EXTENDED PARABOLA HOUSING OPTICAL UNIT FOR ONE VEHICLE

Abstract

An optical unit (OU) is fitted to a vehicle and comprises a molded housing (UH) with a rear wall (RW) defining a first parabola (P1) that reflects photons towards a first front zone (Z1) to perform a first photometric function. This rear wall (RW) also includes a lateral extension (LW) in the vacuum, defining a lateral part of the first parabola (P1) that allows for a lateral expansion of the first front zone (Z1). Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Extended parabolic optical unit housing for a vehicle Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to optical blocks intended to equip vehicles and ensuring at least one photometric function. State of the art

[0002] Certain vehicles, generally automobiles, include at least one optical unit comprising a molded housing (made of a plastic or synthetic material) and having a rear wall that defines at least one parabolic reflector for reflecting photons intended to perform a photometric function towards a forward area. For example, this photometric function could be a position light (or parking light or lantern). It should be noted that such an optical unit could also perform at least one other photometric function, such as a brake light, possibly by means of another parabolic reflector also defined in the rear wall of its housing. In this case, the photons participating in this other photometric function generally exit through another forward area.

[0003] Generally, each front zone is defined by a through hole in an opaque mask, located downstream of the rear wall of the housing and upstream of the glass, and designed to mask technical areas within the optical block. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used here with reference to the direction of photon flow when they travel towards a front zone.

[0004] In certain optical units, it is sometimes desired (style) and / or required (regulations) to have a large front area in the mask along the vehicle's transverse direction, while the associated parabolic reflector is unable to reflect photons towards a lateral (or transverse end) portion of this front area due to a manufacturing (molding) limitation. In this case, the lateral portion of this front area remains unlit, which is visible from the outside and can therefore lead to criticism.

[0005] Certainly, the transverse dimension of the housing could be increased, but this would increase the transverse bulk of the optical block, which is not always acceptable, and would require reducing the free space between the housing and the mask at the lateral end of the parabola, which would reduce, or even prevent, local air circulation and thus generate condensation while limiting the cooling of the internal photon sources.

[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0007] In particular, it proposes for this purpose an optical block suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising a housing made by molding and having a rear wall defining at least a first parabola suitable for reflecting towards a first forward zone photons to participate in a first photometric function.

[0008] This optical block is characterized by the fact that the rear wall of its housing includes a lateral extension in the void, defining a lateral part of the first parabola which allows a lateral increase of the first front zone.

[0009] This lateral extension now allows the optical block to include a first front zone having a large dimension along the transverse direction of the vehicle, because it allows to reflect part of the photons towards the lateral part (or transverse end) of this first front zone.

[0010] The optical block according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0011] - the lateral extension of the rear wall of its housing may include at least one stiffening rib on a rear face, opposite to the first front zone;

[0012] - the rear wall of its housing can define a second parabola which is its own to reflect towards the first zone before the photons that must participate in the first photometric function;

[0013] - in the presence of the last option, the second parabola may be suitable for reflecting towards a second zone before photons that must participate in a second photometric function;

[0014] - in the presence of the last sub-option, the second photometric function can be a brake light function;

[0015] - also in the presence of the last option, the second parabola can be clean to reflect towards a third zone before photons that must participate in the first photometric function;

[0016] - in the presence of the last sub-option, the rear wall of its housing can define a third parabola which is suitable for reflecting towards the third front zone photons which must participate in the first photometric function;

[0017] - it may include an opaque mask, placed downstream of the rear wall of the housing in relation to the direction of circulation of reflected photons, and in which each zone is defined before;

[0018] - the first photometric function can be a position light function.

[0019] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising at least one optical block of the type presented above. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a front view, an example of manufacturing of an optical block according to the invention,

[0022] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a front view of the front side, the housing of the optical block of the [Fig.1],

[0023] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front, the housing, mask and lens of the optical block of [Fig.1], before assembly,

[0024] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear, the housing of the optical block of [Fig.1], and

[0025] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a horizontal plane at the level of the first and second parabolas, the optical block of [Fig. 1]. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] The invention aims in particular to provide an optical block BO intended to equip a vehicle, capable of ensuring at least one photometric function, and comprising a housing BB including a first parabolic PI extended laterally (or transversely).

[0027] In what follows, the vehicle is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air) comprising at least one optical unit providing at least one photometric function.

[0028] Furthermore, in the following, the BO optical unit is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to constitute a rear light. However, it could also constitute a front light or a headlight (or projector) of a vehicle.

[0029] Furthermore, given the preceding choice, the optical unit BO is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, to be intended to perform at least one first photometric signaling function requiring the reflection of photons on at least one parabolic reflector. By way of illustration, the first photometric function could be a position light (or parking light or lantern). However, it could be another photometric signaling function requiring the reflection of photons on at least one parabolic reflector, such as a brake light, a turn signal (or indicator), or a daytime running light (DRL). Light (or Lamp)")). Furthermore, the first photometric function could be a photometric function of lighting or luminous effect (possibly decorative).

[0030] In the preceding and following text, the notion of "front" is defined with respect to the location where the photons participating in the photometric function emerge, and the notion of "back" is defined with respect to the location opposite to that where the photons participating in the photometric function emerge. Consequently, the front face of an element is oriented outwards, while the back face of that element is oriented inwards and opposite to the front face.

[0031] Moreover, in the preceding and following text, the notions "upstream" and "downstream" are used in reference to the directions of circulation of photons reflected on a parabola.

[0032] Figures 1 and 5 schematically illustrate an example of the realization of an optical block BO according to the invention (here a rear light).

