The invention relates to vehicle light and a vehicle comprising that vehicle light.

Vehicles comprise light elements for lightening up darkness, to increase visibility and/or for communicating with further road users. For increasing visibility, for example, the vehicles may comprise daytime running lights. For communicating with further road users, the vehicles may comprise turn lights and/or stop lights.

From DE 10 2014205606 A1 , it is known to provide a lamp with multiple laser diodes. The laser diodes couple in light into a light entrance surface of a light mixing rod. Mixed light exits the light mixing rod. That light is led into an optical element, which guides a portion of the light to a wavelength conversion device, which changes the color of the portion of the light. Thus, the lamp emits light rays with different colors.

The technical object may be providing an improved vehicle light having a simple configuration and which provides an increased flexibility in light colors. Claims 1 and 12 indicate the main features of the invention. Features of embodiments of the invention are subject of claims 2 to 11.

In an aspect of the invention, a vehicle light comprising a first light source, a second light source, at least one optical element comprising a light exit surface, a first collimator surface and a second collimator surface, wherein the first light source is arranged on the first collimator surface such that the first light source emits first light rays through the first collimator surface, wherein a first optical path of the first light rays extends from the first collimator surface through the light exit surface, wherein the second light source is arranged on the second collimator surface such that the second light source emits second light rays through the second collimator surface, wherein a second optical path of the second light rays extends from the second collimator surface through the light exit surface, wherein the second optical path overlaps with the first optical path at the light exit surface and wherein, at the light exit surface, the second light rays have a different color than the first light rays.

The invention provides a vehicle light having an optical element with a light exit surface where light rays from at least two light sources overlap. Those light rays are the first light rays and the second light rays. The first light source and the second light source are arranged on a first collimator surface and a second collimator surface. The first collimator surface and the second collimator surface may for example be surfaces of the optical element or of a separate part or parts being arranged on the optical element. The first light source emits the first light rays through the first collimator surface. The second light source emits the second light rays through the second collimator surface. The first light rays being emitted by the first light source extend along the first optical path that extends from the first collimator surface to the light exit surface. The second light rays being emitted by the second light source extend along the second optical path that extends from the second collimator surface to the light exit surface. At the light exit surface, the first optical path and the second optical path overlap. Furthermore, the second light rays have a different color than the first light rays at the light exit surface. Therefore, if both light sources emit light into their corresponding collimator surfaces, the light rays exiting the light exit surface have a mixed color of the first light rays and the second light rays. The resulting color may for example changed by different intensities of the first light rays and/or the second light rays. Thus, the invention provides a vehicle light that may provide at least three different colors with at least two light sources: Light having the color of the first light rays, light having the color of the second light rays and light having the mixed color of both, the first light rays and the second light rays. This increases the flexibility in providing different light colors, since with for example only to differently colored light rays, at least three colors may be provided. Furthermore, the vehicle light has a simple configuration that is easy to install. In an example, the at least one optical element may comprise a double reflective element being arranged in the second optical path.

The use of a double reflective element in the second optical path results in a flexible positioning of the second light source and the second collimator surface in relation to the optical element. This further improves the flexibility of the vehicle light.

In a further example, the double reflective element may comprise two reflective surfaces in a periscope arrangement.

The periscope arrangement of the two reflective surfaces is easy to implement. Furthermore, the periscope arrangement the vehicle light may also meet spatial constraints in existing designs of vehicle lights. Thus, the vehicle light may be installed in existing vehicle designs.

For example, the first light source may be configured to emit white light, wherein the first light source preferably may be a white light emitting diode.

The vehicle light may use the white light as daytime running light.

In another example, the second light source may be configured to emit monochromatic light, wherein the second light source may preferably be a monochromatic light emitting diode.

In that example, the first light source may emit white light or monochromatic light of another color than the second light source. The use of a second light source emitting monochromatic light results in a simple provisioning of colored second light rays at the light exit surface.

Alternatively, the second light source may for example be configured to emit white light, wherein the second light source may preferably be a white light emitting diode.

In that example, the color of the second light rays of the second light source may be changed to any color before the second light rays arrive at the light exit surface. Furthermore, the intensity of white light emitting diodes is higher than the intensity of monochromatic light emitting diodes.

In a further example, the at least one optical element further may comprise at least one color filter being arranged in the second optical path between the light exit surface and the second collimator surface. The color filter provides an easy to implement color-changing function for second light rays, particularly if the second light source emits white light. The color change may also be provided for a second light source emitting multicolored light.

