Optical unit with linked light guides

Abstract

An optical unit (BO) comprising: - a housing (BB) bounding a space (EB) housing a photon source that generates photons, - N light guides (GL1-GL2) that are able to receive and guide the generated photons so as to perform a photometric function, with N ≥ 2, and that are secured together by M rigid links, with M ≥ 1, and - a carrier (SG) installed in this space (EB) and comprising N spaced-apart recesses (LG1-LG2) that accommodate the light guides (GL1-GL2), respectively, and that communicate with one another via M apertures (OL1-OL2), each allowing the passage of a rigid link and the simultaneous translational movement of the light guides (GL1-GL2) with a view to the immobilization thereof.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: OPTICAL BLOCK WITH LINKED LIGHT GUIDES The present invention claims priority from French application 2211104 filed on 26.10.2022, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to optical blocks which comprise at least two light guides intended to provide a photometric function. State of the art

[0002] In the following, the term "photometric function" means a photometric signaling function, a photometric lighting function or a photometric function for a light effect, possibly decorative.

[0003] In certain fields, such as vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, optical blocks are used which comprise a housing delimiting a space housing a photon source generating photons and at least two light guides receiving and guiding the generated photons to ensure a photometric function.

[0004] In an optical block, the light guides are fixedly installed, generally at least at one of their two opposite end parts. It is therefore necessary to define in at least one of the end parts of each light guide a non-optical zone dedicated to fixing and therefore comprising a coupling or fixing element. For example, such a fixing zone can receive or comprise a clipping tab or a screw. This complicates the production of each light guide and can cause a reduction in the dimensions of the optical photon guiding zone.

[0005] In addition, this requires the installation in the optical unit housing of one or more supports comprising coupling or fixing elements cooperating with those of the light guides, which complicates the production of each support and increases the space requirement in the housing.

[0006] Furthermore, it is not always easy to determine the correct coupling or fixing elements in the design phase of an optical unit, and therefore this determination can prove time-consuming.

[0007] Finally, the greater the number of light guides in an optical unit, the greater the number of operations required to ensure their immobilization, and therefore the greater the increase in costs.

[0008] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0009] For this purpose, it proposes in particular an optical block comprising a housing delimiting a space housing a photon source suitable for generating photons and N light guides suitable for receiving and guiding the generated photons to ensure a photometric function, with N > 2.

[0010] This optical block is characterized by the fact:

[0011] - that its light guides are secured to each other by M rigid connections, with M > 1, and

[0012] - that it also comprises a support installed in the space of the housing and comprising N spaced housings, respectively housing the light guides and communicating with each other via M openings each allowing passage of a rigid connection and simultaneous translation of the light guides with a view to immobilizing them.

[0013] This simplifies assembly while reducing the respective complexities of the light guides and the support, which reduces the cost of the optical unit and the space taken up in the latter.

[0014] The optical unit according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0015] - its light guides can be rectilinear and parallel to each other;

[0016] - the number M may be equal to two and the rigid connections may respectively and perpendicularly connect opposite end portions of the light guides. In this case, a first opening may comprise a first portion having a longitudinal section of generally rectangular shape and a second portion having a generally U-shaped cross-section and communicating with the outside and the first portion in order to allow the passage of a first rigid connection into the first portion and then the translation of this first rigid connection into the first portion. In addition, the support may comprise an end portion in which is defined a second opening comprising a longitudinal section of generally rectangular shape and communicating with the outside in order to allow an introduction and the translation of a second rigid connection;

[0017] - in the presence of the last option, the second rigid connection may comprise a first coupling element. In this case, the support may comprise a second coupling element cooperating with the first coupling element to participate in the immobilization of the light guides relative to the support;

[0018] - in the presence of the last sub-option, the second coupling element may be a clipping hole, and the first coupling element may be a clipping tab partly housed in this clipping hole;

[0019] - its support may include an end wall perpendicular to the housings and comprising N through holes located opposite the photon source, crossed respectively by first end parts of the light guides during the translation of the latter so that the first end parts receive the generated photons, and participating in the immobilization of the light guides relative to the support;

[0020] - the number N can be equal to two. In this case, the support can have a cross-section in the general shape of W;

[0021] - the photometric function can be a signaling function.

