FR3009601A1 - BI-COLOR LIGHTING AND / OR SIGNALING DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting and / or signaling device (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a first light source (S1) capable of emitting a first light beam, a second light source (S2) able to emit a light source, second light beam, and a light guide (2) configured to guide said light beams, said light guide (2) being configured to change the color of at least one of said light beams.

Description

The present invention relates to a dual-color lighting and / or signaling device, in particular for a motor vehicle. It is particularly intended for position lights and / or daytime running lights, flashing or brake lights. In this field, it is customary to use different lighting and / or signaling devices for each function, juxtaposed next to each other.

We also know that manufacturers want to stand out, especially with visually original elements, to be more easily identifiable against competitors. It is thus known to manufacture unique lighting and / or signaling devices, combining several functions, by projecting two types of light by the same light, combining for example the flashing light and another traffic light such as the position light. and / or a daytime running light. For this, the known devices use light sources of different colors corresponding to each function. In addition, newer technologies have been developed, with devices provided with a light source, usually a light-emitting diode, and a light guide through which a light beam from the source is propagated. The light propagates in the guide by total reflection to an exit face, which projects the light so as to be seen by the vehicles which follow it or precede it.

In the automotive field, such devices are appreciated because they make it possible to offer a wide variety of shapes and types of light, combining an original design with a noticeable compactness. However, when it is desired to use this technology for devices with several functions, it is desired to avoid multiplying the light guides. Indeed, the use of several juxtaposed devices generates higher production costs, and a loss of space and aesthetic loss compared to a single device capable of operating for several functions simultaneously.

One solution is to use a single light guide in which beams of light emitted from different light sources propagate, each having a specific color to its use. Thus, it is sufficient to actuate the ignition of one of the sources so that the light emitted by the guide has a color consistent with its function. Nevertheless, the arrangement of the diodes with respect to the guide is particularly sensitive, and causes a significant loss of light intensity if one of the beams is not correctly oriented at its entry into the guide. However, when two sources are used, it is not possible to arrange them both correctly in the axis of the input face of the guide. Thus, only one source is well centered and the other is eccentric, or both are poorly centered, and emitted beams are not properly oriented. Therefore, the required performance criteria are not achieved by superimposing two light sources on the input side of the light guide.

In addition, this solution uses two light sources, each emitting light beams of different colors. Or the light sources of light emitting diodes type do not, today, the same performance in terms of light output, depending on the color of the beam they emit. LEDs emitting white light are more powerful than diodes emitting in other colors. The latter do not always meet the criteria required for motor vehicles, especially for their use as a flashing light, which requires a greater light intensity. To keep a single light source, it would be possible to use two-color light emitting diodes. But the lack of performance is similar for this type of diodes. The invention therefore aims to obtain a device, provided with a single light guide, capable of meeting the brightness criteria required to fulfill two different functions. For this purpose, the lighting and / or signaling device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprises a first light source capable of emitting a first light beam, a second light source capable of emitting a second light beam, and a configured light guide. for guiding said light beams, said light guide being configured to change the color of at least one of said light beams.

There is thus a device capable of performing two functions by emitting a light beam of sufficient power in two different colors, from the same light guide. In this way, it provides a compact solution to the problem of devices combining several light functions.

