CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ZONES OF A REFLECTOR IN A LIGHT MODULE WITH CUT-OFF LINE

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The invention relates to the field of lighting, more particularly to lighting for motor vehicles. Technique antérieure

[0002] The published patent document EP 2 309 172 A1 discloses a light headlamp for a motor vehicle, comprising a light module capable of producing a light beam with horizontal cutoff, corresponding to the lighting function commonly called "code" in French, or "low beam" in English. To do this, the module comprises a reflective surface of the parabolic type comprising several zones capable, from the light emitted by the light source towards the reflective surface, of forming different specific light images and overlapping to form the light beam. For this purpose, the central zone which intersects with the optical axis and the light emission axis of the light source is configured to form a light image with horizontal cutoff, while the lateral zones and adjacent to the central zone form a light image with an oblique cutoff.Extra-lateral zones, adjacent to the lateral zones themselves adjacent to the central zone, form a diffuse light image, more extended than the cut-off images. Such a configuration makes it possible to form several specific light images with a single module, more particularly a single light source and a single reflective surface. This has the advantage of compactness. However, this configuration imposes certain geometric constraints on the narrow central zone in order to be able to form the horizontal cut-off light image, which then imposes significant variations in the radius of curvature for the adjacent lateral zones.Furthermore, the sharpness of the oblique cut-off of the oblique cut-off light image may prove to be deficient, essentially in that the inclination of the cut-off is ensured by a particular configuration of the lateral zones of the reflecting surface, both at the level of the radius of curvature in a longitudinal plane and of the radius of curvature in a transverse plane.

[0003] The published patent document FR 3 074 261 A1 relates to a lighting device reflector, having several longitudinal zones or facets, and addresses a problem of modification of the profile of the reflector following the application of a varnish, in particular at the junctions between the zones or facets. This document provides that a lateral edge of the junction of one of the zones or facets with another zone or facet is inclined relative to the optical axis. However, this solution only partially overcomes the problem of variation in geometry after application of the varnish.

[0004] The published patent document FR 3 035 704 A1 also relates to a lighting device reflector, having several longitudinal zones or facets. It also addresses the problem of varnish deposition before applying a metallized layer, in particular at the junctions between the zones or facets. It provides for forming a groove along the junction so that the varnish conforms to the profile of the reflector, in particular in the direct vicinity of the junction. This solution only applies to junctions with a V-shaped cross-section.

[0005] Document US 2012 / 268962 A1 discloses a device comprising a semiconductor light source and a reflector. Exposé de l'invention

[0006] The invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned state of the art. More particularly, the invention aims to overcome the problem of variation in the geometric profile of a reflector after application of a varnish, when the reflector has several adjacent longitudinal zones.

[0007] The subject of the invention is a light module according to claim 1.

[0008] The notion of "descending" in the concept of "downward march" is understood in a direction perpendicular to the reflection surface, in a direction opposite to said surface.

[0009] Advantageously, the first zone is in a central position. By central position, we mean that the zone is crossed by the optical axis of the light module.

[0010] Advantageously, the reflection surface forms a cap whose longitudinal profile can be parabolic or elliptical.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the downward profile extends over more than 70% of the longitudinal extent of the first zone.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the descending steps has a height greater than 0.5 mm and / or less than 2.5 mm.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the descending steps is formed by an exterior corner and an interior corner adjacent to said exterior corner, each of said corners forming an angle between 80° and 100°.

[0014] According to the invention, the upper cut-off of the upper cut-off light image formed by the first zone of the reflective surface has an inclination of an angle β relative to a horizontal direction, said first zone having lateral edges forming an inclination of an angle γ relative to a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis, and |β-γ|≤10°. Advantageously, the angle γ is measured between the vertical plane in question and a projection of the lateral edges along the optical axis onto a plane perpendicular to said axis.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the angle β is between 15° and 45° and / or the angle γ is greater than or equal to 5°.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the reflecting surface comprises a fourth zone extending longitudinally along one of the second and third zones, said fourth zone having lateral edges parallel to the optical axis and the reflecting surface having a transverse profile forming a descending step from said one of the second and third zones towards the fourth zone.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the second and third zones has an outer lateral edge parallel to the optical axis, the luminous image of said at least one of the second and third zones has a horizontal upper cut-off, and the fourth zone is configured to form a luminous image without upper cut-off.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fourth zone is configured to form a light image with a horizontal upper cut-off.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second zone and the third zone are configured to form one or more light images without upper cutoff.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the reflective surface comprises a fifth zone extending longitudinally along the other of the second and third zones, said fifth zone being configured to form a light image without upper cutoff.

