Automotive lighting unit

Abstract

An automotive lighting unit (1) comprises: a rear housing (2) adapted to be fixed on a vehicle; a front flap (3; 30) arranged to close the opening of the rear housing (2) to form a hard container (5) and provided with a rectangular through-seam (4) in the center; a light guide plate (6) made of a light guide material and inserted in a penetrating manner into the through-slot (4) of the front baffle (3; a lighting assembly (7) emitting light according to instructions and arranged within the rigid container (5) facing the rear side wall (6a) of the light guide plate (6) to guide the generated light rays through the rear side wall (6a) into the body of the light guide plate (6) such that the light rays propagate within the light guide plate (6) by total internal reflection to the front side wall (6b) of the same light guide plate (6); and a diffusion filter (8) interposed between the lighting assembly (7) and the light guide plate (6).

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This patent application claims priority to Italian patent application No. 102024000010516, filed on May 9, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to an automotive lighting unit.

[0003] More specifically, the present invention preferably relates to a taillight for an automobile and similar vehicle.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention preferably relates to a taillight for an automobile and similar motor vehicle, the taillight being adapted to be positioned in a raised position at the center of the rear of the vehicle, the sole function of which is to signal the activation of the vehicle's brakes. Its use will be explicitly mentioned below, but it is not thereby lacking in generality. Background Technology

[0005] As is well known, recently manufactured cars, in addition to the two traditional taillights located roughly at the two corners of the rear, are also equipped with a third taillight, traditionally called the third brake light. It is located at the rear of the vehicle, spanning the vertical mid-plane of the vehicle, and is generally higher than the two main taillights. Its sole function is to signal the activation of the car's brakes simultaneously with the two side taillights.

[0006] In other words, the central taillight is a special lighting device for automobiles and similar motor vehicles. It must be located in the center of the rear of the vehicle and can emit a red light signal on command. This signal must conform to the photometric type certification specifications (color and distribution of light) for light signals related to the activation of the vehicle's brakes.

[0007] Generally, the central taillights are further rectangular and are usually positioned horizontally at the upper or lower edge of the rear window of the vehicle to avoid unduly restricting the driver's vision.

[0008] More specifically, in the most popular cars on the market, the central taillight generally includes: a rigid rear housing, usually made of opaque plastic, roughly shaped like a rectangular basin, its structure securely mounted within a more or less complementary compartment specially made in the car body, designed along the frame to accommodate the perimeter of the rear window; a rigid front housing, structurally transparent to visible light, usually made of transparent or translucent red plastic, used to close the opening of the rear housing; and an electric lighting assembly, located inside the rear housing, below the front housing, selectively used to provide backlighting to the front housing.

[0009] More specifically, the lighting assembly is entirely housed within a closed container formed by a rear housing and a front housing, and typically includes: a series of concave reflectors arranged side-by-side near the bottom of the rear housing, each with a roughly semi-parabolic concave reflective surface, the orientation of which is designed to reflect incident light onto a transparent or translucent area of ​​the front housing; and a series of high-power LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) distributed on a printed circuit board next to the row of reflectors, each LED aligned with its respective reflector and directing the generated light toward the reflective surface of the same reflector. The light is then reflected by the reflective surface of the reflector and directed toward the front housing.

[0010] While the aforementioned taillights work well, they are not popular with some designers because the red front half of the shell is too conspicuous and detracts from the aesthetics of the rear of the vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, the aforementioned taillights failed to emit a beam of light with sufficiently uniform intensity along the entire extension of the taillight or along the entire extension direction of the front housing.

[0012] Finally, due to its size, the aforementioned central taillights have proven unsuitable for installation on high-performance road buses, whose rear windows are very sloping and / or very small. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The purpose of this invention is to provide a central taillight that is more compact and has a more uniform light distribution than existing taillights.

[0014] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an automotive lighting unit comprising: a concave rear housing adapted to be fixed to a vehicle; a front baffle arranged to close the opening of the rear housing to form a rigid container, and having a rectangular through-slit at the center; a light guide plate made of a light-guiding material and inserted through the through-slit of the front baffle; an illumination assembly that emits light upon instruction and is arranged within the rigid container facing the rear sidewall of the light guide plate so as to guide the generated light through the rear sidewall into the body of the light guide plate, such that the light propagates within the light guide plate through total internal reflection to the front sidewall of the same light guide plate; and a diffuser filter disposed between the illumination assembly and the light guide plate to allow light emitted by the illumination assembly to pass through, and configured to diffuse light toward the rear sidewall of the light guide plate.

