EP3594563B1 - Lighting device with lens illuminated by a host light - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to lighting devices, and more precisely those which comprise at least one source of photons and one lens participating in the production of a photometric function.

In what follows, the term "photometric function" means both a lighting photometric function, a signaling photometric function or a light effect photometric function, possibly decorative.

In certain fields, such as for example that of vehicles, possibly of the automotive type, lighting devices are used comprising a source generating photons and an elongated lens and acting on these photons so that they move towards a front part and participate in a chosen photometric function. It will be noted that such lighting devices can be part of an optical unit possibly performing at least one other photometric function.

In the case of a vehicle, the photometric function of the lighting device can, for example, be chosen from among a main beam function, a dipped beam (or low beam) function, and a fog lamp function. But it could also be a photometric signaling function.

FR2918040A1 describes a motor vehicle lighting or signaling device consisting of a transparent material inside which light diffusion focal points are located only at predetermined locations to diffuse the light emitted by at least one light source associated with the lighting or signaling device. These light sources can be of different colors.

In the field of vehicles, although this applies to any other technical field, it has been proposed to accommodate a user, who has been recognized at proximity to his vehicle (for example due to the fact that he is carrying communicating equipment authorized to dialogue at a short distance with the latter), by means of a short welcome light function. By way of example, this welcome light function may consist of operation of the turn signals or of the stop or position lights (or pilot light) for a few seconds.

Currently, in a vehicle, the welcome light function does not use the main or dipped beam headlights, in particular because it is forbidden to use them in town and their electricity consumption is relatively high and therefore could discharge a very low battery charge. The welcome light function must therefore be performed by a source other than that of the main beam or dipped beam function. It is recalled that currently it is prohibited by the regulations to have a single color reception source. It is in fact necessary that when the photometric measurements are taken, the color of the welcome light is drowned in the function of main beam or dipped beam, that is to say that the eye can see the welcome light color but that the optical measurement of this welcome light cannot be measured by the measuring device.

The fact of not using certain lighting devices, such as those which provide a high beam or dipped beam function, prevents them from being highlighted when they have a particular design which contributes to the style and/or the signature of the systems they equip, and therefore this prevents them from showcasing their systems.

The object of the invention is therefore in particular to improve the situation.

It proposes in particular for this purpose a lighting device comprising a first source generating first photons defining a light of a first color, and a lens of elongated shape and acting on the first photons generated so that they move towards a part before and participate in a chosen photometric function.

• au moins une seconde source générant des seconds photons définissant une lumière d'une seconde couleur, et
• au moins un guide de lumière comprenant une première extrémité alimentée en seconds photons générés, une seconde extrémité, opposée à cette première extrémité et placée au voisinage de l'une de deux extrémités opposées de la lentille pour l'alimenter en seconds photons guidés depuis la première extrémité, afin d'induire dans une partie au moins de la lentille un éclairage interne ayant la seconde couleur.

This lighting device is characterized by the fact that it also includes:

• at least one second source generating second photons defining light of a second color, and
• at least one light guide comprising a first end supplied with second photons generated, a second end, opposite this first end and placed in the vicinity of one of two opposite ends of the lens in order to supply it with second photons guided from the first end, in order to induce in at least part of the lens an internal illumination having the second color.

The lighting of the lens by at least one of its ends, without using or disturbing the photometric function, advantageously makes it possible to highlight the part of the lighting device which contributes to the style and/or to the signature, and therefore can allow at the same time to highlight the system which is equipped with this lighting device.

• > les structures tridimensionnelles peuvent être des grains qui ont été définis par une opération de sablage ;
  • il peut comprendre deux caches latéraux masquant chacun l'une des extrémités opposées de la lentille et au moins une partie avant du guide de lumière comprenant la seconde extrémité de ce dernier qui alimente cette extrémité de la lentille ;
  • il peut comprendre un capot masquant l'une de deux faces externes opposées de la lentille, s'étendant entre les extrémités opposées de cette dernière, des éléments participant à la fonction photométrique et situés en amont de la lentille, et une partie arrière de chaque guide de lumière comprenant la première extrémité de ce dernier ;
  • la seconde couleur peut être pourpre ;
  • la fonction photométrique peut être choisie parmi une fonction de feu de route et une fonction de feu de croisement (ou code).

