Motor vehicle optical system

Abstract

The subject of the invention is an optical system (200) comprising two optical modules (1, 1') each comprising at least one light source (2, 2'); one primary optical element (3, 3') configured to form a primary light beam (7, 7') based on the light rays emitted by said one or more light sources; and one secondary optical element (6, 6') for projecting the primary light beam (7, 7'). The primary optical elements (3, 3') of the optical modules form one and the same component (30).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application, based on Chinese patent application filed on April 1, 2019, with application number 201910257454.X and title "Optical System for Motor Vehicles". Invention Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an optical system, such as an interior lighting system for a motor vehicle, which is capable of projecting pixelated light beams and forming components for projecting pixelated images. Background Technology

[0003] Pixelated images can be formed, in particular, by means of an optical system comprising multiple optical modules, each of which emits a primary beam longitudinally forward to form a final beam in front of the optical system. This final beam forms the pixelated image and is composed of the superposition or combination of multiple such primary beams. Each module typically includes at least one master light source matrix array, multiple light guides, and projection optics.

[0004] Within each optical module, the positions of the individual optical components relative to each other, and in particular the positions of the light source and light guide relative to the projection optics, must be ensured to project a sharp, pixelated image from the module. It is also necessary that the beams output from each module be continuous or superimposed to form a sharp, pixelated image, ensuring the positions of the optical modules relative to each other, and thus ensuring the positions of the various optical components of the first optical module relative to the various optical components of the adjacent second optical module. It should be understood that the assembly time for the optical system used to generate the pixelated image can be lengthy to ensure that each optical component is correctly positioned.

[0005] In another known arrangement, the optical module described above can be associated with a reflective device that forms at least one outgoing reflector for indirect imaging, such as at least one planar, concave, or convex mirror or digital micromirror device. This reflector is capable of receiving and reflecting at least one light beam before its emission, and then the at least one light beam is emitted and shaped by a light source matrix array associated with a light guide, and then focused in a first direction by an additional projection lens. The reflector is used to deflect the light beam relative to the first direction to a second direction oriented toward the smooth outgoing surface of the corresponding optical system.

[0006] It should be understood that in optical systems designed to generate pixelated images and which include multiple optical modules for this purpose, the issues of component size and diversity become more significant. As a result, it may be difficult to integrate optical systems for generating pixelated images into motor vehicles, and particularly into the passenger compartments of these vehicles for interior lighting applications.

[0007] This invention is applicable to such situations and aims to improve the quality of pixelated images projected by optical systems, particularly those projected by optical systems used in the passenger compartment of motor vehicles, to produce internal illumination beams. To this end, the invention proposes an optical system that allows the emission of pixelated beams with good resolution via a simplified and flexible arrangement of small volume, an arrangement particularly compatible with the limited space in the passenger compartment when the optical system comprises an internal illumination system. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The subject of this invention is an optical system for illuminating an area of ​​the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the optical system comprising two optical modules, each optical module including at least one light source; a main optical element configured to form a fundamental beam of light based on light emitted by the one or more light sources; and a secondary optical element for projecting the fundamental beam of light.

[0009] According to one feature of the invention, the main optical elements of the optical modules are formed as a single component. According to the invention, it can be understood that the main optical elements are made of the same material so as to form a single piece extending over both optical modules.

[0010] Therefore, the precise positioning of one primary optical element relative to another is simplified. Furthermore, it should be noted that optical modules comprising one of these primary optical elements exist within the same optical system, such that the fundamental beam projected by one of the optical modules must be coherent with respect to the projection of the fundamental beam projected by the other optical module. Thus, the precise positioning of the primary optical elements allows for the generation of high-resolution, pixelated images using perfectly complementary projected fundamental beams.

[0011] According to one feature of the invention, the optical module is arranged to operate in a direct imaging mode, wherein the light source and the main components are directly stacked together.

[0012] According to the features of the invention, each optical module can be configured to include multiple light sources and a main component, wherein the multiple light sources are selectively activated, and the main component is arranged to face one of the light sources to collect and guide the light emitted by the respective light source, and the main optical element is placed at the exit portion of the main component. Furthermore, in this case, the main component and the main optical element can form a single component for two optical modules.