[0015] In one embodiment, the diffuse filter is rectangular and is arranged inside the rigid container, substantially in contact with the rear sidewall of the light guide plate.

[0016] In one embodiment, the lighting component is rectangular and is arranged inside the rigid container, substantially in contact with the diffuser filter.

[0017] In one embodiment, the light guide plate is substantially flat.

[0018] In one embodiment, the through-slit of the front baffle has a shape substantially complementary to the cross-section of the light guide plate.

[0019] In one embodiment, the diffuser includes a translucent rigid strip made of a material with diffuse properties and arranged to cover the rear sidewall of the light guide plate to allow light from the illumination assembly to pass through.

[0020] In one embodiment, the translucent rigid strip is made of a transparent polymer material, which itself contains a reflector.

[0021] In one embodiment, the diffuser includes a plurality of translucent partitions having a structure capable of diffusing light, and are arranged one in front of the other in the space between the rear sidewall of the light guide plate and the lighting assembly, so that light from the lighting assembly passes through sequentially.

[0022] In one embodiment, one or more of the translucent partitions are made of a transparent polymer material, and at least one of the two sides is frosted.

[0023] In one embodiment, one or more of the translucent partitions are made of a transparent polymer material, which itself contains a reflector.

[0024] In one embodiment, the diffuser is integrally formed with the light guide plate.

[0025] In one embodiment, the lighting assembly includes: a series of LEDs positioned near the bottom of the rigid container to illuminate the rear sidewall of the light guide plate through the diffuser; and a converging optics group positioned above the LEDs and configured to deflect beams of light emitted from individual LEDs toward the diffuser, the converging optics group being integrally formed with the diffuser.

[0026] In one embodiment, the front baffle has an opaque structure.

[0027] In one embodiment, the front baffle has a central region that is a semi-transparent structure, surrounding and defining the through-slit; the light guide plate is configured to provide backlight illumination to the central region.

[0028] In one implementation, the central region is substantially shaped like a hopper and / or is colored.

[0029] In one embodiment, one or two main surfaces of the light guide plate are provided with at least one transverse step or shoulder, which is configured to allow a portion of the light traveling within the main body of the light guide plate to be partially emitted by total internal reflection, thereby providing backlight illumination to the central area of ​​the front baffle. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an automotive lighting unit implemented according to the teachings of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial exploded perspective view of the automotive lighting unit shown (some parts have been removed for clarity);

[0033] Figure 3 and Figure 4 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 The image shows a side view of an automotive lighting unit (some cross-sectional sections and components have been removed for clarity).

[0034] Figure 5 This is a side view of a variant of one embodiment of the automotive lighting unit shown in the previous images (some cross-sectional sections and components have been omitted for clarity); while

[0035] Figure 6 This is a side view of a variant of the lighting assembly of the automotive lighting unit shown in the previous images (some cross-sectional sections and components have been removed for clarity). Detailed Implementation

[0036] Reference Figure 1 The number 1 represents an automotive lighting unit, that is, a lighting device that is suitable for installation on a motor vehicle and can emit light signals with predetermined characteristics according to instructions.

[0037] More specifically, the automotive lighting unit 1 is suitable for installation at the rear of a car or similar motor vehicle.

[0038] In other words, preferably, the automotive lighting unit 1 is the taillight of an automobile or similar motor vehicle.

[0039] In addition, preferably, the vehicle lighting unit 1 can also emit light signals according to instructions to indicate the activation of the vehicle brakes.

[0040] In other words, preferably, the automotive lighting unit 1 is a lighting device adapted to be installed at the rear of a general motor vehicle and capable of emitting light signals upon instruction, which advantageously conform to the photometric type certification specifications (color and light distribution) of light signals related to the activation of the vehicle's brakes.

[0041] Furthermore, preferably, the automotive lighting unit 1 is configured such that the emitted light signal has a mainstream component of the light beam parallel to a predetermined optical reference axis A.

