Optical module for vehicle headlamp

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical unit for a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising a housing closed by an optical lens (3), said housing comprising a first row of parabolic reflectors (40) and a second row of parabolic reflectors (50); said optical unit further comprising an additional parabolic reflector (60) located in the vicinity of the junction between the first (40) and second (50) rows of parabolic reflectors and shaped so as to be capable of reflecting light rays (R3) emitted by at least one additional light source in order to perform a complementary lighting function SBL of the Flat and Spot lighting functions of the low-beam lights, during turns; the installation of the additional parabolic reflector (60) making it possible to render invisible the non-activation of the complementary lighting function SBL, seen from the outside of the vehicle, when the Flat and Spot low-beam lighting functions are activated.

Description

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2109963 filed on 22.09.2021. The invention generally relates to headlights for motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with headlight units integrating several lighting functions in a single housing, as known from document JP 2007-324001 A.

[0002] In a headlight, it is common to integrate several lighting functions such as low beam and high beam functions as well as so-called static bending lighting functions, known by the acronym "EVS" or by the English acronym "SBL", for "Static Bending Light".

[0003] The SBL function supplements the lighting provided by the dipped and main beam functions on the verges of the road, depending on the vehicle speed and the steering wheel angle. The purpose of this function is to improve the driver's visibility at night, when cornering, particularly inside corners.

[0004] In some vehicles, an optical module, dedicated to the SBL function, hereinafter referred to as the SBL module, is arranged alongside other optical modules dedicated respectively to the dipped beam and main beam functions, in each of the vehicle's headlamps. The SBL module is generally arranged, in the headlamp, as close as possible to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The SBL module is then oriented towards the outside of the vehicle with an orientation allowing the light beam generated by the SBL module to be pointed towards the verges of the road.

[0005] An optical unit generally consists of a housing closed by a lens or a glass transparent to light. The housing contains and supports at least one light source such as a light-emitting diode, designated by the English acronym LED (Light-Emitting Diode), installed on an electronic card, and a parabolic reflector or other, making it possible to direct the light beam generated by the LED towards the lens or the glass closing the housing. Such an optical unit can be equipped or be associated with a mask whose function is to hide the technical areas from an observer located in front of the vehicle. The technical areas include in particular the electronic cards and other components or mechanical elements participating in the formation of the light beams and their orientation.

[0006] It is also known to integrate the functions of low beam and high beam in the same box by sharing the same electronic card supporting the LEDs.

[0007] The integration of lighting LEDs in motor vehicle headlights and the associated new lighting technologies make it possible to combine different lighting functions in the same headlight housing, including a complementary lighting function such as the SBL function.

[0008] However, adding the SBL function in addition to the lighting functions already implemented in a projector that has been the subject of initial development may require costly adjustments (adding a reflector, an electronic card supporting one or more LEDs, a mask, etc.) and / or require space that is not always available in the housing.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide an inexpensive solution for adding the SBL function to an optical unit already existing in a motor vehicle headlight, without impacting the volume of the optical unit or the perceived quality of the optical unit, seen from outside the vehicle, when the SBL function is not activated.

[0010] To this end, the present invention has as its first object, an optical unit for a motor vehicle headlight, comprising the characteristics of claim 1.

[0011] According to a preferred characteristic, the plurality of light sources and the additional light source are installed on the same electronic card supported in the housing; the light sources being installed opposite their respective parabolic reflectors.

[0012] According to another preferred characteristic, the parabolic reflectors of the first and second rows as well as the additional parabolic reflector all belong to the same transverse wall of the housing, obtained at the same time as the molding of the housing.

[0013] According to another preferred feature, the rays emitted by the additional light source pass through the lens in a portion of the lens located in the vicinity of the lateral edge of the housing.

[0014] According to another preferred feature, the second row of parabolic reflectors is set back from the first row of parabolic reflectors relative to the lens.

[0015] According to another preferred feature, the additional parabolic reflector has a concave rear face oriented towards the second row of parabolic reflectors.

[0016] According to another preferred feature, the first row of parabolic reflectors comprises five adjacent parabolic reflectors and wherein the second row of parabolic reflectors comprises two adjacent parabolic reflectors.

[0017] According to another preferred feature, the light sources are LEDs.

[0018] The second subject of the invention is a motor vehicle headlight comprising at least one optical unit as described above.

[0019] The invention has as its final object, a motor vehicle comprising at least one headlight as described above.

[0020] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawing, in which: [ Fig.1 ] illustrates a side view of an optical unit of a motor vehicle headlight, according to the invention; [ Fig.2 ] illustrates a top view of the optical unit according to the invention; [ Fig.3 ] illustrates the optical block according to the invention, according to a top view in section along the section axis III-III of the figure 1 ; [ Fig.4 ] illustrates the optical block according to the invention, according to a side view in section along the section axis IV-IV of the figure 2 ; And [ Fig.5 ] illustrates a regulatory diagram of dipped and cornering headlight illumination to which the optical unit according to the invention is subject.

