Multi-layer flexible light guide module

The design of a light module with folded or reflectively covered edges in flexible guide sheets addresses the issue of luminous junctions, enabling large, high-quality light modules with enhanced visual appearance and integration capabilities.

FR3136046B1Active Publication Date: 2024-12-13VALEO VISION SA
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2022005159
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-05-30
Publication Date
2024-12-13
Estimated Expiration
2042-05-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing light modules using flexible guide sheets are limited in size due to manufacturing constraints, and when combined to form larger modules, their junctions create unwanted luminous edges that degrade visual patterns.

Method used

A light module design comprising at least two flexible guide sheets with edges folded inward or covered by reflective material to prevent luminous junctions, allowing large light-emitting surfaces and complex patterns without degrading visual appearance.

Benefits of technology

Enables the production of large, flexible light modules with improved light output and enhanced visual appearance by eliminating unwanted luminous edges and facilitating integration into various equipment.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a light module (300) comprising at least two flexible guide sheets (310.1; 310.2), each sheet being able to reflect light rays according to an engraved pattern. A first light injection element (320.1) is able to distribute light into the first sheet, and a second light injection element (320.2) is able to distribute light into the second sheet. The first and second sheets are arranged side by side such that a second edge (350.1) of the first flexible guide sheet is opposite a second edge (350.2) of the second flexible guide sheet. A portion of the first sheet along the second edge and a portion of the second sheet along the second edge are folded inward toward the light module or are covered with a reflective material. FIG. 3
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Description

Title of the invention: Multi-layer flexible guide light module

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of light modules, in particular light modules with light guides. The invention applies in particular, but not exclusively, to the display of luminous patterns.

[0002] It is now required to display light patterns in many pieces of equipment, for the purpose of signaling information, for aesthetic purposes of personalization or for creating ambiance.

[0003] To do this, it is known to use screens, such as LCD screens.

[0004] However, such technology is not only expensive but also sensitive to environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity or UV radiation.

[0005] Moreover, it is preferable to have a flexible light module in order to facilitate its integration into any type of equipment.

[0006] There is therefore a need for a light module capable of producing an animation, and which is robust, inexpensive and easy to integrate into any type of equipment.

[0007] It is proposed in the international patent application published under number WO2011130715A2, a flexible guide mat capable of reflecting light injected by an injection bar from a light source, according to a given pattern.

[0008] However, the size of such a flexible guide sheet is limited by constraints related to its manufacture. Thus, obtaining large light modules based on this technology requires the use of at least two flexible guide sheets placed side by side.

[0009] However, this technology has the drawback that the edges of a flexible guide sheet into which light is injected appear luminous. Thus, if two flexible guide sheets are placed side by side to create a larger light module, their junction appears luminous, introducing an undesirable defect in the projected patterns. In particular, if a shape or symbol is projected from the two complementary patterns of the two guide sheets, a luminous band will degrade the visual appearance of such a shape or symbol.

[0010] The present invention improves the situation.

[0011] To this end, a first aspect concerns a light module comprising:

[0012] an assembly of at least two flexible guide sheets, comprising a first flexible guide sheet and a second flexible guide sheet, each sheet of flexible guide of the assembly being capable of receiving light rays by at least one first edge of said flexible guide sheet and of reflecting the light rays in a direction substantially normal to a surface of the flexible guide sheet according to at least one pattern engraved in said flexible guide sheet;

[0013] at least a first light injection element capable of receiving light and distributing light in the first flexible guide sheet and a second light injection element capable of receiving light and distributing light in the second flexible guide sheet;

[0014] at least one light source capable of injecting light into the first light injection element and into the second light injection element.

[0015] The first flexible guide sheet and the second flexible guide sheet are arranged side by side such that a second edge of the first flexible guide sheet is opposite a second edge of the second flexible guide sheet. The first and second flexible guide sheets define an outer half-space towards which the light rays are emitted in the direction substantially normal to the surface of the flexible guide sheets, and an inner half-space of the light module, complementary to the outer half-space. A portion of the first flexible guide sheet extending along the second edge and a portion of the second flexible guide sheet extending along the second edge are folded towards the inner half-space or are at least partially covered with a reflective material.

