FR3048486A1 - OPTICAL BLOCK FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A COMPLETELY DISSIMULABLE LUMINOUS DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical block comprising a housing (11) having, in front, an opening closed by a cover glass (13), and housing at least one light device (20) comprising a light source and a tubular light guide (21). ) capable of transferring to a diffusing element (22) overlying the light rays generated by said source, said optical unit comprising a motorized mechanism (30) able to translate each said luminous device (20) in translation between a rest configuration in which it is extinguished and fully retracted under a horizontal wall (14) secured to said housing (11) so as to be completely concealed from an observer looking through said window (13), and a first service configuration in which it is lit and protrudes vertically through an opening in said wall (14) so that a first diffusing surface of said diffuser element ( 22) is oriented opposite said ice (13).

Description

OPTICAL BLOCK FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A COMPLETELY DISSIMULABLE LUMINOUS DEVICE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of lighting and signaling systems for motor vehicles.

It relates in particular to an optical lighting or signaling unit for a motor vehicle.

Background of the invention

Such an optical block conventionally comprises a housing having in front an opening closed by an outer cover glass, and housing at least one luminous device capable of providing a photometric lighting function (for example a position or crossing light) or signaling (for example a reversing light, a blinker indicating a change of direction or even a daytime running light commonly known by the acronym DRL (Daytime Running Light) and turning on automatically when the vehicle is moving forwards to increase visibility in daylight conditions).

When the light device is off, the latter remains at least partially visible from outside the optical block through the cover glass, which contributes to degrading the overall aesthetic of the optical unit and by the same the level of quality perceived by the user.

In order to overcome this drawback, patent application EP 2 589 859 discloses an optical block whose housing houses a light device comprising a light source associated with a reflector.

This optical block comprises a motorized mechanism capable of translational movement of the source of the light device in a longitudinal direction between a rest configuration in which the source is off and occupies a retracted position at the rear of the reflector being completely covered by a cover closing the central opening of the reflector so as to be concealed from a said observer looking through the cover glass, and a service configuration in which the source is lit and at least partially protrudes at the front of the reflector at through its opening.

In such an optical unit, the reflector of the light device is fixed and thus remains visible through the cover glass in the rest configuration, especially since this reflector returns the light rays coming from outside the optical unit.

Object and summary of the invention

The present invention aims at proposing to improve the visual rendering of an optical unit in a luminous device rest configuration.

It proposes for this purpose an optical unit for a motor vehicle comprising a housing housing at least one light device and having in front an opening closed by a cover glass, said optical unit comprising a motorized mechanism capable of translational movement at least a portion of each said luminous device between a rest configuration in which it is off and arranged so as to be at least partially concealed from an observer looking through said cover glass, and a first service configuration in which it is lit and arranged so as to participate in a first photometric function; characterized in that each said light device comprises a light source and a tubular light guide capable of transferring to a diffuser element overlying the light rays generated by said source, each said light device being fully retracted under a horizontal wall secured to said housing in said rest configuration so as to be completely concealed from said observer looking through said cover glass, and protruding vertically into said first service configuration through an opening in said wall so that a first surface diffusing said diffuser element is oriented opposite said cover glass.

The particular conformation and arrangement of the light device (s) contained in the optical block according to the invention makes it possible, when the latter are not functional and occupy their rest configuration, to conceal them entirely from an observer looking inside. the optical block through said cover glass.

The optical unit thus presents in this rest configuration a perfectly homogeneous and particularly aesthetic visual rendering.

According to a first preferred characteristic of the invention, said motorized mechanism is also capable of pivoting on itself each said light device from said first service configuration to a second service configuration in which it partially projects through said wall by pivoting on itself a predetermined angular sector so that a second diffusing surface of its diffuser element is oriented opposite said cover glass.

This allows each light device to participate in two different photometric functions and / or to present separate visual signatures for the same photometric function.

According to a second preferred characteristic of the invention, the translational movement of each said luminous device continues between the first and second service configurations, so that it projects from a greater height through said wall in said second configuration. on duty.

This allows for example to orient the second diffusing surface in a vertical direction while maintaining a sufficient brightness level, or to increase significantly the second diffusing surface relative to the first so as to be able to provide a function photometric requiring a higher luminous intensity.

