EP2858856A1

EP2858856A1 - Lateral direction indicator for motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP2858856A1
Application number: EP13730036.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Whilk Marcelino GONCALVES; Michel Surugue
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
Current assignee: PSA Automobiles SA
Priority date: 2012-06-07
Filing date: 2013-06-04
Publication date: 2015-04-15
Also published as: FR2991642A1; CN104837681B; WO2013182802A1; FR2991642B1; CN104837681A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lateral direction indicator for vehicle comprising a flashing light source (3) and a concentrator (5) of light rays (4), said light source (3) and said concentrator (5) being disposed behind an output screen (7), characterized in that it comprises:- a hood (6) surrounding said light source (3) and comprising an aperture (11) allowing a fraction of the light rays (4) emitted by said light source (3) to pass through it and to be converted by said concentrator (5) into a light beam which will illuminate a zone of projection of said output screen (7), and - means for rotating said hood (6) in relation to a vertical axis coinciding with or parallel to the axis of said light source (3), so that said projection zone moves laterally on said output screen (7).

Description

Title of the invention

Lateral direction indicator for a motor vehicle

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a lateral direction indicator for a vehicle, and in particular to such an indicator for a motor vehicle.

Background of the invention

In motor vehicles, directional side indicators are legally constituted by flashing lights located at the four corners of the vehicle, the latter making it possible to signal a change of direction to other road users.

Such flashing light described for example in the French application FR 2517 804, conventionally comprises a light source and a light beam concentrator formed of a parabolic reflector, the source and the reflector being arranged behind a cover screen.

When they operate simultaneously, these flashing lights also provide a second function called "distress signal" or "Warning" which allows to report an imminent danger to other users.

However, when the automobile is partly hidden or a blinker light is blown, the drivers of the surrounding vehicles may have some difficulty in discerning whether the signal emitted by said automobile constitutes a distress signal or a simple signal of change of light. direction.

In order to send clear signals to the environment, some manufacturers have developed flashers comprising a series of horizontally aligned light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are excited progressively and cumulatively until the ignition of the light is complete. the set of diodes, so as to cause a sweeping effect on an outer side of the vehicle when the blinking function is activated. This sweeping effect that accompanies the blinking flashing "classic", provides users with clear information identifiable quickly even at great distance.

However, this type of steering indicator is currently reserved for high-end motor vehicles, because of its particularly high cost, due in particular to the large number of light-emitting diodes that it includes (typically around 30), and the need to provide an on-board electronic control board. Object and summary of the invention

The present invention therefore aims to provide a lateral direction indicator for sending clear signals to the environment, while also having a low manufacturing cost.

It proposes for this purpose a lateral direction indicator for vehicle comprising a flashing light source and a light beam concentrator, said light source and said concentrator being arranged behind an output screen,

characterized in that it comprises:

a cover surrounding said light source and having an opening allowing a fraction of the light rays emitted by said light source to pass through it and being converted by said concentrator into a light beam illuminating a projection zone of said output screen, and

- Drive means for rotating said cover along a vertical axis coincident with or parallel to the axis of said light source, so that said projection area moves laterally on said output screen.

The combination of the cache surrounding the flashing light source that lets only a portion of the light rays emitted by this source, and the concentrator that concentrates and redirects these initially divergent rays, illuminates a projection area on the screen of which the dimensions (width, height) and the shape of the outline are dictated by those of the opening that includes this cache. On the other hand, the rotation movement of the cache causes a moving the projection area on the screen that causes a dynamic light effect.

Thus, the lateral direction indicator according to the invention offers a solution that is both economical and easy to implement, which makes it possible to play on the dimensions and the shape of the outline of the opening of the cover as well as on its speed. rotation, create and emit a wide variety of flashing, dynamic and distinctive light signals to the vehicle environment.

According to preferred features of the device, taken alone or in combination:

said light source is turned off during the passage of said opening opposite said output screen, and on during the remainder of the rotation cycle of said cache;

said light concentrator is formed at least in part by the concave and reflecting inner face of a rear wall situated facing the light source and the output screen;

said light source is only lit when said opening is opposite at least a portion of the output screen;

said light concentrator is formed at least in part by a convergent or Fresnel lens;

the focus axis of said lens coincides with the axis of said light source;

said light concentrator is formed at least in part by the reflecting inner face of said cover;

said opening extends over a narrow angular section and has a rectangular contour, so that said projection zone consists of a narrow strip moving laterally on the exit screen;

said cover is cylindrical;

- The axis of rotation of said cylindrical cover is coincident with its axis of revolution and with that of said light source;

said cache has a parabolic section; the axis of rotation of said parabolic section cover is coincident with its focus axis and with that of said light source;

- The speed of rotation of said cache varies over a complete cycle of rotation;

said light source is constituted by an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, or even by a multitude of grouped light-emitting diodes;

said drive means for rotating said cover comprise a gear wheel which can be engrained by the drive gear of an electric motor; and or

said output screen is of the diffusive type or provided with striations oriented vertically and / or horizontally.

