Motor Vehicle light

Description

[0001] The invention generally refers to motor vehicle lighting, and in particular cooling of lighting accessories for lights. Within the scope of a preferred application of the invention in the field of vehicles and transport, such invention especially refers to vehicle lights, which are basically intended for the purposes of illuminating the area in front of the vehicle, namely to headlights, additional day lights, fog lights or similar lighting and signaling equipment for vehicles.

[0002] The purpose of invention is to create a tightly closed light of relatively small overall dimensions, in which a light source is incorporated within a reflector, which is surrounded by appropriate casing, which is tightly closed and protected against meteorological influences from the outside and is moreover on the front side covered by a transparent wall or lens and on the rear side by means of appropriate cover, wherein such light should be optionally furnished with different light sources, namely either with a classic filament bulb, preferably a halide one, or when desired with appropriate set of diodes, and wherein the overall dimensions - at least those being crucial for mounting a light into each vehicle - as well as the major parts of the light should remain essentially unchanged regardless to each time used light source. Numerous lights are known in the prior art, by which a light source represents a halide filament bulb, which is inserted into appropriate base and surrounded by appropriate reflector adapted to form a desired light beam and to direct generated light into each desired direction. The reflector is surrounded by a casing, which in modem embodiments usually consists of a polymeric material and is tightly closed on its front end by means of a transparent wall consisting of polymeric or mineral material in order to withstand each meteorological influences, while on its rear end a plastic cover is attached. Various other supplements may be foreseen within said casing in addition to said reflector, like e.g. screens or regulation means intended for adjusting each desired position of the reflector with respect to the longitudinal axis of the light in order to adjust each desired direction of the light beams.

[0003] Generally speaking, there is a need to tightly close the light in order to protect the components within the casing from the meteorological influences from outside, although some other kind of problems may arise in such embodiments, which are among others related to transfer of the heat generated within said casing towards the circumference. Whenever a filament bulb is used, the supplied energy is mostly transformed into a heat, while only a minor portion of approx. 5% of said energy is transformed into visible light beams. In addition, using of filament bulbs is also connected with several other requirements, which result from relatively short functionality period or life-time of such bulbs, which therefore need to be replaced from time to time. Consequently, in modern lights there is often a need on use of some other kind of light source, in particular on substitution of filament bulbs with diodes. When using diodes, the energetic efficiency is much higher, since approximately 20% of the supplied energy is transformed into visible light beams. Despite to that, although diodes arc used as a light source an essential amount of heat is generated, which normally represents one of the major problems, in particular when the light source is present within a relatively small volume, which normally occurs in commonly used lights for motor vehicles. This phenomena is of particular importance, since such increasing of temperature in the circumference of each diode normally results in decreasing of lighting capability of each diode, so that each overheating may then lead not only to damages of components arranged adjacent to said diode but also to hindering the efficiency of the light as such.

[0004] Accordingly, those skilled in the art are no doubt aware of numerous modem lighting systems, where a classic bulb is substituted by diodes. However, using said diodes is normally connected with the presence of an electronic circuit and usually also a transformer or similar electric or electronic components, which may also generate heat. All these components generally require essential conceptual amendments of each light including dimensions thereof, which is normally connected with accommodation of various other parts of vehicle to such amended concept of lights, and moreover also with certain changes of processes for manufacturing such lights. Such measures normally result in extreme investments related to development and purchasing of manufacturing equipment, while at the same time each manufacturer of certain type of vehicle is also subjected to certain limitations, since the choice must be made between assembling either lights with classic bulbs or lights with diodes into each particular type of vehicle. Such consequences are undesired both for vehicle manufacturers and also for specialized manufactures of lighting equipment for motor vehicles.

[0005] A brake light according to DE 20 2004 016 669 U1 may be exposed as an example of such approach, where the light comprises a plurality of cooling ribs consisting of a heat conductive material, which results in essential amendment of dimensions and also of visual appearance of such light.

