WO2017046085A1

WO2017046085A1 - Lighting assembly, in particular for lighting an air-conditioning assembly of a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2017046085A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/071561
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christophe Dubosc
Original assignee: Valeo Vision
Priority date: 2015-09-14
Filing date: 2016-09-13
Publication date: 2017-03-23
Also published as: FR3041064A1; FR3041064B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting assembly which comprises an optical device (1) suitable for being mounted on the path of an air-conditioning duct (4) of a motor vehicle, said device comprising at least one means for guiding and/or diverting light rays emitted by at least one light source. According to the invention, the optical device (1) is arranged so as to project a light beam (8) onto a projection region (10) at the output of said air-conditioning duct (4), a movement of the optical device inside the air-conditioning duct being controlled in order to modify the projection of the beam inside said projection region depending on the presence and/or the amount of air (12) circulating in said air-conditioning duct.

Description

LUMINOUS ASSEMBLY, IN PARTICULAR FOR THE LIGHTING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to the field of lighting and the field of air conditioning and more particularly relates to a light assembly comprising an optical device integrated in a motor vehicle air conditioning assembly.

Nowadays, motor vehicles are mostly equipped with air conditioning, which allows the user to order a supply of cold or hot air depending on the temperature he wants to get and the actual temperature of the air. cabin.

Conventionally, the air conditioning assembly records the user's request and compares it with a temperature measurement to determine a temperature differential and adapt an air distribution control instruction accordingly. If the pressure differential is positive, that is to say that the user wishes to obtain a temperature higher than the temperature of the passenger compartment, hot air is sent into the air conditioning ducts to feed the passenger compartment via one or the other of the air outlet nozzles distributed in the vehicle. Conversely, if the pressure differential is negative, that is to say that the user wishes to obtain a temperature lower than the temperature of the passenger compartment, cold air is sent into the air conditioning ducts. Recently, we sought to provide additional visual information to the user to improve his feeling of the proper functioning of the air conditioning. In particular, it has been provided by the applicant to carry out a light ray diffusion in conjunction with the start of the air conditioning, these light rays producing a certain color whose choice depends on the operating conditions of the air conditioning assembly. This is to offer the occupants of the motor vehicle sensory information on the functioning of the air conditioning different from that they may have felt by the temperature. It is intended to inform the user of the existence of a thermal correction in progress. The goal is not to give a visual information on the temperature of the cabin and to replace the information that it is possible to have elsewhere with an indoor thermometer. It is important here to visually indicate to the user that the request for thermal correction is in progress and in accordance with his expectations. While it is very hot in the cockpit and the user has done a request for low temperature, the visual information that is given to him simultaneously with the start of the air conditioning is indeed a signal of color assimilated to a cold color, advantageously blue. The goal is to create a placebo effect in order to limit the requested thermal correction, and thus reduce the intensive use of air conditioning, which consumes energy.

The present invention is placed in this context. It relates to a light assembly comprising an optical device adapted to be mounted on the path of an air conditioning duct of a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the optical device is arranged to project a light beam onto a projection area at the outlet of said air conditioning duct, a displacement of the device and / or the projection zone inside the air conditioning duct being driven to change the projection of the beam within said projection area according to the presence and / or amount of air flowing in said conduit.

Thus, it gives information to users on the presence of air in the air conditioning duct and therefore on the proper operation thereof. This information can also be a function of the amount of air circulating in the pipe and therefore representative of the speed of taking into account the requests of the user. This will be reassured by the fact that the air arrives in large quantities at the beginning of the air conditioning operation to bring the temperature of the passenger compartment to the desired value, and that the air intake s' shrinks as the air conditioning assembly tends to a stable situation. This is perfectly combinable, but not inseparable, with the use of a particular color depending on the temperature requested.

According to various features of the invention, taken alone or in combination, provision may be made for: said device comprises at least one means for guiding and / or deflecting light rays emitted by at least one light source

at least a portion of said optical device is movably mounted inside said duct as a function of the presence and / or of the quantity of air flowing in said duct; the part of said mobile optical device can be driven directly by the pressure exerted by the passage of the air flow; it is understood that the optical device is in this case advantageously movably mounted so that at least a portion of the optical device is disposed in the path of the air flow in the air conditioning duct;

the part of said mobile optical device can be driven indirectly by the pressure exerted by the passage of the air flow; in particular by a gearbox, itself driven directly by the pressure exerted by at least a portion of the air flow passing through the air conditioning duct;

- The portion of said mobile optical device is driven via a motorized actuator and electronically controlled according to the amount of air flow flowing in said pipe; the light assembly may in particular comprise in this case a sensor of the amount of air flow flowing in the air conditioning duct which is coupled to an actuator control unit; optionally, the control unit is arranged to control the actuator so that it drives the mobile optical device for a duration of less than 10 s, in particular according to the reception of an ignition command of the air conditioning by the control unit. steering; - The mobile optical device can be placed in a branch of said conduit, away from the passage of air flow.

It will be understood that the displacement of the optical device can be understood both by an optical device that is mobile in rotation, and by an optical device that is mobile in translation, for example slaved by the control module or else by a mobile optical device by deformation under the effect of the airflow, which would impact the shape of the projected beam, it being understood that the mode of displacement of the optical device can not be limiting.

