FR2959974A1 - Luminous signaling device for repeater of taxi to indicate e.g. free state of vehicle, has vertical or horizontal angular coverage defined around emission axis parallel to path of incident rays issued from light source - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has different color light sources (50, 60) e.g. LED, that indicate occupation states e.g. free state or occupied state, of a vehicle, respectively. An optical system including diffusion surfaces (52, 62) with a relief to diffuse rays issued from the light sources, so that light beams formed by emerging rays include horizontal angular coverage greater than vertical angular coverage. The vertical or horizontal angular coverage is defined around an emission axis (E) parallel to the path of incident rays issued from one of the light sources. An independent claim is also included for a repeater of a vehicle comprising a light source.

Description

-1- LUMINOUS SIGNALING DEVICE FOR A TAXI TYPE VEHICLE REPEATER, AND CORRESPONDING REPEATER

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to the field of signaling light devices, commonly called light repeaters, for a taxi type vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to a luminous device for indicating the occupancy status of the taxi, such as "free" or "in race" (or "busy" or "reserved").

State of the art

In general, a taxi-type vehicle repeater is a signaling light device disposed outside the vehicle, in particular on the roof of the vehicle, and connected to a control unit (commonly known as a "taximeter") disposed at the vehicle. inside the vehicle. The taximeter is in particular a horokilometric counter which indicates to the customer the amount to be paid according to the mileage traveled.

The taxi repeater is composed of a luminous globe marked "taxi" and an indication of the municipality of attachment, and illuminated cabochons indicating the tariff applied.

The luminous globe is also used to indicate the state of occupancy of the vehicle. When the taxi is "running" (ie "busy" or "booked"), the globe must be turned off to indicate that the taxi can not take a passenger. When the taxi is "free", the illuminated globe is illuminated indicating to the customer that the taxi can take passengers. In general, the illumination of the globe is provided by a light source, for example a white light, arranged inside the globe.

-2- However, this light code is not always obvious for customers. In addition, the visibility by the customers of the indication of the state of occupation can be deteriorated by the climatic conditions, in particular in broad daylight when the ambient luminosity is too important. Presentation of the invention

In this context, the present invention aims in particular to provide a light device for taxi-type vehicle repeater free from at least one of the limitations mentioned above. The invention proposes in particular to improve the visibility of the light indicator of the occupancy status of the taxi vis-à-vis customers.

According to the invention, the signaling light device for a taxi-type vehicle repeater comprises at least: a first light source of a first color intended to indicate a first state of occupancy of the vehicle; a second light source of a second color intended to indicate a second state of occupancy of the vehicle; and an optical system comprising at least one diffusion surface facing the first and second light sources, this diffusion surface having a relief capable of diffusing the incident rays coming from the first or second light source, so that the light beam formed by the emergent rays has a horizontal angular coverage greater than the vertical angular coverage, the horizontal or vertical angular covers being defined around an emission axis parallel to the path of the incident rays from the first or second light source.

In other words, unlike existing solutions in which the indication of the state of occupation is indicated by a single light source, the invention proposes to use two light sources of different colors to indicate the state of the light. occupancy of the vehicle. In addition, the visibility of the light indicators is improved by the use of an optimal diffusion surface of the incident rays from the light sources. More precisely, since the horizontal angular coverage is greater than the vertical angular coverage, the pedestrian level distribution is preferred.

Preferably, the projection of the angular coverage of the emergent light beam on a plane perpendicular to the emission axis has an elliptical shape whose large diagonal (or major axis) is substantially parallel to the plane formed by the road.

In other words, the relief preferably comprises a plurality of projections formed and arranged to orient the emerging light rays in selected directions so as to favor the visibility of the light signals by pedestrians. Preferably, the first and second light sources are arranged on a support plate connected to a control module of the first and second light sources, said control module being intended to be connected to a control device placed inside the vehicle, this control device may for example be a taximeter.

To improve visibility, each of the first and second light sources can be coupled to an ambient light sensor, the intensity of the first and second light sources being adjusted by the control module at least according to the signals provided by these light sensors. .

In addition, the use of brightness sensors has the advantage of allowing the adjustment of the light intensity by taking into account: the external luminosity; - fouling of surfaces crossed by light over time; and - changes in the transparency of the plastic over time. For example, the first and second light sources may be light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Preferably, each of the first and second light sources can be coupled to a temperature sensor capable of measuring the temperature near the light sources.