[0013] According to one feature of the invention, the optical module can be configured such that the two projected fundamental beams are at least partially superimposed in the region of the passenger compartment.

[0014] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the optical module is configured such that two projected fundamental beams, which are at least partially superimposed, have complementary shapes, such that when all light sources are activated, the shape of the first fundamental beam is the negative image of the other fundamental beam.

[0015] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the optical module is configured such that two projected fundamental beams, which are at least partially superimposed, have complementary shapes, wherein when all light sources are activated, the area illuminated by the first fundamental beam overlaps with the dark area of ​​the other fundamental beam. Furthermore, at least one area illuminated by the first fundamental beam extends to partially cover at least one area illuminated by the other fundamental beam, the at least one area being adjacent to the dark area of ​​the other fundamental beam, the at least one area illuminated by the first fundamental beam covering the dark area of ​​the other fundamental beam.

[0016] Based on a series of characteristics of an optical system that can be implemented individually or in combination, the following can be defined:

[0017] - The optical modules each have an optical axis and are arranged such that their optical axes are not parallel to each other and converge toward each other.

[0018] - The angle at which the optical axes of the optical modules are tilted relative to each other is between 0.5° and 3°.

[0019] - An angle between 5° and 15° between the optical axis of the optical module and the vertical axis of the vehicle.

[0020] - Each optical module has a length between 15 mm and 25 mm in the longitudinal direction parallel to the optical axis of the optical module.

[0021] According to another feature of the invention, it can be specified that the secondary optical elements of the two optical modules form one and only one component.

[0022] According to another feature of the optical system, it can be specified that the main components of the first optical module are arranged to form a first matrix array, and the main components of the second optical module are arranged to form a second matrix array, wherein the first matrix array and the second matrix array have complementary shapes.

[0023] Based on the various features of the optical system of the present invention that can be implemented individually or in combination, the following can be defined:

[0024] - The light source is a light-emitting diode (LED), which can be mounted on the surface of a printed circuit board.

[0025] The primary and secondary optical elements are configured to form a trapezoidal image of each exit portion of the primary component in the fundamental beam.

[0026] - Multiple first components have square cross-sections

[0027] - Multiple first components have circular cross-sections

[0028] - The shape of the main component differs between one optical module and the next. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an optical system capable of emitting pixelated beams according to the invention is shown, and in the drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 This illustrates one possible mode for integrating the optical system according to the invention into the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the optical system of the present invention, wherein the optical modules constituting the optical system are arranged in a first arrangement;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the optical system of the present invention from the rear, wherein the constituent optical modules of the optical system are arranged in a second arrangement, and this view allows the fundamental beams projected by each of these modules to be seen in superposition.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the optical system of the present invention, viewed from the side to make the tilt of the constituent optical elements of the two optical modules relative to each other more apparent; and

[0034] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of two fundamental beams with complementary shapes, which are projected as the output of a constituent optical module of an optical system and, according to a feature of the invention, are at least partially superimposed to provide a pixelated image. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Although the accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention in detail, they can, of course, be used to better define the invention where appropriate. Likewise, it will be remembered that the same elements have been labeled with the same reference numerals throughout all the drawings. It should also be understood that the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings are given by way of non-limiting example. Therefore, the optical system according to the invention can be configured differently, particularly by changing the arrangement and dimensions of the primary base light source, the main optical elements (especially the main components), and the secondary optical elements.

[0036] In the remainder of this specification, particular reference is made. Figures 2 to 4 The axis system L, V, T in the diagram will, without limitation, adopt the following orientations:

[0037] - The longitudinal direction L is defined by the longitudinal extension axis of the optical system of the present invention, which allows for the rearward arrangement of its constituent elements, and in particular the rearward arrangement of multiple light sources, main optical elements and secondary optical elements.

[0038] - Vertical V, referring to the vertical axis perpendicular to the ground on which the vehicle is traveling; and

[0039] - Lateral T, referring to the axis perpendicular to the aforementioned longitudinal and vertical axes in a direction substantially parallel to the ground on which the vehicle is traveling.

