JP2016526768A - Indirect lighting devices for automotive taillights - Google Patents

Abstract

Devices for vehicle lights and / or signal lights, in particular tail lights, have illumination openings (5) in the housing (1) for light paths that are diffused indirectly towards the observer. At least one LED light source (3) fixed to the opaque support (4, 9) and arranged upstream of the illumination opening, reflects and diffuses light emitted from the light source in the direction of the opening An opaque first diffusing element (6) adapted to the light and light reflected and diffused by the first diffusing element arranged downstream of the first diffusing element and facing the illumination opening (5) A translucent second diffusing element (7) for transmitting and diffusing light, and a second diffusing element (7) disposed downstream of the second diffusing element, emitted in the direction of the outside of the light concerned Translucent, adapted to transmit and diffuse light And a diffusing element (8). The third diffusing element contributes to the shape of the light when the power is on.

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of lighting and signal transmission for vehicles, in particular automobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle signal light device including indirect lighting, in which light emitted by at least one LED is reflected by a diffusing material and travels towards an exit lens. . There are various modifications of the device according to demands.

  Current regulations require different lights or signal lights depending on the type of vehicle. However, apart from the size of all light sources, the main concern is the performance and uniformity of the illumination by individual light sources (grouped as needed).

  In the prior art, transparent auxiliary screens are known through which light emitted by an auxiliary light source can propagate. The auxiliary screen is for mounting automobile lights (especially tail lights). A local discontinuity provided in the material constituting the auxiliary screen forms a focal point for diffusing light coming from the auxiliary screen (see French Patent Application No. 2868506).

  The German patent application (DE10101795) describes flashing lights, in particular flashing lights on the front side of automobiles. The auxiliary light source for the parking light illuminates the parts arranged across the space between the main light and the front lens, and through this, the illumination in the same direction as the main light is obtained.

  The French patent application (application number: 0100048, publication number: FR2819040) describes optical elements or style elements for vehicle lighting or signal transmission. These elements are made of a transparent material. Inside the transparent material, the focal point for diffusing light is located only at certain points, so as to diffuse the light emitted from the light source associated with the illumination device or signal device of interest. This element can constitute a lens of an automobile headlight or an insertion part disposed in the headlight.

  The German patent application (DE10311317) describes a lighting device for a vehicle comprising a light guide having a diffusing structure located substantially at the focal point of the reflecting surface, thereby enabling uniform illumination.

  Furthermore, the applicant described in the French patent application (application number 1200270) filed January 30, 2012, the design of a novel device for automotive lighting and / or signal lights. The device includes one or more LEDs and incorporates a light guide. The device includes a translucent screen coupled with the light guide. The translucent screen is provided with a graining so as to obtain a uniform light emitting function, and is placed between the light guide and the visible surface of the target light (or set of lights). ing. The translucent screen is provided with a graining on one or both of the main surfaces through which the light emitted by the LED passes. Also, a portion of the translucent material is disposed in front of the light guide, preferably at a distance of about 5 mm to about 20 mm from the light guide.

  In various applications and various embodiments of such light screens that diffuse light emitted by at least one LED, in particular at the location of the light guide (eg provided with a diffusion screen or diffusion curtain) The light may be non-uniform.

  It is therefore useful to make the light representation of such lights with optional light guides uniform or to try to mask (mask) non-uniform light.

  The first subject of the invention is a lighting device and / or a signal lighting device, in particular for motor vehicles, as already mentioned and as described in the following description. Another subject of the present invention is an optical unit comprising such a device and the use of such a device for illumination or signal transmission (in particular, but not limited to, used in automotive taillights).

Accordingly, the present invention is a device for vehicle lighting and / or signal lights, in particular tail lights, in a housing,
At least one LED light source fixed to an opaque support having an illumination opening for a light path that is indirectly diffused towards the observer;
An opaque first diffusing element disposed upstream of the illumination opening and adapted to reflect and diffuse light emitted from the light source in the direction of the illumination opening;
For transmitting and diffusing light reflected and diffused by the first diffusing element, arranged downstream of the first diffusing element and in line with the illumination opening (along in line). A translucent second diffusing element of
A translucent third diffusing element disposed downstream of the second diffusing element and adapted to transmit and diffuse light emitted from the second diffusing element in a direction outside the related light. ,
The third diffusing element contributes to the shape of the light in a power-on state (switch-on).
Regarding devices.