According to a particular embodiment, at least a portion of the optical device is rotatably mounted. As mentioned above, the device can be mounted, in particular in an air conditioning duct, to be rotated according to the presence of a flow of air flowing in the vicinity of said optical device. It will be understood that the application of the luminous assembly according to the invention is particularly advantageous, but that it is possible without departing from the context of the invention, to use such a rotary optical device in other interior lighting means of the invention. vehicle and where appropriate in lighting and / or vehicle signaling devices configured to emit a light beam to the outside of the vehicle. It will be possible, particularly in this particular embodiment of a rotary optical device, that:

the axis of rotation is generally perpendicular to the direction of flow of the air in the air conditioning duct; the optical device comprises at least one guide of the light rays emitted by said light source;

the light guide is formed in P.M.M.A;

- The light guide has a generally cylindrical shape, between two longitudinal end faces, and axis of revolution substantially perpendicular to the axis of the air conditioning duct at the mounting location of said device;

- The light guide is adapted to receive by at least one input face the light rays emitted by at least one light source, in particular arranged opposite the light guide; it can be provided that the two end faces form light input faces and that a light source is associated with each input face; - The light guide is adapted to diffuse said light rays by at least one output face disposed on the periphery of the light guide, and which may in particular extend from one longitudinal end to the other; this exit face may in particular be arranged diametrically opposite to a corresponding rear portion provided with prisms; and it is understood that the prisms follow a profile identical to the profile that it is desired to give to the exit face, for example an at least partially helical profile along the light guide;

the at least one exit face may have light diffraction means;

- The light guide has a plurality of output faces, the light guide being covered by means occulting between two successive output faces;

the input face (s) extend substantially perpendicular to the elongation direction of the light guide and the at least one associated output face, and it is possible for the at least one exit face to be extends at one of its ends in the vicinity of an entrance face; in a different arrangement, it can be provided that one side input and an associated output face are arranged so as to extend facing one another, longitudinally from one end to the other of the guide.

According to another series of characteristics, taken alone or in combination, specific to a configuration of the optical device in which said light guide is housed inside a mask having at least one opening for the passage of light rays projected by the guide of light, it can be further provided that:

the at least one passage opening generally extends in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the optical device;

at least the mask is rotatable; the mask comprises drive means which extend projecting from the periphery of the mask, substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the air;

the mask is formed of an opaque material;

the mask has a shape of revolution about a longitudinal axis, coinciding with the axis of elongation of the light guide when the optical device is assembled, the at least one opening for the passage of light rays projected by the light guide extending from one longitudinal end of the mask to the other;

- The at least one passage opening extends in a straight line from one end to the other of the mask, or by having, at least partially from one end to the other of the mask, a helical shape;

at least one opening of passage has a symmetry around a plane perpendicular to the axis of elongation of the optical device and centered on said mask;

the light guide and the mask have complementary indexing means for freezing their relative angular position relative to each other; - The light guide and / or the mask is mounted at its longitudinal ends in rotational guiding bearings integral with said pipe;

the at least one light source is mounted facing said longitudinal end, beyond the guide bearings;

the device comprises a plurality of light sources arranged in series along the axis of elongation of the optical device across said conduit, said a plurality of light sources being controlled to light up and participate in the projection of a specific light beam on a given area, the ignition of such or such light source modifying the projection area of the beam;

the at least one light source is formed by a light-emitting diode; it may in particular be mounted on a printed circuit board so as to be disposed facing a longitudinal end face of the optical device; this diode can be an RGB diode.

The projection zone according to the invention, that is to say the zone on which a light beam is projected from the optical device, can be formed on a wall of the air conditioning duct at the outlet of said duct. air conditioning, and it should be noted that this projection area may consist of at least a portion of a valve, or flap, disposed at the outlet of the air conditioning duct. Without departing from the context of the invention move the optical device and / or the projection area, via the movable flap, to change the projection of the light beam according to the air in the air conditioning duct. This flap may be intended to be mounted movably on the air conditioning duct and a displacement of the shutter can be controlled to change the projection of the beam according to the presence and / or the amount of air circulating in said air conditioning duct. The flap may be at least partially transparent or translucent to pass light emitted by the optical device. According to various characteristics, specific to the presence of a shutter on which a light beam is projected, it can be provided that:

- The at least partially transparent or translucent flap is adapted to take an active position across said downstream end of the pipe leaving at least one air passage to the passenger compartment, said optical device being arranged to project, directly or indirectly a light beam on said shutter;

- The shutter comprises a plurality of blades arranged to allow an air passage between two adjacent blades, at least a portion of said blades being made of a transparent or translucent material;

the blades each extend in a plane inclined with respect to the general plane of said flap; - The flap extends in a general plane substantially perpendicular to said air conditioning duct;

- The flap is movably mounted between said active position and a retracted position in which it is disengaged from said downstream end of the pipe; - The flap is slidably movable to move from one to the other of said active and retracted positions;

the shutter is arranged, in said retracted position, inside the air conditioning duct, along a wall delimiting said duct;

- The optical device is controlled to change the projection area of the beam on the shutter according to the presence and / or the amount of air flowing in said pipe.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle in which an air conditioning assembly comprises a control module adapted to generate air distribution control instructions in air conditioning ducts distributed in the structure of the vehicle and opening out onto outlet nozzles. towards the cockpit. At least one light assembly as mentioned above is provided, with an optical device is mounted across the pipe in the vicinity of an air outlet nozzle, said optical device being arranged to project a light beam at least in part through said air outlet nozzle.

