Lighting device for a vehicle, comprising an output lens and an intermediate screen

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device (1) for a vehicle (2), comprising a lighting module (10) for generating primary light rays (R1), an output lens (11), a structure of decoupling reliefs (12), characterized in that it comprises: - an intermediate screen (13) comprising the structure of decoupling reliefs (12), disposed between the lighting module (10) and the output lens (11) and having a first face (13.1) opposite the lighting module (10) and a second face (13.2) opposite the output lens (11), - the structure of decoupling reliefs (12) being disposed on the first face (13.1) of the intermediate screen (13), the second face (13.2) having a non-constant thickness (e2) such that the primary light rays (R1) exit therefrom in a direction (r2) identical or parallel to a direction (r1) in which they entered via the first face (13.1).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Light-up device for vehicles comprising an exit window and an intermediate screen [1] The present invention relates to a lighting device for vehicles. It finds a particular, but not limiting, application in motor vehicles. [2] A lighting device known to a person skilled in the art is a projector configured to perform an optical function. The optical function is a lighting and / or signaling function. The lighting device comprises: - at least one light module configured to generate light rays to form a light beam, the light beam enabling the performance of said optical function, and - a curved exit glass. [3] The style of a lighting device is an important factor, and car manufacturers seek to give their lighting devices a distinctive signature so that they are easily identifiable by the end user. To ensure this signature is visible day and night, the headlight lens may incorporate a decoupling structure of light rays from the light beam. This decoupling structure allows the signature of the lighting device to be recognizable whether it is switched on or off. This is used particularly for lighting devices with a large external surface area, such as fender flares, which extend not only across the front or rear of the vehicle, but also along its side at the point where a fender connects to the front or rear. This allows the entire fender flare to be illuminated. [4] One disadvantage of this prior art is that the curved shape of the output glass with its decoupling relief structure disturbs the light beam of said at least one light module and consequently said optical function performed by said light module. [5] In this context, the present invention aims to provide a lighting device that solves the aforementioned problem. [6] To this end, the invention proposes a lighting device for vehicles, said lighting device comprising: - at least one light module configured to generate primary light rays forming a light beam, - an ice cream cone, - a decoupling relief structure, characterized in that said lighting device further comprises: - an intermediate screen comprising said decoupling relief structure, said intermediate screen being disposed between said at least one light module and said exit glass, and having a first face opposite said at least one light module and a second face opposite said exit glass, - said decoupling relief structure being arranged on the first face of said intermediate screen, said intermediate screen having a non-constant thickness so that the primary light rays of said light beam exit said second face of said intermediate screen in a direction identical or parallel to a direction in which they entered through said first face of said intermediate screen. [7] Thus, as will be seen in detail later, using an intermediate screen that supports the decoupling relief structure allows it to be rendered neutral thanks to a non-constant thickness. This is possible by modifying one of its faces, the one that does not support the decoupling relief structure, because the intermediate screen is not bound by a particular style and aerodynamics like the exit glass. The face that supports the decoupling relief structure remains unchanged, which avoids altering the decoupling relief structure itself. [8] According to non-limiting embodiments, said lighting device may further comprise one or more additional features taken alone or in any technically possible combination, from among the following. [9] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said second face of said intermediate screen comprises locally different surface orientations.

[0010] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said exit ice is a neutral ice.

[0011] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the thickness of the intermediate screen varies between 2.1 and 3.5 millimeters.

[0012] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the said thickness of the said intermediate screen varies progressively.

[0013] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said at least one light module comprises at least one primary light source configured to generate said primary light rays.

[0014] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said lighting device further comprises secondary light sources configured to generate secondary light rays, the secondary light sources being arranged such that the light rays secondary waves enter the intermediate screen and then propagate through it by internal reflections and exit when they encounter said decoupling relief structure.

[0015] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the primary light source(s) and / or secondary light sources are semiconductor light sources.

[0016] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said decoupling relief structure comprises reliefs that are: - minidisks, also known as optical micros obtained by laser impact, and / or - micro-cones, and / or - micro-cone-prisms, and / or - mini-prisms, and / or - of the graining.

[0017] By micro or mini, we mean that the reliefs have, in a non-limiting embodiment: - a depth between 0.05 and 0.4 mm, preferably between 0.1 and 0.4 mm, - a distance between two reliefs of between 0.3 and 2 mm, preferably between 0.3 and 1.6 mm, preferably between 0.8 and 1.25 mm, - a width between 0.05mm and 0.5mm, preferably between 0.16 and 0.3mm.