The use of temperature sensors makes it possible in particular: to protect the light sources, for example LEDs by cutting off their power supply by the control module when the measured temperature is too high; and - to improve the lifetime of the LEDs by modulating their power supply regime so as not to exceed the operating limit temperature.

According to one embodiment, the light device comprises first and second optical modules arranged on the support plate, each optical module comprises at least one light source, a brightness sensor, a temperature sensor, and an optical system which comprises at least one light source. minus a diffusion surface and a sidewall surface around the light source, the temperature sensor and the brightness sensor.

According to one embodiment, the relief is such that the diffusion surface has corrugations with respect to said plane perpendicular to the emission axis.

In other words, the diffusion surface has a succession of bumps in the direction of the emission axis. In addition, these bumps may be of any kind, for example, rounded profiles, or in the form of crenellations, or sawtooth. In addition, two adjacent bumps may have different heights.

In this embodiment, the grooves formed by the succession of bumps are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the roof of the vehicle.

This arrangement has the particular advantage of allowing optimum angular coverage towards pedestrians.

According to another embodiment, the relief has a plurality of projections, each of the projections having a pyramidal shape with a rectangular base.

In this embodiment, the lengths of the rectangular bases of the diffusing projections are preferably substantially perpendicular to the plane of the roof of the vehicle. These particular arrangements make it possible in particular to ensure that the emerging light beam has a horizontal angular coverage greater than its vertical angular coverage, regardless of the arrangement of the first elementary optical module with respect to the second elementary optical module. The subject of the invention is also a repeater for a taxi-type vehicle comprising at least: a globe intended to include at least one informative mention; at least one luminous device for signaling the state of occupancy of the vehicle as previously described; and - a luminous set of tariff indicators placed under the globe.

Preferably, the repeater comprises at least first and second signaling light devices as described above, the first light device being intended to diffuse towards the front of the vehicle and the second device being intended to diffuse towards the rear of the vehicle .

According to one embodiment, the first optical module is disposed above the second optical module, the grooves of the corrugations or the lengths of the rectangular bases of the projections being substantially parallel to the plane of the roof of the vehicle.

According to another embodiment, the first optical module is arranged next to the second optical module, the grooves of the corrugations or the lengths of the rectangular bases of the projections being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the roof of the vehicle. Brief description of the drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, by way of indication and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a taxi repeater according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a partial and exploded diagrammatic view of a globe and several illuminated signaling assemblies of the state of occupancy of the vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3A is a diagrammatic front view of a luminous signaling device for the state of occupancy of the vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3B is a diagrammatic front view of a vehicle occupancy status signaling device according to another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic front view of a luminous signaling device for the state of occupancy of the vehicle according to another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4B is a diagrammatic front view of a vehicle occupancy status light signaling device according to another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view according to FIG. AA 'axis of the light device of Figure 3 according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view in section along the axis AA 'of the luminous device of FIG. 3 according to another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 7 is a partial schematic view of the light sources and the brightness sensors arranged in the optical modules according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 is a partial schematic front view of the optical modules of the signaling device of FIG. 3, with highlighting of the position of the pins; FIG. 9 is a partial diagrammatic front view of the elementary optical modules of the signaling device of FIG. 4, with highlighting of the position of the pins; - Figure 10 is a partial schematic view of the support plate provided with holes adapted to cooperate with the pins; - Figure 11 is a partial schematic sectional view of the light device of Figure 5 in which the resin has been poured; FIG. 12 is a partial diagrammatic sectional view of the light device of FIG. 6 in which resin has been poured; - Figures 13A, 13B and 13C are partial schematic sectional views of the profile of the reliefs of the diffusion surface according to different embodiments; and FIG. 14 is a partial schematic sectional view of a collimator provided with an anti-raised groove of the resin. 20 Detailed presentation of a particular embodiment

Figure 1 shows a taxi-type vehicle repeater including a globe 1 with at least the mention of the profession, for example "taxi", and a set of illuminated rate indicators 2 disposed under the globe.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the globe further comprises lateral housings 10, 11, each of which is intended to receive a signaling light assembly 3 of the state of occupancy of the vehicle. According to one embodiment, each signaling light assembly 3 consists of two signaling light devices 30, 31 of the state of occupancy of the vehicle, arranged so that one of these light devices diffuses towards the front of the vehicle and the other 31 light device diffuses towards the rear of the vehicle.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, each signaling light device 3 comprises in particular a housing 4 in which first and second optical modules 5, 6 are arranged on a support plate 7. In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, the housing 4 may be provided with notches 40 involved in fixing the first and second optical modules 5, 6 in the housing 4.