Brief description of the drawings

The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below by way of illustration but without limitation, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a simplified perspective view and three-quarters of a lateral direction indicator according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 represents a front view of the lateral direction indicator of FIG. 1;

- Figures 3, 4 and 5 show top views of the lateral direction indicator of Figure 1 according to three different positions of the cache during its rotation;

- Figures 6, 7 and 8 show front views of the lateral direction indicator of Figure 1 according to the same three positions of the cache;

FIG. 9 represents a simplified view from above of a lateral direction indicator according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the cache that includes the side indicator of Figure 10; FIG. 11 represents a simplified view from above of a lateral direction indicator according to a variant of the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 represents a perspective view of the cover that comprises the lateral indicator of FIG. 11; and

- Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a lateral direction indicator according to a third embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of several embodiments

Figures 1 to 8 show a direction indicator 1 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, mounted in a lateral housing provided at the front or rear of a vehicle not shown.

The direction indicator 1 comprises in a housing 2, a flashing light source 3 emitting light rays 4, a concentrator 5 of light rays 4, a cover 6 surrounding the light source 3 and an output screen 7 of the light beam; the term "light beam" denotes in this application, the set of light rays 4 that are actually emitted by the direction indicator 1 at the output screen 7 (Figures 6 to 8).

The light beam concentrator is constituted by the concave and reflecting inner face 5 of the rear wall 8 of the housing 2 situated opposite the light source 3 and the output screen 7.

A first lateral end of the output screen 7 (that shown on the left in the figures) is contiguous to a first lateral end of the rear wall 8 of the housing 2; while the opposite lateral ends of the screen 7 and the rear wall 8 (shown on the right in the figures) are connected by an intermediate wall 9.

The cover 6 has an opaque cylindrical wall mounted in rotation relative to the bulb 3 about its axis of revolution AA vertical and perpendicular to the bottom wall 10 of the housing 2. The cylindrical wall of the cover 6 has a rectangular opening 11 extending here over its entire height and an angular section of about 30 °. Alternatively, the height and the angular section of this opening may of course be different.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the lower part of the cover 6 comprises a gear 12 which can be engrained by the drive gear 13 of an electric motor 14, so as to cause the rotation of the cover 6. This gear 12 is located under the casing 2 thanks to a circular opening 15 made in the bottom wall 10 of this casing 2.

The light source is formed by an incandescent bulb 3 extending along an axis perpendicular to the bottom wall 10 of the housing 2, this axis coinciding with the axis of revolution A-A of the cover 6.

The lower end of this bulb 3 is also located outside the housing 2 under its bottom wall 10, the latter being mounted in a substantially cylindrical fixed sleeve 16.

We will now briefly describe the operation of the position indicator 1 in support of Figures 3 to 8.

The speed of rotation of the cover 6 is constant and the blinking cycle of the blister 3 is predetermined so that this blister 3 is off when the opening 11 of the cover 6 is oriented towards the exit screen 7, and illuminated during the remainder of the cache rotation cycle 6.

The cover 6 rotating here in the counter-clockwise direction, the bulb 3 turns on as soon as the opening 11 of this cover 6 comes opposite the right-hand lateral end of the rear wall 8 of the housing 2. In this configuration illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 6, the light rays 4 passing through the opening 11 of the cover 6 strike and reflect on the internal face 5 of this rear wall 8 which concentrates them in a narrow light beam illuminating a light strip 17 located at the right-hand end of the output screen 7.

Thus, thanks to the concentrator 5, all divergent light rays emitted by the bulb and passing through the cover 6 are redirected to a projection area 17 of the output screen 7 that is desired illuminate, the shape of this projection area (here, a rectangular strip extending over the entire height of the screen 7) being defined by that of the opening 11 of the cover 6.

The rotation of the cover 6 is continued in a regular manner, the striking zone of the light rays 4 passing through the opening 11 on the reflecting inner face 5 of the rear wall 8 moves progressively from its right-hand end towards its left-hand end. (see Figures 4 and 5). This lateral movement of the striking area of the light rays 4 causes a similar movement of the projection zone 17 of the beam reflected by the concentrator 5 on the screen 7 which thus also moves from its right lateral end towards its lateral end. left (see Figures 7 and 8).