According to other preferred features of the invention, taken alone or in combination: the lower end of the light guide of each said light device is mounted on a horizontal bar so that the latter is integral in translation with said bar and free rotation relative thereto about its axis, and in that said motorized mechanism comprises motorized means adapted to drive vertically in translation said bar; said motorized mechanism also comprises angular indexing means comprising, for each said light device, a cylindrical guide member secured to said housing and traversed by the light guide of this light device; this guide member being provided with a groove traversed by a pin projecting radially from the light guide and comprising a first portion oriented axially so as not to change the angular indexing of the light device between the rest configuration and the first configuration of service, and a second portion spiraling upwardly so as to pivot the light device between said first and second service configurations; said diffuser element of each at least said light device has an inverted pyramidal shape with four lateral faces; said first diffusing surface is constituted by a strip extending horizontally in the upper part of said diffuser element along two of its adjoining lateral faces; said second diffusing surface is constituted by a rising strip extending on either side and along the intersection edge between the two lateral faces of said diffuser element opposite to said two lateral faces carrying said strip; - The upper end of the diffuser element of each said light device is covered with an opaque roof adapted to cover the opening in said wall when the light device occupies its rest configuration; and / or - said optical block comprises at least one row of said plurality of light devices extending substantially parallel to the curve of said cover glass.

Brief description of the drawings The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below by way of illustration but without limitation, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. a perspective view of a motor vehicle optical unit according to the invention shown in its rest configuration and whose left end has been torn off according to a vertical longitudinal cutting plane in order to facilitate reading; FIG. 2 is an enlargement of zone II of FIG. 1; - Figure 3 shows a front view of the optical block according to the invention shown in its rest configuration; FIGS. 4 and 5 are similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 but with the optical unit occupying its first service configuration; and FIGS. 6 and 7 are similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 but with the optical unit occupying its second service configuration.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

FIG. 1 represents an optical unit 10 intended to be mounted on the body structure at the rear of a motor vehicle, and capable of providing two different photometric functions (in this case, the position light and the stop light functions). .

This optical unit 10 comprises a housing 11 whose upper part has in front an opening closed by an outer transparent cover ice 13 surrounded here by a rear bumper skin 2, and three light devices 20 housed in the housing 11 and movably mounted on a motorized support mechanism 30 implanted in the lower part of this housing 11.

The upper and lower parts of the housing 11 are separated by a wall 14 integral with the latter and extending horizontally from the lower edge of the cover glass 13 to the bottom of this housing 11.

This partition wall 14 has three identical openings 15 of square shape and distributed over a row extending substantially parallel to the curve of the cover glass.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, a square countersink 16 is also formed around the periphery of each of the openings 15.

The light devices 20 are each constituted by a light source (not visible in the figures), a diffuser element 22, and a light guide 21 adapted to transfer to this diffuser element 22 the light rays generated by the light source.

Each light guide 21 is formed by a vertical tube made by molding from a transparent thermoplastic material such as polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and whose outer surface is covered with a coating or an opaque overmoulding.

Each light source comprises at least one red light-emitting diode of the electroluminescent (LED) or laser type disposed vertically above the flat horizontal face of the light guide 21 on a printed circuit board of the PCB type (for "Printed Circuit Board ") rigidly connected to the lower end of this guide 21.

The diodes have vertical emission axes substantially perpendicular to the flat and horizontal lower faces constituting the input surfaces in the guides 21 of the light rays emitted by these diodes.

Alternatively, one could provide white color diodes and use light guides made of a transparent material tinted red.

Each diffuser element 22, which here has an inverted square pyramid shape, extends above a corresponding light guide 21 in the extension of its upper end.

These diffuser elements 22 are advantageously molded in one piece with the tubular light guides 21 from a transparent thermoplastic material such as polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

Alternatively, the latter can also be reported and glued to the upper ends of these guides.

The outer face of each diffuser element 22 is covered with an opaque coating or overmolding, with the exception of two diffusing surfaces: a first surface constituted by a strip 23 extending horizontally in the upper part of this element diffuser along two adjoining lateral faces (see FIGS. 4 and 5); - A second surface constituted by an ascending strip 24 extending from both sides and along the intersection edge between the two side faces opposite to the two side faces carrying the strip (see Figures 6 and 7). The upper end of each diffuser element 22 is further covered with an opaque roof 25 advantageously molded from the same material as the housing 11.