[0018] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said at least one light module is configured to perform a primary optical function which is a lighting function or a signaling function, and said intermediate screen is configured to perform a secondary optical function which is a signaling function.

[0019] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said lighting device is a front projector or a rear light.

[0020] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said lighting device comprises a first lighting module and a second lighting module.

[0021] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first light module is a lighting module and the second light module is a lighting module producing an alternative or complementary beam to the beam produced by the first light module.

[0022] In a non-limiting embodiment, the lighting module(s) may be a lighting module generating at least one of the following beams: a cutoff beam, a high beam, or an adaptive beam. An adaptive beam is a beam in which at least one shadow is formed to position it on a vehicle being followed or approaching from the opposite direction, so as not to dazzle the driver or their sensors.

[0023] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first light module is configured to perform a primary optical function, in particular a high beam, and the second light module is configured to perform another primary optical function, in particular a low beam.

[0024] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said exit glass has a non-constant thickness such that the primary light rays of said light beam exit from said external face of said exit glass in a direction identical or parallel to a direction in which they entered through said internal face of said exit glass.

[0025] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said inner face of said exit glass comprises locally different surface orientations.

[0026] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said local surface orientations of said inner face of the exit glass are a function of the local curvature of the curve of the exit glass, in particular the local curvature of the curve of its outer face.

[0027] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the thickness of the ice varies progressively.

[0028] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the variation in the thickness of said exit ice is between 0.3mm and 0.7mm.

[0029] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the variation in the thickness of said exit glass is carried out along a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the vehicle axis.

[0030] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said local surface orientations of said second face of said intermediate screen are a function of the local curvature of the curve of the intermediate screen, in particular of the local curvature of the curve of said first face.

[0031] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the variation in the thickness of said intermediate screen is less than 0.7mm.

[0032] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the variation in the thickness of the intermediate screen is carried out along a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the vehicle axis.

[0033] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the lighting device is a lighting device with wing return.

[0034] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the thickness of said intermediate screen decreases towards the side intended to be closest to the wing of the motor vehicle, in particular in the case of a lighting device with wing return.

[0035] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the secondary light sources and the intermediate screen are arranged so that the secondary light rays enter through an edge of the intermediate screen separating the first face from the second face.

[0036] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first face of the intermediate screen comprises smooth portions and portions with reliefs forming the decoupling relief structure,

[0037] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the surface area of ​​the first face occupied by each of the relief portions is less than the surface area occupied by the smooth portions.

[0038] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the smooth portions are separated by the textured portions.

[0039] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first face comprises an alternation of raised and smooth portions.

[0040] In addition, a vehicle is proposed that includes a lighting device for an automotive device as described previously.

[0041] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures:

[0042] [Fig. 1] is a schematic exploded profile view of a vehicle lighting device, said lighting device comprising at least one lighting module, an output lens, a decoupling relief structure, and an intermediate screen, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention,

[0043] [Fig. 2] is an exploded perspective view of said lighting device of figure 1, according to a non-limiting embodiment,

[0044] [Fig. 3] is a rear view of said intermediate screen of said luminous device of Figure 2, said intermediate screen comprising said decoupling relief structure, according to a non-limiting embodiment,

[0045] [Fig. 4] is a zoomed view of a relief of said decoupling relief structure of said luminous device of Figures 1 and 2, said relief being a minidisk, according to a non-limiting embodiment,

[0046] [Fig. 5] is a zoomed schematic front view of said exit glass of said luminous device of Figures 1 and 2, said exit glass being arranged in front of said intermediate screen and being neutral, according to a non-limiting embodiment,

[0047] [Fig. 6] is a zoomed schematic front view of said intermediate screen of said luminous device of Figures 1 and 1, said intermediate screen being disposed in front of said at least one luminous module and having a variable thickness, according to a non-limiting embodiment,

[0048] [Fig. 7] is a photometric distribution diagram of a light beam emitted by said light device of Figures 1 and 2, when said output glass is neutral, according to a non-limiting embodiment,

[0049] [Fig. 8] is a photometric distribution diagram of a light beam emitted by a prior art lighting device, said lighting device comprising a neutral output glass but no intermediate screen according to the invention,

[0050] [Fig. 9] is a photometric distribution diagram of a light beam emitted by a prior art lighting device, said lighting device comprising a non-neutral output glass and no intermediate screen according to the invention.

[0051] Identical elements, whether structural or functional, appearing on different figures retain the same references unless otherwise specified.

