FR3069207A1 - ILLUMINATING DEVICE HAVING A TRANSPARENT MATERIAL INTEGRATING LIGHTING MEANS PROVIDING A PHOTOMETRIC FUNCTION - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighting device (DE) equips an element (EV) of a vehicle located at the interface with the outside. This device (DE) comprises lighting means (ME) providing at least one external photometric function, and a part (PD) having a predefined shape, made of a transparent material, of optical quality, and inside which is integrated at least a part of the lighting means (ME), and simultaneously constituting, in a first part (P1), an ice (G) at the interface with the outside, and, in a second part (P2), a coupling face (FC) secured to the element (EV) and traversed by a power supply and / or control and / or photon supply connection of a sub-part of the part of the means of lighting (ME) integrated into the transparent material.

Description

LIGHTING DEVICE WITH A PART OF TRANSPARENT MATERIAL INCLUDING LIGHTING MEANS PROVIDING A PHOTOMETRIC FUNCTION

The invention relates to lighting devices, and more specifically those which are intended to provide at least one external photometric function for a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type.

Here, the term "lighting device" means a light device capable of ensuring at least one photometric lighting or signaling function.

Certain vehicles, generally of the automobile type, include at least one lighting device responsible for performing an external photometric function (that is to say observable from the outside). Sometimes, such a lighting device must be secured to an element of the vehicle located at the interface with the exterior and possibly exposed to deformation, in particular in the event of an impact. This element can, for example, be a front bumper (or bumper), a rear bumper (or bumper), or a part of the bodywork.

Currently, these lighting devices generally comprise a generally rigid box (or support) and to which an electronic card is attached to which is fixed at least one photon source, possibly coupled to a light guide, a transparent transparent or translucent, colorless glass. or colored, secured to the housing, and by which the photons propagate outwards, as well as possibly a reflector, responsible for reflecting photons towards the glass, and / or a mask (or mask) or embellishment.

The housing (or support) is fixed to the vehicle element, for example by clipping, and removable in order to allow it to be replaced at least partially in the event of breakage or malfunction. This fixing can possibly be done via a flexible joint to ensure a seal between the two opposite faces of the fixing element, and / or to correct a possible defect of adjustment between the housing (or support) and the element by adding elasticity.

Since such lighting devices are integral with elements exposed to shocks, they can be broken or scratched (especially in the case of flashing repeaters). In addition, when they are relatively thin and elongated (such as additional stop lights or daytime running lights (or DRL (for "Daytime running Light (or Lamp) >>)), and the elements to which they are joined together are deformed, the rigidity of their casing (or support) prevents similar deformation, and therefore they frequently break, which prevents them from properly performing their photometric function.

Furthermore, these lighting devices enclose air, and therefore games must be arranged between their different rooms in order to promote the internal circulation of air to avoid condensation, which increases their overall size.

There are certainly flexible light garlands, but they are only used for decoration and not for the implementation of a photometric lighting or signaling function that must meet precise and binding photometric rules.

There are also housings comprising a front face to which a transparent and rigid material is secured in which light-emitting diodes (or LEDs) are integrated. However, this arrangement is intended to reduce the bulk by dispensing with protective glass. In addition, these are devices constituting accessories or indicators for a truck trailer, of small extension, and intended to be secured to rigid elements of the vehicle, and therefore not deformable.

The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

To this end, it notably proposes a lighting device, intended to equip an element of a vehicle situated at the interface with the outside, and comprising lighting means ensuring at least one external photometric function.

This lighting device is characterized by the fact that it also includes a part:

- having a predefined shape,

- made of a transparent material, of optical quality, and inside which is integrated at least part of the lighting means, and

- simultaneously constituting, in a first part, a lens at the interface with the outside, and, in a second part, a coupling face which can be secured to the element and crossed by a power supply and / or control link and / or supplying photons to a portion of the part of the lighting means which is integrated into the transparent material.

