FR3095028A1 - Optical assembly capable of forming a cut-off light beam - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical assembly (1) intended to form a beam having a cut-off line. The optical assembly (1) comprising: a first optical part (2) made of transparent material comprising: light guides each comprising an input diopter and an elementary output; a common outlet located downstream of the elementary outlets; a first face extending between the elementary outputs and the common output, this first face being delimited downstream by a cut-off edge; a reflective material (5) distinct from the material of the first optical part (2) and disposed opposite the first face of the first optical part (2), the reflecting material (5) extending from the cut-off edge towards the elementary outputs; According to the invention, the reflective material (5) and the first optical part (2) being arranged so as to retain each other without additional part and so that the reflecting material (5) is in direct contact with the cut-off edge Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Optical assembly capable of forming a cut-off light beam

The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle lighting. Specifically, the invention relates to an optical assembly capable of generating a light beam having a cut-off line and to a light module comprising such an optical module.

In the automotive lighting field, assemblies of optical parts are known, such as reflectors and lenses, capable of together forming a beam with a cut-off line. Said beam, also called cut-off beam, can be a dipped beam. Alternatively, the beam having a cut-off line may be a beam complementary to the dipped beam and configured in such a way that the combination of said complementary beam with the dipped beam forms a driving beam.

The aforementioned optical parts are arranged in order to send light rays to specific places. For example, such an assembly may include an elliptical reflector, a bender and a converging lens located downstream of the reflector and the bender.

A disadvantage of this type of optical part is that it requires a high degree of precision in the positioning of the parts relative to each other for precise and efficient reflection, so as to have a sharp and precise cut-off line. positioned.

Thus, an objective of the invention is to propose an optical system generating a cut-off beam having a sharp and precisely positioned cut-off line.

To this end, a first object of the invention is an optical assembly intended to form a beam having a cut-off line. Said optical assembly comprising:

• des guides de lumière comprenant chacun un dioptre d’entrée et une sortie élémentaire;
• une sortie commune située en aval des sorties élémentaires;
• une première face s’étendant entre les sorties élémentaires et la sortie commune, ladite première face étant délimitée en aval par un bord de coupure.

a first optical part made of transparent material comprising:

• light guides each comprising an input dioptre and an elementary output;
• a common output located downstream of the elementary outputs;
• a first face extending between the elementary outputs and the common output, said first face being delimited downstream by a cut-off edge.

Said optical assembly further comprises a reflective material distinct from the material of the first optical part and placed on said first face, the reflective material extending from the cut-off edge towards the elementary outputs. Furthermore, the reflective material and the first optical part are arranged in such a way as to be held together without an additional part and in such a way that the reflective material is in direct contact with the cut-off edge.

Thus, by carrying out the assembly in a monobloc manner, the positioning of the various reflecting or refracting elements between them is dispensed with.

Furthermore, the production of a reflection means by adding the reflective material to the first one-piece optical part makes it possible to overcome these positioning problems for the reflection members while having good reflection efficiency. The image of the beam generated by the optical assembly according to the invention is therefore clear and precise.

The optical assembly according to the invention may optionally include one or more characteristics set out in the following paragraphs.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, direct contact between the reflective material and the cut-off edge is made with all of said cut-off edge.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the reflective material is formed by a reflection member separate from the first optical part or by a reflective coating.

Optionally, the reflective material has a reflectivity rate of at least 85%. Thus, there is less loss of light rays.

According to one characteristic of the invention, when the reflective material is formed by a reflective coating, the latter is made of aluminum or silver, in particular formed by a deposit, such as aluminizing. Thus, the process for manufacturing the reflective material is simple and inexpensive.

According to another characteristic of the invention, when the reflective material is formed by a separate reflection member from the first optical part and having a first face, said first optical part comprises at least one plating member arranged so that the first face of the reflection member is in direct contact with the cut-off edge, said first optical part and the plating member being formed in a single, one-piece piece. Thus, thanks to the plating member, the space between the reflective material and the cut-off edge of the first optical part is eliminated. The reflective material perfectly matches the cut-off edge of the first optical part, which prevents the formation of black bands at the level of the cut-off line on the projected image of the beam generated by the optical assembly. Furthermore, the plating member having been made in one piece with the first optical part, this therefore simplifies the assembly of the first optical part with the reflection member and makes it possible to eliminate assembly irregularities due to a third-party fixing means.

According to the previous paragraph, the first face of the reflection member has a downstream central portion. Direct contact between the reflective material and the cut-off edge is made with this downstream central portion. Furthermore, this central portion is in direct contact with the first optical part only on the cut-off edge.

According to the previous paragraph, the downstream central portion is delimited downstream by a downstream edge, the direct contact between the downstream central portion and the first optical part being formed by the direct contact of said downstream edge with the entire cut-off edge. This is therefore an edge-to-edge contact between the reflection member and the first optical part.

According to the last three paragraphs, the reflector has the first side on one side and a second side on the other side, the second side being reflective.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the first optical part has:
- a longitudinal axis extending in a direction from upstream to downstream of the first optical part,
- a second axis extending across the cut edge and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and
- A third axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and to the second axis.
In addition, the first optical part comprises abutment members in contact with abutments of the reflection member so as to block the movement of the reflection member relative to the first optical part according to at least one of these three axes. Thus, the reflection member is fixed immobile with respect to the first optical part along at least one of the three axes, which makes it possible to avoid poor positioning between these two parts which can degrade the beam emitted by the assembly. optical.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, at least one of the abutment members is arranged so as to press the reflection member against the cut-off edge. In other words, the abutment member and the pressing member are made in one piece.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the reflection member comprises at least one elastic portion under stress against a corresponding bearing portion of the first optical part so as to generate a force pressing against at least one abutment of the member reflection against the corresponding abutment member of the first optical part. Thus, the support of the elastic portion against the corresponding portion makes it possible to ensure that the reflection member is indeed in contact with the abutment members of the first optical part. By way of example, the elastic portion is formed by an elastic tongue.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the reflection member is formed by one or more plates.

