EP0742409A1 - Kfz-Multifunktionssignalleuchte mit Rückstrahlern und Pseudorückstrahlern - Google Patents

Kfz-Multifunktionssignalleuchte mit Rückstrahlern und Pseudorückstrahlern Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0742409A1
EP0742409A1 EP96400972A EP96400972A EP0742409A1 EP 0742409 A1 EP0742409 A1 EP 0742409A1 EP 96400972 A EP96400972 A EP 96400972A EP 96400972 A EP96400972 A EP 96400972A EP 0742409 A1 EP0742409 A1 EP 0742409A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
elements
pseudo
zone
catadioptric
retro
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96400972A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0742409B1 (de
Inventor
Jean-François Louy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Valeo Vision SAS
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Valeo Vision SAS
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Publication date
Application filed by Valeo Vision SAS filed Critical Valeo Vision SAS
Publication of EP0742409A1 publication Critical patent/EP0742409A1/de
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Publication of EP0742409B1 publication Critical patent/EP0742409B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/26—Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255

Definitions

  • the invention relates to optical signaling devices, and more particularly to a new multifunction signaling light equipped with retro-reflecting and pseudo-retro-reflecting elements.
  • the retro-reflecting elements are generally produced in the form of elements or "needles" in the shape of a triangular trihedron which, by total reflection on the faces of the trihedron, provide a function of retroreflection of the incident light coming from a direction close to the longitudinal axis of the element.
  • this retro-reflecting zone is usually extended by a zone containing so-called "pseudo-retro-reflecting" elements, that is to say optical elements which, seen from the outside and in diffuse lighting, for example in daylight, have an aspect similar to that of a true catadioptric element, but do not have the function of retroreflection.
  • FR-A-2 589 983 which belongs to the applicant, describes pseudo-catadioptric elements in the form of quasi-trirectangular trihedra, for example by angular offset of at least one of the faces of a trirectangle trihedron.
  • these elements owing to the fact that the shape of the trihedron remains very similar to that of the trihedrons of the elements conventional catadioptrics, have a general appearance quite similar to that of the latter, if one places oneself naturally in ambient or diffuse lighting conditions, such as daylight.
  • the pseudo-catadioptric element does not fulfill any optical function with regard to the light emitted by the light source of the traffic light (or the light sources of the block of traffic lights). Indeed, such elements, due to their geometry, do not allow the light emitted from the interior of the light to pass, so that the latter cannot participate in the signaling beam formed.
  • the document EP-A-0 549 423 which also belongs to the applicant, proposes to produce pseudo-catadioptric elements in the shape of a cone, by choosing for them a value of angle at the top allowing them to pass the incident light emitted from inside the fire.
  • the area comprising the pseudo-catadioptric elements can then participate in the formation of the signaling beam.
  • the optical function fulfilled by the conical elements is a dispersion function, which does not make it possible to control the photometry of the signaling beam.
  • the distribution of the illumination of the signaling beam in space is determined by means of a "photometric grid" placed at a distance from the light, and the standards generally impose an illumination comprised in a solid extending angle, in the vertical direction, in a zone between 10 ° high and 5 ° low for the zone of greatest intensity of the photometric grid, the rest of the beam being dispersed over a solid angle typically between 10 ° and 30 ° in both horizontal and vertical directions.
  • the pseudo-catadioptric elements in the shape of a cone scatter the light rays in all directions and therefore illuminate all the points of the photometric grid.
  • the cited document proposes to vary the orientation of the axes of the cones from one pseudo-catadioptric element to another, so as to globally adjust the light scattering by the pseudo-catadioptric zones. It is however only a question of spreading the beam even more to make it uniform, which goes against the general concern of particular photometric conformation of the beam, for which one wishes to concentrate the maximum of lighting in well directions defined.
  • One of the aims of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of known techniques, by proposing a multifunction signaling light having a closing glass provided with pseudo-catadioptric elements capable of cooperating with the light rays emitted from inside the fire so as to deflect these (and no longer disperse them) and thus participate in the definition of the signaling beam for obtaining a particular photometric diagram.
  • the multifunction signaling light which is of the type comprising a base defining a set of signaling compartments sheltering light sources and closed by a window, the window comprising at least a first zone intended to fill a catadioptric retroreflection function and at least a second zone comprising a plurality of pseudo-catadioptric elements capable of ensuring, by a general appearance in ambient light similar to that of first zone, a continuity of appearance with the latter but without fulfilling the function thereof, is characterized in that at least some of the pseudo-catadioptric elements of the second zone are elements each having on the inside of the ice a prismatic shape and fulfilling a deflecting function in the vertical and / or horizontal direction of the light rays coming from a light source of the fire and crossing the ice at the location of this pseudo-catadioptric element.
  • the dimensions of the pseudo-catadioptric elements of the second zone are, in projection on the plane tangent to the ice, substantially the same as those of the neighboring catadioptric elements, of the first zone.
  • the direction of the normal to the incidence face of the prism can vary from one pseudo-catadioptric element to another.
  • At least one group of pseudo-catadioptric elements is arranged in an elongated strip comprising at least one row of these elements.
  • these elongated bands of pseudo-catadioptric elements are preferably arranged substantially in alignment with a plurality of elongated bands homologous with catadioptric elements of the first zone.
  • the elongated strips of pseudo-retro-reflecting elements of the second zone and the homologous elongated strips of retro-reflecting elements of the first zone with which they are aligned then have substantially the same respective widths.
