Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/10—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
  • F21S43/13—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
  • F21S43/14—Light emitting diodes [LED]
  • F21S43/145—Surface emitters, e.g. organic light emitting diodes [OLED]
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/10—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
  • F21S43/19—Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
  • F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
  • F21S41/65—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on light sources

Definitions

• Vehicle light device having a flexible OLED associated with electromechanical deformation means
• the present invention relates generally to the field of signaling light devices for motor vehicles.
• Signal lights are designed to emit light by observing regulatory photometric grids that require respect for beaches. of specific light intensity for each of the points of these grids.
• these traffic lights must comply with geometric angles of visibility which determine the area of the minimum solid angle in which the apparent surface of the light must be visible (ECE Regulation 48 2.13).
• This zone is determined by the segments of a sphere whose center coincides with the reference center of the fire and whose equator is parallel to the ground. These segments are determined from the optical axis of the fire: the horizontal angles correspond to the longitude and the vertical angles to the latitude.
• the horizontal angles correspond to the longitude and the vertical angles to the latitude.
• This regulation is particularly demanding concerning the horizontal angles that the position and direction indicators, namely 45 ° on the inner side and 80 ° on the outer side, must respect.
• LEDs For issues of lower power consumption, increased life and style, it is now common to use as an alternative to light bulbs conventional incandescent, laser or electroluminescent light diodes (the latter being more commonly referred to by the acronym "LEDs").
• such a light guide In order to satisfy the regulatory photometric grid, such a light guide must thus be provided on its front face with optical elements able to spread horizontally and vertically the relatively directional luminous flux emitted by these diodes.
• OLEDs organic light-emitting diodes
• the US patent application US 2014/0056020 A1 discloses a light device for a motor vehicle comprising a plurality of OLED-type independent surface light sources arranged in a circular manner.
• Such a light device thus makes it possible to ensure certain signaling functions, for example the position light function by generating a homogeneous light distribution less dazzling as that produced by LED-based devices, but which remains fixed whatever the circumstances.
• the present invention aims to propose a light device based on surface sources having an evolutionary light distribution.
• a light device for a motor vehicle comprising at least one surface light source constituted by an organic light-emitting diode;
• said organic electroluminescent diode is of flexible type (FOLED) and in that said device further comprises electromechanical means adapted to cooperate with at least a portion of said FOLED to drive its deformation.
• FOLED flexible type
• the light device according to the invention makes it possible, thanks to the cooperation between the FOLED and the electromechanical means, to deform this FOLED in order to cause a modification of its light distribution.
• This device thus offers the possibility of ensuring an evolutionary light distribution depending on the circumstances such as, for example, a change in the driving context and / or the occurrence of certain predetermined events.
• a first edge of said FOLED is fixed while said electromechanical means comprise a first actuator comprising a piston movably mounted to slide in a liner and whose free end projecting from said liner is coupled to a second edge of said FOLED, opposite said liner; first fixed edge;
• the piston of said first actuator extends in a direction transverse to the first and second edges of the FOLED;
• a third edge of said FOLED is fixed while said electromechanical means further comprise a second actuator comprising a piston mounted to slide in a jacket and whose free end projecting from said liner is coupled to a fourth edge of said FOLED, opposite said third fixed edge;
• the piston of said second actuator extends in a direction transverse to said third and fourth edges of the FOLED;
• a first edge of said FOLED is fixed while said electromechanical means comprise a first actuator comprising a rotary shaft whose free end is rigidly connected to a second edge of said FOLED, opposite said first fixed edge;
• said rotary axis extends in a direction transverse to said first and second edges of the FOLED
• said electromechanical means are coupled to a control module configured to activate them at least partially during a change in the driving context and / or the occurrence of certain predetermined events; and or
• - Said device further comprises at least one additional point light source such as a light emitting diode or laser.