By way of example, the reflection member comprises two parts: a reflective plate and a support plate, said support plate being carried by the first optical part and carrying the reflective plate. Direct contact is made at the reflective plate.

According to the last three paragraphs, the plate or the support plate comprises elastic tongues forming the elastic portions.

By way of example, the support portion is formed by a projecting block arranged on one side of the first optical part. The elastic portion is formed by an elastic tongue located opposite said protruding block, the elastic tongue resting under stress against the protruding block while being curved away from the first face of the first optical part.

Another object of the invention relates to a motor vehicle light module which is capable of forming a light beam along an optical axis. The light module according to the invention comprises:
- an optical assembly according to the invention;
- Light sources, each being arranged opposite each input dioptre; the light guides being arranged so as to guide, by one or more reflections, light rays coming from the light sources towards the elementary outputs;
- A converging lens whose focal plane is arranged in the vicinity of the cut-off edge of the first optical part.
In addition, the optical assembly is arranged so that the first face of the first optical part forms a bender for the rays coming from these elementary outputs, and so that the rays leaving the lens form a beam having a cut line which is the image of said cut edge.

Thus, such a light module generates a cut-off beam devoid of black band at the level of the cut-off line of said beam, which improves the optical performance of the module.

The light module according to the invention may optionally include one or more characteristics set out in the following paragraphs.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the light module further comprises an assembly for generating light rays. The first optical part is arranged on one side of the reflection member and the light ray generation assembly emitting light rays on the other side so that the reflection member forms a bender for the rays coming from the assembly for generating light rays, and so as to form a second beam having on the one hand a cut-off line substantially identical to that of the first beam, and on the other hand a shape complementary to that of the first beam at this cut-off line.

For example, the second beam is a dipped beam while the first beam is an upper part of a high beam, so that the two beams together form a high beam.

In this case, thanks to the optical assembly according to the invention, the first beam has no black band. Consequently, the main beam formed by the first and second beams is free from a transition marked by a shadow line between said beams. Such a driving beam thus has high optical performance.

In addition, the first optical part of the optical assembly according to the invention comprises several light guides. Thus, the first beam generated by the optical assembly according to the invention is a pixelated beam with a cut-off line. The projection of said pixelated beam forms an image composed of illumination units, also called "pixels" in English.

The main beam partly comprising the first beam can perform an adaptive lighting function, since at least the first beam is pixelated, which makes it possible to generate a shadow zone above the second beam.

The adaptive function therefore makes it possible to offer better visibility to the driver of the vehicle at night while avoiding dazzling the driver of the vehicle coming in front and/or of the vehicle followed detected by presence sensors.

In another example, the first beam generated by the optical assembly according to the invention can be a passing beam. In this case, the second beam generated by the assembly for generating light rays can be a complementary beam to the dipped beam.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "front", "rear", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "transverse", "longitudinal", "horizontal", as well as their gender or number, refer to the direction of light emission out of the light module. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the direction of propagation of the light within the light module.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of the non-limiting examples which follow, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings, among which:

is a front perspective view of an optical assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention;

is a view similar to that of Figure 1 which shows a first optical part forming part of the optical assembly of Figure 1;

is a rear perspective view of the first optical part of Figure 2;

is a front view showing the front of the first optical part illustrated in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3;

is a perspective view showing the front face of a reflection member forming part of the optical assembly of FIG. 1;

is a sectional view showing a vertical section along a longitudinal direction of the optical assembly of FIG. 1;

is a perspective view showing one side of the optical assembly of Figure 1;

is a view similar to Figure 6 of the optical assembly of Figure 1 in the absence of a portion of a reflective material belonging to said optical assembly.

is a side view of the optical assembly of FIG. 1;

is a top view of part of the optical assembly of FIG. 1;

is a sectional view of the part illustrated in Figure 10 and showing a horizontal section of the optical assembly;

is a view similar to Figure 10 showing another portion of the optical assembly of Figure 1;

is a detail view of a circled area P illustrated in FIG. 6 and showing a rear plating member forming part of the optical assembly of FIG. 1;

is a sectional view along a vertical plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the optical assembly of FIG. 1, said view showing the rear plating member of FIG. 11;

is a rear view of the optical assembly of FIG. 1;

is a perspective view of a light module comprising the optical assembly of FIG. 1 and a converging lens;

is a sectional view of the light module of FIG. 10, illustrating the path of light rays within said light module;

a front perspective view of an optical assembly according to a second exemplary embodiment according to the invention;

a perspective view of the optical assembly of Figure 18 showing one side of said assembly;

is a sectional view of a front part of the optical assembly of FIG. 18 showing a vertical section of said assembly;

is a sectional view of a straight part of the optical assembly of FIG. 18 showing a horizontal section of said part;

is a perspective view of the optical assembly of FIG. 18 and showing in detail a left side abutment member forming part of said assembly;

a sectional view of a left part of the optical assembly of Figure 18 showing a horizontal section of said part;

is a rear side view of the optical assembly of Figure 18;

is a cross-sectional view showing a rear plating member of the optical assembly of FIG. 18.

The structurally and functionally identical elements, present in several distinct figures, are assigned a single and same numerical or alphanumeric reference.

Figures 1 to 17 illustrate a first embodiment of an optical assembly 1 according to the invention.

In this example, the optical assembly is arranged so as to produce a cut-off beam which is complementary to a passing beam and forms an upper part of a driving beam.

According to the invention, and as in this example, the optical assembly 1 comprises:
- A first optical part 2 made of translucent or transparent material and forming a one-piece part, for example obtained by injection; And
- a reflective material fixed to the first optical part 2, here by means of the plating members 26 and 29.

The optical assembly 1 has a longitudinal axis X extending in a direction from upstream to downstream of the first optical part 2

Other axes are also shown in the figures. One of these axes is a second transverse axis Y, in particular substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and extending from the left to the right of the figures. A third transverse axis Z, in particular substantially perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis X and to the transverse axis Y. The third axis Z extends, here, from the bottom to the top of the figures.

