WO2023275101A1

WO2023275101A1 - Multifunctional automotive lighting module with lens array

Info

Publication number: WO2023275101A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/067810
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pierre Albou; Sebastien ROELS; Vanesa Sanchez
Original assignee: Valeo Vision
Priority date: 2021-06-30
Filing date: 2022-06-28
Publication date: 2023-01-05
Also published as: FR3124845A1; FR3124845B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting module for a motor vehicle comprising light sources (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5); an optical device (14) made of transparent material forming an array of projection lenses (16.1, 16.2, 16.3) for light emitted by the light sources (18.1, 18.2, 18.3); the array of projection lenses (16.1, 16.2, 16.3) comprising a first group of projection lenses (16.1) which are capable of being illuminated by a first group of light sources (18.1) and are configured to produce lighting sub-beams with an upper horizontal cut-off; and a second group of projection lenses (16.2) which are capable of being illuminated by a second group of light sources (18.2) and are configured to produce lighting sub-beams without an upper horizontal cut-off.

Description

[Rectified to Rule 91, 2022.10.17] MULTIFUNCTIONAL LENS ARRAY AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING MODULE

The invention relates to the field of lighting, in particular automotive lighting.

Motor vehicle headlamps currently provide, among other things, three regulatory lighting functions, namely an upper horizontal cut-off lighting function, commonly referred to as "low-beam" (or "low-beam"), a uninterruptible lighting, commonly referred to as "road" or "high-beam" (or "high-beam"), as well as a daytime running light function commonly referred to as "DRL", an acronym for the English expression "Daytime Running" Light".

The published patent document US 2021/0123578 A1 discloses a monofunctional automotive lighting module comprising an optical device with a plate of transparent material forming an array of projection lenses. To this end, the front face and the rear face of the plate in question each comprise a network of input and output diopters, respectively, forming the projection lenses. A common light source illuminates, via a collimating lens, the entire rear face of the transparent plate and thus all the projection lenses. An absorbing and perforated screen is placed within the transparent material plate, thus making it possible to horizontally cut the sub-lighting beams produced by each projection lens. The absorbent screen has reflective properties intended to prevent excessive overheating of the transparent material plate.

The published patent document US 10,232,763 B1 discloses a monofunctional automotive lighting module comprising an optical device with a plate of transparent material forming an array of projection lenses, similar to the previous document.

The lighting modules described above are interesting in that they make it possible to perform regulatory automotive lighting functions while having an illuminated face, namely the exit face of the transparent, extended and homogeneous plate, providing a aesthetic advantage in a vehicle body. However, they have the disadvantage of providing only one lighting function. To ensure the regulatory lighting functions, i.e. with and without horizontal cut-off, it is necessary to provide two lighting modules, possibly arranged side by side. The disjoint output faces then present distinct illuminated aspects depending on the activated lighting function. However, it is desirable for the output or illuminated face to have an identical or at least similar appearance in the different lighting functions.

The object of the invention is to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned state of the art. More particularly, the object of the invention is to propose an automobile lighting module providing at least two lighting functions, preferably a lighting function with cut-off and a lighting function without cut-off, while presenting an essentially lit appearance constant. Even more particularly, the invention aims to provide an automotive lighting module having a vertically elongated shape.

The subject of the invention is a lighting module for a motor vehicle, comprising light sources; an optical device made of transparent material forming an array of lenses for projecting light emitted by the light sources; notable in that the projection lens array comprises a first group of projection lenses adapted to be illuminated by a first group of light sources and configured to produce sub-beams of horizontally cut-off illumination; and a second group of projection lenses capable of being illuminated by a second group of light sources and configured to produce illumination sub-beams without an upper horizontal cut-off.