[0042] Furthermore, preferably, the automotive lighting unit 1 is further configured such that when the automotive lighting unit 1 is fixed / placed on the vehicle, the optical axis A is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0043] More specifically, preferably, relative to the vehicle's main taillights, the automotive lighting unit 1 is substantially mounted at the center of the rear of the vehicle, advantageously in a raised position, and advantageously emits a red light signal (only) when the vehicle's brakes are engaged.

[0044] In other words, preferably, the automotive lighting unit 1 is the central taillight (third brake light) of an automobile and similar motor vehicle.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 Specifically, the automotive lighting unit 1 includes: a rear housing 2 having a rigid structure, advantageously also opaque (to visible light) in shape, which is concave and can be securely fixed to the body or other rigid components of the vehicle (not shown), preferably fixed within a specific receiving seat; a front baffle 3 having a rigid structure, advantageously also opaque (to visible light), separate from and different from the rear housing 2, having a rectangular and advantageously substantially straight through slot / slit 4 in the center, the front baffle 3 being used to close the opening of the rear housing 2 to form a closed, hollow, rigid container 5 together with the rear housing 2.

[0046] The automotive lighting unit 1 also includes: a light guide plate 6 of appropriate thickness, advantageously made of a transparent light guide material, and installed in a through-hole manner in a rectangular slot 4 of the front baffle 3, so as to have a first portion in a rigid container 5 formed by the rear housing 2 and the front baffle 3, and a second portion extending cantilevered out of the rigid container 5; and an electric lighting assembly 7 that emits light upon instruction and is placed inside the rigid container 5 facing a first sidewall 6a (hereinafter referred to as the rear sidewall) of the light guide plate 6, so as to introduce the generated light into the body of the light guide plate 6 through the rear sidewall 6a.

[0047] Then, the light enters the interior of the light guide plate 6 through total internal reflection and exits freely from the second side wall 6b of the light guide plate 6 (hereinafter referred to as the front side wall, which is opposite to the rear side wall 6a).

[0048] More specifically, preferably, the lighting assembly 7 has a rectangular shape / structure and extends within the rigid container 5 parallel to the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6, advantageously extending substantially along the entire length of the same rear sidewall 6a.

[0049] Preferably, the lighting component 7 is also configured to emit red light upon instruction.

[0050] In addition, the automotive lighting unit 1 also includes a diffuser filter 8 disposed between the lighting component 7 and the light guide plate 6 to allow light emitted from the lighting component 7 to pass through, and is configured to diffuse the light toward the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6, advantageously in a substantially random manner.

[0051] More specifically, preferably, the diffuser filter 8 has a rectangular shape / structure and is located inside a rigid container 5 consisting of a rear housing 2 and a front baffle 3, and is substantially flush with the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6.

[0052] Furthermore, preferably, the diffuser filter 8 is configured to diffuse light from the illumination assembly 7 across the entire length and / or extension of the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6.

[0053] More specifically, preferably, the diffuser filter 8 is configured to diffuse light from the illumination assembly 7 substantially uniformly over at least 75% of the length and / or extension of the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In particular, the shape of the rear housing 2 is preferably substantially like a basin, advantageously rectangular, and / or preferably, the rear housing 2 has an integral structure, i.e., it is made into a single component.

[0055] Furthermore, preferably, the rear housing 2 is made of a polymer material, advantageously by injection molding.

[0056] In addition, preferably, the outer surface of the rear housing 2 is provided with one or more connecting attachments to securely fix the rigid container 5, or more precisely the rear housing 2, to the vehicle body or other rigid components of the vehicle (not shown).

[0057] In particular, in the example shown, the rear housing 2 is preferably substantially rectangular in shape and is preferably made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) or other opaque polymeric materials.

[0058] On the other hand, preferably, the front baffle 3 has a shape substantially complementary to the opening of the rear housing 2, and is preferably securely fixed to the rear housing 2 by a snap-locking system.

[0059] Preferably, the rectangular through-slit 4 of the front baffle 3 also has a shape that is substantially complementary to the cross-section of the light guide plate 6.

[0060] Furthermore, preferably, the front baffle 3 has an integral structure, that is, it is manufactured as a single component, and preferably is made of polymer material by injection molding.

