Light module for lighting a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a light module for lighting and / or signaling a motor vehicle, said module comprising first means (2) arranged to produce a first cut-off beam (11) and second means (6) arranged to produce at least two light segments (34) which can be selectively activated, the light segments forming a second beam (13) complementary to the cut-off beam, when they are activated simultaneously.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of lighting and / or signaling, in particular for motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a lighting and / or signaling module for a motor vehicle.

[0002] A motor vehicle is equipped with headlamps, or headlights, intended to illuminate the road in front of the vehicle, at night or in reduced light conditions. These headlamps can generally be used in two lighting modes: a first "high beam" mode and a second "low beam" mode. The "high beam" mode allows the road to be brightly illuminated far in front of the vehicle. The "low beam" mode provides more limited illumination of the road, but still offers good visibility, without dazzling other road users. These two lighting modes are complementary, and one switches from one to the other depending on traffic conditions. Switching from one mode to the other can be done manually, the driver deciding when to switch, or it can be done automatically, depending on the detection by appropriate means of conditions required for such a change of lighting mode.

[0003] For switching from "dipped beam" to "main beam", headlights are known in which a light module integrates a movable mechanical element, designed to participate in the formation of a particular beam at the request of the driver or the associated control system. Document DE 10 2006 042 749 discloses a lighting device for a vehicle headlight comprising an LED light source, an elliptical type reflector in a half-space with two foci. The LED source is placed at the first focus of the reflector close to the latter. The light emitted by the LED source is reflected by the reflector towards its second focus where a reflective surface called a folding surface is positioned. This reflective surface has an edge on the reflector side and an edge on the side opposite the reflector. These edges are called "cut-off edges".Part of the light beam reflected by the reflector hits the reflecting surface and is reflected at its angle of incidence on the surface. Another part of the light beam passes over the cut-off edge(s) and is not deflected by the reflecting surface. The cut-off edge thus defines a boundary between the reflected and therefore deflected part of the beam and the unreflected part. A lens is positioned behind the reflecting surface so that its focus corresponds to that of the elliptical reflector. The reflecting surface with its cut-off edge(s) is called a bending member because it bends or "bends" part of the beam to form a cut-off in the beam emitted by the lens. The bending member is movable along an axis parallel to the optical axis of the reflector. This mobility allows the "high beam" or "high beam" function to be performed and the "low beam" or "dipped beam" function to be performed.It is understandable that projectors of this type involve internal mechanics in the module which require great precision and which induce a significant manufacturing cost.

[0004] Furthermore, there is a need in the automotive field to be able to illuminate the road ahead in "partial road lighting mode", namely to generate in a main beam one or more dark areas corresponding to the locations where there are oncoming vehicles or vehicles driving in front, so as to avoid dazzling other drivers while illuminating the road in its largest area. Such a function is called ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam in English) or "selective beam". Such an ADB function is intended to automatically detect a road user likely to be dazzled by a lighting beam emitted in main beam mode by a headlight, and to modify the contour of this lighting beam so as to create a shadow zone at the location where the detected user is located.The advantages of the ADB function are numerous: ease of use, better visibility compared to low beam mode, better reliability when changing modes, significantly reduced risk of glare, safer driving.

[0005] The invention falls within this dual context of the presence of a "selective beam" function on the one hand, and a complementarity of "low beam" and "high beam" modes on the other hand, the invention having the objective of proposing a motor vehicle headlight whose lighting and / or signaling functions are at least as efficient as previously, and this for improved compactness and at lower cost.

[0006] For this purpose, the invention relates to a light module comprising first means arranged to produce a cut-off beam and second means arranged to produce at least two selectively activatable light segments, the light segments forming a beam complementary to the cut-off beam, when they are activated simultaneously.

[0007] Advantageously, the first and second means are arranged so as to arrange the shape of the beams at the output of the module. The first means may be arranged so that the cut-off of the cut-off beam is generally horizontal, and the second means may be arranged so that each light segment has at least one vertical edge. It is particularly advantageous for the module to be arranged so that the light segments are superimposed on the generally horizontal cut-off of the cut-off beam, or else that they partially cover this cut-off.