Thus, the transparent material simultaneously replaces the glass, the support of the lighting means and the elastic seal which are usually present in a similar lighting device of the prior art, which makes it possible, in particular, to make the device more compact lighting.

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

- The transparent material can be deformable, so that the part is deformable;

- In a first embodiment, the part of the lighting means, integrated in the transparent material, can comprise at least one photon source generating photons, and an electronic card, possibly flexible, on which the (each) is fixed source of photons, and controlling the functioning of the latter. In this case, the link is interconnected to the electronic card in order to supply it electrically and / or control it;

> the part of the lighting means, integrated in the transparent material, can comprise at least one light guide secured to the electronic card and comprising a guide part placed between input and output faces, the input face supplying the guide portion with generated photons, and the output face delivering outwardly guided photons in the guide portion;

- In a second embodiment, the part of the lighting means, integrated in the transparent material, may comprise at least one light guide comprising a guide part placed between the inlet and outlet faces, the face of input supplying photons generated in the guide part, and the output face delivering outward photons guided in the guide part. In this case, the link is coupled to the light guide in order to supply its input face with photons generated by at least one external photon source;

- In the first and second embodiments, the part of the lighting means, integrated in the transparent material, can comprise a reflector responsible for reflecting photons to a predefined area of the ice through which they propagate outside;

- the lens can include a predefined zone configured so as to act in a predefined manner on photons pointing outwards so that they provide the photometric function and by which these photons propagate outside after having undergone this action;

- Its part may include an element integrated in its transparent material and defining a cover masking the integrated part of the lighting means and / or a hubcap.

The invention also provides a vehicle, possibly of the automotive type, and comprising at least one element located at the interface with the exterior and comprising at least one lighting device of the type of that presented above.

For example, each element of the vehicle can be chosen from a front bumper, a rear bumper, a front bumper, a rear bumper, and a part of the bodywork.

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

FIG. 1 schematically and functionally illustrates, in a sectional view in a vertical plane XZ, a first embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention, secured to a vehicle element,

FIG. 2 schematically and functionally illustrates, in a sectional view in a vertical plane XZ, a second embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention, secured to a vehicle element,

FIG. 3 schematically and functionally illustrates, in a sectional view in a horizontal XY plane, a third embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention, secured to a vehicle element, and

- Figure 4 illustrates schematically and functionally, in a sectional view in a horizontal plane XY, a fourth embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention, secured to a vehicle element.

The object of the invention is in particular to propose an ED lighting device intended to equip an EV element of a vehicle located at the interface with the outside and possibly exposed to deformations.

It is considered in what follows, by way of nonlimiting example, that the lighting device DE is intended to equip a vehicle of the automobile type, such as for example a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. Indeed, a DE lighting device can equip any type of vehicle comprising at least one element located at the interface with the exterior and possibly exposed to deformation. Consequently, the vehicle can be land, sea (or river), or air.

Furthermore, it is considered in what follows, by way of nonlimiting example, that the lighting device DE is a front light ensuring a photometric signaling function, such as for example a daytime running light function (or DRL) or a flashing function. 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 lighting or signaling function. Thus, it can also provide a brake light function, or a reversing light function, or a position light function (or pilot light or even lantern), or a license plate light function, or a flashing repeater function (transverse layout), or a clearance light function for a large vehicle (transverse layout), or even a priority vehicle warning light function, for example.

In FIGS. 1 to 4, the direction X is a so-called longitudinal direction because it is parallel to a longitudinal side of a vehicle, the direction Y is a so-called transverse direction because it is perpendicular to the longitudinal sides of this vehicle and therefore perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is a vertical direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions.

Schematically illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, four different embodiments of a lighting device DE according to the invention, secured to EV elements of vehicles.