[0061] In particular, in the example shown, the front baffle 3 is preferably made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) or other opaque (to visible light) polymer materials.

[0062] Reference Figure 1 , 2 3 and 4, preferably, the light guide plate 6 is substantially flat, and its front sidewall 6b and rear sidewall 6a are preferably substantially parallel to each other and aligned and / or perpendicular to the optical axis A of the illumination unit.

[0063] In other words, the front sidewall 6b and the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6 are preferably substantially straight and, advantageously, substantially coplanar with each other.

[0064] Furthermore, preferably, the thickness s of the light guide plate 6 is between 5 and 20 mm, with a more suitable thickness being approximately equal to 10 mm.

[0065] Furthermore, preferably, the light guide plate 6 has an integral structure, that is, it is manufactured as a single component, preferably made of a transparent (visible light) polymer material by injection molding.

[0066] In particular, in the example shown, the light guide plate 6 is preferably substantially rectangular and preferably made of transparent (visible light) polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA).

[0067] Alternatively, the light guide plate 6 can also be made of transparent polycarbonate (PC) or glass.

[0068] The rectangular through-slit 4 of the front baffle 3 is preferably substantially rectangular. Furthermore, preferably, the height of the rectangular through-slit 4 is the same as the thickness s of the light guide plate 6, and / or, preferably, the length of the rectangular through-slit 4 is the same as the width w of the light guide plate 6.

[0069] Reference Figure 2 , 3 4. On the other hand, preferably, the diffuser filter 8 includes a translucent rigid strip 9 made of a transparent or translucent material with diffuse properties, i.e., a material that allows light to diffuse through it, and is arranged to cover the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6 so that light from the illumination assembly 7 can pass through.

[0070] Furthermore, preferably, the translucent rigid strip 9 is sized to occupy the entire space between the lighting assembly 7 and the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6.

[0071] More specifically, preferably, the translucent rigid strip 9 has an integral structure, and preferably, it is made of a transparent polymer material comprising reflective microspheres and / or other types of reflectors of similar size.

[0072] Preferably, the translucent rigid strip 9 is also provided with a blind seat 9a, the shape of which is basically complementary to the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6, and can engage with the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6.

[0073] In particular, in the example shown, the translucent rigid strip 9 is preferably made of diffuse polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or diffuse polycarbonate (PC), and advantageously, is made by injection molding.

[0074] On the other hand, reference Figure 2 , 3 4. Preferably, the lighting assembly 7 includes: a series of LEDs 10 appropriately distributed on a printed circuit board 11 near the bottom of the rigid container 5, or near the bottom of the rear housing 2, such that a single LED 10 can illuminate the diffuser filter 8 and the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6 located behind the diffuser filter 8; and a converging optics assembly 12 located directly above the LEDs 10, i.e., between the LEDs 10 and the diffuser filter 8, configured to deflect or more precisely converge the beams emitted by each individual LED 10 toward the diffuser filter 8.

[0075] Furthermore, preferably, the LED 10 is configured to emit red light.

[0076] More specifically, the converging optical assembly 12 is preferably rectangular in shape / structure and preferably located in front of the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6, advantageously along the entire length of the rear sidewall 6a.

[0077] Furthermore, preferably, the converging optical group 12 is configured to direct the light beams emitted from each individual LED 10 to the corresponding portion of the diffuser filter 8. Advantageously, the light emitted from each individual LED 10 can also be collimated in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis A of the illumination unit and / or substantially perpendicular to the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6.

[0078] Furthermore, preferably, the distance d between the lighting component 7 and the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6 is between 2 and 8 mm, with a more suitable distance being approximately 3 mm.

[0079] In other words, preferably, the converging optical group 12 is located in front of the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6, and preferably, the distance d between it and the rear sidewall 6a is between 2 and 8 mm, with a more suitable distance being approximately 3 mm.

[0080] The size of the diffuse filter 8, or the semi-transparent rigid strip 9, is preferably such that it occupies the entire space between the converging optical group 12 and the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6.