The light source may be an electroluminescent diode reported on a printed circuit board which comprises a microcontroller connected to the control module of the air conditioning assembly, in particular for receiving instructions for lighting the light-emitting diode according to data centralized by said control module.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly with the help of the description and the drawings, of which: FIG. 1 is a diagram representing a mode of operation of a light assembly according to the invention, in which an optical device housed inside an air conditioning duct is controlled in particular by a control module;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an optical device and an air conditioning duct in a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, to illustrate an optical device and an air conditioning duct in a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an air outlet of an air conditioning duct in which an optical device according to the invention is housed, a light beam being represented in a projection zone in the vicinity of the exit of 'air

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of this air conditioning air outlet, in which part of the optical device is made visible;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, similar to that of FIGS. 2 and 3, for illustrating an optical device and an air conditioning duct provided with a shutter for closing off the air outlet;

- Figure 7 is a perspective view, similar to that of Figure 5, to illustrate the shutter in a position across the air outlet, hiding the optical device;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating, in plan view, a mobile optical device, here rotatable and the shutter of FIGS. 6 and 7, to illustrate the path of the air and that of the light inside. the air conditioning duct, the air conditioning duct being not shown;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an optical device according to a particular arrangement, with a rotary optical device, comprising a mask surrounding a light guide, housed in an air conditioning duct represented here in part;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the optical device and the air-conditioning duct illustrated in FIG. 9, in which the upper part of the air-conditioning duct and a shutter of the outlet of air of this conduct;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 9, in which the optical device is illustrated alone; and

FIG. 12 is a front view of an optical device according to another arrangement, with a rotating light guide without a mask surrounding it. In FIGS. 2 to 10, a light assembly according to the invention mainly comprises an optical device 1 adapted to be disposed in an air conditioning assembly 2 of a motor vehicle, and in particular on the path of an air conditioning duct 4 while being arranged in the vicinity of an air outlet 6 in the passenger compartment of the vehicle arranged at the end of this air conditioning duct.

The optical device 1 is particular in that it forms a means easy to mount on an air conditioning duct 4 and capable of projecting a beam 8 on a given zone 10 near the air outlet 6, and in that the beam 8 that it projects varies according to the presence and / or the quantity of air 12 flowing in the air conditioning duct 4.

The air conditioning assembly 2 can comprise conventionally a condenser and an evaporator, and a compressor and a pressure reducer distributed over a loop circuit in which a refrigerant circulates. A blower is used to draw cold or hot air from the evaporator to diffuse into the air conditioning duct 4, which allows to bring the treated air into the passenger compartment via air outlets 6. The air 12 can be brought into the air conditioning duct in greater or lesser quantity depending on the needs of air conditioning of the vehicle. In particular, four of these air outlets can be provided in the passenger compartment, two being dedicated to the distribution of air for the driver while two are dedicated to the distribution of air for the passenger.

The air conditioning assembly 2 further comprises a control module 14, shown schematically in FIG. 1, which is adapted to receive RQ requests made by the user, be it the driver or the passenger, and which ensures in particular the calculation of the air temperature and the amount of air to be provided in the air conditioning ducts 4 to bring the temperature of the passenger compartment to the temperature desired by the user in his request. This module is then adapted to generate IP main control instructions for the proper operation of the elements of the air conditioning assembly. It will be understood that the air conditioning assembly 2 and the light assembly arranged in this air conditioning unit operate on the basis of these user's RQ requests. When the ambient temperature inside the passenger compartment does not correspond to the temperature desired by the user, the user makes a request for modification of the the temperature by the air conditioning unit, so that it sends cold or hot air accordingly.

In addition to this main control command IP, concerning the quantity and the temperature of the flow of air to be circulated in the pipes towards the air outlets in the passenger compartment, the control module 14 of the air conditioning assembly is adapted to jointly provide secondary control instructions IS for lighting sources of lights of the light assembly, in order to associate with this cooling action or air heating visual information for the user.

The sending of a main control IP creates in the air conditioning system a variation of flow rate of the air flow between a start of the heating or cooling operation of the cabin, to arrive as quickly as possible to the desired temperature, and a stabilized situation where the desired temperature should be maintained.

It will be understood that the main control instructions IP may vary from one air conditioning duct to another, so that the stabilized situation is reached more quickly for one of these nozzles than for the others.

It is particularly interesting that the passengers of the vehicle can have information on the flow rate of the air flow passing through the air conditioning duct at a given moment. The beam 8 projected onto the projection zone 10 associated with the optical device 1 is variable, that is to say that it is displaced inside the projection zone, in order to give information on the quantity of flow. It is understood that the displacement of the beam attests to a flow of air, and that a rapid displacement of the beam attests to a greater air flow than in cases where the beam moves slowly. This allows in particular to ensure the user on the existence of an air flow 12 in the air conditioning duct 4 and therefore on the proper functioning of the air conditioning, especially when the air blast is at least in the situation stabilized, and this provides information on the condition of the air conditioning, whether it is in a situation of beginning of the heating or cooling operation of the passenger compartment or a stabilized situation. To make the light beam 8 variable in the projection zone 10, it is expected that at least a portion of the optical device 1 is movably mounted in the air conditioning duct 4 as a function of the air flow.

