EP4616393A1

EP4616393A1 - Lighting module, light device and motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4616393A1
Application number: EP23805539.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yagui GAO; Haiqing Zhou
Original assignee: Valeo Vision SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Vision SAS
Priority date: 2022-11-10
Filing date: 2023-11-09
Publication date: 2025-09-17
Also published as: WO2024100231A1; CN218954700U

Abstract

A lighting module, a light device and a motor vehicle are provided. The lighting module comprises at least two light source assemblies (110; 120), a patterning member (130) and an optical projection device (140), each light source assembly is configured to illuminate the patterning member with light, the patterning member comprises at least two sets of patterned reflective surfaces (133), each set of patterned reflective surfaces defines a reflection pattern and is configured to reflect light from the corresponding light source assembly toward the optical projection device in the form of the defined reflection pattern, and the optical projection device is configured to receive light reflected by each set of patterned reflective surfaces and project a projection pattern corresponding to the reflection pattern defined by the set of patterned reflective surfaces.

Description

Title: LIGHTING MODULE, LIGHT DEVICE AND MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate in general to the field of lighting and/or signalling, and in particular to a lighting module that provides at least one projection pattern at a low cost, and a light device and a motor vehicle equipped with such a lighting module.

BACKGROUND ART

Various lighting or signal indicating devices are known in various fields for providing light for lighting or signalling. For example, vehicle lamps are used in motor vehicles to provide lighting or signalling functions, in order to ensure safe driving or provide an ornamental function.

As user needs continue to evolve, more and more automobile manufacturers are using projection lamps to provide personalised lighting patterns. In conventional technologies, although digital micro-mirror devices (DMDs) or LCDs can provide rich projection patterns, they are quite expensive. Although a variety of patterns can be produced through actuating optical elements by use of electrical devices such as motors, this is also expensive and complex.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One purpose of the present disclosure is to solve or overcome at least one of the above and other problems and shortcomings in the prior art.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a light module is provided, comprising at least two light source assemblies, a patterning member and an optical projection device, each light source assembly is configured to illuminate the patterning member with light, the patterning member comprises at least two sets of patterned reflective surfaces, each set of patterned reflective surfaces defines a reflection pattern and is configured to reflect light from the corresponding light source assembly toward the optical projection device in the form of the defined reflection pattern, and the optical projection device is configured to receive light reflected by each set of patterned reflective surfaces and project a projection pattern corresponding to the reflection pattern defined by the set of patterned reflective surfaces.

In some embodiments, at least one patterned reflective surface in each set of patterned reflective surfaces is oriented in a same direction, and different sets of patterned reflective surfaces are oriented in a same direction or different directions.

In some embodiments, the at least two sets of patterned reflective surfaces are in a one-to-one correspondence with the at least two light source assemblies, and each set of patterned reflective surfaces is configured to receive or reflect light from one light source assembly; or each light source assembly is configured to illuminate one or more sets of patterned reflective surfaces with light.

In some embodiments, the reflection patterns defined by different sets of patterned reflective surfaces are different from each other and/or do not overlap with each other.

In some embodiments, each set of patterned reflective surfaces is arranged at or near a focal plane of the optical projection device.

In some embodiments, the patterning member comprises a plate-shape body, one surface of the body faces the optical projection device and is formed with a plurality of unit blocks arranged in an array, at least some of the plurality of unit blocks have sub-reflective surfaces, and each patterned reflective surface in each set of patterned reflective surfaces is composed of one or more of the sub-reflective surfaces.

In some embodiments, a surface of a unit block that does not form a sub- reflective surface has a reflection reducing structure.

In some embodiments, each unit block comprises at least one of a ridge having at least two surfaces and a polyhedron, and at least one surface of each of the at least some unit blocks is the sub-reflective surface.

In some embodiments, the at least two light source assemblies comprise two or more light source assemblies located on a same side of the surface of the body in a propagation direction of light reflected by the patterning member.

In some embodiments, the two or more light source assemblies are essentially symmetrically arranged around an optical axis of the optical projection device.

In some embodiments, each light source assembly comprises light sources and is configured to control light output by the light sources into parallel light to be directed to the corresponding set of patterned reflective surfaces. In some embodiments, each light source assembly further comprises at least one of a condenser, a collimator, a Fresnel mirror and a light guide, which is arranged downstream of the light sources along a propagation direction of the light output by the light sources and is configured to convert the light output by the light sources into parallel light.