The first optical module 5 comprises in particular (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7): a first temperature sensor 57 and a first brightness sensor 54 coupled to a first light source 50, for example a light-emitting diode, of a first color, for example red, intended to indicate a first state of occupancy of the vehicle, for example "in race"; a first optical system formed of a collimator 51 coupled to a first diffusion surface 52 facing the first light source 50, and a first lateral surface 53 forming a wall around the first light source 50.

The second optical module comprises in particular (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7): a second temperature sensor 67 and a second brightness sensor 64 coupled to a second light source 60, for example a light-emitting diode, of a second color, for example green example, intended to indicate a second state of occupation of the vehicle, for example "free"; a second optical system formed of another collimator 61 coupled to a second diffusion surface 62 facing the second light source 60, and a second lateral surface 63 forming a wall around the second light source 60. an embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the first and second side surfaces 53, 63 are circular in shape. In addition, the first light source 50 is disposed at the center of the first lateral surface 53 and the second light source 60 is disposed at the center of the second lateral surface 63. The first and second light sensors 54, 64 are arranged at the center of the second lateral surface 63. interior of the respective lateral surfaces 53, 63 close to the respective first and second light sources 50, 60, and symmetrically with respect to an axis Z. This arrangement has the particular advantage of allowing the adjustment of the light intensity. taking into account the external luminosity, the fouling of the surfaces traversed by the light over time, and changes in the transparency of the plastic over time. Similarly, the first and second temperature sensors 57, 67 are disposed within the respective side surfaces 53, 63 near the respective first and second light sources 50, 60, and symmetrically with respect to a Z axis. Thus, it is possible to protect the light sources by cutting their power supply when the measured temperature is too high, and to improve the service life of these light sources by modulating their power supply regime so as not to exceed the limit temperature of operation.

As a result, the aperture 510 of the collimator 51 of the first optical system has a substantially circular shape surrounding the first light source 50, the first temperature sensor 57 and the first brightness sensor 54. Likewise, the aperture 610 of the collimator 61 of the second optical system has a substantially circular shape surrounding the second light source 60, the second temperature sensor 57 and the second light sensor 64.

The first and second diffusion surfaces each have a relief capable of diffusing the incident rays originating from the first or second light source, so that the light beam formed by the emergent rays 30 has a horizontal angular coverage greater than the vertical angular coverage. The projection of the angular coverage of the emergent light beam on a plane perpendicular to a transmission axis has an elliptical shape whose large diagonal is substantially parallel to the plane formed by the road, the emission axis being parallel to the path of the incident rays from the first or second light source. This feature makes it possible to optimize the visibility of the light signaling signals of the state of occupancy of the vehicle by the pedestrians.

To this end, the relief of the diffusion surface may comprise a plurality of projections formed and arranged to orient the emerging light rays in selected directions so as to favor the visibility of the light signals 10 by pedestrians.

For example, Figures 13A to 13C show partial schematic views in section along the axis AA 'of Figures 3A to 4B, reliefs of the diffusion surface according to different embodiments. These reliefs are in particular such that the diffusion surface 52, 62 has corrugations relative to the plane perpendicular to the emission axis E of the incident rays. The diffusion surface 52, 62 thus has a succession of bumps in the direction of the emission axis E. For example, these bumps may have a trapezoidal profile (FIG. 13A), a sawtooth profile (FIG. 13B ), or a rounded profile 20 (Figure 13C). In addition, two adjacent bumps may have different heights.

In order to ensure a better angular coverage towards pedestrians during assembly, the grooves 521, 621 formed by the succession of bumps are preferably arranged, during assembly, substantially perpendicular to the plane P of the roof of the vehicle, as illustrated in Figures 3B and 4B.

According to another embodiment, the relief may be formed of a plurality of projections 520, 620, each of which is of pyramidal shape with a rectangular base. For reasons of clarity, the projections 520, 620 are not all shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A. Similarly, in order to ensure better angular coverage towards pedestrians, during assembly, the lengths L of the rectangular bases of the projections 520, 620 are substantially perpendicular to the plane P formed by the roof of the vehicle, as illustrated. in Figures 3A and 4A.

