Light emitting device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device (i) comprising a housing and a cover lens (4) defining a cavity which accommodates, on the one hand, at least two lighting modules (6, 8), namely a first lighting module (6) generating a first light beam and a second lighting module (8) generating a second light beam, and which accommodates, on the other hand, a signalling device, the signalling device comprises a light source (18) and a light curtain (16) arranged between the lighting module (6, 8) and the cover lens, the light curtain comprising micro-optics (30) configured to decouple the light rays emitted by the light source and to direct the light rays towards the direction of the cover lens into a signalling light beam outside the light curtain, these micro-optics comprise a first type of micro-optics (14) arranged opposite the first lighting module (6) and a second type of micro-optics (15) arranged opposite the second lighting module (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of lighting devices, in particular for motor vehicles, and more particularly to a lighting device comprising at least one signaling device and one lighting device, these devices being intended to participate in the signaling and lighting functions of the vehicle.

[0002] Motor vehicles traveling on roads are equipped with lighting devices or headlights arranged on the front face of the vehicle. These lighting devices combine a lighting function, intended to improve the visibility of the road scene for the vehicle driver, with a signaling function, intended to make the driver and / or vehicle's driving behavior visible to other road users, for example, especially during the day when the lighting function is not in use. These lighting and signaling functions must comply with regulatory standards.

[0003] The signaling function may include a daytime running light function, a position light function, or a vehicle turn signal function, but this list is not exhaustive.

[0004] A lighting function that can be implemented in the lighting device can be, for example, a low-beam function or a high-beam function.

[0005] Low beam allows a motor vehicle to be seen by other road users and allows its driver to see the road correctly at a distance of 30 metres without dazzling other road users. High beam emits a beam with a wider range, allowing the driver of a motor vehicle to see the road correctly at a distance of at least 100 metres in night conditions.

[0006] The high beam may be independent of the low beam and thus be produced by projecting a light beam that is formed on the basis of light emitted by a light source specifically dedicated to forming these high beams, or the high beam may be produced by projecting a light beam that is complementary to the light beam used to form the low beam and that is formed on the basis of light emitted by a light source that is arranged in a manner complementary to the light source specifically dedicated to forming the low beam.

[0007] It is known to arrange different lighting modules in the center of the headlamp to provide a lighting function, and one or more signaling functions are provided by signaling devices arranged at the periphery of the lighting modules. Thus, the lighting function illuminates the central portion of the lighting surface at the output end of the headlamp, while the signaling function illuminates the periphery of this lighting surface.

[0008] It is noteworthy that, for aesthetic and space reasons, automobile manufacturers wish to provide motor vehicles equipped with headlamps in which the lighting function and the signaling function are grouped together. The headlamp comprises a housing and an enclosed outer lens, the enclosed outer lens forming a receiving area for both one or more lighting modules capable of producing the regulatory lighting function via a portion of the enclosed outer lens, and one or more signaling devices capable of producing the signaling function via the same portion of the enclosed outer lens or via substantially the same portion of the enclosed outer lens. It should be noted that the lighting function and the signaling function may illuminate the same surface of the enclosed outer lens or different surfaces, it being understood that it is desirable that the surfaces of the enclosed outer lens illuminated by either of these functions overlap as much as possible.

[0009] It should be understood that the configurations mentioned in the prior art cannot be used to form a compact lighting device having certain light characteristics so that the surface of the enclosed outer lens illuminated by the signaling function shares at least a portion with the surface of the enclosed outer lens illuminated by the lighting function.

