Light emitting device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a light emitting device having an optical element (100). The optical element comprises at least one first portion (105), the first portion comprising a first light input surface (110) for receiving first light rays from a first light source (205) and transmitting the first light rays directly toward a light output surface (115) so that the first light rays leave the optical element (100). The optical element further comprises a second light input surface (125) for receiving second light rays from a second light source (210) and transmitting the second light rays toward the light output surface (115) so that the second light rays are reflected at least once by total internal reflection on a first area (215) of the light output surface (115) and then leave the optical element (100) through a second area (220) of the light output surface (115).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a light emitting device for a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Light emitting devices for motor vehicles are placed on the outside of motor vehicles (especially for safety purposes) to indicate the presence of the vehicle to other road users and the intentions of the vehicle driver (such as braking, changing direction of travel or reversing). Other devices are placed inside the vehicle to illuminate passengers to welcome them when they enter the vehicle or to create special mood lighting in the vehicle cabin.

[0003] More and more constraints are imposed on these devices. Automobile manufacturers are in fact making increasingly higher demands on the uniformity of the illuminated appearance of the light-emitting devices. Moreover, the volumes available for their installation in the vehicle are becoming increasingly smaller, both in thickness and width. In addition, such devices must be able to generate functions with large luminous flux amplitudes on the same light-emitting surface, and even several functions emitting very different luminous fluxes simultaneously.

[0004] However, known light emitting devices with good uniformity are usually bulky. In contrast, those light emitting devices that are not bulky have poor uniformity. In addition, when the light emitting device emits several light functions, the light emitting device is also difficult to adapt to ensure good uniformity. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages of known light emitting devices for motor vehicles. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting device which is not bulky and which ensures good uniformity when it performs several lighting and / or signaling functions, such as a tail lighting function and a turn indication function.

[0006] The present invention provides a light emitting module comprising the optical component according to the present invention.

[0007] More specifically, the present invention proposes an optical component for a motor vehicle, the optical component comprising:

[0008] - at least one first portion comprising a first light input face for receiving first light rays from a first light source and transmitting these first light rays directly towards a light output face so that these first light rays exit the optical element; and

[0009] - at least one second portion, which includes a second light input surface for receiving second light rays from a second light source and transmitting these second light rays toward the light output surface, so that these second light rays are reflected at least once by total internal reflection on the first area of ​​the light output surface and then leave the optical element through the second area of ​​the light output surface.

[0010] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the at least one second portion protrudes from the at least one first portion.

[0011] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the second light input surface is located at an end of the second portion protruding from the first portion.

[0012] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the second light input surface is flat.

[0013] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the second light input surface is curved and / or comprises a collimator.

[0014] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first light input surface is flat.

[0015] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first light input surface is curved.

[0016] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first light input surface comprises an optical pattern, in particular a pillow shape and / or a groove shape and / or a cone shape and / or a particle shape.

[0017] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first light input surface comprises a hollow cone.

[0018] According to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the cone has a vertex angle of between 30° and 60°, preferably a vertex angle of 45°, relative to the respective rotation axis of the cone.

[0019] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the depth of the cone is between 0.15 mm and 0.3 mm, in particular 0.2 mm.

[0020] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the output face is curved.

[0021] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the optical element includes a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions, each first portion includes a first light input surface, and each second portion includes a second light input surface.

[0022] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the first input faces of the first portions form a connected surface.

[0023] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the second portions are discontinuous.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the invention, the second portions are arranged in a matrix.

[0025] According to another embodiment of the invention, each second portion has the form of a cylinder or a cone.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the invention, each second portion is rotationally symmetric.

[0027] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light output face includes a plurality of curved portions.

[0028] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light output face includes a plurality of hollow portions.

[0029] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, these hollow portions are rotationally symmetrical and in particular have the form of a cone with an apex.

[0030] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the generating curve of the cone form is curved.

[0031] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the hollow portions are discontinuous.

[0032] According to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, each hollow portion is opposite to an associated second portion.

[0033] According to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the apex of the cone form is centered on the central axis of its associated second portion.

[0034] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the curved portions are arranged in a matrix and alternate with the hollow portions.

[0035] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the optical transmission module includes:

[0036] - an optical element according to the invention;

[0037] - at least one first light source, the at least one first light source being positioned opposite to the first light input surface of the at least one first portion; and

[0038] - at least one second light source, the at least one second light source being arranged opposite to the second light input face of the at least one second portion.