In the example illustrated, the optical assembly 1 is arranged so that the longitudinal axis X is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a vehicle (not shown) equipped with said optical assembly. Moreover, with this arrangement of the optical assembly 1, the second axis Y is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and belongs to a horizontal plane containing said axis X. As for the third axis Z, this is substantially perpendicular to the two other axes and extending in a vertical direction.

The Y and Z axes are thus called the transverse Y axis and the vertical Z axis respectively. The three axes X, Y and Z here form an orthogonal reference.

Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3, the first optical part 2 comprises a plurality of light guides 20. Each light guide 20 extends along the longitudinal axis X and includes an input diopter 21 and a output 22. A light source (not shown in Figures 2 and 3) is placed in front of each input dioptre 21.

The light guides 20 are arranged so that the light rays from the light sources propagate inside the guides by total internal reflection along the longitudinal axis X, from upstream to downstream, i.e. i.e. in the direction of the entrance dioptre 21 towards the exit 22.

The first optical part 2 comprises a common output 23 located downstream of the outputs 22 of the light guides. The common output 23 here forms a front face of the first optical part 2 through which the light rays come out of said first part 2.

The first optical part 2 further comprises a first face 24 extending between the common output 23 and the outputs 22 of the light guides 20.

According to the invention and as in the example illustrated, the first face 24 forms part of an upper face of the first optical part 1. The first face 24 is delimited downstream by a cutting edge 25. More precisely, in the In the example shown, the first face 24 and the common exit 23 join the cut edge 25.

Here, as illustrated in Figure 4, the cutting edge 25 comprises a first horizontal portion 251, a second horizontal portion 252, and an intermediate portion 253 connecting the first horizontal portion 251 to the second horizontal portion 253. The first horizontal portion 251 is located higher than the first second horizontal portion 252. The intermediate portion 253 is inclined by a value between 15° and 45° relative to the horizontal.

In the example illustrated, the optical assembly 1 is designed so as to generate a beam having a cut-off line and which is complementary to a passing beam. In other words, the cut-off beam generated by the optical assembly 1 constitutes the upper part of a driving beam.

Thus, when the cutoff edge 25 is imaged in the beam, the projection of the first horizontal portion 251 forms a first part of the cutoff line located below the horizon. The projection of the second horizontal portion 252 forms a second part of the cut line located above the horizon. Finally, the projection of the intermediate portion 253 forms part of the middle of the cut line, inclined with respect to the horizon.

The first optical part 2 has a main axis A parallel to the longitudinal axis X and passing through the middle of the intermediate portion 253 of the cut-off edge 25.

An example embodiment of the reflective material is illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

In the example illustrated, the reflective material is formed by a reflection member 5 separate from the first optical part 2 and having a first face.

Here, the reflection member 5 is arranged on the first optical part 2 so that the first face of the reflection member 5 is opposite the first face 24 of the first optical part 2 .

The reflection member 5 is made up of a reflecting plate 51 and a support plate 52. In another embodiment, the reflection member can be made in one piece.

The reflective plate 51 is here a thin metal blade and delimited downstream by a downstream edge 550. The reflective plate 51 has a first face 511 on one side and a second reflective face 513 on the other side. Here, the first face 511 of the reflecting plate 51 forms the first face of the reflection member 5.

The support plate 52, as its name suggests, is used to support said plate 51 and to keep it fixed to the first optical part 2. By way of example, the reflecting plate 51 is secured to the support plate 52 by gluing, welding or screwing.

The support plate 52 is hollowed out so as to leave the first face 24 exposed. In this way, when the reflecting plate 51 is placed on the support plate 52, the first face 511 of the reflecting plate 51 faces the first face 24 of the first optical part 2.

According to the invention and as in the example illustrated, the reflective plate 51 extends from the cut-off edge 25 downstream. In other words, seen from above, the downstream edge 550 of the reflective plate 51 is perfectly aligned with the cut-off edge 25. The front edge 550 is positioned neither in front nor behind with respect to the cut-off edge 25. Moreover , the profile of the downstream edge 550 is identical to the profile of the cut-off edge 25 which here is curved in the direction of the entrance diopters 21.

In addition, as previously described, in the vertical direction, the cutting edge 25 has a step formed by the intermediate portion 253. Thus, in order to adapt to the cutting edge 25, the reflective plate 51 and the support plate 52 are made, for example by bending, so that the downstream edge 550 has the same profile as the cutting edge 25, that is to say with two horizontal portions 551, 552 interconnected by an inclined linear portion 553, as shown in Figure 5.

Reflector 5, including reflective plate 51 and support plate 52, also has axis A as the main axis. This virtually divides the optical assembly 1 into two parts including a first part 4 located to the left of the main axis A and a second part 6 located to the right of said main axis A. Here, the terms "left “, “right” designate respectively the left of figure 4 and the right of figure 4.

Furthermore, the reflective plate 51 is in direct contact with the whole of the cut-off edge 25. More specifically, the first face 511 of the reflective plate 51 has a downstream central portion 510. The direct contact of the reflective plate 51 with the whole of the cutting edge 25 is made with this downstream central portion 510.

In addition, the central portion 510 is in direct contact with the first optical part 2 only on the cut-off edge 25. Specifically, the portions of the downstream edge 510 are in contact with the corresponding portions of the cut-off edge 25.

Explicitly, the first horizontal portion 551 of the downstream edge 550 is in direct contact with the first horizontal portion 251 of the cut-off edge 25, the second horizontal portion 552 of the downstream edge 550 is in direct contact with the second horizontal portion 252 of the edge cutoff 25, and the inclined linear portion 553 is in direct contact with the intermediate portion 253 of the cutoff edge.

The direct contact between the downstream edge 550 and the cutting edge 25 is visible in Figure 6.

This direct contact is obtained by means of the pressing members 26 and 29 located respectively at the front and the rear of the first optical part 2. These pressing members are called hereinafter the front pressing member 26 and the back tackle 29 and details thereof are illustrated in Figures 6 through 14.

According to the invention and as in the example illustrated, the plating members 26 and 29 are made in one piece with the first optical part 2.