  By using the three diffusing elements provided on the light path before being recognized by the observer, the influence of the point light source caused by the light emitting diode (abbreviated as LED) constituting the light source according to the present invention. Is attenuated and the uniformity perceived by the observer can be controlled in the best way. Further, since the three diffusion elements are not arranged in parallel but are arranged apart from each other, the diffusion effect by these diffusion elements can be utilized to the maximum. Furthermore, each diffusing element needs to state at least two means of adjusting the resulting diffusion, i.e. providing the nature of the material comprising the diffusing element and / or the condition of the outer surface of the diffusing element. .

  The illumination device according to the present invention uses indirect illumination in that light emitted from the light source is reflected from the surface of the first diffusing element and then emitted from the illumination device. The light source is provided with an opaque support portion. The support part constitutes an obstacle part that prevents light from being directly generated outside the lighting device.

  In one aspect of the invention, the first diffusing element is milky white to increase the amount of light reflection. Thereby, light can be reflected effectively.

  In another aspect, irregularities are formed on the reflective surface of the first diffusing element. By forming irregularities on the surface, the reflective surface of the first diffusing element is not a regular pattern such as a mirror or a Fresnel lens, but an irregular (irregularity) of random (random number) or pseudorandom (pseudorandom number) Pattern). Therefore, surface irregularities can be equated with non-uniform characteristics. The unevenness can be obtained, for example, by graining. Here, graining (wood grain, sand grain) means a discontinuity (cut) formed in the material constituting the diffusion element of interest or on the surface of the material.

Conventionally, materials with graining (wood grain material, sand grain material)
By performing a suitable treatment on all or part of the inner wall of the mold used to produce the grained element without adding or removing material and / or
By adding a diffusing element or a reactive material capable of generating inclusions in the material used to produce the milky screen with graining, under the circumstances in which it is prepared,
In both examples, it can be produced according to techniques known to those skilled in the art who know how to apply the resulting roughness to the desired effect.

In another aspect of the invention, the first diffusing element is made of a material comprising a graining having a dimension of 1 micron or greater and / or includes an inclusion having a dimension of 1 micron or greater. The material constituting the first diffusion element is a heterogeneous material such as a milky white material. Examples of such milky white materials are PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) or PC (polycarbonate). In order to inject and disperse gas (for example, CO ₂ ) into PMMA or PC and make inclusions (for example, microbubbles), a microball of a material having a milky white effect or a dispersible material is added. This gives random characteristics to the milky white product produced. The milky white material may be white and may be colored amber or blue in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, in the power-on state, a color different from the color in the power-off state can be obtained. In addition, as the light source, for example, one or more LEDs that emit light colored in red or amber can be used.

  Preferably, the second diffusing element and the third diffusing element are translucent. This translucent state can be obtained by the state of one or both surfaces of each diffusing element, by the nature of the material constituting the diffusing element, or by combining these three means.

  In one aspect of the present invention, irregularities are formed on the front surface and / or the rear surface of the second diffusion element. The unevenness may be obtained by the same method as the unevenness of the reflecting surface of the first diffusing element. The terms “front” and “rear” used in the context of the present invention in relation to the path of light emitted from an LED light source are used to mean that the front surface receives light before the rear surface. The same applies to the terms “upstream” and “downstream”.

  In another aspect of the invention, the second diffusing element is made of a material comprising a graining having a dimension of 1 micron or greater and / or includes an inclusion having a dimension of 1 micron or greater. Such materials with fillers may be transparent materials and may or may not be colored. The inclusion makes the material translucent. Said material, also referred to as substrate, may be PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) or PC (polycarbonate).

  In another aspect of the present invention, irregularities are formed on the front surface and / or the rear surface of the third diffusion element. The uneven surface may be a selective uneven surface structure of the second diffusion element.