Different embodiments may be provided according to the invention for implementing mobility, at least in part, of the optical device. A first embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, consists of a direct drive of the optical device 1 by the air flow 12, which means in other words that the mobile part of the optical device has on its periphery driving means 15 engaged with the air flow. The optical device 1 is arranged across the main air conditioning duct 4 and is subjected to all the air flow passing through this duct (FIG. 2 or FIG. 10) or to a first portion 12 'of this stream. reduced by the establishment of a bypass 16 formed by a wall 18 arranged in the pipe, to reduce the speed of movement of the optical device, a second portion 12 "of the air flow passing through this derivation, especially in the case where the optical device is subjected to the whole of the air flow, it is advantageously provided, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 10, a deflector 19 which directs the flow of air on the drive means 15 of the optical device according to a given orientation so that the optical device moves in the desired direction, it may also be provided, for the same purpose, to reduce the speed of movement of the optical device and thus to provide a more comfortable visual information users, to have in the air conditioning duct a braking means to the displacement of the optical device.

Another embodiment, not shown, consists of an indirect drive of the optical device by a geared motor, of the paddle wheel type, whose rotation is transmitted to the optical device by a transmission system, belt for example, and which is arranged in a bypass line of the air conditioning pipe equivalent to the bypass line 16 mentioned above. As before, this makes it possible to create a reduction ratio between the quantity of air and the speed of displacement of the optical device, while maintaining the linearity of the speed of displacement relative to the quantity of air passing through the air conditioning duct. . Another embodiment consists of a motorized control of the optical device by a control module, as a function of air flow: the information relating to the quantity of air flowing in the air conditioning duct could be deduced from the main control command IP generated by the control module, or deduced from a sensor disposed in the pipe: in this case it will be easier to apply a reduction ratio to the speed of displacement of the optical device 1 as a function of the amount of air 12 detected. In each of the illustrated embodiments, the optical device 1 is rotatably mounted across the air-conditioning duct 4. It will be understood that this practical case is particularly advantageous for scanning the projection zone 10 with a light beam 8 in a regular and coherent manner. . According to the various embodiments of the invention, the optical device can be mounted free to rotate about its axis 22, the movement of the optical device being generated by the air flow 12 acting against fins forming the means of protruding drive 15 of the optical device 1 or against a gearbox transmitting the rotation induced by the air flow, or it can be slaved in rotation and the control module 14 then provides IT tertiary control instructions of a suitable actuator to perform the displacement, and for example the rotation, of the optical device.

It will be understood that it would be possible to provide an optical device 1 that is mobile, other than in rotation, and for example by a translation servo-controlled by the control module or else by a deformation under the effect of the air flow, which would impact the shape of the projected beam 8. In the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, the light assembly comprises at least one light source, not visible in the figures and carried by a support 24 (visible in FIG. 12) and an optical device 1 disposed across the air conditioning duct 4 and arranged to be rotatable, said optical device 1 having a light guide 26 and a mask 27. In the illustrated embodiments, the optical device 1 comprises at least one light guide 26, adapted to receive the light emitted by a light source and participate in the projection of the light beam 8 in the vicinity of the air outlet 6. It will be understood that without In the context of the invention, which may have been previously presented, it consists in controlling the optical device as a function of the presence and / or the quantity of air in the air conditioning duct, the optical device could consist of reflector-like deflection means rather than a guide. The light guide 26 is mounted here free to rotate about its axis of elongation 22, the light guide 26 being arranged across the air conditioning duct 4 so that the axis of elongation 22 of the guide is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pipe. The light guide 26 is made of a transparent material such as polymethylmethacrylate (also defined by the abbreviation PMMA). The guide comprises at least one input face 28, opposite which a light source is disposed, and at least one exit face 30, through which the light rays guided inside the guide are refracted. The light guide 26 has a tube shape extending between two longitudinal end faces 32, and at least one of these end faces forms a light entry face 28 with at least one light source which is arranged opposite this input face and which is able to emit towards the guide so that the projected light propagates inside the guide by successive internal total reflection. Advantageously, it can be provided that the two end faces form light input faces and that a light source is associated with each input face.

At least one exit face 30 extends from one longitudinal end face 32 to the other. This exit face is disposed diametrically opposite to a corresponding rear portion 34 provided with prisms 36. In FIG. 11, the case is illustrated where three outlet faces 30 are provided and arranged in a regular angular distribution of 120 °, three portions. rear 34 corresponding respectively being opposite to each of the output faces 30.

Each rear portion 34, it being understood that the light guide is rotatably mounted and that this "rear" definition is arbitrary, carries a plurality of optical prisms 36, which act on the path of the light beam that propagates to the interior of the light guide, by reflecting it to the corresponding output face 30, that is to say diametrically opposite, of the guide with an angle such that the beam is partially refracted to exit the optical device in a direction d desired emission.