By upper horizontal cutoff is meant an upper horizontal cutoff extending over all or at least at least 60%, 70%, or 80% of the transverse extent of the corresponding lighting sub-beam. The upper horizontal cut may in particular be contiguous with an inclined cut, the two cuts forming an elbow. The upper horizontal cut can also comprise two horizontal parts offset horizontally and vertically, and not overlapping either horizontally or vertically. An inclined or vertical segment can in particular connect these two parts.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection lenses of the first group extend over a first zone of the optical device, and the projection lenses of the second group extend over a second zone of the optical device, said first and second area with overlap. The overlap is advantageously at least 50%, more advantageously at least 70%.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection lenses of the first group and the projection lenses of the second group are arranged in horizontal rows and/or in vertical columns, when said lighting module is in the operational position and observed from the front. .

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the horizontal rows and/or the vertical columns of the projection lenses of the first group and of the projection lenses of the second group are arranged alternately, in particular so as to form several successive alternations.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection lenses of the first group and the projection lenses of the second group are arranged in a checkerboard pattern, where the projection lenses of the first group and the projection lenses of the second group are alternated.

According to an advantageous mode of the invention, each lens of the first and/or of the second group of projection lenses is respectively associated with a specific light source. Thus, in the group or groups of projection lenses considered, each light source is associated with a single lens. This facilitates the independent lighting of the projection lenses when they are alternated. It is thus possible to propose complex alternations, with mixtures of projection lenses of different groups, on a given surface. It is in particular possible to obtain the same overall lit appearance of the first group and of the second group of projection lenses.

According to an advantageous mode of the invention, the array of projection lenses further comprises a third group of projection lenses capable of being illuminated by a group of light sources and configured to produce daytime lighting sub-beams .

According to an advantageous mode of the invention, the light sources of the second group of projection lenses are configured to emit amber light. This makes it possible to perform a direction indicator function.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light sources of the second group of projection lenses comprise at least two separate light emitters, one being configured to emit white light and the other being configured to emit amber light.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection lenses of the first group, the projection lenses of the second group, and the projection lenses of the third group are arranged in horizontal rows or in vertical columns, successively and repeatedly.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light sources are arranged on a movable plate with respect to the optical device, the group of light sources capable of illuminating the projection lenses of the third group of projection lenses being formed by the first or the second group of light sources after displacement of said group of light sources facing said projection lenses.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the plate is movable relative to the optical device between a first position where the first group of light sources is capable of illuminating the first group of projection lenses and the second group of light sources is capable of illuminate the second group of projection lenses, and a second position where the first group of light sources is adapted to illuminate one of the second and third groups of projection lenses and the second group of light sources is adapted to illuminate the other said second and third projection lens groups.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the beam produced by the third group of projection lenses can be produced in combination with the projection lenses of the first and/or second groups, the light sources of which are then supplied with reduced power compared to at their nominal power. Alternatively or additionally, some of the light sources of said first and/or second groups can be switched off. This provides the necessary power reduction when the desired level is low. Indeed, it is complicated, if not impossible, to reduce the unit power of light sources below a certain level by a process implemented exclusively electrically, such as for example a PWM (for "Pulse Width Modulation" in English ).

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection lenses of the third group each have a convex exit diopter, seen from the outside of said projection lens, so as to form a daytime lighting sub-beam converging at a distance of less than 50mm from said exit diopter.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection lenses of the first, second and, where appropriate, third groups are arranged in horizontal rows, when said lighting module is in the operational position and observed from the front; said horizontal rows being offset longitudinally relative to each other so that the optical device has an inclined or curved vertical profile.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the projection lenses of the first group comprises a mask configured to perform the cutoff of the lighting sub-beam with upper horizontal cutoff.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the optical device is a plate made of the transparent material and comprising a front face and a rear face, said front face and rear face having reliefs forming the array of projection lenses.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the plate of the optical device comprises a front plate and a rear plate, assembled to one another or overmolded one on the other.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the optical device further comprises an array of partitions which are perpendicular to the rear face, arranged against or in the rear face, said array of partitions being configured to optically separate the first, second and, if present, third groups of projection lenses.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, one or each of the first, second and, where applicable, third groups of light sources comprises at least one optical guide supplied by at least one of said light sources and arranged along the projection lenses of the corresponding group of first, second and, where appropriate, third groups of projection lenses so as to individually illuminate each of said projection lenses.