[0010] The present invention is related to the above content and proposes a lighting device for a motor vehicle, which includes a shell enclosed by an enclosed outer lens, and the shell is configured to accommodate the lighting device on one side and the signaling device on the other side. The lighting device includes at least two lighting modules, a first lighting module of the at least two lighting modules is capable of generating a first lighting beam, and a second lighting module of the at least two lighting modules is capable of generating a second lighting beam, the first lighting beam is different from the second lighting beam, and the two lighting beams are guided toward the enclosed outer lens so as to contribute to a first lighting function with an upper cut-off line and a second lighting function without an upper cut-off line respectively via a first part of the enclosed outer lens, and the signaling device includes at least one light source. According to the present invention, the signaling device further includes a light curtain, which is arranged to face at least one light source so that the light emitted by the at least one light source can propagate in the light curtain, and the light curtain is arranged between the lighting module and the enclosed outer lens, the light curtain including micro-optical devices, which are configured to decouple the light emitted by the at least one light source and guide the light toward the enclosed outer lens into a signaling beam outside the light curtain so as to produce a signaling function via a second part of the enclosed outer lens, which second part at least partially overlaps with the first part of the enclosed outer lens, and the micro-optical devices include two different types of micro-optical devices, wherein the first type of micro-optical devices are arranged in a first area facing the first lighting module so as to be in the path of the first lighting beam, and the second type of micro-optical devices are arranged in a second area facing the second lighting module so as to be in the path of the second lighting beam.

[0011] The lighting device according to the present invention includes at least two lighting modules, each of which is configured to provide an illumination function for a road scene in front of a vehicle. In other words, the lighting device includes at least one first lighting module configured to provide a first illumination function and at least one second lighting module configured to provide a second illumination function.

[0012] The lighting device according to the present invention also includes a signaling device, whose transparent portion, formed by a light curtain, is arranged between the enclosed outer lens and the lighting module, i.e., in front of the lighting module. Therefore, the first and second light beams pass through the light curtain before reaching the enclosed outer lens. The signaling device is configured such that the light curtain acts as a light guide equipped with optical patterns (more specifically, micro-optics) that extract light propagating within the light guide to direct it toward the exterior of the vehicle and provide the desired signaling function.

[0013] At least one lighting module and signaling device are configured such that the corresponding lighting function and signaling function are both emitted along an optical axis parallel to a median longitudinal axis of the vehicle and substantially parallel to a road surface on which the vehicle is traveling.

[0014] Each optical pattern or micro-optical pattern formed on the light curtain of the signaling device has an influence on at least one of the light rays emitted by at least one light source of the signaling device and propagating within the light curtain, so that each optical pattern participates in providing a signaling function.

[0015] These identical patterns have different shapes, so that some of the optical patterns that are arranged to face the first lighting module responsible for providing a first lighting function have a first type of pattern so as not to interfere with the provision of the first specific lighting function, and some of the optical patterns that are arranged to face the second lighting module responsible for providing a second lighting function have a second type of pattern so as not to interfere with the provision of the second specific lighting function.

[0016] According to an optional feature of the invention, the upper cut-off line of the lighting function provided at least in part by the first lighting module comprises at least one horizontal and / or inclined portion.

[0017] According to an optional feature of the invention, the light curtain is formed by a sheet-like light guide.

[0018] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first lighting module contributes to providing a low beam function and the second lighting module contributes to providing a high beam function.

[0019] According to an optional feature of the invention, the signalling device is configured to produce a direction indicator light, daytime running light or position light signalling function.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, the micro-optics are formed on a first face of the light curtain facing the lighting module.

[0021] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first type of micro-optics is configured to produce a diffusing effect on the light generated by the first lighting module and on the light propagating within the light curtain.

[0022] The first-type micro-optical elements are configured to be diffuse. This diffusing effect allows the light emitted by the light source of the signaling device to be extracted from the light curtain and propagated within the signaling device. This diffusing effect also ensures that road users are not dazzled when a vehicle equipped with the light-emitting device according to the present invention emits a first lighting function with an upper cut-off (e.g., a low-beam lighting function). Indeed, when a first light beam corresponding to the first lighting function passes through the light curtain and the first-type micro-optical elements, the light curtain and these first-type micro-optical elements also have a diffusing effect on the first light beam, preventing directional light from being emitted above the upper cut-off of the first lighting function.

[0023] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first type micro-optics each have a pyramidal shape extending about the axis of revolution.

[0024] According to an optional feature of the invention, the axis of revolution of at least one cone has an inclination angle of between 25° and 70° relative to the main extension plane of the first face of the light curtain. The inclination angle can in particular be 45°.