The concavity of the rear wall 8 is predetermined here so that the width of the projection zone 17 remains almost constant during its lateral displacement (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8).

This is not however imperative, the blinking of the bulb 3 (which is conventionally performed at a frequency close to the hertz) making the width variations of this projection area 17 imperceptible to the eye.

A second embodiment of the invention will now be described in support of FIGS. 9 and 10.

The lateral direction indicator illustrated in these figures is similar to the indicator 1 previously described except that the inner face 5 'of the rear wall 8' of the housing 2 'is not reflective and that the cover 6 'is shaped differently. In the continuation and on the drawings, one kept the same references for the identical elements, whereas the similar elements are decked with a premium.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the cover 6 'here retains the same cylindrical shape as the cover 6, but its opening 11 is covered by a convergent or Fresnel lens 20 whose focal axis A'-A' merges with the axis of rotation of the cover 6 'and with that of the bulb 3. This lens 20 constitutes here the light concentrator, the set of radii 4 through the spring emerging from the cover 6 'in the form of a narrow unidirectional light beam (Figure 10).

In this second embodiment, the blinking cycle of the bulb 3 is also different since the latter is lit only when the opening 11 and the lens 20 of the cover 6 'are next to the exit screen 7.

The narrow light beam emerging through the opening 11 and the lens 20 is thus projected on the output screen 7, the projection area of this beam moving laterally on the screen 7 with the rotation of the cover 6 '.

On the other hand, and in order to obtain the same kinematic effect as that produced by the first embodiment (i.e. a scan of the screen from right to left), the cover 6 'rotates here clockwise.

We will now describe a variant of this second embodiment of the invention in support of Figures 11 and 12.

The lateral direction indicator 1 "illustrated in these figures is similar to the indicator which has just been described except that the cover 6" is shaped differently. In the continuation and on the drawings, one kept the same references for the identical elements, whereas the similar elements are decked out of a double premium.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the cover 6 "here has a wall with a paraboloidal section rotated about its focal axis A" - A "coinciding with the axis of the bulb 3. Furthermore, the light concentrator is here formed by the reflective inner face 21 of this cover 6 ", the set of light rays 4 reflecting on this inner face 21 emerging from the opening 11" of the cover 6 "in the form of a narrow unidirectional light beam.

The direction of rotation of the cover 6 "and the blinking cycle of the blister 3 are identical to those of the second embodiment, the blister 3 is then lit when the opening 11" of the cover 6 "is opposite the output screen 7, the narrow light beam emerging through the opening 11 "being projected onto the output screen 7.

The projection area of this beam moves laterally from right to left on the screen 7 with the rotation of the cover 6 ". In this variant, it should be noted that in addition to the narrow light beam coming out of the concentrator 21 and striking said projection zone, another luminous flux also strikes the exit screen 7: the direct light flux coming from the light rays emitted by the bulb 3 towards the opening 11 "of the cover 6".

This direct diverging flow is in fact particularly diffuse when it strikes the screen 7, so that said narrow projection zone coming from the concentrator 21 stands out very clearly thanks to its much higher brightness.

This variant embodiment thus makes it possible to obtain a dynamic luminous effect of scanning of the output screen which differs slightly from the effect obtained with the indicator.

The second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 as well as its variant shown in FIGS. 10, 11 have a slightly higher cost price but are particularly advantageous to implement when the available volume is limited and it It is not possible to provide at the rear of the cover, a concave reflecting wall such as the wall 8.

A third embodiment of the invention will now be described in support of FIG. 13.

The lateral direction indicator "illustrated in this FIG. 13 is similar to the indicator 1 previously described except that the internal face 5" 'of the rear wall 8 "' of the housing 2" 'is not reflective. and that the cover 6 "'is shaped differently In the following and in the drawings, the same references have been kept for the identical elements, while the similar elements are decked with a triple premium.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the cover 6 "'is identical to the cover 6 of the first embodiment except for its opening 11"' which extends over a much larger angular portion, the latter being predetermined so that that the opening 11 "'is able to be facing the entire output screen 7 for a short period of its rotation cycle.

The light concentrator is here formed by the reflective inner face 23 of the cylindrical wall of this cover 6 "', the set of light rays reflecting on this inner face emerging from the opening 11 "'in the form of an indirect light flux which is added to the direct light flux.

In this third embodiment, the flashing cycle of the bulb 3 is calculated so that it is lit when the opening 11 "'of the cover 6"' is opposite at least a part of the exit screen 7.