In another example, the at least one color filter may be interchangeable by a further color filter preferably having another color.

Thus, particularly if the second light source emits white light, the color of the second light rays at the light exit surface may be changed by simply changing the color filter.

Furthermore, for example, the at least one optical element may further comprise at least one colored portion being arranged in the second optical path between the light exit surface and the second collimator surface.

In that example, the color of the light from the second light source changes when the light radiates through the colored portion of the at least one optical element. This provides a stable color change of the light from the second light source.

In an example, the at least one colored portion may be a separate part being attached to the at least one optical element.

The attachment of the separate part as colored portion provides an easy installation of the at least one optical element. Furthermore, the separate part may be replaceable if another color shall be provided for the second light rays at the light exit surface. In addition, a repair of a damaged optical element or a damaged separate part of the optical element is simplified.

In another example, the at least one colored portion may be an inseparable part of to the at least one optical element.

The at least one optical element with the inseparable part as colored portion may for example be manufactured by a bi-color mold injection method. Thus, the at least one optical element with the colored portion may be manufactured in one-step. This further simplifies the manufacturing of the vehicle light.

In another aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided, the vehicle comprising at least one vehicle light according to above description, a front end and a rear end wherein at least one vehicle light is attached to the front end and/or the rear end. The effects and further embodiments of the vehicle according to the present invention are analogous to the effects and embodiments of the vehicle light according to the description mentioned above. Thus, it is referred to the above description of the vehicle light.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from the wording of the claims as well as from the following description of exemplary embodiments based on the drawings. The figures show:

Fig. 1 a schematic drawing of the vehicle light;

Fig. 2a-c a schematic drawing of different exemplary embodiments of the vehicle light; and

Fig. 3 a schematic drawing of a vehicle.

The entirety of the vehicle light according to Fig. 1 is referenced with reference sign 10.

The vehicle light 10 comprises a first light source 12, a second light source 14, at least one optical element 16, a first collimator surface 20 and a second collimator surface 22.

Furthermore, the vehicle light 10 may comprise a casing 46 with a transparent wall 38. The first light source 12, the second light source 14, the at least one optical element 16, the first collimator surface 20 and the second collimator surface 22 may be arranged in the casing 46. The light which the first and second light source 12, 14 emit may then exits the vehicle light 10 through the transparent wall 38. The casing 46 may be attached to a vehicle body.

The at least one optical element 16 comprises a light exit surface 18 that may face the transparent wall 38. In the example of Fig. 1 , the at least one optical element 16 further comprises the first collimator surface 20 and the second collimator surface 22. In another example (not shown), the first and second collimator surface 20, 22 are arranged on parts or a part being separate from the optical element 16.

The first light source 12 may emit white light. For example, the first light source 12 may be a white light emitting diode. Furthermore, the first light source 12 is arranged on the first collimator surface 20. At least a portion of the light from the first light source 12 radiates through the first collimator surface 20. The first collimator surface 20 collimates that light. The collimated light comprises first light rays from the first light source 12 that follow the first optical path 24. An arrow indicates the direction of a single first light ray along the first optical path 24. For reasons of clarity, the optical paths of parallel first light rays are not shown in the figures.

The first optical path 24 extends from the first collimation surface 20 into the at least one optical element 16 and further to the light exit surface 18. Furthermore, the first optical path may extend from the light exit surface 18 through the transparent wall 38.

The second light source 14 may emit white light. For example, the second light source 14 may be a white light emitting diode. Furthermore, the second light source 14 is arranged on the second collimator surface 22. At least a portion of the light from the second light source 14 radiates through the second collimator surface 22. The second collimator surface 22 collimates that light.

The collimated light from the second light source 14 comprises second light rays that follow the second optical path 26. An arrow indicates the direction of a single second light ray along the second optical path 26. For reasons of clarity, the optical paths of parallel second light rays are not shown in the figures.

The second optical path 26 extends from the second collimation surface 22 into the at least one optical element 16 and further to the light exit surface 18. Furthermore, the second optical path may extend from the light exit surface 18 through the transparent wall 38.

In the example of Fig. 1 , the first and second optical paths 24, 26 extend from the first and second light source 12, 14 to the light exit surface 18, linearly.

In the example of Fig. 1 , a color filter 28 is arranged in the second optical path 26. The collimated light from the second light source 14 is radiated through the color filter 28. The color filter 28 changes the color of the white light. The color filter 28 may be an absorption filter or a dichro- itic filter. After passing the color filter 28, the second light rays have a different color than the first light rays.