Each opaque roof 25 has a square shape complementary to that of a peripheral counterbore 16 formed in the partition wall 14 of the housing 11 at the periphery of each opening 15. Its lower face is also advantageously coated with a reflective coating suitable for return towards the diffuser element 22 the light rays that it receives.

The support mechanism 30 located below the housing 11 comprises motorized means able to drive vertically in translation a horizontal metal bar 31 on which are mounted the lower ends of the tubular light guides 21 of the three light devices 20.

These motorized means are in this case constituted by two rotary worm shafts 32 passing through two threads formed near the ends of this bar 31 (only one of these shafts being visible in the figures) and coupled to the axis driving an electric motor not shown.

Mounting the ends of the tubular light guides 21 on the bar 31 is formed so that the light devices 20 are integral in translation with the bar 31 and free rotation relative to it about their axis.

This support mechanism 30 also comprises angular indexing means comprising a support wall 33 integral with the housing 11 and extending horizontally below the partition wall 14, this support wall 33 being traversed at three circular orifices 34 by the tubular light guides 21 of the three luminous devices 20.

The indexing means also comprise three cylindrical guide members 35 each traversed by a respective light guide 21 and whose upper ends are fixed against the lower face of the support wall 33 on the periphery of a corresponding orifice 34.

Each guide member 35 is provided with a groove 36 extending over a height corresponding to the vertical stroke of the metal bar 31 (ie to that of the light devices 20), and being traversed by a pin 37 radially projecting from a respective light guide 21.

Each of the grooves 36 comprises: - a first portion extending in an axial vertical direction (i.e. parallel to the axis of the light device 20 passing through the guide member 35) from the lower end of this groove 36; and - a second portion spiraling 180 ° to the upper end of this groove 36 (this upper end thus being diametrically opposite to the lower end of the groove).

The operation of the optical unit 10 according to the invention will now be described in detail.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the luminous devices 20 adopt a first rest configuration in which their light sources are extinguished and where the latter are fully retracted under the partition wall 14 of the housing 11 so as to be completely concealed from an observer looking through the cover ice 13.

In this configuration, the metal bar 31 occupies its low position and the roofs 25 overlying the diffuser elements 22 cover the openings 15 being housed in the peripheral countersinks 16 so as to ensure perfect continuity of style with this partition wall 14.

When the user requests the activation of the first position light function of the optical unit 10, the light sources of the light devices 20 are lit while the motorized means 32 cause a translational vertical movement towards the partition wall 14 of the bar metal 31 and luminous devices 20 whose pins 37 walk along the first axial portions 36A of the grooves 36 of the guide members 35.

The translation of the bar 31 continues on a height corresponding to that of the axial portions 36A of the grooves 36, so that the pins 37 reach the upper end of these axial portions 36A.

The light devices 20 are then in their first service configuration illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, in which the diffuser elements 22 of the light devices 20 occupy a semi-extended position where they project vertically through the openings 15 formed in the wall separation 14 with their first diffusing surface 23 which is oriented facing the cover glass 13 so as to ensure this first photometric function.

When the user requests activation of the second stop light function of the optical unit 10 since this first service configuration, the light sources of the light devices 20 remain on while the motorized means 23 cause the vertical translation of the bar to continue. metal 31 towards the partition wall 14.

This movement will constrain the pins of the luminous devices to walk along the second spiral portions 36B of the grooves 36 of the guide members 35, so that the light devices 20 continue their vertical deployment while rotating gradually on themselves.

The translation of the bar 31 continues on a height corresponding to that of the spiral portions 36B of the grooves 36, so that the pins 37 reach the upper end of these spiral portions 36B.

The optical unit 10 is then in its second service configuration illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which the light devices 20 occupy an extended position where they protrude a greater height through the partition wall 14 having rotated 180 ° relative to the previous semi-deployed position, with their second diffusing surface 24 which is oriented facing the cover glass 13 so as to ensure this second photometric function.

When the optical block occupies its rest configuration and the user requests the activation of the second stop light function of the optical unit 10, the light sources of the light devices 20 light up while the motorized means 23 cause a vertical translation of the metal bar 31 over the total height of the grooves 36, so as to bring directly the light devices 20 in their fully deployed position and the optical unit 10 in its second service configuration.