It is considered in what follows, by way of nonlimiting example, that these EV elements are front bumper of the vehicle. But it can be any element of a vehicle located at the interface with the exterior and possibly exposed to deformation. Thus, it may also be rear bumpers, front bumper, rear bumper or body parts (for example a vehicle blank (wing) in the case of a turn signal repeater, or a roof (or roof) for a priority vehicle warning light or an additional brake light, or a rear flap for a license plate light or a reversing light or an anti-fog light).

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a lighting device DE, according to the invention, comprises at least lighting means ME and a part PD.

The ME lighting means are arranged so as to provide at least one external photometric function (here of DRL type). In what follows and what precedes, “lighting means” means any element participating in the realization of an external photometric function. Consequently, this designates, in particular, at least one photon source SP, possibly remote, as well as possibly an electronic card CE or a reflector RP or a light guide GL or a mask El or a three-dimensional structure acting on the trajectories of the photons.

The PD piece has a predefined shape, adapted to the EV element it equips, to the photometric function that its DE lighting device must provide, as well as possibly to the style that we want to give. This PD part is made of a transparent material, of optical quality, and inside which is integrated (or encapsulated) at least part of the ME lighting means. In addition, this part PD simultaneously constitutes, in a first part P1, a lens G at the interface with the outside, and, in a second part P2, a coupling face FC. The latter (FC) is suitable for being secured to the element EV and is crossed by a connection C1 of electrical supply and / or of control and / or of photon supply of a sub-part of the part of the means ME lighting which is integrated in the transparent material.

In the examples illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, the connection C1 is a first connector which is intended to be coupled to a second external connector C2 to supply electrically and / or control and / or supply photons to a sub-part of the part of the ME lighting means which is integrated in the transparent material. But it is not compulsory. In fact, this connection C1 could be an electrical supply and / or control cable or an optical coupler for supplying photons or even an optical fiber for supplying photons.

The transparent material, which defines the outline and therefore the shape of the piece PD, therefore simultaneously replaces the glass, the support of the lighting means and the elastic joint which are usually present in a similar lighting device of the prior art. This makes the DE lighting device more compact, but also makes the surface located at the interface with the exterior more resistant, even when it is prominent. In addition, the absence of air inside the PD part prevents the formation of condensation, and therefore eliminates the need to arrange clearances between the various elements for the internal circulation of air, which allows to reduce the overall dimensions even more. In addition, the transparent material also provides a sealing function against moisture and therefore weather and projections.

The shape of the PD part resulting from a molding with the transparent material, we can therefore have a very wide variety of shapes depending on the application needs.

Preferably, the transparent material is deformable, so that its part PD is deformable. This deformability makes it possible to secure it without risk of breakage on possibly deformable EV elements of the vehicle (such as the bodywork or the shields), but also to make it more resistant to shocks.

For example, one can use a transparent material such as liquid silicone (or LSR ("Liquid Silicon Rubber")), of optical quality. The latter is in fact thermosetting while offering flexibility and transparency similar to that of glass.

Note that the transparent material can be colorless or colored, as required.

As indicated above, the lighting means ME comprise at least one source of photons SP, possibly remote. For example, the / each source of SP photons may comprise at least one light-emitting diode. Each light-emitting diode can be of the conventional type. This is what is usually called an LED ("Light-Emitting Diode"). But as a variant, it could be of the organic type (or OLED (“Organic Light-Emitting Diode”)). Note that instead of using at least one light emitting diode, you could use at least one lamp or at least one laser diode.

It will also be noted that in the presence of several light-emitting diodes (or lamps or laser diodes), the latter may be identical to one another or else different (in particular as regards their emission wavelength (s)) , depending on the application needs.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, the coupling face FC can be provided with fixing means MF1 which are secured to the element EV. These fixing means MF1 can, for example, comprise at least two clipping lugs partially integrated in the transparent material and intended to cooperate respectively with fixing means MF2 complementary and secured to the element EV. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the fixing means MF1 could, for example, comprise at least two cylindrical studs each provided with a housing comprising a thread intended to cooperate with the thread of a screw passing through the support wall of the EV element. It will be noted that the fixing means MF1 can be produced either in the transparent material projecting from the coupling face FC, or be added elements and partially integrated in the transparent material by crossing the coupling face FC.