[0008] According to different characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination: a projection device, comprising a focal zone, and in particular a focal plane, may be arranged on the path of said beams; the projection device may in particular comprise one or more lenses and / or one or more reflectors; the first means consist of a first sub-module arranged to produce a code-type beam, in particular having an oblique cut-off portion: it may be possible, as a variant, to provide for the cut-off to be devoid of an oblique cut-off portion, to be entirely flat, or even to have a vertical step; the first sub-module comprises an optical element and at least a first light source, the optical element being capable of deflecting rays emitted by the first light source towards the projection device;the optical element comprises at least one concave reflector portion of generally ellipsoidal type having at least a first focus and a focusing point, the first light source being arranged at the first focus in such a way that a majority of light rays emitted by the first light source are reflected by the reflector portion in the vicinity of the focusing point: it may be provided that the optical element comprises several concave reflector portions of generally ellipsoidal type each having a first focus and a focusing point; ; the first sub-module further comprises a cover, in particular a reflective cover, to form a means for cutting off the beam of rays emitted by the light source; the cover comprises an edge arranged in the focal zone of the projection device, the edge being carried by an edge of the cover joining upper and lower faces of the cover; the edge is located at the focal point of the reflector portion of the first sub-module: where appropriate, when an optical element has been provided comprising several reflector portions, the cut-off edge advantageously passes through all the focal points of all the reflector portions of the first sub-module.the edge has a curved profile, in particular by having a step shape substantially in the center of the cut-off edge: the curved step-shaped profile may for example have two straight parts offset from each other by a projection located in the central part of this cut-off edge, to form, in association with the rays reflected by the reflector of the first sub-module, the code type beam having an oblique cut-off portion. the second means consist of a second sub-module in which at least two second selectively activatable light sources are capable of emitting, simultaneously or alternately, light rays: for example, each second light source is capable of emitting light rays intended to form a light segment, all of the light segments formed by the second sources forming the second complementary beam.the second sub-module comprises complementary means arranged to cooperate with the second light sources so as to form images of these sources at the focal zone of the projection device, these images being intended to be projected by the projection device to form said light segments; the complementary means are arranged so that the images have edges arranged so as to be adjacent to the cut-off edge: the complementary means are therefore arranged so that each light segment has at least one edge, in particular a lower edge, the profile of which is complementary to a portion of the profile of the cut-off of the cut-off beam. the complementary means are arranged so as to be in contact with the mask; it is advantageous in this case to provide that the complementary means are in contact with the mask only in the vicinity of the focal zone.

[0009] According to a series of characteristics of an embodiment of the invention, the complementary means may comprise a plate carrying a luminescent material and the second light sources are then oriented so as to illuminate the luminescent material carried by said plate: it is understood that by luminescent material, we mean here a material capable of diffusing light and at the same time of carrying out a photoluminescence operation, for example fluorescence or phosphorescence, in order to transform a part of the radiation coming from the source into radiation located in another wavelength range in such a way that the mixture between the original radiation and the converted radiation gives a white color. As a non-limiting example, we can have a diode emitting blue light and a phosphor re-emitting yellow radiation, the combination of the two radiations giving a white color.Furthermore, the second light sources may be laser diodes. Alternatively, the second light sources may be light-emitting diodes provided with collimating optics.

[0010] The plate may be a glass plate having phosphor pellets therein, the second light sources being targeted at the phosphor pellets; the plate carrying the luminescent material may be arranged in the focal zone; the plate has an edge whose profile is complementary to the profile of the edge of the cover, the luminescent material carried by the plate being adjacent to the curved profile of the edge of the cover.

