Light emitting device configured to perform multiple light emitting functions

Abstract

The invention relates to a light emitting device (1) comprising selectively addressable light sources (41, 42), a collimator (3) common to a plurality of light sources, and a matrix array microlens device (2) having a mask (23) interposed between an incident microlens matrix array and an exit microlens matrix array, the collimator is configured to shape the light emitted by the light source into substantially parallel light beams delivered to the matrix array device (2) at different tilt angles depending on the activated light source, at least one channel (5) for the passage of light being defined at one longitudinal end by a single incident microlens (20), and a single incident microlens configured to focus parallel light beams into focal zones on the mask, the focal zones (Z1) differing according to said tilt angle, the mask comprising a plurality of apertures (261, 262) respectively placed in one of the focal zones (Z1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lighting devices, and more particularly to lighting devices that can be equipped in motor vehicles. The present invention more particularly relates to such lighting devices that are capable of generating multiple lighting functions, such as, for example, an illumination lighting function and a signaling lighting function.

[0002] Vehicles and in particular motor vehicles are generally equipped with lamps that enable the generation of multiple lighting functions, such as a function that allows the road to be illuminated or a function that allows the vehicle to signal to other road users. Such signaling functions include the DRL function (DRL stands for Daytime Running Light) or in fact an indicator function that allows the indication of a change of direction.

[0003] In certain applications, the light emitted by a light source is directed into a microlens array (MLA) to form a light beam that enables the lighting function to be performed.

[0004] The microlens array includes an incident microlens array, an exit microlens array, and a mask interposed between these arrays. The microlens array is configured to form an optical guiding channel between one of the incident microlenses and one of the exit microlenses. The mask includes mask segments, each of these mask segments being placed in a corresponding optical guiding channel. Each mask segment is provided with at least one aperture that is capable of allowing light to pass from the incident microlens to the exit microlens. The apertures in the mask are configured to impart a shape to the light transmitted by the incident lens array and to allow the exit lens array to project this shape onto the road.

[0005] Furthermore, vehicles and more particularly motor vehicles have lamps that are increasingly compact, and the same lighting module is capable of generating multiple lighting functions within these lamps, and in particular an illumination function and a signaling function.

[0006] In this context, there is a quest to emit a light beam specific to each of the lighting functions generated by the module through the same lighting area. In other words, in order to give a visual recognition of the lighting of the vehicle, it is desired that an external observer outside the vehicle sees the same area being illuminated, regardless of whether the lamp is performing an illumination function or a signaling function.

[0007] The microlens arrays of the prior art do not meet such requirements because a single light source is placed in front of the incident microlens array. However, the inventors wish to be able to implement such microlens arrays because these devices allow for greater flexibility in the shape of the functional lighting area achieved by the discretization per unit area of the incident microlenses and the exit microlenses and thus flexibility in the styling of the lamps equipped with microlens arrays.

[0008] In this context, the present invention provides a lighting device that at least includes a light-emitting device, a collimator, and a microlens array. The light-emitting device is configured to emit light in the direction of the microlens array via the collimator. The microlens array at least includes an incident microlens array, an exit microlens array, and a mask interposed between the two microlens arrays. The main optical axis intersects the two microlens arrays. The microlens array is configured to form light-guiding channels respectively arranged along the main optical axis between at least one incident microlens and one exit microlens. The mask includes mask segments each placed in a respective light-guiding channel. According to the present invention, the light-emitting device includes a plurality of selectively addressable light sources. The collimator is common to the plurality of light sources and is configured to shape the light emitted by the light sources into a substantially parallel light beam directed towards the microlens array. The tilt angle of the substantially parallel light beam with respect to the optical axis varies according to the enabled light sources. In addition, at least one light-guiding channel is arranged along the main optical axis and is bounded at one longitudinal end by a single incident microlens configured to focus the substantially parallel light beam onto a focal region on the mask segment placed in the light-guiding channel, and the position of the focal region on the mask segment varies according to the tilt angle of the substantially parallel light beam. Thus, the single incident microlens is configured to direct the light onto respective focal regions according to the tilt angle of the substantially parallel light beam. The mask segment placed in the at least one light-guiding channel includes a plurality of apertures each placed in a respective one of the focal regions.

[0009] The light sources are said to be selectively addressable because they can be enabled independently of each other by an electronic control device. For example, when one of the light sources is enabled, one or more other light sources can be disabled so that only one light source can emit light. Alternatively, in order to increase the uniformity of the turned-on appearance of the area according to the enabling of the lamps, it is conceivable to keep the source associated with a specific function turned on while turning on another source. In other words, in some cases, at least some of the light sources and in particular all of the light sources can be turned on simultaneously, which makes it possible to simultaneously produce the corresponding associated lighting functions. For example, when all the light sources are turned on simultaneously, some of the light sources can be turned on at variable light intensity levels.

[0010] Advantageously, all the light sources are configured to illuminate substantially the same area of the incident microlens array. In other words, the light spots generated on the incident microlens array by the light sources have substantially identical profiles such that the light spots overlap to a large extent. Due to the offsets between the positions of the various light sources, there may be a potential difference. "Overlap to a large extent" means that more than 75% and in particular more than 90% of the area of each light spot is common with at least one light spot generated by another light source of the lighting device.

[0011] Advantageously, each light source is configured to illuminate the entire incident microlens array.

[0012] The light source can in particular be a light-emitting diode.

[0013] Each incident microlens and each exit microlens include a curved surface external to the microlens array and a material thickness extending from the curved surface to a mask that forms a boundary between the incident microlens array and the exit microlens array. A channel is defined as a strip of material in the microlens array formed by an incident microlens and an exit microlens arranged facing the incident microlens if the principal optical axis is considered, and there are no structural elements, such as dividers, within the microlens array that create a physical boundary between two adjacent channels.

[0014] The dimensions of the constant cross-section of the light-guiding channel are in particular defined by the corresponding dimensions of the incident microlens.

[0015] The mask includes a plurality of mask segments, each of the plurality of mask segments being equipped with a corresponding plurality of apertures such that each of the light-guiding channels includes a mask segment with apertures.

[0016] If the light guided in a guiding channel encounters one of the apertures formed in a mask segment present across that guiding channel, the light can propagate to the exit microlens array, which allows the performance of a lighting function. If the light source is from a first light source, a first lighting function can be performed, and if the light source is from a second light source, a second lighting function can be performed, or an additional segment of the first lighting function can be formed that allows a specific lighting function to be produced by the combination of the two segments. In both cases, the light participating in the performance of the lighting function exits from a common illumination area formed by the exit microlens array.

[0017] The lighting device has a principal optical axis, and the first lighting function and the second lighting function are generally emitted along that principal axis. In other words, the light beams of the first lighting function and the second lighting function each extend into a volume that includes the principal optical axis.

