Signalling module, signalling device, and associated methods

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a signalling module (1) of a signalling device, the signalling device being capable of acting as an indicator light, comprising: - a transparent film (5) having a light entry face (6); - a first light source (S1); - a first light guide (G1) which is arranged facing the light entry face (6), the first light source (S1) being arranged so as to illuminate the first light guide (G1); - a second light source (S2); and - a second light guide (G2) which is arranged facing the light entry face (6), the transparent film (5) being a multilayer structure comprising at least one first layer (C1) having first micro-etchings which form a first pattern (M1), and a second layer (C2) having second micro-etchings which form a second pattern (M2) which is different from the first pattern (M1).

Description

Signaling module, signaling device, and associated methods TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of automotive lighting and signaling.

[0002] The present invention relates to a signaling module, an associated signaling device for a motor vehicle, a method for changing a signature and a method for switching a signaling device from a direction indicator function to a daytime running light function. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the field of lighting and signaling of motor vehicles, different types of devices are known, among which we find in particular: - signaling devices located at the front of the vehicle with, in particular, position lights, direction indicators and DRL (Daytime Running Light, in Anglo-Saxon terms) or daytime running lights (integrated or not into the headlights performing the lighting functions mentioned above), and - signaling devices located at the rear of the vehicle with, in particular, fog lights, rear lights, direction indicators and brake lights.

[0004] Traditionally, direction indicators, or turn signals, emit an orange light when activated. Most often, these indicators include a housing with an opening and an orange-colored closing lens. The orange-colored closing lens is therefore part of the aesthetics of the vehicle on which the direction indicator is installed.

[0005] There is a desire to make the appearance of the direction indicators imperceptible when not in use, so that they do not disturb the exterior appearance of the vehicles.

[0006] There is also a desire to personalize the appearance of the signaling devices when they are switched on, in other words to give them a specific signature, for example to a given model.

[0007] The invention provides a solution to the problems mentioned above, allowing the appearance of traffic lights to be customized while making them invisible when not activated.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to a signaling module for a signaling device, said signaling device being capable of acting as a direction indicator, the signaling module comprising:- a transparent film having a light entry face,- a first light source,- a second light source,- a first light guide arranged opposite the light entry face,- the first light source being arranged so as to illuminate the first light guide,- the signaling module further comprising a second light guide arranged opposite the light entry face,- the second light source being arranged so as to illuminate the second light guide,- the signaling module further comprising an electrical control circuit configured to control the switching on of an active light source chosen from the first light source and the second light source,- the transparent film being a multilayer structure comprising at least a first layer with first microengravings forming a first pattern and a second layer with second microengravings forming a second pattern different from the first pattern,- the entry face being configured to bring light rays from the first light source into the first layer when it is lit, and guided in the first light guide so as to illuminate the first pattern,- the entry face being configured to bring light rays from the second light source into the second layer when it is lit, and guided in the second light guide so as to illuminate the second pattern.,

[0009] .

[0010] Thanks to the invention, due to the presence of the transparent film, the signaling module does not affect the aesthetics of a vehicle on which it is installed, and is visible only when it is activated, that is to say when the first light source is switched on. Furthermore, it is possible to change the signature of a signaling device acting as a direction indicator on which the signaling module is installed by switching from the illumination of the first pattern to that of the second pattern by switching on the first light source and the second light source in turn.

[0011] Advantageously, the signaling device signaling module further comprises:- N light sources,- N light guides arranged opposite the light entry face,the N light guides being superimposed with the first light guide and the second light guide,the multilayer structure further comprising N layers, each of the N layers comprising micro-engravings forming a pattern different from the first pattern and the second pattern,the entry face being configured to cause rays from a corresponding light source among the N light sources to enter into each of the N layers and guided in a corresponding light guide among the N light guides. In other words, each pattern of each of the N layers is different.Thus, the signaling module presents N+2 different signatures which can be chosen by switching on the light source, among the N light sources and the first and second light source, corresponding to the layer of the desired pattern.

[0012] Advantageously, the active light source is chosen from the first light source, the second light source, and the N light sources. Thus, preferably, only one light source is lit at a time, allowing the illumination of a particular pattern.

[0013] Advantageously, the first light source, the second light source, and the N light sources are configured to emit sometimes a white light, sometimes an orange light. This configuration allows the signaling module to emit either an orange light beam, so that a signaling device capable of acting as a direction indicator and daytime running light on which it is installed acts as a direction indicator, or a white light beam, so that a signaling device capable of acting as a direction indicator and daytime running light on which it is installed acts as a daytime running light. The signaling module is thus bi-functional.