[0006] Still further, a commonly applicable light is proposed in DE 20 2006 009 553 U1, where a diode is used as a light source, in addition to which said light also includes a transformer Said diode is together with the belonging circuit surrounded with a cooling assembly, which is formed by outwards extending radial ribs spaced apart to each other, wherein said ribs constitute a cooler in form of a truncated cone, in which the width of said ribs on the side of said diode is greater than the width of ribs in the residual portion of said cooler. If such concept would be e.g. used in a light for motor vehicles, then the dimensions of a light would no doubt have to be essentially changed.

[0007] Still further, WO 2007/042552 A1 or DE 10 2005 049 685.7 respectively proposes a multi-purpose headlight module, in which a diode is attached to its electronic circuit, which is mounted in a tubular heat sink, which consists of a thermal conductive material and is equipped on its circumference with a plurality of ribs and grooves, by which its surface area is then enlarged in order to enhance a heat transfer towards the adjacency thereof. Such heat sink might e.g. also be mounted within a casing made of a thermoplastic polymeric material, upon which a generated heat could be probably transferred from the diode towards said heat sink, but not also from said heat sink towards the outside circumference of said casing.

[0008] US 2005/111220 A1 discloses a composite reflecting surface for linear LED array. In one of embodiments, a reflector is adapted to provide a warning light. The back side of the reflector defines location for securing PC board carrying the LEDs. A lens covers the front of the assembly and a thermally conductive plastic heat sink covers the back of the assembly and provides a thermal pathway for heat generated by LEDs. In such a case said PC board is positioned behind of the reflector, and the heat source, namely the PC board, is located within a single casing together with the reflector and LEDs. Although the rear wall is thermally conductive and serves as a heat sink, leading-off the generated heat may not be sufficiently effective in certain circumstances. The surface of such heat sink remains the same regardless to outer temperature or each available space behind the lamp when it is mounted into each vehicle. It is obvious that the intensity of leading-off the heat is merely depending on dimensions of said surface of the heat sink in addition to conductivity of the material and the difference between the inner and outer temperature. In this the overall surface of the heat sink is either limited by dimensions of the light as such, or alternatively, the required surface of the heat sink dictates overall dimensions of the light, which seems not to be quite reasonable.

[0009] DE 200 07 235 U1 proposes a multi-purpose lamp comprising a casing, in which a PC board with LEDs is arranged in the front area in such a manner, that a sufficient gap is available along the circumference between the PC board and the casing, whilst the transformer and the electric circuit for controlling said LEDS are arranged behind said board. In order to eliminate the heat generated on the PC board, a metal tablet i.e. a heat sink is foreseen adjacent to said electric circuit and the transformer on that side, which is faced towards the PC board, and is interconnected with said electric elements via appropriate heat conducting spacers. Said metal plate is arranged at a sufficient distance apart from the PC board, so that the space between the PC board and the metal tablet is connected with the circumferential gap between the PC board and the casing in order to allow the air to circulate and to lead-off the heat from the. Such lamp being without reflector and may generally not be used as a vehicle lamp. Regardless to that, the gap between the PC board and the casing generally allows penetration of wet or dust into the area between the heat sink and the PC board. Although the heat sink is attached to the casing by means of water tight adhesive, when such lamp would be used in a vehicle, e.g. as a front light, even during a normal use there would always be a risk that rain or snow or various particles would penetrate from outside into the space between the PC board and the heat sink. Consequently, such particles would then hinder or even block a required circulation of the air. In particular when the velocity of the vehicle would be high, the uniform air pressure in the area of said circumferential gap would completely stop said circulation, upon which the heat permanently generated by each electric components and transferred to the heat sink could only be transferred further to the PC Board or throughout the casing.