[0039] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the optical transmission module includes:

[0040] - an optical element according to the invention and comprising a plurality of first parts and a plurality of second parts;

[0041] - a plurality of first light sources, each first light source being opposite an associated first light input face of the first portion;

[0042] - a plurality of second light sources, each second light source being opposite an associated second light input face of the second portion.

[0043] According to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, each first light input facet is associated with a first light source.

[0044] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, each second light input facet is associated with a second light source.

[0045] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first light sources and the plurality of second light sources are semiconductor light sources, in particular light emitting diodes.

[0046] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first light sources are adapted to emit a light flux different from a light flux emitted by the plurality of second light sources.

[0047] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first light sources and the plurality of second light sources are configured to emit a light color selected from red, amber, yellow or white.

[0048] According to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first light sources are adapted to emit a light color that is different from a light color emitted by the plurality of second light sources.

[0049] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first light sources are arranged on a common support.

[0050] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of second light sources are arranged on a common support.

[0051] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first light sources and the plurality of second light sources are arranged on a common support.

[0052] The present invention also provides a light emitting device, which includes:

[0053] - a housing comprising a front opening;

[0054] - At least one light emitting module according to the invention placed in the housing.

[0055] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting device further comprises an outer lens closing the front opening of the housing, and at least one light emitting module placed in a volume formed by the housing and the outer lens.

[0056] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the light emitting device is a taillight, a headlight or an interior lighting device of a motor vehicle.

[0057] According to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the light emitting device is an interior lighting device of a motor vehicle, and the optical member closes the front opening of the housing.

[0058] The present invention thus provides a light emitting device which is not bulky and which ensures good uniformity when emitting several light functions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] In order to complete the description and for a better understanding of the present invention, a set of drawings is provided. Said drawings constitute an integral part of the description and illustrate embodiments of the present invention, which should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention, but only as examples of how the present invention may be implemented. These drawings include the following features.

[0060] Figure 1a A perspective view of an optical member according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0061] Figure 1b The embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figure 1a Bottom view of the optical components.

[0062] Figure 1c The embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figure 1b An enlarged view of the bottom portion of the optic is shown.

[0063] Figure 1d The embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figure 1a Top view of the optical components.

[0064] Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1a Cross-sectional representation of the optics shown.

[0065] Figure 3a According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1a Representation of the first lighting / signaling function performed by the optical element.

[0066] Figure 3b According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1a Representation of a second lighting / signaling function performed by the optical component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0068] The present invention provides a light emitting device that ensures good uniformity when it emits several lighting and / or signaling functions (such as a tail light function and a turn indication function, a tail light function and a stop function, a position or parking function and a DRL (daytime running light) function, a position or parking function and a turn indication function).

[0069] Figure 1a A perspective view showing an optical member of a light emitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1b The embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figure 1a Bottom view of the optical components. Figure 1c The embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figure 1b An enlarged view of the bottom portion of the optic is shown. Figure 1d The embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figure 1a Top view of the optical components.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical element 100 of a motor vehicle comprises at least one first portion 105, the first portion comprising a first light input surface 110 for receiving light from a first light source 205 (at Figure 2 The optical element 100 further includes at least one second portion 120 including a second light input surface 125 for receiving a light from a second light source 210 (such as Figure 2 The second light is transmitted toward the light output surface 115, so that the second light passes through the first area 215 (as shown in FIG. Figure 2 The total internal reflection on the light output surface 115 is reflected at least once and then passes through the second area 220 (as shown in FIG. Figure 2 1 (shown) exits the optical element 100. In one embodiment, the light output face 115 is curved.

[0071] As from Figure 1a It can be seen that the at least one second portion 120 of the optical element 100 protrudes from the at least one first portion 105 of the optical element 100. Further, the at least one second portion 120 has a cone or cylinder form. The second light input surface 125 is located at the end of the second portion 120 protruding from the first portion 105.

[0072] In an embodiment, the second light input surface 125 may be Figure 1a In another embodiment, the second light input surface may be curved and / or include a collimator (not shown) to collimate the light emitted from the second light source 210 .

[0073] In an embodiment, the first light input surface 110 may be Figure 1a In another embodiment, the first light input surface 110 may be curved and / or include a collimator (not shown) to collimate the light emitted from the second light source 210. Further, the first light input surface 110 may include optical patterns 145, which are arranged in a Figure 1b The optical pattern 145 may be in a pillow shape, a groove shape, a cone shape, or a particle shape.