[0081] Specifically, in the example shown, the printed circuit board 11 preferably has a rectangular plate-like structure and is preferably adjacent to the bottom of the rigid container 5, or more precisely, adjacent to the bottom of the rear housing 2, so as to be substantially parallel to the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6 and / or substantially perpendicular to the optical axis A of the lighting unit. Furthermore, preferably, the LEDs 10 are spaced substantially evenly along a substantially straight line, advantageously located on the midplane M of the light guide plate 6.

[0082] On the other hand, preferably, the converging optical group 12 is a rectangular structure and extends into the interior of the rigid container 5, advantageously making substantial contact with the diffuser filter 8.

[0083] Furthermore, preferably, the converging optical group 12 is substantially coplanar with the light guide plate 6 and / or the diffuser filter 8.

[0084] Furthermore, preferably, the converging optical assembly 12 is an integral structure, i.e., it is manufactured as a single component, and preferably, it is advantageously made of a transparent (visible light) polymer material by injection molding.

[0085] More specifically, the converging optical assembly 12 preferably includes a transparent rigid body 13, which is advantageously made of a transparent (visible light) polymer material, is rectangular in shape, and extends into the interior of the rigid container 5, substantially in contact with the diffuser filter 8.

[0086] Furthermore, the transparent rigid body 13 is preferably substantially coplanar with the light guide plate 6 and the diffuser filter 8, and preferably has a series of advantageously ogival-shaped protrusions 13a, each of which cantilevered toward its respective LED 10, and is shaped such that light beams departing from and toward the respective LED 10 are concentrated toward or more advantageously collimated toward the diffuser filter 8.

[0087] Furthermore, preferably, the transparent rigid body 13 has a protruding ridge or rib 13b on the side opposite to the LED 10, which is partially aligned with and towards the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6, and advantageously, also replicates the shape of the rear sidewall 6a. In other words, the protruding ridge or rib 13b is preferably substantially straight, and preferably aligned with or coplanar with the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6.

[0088] Preferably, a second blind seat 9b is provided on the translucent rigid strip 9. The shape of the second blind seat 9b is substantially complementary to the protruding ridge 13b of the transparent rigid body 13 and engages with the protruding ridge 13b.

[0089] In other words, the translucent rigid strip 9 is preferably adjacent to both the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6 and the transparent rigid body 13 (or the protruding ridge 13b of the transparent rigid body 13).

[0090] Therefore, preferably, the diffuse filter 8 or the translucent rigid strip 9 is coupled to both the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6 and the lighting assembly 7, or to the converging optical group 12 of the lighting assembly 7.

[0091] In particular, in the example shown, the converging optical assembly 12, or the transparent rigid body 13, is preferably made of transparent polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), advantageously by injection molding.

[0092] Alternatively, the converging optical assembly 12, or the transparent rigid body 13, can also be made of transparent polycarbonate (PC) or glass.

[0093] The operation of the automotive lighting unit 1 can be directly deduced from the above description, and therefore requires no further explanation.

[0094] The special structure of the automotive lighting unit 1 has significant advantages.

[0095] Experimental tests show that the intensity of light emitted from the front sidewall 6b of the light guide plate 6 remains essentially constant along the entire extension of the front sidewall 6b.

[0096] Furthermore, since the diffuser filter 8 is located inside the rigid container 5 consisting of the rear housing 2 and the front baffle 3, the automotive lighting unit 1 has no visible colored components and is therefore almost invisible when turned off.

[0097] In addition, the front sidewall 6b of the light guide plate 6 is smooth and has no optical elements that would significantly detract from the aesthetics of the automotive lighting unit 1.

[0098] Finally, given the same emitted light signal, the size of the automotive lighting unit 1 is much smaller than that of currently known central taillights, making it suitable for installation on high-performance road buses, whose rear windows are typically very sloping and / or small in size.

[0099] Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the automotive lighting unit 1 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0100] For example, the diffuser filter 8 can be advantageously integrally molded with the light guide plate 6 by overmolding or co-molding.

[0101] In other words, the translucent rigid strip 9 can be advantageously integrally molded with the light guide plate 6 by overmolding or co-molding.

[0102] In addition, the converging optical group 12 can be integrally formed with the diffuser filter 8 by overmolding or co-molding.

[0103] In other words, the transparent rigid body 13 can be advantageously integrally formed with the light guide plate 6 by overmolding or co-molding.

