LIGHTING DEVICE THAT ILLUMINATES THE ILLUMINATED AREAS OF AT LEAST TWO COLLECTORS

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The invention relates to the field of lighting and light signaling, more particularly in the automotive field. Technique antérieure

[0002] The published patent document FR 3 047 541 A1 discloses a lighting device comprising two opposing optical modules. Each of these two optical modules essentially comprises a light source and a collector with a reflective surface. These two light sources are arranged on opposite faces of a common support. Each of the reflective surfaces is a surface of revolution within a half-space delimited by the common support of the light sources. The two reflective surfaces thus form two opposing half-shells. One of the two optical modules is configured to form a horizontally cutoff beam, corresponding to a so-called "low-beam" beam. To achieve this, the device includes a reflective surface with a cutoff edge located at one of the focal points of the reflective surface.Rays striking the surface behind the cutoff edge are reflected towards the upper part of a projection lens, while those passing in front of the edge are not deflected and strike the lower part of the lens. This phenomenon ensures a primarily horizontal cutoff of the beam. The other of the two optical modules functions essentially the same way, except that the focal point of the reflecting surface is located in front of the cutoff edge. The beam produced by the second optical module is combined with that of the first system to produce a high-beam headlight, that is, a beam without a horizontal cutoff. This configuration is advantageous because it utilizes the cutoff beam to produce a high-beam headlight.

[0003] Patent application FR 3 038 695 A1 describes a lighting device according to the prior art.

[0004] Such a lighting device has the drawback of requiring significant precision in the positioning of the folder and the cutting edge. Also, the projection lens must be thick due to its short focal length, which increases its weight and complicates its production, particularly due to sink marks. Furthermore, the collector has a certain height and, consequently, a certain amount of vertical space. Exposé de l'invention

[0005] The invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to provide a compact and more economically produced multi-functional lighting and / or signaling device.

[0006] The invention relates to a lighting device according to the characteristics of claim 1, and a lighting device according to the characteristics of claim 3. In particular, the invention relates to a lighting device, especially for a motor vehicle, comprising: a first and a second light source, each capable of emitting light rays; a first and a second collector, each with a reflective surface configured to collect and reflect the light rays emitted, respectively, by the first and second light source; an optical system configured to project the rays reflected by the reflective surfaces of the first and second collector, respectively, into a first and a second light beam along an optical axis of the device;remarkable in that the optical system is configured to form a luminous image of the reflective surface of each of the first and second collectors, each of the first and second beams forms, in part or in whole, a lighting or signaling function which is distinct from the lighting or signaling function of the other of said first and second beams.;

[0007] The lighting system forms a self-contained assembly in that each of its components, such as the light sources, collectors, and optical system, is rigidly connected to the other components, notably via a specific support (not detailed), and is thus optically positioned relative to the other components. One or more lighting systems can therefore be arranged in a projector housing to perform, possibly in combination, all the regulatory functions of lighting and signaling.

[0008] Advantageously, the first collector and the first light source are arranged with respect to the second collector and the second light source so that the luminous image of the reflective surface of the first collector is inverted, with respect to the optical axis, to the luminous image of the reflective surface of the second collector.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first and second collectors is configured so that the light rays reflected by a rear part of the reflective surface of said collector are parallel to the optical axis or have, in a vertical plane and with respect to said axis, an angle of inclination less than or equal to 25°, preferably less than or equal to 10°.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and second light sources are configured to emit in a principal direction perpendicular to the optical axis or inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to said optical axis at an angle of less than or equal to 25°. Advantageously, the reflective surfaces of the first and second collectors have an elliptical or parabolic profile. Preferably, it is a surface of revolution of said profile. The revolution is around an axis advantageously parallel to the optical axis. According to a variant, the reflective surface is a freeform surface, a swept surface, or an asymmetrical surface. It may also comprise several sectors.

[0011] According to the invention, the optical system has a first focus located axially behind a front limit of the reflective surface of the first collector, and / or a second focus located axially behind a front limit of the reflective surface of the second collector.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the optical system is a lens with a first entrance face for the first light beam and a second entrance face for the second light beam.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and second entrance faces are aligned perpendicularly to the optical axis.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lens has an exit face common to the first and second entrance faces.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first collector and the first light source, on the one hand, and the second collector and the second light source, on the other hand, are arranged side-by-side.

[0016] According to the invention, the reflective surface of at least one of the first and second collectors is concave and has, with respect to a general direction of propagation of the corresponding light beam, a front edge and a rear edge, said edges delimiting in opposite directions the corresponding light image.

[0017] According to the invention, said lighting device further comprises a mirror configured to form a virtual image of at least one of the first and second light sources and of the reflective surface of the corresponding first and / or second collectors.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mirror extends in line with the reflective surface of the corresponding collector, or the mirror extends along the optical axis.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first collector and the first light source are located below the optical axis when the device is oriented in functional position, the first beam being a horizontally cut-off lighting beam made by the rear edge of the reflective surface of the first collector.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second collector and the second light source are located above the optical axis when the device is oriented in functional position, the second beam being a lighting beam with an upper part without a horizontal cut, formed by a front part of the reflective surface of the second collector.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and second light sources are arranged on a common plate.