The exit faces 30 may be ridged, so that the light rays adapted to exit the light guide element by refraction at this exit face are exploded out of the light guide. A mask 27 is disposed around the light guide 26, having a generally cylindrical shape coaxial with the light guide. The mask is also mounted in rotation around the axis of elongation 22 of the guide, the mask and the guide being thus able to rotate about the same axis integrally. In a variant, provision could be made for only the mask and / or the guide to be mobile, it being understood that if such an arrangement would not go beyond the context of the invention, it would have less advantage in terms of beam projection on a given area that can be moved smoothly to achieve a visual effect relevant to the user.

The mask 27 is made of an opaque material that does not allow the light diffused by the light guide 26 to pass through, and it has a plurality of openings 38, which here take the form of longitudinal strips extending from one end to the other. 'other. Advantageously, this number of openings 38 is equal to the number of outlet faces 30 arranged on the light guide 26, and the openings extend to the right of these exit faces. These openings 38 in the mask 27 and the associated outlet faces 30 of the light guide 26 may take a rectilinear shape from one longitudinal end to the other, or they may, as illustrated, take a helical shape.

In a particular embodiment of the openings 38 on the mask 27, and by the same outlet faces 30 on the guide 26, the helical shape may have a symmetry around a plane perpendicular to the axis of elongation 22 of the optical device and centered on the mask. This characteristic is also present when the exit faces of the guide and the openings of the mask take the form of rectilinear strips.

The mask 27 has on its periphery a plurality of fins 40 which extend radially projecting from the outer face of the mask. It is understood that these protruding shapes have the role of forming the drive means 15 in engagement with the air flow 12 so that the force that the air flow exerts on the fins forces the rotating mask around the extension axis 22 of the optical device. For this purpose, it is advantageous that a plurality of fins 40 is arranged on the periphery of the mask to avoid the case, if a single fin was provided, a fin disposed parallel to the air flow and therefore not sensitive to this one so that no rotational movement of the mask is generated. Similarly, it should avoid the realization of two diametrically opposed straight fins. Advantageous embodiments, illustrated in the various figures, consist of the realization of a mask having on its periphery three fins 40 regularly distributed angularly with respect to the axis of rotation of the mask for a given point of this axis, and extending in particular substantially helically, so as to ensure that a projecting portion is always likely to offer a catch to the air flow. The fins 40 projecting from the mask extend over the entire length of the mask, that is to say across the air conditioning duct 4, and they each have a slot 42 which extends radially from the center of the mask 27 to the radial end 44 of the corresponding fin, to form the openings 38 for passage of light from the light guide that the mask surrounds to the outside of the mask. Without departing from the context of the invention, it will be possible to dissociate the openings

In such an alternative embodiment, the openings could advantageously extend from one end to the other of the mask while the fins could have a dimension of light passing through and the radial fins 40 forming a drive means 15. axial, relatively to the axis of rotation of the mask, more reduced. In a preferred embodiment, the mask 27 has three fins 40 arranged at 120 ° around the axis of rotation of the mask, and the fins are interconnected by a concave shaped connection zone 45, hollowed between two successive fins .

As has been previously stated, the light guide 26 and the mask 27 are arranged relative to each other so that an exit face 30 of the light guide is disposed opposite an opening 38 of the mask. It is therefore understood that the shapes provided for making the openings on the mask and those provided for producing the exit faces of the light guide are equivalent and are substantially superimposed radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the optical device. The inner face of the concave-shaped connection zones 45 has, facing prisms 36 of the rear portion 34 of the light guide, a clearance 47 allowing the positioning of the light guide inside the mask, and the case the rotation of the light guide relative to the mask.

In the case where the light guide 26 and the mask 27 are integral in rotation and that it is necessary to ensure the radial superposition of the openings 38 and exit faces 30, there is provided indexing means for locking the angular position of the mask relative to the guide. As can be seen in FIG. 9, a lug 46 is formed radially at the end of the guide projecting from it and this lug has a shape and a dimension adapted to cooperate with a housing 48 cut in a ring 50 formed at each of the longitudinal ends of the mask 27. Once this angular position is ensured, the relative positions of the mask and the light guide are freezed, for example by gluing the end of the tube of the light guide inside the end ring of the mask.

The mounting providing freedom of rotation, about an axis transverse to the air conditioning duct, to the optical assembly formed by the light guide 26 and the mask 27 is formed by an arrangement of the light guide, at its longitudinal ends. , in rotating guide bearings integral with said air conditioning duct. The light guide 26 has at each longitudinal end a mounting area 52, so that the two mounting areas surround a central light scattering zone of the guide. The mounting areas are prismless and have a large diameter, especially greater than the diameter of the tube forming the base of the light guide. In the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, this mounting zone has a central groove transverse to the axis of elongation of the light guide and which separates the mounting zone into two disks facing one of the another, an outer disc being disposed at the longitudinal end of the light guide while an inner disc is in contact with the diffusion portion of the light guide. The light guide 26 is arranged transversely to the air conditioning duct, by the housing of the guide mounting areas, and more particularly grooves, in grooves 54 carried respectively by the two guide bearings 56 integral with the air conditioning duct 4 It should be noted that the grooves 54 are inclined relative to the horizontal, so that the guide is driven by gravity into the bottom of the grooves.