[0021] According to the invention, the light source is of the semiconductor type with a flat illuminating surface, said illuminating surface having a front edge inclined at an angle α relative to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and in the plane of said illuminating surface.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the angle α is greater than or equal to 10° and / or less than or equal to 45°.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first zone of the reflective surface, forming the inclined upper cut-off of the upper cut-off light image, is directly above the light source.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the reflection surface is on a reflector made of thermosetting material.

[0025] The measures of the invention are interesting in that they make it possible to overcome the geometric and optical disturbances caused by the varnish on junctions between longitudinal zones of a reflector. The fact of providing a downward profile at the junctions makes it possible to put the inner corner in the shade of the light beam produced by the light source. This thus makes it possible to use only the portion of varnish with a thickness decreasing at the outer corner, given that this portion has a larger radius of curvature, spreading the light image produced laterally.Combining an inclination of an angle γ of at least one of the two edges of a zone, said at least one edge having such a downward step, with a configuration of said zone to form an image with an inclined upper cut-off, is interesting because it makes it possible to solve the problem of spreading the image in that the spreading is then done following said cut-off. Brève description des dessins

[0026] [ Fig 1 ] is a perspective view of a longitudinal zone reflector; [ Fig 2 ] is a sectional view II-II of the reflector of the figure 1 ; [ Fig 3 ] is a sectional view III-III of the reflector of the figure 1 ; [ Fig 4 ] is a representation of a reflector area, with edges aligned with the optical axis and a downward-sloping profile, and producing a sloped cutoff image; [ Fig 5 ] is a representation of a reflector area, with edges inclined relative to the optical axis and with a downward-sloping profile, and producing an image with an inclined cutoff; [ Fig 6 ] is a representation of a reflector area, with edges aligned with the optical axis and a V-shaped profile, and producing a horizontally cutoff image; [ Fig 7 ] is a representation of a reflector area, with edges aligned with the optical axis and a downward-sloping profile, and producing a horizontally cutoff image; [ Fig 8 ] is a representation of a light module according to a first embodiment of the invention; [ Fig 9 ] is a sectional view IX-IX of the reflector of the light module of the figure 8 ; [ Fig 10 ] is a representation of a light module according to a second embodiment of the invention; [ Fig 11 ] is a sectional view XI-XI of the reflector of the light module of the figure 10 . Description détaillée

[0027] In this document and in particular in the description that follows, the concepts "front" and "rear" are to be understood according to the main direction of propagation of the light beam along the optical axis. Also, the concept of "longitudinal" is understood along the optical axis of the light module. Consequently, the concept of "transverse" is understood perpendicular to the optical axis of the light module. Also, the concepts "horizontal" and "vertical" are understood when the light module is in the normal mounting position, as illustrated in the figures. The concept of upper cut-off, horizontal or inclined, of a light beam corresponds to an abrupt variation in light intensity, forming a clear boundary allowing in particular adjustment of the light beam.By abrupt variation of luminous intensity, we mean a variation of the logarithm, in base 10, of the luminous intensity for an angular variation of 0.1° in a direction perpendicular to the cut-off which is greater than or equal to 0.13. The notion of absence of upper cut-off, horizontal or inclined, corresponds to a variation as defined above less than or equal to 0.1; preferably less than or equal to 0.05.