[0014] Advantageously, the control circuit is further configured to control the color of the light emitted by the active light source.

[0015] A second aspect of the invention relates to a signaling device for a motor vehicle comprising a housing with an opening and a glass for closing the housing, and at least one signaling module according to one of the preceding claims, the housing and the closing glass defining an interior volume, the lighting module being placed in the interior volume, so that at least part of the light leaving the lighting module leaves the lighting device through the closing glass.

[0016] Advantageously, the signaling device is a direction indicator when the active light source is on and emits an orange light.

[0017] Advantageously, the signaling device is a daytime running light when the active light source is on and emits white light.

[0018] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for changing the signature of a signaling device comprising a signaling module comprising one of the preceding characteristics and an electrical control circuit configured to control the switching on of an active light source chosen from among the first light source, the second light source, and the N light sources, said signature corresponding to a pattern chosen from among the first pattern, the second pattern, and the patterns of the N layers, the method comprising a step of switching on the active light source by the control circuit, said active light source corresponding to the layer of the chosen pattern.

[0019] A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method for switching a signaling device from a direction indicator function to a daytime running light function and vice versa, said signaling device comprising a signaling module comprising one of the preceding characteristics as well as a control circuit is further configured to control the color of the light emitted by the active light source, the method comprising, when the active light source is on, a step of controlling, by the control circuit, the change from the orange color to the white color, and vice versa.

[0020] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0021] The figures are presented for information purposes only and in no way limit the invention. La shows a signaling device according to the invention installed on a vehicle. La is a schematic representation of the signaling device of the. La illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a signaling module according to the invention. La is an illustration of a first illuminated pattern when the signaling device according to the invention is switched on. La is an illustration of a second illuminated pattern when the signaling device according to the invention is switched on. La is an illustration of a third illuminated pattern when the signaling device according to the invention is switched on. La schematically represents an example of optical coupling between a first light source, a first light guide and a first layer, usable within the scope of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The figures are presented for information purposes only and in no way limit the invention. Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing in different figures has a single reference.

[0023] This is a front view of a signaling device 2 installed on a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As will be explained below, one of the particularities of the invention lies in the fact that the signaling device 2 can be controlled to act either as a direction indicator or as a daytime running light. Furthermore, another particularity of the invention lies in the fact that it is possible to modify the signature of the signaling device 2. By "signature" is meant the light pattern perceived by an observer observing the signaling device 2 when the latter is switched on. In other words, according to a particularity of the invention, the signature of the signaling device 2 is customizable.

[0024] As seen in the, the signaling device 2 comprises a signaling module 1, a housing 3 with an opening, and a closing glass 4 of the housing 3. The housing 3 and the closing glass 4 define an interior volume. The signaling module 1 is configured to emit a light beam F, and is placed in the interior volume, so that at least a portion of the light beam F emitted by the signaling module 1 exits the signaling device 2 through the closing glass 4.

[0025] The signaling module 1 comprises:- a transparent film 5,- a first light source S1,- a second light source S2,- a plurality of N light sources different from the first light source S1 and the second light source S2, with N a positive integer,- a first light guide G1,- a second light guide G2,- a plurality of N light guides, different from the first light guide G1 and the second light guide G2,- an electrical control circuit 10.

[0026] There are thus N+2 light sources and N+2 light guides in signaling module 1.

[0027] For the sake of simplicity, in this description the number N will be considered equal to 1, but this description can be adapted to any other positive value of N.

[0028] Thus, with reference to the, which represents an exemplary embodiment of the signaling module 1 according to the invention, the latter here comprises a first light source S1, a second light source S2, and a third light source S3. The signaling module 1 here comprises a first light guide G1, a second light guide G2 and a third light guide G3. For example, the first light guide G1, the second light guide G2 and the third light guide G3 are parallelepipedal in shape.

[0029] The transparent film 5 is a multi-layer structure, having a front face and a back face, and comprising a first layer C1, a second layer C2 and a third layer C3. The first layer C1, the second layer C2 and the third layer C3 are superimposed. The front face and the back face are substantially parallel. The transparent film 5 may be flexible. Typically, the thickness of the first layer C1, the second layer C2 and the third layer C3 is less than 200 microns.