[0016] Thus, it is possible to create luminous modules with a large light-emitting surface, making it possible to create complex and large patterns. The junction between two flexible guide sheets does not illuminate unintentionally due to the folding of the second edges of the flexible guide sheets towards the inside of the module, according to a first embodiment, or by means of a reflective material placed on the junction, according to a second embodiment.

[0017] According to the first embodiment, the light module further comprises a support arranged in the inner half-space and capable of holding the assembly of at least two flexible guide sheets, the support comprising a cavity capable of receiving the folded part of the first flexible guide sheet and the folded part of the second flexible guide sheet.

[0018] Thus, the integration of a module into equipment, such as motor vehicle equipment, is facilitated.

[0019] According to the first embodiment, the portion of the first flexible guide sheet extending along the second edge and the portion of the second flexible guide sheet extending along the second edge are folded towards the half-space interior and the reflective material covers at least partially a surface of the folded parts oriented towards the interior half-space.

[0020] This makes it possible to improve the luminous efficiency of the light module according to the first embodiment, since the light that reaches the surface oriented towards the inner half-space is reflected back into the flexible guide sheet to be emitted according to the pattern towards the outer half-space. Furthermore, since the reflective material is oriented towards the inner half-space, it does not degrade the light patterns projected by the flexible guide sheets.

[0021] Alternatively, according to the second embodiment, the reflective material covers at least partially a surface oriented towards the outer half-space of the part of the first flexible guide sheet extending along the second edge and of the part of the second flexible guide sheet extending along the second edge.

[0022] It is therefore not necessary to bend the parts of the flexible guide sheets extending along the second edge, which facilitates the manufacture of the light module, while preventing light from being emitted along the second edge.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the reflective material can be a reflective paint.

[0024] Thus, the visual appearance of the projected patterns is improved without adding any extra parts, and by inducing minimal additional bulk.

[0025] According to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the reflective material can be a strip extending along the second edges of the first and second flexible guide sheets.

[0026] Thus, the junction between the flexible guide sheets is totally covered by the reflective material, which improves the visual appearance of the patterns projected by the light module in the second embodiment and improves the light output in the first embodiment.

[0027] According to embodiments, the first flexible guide sheet can be engraved so as to project a first pattern when said at least one light source injects light into the first injection element, and the second flexible guide sheet can be engraved so as to project a second pattern when said at least one light source injects light into the second injection element, the first and second patterns arranged next to each other can together form at least one light symbol.

[0028] The invention is particularly advantageous in the case where such a luminous symbol is made from several patterns of several flexible guide sheets. Without the invention, such a symbol would have been interrupted by a luminous strip at the junction between the flexible guide sheets.

[0029] In addition, the reflective material strip can be interrupted on the light symbol.

[0030] Thus, the projection of the patterns that form a luminous symbol is optimized, without being degraded by the junction between several flexible guide sheets. The luminous efficiency associated with the luminous module is also improved.

[0031] According to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, at least one of the flexible guide sheets may further comprise a third edge distinct from the first and second edges, in which at least a portion of the flexible guide sheet extending along the third edge is covered with a reflective material on a surface oriented towards the outer half-space.

[0032] Edge effects are thus avoided on the edge or edges of a flexible guide sheet not forming a junction with another flexible guide sheet.

[0033] According to embodiments, the light source may be able to selectively inject light into a first optical fiber connected to the first injection element and into a second optical fiber connected to the second injection element.

[0034] A single light source can thus be offset from the flexible guide sheets and injection elements, which facilitates the integration of the light module, particularly in equipment with significant space constraints.

[0035] According to embodiments, the assembly may comprise more than two flexible guide sheets placed side by side so as to form a matrix of flexible guide sheets.

[0036] Thus, it is made possible to produce large luminous modules with complex patterns.

[0037] According to embodiments, a dimension of the flexible guide sheets can be between 3 and 25 cm.

[0038] Thus, it is made possible to produce large-sized light modules.

[0039] According to embodiments, each flexible guide sheet of the assembly can have a thickness between 0.2 and 1 mm.

[0040] Thus, the guide sheets exhibit significant flexibility, which facilitates their integration.