In the second exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, this mounting zone consists of a cylindrical surface mounted in a ring 50 such as it has been previously stated, the ring 50 being mounted in a housing of a guide bearing 56 This time by means of a bearing 58. The light sources, carried by their respective support 24, are respectively mounted facing an end face of the optical device, beyond the bearings of guidance 56. Each light source may take any form appropriate to its ignition through a secondary control command IS from the control module 14 of the air conditioning assembly.

In particular, each source comprises one or more diodes capable of emitting at different wavelengths. In this case, the secondary control instruction IS takes into account the temperature of the air adapted to exit into the passenger compartment by the air outlet nozzles. In particular, if fresh air is to be supplied, the air conditioning assembly simultaneously sends an instruction to ignite the light source so that it emits rays corresponding to a blue color, whereas if against Hot air must be supplied, the air conditioning assembly simultaneously sends an instruction to ignite the light source so that it emits rays corresponding to a red color.

Light sources whose brightness intensity can be varied are preferred, but it is understood that light sources operating in an on / off mode may allow acceptable operation of the light assembly according to the invention.

More particularly, the light source may be a so-called RGB light emitting diode, that is to say a set of three diodes of red, green and blue color. The RGB light-emitting diode is mounted on a printed circuit board and can be turned on and controlled in intensity by means of a microcontroller embedded on this plate. This microcontroller receives the secondary command instructions IS from the control module of the air conditioning assembly.

The use of an RGB diode makes it possible in particular to play on the intensity of the colors (for example the red and the blue perceptible by the user) and thus to add additional visual information: for example in the case of a automatic cooling, the intensity of the color emitted is then variable and it decreases as one gets closer to the target temperature. As a result, the driver will have a visual confirmation that his request for warm air has been taken into account while the passenger will have a visual confirmation that his demand for cold air has been taken into account. It is not a question here of providing a visual indicator on the temperature in the passenger compartment, as a thermometer can, but to accentuate the feeling that the user may have on a cooling or heating action by the air conditioner. This presents a potential interest on the habits of use of air conditioning by the occupants of a motor vehicle.

In all cases, the light assembly according to the invention is particular in that the light rays that come out allow a visual identification of the type of air arriving in the passenger compartment.

As has been previously stated, the light guide 26 is arranged to emit a beam 8 on a projection zone 10 in the vicinity of an air outlet 6 of an air conditioning duct 4 in which the device is housed. optical l .The effect of an indirect light is sought, and the optical device is moved, in particular in rotation in the preferred embodiment, so that the light rays at the output of the light guide are oriented towards the light. projection zone 10. It is understood that as the rotation of the optical device 1, the light beam at the exit of the light guide 26 is projected inside on the walls defining the air conditioning pipe up to take a position in which the rays are directed towards the projection zone 10.

If the optical device 1 has only one light output side, the illumination of the projection area is punctually every turn of the optical device about its axis, more or less rapidly depending on the speed of rotation of the device optical. In the embodiment shown, the output faces are in number and they are arranged so that a light beam is projected continuously on the projection zone 10, by presenting a projection sequence whose repetition frequency depends on the speed of displacement, and in particular of rotation, of the optical device, and therefore of the quantity of air flow 12 passing through the air conditioning duct 4, it being understood that according to the invention, the displacement of the optical device is dependent on the passage of air.

It is thus sought to continuously illuminate a projection zone that the user can see near the nozzle disposed at the outlet of the air conditioning duct, by modifying as a function of the amount of air circulating in the air conditioning duct the beam projected in this projection zone, in order to give the user a feeling of the quantity of air blown into the passenger compartment, in addition to any information, by a particular color of the projected beam, on the temperature of this air breath. According to different cases of realization of this projection zone, it will be possible for the projection zone 10 to consist of a wall portion 60 of the dashboard, or of the bodywork element from which the corresponding air outlet 6 opens, or that it consists of a flap 62 disposed across the orifice forming the air outlet 6. In the first case, the projection zone 10 may consist of a surface portion of the dashboard, at the exit of an orifice forming an air outlet for the front passengers, or in a surface portion of a door panel, at the outlet of an orifice forming an air outlet nozzle for the front or rear passengers of the vehicle . The extent of the projection area will depend on the passage opening for the air outlet. It is understood that such a case of embodiment is particularly advantageous when the outlet orifice is not directly visible, and in particular the cases where the air outlets are arranged at the feet of users.

In the second case, there is provided a flap 62 disposed across the air outlet 6 at the end of the air conditioning duct 4, said flap 62 being at least partially transparent or translucent to pass the light emitted by the optical device. This component can be mobile or not. The flap 62 is thus able to take, periodically if it is movable relative to the air conditioning duct or continuously if it is fixed relative thereto, an active position (visible in FIGS. 7 and 10) across the downstream end of the pipe leaving at least one passage for the air 12 blown towards the passenger compartment and having a transparent or translucent zone to allow refraction to pass through a light beam 8 emitted by the optical device 1, housed in the air conditioning duct 4, towards the passenger compartment.

