Detecting damage to a converter device

A method for detecting damage to a converter device of a lighting apparatus, the method comprising:

• irradiating the converter device with input light,
• detecting a polarization of a useful light portion emitted by the converter device,
• wherein a detection signal is obtained,
• automatically obtaining damage information about the converter device from the detection signal.

A lighting apparatus, comprising:

• a light source, and
• a converter device, which is irradiated with input light by the light source during operation, for generating useful light,
• a first sensor element for detecting a useful light portion of the useful light emitted principally by a first section of the converter device, wherein a first detection signal is obtained,
• a second sensor element for detecting a useful light portion of the useful light emitted principally by a second section of the converter device, said second section being different than the first section, wherein a second detection signal is obtained, and
• a signal processing device for automatically obtaining damage information about the converter device from a ratio or a difference of the first detection signal with respect to either the second detection signal or a comparison signal formed therefrom.

A motor vehicle headlight, comprising:

• a lighting apparatus, comprising:
• a light source, and
• a converter device, which is irradiated with input light by the light source during operation, for generating useful light,
• a first sensor element for detecting a useful light portion of the useful light emitted principally by a first section of the converter device, wherein a first detection signal is obtained,
• a second sensor element for detecting a useful light portion of the useful light emitted principally by a second section of the converter device, said second section being different than the first section, wherein a second detection signal is obtained, and
• a signal processing device for automatically obtaining damage information about the converter device from a ratio or a difference of the first detection signal with respect to either the second detection signal or a comparison signal formed therefrom,
• wherein the first sensor element and the second sensor element are in each case part of a common sensor array,
• wherein a separate optical device is arranged between the converter device and the sensor elements in order to image a part of the converter device onto the sensor array, and
• a front sheet,
• wherein a section of the front sheet as beam splitter is part of the optical device.

A lighting apparatus comprising

• a light source, and
• a converter device, which is irradiated with input light by the light source during operation, for generating useful light,
• a sensor element for detecting a polarization of a useful light portion of the useful light emitted by the converter device, wherein a detection signal is obtained, and
• a signal processing device for automatically obtaining damage information about the converter device from the detection signal.