[0074] Further, in an embodiment, the first light input surface 110 may include Figure 1c The hollow cone 140 shown. Each cone 140 has a top angle or a half-opening angle. The half-opening angle is between 30° and 60°, preferably 45°, relative to the rotation axis of the cone. The depth of each cone 140 is between 0.15 mm and 0.3 mm, especially 0.2 mm.

[0075] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the optical element 100 includes a plurality of first portions 105 and a plurality of second portions 120. Each first portion 105 includes a first light input surface 110 for receiving a first light from a first light source 205. Further, each second portion 120 includes a second light input surface 125 for receiving a second light from a second light source 210.

[0076] The first light input surface 110 of the first portion 105 forms a connected surface, while the second portion 120 is discontinuous. The second portions 120 can be arranged in a matrix, which is a grid arranged in rows and columns. Each second portion 120 has a shape of a cylinder or a cone, and each second portion 120 is rotationally symmetric. In one embodiment, all second portions have the same shape.

[0077] In an embodiment, each first portion 105 may be associated with several second portions 120 , ie, light from several second portions 120 may be directed to one given first portion output face 115 .

[0078] The light output surface 115 includes a plurality of curved portions 130 and a plurality of hollow portions 135. Each hollow portion 135 is rotationally symmetrical, and in particular has a cone form with a vertex. Further, the hollow portions 135 of the output surface 115 are discontinuous, such as Figure 1a Each hollow portion 135 is opposite to the associated second portion 120, and the apex of the cone form of the hollow portion 135 is centered on the central axis 'C' of the second portion 120 associated therewith. Further, in one aspect, the curved portions 130 of the light output surface 115 can be arranged in a matrix and alternate with the hollow portions 135, such as Figure 1a shown.

[0079] Combination Figure 2 The path of light from the optical element 100 is illustrated. Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1a The cross section of the optic 100 shown is represented. The cross section is obtained by a plane perpendicular to the general extension plane of the optic 100 and passing through the centers of the two second portions 120. As previously mentioned, the optic 100 of the invention ensures good uniformity when it emits several lighting and / or signaling functions, such as a tail light function and a turn indication function, a tail light function and a stop function, a position or parking function and a DRL function, a position or parking function and a turn indication function.

[0080] The plurality of first light sources 205 and the plurality of second light sources 210 are configured to emit a light color selected from red, amber, yellow or white to perform a number of lighting and / or signaling functions. The purpose of emitting different colors to perform different lighting and / or signaling functions is known to those skilled in the art and is therefore not discussed in detail in this specification.

[0081] The path of the first light ray 230 emitted from the first light source 205 is indicated by the dotted arrow A. It should be noted that for the sake of clarity, Figure 2 and Figure 3b Only half of the first light rays are shown in FIG. However, there are also light rays that are symmetrical about a vertical axis (not shown) centered on the light source. The first light ray emitted from the first light source 205 enters the optical member 100 through the first light input surface 110 and is directly transmitted to the light output surface 115, that is, the first light ray leaves the optical member 100 from the curved portion 130 of the light output surface 115. The second light ray 240 emitted from the second light source 210 enters the optical member 100 through the second light input surface 125 and is transmitted through the second portion 120 toward the first zone 215 of the light output surface 115. The second light ray transmitted from the second portion 120 encounters the hollow portion 135 of the light output surface 115, where the second light ray is reflected at least once and leaves the optical member 100 through the second zone 220 of the light output surface 115. Figure 2 The dotted arrow B in shows the path of the second light emitted from the second light source 210. Therefore, the structure of the proposed optical member 100 ensures that the light from each light source is uniformly spread.

[0082] The paths of the light emitted from the first light source 205 for performing the first lighting / signaling function and the paths of the light emitted from the second light source 210 for performing the second lighting / signaling function are respectively Figure 3a and Figure 3bThus, according to the invention, a single optical piece can be used to perform several lighting and / or signalling functions, rather than using several components to perform several functions.

[0083] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a light emitting module is disclosed. The light emitting module includes an optical member 100 having at least one first portion 105 and at least one second portion 120 as mentioned in the previously discussed embodiments. The light emitting module further includes at least one first light source 205 disposed opposite to the first light input surface 110 of the at least one first portion 105. In addition, the light emitting module includes a second light source 210 disposed opposite to the second light input surface 125 of the at least one second portion 120.

