Lighting module for motor vehicle

Abstract

A light emitting module of a motor vehicle comprises: a first light source and a second light source; a first light collector having a first reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light emitted by the first light source and a second light collector having a second reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light emitted by the second light source; an optical system configured to project the light from the first light collector into a first light beam, the optical system configured to form an image of a first reflective surface, and the first reflective surface configured such that the first light beam has an upper section; the optical system is further configured to project light from the second light collector into a second light beam, the optical system is configured to form an image of a second reflective surface, and the second reflective surface is configured such that the second light beam extends at least partially above the upper section; wherein the first and second light collectors are formed from a single piece, the single piece comprising an optical shield extending between the first and second light collectors.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle lighting and signaling. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lighting module suitable for realizing at least two lighting or signaling functions.

[0002] In the field of automotive lighting or signaling, there is a recurring need for a lighting module that can perform at least two lighting functions, as a low beam function and a high beam function. In other words, such a module should be able to emit at least two different light beams from the same output surface.

[0003] Known optical modules meet this need by combining several light sources and several light collectors. In these modules, an intermediate shield or folder is placed in the optical path of the light emitted by one of these light sources to define an upper cutoff in the light beam projected by the lens from these light rays. However, such lighting modules have the disadvantage of requiring a high precision in the positioning of the shield or folder to ensure that the cutoff achieves the regulation requirement for such a light beam. Such precision means that the projection lens must be a thick lens due to its small focal length, which has the effect of increasing its weight and complicating its production.

[0004] Published application US2021010653 discloses such a dual-function module comprising two light sources, each of which is associated with a collector, and combined with a projection lens configured to form luminous images of the reflective surfaces of these collectors when these surfaces are illuminated by their respective associated light sources. Although this solution effectively meets the needs cited above while increasing the positioning tolerances of the module elements, it requires the projection lens to be specifically designed to image the two reflective surfaces. Therefore, the lens of this module comprises a lens segmented in many regions, each region being optimized for one of these collectors. This design may have an impact on the flexibility of achieving specific aesthetic aspects, which is a strong limitation on the lens design.

[0005] Taking the above into account, there is therefore a need for a lighting module capable of realizing at least two different lighting functions, which is forgiving with regard to the positioning of its elements with respect to each other and which can be easily designed regardless of the aesthetic constraints required by the projection optical system.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to meet this need.

[0007] For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a lighting module for a motor vehicle, comprising:

[0008] a. a first light source and a second light source;

[0009] b. a first light collector having a first reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light emitted by the first light source and a second light collector having a second reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light emitted by the second light source;

[0010] c. an optical system, the optical system being configured to project the light from the first light collector into a first light beam, the optical system being configured to form an image of the first reflective surface, and the first reflective surface being configured so that the first light beam has an upper cutoff; the optical system being further configured to project the light from the second light collector into a second light beam, the optical system being configured to form an image of the second reflective surface, and the second reflective surface being configured so that the second light beam extends at least partially above the upper cutoff;

[0011] Wherein the first light concentrator and the second light concentrator are formed from a single piece, the single piece comprising an optical shield extending between the first light concentrator and the second light concentrator.

[0012] According to the invention, each pair of first and second light sources and first and second light collectors can generate a light beam, each of which is capable of realizing a lighting function alone or in combination with another light beam. In addition, since the light collectors are formed on the same piece and separated from each other by an optical shield, from the point of view of the optical system, it can be considered as a single reflective surface segmented in two regions, each region being clearly dedicated to one of the lighting functions. Therefore, the same optical system can be used to project these light beams without having to segment them in several regions each dedicated to one of these light collectors. Therefore, the optical system can be freely designed so as to comply with the desired aesthetic constraints.