In this example, the first optical part 2 comprises two identical front plating members 26 which are arranged respectively on a left side and on a right side of the first optical part 2.

Here, given that the front plating members 26 have the same shape regardless of their location, only the front plating member located to the right of the main axis A, referenced 26a, will be described. This description applies in the same way to the pressing member located to the left of the main axis A, referenced 26b in the figures. If there are differences between the two sides, these will be addressed. The same applies to the elements in connection with the front tackle components.

As shown in Figure 7, the front plating member 26a cooperates with the support plate 52 and the reflecting plate 51.

The support plate 51 comprises two side arms 520 extending from upstream to downstream and arranged symmetrically with respect to the main axis A. Each side arm 520 comprises a free end 521.

According to the invention and as in the example illustrated, the reflective plate 51 may comprise two side members 512 extending on either side of a central portion 510 comprising the downstream edge 550. In this case, the side members 512 of the reflective plate 51 overlap with the side arms 520 of the support plate 52, and in particular at the level of the free end 521.

Here, the side arm 520 of the support plate 52 and the side member 512 of the reflective plate 51 are in connection with the front right tackle member 26.

According to the invention and as in the example illustrated, the front pressing member 26a may comprise a first portion 261 extending along the vertical axis Z and a second portion 262 extending along the longitudinal axis X from from one end of the first portion 261 upstream. The front pressing member 26 thus has the shape of a hook.

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the front plating member 26a is in contact with the reflection member 5. Specifically, when the first optical part 2 and the reflection member 5 are assembled together another, the reflection member 5 is in contact with the second portion 262 so as to block the movement of the reflection member 5 along the Z axis.

More precisely, the lower face 263 of the second portion 262 bears against the second reflecting face 513 of the reflecting plate 51. This contact therefore prevents the reflection member 5 from moving vertically upwards.

Thus, the front pressing member 26a serves as a stop to block the movement of the reflection member 5 along the Z axis. The front pressing member is also called the vertical stop member 26a.

According to the invention and as in this example, the end 521 of the reflection member can be located at a distance from the first portion 261 so as to delimit a space along the longitudinal axis X. This space forms an assembly clearance in the longitudinal direction in order to facilitate the mounting of the reflection member 5 on the first optical part.

Furthermore, the front pressing member 26a ensures direct contact between the cutting edge 25 and the downstream edge 510 of the reflective plate 51. To do this, as regards the straight part 6 of the optical assembly 1, the front pressing member 26a is configured so that the lower face 263 of the second portion 262 is parallel to a horizontal plane H1 passing through the second horizontal portion 252 of the cut-off edge 25 and so that the distance d ₁ between the lower face 263 and the plane H1 is equal to or slightly less than the total thickness of the reflection member 5. The distance d1 is illustrated in FIG. 9.

With regard to the left side 4 of the optical assembly 1, the front left plating member 26b also comprises a first portion and a second portion identical to those of the front right plating member 26a. Said portions therefore bear the same references.

In order to ensure direct contact between the cut-off edge 25 and the downstream edge 510 of the reflecting plate 51, the left front pressing member 26b is arranged so that the lower face 263 of the second portion 262 is parallel to a horizontal plane H2 passing through the first horizontal portion 251 of the cutting edge 25 and that the distance between the lower face 263 and the plane H2 is equal to or slightly less than the total thickness of the reflection member 5.

The H1 and H2 planes are shown in Figure 4.

Since the plane H2 is located at a higher level than the plane H1, the front left tackle member 26b is slightly offset upwards with respect to the front right tackle member 26a. This offset corresponds to the distance between the H1 plane and the H2 plane.

Here, the total thickness of the reflection member is the sum of the thickness e of the supporting plate 52 and the thickness of the reflecting plate 51. Since the reflecting plate 51 is very thin, the thickness of said plate is not referenced in the figures.

According to the invention and as observed in FIGS. 7, 8, 10 to 12, the first optical part 2 can also comprise two lateral abutment members 27 arranged so as to block the movement of the reflection member 5 along the axis transverse Y.

The lateral abutment members 27 are identical and arranged symmetrically with respect to the main axis A. For this reason, only the lateral abutment member located to the right of the main axis A, referenced 27a, is described below. After. The description applies equally to the other organ not described. The same applies to the elements in connection with the lateral abutment members. Of course, the differences between the two sides will also be described.

According to the invention and as in this example, the lateral abutment member can be formed by a pin 27a protruding with respect to the first face 24 of the first optical part 2. In this example, the pin 27a has a circular section . Furthermore, the pin 27a and the first optical part 2 are made in one piece.

In this case, the reflection member 5 comprises a slot 28a extending along the longitudinal axis X. Here, the slot 28a is formed by a first opening 514 made in the reflecting plate 51 and by a second opening 524 made in the support plate 52. Said first and second openings 514 and 524 have the same dimensions and are positioned at the same place. Thus, when the reflective plate 51 is placed on the support plate 52, the first and second openings 514 and 524 overlap and are aligned so as to form the slot 28a.

Here, the width of the slot 28a, measured along the transverse axis Y is equal to the diameter of the pin 27a. Thus, according to the invention and as in this example, when the reflection member 5 is assembled to the first optical part 2, the pin 27 is engaged in the slot 28a and in abutment against two longitudinal edges 280 of the slot 28a. The longitudinal edges 280 extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X. The pin 27a thus positioned makes it possible to block the movement of the reflection member 5 along the transverse axis Y.

Furthermore, according to the invention and as in this example, the pin 27a and the slot 28a are arranged so as to allow sliding of the pin 27 in the slot 28a along the longitudinal axis X in the downstream direction towards the upstream until the pin 27 is in abutment against an upstream transverse edge 281 so as to block the movement along the longitudinal axis X of the reflection member in the direction from upstream to downstream. Such a displacement is represented by an arrow F1 shown in Figure 10.

Here, the upstream transverse edge 281 extends substantially parallel to the transverse axis Y and it is located at the rear of the slot 28a.

Thus, the pin 27a, once engaged in the slot 28a, blocks both the movement along the longitudinal axis X and the movement along the transverse axis Y of the reflection member 5.