[0025] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the second type of micro-optical elements is configured to produce a directional effect on the light generated by the second illumination module. Each second type of micro-optical element can, in particular, be in the form of a prism. The planar faces of the prisms that enable this directional effect are connected by transversely extending edges so as to produce a vertical directional effect on the light reaching the prisms in a substantially longitudinal direction.

[0026] This directional effect allows light emitted by the light source of the signaling device to be extracted from the light curtain and propagated within the signaling device. It should be noted that micro-optics with a directional effect are more efficient at extracting light emitted by the light source of the signaling device than micro-optics with a diffuse effect. Furthermore, when a vehicle equipped with a light-emitting device according to the present invention emits a second lighting function without an upper cut-off line (such as a high-beam lighting function), even if the second type of micro-optics with a directional effect affects the second lighting beam, the second lighting beam still complies with applicable regulations, and since the lighting function has no upper cut-off line, there is no risk of dazzling other road users.

[0027] According to an optional feature of the invention, the second type of micro-optics comprises hybrid micro-optics, each of these hybrid micro-optics having a generally prism shape capable of producing said directivity effect on the light generated by the second illumination module, wherein the cone portions are arranged laterally of the prism.

[0028] These hybrid micro-optics form a specific embodiment of the second type of micro-optics and are accordingly placed in the second zone facing the second lighting module responsible for producing a lighting function without a cut-off line. Therefore, their generally prismatic shape does not pose a risk of dazzling road users. Furthermore, the conical portions present at the lateral ends of the prisms serve to maintain a uniform signaling function, as these conical portions have the effect of diffusing the light propagating within the light curtain, in accordance with the diffusing effect provided by the first type of micro-optics, which are all conical and positioned in front of the first lighting module providing a first lighting function with an upper cut-off line (e.g., a low-beam lighting function).

[0029] The configuration of the micro-optics is important. These types of micro-optics are an integral part of the signaling device and must be able to provide the signaling function without unduly interfering with the primary and secondary lighting functions. Therefore, the micro-optics are arranged to take into account the nature of the lighting module.

[0030] Micro-optical devices that produce a diffusion effect (e.g., micro-optical devices with a pyramidal shape) are used to distribute light in all directions. These micro-optical devices thus allow for the extraction of some of the light emitted by the light source associated with the signaling device. By being arranged facing a first lighting module that forms a light beam with an upper cutoff (e.g., a low-beam beam) and having diffusion properties, the amount of light transmitted by these micro-optical devices above the upper cutoff of the first lighting beam is negligible compared to a limit value specified by regulatory constraints. This upper cutoff is defined, in particular, in regulations. This is the limit value above which little or no light may be transmitted to ensure that other road users are not dazzled. Therefore, it is desirable not to transmit light exceeding this limit value.

[0031] On the other hand, micro-optics that produce a directional effect (such as micro-optics with a prismatic shape) allow light to be transmitted in a single direction. These micro-optics are therefore used to extract some of the light emitted by the light source associated with the signaling device. The impact of these micro-optics on the secondary lighting function remains limited, particularly because the secondary lighting function has no upper cutoff, such as a high-beam function. In this case, regulations do not define a zone beyond which little or no light may be transmitted. Therefore, micro-optics that produce a directional effect do not cause glare issues. These micro-optics can influence the range and / or flux of the secondary lighting function without affecting its regulatory compliance.

[0032] Furthermore, as explained above, micro-optics producing a directional effect serve to achieve the photometry required to provide the signaling function by allowing the extraction of more light emitted by the light source of the signaling device than micro-optics producing a diffuse effect.

[0033] In fact, if only micro-optics that produce a diffuse effect are used over the entire surface of the light curtain, the photometric regulations applicable to signaling devices will not be met. In other words, it will not be possible to send enough light to the desired location to provide the signaling function.

[0034] On the other hand, if only micro-optics producing a directional effect were used over the entire surface of the light curtain, the first lighting function formed by the first illumination beam with an upper cut-off would be excessively disturbed by the micro-optics and would therefore no longer meet the regulations. The directional micro-optics would send too much light above the upper cut-off.

[0035] This distribution of these types of micro-optical devices allows the lighting device to provide a first lighting function with an upper cut-off line (e.g., a low-beam function) and a second lighting function without an upper cut-off line (e.g., a high-beam function), while allowing the signaling device to provide a signaling function, with the first lighting function, the second lighting function, and the signaling function all complying with their respective applicable regulations.