[0022] The features of the invention are interesting because they allow for the implementation of all or part of several distinct lighting or signaling functions with a single device, offering advantages in terms of compactness and ease of assembly, as the precision required for referencing the various components is lower than in the prior art. More specifically, producing an image of each illuminated reflective surface is advantageous because these images exhibit a concentration of light near the rear edge of these reflective surfaces, thus allowing the light to be concentrated along the horizontal axis.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with the aid of the description and drawings. Brève description des dessins

[0024] [ Fig 1 ] is a schematic representation of a lighting device according to a first embodiment not covered by the invention. Fig 2 ] is a perspective view of the upper collector of the lighting device of the figure 1 . [ Fig 3 ] is a view of the illuminated inner surface of the light-emitting device's collector figure 1 , from the outside along the optical axis. Fig 4 ] is a graphical representation of the luminous images of the beams of light produced by the lighting device of the figure 1 . [ Fig 5 ] is a schematic representation of a variant of the lighting device according to the first embodiment and falling outside the scope of the invention. Fig 6 ] is a schematic representation of a lighting device according to a second embodiment covered by the invention. Fig 7 ] is a schematic representation of a variant of the lighting device according to the second embodiment covered by the invention. Fig 8 ] is a schematic representation of a lighting device according to a third embodiment covered by the invention. Fig 9 ] is a schematic representation of a variant of the lighting device according to the third embodiment covered by the invention. Fig 10 ] is a schematic representation of a lighting device according to a fourth embodiment not covered by the invention. Fig 11 ] is a schematic representation of a first variant of the lighting device according to the fourth embodiment not covered by the invention. Fig 12 ] is a schematic representation of a second variant of the lighting device according to the fourth embodiment not covered by the invention. Description détaillée

[0025] In the following description, the terms "above" and "below" the optical axis refer to the lighting device in its functional position, that is, with an orientation corresponding to its design. Similarly, the terms "front" and "back" refer to the general direction of the light along the optical axis of the lighting device when the device is in its functional position.

[0026] THE figures 1 à 4 illustrate a first embodiment of a lighting device not covered by the invention.

[0027] There figure 1 This is a schematic representation of the lighting device and its operating principle. The lighting device 2 essentially comprises a first light source 4, a first collector 6 capable of reflecting the light rays emitted by the first light source to form a first light beam 12 along an optical axis 8 of the device, and a projection lens 10 for said beam. Other optical projection systems besides the projection lens are conceivable, such as one or more mirrors. The lighting device 2 further comprises a second light source 14 opposite, with respect to the optical axis 8, to the first light source 4, and a second collector 16 also opposite the first collector 6 and capable of reflecting the light rays emitted by the second light source 14 to form a second light beam 18 along the optical axis 8 of the device.

[0028] The light sources 4 and 14 are advantageously of the semiconductor type, such as a light-emitting diode. Each of the light sources 4 and 14 emits light rays into a half-space delimited by the principal plane of said source, as shown in the example, in a principal direction perpendicular to said plane and to the optical axis 8. According to the invention, the principal direction of emission may be inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis by an angle less than or equal to 25°.

[0029] Each of the collectors 6 and 16 comprises a shell- or dome-shaped support 6.1 and 16.1, and a reflective surface 6.2 and 16.2 on the inner face of the support 6.1 and 16.1. The reflective surfaces 6.2 and 16.2 advantageously have an elliptical or parabolic profile. At least one of them is advantageously a surface of revolution about an axis parallel to the optical axis. Alternatively, it may be a freeform surface, a swept surface, or an asymmetrical surface. It may also have several sectors. The shell- or dome-shaped collectors 6 and 16 are advantageously made of materials with good heat resistance, for example, glass or synthetic polymers such as polycarbonate (PC) or polyetherimide (PEI).The term "parabolic" generally applies to reflectors whose surface has a single focal point, that is, a zone of convergence for light rays such that light rays emitted by a light source placed at this convergence zone are projected over a long distance after reflection from the surface. Projected over a long distance means that these light rays do not converge at a distance at least 10 times the dimensions of the reflector. In other words, the reflected rays do not converge at a convergence zone, or if they do converge, this convergence zone is located at a distance greater than or equal to 10 times the dimensions of the reflector. A parabolic surface may or may not have parabolic sections. A reflector with such a surface is generally used alone to create a beam of light.Alternatively, it can be used as a projection surface in conjunction with an elliptical reflector. In this case, the light source of the parabolic reflector is the convergence zone of the rays reflected by the elliptical reflector.

[0030] Each of the light sources 4 and 14 is positioned at a focal point of the corresponding reflective surfaces 6.2 and 16.2 so that its rays are collected and reflected along the optical axis 8. At least a portion of these reflected rays have angles of inclination α, in a vertical plane, with respect to said axis, that are less than or equal to 25°, preferably less than or equal to 10°, so as to be in the so-called Gaussian conditions, allowing for stigmatism, that is, sharpness of the projected image. Advantageously, these are the rays reflected by the rear part of the reflective surfaces 6.2 and 16.2.

