LIGHTING DEVICE FOR DOUBLE LIGHTING OF A VEHICLE DOOR

Abstract

A lighting device (DE), on the one hand, is part of a door fitted to a vehicle and comprising an area comprising a gripping recess, and, on the other hand, comprises: - a source (SP) generating photons for a diffusion part (PD1) comprising a front face (FV1) delivering these photons into this gripping recess, and - a light guide (GL) comprising, on the one hand, a main part (PPG) receiving these generated photons to guide them to a first sub-part (SP1) installed along an edge of the area and comprising a front face (FV2) delivering guided photons to illuminate a part of a door panel located above the gripping recess, and, on the other hand, a first branch (B1) comprising a first end (EB1) through which guided photons enter the main part (PPG) and a second end (EB2) delivering these entered photons to power the part diffusion (PD1). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: LIGHTING DEVICE FOR DOUBLE LIGHTING OF A VEHICLE DOOR Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to lighting devices intended to form part of a vehicle door comprising an area to be illuminated. State of the art

[0002] Some vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise at least one door which comprises an area, generally delimited by a trim piece, and comprising a lower sub-part comprising a gripping recess (sometimes called a "holy stoup") allowing a user to pull or push the door to close or open it. It will be noted that this type of door is often placed in a rear part of a car interior, and that its trim piece frequently defines an armrest.

[0003] Some of the doors presented above also include a lighting device arranged to illuminate their gripping recess, so that the user can easily find the latter, particularly in the dark.

[0004] Currently, this type of lighting device comprises a source generating photons for a diffusion part comprising a front face delivering these photons into the gripping cavity to globally illuminate the latter. Generally, the lighting device also comprises a light guide receiving the photons generated by the source and guiding the latter to the diffusion part.

[0005] When it is desired to additionally illuminate a part (often called a "medallion") of a door panel, located above the gripping recess, it is currently necessary to equip the door with another lighting device comprising a source generating photons for a diffusion part or a light guide comprising a front face delivering these photons at the level of this part (or medallion) of the door panel. This results in an increase in the space requirement behind the trim part delimiting the door area, even though free space is generally scarce, which complicates the design and installation of the two complementary lighting devices. In addition, such an arrangement with two complementary lighting devices contributes to increasing the weight of the vehicle and therefore the latter's driving energy consumption, but also the cost of the vehicle.

[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0007] It proposes in particular for this purpose a lighting device, on the one hand, intended to be part of a door suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising an area comprising a gripping recess, and, on the other hand, comprising a source suitable for generating photons for a diffusion part comprising a front face suitable for delivering these photons into this gripping recess.

[0008] This lighting device is characterized by the fact that it also comprises a light guide comprising:

[0009] - a main part suitable for receiving the generated photons to guide them to a first sub-part suitable for being installed along an edge of the area, located at the interface of a part of a door panel located above the gripping recess, and comprising a front face suitable for delivering guided photons to illuminate this part of the door panel, and

[0010] - a first branch comprising a first end through which enter photons guided in this main part and a second end delivering these entered photons to feed the diffusion part.

[0011] Thanks to the invention, a single lighting device comprising a single photon source allows for double, homogeneous lighting of the gripping recess and the part of the door panel, which makes it possible to reduce the space requirement behind this area, without the installation of the lighting device being complex.

[0012] The lighting device according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0013] - the first end of the first branch can project from a second sub-part of the main part of the light guide, located upstream of the first sub-part relative to a direction of guidance of the photons and suitable for receiving the generated photons;

[0014] - in the presence of the first option, the second sub-part of the main part of the light guide may have a curved shape;

[0015] - its diffusion part may comprise a first side located opposite a face of output of the second end of the first branch, through which the input photons are delivered, and coupled to the second end of the first branch by at least one rigid connection;

[0016] - in the presence of the last option, its diffusion part can include a second side, opposite the first side, and the front face of its diffusion part may be located between the first and second sides;

[0017] - also in the presence of the last sub-option, its diffusion part can have a general trapezoidal shape, the second side being longer than the first side;

[0018] - its light guide may comprise a second branch fixedly secured to its broadcasting room;

[0019] - the second end of the first branch may have a flared shape with a output face having an extension strictly greater than an extension of the first end of the first branch, in order to deliver the input photons over a predefined angular sector;

[0020] - its light guide and its diffusion part can together constitute a part monobloc.