[0033] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 5, an optical block BO, according to the invention, includes in particular a housing BB which is made by molding and has a rear wall PR defining at least a first parabola PI. This first parabola PI is arranged so as to reflect photons that are to participate in the first photometric function towards a first forward zone Z1 (j = 1). In addition, the rear wall PR includes a lateral extension EL in the vacuum, which defines a lateral (or transverse) part of this first parabola PI and allows a lateral (or transverse) augmentation of the first forward zone Z1.

[0034] The demolding of the BB housing, and in particular of its lateral extension EL, is made possible by the addition of a lateral wedge / drawer in the mold.

[0035] Thanks to this lateral extension EL, the optical block BO can now include a first front zone Zl having a large dimension along the transverse direction of the vehicle, because it is assured that it (EL) will reflect a part of the photons towards the lateral part (or transverse end) of this first front zone Zl, and therefore that the latter (Zl) will be substantially uniformly illuminated.

[0036] It will be noted that the photons to be reflected are generated by at least one photon source (not illustrated) installed inside the internal housing defined by the BB housing, and which may, for example, include at least one light-emitting diode (or LED).

[0037] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.4], that the lateral extension EL of the rear wall PR may include at least one stiffening rib NR on a rear face FR which is opposite the first front zone ZL. This advantageously allows the lateral extension EL which is in the void to be reinforced, and thus to ensure that it will retain its shape and position over time.

[0038] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 3 and 5, the rear wall PR of the housing BB can define a second parabola P2 which is suitable for reflecting photons that must also participate in the first photometric function towards the first forward zone ZI. This makes it possible to define a first forward zone ZI which extends opposite the lateral extension EL over a potentially large dimension along the transverse direction of the vehicle. In other words, this makes it possible to define a very large first forward zone ZI along the transverse direction.

[0039] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 3 and 5, the second parabola P2 can be adapted to reflect photons, which must participate in a second photometric function, towards a second zone before Z2, located at a distance from the first zone before Z1. This advantageously allows the optical block BO to be multifunctional.

[0040] This second photometric function could also be a signaling photometric function, for example. As an illustrative example, it could be a brake light function. But it could also be another signaling photometric function requiring the reflection of photons on at least one parabolic reflector, such as a turn signal (or indicator) function or a daytime running light (or DRL) function. Furthermore, the second photometric function could be a lighting or lighting effect (possibly decorative) photometric function.

[0041] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 3 and 5, the second parabola P2 can be suitable for reflecting towards a third zone before Z3, distant from the first Z1 and second Z2 zones before, photons which must participate in the first photometric function.

[0042] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 to 4, the rear wall PR of the housing BB can define a third parabola P3 which is suitable for reflecting photons that must participate in the first photometric function towards the third forward zone Z3. This makes it possible to define a large third forward zone Z3 along the transverse direction of the vehicle, by a transverse extension of the sub-part receiving the photons reflected by the second parabola P2. For example, and as illustrated without limitation, a third forward zone Z3 can thus be substantially identical to the first forward zone Z1.

[0043] In fact, in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 4, the second zone Z2 has a rectangular shape, and the first Z1 and third Z3 forward zones have elongated shapes along the transverse direction and are placed respectively above and below the second zone Z2. This allows photons to be delivered to three spatially separated forward zones Zj (j = 1 to 3), with the second forward zone Z2 dedicated to the second photometric function and the first Z1 and third Z3 front zones dedicated to the first photometric function.

[0044] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1, 3, and 5, the optical block BO may also include an opaque mask MB, positioned downstream of the rear wall PR of the housing BB with respect to the direction of propagation of the reflected photons (in front of the parabolas PI to P3 and upstream of the glass GB), and in which each zone before Zj is defined. It will be understood that each zone before Zj is defined within a through hole in the mask MB. This mask MB is also intended to conceal technical areas of its optical block BO and may contribute to the design of the latter (BO). For example, this mask MB may be made by molding a plastic or synthetic material.

[0045] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly on [Fig.5], that the mask MB can be slightly moved away from the free end of the lateral extension EL, so as to define a passage PA for the circulation of an airflow suitable for preventing the formation of condensation, but also for cooling the photon sources.

Claims

Demands

1. Optical block (OB) suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising a housing (BB) made by molding and having a rear wall (PR) defining at least a first parabola (PI) suitable for reflecting towards a first front zone (Zl) photons to participate in a first photometric function, characterized in that said rear wall (PR) includes a lateral extension (EL) in the vacuum, defining a lateral part of said first parabola (PI) allowing a lateral increase of said first front zone (Zl), said rear wall (PR) defining a second parabola (P2) suitable for reflecting towards said first front zone (Zl) photons to participate in said first photometric function, said second parabola (P2) being suitable for reflecting towards a second front zone (Z2) photons to participate in a second photometric function.

2. Optical block according to claim 1, characterized in that said lateral extension (EL) of the rear wall (PR) comprises at least one stiffening rib (NR) on a rear face (FR), opposite said first front zone (Zl).

3. Optical block according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said second photometric function is a brake light function.

4. Optical block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said second parabola (P2) is adapted to reflect towards a third forward zone (Z3) photons to participate in said first photometric function.

5. Optical block according to claim 4, characterized in that said rear wall (PR) defines a third parabola (P3) suitable for reflecting towards said third front zone (Z3) photons to participate in said first photometric function.

6. Optical block according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises an opaque mask (MB), placed downstream of said rear wall (PR) with respect to the direction of circulation of the reflected photons, and in which each front zone (Zj) is defined.

7. Optical block according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said first photometric function is a position light function.

8. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one optical unit (OU) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images