[0031] The projection lens 10 has a first entrance face 10.1 for the light rays corresponding to the first light beam 12, a second entrance face 10.2 for the light rays corresponding to the second light beam 18, a first exit face 10.3 for the first light beam 12 and a second exit face 10.4 for the second light beam 18. The first and second exit faces 10.3 and 10.4 advantageously form a common exit face for the two entrance faces 10.1 and 10.2. The lens 10 is said to be thin, for example with a thickness, along the optical axis of the device, which is less than 7mm, in particular due to the small lens height and its long focal length. Lens 10 can have a first focus 10.5 and a second focus 10.6, the first focus 10.5 corresponding to the upper part of lens 10 and the second focus 10.6 corresponding to the lower part of lens 10.Each of the first and second focal points 10.5 and 10.6 in question is advantageously located in a zone 6.3 / 16.3 situated between the reflective surface 6.2 / 16.2 of the corresponding first or second collector 6 / 16 and the corresponding first or second light source 4 / 14 (these zones are delimited by the dashed lines). In this case, at least one of the focal points can be located on the reflective surface 6.2 / 16.2 of the corresponding first or second collector 6 / 16. It should be noted that it is also possible for this focal point to be located behind or in front of the reflective surface 6.2 / 16.2, provided that it is close, preferably less than 10 mm, and preferably less than 5 mm.

[0032] The reflecting surface, if it is of the elliptical type, has a second focus located in front of the lens 10 and at a distance from the optical axis 8. It should be noted that it is also possible that this focus is located behind the lens and / or on the optical axis, provided that it is close to the lens, so as to reduce the width of the beam at the level of the entrance face of the lens.

[0033] Still referring to the figure 1 It can be observed that the first light source 4 and the first collector 6, on the one hand, and the second light source 14 and the second collector 16, on the other hand, are opposite with respect to the optical axis 8. In particular, the first light source 4 is arranged on a first plate 20, and the second light source 14 is arranged on a second plate 22, separate from and distant from the first plate 20. A heat sink 24 is thermally coupled to the first and second light sources 4 and 16 via a portion 24.1 that serves as a support for the first and second plates 20 and 22. The heat sink 24 also includes a dissipative portion 24.2 with cooling fins. This arrangement is particularly advantageous from a thermal perspective. However, it is understood that it is also possible for the first and second light sources to be arranged on opposite faces of a common plate.

[0034] The lighting device advantageously includes an absorbing screen 26 extending along the optical axis 8 which is located between the first and second collectors 6 and 16 and the lens 10, so as to absorb any light rays which meet it and thus avoid parasitic reflections.

[0035] Again, referring to the figure 1 , the first light beam 12 is advantageously a lighting beam with a top horizontal cutoff (i.e. of the "code" or "low-beam" type) and the second light beam 18 is advantageously a lighting beam without a cutoff (i.e., in combination with the first light beam 12, of the "road" or "high-beam" type).

[0036] There figure 2 is a rear, perspective view of one of the first and second collectors 6 and 16 of the lighting device 2 of the figure 1 , oriented however like the first collector. We can observe the shell or cap shape of the support 6.1 / 16.1, as well as the fact that the reflective surface (not visible) has a front edge 6.2.1 / 16.2.1 and a rear edge 6.2.2 / 16.2.2. Given that the support 6.1 / 16.1 and, consequently, the reflective surface 6.2 / 16.2 form a shell that is preferably symmetrical in revolution and delimited by a plane, the plane in question includes the rear edge 6.2.2 / 16.2.2. This extends laterally in the plane on either side of the axis of revolution. When the reflective surface 6.2 / 16.2 is illuminated by the light source, it is then illuminated over its entire surface, the latter being delimited by the front edge 6.2.1 / 16.2.1 and rear edge 6.2.2 / 16.2.2.

[0037] There figure 3 Figure 6.2 represents the light intensity at the reflective surface of the first collector, viewed from the outside along the optical axis. More specifically, it represents the surface illuminance, that is, the power of the electromagnetic radiation striking per unit area perpendicular to its direction, expressed in W / m². The dark area, covering most of the surface, corresponds to lower illuminance, while the lighter central area corresponds to higher illuminance. It can be observed that the dark area is sharply delimited by edges 6.2.1 and 6.2.2. In other words, the illuminated surface 6.2 naturally has sharp edges capable of creating breaks in the projected light beam illuminating this surface. The same reasoning applies to the second collector, except that the light intensity distribution is rotated 180° around the optical axis.

[0038] There figure 4 is a graphic representation of the images projected by the lighting device of the figure 1 The horizontal axis H and the vertical axis V intersect at the optical axis of the light device. The solid lines correspond to the first light beam 12, and the dashed lines correspond to the second light beam 18. These curves are isolux curves, meaning they represent areas of the light beam that have the same illuminance, expressed in lux. The curves in the center correspond to a higher illuminance level than those at the periphery.