[0028] There figure 1 illustrates in perspective a reflector with longitudinal zones, potentially according to the state of the art. The reflector 2 comprises a generally extended substrate 2.1 with a reflection surface 2.2 on one of the faces of said substrate. The reflection surface 2.2 has a generally parabolic profile with several zones 2.2.1-2.2.5 adjacent to each other extending longitudinally. A light source 4 is arranged opposite the reflective surface surface 2.2 so that said light source illuminates said reflective surface. The light source 4 is located at the focus of the parabolic profile of the reflection surface 2.2. Each of the zones 2.2.1-2.2.5 produces a specific light image so that the combination of these light images produces a desired light beam, such as for example an illumination beam with a horizontal upper cutoff, possibly with a step at a central part of the cutoff.For this purpose, each of the zones 2.2.1-2.2.5 has a specific geometry, so that the junctions between the zones form local geometric variations.

[0029] The substrate 2.1 of the reflector 2 is formed from a plastic material, such as thermoplastic in particular. After injection molding, the reflection surface 2.2 must be covered with a metallized layer in order to give it reflective properties. For this purpose, a varnish-based coating is previously deposited directly on the substrate. This varnish is necessary to achieve a satisfactory surface condition, namely with reduced roughness compared to that of the raw substrate, i.e. without coating.

[0030] THE figures 2 et 3 are two views following sections II-II and III-III of the reflector at the figure 1 , illustrating two types of local geometric variation at the junction between two adjacent areas, and more particularly the effect of the aforementioned varnish.

[0031] There figure 2 shows the profile of the reflective surface between adjacent areas 2.2.3 and 2.2.4 ( figure 1 ). A layer of varnish 6 is present on the reflection surface 2.2, in this case on the zones 2.2.3 and 2.2.4 shown. It can be observed that the reflection surface 2.2 forms a step between the zones 2.2.3 and 2.2.4. As indicated previously, this local geometric variation is due to the fact that the zones 2.2.3 and 2.2.4 have distinct geometries. It can be observed that the varnish 6 has a non-constant thickness at the level of the step. This variation is essentially due to phenomena of surface tension and gravity present during the application of the varnish in liquid phase. Going from zone 2.2.3 to zone 2.2.4 it can be observed that the thickness of the varnish gradually decreases until the inner corner of the step. In the inner corner of the step, the outer surface of the varnish forms a radius of curvature larger than that of the corner in question, at the level of the bare substrate 2.1.The thickness of the varnish remains reduced on the rising face of the step up to the outer corner and then gradually increases in area 2.2.4 moving away from the step. It can also be observed that the outer surface of the varnish at the outer corner has a radius of curvature greater than that of the corner in question, at the level of the bare substrate 2.1.

[0032] There figure 3 shows the profile of the reflective surface between adjacent areas 2.2.4 and 2.2.5 ( figure 1 ). The varnish layer 6 mentioned above is present on the reflection surface 2.2, in this case on the zones 2.2.4 and 2.2.5 shown. The reflection surface 2.2 forms here at the junction between the zones 2.2.4 and 2.2.5 a groove due to an inversion of the slope of the profile. Going from the zone 2.2.4 towards the zone 2.2.5, it can be observed that the thickness of the varnish gradually decreases until the groove and then gradually increases again. It can be observed that the outer surface of the varnish has at the groove a radius of curvature greater than that of the reflection surface 2.2 on the bare substrate 2.1.

[0033] There figure 4 illustrates the effects of varnish coating on the down-step junctions of a reflection area forming a tilted upper cutoff image. For this purpose, the figure 4 illustrates a portion of reflector 2 similar to that of the figure 1 and whose reflection surface 2.2 comprises a longitudinal zone with two lateral edges forming descending steps. By descending step, it is meant that the transverse profile of the reflection surface forms a descending step, or a descending step, by moving transversely away from the zone in question towards the adjacent zone. The concept of descent is to be considered starting from the reflection surface when it is directed upwards (as illustrated in figure 1 ). There figure 4 also illustrates the light image produced by the area in question, on a reference frame with a horizontal axis H and a vertical axis V. The intersection of these axes corresponds to the optical axis. The light image in a continuous line is the theoretical image, that is to say without disturbing effect linked to variations in thickness of the varnish as described above in relation to the figure 2 . The light images in broken lines correspond to the images resulting from the disruptive effect linked to variations in the thickness of the varnish. With reference to the description of the figure 2 , the outer surface of the varnish has a larger radius of curvature at the upper corner of the step than the reflection surface on the bare substrate. This means that light rays incident on the lateral edges of the area will be deflected more laterally, causing horizontal spreading and, therefore, horizontal displacement of the inclined upper cut-off.