[0022] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising at least one optical unit of the type presented above. Brief description of the figures

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:

[0024] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, part of an exemplary embodiment of an optical unit according to the invention,

[0025] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view along line 11-11 of Figure 1, the optical block of Figure 1,

[0026] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the support and the light guide assembly of the optical unit of Figure 1, before assembly,

[0027] [Fig. 4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear side, the support and the light guide assembly of the optical unit of Figure 1, before assembly,

[0028] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the support and the light guide assembly of Figures 3 and 4, at an intermediate stage of their assembly,

[0029] [Fig. 6] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear side, the support and the light guide assembly of Figures 3 to 5, at the end of their assembly,

[0030] [Fig. 7] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the support and the light guide assembly of Figures 3 to 6, at the end of their assembly, and

[0031] [Fig. 8] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear side, the first end portion of the support of Figures 3 to 7, after assembly. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] The invention aims in particular to propose an optical block BO, intended to equip a system, and comprising a housing BB housing light guides GLn linked to each other and immobilized relative to a support SG.

[0033] It is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the optical unit BO is intended to be part of a system constituting a vehicle of the automobile type, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of system. Indeed, the optical unit BO can be equipment that can be added and used in numerous systems or that can be part of other equipment that is itself part of a system. Thus, the optical unit BO can be part of any system, and in particular of a vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air), of an installation (possibly industrial), of a device (possibly general public), or of a building.

[0034] Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the optical unit BO constitutes a rear light. But it could constitute a front headlight (or projector) or a front light of a vehicle, for example.

[0035] In the above and below, the notion of "front" is defined in relation to the place where the photons participating in a photometric function exit, and the notion of "back" is defined in relation to the place which is opposite to that where the photons participating in a photometric function exit. Consequently, the front face of an element is oriented outwards, while the back face of this element is oriented inwards and opposite to the front face.

[0036] In Figures 1 to 8, the X direction is a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to be equipped with the optical unit BO, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is a direction parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is a direction parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions X and transverse directions Y.

[0037] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate at least partially an example of an embodiment of an optical unit BO according to the invention, here intended to equip a rear part of a vehicle to constitute a rear light.

[0038] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 and 2, an optical block BO, according to the invention, comprises in particular a housing BB, a support SG, N light guides GLn (n = 1 to N, with N > 2), a photon source, as well as preferably a front glass (or screen) GV.

[0039] The BB housing delimits a space EB (possibly jointly with the front glass GV (see figure 2)) which houses the photon source, the SG support and the N GLn light guides.

[0040] The photon source (not shown) is capable of generating photons. For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figure 1, the photon source may be installed on an electronic card CE comprising the electronic circuits used to power it and control its operation. This CE electronic card can be a printed circuit board of the PCB type ("Printed Circuit Board"), for example. Furthermore, this CE electronic card can be fixedly attached to the internal face of the BB housing or to a PAE end wall of the SG support (which we will come back to later).

[0041] Also for example, the photon source may comprise at least one light-emitting diode (or LED) or at least one laser diode.

[0042] Each of the N light guides GLn is capable of receiving and guiding photons generated by the photon source to ensure a photometric function.

[0043] Note that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in the figures, the number N is equal to two (n = 1 or 2). But the number N can take any value greater than or equal to two. Thus, it could be equal to three or four, for example.

[0044] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the photometric function is a signaling function. However, the invention is not limited to this type of photometric function. Indeed, the photometric function could also be a lighting function or a light effect function, possibly decorative.

[0045] For example, the signaling function may be a brake light function. But it could be any other signaling function, including a front, rear or side turn indicator (or flasher) function, a front or rear clearance light function, a rear position light function, a front or rear parking light function, a daytime running light (or DRL) function, a reversing light function, or a rear fog light function.

[0046] As better shown in Figures 3 to 8, the light guides GLn are secured to each other (and therefore linked) by M rigid links LRm (m = 1 to M, with M > 1).

[0047] The N light guides GLn and the M rigid links LRm which connect them together (GLn) constitute a set of light guides which is a single piece. Such a set of light guides can be produced by injection molding a plastic or synthetic material. For example, this material can be polycarbonate (or PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (or PMMA).

