IP Library Granted Patent US 9,097,401
Granted Patent B2
US 9,097,401 · App. 13/867,041 · Granted Aug 4, 2015

Light module for motor-vehicle headlight

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,097,401
App. No.
13/867,041
Granted
Aug 4, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A light module comprises a light-exit section, a base light source that exhibits at least one LED with a light-emitting surface limited by an edge, a reflector open to the light-exit section for collimating light on a meridional plane, and a cylinder lens for collimating the light on a sagittal plane running perpendicular to the meridional plane. The reflector on the sagittal plane is free of curvature and is curved on the meridional plane such that a focal line is defined. The base light source is arranged such that the edge runs on the focal line, and the light-emitting surface proceeds from the focal line extending in a direction of the light-exit section so that the light radiated from the light module exhibits a basic light distribution with a “light/dark” boundary.

Claims (18)

1. A light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) for a motor-vehicle headlight, the light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) comprising:

a light-exit section ( 17 ) through which light can be radiated in a main direction of emission ( 15 );

a base light source ( 12 ) that exhibits at least one LED ( 76 ) with a light-emitting surface ( 77 ) limited by an edge ( 13 , 78 );

a reflector ( 14 ) open to the light-exit section ( 17 ) for collimating the light on a meridional plane; and

a cylinder lens ( 18 ) for collimating the light on a sagittal plane running substantially perpendicular to the meridional plane,

wherein the reflector ( 14 ) is free of curvature in the sagittal plane and curved on the meridional plane such that a focal line ( 20 , 75 ) is defined, the base light source ( 12 ) is arranged such that the edge ( 13 , 78 ) runs on the focal line ( 20 , 75 ), and the light-emitting surface ( 77 ) proceeds from the focal line ( 20 , 75 ) extending in a direction of the light-exit section ( 17 ) so that the light ( 26 ) radiated from the light module exhibits a light distribution with a “light/dark” boundary (HDG).

2. The light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the cylinder lens ( 18 ) is arranged in a beam path proceeding from the base light source ( 12 ) either of before and after the reflector ( 14 ).

3. The light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the cylinder lens ( 18 ) forms the light-exit section ( 17 ) of the light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ).

4. The light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the reflector ( 14 ) is either of a segment and a sector of a substantially cylindrical hollow body.

5. The light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the reflector ( 14 ) extends only above the light-emitting surface ( 77 ).

6. The light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the reflector ( 14 ) exhibits at least one of a reflector facet ( 52 ) and a scatter structure such that a light bundle can be diverted to a dark region ( 27 ) above the “light/dark” boundary (HDG).

7. The light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the base light source ( 12 ) radiates a source-light distribution with a direction of emission ( 40 ) and is arranged such that, with the main direction of emission ( 15 ), the direction of emission ( 40 ) encloses any of an acute deflection angle (α), an obtuse deflection angle (α), or a substantially right angle.

8. The light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the base light source ( 12 ) exhibits a plurality of LEDs ( 76 ) that are arranged next to one another such that, in each case, an edge ( 78 ) of each of the LEDs ( 76 ) lies on the focal line ( 20 , 75 ).

9. The light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a high-beam-light source ( 82 ) is provided that exhibits at least one of the at least one LED ( 76 ) with the light-emitting surface ( 77 ) limited by the edge ( 78 ) and the high-beam-light source ( 82 ) is arranged such that the focal line ( 20 , 75 ) runs through the light-emitting surface ( 77 ).

10. The light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) according to claim 9 , wherein a high-beam bundle lens ( 84 ) for bundling the light of the high-beam-light source ( 82 ) is provided either of on and substantially parallel with the sagittal plane and the high-beam bundle lens ( 84 ) is arranged such that the light radiated from the base light source ( 12 ) remains substantially uninfluenced.

11. The light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) according to claim 9 , wherein an optical prism ( 96 ) is provided such that a light beam ( 98 ) radiated from the high-beam-light source ( 82 ) is deviated either of on and offset substantially parallel with the meridional plane and remains substantially uninfluenced substantially parallel with the sagittal plane.

12. The light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) according to claim 9 , wherein the cylinder lens ( 18 ) is substantially minor-symmetrical to a substantially symmetrical plane ( 79 ) running substantially perpendicular to the sagittal plane and the at least one LED ( 76 ) of at least one of the base light source ( 12 ) and high-beam-light source ( 82 ) is arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the symmetrical plane ( 79 ).

13. The light module ( 10 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 ) according to claim 9 , wherein a focal line running substantially perpendicular to the sagittal plane is defined and the cylinder lens ( 18 ) is arranged such that at least one of the base light source ( 12 ) and high-beam-light source ( 82 ) is arranged between the focal line and cylinder lens ( 18 ).

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 12, 2022
From: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
To: MARELLI AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN (GERMANY) GMBH
Reel/Frame 059684/0522 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2013
From: BRENDLE, MATTHIAS
To: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
Reel/Frame 030827/0467 →