[0034] The inclined upper cut-off has an inclination β relative to the horizontal (H). This inclination is obtained by an inclination α of the light source 4 relative to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and horizontal. The inclinations α and β can be identical but not necessarily while remaining close, for example with a difference of maximum 5°. The geometry of the reflection zone can in fact be dimensioned to compensate for a difference between the inclinations α and β.

[0035] There figure 5 is similar to the figure 4 with the difference that the two lateral edges of the reflection zone are inclined at an angle γ relative to the optical axis, more precisely relative to a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis. figure 5 is a top view where the lateral edges of the zones are projected onto a horizontal plane parallel to the optical axis, and thus shows the angle γ in this plane. The angle γ is actually between a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis and the projection of the lateral edges onto a plane perpendicular to said axis. This inclination γ is close to the inclination α of the light source and consequently also to the inclination β of the upper cutoff. It can be observed that the shift of the light images occurs along the direction of the upper cutoff. This phenomenon is due to the fact that the two lateral edges of the reflection zone are close to an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the light source 4. Indeed, the inclined upper cutoff is produced by an image of the front edge of the light source.The transverse profile of the two lateral edges, having radii of curvature larger than on the bare substrate, will spread the light, in particular the light rays coming from the front edge of the light source. This spreading will then take place in a direction perpendicular to the two lateral edges, namely the direction of the front edge of the light source or at least a direction close to that of said front edge. Simulations and tests have shown that a difference of maximum 10° between the tilt angle γ and the tilt angles α and β (which are potentially equal) does not substantially affect the horizontal position of the upper cut-off.

[0036] It results from the figures 4 et 5 that the fact of providing a longitudinal zone with an inclined upper cut-off with a reflector with zones of lateral edges inclined in the direction corresponding to the inclination of the cut-off makes it possible not to modify the horizontal position of the inclined cut-off despite the variations in varnish thickness mentioned above.

[0037] There figure 6 illustrates the effects of varnish coating on the groove junctions of a reflection area forming an image with a horizontal upper cutoff. With reference to the description of the figure 3 , the outer surface of the varnish at the groove has a larger radius of curvature than that of the reflection surface on the bare substrate. The profile of the outer surface of the varnish at the groove, however, remains essentially parallel to that of the reflection surface on the bare substrate. Also, the thickness of the varnish gradually decreases up to the groove. This means that the outer surface of the varnish at the groove has a longitudinal profile which is offset from the theoretical profile, namely that of the reflection surface on the bare substrate plus the nominal thickness of the varnish. This offset causes a defocusing of the light rays causing an upward deformation of the upper cut-off, as illustrated by the broken line on the light image represented on the horizontal H and vertical V axes.

[0038] There figure 7 is similar to the figure 6 with the difference that the two lateral edges of the reflection zone have junctions no longer forming a groove but rather forming a descending step. With reference to the description of the figure 2 and also of the figure 4 , the outer surface of the varnish at the outer corner of the step has a larger radius of curvature than the reflection surface on the bare substrate. This means that the rays incident at the outer corner of the step will be reflected more laterally and thus spread the light image without changing the horizontal upper cut-off.

[0039] It results from the figures 6 et 7 that the fact of providing a longitudinal zone with a horizontal upper cut-off with a reflector with lateral edge zones with downward junctions makes it possible not to modify the vertical position of the cut-off despite the variations in varnish thickness mentioned above.

[0040] THE figures 8 et 9 illustrate a light module with a zone reflector, of the type of the one in the figure 1 , according to a first embodiment of the invention. The figure 8 is a schematic representation, seen from above, of the module as well as a schematic representation of the light images produced by the different zones. The figure 9 is a sectional view IX-IX of the reflector of the figure 8 .