[0011] According to another series of characteristics, the complementary means may comprise optical guides associated respectively with one of the second light sources, each optical guide having an input face and an output face so as to guide the light emitted by the associated second light source from the input face to the output face: by way of example, each light source may be formed by one or more semiconductor emissive chips, this or these chips being arranged opposite the input face of the associated optical guide; each optical guide may be arranged to form an image of the associated second light source at the output face of this guide, this output face being arranged at the focal zone of the projection device; the output face of each optical guide may be arranged to be in contact with the cover, the contact edge between each output face and the cover being in the focal zone;each optical guide may comprise a lower face and an upper face which extend between the ends of the input face and the output face, the lower face being turned away from the cover while the upper face is turned towards the cover, said lower face being a reflection face, for example having a substantially elliptical shape of which a first focus coincides with the location of the second light source and of which a second focus is located at the level of the output face: for example, the lower reflection face has a section whose profile is at least partially substantially elliptical; the second focus of the reflection face is located at the level of the joining edge of the upper face and the output face, at the point of contact with the cover.;

[0012] Advantageously, the optical guides are arranged so that their respective downstream portion, carrying the output face, are joined against each other and their respective upstream portion, carrying the input face, are spaced transversely from each other. For example, the optical guides may be arranged in series in a fan-shaped arrangement.

[0013] Depending on various characteristics, taken alone or in combination, it may be provided that all the guides are made in a single piece. Or each of the optical guides can be made individually and the guides are mounted relative to each other, in particular by gluing at the level of their downstream portion. In both cases, the downstream portions of two adjacent optical guides join upstream of the focal zone, to form a common area of ​​overlap of the images formed by each guide. In this way, the common area of ​​the guides extends from a junction area upstream of the focal zone to the output face, at the level of the focal zone.

[0014] It may be provided that the optical guides are mounted on a fixing support carried by the cover. For example, it may be provided that the transverse ends of the fixing support are fixed at the transverse ends of the cover.

[0015] The optical guides can be made of a material allowing the propagation of light rays by internal reflection from the entry face to the exit face, for example polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or silicone or glass.

[0016] According to various characteristics of the invention, the light module advantageously comprises first means arranged to produce a cut-off beam and second means arranged to produce at least two selectively activatable light segments; the first and second light sources corresponding to the first and second means can be arranged on a common support which extends between the two sub-modules; this common support then consists of a means for thermally cooling the light sources, the first and second light sources being arranged on either side of the common support; the first and second light sources are respectively associated with a printed circuit board, the common support carrying the printed circuit boards;the first and second light sources are mounted directly on the thermal cooling means: by "directly mounted" is meant that the light sources are mounted without the intermediary of a printed circuit.;

[0017] It may be provided that the additional means as presented previously are arranged at a distance from the cover, and that these additional means may then comprise a lens or a reflector.

[0018] According to the invention, it is advantageous if the two sub-modules are arranged in the same housing.

[0019] The invention also relates to a lighting system comprising at least one module as just described and control means for switching on, switching off or modifying the light power emitted by the first means and the second means of the light module. The same control means can control the first and second means of the module.

[0020] The lighting system may further comprise a module for detecting a body on the road that is not to be dazzled, said detection module being capable of sending detection information to said control means which turn on, turn off or modify the light power emitted by at least the second means as a function of this detection information.

[0021] Advantageously, the control means of the lighting system are arranged, when a body not to be dazzled is detected by the detection module, to turn on or increase or keep the lighting of the first means so that the cut-off beam illuminates the road, to turn off or decrease or keep the extinction of the second means whose light segments could dazzle said body not to be dazzled and to turn on or increase or keep the lighting of the second means whose light segments avoid dazzling said body not to be dazzled.

[0022] A lighting system of this type can advantageously be provided with at least two modules, one of the modules being arranged in a left projector, the other module being arranged in a right projector; the modules are arranged relative to each other in such a way that at least one segment produced by one of the modules covers at least one segment produced by the other of the modules.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent from the description and the drawings, among which: there figure 1 is a side view of a light module according to the invention, for lighting and / or signaling a motor vehicle, in which a first sub-module is arranged above a second sub-module, the module further comprising a projection device not visible in the figure; figure 2 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 in which the first sub-module, a cache and an optical guide were kept; the figure 3 is a view similar to that of the figure 2 in which the cover has been removed; the figure 4 is a front view, slightly above, of the module illustrated in the figure 2 ; there figure 5 is a top view of the guide and its fixing support, as well as the cover covering the guide; figure 6 is a perspective view of the guide and its mounting bracket; figure 7 is a side view similar to that of the figure 1 , in which the projection device is visible, as well as the path of the light rays emitted by the light sources; and the figure 8 is a schematic representation of the complementarity of the beams emitted by the sub-modules of the light module according to the invention.