[0104] Alternatively, the diffuser filter 8 can also be colored to change the color of the light coming from the lighting component 7.

[0105] More specifically, the translucent rigid strip 9 can be made of a transparent colored polymer material, advantageously red, and contains reflective microspheres and / or other types of reflectors of similar size.

[0106] Reference Figure 5 In one embodiment variant, the front baffle 3 is replaced by a front baffle 30 having a central region 30a that is a translucent structure and optionally also a colored structure, and preferably also has a protruding structure that surrounds and defines a slot / slit 4, and is preferably shaped substantially like a hopper.

[0107] Furthermore, preferably, the light guide plate 6 is configured to provide backlight illumination for the central region 30a of the front baffle 30.

[0108] Replacing the front baffle 3 with the front baffle 30 allows the automotive lighting unit 1 to be easily and quickly adapted to SAE type certification regulations (valid in the United States and Canada) or UN / ECE type certification regulations.

[0109] More specifically, in a variant of this embodiment, at least one of the main opposing surfaces of the light guide plate 6, more conveniently, both surfaces, is preferably provided with at least one transverse shoulder or step 6c, advantageously positioned approximately below the translucent central region 30a, with a height h advantageously between 0.4 and 1.1 mm. Preferably, it extends substantially parallel to the front sidewall 6b and / or rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6 and is configured to partially emit a portion of the light traveling within the body of the light guide plate 6 by total internal reflection. These rays, after emanating from one or more main surfaces of the light guide plate 6, can be used to provide backlight illumination to the translucent central region 30a of the front baffle 30.

[0110] The translucent central region 30a of the front baffle 30 preferably has a sandwich structure, comprising a transparent polymer material layer and a colored translucent polymer material layer, which advantageously has a small thickness.

[0111] In particular, in the example shown, the entire body of the front baffle 30 is preferably a translucent structure, and advantageously, it can also be a colored structure.

[0112] More specifically, in the example shown, the entire front baffle 30 preferably has a double-layer structure comprising a transparent (visible light) half-shell made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and a film made of translucent (visible light) or diffused polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) (optionally, also colored (red)) that at least partially covers the inner surface of the half-shell.

[0113] Reference Figure 6 In a more complex embodiment variant, the diffuser filter 8 also includes a plurality of advantageous floor-shaped translucent rigid partitions 90 that replace the translucent rigid strips 9, have a structure capable of diffusing light, and are arranged one in front of the other in the space between the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6 and the lighting assembly 7, so that light from the lighting assembly 7 passes through sequentially.

[0114] More specifically, each translucent partition 90 is preferably made of a transparent (visible light) material, optionally, it may also be colored, and one or both of its main surfaces are suitably satinized so that light passing through the translucent partition 90 is diffused substantially randomly.

[0115] Furthermore, preferably, the translucent partition 90 is partially substantially parallel to each other and / or substantially parallel to the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6. Furthermore, preferably, the translucent rigid partition 90 is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis A of the illumination unit.

[0116] Furthermore, each of the translucent partitions 90 is preferably of substantially the same thickness and / or preferably is distributed substantially evenly in the space that separates the rear sidewall 6a of the light guide plate 6 from the lighting assembly 7.

[0117] More specifically, the thickness of each translucent partition 90 is preferably between 0.8 and 1.2 mm, more conveniently equal to about 1 mm. Preferably, each translucent partition 90 is made of a transparent polymer material, but may also be colored.

[0118] In addition, at least one side, or more conveniently both sides, of the translucent partition 90 is properly frosted to diffuse incident light in a substantially random manner.

[0119] Optionally, the degree of silkening treatment (surface roughness) of one or more sides of the translucent partition 90 may vary depending on the translucent partition 90.

[0120] Preferably, the distance between two consecutive translucent partitions 90 is between 0.8 and 1.2 mm, and more conveniently, about 1 mm.

[0121] In other words, the distance between the two translucent partitions 90 is approximately equal to the thickness of the translucent partitions 90.

[0122] In particular, in the example shown, each translucent partition 90 is preferably made of transparent polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC), preferably by injection molding, and the surfaces of both sides are appropriately frosted to randomly diffuse light passing through the partition.