• the invention also aims, in a second aspect, an optical signaling unit comprising at least one such light device.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view along a horizontal plane of an optical signal unit comprising a light device according to a first embodiment of the invention and on which the FOLED occupies a flat configuration;
• FIG. 2 represents a view similar to FIG. 1 but on which the FOLED occupies a curved configuration
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view in vertical cross section of an optical signaling unit comprising a light device according to a variant of this first embodiment
• FIG. 4 is a front schematic view of an optical signal unit comprising a light device according to a second embodiment of the invention and on which all the FOLEDs occupy a plane configuration;
• Figure 5 shows a view similar to Figure 4 but on which one of the FOLED occupies a twisted curve configuration.
• Figures 1 and 2 show an optical signal unit 1 for a motor vehicle.
• the optical signaling unit 1 comprises a housing 2 having an exit opening for the light rays which is closed in a sealed manner by a transparent cover glass 3.
• the optical unit 1 also comprises a light device 10 housed in the cavity delimited by the housing 2 and the cover glass 3.
• This light device 10 comprises a rectangular-shaped surface light source 11 constituted by an organic light-emitting diode (OLED).
• OLED organic light-emitting diode
• OLED organic light-emitting diode
• the organic thin films typically comprise a hole-conducting layer (HTL for "Hole Transport Layer” in English) deposited on the anode composed of indium-tin oxide (ITO), an emitting layer (EL for "Emission Layer” in English) containing a dye and an electron conducting layer (ETL for "Electron Transport Layer” in English).
• HTL hole-conducting layer
• ITO indium-tin oxide
• EL emitting layer
• ETL electron conducting layer
• OLEDs The operation of OLEDs is based on the principle of electroluminescence.
• the charge transfer materials, the emitting layer and the choice of electrodes are fundamental parameters that determine the performance and efficiency of the OLED.
• the organic light-emitting diode 11 is more precisely of flexible type (FOLED for Flexible Organic Light Emitting Diode): its organic layers resting on a flexible plastic substrate such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or even metal or glass .
• FOLED Flexible Organic Light Emitting Diode
• the FOLED 11 is advantageously arranged vertically inside the housing 2 so that its optical axis X is oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction.
• the electrode located on the inner side of this FOLED 11 (ie: opposite to the cover glass 3) is reflective so that the light rays emitted towards inside the housing 2 are reflected towards the cover glass 3.
• the FOLED 11 also comprises, at least at one of its edges, an electrical connection interface not shown and cooperating with complementary means provided on the housing 2 to ensure its power supply.
• a first vertical lateral edge 11A of this FOLED is also fixed rigidly to the casing 2 by means of a support 12.
• the light device 10 further comprises an electromechanical actuator 13 housed inside the housing 2 and connected to a continuous electric motor or not shown not step.
• This actuator 13 comprises a piston 14 slidably mounted in a sleeve 15 fixed rigidly to this housing 2 and extending in a direction transverse to the vertical lateral edges 11A, 11B of the FOLED 11.
• the visual perception of the brightness of the FOLED 11 will be identical regardless of the viewing angle.
• the piston 14 When the piston 14 is slidably driven by the electric motor, it exerts a transverse force on the vertical side edge 11B so as to force the FOLED 11 to adopt a substantially parabolic curved profile resulting in a change in its light distribution (FIG. 2) .
• a guide device (not shown) is advantageously provided to guide the OLED in its deformation in order to ensure in particular that it curves in the right direction.
• this FOLED 11 whose convexity is here turned outward causes a decrease in its apparent surface for an observer placed in the axis of the vehicle (for example the driver of an online follower vehicle right) and therefore an increase in its luminance, this increase being furthermore more pronounced at its central zone which therefore has a higher luminance than the two lateral zones.
• the convex profile of the FOLED 11 makes it possible to increase the level of luminous intensity emitted laterally and received by an observer placed at a significant angle of incidence relative to the axis of the vehicle (for example the driver of a follower vehicle in a sharp bend).
• the perceived luminance will be lower because the apparent surface of the FOLED 11 viewed from the side is larger.
• the displacement of the piston 14 of the actuator 13 (and thus the passage of the FOLED 11 in its curved configuration or vice versa) is managed by a not shown control module housed in the optical unit 1 or outside of it. last (this module can for example be integrated in the vehicle computer and be in a purely software form or in a form combining a hardware part with integrated circuits with a software part).