The color filter 28 may be interchangeable. Thus, color filter 28 of a different color may be used such that the color of the second light rays at the light exit surface 18 may be changed during operation of the vehicle light 10.

Consequently, at the light exit surface, the second light rays comprise a different color than the first light rays. Furthermore, at the light exit surface 18, the second optical path 26 overlaps with the first optical path 24. Consequently, the second light rays overlap with the first light rays at the light exit surface 18. Furthermore, the second light rays and first light rays may overlap at the transparent wall 38, too.

The overlap of the first and second optical paths 24, 26 results to a mixture of the first and second light rays if the first and second light source 12, 14 are switched on. The mixed light has a different color than the colors of the first and second light rays, then.

The first light source 12 and the second light source 14 may be operated, separately. Thus, the first light source 12 may emit light while the second light source 14 is switched off or the first light source 12 may be switched while the second light source 14 emits light. Of course, also both, the first and second light source 12, 14 may emit light at the same time.

According to Figs. 2a to 2c, the second light source 14 is arranged on another position than in the example of Fig. 1. The different arrangement may be required if the position of the second light source 14 in the example of Fig. 1 has spatial constraints.

In the examples of Figs. 2a to 2c, a double reflective element changes the radiation direction of the collimated light of the second light source 14. Thus, the second optical path 26 is not linear but has sharp bends. This allows a flexible arrangement of the second light source 14 and the corresponding second collimator surface 22.

The double reflective element may comprise two reflective surfaces 30, 32 which may be arranged in a in a periscope arrangement. The two reflective surfaces reflect the incoming second light rays towards another direction such that an arrangement of the second light source 14 in a view line of the light exit surface 18 is not required.

According to Fig. 2a, the second light source 14 may emit white light as in the example of Fig. 1. The collimated light of the second light source 14 may radiate through a color filter 28 as described in the example of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2b shows another example of the vehicle light 10 also having a second light source 14 that emits white light.

In that example, the optical element 16 comprises a colored portion 34 in the second optical path 26. The light from the second light source 14 that radiates through the second collimator surface 22 enters the colored portion 34. The colored portion 34 changes the color of the collimated light of the second light source 14. When leaving the colored portion 34, the second light rays have another color than the first light rays.

The colored portion 34 may comprise the second collimator surface 22. Thus, the light radiating from the second light source 14 through the collimator surface 22 may immediately enter the colored portion 34.

The colored portion 34 may be an integral portion of the optical element 16. Then, the optical element 16 may be manufactured with a bi-color mold injection process with which the optical element 16 is produced with the colored portion 34.

Alternatively, the colored portion 34 may be a part being separate from the optical element 16. The colored portion 34 may for example be an insert that is attachable to the optical element 16.

Fig. 2c shows another example of the vehicle light 10. In that example, the second light source 14 is configured to emit monochromatic light. The second light source 14 may for example be a colored light emitting diode.

In contrast to the examples of Figs. 1 , 2a and 2b, the example of Fig. 2c does not require a color filter 28 or a colored region 34 to provide second light rays that have a different color than the first light rays at the light exit surface 18.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic drawing of a vehicle 40. The vehicle 40 comprises a front end 42 and a rear end 44. Furthermore, the vehicle 40 comprises at least one vehicle light 10. In this example, two vehicle lights 10 are attached to the front end 42. Two further vehicle lights 10 may be attached to the rear end 44.

By operating the first light source 12 and the second light source 14 at the same time, the light being emitted from the vehicle lights 10 may have a color being different from that of the first and second light sources 12, 14. That light may be used to provide a welcome information for a driver or an acknowledgement information for commands of the driver, e.g. the locking or unlocking of the vehicle doors.

In the examples described above, the first light source 12 may also emit non-white light that has a different color than the second light rays at the light exit surface 18. Furthermore, the vehicle light 10 may comprise more than two light sources and collimator surfaces. The higher the number of light sources, the higher the number of mixed colors of the light rays at the light exit surface 8. The invention is not limited to one of the aforementioned embodiments. It can be modified in many ways.

All features and advantages resulting from the claims, the description and the drawing, including constructive details, spatial arrangements and procedural steps, may be essential for the inven- tion both in themselves and in various combinations.

List of reference signs

Vehicle first light source second light source optical element light exit surface first collimator surface second collimator surface first optical path second optical path color filter reflective surface reflective surface colored portion transparent wall vehicle front end rear end casing