  In another aspect of the invention, the third diffusing element is made of a material comprising a graining having a dimension of 1 micron or greater and / or includes an inclusion having a dimension of 1 micron or greater. This opaque material having may be as already described for the second diffusing element.

  In an embodiment of the invention, the lighting device comprises a transparent cover and / or a translucent cover adapted to close the housing. Preferably, the cover provides a waterproof seal.

  In another embodiment, the third diffusing element is adapted to close the housing. Preferably, the third diffusing element provides a waterproof seal.

  In a variation of this embodiment, the third diffusing element has a smooth rear surface.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the lighting device is displaced (offset) with respect to the lighting opening, and is disposed on a rear surface or a front surface of a part of the third diffusing element provided with the light source. With an opaque mask.

  In a modification of this aspect, the second diffusing element is doubled, preferably by overmolding, near the misalignment of the third diffusing element.

  In another aspect of the invention, the second diffusing element is provided with an opaque element that partially blocks the second diffusing element.

  Of course, the various features, variations and embodiments of the invention may be related according to various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible with each other and do not exclude each other.

  Furthermore, various other features of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying description made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, a non-limiting embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention is illustrated.

It is a horizontal sectional view showing a lighting device according to the present invention. It is a horizontal sectional view showing a modification of the lighting device according to the present invention. It is a horizontal sectional view showing another modification of the lighting device according to the present invention.

  It should be noted that in these drawings, structural elements and / or functional elements common to various examples are given the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device according to the present invention includes at least one LED light source provided in a housing 1. The LED light source has at least one printed circuit board (or PCB) 2 provided with at least one LED 3. The LED light source is fixed to the opaque support portion 4. The support 4 has at least one opening 5. The lighting device comprises a first diffusing element 6 adapted to reflect and diffuse light in the direction of the illumination opening 5.

  The lighting device comprises a translucent screen which forms the second diffusing element 7 provided at the position of the opening. The second diffusing element 7 is adapted to pass the light diffused by the first diffusing element 6 and diffuse the light.

  The lighting device further comprises a third diffusing element 8 that contributes to the diffusion of light passing therethrough.

  In the combination of the three diffusing elements 6, 7, and 8, light is first reflected by the diffusing element 6, and light is transmitted by the remaining two diffusing elements 7 and 8. This results in an outward emission of the homogenized light at the front (or front) of the light concerned. The light source is not visible to the observer or only slightly visible. The light is not perceived by the observer as coming from a high-brightness point light source arranged in parallel, but perceived as coming from a single diffused light source that does not have a hot spot. The glare that observers feel when they are near is reduced.

  In the illustrated example, graining 11 is provided on the front and rear surfaces of the third diffusing element 8.

  Furthermore, in this example, an opaque element 9 is provided on the rear face of part 10 of the third diffusing element 8 (relative to the PCB 2 on which the LED 3 is provided). Element 9 blocks the opposing diffusing parts from the observer's eyes except for the part contributing to the third diffusing element 8. In practice, the blocking element is shaped as needed and may be metallized as needed. Thus, the blocking element serves as a shield that faces light rays other than the light rays received and diffused by the third diffusion element.

  In order to improve the uniformity, enhance the expression of illumination, and enhance the heat release from the LED, the PCB 2 supporting the LED is one of the third diffusing elements located outside the notch (ie, the opening). It is located at a distance from the surface of the part. On the other hand, the PCB and LED assembly is surrounded by a mask 9. The mask 9 has only one opening that is selected (or adjustable) as needed to face the LEDs.

  In the illustrated example, the lighting device advantageously further comprises an opaque mask optionally arranged on the back or front of the part 10 of the third diffusing element protruding beyond the opening. The PCB is fixed to the portion 10 of the third diffusing element.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the material of the second diffusing element 7 is doubled, preferably by overmolding (outer coating), in the vicinity of the protrusion of the third diffusing element 8.

  In practice, the first diffusing element is made of milky white PC (polycarbonate) in order to obtain an excellent expression of light intensity at the position of the light exit from the light housing concerned.