[0041] According to embodiments, each flexible guide mat may comprise a film including microstructures, each pattern among the first and second patterns may be engraved by ultraviolet printing of the film's microstructures.

[0042] Such microstructures make it possible to maintain a high level of transparency of the flexible guide sheet while projecting light into the luminous area when the light source is activated.

[0043] In addition, for each flexible guide sheet, a surface density of microstructures can decrease with the distance from the edge of the guide sheet into which the light is injected.

[0044] The homogeneity of a pattern projected by the flexible guide sheet is thus improved.

[0045] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0046] [Fig.1] illustrates part of a light module according to the invention;

[0047] [Fig.2] illustrates an injection element of a light module according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0048] [Fig.3] illustrates a light module according to the invention;

[0049] [Fig.4] illustrates a light module according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0050] [Fig.5] illustrates a light module according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0051] The description focuses on the characteristics that distinguish the light module from those known in the state of the art.

[0052] Fig. 1 presents part of a light module 100 according to the invention.

[0053] The light module 100 includes a flexible guide sheet 110 capable of receiving light rays by a first edge 114 and of reflecting the light rays in a direction Z substantially normal to a surface of the flexible guide sheet which thus extends in an XY plane on the [Fig.1].

[0054] A guide sheet is understood to be an optical guiding element in which one dimension is much smaller than the other two dimensions in space, for example, smaller by one or more orders of magnitude. As illustrated in [Fig. 1], a flexible guide sheet is considered here whose thickness along the Z-axis is at least two orders of magnitude smaller than its dimensions along the XY plane in which the flexible guide sheet 110 extends.

[0055] The flexible guide sheet 110 may include a flexible film 111 in its core comprising at least a first edge 114 capable of guiding light rays in an overall direction X, and comprising a set of microstructures 113 capable of reflecting the light rays guided in the flexible film 111 out of the flexible guide sheet 110, in particular in one or more directions substantially along the Z axis.

[0056] The flexible film 111 can be a substrate film made of polycarbonate, PC, polymethyl methacrylate, PMMA, thermoplastic polyurethane, TUP, or polyethylene terephthalate, PET. The flexible film 111 can have a thickness, or a dimension along the Z-axis, of between 12 and 1000 micrometers. More Specifically, the thickness of the flexible film 111 can be between 50 and 1000 micrometers, for example between 200 and 500 micrometers. Alternatively, the flexible guide sheet 110 has a thickness between 200 and 1000 micrometers.

[0057] The aforementioned materials, combined with a low thickness as described above, allow the production of a flexible film 111. Other materials may be used for the composition of the flexible film 111. However, according to the invention, it is preferable to use deformable and transparent materials.

[0058] A thin coating of microstructures 113 can be applied to one of the faces of the flexible film 111, or integrated into the flexible film 111. The coating of microstructures 113 can in particular have a thickness along the Z axis of less than 20 micrometers.

[0059] Such microstructures 113 may have a general bump shape, on which light rays are reflected in a direction substantially along the Z-axis. Such microstructures 113 may be adapted so that the light rays exiting the flexible film 111 form a pattern. For this purpose, the microstructures 113 may be etched by ultraviolet printing, according to the desired pattern.

[0060] Microstructures 113 are understood to be structures, or irregularities in the flexible film, with dimensions less than a few micrometers. Microstructures thus also include nanometric structures. Such microstructure sizes 113 ensure high transparency of the flexible film 111. In particular, a transparency of around 97% can be practically achieved using microstructures 113. Alternatively, the flexible guide sheet can be semi-transparent or opaque.

[0061] Advantageously, the microstructures s 113 can be distributed along the X-axis such that the linear density of microstructures 113 is proportional to the distance from the first edge 114 through which the light rays injected by the injection element 120 are received. In other words, the further the microstructures s 113 are from the first edge 114, the more densely they are grouped. Such a distribution advantageously ensures a homogeneous distribution along the X-axis of the light intensity of the pattern emitted by the flexible guide sheet 110.

[0062] The flexible guide sheet 110 may further include one or two optional protective layers 112.1 and 112.2, which provide mechanical protection for the flexible film 111. In addition, at least one of the protective layers 112.1 and 112.2 may include a UV-resistant treatment, enabling the flexible film to be protected against UV radiation after the microstructures 113 have been etched. Without such UV protection, the pattern projected by the flexible guide sheet 110 is likely to degrade over time, particularly when exposed to sunlight.