[0039] We can observe at the figure 4 that the first light beam 12 exhibits an upper horizontal cut, essentially at the horizontal axis H. The cut is not perfectly straight; it exhibits a curvature corresponding to aberrations in the image thus produced. In any case, the horizontal cut is made by the edge 6.2.2 ( figure 3 ) which is the rear edge ( figure 2 ) of the reflective surface 6.2 of the first collector 6. For this purpose, the first focus 10.5 of the lens 10 ( figure 1 ) is located near this edge 6.2.2 ( figure 3 ), that is to say at the rear of the first light source 4. We can also observe that the light beam produced has, below the horizontal axis, a clear contour corresponding to the front edge 6.2.1.

[0040] Still at the figure 4 , it can be observed that the second light beam 18 essentially corresponds to a reversal of the first light beam 12 and concentrates light at the horizontal axis H and above said axis so as to complement the first light beam 12. This concentration of light in the upper part of the second beam is achieved by the part of the reflective surface 16.2 which is near the rear edge 16.2.2. For this purpose, the second focus 10.6 of the lens 10 ( figure 1 ) is located near the rear edge 16.2.2 ( figure 2 ).

[0041] There figure 5 is a schematic representation of a variant of the lighting device 2 of the first embodiment, illustrated in the figure 1 , and falling outside the scope of the invention. This variant differs from the figure 1 in that the lens 10' no longer has a common exit face but rather distinct exit faces. In this case, we can observe that the second inlet face 10'.2 and the second exit face 10'.4 are axially offset relative to the first inlet face 10'.1 and exit face 10'.3. More specifically, this offset is such that the second inlet face 10'.2 and exit face 10'.4 are further from the first and second collectors 6 and 16 than the first inlet face 10'.1 and exit face 10'.3. This notably allows for compliance with space constraints.

[0042] There figure 6 This is a schematic view of a lighting device according to a second embodiment covered by the invention. The reference numbers 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 in the first embodiment. Specific numbers between 100 and 200 are used to designate elements specific to this embodiment.

[0043] In this lighting device 102, the second light source 114 and the second collector 116 are no longer opposite, with respect to the optical axis of the device, the first light source 104 and the first collector 106, but rather located beside them. The first light source 104 and the first collector 106 are not visible because they are situated behind the second light source 114 and the second collector 116. The lighting device 102 further includes a mirror 126 arranged in line with the reflective surface 116.2 of the collector 116. The mirror 126 comprises a support 126.1 and a flat reflective surface 126.2 formed on the support 126.1. The latter may be coincident with or adjacent to the support 116.1 of the collector 116. The light source 114 is arranged at a focus of the reflective surface 116.2 of the collector 116 so that its rays are collected and reflected towards the mirror 126.The latter reflects a virtual image towards the projection lens 110. 116.2 of the reflective surface 116.2, a virtual image 116 of the second collector 116 and a virtual image 114 of the light source 114, represented by a dashed line at the figure 6 Similar to the first embodiment, at least a portion of these rays reflected by the mirror 126 have angles of inclination α, in a vertical plane and with respect to said axis, which are less than or equal to 25°, preferably less than or equal to 10°, so as to be in the so-called Gaussian conditions, allowing for stigmatism, that is to say, a sharpness of the projected image. Advantageously, these are the rays reflected by the rear part of the reflective surface 116.2 of the second collector 116.

[0044] The lens 110 then has two distinct parts for the first and second beams 112 and 118, these two parts being side-by-side and no longer on either side of the optical axis as in the first embodiment. The lens 110 then has a first entrance face 110.1 and a first exit face 110.3 to form the first beam 112 and a second entrance face 110.2 and a second exit face 110.4 to form the second beam 118. It should be noted, however, that the two exit faces 110.3 and 110.4 can form a common exit face as in the figure 1 or even distinct and potentially axially offset exit faces as in the figure 5 .

[0045] It should also be noted that the second part of the lens, namely the part with the second entrance and exit faces 110.2 and 110.4, is advantageously of the biconvex type, symmetrical with respect to the virtual optical axis 108(dashed line) located above the optical axis 108. This part of the lens has a focal point 110.6 located on this virtual axis and near a rear edge of the reflecting surface of the virtual collector. This allows this part of the lens 110 to image the illuminated surface of the second collector 116 similarly to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0046] The configuration just described is particularly interesting for applications with downward space constraints.