In particular, irrespective of the position of the first optical module 5 with respect to the second optical module 6, the grooves 521, 621 or the lengths L of the rectangular bases of the projections 520, 620 are substantially perpendicular to the plane P formed by the roof of the vehicle (FIGS. 3A to 4B). As a result, the horizontal angular coverage is always greater than the vertical angular coverage irrespective of the position of the first optical module 5 with respect to the second optical module 6. For example, in a horizontal arrangement, the first optical module 5 can be arranged next to the second optical module 6, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the grooves 521, 621 or the lengths L of the rectangular bases of the projections 520, 620 remaining substantially perpendicular to the plane P formed by the roof of the vehicle. According to a vertical arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first optical module 5 can be arranged above the second optical module 6, the grooves 521, 621 or the lengths L of the rectangular bases of the projections 520, 620 also remaining substantially perpendicular to the plane P formed by the roof of the vehicle.

To this end, each of the first and second optical systems are provided with positioning means able to cooperate with positioning means made for example at the housing or the support plate to position the first and second optical systems so that the grooves 521, 621 or the lengths L of the rectangular bases of the projections 520, 620 remain substantially perpendicular to the plane P formed by the roof of the vehicle, whatever the position of the first optical module 5 with respect to the second optical module 6 in the globe of the repeater.

For example, according to one embodiment, each of the first and second optical systems can be provided with two pins 55, 56, 65, 66 (FIGS. 8 and 9). Each pin 55, 56, 65, 66 is adapted to cooperate with holes 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 formed in the support plate 7 (Figure 10). The holes 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 and 2959974-pins 59, 56, 65, 66 are made so that each optical system can be rotated 90 ° clockwise so that the lengths of the bases Rectangular projections always remain substantially parallel to the plane formed by the roof of the vehicle as a function of the position of the first optical module 5 with respect to the second optical module 6.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 10, the support plate comprises in particular a first set of holes 70, 71, 72 able to cooperate with the pins 55, 56 of the first optical system, and a second set of holes 73, 74, 75 adapted to cooperate with the pins 65, 66 of the second optical system, the shape of the holes being complementary to that of the pins.

By way of example and with reference to FIG. 10, the first set of holes is made in the left-hand part G of the support plate 7, and comprises three holes 70, 71, 72 forming substantially a right-angled triangle. The second set of holes is made in the right part D of the support plate 7 and also has three holes 73, 74, 75 forming substantially a right triangle.

For example, in the case where the optical modules are to be positioned in the horizontal arrangement (FIG. 3), the two pins 55, 56 of the first optical system are found under the X axis (FIG. 8) and cooperate with the two holes. 71, 72 located on the lower left of the support plate 7 (Figure 10). Moreover, the two pins 65, 66 of the second optical system are found above the X axis (FIG. 8), and cooperate with the two holes 73, 74 located on the upper right part of the support plate 7. Of course, in the horizontal arrangement, the grooves 521, 621 or the lengths L of the rectangular bases of the projections are substantially perpendicular to the plane P formed by the roof of the vehicle.

When it is desired to position the optical modules according to the vertical arrangement (FIG. 4), it suffices to perform a 90 ° rotation of the optical systems in the clockwise direction. Thus, the two pins 55, 56 of the first optical system are found to the left of the Z axis (FIG. 9) and cooperate with the two holes 70, 71 located on the left part of the support plate 7 (FIG. 10). Moreover, the two pins 65, 66 of the second optical system are to the right of the Z axis (FIG. 9), and cooperate with the two holes 74, 75 located on the right side of the support plate 7 (FIG. ). Therefore, when turning the light device 90 ° to switch from the embodiment of Figures 3A and 3B to the embodiment of Figures 4A and 4B, the grooves 521, 621 or L lengths of the rectangular bases of the projections 520, 620 remain substantially perpendicular to the plane P formed by the roof of the vehicle. In an optimized embodiment for heat dissipation, the positioning means is a means for guiding and blocking the first and second optical modules. For example, these guide means may be a set of grooves made on the outer surface of the first and second optical modules and on the inner surface of the housing, so as to allow the positioning of grooves 621 or L lengths substantially perpendicular projections to the plane P formed by the roof of the vehicle, for example by simply rotating 90 ° of the first and second optical modules. In addition, the support plate in contact with the optical modules may be provided with means or be in a heat-dissipating material.

