you look at FIG. 1 , so you can see the areas bounded by arrows areas of the reflector 2. Cuts one in FIG. 1 illustrated reflector 2 above the area indicated by the arrow above and below the area marked with the arrow below, so only the two rays S1, S2 and intervening rays appear as the boundary rays from the reflector 2 and are imaged by the lens 3 ,

Fundamentally inventive feature in a present light module is that the reflective surface of the reflector is formed such that the generated light image has at least one light-dark line.

As in FIG. 1 It can now be clearly seen that with a reflector 2, for example by trimming the reflector, it is possible to give the light distribution a desired shape, in particular to provide the light distribution with at least one cut-off, such as, for example, in the case of dipped beam distributions or High beam distributions is the case.

The edge of the reflector (quasi the "edge trim" of a full reflector) acts as a hatch between the virtual object and the lens. Parts of a reflector, which are close to the lens, behave approximately like an aperture stop and therefore offer little leeway in terms of the light image, since with a change in the aperture, the image section remains unchanged, the light image is not or only slightly changed.

However, portions of the reflector that are farther away from the lens have more of the character of a field of view diaphragm, a change of these areas also changes the imaged image section and accordingly these areas can be used to form the light image.

For example, in a hand on the FIGS. 2 to 5 described reflector, which is designed as a half-shell and open at the bottom, the upper regions of the reflector are trimmed to reduce the intensity of the light distribution in advance, while the trimming at the lower edge, the shape of the light distribution on the HD line varies can be.

The FIGS. 2 to 5 show a light module 1 with a light source 10, reflector 20 with reflective surface 20a and lens 30. The proportions are purely schematic, in particular, the lens can be significantly smaller and is for example as large as the reflector.

The reflector 20 is designed as a partial shell, in particular as a half shell, and the light source 10 radiates light into this half shell, from which the light is reflected at the reflective surface 20a.

At the bottom, the reflector half shell 20 is bounded by a boundary edge 20 ', 20 ", as shown in FIGS FIGS. 4 and 5 is shown. Light from the light source 10, which is reflected from an area around this boundary edge 20 ', 20 "is projected by the lens in the light image near or to the light-dark boundary, the lower boundary edge 20', 20" is in the light image thus depicted as a light-dark border, which limits the light image to the top.

Since the boundary edge 20 ', 20 "in this example (after trimming, as will be described) lies in a horizontal plane, the light-dark boundary also essentially forms a horizontal straight line, as shown in FIGS FIGS. 6 and 7 easy to recognize.

Light which originates from regions of the reflective surface 20a above the boundary edge 20 ', 20 "is imaged in the light image in a region below the light-dark boundary and generates the apron illumination The light source does not lie exactly in the focal point of the lens, but slightly above or to the side of it. "Trim", ie variation / change of the front boundary edge 20 ", can influence the shape or illumination of the apron.

Furthermore, it can be provided, as shown, that the boundary edge 20 ', 20 "of the reflector subshell 20 extends substantially above a plane in which the light source 10 lies, in this way the light / dark line in the light image can, for example as with a lawful low-beam distribution requested by 0.57 ° (ECE control) or 0.4 ° (SAE control) are lowered, as shown in the FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown.

The light source 10 can, as this particular in FIG. 4 can be seen well, so that the plane in which the light source is inclined accordingly.

Is the lower boundary edge 20 "of the reflector 20 is substantially parallel to the (inclined) plane in which the light source 10 is located, as in FIG. 4 is shown, this results in a course of the cut-off line as in FIG. 6 shown. As in FIG. 6 In this case, the effect can be clearly recognized that the light distribution is bent upwards in an outer edge area of the light distribution, so that light reaches an area above the legally permitted areas. This results from the fact that - as in FIG. 5 schematically shown - light from a range between the curves 20 'and 20 "is deflected over the lens upwards and so projected beyond the allowed HD limit.

If one cuts the reflector 20 along the curve 20 ', so that the resulting lower boundary edge is now formed by the edge 20', this results in the FIG. 7 shown, law-compliant light image without straightened HD boundary in the outer area.

The in the FIGS. 6 and 7 at about 5 ° lying asymmetry part is not formed by the edge 20 ', but is usually from one in the FIGS. 2 to 5 Not shown reflector segment, based on a segment 22 as in FIGS. 8 and 9 shown, generated.