[0047] There figure 7 is a schematic representation of a variant of the lighting device 102 of the second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the figure 6 The 102' lighting device, according to this variant, differs from the figure 6 in that it is no longer the second light source 114 and the second collector 116 that are reversed around the optical axis 108, but rather the first light source 104 and the first collector 106. Similarly, the light source 104 is positioned at a focus of the reflective surface 106.2 of the first collector 106 so that its rays are collected and reflected towards the mirror 126. The latter reflects a virtual image towards the projection lens 110 106.2 of the reflective surface 106.2 of the first collector 106 and a virtual image 104 of the light source 104, represented by a dashed line at the figure 6 In other words, this inversion makes it possible to obtain two opposing light beams (12 & 18) from light sources that have the same orientation. The first light source 104 and the first collector 106 can thus, despite the inversion, produce a light beam similar to the first light beam 12 of the first embodiment, illustrated in Figure 1. figure 4 that is to say with a concentration of light at its upper part, in this case at the level of the horizontal axis.

[0048] The first entrance and exit faces 110'.1 and 110'.3 of lens 110' are visible, while the second entrance and exit faces 110'.3 and 110'.4 are not. The first part of lens 110' is then, similarly to the second part of lens 110'. figure 6 advantageously of the biconvex type symmetric with respect to the virtual optical axis (dashed line) located below the optical axis 108. This part of the lens has a focus 110'.5 located on this virtual axis and near a rear edge of the reflecting surface of the virtual collector.

[0049] Similarly, the configuration just described is particularly interesting for applications with upward space constraints.

[0050] There figure 8 A schematic view of a lighting device is a third embodiment covered by the invention. The reference numbers of the first and second embodiments are used to designate identical or corresponding elements, these numbers being increased by 200 and 100, respectively. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in the first and second embodiments. Specific numbers between 200 and 300 are used to designate elements specific to this embodiment.

[0051] This third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment ( figure 6 In this lighting device 202, the second light source 214 and the second collector 216 are no longer opposite, with respect to the optical axis of the device, the first light source 204 and the first collector 206, but rather located beside them. The first light source 204 and the first collector 206 are not visible because they are located behind the second light source 214 and the second collector 216. The device 202 comprises a mirror 226 provided with a support 226.1 and an advantageously flat reflective surface 226.2. The mirror 226, and more particularly the reflective surface 226.2, extend along the optical axis 208. They are advantageously parallel to said axis, it being understood, however, that variants where they are slightly inclined, for example up to 20° or 10° of inclination, are conceivable. Reflective surface 216.2 of the second collector 216 is configured to reflect the rays emitted by the second light source 214 towards the reflective surface 226.2. The latter then reflects these rays in the form of a virtual image. 214 of the second light source 214 and a virtual image 216.2 of the reflective surface 216.2 of the second collector 216, these virtual images (dashed line) being located below the optical axis 208. In other words, the device 202 will produce an inverted luminous image of the illuminated surface of the second collector 216, corresponding to the virtual image 216 of collector 216 (represented by a dashed line) and located mostly above the horizontal axis while having a concentration of light in the lower part, at the level of said axis.

[0052] Similar to the second embodiment, the lens 210 then has two distinct parts for the first and second beams 212 and 218, these two parts being side-by-side and no longer on either side of the optical axis as in the first embodiment. The lens 210 then has a first entrance face 210.1 and a first exit face 210.3 to form the first beam 212 and a second entrance face 210.2 and a second exit face 210.4 to form the second beam 218. It should be noted, however, that the two exit faces 210.3 and 210.4 can form a common exit face as in the figure 1 or even distinct and potentially axially offset exit faces as in the figure 5 .

[0053] It should also be noted that the second part of the lens, namely the part with the second entrance and exit faces 210.2 and 210.4, is advantageously of the biconvex type, symmetrical with respect to the virtual optical axis (dashed line) located below the optical axis 208. This part of the lens has a focal point 210.6 located on this virtual axis 208 and near a rear edge of the reflecting surface of the virtual collector. This allows this part of the lens 210 to image the illuminated surface of the second collector 216 similarly to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0054] There figure 9 is a schematic representation of a variant of the lighting device 202 of the third embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the figure 8 The 202' lighting device, according to this variant, differs from the figure 8 in that it is no longer the second light source 214 and the second collector 216 that are reversed around the optical axis 208, but rather the first light source 204 and the first collector 206. Similarly, the reflective surface 206.2 of the first reflector is configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the first light source 204 towards the advantageously flat reflective surface 226.2 of the reflecting screen 226. This reflective surface 206.2 then reflects the light rays towards the lens 210', more precisely towards the first part of the lens 210', corresponding to the first entrance faces 210'.1 and exit faces 210'.3, thus causing an inversion of the light image, as if it were produced by the virtual collector 206 and the virtual light source 204illustrated with dashed lines. In other words, this inversion cancels out the inversion caused by the downward rotation of the first light source 204 and the first collector 206. Thus, despite the inversion, they can produce a light beam similar to the first light beam 12 of the first embodiment, illustrated in the figure 4 that is to say with a concentration of light at its upper part, in this case at the level of the horizontal axis.

[0055] The first entrance faces 210'.1 and exit faces 210'.3 of lens 210' are visible, while the second entrance faces 210'.3 and exit faces 210'.4 are not. The first part of lens 210' is then, similarly to the second part of lens 210'. figure 8 advantageously of the biconvex type symmetrical with respect to the virtual optical axis 208(in dashed line) located above the optical axis 208. This part of the lens has a focus 210'.5 located on this virtual axis and near a rear edge of the reflective surface of the virtual collector.

