EP3354979A1 - Lighting device with mask having 3d patterns - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighting device (DE) comprises at least one light source (SL) capable of generating photons and a mask (M) able to let the photons generated at predefined locations. The mask (M) comprises a front face (FV), facing outwards, and provided with three-dimensional elements (ET) each having an opaque main face (FP) and at least one lateral face (FL) inclined with respect to the main face (FP), ensuring a junction between the latter (FP) and a main face (FP) of at least one other neighboring three-dimensional element (ET), and transparent in order to constitute one of the predefined places through which pass photons.

Description

The invention relates to lighting devices, and more specifically those which comprise at least one light source associated with a mask to ensure at least one photometric function.

In what follows, the term "lighting device" means a light device that can provide at least a photometric function of lighting or signaling or light effect, possibly decorative.

In some areas, such as for example vehicles, possibly of the automotive type, lighting devices, such as those defined above, are used to ensure at least one photometric function, for example a position light function ( or night light or lantern) or a daylight running function (or DRL (for "Daytime running Light (or Lamp)" - illuminated automatically when the vehicle is operated during the day).

The mask of this type of lighting device is a room, usually made of plastic, and charged to prevent the passage of photons generated except at predefined locations. For example, it is possible, for example, to define opaque areas, which may appear when they are backlit, and one or more transparent areas passing photons.

As proposed in the patent document FR 3011312 , the mask may have on its front face patterns that appear when backlit by the back and are virtually invisible in the absence of backlight. These patterns are generally defined by metallization and laser ablation, or by partial metallization by means of a metallization saving mask, or by screen printing on a glued or overmolded film, or by printing.

This type of mask only makes it possible to define two-dimensional (or 2D) patterns, without a real relief (or 3D) effect. It is by relatively limited in terms of light effect, possibly decorative.

The invention is therefore particularly intended to improve the situation.

In particular, it proposes for this purpose a lighting device comprising at least one source of light capable of generating photons and a mask capable of allowing the photons generated to pass through predefined locations.

This lighting device is characterized in that its mask comprises a front face, facing outwards, and provided with three-dimensional elements each comprising an opaque main face and at least one lateral face inclined with respect to this main face, ensuring a junction between the latter and a main face of at least one other adjacent three-dimensional element, and transparent to form one of the predefined locations through which the photons generated.

Thanks to these three-dimensional elements (or 3D) with backlit main face and side (s) transparent (s), we can now define many three-dimensional patterns.

• chaque face principale peut présenter une forme générale de losange ;
  • 
    chaque face principale peut comprendre au moins deux facettes en forme générale de triangle et présentant des orientations différentes, chacune de ces facettes ayant un côté prolongé par une face latérale assurant sa jonction à un côté d'une facette d'un autre élément tridimensionnel voisin ;
• chaque face latérale peut présenter une forme générale triangulaire ;
• les faces latérales des éléments tridimensionnels peuvent se prolonger mutuellement le long de lignes qui s'intersectent et où les photons définissent des bandes lumineuses qui se croisent ;
• chaque face principale peut être revêtue sur la face avant d'une couche métallique propre à assurer son opacité ;
• chaque face latérale peut présenter une transparence résultant d'une ablation, au moyen d'un laser, d'une couche métallique préalablement déposée, ou bien d'un dépôt d'une épargne pendant une phase de métallisation ;
• chaque source de lumière peut être une diode électroluminescente ;
• il peut comprendre un réflecteur propre à réfléchir les photons générés vers une face arrière du masque, opposée à la face avant ;
• le masque peut présenter une inclinaison moyenne non nulle par rapport à un plan horizontal ;
  • 
    le masque peut être incliné par rapport au plan horizontal d'un angle compris entre 20° et 50°.

The lighting device according to the invention may comprise other characteristics that can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

• each main face may have a general diamond shape;
  • 
    each main face may comprise at least two facets in the general shape of a triangle and having different orientations, each of these facets having a side extended by a lateral face ensuring its joining to one side of a facet of another neighboring three-dimensional element;
• each lateral face may have a generally triangular shape;
• the lateral faces of the three-dimensional elements may extend mutually along intersecting lines and where the photons define intersecting light bands;
• each main face may be coated on the front face of a metal layer to ensure its opacity;
• each lateral face may have a transparency resulting from ablation, by means of a laser, of a previously deposited metal layer, or of a deposit of a saving during a metallization phase;
• each light source may be a light emitting diode;
• it may comprise a reflector suitable for reflecting the photons generated towards a rear face of the mask, opposite to the front face;
• the mask may have a non-zero average inclination with respect to a horizontal plane;
  • 
    the mask may be inclined relative to the horizontal plane by an angle of between 20 ° and 50 °.