Preferably, the thinner and longer the piece PD, the greater the number of fixing means MF1. For example, this number can be three or four, or even more.

In a variant, the coupling face FC does not include fixing means MF1. In this case, it is secured by bonding to the external face of the support wall of the EV element.

These different methods of securing the part PD, to the external face of the support wall of the EV element, are advantageous, because they avoid having to create a large opening for the passage of photons, which would weaken the EV element.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 3, the part of the lighting means ME, which is integrated in the transparent material (and hereinafter called the integrated part), can comprise at least one source of photons SP generating photons, and an electronic card CE on which is fixed the / each source of SP photons and controlling the operation of the latter (these) (SP). In this case, the C1 connection (here the first connector) is interconnected to the CE electronic card in order to power it and / or control it.

In the example of FIG. 1, the part PD is installed on the element EV (for example a front shield) in a general direction which is substantially vertical (parallel to the direction Z). This arrangement can, for example, be well suited to a vertical DRL type function.

In the example of FIG. 3, the part PD is installed on the element EV (for example a front shield) in a general direction which is substantially horizontal (parallel to the direction Y). This arrangement can, for example, be well suited to a function of the horizontal direction change indicator (or flashing) type.

The electronic card can, for example, be a printed circuit board of the PCB (“Printed Circuit Board”) type, rigid or flexible (“of the“ Flex ”type), as required.

The first connector C1 is here partly integrated (or encapsulated) in the transparent material, and partly external to the latter (and therefore to the part PD) in order to allow its coupling to a second connector C2 coupled to the element EV, and for example passing through the support wall of the latter (EV) as illustrated without limitation.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 2 and 4, variants respectively of the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the integrated part of the lighting means ME comprises, in addition to the electronic card CE with the source (s) (s) of SP photons, at least one light guide GL secured to this CE electronic card. This light guide GL has a guide part PG placed between the entry FE and exit FS faces. The input face FE supplies photons, generated by the photon source SP, the guide part PG, and the output face FS delivers outwards photons which have been guided in the guide part PG. This entry face FE can be defined on one of the two opposite ends of the light guide GL, which are optionally perpendicular to the exit face FS (lateral), or else in a zone substantially opposite to the exit face FS .

It will be noted that the light guide GL may be of the flat type or of cylindrical section (as illustrated without limitation). It can have many shapes, with or without curvature (s), depending on the application needs and / or the style sought.

Furthermore, the light guide GL can, for example, be made of polycarbonate (or PC) or poly methyl methacrylate (or PMMA).

In FIGS. 2 and 4, the photon source SP appears in dotted lines, like the first C1 and second C2 connectors, because they are placed in the vicinity of one of the two opposite ends of the light guide GL, and therefore in a plane other than the section plane shown.

It will also be noted that the source (s) of SP photons is (are) not necessarily integrated (s) in the transparent material. In fact, in a variant embodiment not illustrated, it (s) can (be) offset (s) outside the piece PD, and for example secured (s) to the element EV. In this case, the integrated part of the lighting means ME comprises at least one light guide GL similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 2, but without the photon source SP (remote to the outside). There is therefore no need for an electronic CE card, because the positioning of the light guide GL is fixed in the part PD due to its integration in its transparent material. In addition, the link C1 (here the first connector) is coupled to the light guide GL, in order to supply its input face FE with photons generated by at least one external photon source SP (or remote, possibly via an optical fiber) and here coupled to the second connector C2 to which the link C1 is also coupled (here the first connector).