[0056] Similarly, the configuration just described is particularly interesting for applications with upward space constraints.

[0057] There figure 10 A schematic view of a lighting device is a fourth embodiment, falling outside the scope of the invention. The reference numbers of the first embodiment are used to designate identical or corresponding elements, these numbers being increased by 300. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in the first embodiment. Specific numbers between 300 and 400 are used to designate elements specific to this embodiment.

[0058] The 302 light device of the figure 10 differs from the lighting device of the first embodiment to the figure 1 essentially in that one of the light beams is a signaling light beam. In the first embodiment, the first and second light beams 12 and 18 are advantageously lighting beams, in this case with a horizontal cutoff (function "code" or "low beam" in English) and without a cutoff (complementary function "route" or "high-beam" in English). In the case of the figure 10 The first light beam 312 is a signaling light beam. For this purpose, graining is provided on the first entrance face 310.1 of the lens. The first light source 304, the first collector 306, and the first part of the lens 310, corresponding to the first entrance face 310.1 and exit face 310.3, thus form a first diffusing light beam 312. The second light source, the second collector, and the second part of the lens are similar to one of the first, second, and third embodiments. It is understood that the second light beam may be with or without a cutoff and that the second light source and the second collector may be located above or below the optical axis 308.

[0059] There figure 11 illustrates a first variant of the fourth embodiment of the figure 10 The luminous device 302' according to this variant has a graining which, instead of being on the corresponding entrance face of the lens, is located on at least one of the entrance faces 328.1 and exit faces 328.2 of an intermediate lens 328 located optically between the first collector 306 and the main lens 310. The light rays reflected by the reflective surface 306.1 of the first collector 306 pass through the intermediate lens before reaching the main lens 310. They are advantageously scattered through the diopter formed by the grained exit face 328.2 of the intermediate lens.

[0060] There figure 12 illustrates a second variant of the fourth embodiment of the figure 10 The light device 302" according to this variant is fully illustrated, that is, with, on one side of the optical axis 308, in this case above, the first light source 304 and the first collector 306, and on the other side of the optical axis, in this case below, the second light source 314 and the second collector 316. Similar to the first variant of the figure 11 An intermediate lens 328 is provided. In this case, it is optically positioned between the second collector 316 and the main lens 310. More specifically, the intermediate lens 328 is positioned near the second collector 316, and in any case at a distance from the main lens 310, so as to diffuse the second light beam not only towards the second entrance face 310.3 of the lens 310 but also towards the first entrance face 310.1. The second diffusing light beam 318 thus overlaps the first beam 312, which is in this case an illumination beam and preferably has a horizontal cutoff.

[0061] In light of these different embodiments and their variants, it becomes clear that various combinations of lighting and / or signaling light beams are possible on the same lighting device. In particular, the number of light sources and their corresponding collectors is not limited to two. It is indeed conceivable to provide for more light sources and corresponding collectors. As already highlighted with the embodiments described above, the different light patterns produced by the various pairs of light sources and collectors can be juxtaposed and / or superimposed. In the variant of the third embodiment, the figure 12The second beam produced by the light source and collector located below the optical axis, this beam being diffuse in this case, overlaps, at least partially, with the first light beam. Therefore, each of the first, second, and possibly additional light sources can consist of several selectable light zones emitting light rays towards the corresponding collector.

[0062] The following, though not exhaustive, combinations are possible on the same lighting device, particularly by using more collectors and light sources associated with said collectors: A first light beam in the form of a first horizontally cut beam forming part of a first lighting function; a second light beam in the form of a second beam with a kink cut forming another part of the same first lighting function; a third light beam in the form of a third beam without a cut forming all or part of a second lighting function. For example, the first light beam could be a horizontally cut beam (called a "flat" beam) forming part of a low beam function; the second light beam could be a kink beam forming another part of a low beam function; the superposition of the first and second light beams forming a low beam function.The third beam of light can form part of a high beam function, called a supplementary high beam function, which forms a high beam function when superimposed on the first and second beams. Alternatively, the third beam can be a third beam of light in the form of a light segment forming part of a second lighting function, and the lighting device emits several additional light beams in the form of light segments forming part of this second lighting function, each of the light segments being selectively activatable.For example, the light segment formed by the third lighting beam constitutes part of a high beam function, and the superposition of all the light segments formed by the third lighting beam and the additional light beams with the first and second lighting beams constitutes a high beam function. In each of the above alternatives, the lighting device (2; 102; 202; 302) can also emit an additional light beam in the form of a lighting or signaling beam. A first light beam in the form of an uninterrupted lighting beam constitutes a first lighting function, and a second light beam in the form of a signaling beam constitutes a signaling function.For example, the lighting beam can form a high beam function and the signaling beam can form a signaling function taken from among a direction indicator function, a daytime running light function and a position light function.Alternatively, the first light beam can be in the form of a first horizontally cut beam forming part of a first lighting function, and the device can emit a third light beam in the form of a second light beam with a kink cut forming another part of that same first lighting function. For example, the first light beam can be a horizontally cut beam (called "flat" in English) forming part of a low beam function and the second light beam can be a beam with a kink cut (called "kink" in English) forming a second part of a low beam function, the superposition of the first light beam and the second light beam forming a low beam function.The lighting device (2; 102; 202; 302) then emits a horizontally interrupted beam, a stepped-interrupted beam, and a signaling beam. It is also possible, for each of these alternatives, for the lighting device (2; 102; 202; 302) to emit an additional light beam in the form of a second signaling beam. For example, this second signaling beam can form a signaling function chosen from among a direction indicator function, a daytime running light function, and a position light function.