[0084] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a light emitting module having a plurality of first parts 105 and a plurality of second parts 120 is disclosed. The light emitting module includes a plurality of first light sources 205 and a plurality of second light sources 210, each first light source being opposite to the associated first light input surface 110 of the first part 105, and each second light source being opposite to the associated second light input surface 125 of the second part 120. Each first part 105 is associated with one first light source 205, and each second part 120 is associated with one second light source 210.

[0085] The plurality of first light sources 205 and the plurality of second light sources 210 are semiconductor light sources, such as light emitting diodes. Further, the plurality of first light sources 205 are adapted to emit a luminous flux different from the luminous flux emitted by the plurality of second light sources 210. In addition, the plurality of first light sources 205 are adapted to emit a light color different from the light color emitted by the plurality of second light sources 210. On the one hand, the plurality of first light sources 205 are arranged on a common support, and the plurality of second light sources 210 are arranged on another common support. On the other hand, both the plurality of first light sources 205 and the plurality of second light sources 210 are arranged on a single common support.

[0086] According to an embodiment, the present invention discloses a light emitting device, which includes a housing having an opening, and at least one light emitting module described in the above embodiment. At least one light emitting module is placed in the housing. The light emitting device further includes an outer lens that seals the front opening of the housing, and at least one light emitting module placed in the volume formed by the housing and the outer lens. The light emitting device can be a taillight or a headlight of a motor vehicle. On the one hand, the light emitting device is an interior lighting device of a motor vehicle, wherein the optical member seals the front opening of the housing.

[0087] The light emitting device of the present invention can perform several lighting and / or signaling functions using a single optical piece, thus occupying less space than conventional light emitting devices.

Claims

1. An optical component (100) for a motor vehicle, the optical component comprising: - at least one first portion (105) comprising a first light input surface (110) for receiving first light rays from a first light source (205) and transmitting these first light rays directly towards a light output surface (115) so that these first light rays exit the optical element (100); and - at least one second portion (120), the second portion comprising a second light input surface (125), for receiving second light rays from a second light source (210), and transmitting the second light rays toward the light output surface (115), so that the second light rays are reflected at least once by total internal reflection on the first area (215) of the light output surface (115), and then leave the optical element (100) through the second area (220) of the light output surface (115); The optical element (100) comprises a plurality of first parts (105) and a plurality of second parts (120), each first part comprises a first light input surface, and each second part comprises a second light input surface; The light output surface (115) includes a plurality of hollow portions (135); each of the hollow portions (135) is rotationally symmetrical and has a conical form with a vertex, wherein each hollow portion (135) is opposite to an associated second portion (120), and the vertex of the conical form is centered on the central axis of the associated second portion (120).

2. The optical component (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one second portion protrudes from the at least one first portion.

3. The optical element (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first light input surface comprises an optical pattern, which is pillow-shaped, groove-shaped, cone-shaped, and / or particle-shaped.

4. The optical component (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The output face (115) is curved.

5. The optical component (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first light input surfaces (110) of these first parts (105) form a connected surface.

6. The optical component (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that: These second portions (120) are discontinuous.

7. The optical component (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that These second parts (120) are arranged in a matrix.

8. The optical component (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that: The light output surface (115) includes a plurality of curved portions (130).

9. The optical component (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The curved portions (130) are arranged in a matrix and alternate with the hollow portions (135).

10. An optical transmission module, comprising: - An optical element (100) according to any one of the preceding claims; - at least one first light source (205), the at least one first light source being arranged opposite to the first light input surface (110) of the at least one first portion (105); - at least one second light source (210) disposed opposite the second light input surface (125) of the at least one second portion (120).

11. An optical transmission module, comprising: - An optical element (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 9; - a plurality of first light sources (205), each first light source being opposite an associated first light input face (110) of the first portion (105); - a plurality of second light sources (210), each second light source being opposite an associated second light input face (125) of the second portion (120); and - wherein each first light input face (110) is associated with a first light source (205) and each second light input face (125) is associated with a second light source (210).

12. The optical transmission module according to claim 11, characterized in that: The plurality of first light sources (205) are adapted to emit a light flux different from a light flux emitted by the plurality of second light sources (210).

13. A light emitting device, comprising: - a housing comprising a front opening; - At least one light emitting module according to any one of claims 10 to 12 placed in the housing.

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