EP3003781A1

EP3003781A1 - Motor vehicle headlight

Info

Publication number: EP3003781A1
Application number: EP14728900.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pierre Albou; Vincent Godbillon
Original assignee: Valeo Vision SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Vision SAS
Priority date: 2013-05-30
Filing date: 2014-05-28
Publication date: 2016-04-13
Also published as: CN105307901A; FR3006422B1; WO2014191528A1; FR3006422A1; US20160068098A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a motor vehicle headlight comprising a plurality of lighting modules, characterized in that it comprises a first group of modules arranged to form at least two juxtaposed transverse light strips (H1, H2, H3; H1.1,... H3.3) and at least a second group of modules for forming contiguous juxtaposed vertical light strips (M1, A1.1...A1.8).

Description

MOTOR VEHICLE PROJECTOR.

The invention relates to a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising at least one lighting module with at least one light source and optical means for forming a pattern, or pixel.

EP 2,278,217 discloses a lighting module for a motor vehicle which makes it possible to provide a "partial road lighting mode". A vehicle headlamp is equipped with several modules that provide a light beam, including a road beam, consisting of several adjacent and adjacent vertical strips. By turning off one or more of these vertical stripes, it is possible to generate, in a road beam, one or more dark areas corresponding to places where oncoming vehicles are traveling or moving in front of the vehicle in question, so as to avoid dazzling other drivers while illuminating the road on both sides of vehicles that are crossed or in front. Such a function is called ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) or GFHB (Glare Free High Beam).

A projector equipped with such modules can maintain lighting on a large road surface, which is conducive to driving.

The light beam consisting of several vertical bands is generally called "matrix beam". The pattern consisting of a light band is frequently referred to as a "pixel".

At the crossing of a vehicle, in particular substantially at the same height as the vehicle considered, the extinction of one or more vertical bands of the light beam generally causes a loss of light around the oncoming vehicle, in particular at the above the vehicle, which is inconvenient for driving, since it generates a loss of visibility on the road beyond the crossed vehicle.

In a hilly road context, the extinction of one or more vertical bands of the beam, to avoid dazzling of crossed or tracked vehicles, can lead to a loss of near light and insufficient lighting on the roadside part which is also very inconvenient for driving.

The object of the invention is, above all, to provide a motor vehicle lighting projector which allows, in a simple manner, to retain in most cases a lighting above and / or below and / or on the side cross-vehicle, or tracked, regardless of the context of the road in which the vehicles move. Preferably, the light strips are juxtaposed with contiguous edges. Advantageously, the optical means are arranged to generate horizontal light bands whose contour has at least two opposite edges and parallel to each other.

The optical means may be arranged to generate horizontal light bands whose contour is rectangular or square.

The optical means may be arranged to form at least two transverse light bands extending over the entire width of the beam of the projector.

According to another possibility, the optical means are arranged to form at least two transverse light strips extending only over a fraction of the beam width of the projector. The fraction of the beam width may be one third of the width.

The invention therefore relates to a motor vehicle headlamp comprising a plurality of lighting modules, characterized in that it comprises a first group of modules arranged to form at least two transverse light strips juxtaposed, and at least a second group of modules to form adjoining juxtaposed vertical light strips.

Advantageously, the transverse strips extend only over a fraction of the width of the beam of the projector. For example, they extend over a third of the width. This advantageous feature allows more light to be concentrated in the central part of the beam and thus to improve the range. In addition, at equivalent illumination level, it reduces the power of the light sources (including LED) used and therefore the cost.

Preferably, the transverse strips are horizontal. According to a variant, they have contiguous edges. .

According to one variant, the first group of modules comprises several modules for producing at least two segmented transverse strips, each module forming a transverse band pattern corresponding to a fraction of the total width of the beam of the headlamp.

According to a variant of this variant embodiment, the first group of modules may comprise several modules for producing at least two segmented transverse strips extending along the entire width of the bundle, each module forming a transverse band pattern corresponding to a fraction the total width of the projector beam.

The first group of modules may include modules for forming three transverse light bands segmented, in particular horizontal, vertically offset and juxtaposed with contiguous edges extending over the entire width of the beam, each band being composed of three fractions extending over one third of the beam width of the projector.

The second group of modules may comprise modules to form nine adjacent juxtaposed vertical strips, with a central band and four side strips on each side.

According to one variant, the extent of the transverse bands is decreasing vertically from bottom to top, the lower band being larger than the next upper band.

According to another variant, the transverse strips are distributed symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis passing through the optical axis of the projector.

Alternatively, the set of transverse strips is offset on one side or the other with respect to the vertical axis passing through the optical axis of the projector, said strips being at least tangent along an edge to said vertical axis .

Control means are provided for the different modules so as to form an unlit area in which there will be a vehicle coming in the opposite direction or circulating in front of the vehicle in question, this unlit area being at the intersection of at least two strips that are off. one vertical, the other horizontal.