[0063] Furthermore, the light sources and their associated collectors can be arranged side-by-side. Alternatively, some of the light sources and their associated collectors can be positioned opposite the other part of the light sources and their associated collectors, with respect to the optical axis.

[0064] According to one variant, all the collectors can be arranged side-by-side.

[0065] For example, in its functional position, the lighting device may thus include a collector participating in the formation of a horizontally cut lighting beam, a collector participating in the formation of a beam with a step cut and a collector participating in the formation of a light beam forming part of a high beam function arranged side-by-side.

[0066] According to another variant, we can have a first and a second light source associated respectively with a first and a second collectors opposite with respect to the optical axis to a third light source and to the third collector to which the third source is associated.

[0067] For example, in its functional position, the lighting device may include a first collector and a second collector participating respectively in the formation of a horizontally cutoff lighting beam and a beam with a step cut above the optical axis, and a third collector participating in the formation of a light beam forming part of the high beam function below the optical axis.

[0068] In another example, in its functional position, the lighting device may include a first collector and a second collector participating respectively in the formation of a lighting function and a signaling function above the optical axis and a third collector participating in the formation of a light beam forming all or part of a signaling function below the optical axis.

[0069] According to another variant, we can have a first light source associated with a first collector, opposite with respect to the optical axis to a second light source and to the second collector to which the second source is associated.

[0070] For example, in its functional position, the lighting device may thus include a first collector participating in the formation of an uninterrupted lighting beam forming a first lighting function above the optical axis, and a second collector participating in the formation of a signaling beam below the optical axis.

Claims

1. Luminous device (102'; 202') for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a first light source (104; 204) and a second light source (114; 214) that are each able to emit light rays; - a first collector (106; 206) and a second collector (116; 216) each with a concave reflective surface (106.2, 116.2; 206.2, 216.2) configured to collect and reflect the light rays emitted by the first light source (104; 204) and the second light source (114; 214), respectively; - an optical system (110'; 210') configured to project the light rays reflected by the reflective surfaces (106.2, 116.2; 206.2, 216.2) of the first collector (106; 206) and of the second collector (116; 216) into a first light beam (112; 212) and into a second light beam (118; 218) along an optical axis of the device (108; 208), respectively; the optical system (110'; 210') being configured to form a luminous image of the reflective surface (106.2, 116.2; 206.2, 216.2) of each of the first collector (106; 206) and second collector (116; 216), the reflective surfaces (106.2, 116.2; 206.2, 216.2) having, with respect to a general direction of propagation of the corresponding light beam, a front edge and a rear edge, said edges bounding in opposite directions the corresponding luminous image, and each of the first light beam (112; 212) and second light beam (118; 218) forming a portion or the entirety of a lighting or signalling function that is distinct from the lighting or signalling function of the other of said first and second beams, characterized in that - the optical system (110';210') has a first focal point (110'.5; 210'.5) located axially behind a front limit of the reflective surface (106.2; 206.2) of the first collector (106; 206), and a second focal point (110.6; 210.6) located axially behind a front limit of the reflective surface (116.2; 216.2) of the second collector (116; 216); and - said luminous device furthermore comprises a mirror (126; 226), the reflective surface (106.2; 206.2) of the first collector (106; 206) being configured to collect and reflect the light rays emitted by the first light source (104; 204) toward said mirror (126; 226) and said mirror (126; 216) being configured to form a virtual image (104, 106.2; 204, 206.2) of the first light source (104; 204) and of the reflective surface of the first collector (106; 206), the optical system (110'; 210') forming an image of said virtual image (104, 106.2; 204, 206.2) and - the first focal point (110'.5; 210'.5) of the optical system is located in proximity to the rear edge of the virtual image of the reflective surface (106.2; 206.2) of the first collector (106; 206) and the second focal point (110.6; 210.6) of the optical system is located in proximity to the rear edge of the reflective surface (116.2; 216.2) of the second collector (116; 216).

2. Luminous device (102'; 202') according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first collector (106; 206) and the first light source (104; 204) are located below the optical axis (108; 208) when the device is oriented in functional position, the first beam (112; 212) being a lighting beam containing an upper flat cutoff formed by the rear edge of the reflective surface (106.2; 206.2) of the first collector (106; 206).