[0013] Advantageously, each of the first and second light concentrators is oriented similarly with respect to the first and second light sources. In other words, each of the first and second light concentrators defines cavities forming the first and second reflective surfaces, the cavities being oriented in the same direction.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first concentrator and the second concentrator, in particular each, is configured so that the light reflected by the rear part of the reflecting surface of the concentrator is parallel to the optical axis of the optical system or has an inclination angle less than or equal to 25° and preferably less than or equal to 10° relative to the axis in a vertical plane.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least the second light source, in particular each of the first light source and the second light source, is configured to emit in a main direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system or inclined at an angle less than or equal to 25° relative to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Advantageously, the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface have an elliptical or parabolic profile. Preferably, it is a surface of revolution of the profile. The revolution is around an axis advantageously parallel to the optical axis of the optical system. According to a variant, the reflecting surface is a free-form surface or a swept surface or an asymmetric surface. It can also include a plurality of segments.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first reflecting surface comprises a rear edge, and the optical system has a focal region located near this rear edge, in particular at a distance of less than 10 mm, the upper truncated section in the first light beam being defined by the rear edge of the first reflecting surface. Thus, the optical shield extends backwards from the rear edge of the first reflecting surface towards the front edge of the second reflecting surface. According to this embodiment, the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are offset from each other along the optical axis of the optical system, the second reflecting surface being located behind the first reflecting surface taking into account this optical axis and the optical path of the light reflected by the light collectors. For example, the focal region may be a focus or a focal line. Advantageously, the focal line may intersect the rear edge. These features make it possible to produce an upper truncated section in the first light beam, while the module remains compact, in particular in height, and is simple to produce.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the optical shield extends generally in a plane, in particular a horizontal plane. Advantageously, the optical system has an optical axis contained in said plane. Preferably, the first light collector and the second light collector are located on both sides of said plane and said optical axis. For example, the first light collector may extend above the optical axis and the second light collector may extend below the optical axis and the first light collector. According to these features, the image of the second reflective surface of the first light collector is inverted relative to the optical axis relative to the image of the first reflective surface. In other words, the second light beam extends at least partially above the upper cutoff of the first light beam.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rear edge has a step intended to form part of the upper truncated portion, the step extending along the entire length of the optical shield to the front edge of the second reflecting surface. For example, the rear edge may have a generally elliptical profile in which a step is formed, the step protruding backwards from the remainder of the rear edge. If so, the front edge of the second reflecting surface may have the same profile as the rear edge of the first reflecting surface and may have a step. With this type of rear edge, a low beam with a kinked upper truncated portion may be produced, as may be required by some regulations. As a variant, the rear edge may have a generally continuous profile. With this type of rear edge, a low beam with a flat upper truncated portion may be produced, as may be required by other regulations.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first light source and the second light source are arranged on the same substrate and are each capable of emitting light in the same direction. This configuration helps reduce the cost of the lighting module.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting module comprises a third light collector having a third reflective surface, the third reflective surface being configured to collect the light emitted by the first light source and reflect it towards the first light collector. If so, the first light source and the second light source can each be arranged on a dedicated substrate, the substrate of the first light source being oriented, for example, perpendicular to the substrate of the second light source. In other words, the first light source can be capable of emitting light in a direction different from the direction in which the second light source can emit light. This configuration allows the optical performance of the light emitting module to be increased as the maximum intensity that the first light beam can achieve increases.

[0021] Advantageously, the third reflecting surface has an elliptical profile configured to focus light from a first focus to a second focus, the first focus being located on the first light source and the second focus being located on a focal region of the optical system.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the optical system is a lens having the same entrance surface for the rays of the first beam and for the rays of the second beam.As a variant, the optical system may comprise one or more lenses and / or one or more reflectors.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first light beam forms part or all of a low beam function, and wherein the first light beam forms part or all of a high beam function. For example, the upper section of the first light beam may be completely flat or may comprise a first flat portion and a second flat portion vertically offset from the first flat portion, the two flat portions being separated by an inclined portion.

[0024] The subject matter of the invention is also a lighting device for a motor vehicle, which lighting device comprises a lighting module according to the invention.

[0025] The invention will be better understood and other advantages will emerge from reading the detailed description of an embodiment given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] [ Figure 1 ] is a schematic representation of a light emitting module according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [ Figure 2 ]yes[ Figure 1 ] is a three-dimensional diagram of a light emitting module;

[0028] [ Figure 3 ]yes[ Figure 1 ] a top view of a light collector of a light emitting module;

[0029] [ Figure 4A ] is made of[ Figure 1 ] a graphical representation of a luminous image of a first light beam generated by a luminous module;

[0030] [ Figure 4B ] is made of[ Figure 1 ] a graphical representation of a luminous image of a second light beam generated by a light emitting module; and

[0031] [ Figure 5 ] is a schematic representation of a light emitting module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] In the following description, the concepts "above" and "below" should be understood relative to the lighting module when the lighting module is in a functional position, i.e. having an orientation corresponding to the orientation for which it is designed. Likewise, the concepts "front" and "rear" should be understood relative to the general direction of light along the optical axis of the lighting module when the lighting module is in a functional position.

[0033] [ Figure 1 ]to[ Figure 4B ] shows a first embodiment of a light emitting module 1 according to the present invention.

[0034] [ Figure 1 ] is a schematic side view of a light emitting module and its operating principle, and [ Figure 2 ] is a stereogram of this module.

[0035] The lighting module 1 comprises a first light source 2 and a second light source 3, each light source being mounted on a substrate (not shown). Advantageously, the light sources 2 and 3 are semiconductor light sources, and in particular light emitting diodes.