[0052] The lighting device 1 for vehicle 2 according to the invention is described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In a non-limiting embodiment, vehicle 2 is a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle is understood to mean any type of motorized vehicle. This embodiment is taken as a non-limiting example in the following description. In the following description, vehicle 2 is thus also referred to as motor vehicle 2. The vehicle axis AX is illustrated in Figure 1.

[0053] In a non-limiting embodiment, the lighting device 1 is a lighting and signaling device.

[0054] In a non-limiting embodiment, the lighting device 1 is a front headlight or a rear light. The lighting device 1 is thus configured to be located on the front or rear face of the motor vehicle 2. In a non-limiting embodiment, the lighting device 1 is a lighting device with a wing return, namely one that extends over the front or rear face but also over the side of said motor vehicle 2.

[0055] The non-limiting embodiment of the lighting device 1 located on the front face of the motor vehicle 2 is taken as a non-limiting example in the following description.

[0056] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the lighting device 1 for vehicle 2 comprises: - at least one 10-light module, and - an exit ice cream 11, and - a decoupling relief structure 12, and - an intermediate screen 13.

[0057] As illustrated in Figure 1, the lighting device 1 further includes a housing 14 configured to accommodate in particular said at least one lighting module 10, the decoupling relief structure 12, and the intermediate screen 13.

[0058] The elements of the lighting device 1 are described in detail below.

[0059] Said at least one luminous module 10 is described in detail below.

[0060] In a non-limiting embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the lighting device 1 comprises two lighting modules 10. This non-limiting embodiment is taken as a non-limiting example in the following description.

[0061] Each light module 10 is configured to generate primary light rays RI (illustrated in Figure 1) forming a light beam Lx to perform a primary optical function fl to which they are dedicated. The primary light rays RI are emitted in a direction rl. The primary light rays Rl pass through the intermediate screen 13 and then the exit glass 11.

[0062] Each light module 10 includes at least one primary light source 100 (illustrated in Figure 1) configured to generate said primary light rays Rl.

[0063] In a non-limiting embodiment, said at least one primary light source 100 is a semiconductor light source. In another non-limiting embodiment, said semiconductor light source is part of a light-emitting diode (LED). Light-emitting diode means any type of light-emitting diode, including, but not limited to, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), OLEDs (Organic LEDs), AMOLEDs (Active-Matrix Organic LEDs), and FOLEDs (Flexible OLEDs). In yet another non-limiting embodiment, said at least one primary light source 100 is a halogen lamp or a xenon lamp.

[0064] Each light module 10 is configured to perform a primary optical function fl.

[0065] In a non-limiting embodiment, a first light module is a lighting module and a second light module is also a lighting module. In a non-limiting embodiment, the lighting modules may be a lighting module generating at least one of the following beams: a cutoff beam, a high beam, or an adaptive beam.

[0066] Thus, in a non-limiting embodiment, a first light module 10 is configured to perform a first primary optical function fl.1, here a high beam, and a second light module 10 is configured to perform a second primary optical function fl.2, here a low beam. Therefore, in this case, the light device 1 is configured to perform two alternative lighting functions. As is known to those skilled in the art, the high beam Lx of the first light module 10 is focused along an optical axis of the first light module 10, and the low beam Lx of the second light module 10 is a beam with a cutoff. The two light beams Lx form a single beam.

[0067] Exit ice 11 is now described in detail below.

[0068] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the exit glass 11 is positioned opposite the intermediate screen 13 and the light modules 10. It serves as a closing glass for the housing 14. It is positioned directly opposite the intermediate screen 13, which is located between said exit glass 11 and the light modules 10.

[0069] In a non-limiting embodiment, the outlet glass 11 is made of transparent plastic or glass. In a non-limiting variant, it is made of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate).

[0070] The light beam Lx from each light module 10 passes through the exit glass 11 and exits towards the outside of the motor vehicle 2. As illustrated in Figure 1, the primary light rays RI of a light beam Lx enter the exit glass 11 in a direction r2 and exit from the exit glass 11 in a direction r3.

[0071] As illustrated in Figure 1, the exit glass 11 has: - an inner face 11.1, otherwise called the inner skin 11.1, facing the interior of the motor vehicle 2, - an external face 11.2, otherwise called the external skin 11.2, facing outwards from the motor vehicle 2, - a thickness el delimited by the external face 11.1 and the internal face 11.2.

[0072] The primary light rays RI propagate through the thickness el of the exit ice 11.

[0073] In a non-limiting embodiment, the exit glass 11 is curved, namely its inner face 11.1 is curved and its outer face 11.2 is curved.

[0074] In a non-limiting embodiment, the thickness el is greater than 2 millimeters (mm). In a non-limiting variant embodiment, it is approximately equal to 2.7 mm.