This unique device avoids a complex overlay of several separate light guides on the vehicle concerned and reduces costs on the material used to make the guides since it requires only one guide. On the other hand, it opens up new possibilities regarding the aesthetic aspect, especially for car designers and designers, thanks to the use of innovative light guide technology. This device also allows the use of a greater number of sources of different colors, and therefore a greater possible choice of colors of the sources, because the light guide can change the color of one of them. According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately: said light guide comprises: a first input portion able to guide the first light beam, a second input portion adapted to guide the second light beam, and o a main portion configured to guide said light beams towards an output face, said first and second input portions being configured to respectively bring the first and second light beams into the main portion of said light guide ;. the second input portion is configured to change a first color of said second beam into a second color; the first and second input portions are configured to change a first color of each of said first and second beams into a second color; the first and second light sources are configured to emit the same first color; the first color is the white color; the second color is the amber color; the second color is the red color; - the first and / or second input portion is (are) at least partially colored in the mass; the light guide is substantially Y-shaped, said first and second input portions forming two arms of the Y, and the main portion forming a foot of the Y; said first and second light sources are disposed at the ends of said first and second input portions; said first and second input portions comprise a curved portion, so that the ends of said first and second portions are parallel; said first and second inlet portions and said main portion are derived from molding of the same material; - the light guide is a linear guide; said first and second light sources are electroluminescent diodes; said light-emitting diodes are arranged on a common printed circuit-type support. The invention also relates to an optical box provided with a lighting device as described above. The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description which is given for information only and which is not intended to limit it, together with the drawing of FIG. 1, schematically illustrating a view in perspective of a lighting and / or signaling device according to the invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the invention relates to a lighting and / or signaling device 1 comprising a first Si and a second S2 light source capable of emitting respectively a first and a second light beam. Here, said light sources Si, S2 are light-emitting diodes arranged on a support 6 of the PCB type, in particular an insulated metal substrate type support. The light sources Si, S2 may advantageously be provided with means for collimating the light beams such as reflectors, to ensure beams of parallel rays and to concentrate said light beams in one direction.

Said device 1 also comprises a light guide 2 capable of guiding said light beams. Said light guide 2 is here a linear guide, in the form of a rectilinear or curved longitudinal cord, according to the needs of use of the device 1. In other words, said guide 2 is in the form of a cord or elongated element, c that is to say an element having a cross section, for example substantially circular, whose dimensions are much smaller than its length. Such devices 1 are particularly interesting because they can be arranged in multiple ways, in a minimum of space. It is thus possible to give guides 2 original shapes, and allow aesthetic creations with innovative design. Said guide 2 has a first input portion 3 adapted to guide the first light beam and a second input portion 4 adapted to guide the second light beam. Thus, said beams are guided separately, said first and second input portions 3, 4 being configured to bring them into a main portion 5 of said light guide 2. Said main portion 5 is configured to guide said light beams to a face of common exit. In known manner, said main portion comprises a reflection face, provided with optical patterns 7, allowing part of the light rays propagating in the guide 2, to exit through the exit face, provided opposite to said reflection face . The device according to the invention thus makes it possible, with a single light guide 2, to fulfill various lighting and / or signaling functions. This device 1 is particularly remarkable for a linear light guide 2 because, because of the size of their input face too small, it is not possible to have two different sources Si, S2 on the same face of input so that the beams enter the guide 2 effectively. Said second input portion 4 is configured to change a first color of said second beam into a second color corresponding to the desired function. With this modification, light-emitting diodes can be used with a wider choice of color for the same function. It is thus possible to take diodes emitting a light beam of white color, and to modify it in an amber color corresponding to the flashing function.

Currently, white diodes are more powerful than diodes emitting beams of other colors, including the amber color. This device therefore provides a sufficiently powerful beam to meet the criteria required for flashing functions or stop lights, for example. For a blinker, the first color is the white color and the second color obtained after modification, is the amber color. The two light sources Si, S2 each emit a white beam. Thus, the device 1 also serves as daytime light thanks to the first light beam.