[0021] In the following, it is considered that the optical unit, shown in the figures, is oriented as mounted inside a vehicle headlight itself mounted in a motor vehicle. The optical unit therefore adopts the same orthonormal XYZ reference frame as that of the vehicle. Identical elements of the optical unit are designated by the same alphanumeric references.

[0022] For this purpose and unless otherwise specified, reference is made to the orthonormal reference system XYZ to identify the directions of extension of the vehicle and the associated relative concepts, including a longitudinal direction (along X), a transverse direction (along Y) and a vertical direction (along Z). The longitudinal direction X extends between the front and rear of the vehicle, the transverse direction Y extends between the right and left lateral sides of the vehicle identified in relation to the driver in the driving position of the vehicle, and the vertical direction Z defines the extension of the vehicle in elevation from its rolling plane on the ground. Consequently, the relative concepts front and rear are identified longitudinally, the lateral concept and the relative concepts right and left are identified transversely, the concepts such as upper and lower or other related relative concepts such as low and high, ...are defined vertically relative to the vehicle's rolling plane on the ground.

[0023] There figure 1 illustrates a side view of an optical unit 1 and the figure 2 the same optical block 1 according to a top view. The optical block 1 considered at figures 1 et 2 , is installed in the left headlight of the vehicle. The headlight and the vehicle are not shown. The optical unit of the right headlight, also not shown, is identical and symmetrical with respect to the vertical median plane of the vehicle.

[0024] The optical unit 1 comprises a housing 2 closed in its front part by a lens 3.

[0025] The housing 2 of the optical unit 1 integrates a plurality of mechanical, optical, electronic and heat dissipation components.

[0026] The case 2 comprises in its front part 20 an upper compartment 21, a central compartment 22 and a lower compartment 23.

[0027] The central compartment 22 and the lower compartment 23 house the components dedicated to “cut-off / pixel” type dipped beam lighting functions and a “matrix” type main beam lighting function. We will be particularly interested in the upper compartment 21 which houses the components used for the formation of the “Spot” and “Flat” light beams respectively forming part of the basic dipped beam lighting function.

[0028] In reference to the figure 3 , the “Flat” beam, Fflat, is obtained from a first row 40 of five parabolic reflectors 41-45 of substantially identical shape and size, hereinafter referred to as “parabolas”. The five parabolas 41-45 are arranged adjacently and are aligned, along their width, in a transverse direction relative to the vertical median plane PM of the housing 2 (along X). They extend between the left lateral edge of the compartment 21 and the vertical median plane PM of the housing 2.

[0029] The “Spot” beam, Fspot, is obtained from a second row 50 of two parabolas 51-52 of substantially identical size and shape. The two parabolas 51-52 are arranged adjacently and are aligned, along their width, in a transverse direction relative to the vertical median plane PM of the housing 2 (along X). They extend from the vertical median plane PM of the upper compartment 21 of the housing 2 of the optical unit 1 (along X) to the right lateral edge of the compartment 21.

[0030] The first and second rows 40 and 50 of parabolas (seven parabolas 41-45 and 51-52) are obtained by molding with the housing 2 and define a single wall 6 extending substantially perpendicularly (along Y) to the side walls of the upper compartment 21 of the housing 2. The wall 6 is thus shaped to define the seven parabolas 41-45 and 51-52.

[0031] In reference to the figure 4 , an electronic card 70 is arranged in the upper compartment 21. It is common to the two rows of parabolas 40 and 50 and supports the five light sources, five LEDs 71-75, arranged opposite the parabolas of the first row 40 and the two light sources, two LEDs 76-77 arranged opposite the parabolas of the second row of parabolas 50. The LEDs 71-75 and 76-77 dedicated respectively to the parabolas 41-45 and 51-52 of the first and second rows 40 and 50, emit light rays towards their respective parabolas 41-45 and 51-52.

[0032] In order not to overload the drawing, the LEDs, although numbered in the description, have not been shown or referenced in the figures with the exception of LED 73 on the figure 4 which is dedicated to parable 43.

[0033] The parabolas 41-45 of the first row of parabolas 40 are positioned, sized and oriented so as to respectively reflect the rays R1 emitted by each of the five LEDs 71-75, along their main optical axes, through a first lateral part 31 of the lens 3 located opposite the first row of parabolas 40, at a first determined distance from the first row of parabolas 40.

[0034] The parabolas 51-52 of the second row of parabolas 50 are sized and oriented so as to respectively reflect the rays R2 emitted by each of the two LEDs 76-77, along their main optical axes, through a second lateral part 32 of the lens 3 located opposite the second row, at a second determined distance from the second row of parabolas 50.

[0035] In the described layout, the parabolas of the first row 40 have a smaller size than the second row 50 and the second row of parabolas 50 is offset, substantially set back from the first row 40, relative to the lens 3. The second distance is therefore greater than the first distance. The first row of parabolas 40 comprises five parabolas 41-45 and the second row of parabolas 50 comprises two parabolas 51-52.

[0036] All rays R1 and R2 must comply with a regulatory illumination diagram for dipped beams of the “Flat” type, Fflat, and “Spot” type, Fspot, as illustrated in figure 5 .