[0024] A light module for lighting and / or signaling a motor vehicle comprises, according to the invention, first means 2 arranged to produce a cut-off beam, an optical projection device 4 arranged on the path of this beam, at the output of the module, as well as second means 6 arranged to produce a beam complementary to the cut-off beam, when the first means and the second means are activated simultaneously.

[0025] An example of a projection device is illustrated in the figure 7 . This is a lens 8 arranged axially upstream of the first and second means. It is understood that the projection device may have other forms known elsewhere, and for example be made up of one or more lenses and / or one or more reflectors.

[0026] The projection device has a focal zone, in particular a focal plane P represented by dotted lines in some of the figures and the position of the different elements of the projection device is precisely determined to obtain reliable positioning of this focal plane.

[0027] The first means and the second means are, in the orientation of the module illustrated in the figures, arranged one above the other, respectively forming a first sub-module 10 and a second sub-module 12 arranged in the same housing of the module, and each comprising at least one light source.

[0028] The module also comprises a common support 14 for the light sources corresponding to the first and second means, the common support extending between the two sub-modules. The common support advantageously forms a means of thermal cooling of the light sources arranged on either side of this common support.

[0029] It is understood that the module according to the invention can take another orientation than that described and illustrated and in which the two sub-modules are arranged vertically one above the other. The sub-modules could for example be arranged horizontally one next to the other as long as a common support separates the two sub-modules.

[0030] The first sub-module comprises a light source 16, a reflector 18 which is capable of deflecting rays emitted by the light source towards the projection device, as well as a cover 20, in particular reflective, to form a means of cutting off the beam of rays emitted by the light source.

[0031] The light source 16 consists of a semiconductor source, for example a light-emitting diode fixed on a printed circuit board. In this case, the printed circuit board is fixed on the common support 14 separating the two sub-modules.

[0032] The reflector 18 is of the elliptical type. It comprises two foci, an optical axis and a substantially elliptical internal reflecting surface 22. The light source 16 emits the majority of its light energy towards the internal reflecting face and it is arranged in the vicinity of the first focus of the reflector 18. The entire first sub-module 10 is arranged so that the second focus is included in the focal plane P of the optical projection device 4, it being understood that it could be, without departing from the context of the invention, substantially in the vicinity of this focal plane.

[0033] The cover 20 is located between the reflector 18 and the optical projection device 4. It consists of a plate which extends parallel to the junction plane of the two sub-modules, here substantially horizontally. The cover comprises a central reflection zone 24, as well as means for fixing to the module which are arranged laterally at each of the ends 26 of the plate. The central reflection zone has a reflective upper face 28, a lower face and two longitudinal end edges among which the front edge, facing the projection device, forms a cut-off edge 30 arranged in the vicinity of the second focus of the reflector. The cover thus creates a horizontal cut-off of the beam and the concentration of the rays under this cut-off for the production of the beam corresponding to the "low beam" mode.

[0034] In accordance with what has been described previously, the cut-off edge 30 is arranged in the focal plane P of the projection device (visible on the figure 7 ). The cutting edge 30 has a curved profile (notably visible on the figure 4 ), in particular by presenting a step shape substantially in the center of the cut-off edge. The central reflection zone 24 is thus composed of two distinct parts vertically offset from each other, an inclined plane 32, for example of 15° or 45°, connecting them to form said step.

[0035] The operating principle of the first lighting sub-module is as follows: since the light source 16 is arranged at the first focus of the reflector 18, the majority of the rays emitted by the source, shown in solid lines on the figure 7 , after being reflected on the internal face of the reflector, is returned towards the second focus or in the vicinity of it. They then pass through the lens 8 (or are reflected on a complementary reflector) and they exit the lighting module in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.