To transform the color of the second light beam, the second input portion 4 is at least partially colored in the mass. Thus, according to the example given above, the coloring is amber for a light beam for the flashing function. The color of the second beam is therefore changed from a white color to an amber color, when it passes through the second input portion 4. Therefore, the second beam is amber in the main portion 5, while the first beam remains white. Thus, the device 1 can emit by the output face, a white beam, an amber beam, or both simultaneously, the color depending on the choice of the source or sources Si, S2 activated, and thus the beam or beams from portions of entries 3, 4, which is brought into the main portion 5. The light guide 2 here has substantially the shape of a Y, wherein said first and second input portions 3, 4 form the two arms of the Y, and the main portion 5 forms the foot of Y. Y advantageously has a flattened shape, so that the angle defined between the two arms is small. Thus, it avoids the light losses at the junction of the input portions 3, 4 and the main portion 5, which occur during reflection in the main portion 5, the light beam arriving from the input portions 3 4. The angle of incidence of the light beam relative to the normal to one side of the main portion 5 is indeed greater, if the angle defined between the two arms is itself smaller.

The light beams each enter an arm of the Y and are guided towards the main portion 5 of the light guide 2 forming the foot of the Y, in which they are then guided together towards an exit face. The first and second light sources Si, S2 are arranged on the support 6 so as to correspond to the ends of the first and second input portions 3, 4, that is to say at the ends of the two arms of the Y. At this end, the ends of the first and second input portions 3, 4 have a curved portion to be parallel vis-à-vis said sources. They thus make it possible to be arranged against a single printed circuit supporting the two light-emitting diodes. In addition, all the parts of the guide 2 are advantageously derived from a molding of the same material, to avoid the light losses due to material interfaces, especially at the junction of the first and second input portions 3, 4 and the main portion 5.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments that have been described, but the skilled person may instead make many changes that fall within its scope.

For example, it will be possible for the two input portions 3 and 4 to be configured to modify the color of the light beams emitted by the first S1 and second S2 light sources. It will thus be possible for the beams emitted by the two light sources to be white in color, for one of the input portions to be colored red, and for the other input portion to be colored in amber. The lighting and / or signaling device thus designed may be used to emit for example the flashing function and / or the stop function.

Claims (17)

1. A lighting and / or signaling device (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a first light source (Si) capable of emitting a first light beam, a second light source (S2) adapted to emit a second light source light beam, and a light guide (2) configured to guide said light beams, said light guide (2) being configured to change the color of at least one of said light beams. 2. A lighting and / or signaling device according to claim 1, wherein said light guide (2) comprises: a first input portion (3) adapted to guide the first light beam; input (4) adapted to guide the second light beam, and - a main portion (5) configured to guide said light beams (F1, F2) to an output face, said first and second input portions (3, 4 ) being configured to respectively bring the first and second light beams into the main portion (5) of said light guide (2). The lighting and / or signaling device according to claim 2, wherein the second input portion (4) is configured to change a first color of said second beam into a second color. The lighting and / or signaling device of claim 2, wherein the first (3) and second (4) input portions are configured to change a first color of each of said first and second beams in one second. color. A lighting and / or signaling device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the first and second light sources (S1, S2) are configured to emit the same first color. 6. A lighting and / or signaling device according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first color is white. The lighting and / or signaling device of any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the second color is the amber color. The lighting and / or signaling device of any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the second color is the red color. 9. A lighting and / or signaling device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the first (3) and / or the second (4) input portion is (are) at least partially colored ( s) in the mass. Lighting and / or signaling device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the light guide (2) has substantially the shape of a Y, said first and second input portions (3). , 4) forming two arms of the Y, and the main portion (5) forming a foot of the Y. A lighting and / or signaling device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein said first and second light sources (Si, S2) are disposed at the ends of said first and second input portions (3, 4). The lighting and / or signaling device according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein said first and second input portions (3, 4) comprise a curved portion, so that the ends of said first and second second portions (3, 4) are parallel. 13. A lighting and / or signaling device according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein said first and second input portions (3, 4) and said main portion (5) are molded from the same material. 14. Lighting and / or signaling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide (2) is a linear guide. 15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second light sources (S) are light emitting diodes. 16. A lighting and / or signaling device according to the preceding claim, wherein said light emitting diodes are arranged on a support (6) of printed circuit board, common. 17. Optical box comprising a lighting and / or signaling device according to any one of the preceding claims.