[0040] Figure 1 An optical system 200 is shown installed in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle to form an interior lighting system 100, which is configured to illuminate the passenger compartment in a reading light-type application and is placed for this purpose, for example, in the vehicle's central front dome light 50. In this configuration, the interior lighting system 100 is configured to project at least partially superimposed basic beams of light, as will be described in more detail below, to form at least one illumination area 51, which may extend over an area, such as a smooth surface of the vehicle, or over a volume that may include, for example, the vehicle's dashboard and front seat base.

[0041] It should be understood that the optical system 200 can be installed in the vehicle in different ways, and particularly in other locations in the passenger compartment, such as in the central rear dome light, laterally above the door (e.g., flush with the auxiliary handle), or even in the central front console and / or rear console.

[0042] As will be described, the optical system 200 according to the invention includes a light source whose selective activation allows the generation of a fundamental beam of light that is capable of varying over time in terms of its period, its intensity, and / or its color, in order to form at least one clear static and / or dynamic pixelated image, such as a background image, signage, or even a pictogram, in at least one area of ​​the passenger compartment.

[0043] Figure 2 An optical system 200 is shown, which here forms an internal illumination system 100, wherein two optical modules 1, 1' are arranged side by side, here arranged side by side in the lateral direction. According to the invention, each optical module 1, 1' includes, from back to front, a plurality of light sources 2, 2', primary optical elements 3, 3', and secondary optical elements 6, 6' along a longitudinal axis, these elements being configured to allow a fundamental beam 7, 7' ( Figure 3 (As shown) is projected into the area of ​​the passenger compartment.

[0044] The main optical elements 3 and 3' include a rear part and a front part. The rear part contains main components 4 and 4' arranged facing the light sources 2 and 2' respectively, and the front part forms lenses 5 and 5'.

[0045] Light sources 2 and 2' are typically light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on the surface of a printed circuit board (not shown here) and can be controlled individually. Since they are used in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the space dedicated to installing the interior lighting system is limited. Therefore, it is necessary to use small-sized light sources, such as surface-mount device (SMD) LEDs or, in effect, chip-on-board (COB) LEDs.

[0046] The main optical elements 3 and 3', arranged in front of the light sources 2 and 2' so as to be located in the path of the light emitted by these light sources, can modify the distribution of these emitted light rays. For this purpose, as shown, the main components 4 and 4' present in the rear of the main optical elements can each take the form of light guides, and the light guides formed together form a pixelated optical system.

[0047] The light guide extends longitudinally as a whole and has, at opposite longitudinal ends, a surface through which light emitted by light sources 2, 2' enters and a surface through which these light rays exit. The light guide may have a square, rectangular, and / or circular cross-section; it should be understood that within a given optical module 1, 1', the shapes of the light guides may be the same or different. Each light guide is coupled to a light-emitting diode (LED) such that most of the light emitted by an LED is transmitted through the incident surface of that light guide into the light guide dedicated to these rays and guided to a corresponding exit surface. Light rays forming narrower pencil beams exit through this exit surface, forming square, rectangular, or even circular pixels.

[0048] Lenses 5 and 5' forming the front portion of the primary optical elements 3 and 3' include planar incident refractive interfaces 10 and 10' and exit surfaces with a substantially hemispherical profile. Therefore, each lens 5 and 5' of the primary optical elements 3 and 3' can be in the form of a converging plano-convex lens. Primary members 4 and 4', each formed by a light guide, are arranged to protrude from the planar incident refractive interfaces 10 and 10', such that the exit surface of each light guide lies within the plane of the planar incident refractive interface.

[0049] The main components 4, 4' can be manufactured separately from the main optical elements 3, 3' that form lenses 5, 5'. However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main components 4, 4' and the main optical elements 3, 3' of at least one optical module 1, 1' form one and only one component. In the example shown, each module 1, 1' includes a main optical element 3, 3' and a main component 4, 4' as a component, and the two main optical elements 3, 3' and the integrated main component 4, 4' can form one and only one component shared by the two optical modules 1, 1'.