[0063] The flexible film 111 and the protective layers 112.1 and 112.2 are shown spaced apart in [Fig. 1] for illustrative purposes only. It will be understood, however, that the protective layers 112.1 and 112.2 can be bonded to the flexible film, in particular by lamination.

[0064] Since the guide sheet 110 is flexible, it is not necessarily contained in a plane but can be curved, depending on the position in which it is placed and the mechanical stresses applied to it.

[0065] The part of the light module 100 illustrated in [Fig.1] also includes a light injection element 120, also called a light bar, because it extends longitudinally along a Y direction, and is capable of injecting light in a direction normal to its longitudinal direction, for example along the X axis when it is arranged in the manner shown in [Fig.1].

[0066] The light injection element 120 has a rectangular or square cross-section in [Fig. 1]. However, the light injection element 120 may have a round, oval, or polygonal cross-section.

[0067] Thus, the light injection element 120 comprises an output surface 122 extending along the longitudinal direction and adapted to inject light in a direction substantially normal to the output surface 122. The light injection element 120 further comprises an input surface 121, at one end of the light injection element 120, adapted to receive light rays from a light source 130, and the light injection element 120 is adapted to guide the light longitudinally along the Y-axis by distributing it over the output surface 122. The distribution of light by the output surface 122 will be better understood in light of the description in [Fig. 2].

[0068] No restrictions are attached to the light source 130. It may, for example, be a light-emitting diode (LED), which has the advantage of being small, energy-efficient, and generating little heat. The light source 130 may be capable of generating light within a specific wavelength range. This range may be centered around a visible color, in order to generate colored light, for example, blue, red, or green. Alternatively, the light source 130 may emit light rays across the entire range of wavelengths visible to the human eye, so as to generate white light. A very narrow wavelength range may be produced by a laser-type light source 130.

[0069] Alternatively, the light source 130 is not arranged directly opposite the inlet surface 121 of the injection element 120, but the light module 100 further comprises an optical fiber placed between the source 130 and the injection element 120, which allows the source 130 to be offset from the assembly formed by the injection element 120 and the flexible guide sheet 110.

[0070] The [Fig.2] shows an injection element 120 of a light module 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0071] The injection element 120 can include a plurality of injection guides 123 capable of receiving light from the source 130 through the inlet surface 121 and guiding the light to a longitudinal position of the outlet surface 122, the longitudinal positions of the light guides being distinct so as to distribute the light to at least several longitudinal positions of the outlet surface 122.

[0072] It is thus made possible to inject light at different longitudinal positions along the Y axis of the first edge 114. Each longitudinal position of the first edge 114 can correspond to a guide line of the flexible film 111, capable of guiding the light along the X axis along such a guide line.

[0073] Such an association of a flexible guide sheet 110, an injection element 120 and a source 130 thus makes it possible to project light along the Z direction through a flexible, transparent, semi-transparent or opaque surface, with good surface homogeneity and according to a given pattern.

[0074] In practice, such a light module can emit a pattern with a brightness of between 100 and 1000 Candelas per square meter, with a light extraction efficiency of between 25% and 80%.

[0075] Details on the structure and arrangement of elements 110, 120 and 130 are further described in the international patent application published under number WO2011130715A2.

[0076] Figure 3 shows a front view of a 300 light module according to the invention.

[0077] The 300 light module according to the invention comprises:

[0078] - an assembly of at least two flexible guide sheets, comprising a first flexible guide sheet 310.1 and a second flexible guide sheet 310.2, similar to the flexible guide sheet 110 illustrated in [Fig.1]; - at least one first light injection element 320.1 and a second light injection element 320.2 respectively associated with the first and second flexible guide sheets 310.1 and 310.2, each light injection element being the injection element 120 described with reference to Figures 1 and 2; and

[0079] - at least one light source such as the light source 130 previously described with reference to [Fig. 1], capable of selectively injecting light into the first and second injection elements. In [Fig. 3], an embodiment with a first light source 330.1 positioned opposite the entrance surface of the first injection element 320.1, and a second light source 330.2 positioned at The views of the inlet surface of the second injection element 320.2 are shown, for illustrative purposes.