[0021] The invention also proposes a door suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising an area comprising a gripping recess and a lighting device of the type presented above.

[0022] For example, this door may also include a part delimiting its area and to which the lighting device is fixedly attached.

[0023] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising at least one door of the type presented above. Brief description of the figures

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings (obtained for the most part in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:

[0025] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the interior side, an example of a vehicle door comprising a (covering) part delimiting a gripping zone,

[0026] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention, without its second diffusion part, and

[0027] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the lighting device of [Fig.2] with its second diffusion part. Detailed description of the invention

[0028] The invention aims in particular to propose a lighting device DE making it possible to illuminate with a single source of photons SP two different locations CP and PPP of a door PV of a vehicle.

[0029] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the PV door is intended to equip a vehicle of the automobile type, such as for example a car. But the PV door can equip any vehicle which must include at least one door having a gripping area for a user, and therefore a land vehicle, a boat, or an aircraft.

[0030] Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the PV door is intended to equip a rear part of a vehicle passenger compartment. But the PV door could equip a front part of a vehicle passenger compartment.

[0031] An example of a vehicle PV door is schematically illustrated in [Fig.l]. comprising a part PZ delimiting a gripping zone ZP, and to which is secured a lighting device DE according to the invention (not visible, because installed behind (on its rear face)). It will be noted that the part PZ can also, as illustrated non-limitingly, define an armrest. This part PZ can also, possibly, contribute to the cladding of the door PV. But it could also be covered with an added skin, for example.

[0032] The gripping zone ZP comprises a gripping recess CP allowing a user to pull or push the door PV to close or open it. This gripping recess CP is open in its lower part in order to allow the housing of a part of the lighting device DE, as will be seen later.

[0033] As illustrated in [Fig.2], a lighting device DE, according to the invention, comprises at least a single photon source SP, a first diffusion part PDI and a light guide GL.

[0034] The photon source SP is arranged to generate photons for the light guide GL and the first diffusion part PDI.

[0035] For example, this photon source SP may comprise at least one light-emitting diode (or LED). But as a variant it could comprise at least one laser diode or a gas laser, for example.

[0036] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the light guide GL comprises at least one main part PPG and a first branch Bl.

[0037] The main part PPG is suitable for receiving the photons which are generated by the source SP in order to guide them to a first sub-part SP1 which is suitable for being installed along an edge BZ of the zone ZP located at the interface of a part PPP of a door panel PPV located above the gripping recess CP. For this purpose, the main part PPG comprises a first end EG1 coupled to the photon source SP in order to receive the photons which it generates.

[0038] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1] the edge BZ is located substantially horizontally in the bottom of the zone ZP. But in an alternative embodiment not illustrated the edge BZ could be located substantially vertically, for example.

[0039] This first sub-part SP1 comprises a front face FV2 which is capable of delivering guided photons to illuminate the part (or medallion) PPP of the door panel PPV. This provides ambient lighting known as “indirect interior”.

[0040] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.2], that the first sub-part SP1 may possibly have a square (or rectangular) cross-section.

[0041] The main part PPG of the light guide GL is also coupled to the first diffusion part PDI via the first branch BL

[0042] This first branch B1 comprises a first end EB1 through which photons enter which are guided into the main part PPG, and a second end EB2 delivering these entered photons onto an output face FS to supply the first diffusion part PDI. In other words, a portion of the photons which are guided into the main part PPG enters the first branch B1 through its first end EB1 and exits through the second end EB2 in order to supply the first diffusion part PDI.