According to an advantageous mode of the invention, the projection lenses of the second group are subdivided into sub-groups, projection lenses of each of said sub-groups being able to produce lighting sub-beams with vertical cut-offs, said vertical cuts being different between the sub-groups.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection lenses all have a size, in diameter, height and/or width, in front view, less than or equal to 10 mm. This makes it possible to limit the thickness of the lenses, and thus to limit the mass of the part.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection lenses all have a size, in diameter, height and/or width, in front view, greater than or equal to 0.3 mm. This makes it possible to manufacture the optical device by an injection process that is simple to implement.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection lenses all have a size, in diameter, height and/or width, in front view, of between 1 and 5 mm. This allows the projection lenses to be small enough to be indistinguishable at the usual viewing distance. In addition, in the case where the light sources are arranged on a plate that is movable relative to the optical device, these dimensions allow the use of a movement mechanism that is easy to implement, for example a mechanism comprising two stops, each allowing block the mobile plate in one of the desired positions.

The measures of the invention are advantageous in that they make it possible to carry out several lighting functions with a single projection lens array lighting module, so as to produce a similar or identical lit appearance in the different lighting functions. 'lighting. The fact of combining the lighting functions on the same optical device has the effect of producing at least similar lit aspects, from a certain observation distance, such as for example at least five meters, advantageously at least 3 meters, more preferably at least one meter. Indeed, the areas lit according to the different functions, failing to overlap, are at least contiguous. The arrangement in columns or rows makes it possible to provide longitudinal offsets between the columns or rows, thus naturally providing a horizontal or vertical profile, respectively, inclined or curved. The horizontal profile is advantageously inclined or curved towards the rear from the inside towards the outside of the vehicle. The vertical profile is advantageously inclined or curved towards the rear from the bottom upwards. In this context, it is advantageous to provide an arrangement in columns and in rows and to provide offsets between the columns and also between the rows so as to form a straight surface with an inclined or curved horizontal profile and an equally inclined or curved vertical profile. .

The measures of the invention are also advantageous in that they make it possible to pool certain light sources by providing for a displacement of the light sources with respect to the optical device. The presence of a network of partitions is also advantageous in that it makes it possible to avoid optical interference, more commonly referred to by the English term "cross-talk", between the projection lenses of the different groups. It should be noted that optical interference between projection lenses of the same group and therefore of the same function are significantly less disturbing than optical interference between projection lenses of different groups.

is a perspective view of the front face of a vehicle equipped with a lighting device according to the invention;

is a front view of a lighting module according to one embodiment of the invention;

is a view along section III-III of the lighting module of the ;

is a view along section IV-IV of the lighting module of the ;

is a view along section VV of the lighting module of the ;

illustrates a first arrangement of the array of projection lenses on the optical device of the lighting module of the invention;

illustrates a second arrangement of the array of projection lenses on the optical device of the lighting module of the invention;

is an VIII-VIII sectional view of the lighting module of the ;

is a perspective view of the rear face of the optical device of the lighting module according to one embodiment of the invention;

is a rear view of a lighting module according to the invention, showing an alternative embodiment of the light sources;

is a rear view of a lighting module according to the invention, showing another alternative embodiment of the light sources.

detailed description

In the following description, the directions and direction expressed by terms such as "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "up", "down", "inside" and "outside" are to be understood when the modulus of The lighting is in the normal mounting position on the motor vehicle and observed from the front.

The is a schematic illustration of the left front part of a motor vehicle equipped with a headlamp according to the invention.