[0080] The first injection element 320.1 is capable of injecting light from the first light source 330.1 into a first edge, such as the edge 114 previously described, of the first flexible guide sheet 320.1.

[0081] The second injection element 320.2 is capable of injecting light from the second light source 330.2 into a first edge, such as the edge 114 previously described, of the second flexible guide sheet 320.2.

[0082] In the light module 300 according to the invention, the first flexible guide sheet 310.1 and the second flexible guide sheet 310.2 are arranged next to each other so that a second edge 350.1 of the first flexible guide sheet 310.1 is arranged opposite a second edge 350.2 of the second flexible guide sheet 320.2.

[0083] The first flexible guide sheet 310.1 is engraved according to a first pattern 340.1 and the second flexible guide sheet 340.2 is engraved according to a second pattern. As shown in [Fig. 1], the first and second patterns 340.1 and 340.2 together can form at least one symbol 341. Alternatively, each pattern of a flexible guide sheet can form a symbol independently of the other flexible guide sheets, or can form no symbol, which is the case when the pattern is a spatial modulation of the emitted light without an apparent shape or symbol.

[0084] In what follows, the example of two patterns forming a symbol 341 is considered, for illustrative purposes only. The symbol 341 thus corresponds to a luminous area in the first flexible guide rail and to a complementary luminous area in the second flexible guide rail.

[0085] There is no restriction on the number of flexible guide sheets comprising the light module according to the invention. The light module may, in particular, comprise more than three flexible guide sheets, arranged in a single row, or in a matrix with at least two rows and at least two columns. In this case, at least one of the flexible guide sheets has two second edges facing the second edges of two other flexible guide sheets.

[0086] A “second edge” of a flexible guide sheet is any edge of the flexible guide sheet that faces, or is adjacent to, another second edge of another flexible guide sheet. An example in which each flexible guide sheet comprises only one second edge is shown in [Fig. 3], for illustrative purposes only.

[0087] A portion 360.1 of the first flexible guide sheet 310.1 extends along the second edge 350.1 of the first flexible guide sheet 310.1.

[0088] A portion 360.2 of the second flexible guide sheet 310.2 extends along the second edge 350.2 of the second flexible guide sheet 310.2.

[0089] No restriction is attached to the width of portion 360.1, which may be a fraction of a dimension of the first flexible guide web 310.1, just as portion 360.2 may be a fraction of a dimension of the second flexible guide web 310.2. For example, portion 360.1 may be less than one-tenth of the width, or dimension along the Y-axis, of the first flexible guide web 310.1. Portion 360.2 may also be less than one-tenth of the width, or dimension along the Y-axis, of the second flexible guide web 310.2.

[0090] The first and second flexible guide sheets 310.1 and 310.2 can have the same shape and dimensions.

[0091] For example, the first and second flexible guide sheets 310.1 and 310.2 can be rectangular or square in shape. The first and second flexible guide sheets 310.1 and 310.2 can have dimensions along the X and Y axes in which they extend, ranging from 3 to 25 cm.

[0092] The term “pattern” refers to any predefined spatial distribution or arrangement of the light intensity emitted by the light module. In particular, it refers to a two-dimensional or one-dimensional pattern. A pattern can thus be a two-dimensional shape or symbol obtained by contrasting the light intensities of different positions in the XY plane of the flexible guide sheet 110. The pattern can also comprise several shapes or symbols. Alternatively, a pattern encompasses a predefined, or intentional, spatial distribution of light intensity that does not reveal an overall shape, such as a distribution inducing a cloud of light points. In the context of the present invention, a pattern is formed by injecting light into an injection element that is arranged relative to a flexible guide sheet so as to form the pattern on the flexible guide sheet.

[0093] Each flexible guide sheet may optionally include at least one third edge, which is a distinct edge from the first light-receiving edge and distinct from a second edge adjoining another flexible guide sheet. The first flexible guide sheet 310.1 may include such a third edge 370.1 and the second flexible guide sheet 310.2 may include such a third edge 370.2.

[0094] The characteristics presented of the light module 300 with reference to [Fig.3] apply to the two embodiments described below.