[0010] US 2005/0128752 A1 discloses a lighting module, in particular a spot light, comprising an uniform casing having an open front end and a dome-shaped rear end. Electric components of LEDs are inserted within said dome shaped rear end of the casing, and a heat exchanger is inserted within said casing adjacent to said electric components. Said heat exchanger is a pretty complicated part, which is furnished with radially extending recesses, which are directed towards appropriate openings, which are arranged on the casing and are correspondingly spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the casing. The lighting module consisting of LEDs attached to appropriate board is inserted within said casing in front of said heat exchanger, and said radial recesses actually form a gap between said lighting module and the belonging electric components. The air heated by electric components should normally move in the vertical direction, so that the majority of radially in any other directions extending recesses seem to be pretty useless. Of that reason, a fan should normally be present within the central area of the heat exchanger in order to assure a really effective leading-off the heat from the interior of the casing. Since in such light the heat is actually lead-off from the interior of the casing and not just from the heat source i.e. from electric components, and of that reason also the casing as such normally needs to consist of a thermally conductive material like aluminium.

[0011] The invention refers to a motor vehicle light comprising at least one light source, which is available within a reflector and is together with said reflector surrounded by appropriate casing, which is - when observed in a direction of light beam - on its front side tightly closed and herewith protected against meteorological and mechanical impacts from outside by means of a transparent optical active or passive wall, and on its rearward side by means of appropriate cover.

[0012] According to the invention, such light consists of a lightning module as well as of a complementary module, which is - when observed in a direction of the light beam-rearwards and at least approximately in a coaxial alignment attached to said lightning module, by which said lightning module is invariant with respect to each used light source and comprises a casing, which is adapted to receive an appropriate reflector and is closed on the front side by a transparent wall, while said complementary module comprises at least a desired light source together with each belonging control and supplying units as well as a casing, which is closed on its rear side by means of a cover and comprises a front wall, which is faced towards the lighting module and consists of a thermal conductive material.

[0013] Accordingly, said complementary module is furnished with at least two at least approximately in the vertical direction extending throughout passages, which are arranged adjacent to the front wall consisting of a thermal conductive material, by which a thermal conductive rib is foreseen between each pair of neighboring passages. Said complementary module is furnished with a plurality of at least approximately in the vertical direction extending throughout passages, which are arranged adjacent to the front wall consisting of a thermal conductive material, by which a thermal conductive rib is foreseen between each pair of neighboring passages.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention said complementary module comprises an electronic circuit, which and attached to a corresponding set of diodes protruding into a reflector. Said circuit is arranged on those side of said module, which is faced towards the lighting module, by which a control unit covered by a thermal conductive cover is arranged with respect to said passages on the opposite side of said casing, which is faced towards said cover, which preferably consists of an electric conductive and thermal conductive material, in particular of a metallic material.

[0015] A seal is foreseen between the casing of the supplementary module and the belonging cover, and moreover, a seal - preferably an O-ring - is also foreseen between the casing of the supplementary module and the casing of the lighting module.

[0016] Said lighting module is furthermore is adapted to cooperate either with a complementary module with incorporated at least one light source, which is a diode, or also with a complementary module with incorporated at least one classis light source like a filament bulb.

[0017] Now the invention will be described in more detail on the basis of an embodiment, which is shown in the enclosed drawing, in which

Fig. 1

is a cross-section of the light according to the invention along the vertical plane, and

Fig. 2

is an explosion view of the light according to Fig. 1.

[0018] A light according to the invention generally consists of a lighting module 1, which is at least when bearing in mind dimensions and manufacturing technology deemed to be invariant with respect to each used light source, as well as of a belonging complementary module 2. Said invariance of the lighting module 1 with respect to each used light source actually means that each particular lightning module 1 may have the same dimensions and may be manufactured in each desired manner regardless to that, if either a filament bulb or a set of diodes is then mounted therein as a lighting source

[0019] Said lighting module 1 consists of a casing 11, which is adapted to receive a reflector 12 and covered in the front portion by means of a transparent wall 13, which is either optically active or passive, and may functionally represent either a convergence or divergence lens, or just a means intended to modify a color of light beams passing there-through.