The motor vehicle 2 comprises a front bumper 4, a left front fender 6 and a bonnet 8 between which is arranged a headlight 10. This is a left headlight, it being understood that the right headlight, also according to the invention, is symmetrical to the left projector 10 with respect to a vertical median longitudinal plane. The symmetry in question applies to the case and a certain number of elements, however not necessarily to all the optical parts, in particular those associated with a cut-off lighting function. The projector 10 extends along a main vertical direction. It thus has, at its protective glass, a height H and a width l , the height H possibly being greater than or equal to five times the width l . It should also be noted that the protective glass of the projector 10 can be tilted rearwards along its height from the bottom upwards. Similarly, it can also be tilted rearward along the width from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle. These inclinations can be formed by inclined or curved vertical and horizontal profiles. It is understood that these inclinations and curved profiles depend on the geometry of the motor vehicle and are essentially geometric constraints that the present invention makes it possible to integrate. It is thus understood that these inclinations and curved profiles are not in themselves essential characteristics.

Figures 2 to 5 illustrate a lighting module of the projector 10 of the , according to one embodiment of the invention.

With reference to the , the lighting module 12 essentially comprises an optical device 14 forming an array of projection lenses 16 and light sources supplying light to the projection lenses 16. , the optical device 14 is oriented so as to show its front face 14.1, its rear face being opposite and therefore not visible. The light sources arranged opposite the rear face are therefore also not visible.

The projection lenses 16 all have a size, in diameter, height and/or width, in front view, less than or equal to 10 mm.

The optical device 14 is made of transparent material, advantageously of transparent plastic material, such as PC or PMMA, it being understood, however, that it could also be of mineral glass.

It can be observed that the array of projection lenses 16 is arranged in this case in horizontal rows and vertical columns. It is understood, however, that other configurations are possible, such as in particular staggered horizontal rows, successively, forming for example a hexagonally symmetrical network, or even an inclined orthogonal network.

The network of projection lenses 16 of the optical device 14 has the particularity of comprising at least two groups of projection lenses, namely a first group of projection lenses configured to produce lighting sub-beams with upper horizontal cut-off, and a second group of projection lenses configured to produce illumination sub-beams without an upper horizontal cutoff. The upper horizontal cut can be flat or not, as in particular with a jump, commonly referred to by the English expression "kink". The projection lens array may further include a third group of projection lenses configured to produce daytime sub-beams. The projection lenses 16 of these first, second, and, optionally, third groups are distributed over the optical device 14 so as to produce an illuminated aspect in these different lighting functions which is essentially identical or at least similar, at a distance light module observation, this distance to be at least five, three or one meter. To this end, the projection lenses 16 are advantageously arranged alternately on the optical device 14 so that the first, second and, optionally, third groups of these projection lenses extend over respective overlapping zones. .

The is a III-III sectional view of the lighting module 12 of the , showing in section a projection lens 16.1 of the first group, that is to say capable of producing a lighting sub-beam with a horizontal upper cut-off. This means that the sub-beams produced by the projection lenses 16.1 of this first group, added to one another, form a regulatory automotive lighting beam, with a higher horizontal cut-off, commonly designated by the term "code" or even by the English expression "low-beam").

The projection lens 16.1 of the first group is formed by the transparent material of the optical device 14, and by the input 16.1.1 and output 16.1.2 diopters formed on the rear 14.2 and front 14.1 faces, respectively, of said optical device 14. A light source 18.1 of a first group of light sources is arranged opposite the projection lens 16.1, in this case its input dioptre 16.1.1. The latter is configured to make the incoming light converge towards a central zone of the projection lens 16.1, to then make it diverge towards the exit diopter 16.1.2, along the optical axis 16.1.3 of the projection lens 16.1 in question. A cover 16.1.4 is arranged transversely to the optical axis 16.1.3 and under this optical axis, at the level of the light convergence zone, so as to stop light rays which would otherwise propagate towards the lower part of the diopter. output 16.1.2 and would be refracted upwards from the light sub-beam. This principle of producing an upper horizontal cut by means of a lower cover is in itself well known to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that this mask 16.1.4 can be reflective in such a way as to return the recalibrated light rays towards an absorbing zone or one not likely to interfere with the projection lens 16.1 in question or another neighboring projection lens. Alternatively, cache 16.1.4 can be sinking. It should also be noted that the upper cut edge of the cache 16.1.4 in question may present a jump or inclination so as to produce a corresponding jump in the cut.