[0075] In a non-limiting embodiment, the exit glass 11 is a so-called neutral exit glass, meaning that it does not affect the direction of the primary light rays RI when they pass through it and exit outwards. The primary light rays RI enter through its inner face 11.1 in the direction r2 and exit through its outer face 11.2 in the direction r3.

[0076] In order to obtain a neutral exit glass 11, in a non-limiting embodiment, the inner face 11.1 is arranged so that the thickness el of the exit glass 11 varies. The outer face 11.2 represents a styling surface for the exit glass 11 as well as an aerodynamic surface. It is therefore not modified. It is the inner face 11.1 that is modified to change the thickness el. Thus, to change the thickness el, the orientation of the inner face 11.1 is locally modified to obtain a neutral effect of the exit glass 11 on the primary light rays RI, such that the primary light rays RI of said light beam Lx exit said outer face 11.2 in a direction r3 identical to or parallel to a direction r2 in which they entered through said inner face 11.1 of said exit glass 11. Thus, the inner face 11.1 comprises locally different surface orientations.These local surface orientations are a function of the local curvature of the exit ice 11, in particular the local curvature of the curve of its external face 12.2.

[0077] Modifying the thickness el of the outlet glass 11 means that the inner face 11.1 and the outer face 12.2 are not parallel to each other. In a non-limiting example, the thickness el varies between 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm, which simplifies the design of the outlet glass 11.

[0078] Locally altering the orientation of the inner face 11.1 will change the direction of the primary light rays RI. Thus, when they enter the inner face 11.1 with a direction r2, the primary light rays RI will be locally deflected by the local orientation of the inner face 11.1, which will change their direction r2. Therefore, when they pass through the exit glass 11, their direction will be different from the direction r2 with which they entered the inner face 11.1. When the primary light rays RI are again locally deflected by the curve of the outer face 12.2, they will exit the outer face 11.2 with a direction r3 identical to or parallel to the direction r2 with which they entered the inner face 11.1.

[0079] The variation in thickness el occurs along the longest dimension, namely along the length, along a longitudinal axis AY substantially perpendicular to the vehicle axis AX when the light device 1 is mounted on the motor vehicle 2. In a non-limiting embodiment, the thickness el of the output glass 11 varies gradually, also called monotonic variation, which makes the variation in thickness el imperceptible to the naked eye and prevents disturbance of the light beam Lx from the light modules 10. The variation in thickness el is very This small size eliminates the risk of internal reflections. In a non-limiting example, the variation is between 0.3 and 0.7 mm.

[0080] Thus, in a non-limiting embodiment, the thickness el increases when moving away from a wing of the motor vehicle 2, in other words it decreases when moving closer to a wing of the motor vehicle 2.

[0081] The exit glass 11 is shown from the front in Figure 5 as seen by an external observer. It is positioned in front of the intermediate screen 13, which includes the decoupling relief structure 12 on its first face 13.1, and in front of the light modules 10, which are located behind the intermediate screen 13. A first light module 10 (the one on the right) is located on the center side of the front face of the motor vehicle 2, and a second light module 10 (the one on the left) is located on the wing side of the motor vehicle 2.

[0082] In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the thickness el of the outlet ice 11 comprises: - a value vl.a equal to 3.27mm for a part 11. a of the exit glass 11 which is located opposite an end lO.a of the first light module 10, said end 10. a being located on the side of the center of the front face of the motor vehicle 2, - a vl.b value equal to 3.12mm for a part 11.b of the outlet glass 11 adjacent to part 11.a, - a vl.c value equal to 2.97 mm for a portion 11.c of the exit glass 11 adjacent to portion 11.b, said portion 11.d being located substantially opposite the center of the first light module 10, - a vl.d value equal to 2.82mm for a part 11.d of the exit glass 11 adjacent to the part 11.c, said part 11.d being substantially opposite the center of the first light module 10 and its other end lO.b and also opposite the space between the two light modules 10, - a value vl.e equal to 2.52mm for a part 11. e of the exit ice 11 adjacent to the part 11. d, said part 11. e being substantially opposite the whole of the second luminous module 10.

[0083] In figure 5, the different parts linked to the exit ice 11 are delimited by dotted lines.

[0084] Thus, the primary light rays RI that pass through the exit ice 11, now rendered neutral, will not be deflected from their direction r2 in which they entered through the exit ice 11. There are no disturbances in their trajectory due to the exit ice 11. This reduces the influence of the curved geometry of the exit glass 11 on the primary light rays RI emitted by the light modules 10. The primary optical function fl realized by the light modules 10 is thus not affected by the curved geometry of the exit glass 11.