[0036] According to an optional feature of the invention, the signalling device comprises a plurality of light sources arranged facing an edge of the light curtain.

[0037] These light sources are in particular arranged at regular intervals so that the light intended to produce the signaling function is spread evenly over the entire lateral dimension of the light curtain.

[0038] According to one feature of the present invention, the signaling device includes a collimator arranged between the light source and the light curtain. The collimator can, in particular, form an integral component of the light curtain, forming a single plastic part and arranged on a surface of the light curtain facing the light source. The collimator is used to collect the light beams emitted by the light source and transmit these light beams through the light curtain as parallel or substantially parallel beams.

[0039] According to one feature of the invention, each lighting module of the lighting device comprises a light source and reflectors arranged to reflect the light beam emitted by the light source towards the closed outer lens of the lighting device.

[0040] According to one feature of the present invention, two first lighting modules are arranged on both sides of the second lighting module, and the first type of micro-optical devices are arranged in two different first areas, which are arranged on both sides of the second area, and the second type of micro-optical devices are arranged in the second area.

[0041] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on reading the description of a detailed embodiment given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0042] [ Figure 1 ] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lighting device according to the invention, which shows in particular the arrangement of a light curtain of a signaling device between a device forming a lighting module and an enclosed outer lens of a housing of the lighting device;

[0043] [ Figure 2 ]yes Figure 1 a schematic diagram of a detail showing the micro-optics on one face of the light curtain facing the lighting module;

[0044] [ Figure 3 ] is based on Figure 1 , showing in particular two lighting modules which can respectively contribute to providing a low-beam function and a high-beam function, these modules being illustrated here by a transparent light curtain which forms part of a signaling device according to the invention arranged facing the lighting modules;

[0045] [ Figure 4 ] is a schematic diagram of a light curtain of a signaling device, the light curtain having a first type of micro-optical device area and a second type of micro-optical device area;

[0046] [ Figure 5 ] is a schematic diagram of a first type of micro-optical device having a plurality of pyramidal shapes;

[0047] [ Figure 6 ] is a schematic diagram of multiple hybrid micro-optical devices;

[0048] [ Figure 7 ] is a schematic diagram of a variant embodiment of a light curtain of a lighting device, wherein two first type micro-optical device areas are arranged on both sides of a second type micro-optical device area.

[0049] The features, variants and different embodiments of the present invention may be associated with one another in various combinations, provided that they are not mutually incompatible or mutually exclusive. It will be possible, in particular, to envisage variants of the present invention comprising only a selection of the features described below in isolation from the other features described, provided that such selection of features is sufficient to provide a technical advantage and / or to distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0050] It should be noted that the present invention relates to a lighting device that provides both a lighting function and a signaling function by projecting an illumination beam and a signaling beam through the same portion of a closed outer lens of the lighting device. Such a function is possible in the lighting device according to the present invention because the signaling device is arranged between the device implementing the lighting function and the closed outer lens, and to such an extent that a suitable optical pattern is formed on the signaling device so as to enable the signaling function to be generated without interfering with the lighting function.

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lighting device 1 according to the invention. The lighting device 1 is more particularly a headlamp intended to be integrated into the front face of a motor vehicle. The lighting device 1 can implement several lighting and signaling functions of the vehicle via a lighting module comprising a lighting module and a signaling device.

[0052] The lighting device 1 comprises a housing 2 having an opening facing the front of the vehicle and closed by an enclosed outer lens 4. The housing 2 and the enclosed outer lens 4 define a receiving cavity sized to accommodate the various lighting modules mentioned above.

[0053] More specifically, the housing 2 houses at least two lighting modules providing two different lighting functions (including a first lighting module or low-beam module 6 intended to provide a low-beam function and a second lighting module or high-beam module 8 intended to provide a high-beam function). The housing 2 also houses a signaling device 10, the transparent portion of which is arranged between the lighting modules 6, 8 and the enclosed outer lens 4. It should be understood that in Figure 3 In the figure (which is a view from the outside of the vehicle), the lighting modules 6, 8 are visible through the transparent closed outer lens 4 and the transparent part of the signaling device.

