VWGoA - Ex. 1013
`Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Petitioner
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`1
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`Federal Republic ® Lald Open DOCUm
`.DE 4129094 A1
`
`of Germany
`
`ent
`
`P41290941
`® File number
`2_ 391
`@ Filing date
`@ Laid—open date 4. 3.93
`
`GERMAN'
`PATENT OFFICE:
`
`.
`@ Int. CL5,
`F21 0. 1/00
`F21 Q 3/00
`Gum/33
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`860 0 1/26
`F21 V 8/00
`F21 v 5/00
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`
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`DE4129094A1
`
`® Applicant
`HeHa KG Hueck & C0, 4780 Lippstadt, DE
`'
`‘
`
`stadt, DE
`
`69 Inventor
`k
`, D 11 f, 4780 L'
`Dec er
`9 6
`"”3
`@ Printed publication to be considered
`in evaluating the patentability
`DE
`3315785 C2
`DE
`31 48843 C2
`DE
`4003 807 A1
`
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DEos
`DE
`
`39 42 450 A1
`39 15375 A‘
`3915 975 A1
`35 42 292 A1
`3513255 A1
`33 15 735 A1
`32 30 975 A1
`31 32 594 A1
`27 32 780
`26 33 270 A1
`
`
`
`DE—GM 88 07 727
`DE~GM 8804929
`DE
`23 37 595
`FR
`25 45195
`us
`4211955
`EP
`03 25 668 A2
`JP
`2778102 A
`JP
`15—0 443 A
`PEARSON,Henry:Piping light with acrylic
`materialan: Modern Plastic5,Aug.1946, 8.123-127
`Patents Abstracts ofJapan: 2—199703 A. M-1040,
`0ct.25,1990,Vol.14,No.491;
`2499701 A. M-1040, Oct,25,1990,Vol.14,No.491;
`DE-Z: EIektorJuIi/Aug.1980, 37-51;
`DE-Z: ELO 3/1987,S.54;
`DE-Z: Elektronik 12/121337,-
`
`C) Signal Lamp for Motor Vehicles
`C) In a signal lamp for motor vehicles, having a
`housing and/or a mounting device for an installation in,
`or an attachment to, a motor vehicle chassis, having at least
`one transparent cover lens and a number of light sources
`developed as light diodes in order to create a signal lamp
`for motor vehicles that has a great signaling and warning
`effect while providing a high luminosity, which ensures
`uniform illumination at a low power consumption, and which
`has the smallest possible and flat design; each light diode
`is assigned an elongated light optical waveguide element,
`at least one end face of each optical waveguide element
`is developed as a light incoupling surface for the light
`of a light diode,
`the side of each optical waveguide
`element facing away from the light emission surface
`includes light—deflecting means, and at least two optical
`waveguide elements are juxtaposed in a parallel manner
`behind the cover disk.
`
`DE4129094A1
`
`BUNDESDRUCKEREI 01.93 208 069/437
`
`10/54
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`
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`2
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`DE 41 29
`
`Description
`The invention relates to a signal lamp for
`motor vehicles, which has a housing and/or a
`mounting device for the installation in, or the
`attachment to, a motor vehicle chassis, and at
`least one transparent cover lens as well as a
`number of light sources in the form of light
`diodes.
`From the German laid~open publication DE 40 03
`807 A1, a motor vehicle warning lamp is known,
`which is used as brake light. The signal
`lamp
`includes a housing as well as a mounting device,
`so that the signal
`lamp is able to be attached to,
`or installed in, a motor vehicle chassis. The
`housing is designed in such a way that it has a
`transparent cover lens in the lighteradiation
`direction. A number of light sources developed as
`light diodes are situated inside the housing in
`order to produce light.
`‘
`The known embodiment has the disadvantage that
`a large number of light diodes must be used to
`provide a sufficiently large signaling and warning
`effect of the signal lamp. This leads to a cost—
`intensive, complicated construction, which
`furthermore has a high current consumption. A
`particular drawback in the known embodiment of the
`signal
`lamp is that, owing to the known radiation
`characteristic,
`the achievement of a uniform
`illumination of the transparent cover lens
`requires the light diodes to be arranged at a
`small distance from each other, so that a large
`radiation surface that also provides a large
`signaling and warning effect is achievable only if
`a large number of light diodes is provided in the
`signal lamp, which increases the costs involved in
`the manufacture and also the current consumption.