  • these elongated strips of pseudo-catadioptric elements are arranged alternately with a plurality of elongated strips of elements fulfilling a function of dispersion of light rays passing through the ice at the location of this element, such as elements with a toric or spherical surface.
  • the closing glass to consist of two superposed elements, the internal element carrying on its internal face the various optical elements, and the external element being smooth on its two faces.
  • Figure 1 is a front view of a block of signal lights, showing the various areas of different functions.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section, along 2-2 of FIG. 1, of the block of signaling lights of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the region marked 3 in FIG. 1, showing, on the right, an area provided with pseudo-catadioptric elements and, on the left, an area provided with true catadioptric elements.
  • Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the region marked 4 in Figure 3, showing the detail of the catadioptric and pseudo-catadioptric elements.
  • Figure 5 is a vertical section, along 5-5 of Figure 4, of the area comprising the pseudo-catadioptric elements.
  • Figure 6 is a horizontal section, along 6-6 of Figure 4, of the same area.
  • the reference 10 designates, in general, a block of multifunction signaling lights comprising, inside the compartments of a base or box 12, a plurality of light sources 14, the assembly being closed by a single-piece closing glass 16.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show in more detail the contiguous regions of zones 18 and 20.
  • the zone 18, as indicated, is a zone providing a retro-reflective reflecting function, and for this purpose comprises elongated horizontal bands 30 of retro-reflecting elements 32 (FIG. 4).
  • These elements 32 are for example elements such as those described in FR-A-2 590 213, which belongs to the applicant, that is to say elements in the form of a trirectangle trihedron truncated by parallel planes, so giving these elements a rectangular outline, the elements 32 being able to be turned upside down from one element to the adjacent element; reference may be made to the aforementioned document for a more detailed description of these retro-reflecting elements and their optical role.
  • the rows 30 of retro-reflecting elements are alternated with rows 34 of dispersing elements, for example toric elements, cooperating with the light rays emitted by the lamp 14 and reflected on the reflector which is associated with it.
  • the light flux produced by the lamp 14 is concentrated by the reflector in a beam and dispersed by the toroids to give the desired illumination diagram (here and hereinafter, we will assimilate to the case of tori that of the balls, and each time that one speaks of "tori” it will be necessary to understand "tori or balls", these two optical means being able to be substituted without modification of the rest of the elements).
  • This configuration therefore makes it possible to ensure the optical function of forming the position light beam, a function which must also be fulfilled by zone 18.
  • the zone 20 for its part, comprises a plurality of bands 38 of pseudo-catadioptric elements, alternated with bands 42 of beam dispersing elements.
  • the pseudo-catadioptric elements 40 are visible in more detail in FIG. 4 and the sections in FIGS. 5 and 6, and their structure and function will be explained below.
  • the bands 30 of retro-reflecting elements and the bands 38 of pseudo-retro-reflecting elements are arranged in alignment with each other and with respective widths 11 and 12 similar, so as to ensure, from an aesthetic point of view , a continuity of appearance between the two areas of the closing glass.
  • each of the pseudo-retro-reflecting elements 40 has substantially the same dimensions (length and width) as the retro-reflecting elements 32 of the row in the extension of which it is located, also for aesthetic reasons.
  • the bands of pseudo-catadioptric elements 38 are arranged alternately with bands 42 of dispersing elements, for example elements toric 44 similar to the toric elements 36 and ensuring the same role of dispersion of the light beam previously concentrated by the reflector, so as to participate in the definition of the corresponding signaling beam (a brake light beam, for zone 20).
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 show more precisely the structure of the deflecting pseudo-catadioptric elements 40 according to the invention.
  • These elements 40 are prismatic elements, therefore having an optical function of deflection of the light rays directly emitted by the light source (unlike the toroids 44 which, on the one hand, have an optical function of dispersion and not of deflection and, on the other hand, cooperate with the light rays after reflection on the parabolic reflector associated with the lamp and not with the incident rays directly coming from the latter).
  • the surface occupied by these pseudo-catadioptric elements according to the invention is therefore, unlike the closing windows of the prior art, a useful surface participating in the definition of the signaling beam. They thus make it possible, if necessary, to reduce the total area of the lighting functions while preserving the continuity of appearance characteristic of their pseudo-catadioptric nature.
  • angles ⁇ (in vertical direction) and ⁇ (in horizontal direction) of each prism are chosen so as to deflect the incident rays in a given direction, determined as a function of the illumination of the photometric grid that it is desired to obtain.
  • the closing glass 16 is made up of two adjoining surfaces or "transparencies" 46 and 48, the transparent 46 located on the inside of the glass carrying on its inner face the various retro-reflecting elements, dispersers or deflectors, and the transparency 48 being a smooth transparency on its two faces.
  • Such a structure makes it possible in particular to easily produce a closing window according to the invention for a block or a strip having areas having structures, optical functions and different colors.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
  • Arrangements Of Lighting Devices For Vehicle Interiors, Mounting And Supporting Thereof, Circuits Therefore (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
EP96400972A 1995-05-09 1996-05-07 Kfz-Multifunktionssignalleuchte mit Rückstrahlern und Pseudorückstrahlern Expired - Lifetime EP0742409B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9505476A FR2733949B1 (fr) 1995-05-09 1995-05-09 Feu de signalisation multifonctions pour vehicule automobile, equipe d'elements catadioptriques et pseudo-catadioptriques
FR9505476 1995-05-09