[0041] The light module 101 comprises a reflector 102 with a substrate 102.1 made of plastic, generally extended and advantageously forming a cap. The substrate 102.1 comprises a hollow face forming a reflection surface 102.2. This reflection surface 102.2 is intended to be covered with a smoothing varnish and then with a metallized coating in order to make it reflective. The reflection surface 102.2 has a generally parabolic longitudinal profile and comprises zones 102.2.1-102.2.7 extending longitudinally and adjacent to each other laterally. Each of the zones 102.2.1-102.2.7 has a specific geometry, so that the junctions between the zones form local geometric variations.

[0042] The light module 101 comprises a light source 104, in this case of the semiconductor type such as in particular a light-emitting diode, with a rectangular illuminating surface with an edge 104.1 and a rear edge 104.2. These two edges are advantageously parallel. The illuminating surface has a main axis parallel to the front edge 104.1. It can be observed that this main axis and therefore the front edge 104.1 are inclined at an angle α relative to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0043] The area 102.2.4 of the reflection surface 102.2 is in a central position in that it is crossed by the optical axis. This area is configured to form a light image with an inclined upper cut-off. This image is visible when representing the light images with the horizontal axis H and the vertical axis V. The intersection of these axes corresponds to the optical axis of the light module. The light image with an inclined upper cut-off is identifiable by the hatching identical to that of the area 102.2.3. The inclined upper cut-off is inclined at an angle β relative to the horizontal H, this angle being advantageously equal to α. The light image in question is predominantly lateral to the vertical axis V, in this case to the right of said axis. For this purpose, the inclined upper cut-off intersects, at least approximately, the intersection of the horizontal axis H and the vertical axis V.The position of the light image in question to the right of the vertical axis V corresponds to a lighting function with cut-off for left-hand driving, it being understood that the image in question may be located to the left of said axis. Zone 102.2.4 has two lateral edges inclined at an angle γ relative to the optical axis. The remarks relating to this angle made previously in relation to the . figure 5 apply to the figure 8 .

[0044] Areas 102.2.3 and 102.2.5 are adjacent to area 102.2.4 forming the inclined upper cut-off image, on either side laterally of said area. These two areas 102.2.3 and 102.2.5 have outer edges, laterally, parallel to the optical axis. They therefore have generally triangular shapes, possibly truncated. These two areas 102.2.3 and 102.2.5, with areas 102.2.1, 102.2.2 and 102.2.7, are configured to form a luminous image without upper cut-off and extended laterally. This luminous image is identifiable by the hatching identical to that on the areas in question. It can be observed that the upper part of this luminous image is below and at a distance from the horizontal axis H.

[0045] Zone 102.2.6 is adjacent to zone 102.2.5, laterally outside said zone. This zone produces a light image with a horizontal upper cut-off. It is identifiable by the representation of the light images with the horizontal axis H and the vertical axis H by hatching identical to that of the zone in question. It can be seen that the horizontal upper cut-off is essentially at the level of the horizontal axis H. Advantageously, the light image in question is laterally offset opposite the inclined upper cut-off light image, so that these two light images, in combination, provide the upper part of a horizontal upper cut-off lighting function with a kink. The configuration illustrated corresponds to left-hand driving, it being understood that an inverted configuration for right-hand driving is possible.

[0046] There figure 9 is a sectional view IX-IX of the reflector 102 of the figure 8 The transverse profile of the reflection surface 102.2 can be observed, in particular the junctions between the zones.

[0047] Zone 102.2.4 producing the oblique upper cut-off light image has lateral edges forming steps descending laterally towards the directly adjacent zones, namely zones 102.2.3 and 102.2.5. With reference to the figure 5 and the associated description, the combination of the descending steps and the inclination of an angle γ of the lateral edges with respect to the optical axis allows the optical disturbances produced by the varnish at the junctions with the adjacent zones not to substantially modify the position of the inclined upper cut.