[0030] The first layer C1 comprises first microengravings forming a first pattern M1. The second layer C2 comprises second microengravings forming a second pattern M2 different from the first pattern M1. The third layer C3 comprises third microengravings forming a third pattern M3 different from the first pattern M1 and the second pattern M2. The choice of the signature of the signaling device 2 is carried out by the illumination, the principle of which will be described below, of either the first pattern M1, or the second pattern M2, or the third pattern M3. Typically, the first microengravings, the second microengravings and the third microengravings are etched respectively in the first layer C1, in the second layer C2 and in the third layer C3.

[0031] Illustrates an example of a first pattern M1. This first pattern M1 may be chosen to indicate an “adventure” mode of the vehicle on which the signaling device 2 is mounted. Illustrates an example of a second pattern M2. This second pattern may be chosen to indicate a “sporty” mode of the vehicle on which the signaling device 2 is mounted. Illustrates an example of a third pattern M3. This third pattern M3 may be chosen to indicate a “city” mode of the vehicle on which the signaling device 2 is mounted. Figures 4 to 6 are purely illustrative and in no way limit the shape of the patterns M1, M2 and M3.

[0032] When light enters the first layer C1, only the portion of the first layer C1 with the first micro-engravings scatters light, or in other words, is illuminated. When light enters the second layer C2, only the portion of the second layer C2 with the second micro-engravings scatters light, or in other words, is illuminated. When light enters the third layer C3, only the portion of the third layer C3 with the third micro-engravings scatters light, or in other words, is illuminated.

[0033] Each of the first layer C1, the second layer C2 and the third layer C3 may be made of polycarbonate, PMMA, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). These components have a transparency greater than 97%, a light extraction efficiency, when illuminated, of between 25 and 80%, and may have a luminance ranging from 100 to 1000 cd / m² when illuminated by a light source with a luminous flux ranging from 400 lumens to 2000 lumens.

[0034] The transparent film 5 comprises a light entry face 6. The light entry face 6 is substantially perpendicular to the front face and the rear face. For example, the light entry face 6 consists of one of the two side edges of the transparent film 5.

[0035] With reference to the example of the, the first light guide G1, the second light guide G2 and the third light guide G3 are superimposed. The first light guide G1, the second light guide G2 and the third light guide G3 are furthermore attached to the light entry face 6 so as to ensure optical coupling with the light entry face 6. The first light guide G1 is juxtaposed with the first layer C1. The second light guide G2 is juxtaposed with the second layer C2. The third light guide G3 is juxtaposed with the third layer C3.

[0036] The first light source S1 is configured to emit a first light beam and is positioned so that the first beam illuminates the first light guide G1. For example, the first light source S1 is positioned opposite one end e1 of the first light guide G1, as illustrated in. The first light beam is sometimes orange in color, sometimes white in color, so that the signaling device 2 can be bifunctional, as will be explained later. By "bifunctional", it is understood that the signaling device 2 can act either as a direction indicator or as a daytime running light. For example, the first light source S1 is a tunable light-emitting diode capable of emitting, among other things, an orange-colored beam or a white-colored beam.In another example, the first light source S1 is a dual-chip light-emitting diode, comprising a first chip emitting orange-colored light, and a second chip emitting white-colored light.

[0037] The second light source S2 is configured to emit a second light beam and is positioned such that the second beam illuminates the second light guide G2. For example, the second light source S2 is positioned opposite one end of the second light guide G2. The second light beam is sometimes orange in color, sometimes white in color, such that the signaling device 2 can be bifunctional, as will be explained later. For example, the second light source S2 is a tunable light-emitting diode capable of emitting, among other things, an orange-colored beam or a white-colored beam. In another example, the second light source S2 is a dual-chip light-emitting diode, comprising a first chip emitting orange-colored light, and a second chip emitting white-colored light.

[0038] The third light source S3 is configured to emit a third light beam and is positioned such that the third light beam illuminates the third light guide G3. For example, the third light source S3 is positioned opposite one end of the third light guide G3. The third light beam is sometimes orange in color, sometimes white in color, such that the signaling device 2 can be bifunctional, as will be explained later. For example, the third light source S3 is a tunable light-emitting diode capable of emitting, among other things, an orange-colored beam or a white-colored beam. In another example, the third light source is a dual-chip light-emitting diode, comprising a first chip emitting orange-colored light, and a second chip emitting white-colored light.