According to alternative embodiments not shown, the number and / or the conformation of the light devices are different.

One could thus provide several rows of light devices extending parallel to one another (each row comprising for example between 1 and 10 light devices).

According to other embodiments not shown, the light sources may be of another type (for example filament bulbs), of another color (for example white or orange so as to ensure other photometric functions of DRL type or change of direction indicator).

According to still other embodiments not shown: - the motorized means capable of driving the translational and rotating light devices are different (in particular, the profile of the grooves of the guide members may be different so as to modify the angular sector and / or the direction of rotation of the light devices); each photon emitting device comprises several light sources of different colors (for example a white diode for performing the DRL function and a red diode for providing the position light function); the bottom of the chamber 12 of the housing 11 accommodates one or more other light devices (for example several filament bulbs coupled to reflectors) capable of performing at least one other photometric function when the light devices 20 occupy their retracted position; and / or - the housing is shaped differently (the partition wall 14 may for example stop before the bottom of this housing). In general, it is recalled that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any embodiment within the scope of those skilled in the art.

In particular, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to a particular type of implantation and that it also relates to the optical signaling and / or lighting units intended to be located at the front of the vehicle.

Claims (10)

An optical unit for a motor vehicle comprising a housing (11) housing at least one light device (20) and having an opening closed by a cover glass (13) on the front, said optical unit comprising a motorized mechanism (30) adapted to translationally moving at least a portion of each said light device (20) between a resting configuration in which it is turned off and arranged to be at least partially concealed from an observer looking through said cover glass (13) and a first service configuration in which it is turned on and arranged to participate in a first photometric function; characterized in that each said light device (20) comprises a light source and a tubular light guide (21) adapted to transfer to a diffuser element (22) overlying the light rays generated by said source, each said light device (20) ) being fully retracted under a horizontal wall (14) integral with said housing (11) in said rest configuration so as to be completely concealed from said observer looking through said cover glass (13), and protruding vertically into said first service configuration through an opening (15) formed in said wall (14) so that a first diffusing surface (23) of said diffuser element (22) is oriented opposite said cover glass (13). An optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said motorized mechanism (30) is also capable of pivoting on itself each said light device (20) from said first service configuration to a second service configuration in which partially protrudes through said wall (14) having pivoted on itself a predetermined angular sector so that a second diffusing surface (24) of its diffuser element (22) is oriented opposite said ice cover (13). 3. Optical block according to claim 2, characterized in that the translational movement of each said light device (20) continues between the first and second service configurations, so that it projects a greater height through said wall (14) in said second service configuration. 4. Optical block according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the lower end of the light guide (21) of each said light device (20) is mounted on a horizontal bar (31) so that it last is integral in translation with said bar (31) and free rotation relative thereto about its axis, and in that said motorized mechanism (30) comprises motorized means (32) adapted to drive said bar vertically in translation ( 31). 5. Optical block according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said motorized mechanism (30) also comprises angular indexing means comprising for each said light device (20) a cylindrical guide member (35) integral with said housing ( 11) and traversed by the light guide (21) of this light device (20); this guide member (35) being provided with a groove (36) traversed by a pin (37) radially projecting from the light guide (21) and comprising a first portion oriented axially so as not to modify the angular indexing of the luminous device (20) between the idle configuration and the first service configuration, and a second spiral-ascending portion so as to cause the luminous device (20) to pivot on itself between said first and second configurations on duty. 6. An optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said diffuser element (22) of each said light device (20) has an inverted pyramidal shape with four side faces. 7. An optical unit according to claims 2 and 6, characterized in that said first diffusing surface is constituted by a strip (23) extending horizontally in the upper part of said diffuser element (22) along two of its side faces contiguous . 8. Optical block according to claim 7, characterized in that said second diffusing surface is constituted by a rising strip (24) extending from both sides and along the intersection edge between the two lateral faces. said diffuser element (22) opposite the two said lateral faces carrying said strip (23). 9. Optical block according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the upper end of the diffuser element (22) of each said light device (20) is covered with an opaque roof (25) adapted to covering the opening (15) formed in said wall (14) when the light device (20) occupies its rest configuration. 10. An optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one row of said plurality of said light devices (20) extending substantially parallel to the curve of said cover glass (13).