[0048] Zone 102.2.6 producing the luminous image with horizontal upper cut-off is directly adjacent to zone 102.2.5. Also zone 102.2.7 involved in producing the laterally extended luminous image without upper cut-off is directly adjacent to zone 102.2.6. The junctions between zone 102.2.5 and zone 102.2.6 as well as between zone 102.2.6 and zone 102.2.7 also form descending steps (laterally outwards). With reference to figure 7 and the associated description, the presence of a downward step junction at the outer lateral edge of zone 102.2.6 allows the optical disturbances produced by the varnish at the junction with the adjacent zone 102.2.7 not to substantially modify the position of the horizontal upper cut-off. As for the inner lateral edge of zone 102.2.6, i.e. adjacent to zone 102.2.5, the inner corner of the downward step is located in the shadow of the light rays of the light source, meaning that the geometric variations caused by the varnish at this location have no impact on the light image produced.

[0049] Zones 102.2.1, 102.2.2, 102.2.3, 102.5 and 102.2.7 together form the laterally extended light image without an upper cut-off. The junctions between these zones, more specifically from zone 102.2.3 to zone 102.2.1, and from zone 102.2.5 to zone 102.2.6, form descending steps. With reference to figures 4 And 6 , the optical disturbances produced by the varnish at these junctions will laterally shift the light image produced, which is acceptable. With reference to the figure 6 and the associated description, it should be noted that these junctions do not necessarily have to form descending steps, they can for example form grooves, in which case the image produced will be vertically offset, which is also acceptable given the fact that this image does not have an upper cut and that it is advantageously at a distance below the horizontal axis H ( figure 8 ).

[0050] Generally speaking, it should be noted that providing junctions in a downward direction, i.e. laterally from the optical axis towards the outside, makes it possible to place the inner corner of each step in the shadow of the light beam produced by the light source and, therefore, to avoid multiple reflections, i.e. on the mounting face of the step in second reflection.

[0051] THE figures 10 And 11 illustrate a zone reflector, of the type of that of the figure 1 , according to a second embodiment of the invention. The figure 10 is a schematic representation, seen from above, of the module as well as a schematic representation of the light images produced by the different zones. The figure 11 is a sectional view XI-XI of the reflector of the figure 10 The reference signs of the first embodiment are used to designate identical or corresponding elements, these numbers being increased by 100. Reference is also made to the description of these elements.

[0052] Similar to the first embodiment, the central area 202.2.3 of the reflection surface is configured to produce a light image with an inclined upper cutoff and has side edges inclined at an angle γ relative to the optical axis. The remarks relating to this angle made previously in relation to the figure 5 apply to the figure 10 .

[0053] Unlike the first embodiment, the reflection surface 202.2 comprises two zones 202.2.2 and 202.2.4 producing a light image with a horizontal upper cutoff, these two zones being directly adjacent to the central zone 202.2.3.

[0054] Similar to the first embodiment, the reflection surface 202.2 comprises outer (laterally) zones for forming a laterally extended light image without upper cutoff, in this case the zones 202.2.1 and 202.2.5.

[0055] To the figure 11 being a sectional view IX-IX of the reflector 202 of the figure 10, it can be observed that, similarly to the first embodiment, the zone 202.2.3 producing the light image with oblique upper cut-off has lateral edges forming steps descending laterally towards the directly adjacent zones, namely the zones 202.2.2 and 202.2.4. Still similarly to the first embodiment, the combination of the descending steps and the inclination of an angle γ of the lateral edges relative to the optical axis allows the optical disturbances produced by the varnish at the junctions with the adjacent zones not to substantially modify the position of the inclined upper cut-off.

[0056] Zones 202.2.2 and 202.2.4 producing the horizontal upper cut-off light image are directly adjacent to the central zone 102.2.3 and the outer zones 202.2.1 and 202.2.5. The presence of descending steps between the central zone 202.2.3 and the adjacent zones 202.2.2 and 202.2.4 has the effect of placing the inner corner of each of the steps in the shadow of the light beam produced by the light source. Thus, variations in the thickness of the varnish at these junctions have no impact on the light image produced. As for the external junctions, that is to say with the external zones 202.2.1 and 202.2.5, they are in the form of a descending step, meaning that the progressive reduction in thickness of the varnish towards the external corner of each of these steps will spread the luminous image somewhat without modifying the vertical position of the horizontal upper cut.

