FR3062452A1 - FRONT-SIDE MASK LIGHTING DEVICE LIGHTED BY IMAGE OF A COLORED PIECE - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighting device (DE) comprises: - at least one light source (SL) generating photons, - a mask (M) inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, comprising a rear face (FR) receiving the photons generated and a front face (FV), facing outwards, and provided with metallized opaque zones (ZO) preventing the exit of photons received and transparent zones (ZT) passing out photons received, and - a part ( PC) having a chosen color, installed over at least a portion of the front face (FV) of the mask (M) in a position inclined relative to the latter (M) so that a colored image of it (PC) is reflected on at least part of the opaque metallized areas (ZO) and thus induces their illumination.

Description

Holder (s): PEUGEOT CITROËN AUTOMOBILES SA Société anonyme.

O Extension request (s):

® Agent (s): PEUGEOT CITROËN AUTOMOBILES SA Public limited company.

FR 3 062 452 - A1 ® LIGHTING DEVICE WITH COLOR-FACE MASK.

@) A lighting device (DE) includes:

- at least one light source (SL) generating photons,

- a mask (M) inclined relative to a horizontal plane, comprising a rear face (FR) receiving the generated photons and a front face (FV), oriented towards the outside, and provided with metallic opaque zones (ZO) preventing the exit of received photons and transparent zones (ZT) allowing the received photons to pass outside, and

- a part (PC) having a chosen color, installed above at least part of the front face (FV) of the mask (M) in an inclined position relative to the latter (M) so that a colored image d 'it (PC) is reflected on at least part of the metallic opaque zones (ZO) and thus induces their illumination.

BEFORE ILLUMINATED BY THE IMAGE OF A PIECE OF

i

LIGHTING DEVICE WITH FRONT FACE MASK ILLUMINATED BY

THE IMAGE OF A COLORED PIECE

The invention relates to lighting devices, and more specifically those which include at least one light source associated with a mask in order to perform at least one photometric function.

In what follows, the term “lighting device” means a light device capable of ensuring at least one photometric function of lighting or signaling or of light effect, possibly decorative.

In certain fields, such as that of vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, lighting devices are used, such as those defined above, to ensure at least one photometric function, such as for example a position light function ( or night light or lantern) or a daytime running light function (or DRL (for "Daytime running Light (or Lamp) >> - light signaling automatically switched on when the vehicle is started during the day)).

The mask of this type of lighting device is a part, generally made of plastic, and responsible for preventing the passage of the generated photons except in predefined locations. We can thus, for example, define opaque areas, which may appear when they are backlit, and one or more transparent areas allowing photons to pass.

As has been proposed in patent document FR 3011312, the mask may include on its front face patterns which appear when they are backlit from the rear face and which are almost invisible in the absence of backlighting. These patterns are generally defined by metallization then laser ablation, or by partial metallization by means of a metallization savings mask, or by serigraphy on a glued or overmolded film, or even by printing.

When the mask is tilted with respect to a horizontal plane, its part which is located the most rearward (and therefore the most in depth) appears dark, or even very dark in the event of a slight inclination, when the source (s) ( s) light is (are) not in operation. In this case, any patterns that are located in the dark part of the mask become almost invisible, which affects the aesthetics or the desired style effect, and therefore may affect the impression of quality.

The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

It notably proposes for this purpose a lighting device comprising at least one light source suitable for generating photons, and a mask inclined with respect to a horizontal plane and comprising a rear face receiving the generated photons and a front face, oriented towards outside, and provided with metallized opaque zones capable of preventing the exit of received photons and transparent zones suitable for letting the received photons pass towards the outside.

This lighting device is characterized by the fact that it also comprises a part having a chosen color, installed above at least part of the front face of the mask in an inclined position relative to the latter so that a colored image of this part is reflected on at least part of the metallic opaque zones and thus induces their illumination.

Thanks to this colored piece, the colored image of which is reflected towards opaque metallic areas darkened by their deep positioning, we obtain their illumination (with possible patterns), which makes it possible to see them when the source (s) ( s) light is (are) not in operation.