[0054] Each lighting module 6 , 8 comprises a light source 12 and means for directing the light rays emitted by the light source so as to direct these rays towards the output end of the housing, ie in this case towards the enclosed outer lens 4 .

[0055] The light source 12 is configured to emit light with a defined luminous intensity suitable for providing a lighting function associated with the lighting module with which the light source is associated. Thus, the figure shows a light source 12 arranged to face the low-beam module 6 and configured to emit light capable of generating a first low-beam lighting beam, and a light source 12 arranged to face the high-beam module 8 and configured to emit light for providing a second high-beam lighting beam.

[0056] In this case, the means for directing the light is formed by a reflector 14 shaped and sized to generate a beam of parallel or substantially parallel light rays directed towards the closed outer lens 4 in order to produce a high-beam or low-beam lighting beam. In this case, the reflector 14 is a reflector having a parabolic portion arranged so that the corresponding light source 12 is arranged at the focus of this parabolic shape. Figure 1 By way of example, two light rays R1 are shown that propagate toward the enclosed outer lens 4. It should be understood that these light rays can be generated by either the first lighting module 6 or the second lighting module 8.

[0057] As mentioned, the signaling device 10 includes a transparent portion arranged between the lighting module (more specifically, the reflector 14 of the lighting module) and the enclosed outer lens 4. This transparent portion includes a light curtain 16 formed by a sheet-like light guide. The light curtain 16 is sheet-like in that its thickness is small compared to the other two dimensions defining its main extension plane. As a non-limiting example of the present invention, the thickness of the light curtain 16 is approximately 5 mm.

[0058] It is worth noting that the above-mentioned light R1 emitted by one or the other of the lighting modules 6 , 8 is passed through the light curtain 16 .

[0059] Signaling device 10 further includes one or more light sources 18, which are arranged within lighting device 1 and are sized to fit within the lighting device to provide a signaling function. In this case, light source 18 comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) secured to a printed circuit board 20. Light source 18 can be configured to emit a single color or different colors, depending on control instructions appropriately received by the control system of the signaling device. For example, if the signaling function to be implemented is a position light or daytime running light function, the light source may emit white light, and if the signaling function to be provided is a direction indicator function, the light source may emit orange light.

[0060] The printed circuit board 20 is positioned in the housing 2 such that the light source 18 is arranged as close as possible to the edge of the light curtain 16 so that all or at least most of the emitted light propagates within the light guide formed by the light curtain.

[0061] exist Figure 2The collimator 22 visible in FIG is in this case arranged between the light sources 18 and the light curtain 16 in order to collect the signaling light beams emitted by each of the light sources 18 respectively and transmit these signaling light beams as a beam of parallel or substantially parallel rays within the light curtain 16. In this context, the light rays emitted by the collimated light sources 18 propagate within the light guide formed by the light curtain 16 from the edge facing the light sources to the opposite edge.

[0062] The light curtain 16 has two opposite main faces (a first face 24 facing the lighting modules 6, 8 and an opposite second face 26 facing the enclosed outer lens 4). The second face 26 forms an output face for light propagating in the light curtain.

[0063] In order to extract the light propagating within the light curtain, e.g. Figure 2 As more particularly shown in FIG, the first face 24 of the light curtain has at least one extraction zone 28, which is equipped with optical patterns for decoupling the light within the light curtain beam (i.e., deflecting the light) so that the light impinges on the face opposite to the optical pattern (i.e., the output face), wherein the angle of incidence causes the light to be refracted from the light curtain 16 toward the enclosed outer lens 4 in order to produce a signaling function.

[0064] The optical pattern comprises a surface texture formed on the first side, which surface texture can have a variety of shapes as described below. Notably, in this case, the surface texture forms indentations of appropriate shape in the material so as to be arranged to straddle the path of light emitted by the light source within the light curtain.

[0065] As mentioned above, it is worth noting that the light R1 emitted by one or the other of the lighting modules 6, 8 is passed through the light curtain 16. More specifically, as Figure 2 As shown, some of the light rays R1 emitted by one or the other of the lighting modules 6 , 8 are caused to pass through the extraction zone 28 and its optical pattern.