[0050] Therefore, although the specific arrangement of the light guides managed by the main optical elements 3, 3' of optical modules 1, 1' and the light beams that can be generated by the activation of light beam-specific light sources are different from each other, the main optical elements 3, 3' of optical modules 1, 1' can form one and only one component 30. In this single component, the main optical elements 3, 3' form a first optical region 31 and a second optical region 32, respectively, which are separated from each other by an optically neutral connecting region 33, which is not or hardly passed through by light emitted by light sources 2, 2'.

[0051] More specifically, in Figure 2 More clearly visible in the image is the essentially planar connecting region 33, which separates the two optical regions 31 and 32, each of which takes the form of a spherical lens as defined above.

[0052] The optical system 200 is configured such that the primary optical elements 3, 3' of the lenses 5, 5' and the secondary optical elements 6, 6' of the projection are positioned such that the exit surface of the light guide found in the plane of the plane incident refractive interface 10, 10' is substantially placed in the object-side focal plane of the secondary optical elements 6, 6' of the projection.

[0053] Here, secondary optical elements 6 and 6' are used to form an additional lens, which is preferably biconvex and capable of directing the adaptive basic beam 7 and 7' along the optical axis 8 and 8'. Figure 3 As shown in the diagram, the optical axes 8 and 8' are concentrated on the emission side and are set according to the arrangement and orientation of the series of optical components of the secondary optical element and the corresponding optical module so as to project the image of the light source 2 and 2' forward longitudinally.

[0054] Advantageously, the primary optical elements 3, 3' and the secondary optical elements 6, 6' are configured to form a trapezoidal image in the fundamental beam 7, 7' of each exit portion of the light guide constituting the primary members 4, 4'.

[0055] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, and similar to the description of the main optical element, the secondary optical elements 6, 6' of the two optical modules 1, 1' form one and only one component 60. It should be understood that the additional lenses of the secondary optical elements 6, 6' may have different optical configurations and / or tilts from each other.

[0056] Due to the aforementioned volume constraints when applied to an internal lighting system, the longitudinal dimension of the optical system, including the two optical modules 1 and 1', must be approximately 20 mm. To allow all components of the optical system to be integrated into this space, the optical modules 1 and 1' are arranged to operate in a direct imaging mode, wherein the light sources 2 and 2', main components 4 and 4', main optical elements 3 and 3', and secondary optical elements 6 and 6' are directly stacked along the longitudinal axis.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment of the optical system 200, each optical module 1, 1' has a range between 15 mm and 25 mm in the longitudinal direction parallel to the optical axes 8, 8'.

[0058] Figure 3 An optical system 200 according to the invention is shown, which forms an interior lighting system 100 and the constituent optical modules of the interior lighting system have a specific arrangement. More specifically, two optical modules 1, 1' are here superimposed on each other in the vertical direction. This arrangement does not change the number and nature of the components of the optical modules 1, 1', as described above, each optical module including, from back to front, a plurality of light sources 2, 2'; main optical elements 3, 3' forming lenses 5, 5' and associated with main members 4, 4', which respectively face one of the light sources; and secondary optical elements 6, 6' forming additional lenses for projecting primary beams 7, 7' into the area of ​​the passenger compartment.

[0059] exist Figure 3 In the middle, refer to the above Figure 2 Similarly, the main optical elements 3 and 3' of the optical module are formed from the same component, and the secondary optical elements 6 and 6' are also formed from the same component. Figure 3 It is shown that the optical modules can be placed in any orientation, such as as described below, where the primary and secondary optical elements of each optical module are configured such that the fundamental beams they participate in projecting are at least partially superimposed.

[0060] also, Figure 3 Allow from different Figure 2 The perspective of the optical system allows for a better view of one of the ways in which the modules differ from one another, namely, in the layout of the main components that protrude from the incident surface of the lens, which forms part of the main optical element.

[0061] Each optical module includes main components or light guides, each facing a light source and arranged in three rows.

[0062] In the first optical module 1, eight main components are arranged in three rows, with three main components in the first row, two main components in the second row, and three main components in the third row. Light guides arranged in the same row are spaced apart from each other by a lateral spacing (i.e., the directional spacing between the series of light guides in that row), which is substantially equal to the lateral dimension of the light guide flush with the planar incident refractive interface of the main optical element. Furthermore, the light guides are laterally offset from one row to the next to have a staggered layout, with one row offset laterally in two rows.