As illustrated in Figure 12, on the left part 4 of the optical assembly, the lateral abutment member 27 is also formed by a pin of circular section referenced 27b. Said pin 27b is inserted into a slot 28b. However, unlike the straight part 6, the pin 27b is only in abutment against the upstream transverse edge 281 of the slot 28b. The pin 27b is not in abutment against the longitudinal edges 280 of the slot 28b, because the width of the slot 28b is greater than the diameter of the pin 27b. This creates a play in the transverse direction facilitating the mounting of the reflector.

According to the invention and as in the example illustrated, the first optical part 2 can comprise two identical rear plating members 29 which are also arranged respectively on the left part and on the right part of the first optical part.

Here, given that the rear plating members 29 have the same shape regardless of their location, only the rear plating member located to the right of the main axis A, referenced below 29a, will be described. This description applies in the same way to the pressing member located to the left of the main axis A, referenced 29b in the figures. If there are differences between the two sides, these will be addressed. The same applies to the elements in connection with the rear tackle components.

The rear right tackle member 29a is illustrated in Figures 13 and 14.

According to the invention and as in this example, the right rear pressing member 29a may comprise a straight portion 290 and a rounded portion 291 extending from a free end of said straight portion 290 downstream. In this case, the rounded portion 291 and the straight portion 290 are arranged so as to delimit a reception space for an elastic tongue 523.

According to the invention and as in the example illustrated, the support plate 52 may comprise at least one elastic tongue 523 located at the rear of said plate 52. Here, the support plate comprises two elastic tongues 523 located at the rear and respectively on a left side and on a right side. Only the right tab is described below.

The elastic tongue 523 is in contact with the rear pressing member 29a while being prestressed, so as to block the movement along the longitudinal axis X of the reflection member 5 in the direction from downstream to upstream. . Such a displacement is represented by an arrow F2 shown in Figure 11.

Specifically, when the reflection member 5 is fixed to the first optical part 2, the free end 527 of the tongue 528 is in abutment under stress against the straight portion 290 of the rear pressing member 29a.

As observed in FIG. 10, the contact under stress of the elastic tab 523 with the corresponding portion 29a of the first optical part 2, here, against the straight portion 290, generates a force pressing the upstream transverse edge 281 of the slot against the pin 27a of the first optical part 2.

Furthermore, according to the invention and as in this example, the tongue 523 is also in abutment against the rounded portion 291 so as to block the movement of the reflection member 5 along the vertical axis Z.

Specifically, an upper face 528 of the tongue 523 is in contact with a lower face 292 of the rounded portion 291.

In order to bring the tab 523 and the rounded portion 219 into contact, the support plate 52 comprises two tabs 525 and 526 arranged on either side of the tab 523. These two tabs are placed on an upper face 310 of a promontory 30 located downstream of the entrance diopters 21.

As seen in Figures 2, 3, 6 and 7, the promontory 30 is formed, here, by a rectangular block extending substantially parallel to the transverse axis Y. The upper face 310 of the promontory 30 is flat and substantially parallel to a plane containing the X and Y axes. In the example illustrated, the promontory 30 is made in one piece with the first optical part 2.

According to the invention and as in this example, the contact between the tongue 523 and the rounded portion 291 results from the fact that the distance, measured along the vertical axis Z, between the upper face 310 and the lower face 292 of the rounded portion 291 is equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the reflection member 5.

With the support plate 52 and the rear plating member 29a as configured, the support plate 52 is assembled to the first optical part 2 by clipping.

The rear pressing member 29a therefore forms an abutment member blocking both the vertical displacement and the longitudinal displacement of the reflection member 5.

Moreover, whatever the side, the rear pressing member 29 ensures direct contact between the cut-off edge 25 and the downstream edge 510 of the reflective plate 51.

More specifically, at the level of the straight part 6 of the optical assembly 1, the rear pressing member 29a ensures direct contact between the second horizontal portion 252 of the cut-off edge 25 and the corresponding portion of the downstream edge 510 of the plate. reflective. To do this, the first optical part 2 is arranged so that the distance, measured along the vertical axis Z, between the upper face 310 and the lower face 292 of the rounded portion 291 is equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the reflection member 5, and so that the upper face 310 of the promontory 30a of the straight part 6 is contained in the horizontal plane H1 passing through the second horizontal portion 252 of the cutting edge 25.

With regard to the left side 4 of the optical assembly 1, the rear left plating member 29b also comprises a straight portion and a rounded portion which are identical to those of the rear right plating member 29a. Said portions are therefore designated by the same references.

To achieve the same contact between the cutting edge 25 and the downstream edge 510 of the left side 4 of the optical assembly 1, the same conditions must be fulfilled. This means that the distance, measured along the vertical axis Z, between the upper face 310 of the left promontory 30b and the lower face 292 of the rounded portion 291 of the left rear tackle member 29b is equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the reflection member 5. In addition, the upper face 310 of the left promontory 30b is in the horizontal plane H2 passing through the first horizontal portion 252 of the cutting edge 25.

Here, since the H2 plane is located at a higher level than the H1 plane, the left promontory 30b is higher than the right promontory 30a.

By way of example, the optical assembly 1 described in the preceding paragraphs is part of a light module 10 as illustrated in FIG. 16. The light module 10 comprises the optical assembly 1 and a converging lens 9. The convergent lens 9 is arranged so that its focal point F is located in the vicinity of the cut-off edge 25 and the downstream edge 510.

The light module further comprises light sources 8. Each light source 8 is arranged opposite each input dioptre 21. The light guides 20 are arranged so as to reflect light rays coming from the light sources 8 towards elementary outputs 22.

The light module 10 is capable of generating a beam having a cut-off line along an optical axis I. In this example, the optical axis I is substantially parallel to the main axis A.

We describe below the principle of operation of the light module 10 according to the invention based on Figure 17. For the sake of clarity, this principle is described for a single light guide, but it is applicable for all the others. guides.