[0066] Figure 2Two different extraction zones are shown, which are arranged successively on the first face 24 of the light curtain 16 and are therefore distributed differently in front of the reflectors 14 of the lighting modules. It is worth noting that the portion of the first face 24 facing the first lighting module can have one or more extraction zones at different locations than on another portion of the first face 24 (in this case, facing the second lighting module). Furthermore, it should be noted that the dimensions of the extraction zones, in particular the depth to which they are engaged in the material of the light curtain, are exaggerated here in order to make them visible in the figures. Regardless of the thickness of the light curtain, the depth of the micro-optics can be between 0.05 mm and 0.6 mm, the minimum dimension being determined by production constraints and the maximum by aesthetic constraints related to injection molding. The depth of the micro-optics can in particular be approximately 0.15 mm.

[0067] More specifically, in the example shown, the light curtain includes two extraction zones, wherein the first extraction zone is closer to the light source than the second extraction zone, and the first extraction zone has a depth of approximately 0.1 mm, while the second extraction zone has a depth of approximately 0.2 mm. If desired, this depth offset (i.e., having a gradual depth between the two extraction zones) is desirable to maximize the efficiency of the second extraction zone.

[0068] The optical pattern forming the extraction zone is composed of micro-optical elements 30 configured to influence the light rays propagating within the light curtain 16 so as to deflect these rays from the light curtain towards the closed outer lens 4 (as indicated by the line representing the ray R2), without interfering with the propagation of the light rays coming from the lighting modules 6, 8 responsible for generating the lighting function (as indicated by the line representing the ray R1).

[0069] As mentioned above, and as Figure 3 As shown, there are two different types of lighting modules 6, 8, at least one of which is responsible for generating a low-beam lighting function and one of which is responsible for generating a high-beam lighting function. In this context, according to the present invention, the micro-optics 30 are divided into different types of micro-optics, depending on the lighting module they directly face. Figure 4 The arrangement of the micro-optics shown in FIG. Figure 3 , wherein two lighting modules 6 , 8 are arranged side by side in a lateral direction and two regions 31 , 32 of different micro-optics 30 are arranged side by side in this same lateral direction.

[0070] More specifically, it should be understood that the first zone 31 is composed of the first type of micro-optical devices 34 and is arranged facing the first lighting module 6, thereby contributing to providing the low-beam function. The second zone 32 is composed of the second type of micro-optical devices 36 and is arranged facing the second lighting module 8, thereby contributing to providing the high-beam function.

[0071] It will be understood that each micro-optic participates in providing the signaling function by providing a surface texture within the light curtain, which surface texture is intended to deflect at least one of the light rays emitted by at least one light source of the signaling device away from the light curtain, and that each micro-optic has a different shape so that they can be positioned facing one of the lighting modules with minimal impact on the lighting beam emitted by the corresponding module.

[0072] The first type of micro-optics 34 can take various forms, as long as they are substantially diffuse to ensure that they do not dazzle road users when a vehicle equipped with the lighting device according to the invention emits low-beam lighting. Therefore, the first type of micro-optics 34 is configured to deflect the light from the lighting modules 6, 8 by a very small proportion, thereby generating a luminous intensity of at most approximately 1 lux outside the original trajectory of the light.

[0073] For example and as Figure 5 As shown, these first type micro-optics 34 each take the form of a cone centered on an axis of revolution 35 oriented relative to the main extension plane of the light curtain and relative to the longitudinal and transverse planes in which the light rays from the lighting modules 6 , 8 mainly extend.

[0074] The orientation of the cones depends, in particular, on the optical axis of the lighting module and the signaling device. Each cone extends about an axis of rotation, which in this case is parallel to the direction of the optical axis of the lighting module. The axis of rotation is tilted relative to the optical axis in a vertical plane perpendicular to the plane of extension of the light curtain.

[0075] It should be noted that the inclination angle of the axis of rotation of each cone has little or no effect on the lighting function, and the angular modification of the light propagation is negligible with respect to glare. However, this inclination angle of each cone is limited to values ​​between 25° and 70° in order not to affect the uniformity of the signaling function.