In order to increase the sharpness of the image of the light-dark boundary of the reflector, it can be provided that the at least one light source has an elongated configuration, and that the light source is arranged with respect to the reflector that in the light image that of the reflective Surface of the reflector generated helical images are substantially parallel to the cut-off in the light image, since the extent of the blur is directly proportional to the size of a helical image, measured across the cut-off line.

The longitudinal axis of the light source thus runs substantially parallel to the light-dark boundary to be generated, wherein an inclination of a few degrees with respect to the light-dark boundary may well be visually meaningful.

Thus, such a light source has a significantly longer longitudinal than transverse extent, for example, it is a light source of a plurality of light emitting diodes, e.g. in a (1 x n) arrangement in which n LEDs are arranged in a row, the light source thus has a width of one LED and a length of n LEDs. Other examples of such elongated light sources are the arc of a Xe torch or the filament of an incandescent lamp.

Likewise, to increase the sharpness of the image of the light-dark boundary of the reflector acting as a real aperture, it can be provided that the at least one light source has a plane light exit surface, the light exit surface facing the reflective surface of the reflector.

In this case, the plane of the light source and the plane in which the lower boundary edge of the reflector lies extend in a substantially parallel plane.

For example, it may also be provided that the light-emitting surface of the light source is preferably substantially planar and wherein the boundary edge of the reflector forming the cut-off line is arranged in a region in which the light-emitting surface of the at least one light source is shortened in perspective is.

This latter measure can be realized independently or together with the above-mentioned elongated embodiment of the light source.

In the embodiment described above, the reflector generates one or more light-dark boundaries in the light image by the reflector acts as a real aperture, so the boundary edge (s) of the reflector in the light image as light-dark boundaries (or areas of maximum brightness) be imaged.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a light module 1 with a reflector 21, light source 11 and lens 31. The reflector 21 has a reflective surface 21a and a lower boundary edge 21 'comparable to that at the top of the hand FIGS. 2 to 5 described embodiment.

With this boundary edge 21 ', a horizontal cut-off in the light image is generated. Areas of the reflector 21, which are close to the lens, lie in the photograph correspondingly far laterally outside and are lowered accordingly, so that the blur occurring in the HD line in the photograph does not bother.

The important in the photograph parts closer to HV use the perspective shortening of the light source described above, so that there the light-dark line is sufficiently sharp.

In one specific example, the hyperbolic reflector has a focal length of about 40 mm, the lens is an aspherical converging lens with a focal length of about 100 mm.

Like that FIGS. 8 and 9 can still be seen, the reflector 21 has an additional reflector region 22 with reflective surface 22a. This reflector region or this reflector segment 22 illuminates a central region directly around HV in the low beam distribution. In this case, this reflector segment 22 or its reflective surface 22a is designed such that it generates a so-called caustic.

To illustrate shows FIG. 10 schematically the reflective surface 22a, on which a plurality of reflector locations P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 are highlighted. FIG. 11 shows the helical images W1 - W6 generated by these reflector locations P1 - P6 in the light image. If one wanders along the reflector along a line connecting the points P1-P6, then for the time being the helical images W1, W2, W3 travel with the corresponding points P1-P3. The point P3 represents an extreme position, ie a reversal point for the spirals in the light image, because we recognize, wander in a progression from P3 to P4 and then to P5 and P6, the coils W4, W5, W6 back towards the helix W1 ,

The helical image W3 therefore touches the caustic with its outermost boundary edge W3 '(see below for further explanation), the reflector 22 or the reflector surface 22a can be trimmed in the vicinity of the point P3 without the sharpness of the cut-off change.

Repeat this process as if by hand FIGS. 10 and 11 described for several lines on the reflector, we finally get the complete cut-off curve for the reflector 22, which then the shape as in FIGS. 8 and 9 represented assumes.

FIG. 12 shows in the upper picture a light image, generated with an untrimmed reflector, the lower figure in FIG. 12 shows the light image at a trimming of the reflector in the vicinity of those reflector locations, which correspond to helical images on the envelope of Kaustik, as to the hand FIGS. 10 and 11 described. The trimming results in the shape of the reflector 22.

The trimming makes the light-dark boundary stand out better, in particular results in a better straight-line course of the oblique light-dark boundary, as in FIG. 12 easy to recognize.

At the in FIGS. 8 and 9 As shown light module is the overall depth of about 70 mm. The lens was assumed to have a diameter of 100 mm, whereby the trimming can be made very flexible due to the beam path. Very small lens cuts (down to minimum sizes of 40mm x 30mm) are possible without having to sacrifice great efficiency losses. The example in the sketch shows a light exit area of 65mm x 45mm.