It will also be noted that in the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the part PD is partially housed in a dedicated housing LD in order to be partially protected from shocks. But it is not compulsory. Indeed, the part PD could be completely protruding on the external face of the support wall of the EV element, or else completely housed in an LD housing.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, that the integrated part of the lighting means ME can also include a reflector RP responsible for reflecting incident photons towards a predefined zone ZP of the lens G by which they are spread outside. But such an RP reflector is not mandatory.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, that this predefined zone ZP can be configured so as to act in a predefined manner on photons which go outwards, so that they provide the photometric function. For this purpose, the predefined zone ZP can, for example, comprise a three-dimensional structure acting on the trajectories of the photons or a lens. For example, this three-dimensional structure may include a multiplicity of optical prisms intended to define with the incident photons a light beam having a predefined divergence, possibly almost zero. As a variant, this three-dimensional structure may include a multiplicity of facets capable of exploding an incident photon beam in sub-beams in order to improve the light homogeneity or to concentrate photons, for example in order to obtain photometric values which are difficult to achieve. In another variant, this three-dimensional structure can be a graining suitable for homogenizing an incident photon beam.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 3 and 4, that the part PD may also include an element El integrated in its transparent material, on the side of the glass G, and defining a cover, masking the integrated part of the means d 'ME lighting, and / or a hubcap (for the desired style).

It will also be noted that when the part PD integrates at least one source of SP photons, it can also include, in an at least partially integrated manner, at least one element responsible for cooling this (these) source (s) of SP photons, as for example example a radiator or a heat pipe.

To make a PD part, you can start by placing precisely in a mold the different elements that it must integrate at least partially, then you can fill this mold with transparent material, and after a few moments you can unmold it.

Claims (10)

1. Lighting device (DE) for an element (EV) of a vehicle located at the interface with the outside, said device (DE) comprising lighting means (ME) ensuring at least one external photometric function , characterized in that it further comprises a part (PD) i) having a predefined shape, ii) made of a transparent material, of optical quality, and inside which is integrated at least part of said means of lighting (ME), and iii) simultaneously constituting, in a first part (P1), a lens (G) at the interface with the outside, and, in a second part (P2), a coupling face (FC) integral with said element (EV) and traversed by a power supply and / or control and / or photon supply link of a sub-part of said part of the lighting means (ME) integrated in said transparent material . 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said transparent material is deformable, so that said part (PD) is deformable. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said part of the lighting means (ME), integrated in said transparent material, comprises at least one photon source (SP) generating photons, and an electronic card ( CE) on which is fixed said photon source (SP) and controlling the operation of the latter (SP), and in that said link (C1) is interconnected to said electronic card (CE) in order to supply it electrically and / or control it. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said part of the lighting means (ME), integrated in said transparent material, comprises at least one light guide (GL) secured to said electronic card (CE) and comprising a guide part (PG) placed between input (FE) and exit (FS) faces, said input face (FE) supplying generated photons to said guide part (PG), and said output face (FS ) delivering outwardly guided photons in said guide portion (PG). 5. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said part of the lighting means (ME), integrated in said transparent material, comprises at least one light guide (GL) comprising a guide part (PG) placed between inlet (FE) and outlet (FS) faces, said inlet face (FE) supplying generated photons with said guide portion (PG), and said outlet face (FS) supplying outward photons guided in said guide part (PG), and in that said link (C1) is coupled to said light guide (GL), in order to supply its input face (FE) with photons generated by at least one source of external photons (SP). 6. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said part of the lighting means (ME), integrated in said transparent material, comprises a reflector (RP) responsible for reflecting photons to a predefined area ( ZP) of said ice (G) through which they spread outside. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said lens (G) comprises a predefined zone (ZP), configured so as to act in a predefined manner on photons pointing outwards so that they provide said photometric function, and by which these photons propagate outside after having undergone said action. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said part (PD) comprises an element (El) integrated in its transparent material and defining a cover, masking said integrated part of the lighting means (ME) , and / or a hubcap. 9. Vehicle comprising at least one element (EV) located at the interface with the exterior, characterized in that said element (EV) comprises at least one lighting device (DE) according to one of the preceding claims. 10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that said element (EV) is chosen from a front bumper, a rear bumper, a front bumper, a rear bumper, and a part of the bodywork.