[0095] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a 400 light module according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0096] The section shown is in the YZ plane. The light module 400 delimits an outer half-space, located above the light module 400, and a half-space interior, located below the 400 light module. No limitation is associated with the adjectives “exterior” and “interior” which are relative, and allow the half-spaces to be named.

[0097] In the first embodiment, the parts 360.1 and 360.2 extending along the second edges 350.1 and 350.2 are folded towards the inner half-space defined by the light module 400.

[0098] This avoids projecting a beam of light into the junction area between parts 360.1 and 360.2. This makes it possible to produce a light module with a large emission area, because it includes several flexible guide sheets, without degrading the quality of the projected patterns.

[0099] Such a first embodiment is particularly advantageous when the patterns formed by the flexible guide sheets together create a pattern or symbol, as is the case in [Fig. 3]. The first embodiment thus makes it possible to create such a pattern without an unwanted line or band of light degrading the visual appearance of the pattern or symbol 341.

[0100] Optionally, the light module 400 may include a support 410 arranged in the inner half-space and suitable for holding the first and second flexible guide rails. The support 410 includes a cavity 411 shaped to receive the folded portion 360.1 of the first flexible guide rail and the folded portion 360.2 of the second flexible guide rail. It will be understood that the cavity 411 extends along the X-axis along the second edges 350.1 and 350.2.

[0101] When the light module 400 includes a matrix of flexible guide sheets, the cavities 411 can form a grid in the support 410. No restriction is attached to the means of fixing between the support 410 and the flexible guide sheets, which can include mechanical means by clamping or clipping, or alternatively means of fixing by gluing.

[0102] The support 410 is suitable for supporting and shaping the flexible guide sheets 310.1 and 310.2. The support 410 may have a flat contact surface with the flexible guide sheets, or on the contrary, may have a non-planar surface, with bumps or angles.

[0103] Optionally, parts 360.1 and 360.2 can be covered, partially or entirely, with a reflective material 420, which covers a surface of parts 360.1 and 360.2 facing the inner half-space, i.e., downwards in [Fig. 4]. The reflective material 420 can, for example, be reflective paint. This embodiment is advantageous for reflecting light rays back into the flexible guide sheet so as to illuminate according to the pattern of each flexible guide sheet. The luminous efficiency of the light module 400 is thus improved. A strip of material 420 extends over the area junction between the two parts 360.1 and 360.2 on the surface oriented towards the interior half-space, i.e. opposite the surface on which the patterns are projected, which prevents the projected patterns from being degraded.

[0104] In addition, optionally, a reflective material 421, identical to the reflective material 420, can at least partially cover a portion of each flexible guide sheet extending along the third edges 370.1 and 370.2. This avoids edge effects on the third edges which are ends of the light module.

[0105] Figure [Fig. 5] illustrates a cross-sectional view of a 500 light module according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0106] In the second embodiment, parts 360.1 and 360.2 of the flexible guide sheets 310.1 and 310.2 are not folded.

[0107] To prevent the light rays guided in the flexible guide sheets from forming a light band along the second edges 350.1 and 350.2, a reflective material 520 covers at least partially the parts 360.1 and 360.2 previously described on a surface oriented towards the outer half-space of the light module, i.e. upwards on the [Fig.5].

[0108] No restrictions are attached to the reflective material 520, which may, for example, be reflective paint.

[0109] The light module 500 can also include a support 510 which, unlike the support 410 previously described, does not have to include a cavity 411, which facilitates the manufacture of such a support 510.

[0110] No restrictions are attached to the means of fixing between the support 410 and the flexible guide sheets, which may include mechanical means by clamping or clipping, or alternatively means of fixing by gluing.

[0111] The support 510 is suitable for supporting and shaping the flexible guide sheets 310.1 and 310.2. The support 510 may have a flat contact surface with the flexible guide sheets, or on the contrary, may have a non-planar surface, with bumps or angles.

[0112] The material strip 520 can be interrupted in the illuminated areas of patterns 340.1 and 340.2, particularly when a symbol, such as symbol 341, is partially within the junction area between the two flexible guide rails. The material strip therefore does not obscure symbol 341.