The flap 62 may be mounted movably between said active position and a retracted position in which it is disengaged from said downstream end of the pipe, the flap being able to be handled in particular by means of a tongue 63 forming a gripping means. This retracted position may be both inside the air conditioning duct and outside, and the passage from the active position to the retracted position, whether by sliding or rotation, may be manual or motorized.

It is understood that the light can be emitted directly from the optical device on the shutter, or be emitted indirectly through a prior reflection on a wall of the air conditioning duct. The flap 62 comprises a plurality of blades 64, and at least a portion of these blades is transparent or translucent. At least a portion of these blades are understood to include both the fact that at least one blade is transparent or translucent, or that at least a portion of one or more blades is transparent or translucent. Advantageously, the blades 64 may be formed in a PMMA type material as previously presented for use in the light guide. The blades allowing the passage of light by transparency can be grained for the realization of a diffuse light, participating in the printing of fuzzy light disturbed by the flow of air.

In the operating position of the flap 62, that is to say a position in which the air can pass through the shutter 62 to be distributed in the passenger compartment, the blades 64 each extend in a plane inclined relative in the general plane of said flap, which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the air conditioning duct 4 in its downstream part.

The blades 64 may be mounted movable relative to the overall structure of the flap, by rocking from a first position where the blades are arranged in the general plane of the flap, substantially transverse to the air conditioning duct, to a second position where the blades are inclined relative to the general plane of the flap 62. It is understood that one could combine the embodiment of a movable flap as a whole, that is to say mobile with respect to the bodywork element in which is arranged the corresponding air outlet nozzle, and that of a flap whose blades are movable relative to the structure of the flap.

We will now describe the mounting of the optical device in the air conditioning assembly of a motor vehicle, and the operation of such an assembly provided with the device of the invention, which has the advantage of being easily mounted and ready immediately to use. The description of this arrangement will notably be made in the particular case of application of an optical device 1 mobile in rotation under the effect of a flow of air 12 passing through the air conditioning duct 4.

The light sources and their associated support 24 are initially mounted, in the illustrated embodiment in which they are intended to be arranged at the longitudinal ends of the light guide 26, on the walls of the air conditioning duct 4 and Furthermore, the rotational guide bearings 56 mount on the same walls, so that these bearings extend facing the light sources. The light source is connected to the control module 14, and it may in particular be necessary to connect the microcontroller, embedded on a support plate 24 of printed circuits carrying a light-emitting diode, to the output connector of this control module of the 'air conditioning package. The light guide 26 and the possibly associated mask 27 are then disposed in the rotational guiding bearings 56. Then, the dashboard is reported so as to match each of the air outlets 6 with one end of a control duct. corresponding air conditioning 4, then hiding the optical device 1 inside the dashboard. When the user touches the air conditioning control button, requesting a given temperature, or by passing a hot or cold air distribution instruction, the air conditioning unit proceeds to the delivery of a quantity of air to the air conditioning control unit. suitable temperature and flow rate properties for obtaining the desired temperature, or for delivering air at the given temperature. In both cases, depending on the type of air conditioning used, the air circulating in the air conditioning duct contributes to the displacement of the light guide provided in the air conditioning duct.

Either the light guide 26 is pivotably mounted about its elongation axis 22, and it is the air 12 passing in the vicinity of the light guide which directly drives the latter.

Either the light guide 26 is connected to a gearbox, itself mounted free to pivot, and it is the air passing in the vicinity of the gear which indirectly drives the light guide through the gearbox and the transmission means connecting them.

Either the light guide 26 is controlled in rotation by a controlled motor, for example by the control module 14 of the air conditioning assembly, and this rotational control can in particular be done on the basis of a calculation of a quantity. air 12 having to cross the air conditioning duct 4 to obtain in time the temperature desired by the user, or based on a measurement made by a sensor disposed within the air conditioning duct. Meanwhile, it is expected to turn on the diode carried by the optical device according to the invention for illuminating a projection area at the air outlet. As for example, an RGB diode is turned on so that it emits a blue light, so that the user receives visual information on the type of air blown by the air conditioning, or on the temperature in the passenger compartment. The microcontroller associated with the diode is adapted to receive information from the control module of the air conditioning assembly to control the triggering of the light source, and, in the case of an RGB diode, the choice of color of the light source. light emitted by modulation of the three main color sources, these lighting instructions of the light source being a function of data centralized by the control module.

The diode emits light which penetrates by refraction in the light guide 26, the input face 28, plane, is disposed opposite the diode. The refracted light propagates in the light guide, by successive internal total reflections, to exit through an exit face, substantially perpendicular to its direction of entry. The light is then projected onto the determined projection area.

The foregoing description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives it has set itself and in particular to propose a device that both integrates easily into an air-conditioning duct and allows the installation of a lighting function, from inside this air conditioning duct, an adaptive projection area depending on the presence and / or the amount of air flow. This function integration is particularly simple to manufacture and set up. A light guide, supplied with light by at least one light-emitting diode, is set in motion by the air flow, or depending on it, passing through an air-conditioning duct. The movement of the created guide is linear as a function of the amount of air passing through the pipe at a given moment, and this makes it possible to produce, consequently, an animation characterizing the nature of the air flow. In the case presented, the light is projected on a surface to simulate the kinematics of a flow of air from the ventilation. The color of the light emitted by the light source and the speed of the projected animation make it possible to give relevant visual information on the temperature and the power of the air emitted.