[0076] As a non-limiting example of the present invention, the cones each have a radius measured in the plane of the input face of the light curtain of approximately 0.15 mm and an axial depth along the axis of revolution also of approximately 0.15 mm.

[0077] In the first zone comprising the first type of micro-optics, the cones may be spaced apart from each other by 0.5 mm, this value being measured between two adjacent cones on the first face of the light curtain, between the center of one cone and the center of the other cone.

[0078] The second type of micro-optical elements 36 are essentially directional and can take the form of prisms whose planar faces provide for a directional deflection of the light rays emitted by one of the lighting modules. Due to the longitudinal orientation of the light rays emitted by one of the lighting modules and the inclination of the prism faces, which are primarily traversed by these light rays, this deflection is essentially vertical. Therefore, the second type of micro-optical elements 36 are advantageously arranged in the second zone 32, facing the second lighting module 8 (i.e., the lighting module responsible for providing the high-beam lighting function). The light beam capable of providing this function is long-range and has a high luminous intensity, so that this beam is only implemented when there are no road users ahead of the vehicle and vertical deviation does not constitute a regulatory issue or interfere with the provision of the high-beam lighting function.

[0079] It will be appreciated that the presence of diffuse micro-optics in the second zone 32 as used in the first zone 31 will not be conducive to properly providing the signalling function. Due to insufficient light extracted by the light curtain, the signalling function may not have sufficient luminous intensity to ensure regulatory compliance.

[0080] Similarly, the presence of directional micro-optics in the first zone 31 as used in the second zone 32 would not be conducive to satisfactory provision of the low-beam lighting function, since due to the vertical deflection of the light, the cut-off line ensuring that other users are not blinded would not be respected.

[0081] Figure 6 Variations of the embodiment of the micro-optical device 30 are shown, which can have a hybrid configuration that combines a pyramidal configuration with a prismatic configuration. The hybrid micro-optical device 38 is formed, in particular, from a prismatic central portion and lateral portions in the form of pyramidal portions. These hybrid micro-optical devices 38 are particularly intended to replace the second-type micro-optical devices 36 in the second micro-optical device zone 32 (i.e., the zone facing the second lighting module 8). In practice, the central portion of the micro-optical device is the portion primarily illuminated by the light emitted by the lighting module, and the prismatic shape of this portion adopts the shape of the second-type micro-optical device so as not to interfere with the provision of the lighting function and, in particular, to enable extraction of sufficient light to provide the signaling function.

[0082] The side surfaces of the micro-optics, in the form of cone sections, have an additional effect on decoupling the light rays propagating within light curtain 16. The conical shape causes the light rays to be reflected toward the opposite sides, with a different angle of incidence than the light rays reflected by the central section, thereby ensuring a better distribution of the light rays on the output surface of the light curtain and a more uniform signaling function for the vehicle. As a result, the rays of the signaling beam exit the headlamp at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the plane of extension of the light curtain, which improves the visibility of the signaling beam for an outside observer viewing the vehicle from the side.

[0083] Figure 6A preferred embodiment of this variant is shown, in which the pyramidal portions are arranged on both sides of the prismatic central portion in the above-mentioned transverse direction.

[0084] As can be seen from the foregoing, the present invention is particularly applicable to headlamps comprising two different lighting modules arranged side by side. However, this arrangement is not limiting of the invention, as long as a single light curtain is arranged between the lighting modules and the output of the headlamp, and the light curtain comprises zones with different patterns between one zone and its adjacent zones, these patterns depending on the lighting module they face.

[0085] Thus, by way of non-limiting example, Figure 7 A variant embodiment of the invention is shown, and more particularly a light curtain 10 specific to this variant, namely a light curtain comprising two first zones 31 arranged on either side of a second zone 32, the first zone consisting of micro-optical elements 14 of the first type, and the second zone consisting of micro-optical elements 36 of the second type and / or hybrid micro-optical elements 38. Naturally, this configuration of a light curtain with two first zones arranged on either side of a second zone is associated with a specific configuration of lighting modules, wherein the two first lighting modules responsible for providing a first low-beam lighting beam are arranged on either side of a second lighting module responsible for providing a second high-beam lighting beam.