In some embodiments, each light source assembly further comprises light filtering elements, and the light filtering elements are arranged downstream of the light sources along a propagation direction of the light output by the light sources and are configured to convert the light output by the light sources into light of a desired colour.

In some embodiments, the optical projection device comprises one or more projection lenses.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the embodiments also provide a light device, comprising the lighting module described in any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the patterning member comprises two or more sets of patterned reflective surfaces, the light device further comprises a control device connected to the two or more light source assemblies, and the control device is configured to selectively control the two or more light source assemblies to alternately or simultaneously illuminate the corresponding set of patterned reflective surfaces of the patterning member with light, so that the optical projection device alternately projects a projection pattern corresponding to each reflection pattern, or that the optical projection device simultaneously projects projection patterns corresponding to two or more of the reflection patterns to form a combined projection pattern.

In some embodiments, the light device comprises one of a lighting lamp, a projection lamp and a decorative lamp used for a motor vehicle.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the embodiments also provide a motor vehicle, comprising the light device described in any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

A detailed description of the present disclosure is provided below by referring to the attached drawings to make other objectives and advantages of the present disclosure apparent and help achieve a comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of some illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[Fig.l] is a schematic diagram showing the layout of the lighting module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[Fig.2] is a top perspective view schematically showing the structure of the patterning member of the lighting module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[Fig.3A] is a schematic diagram showing a set of patterned reflective surfaces provided by the patterning member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[Fig.3B] is a schematic diagram showing another set of patterned reflective surfaces provided by the patterning member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[Fig.4A] is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a part of the patterning member according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[Fig.4B] is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a part of the patterning member according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[Fig.5A] is a schematic diagram showing a projection pattern projected by the lighting module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[Fig.5B] is a schematic diagram showing another projection pattern projected by the lighting module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below in conjunction with the attached drawings. In this description, the same or similar components are indicated by the same or similar reference numerals. The following explanation of embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings is intended to explain the overall disclosed concept of the present disclosure, and should not be interpreted as a limitation of the present disclosure.

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 ) ISA/EP In addition, in the following detailed description, for ease of explanation, many specific details are given to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is obvious that one or more embodiments may also be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are shown in the form of illustrations to simplify the drawings.

Figure 1 schematically shows the layout of the lighting module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The lighting module may be used as a component of a lighting or signalling device for a vehicle. For example, the lighting module may be a lighting lamp, a projection lamp or a decorative lamp, for projecting a desired pattern in a projection area to realise the function of lighting or signalling. The projection area may be a road surface, a wall surface, a vehicle interior or another desired location. The desired pattern may be personalised patterns such as a smiley face, a heart, flowers, animals, plants, a vehicle logo, etc.. The desired pattern may be information related to vehicle travelling such as the vehicle speed, a turn arrow, a travel arrow, a lane, etc. The desired pattern may be road construction signs, warning/indication signs, text symbols, etc.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the lighting module 100 mainly comprises at least two light source assemblies 110 and 120, a patterning member 130 and an optical projection device 140, and each light source assembly is used to illuminate the patterning member 130 with light. As shown in Figures 2 to 3B, the patterning member 130 comprises at least two sets of patterned reflective surfaces 133 and 135. Each set of patterned reflective surfaces may comprise one or more patterned reflective surfaces. The one or more patterned reflective surfaces in each one set of patterned reflective surfaces are oriented in a same direction, together define a reflection pattern, and are configured to reflect light from one corresponding light source assembly toward the optical projection device 140 in the form of the defined reflection pattern. As shown in Figure 1, the optical projection device 140 is positioned downstream of the patterning member 130, and receives light reflected by each set of patterned reflective surfaces, and projects the projection pattern corresponding to the reflection pattern defined by the set of patterned reflective surfaces, as shown in Figures 5 A and 5B.

Thus, the reflection pattern defined by the patterning member can be designed as needed. By means of reflection by the patterning member, a projection pattern corresponding to or consistent with the reflection pattern defined by the patterning member can be projected. Compared with conventional projection solutions of digital micro-mirror devices (DMDs), LCDs or rotating optical elements, the lighting module according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure uses a patterning member 130 with a simple structure to achieve similar projection effects at lower costs.