The light source 8 emits first light rays R1 which, after being reflected inside the light guide, are sent to the cutting edge 25. As the focus F of the converging lens 9 is at the edge cut-off 25, the first light rays R1 are parallel to the optical axis I on leaving the converging lens 9. The projection of these first light rays R1 forms the cut-off line of the beam generated by the light module 10.

The light source 8 emits second light rays R2 which, after being reflected inside the light guide 20, pass below the cutting edge 25. The lens 9 and the optical assembly are arranged so as to so that the second light rays R2 are sent towards the converging lens 9. As these second rays pass under the cutting edge, they leave said lens along a first axis secant to the optical axis I and towards the same first side of a horizontal plane passing through this optical axis, here upwards.

The light source 8 emits third light rays R3 which, after being reflected inside the light guide 20, reach the first face 24 of the first part 2, which sends them back towards the converging lens 9. They come out then from said lens along a second secant axis to the optical axis I and also towards the first side of the horizontal plane passing through this optical axis, here upwards. The first face 24 of the first optical part therefore forms a bender for the beam emitted by the light source 8.

The projection of the second and third rays R2 and R3 forms the part situated above the cut-off line of the beam projected by the lens 9. The beam obtained is a beam with a cut-off line, also called cut-off beam. For example, as shown, it may be an upper portion of a high beam.

It should be noted here that the reflection member 5 does not have an optical function vis-à-vis the first optical part 2.

In this example, the reflector 5 has an optical function for a generation assembly 20 of light rays placed above the optical assembly 1 to generate a dipped beam.

Said passing beam has on the one hand a cut-off line identical to the cut-off line of the beam generated by the optical assembly 1, and on the other hand forms a shape complementary to that of the beam generated by the optical assembly 1 at the level of this cut line.

The light ray generation assembly 20 is schematically illustrated in Figure 16.

Specifically, the reflection member 5 is arranged with the generation assembly 20 so that fourth rays R4, coming from said generation assembly 20, and passing through the downstream edge 550, are parallel to the optical axis I leaving the converging lens 9. The projection of these fourth rays R4 forms the cut-off line of the dipped beam.

In addition, the arrangement of the reflection member 5 with the generation assembly 20 is made in such a way that fifth rays R5, coming from said generation assembly 20 and reaching the reflecting face 513 of the reflecting plate 51, are reflected towards the converging lens 9. The fifth rays R5 leave said lens along an axis secant to the optical axis I and towards a second side of the horizontal plane passing through this optical axis, here downwards. Said fifth rays R5 are thus projected below the cut-off line.

The reflective plate of the reflection member 5 therefore forms a bender for the light beam emerging from the assembly 20.

The dipped beam generated by the generation assembly 20 forms with the cut-off beam generated by the optical assembly 1 a driving beam.

Given that the cut-off edge 25 forming the cut-off line of the cut-off beam generated by the optical assembly 1 is in direct contact with the downstream edge 550 forming the cut-off line of the dipped beam generated by the generation assembly 20 , the cut-off lines of said beams merge on the projection, which allows a better junction between said beams.

Moreover, thanks to the direct contact between the edge 550 and the cut-off edge 25, the cut-off beam generated by the optical assembly 1 has no black band at the level of the cut-off line. Thus, when said beam combines with a passing beam, the driving beam obtained from this combination is free of a black transition line formed by the black band, which therefore makes it possible to improve the optical performance of the driving beam.

Figures 18 to 25 illustrate a second embodiment of the optical assembly 100 according to the invention.

The optical assembly 100 is also designed to generate a cut-off beam complementary to a passing beam and forming the upper part of a driving beam.

The optical assembly 100 comprises a first optical part 200 and a reflection member 50 disposed on said first optical part 200.

In the second exemplary embodiment, the reflection member 50 also consists of a support plate 58 and a reflective plate 57.

The first optical part 200 is similar to the first optical part 2 of the first embodiment. The first optical part 200 comprises guides extending along the longitudinal axis X. Each of the guides comprises an input dioptre and an elementary output. A common output, forming the front face 23 of the first optical part 200, is arranged downstream of the elementary outputs.

As in the first embodiment, the upper edge of the front face 23 of the first optical part forms the cut-off edge 25. The latter is identical to that presented in the first embodiment, that is to say that it comprises a first horizontal portion 251, a second horizontal portion 252, and an intermediate portion 253 connecting the first horizontal portion 251 to the second horizontal portion 253. Furthermore, in the same way as in the first embodiment, the plate reflective 57 is delimited by a downstream edge 550 which is in direct edge-to-edge contact with the cut-off edge 25 and perfectly aligned with said edge 25 seen from above.

As in the first embodiment, the optical assembly 200 has a main axis A passing through the middle of the intermediate portion 253 and dividing the optical assembly 200 into a left part 4 and a right part 6. The terms "left “, “right” or “right” correspond respectively to the left and to the right of figure 18.

The first optical part 200 also comprises front 2600, rear 2900 pressing members and lateral abutment members 2800. Here, the front 2600, rear 2900 pressing members and lateral abutment members 2800 on the one hand and the first part optical 200 on the other hand are formed in a single piece.

In the same way as in the first embodiment, the pressing and lateral abutment members are two in number. In the same pair, one is located on the right side 6 and the other on the left side 4. The part numbers on the right side end with the letter "a" while the part numbers on the left side by the letter “b”.

Unlike the first embodiment, here only the support plate 58 is in contact with the front and rear pressing members and the lateral abutment members.

The front tackle members 2600 having the same shape, only the left member 2600a is described below. Unless otherwise indicated, the description applies equally to the other component 2600b. The differences between these two organs will be mentioned.

According to the invention and as in this example, the front right tackle member 2600a may comprise a first portion 2610 extending substantially along the vertical axis Z and a second portion 2620 extending from one end of the first portion 2610 upstream. The pressing member 2600a thus has the shape of a hook.

In this case, the support plate 58 comprises a central portion on which the reflective plate 57 is placed and two lateral portions arranged on either side of the central portion. The side portions each include an elongated arm 540 or 560 extending downstream.