The is an IV-IV sectional view of the lighting module 12 of the , showing in section a projection lens 16.2 of the second group, that is to say capable of producing a lighting sub-beam without a horizontal upper cut. This means that the sub-beams produced by the projection lenses 16.2 of this second group, added to each other, form in combination with the illumination beam with upper horizontal cut-off from the first group of projection lenses 16.1, a beam of regulation automobile lighting without cut-off, commonly referred to by the term "road" or by the English expression "high-beam").

The projection lens 16.2 of the second group is formed by the transparent material of the optical device 14, and by the input 16.2.1 and output 16.2.2 diopters formed on the rear 14.2 and front 14.1 faces, respectively, of said optical device 14. A light source 18.2 of a second group of light sources is arranged opposite the projection lens 16.2, in this case its input dioptre 16.2.1. The latter is configured to make the incoming light converge towards a central zone of the projection lens 16.2, to then make it diverge towards the exit diopter 16.2.2, along the optical axis 16.2.3 of the projection lens 16.2 in question. A mask 16.2.4 can be arranged transversely to the optical axis 16.2.3 and above this optical axis, at the level of the zone of convergence of the light, so as to stop light rays which would otherwise propagate towards the upper part of the exit diopter 16.2.2 and would be refracted towards the bottom of the light sub-beam. This principle of producing a lower horizontal cut by means of an upper cover is in itself well known to those skilled in the art. Similar to the cache 16.1.4 of the projection lens 16.1 of the first group, this cache 16.2.4 can be reflective so as to return the light rays readjusted towards an absorbing zone or one not likely to interfere with the projection lens 16.2 in question or another nearby projection lens. Alternatively, the 16.2.4 cache can be sinking.

It should be noted that the lighting sub-beams of the 16.2 projection lenses of the second group can ensure by themselves the regulatory automotive lighting function without cut-off called "road" or "high-beam", in which case the presence of the 16.2.4 cache is not indicated.

It should also be noted that the regulatory automobile lighting beam without cutoff designated "road", provided by the projection lenses 16.2 of the second group, advantageously in combination with the projection lenses 16.1 of the first group, can be of the adaptive type, i.e. of the type commonly designated by the English expression "Adaptive Driving Beam" or "Glare Free High Beam". In this case, the projection lenses 16.2 of the second group are subdivided into several sub-groups provided with different covers or arranged differently according to the sub-groups and stopping the light rays laterally so as to form, in a transverse direction, a zone less enlightened. The light sources of the projection lenses 16.2 of the various sub-groups of the second group can then be activated independently according to the sub-groups in question. The covers of the projection lenses 16.2 of the different sub-groups can be identical but offset laterally from sub-group to sub-group. The covers of the 16.2 projection lenses of the various sub-groups can have a U profile with three cut edges, namely a lower horizontal cut edge and two vertical cut edges, or a rectangle with four cut edges, namely a top horizontal break edge, two vertical break edges and one bottom horizontal break edge. This upper horizontal cut is however partial in that it only extends between the two vertical cuts and therefore a small part of the sub-beam of the second group.

The is a sectional view VV of the lighting module 12 of the , showing in section a projection lens 16.3 of the third group, that is to say capable of producing a daytime lighting sub-beam. This means that the sub-beams produced by the 16.3 projection lenses of this third group, added together, form a so-called daytime regulatory automotive lighting beam, commonly designated by the acronym DRL meaning in English "Daytime Running Lights”. It should be noted that this beam can be produced in combination with the projection lenses of the first and/or second groups, the light sources of which are then supplied with reduced power relative to their nominal power.

The adaptive-type lighting function can also be provided by projection lenses of a fourth group (not shown), in addition to the regulatory automotive lighting function without cut-off of the "road" type provided by the projection lenses. 16.2 of the second group.