3. Luminous device (102; 202) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a first light source (104; 204) and a second light source (114; 214) that are each able to emit light rays; - a first collector (106; 206) and a second collector (116; 216) each with a concave reflective surface (106.2, 116.2; 206.2, 216.2) configured to collect and reflect the light rays emitted by the first light source (104; 204) and the second light source (114; 214), respectively; - an optical system (110; 210) configured to project the light rays reflected by the reflective surfaces (106.2, 116.2; 206.2, 216.2) of the first collector (106; 206) and of the second collector (116; 216) into a first light beam (112; 212) and into a second light beam (118; 218) along an optical axis of the device (108; 208), respectively; the optical system (110; 210) being configured to form a luminous image of the reflective surface (106.2, 116.2; 206.2, 216.2) of each of the first collector (106; 206) and second collector (116; 216), the reflective surfaces (106.2, 116.2; 206.2, 216.2) having, with respect to a general direction of propagation of the corresponding light beam, a front edge and a rear edge, said edges bounding in opposite directions the corresponding luminous image, and each of the first light beam (112; 212) and second light beam (118; 218) forming a portion or the entirety of a lighting or signalling function that is distinct from the lighting or signalling function of the other of said first and second beams, characterized in that - the optical system (110; 210) has a first focal point (110.5; 210.5) located axially behind a front limit of the reflective surface (106.2; 206.2) of the first collector (106; 206), and a second focal point (110'.6; 210'.6) located axially behind a front limit of the reflective surface (116.2; 216.2) of the second collector (116; 216); and - said luminous device furthermore comprises a mirror (126; 226), the reflective surface (116.2; 216.2) of the second collector (116; 216) being configured to collect and reflect the light rays emitted by the second light source (114; 214) toward said mirror (126; 216), and said mirror (126; 216) being configured to form a virtual image (114, 116.2; 214, 216.2) of the second light source (114; 214) and of the reflective surface of the second collector (116; 216), the optical system (110; 210) forming an image of said virtual image (114, 116.2; 214, 216.2), and - the first focal point (110.5; 210.5) of the optical system is located in proximity to the rear edge of the reflective surface (106.2; 206.2) of the first collector (106; 206) and the second focal point (110'.6; 210'.6) of the optical system is located in proximity to the rear edge of the virtual image of the reflective surface (116.2; 216.2) of the second collector (116; 216).

4. Luminous device (102; 202) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the second collector (116; 216) and the second light source (114; 214) are located above the optical axis (108; 208) when the device is oriented in functional position, the second beam (118; 218) being a lighting beam with an upper portion without flat cutoff, formed by a front portion of the reflective surface (116.2; 216.2) of the second collector (116; 216).

5. Luminous device (102, 102'; 202, 202') according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the first collector (106; 206) and second collector (116; 216) is configured so that the light rays reflected by a rear portion of the reflective surface (106.2, 116.2; 206.2, 216.2) of said collector are parallel to the optical axis (108; 208) or have, in a vertical plane with respect to said axis, an angle of inclination smaller than or equal to 25°, and preferably smaller than or equal to 10°6. Luminous device (102, 102'; 202, 202') according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first light source (4; 104; 204; 304) and second light source (14; 114; 214; 314) are configured to emit in a main direction that is perpendicular to the optical axis (8; 108; 208; 308) or that is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to said optical axis by an angle smaller than or equal to 25°, and the reflective surfaces (6.2, 16.2; 106.2, 116.2; 206.2, 216.2; 306.2, 316.2) of the first collector (6; 106; 206; 306) and second collector (16; 116; 216; 316) have an elliptical or parabolic profile.

7. Luminous device (102, 102'; 202, 202') according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the optical system is a lens (110, 110'; 210, 210') with a first entrance face (110.1, 110'.1; 210.1, 210'.1) for the light rays of the first light beam (112; 212) and a second entrance face (110.2, 110'.2; 210.2, 210'.2) for the light rays of the second light beam (118; 218).

8. Luminous device (102, 102'; 202, 202') according to Claim 7, characterized in that the first and second entrance faces (110.1, 110.2, 110'.1, 110'.2; 210.1, 210.2, 210'.1, 210'.2) are aligned perpendicular to the optical axis (108; 208).

9. Luminous device (102, 102'; 202, 202') according to one of Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the lens (110, 110'; 210, 210') has an exit face (110.3, 110.4; 210.3, 210.4) common to the first and second entrance faces (110.1, 110.2; 210.1, 210.2).

10. Luminous device (102, 102'; 202, 202') according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first collector (106; 206) and the first light source (104; 204), on the one hand, and the second collector (116; 216) and the second light source (114; 214), on the other hand, are placed side-by-side.

11. Luminous device (102, 102'; 202, 202') according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the mirror (126) lies in the extension of the reflective surface of the corresponding collector (106, 116), or the mirror (226) lies on the optical axis (208).

12. Luminous device (102, 102'; 202, 202') according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first light source (104; 204) and the second light source (114; 214) are placed on a common platen.