[0085] Since the neutralization of an exit ice 11 is known to a person skilled in the art, it is not described in further detail in the description.

[0086] Intermediate screen 13 is now described in detail below.

[0087] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 1, the intermediate screen 13 is arranged between said light modules 10 and said exit glass 11.

[0088] The intermediate screen 13 is configured to perform a secondary optical function f2. In one non-limiting embodiment, the secondary optical function f2 is a signaling function. In another non-limiting embodiment, the secondary optical function f2 is an optical function that highlights the primary optical function fl.

[0089] In a non-limiting embodiment, the signaling function is: - a turn signal called in English "Turn Indicator", or - a daytime running lamp, or - a parking light called in English "Parking Lamp", or - a position light called in English "Tail", or - a stop light called in English "Stop lamp", or - a reversing light called in English "Reverse", or - a fog light called in English "Fog lamp", or - a side marker light.

[0090] As illustrated in Figure 1, the intermediate screen 13 has: - a first face 13.1 opposite the light modules 10, otherwise called the internal face 13.1, - a second face 13.2 opposite the exit ice, otherwise called the external face 13.2, - a thickness e2.

[0091] The intermediate screen 13 is curved, namely its first face 13.1 is curved and its second face 13.2 is curved.

[0092] In a non-limiting embodiment, the intermediate screen 13 is made of transparent plastic. In another non-limiting embodiment, it is made of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate). In a non-limiting embodiment, its thickness e2 is between 2 and 5 mm. This facilitates its manufacture by injection molding.

[0093] The primary light rays RI of the light beams Lx of each light module 10 enter through the first face 13.1 of the intermediate screen 13 in the direction rl and exit through the second face 13.2 of the intermediate screen 13 in the direction r2 to arrive on the exit glass 11.

[0094] As illustrated in Figure 1, the intermediate screen 13 includes the decoupling relief structure 12. In a non-limiting embodiment, the decoupling relief structure 12 is arranged on its first face 13.1.

[0095] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, in a non-limiting embodiment, the lighting device 1 further comprises secondary light sources 130, which are semiconductor light sources. In a non-limiting embodiment, each semiconductor light source is part of a light-emitting diode (LED). The term "light-emitting diode" includes any type of LED, including, but not limited to, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), OLEDs (Organic LEDs), AMOLEDs (Active-Matrix Organic LEDs), and FOLEDs (Flexible OLEDs). The secondary light sources 130 are configured to be illuminated during the day (when the primary optical functions fl are off) and at night (when the primary optical functions fl are on).

[0096] As illustrated in Figure 3, in a non-limiting embodiment, the secondary light sources 130 are arranged on a part of the perimeter 131 of the intermediate screen 13. The secondary light sources 130 and the intermediate screen 13 are arranged so that the secondary light rays R2 enter through an edge of the intermediate screen 13 separating the first face 13.1 from the second face 13.2.

[0097] The secondary light sources 130 generate secondary light rays R2 which propagate through the thickness e2 of the intermediate screen 13. The secondary light rays R2 propagate through the thickness e2 of the intermediate screen 13 by successive reflections on the faces 13.1 and 13.2 of the intermediate screen 13. The light from the secondary light sources 130 is trapped in the intermediate screen 13 by total internal reflection between the first face 13.1 and the second face 13.2 of said intermediate screen 13. The intermediate screen 13 thus acts as a light guide.

[0098] The secondary light rays R2 cooperate with the decoupling relief structure 12. The secondary light sources 130 are arranged so that the light rays secondary R2 enter the intermediate screen 13 then propagate through it by internal reflections and exit when they encounter said decoupling relief structure 12.

[0099] The decoupling relief structure 12 is configured to decouple the secondary light rays R2 generated by the secondary light sources 130. The reliefs 120 of the decoupling relief structure 12 are local modifications of the relief of the face on which it is located, namely here the first face 13.1 of the intermediate screen 13. They allow to obtain several foci of diffusion of the secondary light rays R2.

[0100] In a non-limiting embodiment, the first face 13.1 of the intermediate screen 13 comprises smooth portions 1301 and textured portions 1300 forming the decoupling texture structure 12. In a non-limiting embodiment, the surface area of ​​the first face 13.1 occupied by each of the textured portions 1300 is less than the surface area occupied by the smooth portions 1301. In a non-limiting embodiment, the smooth portions 1301 are separated by the textured portions 1300. In a non-limiting embodiment, the first face 13.1 comprises an alternation of textured portions 1300 and smooth portions 1301.