The invention also proposes a vehicle optical unit, possibly of automobile type, and comprising at least one lighting device of the type of that presented above.

The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of automobile type, and comprising at least one lighting device of the type of the one presented above and / or at least one optical block of the type of that presented above.

• la figure 1 illustre schématiquement, dans une vue en coupe longitudinale, un exemple de bloc optique comprenant un exemple de réalisation d'un dispositif d'éclairage selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 illustre schématiquement, dans une vue en perspective, un exemple de réalisation d'un masque d'un dispositif d'éclairage selon l'invention, et
• la figure 3 illustre schématiquement, dans une vue en coupe longitudinale, une partie d'une variante du dispositif d'éclairage de la figure 1, avec les matérialisations de trois directions de propagation de photons permettant la sortie par les faces latérales du masque.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 illustrates schematically, in a longitudinal sectional view, an example of an optical block comprising an exemplary embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention,
• the figure 2 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of a mask of a lighting device according to the invention, and
• the figure 3 illustrates schematically, in a longitudinal sectional view, a portion of a variant of the lighting device of the figure 1 , with the materializations of three directions of photon propagation allowing the exit by the lateral faces of the mask.

The object of the invention is notably to propose a device illumination DE with light source (s) SL and mask M, and adapted to ensure at least one photometric function.

In the following, by way of nonlimiting example, the lighting device DE is intended to equip an optical block BO of a vehicle of automobile type, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, a lighting device DE may be an equipment in itself (possibly including its own housing), or may be part of another equipment that a vehicle optical unit. Thus, a lighting device DE can be part of any vehicle (land, sea (or fluvial), or air), any installation, including industrial type, any device ( or system), and any building.

Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the optical block BO (comprising at least one lighting device DE) is a rear light providing at least one photometric signaling function, for example a position light function (or night light or lantern). But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, the lighting device DE, according to the invention, is a light device that can provide at least a photometric function of lighting or signaling or light effect, possibly decorative. Thus, it could, for example, provide a daylight running function (or DRL (for "Daytime running Light (or Lamp)" - light signaling automatically illuminated when the vehicle is operated during the day)).

We have schematically illustrated on the figure 1 , a part of a vehicle optical block BO (here a taillight) comprising, in particular, a lighting device DE according to the invention.

As illustrated, this optical block BO comprises in particular a housing BB delimiting a portion of a cavity housing a lighting device DE according to the invention, as well as any other lighting means providing at least one other photometric function, and a protective glass GP glass or plastic.

The BB housing is intended, here, to be secured to a part of the bodywork of a vehicle (here in a rear left part). It is made of a rigid material, such as a plastic or synthetic material. In this case, it can be made by molding.

As illustrated on the figure 1 , a lighting device DE according to the invention comprises at least one light source SL and a mask M.

Each light source SL is able to generate photons for the mask M, directly or indirectly.

By way of example, each light source SL may be a light-emitting diode of the conventional type (or LED ("Light-Emitting Diode")) or organic type (or OLED ("Organic Light-Emitting Diode")), or a laser diode.

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation on the figures 1 and 3 , that each light source SL can, for example, be installed on a support plate PS. This PS support plate may, for example, be a printed circuit board (PCB), rigid or flexible ("Flex" type).

The mask M is adapted to (or arranged to) pass the photons that are generated by the light source (s) SL in predefined locations. For example, it can be made by molding in a plastic material such as polycarbonate (or PC) or polymethylmethacrylate (or PMMA), or glass. For example, the color of the material in which the mask M is made may be that which is called white crystal.

This mask M comprises a front face FV, oriented towards the outside (and thus towards the protective glass GP), and a rear face FR, opposite to the front face FV and receiving the photons generated by the (the) source (s) ) SL light.