The invention also relates to a lighting assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a left projector and a right projector respectively mounted on the left side and the right side at the front of the vehicle, said headlights left and right being in accordance with the invention.

According to an advantageous variant, the distribution of the transverse bands of the first module group is different between the left projector and the right projector.

In particular, all the transverse strips of the left projector is shifted on the left side relative to the vertical axis passing through the optical axis of the left projector and all the transverse strips of the right projector is shifted to the right side by relative to the vertical axis passing through the optical axis of the right projector, said strips being at least tangent along an edge to said axis. The invention consists, apart from the arrangements described above, in a certain number of other arrangements which will be more explicitly discussed hereinafter with regard to exemplary embodiments described with reference to the appended drawings, but which are not in no way limiting. On the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a light beam diagram composed of three superposed horizontal bands produced by at least one module according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of a light beam formed of nine adjoining juxtaposed vertical strips, obtained using corresponding modules.

Fig. 3 represents the beam of a projector composed of modules producing the beams of FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2, while a vehicle coming in the opposite direction is detected in the lower part of the beam.

Fig. 4 shows, similarly to FIG. 3, the combined beam of the projector in the case of a vehicle coming in the opposite direction, halfway up.

Fig. 5 shows, similarly to FIG. 3, the beam of the projector in the case where a vehicle comes in the opposite direction in the high position.

Fig. 6 illustrates the beam obtained with horizontal band modules extending over one third of the width of the total beam.

Fig. 7 illustrates the combined beam of a projector having modules producing the diagrams of FIG. 6 and FIG. 2, in the case where a vehicle is crossed in the lower part.

Fig. 8 shows, similarly to FIG. 7, the beam of the projector in the case of a vehicle crossing at half height.

Fig. 9 shows the beam of the projector of FIG. 7 in the case of crossing a vehicle at the top,

Fig. 10 is a summary diagram in perspective of optical means with cache for obtaining a pixel consisting of two vertically offset horizontal light bands, juxtaposed.

Fig. 1 1 is a diagram of a light beam variant composed of three superposed horizontal bands produced by at least one module according to the invention.

Fig. 12 A and B are a diagram of another variant of horizontal strip beam, respectively of a right projector and a left projector associated in a lighting assembly according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a light beam B1 provided by at least one lighting module can be seen schematically represented in the form of a rectangle, an embodiment of which will be described with reference to FIG. or each lighting module comprises at least one light source S (Fig. 10) and optical means O to form an illuminated area having at least two horizontal light bands. According to the example of FIG. 1, three light bands horizontal H1, H2, H3 are offset vertically, juxtaposed with their horizontal edges joined. Alternatively, the light bands could be inclined relative to the horizontal while extending in the transverse direction of the beam.

According to the example of FIG. 1, the horizontal light bands extend at a fraction of the width of the beam F of the projector, shown in dashed lines. According to the variant shown, the horizontal bands are distributed symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis V passing through the optical axis of the projector. In addition, they each have the same horizontal extent. According to another variant, illustrated in Figures 1 1 and 12, the horizontal strips have a degressive extent according to the vertical, from bottom to top, the lower bands being wider than the upper bands. This advantageously makes it possible to obtain a light distribution close to that of a "conventional" road beam, obtained with an elliptical lens or reflector device.

According to an alternative embodiment of the degressively extended variant of the strips according to the vertical, the strips may be segmented into juxtaposed patterns whose number decreases with the height. With reference to FIG. 11, the band H1 can thus be composed of five pixels, the intermediate band H2 of three pixels and the upper band H3 of a single pixel.

This optimizes the light distribution close to the horizon, where the probability of having another vehicle is the highest. There is less variation in flow when changing the lower line, since each pattern is separately controllable.

Preferably, the optical means O are arranged to generate horizontal light bands whose contour has at least two opposite edges and parallel to each other. In particular, the outline is rectangular or square.

Fig. 2 schematically shows in the form of a rectangle having a larger area than that of FIG. 1, a light beam B2 obtained with lighting modules producing at least one vertical light band: M1 for the central band and A1 .1 -A1 .4 for the vertical bands to the left of the central band and A1 .5- A1 .8 for the light bands to the right of the central strip. A light projector groups together the modules giving the horizontal stripes of FIG. 1 and the vertical strips of FIG. 2 which intersect as illustrated in FIG. 3 representing the overall beam D1 obtained. The illuminated projector comprises a set of modules resulting from the meeting of the module or modules to produce the diagram of Fig. 1 and modules for producing the scheme of FIG. 2. The B2 light beam covers the full width of the beam F of the projector.

According to a preferred characteristic, the extent of the horizontal pixels or bands is greater than the width of the widest of the vertical luminous bands of the headlamp, when there are at least two, and preferably at least three: thus, each band horizontal has an extent overlapping more than one vertical band in width.