[0036] However, if the use of a diode allows the light emission to be focused, rays at the periphery of the source can be emitted. Thus, rays can, after being reflected on the internal face of the reflector, go beyond the cut-off. The role of the mask is to limit the number of these rays by allowing their reflection on the upper reflective surface of the mask before crossing the optical element. It is understood that without the reflection on the mask, the peripheral rays would have been unexploited.

[0037] The second sub-module 12 is arranged to produce a second beam 13 complementary to the first beam 11 produced by the first sub-module 10, as illustrated in the figure 8 . This complementary beam consists here of a selective beam allowing the realization of a non-dazzling main beam function. A complementary beam is understood to mean a beam which forms with the beam produced by the first sub-module a coherent beam when the two sub-modules are controlled to simultaneously produce the emission of the light beam specific to them.

[0038] According to the invention, the beam emitted by the second sub-module is selective, that is to say that the beam is divided into several portions 34, which can be switched on or off selectively according to the control instructions of the light sources of the second sub-module. These beam portions can take, indifferently for the invention, the form of straight rectilinear bands or for example the form of spots whose outline is less defined than that of the segments.

[0039] The lighting function performed by each beam portion 34 can, in all these cases, be switched off or attenuated to form a non-dazzling zone for a vehicle driver detected in the road scene upstream of the vehicle, while still making it possible to maintain good lighting conditions for the rest of the road scene.

[0040] In the following description, the beam portions of the complementary beam take the form of segments, and more particularly of three beam segments.

[0041] The second sub-module 12 comprises on the one hand three light sources 36 which can be selectively activated to emit, simultaneously or alternately, light rays, and on the other hand optical guides 38 arranged to cooperate with the light sources so as to form images of these sources at the focal plane P of the optical projection device 4, so that these images can be projected by the projection device at the output of the module. Each beam portion segment 34 is obtained by the cooperation of a light source 36 and an associated optical guide 38.

[0042] The light sources each consist of a semiconductor source, for example a light-emitting diode fixed to a printed circuit board. In this case, and as may be the case for the printed circuit board associated with the light-emitting diode of the first sub-module, the printed circuit board is fixed to the common support 14 separating the two sub-modules.

[0043] In the illustrated example, as will be described, there are three light sources, but it will be understood that at least two light sources should be selectively activatable to form a complementary beam 13 capable of performing a non-dazzling main beam function in which one of the segments of the complementary beam can be switched off or attenuated in the event of detection of a vehicle in the area illuminated by this segment.

[0044] Each optical guide 38 has an input face 40 and an output face 42 so as to guide the light from the input face to the output face. The optical guides further comprise a lower face, called a reflection face, 44 and an upper face, called a front face, 46 which extend between the ends of the input face and the output face, the reflection face being turned away from the cover while the front face is turned towards the cover 20.

[0045] The optical guides 38 are arranged so as to be in contact with the cover 20. They are oriented so as to be in contact with the cover only in the vicinity of the focal plane P of the optical projection device. As illustrated, it is the front face 46 of each optical guide which is in contact with the cover 20, the contact line 48 between each front face and the cover being in the focal plane.

[0046] The reflection face 44 has a substantially elliptical shape, a first focus of which coincides with the location of the light source 36 and a second focus of which, called the focusing focus, is located at the level of the adjoining edge of the front face 46 and the exit face 42, at the point of contact with the cover, so that, as can be seen on the figure 7 , the light rays reflected in the optical guides (represented by dotted lines) exit the guide mainly at the top of the exit face. Part of these rays directly reaches the lens in the upper part while another part is reflected by a lower face of the cover to reach the lens in the lower part (see the thicker line).

[0047] The optical guides 38 are arranged in a transverse series, in the same number as the light sources 36, each guide being arranged opposite one of these light sources. As can be seen in particular in the figure 4 , the series of three guides is arranged so as to be offset transversely relative to the center of the module. We understand that this transverse offset is here due to the fact that there are two projectors, on the left and right of the vehicle. The superposition of the two left and right beams must give a complete complementary main beam. To achieve the width of this beam, the guides are therefore offset transversely relative to the center of the lens so as to obtain an offset left or right beam and then the two beams are superimposed.