`The invention is based on the objective of
`creating a signal lamp for motor vehicles, which
`is uncomplicated and cost~effective, which has a
`high signaling and warning effect while providing
`a great luminance, which ensures a uniform
`illumination at a low current consumption, and
`which has the most compact flat design possible.
`In the invention,
`this objective is achieved
`in that an elongated optical waveguide element is
`assigned to each light diode, at least one end
`face of each optical waveguide element is
`developed as a light incoupling surface for the
`light of a light diode,
`the side of each optical
`waveguide element that faces away from the light
`emission surface includes light—deflecting means,
`and at least two optical waveguide elements are
`juxtaposed behind the cover lens in a parallel
`manner.
`It is advantageous that each light diode is
`assigned an elongated optical waveguide element,
`because the light generated by each light diode is
`thereby able to be converted into a desired light
`pattern featuring a broad two—dimensional
`radiation in a simple and cost—effective manner by
`way of an elongated optical waveguide element.
`In this context it is advantageous that at
`least one end face of each optical waveguide
`element is developed as a light incoupling surface
`for the light of a light diode, since this ensures
`the best utilization of the light supplied by each
`light diode.
`The fact that the side of each optical
`waveguide element facing away from the light
`emission surface includes light—deflecting means
`has the advantage that the light coupled into the
`optical waveguide element by the light diode is
`able to be selectively deflected into a light
`emission direction.
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`10
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`b
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`094 A1
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`2
`This offers the advantage that at least two
`optical waveguide elements are juxtaposed in a
`parallel manner with each other behind the cover
`lens, which ensures an uncomplicated and cost—
`that
`effective construction and manufacturability,
`a large—area signal lamp is able to be built which
`has high luminance while providing a great
`.
`signaling and warning effect, and which
`additionally features low power consumption while
`providing a uniform illumination since only a low
`number of light diodes is required due to the
`excellent utilization of the light from the light
`diodes. A particular advantage in this context is
`that the signal lamp can be designed in an
`especially compact and flat manner.
`It is advantageous if the optical waveguide
`elements are developed in cylindrical form
`because, for one,
`this allows the optical
`waveguide elements to be manufactured in a simple
`and costeeffective manner and, for another, makes
`it possible to obtain an especially advantageous
`light pattern for the signal lamps since, firstly,
`an especially advantageous distribution of the
`light in the optical waveguide element is achieved
`due to the reflections that occur in the optical
`waveguide element, and secondly, an especially
`large and uniform distribution in the light
`radiation is ensured due to the magnifying effect
`provided by the cylindrical form in a radiation
`via the surface shell.
`It is advantageous that the light—deflecting
`means of the side of each optical waveguide
`element facing away from the light emission
`surface are prisms, which therefore not only
`results in a simple and cost—effective manufacture
`since the prisms are able to be introduced into
`the body of the optical waveguide element
`simultaneously with the manufacture of the optical
`waveguide element, e.g.,
`in a plastic extrusion—
`coating process, but also makes it possible to
`influence the angle of the dispersion and/or
`deflection of the light emitted by the waveguide
`in a particularly uncomplicated manner by varying
`the prism angles and/or the prism partition and/or
`the prism depth.
`In this way, depending on the
`required light radiation, different light'
`radiation characteristics are able to be obtained
`in an especially simple and cost—effective manner.
`The fact that the light emission surface of
`each light diode projects into the optical
`waveguide element and the form of the light
`incoupling surface of each optical waveguide
`element is adapted to the shape of the light
`emission surface and to the light radiation
`characteristic of the light diode, has the
`advantage that depending on the type of light
`diode used,
`the light radiated by the light diode
`via its light emission surface is coupled into the
`optical waveguide element in the best possible
`manner,
`so that the light losses are able to be
`kept to a minimum.
`In this context it is advantageous that each
`optical waveguide element has a light incoupling
`region having a diameter that that tapers in the
`direction of the light incoupling region,
`inasmuch
`as, e.g.,
`in light diodes that have a small light
`emission area but radiate the light in a broad
`pattern,
`the light impinging upon the wall of the
`light incoupling region is unable to leave the
`optical waveguide element due to the effective
`total reflections, and the light reflected into
`the optical waveguide element at an advantageous
`angle,
`so that an especially satisfactory
`utilization of the supplied light comes about and
`the uniform distribution of the light in the
`optical waveguide element is also increased.