The direct and indirect light flows coming out of the opening 11 "'are projected on the output screen 7, the projection zone 17"' progressing regularly from the right end of the screen 7 towards its left end, as and as the opening 11 "'of the cover 6"' turns towards the screen 7. When this opening 11 "'looks at the whole screen 7, the projection area 17"' s' extends the entire screen 7. The continued rotation of the cache 6 "'causes a gradual decrease in the projection area 17"' by the right of the screen, until its disappearance when the opening 11 "'ceases completely to watch the screen 7.

According to another variant of embodiment not shown, the concentrator can be formed by a combination of several different concentrators. For example, the back wall of the housing and the cover may both have a concave and reflective inner face to enhance the concentration of the light beam reaching the screen.

According to other non-represented embodiments:

- The light source is of a different type, the latter may in particular be constituted by a halogen bulb or a plurality of LEDs grouped together;

- The direction of rotation of the cache is reversed so that the projection of the light beam travels the screen in the opposite direction;

the axis of rotation of the cover is offset with respect to the axis of the light source while remaining parallel to the latter, which makes it possible to modulate the kinematic effect by causing an acceleration or a deceleration of the scanning of the light source; light beam scanning the screen; the speed of rotation of the mask varies over a complete cycle of rotation, which also makes it possible to modulate the kinematic effect by causing an acceleration or a deceleration of the scanning of the light beam traversing the screen;

- The shape of the cache is different, the latter may in particular have an elliptical section;

- The contour of the opening is not rectangular, the latter being for example circular or triangular; and or

- The output screen is diffusive type or provided streaks oriented vertically and / or horizontally.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any other embodiment.

Claims

1. Lateral direction indicator for a vehicle having a flashing light source (3) and a concentrator (5; 20; 21; 23) of light rays (4), said light source (3) and said concentrator (5; 20; 21 23) being arranged behind an exit screen (7),

characterized in that it comprises:

a cover (6; 6 '; 6 ", 6"') surrounding said light source (3) and having an opening (11; 11 "; 11" ') allowing a fraction of the light rays (4) emitted by said light source (3); a light source (3) passing through it and being converted by said concentrator (5; 20; 21; 23) into a light beam illuminating a projection zone (17; 17 "') of said output screen (7), and

- Rotational drive means (12, 13, 14) of said cover (6; 6 '; 6 ", 6"') along a vertical axis (AA; A'-A '; A "-A") coincide or parallel to the axis of said light source (3), so that said projection zone (17; 17 "') moves laterally on said output screen (7).

2. lateral direction indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that said light source (3) is off during the passage of said opening (11) facing said output screen (7), and on during the remainder of the cycle of rotation of said cover (6).

3. Lateral direction indicator according to claim 2, characterized in that said light concentrator is formed at least in part by the concave and reflecting inner face (5) of a rear wall (8) facing the light source ( 3) and the output screen (7).

4. A lateral direction indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that said light source (3) is lit only when said opening (11; 11 ";11"') is opposite at least a portion of the output screen (7).

Directional lateral indicator according to claim 4, characterized in that said light concentrator is formed at least in part by a convergent or Fresnel lens (20).

6. Lateral direction indicator according to claim 5, characterized in that the focus axis (Α'-Α ') of said lens (20) coincides with the axis of said light source (3).

7. lateral direction indicator according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said light concentrator is formed at least in part by the inner reflecting surface (21; 23) of said cover (6 "; 6" ').

8. Directional lateral indicator according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said opening (11) extends over a narrow angular section and has a rectangular contour, so that said projection zone (17) consists of in a narrow band moving laterally on the exit screen (7).

9. Lateral direction indicator according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said cover (6; 6 '; 6 "') is cylindrical.

10. Directional lateral indicator according to claim 9, characterized in that the axis of rotation (AA; A'-A ') of said cylindrical cover (6; 6'; 6 "') coincides with its axis of revolution and with that of said light source (3).

11. Lateral direction indicator according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said cover (6 ") has a parabolic section.

12. Lateral direction indicator according to claim 11, characterized in that the axis of rotation (A "-A") of said parabolic section cover (6 ") coincides with its focus axis and with that of said light source. (3).

13. Lateral direction indicator according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the speed of rotation of said cover (6; 6 ';

6 ", 6") varies over a full cycle of rotation.

14. Lateral direction indicator according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said light source (3) is constituted by an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, or even by a multitude of light emitting diodes grouped together.

15. lateral direction indicator according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said drive means in rotation of said cover (6; 6 '; 6 ", 6"') comprise a gear wheel (12) which can being engrained by the drive pinion (13) of an electric motor (14).

16. Lateral direction indicator according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said output screen (7) is diffusive type or provided streaks oriented vertically and / or horizontally.