[0063] In the second optical module 1', seven main components are arranged in three rows, with two main components in the first row, three main components in the second row, and two main components in the third row. As described with respect to the first optical module, the light guides arranged in the same row are spaced apart from each other by a lateral spacing (i.e., the spacing in the direction of the series of light guides in that row), which is substantially equal to the lateral dimension of the light guide flush with the planar incident refractive interface of the main optical element. Furthermore, the light guides are laterally offset from one row to the next to have an interleaved layout, with one row being laterally offset in two rows.

[0064] Figure 3 The orientation also allows for a schematic representation of the fundamental beam being projected; it should be understood that, as will be noted below... Figure 3 The description of the arrangement of the optical modules also applies to other arrangements, and especially... Figure 2 The arrangement shown.

[0065] Figure 3 The path of light emitted by light sources 2 and 2' for each optical module 1, 1' is shown. The light passes continuously through the front of the main components 4, 4', the associated main optical elements 3, 3', and then through the associated secondary optical elements 6, 6'.

[0066] According to the invention, optical modules 1, 1' are configured such that two fundamental beams 7, 7' projected as outputs from secondary optical elements 6, 6' are at least partially superimposed to produce, in the area of ​​the passenger compartment, a... Figure 5 The pixelated image 9 is shown. To achieve the superposition of the projected fundamental beams 7, 7', optical modules 1, 1' are arranged such that their optical axes 8, 8' are not parallel to each other and converge toward each other. For this purpose, the additional lenses of the secondary optical elements 6, 6' and / or the lenses 5, 5' forming the front of the main optical elements 3, 3' and / or the main optical elements as a whole can have different optical configurations and / or tilt angles to ensure the deviation of at least one fundamental beam 7, 7' and achieve the convergence of the two fundamental beams 7, 7' toward each other.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, light emitted by the first light source 2 of the first optical module 1 propagates through the first main member 4, which is arranged facing the first light source, via continuous reflection, and exits from the first primary optical element 3 toward the first secondary optical element 6 along the first direction 7a via the exit refractive interface of the first lens 5. The first secondary optical element 6, which forms an additional lens, ensures, through its shape and its arrangement in the passenger compartment, that the light is deflected in a second direction 7b, which is inclined relative to the first direction 7a. All the light emitted by the first light source 2 associated with the first optical module 1 thus forms the first fundamental beam 7 projected into the passenger compartment.

[0068] Similarly, light emitted by the second light source 2' of the second optical module 1' propagates through the second main member 4' arranged facing the second light source via continuous reflection, and exits from the second primary optical element 3' toward the second secondary optical element 6' along a third direction 7'a via the exit refractive interface of the second lens 5'. The second secondary optical element 6', which forms an additional lens, ensures, through its shape and its arrangement in the passenger compartment, that the light is deflected in a fourth direction 7'b that is inclined relative to the third direction 7'a. All the light emitted by the second light source 2' associated with the second optical module 1 thus forms the second fundamental beam 7' projected into the passenger compartment.

[0069] The longitudinal axis of the optical system can be arbitrarily defined to coincide with the optical axis of the first optical module 1. The components of the first optical module 1 are positioned relative to each other such that light emitted by the first light source is allowed to be projected along the first optical axis into a designated area of ​​the passenger compartment. The main optical element or secondary optical element of the second optical module is tilted relative to the main optical element / secondary optical element of the first optical module, respectively, so that light emitted by the second light source of the second optical module and thus laterally (from a given position relative to the first light source of the first optical module) Figure 2 ) or vertical ( Figure 3 The light emitted from the offset position can be projected into the same set area of ​​the passenger compartment.

[0070] In other words, and as Figure 4 As schematically shown (a side view is given this time), the second primary optical element 3' and / or the second secondary optical element 6' are mainly located in the extension planes P3' and P6', which are inclined relative to the extension planes P3 and P6 where the first primary optical element 3 and / or the first secondary optical element 6 are located. Figure 4 In the figure, by way of non-limiting example, the extension planes of the primary optical elements 3, 3' are tilted relative to each other at a first angle α, and the extension planes of the secondary optical elements 6, 6' are tilted relative to each other at a second angle β. It should be understood that the tilts shown here are highlighted so that they can be more easily seen in the figure.