[0086] The detailed description above clearly demonstrates that the present invention achieves its stated objective, namely, to provide a lighting device for uniformly producing a signaling function and two lighting functions on a single portion of a closed outer lens formed by the output surface of the headlamp, this being achieved by virtue of the presence of a light curtain facing the lighting module, which allows the signaling function to be projected onto the center of this portion of the closed outer lens and thus achieves a degree of uniformity that would not be possible if the signaling function were produced at the periphery of this closed outer lens portion. The light curtain is also configured so as not to interfere with the provision of either of the two lighting functions by allowing the beam of light to pass through the light curtain.

[0087] However, the invention is not limited to the devices and configurations described and illustrated here, but also extends to any equivalent devices and configurations, as well as any technically operable combination of such devices.

Claims

1. A lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (2) enclosed by an enclosed outer lens (4), the housing (2) being configured to accommodate a lighting device on one side and a signaling device on the other side, the lighting device comprising at least two lighting modules (6, 8), a first lighting module (6) of the at least two lighting modules being capable of generating a first lighting beam, and a second lighting module (8) of the at least two lighting modules being capable of generating a second lighting beam, the first lighting beam being different from the second lighting beam, and the two lighting beams being directed towards the enclosed outer lens (4) so ​​as to contribute to a first lighting function with an upper cut-off line and a second lighting function without an upper cut-off line, respectively, via a first portion of the enclosed outer lens (4), the signaling device comprising at least one light source (18), characterised in that The signaling device further comprises a light curtain (16) arranged facing the at least one light source (18) so that light emitted by the at least one light source (18) can propagate in the light curtain, and the light curtain is arranged between the lighting modules (6, 8) and the enclosed outer lens (4), the light curtain (16) comprising a micro-optical device (30) configured to decouple the light emitted by the at least one light source (18) and guide the light towards the enclosed outer lens (4) into a signaling beam outside the light curtain (16), In order to generate a signaling function via a second portion of the enclosed outer lens, the second portion at least partially overlapping with the first portion of the enclosed outer lens (4), the micro-optical device (30) comprises two different types of micro-optical devices (30), wherein the micro-optical devices (34) of the first type are arranged in a first zone (31) facing the first lighting module (6) so as to be in the path of the first lighting beam, and the micro-optical devices (36) of the second type are arranged in a second zone (32) facing the second lighting module (8) so as to be in the path of the second lighting beam.

2. Lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The light curtain is formed by a sheet-like light guide.

3. Lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first lighting module (6) contributes to providing a low-beam function, and the second lighting module (8) contributes to providing a high-beam function.

4. Lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The signalling device is configured to produce a direction indicator light, daytime running light or position light signalling function.

5. Lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The micro-optical device is formed on a first face (24) of the light curtain facing the lighting module (6, 8).

6. Lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first type of micro-optics (34) is configured to produce a diffusing effect on the light generated by the first lighting module (6) and on the light propagating within the light curtain.

7. Lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The first type of micro-optical elements (34) each have the shape of a cone extending about an axis of revolution.

8. Lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The second type of micro-optical device (36) is configured to produce a directional effect on the light generated by the second lighting module.

9. Lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The second type of micro-optical devices (36) includes hybrid micro-optical devices (38), each of which has a generally prism shape capable of producing the directional effect on light generated by the second lighting module, wherein a cone portion is arranged laterally of the prism.

10. Lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The signaling device comprises a plurality of light sources (18) arranged facing an edge of the light curtain (16).

11. Lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The signaling device comprises a collimator (22) which is arranged between the light source (18) and the light curtain (16).

12. Lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Each lighting module (6, 8) of the lighting device comprises a light source (12) and a reflector (14), the reflector (14) being arranged to reflect a light beam emitted by the light source (12) towards an enclosed outer lens (4) of the lighting device (1).

13. Lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Two first lighting modules (6) are arranged on both sides of a second lighting module (8), and the first type of micro-optical devices (34) are arranged in two different first areas (31a, 31b), the two different first areas are arranged on both sides of a second area (32), and the second type of micro-optical devices (36) are arranged in the second area.

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