The lighting device according to the invention may include other characteristics which can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- his mask can be tilted relative to the horizontal plane by an angle which is between 20 ° and 50 °;

- its part can be parallel to the horizontal plane;

- Its part may include an upper face opposite the front face of the mask and provided with stiffening ribs;

- Its part may include a lower face oriented towards the front face of the mask and comprising a smooth part placed facing at least the part of the opaque metallized zones and the colored image of which induces illumination;

the front face of the mask can be provided with three-dimensional elements each comprising a main face constituting one of the metallized opaque zones and at least one lateral face inclined relative to this main face, ensuring a junction between the latter and a main face at least one other neighboring three-dimensional element, and transparent in order to constitute one of the transparent zones through which the generated photons pass;

> the lateral faces of the three-dimensional elements can extend mutually along intersecting lines and where the photons define intersecting light bands;

- each light source can be a light emitting diode;

- It may include a reflector capable of reflecting the photons generated towards a rear face of the mask, opposite the front face.

The invention also provides a vehicle optical unit, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising at least one lighting device of the type of that presented above.

The invention also provides a vehicle, possibly of the automotive type, and comprising at least one lighting device of the type presented above and / or at least one optical unit of the type presented above.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates, in a longitudinal section view, an example of an optical unit comprising an example of an embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of a mask of a lighting device according to the invention,

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the side of the upper face, an exemplary embodiment of a colored part of the lighting device of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the side of the lower face, the colored part of FIG. 3.

The object of the invention is in particular to propose a lighting device DE with light source (s) SL and mask M, and capable of ensuring at least one photometric function.

It is considered in what follows, by way of nonlimiting example, that the lighting device DE is intended to equip an optical unit BO with a vehicle of the automobile type, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, a DE lighting device can be an equipment per se (possibly including its own housing), or can be part of other equipment than a vehicle optical unit. Thus, a DE lighting device can be part of any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air), of any installation, including of industrial type, of any device ( or system), and any building.

Furthermore, it is considered in what follows, by way of nonlimiting example, that the optical unit BO (comprising at least one lighting device DE) is a rear light ensuring at least one photometric signaling function, such as for example a position light function (or night light or lantern). But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, the lighting device DE, according to the invention, is a light device capable of ensuring at least one photometric function of lighting or signaling or light effect, possibly decorative. Thus, it could, for example, provide a daytime running light (or DRL (for "Daytime running Light (or Lamp)" function - light signaling that is automatically turned on when the vehicle is operated during the day)).

There is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1, a part of an optical unit BO of the vehicle (here a rear light) comprising, in particular, a lighting device DE according to the invention.

As illustrated, this optical unit BO comprises in particular a housing BB delimiting a part of a cavity housing a lighting device DE according to the invention, as well as possible other lighting means ensuring at least one other photometric function, and protective glass GP of glass or plastic.

The BB box is intended, here, to be secured to a part of the body of a vehicle (here in a left rear part). It is made of a rigid material, such as for example a plastic or synthetic material. In this case, it can be produced by molding.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a lighting device DE, according to the invention, comprises at least one light source SL, a mask M and a part PC having a chosen color.

Each light source SL is capable of generating photons intended for the mask M, directly or indirectly. By way of example, each light source SL can be a light-emitting diode, of the conventional type (or LED ("Light-Emitting Diode >>)) or of the organic type (or OLED (" Organic Light-Emitting Diode >>) ), or a laser diode.

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, that each light source SL can, for example, be installed on a support plate PS. This support plate PS can, for example, be a printed circuit board, of PCB (“Printed Circuit Board”) type, rigid or flexible (“of“ Flex ”type).

The mask M is inclined relative to a horizontal plane and comprises rear faces FR and front faces FV, opposite one another.

For example, the angle of inclination of the mask M relative to the horizontal plane can be between 20 ° and 50 °. For example, this angle can be equal to 30 °.

The rear face FR of the mask M receives the photons which have been generated by each light source SL. The front face FV of the mask M is oriented towards the outside (and therefore here towards the protective lens GP), and is provided with opaque metallic zones ZO and transparent zones ZT.

For example, this mask M can be produced by molding in a plastic material such as polycarbonate (or PC) or poly methyl methacrylate (or PMMA), or else in glass.