[0071] It should be understood that in this exemplary embodiment, the second fundamental beam 7' of the second optical module 1', which is offset relative to the optical axis 8', converges toward the optical axis 8 and superimposes with the fundamental beam 7 of the optical module 1 to produce a pixelated final image 9. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the angles at which the optical axes 8, 8' of the optical modules 1, 1' are tilted relative to each other are between 0.5° and 3°. Furthermore, the optical axes 8, 8' of the optical modules 1, 1' may be tilted at angles between 5° and 15° relative to the vertical axis of the vehicle (i.e., the axis substantially perpendicular to the main plane defined by the roof and / or floor of the vehicle).

[0072] As described above, according to a feature of the invention, the main optical element of each optical module forms a single component. Furthermore, the same applies to the secondary optical elements of each optical module. It should be understood that this arrangement within a portion of the main optical element facilitates the positioning of these main optical elements relative to other components in the optical system. The installation operation is simplified and less costly; however, it should be noted that this operation primarily allows the main extension plane of the main optical element to be correctly positioned relative to the extension plane of another main optical element. Therefore, and particularly when the secondary optical elements of both optical modules are also single components, it can be guaranteed that the projected fundamental beams will be correctly superimposed.

[0073] Figure 5 The complementary shapes of the images of two fundamental beams 7, 7' projected by secondary optical elements 6, 6' as outputs of optical modules 1, 1' are schematically shown, and the images of the two fundamental beams 7, 7' are at least partially superimposed to produce a final pixelated image 9 in the area of ​​the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0074] Therefore, the light sources 2 and 2' associated with the light guides forming the main components 4 and 4' are respectively arranged in a first matrix array and a second matrix array, which are different from each other but have complementary shapes. In other words, the first light guide associated with the first optical module is arranged in a matrix array of X rows and Y columns, here three rows and five columns, in which the first light guide and the associated first light source have first positions X and Y, and the second light guide associated with the second optical module is arranged in the same matrix array of X rows and Y columns, here three rows and five columns, in which the second light guide and the associated second light source have second positions different from the corresponding first positions. Therefore, the matrix array of X rows and Y columns can be defined as a chessboard, where the arrangement of the first light guides of the first optical module corresponds to the occupied space of white squares, and the arrangement of the second light guides of the second optical module corresponds to the occupied space of complementary black squares. It should be understood that for a first light guide arranged in the first matrix array and whose position is defined by a given row and a given column, there is a corresponding empty position in the second matrix array.

[0075] As a result of the above, when all light sources 2 and 2' are activated, the shape of the first fundamental beam 7 generated by the arrangement of the first matrix array of the light sources 2 of the first optical module 1 is a negative image of the shape of the second fundamental beam 7' generated by the arrangement of the second matrix array of the light sources 2' of the second optical module 1'.

[0076] In the example shown, and for example, it can be specifically in Figure 5 As seen in the image, when all the first light sources 2 are turned on, the first fundamental beam 7 output from the first optical module 1 has a checkerboard structure, which includes an illuminated area corresponding to the exit surface of the light guide of the main component 4 and a dark area corresponding to the area located between the exit surfaces. Similarly, when all the second light sources 2' are turned on, the second fundamental beam 7' output from the second optical module 1' has a checkerboard structure, which is a complementary negative image of the checkerboard structure emitted by the first fundamental beam 7.

[0077] As a result, on the output side of the optical system 200, in the area where the two fundamental beams offset from and superimposed in the passenger compartment are projected, the illuminated area of ​​the first fundamental beam 7 emitted by the first optical module 1 is superimposed with the dark area of ​​the second fundamental beam 7' emitted by the second optical module 1'. To prevent parasitic dark areas after the superposition of the complementary fundamental beams 7, 7', or in fact to prevent any difference in contrast between the complementary illuminated areas, the emission area of ​​at least one illuminated area of ​​the first fundamental beam 7 can be increased such that it partially covers at least one illuminated area of ​​the second fundamental beam 7', and the at least one area adjacent to the dark area forms a negative image of the illuminated area of ​​the first fundamental beam 7. By expanding the emission area of ​​the illuminated area, the final image 9 obtained by superimposing the fundamental beams 7, 7' and projected into the passenger compartment is a complete, uniform, and clear image.