`
`3
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`DE 41 29 094 ‘Al
`
`4
`5 a placement example of a
`I Fig. 4 and Fig.
`signal lamp having optical waveguide elements;
`lei Fig.
`6
`a waveguide system having beam
`paths;
`Fig.
`7
`".Fig.
`8
`.
`prisms;
`a section through the waveguide
`Fig.
`9
`system corresponding to Fig. 8;
`Fig. 10
`an embodiment of a light diode.
`
`the detail X according to Fig. 6;
`a waveguide system including
`
`5
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`K
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`m gen
`1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a
`an Fig.
`signal lamp according to the invention. It has a
`housing (G), via which the signal lamp is able to
`installed in, or on, a motor vehicle chassis.
`In
`11the illustrated exemplary embodiment,
`the signal
`lamp has four groups (GP)
`that are able to produce
`light of the same color or of different colors
`simultaneously or at different times. One of the
`groups may be used as taillight, for example,'
`while another serves as brake light, another is
`employed as turn signal, and a further group (GP)
`constitutes a backup light. As illustrated here,
`the individual groups (GP) may be sealed by
`individual transparent cover lenses (A), which may
`have the same color or different colors. However,
`25the signal lamp in another exemplary embodiment
`may also have only a transparent cover lens (A) of
`a different color or of a uniform color. The color
`of the cover lens (A) may also differ from the
`color of the light emitted by the respective group
`30(GP),
`so that when the light generation by the
`individual group is switched off,
`the color is
`different than when the light generation is turned
`on.
`
`3
`The fact that all light diodes are disposed on
`one side of the optical waveguide elements that
`are disposed in a parallel arrangement offers the
`advantage that an especially simple and cost—
`effective design of the signal lamp is obtained.
`It is advantageous that the light diodes in
`adjacent waveguides disposed in a parallel manner
`are situated on both sides in alternation,
`resulting in an especially uniform illumination,
`especially in the case of a large longitudinal
`extension of the optical waveguide elements and
`their parallel placement.
`In this context it is especially advantageous
`that the area lying opposite the light incoupling
`surface is mirrored, which increases the
`uniformity of the illumination for light that is
`coupled in from only one side.
`In this context it is advantageous that the
`light diodes are disposed on both sides of the
`optical waveguide elements,
`so that an especially
`uniform illumination is achieved, especially for
`waveguides that have a great length.
`lamp that
`A specific embodiment of the signal
`is able to be produced in a particularly simple
`and cost~effective manner results if the light
`diodes are disposed in rows on at least one shared
`circuit board.
`It is advantageous that the cover lens has
`light—deflecting means, which, for one,
`increases
`the uniformity of the illumination and for
`another, makes it possible to produce the
`prescribed and desired light patterns in a simple
`and cost-effective manner.
`Because a number of optical waveguide elements
`that have light diodes of the same color and are
`situated in a parallel manner form a group, a
`uniform signal light is created, and an especially
`space—saving, flat signal light is able to be
`produced, which features an especially uniform
`illumination and thus has a great signaling and
`warning effect.
`In this context it is advantageous that the
`signal lamp has at least two groups which include
`light diodes of the same or a different color,
`which also makes it possible to produce especially
`compact and flat signal lamps, which are able to
`display signal light of the same or a different
`color simultaneously or separately from each
`other.
`The fact that the parallel optical waveguide
`elements of one group are developed in one piece
`has the advantage of achieving an especially
`simple and cost—effective manufacture.
`It is advantageous if the signal lamp is used
`as taillight and/or brake light and/or turn signal
`and/or backup light in motor vehicles,
`that the
`signal lamp has a compact and especially flat
`design, has low weight and a low current
`consumption.
`the
`,According to the features of Claim 16,
`advantages are derived that the light produced by
`the light diodes has a high intensity while
`providing a broad conical radiation,
`so that the
`number of light diodes is able to be kept low and
`a broad,
`large—area light radiation can be
`achieved.
`One exemplary embodiment of the object of the
`invention is illustrated in the drawing and will
`be discussed in greater detail in the following
`text based on the figures.
`Identical components or components acting
`similarly have been provided with the same
`reference numerals in all of the figures.
`The figures show:
`Fig.
`l
`a signal lamp according to the
`invention;
`Fig.