• This control module coupled (directly or indirectly) to the electric motor, is configured to automatically trigger the translational movement of the piston 14 (and thus the passage of the FOLED 11 in its curved configuration) during a change of the driving context. (for example, a change in light or traffic conditions) and / or the occurrence of certain predetermined events (eg emergency braking, hazard detection, or activation / deactivation of central locking of doors), an animation in home mode, messages in traffic mode, etc.
• a change in light or traffic conditions for example, a change in light or traffic conditions
• certain predetermined events eg emergency braking, hazard detection, or activation / deactivation of central locking of doors
• FIG. 3 represents a rear optical signaling unit housing a light device 10 'according to an alternative embodiment of the invention of the embodiment described above.
• a second electromechanical actuator 13 ' housed inside the housing 2 and connected to a continuous electric motor or stepper not shown, this actuator 13' comprising a piston 14 'slidably mounted in a 15 'sleeve rigidly attached to this housing 2.
• the piston 14 ' extends in a direction transverse to the upper 11C and lower 11D horizontal edges of the FOLED 11, its free end projecting from the liner 15' being coupled to the lower edge 11D located opposite the fixed edge 11C.
• actuators 13 and 13' are coupled to a control module configured to automatically trigger the translational movement of one of these pistons 14, 14 'or both simultaneously during a change of the driving context and / or the occurrence of certain predetermined events, in order to adopt different curved configurations in FOLED 11.
• Figures 4 and 5 show a rear optical block 100 signaling housing a light device 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• This light device 110 comprises a plurality of rectangular FOLEDs 111 (in this case, four) arranged vertically inside the housing 102 and arranged side by side.
• the upper horizontal edges 111C of these FOLEDs 111 are rigidly attached to the housing 102 via a respective support 112.
• the device 110 also comprises four actuators 113 housed inside the housing 102 and connected to unrepresented electric motors.
• Each actuator 113 comprises a rotary axis 114 extending in a direction transverse to the upper horizontal edges 111C and lower 111D of a respective FOLED 111, and whose free end is rigidly connected to the lower edge 111D located opposite the edge fixed 111C.
• each actuator 113 is adapted to adopt a first position in which the lower edge 111D of the corresponding FOLED 111 extends parallel to the upper edge 111C so that this FOLED 111 occupies its planar configuration (FIG. when illuminated, it presents a uniform luminance spatially and angularly.
• this axis 114 When this axis 114 is rotated by the electric motor to which it is connected, it forces the lower edge 111D to do the same so as to force the corresponding FOLED 111 to adopt a twisted curve profile ( Figure 5).
• the electric motors are coupled to a control module configured to automatically trigger the rotation of the axis 114 of one or more actuators 113 simultaneously during a change in the driving context and / or the occurrence of certain events. predetermined, so as to adopt different configurations to the light device 110.
• the number of FOLEDs can thus vary and each of them can be associated with a different number of actuators of different types.
• These may for example consist of a stack of plates or disks that can be expanded or compressed by piezoelectric or electrostrictive effect depending on the materials used.
• the actuators can also be based on other principles such as electromagnetism or the joule effect.
• Movement of some portions of the FOLED may also be inhibited in certain directions to generate more complex deformations of the FOLED (eg wavy shapes) providing a distinctive visual signature.
• the luminance values currently associated with the FOLEDs make the luminous device according to the invention particularly suitable for carrying out the position light (or lantern) function.
• the optical unit housing the device according to the invention may also contain other devices capable of performing other lighting and / or signaling functions such as, for example, the function of the direction indicator lamp, the fire function. fog or the daylight running function (DRL for "Daytime running Light").
• other devices capable of performing other lighting and / or signaling functions such as, for example, the function of the direction indicator lamp, the fire function. fog or the daylight running function (DRL for "Daytime running Light").

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
• Electroluminescent Light Sources (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=58993099

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 2017
  • 2017-04-06 FR FR1753009A patent/FR3065055B1/fr active Active
• 2018
  • 2018-03-16 EP EP18715206.1A patent/EP3607242A1/de active Pending
  • 2018-03-16 CN CN201880023884.9A patent/CN110520670B/zh active Active
  • 2018-03-16 WO PCT/FR2018/050645 patent/WO2018185393A1/fr unknown

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