Furthermore, the support plate 7 is also connected to a control module (not shown) of the first and second light sources 50, 60. This control module is intended to be connected to a control device (the taximeter, for example). placed inside the vehicle, and can modulate the light intensity of the first and second light sources, in particular according to the signals from the first and second brightness and information sensors from the control device placed at the inside the vehicle. This control device may furthermore take into account the signals coming from the first and second temperature sensors 57, 67. Preferably, for each optical module 5, 6, the optical system and the support plate 7 form an enclosure hermetically inside which is disposed the corresponding light source 50 and the corresponding light sensor 60. In order to secure the assembly, it is possible to fill all or part of the interstices 8 of the housing with resin 9 (Figures 11 and 12). On the other hand, additional sidewalls 68 may be provided so as to create a cavity above the level of the resin and thus avoid overflow of resin 9 during the resin filling process (Fig. 12).

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 14, so that the resin does not propagate on the optical surfaces of each collimator, the perimeter of each collimator may be provided with a groove 510 made on the periphery of the collimator. This groove 510 thus behaves as an obstacle to the effect of propagation of the resin by capillarity at the outer wall of the collimator.

From the foregoing it follows that the use of the device of the invention optimizes the visibility, by pedestrians, of the light beams indicating the state of occupancy of the vehicle.

Claims (13)

REVENDICATIONS1. A luminous signaling device for a taxi vehicle type repeater, characterized in that it comprises at least: a first light source (50) of a first color intended to indicate a first state of occupancy of the vehicle; a second light source (60) of a second color intended to indicate a second state of occupancy of the vehicle; and an optical system comprising at least one diffusion surface (52, 62) facing the first and second light sources (50, 60), said diffusion surface (52, 62) having a relief capable of diffusing the incident rays. from the first or second light source (50, 60), so that the light beam formed by the emerging rays has a horizontal angular coverage greater than the vertical angular coverage, said horizontal or vertical angular covers being defined around a emission axis (E) parallel to the trajectory of incident rays from the first or second light source (50, 60). 20 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection of the angular coverage of said emergent light beam on a plane perpendicular to said transmission axis has an elliptical shape whose large diagonal is substantially parallel to the plane formed by the road. 25 3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second light sources (50, 60) are arranged on a support plate (7) connected to a control module of the first and second light sources ( 50, 60), said control module being intended to be connected to a control device placed inside the vehicle. 30 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the first and second light sources (50, 60) can be coupled to an ambient light sensor (54, 64), the intensity of the first and second sources. lights (50, 60) being set by the control module at least according to the signals provided by these brightness sensors (54, 64). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first and second light sources (50, 60) are electroluminescent diodes. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of the first and second light sources (50, 60) can be coupled to a temperature sensor (57, 67) capable of measuring the temperature in the vicinity of these light sources (50, 60). 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises first and second optical modules (5, 6) arranged on the support plate (7), the first optical module (5) comprising at least the first light source (50), a first brightness sensor (54), a temperature sensor (57), and a first optical system having at least a first diffusion surface (52) and a first lateral surface ( 62) forming a wall around the first light source (50), the first temperature sensor (57) and the first brightness sensor (54); and the second optical module (6) comprising at least the second light source (60), a second light sensor (64), a temperature sensor (67), and a second optical system comprising at least a second light source diffusion (62) and a second side surface (63) forming a wall around the second light source (60), the second temperature sensor (67) and the second brightness sensor (64). 30 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the relief is such that the diffusion surface has corrugations relative to said plane perpendicular to the axis of emission, the grooves (521 , 621) of the corrugations being substantially perpendicular to the plane (P) of the roof of the vehicle. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the relief is formed of a plurality of projections (520, 620), each being of pyramidal shape with a rectangular base, the lengths (L) of the bases. rectangular diffusing projections being substantially perpendicular to the plane (P) of the roof of the vehicle. 10 10. Repeater for taxi type vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least: - a globe (1) intended to include at least one informative mention; - At least one luminous device for signaling the state of occupancy of the vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 9; and a luminous set of rate indicators (2) disposed under the globe (1). 11. repeater according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises at least first and second signaling light devices according to one of claims 1 to 9, the first light device (30) being intended to diffuse forwards of the vehicle and the second device (31) being intended to diffuse towards the rear of the vehicle. 12. Repeater according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the first optical module (5) is disposed above the second optical module (6), the grooves (521, 621) or the lengths (L) of the rectangular bases of the projections (520, 620) being substantially perpendicular to the plane (P) of the roof of the vehicle. 13. Repeater according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the first optical module (5) is arranged next to the second optical module (6), the grooves (521, 621) or the lengths (L) of the rectangular bases of the projections (520, 620) being substantially perpendicular to the plane (P) of the roof of the vehicle.