Illumination Device for a Motor Vehicle

• US 20150016133A1
• Filed: 10/02/2014
• Published: 01/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: ERDL, Helmut, HANAFI, Abdelmalek
• Granted Patent: US 10,239,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/510
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0064 with provision for maintenance, e.g. changing the light bulb swivel arrangements B60Q1/0425
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0408 built into the vehicle body, e.g. details concerning the mounting of the headlamps on the vehicle body B60Q1/0491, B60Q1/05 take precedence, integrated front ends B62D25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 11/005 for lighting devices, e.g. indicating if lamps are burning or not
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/16 Laser light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/176 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/24 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/635 by moving refractors, filters or transparent cover plates
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/251 the light guides being used to transmit light from remote light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/42 Forced cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/43 using gas
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/48 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
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/49 Attachment of the cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre

Abstract

An illumination device for a motor vehicle includes a light source constructed of a number of semiconductor diodes, and an optical device for generating a predefined light distribution from the light of the light source. The optical device is arranged in a housing. The illumination device is characterized in that the light source is rigidly connected to the housing. At least one optical waveguide is provided for guiding the light of the light source to the optical device.

Claims

1. An illumination device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a housing;

a light source constructed of a number of semiconductor diodes;

an optical device arranged in the housing, the optical device being designed to generate a predefined light distribution from light of the light source; and

at least one optical waveguide, the at least one optical waveguide guiding the light of the light source to the optical device, wherein

the light source is rigidly connected to the housing.

2. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the number of semiconductor diodes comprises one or more laser diodes.

3. The illumination device according to claim 2, wherein the number of semiconductor diodes comprises exclusively laser diodes.

4. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one optical waveguide is an optical fiber cable.

5. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light source produces monochromatic light, the illumination device further comprising:

a conversion element arranged in the illumination device to convert the monochromatic light of the light source to white light.

6. The illumination device according to claim 5, wherein the conversion element is arranged at one end of the at least one optical waveguide, which one end is either adjacent to the light source or remote from the light source.

7. The illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor that detects light intensity in the optical waveguide, the sensor being arranged at one end of the optical waveguide remote from the light source.

8. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is removably connected to the housing.

9. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the light source extends outside of the housing.

10. The illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a heat sink configured for the light source, the heat sink cooling the light source and being thermally coupled to a cooler part of the motor vehicle.

11. The illumination device according to claim 10, wherein the heat sink is arranged outside of the housing.

12. The illumination device according to claim 10, wherein the heat sink comprises a cooling body having cooling ribs, fins and/or pins.

13. The illumination device according to claim 10, further comprising:

a fan configured to produce an airflow at the heat sink.

14. The illumination device according to claim 13, further comprising:

an air guide coupled with the heat sink, the air guide supplying air to the heat sink.

15. The illumination device according to claim 10, further comprising:

an air guide coupled with the heat sink, the air guide supplying air to the heat sink.

16. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the optical device is movable within the housing.

17. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the optical device comprises a module configured to be removed as a whole from the illumination device.

18. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device forms a headlight.

19. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device forms an indicator light.

20. A motor vehicle, comprising:

one or more illumination devices, each illumination device comprising;

a housing;

a light source constructed of a number of semiconductor diodes;

an optical device arranged in the housing, the optical device being designed to generate a predefined light distribution from light of the light source; and

at least one optical waveguide, the at least one optical waveguide guiding the light of the light source to the optical device, wherein

the light source is rigidly connected to the housing.