`2
`Fig.
`3
`lamp;
`
`the detail Y according to Fig. 1;
`a waveguide system of the signal
`
`40
`
`in which the
`In another exemplary embodiment,
`35signal
`lamp is inserted in the opening of a
`chassis,
`for instance, a housing (G) may be
`omitted In this case a mounting device (B) may
`replace the housing (G).
`As indicated in the region denoted by Y in
`Fig. 1, each group (GP) has a certain number of
`light sources that are embodied as light diodes
`(LED). Each light diode (LED)
`is assigned an
`elongated optical waveguide element
`(L),
`into
`which the light produced by the individual light
`diode (LED)
`is coupled. To generate a uniform
`“ illumination, at least two optical waveguide
`elements (L) are juxtaposed behind the cover lens
`(A)
`in a parallel manner.
`In the exemplary
`embodiment shown here,
`ten optical waveguide
`elements (L) per group (G)
`together with the
`W associated light diodes (LED) are disposed in a
`parallel manner behind the individual transparent
`cover lens (A). This creates a large— area uniform
`light signal source, which has a great signaling
`and warning effect and a compact and flat design.
`Fig.2 shows the detail Y corresponding to
`Fig. 1 at an enlarged scale. The light diodes
`(LED) are disposed in rows,
`fixed in place on a
`shared circuit board (LP) and electrically
`contacted.
`In this instance, each light diode
`(LED)
`is assigned an elongated optical waveguide
`element
`(L) having a cylindrical shape. The
`optical waveguide elements (L) are juxtaposed in a
`parallel manner, and the unilateral infeeding of
`the light takes place in such a way that in
`optical waveguide elements (L)
`that are disposed
`next to each other in a parallel manner,
`light is
`input from different sides.
`In other exemplary
`embodiments,
`the light diodes (LED) may also be
`disposed on one side or on both sides._
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`DE 41
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`29 094 A1
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`5
`For the.fastening and secure spacing of the
`optical waveguide elements (L) in the exemplary
`embodiment shown here.
`the optical waveguide
`elements (L) disposed in a parallel manner are
`mounted on a mounting device (E). In another
`exemplary embodiment,
`the optical waveguide
`elements (Lt-of a group (GP) may also be developed
`in one piece.
`the side of
`ha Pig. 2 further illustrates,
`facing away
`each optical waveguide element
`(L)
`from the illustrated light emission surface
`.
`includes light—deflecting means that are
`exemplarily embodied as prisms (P), which in this
`instance are disposed transversely to the main
`direction of the light irradiation.
`dig. 3 shows a section through an exemplary
`embodiment of a waveguide system according to Fig.
`2 at an enlarged scale. The light diode (L) has a
`base body and a lens—type light emission surface.
`This light emission surface projects into the
`optical waveguide element
`(L). To utilize the
`light emitted by the light diode (LED) as best as
`possible,
`the shape of the light incoupling
`surface (LK) of the optical waveguide element
`is adapted to the shape of the light emission
`'surface and to the light radiation characteristic
`of the light diode (LED).
`In the exemplary
`embodiment shown here)
`the optical waveguide
`element
`(L)
`includes a light incoupling region
`(LB) having a diameter that tapers in the
`direction of the light incoupling surface (LR).
`Depending on the way in which the light emission
`surface is developed and on the light radiation
`characteristic of the used light diode (LED),
`the
`light incoupling region (LB) may have a shape that
`deviates from the conical
`form illustrated here,
`and may be spherical,
`for example. In another
`exemplary embodiment. depending on the individual
`light diode, it is also possible to dispense with.
`a light inooupling region (LB) altogether. As
`already described under Fig. 2, each optical
`waveguide element
`(L)
`includes prisms (P) on the
`side facing away from the light emission surface,
`a few of these prisms being shown here by way of
`example. Depending on the desired light diffusion
`and the light pattern to be produced,
`the
`dispersion angle of the radiated light is able to
`be varied by varying the prism angles and/or the
`prism partitioning. Fig.
`3 exemplarily shows a
`number of prisms (P). To illustrate the beam path
`in the optical waveguide element
`(L).
`two light
`beams are sketched by way of example. which are
`reflected by the prisms (P)
`in the radiation
`direction and exit the optical waveguide element
`(L).
`In the exemplary embodiment shown.