[0036] Each of the light sources 2 and 3 emits light in a half-space defined by the substrate on which it is mounted. In the example shown, the substrate of the first light source 2 is oriented perpendicularly to the substrate of the second light source 2. Therefore, the first light source 2 emits light backwards in a main direction parallel to the optical axis XX of the light emitting module, while the second light source 3 emits light upwards in a main direction perpendicular to the optical axis XX. According to the present invention, the main emission direction of the first light source 2 will likely be tilted at an angle less than or equal to 25° relative to the direction parallel to the optical axis XX, and the main emission direction of the second light source 3 will likely be tilted at an angle less than or equal to 25° relative to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis XX.

[0037] The lighting module 1 comprises a first light collector 4 capable of reflecting the light emitted by the first light source 2 so as to form a first light beam LB along the optical axis XX of the module 1, and a second light collector 5 capable of reflecting the light emitted by the second light source 3 so as to form a second light beam HB along the optical axis XX. The module 1 also comprises a lens 6 for projecting the light beams LB and HB. According to the invention, the lens 6 can be replaced by any other projection optical system, such as in particular one or more reflectors.

[0038] In order to redirect the light emitted by the first light source 2 towards the first light concentrator 4 , the module 1 comprises a third light concentrator 7 .

[0039] The third light collector 7 comprises a shell or cap-shaped carrier and a reflective surface 71 formed on the inner face of the carrier. The shell or cap-shaped light collector is advantageously made of a material having good heat resistance, such as glass or a synthetic polymer (such as polycarbonate PC or polyetherimide PEI). The reflective surface 71 is advantageously made of a reflective coating (such as aluminum or silver coating) applied on the carrier.

[0040] The reflective surface 71 has an elliptical profile and is thus configured to converge or focus light from a first focal point 72 where the first light source 2 is located to a second focal point 73 located near the first light collector 4. Thus, the reflective surface 71 is configured to collect light emitted by the first light source 2 and reflect it towards the first light collector 4.

[0041] The first light concentrator 4 and the second light concentrator 5 are formed on the same carrier having two cavities defining these first light concentrator 4 and second light concentrator 5, and reflective surfaces 41 and 51 are respectively formed on the inner surface of each cavity.

[0042] Advantageously, the reflective surfaces 41 and 51 have an elliptical or parabolic profile. At least one of the reflective surfaces is advantageously a surface of revolution around an axis parallel to the optical axis XX. Alternatively, it can be a free-form surface or a swept surface or an asymmetric surface. It can also include multiple sections. Therefore, each of the reflective surfaces 41 and 51 is configured to collect light emitted by the first light source 2 and reflected by the third light collector 7 and emitted by the second light source 3, and reflect it toward the lens 6.

[0043] Furthermore, each of the first 4 and second 5 concentrators is configured so that the light reflected by the rear portion of the reflecting surface 41, 51 is parallel to the optical axis XX or has an inclination angle less than or equal to 25° and preferably less than or equal to 10° relative to the axis XX in a vertical plane.

[0044] The cavities on which the reflective surfaces 41 and 51 are formed are oriented in the same direction, in particular downward in the example shown. Therefore, the reflective surfaces 41 and 51 are offset from each other along the optical axis XX, with the second reflective surface 51 being located behind the first reflective surface 41. Furthermore, the first light collector 4 extends above the optical axis XX, and the second light collector 5 extends below the optical axis XX and the first light collector 4.

[0045] The first light collector 4 and the second light collector 5 are formed on the same single carrier, and an optical shield 8 formed on this carrier extends between the first light collector 4 and the second light collector 5 .

[0046] The optical shield 8 extends generally in a horizontal plane containing the optical axis XX between the rear edge 42 of the first reflecting surface 41 and the front edge 52 of the second reflecting surface 51 , with which it engages these reflecting surfaces 41 and 51 .

[0047] The lens 6 has a focal line 61 passing through the rear edge 42 of the first reflective surface, and the second focus 73 of the third light collector 7 is located on this focal line. Therefore, the lens 6 is configured to project the light from the first light collector 4 into the first beam LB while forming an image of the first reflective surface 41. Therefore, the rear edge 42 defines an upper cutoff LB1 in the image and therefore in the first beam LB1.

[0048] The lens 6 is also configured to project the light from the second light collector 5 into a second light beam LB while forming an image of the second reflective surface 51. Taking into account the backward position of the second light collector 5, the second light beam HB extends at least partially above the upper truncated boundary LB1 of the first light beam LB compared to the position of the first light collector 4 and the position of the focus 61 of the lens 6. In addition, because the optical shield 8 generally extends in a horizontal plane located near or on the optical axis XX of the lens 6, from the point of view of the lens 6, both the reflective surfaces 41 and 51 form a single reflective surface. This means that there is no need to specifically design dedicated areas in the lens 6 for each light collector 4 and 5, i.e., the input surface and / or the exit surface. Instead, the lens 6 has the same input surface and the same exit surface for the light of the first light beam LB and the light of the second light beam HB.