By using a multi-line LED as a light source with separately switchable LED rows, a further implementation of dipped beam and high beam is possible only by switching the LEDs.

A light source moved away from the lens (ie closer to the reflector) is displayed higher. By arranging the LED light source such that one row is closer to the reflector, this closer LED row produces an upwardly shifted light distribution that can meet the legal requirements for a high beam distribution. The rear row of LEDs is thus shown lower in the focal plane of the lens than the front row.

Optionally, the multi-line LED light source can be rotated about an axis passing through the dimmed light relevant chips. In this way, the high beam row is intentionally defocused, resulting in a more homogeneous appearance and greater high beam height.

FIG. 13 shows a light module 1 with a light source 100, a reflector 200 (with reflective surface 200a) and a lens 300, wherein the reflective surface 200a of the reflector 200 is formed such that light from the light source 100, which along a defined curve on the reflective Surface 200a is reflected in the light image as a region of maximum brightness.

The light source 100 comprises one or more light-emitting diodes, which are arranged vertically, the light-emitting surface of which thus lies in a vertical plane, and this light source 100 illuminates the laterally arranged reflector 200, which generates a substantially horizontal light-dark boundary, as shown in FIG Photograph in FIG. 14 is shown. The HD limit is generated according to the invention exclusively by a caustic.

It is a basically hyperbolic reflector with a focal length of about 70 mm and an aspherical converging lens with a focal length of about 90 mm used, the depth of the light module 1 is about 50 mm.

The generation of the bright-dark boundary with a reflector is based here on the effect of the so-called caustics, so that one or more, in principle arbitrarily shaped light-dark boundaries can be generated without the use of diaphragms. The at least one defined curve on the reflecting surface is displayed in the light image as a caustic line, ie as a line with maximum brightness, on one side (eg below this line) the brightness decreases, on the other side (eg above the line) no or hardly any light shown.

FIG. 15 shows a light module with a light source 110, in this case again comprising one or more vertically arranged LEDs, and this light source 110 illuminates a laterally arranged reflector 210 with reflective surface 210a. Via a lens 310, the light is projected into an area in front of the light module.

This light module produces a semi-circular light distribution with a pronounced maximum, see FIG. 16 , The superposition with a mirror-image light distribution can be used to build a high beam. The essentially vertical cut-off line (see FIG. 16 ) is generated over the edge 210 'of the reflector 210.

According to the invention, a basically hyperbolic reflector with, for example, a focal length of approximately 70 mm is used; in this example, furthermore, an aspherical converging lens with a focal length of approximately 90 mm is used. The depth of the light module is approximately 50 mm.

Finally, on hand of the FIGS. 17-20 the effect of the caustics, as in a partial reflector according to FIGS. 8 and 9 based on Figures 10 - 12 has already been briefly described, and how he also after a light module after FIG. 13 is used, will be described in more detail.

FIG. 17 shows by way of example a laterally arranged reflector 2000 whose reflective surface 2000a is illuminated by a light source 1000. The reflecting surface 2000a of the reflector 2000 is designed according to the invention such that light from the light source 1000, which is reflected along the defined curve O on the reflecting surface 2000a, is imaged in the light image as a region with maximum brightness.

In the in FIG. 18 shown light image illuminates light from an area around the line O in FIG. 17 a range at and below the horizontal cut-off line (see horizontal, hatched area LO in FIG. 18 ). The line O is substantially horizontal in this example. Light originating from the point 2 on the surface 2000a illuminates approximately the area marked "2" in the light image.

Light from both sides of the defined curve O on the reflective surface 2000a, ie light from above and below the curve O in the example shown, is subsequently imaged in the light image on one side of the region of maximum brightness, below this region and subsequently.

At a substantially horizontal cut-off (caustic line) as in FIG. 18 Accordingly, the light from both reflector areas below the caustic line is shown and generates the light distribution under the HD line.

Light from the upper half is reflected more strongly downwards than light from the lower half. Moving from an upper point "1" on the reflecting surface 2000a over point "2" to point "3", the top-down, bent region LB in the light image results from light rays from a region around it " 1 "to" 3 "running curve. At the lowest point, light rays from point "1" and "3" meet.