[0048] One of the guides, arranged at one of the transverse ends of the series, has an outlet face whose upper edge, that is to say the edge adapted to be in contact with the cover, is trimmed to have a shape cooperating with the inclined plane 32 forming the step of the cover.

[0049] The optical guides are arranged in a transverse series perpendicular to the emission axis of the rays at the output of the module, and they are arranged in a fan-shaped arrangement. A fan-shaped arrangement is understood to mean an arrangement according to which the respective downstream portions of the optical guides, carrying the output faces 42, are glued against each other and the respective upstream portions, carrying the input faces 40, are spaced transversely from each other.

[0050] It is understood that to allow the guidance of light rays inside the guides, these are made of a material allowing the diffusion of light rays by internal reflection from the entry face to the exit face. Such a material could for example consist of polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), silicone or glass.

[0051] Each of the guides 38 is produced individually and the guides are mounted relative to each other, on a fixing support 50. The guides are here fixed to each other, in particular by gluing at the level of their downstream end portion, corresponding to their light ray exit face, and the spacing of the guides relative to one another at their upstream portion, corresponding to their light ray entry face, is ensured by the fixing of each guide to the support.

[0052] The fixing support 50 here takes the form of a transverse plate 52 whose transverse ends 54 are here fixed at the level of the transverse ends 26 of the cover 20, said plate carrying the guides at their downstream end, as well as a frame 56 on which tabs 58 made of the same material as the frame allow the fixing of the guides at their upstream portion.

[0053] The downstream portions of the optical guides 38 are pressed against each other over a determined distance to form an overlap zone. The output faces of each guide being arranged substantially in line with the cut-off edge 30 of the mask 20, that is to say substantially in the vicinity of the focal plane P of the optical projection device, it is understood that the overlap zones of the images formed by each guide are arranged upstream of the focal plane, which makes it possible to project a complementary beam whose different portions are smoothed to avoid vertical cutting, in the case of segmentation of the beam, which is too sharp.

[0054] In a variant not illustrated, all of the guides can be made in a single piece, which retains the fan shape with three entry faces respectively at a distance from each other and three conduits each opening onto a common exit face, it being understood that this part will be, as has been previously described, formed from a material transparent to light and allowing the diffusion of the light rays emitted by the diodes arranged opposite the entry faces.

[0055] The optical guides act as complementary means to the light sources of the second sub-module. It should be noted that, according to the invention, the complementary means are arranged in the second sub-module so that the images they form of the light sources have edges arranged so as to be adjacent to the profile of the cut-off edge. In the case of the optical guides described in the illustrated example, the complementary means are in contact with the mask. They are oriented so as to be in contact with the mask only in the vicinity of the focal plane.

[0056] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the complementary means consist of a plate carrying phosphor, and the light sources consist of laser diodes oriented so as to illuminate the phosphor carried by said plate. The plate is a glass plate in which phosphor pellets are integrated, the laser diodes being targeted on these phosphor pellets. The plate carrying the phosphor is arranged in the focal plane. The plate has an edge whose profile is complementary to the profile of the cut-off edge of the cover, the phosphor carried by the plate being adjacent to the curved profile of the cut-off edge.

[0057] According to other variants, the complementary means can be arranged at a distance from the cover, in particular when these complementary means consist of a lens, and / or a reflector, arranged so that the rays coming from the light source which it returns pass in the vicinity of the second focus of the first sub-module to form a coherent overall beam at the output of the module.

[0058] Regardless of the embodiment variant chosen, it is particularly advantageous to propose a lighting system comprising at least two lighting modules as just described. These modules are distributed so that at least one of the modules is arranged in a left headlight of the vehicle, and at least one of the modules is arranged in the corresponding right headlight. In each headlight, a plurality of lighting modules may be provided. The modules are arranged relative to each other, whether within the same headlight, or between the two headlights, so that at least one beam portion, for example a segment, produced by one of the modules covers at least one beam portion, in the example a segment, produced by another of the modules.