When the reflector 50 is mounted on the first optical part 200, the front plating member 2900a is in contact with an elongated arm 560 of the support plate 58.

Specifically, as observed in Figure 20, a lower face 2630 of the second portion 2620 is in contact with the upper face 530 of the support plate 58 at the level of the arm 560. This contact prevents the movement of the reflection member 50 along the vertical axis Z in the direction away from the first optical part 200.

Moreover, according to the invention and as in this example, a downstream end 5121 of the elongated arm 560 can also be in contact with a rear face 2611 of the first portion 2610, which blocks the movement of the reflection member 50 according to the longitudinal axis X and in the direction from upstream to downstream as illustrated by the arrow F1.

The front pressing member 2600a therefore forms an abutment blocking both the vertical displacement and the longitudinal displacement of the reflection member 50.

Furthermore, the front pressing members 2900 are arranged so as to ensure direct contact between the downstream edge 510 of the reflection member 50 with the cut-off edge 25. To do this, on the left side 6, the member front left plating 2600a is arranged so that the distance between the lower face 2630 of the first portion 2620 and a plane H1 is equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the reflection member 50. Here, the plane H1, illustrated in FIG. 18, is a horizontal plane passing through the second horizontal portion 252 of the first optical part 200. The plane H1 of the second example is substantially identical to that of the first example.

In the same way, on the right part 4, the right front pressing member 2600b comprises a second portion whose lower face is located at a distance from a plane H2 also illustrated in FIG. 18. This distance is equal to or slightly less to the thickness of the reflector. Note that the plane H2 is a horizontal plane passing through the first straight portion 251 of the cutoff edge. The plane H2 of the second example is substantially identical to that of the first example.

As in the first exemplary embodiment, since the plane H2 is located above the plane H1, the front left tackle member 2600b is offset upwards with respect to the front right tackle member 2600a. This offset corresponds to the distance between the H1 plane and the H2 plane.

Here, the lateral abutment members are not identical. They will therefore be described individually below.

According to the invention and as in this example, the lateral abutment member 2800a can be arranged on one side of the first optical part, here the right side. In this case, said member 2800a is formed by a projection extending from the upper face of the first optical part 200. On the other hand, the support plate 58 comprises a recess 580 located at the same place as the right side abutment member 2800a. The recess 580 is also called a notch.

As observed in FIG. 20, when the reflection member 50 is placed on the first optical part 200, an edge 581 of the recess 580 is in contact with an internal side face 2810 of the member 2800a so as to block the movement of the reflection member 50 along the transverse axis Y in the direction from left to right illustrated by the arrow F3.

On the other side of the first optical part 200, the left lateral abutment member 2800b is formed by a block projecting from the upper face of the first optical part 200. Said projecting block has a thickness greater than that of the projection forming the right side abutment member 2800a.

Support plate 58 includes a flexible tab 582 extending from a left side edge 584 of support plate 58. Flexible tab 582 is located opposite left side stop member 2800b. Here, the width of the flexible tab 582 is substantially equal to the width of the member 2800b.

As observed in FIGS. 22 and 23, when the reflection member 50 and the first optical part 200 are assembled together, the flexible tongue 582 bears against an internal side face 2820 of the abutment 2800b being curved upwards. The left stop member 2800b is also called the support member.

Pressing the tab on the abutment member 2800b makes it possible to block the lateral movement of the support plate 58, therefore of the reflection member 50, in the direction from right to left as illustrated by the arrow F4. In addition, such pressing of the tongue 582 against the projecting block 2800b generates a force pressing the recess 580 against the projection 2800a.

Furthermore, the deformability of the flexible tongue 582 makes it possible to absorb the swelling of the middle of the reflection member 50 when the latter is mounted on the first optical part 200. In the event of swelling of the reflection part 50, it suffices to press on the inflated part of said piece 50 to lay it flat. The flattening of the reflector 50 therefore causes the flexible tongue 582 to bend further.

As regards the rear pressing members 2900, these have the same shape. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, only the left organ 2900a is described below. Unless otherwise indicated, the description applies equally to the other component 2900b. The differences between these two organs will be mentioned.

According to the invention and as in this example, the right rear pressing member 2900a may comprise a straight portion 2910 and a rounded portion 2920. The latter here has a substantially triangular section. The rounded portion 2920 extends from an upper end of the straight portion 2910 downstream.

In this case, the support plate 58 comprises a curved rear portion 585 upwards, that is to say opposite the first face of the first optical part 200.

According to the invention and as in this example, a rear end 5850 of the curved rear portion 585 can be in contact with the rear pressing member 2900a so as to block the movement of the reflection member 50 along the vertical axis. Z in the direction away from the first optical part 200.

Specifically, as observed in Figures 24 and 25, the rear end 5850 of the curved portion 585 is in contact with the lower face 2930 of the rounded portion 2920.

Thus, in this example, the rear pressing member 2900a also serves as a stop to block the movement of the reflection member 5 along the Z axis. The pressing member is also called the vertical stop member 2900a.

Furthermore, at the rear of the reflection member 50, the support plate 58 is placed on a protrusion 250 which is integral with the first optical part 200. The protrusion 250 is located downstream of the rear plating member 2900b and includes a planar upper face 251 which is in contact with the support plate 58.

To ensure direct contact between the downstream edge 570 of the reflection member 50 with the cutting edge 25, the protrusion 250 and the rear pressing member 2900b are arranged so that the upper face 251 of the protrusion 250 belongs to the plane H and so that the distance, measured along the vertical axis Z, between the lower face 2930 of the rounded portion 2920 and the plane H1 is substantially equal to the height h of the curved portion 585.

To achieve the same contact between the cut-off edge 25 and the downstream edge 570 of the left part 4 of the optical assembly 100, the same conditions apply analogously to the rear left plating member 2900b and to the protrusion left (not visible in the figures). Precisely, the upper face of the left protrusion must belong to the H2 plane. In addition, the distance between the underside of the rounded portion of the left organ 2900b and the plane H2 must be substantially equal to the height h of the curved portion 585.