Each module of the headlamp is controlled individually by means, not shown, sensitive to the presence of one or more vehicles that can come in the opposite direction of the vehicle in question, or one or more vehicles traveling in the same direction but in front of the vehicle. vehicle considered. These sensitive means are able to extinguish one or those modules whose light patterns may interfere with drivers coming in the opposite direction, or traveling in front of the vehicle. These means are generally sensitive to the light emitted by the headlamps P1, P2 (Fig. 3-5) of a vehicle coming in the opposite direction, or by the traffic lights of a vehicle traveling ahead. Other means sensitive to the presence of vehicles in the opposite direction or in front could be used, such as radars, generally more expensive.

According to the example of FIG. 3, a vehicle in the opposite direction is detected in the lower position to the left of the vertical central pattern M1. The sensitive means control the extinction of the module producing the pattern A1 .1, and the extinction of the pattern H1, corresponding to the lower horizontal band of FIG. 1. A non-illuminated rectangular area 10 is thus formed around the oncoming vehicle, which avoids the glare of the driver of this vehicle. But for the driver of the vehicle equipped with the projector producing the beam D1, light is kept above and on each side of the vehicle coming in the opposite direction, which is favorable to good vision and improves driving conditions.

Fig. 4 illustrates, similarly to FIG. 3, the light beam of the headlamp when the headlights P1, P2 of a vehicle coming in the opposite direction are detected substantially at mid-height, to the left of the central vertical band M1. The pattern corresponding to the vertical band A1 .1 is off as in the case of FIG. 3, while the horizontal horizontal light band H2 is off, while the lower band H1 and the upper band H3 (Fig. 1) remain lit. The oncoming vehicle is located in a rectangular area 1 1 which is not lit, but all around this area there is still lighting facilitating the driving of the vehicle. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the case where the vehicle arriving in the opposite direction is detected by its headlights P1, P2 in an area corresponding to the upper part of the beam to the left of the central vertical band M1. The vertical band A1 .1 is extinguished as well as the upper horizontal band H3 so that the zone 12 situated at the intersection of these two vertical and horizontal strips is not lit, around the oncoming vehicle. On either side of the zone 12 and below this zone, the lighting is maintained, which facilitates the driving for the driver of the vehicle in question.

In summary, only the horizontal pixel and the vertical pixel impacting the oncoming vehicle are extinguished.

Fig. 6 illustrates a variant according to which each horizontal light band of the beam F of the headlamp is obtained by means of modules giving horizontal light patterns extending over a fraction of the total width of the beam F of the headlamp. For example, one can choose a range, on a third of the width. Each band is thus formed by three patterns designated respectively H1 .1, H2.1, H3.1 for the central patterns, and by H1 .2, H2.2, H3.2 for the patterns to the left of the central pattern while the patterns on the right are designated H1 .3, H2.3 and H.3.3. The beam B1 .1 of FIG. 6 is obtained using modules whose horizontal strips, vertically offset, are juxtaposed with contiguous edges, both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction. According to the same principle, it is possible to segment each light band of the beam as illustrated in FIG.

The portion of the beam consisting of vertical light strips juxtaposed remains the same and, in the example considered, consists of nine vertical strips as shown in FIG. 2. The set beam D2 is composed, when all the bands are lit, of nine horizontal patterns and nine vertical bands.

In the case of an oncoming vehicle, in the down position, on the left side of the central vertical band M1, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the vertical band A1 .1 is off, as well as the pattern H1 .1 of the lower horizontal band. We find the area 10 unlit in which is the vehicle coming in the opposite direction. However, the area impacted by the extinction of the pattern, or pixel, H1 .1 is reduced compared to the case of FIG. 3 because patterns H1 .2 and H1 .3 are kept lit on both sides of zone 10, which improves the lighting for the driver of the vehicle in question.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates the beam D2 obtained when a vehicle coming in the opposite direction is substantially halfway up. We found the area 1 1 unlit of Fig. 4 obtained by extinguishing the vertical band A1 .1 and pattern H2.1. On the other hand, the patterns H2.2 and H2.3 remain lit on both sides of the zone 1 1, which improves the lighting for the driver considered, that is to say the driver of the vehicle equipped with the modules in question.

Similarly, if the oncoming vehicle is in the upper part of the beam as shown in FIG. 9, there is the unlit area 12 in which is the reverse vehicle, obtained by extinguishing the vertical band A1 .1 and the pattern H3.1. On the other hand, patterns H3.2 and H3.3 remain on, which is conducive to driving.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6-9, the projector will have modules to produce the horizontal partial strips and modules to produce the vertical strips. The invention also relates to a lighting assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a left projector and a right headlight respectively mounted on the left and right side to the front of the vehicle, said headlights left and right being made according to what has just been to be described.