[0101] In non-limiting embodiments, the decoupling relief structure 12 comprises a plurality of: - minidisks, also known as laser-impact optical micros, and / or - micro-cones, and / or - micro-cones-prisms, and / or - mini-prisms, and / or - of the graining. Thus, the 120 reliefs are minidisks and / or microcones, and / or micro-prism cones, and / or miniprisms, and / or graining. The 120 reliefs have walls that are at least partially diffusing. The decoupling relief structure 12 thus forms a diffusion surface. Such a diffusion surface is often referred to as a micro-optical surface. By micro or mini, we mean that the 120 reliefs have, in a non-limiting embodiment: - a depth between 0.1 and 0.4 mm, - a distance between two reliefs 120 of between 0.8 and 1.25mm, - a width between 0.16mm and 0.3mm.

[0102] Figure 4 illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of relief 120 of the decoupling relief structure 12, which is a minidisk. The minidisks here form depressions relative to the substantially smooth surface of the first face 13.1. In a non-limiting embodiment, the depressions have an apparent surface area of ​​between 0.05 and 5 mm 2 In a non-limiting embodiment, The recesses have a depth on the order of several tens of microns. The distribution of the reliefs 120 of the decoupling relief structure 12 is random, regular, or follows one or more patterns. The set of patterns allows for a specific signature. Thus, in the non-limiting example of Figure 3, the signature is defined by a set of reliefs 120 forming diagonals spaced apart from each other. In non-limiting embodiments, the shape of the reliefs 120 is round, rectangular, or any other type of shape. Each relief 120 forms a scattering focus 1200. Thanks to this decoupling relief structure 12, the secondary light rays R2 located near the first face 13.1 of the intermediate screen 13, namely the so-called grazing light rays, will scatter in all directions (symbolized by the arrows in Figure 4). Each relief 120 then behaves as a secondary optical source.The 120 reliefs are positioned to minimize their impact on the primary RI light rays. Such a decoupling relief structure 12 with minidisks is known to those skilled in the art and is not described in further detail here.

[0103] Thanks to the decoupling relief structure 12, an intermediate screen effect 13 is achieved, illuminated on part or all of its surface: an observer will see the entire surface of the lighting device 1 illuminated. This creates an optical illusion that gives the impression of a three-dimensional lighting device 1, highlighting the style of the motor vehicle 2. The signature of the lighting device 1 is thus preserved, whether it is switched on or off (i.e., whether the primary optical functions fl are switched on or off).

[0104] To prevent the curved geometry of the intermediate screen 13 from affecting the primary optical function fl performed by the light modules 10 of the light device 1, namely to prevent the primary light rays RI generated by the primary light sources 100 from being deflected from their direction rl by this intermediate screen 13, said intermediate screen 13 has a non-constant thickness e2 so that the primary light rays Rl of said light beam Lx exit said second face 13.2 in a direction r2 identical or parallel to a direction rl in which they entered through said first face 13.1 of said intermediate screen 13.

[0105] Compared to the neutralization of the exit glass 11 described previously, a reverse neutralization is applied to the intermediate screen 13. The intermediate screen 13 is thus a so-called neutral intermediate screen. Indeed, here, in order to obtain a neutral intermediate screen 13, in a non-limiting embodiment, the second face 13.2 is arranged so that the thickness e2 of the intermediate screen 13 varies. Thus, to modify the thickness e2 of the intermediate screen 13, the orientation of the second face 13.2, which is the external face, is locally modified to obtain a neutral effect of the intermediate screen 13 on the primary light rays Rl. The inner face as in the case of the exit ice 11. We do not thus touch the decoupling relief structure 12 which is on the first face 13.1 of the intermediate screen 13. Thus, the outer face 13.2 includes locally different surface orientations.

[0106] Modifying the thickness e2 of the intermediate screen 13 means that the first face 13.1 and the second face 13.2 are not parallel to each other. In a non-limiting example, the thickness e2 varies between 2.1 mm and 3.5 mm, which simplifies the design of the intermediate screen 13.

[0107] Locally modifying the orientation of the second face 13.2 will allow the direction of the primary light rays RI to be varied. Thus, when they enter the first face 13.1 with a direction rl, the primary light rays RI will be locally deflected by the curvature of the first face 13.1, but when they exit the second face 13.2, the latter will locally straighten their direction rl so that they exit with a direction r2 identical to or parallel to the direction rl in which they entered the intermediate screen 13. These local surface orientations are a function of the local curvature of the curve of the intermediate screen 13, in particular the local curvature of the curve of the first face 13.1.