The lighting module 100 may comprise two or more light source assemblies, which may be, for example, located on the same side of the patterning member 130. For example, the two or more light source assemblies are located on the side of the patterning member 130 facing the optical projection device 140. Preferably, the two or more light source assemblies may be essentially symmetrically arranged around the optical axis of the optical projection device 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting module 100 comprises two light source assemblies 110 and 120, which comprise light sources 111 and 121 respectively. In the present disclosure, the specific form of the light source is not limited. For example, it may comprise one or more LEDs.

In exemplary embodiments, the light source assembly can control or adjust light output by the light sources into parallel light to be directed to the corresponding set of patterned reflective surfaces. As an example, the light source assembly may further comprise at least one of a condenser, a lens, a collimator, a Fresnel mirror, a light guide and a similar optical element, which is arranged downstream of the light sources along the propagation direction of the light output by the light sources to convert the light output by the light sources into parallel light. For example, as shown in Figure 1 , the light source assembly 110 comprises a condenser 112 arranged downstream of the light source 111, and the light source assembly 120 comprises a condenser 122 arranged downstream of the light source 121. In other examples, the light source assembly may illuminate the patterning member with light having other desired distributions, for example, nonparallel light, depending, for example, on the orientation of the patterned reflective surfaces or the desired reflection direction.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, some or each set of patterned reflective surfaces formed on the patterning member 130 are oriented in different directions to receive and reflect light emitted from the corresponding light source assembly. In other embodiments, some or each set of patterned reflective surfaces may be oriented in the same direction, and each set of patterned reflective surfaces may receive or reflect light from only one light source assembly, or may receive or reflect light from more than one light source assembly. Alternatively, each light source assembly may illuminate one or more sets of patterned reflective surfaces on the patterning member with light. Preferably, the light reflected by the patterned reflective surfaces of the patterning member 130 may be emitted to the optical projection device 140 in a direction essentially parallel to the optical axis O-O’ of the optical projection device 140. The optical axis of the patterning member 130 may essentially coincide with the optical axis of the optical projection device 140.

In some examples, a single patterning member having one or more sets of patterned reflective surfaces may be provided, and these further sets of patterned reflective surfaces may be used to provide a plurality of projection patterns, or may collectively provide a single projection pattern. In other examples, depending on the specific application, the lighting module may comprise two or more patterning members to meet different projection pattern requirements.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least two sets of patterned reflective surfaces formed on the patterning member 130 may be in a one-to-one correspondence with the at least two light source assemblies. For example, as shown in Figure 2 to 3B, the patterning member 130 is formed with two sets of patterned reflective surfaces 133 and 135, one set of patterned reflective surfaces 133 is oriented toward the light source assembly 110, and the other set of patterned reflective surfaces 135 is oriented toward the light source assembly 120.

In some embodiments, the reflection patterns defined by different sets of patterned reflective surfaces formed on the patterning member 130 may be different from each other and/or do not overlap with each other. For example, in the illustrated example, the reflection pattern defined by one set of patterned reflective surfaces 133 is a heart struck by Cupid's arrow, as shown in Figure 3 A, and its corresponding projection pattern is shown in Figures 5A. While the reflection pattern defined by the other set of patterned reflective surfaces 135 is a smiling face, as shown in Figure 3B, and its corresponding projection pattern is shown in Figures 5B.

It can be understood that the expression “do not overlap” herein may mean that each reflection pattern is independent of others as a whole, or that one set of patterned reflective surfaces is different from another set of patterned reflective surfaces. But there may be a mutual nesting relationship between parts of some reflection patterns, as shown in the reflection patterns defined by the two sets of patterned reflective surfaces 133 and 135 in Figure 2. In other embodiments, the reflection patterns defined by the sets of patterned reflective surfaces formed on the patterning member may partially overlap, for example, a part of one reflection pattern being also a component of another reflection pattern, depending on, for example, the specific design of the patterns, the arrangement of the patterned reflective surfaces, etc. As shown in Figure 1, the optical projection device 140 has a focal plane P, the focal plane P is kept at a desired position in the lighting module. Here, the “desired position” refers to a position where the image projected by the lighting module has good clarity and brightness when the focal plane is in the position. Some or each set of patterned reflective surfaces 133 and 135 formed on the patterning member 130 may be arranged at or near the focal plane P of the optical projection device 140, so that the lighting module can provide a clearer projected image. For example, a “ghost reflective surface” defined by each reflection centre of a set of patterned reflective surfaces may be essentially coincident with the focal plane P or near the focal plane P of the patterning member 130. In this context, “near the focal plane” is understood to mean that a patterned reflective surface (for example, the “ghost reflective surface” defined by their respective reflection centres) is positioned at a distance from the focal plane such that the pattern reflected by the patterning member and projected by the optical projection device has good or desired clarity and brightness. As an example, this distance is, for example, equal to one-tenth of the focal length of the optical projection device.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figure 2, the patterning member 130 comprises a plate-shape body 131, one surface of the body 131 faces the optical projection device 140 and is formed with a plurality of unit blocks 132, and these unit blocks 132 may be arranged in an array or another desired pattern. At least some unit blocks 132 have sub-reflective surfaces, and each patterned reflective surface in each set of patterned reflective surfaces is composed of one or more of the sub-reflective surfaces.