[0043] The diffusion part PDI comprises a front face FV1 which is suitable for delivering into the gripping recess CP the photons which are delivered by the output face FS of the second end EB2 of the first branch Bl. This makes it possible to globally illuminate the gripping recess CP so that the user can easily find the latter (CP), in particular in the dark. It will be understood that the diffusion part PDI is installed under the gripping recess CP, and more precisely under the opening defined in the lower part of the latter (CP), so that the photons delivered by its front face FV 1 can illuminate the gripping recess CP.It will also be understood that the first branch Bl makes it possible to space the first diffusion part PDI from the main part PPG and thus to prevent too large a portion of the guided photons from passing into the first diffusion part PDI, which would cause the creation of an undesirable “hot spot” at the level of the first diffusion part PDI and an undesirable inhomogeneity of illumination in the first sub-part SP1.

[0044] Thus, with a single lighting device DE comprising a single photon source SP it is now possible to ensure double homogeneous lighting at two distant locations of the door PV, namely the gripping recess CP and the part (or medallion) PPP of the door panel PPV. This is advantageous because it makes it possible to reduce the space requirement behind the part PZ, without the installation of the lighting device DE being complex, and to reduce the weight of the vehicle and therefore the latter's driving energy consumption.

[0045] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], the first end EB1 of the first branch B1 may project (or start) from a second sub-part SP2 of the main part PPG of the light guide GL. In the illustrated example, this second sub-part SP2 is located upstream of the first sub-part SP1 relative to the direction of guidance of the photons, and is therefore suitable for receiving the photons which are generated by the source SP. Consequently, the first end EG1 here forms part of the second sub-part SP2. The photons generated by the source SP are therefore guided into the second sub-part SP2 then into the first sub-part SP1 in order to be delivered by the front face FV2 of the latter (SP1), and a portion of the photons guided in the second sub-part SP2 enters the first branch B1 via its first end EB1 in order to supply the first diffusion part PDI and to be delivered by the front face FV1 of the latter (PDI).

[0046] But in a variant embodiment not illustrated, the second sub-part SP2 could be located downstream of the first sub-part SP1 relative to the direction of guidance of the photons, and in this case the first end EG1 is part of the first sub-part SP1.

[0047] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.2], the second sub-part SP2 may have a curved shape. But this is not an obligation. Indeed, it could be substantially rectilinear or else have at least two curvatures in different planes.

[0048] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], the first diffusion part PDI may comprise a first side Cl located opposite the output face FS of the second end EB2 of the first branch B1 (by which the input photons are delivered). This first side Cl is coupled to the second end EB2 of the first branch B1 by at least one rigid connection LRj. It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2] the first side Cl is coupled to the second end EB2 of the first branch B1 by two rigid connections LR1 and LR2 (j = 1 or 2). This makes it possible in particular to make the first diffusion part PDI more stable with respect to the second end EB2 of the first branch Bl. But this is not an obligation. Indeed, it could be coupled to the second end EB2 of the first branch Bl by a single rigid connection LR1.

[0049] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.2], the first side Cl is slightly spaced from the output face FS of the second end EB2 of the first branch Bl due to the presence of the rigid connections LRj. But this is not an obligation. Indeed, the first diffusion part PDI could be an extension of the first branch Bl at its second end EB2.

[0050] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.2], the first diffusion part PDI may comprise a second side C2, opposite its first side Cl, with its front face FV1 located between these first Cl and second C2 sides.

[0051] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], the first diffusion part PDI may have a generally trapezoidal shape, the second side C2 being longer than the first side C1. But other more or less geometric shapes of the first diffusion part PDI may be envisaged provided that they allow good illumination of the gripping recess CP (taking into account its shape), including its most remote areas.

[0052] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], the second end EB2 of the first branch B1 may have a flared shape. In this case, its output face FS has an extension which is strictly greater than the extension of the first end EB1 of the first branch Bl. This flaring of the output face FS makes it possible to deliver the input photons over a predefined angular sector, which makes it possible to optimize the distribution of the latter in the first diffusion part PDI, and therefore that only a part of the first diffusion part PDI is illuminated by an intense beam.