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation on the figures 1 and 3 that the lighting device DE may also comprise a reflector RP capable of reflecting the photons, generated by the light source (s) SL, towards the rear face FR of the mask M. In this case, the photons generated by the light source (s) SL initially go to the RF reflector which reflects them to the rear face FR of the mask M. But in a variant of The lighting device DE may not include a reflector RP, in which case the photons generated by the light source (s) SL are directed directly towards the rear face FR of the mask M.

As illustrated on Figures 1 to 3 , the front face FV of the mask M is provided with three-dimensional elements AND each having an opaque main face FP and at least one lateral face FL. Each lateral face FL of a three-dimensional element ET is inclined with respect to the main face FP of the latter (ET) and ensures a junction between this main face FP and the main face FP of at least one other three-dimensional element ET neighbor. Moreover, each lateral face FL of a three-dimensional element ET is transparent in order to constitute one of the predefined places through which the photons generated (as illustrated on FIG. figure 3 ).

It will be understood that each main face FP of a three-dimensional element ET constitutes a 3D pattern that appears when it is backlit by the rear face FR, and whose relief is highlighted (or even amplified) by the photons coming out of each face. FL lateral which extends to the main face FP of at least one neighboring three-dimensional element ET. Numerous 3D patterns can thus be defined by molding. Similarly, many light effects, possibly decorative, can be obtained.

In the example shown, not limitation, on the figure 2 , each main face FP of a three-dimensional element AND has a general shape of rhombus.

More specifically, in this nonlimiting example, each main face FP comprises (or is subdivided into) two facets FCj (j = 1 or 2) in the general shape of a triangle and having different orientations. It should be noted that each main face FP could comprise more than two facets FCj. In addition, each of these facets FCj has a side which is extended by a side face FL ensuring its joining to one side of a facet FCj '(j' ≠ j) of another neighboring three-dimensional element ET. In other words, the first facet FC1 of a first three-dimensional element ET comprises a side which is coupled via a lateral face FL to the second facet FC2 of a second three-dimensional element ET located below and to the left of the first three-dimensional element ET, and the second facet FC2 of this first three-dimensional element ET comprises a side which is coupled via another lateral face FL to the first facet FC1 of a third three-dimensional element AND located below and to the right of the first three-dimensional element ET.

It will be noted that the different main faces FP may have other general shapes than a rhombus. Moreover, the three-dimensional elements ET may have FP main faces having different general shapes, geometric or not, as long as they allow their junction via the associated side faces FL. In addition, the main faces FP are not necessarily subdivided into two facets FCj of different orientations that confer a 3D shell or diamond point backlit appearance. Thus, they (FP) can be subdivided into more than two facets FCj of different orientations (for example three or four), or do not have faceted subdivision while having one or more curvatures in at least one direction of the 'space.

It will also be noted that in the example illustrated, without limitation, on the figure 2 each three-dimensional element ET comprises two lateral faces FL extending its main face FP. This results from the fact that the latter is subdivided into two facets FCj. But a three-dimensional element ET can include any number of side faces FL extending its main face FP, and this number is preferably equal to the number of facets FCj.

Also as illustrated without limitation on the figure 2 , each lateral face FL of a three-dimensional element ET may, for example, have a generally triangular shape. This general form here gives the impression that each main face FP is "open" in its lower part extended by the two side faces FL associated. However, the lateral faces FL of the three-dimensional elements ET may have other general shapes, geometric or otherwise. In addition, the side faces FL are not necessarily identical of a three-dimensional element AND to the other. So, in the example shown on the figure 2 the three-dimensional elements AND placed on the same line at a given level have identical lateral faces FL, but of different dimensions from those of the lateral faces FL of the three-dimensional elements AND which are placed on the same line at a higher or lower level. For example, the height of the short side of each side face FL may increase as the level decreases, to enhance the opening effect of the main faces FP located in the lower levels.

Also as illustrated without limitation on the figure 2 the side faces FL of the three-dimensional elements ET (here belonging to different levels) can extend mutually along lines (here oblique) which intersect each other and where the photons define light bands which intersect. A kind of grid or light grid is thus obtained via the lateral faces FL.