[0020] A complementary module 2 is coaxially aligned and thanks to an appropriate seal 27 also tightly attached to said lighting module 1, and comprises a casing 20 having a wall 200, which is faced towards said lighting module 1 and consists of a heat conductive material, when desired e.g. of a thermoplastic polymer characterized by a desired thermal conductivity, and in addition to that, said casing 20 is equipped with a plurality of throughout passages 202, which extend at least approximately in the vertical direction and are separated from each other by means of appropriate ribs 201. The casing 20 of the complementary module 2 is moreover furnished on its front side 21 with appropriate electronic circuit 25, which is connected with each belonging set of diodes 251, 252, 253, 254 protruding into said reflector 12, while the control unit 23 intended to control said circuit 25 together with diodes 251, 252, 253, 254 is arranged at the rearward side 22 of said casing 20 of the complementary module 2, over which then appropriate cover 24 is attached to said casing 20 and is sealed by means of adequate seal 26. Said cover 24 preferably consists of a metallic material and is therefore able not only to protect said electronic components 23, 25, 251, 252, 253, 254 within the complementary module 2 against meteorological and mechanical impacts from the outside, but also to form a protective means which is commonly known as a Farraday cage, and to protect herewith said control unit 23 against electric and other disorders, which may result from any other electric or electronic appliances mounted within the vehicle.

[0021] According to such a concept of a light according to the invention, a lighting module 1 of the same dimensions may therefore be mounted into an equivalent light, in which a filament bulb is used as a light source. Regardless to each desired choice of a lighting source, which may either be a classic filament bulb or a set of diodes 251, 252, 253, 254, said lighting module 1 remains unchanged with respect to both dimensions thereof as well as to technology of manufacturing thereof. On the other hand, each complementary module 2 is either used as the embodiment containing said set of diodes 251, 252, 253, 254, or alternatively as an embodiment containing appropriate base or holder adapted to receive a classic bulb, while the casing 20 is furnished with a cover 24 on its rearward side 22, wherein the dimensions of said complementary module 2 remain the same regardless to the light source, which generally means that also the overall dimensions of both modules 1, 2 remain the same regardless to each choice of the light source.

[0022] Whenever a complementary module 2 with incorporated set of diodes 251, 252, 253, 254 is attached to the lighting module 1, said set protrudes into the reflector 12. Heat, which is generated within the circuit 25 and diodes 251, 252, 253, 254, is then due to the presence of a thermal conductive wall 200 of the casing 200 transferred to the air, which is present within said passages 202, by which the surface available for transferring the heat from the casing 20 to the adjacent air is essentially enlarged due to the presence of ribs 201 between each neighboring passages 202. Whenever the complete casing 20 of the complementary module 2 is sufficiently conductive, said heat is not only transferred to the air within said passages 202 but is also conducted along said ribs 201 and the circumferential area of the casing 20 towards the metallic cover 24, which may in such circumstances also serve as an additional means for transferring the heat to the air, which is available in the adjacency behind the light.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle light, comprising at least one light source (251, 252, 253, 254), which is available within a reflector (12) and is together with said reflector (12) surrounded by appropriate casing (11), which is - when observed in a direction of a light beam - on its front side tightly closed and herewith protected against meteorological and mechanical impacts from outside by means of a transparent optical active or passive wall (13), and on its rearward side by means of appropriate cover (24), wherein such motor vehicle light consists of a lighting module (1), which comprises said casing (11), which is adapted to receive said reflector (12) and is closed on the front side by said transparent optical active or passive wall (13), as well as of a complementary module (2), which is when observed in a direction of the light beam- rearwards and at least approximately in a coaxial alignment tightly attached to said lighting module (1), wherein said complementary module (2) comprises at least the light source (251, 252, 253, 254) together with each belonging control and supplying units (23, 25) as well as a casing (20), which is closed on its rear side (22) by means of said cover (24) and comprises a front wall (200), which is faced towards the lighting module (1) and consists of a thermal conductive material, wherein said complementary module (2) is furnished with at least two at least approximately in the vertical direction extending throughout passages (202), which are arranged adjacent to said front wall (200) consisting of a thermal conductive material, wherein a thermal conductive rib (201) is foreseen between each pair of neighboring passages (202).

2. Light according to Claim 1, characterized in that said complementary module (2) comprises an electronic circuit (25) arranged on those side (21) of said module (2), which is faced towards the lighting module (1), and attached to a set of diodes (251, 252, 253, 254) protruding into a reflector (12), and that a control unit (23) covered by a metallic thermal and electric conductive cover (24) is arranged with respect to said passages (202) on the opposite side (22) of said casing (20), which is faced towards said cover (24).