[0113] In addition, optionally, a reflective material 521, identical to the reflective material 520, can at least partially cover a portion of each flexible guide sheet extending along the third edges 370.1 and 370.2. This avoids edge effects on the third edges which are ends of the light module.

[0114] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example; it extends to other variants.

Claims

1. Claims Light module (300; 400; 500) comprising: • a set of at least two flexible guide sheets (110; 310.1; 310.2), comprising a first flexible guide sheet and a second flexible guide sheet, each flexible guide sheet of the set being capable of receiving light rays via at least a first edge (114) of said flexible guide sheet and of returning the light rays in a direction substantially normal to a surface of the flexible guide sheet according to at least one pattern engraved in said flexible guide sheet; • at least one first light injection element (120; 320.1; 320.2) capable of receiving light and distributing the light in the first flexible guide sheet and a second light injection element capable of receiving light and distributing the light in the second flexible guide sheet; • at least one light source (130; 330.1; 330.22) capable of injecting light into the first light injection element and into the second light injection element; wherein the first flexible guide web and the second flexible guide web are arranged next to each other such that a second edge (350.1) of the first flexible guide web faces a second edge (350.2) of the second flexible guide web; wherein the first flexible guide sheet and the second flexible guide sheet delimit an exterior half-space towards which the light rays are emitted in the direction substantially normal to the surface of the flexible guide sheets, and an interior half-space of the light module, complementary to the exterior half-space; and wherein a portion of the first flexible guide web extending along the second edge and a portion of the second flexible guide web extending along the second edge are folded towards the inner half-space or are at least partially covered with a reflective material (420; 520; 421; 521), characterized in that the first flexible guide sheet (310.1) is etched so as to project a first pattern (340.1) when said at least one light source (130; 330.1; 330.22) injects light into the first injection element (320.1), and the second flexible guide sheet (310.2) is etched so as to project a second pattern (340.2) when said at least one light source injects light into the second injection element (320.2), wherein the first and second patterns arranged next to each other together form at least one light symbol (341).

2. A light module according to claim 1, wherein the portion (360.1) of the first flexible guide sheet (310.1) extending along the second edge (350.1) and the portion (360.2) of the second flexible guide sheet (310.2) extending along the second edge (350.2) are folded towards the inner half-space and the reflective material (420) at least partially covers a surface of the folded portions facing the inner half-space.

3. A light module according to claim 1, wherein the reflective material (520) at least partially covers a surface facing the outer half-space of the portion (360.1) of the first flexible guide sheet (310.1) extending along the second edge (350.1) and of the portion (360.2) of the second flexible guide sheet (310.2) extending along the second edge (350.2).

4. Light module according to one of the preceding claims, in which the reflective material (420; 520) is a reflective paint.

5. A light module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflective material (420; 520) is a strip extending along the second edges (350.1; 350.2) of the first and second flexible guide sheets (310.1; 310.2).

6. A light module according to claims 3 and 5, wherein the strip of reflective material (420; 520) is interrupted on the light symbol (341).

7. Light module according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the flexible guide sheets (110; 310.1; 310.2) further comprises a third edge (370.1; 370.2) distinct from the first and second edges, wherein at least a portion of the flexible guide sheet extending along the third edge is covered with a reflective material (421; 521) on a surface facing the outer half-space.

8. Light module according to one of the preceding claims, in which the assembly comprises more than two flexible guide sheets (310.1; 310.2) placed next to each other so as to form a matrix of flexible guide sheets.

9. Light module according to one of the preceding claims, in which a dimension of the flexible guide sheets (110; 310.1; 310.2) is between 3 and 25 cm.

10. Light module according to one of the preceding claims, in which each flexible guide sheet (110; 310.1; 310.2) of the assembly has a thickness of between 0.2 and 1 mm.

11. Module according to one of the preceding claims, in which each flexible guide sheet (110; 310.1; 310.2) comprises a film (111) comprising microstructures (113), in which each pattern (340.1; 340.2) among the first and second patterns are etched by ultraviolet printing of the microstructures of the film.

12. Module according to claim 12, in which, for each flexible guide sheet (110; 310.1; 310.2), a surface density of microstructures (113) decreases with the distance from the edge of the guide sheet into which the light is injected.