It should be noted that the angle existing between a main face FP and an associated lateral face FL (which extends it) may possibly vary, for example as a function of the level at which the three-dimensional element ET belongs. This is particularly the case in the two examples of mask M illustrated respectively on figures 1 and 3 . But this angle could be substantially constant.

Note also that this angle may be a function of the general inclination angle of the mask M relative to a horizontal plane and / or the shape of the subpart SPk of the optional reflector RP which is predefined so as to reflect the photons to three-dimensional AND elements associated (and therefore especially to their main faces FP and lateral FL).

This is particularly the case in the example of mask M illustrated on the figure 3 wherein the reflector RP comprises a first sub-part SP1 (k = 1) charged to return the photons it receives to three-dimensional elements AND which are located next to each other on the upper level, a second sub-part SP2 (k = 2) responsible for returning the photons it receives to three-dimensional elements AND which are located next to each other on the intermediate level, and a third subpart SP3 (k = 3) responsible for returning the photons that it receives to three-dimensional elements AND which are located next to each other on the lower level.

In this example, the three subparts SP1 to SP3 are respectively inclined at three different angles with respect to a horizontal plane and the angles between the main faces FP and the associated side faces FL of the three-dimensional elements ET which are located next to each other. on different levels are all different.

It will also be noted that each main face FP may, for example, be coated on the front face FV with a metal layer that is suitable for ensuring its opacity. For example, this metal layer may be aluminum or nickel / chromium.

In this case, each lateral face FL may, for example, have a transparency which results from ablation, by means of a laser, of the metal layer previously deposited on the entire front face FV, or of a deposit of a savings (or a savings mask) during the metallization phase. It will be understood that, in the first alternative, the entire front face FV of the mask M is metallized, then this metallization is removed on each lateral face FL by means of a laser, while in the latter alternative a saving (or a mask of savings) on each lateral face FL before the metallization phase, and once the latter is completed (and therefore once the main faces FP metallized), all savings (or all savings masks) are withdrawn.

It will also be noted that when the lighting device DE is a rear light providing a position light function, it must produce a red light. In this case, the red color may result, for example, from the use of light source (s) SL generating photons whose wavelength is that of white and a mask M having this red color (possibly crystal). This last combination makes it possible to have an extinguished rendering of red color on the lateral faces FL.

It will also be noted that the use of a reflector RP comprising, as indicated above, sub-parts SPk predefined in order to reflect the photons respectively to three-dimensional elements AND associated (placed at different levels), allows to have a homogeneous rendering at each FP main face while respecting the constraints photometrically due to the photon output from the side faces FL.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation, on the figures 1 and 3 , that the mask M may have a non-zero average inclination with respect to a horizontal plane. For example, it (M) can be inclined with respect to this horizontal plane by an angle of between 20 ° and 50 °.

Claims (10)

Lighting device (DE) comprising at least one light source (SL) capable of generating photons and a mask (M) able to let said photons generated at predefined locations, characterized in that said mask (M) comprises a front face (FV), facing outwards, and provided with three-dimensional elements (ET) each having an opaque main face (FP) and at least one lateral face (FL) inclined with respect to said main face (FP) , providing a junction between the latter (FP) and a main face (FP) of at least one other neighboring three-dimensional element (ET), and transparent to form one of said predefined locations through which the photons generated. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each main face (FP) has a general diamond shape. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each main face (FP) comprises at least two facets (FCj) in the general shape of a triangle and having different orientations, each of said facets (FCj) having a side extended by a lateral face ( FL) ensuring its joining to one side of a facet (FCj ') of another neighboring three-dimensional element (ET). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each side face (FL) has a generally triangular shape. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said lateral faces (FL) of the three-dimensional elements (ET) extend mutually along lines that intersect each other and where the photons define light bands that intersect. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each main face (FP) is coated on the front face (FV) of a metal layer to ensure its opacity. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each lateral face (FL) has a transparency resulting from ablation, by means of a laser, of a previously deposited metal layer, or a deposit of a savings during a metallization phase. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a reflector (RP) adapted to reflect said photons generated towards a rear face (FR) of said mask (M), opposite to said front face (FV) . Vehicle optical block (BO), characterized in that it comprises at least one lighting device (DE) according to one of the preceding claims. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one optical block (BO) according to Claim 9 and / or at least one lighting device (DE) according to one of Claims 1 to 8.

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