[0018] Both the incident microlens array and the exit microlens array can be perpendicular to the principal optical axis. In this case, the light-guiding channels are arranged respectively along the principal optical axis (i.e., parallel to that axis).

[0019] Both the incident microlens array and the exit microlens array can be inclined with respect to the principal optical axis, i.e., the intermediate virtual surfaces on which the microlens arrays rest respectively are inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to said axis. In a first configuration, each exit microlens is laterally offset with respect to its associated respective incident microlens with respect to the principal optical axis to define a light guiding channel. In this configuration, each of the light guiding channels is inclined with respect to the principal optical axis. In another configuration, certain groups of incident microlenses and exit microlenses respectively associated with defining the light guiding channels are axially offset with respect to at least one of the adjacent groups with respect to the principal optical axis. Thus, there are steps on the outer faces of the incident microlens array and the exit microlens array, and these steps produce an overall inclination of these arrays. In this configuration, the light guiding channels are respectively arranged along the principal optical axis (i.e., parallel to this axis). It will be noted that the intermediate virtual surface can be planar or curved.

[0020] According to the invention, a plurality of different light beams are thus projected onto the same illumination area (i.e., the exit microlens array), and when a first lighting function is desired, the light rays focused by the incident microlenses are made to pass through the first apertures of the mask, and when another lighting function is desired, the light rays focused by the incident microlenses are made to pass through other apertures of the mask. It will be understood that when it is said that the focused light rays are made to pass through the apertures, some marginal light rays may not follow the theoretical path of the light rays and are, for example, blocked by the opaque segments of the mask.

[0021] Thus, the microlens array according to the invention makes it possible to easily and precisely perform different lighting functions with the same illumination area, and the mask is made using photolithography to produce different types of apertures specific to the embodiments of the lighting function under discussion.

[0022] The collimator is configured to redirect the light rays passing through it to form a beam of light rays parallel to each other as an output, and thus to direct these light rays uniformly towards the microlenses in the incident microlens array. After passing through the collimator, the light rays emitted by each of the selectively addressable light sources are thus uniformly directed onto each of the incident microlenses. The collimator is configured to direct the light rays into a parallel beam of light rays that impinges on the incident microlenses at an angle of incidence specific to the enabled light source and thus specific to the lighting function desired to be implemented with the lighting device.

[0023] In other words, the collimator is configured to direct the light rays emitted by the first light source towards the microlens array with a first parallel beam of light rays, and to direct the light rays emitted by another light source towards the microlens array with another parallel beam of light rays, the inclination of the other parallel beam of light rays with respect to the optical axis being different from the corresponding inclination of the first parallel beam of light rays.

[0024] The incident microlens array and the exit microlens array are made up of microlenses with a size on the order of one millimeter and between 0.3 mm and 5 mm.

[0025] More particularly, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection microlens has a size less than or equal to 10 mm in terms of its diameter, height, and / or width as seen from the front. This makes it possible to limit the thickness of the microlens and thus the weight of the part. Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection microlens has a size greater than or equal to 0.3 mm in terms of its diameter, height, and / or width as seen from the front. This makes it possible to use an injection molding process that is simply implemented to manufacture the optical device. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection lens has a size between 0.5 mm and 5 mm in terms of its diameter, height, and / or width as seen from the front. This allows the projection lens to be made small enough not to be seen at a normal viewing distance.

[0026] According to an alternative feature of the invention, at least one light guiding channel is arranged along the main optical axis and is delimited at one longitudinal end by a single incident microlens and at the other longitudinal end by a plurality of exit microlenses.

[0027] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the exit microlenses placed at one longitudinal end of the light guiding channel are adjacent. Where appropriate, the adjacent exit microlenses can be located in elongated planes that are offset from each other and parallel, with a step formed from one exit microlens to the other.

[0028] According to an alternative feature of the invention, at least one dimension of the incident microlens participating in delimiting the light guiding channel is a multiple of the corresponding dimension of the exit microlens participating in delimiting the same light guiding channel. For example, when the light guiding channel extends between one incident microlens and two exit microlenses, the dimension of the projection of the incident microlens into a vertical transverse elongated plane is equal to the sum of the projections of two adjacent exit microlenses into the same plane.

[0029] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the exit microlenses of a given light guiding channel are configured to have object foci that are differently positioned on a mask segment present in the light guiding channel, and the object foci of the exit microlenses are specifically associated with one of the apertures in the mask segment.

[0030] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the number of mutually different apertures within the mask segment is equal to the number of exit microlenses present at one longitudinal end of the light guiding channel.

[0031] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the number of mutually different apertures within the mask segment is equal to the number of different light sources.

[0032] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the apertures present in a given mask segment in the light guiding channel have different shapes and / or sizes.

[0033] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the pattern formed by the apertures of different shapes and / or sizes in the mask segment is identical for each mask segment. In other words, the different apertures are alternately placed on the mask in at least one main elongation direction.

[0034] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the apertures include two types of apertures, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are alternately placed on the mask in at least one main elongation direction. The microlens array is mainly located in a plane depending on two main elongation directions perpendicular to the main optical axis, and each incident microlens array or outgoing microlens array is formed by microlenses arranged in rows and columns formed in these two main elongation directions. The different types of apertures can be alternated in one of the elongation directions and in both directions.

[0035] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the light emitting device includes a first light source and a second light source, the activation of the first light source participates in generating a first light emitting function, the activation of the second light source participates in generating a second light emitting function or an additional segment of the first light emitting function, the light rays emitted by the first light source are intended to be focused by the incident microlenses of the light guiding channel onto a first focusing area located on the first aperture of the mask segment placed in the light guiding channel, and the light rays emitted by the second light source are intended to be focused by the same incident microlenses onto a second focusing area located on the second aperture of the same mask segment.

[0036] It will be noted that "participates in generating" means that the light emitting device according to the invention can be a single device that allows generating a desired illumination beam or signaling beam, or the beam actually generated by the light emitting device can be combined with other beams generated by other light emitting devices to form the said beam, regardless of whether these other light emitting devices are according to the invention.

[0037] More particularly, the collimator and the incident microlenses are configured such that the light rays passing through a given incident microlens are intended to pass through the same mask segment within the light guiding channel downstream of the incident microlens, and substantially pass through the first aperture when the light rays are emitted by the first light source, and substantially pass through the second aperture when the light rays are emitted by the second light source.

[0038] According to an alternative feature of the invention, each mask segment includes a first aperture and a second aperture respectively associated with the first focusing area and the second focusing area, and is characterized in that at least one of the first apertures and at least one of the second apertures respectively have different shapes and / or sizes from the other first apertures and the other second apertures.