`the
`(L)
`coupling into the optical waveguide element
`takes place‘on one side only. The surface situated
`opposite the light coupling surface is mirrored in
`order to impr0ve the uniform distribution of the
`light. The optical waveguide element
`(L)
`is shown
`in shortened form in Fig. 3. The required length
`of the optical waveguide elements (L) may differ
`from case to case, as could the diameter of the
`optical waveguide element
`(L).
`Fig. 4 shows a placement example of a signal
`lamp according to the invention. In the placement
`shown here,
`the optical waveguide elements (L) are
`disposed horizontally in a parallel arrangement
`behind a transparent cover lens (A). The cover
`lens (A) may be part of a housing (G) and/or a
`mounting device (E).
`Fig.
`5 shows a section through a signal lamp
`of the invention according to Fig. 4. sketched
`here by way of example are the beam paths of the
`illustrated six optical waveguide elements (L).
`which are disposed vertically behind the
`transparent cover seal,
`in a parallel manner.
`
`6
`5 is not only the low space
`. Obvious from Fig.
`requirement and in particular the flat design of
`the signal lamp. but also the uniform radiation
`characteristic that is obtained using simple
`means. In another exemplary embodiment.
`the
`transparent cover seal
`(3) may he provided with
`light-deflecting means for the selective
`dispersion and/or deflection of the light from the
`optical waveguide elements (L).
`Fig.
`6 shows a waveguide system already known
`from Fig.
`2 and sig. 3 together with sketched beam
`paths. The light irradiated into the optical
`is
`waveguide element
`(L) by the light diode (LED)
`reflected multiple times in the waveguide, so that
`a high uniform distribution is achieved. The light
`impinging upon the prisms (P)
`is reflected by the
`shape and the placement of the prisms (P) and as
`can be seen, exits the optical waveguide element
`(L)
`in the light emission direction. To increase
`the uniform distribution of the light in the
`optical waveguide element
`(L) given a unilateral
`incoupling of the light,
`the surface (F)lying
`opposite the light incoupling surface (LR)
`is
`.
`- ................---.n .n rI-m I u-h'.
`mirrored;__
`Fig. 7 shows the detail x according to Fig. 6.
`This illustration depicts the beam profile in the
`optical waveguide element
`(L) and the reflection
`of the light beams impinging upon the prisms (P),
`the light beings being reflected because of the
`prisms angle,
`in such a way that they exit the
`optical waveguide element
`(L) with the desired
`light distribution in the light emission
`direction. The prisms are advantageously situated
`in such a way that no free surfaces that could
`lead to undesired light effects are produced
`between the prisms.
`Fig.
`8 shows a placement example for the
`waveguides (L) of a signal lamp according to the
`invention,
`in which the light incoupling takes
`place unilaterally via the light incoupling
`surfaces (LK). Shown in this instance is the rear
`side of the optical waveguide elements (L) with a
`surface that includes prisms (P).
`In this
`exemplary embodiment the surface (F)
`is mirrored,
`the optical waveguide elements (L) are
`cylindrical, and adjacent optical waveguide
`elements (L) are integrally connected in order to
`ensure an especially simple and cost—effective
`mauufacturability.
`As can be gathered from Fig. 9, which shows a
`section according to Fig.
`3 through the waveguide
`system; depending on the desired light
`distribution and on the selected radius of the
`cylindrical optical waveguide elements (L),
`the
`areas having the prisms (P) need to take up only a
`small portion of the rear side of the optical
`waveguide elements viewed from the direction (R),
`due to the magnification effect,
`in order to
`achieve a high uniform distribution of the
`radiated light.
`that is
`Fig. 10 shows a light diode (LED)
`preferably able to be used. It has a body (K), a
`semiconductor element
`(H). electrical connection
`elements 4M), a reflector (E) and a lens (I). The
`shape of the reflector (E) and the shape of the
`lens (I) are developed in such a way that the
`greatest possible light flow of the light produced
`by the semiconductor element
`(H)
`is radiated via
`the lens (I) using a broad, conical radiation
`characteristic.
`A light diode (LED) by the Hewlett Packard
`company of the type HPWR-azoa. for instance, may
`be used.