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, that the lighting device DE can also include a reflector RP capable of reflecting the photons, generated by the light source (s) SL, towards the rear face FR of the mask M. In this case, the photons generated by the light source (s) SL are initially directed towards the reflector RF which reflects them towards the rear face FR of the mask M. But in an alternative embodiment the device illumination DE may not include a reflector RP, and in this case the photons generated by the light source (s) SL go directly to the rear face FR of the mask M.

The opaque metallic zones ZO are able to prevent the exit of the photons which they receive. To do this, they (ZO) can, for example, be coated (on the front face FV) with a metallic layer which is capable of ensuring their opacity. For example, this metal layer can be aluminum or nickel / chrome.

The transparent zones ZT are suitable for letting out the photons which they receive from the rear face FR and which have been generated by the light source (s) SL.

This transparency may, for example, result from an ablation, by means of a laser, of a metal layer previously deposited on the entire front face FV of the mask M, or else from a deposit of savings (or a savings mask) during the metallization phase. It will be understood that in the first alternative, the entire front face FV of the mask M is metallized, then this metallization is removed on each transparent zone ZT by means of a laser, while in the last alternative, a savings (or a mask of savings) on each transparent zone ZT before the metallization phase, then, once the latter has been completed (and therefore once the opaque metallic zones ZO have been defined), all the savings (or all the savings masks) are removed.

The colored part PC is installed above at least part of the front face FV of the mask M in a position which is inclined relative to the latter (M) so that a colored image of it (PC ) is reflected on at least part of the metallic opaque zones ZO and thus induces their illumination.

It will be understood that the inclination of the mask M with respect to the horizontal plane makes it dark, or even very dark in the event of a slight inclination, its PAS part which is located the most rearward (and therefore the most in depth), when the ( the) light source (s) SL is (are) not in operation. The colored image of the PC colored part, which is reflected towards the PAS part comprising metallic opaque zones ZO darkened by their positioning in depth, induces an illumination of this PAS part, and therefore very advantageously makes it possible to see it (as well as its opaque metallic zones ZO) when the light source (s) SL is (are) not in operation. Consequently, there is no longer any degradation in aesthetics or style effect sought, and therefore no more degradation in quality printing.

As illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the part PC can, for example, be parallel to the horizontal plane. But it could be slightly tilted relative to the latter.

Furthermore, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 3, the part PC can, for example, include an upper face FS opposite the front face FV of the mask M and provided with stiffening ribs NR. This makes it possible to significantly increase its rigidity. It will be noted, as illustrated in FIG. 3, that at least some of the stiffening ribs N R can cross.

In addition, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 4, the colored part PC can, for example, include a lower face F1 oriented towards the front face FV of the mask M and comprising a smooth part PL placed opposite the NOT part at least of the metallic opaque zones ZO and whose colored image induces the illumination. This smooth part PL makes it possible to optimize the homogeneity and the quality of the illumination of the PAS part.

For example, the PC-colored part can be produced by molding in a plastic material such as polycarbonate (or PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (or PMMA), or possibly in glass.

It will be noted that the advantage provided by the illumination by the colored image of the color piece PC is further increased when the opaque metallic zones ZO and the transparent zones ZT of the front face consist of three-dimensional elements ET.

As illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, each three-dimensional element ET can comprise an opaque main face FP and constituting one of the metallized opaque zones ZO, and at least one lateral face FL transparent and constituting one of the transparent zones ZT through which the generated photons pass.

For example, each lateral face FL of a three-dimensional element ET can be inclined relative to the main face FP of the latter (ET) and can provide a junction between this main face FP and the main face FP of at least one other neighboring three-dimensional AND element.

It will be understood that each main face FP of a three-dimensional element ET constitutes a 3D pattern which appears when it is backlit by the rear face FR, and the relief of which is enhanced (or even amplified) by the photons which exit from each face lateral FL which extends it to the main face FP of at least one neighboring AND three-dimensional element. Numerous 3D patterns can thus be defined by molding. Likewise, numerous lighting effects, possibly decorative, can be obtained.