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

• > the three-dimensional structures can be grains which have been defined by a sandblasting operation;
  • it may comprise two side shields each masking one of the opposite ends of the lens and at least one front part of the light guide comprising the second end of the latter which supplies this end of the lens;
  • it may comprise a cover masking one of two opposite outer faces of the lens, extending between the opposite ends of the latter, elements participating in the photometric function and located upstream of the lens, and a rear part of each light guide comprising the first end of the latter;
  • the second color may be purple;
  • the photometric function can be chosen from a main beam function and a dipped beam function (or dipped beam).

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

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

• la figure 1 illustre schématiquement, dans une vue très légèrement en perspective de devant, une partie d'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 du dessus, le dispositif d'éclairage de la figure 1, sans certains de ces éléments optionnels,
• la figure 3 illustre schématiquement, dans une vue en perspective, un exemple de réalisation de la lentille du dispositif d'éclairage des figures 1 et 2, et
• la figure 4 illustre schématiquement, dans une vue en perspective, le dispositif d'éclairage des figures 1 et 2, avant la solidarisation de certains de ces éléments optionnels.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on examination of the detailed description below, and of the appended drawings (obtained in CAD/DAO (“Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Drawing”), from which the apparently discontinuous character of certain lines), on which:

• the figure 1 schematically illustrates, in a very slightly perspective view from the front, part of an example of an optical unit comprising an example embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention,
• the picture 2 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, the lighting device of the figure 1 , without some of these optional elements,
• the picture 3 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an embodiment of the lens of the device for illuminating the figure 1 and 2 , and
• the figure 4 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the device for illuminating the figure 1 and 2 , before joining some of these optional elements.

The object of the invention is in particular to propose a lighting device DE comprising a first source of photons S1 and a lens L participating together in a chosen photometric function, and at least one second source of photons S2 supplying at least one light guide Gj responsible for illuminating this lens L.

It is considered in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, that the lighting device DE is intended to equip an optical unit BO of a vehicle of the automobile type, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, a lighting device DE can be an item of equipment in itself (possibly comprising its own casing and its own protective glass), or it can be part of equipment other than a vehicle headlight unit. Thus, a DE lighting device can be part of any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air), any installation, including industrial type, any device ( or system), including consumer type, and any building.

Furthermore, it is considered in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, that the optical unit BO (comprising at least one lighting device DE) is a front projector (or headlight) ensuring at least one photometric function of lighting. But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, the lighting device DE, according to the invention, is a lighting device capable of providing at least one photometric function of lighting or signaling or of lighting effect, possibly decorative, since this photometric function requires at least a photon source and a lens.

On the figures 1 to 4 , the X direction is a so-called longitudinal direction because it is intended to be parallel to a longitudinal side of a vehicle, the Y direction is a so-called transverse direction because it is intended to be perpendicular to the longitudinal sides of this vehicle and therefore perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is a vertical direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions.

We have schematically illustrated on the figure 1 , part of a vehicle optical unit BO (here a front headlight) comprising, in particular, a housing BB and a protective glass GP together delimiting a cavity housing a lighting device DE according to the invention.

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

The protective glass GP can, for example, be made of glass or plastic. It (GP) is fixedly secured to a front part of the housing BB, for example by gluing, welding or screwing. Furthermore, it (GP) may optionally have one or more colors chosen from crystal white, red and orange.

As illustrated (at least partially) on the figure 1 , 2 and 4 , a lighting device DE, according to the invention, comprises a first source S1, a lens L, and at least one second source S2j associated with a light guide Gj.

The first source S1 is arranged so as to generate first photons which define a light of a first color (for example white).

This first source of photons S1 can, for example, comprise at least one light-emitting diode, of the conventional type (or LED (“Light-Emitting Diode”)) or of the organic type (or OLED (“Organic Light-Emitting Diode”)) , or a laser diode. In the example illustrated without limitation on the picture 2 , it (S1) comprises four groups of at least one light-emitting diode. For example, each group can comprise several (at least two) light-emitting diodes.

The operation of the first source of photons S1 is controlled by control means which can, for example, be part of at least one printed circuit board (not visible on the figure 2 ), possibly of the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) type. It will be noted that the first source of photons S1 can optionally also be installed on this printed circuit board.

The lens L has an elongated shape and two opposite ends E1j (j = 1 or 2). Here, j=1 designates the right side within the lighting device DE while j=2 designates the left side within the lighting device DE. Its main dimension (between its opposite ends E1j) extends along the transverse direction Y.

This lens L is arranged so as to act on the first photons generated by the first source S1 so that they move towards a front part and take part in a chosen photometric function. This front part is located in front of the front face FV of the lens L, that is to say the face which is here placed facing the glass GP and through which the first photons on which the lens L acts emerge. In the example illustrated without limitation on the figure 1 , this front part is the GP glass.