The unit blocks formed on the surface of the body 131 may provide or define one, two or more sets of patterned reflective surfaces. For example, as shown in Figures 2 to 3B, some unit blocks 132 have sub-reflective surfaces 134 that define a set of patterned reflective surfaces 133, and other unit blocks 132 have sub-reflective surfaces 136 that define another set of patterned reflective surfaces 135. In some examples, the respective light source assemblies 110 and 120 of the lighting module 100 may be all located on the same side of the surface of the body 131 in the direction of propagation of light reflected by the patterning member 130, to emit light toward the same or different sets of patterned reflective surfaces.

As an example, the unit blocks of the patterning member 130 may have at least one surface. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the unit blocks 132 may be ridges or ribs. Alternatively, the unit blocks may comprise polyhedrons, for example, the unit block 132’ in the form of a triangular pyramid as shown in Figure 4A or the unit block 132” in the form of a rectangular pyramid as shown in Figure 4B. In at least some unit blocks, at least one surface of each unit block is a sub-reflective surface described above. In the example shown in Figure 2, some unit blocks 132 do not have any sub-reflective surfaces, some unit blocks 132 have one sub-reflective surface 134 or 136, and other unit blocks 132 have both sub-reflective surfaces 134 and 136.

In some examples, the patterned reflective surfaces or sub-reflective surfaces of the patterning member 130 may be defined or formed by a reflective coating or metallised layer, for example, a mirror surface. In some examples, other surfaces of the unit blocks that are not used as sub- reflective surfaces have a reflection reducing structure. For example, a coloured coating (for example, without limitation, a black coating) may be formed on these surfaces, or any suitable optical structure that can reduce reflection. In some cases, based on application requirements, the reflective coating or metallized layer may be re-formed or changed on the surface of some unit blocks to form new reflection patterns.

Each light source assembly may further comprise light filtering elements, and the light filtering elements are arranged downstream of the light sources along the propagation direction of the light output by the light sources to convert the light output by the light sources into light of a desired colour. As shown in Figure 1, the light source assembly 110 comprises a light filtering element 113 arranged downstream of the condenser 112, and the light source assembly 120 comprises a light filtering element 123 arranged downstream of the condenser 122.

In the present disclosure, the optical projection device 140 may take any suitable form or arrangement. For example, it may comprise one or more reflectors, or one or more lenses, or one or more light guides, or a combination thereof. As an example, the optical projection device may comprise a plurality of lenses, for example, 2 to 6 lenses, stacked on top of each other. The optical projection device may be made of plastics, for example, polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), cycloolefin polymers (COPs), materials trademarked Zeonex®, etc., or made of glass, and may comprise, for example, a combination of glass lenses and plastic lenses.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a light device, comprising the lighting module described in any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which can provide a desired projection pattern similar to those provided by conventional digital micro-mirror devices (DMDs), LCDs or rotating optical elements. As an example, the light device may be used as a lighting lamp, a projection lamp or a decorative lamp for a motor vehicle. As shown in Figure 1, in some examples, the light device may further comprise a controller or control device 150, which may be connected or communicate with all the light source assemblies 110 and 120 of the lighting module 100. The control device 150 can selectively control each light source assembly to alternately or simultaneously illuminate the corresponding set of patterned reflective surfaces formed on the patterning member 130 with light. So that the optical projection device 140 alternately projects the projection patterns corresponding to each reflection pattern, for example, to achieve an animation effect, or simultaneously projects the projection patterns corresponding to two or more reflection patterns to form a combined projection pattern, thereby providing richer projection patterns and lighting effects through a simple and low-cost structure.