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0742409A1 true EP0742409A1 (de) 1996-11-13
EP0742409B1 EP0742409B1 (de) 2002-11-13

Family

ID=9478800

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96400972A Expired - Lifetime EP0742409B1 (de) 1995-05-09 1996-05-07 Kfz-Multifunktionssignalleuchte mit Rückstrahlern und Pseudorückstrahlern

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0742409B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69624754T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2186761T3 (de)
FR (1) FR2733949B1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0990838A3 (de) * 1998-09-29 2002-09-04 Hella KG Hueck & Co. Leuchte für Kraftfahrzeuge

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1099408B (de) * 1958-08-05 1961-02-09 Westfaelische Metall Ind K G H Signalleuchte, insbesondere fuer Kraftfahrzeuge
US4120018A (en) * 1977-01-27 1978-10-10 Dominion Auto Accessories Limited Stop, tail and signal lamp
DE9001659U1 (de) * 1990-02-13 1990-04-19 Hella KG Hueck & Co, 4780 Lippstadt Heckleuchte für Fahrzeuge
EP0472890A1 (de) * 1990-08-10 1992-03-04 Hella KG Hueck & Co. Mehrkammerleuchte für Kraftfahrzeuge

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1099408B (de) * 1958-08-05 1961-02-09 Westfaelische Metall Ind K G H Signalleuchte, insbesondere fuer Kraftfahrzeuge
US4120018A (en) * 1977-01-27 1978-10-10 Dominion Auto Accessories Limited Stop, tail and signal lamp
DE9001659U1 (de) * 1990-02-13 1990-04-19 Hella KG Hueck & Co, 4780 Lippstadt Heckleuchte für Fahrzeuge
EP0472890A1 (de) * 1990-08-10 1992-03-04 Hella KG Hueck & Co. Mehrkammerleuchte für Kraftfahrzeuge

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0990838A3 (de) * 1998-09-29 2002-09-04 Hella KG Hueck & Co. Leuchte für Kraftfahrzeuge

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2733949A1 (fr) 1996-11-15
DE69624754D1 (de) 2002-12-19
ES2186761T3 (es) 2003-05-16
DE69624754T2 (de) 2003-08-14
EP0742409B1 (de) 2002-11-13
FR2733949B1 (fr) 1997-08-01

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