Furthermore, this lens L can, for example, be made by molding (optionally by multilayer injection) of a transparent plastic material such as polymethyl methacrylate (or PMMA) or polycarbonate (or PC).

An embodiment example of a lens L is schematically illustrated in the picture 3 . Here, the lens L comprises the aforementioned front face FV, a rear face FR opposite the front face FV in the longitudinal direction X and receiving the first photons generated, and two outer faces Fk (k = 1 or 2) opposite in the direction vertical Z and each connecting the rear faces FR and front FV. The external face F1 (k=1) is here an upper face, while the external face F2 (k=2) is here a lower face.

As indicated previously, the lighting device DE comprises at least one second source S2j arranged so as to generate second photons which define light of a second color, preferably different from the first color.

For example, this second color can be purple. It can, here, be characteristic of the model of the vehicle or of the make of the vehicle, or even be substantially identical to the (one) color of the bodywork of the vehicle, for example.

The (each) second source of photons S2j can, for example, comprise at least one light-emitting diode, of conventional type (or LED) or organic type (or OLED), or a laser diode.

The second source(s) of photons S2j can, for example, be installed on a support plate PS, as illustrated without limitation in the picture 2 . This support plate PS can, for example, be a printed circuit board, possibly of the PCB type.

The operation of the (each) second photon source S2j is controlled by control means which can, for example, be part at least in part of at least one printed circuit board (not visible on the picture 2 ), possibly the same as that which controls the first source of photons S1.

The (each) second source S2j is associated with a light guide Gj which comprises first E21j and second E22j opposite ends, here along the longitudinal direction X. The first end E21j is supplied with second photons generated by a second associated source S2j. The second end E22j is placed close to one of the two opposite ends E1j of the lens L to supply it with second photons which have been guided from the first end E21j of its light guide Gj. This power supply is intended to induce in at least part of the lens L internal lighting having the second color.

Thanks to this internal lighting of the lens L by at least one of its ends E1j, it is possible to advantageously highlight the part of the lighting device DE which participates in the style and/or the signature (here of the optical block BO and therefore of its vehicle), without using or disturbing the photometric function in which the lens L participates. Thus, when the lighting device DE is part of a vehicle headlight, it is possible to highlight by lighting elements of the device DE lighting and possibly the headlamp, without operating the main beam, dipped beam or fog lamp function, which is particularly advantageous in town and in terms of electricity consumption. In addition, when the lighting device DE is part of a vehicle headlamp, this may optionally make it possible to highlight the latter.

This internal lighting can constitute a welcome light which is generated to accommodate a user, here of the vehicle, who has been recognized near his vehicle, for example due to the fact that he is carrying communicating equipment authorized to dialogue at a short distance with this vehicle. This equipment can, for example, be an electronic card or vehicle access key comprising near-field communication means, or an intelligent mobile telephone (or “smartphone”) comprising an application making it possible to control access to the vehicle. In this case, as soon as the user is recognized, a vehicle computer triggers the operation of each second photon source S2 for a short time (typically a few seconds), to welcome the user by means of a welcome light at the level of the lens L of each lighting device DE.

It will be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation on the figure 2 and 4 , the lighting device DE comprises not one but two second sources S2j respectively associated with two light guides Gj. There is therefore a first light guide G1 (j = 1) comprising a first end E211 supplied with second photons generated by an associated first second source S2j and a second end E221 placed near the first end E11 of the lens L in order to to supply it with second photons, and a second light guide G2 (j=2) comprising a first end E212 supplied with second photons generated by a second associated second source S22 and a second end E222 placed in the vicinity of the second end E12 of the lens L in order to supply it with second photons. This makes it possible to improve the internal illumination of the lens L, and more precisely the homogeneity of the intensity of illumination, in particular on its front face FV and its two external faces Fk. But the lighting device DE may only include a single second source S2j associated with a single light guide Gj.

As it appears on the figure 2 , the second end E22j of each light guide Gj may comprise a beveled face in order to promote the internal reflection of the second photons in the direction of the end E1j of the lens L which is located nearby. For example, each second end face E22j can be beveled at approximately 45°. This option advantageously makes it possible to place each light guide Gj along one of the two lateral sides (j) of the lighting device DE, which promotes the compactness of the latter (DE) in the transverse direction Y. Furthermore, in order to promote reflection, each beveled face may comprise a coating or treatment on the side outside.