[0039] Thus, it will be understood that the present invention also covers the case where the window formed by the orifice can vary from one mask segment to another for a given function, for example in order to achieve more precise control within the entire generated light beam. By way of example, windows of different widths allow good precision in terms of the variation of the photometric values in the horizontal section of the light beam.

[0040] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the first light source and the second light source are spaced apart from each other and are distributed on either side of a defined plane, the first light source being closer to the defined plane than the second light source. In suitable cases, the first source can be partly placed on the defined plane. The defined plane in question is a plane that is substantially perpendicular to both / any one of the microlens arrays, and this defined plane includes the main optical axis of the lighting device. This defined plane can in particular be the intermediate plane of the collimator and, in suitable cases, can be the plane of symmetry of the collimator. By being spaced apart from each other, it should be understood that the light sources do not touch each other and are sufficiently far apart that there is a space between the light sources that is, for example, from about 0.5 times to 2 times the size of the light source, so that the light rays can have different inclinations when leaving the collimator, depending on which light source the light rays are emitted from.

[0041] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the object focus specifically associated with the first orifice of one of the outgoing microlenses is substantially placed on the boundary defining the first orifice. This feature is implemented in particular in the guiding channels that are intended to be traversed by the light rays participating in the formation of the lighting function and in particular the dipped beam function, for which a clear cut-off point is desired in the light beam, and then the light beam is truncated by the said boundary of the orifice on which the mentioned focus is placed.

[0042] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the boundary of the first orifice includes an inflection point, and the object focus of one of the outgoing microlenses is placed on this boundary.

[0043] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the object focus specifically associated with the second orifice of the outgoing microlens is substantially placed at the center of the second orifice. "Substantially at the center" should be understood to mean that the object focus is placed far from the edges defining the second orifice, which for example includes the case where the object focus is arranged at a position that is two-thirds of the distance between the two opposite edges defining the second orifice. This feature is implemented in particular in the guiding channels that are intended to be traversed by the light rays participating in the formation of the signalling function.

[0044] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the mask is formed by a glass plate that includes at least one opaque layer deposited on one face of the glass plate, and the orifice is formed by a hole in this opaque layer. More particularly, the opaque layer is deposited on the face of the glass plate facing the incident microlens array.

[0045] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the number of different types of apertures is equal to the number of different light sources. Additionally, the number of exit microlenses associated with the same incident microlens and the associated light guiding channels is equal to the number of different light sources. By way of example: if two light emitting functions have been specified and two light sources are positioned facing a common collimator, two types of apertures are produced in the mask, and one aperture of each of these types of apertures is present in each given mask segment, i.e., in each given light guiding channel between the incident microlens and the two exit microlenses. When the first light source is enabled, the light rays are focused by each incident microlens into its associated guiding channel and onto a first zone of the mask segment present in that channel, each first zone corresponding to the first aperture or the first type of aperture formed in the mask segment. When the second light source is enabled, the light rays are focused by each incident microlens into its associated guiding channel and onto a second zone of the mask segment present in that channel, each second zone corresponding to the second aperture or the second type of aperture. Within each mask segment, the second zone is offset relative to the first zone in the direction in which the light sources are offset relative to one another. It will be noted that each of the zones onto which the light rays are liable to be guided after passing through the incident microlenses lies within or at the boundary of an aperture, such that the light rays can propagate in the direction of one of the exit microlenses. Thus, there is no or almost no light blocked within the microlens array and no loss of luminous intensity, especially in the case of implementing a signaling function. To provide a dipped beam type of illumination function which requires imparting a shape different from the shape of the light spot to the light beam, a portion of the light rays is truncated. It will be understood that in the latter case, hardly any light is blocked here other than the light rays which are intended to be truncated in a cut-off shape defined by the edges of the specific apertures in the defining mask.

[0046] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the exit microlens associated with a light guiding channel equipped with a mask segment having an aperture of the first type has an optical axis, the relative position of which within the light guiding channel is different from the corresponding relative position of the optical axis of the exit microlens associated with a light guiding channel equipped with a mask segment having an aperture of the second type.

[0047] Thus, providing an off-center exit microlens such that its center is aligned with the aperture or with the edge of the aperture participates in deflecting the light rays appropriately.

[0048] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the incident microlens and the exit microlens have respective outer surfaces, in particular respective curved outer surfaces, facing the outside of the microlens array, and the microlens array is configured to have an exit surface formed by a plurality of outer surfaces of the exit microlenses, which exit surface is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction along which the main optical axis of the light emitting device extends.

[0049] To this end, the entire microlens array and the light guiding channels can also be inclined relative to the principal optical axis, and the outer surface of the exit microlenses lies in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane in which the outer surface of the entrance microlenses lies. Then, the microlenses and in particular the exit microlenses are configured to direct light rays towards the principal optical axis of the light emitting device.

[0050] Alternatively, the entrance microlens array and the exit microlens array are held in a vertical transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L along which the principal optical axis 10 of the light emitting device 1 extends, the light guiding channels are held in an orientation parallel to the optical axis, and it is the outer surfaces of the entrance microlenses that are axially offset relative to one another so as to form laterally offset rows and thus form the staircase steps that produce an inclined effect when viewing the screen as a whole.

[0051] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one light emitting device as just described above.

[0052] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become more apparent, on the one hand by reading the following description and, on the other hand, by referring to the examples of embodiments given by way of indication and not limitation in the attached schematic drawings, in which:

[0053] Figure 1 shows a light emitting device according to the invention in such a way as to show its light sources, the collimator common to these light sources, and the microlens array which particularly includes an entrance microlens array, a mask and an exit microlens array;

[0054] Figure 2 shows in perspective Figure 1 the components of the microlens array of

[0055] Figure 3 shows Figure 1 a detailed view of a segment of the mask of the microlens array of

[0056] Figure 4 shows an overall view of a light emitting device performing a first light emitting function according to the invention, in which the light rays propagating through the light emitting device when the first light source is enabled are schematically shown;

[0057] Figure 5 shows a partial view of the microlens array centered on the light guiding channel between an entrance microlens and two adjacent exit microlenses, the light emitting device performing the first light emitting function as Figure 4 shown in

[0058] Figure 6 ​​​​​​shows an overall view of a lighting device that performs a second lighting function according to the present invention, in which the light rays propagating through the lighting device when the second light source is enabled are schematically shown;

[0059] Figure 7 shows a partial view of the microlens array, which is centered on the light guiding channels shown, and the lighting device performs the second lighting function as shown Figure 5 in. Figure 6 The second lighting function shown.

[0060] First, it should be noted that although the drawings show the present invention in detail so that the present invention can be implemented, these drawings can of course be used to better define the present invention where appropriate. It should also be noted that these drawings only disclose examples of embodiments of the present invention.