`
`W
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`U
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`(L)
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`N
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`M
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`ED
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`65
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`List of Reference Numerals
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`A cover lens
`B mounting device
`
`5
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`

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`E reflector
`F area
`G housing
`GP group
`H semiconductor element
`I
`lens
`K body
`M connection element
`L optical waveguide element
`LED light diodes
`LK light incoupling surface
`LP circuit board
`P prisms
`R direction
`
`Patent Claims
`
`DE 41 29
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`5
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`1. A signal lamp for motor vehicles, having
`1.
`a housing (G) and/or a mounting device (B) for an
`installation in, or attachment to, a motor vehicle
`chassis, having at least one transparent cover
`lens (A) and a number of light sources which are
`developed as light diodes (LED), wherein each
`light diode (LED)
`is assigned an elongated optical
`waveguide element
`(L); at least one end face of
`each optical waveguide element
`(L)
`is developed as
`a light incoupling surface (LK) for the light of a
`light diode (LED);
`the side of each optical
`waveguide element
`(L)
`facing away from the light
`emission surface has lightadeflecting means; and
`at least two optical waveguide elements (L) are
`juxtaposed behind the cover lens (A)
`in a parallel
`’manner.
`The signal lamp as recited in Claim 1,
`2.
`wherein the optical waveguide elements (L) are
`developed in cylindrical form.
`3.
`The signal lamp as recited in Claim 2,
`wherein the light—deflecting means of the side of
`each light emission surface facing away m of each
`optical waveguide element
`(L) are prisms (P)
`[sic].
`The signal lamp as recited in Claim 3,
`4.
`wherein the light emission surface of each light
`diode (LED) projects into the optical waveguide
`element
`(L), and the shape of the light incoupling
`surface (K) of each optical waveguide element
`(L)
`is adapted to the shape of the light emission
`surface and to the light radiation characteristic
`of the light diode (LED).
`5.
`The signal lamp as recited in Claim 4,
`wherein each optical waveguide element
`(L) has a
`light incoupling region (LB) which has a diameter
`that tapers in the direction to the light
`incoupling surface (DR).
`6.
`The signal lamp as recited in at least one
`of the preceding claims, wherein all light diodes ‘fi
`(LED) are situated on one side of the optical
`waveguide elements (L) disposed in a parallel
`manner.
`The signal lamp as recited in at least one
`7.
`of the preceding claims, wherein the light diodes w
`(LED)
`in optical waveguide elements (L) adjacently
`disposed in a parallel manner are situated on both
`sides in alternation.
`8.
`The signal lamp as recited in Claim 6 or
`Claim 7, wherein the surface (F)
`lying opposite
`the light incoupling surface (LK)
`is mirrored.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`E
`
`094 A1
`
`8
`lamp as recited in at least one
`The signal
`9.
`of the preceding claims, wherein the light diodes
`(LED) are situated on both sides of the optical
`waveguide elements (L).
`10.
`The signal
`lamp as recited in at least one
`of the preceding claims, wherein the light diodes‘
`(LED) are disposed in rows on at least one shared
`circuit board (LP).
`lamp as recited in at least one
`11.
`The signal
`of the preceding claims, wherein the cover lens
`(A)
`includes light—deflecting means.
`12.
`The signal lamp as recited in at least one
`of the preceding claims, wherein a number of
`optical waveguide elements (L) disposed in a
`parallel manner and having light diodes (LED) of
`the same color form a group, which produces a
`uniform signal light.
`13.
`The signal lamp as recited in Claim 12,
`wherein it has at leastwtwo groupsiggP) having
`light diodes (LED) of the same or of a different
`color.
`The signal lamp as recited in Claim 12 or
`14.
`Claim 13, wherein the parallel optical waveguide
`elements (L) of a group (GP) are developed in one
`piecer
`
`lamp as recited in one of the
`The signal
`15.»
`preceding claims, characterized by the use as
`taillight and/or brake light and/or flash signal
`and/or backup light in motor vehicles.
`16.
`The signal
`lamp as recited in at least one
`of the preceding claims, wherein the light diodes
`have a reflector/lens system (E—I),
`in which all
`light from the semiconductor element
`(H) of the
`reflector (E) and the lens (I)
`is converted into a
`broad, conical light radiation having high
`luminous intensity.