FIG. 19 shows again the reflector 2000 with the reflective surface 2000a. Shown are three different vertically extending segments "A", "B", "C", which represent the three areas "A", "B", "C" in the photograph in FIG FIG. 20 produce. Light from the area around the line O is imaged at the light-dark boundary, light from above and below the line O is imaged below the cut-off line. By suitable segmentation and appropriate design of the individual segments, which preferably connect continuously to each other, there is a great freedom of design with regard to the generation of a desired light image with cut-off.

Claims (13)

1. A light module (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising:

   +) at least one light source (1, 10, 11, 100, 110);

   +) at least one reflector (2, 20, 21, 200, 210, 2000);

   +) at least one lens (3, 30, 31, 300, 310);

   wherein the light emitted by the light source (1, 10, 11, 100, 110) is formed into a light distribution by a reflecting surface (2a, 20a, 21a, 22a, 200a, 210a, 2000a) of the at least one reflector (2, 20, 21, 200, 210, 2000) and - when the light module (1) is fitted in a vehicle - is projected via the at least one lens (3, 30, 31, 300, 310) into an area in front of the vehicle,
   wherein
   the reflecting surface (2a, 20a, 21a, 22a, 200a, 210a, 2000a) of the at least one reflector (2, 20, 21, 200, 210, 2000) is formed in such a way that a first focal point (F1) of the reflector (2, 20, 21, 200, 210, 2000), in which first local point (F1) the at least one light source (1, 10,11, 100, 110) is being located, is located between the reflecting surface (2a, 20a, 21a, 22a, 200a, 210a, 2000a) and the at least one lens (3, 30, 31, 300, 310) and a second focal point (F2) is located on the side of the reflector (2, 20, 21, 200, 210, 2000) facing away from the lens (3, 30, 31, 300, 310), wherein
   the reflecting surface (2a, 20a, 21a, 22a, 200a, 210a, 2000a) of the reflector (2, 20, 21, 200, 210, 2000) is designed in such a way that the light pattern generated comprises at least one light-dark line, characterised in that the reflecting surface (22a, 200a, 210a, 2000a) of the reflector (21, 200, 210, 2000) is designed in such a way that light from the at least one light source (11, 100, 110) reflected along at least one defined curve (O) on the reflecting surface (22a, 200a, 210a, 2000a) is projected in the light pattern as an area with maximum brightness.
2. The light module according to Claim 1, characterised in that the reflecting surface (22a, 200a, 210a, 2000a) of the reflector (21, 200, 210, 2000) is designed in such a way that light from both sides of the at least one defined curve (O) on the reflecting surface (22a, 200a, 210a, 2000a) is projected in the light pattern on a side of the area with maximum brightness, adjacently to said area.
3. The light module according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, starting from a reflector, which generates a defined light distribution with defined brightness distribution, this reflector is trimmed substantially parallel to the defined curve on the reflecting surface (200a, 210a, 2000a), which is projected in the light pattern as an area with maximum brightness, on at least one side of the defined curve.
4. The light module according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, starting from a reflector, which generates a defined light distribution with defined brightness distribution, this reflector is trimmed substantially normal to the defined curve on the reflecting surface (200a, 210a, 2000a), which is projected in the light pattern as an area with maximum brightness.
5. The light module according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that, in order to form the at least one light-dark line in the light pattern, the reflector (20, 21) is formed substantially as a reflector partial shell, for example as a reflector half shell, wherein light from an area of the delimiting edge (20', 21') of the reflector partial shell forms the light distribution at the light-dark line in the light pattern.
6. The light module according to Claim 5, characterised in that the reflector partial shell (20, 21) is downwardly open in the fitted position of the light module.
7. The light module according to Claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the delimiting edge (20', 21') of the reflector partial shell (20, 21) runs substantially above a plane in which the at least one light source (10, 11) is located.
8. The light module according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the delimiting edge (20', 21') is curved toward the front, upwardly toward the front reflector opening.
9. The light module according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the at least one light source has an elongate configuration, and in that the light source is arranged relative to the reflector in such a way that, in the light pattern, the filament images generated by the reflecting surface of the reflector are located substantially parallel to the light-dark boundary in the light pattern.
10. The light module according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the at least one light source has a planar light exit surface.
11. The light module according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the light-emitting surface of the at least one light source is preferably substantially planar, wherein the delimiting edge of the reflector forming the light-dark boundary is arranged in an area in which the light-emitting surface of the at least one light source is perspectively shortened.
12. The light module according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the at least one lens (3, 30, 31, 300, 310) is formed as an achromatic lens.
13. A vehicle headlight comprising at least one light module (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 12.

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