[0059] The lighting system also includes control means for switching on, switching off or modifying the light power emitted by each light source of each module. These control means may be specific to each module or consist of unique control means, provided that the control of each light source of the system can be simultaneous.

[0060] The lighting system further comprises a module for detecting a body on the road that is not to be dazzled. This detection module consists, for example, of a camera facing the road scene extending in front of the vehicle, and of associated image processing means, which allow the development of detection information that the detection module is capable of sending to the control means for switching on, switching off or modifying the light power emitted by each light source as a function of this detection information.

[0061] The preceding description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives it has set itself and in particular to propose a light module which makes it possible to combine in the same module, and without moving mechanical parts, the function of a non-dazzling main beam light with a dipped beam function.

Claims

1. Light module for lighting and / or signaling a motor vehicle, said module comprising first means (2) arranged to produce a first cut-off beam (11) and second means (6) arranged to produce at least two light segments (34) which can be selectively activated, the light segments forming a second beam (13) complementary to the cut-off beam, when they are activated simultaneously.

2. Light module according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a projection device (4) arranged on the path of said beams (11, 13), said projection device comprising a focal zone, in particular a focal plane (P).

3. Light module according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first means (2) consist of a first sub-module (10) arranged to produce a code type beam, in particular having an oblique cut-off portion.

4. Light module according to claim 3, characterized in that the first sub-module (10) further comprises a cover (20), in particular reflective, to form a means of cutting off the beam of rays emitted by the light source (16).

5. Light module according to claim 4, characterized in that the cover (20) has an edge (30) arranged in the focal zone (P) of the projection device (4).

6. Light module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second means (6) consist of a second sub-module (12) in which at least two second selectively activatable light sources (36) are capable of emitting, simultaneously or alternately, light rays.

7. Light module according to claim 6 in combination with one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in thatthe second sub-module (12) comprises complementary means arranged to cooperate with the second light sources (36) so as to form images of these sources at the focal zone (P) of the projection device (4), these images being intended to be projected by the projection device to form said light segments (34).

8. Light module according to claim 7 in combination with claim 5, characterized in that the complementary means are arranged so that the images have edges arranged to be adjacent to the edge (30).

9. Light module according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the additional means comprise a plate carrying a luminescent material and in that the second light sources (36) are oriented so as to illuminate said luminescent material carried by said plate.

10. Light module according to claim 9, characterized in thatthe plate carrying the luminescent material is arranged in the focal zone (P).

11. Light module according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the complementary means comprise optical guides (38) associated respectively with one of the second light sources (36), each optical guide having an entry face (40) and an exit face (42) so as to guide the light emitted by the associated second light source from the entry face to the exit face.

12. Light module according to claim 11, in which each optical guide (38) is arranged to form an image of the second light source (36) associated at the level of the output face (42) of this guide, this output face being arranged at the level of the focal zone (P) of the projection device (4).

13. Light module according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in thatthe optical guides (38) are arranged so that their respective downstream portion, carrying the output face (42), are joined against each other and so that their respective upstream portion, carrying the input face (40), are spaced transversely from each other.

14. Light module according to claim 13, characterized in that the set of optical guides (38) is made in a single piece.

15. Light module according to claim 14, characterized in that the downstream portions of two adjacent optical guides (38) join upstream of the focal zone (P), to form a common zone of overlap of the images formed by each guide.

16. Light module comprising first means (2) arranged to produce a first cut-off beam (11) according to one of claims 3 to 5 and second means (6) arranged to produce at least two selectively activatable light segments according to one of claims 6 to 15.

17. Light module according to claim 16, characterized in that the first and second light sources (16, 36) corresponding to the first means (2) and to the second means (6) are arranged on a common support (14) which extends between the two sub-modules (10, 12).

18. Lighting system comprising at least one light module according to one of the preceding claims and control means for switching on, switching off or modifying the light power emitted by the first means (2) and the second means (6) of the light module.

Images