[0078] The optical system of the interior lighting system 100 according to the invention has the advantage of flexibility. Therefore, to enhance the lighting function in the passenger compartment, the configuration of the basic beams 7, 7' can be controlled to diversify the pixelated final image 9, particularly depending on the needs of the vehicle user. For this purpose, it can be specified that the main member 4 of the first matrix array with a square cross-section of the first optical module 1 is combined with the main member 4' of the second matrix array with a circular cross-section of the second optical module 1', or in practice, main members with different cross-sections can be provided within a given matrix array.

[0079] As a variation, control of light sources 2, 2' can be specified, particularly by selectively driving light sources 2, 2'. Specifically, individual control of light sources 2, 2', particularly the switching on or off of light-emitting diodes, allows changes in the shape, intensity, or color of the pixels of the fundamental light beams 7, 7', and thus allows changes in the shape, intensity, or color of the final pixelated image 9. This driving does not require modification of the optical system according to the invention and allows for diversification of interior lighting functions, enabling, for example, the projection of images of signs, pictographs, or high-resolution backgrounds into the passenger compartment.

[0080] The above description clearly explains how the invention allows for the achievement of the objectives thus set forth, and in particular, how the invention allows for the provision of a low-volume, simplified optical system that enables simplified production and implementation of two optical modules placed side-by-side in the system, such that each optical module forms a pixelated fundamental beam to obtain a projected pixelated image. The optical system according to the invention ensures that certain optical elements of the system are correctly positioned relative to each other, thereby improving the sharpness of the pixelated image projected as the system output.

[0081] This invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically given in this text by way of non-limiting examples, and its scope particularly covers any equivalent devices and any technically feasible combinations of such devices. Therefore, features, variations, and various embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or exclusive with each other. In particular, variations of the invention that include only selections of the aforementioned features are contemplated, provided that, according to the invention, the optical system comprises two optical modules configured such that two optical elements, each having the same function in its respective optical module, are integrally formed.

Claims

1. An optical system (200) for illuminating an area of ​​the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising two optical modules (1, 1'), each optical module comprising: At least one light source (2, 2'); A primary optical element (3, 3') configured to form a fundamental beam (7, 7') based on light emitted by one or more light sources; and a secondary optical element (6, 6') for projecting the fundamental beam (7, 7'), characterized in that the primary optical elements (3, 3') of the optical module form the same component (30), and the primary optical elements (3, 3') of the optical module each have optical axes (8, 8') and are arranged such that the optical axes (8, 8') of the primary optical elements (3, 3') are not parallel to each other.

2. The optical system (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each optical module (1, 1') includes multiple light sources (2, 2') and multiple components (4, 4'), the multiple light sources (2, 2') being selectively activated, the components being arranged to face one of the light sources in order to collect and guide the light emitted by the corresponding light source, and the main optical element (3, 3') being placed at the exit section of the main component (4, 4').

3. The optical system (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The main components (4, 4') and the main optical elements (3, 3') form the same part (30) for the two optical modules (1, 1').

4. The optical system (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The optical modules (1, 1') are configured such that the two projected basic beams (7, 7') are at least partially superimposed in the area of ​​the passenger compartment.

5. The optical system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The optical modules (1, 1') are configured such that the superimposed projected fundamental beams (7, 7') have complementary shapes, and when all light sources (2, 2') are activated, the shape of the first fundamental beam is the negative image of the other fundamental beam.

6. The optical system (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical axes (8, 8') of the optical modules (1, 1') are tilted relative to each other at angles between 0.5° and 3°.

7. The optical system (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The secondary optical elements (6, 6') of the two modules form one and only one component.

8. The optical system (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The main component (4) of the first optical module (1) is arranged to form a first matrix array, and the main component (4') of the second optical module (1') is arranged to form a second matrix array, the first matrix array and the second matrix array having complementary shapes.

9. The optical system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The optical system includes an interior lighting system for the vehicle, which is configured to project a basic beam of light into at least one area of ​​the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

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