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation in the picture 3 , that when the lens L comprises two opposite outer faces Fk and extending between its opposite ends E1j, at least one of these outer faces Fk can comprise three-dimensional structures scattering some of the second photons outwards in order to induce a halo light effect. On the picture 3 , we only see three-dimensional structures on the upper external face F1 (k = 1). This results in particular from the fact that the lower outer face F2 (k=2) is not visible. But the two external faces Fk or even only the lower external face F2 can (Fri) t include three-dimensional structures, depending on the needs and the desired effect.

For example, these three-dimensional structures can be grains defined by a sandblasting operation.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation on the figures 1 and 4 , that the lighting device DE can also comprise two side shields CLj each masking one of the opposite ends E1j of the lens L and at least a front part of the light guide Gj which comprises the second end E22j of the latter (Gj ), which supplies this end E1j of the lens L. It will be understood that when the lighting device DE comprises only one light guide Gj (for example the first G1), the first side cover CL1 masks the first end E11 of the lens L and at least a front part of the first light guide G1 (and in particular its second end E221), while the second side cover CL2 masks the second end E12 of the lens L.

In a variant embodiment, the side covers CLj could fully mask the light guides Gj, and not just their front part.

These side covers CLj may optionally constitute stylized hubcaps.

For example, these side covers CLj can be made by molding a rigid plastic or synthetic material, such as polyethylene (or PE) or polypropylene (or PP) or even polycarbonate (or PC), optionally treated (for example by metallization).

As it appears on the figures 1 and 4 , the lighting device DE can also comprise a cover CS masking one of the two external faces Fk of the lens L (here the upper F1), the elements which take part in the photometric function and which are located upstream of the lens L, and a rear part of each light guide Gj comprising the first end E21j of the latter (Gj). In this case, the cover CS comprises a central part extended on its two sides (j) by lateral wings masking the rear parts of the light guides Gj. This not only makes it possible to mask the elements which take part in the photometric function (apart from the front face FV of the lens L), but also the rear parts of the light guides Gj when they are not already masked by the side covers CLj.

In a variant embodiment, the side wings of the cowl CS could mask all of the light guides Gj, in the absence of the side covers CLj.

For example, this cover CS can be made by molding a rigid plastic or synthetic material, such as polyethylene (or PE) or polypropylene (or PP) or even polycarbonate (or PC).

Claims (8)

1. An illumination device (DE) comprising a first source (S1) generating first photons defining light of a first color, and a lens (L) of elongated shape and acting on said generated first photons so that they are directed towards a front portion and participate in a selected photometric function, and further comprising i) at least a second source (S2j) generating second photons defining light of a second color and ii) at least one light guide (Gj) comprising a first end (E21j) supplied with generated second photons, a second end (E22j), opposite to said first end (E21j) and placed in the vicinity of one of two opposite ends (E1j) of said lens (L) to supply it with second photons guided from said first end (E21j), so as to induce in at least one portion of said lens (L) an internal illumination having said second color characterized in that it comprises another second source (S2j) generating second photons defining the light having the second color, and ii) another light guide (Gj) comprising a first end (E21j) supplied with second photons generated by this other second source (S2j) a second end (E22j), opposite to said first end (E21j) and placed in the vicinity of the other of said opposite ends (E1j) of the lens (L) for supplying it with second photons guided from said first end (E21j) in order to induce in at least a portion of said lens (L) an internal illumination having said second color, said lens (L) comprising two external faces (Fk) opposite and extending between its opposite ends (E1j), at least one of said external faces (Fk) comprising three-dimensional structures scattering some of said second photons outwardly in order to induce a halo light effect.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said three-dimensional structures are grains defined by a sandblasting operation.
3. Device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises two lateral covers (CLj) each masking one of said opposite ends (E1j) of the lens (L) and at least a front part of the light guide (Gj) comprising said second end (E22j) of the latter (Gj) feeding this end (E1j) of said lens (L).
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a cover (CS) masking one of two opposite external faces (Fk) of the said lens (L), extending between the said opposite ends (E1j) of the latter (L), elements participating in the said photometric function and situated upstream of the said lens (L), and a rear part of each light guide (Gj) comprising the said first end (E21j) of the latter (Gj).
5. A device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said second color is purple.
6. The device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said photometric function is selected from a high beam function and a low beam function.
7. A vehicle optical unit (BO), characterized in that it comprises at least one lighting device (DE) according to one of the preceding claims.
8. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one optical unit (BO) according to claim 7.

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