Given the offset between the H1 and H2 planes, the left protrusion is higher than the 250 protrusion on the right side. The height difference corresponds to the distance between the H1 and H2 planes.

The optical assembly 100 as described can be part of the light module 10 described previously by replacing the optical assembly 1 according to the first embodiment.

Claims (17)

Optical assembly (1, 100) intended to form a beam having a cut-off line, the optical assembly (1, 100) comprising:

• a first optical part (2, 200) made of transparent material comprising:
  • light guides (20) each comprising an input interface (21) and an elementary output (22);
  • a common output (23) located downstream of the elementary outputs (22);
  • a first face (24) extending between the elementary outputs (22) and the common output (23), this first face (24) being delimited downstream by a cut-off edge (25);
• a reflective material (5; 50) separate from the material of the first optical part (2; 200) and arranged opposite the first face (24) of the first optical part (2; 200), the reflective material (5; 50 ) extending from the cut-off edge (25) towards the elementary outputs (22);

the reflective material (5; 50) and the first optical part (2) being arranged so as to hold each other without an additional part and in such a way that the reflective material (5; 50) is in contact directly with the cutting edge (25). An optical assembly (1; 100) according to claim 1, wherein said direct contact is made with the entire cut-off edge (25). Optical assembly (1; 100) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the reflective material (3) is formed by a reflection member (5; 50) distinct from the first optical part (2; 200) or by a reflective coating . Optical assembly (1; 100) according to claim 2, in which when the reflective material is formed by a reflection member (5; 50) separate from the first optical part (2; 200) and having a first face (511), said first optical part (2; 200) comprises at least one plating member (26, 29; 2600, 2900) arranged so that the first face of the reflection member (5; 50) is in direct contact with the cut-off edge (25), said first optical part (2; 200) and the plating member (26, 29; 2600, 2900) being formed in one single piece. Optical assembly (1; 100) according to claim 4, in which said first face of the reflection member (5; 50) has a downstream central portion (511), said direct contact being made with this downstream central portion (511) and this central portion (511) being in direct contact with the first optical part (2; 200) only on the cut-off edge (25). Optical assembly (1; 100) according to claim 5, in which the downstream central portion (510) is delimited downstream by a downstream edge (550), the direct contact between the downstream central portion (510) and the first optical part ( 2; 200) being formed by the direct contact of said downstream edge (550) with the whole of the cut edge (25). Optical assembly (1; 100) according to one of Claims 4 to 6, in which the reflection member (5; 50) has the first face (511) on one side and a second face (511) on the other side. 513), the second face (513) being reflective. Optical assembly (1; 100) according to Claim 2 to 7, in which the first optical part (2; 200) has:
- a longitudinal axis (X) extending in a direction from upstream to downstream of the first optical part (2; 200),
- a second axis (Y) extending from one side to the other of the cutting edge (25) and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (X), and
- a third axis (Z) orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (X) and to the second axis (Y),
the first optical part (2; 200) comprising abutment members (26, 27, 29; 2600, 2800, 2900) in contact with abutments (512, 28, 523; 540, 560, 581, 585) of the reflection member (5; 50) so as to block the movement of the reflection member (5; 50) relative to the first optical part (2; 200) along at least one of these axes (X, Y , Z). Optical assembly (1; 100) according to claim 8, in which at least one of the abutment members (26, 27, 29; 2600, 2800, 2900) is arranged so as to press against the reflection member (5; 50) against the cutting edge (25). Optical assembly (1; 100) according to Claim 2 to 9, in which the reflection member (5; 50) comprises at least one elastic portion (523; 582) constrained against a corresponding bearing portion (29; 2800b ) of the first optical part (2; 200) so as to generate a force pressing at least one abutment (281; 581) of the reflection member (5; 50) against the corresponding abutment member (29; 2800a) of the first optical part (2; 200). Optical assembly (1; 100) according to any one of Claims 2 to 10, in which the reflection member (5; 50) is formed by one or more plates (51, 52; 57, 58). Optical assembly (1; 100) according to claim 11, in which the reflection member (5; 50) comprises two parts: a reflecting plate (51; 57) and a support plate (52; 58), said support (52; 58) being carried by the first optical part (2; 200) and carrying the reflective plate (51; 57), said direct contact being made at the level of the reflective plate (51; 57). Optical assembly (1; 100) according to claim 11 or claim 12 in combination with claim 10, in which the plate or the support plate (52; 58) comprises elastic tongues (523; 582) forming the elastic portions. An optical assembly (100) according to claim 13, wherein:
- said support portion (29; 2800b) is formed by a projecting block (2800b) disposed on one side of the first optical part (200), and
- the elastic portion is formed by an elastic tongue (582) located opposite said projecting block (2800b), the elastic tongue (582) resting under stress against the projecting block (2800b) while being curved away from the first face of the first optical part (200). Motor vehicle light module (10), the module being capable of forming a light beam along the optical axis and comprising:
- an optical assembly (1; 100) according to any one of the preceding claims;
- light sources (8), each being arranged opposite each input dioptre (21); the light guides (20) being arranged so as to guide, by one or more reflections, light rays coming from the light sources (8) towards the elementary outputs (22); And
- a converging lens (9) whose focal plane is arranged in the vicinity of the cut-off edge (25) of the first optical part (2);
the optical assembly (1; 100) being arranged so that the first face of the first optical part (3, 5, 51) forms a bender for the rays coming from these elementary outputs, so that the rays emerging from the lens (9) form a first beam having a cut-off line which is the image of said cut-off edge (25). Light module (10) according to claim 15, further comprising an assembly for generating light rays (20), the first optical part (2; 200) being arranged on one side of the reflection member (5; 50 ) and said generating assembly (20) emitting light rays on the other side of the reflection member (5; 50), so that the reflection member (5; 50) forms a bender for the rays coming from said generation assembly (20), so as to form a second beam having on the one hand a cut-off line substantially identical to that of the first beam, and on the other hand a shape complementary to that of the first beam at the level of this cut line. A light module (10) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second beam is a dipped beam and the first beam is an upper part of a high beam, such that the two beams together form a high beam.