[0053] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], the light guide GL may comprise a second branch B2 fixedly secured to the first diffusion part PDI downstream of the first branch B1 relative to the direction of guidance of the photons. This makes it possible in particular to make the first diffusion part PDI more stable relative to the second sub-part SP2 of the main part PPG of the light guide GL and to keep the empty space separating the first diffusion part PDI from the second sub-part SP2 constantly.

[0054] It will also be noted that the light guide GL and the first diffusion part PDI can together constitute a single-piece part. This single-piece part (GL, PDI) can, for example, be made of polycarbonate (or PC), possibly transparent (or crystal-colored).

[0055] But this is not an obligation. Indeed, the first diffusion part PDI could be attached by gluing or welding to the second end EB2 of the first branch B1 and the possible second branch B2.

[0056] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 3], that the lighting device DE may also comprise a second diffusion part PD2, to which the light guide GL and the first diffusion part PDI are fixedly secured, and which provides a diffusion function for the photons which pass through it, which allows illumination over an increased and more homogeneous surface. Preferably, and as illustrated non-limitingly, this second diffusion part PD2 at least partially surrounds the light guide GL (in particular the front face FV2 of the first sub-part SP1 of its main part PPG) and the first diffusion part PDI (including in front of its front face FV1), as well as possibly the photon source SP.

[0057] Also preferably, this second diffusion part PD2 can be arranged so as to allow the fixing of the lighting device DE at least at the edge BZ (on the rear face side). In this case, this second diffusion part PD2 comprises fixing means intended to cooperate with corresponding fixing means of the part PZ to ensure the fixing of the lighting device DE on a rear face of the latter (PZ), opposite the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. Lighting device (DE) for a door (PV) suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising a zone (ZP) comprising a gripping recess (CP), said lighting device (DE) comprising a source (SP) suitable for generating photons for a diffusion part (PDI) comprising a front face (FV1) suitable for delivering these photons into said gripping recess (CP), characterized in that it further comprises a light guide (GL) comprising i) a main part (PPG) suitable for receiving said generated photons to guide them to a first sub-part (SP1) suitable for being installed along an edge (BZ) of said zone (ZP), located at the interface of a part (PPP) of a door panel (PPV) located above said gripping recess (CP), and comprising a front face (FV2) suitable for delivering guided photons to illuminate this part of the door panel (PPP),and ii) a first branch (Bl) comprising a first end (EB1) through which guided photons enter said main part (PPG) and a second end (EB2) delivering these entered photons to supply said diffusion part (PDI).,

2. Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first end (EB1) of the first branch (Bl) projects from a second sub-part (SP2) of said main part (PPG), located upstream of said first sub-part (SP1) relative to a direction of guidance of said photons and suitable for receiving said generated photons.

3. Lighting device according to claim 2, characterized in that said second sub-part (SP2) has a curved shape.

4. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said diffusion part (PDI) comprises a first side (Cl) located opposite an output face (FS) of said second end (EB2) of the first branch (Bl), by which said input photons are delivered, and coupled to said second end (EB2) of the first branch (Bl) by at least one rigid connection (LRj).

5. Lighting device according to claim 4, characterized in that said diffusion part (PDI) comprises a second side (C2), opposite said first side (Cl), and said front face (FV1) of the diffusion part (PDI) is located between said first (Cl) and second (C2) sides.

6. Lighting device according to claim 5, characterized in that said diffusion part (PDI) has a generally trapezoidal shape, said second side (C2) being longer than said first side (Cl).

7. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said second end (EB2) of the first branch (Bl) has a flared shape with an output face (FS) having an extension strictly greater than an extension of said first end (EB1) of the first branch (Bl), in order to deliver said input photons over a predefined angular sector.

8. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said light guide (GL) and said diffusion part (PDI) together constitute a single-piece part.

9. Door (PV) suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising a zone (ZP) comprising a gripping recess (PP), characterized in that it further comprises a lighting device (DE) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one door (PV) according to claim 9.

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