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, that the lateral faces FL of the three-dimensional elements ET (belonging here to different levels) can extend mutually along lines (here oblique) which intersect and where the photons define crossing strips of light. A kind of light grid or grid is thus obtained via the lateral faces FL.

The angle existing between a main face FP and an associated lateral face FL (which extends it) may possibly vary, for example depending on the level to which the three-dimensional element ET belongs. But this angle could be substantially constant.

Furthermore, this angle can be a function of the general angle of inclination of the mask M relative to the horizontal plane and / or of the shape of a sub-part of the possible reflector RP which is predefined so as to reflect the photons towards three-dimensional AND associated elements (and therefore in particular towards their main faces FP and lateral FL).

In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, each main face FP of a three-dimensional element ET has a general diamond shape. More precisely, each main face FP comprises (or is subdivided into) two facets FCj (j = 1 or 2) in the general shape of a triangle and having different orientations. It will be noted that each main face FP could include more than two facets FCj. In addition, each of these facets FCj has a side which is extended by a lateral face FL ensuring its junction with a side of a facet FCj ’(j’ + j) of another three-dimensional AND neighboring element.

It will also be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, each three-dimensional element ET comprises two lateral faces FL extending its main face FP. This results from the fact that the latter (FP) is subdivided into two facets FCj. But a three-dimensional element ET can include any number of lateral faces FL extending its main face FP, and this number is preferably equal to the number of facets FCj.

It will also be noted that when the lighting device DE is a rear light providing a position light function, it must produce a red light. In this case, the red color can result, for example, from the use of light source (s) SL generating photons whose wavelength is that of white and of a mask M having this red color (possibly crystal). This last combination provides an extinct red color on the FL side faces.

When the lighting device DE has to produce a red light, the piece of color PC can for example also be of red color. But in the presence of a photometric function associated with a color other than red, it could also be of a color other than red, such as for example white.

It will also be noted that the use of a reflector RP comprising, as indicated above, predefined sub-parts in order to reflect the photons respectively towards three-dimensional AND associated elements (placed at different levels), makes it possible to have a rendering homogeneous at the level of each main face FP while respecting the photometric constraints thanks to the exit of the photons by the lateral faces FL.

Claims (10)

1. Lighting device (DE) comprising at least one light source (SL) capable of generating photons, and a mask (M) inclined relative to a horizontal plane and comprising a rear face (FR) receiving said generated photons and a front face (FV), oriented towards the outside, and provided with metallized opaque zones (ZO) suitable for preventing the exit of received photons and transparent zones (ZT) suitable for letting the received photons pass towards the outside, characterized in that it further comprises a part (PC) having a chosen color, installed above at least part of said front face (FV) of the mask (M) in an inclined position relative to the latter (M) so that a colored image of said part (PC) is reflected on at least part of said opaque metallic zones (ZO) and thus induces their illumination. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said mask (M) is inclined relative to said horizontal plane by an angle between 20 ° and 50 °. 3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said part (PC) is parallel to said horizontal plane. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said part (PC) comprises an upper face (FS) opposite to said front face (FV) of the mask (M) and provided with stiffening ribs (NR ). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said part (PC) comprises a lower face (Fl) oriented towards said front face (FV) of the mask (M) and comprising a smooth part (PL) placed opposite said part at least of the metallic opaque zones (ZO) and the colored image of which induces said illumination. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said front face (FV) of the mask (M) is provided with three-dimensional elements (ET) each comprising a main face (FP) constituting one of said metallized opaque zones (ZO) and at least one lateral face (FL) inclined relative to said main face (FP), ensuring a junction between the latter (FP) and a main face (FP) of at least one other three-dimensional element (ET) neighbor, and transparent in order to constitute one of said transparent zones (ZT) through which the generated photons pass. 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said 5 lateral faces (FL) of the three-dimensional elements (ET) extend mutually along lines which intersect and where the photons define intersecting light bands. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a reflector (RP) capable of reflecting said photons generated towards îo said rear face (FR) of the mask (M). 9. Optical unit (BO) of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one lighting device (DE) according to one of the preceding claims. 10. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one optical unit is (BO) according to claim 9 and / or at least one lighting device (DE) according to one of claims 1 to 8. 1/2