[0108] The variation in thickness e2 occurs along its longest dimension, namely along the longitudinal axis AY, which is substantially perpendicular to the vehicle axis AX when the lighting device 1 is mounted on the motor vehicle 2. In a non-limiting embodiment, the thickness e2 varies gradually, also known as monotonic variation, which prevents disturbance of the light beam. The variation in thickness e2 is very small, thus eliminating the risk of internal reflections. In a non-limiting example, the variation is less than 0.7 mm.

[0109] Thus, in a non-limiting embodiment, the thickness e2 increases when moving away from a wing of the motor vehicle 2, in other words it decreases when moving closer to a wing of the motor vehicle 2.

[0110] The intermediate screen 13 is illustrated in Figure 6 from the point of view of an external observer without the exit glass 11. Thus, the intermediate screen 13 is illustrated from the front without the decoupling relief structure 12, said screen being arranged in front of the light modules 10. A first light module 10 (the one on the right) is arranged on the side of the center of the front face of the motor vehicle 2 and a second light module 10 (the one on the left) is arranged on the side of the wing of the motor vehicle 2.

[0111] In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the thickness e2 comprises: - a value v2.a equal to 3.15mm for a part 13.a of the intermediate screen 13 which is located opposite an end lO.a of the first light module 10, said end 10.a being located from the middle side of the front face of motor vehicle 2, - a value v2.b equal to 2.89mm for a part 13.b of the intermediate screen 13 adjacent to part 13.a and which is located substantially opposite the center of the first luminous module 10 and the other end 10.b of said first luminous module 10, - a value v2.c equal to 2.53mm for a part 13.c of the intermediate screen 13 adjacent to part 13.b and which is substantially opposite the end 10.a of said second luminous module 10 and its center, - a value v2.d equal to 2.38mm for a part 13.d of the intermediate screen 13 adjacent to part 13.c and which is located opposite one side of the second light module 10, said side being located on the end side of the front face of the motor vehicle 2, - a value v2.e equal to 2.12mm for a part 13. e of the intermediate screen 13 adjacent to the part 13. d and which is opposite the other end 10. b of the second light module 10, said end 10. b being on the wing side of the motor vehicle 2.

[0112] Figure 7 illustrates the photometric distribution of the overall light beam of the lighting device 1, comprising the intermediate screen 13 described above and a neutral output lens 11 described previously. The overall light beam is composed of the two light beams Lx from the two light modules 10 in this non-limiting example. Thus, it consists of the high beam and the low beam in this non-limiting example. Point PO represents the cutoff of the low beam.

[0113] Figure 7 illustrates photometric curves C. Each photometric curve C has a light intensity value shown in parentheses. The further one moves away from point D shown in Figure 7, which is the point of highest light intensity, the lower the light intensity. Thus, we can observe: - at least one Cl curve with a luminous intensity of 250 Lux, - at least one C2 curve with a luminous intensity of 438 Lux, - at least one C3 curve with a luminous intensity of 1000 Lux, - at least one C4 curve with a luminous intensity of 2000 Lux, - at least one C5 curve with a luminous intensity of 3750 Lux, - at least one C6 curve with a luminous intensity of 7500 Lux, - at least one C7 curve with a luminous intensity of 10000 Lux, - at least one C8 curve with a luminous intensity of 12500 Lux, - at least one C9 curve with a luminous intensity of 15000 Lux.

[0114] As can be seen, photometry is less disturbed than: - when there is only a neutral output glass 11 and a non-neutral intermediate screen 13 which includes a decoupling relief structure 12 (figure 8), - when there is an intermediate non-neutral screen 13 which includes a decoupling relief structure 12 and a non-neutral exit glass (figure 9).

[0115] Figure 7 shows that around and above point PO (representing the interruption of the dipped beam), there is a chimney-like area (circled by dashed lines) but without a high light intensity, here 250 lux; whereas in Figures 8 and 9, around and above point PO, there is a more spread-out chimney-like area (circled by dashed lines) with high light intensities, here reaching up to 12,500 lux. In Figures 8 and 9, this chimney-like area with its high light intensities means that the light beam forming the dipped beam of lighting device 1 is no longer compliant because it is too dazzling, while in Figure 7, the light beam forming the dipped beam of lighting device 1 remains compliant.