[0048] The SG support comprises N LGn housings which are spaced apart and respectively house the N GLn light guides. In addition, these N LGn housings communicate with each other via M OLm openings allowing the passage of a rigid connection LRm (see figure 5) and the simultaneous translation of the GLn light guides (see figures 6 and 7) in order to immobilize them relative to the SG support.

[0049] It will be understood that the simultaneous translation can only be done after the passage of at least one rigid link LRm (here LR1 (m = 1 )) in the corresponding opening OLm (here OL1 ), and that it is made possible by the fact that the M rigid links LRm can then translate respectively in the M corresponding openings OLm.

[0050] Here, the translation passage is done along the longitudinal direction X, and the simultaneous translation of the light guides GLn is done along the transverse direction Y.

[0051] Note that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in the figures, the number M is equal to two (m = 1 or 2). But the number M can take any value greater than or equal to one. Thus, it could be equal to one or three, for example.

[0052] It will also be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in the figures, only the first rigid connection LR1 (m = 1) passes by translation in the first opening OL1, then the first LR1 and second LR2 (m = 2) rigid connections are translated respectively in the first 0L1 and second OL2 openings when the light guide assembly is translated to the left of Figure 5 to assemble it to the SG support.

[0053] Thus, the GLn light guides can be very easily assembled and secured together (and therefore simultaneously) to the SG support by two small translations perpendicular to each other, which makes it possible to avoid having to add coupling or fixing elements to each of them, in particular in non-optical areas, and therefore not to reduce the dimensions of their optical photon guiding areas. In addition, this makes it possible to reduce the number of coupling or fixing elements of the SG support. The production of the GLn light guides and the SG support is therefore less complex, and therefore less expensive, and the design phase of the optical block BO is shorter. This results in a reduction in the cost of the optical block BO and a reduction in the space requirement in the EB space of the latter (BO).

[0054] Preferably, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 8, the light guides GLn are rectilinear and parallel to each other. In this case, as illustrated, the housings LGn can also be rectilinear and parallel to each other. But this is not obligatory, because the housings LGn can be arranged so as to allow the simultaneous translation of light guides GLn which are not rectilinear and / or not parallel.

[0055] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 8, when M is equal to two, the first LR1 and second LR2 rigid connections can respectively and perpendicularly connect first PEG1 (k = 1) and second PEG2 (k = 2) opposite end portions of the light guides GLn. In this case, the first opening OL1 can comprise first P1 and second P2 portions which communicate with each other. The first portion P1 has a longitudinal section (here in the YZ plane) of generally rectangular shape. The second portion P2 has a cross section (here in the XZ plane) in the general shape of a U and also communicates with the outside (on the front face of the SG support). This allows the passage of the first rigid connection LR1 into the first part P1 (by translation along the longitudinal direction X), then the translation of this first rigid connection LR1 into the first part P1 during the translation of the set of light guides.

[0056] In addition, the support SG comprises a (second) end portion PES2 (k = 2) in which the second opening OL2 is defined. The latter (OL2) comprises a longitudinal section (here in the YZ plane) of generally rectangular shape, and communicates with the outside (via the open end face of the second end portion PES2 (located in the XZ plane)) in order to allow the introduction and then the translation of the second rigid connection LR2. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to avoid making the second opening OL2 visible (only a portion of the second portion P2 of the first opening OL1 is in fact visible).

[0057] But in a variant embodiment not illustrated, the second opening OL2 could be identical to the first opening OL1.

[0058] It should be noted that at the end of assembly each rigid connection LRm is advantageously completely hidden by a corresponding part of the support SG (here a part of the wall which is located between the two housings LGn).

[0059] It should also be noted that in order to make the portion of the second part P2 of the first opening OL1 invisible, the glass (or screen) before GV can be made of opaline material or covered with prisms and / or beads.

[0060] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 4 and 6, the second rigid connection LR2 may comprise a first coupling element EC1, and the support SG may comprise a second coupling element EC2 cooperating with this first coupling element EC1 to participate in the immobilization of the light guides GLn relative to the support SG. This is particularly advantageous, because this avoids reducing the dimensions of the optical photon guiding zones of the GLn light guides since the first coupling element EC1 is defined on a technical (non-optical) zone, here the second rigid connection LR2.