[0061] The features, variations, and different embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various combinations as long as they are compatible with each other or not mutually exclusive. In particular, it is conceivable that a variation of the present invention only includes a part of the features described below and is independent of the other features described if this part of the features is sufficient to provide technical advantages or to distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0062] In the drawings, elements common to many drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals in all the drawings.

[0063] In the following description, reference will be made to the orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis, vertical axis, and transverse axis defined by, for example, the axis L, V, T system shown, where the longitudinal axis L corresponds to the overall propagation direction of the light rays, and the vertical axis V and the transverse axis T define the main elongation plane of the microlens array forming part of the lighting device, and the vertical axis and the transverse axis are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. More particularly, the vertical axis V and the transverse axis T correspond respectively to the height and width of the windows generated in the mask, for example, as will be described in more detail below, and the width of these windows is greater than their height. The specified choice of these axes does not limit the orientation that the lighting device can adopt, especially when the lighting device is installed in a motor vehicle. Figures 1 to 7

[0064] Figure 1 Schematically shows a lighting device 1, which includes a microlens array 2, a collimator 3, and a lighting device 4.

[0065] ​​The light-emitting device 4 includes a plurality of light sources. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of the plurality of light sources is two, namely a first light source 41 and a second light source 42. As will be described below, the number of light sources can vary as long as the microlens array is configured accordingly. Each of the light sources is selectively addressable. Herein, each of the first light source 41 and the second light source 42 can thus be turned on and off independently of each other, for example, by means of an electronic control device.

[0066] The light sources 41, 42 are placed on either side of the defined plane including the main optical axis 10 of the light-emitting device. In the example shown, the first light source 41 and the second light source 42 are distributed on either side of the defined plane, and the distance of each of the light sources from the defined plane can vary according to the light-emitting function performed by these light sources. As will be described below, the distance of the light source from the defined plane is determined according to the angle relative to the main optical axis 10 that is desired to be imparted to the light rays exiting the collimator when each of the light sources is enabled. Thus, the light sources are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (especially as Figure 1 shown), but also spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction according to the number and arrangement of the light sources. "Spaced apart from each other" means that the light sources do not contact each other.

[0067] The collimator 3 and the light-emitting device 4 are positioned relative to each other such that the light rays emitted by each of the light sources 41, 42 pass through the collimator 3. The collimator 3 is configured to capture the light rays emitted by each of the light sources (here, the first light source 41 or the second light source 42), and direct these light rays to be substantially parallel to each other, and guide them towards the microlens array 2, and more specifically towards the incident microlens array 21.

[0068] The collimator 3 is more particularly configured to form light beams that are parallel or substantially parallel to each other, and these light beams are specific to the enabling of each of the light sources. "Substantially parallel" means that the light rays can have an angular offset related to the size of the light source that generates the light rays. In other words, the collimator 3 in the form of a lens is configured to deliver a first parallel light beam as an output in the direction of the microlens array 2 when the first light source 41 is enabled (see Figure 4 ), and the light rays mainly have an inclination angle of a first value relative to the optical axis, as will be referred to below with reference to Figure 4 for explanation. In addition, the collimator 3 is configured to deliver a completely different parallel light beam (i.e., a light beam with a different inclination) as an output when the enabled light source changes. Then, the collimator can deliver another parallel light beam as an output in the direction of the microlens array 2 when another light source is enabled, and all (or almost all) of the light rays have an inclination angle of another value different from the first value relative to the optical axis, as will be referred to below with reference to Figure 6 for explanation.

[0069] The microlens array 2 includes the incident microlens array 21, the exit microlens array 22, and a mask 23 interposed between the incident microlens array 21 and the exit microlens array 22. In the example shown, each of the microlens arrays 21, 22 and the mask 23 is mainly located in a vertical transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L along which the main optical axis 10 of the lighting device 1 extends. Alternatively, the microlens array may take an inclined position with respect to the main optical axis, in particular to adapt to the curvature of the vehicle in which the microlens array has to be integrated. This inclined position can be obtained by tilting the microlens array as a whole or in fact by forming steps in the exit surface of the microlens array formed by the outer surface of the exit microlens array.

[0070] The exit surface of the microlens array (i.e., the outer surface of the exit microlens array 22) forms the illumination area of the lighting device 1 (i.e., the area through which light exits to generate a light beam outside the vehicle), which is common to each of the lighting functions that can be performed by the lighting device.

[0071] Each of the incident microlens array and the exit microlens array has an outer surface facing away from the mask and an internal volume formed by the material thickness extending from the outer surface to the mask, and the mask forms a boundary between the incident microlens array and the exit microlens array.

[0072] The incident microlens array 21 is formed by a plurality of incident microlenses 20 that are juxtaposed next to each other both in the vertical direction (as Figure 1 can be seen) and in the transverse direction (as Figure 2 can be seen). These incident microlenses each have a curved surface, the juxtaposition of which, in appropriate cases, has a longitudinal offset that generates a step from one curved surface to the other, forming the outer surface of the incident microlens array, and each of these incident microlenses has a material thickness extending between the curved surface and the mask so as to be able to propagate light from one to the other.

[0073] It will be noted that in the drawings schematically showing the microlens array, only the outer surfaces of the incident microlenses and the exit microlenses are shown; however, it will further be noted that each microlens is not only formed by a curved surface but actually includes a material thickness extending from that curved surface to the mask or, in the presence of a mask carrier, to the mask carrier.

[0074] Each incident microlens 20 is configured within the microlens array 2 such that it has an image focus on the mask 23. Light rays from the collimator 3 and passing through the incident microlens 20 converge towards the focus present on the mask 23. In the example shown, the incident microlenses 20 are identical to each other.

[0075] In a projection in a plane perpendicular to the main optical axis 10, the incident microlens 20 has a size that is less than or equal to 10 mm and greater than or equal to 0.3 mm in terms of its diameter, height, and / or width as seen from the front. More particularly, it can be stipulated that the incident microlens has a size between 0.5 mm and 5 mm in terms of its diameter, height, and / or width as seen from the front.

[0076] Equivalent to the arrangement of the incident microlens array 20, the exit microlens array 22 is formed by a plurality of exit microlenses 24 that are juxtaposed adjacent to each other both in the vertical direction (as can be seen in Figure 1 ), and in the lateral direction (as can be seen in Figure 2 ).

[0077] Each of these exit microlenses has a curved surface, and the juxtaposition of which, in appropriate cases, has a longitudinal offset that produces a step from one curved surface to another, forming the outer surface of the exit microlens array (i.e., the exit surface of the microlens array), and each of these exit microlenses has a material thickness that extends between the mask and the curved surface so as to be able to propagate light from one to the other.