According to a first embodiment, the left projector and the right projector of the vehicle are similar and their beams are joined by superposition of their respective optical axes to give the overall beam of the vehicle. This simplifies the design of the modules and the method of producing a vehicle lighting assembly with two projectors, a left and a right.

According to another variant, the distribution of the horizontal bands is different depending on whether one considers the left projector or the right projector.

In a preferred manner and with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the set of transverse strips H1, H2, H3 of the left projector (FIG. 12B) is offset on the left side with respect to the vertical axis V passing through the optical axis of the left projector and the set of transverse strips of the right projector (FIG. 12A) is offset on the right side with respect to the vertical axis V passing through the optical axis of the right projector, said strips being at least tangent along a edge to said axis V.

This configuration is particularly interesting in that it optimizes the use of the light emitted by the modules and thus facilitates the obtaining of a satisfactory light distribution towards the so-called interior vehicle part, that is to say contained in the width of the vehicle and in front of it, containing the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle. In addition, the integration of modules is facilitated because their asymmetrical distribution offset from the vertical axis V allows to place them closer to the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates an embodiment of optical means O for producing the pixels or light patterns described above.

These optical means O comprise an elliptical reflector 13 open towards the front, and a lens 14 for focusing the light beam. The light source S is located at a first focus F1 of the reflector 13. In the plane orthogonal to the optical axis and passing through the second focus F2 of the reflector is disposed a cover 15 in which are provided at least two rectangular windows 16.1, 16.2. horizontal, vertically offset whose shape corresponds to that of the desired horizontal pattern for FIG. 1 or FIG. 6. If one wanted to produce at least one vertical strip, a rectangular window would be oriented with its large vertical dimension. The focus of the lens 14 coincides with the second focus F2 of the elliptical reflector whose optical axis is common to that of the lens 14. This lens provides at infinity an image of the windows 16.1, 16.2 constituting the pattern, or pixel , wish. If necessary, more than two parallel horizontal windows offset vertically can be provided in the cache 15. Means (not shown) may be provided to automatically hide one or more windows as needed.

The solution of the invention with a horizontal grid according to FIG. 1, Fig. 6, FIG. 1 1 or FIG. 12 and a vertical frame of pixels according to FIG. 2 makes it possible to reduce the area impacted by the extinction of the pixels and to keep good lighting outside this zone. In addition, the solution thus proposed requires only a small number of light sources compared to solutions of light source matrices, in particular LED whose ignition control is extremely complex.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle headlamp comprising a plurality of lighting modules, characterized in that it comprises a first group of modules arranged to form at least two juxtaposed transverse light strips (H1, H2, H3; H1 .1 ... H3.3) , and at least one second group of modules for forming vertical light bands (M1, A1 .1 ... A1 .8) juxtaposed contiguous.

2. Projector according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transverse strips (H1, H2, H3; H1 .1 ... H3.3) are horizontal.

3. Projector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse strips (H1 .1 ... H3.3) extend only over a fraction of the beam width (F) of said projector.

4. Projector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first group of modules comprises several modules for producing at least two segmented transverse strips, each module forming a pattern in the form of a transverse strip (H1 .1 ... H3.3) corresponding to a fraction of the total width of the beam F of the projector.

5. Projector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first group of modules comprises several modules for making at least two transverse segmented strips extending along the entire width of the beam F, each module forming a pattern (H1 .1 ... H3.3) corresponding to a fraction of the total width of the transverse light band.

6. Projector according to claim 5, characterized in that the first group of modules comprises modules for forming three transverse light bands, including horizontal, vertically offset and juxtaposed contiguous edges extending over the entire width of the beam (F), each band being composed of three fractions (H1 .1 ... H3.3) each extending over one third of the beam width (F) of the headlamp.

7. Projector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the extent of the transverse strips is degressive in the vertical, from bottom to top, the lower band being larger than the next upper band.

8. Projector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse strips are distributed symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis (V) passing through the optical axis of the projector.

9. Projector according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 7, characterized in that the set of transverse strips is offset on one side or the other relative to the vertical axis (V) passing through the optical axis of the projector, said strips being at least tangent along an edge to said axis (V).

10. lighting assembly for a motor vehicle having a left projector and a right projector, respectively mounted on the left side and right front of the vehicle characterized in that said headlights left and left are made according to at least one of the preceding claims.

1 1. Lighting assembly for a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim characterized in that the distribution of the transverse bands of the first group of modules is different between the left projector and the right projector.

12. lighting assembly for a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim characterized in that all of the transverse strips of the left projector is offset from the left side relative to the vertical axis (V) passing through the optical axis of the left projector and that all the transverse strips of the right headlamp are offset from the right side relative to the vertical axis (V) passing through the optical axis of the right headlamp, said bands being at least tangent along an edge to said axis (V).