[0039] The electrical control circuit 10 is configured to control the switching on of the first light source S1, the second light source S2, or the third light source S3. Preferably, a single source, hereinafter referred to as the active light source, among the first light source S1, the second light source S2, and the third light source S3 is switched on individually. In other embodiments, two sources among the first light source S1, the second light source S2, and the third light source S3 are switched on simultaneously.

[0040] The electrical control circuit 10 is also configured to control the change from orange color to white color of the first light beam, the second light beam and the third light beam so as to allow the switching of the signaling device 2 from a direction indicator function to a daytime running light function and vice versa, as will be explained later.

[0041] The electrical control circuit 10 is also configured to control two signaling modules 1, one of the modules being intended to be positioned on the right side of a vehicle and the other module being intended to be positioned on the left side of said vehicle.

[0042] An example of optical coupling between the first light source S1, the first light guide G1 and the first layer C1 of the transparent film 5 is described below and illustrated in the. This example can also be used for the optical coupling between the second light source S2, the second light guide G2 and the second layer C2 of the transparent film 5 on the one hand, as well as for the optical coupling between the third light source S3, the third light guide G3 and the third layer C3 of the transparent film 5 on the other hand.

[0043] According to this coupling example, the first layer C1 is divided, at the light entry face 6, into several longitudinal strips 71. The longitudinal strips are then folded into folds 81 at 90 degrees along the light entry face 6 and superimposed into transverse strips 91. The transverse strips 91 then constitute the first light guide G1. The first light source S1 is positioned opposite the end e1 of the transverse strips 91 opposite the end of the transverse strips 91 closest to the folds 81.

[0044] Any other type of optical coupling can be used between the first light source S1, respectively the second light source S2 or the third light source S3, and the first layer C1, respectively the second layer C2 or the third layer C3.

[0045] Thus, when the signaling module 1 is placed in the interior volume defined by the housing 3 and the closing glass 4, the front face of the transparent film 5 is placed opposite the closing glass 4 so that at least part of the first light beam, or of the second light beam, or of the third light beam exits the signaling device 2 through the closing glass 4.

[0046] A method of activating a signaling function by the signaling device 2 previously described is described below.

[0047] It is assumed that two signaling devices 2 are installed on a vehicle occupied and driven by a user, one being a signaling device located on the left side of the vehicle, and the other being a signaling device located on the right side of the vehicle.

[0048] In order to activate a signaling function, the user sends an instruction to the electrical control circuit 10 via an actuator such as a lever having, for example, a first right tilting (or translation) position, a second neutral tilting (or translation) position and a third left tilting (or translation) position, as well as a first rotational position, a second rotational position and a third rotational position. The actuator is connected to the electrical control circuit 10. The tilting (or translation) positions can be combined with the rotational positions.

[0049] Any other type of actuator combining two commands can be used. The two commands correspond respectively to a command of the signature of the two signaling devices, and to a command of the type of signaling function of the signaling devices (direction indicator or daytime running light). Alternatively, two separate actuators each corresponding to one of the two previous commands can be used. Any type of actuator, in particular other than rotation or tilting, can be used.

[0050] In the first position in right tilt (or translation), the lever actuates the right direction indicator function of the signaling device on the right side of the vehicle as well as the daytime running light function of the signaling device on the left side of the vehicle. In the second position in neutral tilt (or translation), the lever actuates the daytime running light function of the signaling device on the right side and of the signaling device on the left side. In the third position in left tilt (or translation), the lever actuates the left direction indicator function of the signaling device on the left side of the vehicle as well as the daytime running light function of the signaling device on the right side of the vehicle.

[0051] In the first rotational position, the lever actuates the illumination of the first pattern M1 by the first light source S1 via the first light guide G1. The signature of the signaling device 2 is then the first pattern M1. In the second rotational position, the lever actuates the illumination of the second pattern M2 by the second light source S2 via the second light guide G2. The signature of the signaling device 2 is then the second pattern M2. In the third rotational position, the lever actuates the illumination of the third pattern M3 by the third light source S3 via the third light guide G3. The signature of the signaling device 2 is then the third pattern M3.

[0052] If the lever is in the first right tilting (or translation) position, the electrical control circuit 10 triggers the emission respectively of the first orange light beam, the second orange light beam, or the third orange light beam of the signaling device on the right side, and the emission respectively of the first white light beam, the second white light beam, or the third white light beam of the signaling device on the left side, depending on whether the lever is in the first rotational position, the second rotational position, or the third rotational position.