[0037] The Fspot beam projection is concentrated in the center of the diagram, while the Fflat beam projection extends widely on either side of the vertical axis of the diagram passing through the center of the projector. The horizontal axis corresponds to the horizon line relative to the projector. The Flat and Spot beam projections are located below the horizontal axis.

[0038] The width of the beams Fflat and Fspot is determined (along the horizontal axis of the diagram) respectively by the first and second rows of parabolas 40 and 50. The contribution of the SBL function appears on the left of the diagram by widening the projection width of the beam Fflat on the left (left side).

[0039] The installation of an SBL module fulfilling the SBL function, in the optical block 1 which has just been described, must therefore respect the regulatory illumination diagram without modifying the dimensions of the box 2 and in particular the width of the box 2 (according to Y).

[0040] Advantageously, the solution according to the invention consists of installing an additional parabola 60 ( Fig. 2 And 3 ) in the extension of the first row of parabolas 40, after the parabola 45 which is adjacent to the parabola 51 of the second row of parabolas 50, without modifying the layout of the first and second rows 40 and 50. The additional parabola 60 is obtained by molding at the same time as the molding of the wall 6, shaped to define the parabolas of the first and second rows 40 and 50.

[0041] The additional parabola 60 extends in the vicinity of the junction between the first 40 and the second 50 rows of parabolic reflectors 40 and 50, advancing towards the lens 3. Its main optical axis is oriented towards the part 31 of the lens 3 which joins the left lateral edge of the lens 3. The rear face of the additional parabola 60 is curved towards the parabola 51 which is adjacent to the parabola 45, without impacting the radiation pattern of the rays R2 and therefore without impacting the illumination pattern corresponding to the beam Fspot.

[0042] The supplementary parable 60 presents itself globally, in reference to the figure 3 , like an inverted “cedilla”, attached between parabola 45 and parabola 51 while being substantially centered on the vertical median plane PM.

[0043] An additional LED 78, not shown, is attached to the common electronic card 70 supporting the seven previous LEDs 71-77, being arranged opposite the additional parabola 60. The additional LED 78 emits light rays R3 which are reflected by the additional parabola 60 in determined directions along the main optical axis of the additional parabola 60. For simplicity, it is considered that the SBL module mainly comprises the additional reflector 60 and the additional diode 78.

[0044] The rays R3 emitted by the additional LED 78 are reflected in a direction transverse to that of the rays R1 (beam Fflat) to pass through the lens 3 in a part 31 of the lens 3 located in the vicinity of the left lateral edge of the housing 2.

[0045] Thanks to this implementation of the SBL 60, 78 module, when the Flat and Spot lighting functions are activated, the visual rendering of the projector when switched on, seen from the outside, is not impacted when the SBL function is inactivated. The external surface of the optical module 1 always appears fully lit.

Claims

1. An optical unit (1) for a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising a housing (2) enclosed by an optical lens (3), said housing (2) comprising a first row of parabolic reflectors (40) and a second row of parabolic reflectors (50) adjacent to the first row (40) and extending said first row in the same transverse direction of the housing (2); said parabolic reflectors of the first and second rows (40 and 50) being conformed to be suitable for reflect respectively light rays (R1 and R2), emitted by a plurality of light sources, outside the housing (2) through the lens (3) in the first and second directions determined to form respectively a light beam (Fflat) of a Flat lighting function and a light beam (Fspot) of a Spot lighting function, ; the light beam (Fflat) of the Flat lighting function and the light beam (Fspot) of the Spot lighting function forming part of a basic lighting function of the dipped-beam headlamps, characterised in that said optical unit (1) also comprises an additional parabolic reflector (60) located in the vicinity of the junction between the first (40) and second (50) rows of parabolic reflectors (40 and 50) being conformed to be suitable for reflect light rays (R3), emitted by at least one additional light source, through the lens (3) in a direction transverse to that of the rays (R1) of the Flat beam to form a light beam (Fsbl) of the Static Bending Light (SBL) illumination function.

2. An optical block (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the plurality of light sources and the additional light source are located on the same electronic board (70) supported in the housing (2); the light sources being located opposite their respective parabolic reflectors.

3. An optical block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the parabolic reflectors of the first and second rows (40 and 50) and the additional parabolic reflector (60) all belong to the same transverse wall (6) of the housing (2), obtained at the same time as a molding of the housing (1).

4. An optical block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rays (R3) emitted by the additional light source pass through the lens (3) into a portion (31) of the lens (3) located in the vicinity of the side edge of the housing (2).

5. An optical block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second row of parabolic reflectors (50) is set back from the first row of parabolic reflectors (50) with respect to the lens (3).

6. An optical unit (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the additional parabolic reflector (60) has a concave rear face oriented towards the second row of parabolic reflectors (50).

7. An optical block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first row of parabolic reflectors comprises five adjacent parabolic reflectors and wherein the second row of parabolic reflectors comprises two adjacent parabolic reflectors.

8. An optical block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light sources are LEDs.

9. A motor vehicle headlamp comprising at least one optical block (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. A motor vehicle incorporating at least one designer according to the preceding claim.

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