`
`3 pages of figures
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`DRAWINGS PAGE 1
`
`Number:
`
`Publication date:
`
`March 4, 1993
`
`7
`
`

`

`DRAWINGS PAGE 2
`
`Number:
`Publication date:
`
`March 4, 1993
`
`at
`
`8
`
`

`

`DRAWINGS PAGE 3
`
`Number:
`
`Publication date:
`
`March 4, 1993
`
`9
`
`

`

`llllllllllIlIllllllllllllllIllIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`BUNDESREPUBLIK ® Offenlegungsschrift
`HLAND
`
`DEUTSC
`
`DE 41 29 094 A1
`
`® Aktenzeichen:
`@ Anmeldetag:
`@ Offenlegungstag:
`
`P 41290941
`2. 9. 91
`4. 3. 93
`
`DEUTSCHES
`PATENTAMT
`
`@ Int. Cl.5:
`F 21 0. 1/00
`F210 3/00
`G 09 F 9/33
`B 50 O 1 /26
`F 21 v 8/00
`
`1: 21 v 5/00
`
`DE4129094A1
`
`DEFGM 8807 727
`DE-GM 8804929
`DE
`20 37 596
`FR
`25 45195
`us
`4211 955
`EP
`03 26 668 A2
`JP
`27-8 102 A
`
`16-0 448 A
`JP
`PEARSON,Henry:Piping light with acrylic
`materials.ln: Modern Plastics,Aug.1946, 82123-127
`Patents Abstracts of Japan: 27199703 A. M71040,
`0ct.25,1990,Vo|.14,No,491;
`2-199701 A5 M—1040, Oct,25,1990,Vo|.14,No.491,'
`DE-Z: Elektor Juli/Aug,1980, 8.7-51;
`DE-Z: ELO 3/1987,S.54;
`DE-Z: Elektronik12/12.6.87;
`
`@Anmelder;
`
`.
`Hella KG Hueck & Co, 4780 Llppstadt, DE
`.
`® “We“
`Decker, Detlef, 4780 Lippstadt, DE
`
`66) Fur die Beurteilung der Patentféhigkeit
`in Betracht zu ziehende Druckschriften:
`DE
`33 15 785 C2
`DE
`31 48 843 C2
`DE
`40 03 807 A1
`DE
`39 42 450 A1
`DE
`39 16 875 A1
`DE
`39 16 875 A1
`DE
`35 42 292 A1
`DE
`35 18 265 A1
`DE
`33 15 785 A1
`DE
`32 30 975 A1
`DE
`31 32 594 A1
`DE—OS
`27 32 780
`DE
`26 33 270 A1
`
`® Signalleuchte far Kraftfahrzeuge
`
`
`
`® Bei einer Signalleuchte fflr Kraftfahrzeuge, mit einem
`Gehéuse und/oder einer Befestigungseinrichtung zum Ein-
`oder Anbau an oder in eine Kraftfahrzeugkarosserie, mit
`mindestens einer transparenten AbschluBscheibe und mit
`einer Anzahl Lichtquellen, die als Leuchtdioden ausgebildet
`sind,
`ist, urn eme Signalleuchte fur Kraftfahrzeuge zu
`schaffen, die bei einer grolsen Leuchtkrafi eine grol3e
`Signal— und Warnwlrkung aufweist, die bei einer geringen
`Stromaufnahme eine gleichméBige Ausleuchtung gewéhr-
`leistet und die méglichst platzsparend und flach ausgebildet
`lst, jeder Leuchtdiode ein langgestrecktes Lichtleitelement
`zugeordnet,
`is! mindestens eine Stirnfléche jedes Lichtleitv
`elements als eine Lichteinkoppelfléche filr das Licht einer
`Leuchtdiode ausgebildet, weist die der Lichtaustrittsfléche
`abgewandte Seite jedes Lichtleitelements lichtablenkende
`Mittel auf und sind mindestens zwei Lichtleitelemente
`parallel nebeneinander hinter der AbschluBscheibe angeord-
`net.
`
`DE4129094A1
`
`BUNDESDRUCKEREI 01.93 208069/437
`
`10/54
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`DE 4129 094 A1
`
`2
`
`1
`
`Beschreibung
`
`Die Erfindung betrifft eine Signalleuchte [fir Kraft-
`fahrzeuge mit einem Gehause und/oder einer Befesti-
`gungseinrichtung zum Ein- oder Anbau an oder in eine
`Kraftfahrzeugkarosserie, mit mindestens einer transpa—
`renten AbschluBscheibe und mit einer Anzahl Licht-
`quellen, die als Leuchtdioden ausgebildet sind.