3. Light according to one of Claims 1 - 2, characterized in that a seal (26) is foreseen between the casing (20) of the supplementary module (2) and the belonging cover (24).

4. Light according to one of Claims 1 - 2, characterized in that a seal (27) is foreseen between the casing (20) of the supplementary module (2) and the casing (11) of the lighting module (1).

5. Light according to one of Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that a seal (27) between the casing (20) of the supplementary module (2) and the casing (11) of the lighting module (1) is an O-ring.

6. Light according to one of Claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the lighting module (1) is adapted to cooperate with the complementary module (2) with incorporated at least one light source, which is a diode (251, 252, 253, 254).

7. Light according to one of Claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the lighting module (1) is adapted to cooperate with the complementary module (2) with incorporated at least one light source, which is a filament bulb.

Ansprüche

1. Kraftfahrzeuglicht, aufweisend mindestens eine Lichtquelle (251, 252, 253, 254), die innerhalb eines Reflektors (12) verfügbar und zusammen mit dem Reflektor (12) von einem geeigneten Gehäuse (11) umgeben ist, welches an seiner Vorderseite - gesehen in Richtung eines Lichtstrahls - fest verschlossen und damit durch eine transparente, optisch aktive oder passive Wand (13) vor meteorologischen und mechanischen Auswirkungen von außen geschützt ist, und an seiner Rückseite durch eine geeignete Abdeckung (24) geschützt ist, wobei ein solches Kraftfahrzeuglicht aus einem Beleuchtungsmodul (1), welches das Gehäuse (11) aufweist, das dazu geeignet ist, den Reflektor (12) aufzunehmen, und an der Vorderseite durch die transparente, optisch aktive oder passive Wand (13) geschlossen ist, und aus einem komplementären Modul (2) besteht, welches - gesehen in einer Richtung des Lichtstrahls - rückseitig und zumindest in etwa in koaxialer Ausrichtung fest an dem Beleuchtungsmodul (1) angebracht ist, wobei das komplementäre Modul (2) mindestens die Lichtquelle (251, 252, 253, 254) zusammen mit jeder zugehörigen Steuer- und Versorgungseinheit (23, 25) sowie ein Gehäuse (20) aufweist, welches an seiner Rückseite (22) durch die Abdeckung (24) verschlossen ist und eine Vorderwand (200) aufweist, die zu dem Beleuchtungsmodul (1) weist und aus einem wärmeleitfähigen Material besteht, wobei das komplementäre Modul (2) mit mindestens zwei, sich zumindest in etwa in vertikaler Richtung erstreckenden durchgehenden Durchgängen (202) versehen ist, die angrenzend an die Vorderwand (200) angeordnet sind, die aus einem wärmeleitfähigen Material besteht, wobei zwischen jedem Paar von benachbarten Durchgängen (202) eine wärmeleitfähige Rippe (201) vorgesehen ist.

2. Licht nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das komplementäre Modul (2) eine elektronische Schaltung (25) aufweist, die an derjenigen Seite (21) des Moduls (2) angeordnet ist, die zum Beleuchtungsmodul (1) weist, und die an einem Diodensatz (251, 252, 253, 254) angebracht ist, der in einen Reflektor (12) ragt, und dass eine Steuereinheit (23), die von einer metallischen, wärmeleitfähigen und elektrisch leitenden Abdeckung (24) bedeckt ist, in Bezug auf die Durchgänge (202) auf der entgegengesetzten Seite (22) des Gehäuses (20) angeordnet ist, die zu der Abdeckung (24) weist.

3. Licht nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Abdichtung (26) zwischen dem Gehäuse (20) des ergänzenden Moduls (2) und der zugehörigen Abdeckung (24) vorgesehen ist.

4. Licht nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Abdichtung (27) zwischen dem Gehäuse (20) des ergänzenden Moduls (2) und dem Gehäuse (11) des Beleuchtungsmoduls (1) vorgesehen ist.