[0049] In the example shown, if [ Figure 3 ] disclosed that the rear edge 42 has a generally elliptical profile in which a step 43 is formed that protrudes rearwardly from the rest of the edge. The step 43 is intended to form part of the upper boundary LB1. [ Figure 4A ] represents the projection of the first light beam LB projected by the lighting module 1 on a vertical screen set at a distance of 25m from the lighting module 1 when only the first light source 2 is lit. The upper boundary LB1 has a first flat portion and a second flat portion vertically offset from the first flat portion, and the two flat portions are separated by an inclined portion. All of these portions are formed by the rear edge 42, and the inclined portion is specifically formed by a step 43. Therefore, the first light beam LB can form a part of the low beam function and can be completed with another light beam having a wider extension and a flat upper boundary, which is intended to overlap with the lower flat portion of the upper boundary LB1 so as to form a full low beam function that complies with European regulations.

[0050] As shown in the top view of the carrier forming the first light collector 4, the second light collector 5 and the optical shielding member 8 [ Figure 3 ], the step 43 extends from the rear edge 42 on the optical shield 8 along the entire length of the optical shield 8 and extends to the front edge 52 of the second reflective surface 5. Therefore, the front edge 52 has the same profile as the rear edge 42 of the first reflective surface 51, with a step 53.

[0051] [ Figure 4B ] represents the projection of the second light beam HB projected by the lighting module 1 on a vertical screen set at a distance of 25m from the lighting module 1 when only the second light source 3 is lit. The second light beam HB extends upward above the upper truncated boundary LB1 of the first light beam. Therefore, the second light beam HB can form part of the high beam function and can be completed with the low beam function, for example, partially formed with the first light beam LB, so as to form a full low beam function in compliance with European regulations.

[0052] [ Figure 5 ] shows a second embodiment of the light emitting module 10 according to the present invention.

[0053] The light emitting module 10 is similar to [ Figure 1 ] to [Figure 4], except that the first light source 2 and the second light source 3 are arranged on the same substrate and are each capable of emitting light in the same direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, a third light collector intended to redirect the light emitted by the first light source toward the first light collector is not required.

[0054] The present disclosure and illustrations should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and the invention extends to all combinations, modifications, enhancements and other embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present specification. In view of these different embodiments and variations thereof, it should be understood that a variety of different combinations of lighting and / or signaling beams are possible in a given light emitting device. In particular, the number of light sources and the number of corresponding light collectors are not limited to two. Specifically, it is contemplated to provide more light sources and more corresponding light collectors. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the beam shapes or lighting functions already described. The rear edge can have different profiles, such as an overall continuous profile. The light emitting module can be intended to achieve a segmented high beam or a glare-free high beam or a fog lamp.

Claims

1. A light emitting module for a motor vehicle, the light emitting module comprising: a. a first light source and a second light source; b. a first light collector having a first reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light emitted by the first light source and a second light collector having a second reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light emitted by the second light source; c. an optical system, the optical system being configured to project the light from the first light collector into a first light beam, the optical system being configured to form an image of the first reflective surface, and the first reflective surface being configured such that the first light beam has an upper cutoff; the optical system being further configured to project the light from the second light collector into a second light beam, the optical system being configured to form an image of the second reflective surface, and the second reflective surface being configured such that the second light beam extends at least partially above the upper cutoff; Wherein the first light concentrator and the second light concentrator are formed from a single piece, the single piece comprising an optical shield extending between the first light concentrator and the second light concentrator.

2. The light emitting module according to claim 1, wherein: The first reflective surface includes a rear edge, wherein the optical system has a focal region located near this rear edge, the upper boundary in the first light beam is defined by the rear edge of the first reflective surface, and wherein the optical shield extends backward from the rear edge of the first reflective surface toward the front edge of the second reflective surface.

3. The light emitting module according to claim 2, wherein: The optical shield extends generally in a plane.

4. The light emitting module according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The rear edge has a step intended to form a portion of the upper boundary, the step extending along the entire length of the optical shield to the front edge of the second reflective surface.

5. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein: The first light source and the second light source are disposed on the same substrate and are each capable of emitting light in the same direction.

6. The light emitting module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The lighting module includes a third light concentrator having a third reflective surface configured to collect light emitted by the first light source and reflect it toward the first light concentrator.

7. The lighting module according to claim 5 as appended to claim 2, wherein: The third reflective surface has an elliptical profile configured to focus light from a first focal point to a second focal point, the first focal point being located on the first light source and the second focal point being located on a focal region of the optical system.

8. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein: The optical system is a lens having the same incident surface for the light rays of the first light beam and for the light rays of the second light beam.

9. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein: The first light beam forms part or all of a low beam function, and wherein the first light beam forms part or all of a high beam function.

10. A lighting device for a motor vehicle, comprising a lighting module according to one of the preceding claims.

Images