The projection lens 16.3 of the third group is also formed by the transparent material of the optical device 14, and by the input 16.3.1 and output 16.3.2 diopters formed on the rear 14.2 and front 14.1 faces, respectively, of said device optics 14. A light source 18.3 specific to a possible third group of light sources is arranged opposite the projection lens 16.3, in this case its input dioptre 16.3.1. The latter is configured to collimate the incoming light in the transparent material of the projection lens 16.3 and bring it out along the optical axis 16.3.3. To this end, the exit diopter 16.3.2 can have a generally straight vertical profile (in continuous line) or convex (in broken line) seen from the outside of the projection lens 16.3. A convex profile has the effect of causing the rays to converge close to the optical device 14, to then diverge. The same goes for the horizontal profile of the exit diopter 16.3.2.

The plate formed by the optical device 14 advantageously comprises a front plate forming the front face 14.1, and a rear plate forming the rear face 14.2, assembled to one another or overmoulded one on the other. The covers 16.1.4 and 16.2.4 of the projection lenses of the first group 16.1 and of the second group 16.2 can be arranged on the front plate or rear plate initially produced in order to then be overmoulded by the other of said front and rear plate.

The illustrates a first advantageous arrangement of the projection lens array 16 on the optical device 14 of the lighting module of the invention.

The projection lenses 16 are arranged in horizontal rows, successively for the first, second and third groups of projection lenses, and this in a repetitive manner. Indeed, the first row, starting from the top, consists of projection lenses 16.1 of the first group, represented by hatching. The second row consists of projection lenses 16.2 of the second group, shown without hatching or other pattern. The third row consists of projection lenses 16.3 of the third group, represented by a dot pattern. It is therefore indeed an arrangement in horizontal rows, where the first, second and third groups of projection lenses follow one another from row to row. It is understood that the order between the first, second and third groups of projection lenses may vary from that shown. Instead of being a succession of the first, second and then third group of projection lenses, it is possible to provide a succession of the second, first and then third group; first, third and then second group; or even second, third and then first group.

Always at the the repetitive character of the successive arrangement described above is observed, namely that the succession in rows of the first, second and third groups of projection lenses can be repeated. It should be noted that this repetition does not necessarily have to apply to the entire optical device 14.

The illustrates a second advantageous arrangement of the projection lens array 16 on the optical device 14 of the lighting module of the invention.

The projection lenses 16 are arranged in vertical columns, successively for the first, second and third groups of projection lenses, and this in a repetitive manner, similar to the , except that horizontal rows are converted to vertical columns.

The detailed characteristics in relation to the apply to the , correspondingly.

The arrangements of Figures 6 and 7 described above are advantageous in that they optimize the mixing of the groups of projection lenses, which is particularly favorable for maintaining a constant illuminated appearance in the various lighting functions. Furthermore, the fact of arranging the projection lenses of each group in horizontal row(s) or vertical column(s) makes it possible to better combine optically the sub-beams produced within the row or rows or the column or columns in order to provide the statutory lighting function. This is especially true for horizontal cutoff lighting functions such as the upper horizontal cutoff of the first group and the lower horizontal cutoff of the second group.

The is a VIII-VIII sectional view of the lighting module 12 of the . It is therefore a view in vertical section.

It can be observed that the horizontal rows of projection lenses 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3 are offset from each other longitudinally, that is to say along the optical axes of the projection lenses. This offset is progressive and such that the optical device 14 and the lighting module 12 have a vertical profile inclined towards the rear, from bottom to top. Such an inclination is advantageous for integrating the lighting module into a motor vehicle body. Interestingly, these longitudinal offsets can have an effect on the illumination sub-beams exiting the projection lenses. Indeed, in the case of a vertically diverging lighting sub-beam, the lower part of such a sub-beam can interfere with the projection lens located directly below, namely at the level of the connection zone with the exit diopter of said projection lens and/or with the diopter in question. Depending on the divergence of the sub-beam and the amplitude of the longitudinal offset, it may be necessary to adapt the divergence, at least in the lower part, and/or to add non-optical zones by vertically separating the rows, these non-optical zones being advantageously of a lower height than those of the optical rows themselves). This is especially true for the 16.3 projection lens in the third group, producing a daylight sub-beam that is in principle quite diverging vertically. In order to avoid interference with the projection lens located directly below, it is advantageous to provide a daytime lighting sub-beam which converges close to the projection lens, for example at a distance of less than 50mm , so that the subbeam can propagate without interference and then diverge.