The visual information depends in particular on the movement of the optical device and / or the projection zone with respect to the air passage in the air conditioning ducts, and therefore it depends on the modification of the projected beam visible to the user. It has been essentially described a luminous assembly in which the device optical was mobile, especially in rotation, so that the projection area remains fixed and it is the beam that moves in this fixed projection area. It can also be provided that, in replacement of the displacement of the optical device, or in addition to it, the projection zone, in particular when it is formed by a transparent flap, is driven in displacement to modify the trajectory of the emitted beam. by the optical device. This control of the shutter can in particular be achieved by means of an actuator controlled by a control instruction dependent on the amount of air detected in the air conditioning duct. Again, this results in a displacement of the beam visible by the user, due to the displacement of the projection area relative to the optical device. Since the light assembly is integrated in the air conditioning duct, the user may have the impression that the light is coming out of the air outlet nozzle and he may also have the impression that this light is wavering under the effect of the air flow by moving it more or less quickly depending on whether there is more or less air passing in the pipe. The visual information proposed to the user may also be accompanied by information of the air temperature blown into the passenger compartment, by a suitable choice of the color of the light rays emitted by the light source of the assembly. luminous.

Of course, various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to the structures of the light assembly, which have just been described by way of non-limiting examples, since the light assembly has the optical functional parts such as they have just been specified, and since the arrangement of the device in the air conditioning assembly makes it possible to provide lighting from inside the air conditioning ducts and which is adaptive depending on the presence and / or quantity of air in these pipes. By way of non-limiting example, it can be provided, in a variant not shown, that light-emitting diodes are arranged in longitudinal series along the light guide, integral in rotation thereof, and no longer fixed opposite the ends. of the rotating guide. The secondary control instruction can then contain a specific sequence of switching on and off diodes, to play on the shape of the visual indication that is desired to give the user. It will also be possible to provide different arrangements of the light assembly distinct from that previously described with a light guide and a mask moving in a homogeneous manner:

the optical device may comprise only a light guide, without a mask, mounted movably inside the air conditioning duct, such an arrangement being illustrated in particular in FIG. 12; it can be provided that the light guide is covered with an occulting means, and for example an opaque paint, between the outlet faces 30 of the guide, to ensure that the internal reflection inside the guide is good and that the light comes out of the guide only by the exit faces;

the optical device may also comprise a light guide and a mask having a relative displacement with respect to each other. It should be noted that in these different variants, the projection area of the light beam at the output of the optical device remains fluctuating depending on the amount of air passing through the air conditioning duct, whether directly under the effect of the flow of light. air, or indirectly by an engine.

Claims

1. Light assembly comprising an optical device (1) adapted to be mounted on the path of an air conditioning duct (4) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that said optical device (1) is arranged to project a light beam (8) on a projection zone (10) at the outlet of said air conditioning duct (4), a displacement of the optical device and / or the projection zone inside the air conditioning duct being controlled to modify the projection the beam inside said projection zone as a function of the presence and / or amount of air (12) flowing in said air conditioning duct.

2. Light assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a portion of said optical device (1) is movably mounted inside said air conditioning duct (4) depending on the presence and / or quantity air (12) flowing in said conduit.

3. Light assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the portion of said optical device (1) movable is driven directly by the pressure exerted by the passage of the air flow (12).

4. Light assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the portion of said mobile optical device (1) is driven indirectly by the pressure exerted by the passage of the air flow (12).

5. An assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the portion of said optical device (1) movable is driven by a reducer, itself driven directly by the pressure exerted by at least a portion (12 ") of the air flow (12) passing in the air conditioning duct.

6. The light assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the portion of said mobile optical device (1) is driven via a motorized actuator and electronically controlled according to the amount of air flow (12) flowing in said conduit.

7. Light assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a portion of the optical device (1) is rotatably mounted.

8. Light assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the optical device (1) comprises at least one guide (26) of the light rays emitted by said light source.

9. Light assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said light guide (26) is housed inside a mask (27) having at least one opening (38) for the passage of light rays projected out of the light guide.

10. Light assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least the mask (27) is movable in rotation.

11. Light assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical device (1) comprises a plurality of light sources arranged in series along the axis of elongation (22) of the optical device across the said pipe (4), said plurality of light sources being controlled to light and to participate in the projection of a specific light beam (8) on a given projection zone (10), the ignition of such or such source of light modifying the beam in said projection zone.

12. Light assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one light source is formed by a light emitting diode.

13. Light assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one light source is mounted on a support (24) so as to be disposed facing a longitudinal end face of the optical device.

A motor vehicle in which an air conditioning assembly comprises a control module (14) adapted to generate air distribution control instructions in air conditioning ducts (4) distributed in the structure of the vehicle and opening out to air outlets. air (6) towards the passenger compartment, characterized in that it comprises at least one light assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an optical device (1) is mounted across the pipe in the vicinity of a air outlet (6), said optical device being arranged to project a light beam (8) at least partly through said air outlet.