`Aus der deutschen Offenlegungsschrift DE 40 03 807
`A1 ist eine Kraftfahrzeug-Warnleuchte bekannl, die
`Verwendung als eine Bremsleuchte findet. Die Signal-
`leuchte weist ein Geh‘éuse und eine Befestigungseinrich-
`tung auf, so daB die Signalleuchte an oder in eine Kraft-
`fahrzeugkarosserie an- oder eingebaut werden kann.
`Das Gehéuse ist dabei derart ausgebildet, daB es in
`Lichtabstrahlrichtung eine transparente AbschluBschei-
`be aufweist. Zur Erzeugung von Licht sind in dem Ge-
`héuse eine Anzahl Lichtquellen angeordnet, die als
`Leuchtdioden ausgebildet sind.
`Bei der bekannten Ausffihrungsform erweist sich als
`nachteilig, daB zur Erzeugung einer groBem ausreichen-
`den Signal— und Warnwirkung der Signalleuchte eine
`groBe Anzahl Leuchtdioden verwendet werden muB.
`Dies fijhrt zu einer kostenimensiven. aufwendigen Kon-
`struktion, die zudem eine hohe Stromaufnahme auf-
`weist. Als besonders nachteilig erweist sich bei der be—
`kannten Ausffihrungsform der Signalleuchte, daB zur
`Erzielung einer gleichmaBigen Ausleuchtung der trans—
`parenten Abdeckscheibe die Leuehtdioden aufgrund
`der bekannten Abstrahlcharakteristik in einem geringen
`Abstand zueinander angeordnet werden mfissen, so daB
`eine groBe Abstrahlfléche, die auch eine groBe Signal-
`und Warnwirkung aufweist, nur erreichbar ist, wenn ei-
`ne groBe Anzahl Leuchtdioden in der Signalleuchte an-
`geordnet sind, was die Kosten ffir die Herstellung und
`die Stromaufnahme erhoht.
`Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Si-
`gnalleuchte fflr Kraftfahrzeuge zu schaffen, die einfach
`und kostengfinstig ist. die bei einer groBen Leuchtkraft
`eine groBe Signal- und Warnwirkung aufweist, die bei
`einer geringen Stromaufnahme eine gleichm‘eiBige Aus—
`leuchtung gew‘dhrleistet und die moglichst platzsparend
`und flach ausgebildet ist.
`Die Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemiB dadurch gelost,
`daB jeder Leuchtdiode ein langgestrecktes Lichtleitele»
`ment zugeordnet ist, daB mindestens eine Stirnfléche
`jedes Lichtleitelements als eine Lichteinkoppelfléche
`ffir das Licht einer Leuchtdiode ausgebildet ist, daB die
`der Lichtaustrittsfl'ache abgewandte Seite jedes Licht—
`leitelements lichtablenkende Mittel aufweist, und daB
`mindestens zwei Lichtleitelemente parallel nebeneinan-
`der hinter der AbschluBscheibe angeordnet sind.
`Es ist von Vorteil, daB jeder Leuchtdiode ein langge-
`strecktes Lichtleitelement zugeordnet ist, weil somit clas
`von jeder Leuchtdiode erzeugte Licht auf einfache und
`kostengfinstige Weise fiber ein langgestrecktes Licht-
`leitelement in eine gewiinschte Lichtverteilung mit brei»
`ter fléchiger Abstrahlung umgesetzt werden kann.
`In diesem Zusammenhang ist es vorteilhaft, daB min-
`destens eine Stirnfl‘ache jedes Lichtleitelemems als eine
`Lichteinkoppelfl'ache fiir das Licht einer Leuehtdiode
`ausgebildet
`ist, weil somit eine bestmogliche Ausnut-
`zung des von jeder Leuchtdiode bereit gestellten Lichts
`sichergestellt wird.
`Dadurch. daB die der Lichtaustrittsfléiche abgewandte
`Seite jedes Lichtleitelements lichtablenkende Mittel
`aufweist, ergibt sich der Vorteil, daB das von der Leucht-
`diode in das Lichtleitelement eingekoppelte Licht ge—
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4o
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`in eine Lichtabstrahlrichtung abgelenkt werden '
`
`zielt
`kann.
`Vorteilhaft ist dabei, daB mindestens zwei Lichtleit—
`elemente paral