Always at the , it can be observed that the light sources 18.1 and 18.2 are arranged on a common plate 20 which can be movable, advantageously in translation. The common plate 20 can be movable between two positions, making it possible to pool light sources between two functions which are never active at the same time, namely on the one hand the daytime lighting function or "DRL" and on the other part, the lighting function with upper horizontal cut-out or "dipped" or the lighting function without cut-off or "road". In fact, the daytime lighting function is exclusive in relation to these two other so-called nighttime functions. It is thus possible not to provide specific light sources for the projection lenses 16.3 of the third group and, when activating the daytime lighting function, to move the common support 20 from the reference position, such as illustrated in , at the second position where one of the light sources 18.1 and 18.2 opposite the projection lenses 16.1 and 16.2 located directly below or below the projection lens 16.3 is moved in front of the projection lens 16.3 in question. With reference to the , it may be an upward movement, in which case it is the light source 18.1 which will move into position in front of the projection lens 16.3, or a downward movement, in which case it is the light source 18.2 which will move into position in front of the projection lens 16.3. This last movement is advantageous in that the light source 18.1 will be positioned in front of the projection lens 16.2, thus making it possible to carry out a daytime phase call without relative displacement between the plate 20 and the optical device 14.

It should be noted that as an alternative to what is described above, the optical device 14 can be movable relative to the fixed plate 20. This configuration can be advantageous when the stage is coupled to a cooling device making it heavier than the optical device 14. It is also possible to provide for the optical device 14 and the stage 20 to be mobile.

The is a perspective view of the rear face of the optical device 14 of the lighting module according to one embodiment of the invention.

The lighting module 12 indeed comprises, in addition, a network of partitions 22 which are arranged opposite or against the rear face 14.2 of the optical device 14, configured to optically separate the first, second and, if necessary , third groups of projection lenses 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3. These partitions are advantageously generally perpendicular to the rear face 14.2. They can be reflective or absorbent. They serve to block the passage of stray light from one group of projection lenses to another group of said lenses. It is indeed more important to avoid such passages between different groups than within the same group. It is however also possible to provide such partitions between projection lenses of the same group. These partitions can be placed against the rear face of the optical device 14 or even be embedded in the plastic material of the optical device, during the molding of said optical device.

Figures 10 and 11 are rear views of lighting modules according to the invention, showing variant embodiments of the light sources.

To the , it can be observed that the light sources specific to each projection lens, in particular of the light-emitting diode type, can be replaced by secondary light sources distributed from one or more primary light sources located at a distance from the projection lenses. In this case the distribution of light sources is made by an optical guide 18.4, of generally closed and rounded section, for example circular, oval, elliptical or other, supplied with light at least one of its ends by a primary light source 18.5 and having reliefs on its tubular surface, illustrated by small regular lines, configured to reflect the light passing through the optical guide towards the entrance diopters of the projection lenses. This principle of light distribution is in itself well known to those skilled in the art. In the context of the invention, it is particularly advantageous when the projection lenses of one of the groups are aligned, whether vertically, horizontally, or inclined.

The shows a variant of the secondary light sources of the where a single optical guide 18.4 supplies light to several rows distant from each other, the optical guide then forming meanders at the passages of the various rows in question. In the case of the , these are the projection lenses of the first group 16.1, it being understood, however, that this also applies to the projection lenses of the other groups.