The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a motor vehicle comprising the lighting module or the light device as described in any one of the above embodiments.

Although the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The dimensional proportions in the drawings are merely schematic, and must not be interpreted as a limitation of the present disclosure.

Although some embodiments of the general concept of the present disclosure have been shown and described, those ordinarily skilled in the art will understand that changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principle and spirit of the general concept of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Lighting module (100), characterized in that the lighting module comprises at least two light source assemblies (110; 120), a patterning member (130) and an optical projection device (140), each light source assembly is configured to illuminate the patterning member with light, the patterning member comprises at least two sets of patterned reflective surfaces (133; 135), each set of patterned reflective surfaces defines a reflection pattern and is configured to reflect light from a corresponding light source assembly toward the optical projection device in the form of the defined reflection pattern, and the optical projection device is configured to receive light reflected by each set of patterned reflective surfaces and project a projection pattern corresponding to the reflection pattern defined by the set of patterned reflective surfaces.

2. Lighting module according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one patterned reflective surface in each set of patterned reflective surfaces is oriented in a same direction, and different sets of patterned reflective surfaces are oriented in a same direction or different directions.

3. Lighting module according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least two sets of patterned reflective surfaces are in a one-to-one correspondence with the at least two light source assemblies, and each set of patterned reflective surfaces is configured to receive or reflect light from one light source assembly; or each light source assembly is configured to illuminate one or more sets of patterned reflective surfaces with light.

4. Lighting module according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflection patterns defined by different sets of patterned reflective surfaces are different from each other and/or do not overlap with each other.

5. Lighting module according to claim 1, characterized in that each set of patterned reflective surfaces is arranged at or near a focal plane (P) of the optical projection device.

6. Lighting module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the patterning member comprises a plate-shape body (131), one surface of the body facing the optical projection device and being formed with a plurality of unit blocks (132; 132’; 132”) arranged in an array, at least some of the plurality of unit blocks have sub-reflective surfaces (134; 136), and each patterned reflective surface in each set of patterned reflective surfaces is composed of one or more of the sub-reflective surfaces.

7. Lighting module according to claim 6, characterized in that a surface of a unit block that does not form a sub-reflective surface has a reflection reducing structure.

8. Lighting module according to claim 6, characterized in that each unit block comprises at least one of a ridge having at least two surfaces and a polyhedron, and at least one surface of each of the at least some unit blocks is the sub- reflective surface.

9. Lighting module according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least two light source assemblies comprise two or more light source assemblies located on a same side of the surface of the body in a propagation direction of light reflected by the patterning member.

10. Lighting module according to claim 9, characterized in that the two or more light source assemblies are essentially symmetrically arranged around an optical axis of the optical projection device.

11. Lighting module according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7 to 10, characterized in that, each light source assembly comprises light sources (111; 121) and is configured to control light output by the light sources into parallel light to be directed to the corresponding set of patterned reflective surfaces.

12. Lighting module according to claim 11, characterized in that each light source assembly further comprises at least one of a condenser (112; 122), a collimator, a Fresnel mirror and a light guide, which is arranged downstream of the light sources along a propagation direction of the light output by the light sources and is configured to convert the light output by the light sources into parallel light.

13. Lighting module according to claim 11, characterized in that each light source assembly further comprises light filtering elements (113; 123), and the light filtering elements are arranged downstream of the light sources along a propagation direction of the light output by the light sources and are configured to convert the light output by the light sources into light of a desired colour.

14. Lighting module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 7 to 10, 12 and 13, characterized in that the optical projection device comprises one or more projection lenses.

15. Light device, characterized in that the light device comprises the lighting module as described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. Light device according to claim 15, characterized in that the patterning member comprises two or more sets of patterned reflective surfaces, and the light device further comprises a control device (150) connected to the two or more light source assemblies, and the control device is configured to selectively control the two or more light source assemblies to alternately or simultaneously illuminate the corresponding set of patterned reflective surfaces of the patterning member with light, so that the optical projection device alternately projects a projection pattern corresponding to each reflection pattern, or that the optical projection device simultaneously projects projection patterns corresponding to two or more of the reflection patterns to form a combined projection pattern.

17. Light device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the light device comprises one of a lighting lamp, a projection lamp and a decorative lamp used for a motor vehicle.

18. Motor vehicle, characterized in that the motor vehicle comprises the light device of claim 16 or 17.