[0078] It will be noted that in the drawings schematically showing the microlens array, only the outer surfaces of the incident and exit microlenses are shown; however, it will further be noted that each microlens is not only formed by a curved surface, but actually includes a material thickness that extends from that curved surface to the mask or, in the presence of a mask carrier, to the mask carrier.

[0079] Each exit microlens 24 is configured within the microlens array 2 such that it has an object focus on the mask 23. Light rays that propagate within the microlens array and pass through this object focus are redirected by the corresponding exit microlens 24 towards the outside of the vehicle so as to participate in forming a lighting beam, or a signaling beam, on the road scene.

[0080] In a projection in a plane perpendicular to the main optical axis 10, the exit microlens 24 has a height in the vertical direction and a width between 0.3 mm and 10 mm in the lateral dimension. It will be noted that the height value of the incident microlens is a multiple of the height value of the exit microlens, and the width of the incident microlens is similar to the width of the exit microlens. In the illustrated embodiment, the height value of the incident microlens is more particularly twice the height value of the exit microlens. Without departing from the context of the present invention, particularly if the light source is placed on either side of the plane defined in the lateral direction, the width value of the incident microlens can be a multiple of the width value of the exit microlens.

[0081] The result is that each incident microlens 20 has at least one dimension in one direction that is greater than the corresponding dimension of the exiting microlens 24. In the example shown, such as but not limited to the present invention, the height of the incident microlens along the vertical axis V is greater than the height of the exiting microlens along the same axis, and the widths are equal.

[0082] The microlens array 2 according to the invention is configured to include within it optical guiding channels 5, each of which extends between an incident microlens 20 and a plurality of adjacent exiting microlenses 24 in a direction parallel to the direction of the main optical axis 10. The number of adjacent exiting microlenses 24 that participate in defining a given optical guiding channel depends on the number of different light sources that can be enabled for a given collimator. In the example shown where two light sources are provided, each optical guiding channel 5 extends between an incident microlens 20 and two adjacent exiting microlenses 24, where a first incident microlens 241 and a second exiting microlens 242 are shown. It will be understood that the larger size of the incident microlens compared to the exiting microlens has the effect of covering the entire optical guiding channel with a single incident microlens 20, while a single incident microlens leads to two exiting microlenses 241, 242.

[0083] The light rays shaped by the collimator pass through the incident microlens 20, then propagate substantially through the optical guiding channel 5 associated with that incident microlens 20, and emerge from the microlens array 2 substantially via one of the exiting microlenses associated with that optical guiding channel, provided they can pass through the mask 23 placed across the optical guiding channel 5.

[0084] As will be described in more detail below, the exiting microlenses 24 can have different configurations depending on the optical guiding channels 5 in which they are arranged. In particular, certain exiting microlenses 24 can have symmetric or asymmetric configurations, or more particularly centered or off - centered configurations, relative to the optical guiding channels to which they belong and the light - emitting functions they must participate in generating, with the optical axis of the exiting microlens coinciding with or offset from the central axis of the associated optical guiding channel.

[0085] Each optical guiding channel 5 includes a segment of the mask 23 that transverses the microlens array between the incident microlens array 21 and the exiting microlens array 22, and the mask 23 is composed of a plurality of mask segments 231 that are juxtaposed with each other and each of which is placed in its respective optical guiding channel 5 specific to it.

[0086] Each mask segment 231 associated with an optical guiding channel includes a plurality of apertures 26 (especially in Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown in , the light rays deflected by the incident microlens 20 associated with the light guiding channel can pass through via the plurality of apertures, so as to continue their propagation in the direction of one of the exit microlenses through the microlens array 2. The light rays passing through one of the apertures are guided towards one of the exit microlenses, and the light rays passing through the other aperture are guided towards another exit microlens.

[0087] Accordingly, each mask segment 231 includes a corresponding opaque portion 233 and a transparent portion 234. The opaque portion blocks the propagation of light when the light encounters the opaque portion, and the transparent portion is formed by the aperture 26 and allows the propagation of the light that encounters the transparent portion.

[0088] For a given light guiding channel, each exit microlens 24 is configured to have an object focus positioned in one of the apertures 26 that form the transparent portion 234 of the mask segment 231. More particularly, for a light guiding channel in which the exit microlenses are arranged side by side in a first direction (here the vertical direction), the apertures 26 formed in a given mask segment 231 are spaced apart from each other in the same first direction. Then, each exit microlens 24 is configured to have an object focus positioned in the aperture facing the exit microlens. As will be described below, the object focus of the exit microlens 24 can be positioned at the central position or an off - center position of the aperture 26 and particularly at the edge defining the aperture 26.

[0089] In the above context of the incident microlens 20 focused on the mask, it will be understood that if the light rays focused by the incident microlens 20 of the light guiding channel 5 are guided to the first aperture 261 that participates in forming the transparent portion 234 of the mask segment 231 placed across the light guiding channel, the light is guided towards the first exit microlens 24 placed facing the first aperture. However, if the light rays focused by the incident microlens 20 of the light guiding channel 5 are guided to the second aperture 262 that participates in forming the transparent portion 234 of the same mask segment 231, the light is guided towards the second exit microlens 24 placed facing the second aperture. This will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 4 to 7 More particularly.

[0090] The microlens array is made of a transparent material, and the mask 23 is formed by a glass plate surrounded by a plastic material. The glass plate includes at least one opaque layer deposited on one surface of the glass plate, and the opaque layer is patterned, for example, using a laser cutting operation, to generate each aperture 26 within each mask segment. The patterned portion thus forms the transparent portion 234 of the mask segment 231, and the remaining portion forms the opaque portion 233.

[0091] As Figure 1 and Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, the position of the mask 23 within the microlens array 2 is given by way of indication herein. Without departing from the context of the present invention, the mask 23 can be moved along the main optical axis 10 towards the incident microlens array 21 or the exit microlens array 22, provided that the microlenses are configured to have a focal point on the mask as described above.

[0092] In addition, the position of the mask takes into account the thickness of the incident microlens array (i.e., the dimension along the longitudinal axis L) and the thickness of the exit microlens array. In the case where there are two exit microlenses for each incident microlens in each channel, the thickness of the incident microlens can be at least twice as large as the thickness of the exit microlens.

[0093] As mentioned and as can be seen in Figure 2 and Figure 3 the mask segment 231 includes a plurality of apertures 26 which are placed apart from each other such that opaque segments 233 are interposed therebetween. The apertures formed within a given mask segment are offset from each other in the same direction as the exit microlenses that define the optical guiding channel in which the mask segment is placed. In addition, the apertures differ from each other in their shape and / or their dimensions.