Claims

Lighting module (12) for a motor vehicle (2), comprising:
- light sources (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5);
- an optical device (14) of transparent material forming an array of projection lenses (16.1, 16.2, 16.3) of light emitted by the light sources (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5);
characterized in that
the projection lens array (16.1, 16.2, 16.3) comprises:
- a first group of projection lenses (16.1) adapted to be illuminated by a first group of light sources (18.1) and configured to produce lighting sub-beams with upper horizontal cut-off; and
- a second group of projection lenses (16.2) capable of being illuminated by a second group of light sources (18.2) and configured to produce lighting sub-beams without an upper horizontal cut-off.
Lighting module (12) according to claim 1, in which the projection lenses of the first group (16.1) extend over a first zone of the optical device (14), and the projection lenses of the second group (16.2) s extend over a second zone of the optical device (14), said first and second zone having an overlap.
Lighting module (12) according to one of Claims 1 and 2, in which the projection lenses of the first group (16.1) and the projection lenses of the second group (16.2) are arranged in horizontal rows or in vertical columns, when said lighting module (12) is in the operational position and observed from the front, and preferably in which the horizontal rows or vertical columns of the projection lenses of the first group (16.1) and of the projection lenses of the second group (16.2) are arranged alternately.
Lighting module (12) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the projection lens array further comprises:
- a third group of projection lenses (16.3) capable of being illuminated by a group of light sources (18.1) and configured to produce daytime lighting sub-beams, and preferably in which the projection lenses of the first group ( 16.1), the projection lenses of the second group (16.2), and the projection lenses of the third group (16.3) are arranged in horizontal rows or in vertical columns, successively and in a repetitive manner.
Lighting module (12) according to claim 4, in which the light sources (18.1, 18.2, 18.3) are arranged on a plate (20) movable relative to the optical device (14), the group of light sources (18.1) capable of illuminating the projection lenses of the third group of projection lenses (16.3) being formed by the first or the second group of light sources (18.1) after displacement of the said group of light sources (18.1) opposite the said lenses projection (16.3), and preferably in which the plate (20) is movable relative to the optical device (14) between
- a first position where the first group of light sources (18.1) is capable of illuminating the first group of projection lenses (16.1) and the second group of light sources (18.2) is capable of illuminating the second group of projection lenses ( 16.2), and
- a second position where the first group of light sources (18.1) is capable of illuminating one of the second and third groups of projection lenses (16.2, 16.3) and the second group of light sources (18.2) is capable of illuminating the the other of said second and third projection lens groups (16.2, 16.3).
Lighting module (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the projection lenses of the first, second and, where appropriate, third groups (16.1, 16.2, 16.3) are arranged in horizontal rows, when said lighting module (12) is in operational position and observed from the front; said horizontal rows being offset longitudinally relative to each other so that the optical device has an inclined or curved vertical profile.
Lighting module (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, in which each of the projection lenses of the first group (16.1) comprises a mask (16.1.4) configured to cut off the lighting sub-beam with upper horizontal cut-off.
Lighting module (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, in which the optical device (14) comprises a plate made of the transparent material and comprising a front face (14.1) and a rear face (14.2), said front face and rear face (14.1, 14.2) presenting reliefs forming the network of projection lenses (16.1, 16.2, 16.3), and preferably in which the plate of the optical device (14) comprises a front plate and a rear plate, assembled to each other or molded on top of each other.
A lighting module (12) according to claim 8, wherein the optical device (14) further comprises an array of partitions (22) which are perpendicular to the rear face (14.2), disposed against or in the rear face (14.2), said array of partitions (22) being configured to optically separate the first, second and, if present, third groups of projection lenses (16.1, 16.2, 16.3).
Lighting module (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, in which one or each of the first, second and, where applicable, third group of light sources comprises at least one optical guide (18.4) supplied by at least one of said light sources (18.5) and arranged along the projection lenses of the corresponding group of first, second and, if applicable, third groups of projection lenses (16.1, 16.2) so as to illuminate each of said projection lenses individually.