[0061] It will be understood that in the example illustrated without limitation, the second coupling element EC2 is defined in the second end part PES2 of the support SG, on a small additional rear wall located opposite its front face and dedicated to the coupling (see figures 4 and 6).

[0062] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 4 and 6, the second coupling element EC2 may be a clipping hole, and the first coupling element EC1 may be a clipping tab (or notch) which is partly housed in the clipping hole EC2 at the end of translation of the set of light guides (and therefore at the end of assembly). Thus, a simple clipping operation makes it possible to immobilize the set of light guides relative to the support SG, and to prevent it from translating.

[0063] In an alternative embodiment, the first coupling element EC1 could be a clipping hole, and the second coupling element EC2 could be a clipping tab (or notch) partly housed in the clipping hole EC1.

[0064] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 7 and 8, the support SG may comprise an end wall PAE which is perpendicular to the housings LGn and which comprises N through holes TTn located opposite the photon source. These N through holes TTn are crossed respectively by the first end portions PEG1 (k = 1) of the light guides GLn during the translation of the latter (GLn) so that the first end portions PEG1 receive the generated photons. In addition, these N through holes TTn participate in the immobilization of the light guides GLn relative to the support SG, here by preventing them from translating in the XZ plane. This option is particularly advantageous because the PAE end wall masks the photon entry zones in the GLn light guides, and therefore prevents a person from observing the "hot spots" (of high light intensity) occurring in these entry zones. There is therefore no longer any need to provide a mask to hide these entry zones.

[0065] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in figure 2, when the number N is equal to two, the support SG can have a cross section (here in the XZ plane) in the general shape of W.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Optical block (BO) comprising a housing (BB) delimiting a space (EB) housing a photon source suitable for generating photons and N light guides (GLn) suitable for receiving and guiding said generated photons to ensure a photometric function, with N > 2, characterized in that said light guides (GLn) are secured to each other by M rigid connections (LRm), with M > 1, and in that it further comprises a support (SG) installed in said space (EB) and comprising N spaced housings (LGn), respectively housing said light guides (GLn) and communicating with each other via M openings (OLm) each allowing passage of a rigid connection (LRm) and simultaneous translation of said light guides (GLn) with a view to immobilizing them.

2. Optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said light guides (GLn) are rectilinear and parallel to each other.

3. Optical unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that M is equal to two and said rigid connections (LRm) respectively and perpendicularly connect opposite end parts (PEGk) of said light guides (GLn), in that a first opening (OL1) comprises a first part (P1) having a longitudinal section of generally rectangular shape and a second part (P2) having a cross section in the general shape of a U and communicating with the outside and said first part (P1) in order to allow said passage of a first rigid connection (LR1) into said first part (P1) then said translation of this first rigid connection (LR1) into said first part (P1),and in that said support (SG) comprises an end portion (PES2) in which is defined a second opening (OL2) comprising a longitudinal section of generally rectangular shape and communicating with the exterior in order to allow an introduction and said translation of a second rigid connection (LR2).,

4. Optical unit according to claim 3, characterized in that said second rigid connection (LR2) comprises a first coupling element (EC1), and in that said support (SG) comprises a second coupling element coupling (EC2) cooperating with said first coupling element (EC1) to participate in said immobilization of said light guides (GLn) relative to said support (SG).

5. Optical unit according to claim 4, characterized in that said second coupling element (EC2) is a clipping hole, and in that said first coupling element (EC1) is a clipping tab partly housed in said clipping hole (EC2).

6. Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said support (SG) comprises an end wall (PAE) perpendicular to said housings (LGn) and comprising N through holes (TTn) located opposite said photon source, crossed respectively by first end parts (PEG1) of said light guides (GLn) during said translation of the latter (GLn) so that said first end parts (PEG1) receive said generated photons, and participating in said immobilization of said light guides (GLn) relative to said support (SG).

7. Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that N is equal to two, and in that said support (SG) has a generally W-shaped cross-section.

8. Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said photometric function is a signaling function.

9. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one optical unit (BO) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.

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