5. Licht nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Abdichtung (27) zwischen dem Gehäuse (20) des ergänzenden Moduls (2) und dem Gehäuse (11) des Beleuchtungsmoduls (1) ein O-Ring ist.

6. Licht nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Beleuchtungsmodul (1) dazu geeignet ist, mit dem komplementären Modul (2) mit mindestens einer inkorporierten Lichtquelle, die eine Diode (251, 252, 253, 254) ist, zusammenzuwirken.

7. Licht nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Beleuchtungsmodul (1) dazu geeignet ist, mit dem komplementären Modul (2) mit der mindestens einen inkorporierten Lichtquelle, die eine Glühlampe ist, zusammenzuwirken.

Revendications

1. Projecteur de véhicule motorisé, comprenant au moins une source (251, 252, 253, 254) de lumière, qui est disponible à l'intérieur d'un réflecteur (12) et est, en même temps que ledit réflecteur (12), entourée par un boîtier (11) approprié, qui est - lorsqu'il est observé dans un sens d'un faisceau lumineux - sur son côté avant étroitement fermé et ainsi protégé contre des impacts météorologiques et mécaniques provenant de l'extérieur au moyen d'une paroi (13) transparente optiquement active ou passive, et sur son côté arrière au moyen d'un capot (24) approprié, dans lequel un tel projecteur de véhicule motorisé consiste en un module (1) d'éclairage, qui comprend ledit boîtier (11), qui est adapté à recevoir ledit réflecteur (12) et est fermé sur le côté avant par ladite paroi (13) transparente optiquement active ou passive, ainsi qu'en un module (2) complémentaire, qui est - lorsqu'il est observé dans un sens du faisceau lumineux - vers l'arrière et au moins approximativement en un alignement coaxial fermement fixé audit module (1) d'éclairage, dans lequel ledit module (2) complémentaire comprend au moins la source (251, 252, 253, 254) de lumière en même temps que chacune des unités de contrôle et d'alimentation (23, 25) correspondantes ainsi qu'un boîtier (20), qui est fermé sur son côté arrière (22) au moyen dudit capot (24) et comprend une paroi (200) avant, qui fait face vers le module (1) d'éclairage et consiste en un matériau thermo-conducteur, dans lequel ledit module (2) complémentaire est doté d'au moins deux passages traversants (202) s'étendant au moins approximativement dans le sens vertical, qui sont agencés adjacents à ladite paroi (200) avant consistant en un matériau thermo-conducteur, dans lequel une nervure (201) thermo-conductrice est prévue entre chaque paire de passages (202) voisins.

2. Projecteur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit module (2) complémentaire comprend un circuit électronique (25) agencé sur le côté (21) dudit module (2), qui fait face vers le module (1) d'éclairage, et fixé à un ensemble de diodes (251, 252, 253, 254) faisant saillie dans un réflecteur (12), et en ce qu'une unité de contrôle (23) couverte par un capot (24) métallique thermo-conducteur et électro-conducteur est agencée par rapport auxdits passages (202) sur le côté (22) opposé dudit boîtier (20), qui fait face vers ledit capot (24).

3. Projecteur selon l'une des revendications 1 à 2, caractérisé en ce qu'un joint (26) est prévu entre le boîtier (20) du module (2) complémentaire et le capot (24) correspondant.

4. Projecteur selon l'une des revendications 1 à 2, caractérisé en ce qu'un joint (27) est prévu entre le boîtier (20) du module (2) complémentaire et le boîtier (11) du module (1) d'éclairage.

5. Projecteur selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce qu'un joint (27) entre le boîtier (20) du module (2) complémentaire et le boîtier (11) du module (1) d'éclairage est un joint torique.

6. Projecteur selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que le module (1) d'éclairage est adapté à coopérer avec le module (2) complémentaire avec au moins une source de lumière incorporée, qui est une diode (251, 252, 253, 254).

7. Projecteur selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que le module (1) d'éclairage est adapté à coopérer avec le module (2) complémentaire avec au moins une source de lumière incorporée, qui est une ampoule à filament.

Drawing