[0123] In addition, at least a portion of the translucent partition 90 of the diffuser filter 8 can also be formed as a whole, which is advantageously manufactured as a single component together with the light guide plate 6.

[0124] Alternatively, one or more translucent partitions 90 may be made entirely of a material with diffusion properties, or may be colored.

[0125] More specifically, one or more translucent partitions 90 may be made entirely of a transparent polymer material or may be colored and contain reflective microspheres and / or other types of reflectors of similar size.

[0126] Optionally, the density of the reflector in the polymer material can vary depending on the different translucent septa 90.

Claims

1. An automotive lighting unit (1), characterized in that, include: A concave rear housing (2) adapted to be fixed to a vehicle; a front baffle (3; 30) arranged to close the opening of the rear housing (2) to form a rigid container (5) and having a rectangular through-slit (4) at the center; a light guide plate (6) made of light-guiding material and inserted through the through-slit (4) of the front baffle (3; 30); and an illumination assembly (7) that emits light upon instruction and is arranged inside the rigid container (5) facing the rear sidewall of the light guide plate (6). (6a) so that the generated light is guided through the rear sidewall (6a) into the body of the light guide plate (6) so that the light is propagated within the light guide plate (6) by total internal reflection to the front sidewall (6b) of the same light guide plate (6); and a diffuse filter (8) is placed between the illumination assembly (7) and the light guide plate (6) so that the light emitted by the illumination assembly (7) passes through, and is configured to diffuse the light toward the rear sidewall (6a) of the light guide plate (6).

2. The automotive lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein the diffuser filter (8) is rectangular and is arranged inside the rigid container (5) and substantially in contact with the rear sidewall (6a) of the light guide plate (6).

3. The automotive lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lighting component (7) is rectangular and is arranged within the rigid container (5) and substantially in contact with the diffuser filter (8).

4. The automotive lighting unit according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the light guide plate (6) is substantially flat.

5. The automotive lighting unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The through-slit (4) of the front baffle (3; 30) has a shape that is substantially complementary to the cross-section of the light guide plate (6).

6. The automotive lighting unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diffuser filter (8) comprises a translucent rigid strip (9) made of a material having diffuse properties and arranged to cover the rear sidewall (6a) of the light guide plate (6) so that light from the lighting assembly (7) can pass through.

7. The automotive lighting unit according to claim 6, wherein the translucent rigid strip (9) is made of a transparent polymer material, the transparent polymer material itself containing a reflector.

8. The automotive lighting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the diffuser filter (8) comprises a plurality of translucent partitions (90) having a structure capable of diffusing light and arranged one in front of the other in the space between the rear sidewall (6a) of the light guide plate (6) and the lighting assembly (7) so that light from the lighting assembly (7) passes through sequentially.

9. The automotive lighting unit according to claim 8, wherein one or more of the translucent partitions (90) are made of a transparent polymer material, and at least one of the two sides is frosted.

10. The automotive lighting unit according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, One or more of the translucent partitions (90) are made of a transparent polymer material, which itself contains a reflector.

11. The automotive lighting unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diffuser filter (8) is integrally formed with the light guide plate (6).

12. The automotive lighting unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting component (7) comprises: A series of LEDs (10) are placed near the bottom of the rigid container (5) to illuminate the rear sidewall (6a) of the light guide plate (6) through the diffuser (8); and a converging optics group (12) is placed above the LEDs (10) and configured to deflect the light beam emitted from the individual LEDs (10) toward the diffuser (8), the converging optics group (12) being integrally formed with the diffuser (8).

13. The automotive lighting unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front baffle (3) has an opaque structure.

14. The automotive lighting unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front baffle (30) has a central region (30a) of a semi-transparent structure surrounding and defining the through-slit (4); the light guide plate (6) is configured to provide backlight illumination to the central region (30a).

15. The automotive lighting unit according to claim 14, wherein the central region (30a) is substantially shaped like a hopper and / or is colored.

16. The automotive lighting unit according to claim 14 or 15, wherein one or two main surfaces of the light guide plate (6) are provided with at least one transverse step or shoulder (6c), which is configured to partially emit a portion of the light traveling within the body of the light guide plate (6) by total internal reflection, thereby providing backlight illumination to the central region (30a) of the front baffle (30).

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