[0094] In the example shown, the mask segment 231 includes two apertures placed vertically at a certain distance from each other, namely a first aperture 261 and a second aperture 262. The mask segment 231 has a vertical dimension Dv equal to half of the vertical dimension of the optical guiding channel and thus is substantially equal to half of the vertical dimension of the incident microlens 20 that defines a longitudinal end of the optical guiding channel. In addition, the vertical dimension Dv is substantially equal to the vertical dimension of an exit microlens 24 that defines a longitudinal end of the optical guiding channel. The mask segment 231 extends vertically between a vertical upper edge 28 and a vertical lower edge 30.

[0095] Optionally hereinafter, the first aperture 261 is placed closer to the vertical lower edge 30 than to the vertical upper edge 28, and the second aperture 262, for its part, is placed closer to the vertical upper edge 28.

[0096] The first aperture 261 is defined by a first boundary located at a first distance D1 from the vertical upper edge 28 of the mask segment and a second boundary located at a second distance D2 from the vertical upper edge 28, and the second aperture 262 is defined by a first boundary located at a third distance D3 from the vertical upper edge 28 of the mask segment and a second boundary located at a fourth distance D4 from the vertical upper edge 28. In order to vertically offset the apertures from each other, the value of the first distance D1 is greater than the value of the fourth distance D4.

[0097] The mask 23 is formed by the juxtaposition of mask segments 231, where the vertical lower edge 30 of the mask segment coincides with the vertical upper edge 28 of an adjacent mask segment in terms of vertical juxtaposition, and where the lateral edges coincide in terms of lateral juxtaposition (not shown here).

[0098] Without departing from the context of the present invention, other arrangements may be adopted. The incident microlenses, for example, have a staggered distribution, and the mask segments have a corresponding distribution such that one mask segment and its multiple apertures are placed in the light guiding channel defined downstream of one incident microlens.

[0099] Furthermore, one of the first aperture or the second aperture may have a vertical dimension equal to Dv, that is, substantially equal to half of the vertical dimension of the incident microlens 20 defining a longitudinal end of the light guiding channel, or substantially equal to the vertical dimension of the exit microlens 24 defining a longitudinal end of the light guiding channel. In addition, the horizontal dimension of the aperture is substantially equal to the horizontal dimension of the incident microlens 20 defining a longitudinal end of the light guiding channel, or substantially equal to the horizontal dimension of the exit microlens 24 defining a longitudinal end of the light guiding channel. Thus, the aperture is then horizontally and / or vertically defined by the opaque portion 233 of the mask segment 231 of an adjacent light guiding channel and / or the opaque portion 233 of the mask segment 231 of the same light guiding channel associated with other apertures.

[0100] As mentioned above, it is worth noting that the number of apertures 261, 262 formed in a given mask segment is equal to the number of different light sources 41, 42 associated with a given collimator 3, and is equal to the number of luminous functions that can be emitted through a given exit region (i.e., the exit microlens 22 array or a given optical region of the projector actually located at the exit end of the microlens array 2).

[0101] In the example shown, there are two types of apertures 26, and the lighting device 1 of the present invention performs two luminous functions. The first light source 41 participates in generating the first luminous function when it is enabled, and the second light source 42 participates in generating the second luminous function when it is enabled.

[0102] In the example shown, the first luminous function is an illumination function, and more particularly here it is the so-called "low beam", that is, a beam designed to provide illumination without dazzling other road users. The second luminous function may be a position light function with reduced power of the light source, or a signaling function and more particularly here it is the so-called "daytime running light", that is, a light designed to signal the presence of the vehicle.

[0103] The characteristics of the light sources 41, 42 and the characteristics of the apertures 26 formed in the mask segment 231 depend on the luminous functions to be performed by the lighting device.

[0104] Thus, the light source associated with the implementation of a certain type of lighting function is selected according to the luminous intensity that the lighting function must have or must not have in order to comply with motor vehicle regulations. In addition, as mentioned above, the position of the light source relative to the defined plane including the main optical axis can depend on the lighting function to be performed and in particular on the sharpness of the profile of the light beam to be delivered.

[0105] In particular, in an example of an embodiment where the first lighting function is "low beam" and the second lighting function is a signaling function, the first light source 41 that allows the first lighting function to be performed can be closer to the defined plane than the second light source 42 that allows the second lighting function to be performed.

[0106] The apertures 26 have different positions on their common mask segments, and they can have different shapes and sizes from each other. In particular, in an example of an embodiment where the first lighting function is "low beam", and in particular as Figure 2 shown, the first aperture 261 is bounded by a cut-off edge 32 that includes an inflection point. This cut-off edge 32 is intended to define a specific shape in the light beam projected from the exit end of the microlens array, so as to avoid causing uncomfortable glare to road users who need to pass by the vehicle equipped with the lighting device. This cut-off edge 32 is a second edge that extends at a second distance D2 from the vertical upper edge 28 of the corresponding mask segment 231.

[0107] It will be noted that while placing the light source on either side of the defined plane, the apertures 26 can be inverted so as to place the second boundary of the first aperture (i.e., the cut-off edge 32 that includes an inflection point) at a distance D4, thus closer to the optical axis, and the projected image of this cut-off edge is thus sharpened.

[0108] In the example shown, the second aperture 262 is bounded by a straight edge.

[0109] The lighting device 1 according to the present invention is characterized in that: the lighting means 4 includes a plurality of selectively addressable light sources 41, 42; the common collimator of these light sources redirects the emitted light rays into a parallel light beam that impinges on each incident microlens 20 at an incident angle specific to the activation of a certain light source; and the apertures 26 provided in the mask segment 231 placed downstream of the incident microlenses 20 are placed selectively in the path of the light rays transmitted by the incident lenses according to the activation of an initial certain light source.

[0110] More particularly, a plurality of selectively addressable light sources 41, 42 are configured to illuminate the same incident microlens array 21 via a common collimator 3. Each light source is placed at a theoretical position relative to the collimator and a defined plane, and the light rays emitted by each light source are shaped into a parallel light beam enabled for a particular light source such that the light rays emitted by the first light source impinge on the incident microlens at a first angle of incidence, and such that the light rays emitted by the second light source impinge on the same incident microlens at a second angle of incidence.

[0111] As a result of this arrangement, when the first light source 41 is activated, the light rays impinge on the incident microlens at the first angle of incidence, and the incident microlens 20 focuses the light rays onto a corresponding first zone Z1 of the mask segment 231. In other words, one incident microlens 20 associated with one light guiding channel 5 focuses the light rays emitted by the first light source 41 onto the first zone Z1 of the mask segment 231 arranged in that light guiding channel, and another incident microlens associated with another light guiding channel focuses the light rays emitted by the first light source onto the first zone of the mask segment arranged in that other light guiding channel. The first zone Z1 is located on the mask segment and has a first spacing E1 ( Figure 5 as shown in) relative to the vertical upper edge 28 of the mask segment. The aperture is configured such that one of the apertures in the aperture (here the first aperture 261) is placed in the first zone Z1. More particularly, here, the first aperture 261 is formed in the mask segment such that the cutoff edge 32 of the first aperture is placed in the first zone Z1.