[0116] Of course, the description of the invention is not limited to the embodiments and scope described above. Thus, in another non-limiting embodiment, the reliefs 120 have at least partially reflective walls. This allows for the creation of reflective focal points. In this case, the surface finish of the reliefs 120 will be polished. Thus, in another non-limiting embodiment, the reliefs 120 have locally reflective and locally diffusing walls. This allows for "hybrid" reflective and diffusing focal points. Thus, in a non-limiting embodiment, the lighting device 1 comprises several intermediate screens 13, each intermediate screen 13 having its own distribution and / or type of reliefs 120. Thus, in another non-limiting embodiment, the minidisks of the decoupling relief structure 12 are replaced by miniprisms.Thus, in another embodiment, instead of being part of the first face 13.1 of the intermediate screen 13, the decoupling relief structure 12 is part of the second face 13.2 of the intermediate screen 13, namely it is arranged on the external face 13.2. In this case, in a non-limiting embodiment variant, the decoupling relief structure 12 has graining to realize a secondary optical function f2 which is a signature function.

[0117] Thus, the described invention offers the following advantages in particular: - it avoids modifying the first face 13.1 of the intermediate screen 13 on which the decoupling relief structure 12 is built. It thus avoids having to redefine the distribution and / or type of reliefs 120 which would have to be done each time the first face 13.1 is modified, - it avoids modifying the external face 11.2 of the exit glass 11 and thus allows the style to be maintained of motor vehicle 2, - Placing the decoupling relief structure 12 on the intermediate screen 13, rather than on the output glass 11, neutralizes the intermediate screen 13, as it is not bound by any particular style. This allows manipulation of the orientation of one of its faces, in this case the second face 13.2, which does not bear the decoupling relief structure 12; thus, neither the curved shape of the intermediate screen 13 nor the decoupling relief structure 12 influences the direction of the primary light rays RI generated by the light module(s) 10. - Placing the decoupling relief structure 12 on the intermediate screen 13 and not on the output glass 11 also makes it easy to neutralize the output glass 11 without altering its style; thus the curved shape of the output glass 11 does not affect the direction of the light rays generated by the light module(s) 10, - it allows to have one or more effective primary optical functions fl which are not disturbed by the decoupling relief structure 12.

Claims

Demands

1. A lighting device (1) for a vehicle (2), said lighting device (1) comprising: - at least one light module (10) configured to generate primary light rays (RI) forming a light beam (Lx), - an exit ice cream (11), - a decoupling relief structure (12), characterized in that said luminous device (1) further comprises: - an intermediate screen (13) comprising said decoupling relief structure (12), said intermediate screen (13) being disposed between said at least one light module (10) and said exit glass (11), and having a first face (13.1) opposite said at least one light module (10) and a second face (13.2) opposite said exit glass (11), - said decoupling relief structure (12) being disposed on the first face (13.1) of said intermediate screen (13), said intermediate screen (13) having a non-constant thickness (e2) so that the primary light rays (RI) of said light beam (Lx) exit from said second face (13.2) of said intermediate screen (13) in a direction (r2) identical or parallel to a direction (rl) in which they entered through said first face (13.1) of said intermediate screen (13).

2. Light device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said second face (13.2) of said intermediate screen (13) comprises locally different surface orientations.

3. Light device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said exit glass (11) is a neutral glass.

4. Light device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said thickness (e2) of said intermediate screen (13) varies between 2.1 and 3.5 millimeters.

5. Light device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said thickness (e2) of said intermediate screen (13) varies progressively.

6. A light device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness (e2) of said intermediate screen (13) decreases towards the side intended to be closest to the wing of the motor vehicle.

7. Light device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one light module (10) comprises at least one primary light source (100) configured to generate said primary light rays (Rl).

8. Lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lighting device (1) further comprises secondary light sources (130) configured to generate secondary light rays (R2), the secondary light sources (130) being arranged so that the secondary light rays (R2) enter the intermediate screen (13) and then propagate through it by internal reflections and exit when they encounter said decoupling relief structure (12).

9. Light device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary light source(s) (100) and / or secondary light sources (130) are semiconductor light sources.

10. A light device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said decoupling relief structure (12) comprises reliefs (120) which are: - minidisks, also known as optical micros obtained by laser impact, and / or - micro-cones, and / or - micro-cone-prisms, and / or - mini-prisms, and / or - of the graining.

11. A lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one lighting module (10) is configured to perform a primary optical function (fl) which is a lighting function or a signaling function, and said intermediate screen (13) is configured to perform a secondary optical function (f2) which is a signaling function.

12. A lighting device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one lighting module (10) is configured to perform a primary optical function (fl) which is a lighting function.

13. Lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting module is a lighting module generating at least one of the beams selected from: a cut-off beam, a road beam or an adaptive beam.

14. Light device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said light device (1) is a front projector.

15. Light device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said light device (1) is a rear light.

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