[0057] Generally, the descending step(s) have a height greater than 0.5mm and / or less than 2.5mm. Each of the interior and exterior corners advantageously forms an angle of between 80° and 100°.

[0058] The two embodiments described above are given as examples, it being understood that a large number of other configurations in accordance with the invention are conceivable.

Claims

1. Luminous module (101; 201), in particular for an automotive vehicle, comprising: - a light source (104; 204) adapted to emit light rays; - a reflecting surface (102.2; 202.2) intended to be coated with a lacquer and configured to reflect the light rays so as to form a light beam with an upper cut-off, said reflecting surface comprising a first zone (102.2.4; 202.2.3) extending longitudinally along an optical axis of the luminous module and configured to form a light image with an upper cut-off and a second zone (102.2.3; 202.2.2) and a third zone (102.2.5; 202.2.4) extending longitudinally along the first zone (102.2.4; 202.2.3), on either side of said first zone respectively; characterized in that the reflecting surface (102.2; 202.2) has a transverse profile, that is to say perpendicular to the optical axis of the luminous module, forming a downward step from the first zone (102.2.4; 202.2.3) to each of the second (102.2.3; 202.2.2) and third (102.2.5; 202.2.4) zones, in that the upper cut-off of the light image with an upper cut-off formed by the first zone (102.2.4; 202.2.3) of the reflective surface (102.2; 202.2) is inclined by an angle β relative to a horizontal direction (H), said first zone having lateral edges forming an inclination at an angle γ relative to a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis, and where |β - γ| ≤ 10°, and in that the light source (104; 204) is of the semiconductor type with a flat illuminating surface, said illuminating surface having a front edge (104.1; 204.1) inclined by an angle α relative to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and in the plane of said illuminating surface, the inclinations α and β being able to be identical, but not necessarily while remaining close, for example with a maximum difference of 5°.

2. Luminous module (101; 201) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the downward step profile extends over more than 70% of the longitudinal extent of the first zone (102.2.4; 202.2.3).

3. Luminous module (101; 201) according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that each of the downward steps has a height greater than 0.5 mm and / or less than 2.5 mm.

4. Luminous module (101; 201) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of the downward steps is formed by an external corner and an internal corner adjacent to said external corner, each of said corners forming an angle of between 80° and 100°.

5. Luminous module (101; 201) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the angle β is between 15° and 45° and the angle γ is greater than or equal to 5°.

6. Luminous module (101; 201) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reflective surface (102.2; 202.2) comprises a fourth zone (102.2.2, 102.2.6; 202.2.1, 202.2.5) extending longitudinally along one of the second (102.2.3; 202.2.2) and third (102.2.5; 202.2.4) zones, said fourth zone having lateral edges parallel to the optical axis, and the reflecting surface has a transverse profile forming a downward step from said one of the second and third zones to the fourth zone.

7. Luminous module (201) according to Claim 6, characterized in that at least one of the second (202.2.2) and third (202.2.4) zones has an external lateral edge parallel to the optical axis, the light image of said at least one of the second and third zones has a horizontal upper cut-off, and the fourth zone (202.2.1, 202.2.5) is configured to form a light image without an upper cut-off.

8. Luminous module (101) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the fourth zone (102.2.6) is configured to form a light image with a horizontal upper cut-off.

9. Luminous module (101) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the second zone (102.2.3) and the third zone (102.2.5) are configured to form one or more light images without an upper cut-off.

10. Luminous module (101; 201) according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the reflective surface (102.2; 202.2) comprises a fifth zone (102.2.2; 202.2.5, 202.2.1) extending longitudinally along the other (102.2.3; 202.2.4, 202.2.2) of the second and third zones, said fifth zone being configured to form a light image without an upper cut-off.

11. Luminous module (101; 201) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the angle α is greater than or equal to 10° and / or less than or equal to 45°.

12. Luminous module (101; 201) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10, characterized in that the first zone (102.2.4; 202.2.3) of the reflective surface (102.2; 202.2) is vertically in line with the light source (104; 204).

13. Luminous module (101; 201) according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the reflecting surface (102.2; 202.2) is on a reflector (101; 202) made from a thermosetting material.