[0112] It will be understood that in the case of staggering of the first apertures, as mentioned with reference to Figure 2 where the columns of the mask segment contain apertures in an inverted position, the corresponding incident microlenses are configured to focus the light emitted by the first light source in an alternative first zone corresponding to the position of the first aperture.

[0113] In this context, when the first light source 41 is enabled, the light rays successively pass through each of the collimator and the incident microlenses in order to propagate through each of the light guiding channels and pass through each of the first apertures 261 in the mask.

[0114] When the second light source 42 is enabled instead of the first light source 41, due to the different positions of the two light sources relative to the collimator 3 and due to the different incident angles at which the light shaped by the collimator strikes the incident microlenses 20 of the microlens array 2, the incident microlenses 20 focus the light onto a corresponding second region Z2 of the mask segment. In other words, one incident microlens 20 associated with one light guiding channel 5 focuses the light emitted by the second light source 42 onto a second region Z2 of the mask segment 231 disposed in that light guiding channel 5, and another incident microlens associated with another light guiding channel focuses the light emitted by the second light source onto a second region of the mask segment disposed in that other light guiding channel. The second region Z2 is located on the mask segment and has a second spacing E2 ( Figure 7 as shown in). The aperture is configured such that one of the apertures in the aperture (here the second aperture 262) is placed in the second region Z1. More particularly, here, the second aperture 262 is formed in the mask segment such that the second region Z2 is placed at the center of the second aperture.

[0115] Again, it will be understood that in the case of the second apertures being staggered, as referred to in reference Figure 2 where the columns of the mask segment contain apertures in an inverted position, the corresponding incident microlenses are configured to focus the light emitted by the second light source in an alternative second region corresponding to the position of the second aperture.

[0116] In this context, when the second light source 42 is enabled, the light successively passes through each of the incident microlenses in the collimator and the incident microlenses in order to propagate through each of the light guiding channels and pass through each of the second apertures 262 in the mask.

[0117] According to the invention, two different light beams are thus projected onto the same illumination area, such that when a first lighting function is desired, the light focused by the incident microlenses 20 passes through the first aperture 261 of the mask 23, and when a second lighting function is desired, the light focused by the incident microlenses 20 passes through the second aperture 262 of the mask 23.

[0118] Now the propagation of the light emitted by the first light source will be explained by reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5 and then subsequently the propagation of the light emitted by the second light source will be explained by reference to Figure 6 and Figure 7 to illustrate the above-described content more precisely.

[0119] Figure 4 and Figure 5 show the light emitting device when the light emitting device is performing a first lighting function (here the "low beam" lighting function).

[0120] The first light source 41 is turned on via appropriate driving of an electronic control device associated with the lighting device. The first light source 41 emits light rays in the direction of the collimator 3, and the collimator collects these light rays and guides them into light beams that are parallel to each other and transmitted in the direction of the incident microlens array of the microlens array 2.

[0121] The collimator 3 is configured such that when the light rays are generated by the first light source 41, these light rays emerge from the collimator 3 with a main inclination of a first angle α1 with respect to the main optical axis 10, while allowing the light rays to diverge slightly as the light source is not a point source as described above. As a result, the light rays impinge on each of the incident microlenses at a first incident angle. In this context, the light rays are deflected by each incident microlens 20 so as to be focused on a first zone Z1 of the mask segment 231 placed across the light guiding channel 5 (see Figure 5 ). This first zone Z1 corresponds to the presence of the first aperture 261 such that the light rays focused on this first zone Z1 can pass through the mask 23 in the direction of the exit microlens array. The exit microlens placed facing the first aperture 261 has an object focus located in this first zone Z1 such that the light rays propagating through the first aperture in the direction of this exit microlens 24 (here the first exit microlens 241) leave the microlens array substantially parallel to the optical axis of the exit microlens and parallel to the main optical axis 10 of the lighting device.

[0122] In particular, as can be seen in Figure 5 , the first zone Z1 is located on the mask segment and has a first spacing E1 with respect to the vertical upper edge 28 of this mask segment. The first zone Z1 corresponds to the presence of the first aperture 261 because, taking into account the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 associated with this first aperture 261 and as described above, the value of the first spacing E1 lies between the value of the first distance D1 defining the size of the first aperture and the value of the second distance D2. More particularly, here, the value of the first spacing E1 is substantially equal to the value of the second distance such that the first zone Z1 on which the light rays are focused when the first light source 41 is activated is substantially located on the second boundary of the first aperture forming the above-mentioned cut-off edge 32.

[0123] As a result of the above, the light rays emitted by the first light source 41 propagate through each of the light guiding channels 5 within the microlens array 2 in order to pass through the first apertures 261 provided in each mask segment 231. The exit microlenses placed downstream of these first apertures 261 are configured to deflect the light rays in the direction of the road on which the vehicle is traveling in order to form a light beam that does not produce uncomfortable glare.

[0124] Figure 6 and Figure 7 shows the lighting device when the lighting device is performing a second lighting function (here the "daytime running light" signaling function).

[0125] The second light source 42 is turned on via appropriate driving of an electronic control device associated with the light-emitting device. The second light source 42 emits light rays in the direction of the collimator 3, and the collimator collects these light rays and guides them into a light beam that is parallel to each other and transmitted in the direction of the incident microlens array of the microlens array 2.

[0126] The collimator 3 is configured such that when light rays are generated by the second light source 42, these light rays emerge from the collimator 3 with a principal inclination of a second angle α2 with respect to the principal optical axis 10, while again allowing the light rays to diverge slightly due to the light source not being a point source as described above. As a result, the light rays impinge on each of the incident microlenses at a second incident angle. In this context, the light rays are deflected by each incident microlens 20 so as to be focused on a second region Z2 of the mask segment 231 placed across the light-guiding channel 5 (see Figure 7 ). This second region Z2 corresponds to the presence of the second aperture 262 such that the light rays focused on this second region Z2 can pass through the mask 23 in the direction of the exit microlens array. The exit microlens placed facing the second aperture 262 has an object focus located in this second region Z1 such that the light rays propagating through the second aperture in the direction of this exit microlens 24 (here the second exit microlens 241) leave the microlens array substantially parallel to the optical axis of the exit microlens and parallel to the principal optical axis 10 of the light-emitting device.