  The second diffusing element 7 and the third diffusing element 8 preferably have at least one irregular outer surface. The uneven outer surface is preferably provided with a graining, blasted or matt. Moreover, the material which comprises the 2nd diffusion element and the 3rd diffusion element may have a micro dimension larger than 1 micron, in order to improve the diffusion capability as a diffusion element.

  In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the housing 1 is closed by a cover or glazing 12.

  In FIG. 2, the opaque support and / or masks 4, 9 are flat and are provided on the free surface of the third diffusing element 10. The masks 4, 9 are advantageously formed by overmolding with the second diffusion element 7.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the opaque elements 4 and 9 are accumulated in the light in front of the second diffusing element 7, and the surface facing the second diffusing element 7 (the surface on which the third diffusing element 8 is provided). Clear. Then, the opaque elements 4 and 9 can constitute the cover 12 by themselves, and the diffusion portion defined by the shape of the element 8 protrudes toward the outside of the light.

  This embodiment has the advantage that the thickness of the housing of the lamp and / or signal lamp can be reduced. In implementation, the maximum thickness A shown in the figure may be 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less. Furthermore, the dimensions X and Y of the space defined by the third diffusing element 8 can also be changed as required according to aesthetic choices and functional choices (which can easily be made by those skilled in the art).

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, graining is provided only on the inner surface of the third diffusing element, and smoothing is not provided on the outer surface.

The device according to the present invention may be provided with other features listed below separately or in any technically possible combination.
The mask 9 is made of a metal piece and contributes to the aesthetic appearance of the perimeter of the light concerned.
The graining may be provided on the outer surface (rear surface) and / or the inner surface (front surface) of the third diffusing element.
Preferably, the graining is provided on the inner surface of the third diffusing element when replacing the third diffusing element with the glass of the housing.

  The device according to the present invention is a suitable energy source that constitutes a vehicle side light, a stop light, a high-intensity stop light, an indicator light and / or (optionally) a daytime light. And is mainly provided in the connection part (lighting system).

Claims (14)

Device for vehicle lights and / or signal lights, in particular tail lights, in a housing (1),
At least one LED light source (3) fixed to an opaque support (4, 9) having an illumination opening (5) for a light path indirectly diffused towards the observer;
An opaque first diffusing element (6) arranged upstream of the illumination opening and adapted to reflect and diffuse light emitted from the light source in the direction of the illumination opening;
A translucent second diffusion for transmitting and diffusing the light reflected and diffused by the first diffusing element, arranged downstream of the first diffusing element and alongside the illumination opening (5) Element (7);
A translucent third diffusing element arranged downstream of the second diffusing element (7) and adapted to transmit and diffuse light emitted from the second diffusing element in a direction outside the relevant light (8)
The third diffusing element contributes to the shape of the light in a power-on state;
device. The first diffusing element is white;
The lighting device according to claim 1. Unevenness is formed on the reflective surface of the first diffusing element,
The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2. The first diffusing element is made of a graining material having a dimension of 1 micron or greater and / or includes an inclusion having a dimension of 1 micron or greater;
The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Concavities and convexities are formed on the front surface and / or rear surface of the second diffusion element.
The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The second diffusing element is made of a graining material having a dimension of 1 micron or greater and / or includes an inclusion having a dimension of 1 micron or greater;
The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Unevenness is formed on the front surface and / or the rear surface of the third diffusion element,
The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The third diffusing element is made of a graining material having a dimension of 1 micron or greater and / or includes an inclusion having a dimension of 1 micron or greater;
The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Comprising a transparent cover and / or a translucent cover (12) adapted to the closure of the housing,
The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The third diffusing element (8) is adapted to close the housing;
The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The third diffusing element (8) has a smooth rear surface;
The lighting device according to claim 9. Further comprising an opaque mask (4, 9) that is displaced with respect to the illumination opening and is disposed on the back or front of a part of the third diffusing element provided with the light source;
The lighting device according to claim 1. The second diffusing element (7) is doubled, preferably by overmolding, near the misalignment of the third diffusing element (8),
The lighting device according to claim 11. The second diffusing element is provided with an opaque element that partially blocks the second diffusing element.
The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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