[0053] If the lever is in the second neutral tilting (or translation) position, the electrical control circuit 10 triggers the emission respectively of the first white light beam, the second white light beam, or the third white light beam from the signaling device on the right side and the signaling device on the left side, depending on whether the lever is in the first rotational position, the second rotational position, or the third rotational position.

[0054] If the lever is in the third left tilting (or translation) position, the electrical control circuit 10 triggers the emission respectively of the first orange light beam, the second orange light beam, or the third orange light beam of the signaling device on the left side, and the emission respectively of the first white light beam, the second white light beam, or the third white light beam of the signaling device on the right side, depending on whether the lever is in the first rotational position, the second rotational position, or the third rotational position.

[0055] Since the brightness level of a direction indicator and a daytime running light is regulated, the first light beam, the second light beam and the third light beam typically have a light intensity of less than 900 candela.

[0056] Variations of the embodiments described above are possible.

[0057] For example, two patterns among the first pattern M1, the second pattern M2 and the third pattern M3 can be illuminated simultaneously, so as to form together a compound pattern.

[0058] Furthermore, as mentioned above, any other value of N greater than or equal to 2 can be used.

Claims

Signaling module (1) of a signaling device, said signaling device being capable of acting as a direction indicator, the signaling module (1) comprising: - a transparent film (5) having a light entry face (6), - a first light source (S1), - a second light source (S2), - a first light guide (G1) arranged opposite the light entry face (6), the first light source (S1) being arranged so as to illuminate the first light guide (G1), characterized in that: - the signaling module further comprises a second light guide (G2) arranged opposite the light entry face (6), - the second light source (S2) is arranged so as to illuminate the second light guide (G2),- the signaling module further comprises an electrical control circuit (10) configured to control the switching on of an active light source chosen from the first light source (S1) and the second light source (S2),- the transparent film (5) is a multilayer structure comprising at least a first layer (C1) with first micro-engravings forming a first pattern (M1) and a second layer (C2) with second micro-engravings forming a second pattern (M2) different from the first pattern (M1),- the input face (6) is configured to cause light rays from the first light source (S1) to enter the first layer (C1) when it is switched on, and guided in the first light guide (G1) so as to illuminate the first pattern (M1),- the input face (6) is configured to cause light rays from the second light source (S2) to enter the second layer (C2) when it is switched on,and guided in the second light guide (G2) so as to illuminate the second pattern (M2)., Signaling module (1) of a signaling device according to claim 1, further comprising:- N light sources,- N light guides arranged opposite the light entry face (6), the N light guides being superimposed with the first light guide (G1) and the second light guide (G2), the multilayer structure further comprising N layers, each of the N layers comprising micro-engravings forming a pattern different from the first pattern (M1) and the second pattern (M2), the entry face (6) being configured to cause rays from a corresponding light source among the N light sources and guided in a corresponding light guide among the N light guides to enter each of the N layers. Signaling module (1) of a signaling device according to claim 2, characterized in that the active light source is chosen from the first light source (S1), the second light source (S2), and the N light sources. Signaling module (1) of a signaling device according to one of claims 2 or 3, said device being capable of acting as a direction indicator and daytime running light, characterized in that the first light source (S1), the second light source (S2), and the N light sources are configured to emit sometimes a white light, sometimes an orange light. Signaling module (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the electrical control circuit (10) is further configured to control the color of the light emitted by the active light source. Signaling device (2) for a motor vehicle comprising a housing (3) with an opening and a closing glass (4) of the housing (3), and at least one signaling module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the housing (3) and the closing glass (4) defining an interior volume, the signaling module (1) being placed in the interior volume, so that at least part of the light leaving the signaling module (1) leaves the signaling device (2) through the closing glass (4). Signaling device (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the signaling device (2) is a direction indicator when the active light source is on and emits an orange light. Signaling device (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the signaling device (2) is a daytime running light when the active light source is on and emits white light. Method for changing the signature of a signaling device (2) comprising a signaling module (1) according to claim 3 or one of claims 4 to 5 in their dependence on claim 3, said signature corresponding to a pattern chosen from the first pattern (M1), the second pattern (M2), and the patterns of the N layers, the method comprising a step of lighting the active light source by the electrical control circuit (10), said active light source corresponding to the layer of the chosen pattern. Method for switching a signaling device (2) from a direction indicator function to a daytime running light function and vice versa, said signaling device (2) comprising a signaling module (1) according to claim 5, comprising, when the active light source is on, a step of controlling, by the electrical control circuit (10), the change from the orange color to the white color, and vice versa.

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