[0127] In particular, as can be seen in Figure 7 , the second region Z2 is located on the mask segment and has a second spacing E2 with respect to the vertical upper edge 28 of the mask segment. The second region Z2 corresponds to the presence of the second aperture 262 because, taking into account the third distance D3 and the fourth distance D4 associated with this second aperture 262 and as described above, the value of the second spacing E2 lies between the value of the third distance D3 that defines the size of the second aperture and the value of the fourth distance D4. More particularly, here, the value of the second spacing E2 is substantially an equidistant value between the value of the third distance and the value of the fourth distance such that the second region Z2 on which the light rays are focused when the second light source is activated is substantially located at the center of the second aperture 262, or at two-thirds of its height as described above, i.e., at a certain distance from the edge such that most of the light rays that have to pass through the aperture are not blocked at the periphery.

[0128] As a result of the above, the light rays emitted by the second light source 42 propagate through each of the light-guiding channels 5 within the microlens array 2 in order to pass through the second apertures 262 provided in each mask segment 231. The exit microlenses placed downstream of these second apertures 262 are configured to deflect the light rays into a signaling light beam that is substantially parallel to the direction of the principal optical axis 10.

[0129] In particular, by comparing Figure 4 andFigure 6 It can be seen that the exit surface of the lighting device (formed here by the exit microlens array, but it can be the optical surface of a projector placed downstream of the microlens array) is illuminated over substantially the same extent, regardless of whether the first lighting function enabled via the first light source 41 or the second lighting function enabled via the second light source 42 is being carried out.

[0130] For example, the present invention as just described achieves the object set for it, namely, it allows at least two different lighting functions to be carried out by the same lighting module, while using the same lighting area, i.e., the area through which the light exits remains of the same extent, regardless of the lighting function being carried out.

[0131] It will be understood that the configuration of the microlens array presented by way of example can be different, provided that the area to be illuminated remains unchanged, regardless of the lighting function being carried out. By way of non-limiting example, as mentioned, different alternations of the apertures in the columns can be provided so as to stagger apertures of a given type, and the lighting device can be provided to carry out two different signaling functions (for example, daytime running lights and direction indicators) or in fact two different lighting functions (for example, dipped headlights and a high-intensity lighting function participating in the production of "main beam").

Claims

1. A light-emitting device (1), said light-emitting device at least comprising a light-emitting device (4), a collimator (3) and a microlens array (2), said light-emitting device (4) being configured to emit light in the direction of said microlens array (2) via said collimator (3), said microlens array (2) at least comprising an incident microlens array (21), an exit microlens array (22), and a mask (23) interposed between the two microlens arrays, said microlens array (2) being configured to form light-guiding channels (5) respectively arranged between at least one incident microlens (20) and one exit microlens (24), said mask (23) comprising mask segments (231) each placed in a respective light-guiding channel (5), characterized in that said light-emitting device (4) comprises a plurality of selectively addressable light sources (41, 42), said collimator (3) being common to said plurality of light sources (41, 42) and being configured to shape the light emitted by the light sources into a substantially parallel light beam directed in the direction of said microlens array (2), the angle of inclination of said substantially parallel light beam with respect to the optical axis being different according to the enabled light source, the device being further characterized in that at least one light-guiding channel (5) is arranged along said main optical axis (10) and is delimited at one longitudinal end by a single incident microlens (20) configured to focus said substantially parallel light beam onto a focusing area on said mask segment (231), said focusing area being placed in said light-guiding channel and the position of said focusing area on said mask segment (231) being different according to the angle of inclination of said substantially parallel light beam, so that said single incident microlens is configured to direct light onto respective focusing areas (Z1, Z2) according to the angle of inclination of said substantially parallel light beam, said mask segment (231) placed in said at least one light-guiding channel comprising a plurality of apertures (261, 262), said plurality of apertures each being placed in a respective one of said focusing areas (Z1, Z2).

2. The light-emitting device (1) according to the previous claim, characterized in that, Said at least one light-guiding channel is arranged along said main optical axis (10) and is delimited at one longitudinal end by a single incident microlens (20) and at the other longitudinal end by a plurality of exit microlenses (24).

3. The light-emitting device (1) according to the previous claim, characterized in that, The exit microlenses (24) placed at one longitudinal end of the light-guiding channel are adjacent to each other.

4. The light-emitting device according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that, The exit microlenses (24) of a given light-guiding channel (5) are configured to have object foci differently positioned on the mask segment (231) present in said light-guiding channel (5), the object foci of the exit microlenses being specifically associated with one of the apertures (26) in said mask segment (231).

5. The light-emitting device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, Within the light-guiding channel (5), the number of apertures (261, 262) different from each other within the mask segment (231) is equal to the number of exit microlenses (234) present at one longitudinal end of said light-guiding channel (5).

6. The light-emitting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The number of orifices (261, 262) that are different from each other within the mask segment (231) is equal to the number of different light sources (41, 42).

7. The light-emitting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The orifices (261, 262) present within a given mask segment (231) in the light guiding channel (5) have different shapes and / or sizes.

8. The light-emitting device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The pattern formed by the orifices (261, 262) of different shapes and / or sizes in the mask segment is identical for each mask segment (231).

9. The light-emitting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The light emitting device includes a first light source (41) and a second light source (42). The activation of the first light source participates in generating a first light emitting function, and the activation of the second light source participates in generating a second light emitting function or an additional segment of the first light emitting function. The light rays emitted by the first light source (41) are intended to be focused by the incident microlens (20) of the light guiding channel onto a first focusing area located on a first orifice (261) of the mask segment placed in the light guiding channel. The light rays emitted by the second light source (42) are intended to be focused by the same incident microlens (20) onto a second focusing area located on a second orifice (262) of the same mask segment (231).

10. The light-emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or claim 9 when not dependent on claim 8, characterized in that, Each mask segment (231) includes a first orifice (261) and a second orifice (262) respectively associated with the first focusing area and the second focusing area, and is characterized in that at least one of the first orifices in the first orifices (261) and at least one of the second orifices in the second orifices (262) have different shapes and / or sizes from the other first orifices (261) and the other second orifices (262) respectively.

11. The light-emitting device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first light source (41) and the second light source (42) are spaced apart from each other and are distributed on either side of a defined plane. The first light source (41) is closer to the defined plane than the second light source (42).

12. The light-emitting device according to the combination of any one of the preceding claims and claim 2, characterized in that, The object focus of one of the exit microlenses (24) specifically associated with the first orifice (261) is substantially placed on the boundary (32) defining the first orifice.

13. The light-emitting device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The boundary (32) of the first orifice (261) contains an inflection point, and the object focus of one of the exit microlenses (24) is placed on the boundary.

14. The light-emitting device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, The object focus of the exit microlens (24) specifically associated with the second orifice (262) is substantially placed at the center of the second orifice (262).

15. A motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including at least one light emitting device (1) as described in any one of the preceding claims.

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