VARIABLE ARRANGEMENT OPTICAL UNIT

Abstract

An optical unit (OU), for example for a vehicle, comprises a housing (H) and a protective lens (PL) defining a space in which at least one optical module (OM1) is installed. This module delivers photons upstream of the protective lens (PL) to perform a photometric function that complies with regulations. The optical unit (OU) also includes, within a zone encompassing its protective lens (PL), at least one sub-zone (SZ11) designed to be selectively of a chosen crystalline or non-crystalline color, while still allowing the photometric function to comply with regulations. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: OPTICAL UNIT WITH VARIABLE ARRANGEMENT Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to optical units comprising a housing and a protective glass which together delimit a space housing at least one optical module providing a photometric function. State of the art

[0002] In certain fields, such as for example that of vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, optical units are used which comprise a housing and a protective glass delimiting a space in which at least one optical module is installed, capable of delivering, upstream of the protective glass, photons ensuring a photometric function.

[0003] Currently, the arrangement (such as, for example, the appearance) of this type of optical unit in the area including its protective glass cannot be modified either by its user or for its user (in the factory or in an after-sales service), for example according to his preferences. This is particularly the case when the photometric function provided by the optical unit must comply with current regulations (which is particularly the case when it is fitted to a vehicle). It will be understood that certain modifications to an optical unit in the area including its protective glass could degrade at least one photometric function that it provides, which could prove dangerous for the passengers of the vehicle concerned or for third parties located outside the vehicle concerned.

[0004] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation by allowing a user of an optical unit to modify its arrangement in the area comprising its protective glass. Presentation of the invention

[0005] For this purpose, it proposes in particular an optical unit comprising a housing and a protective glass delimiting a space in which is installed at least one optical module capable of delivering, upstream of the protective glass, photons ensuring a photometric function complying with regulations.

[0006] This optical block is characterized by the fact that it comprises in an area comprising the protective glass at least one sub-area capable of being selectively of a chosen crystal or non-crystal color, while allowing the photometric function to comply with the regulations.

[0007] Thanks to the invention, a person can now modify the arrangement (and in particular (particularly the appearance) of an optical unit in the area including its protective glass by selecting the color that the (each) sub-area must present.

[0008] The optical unit according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0009] - in a first embodiment, the protective glass may comprise at least less a first sub-zone;

[0010] - in the presence of the first option, the (each) first sub-zone can be arranged so as to be selectively placed in a first state in which it exhibits the crystal color or a second state in which it exhibits the selected non-crystal color;

[0011] - in the presence of the last sub-option, the (each) first sub-zone can understand photonic crystals;

[0012] - in a second embodiment, possibly combinable with the first embodiment, at least one second sub-zone may be located in the immediate vicinity of an internal face or an external face of the protective glass;

[0013] - in the presence of the last option, it can comprise at least one cache having the non-crystal color chosen and adapted to be selectively placed in, or at least partly outside, a second associated sub-zone;

[0014] - in the presence of the last sub-option, it may include an electrical mechanism suitable for moving the cache opposite the internal face or external face in a second associated sub-zone.

[0015] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising at least one optical unit of the type presented above.

[0016] For example, this vehicle may comprise a part having an external face having a non-crystal color. In this case, this part may be equipment to which the optical unit is secured.

[0017] Also for example, this vehicle can comprise a human-machine interface capable of allowing a user to select the color of each sub-zone and to display an image of the vehicle materializing each sub-zone with its selected color. Brief description of the figures

[0018] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0019] [Fig.l] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, a part of an example of a vehicle comprising a first example of embodiment of an optical unit according to the invention,

[0020] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a front view from the side before, the optical block of [Fig.l] placed in a first state in which all its first three sub-zones have a crystal color,

[0021] [Fig.3] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a front side front view, the optical block of [Fig.l] placed in a second state in which two of its first three sub-zones have a non-crystal color,

[0022] [Fig.4] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, a second exemplary embodiment of an optical block according to the invention, placed in a first state in which a cache is not used in the second associated sub-zone, and

[0023] [Fig.5] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, the optical block of [Fig.4], placed in a second state in which the cache is used in the second associated sub-zone. Detailed description of the invention

[0024] The invention aims in particular to propose an optical block BO having an arrangement which can be modified by a person (for example a user).

[0025] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the optical unit BO is intended to equip a vehicle V of the automobile type, and more precisely a car as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l]. But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, the optical unit BO can be an independent device or can equip any system, and in particular a vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air), an installation (possibly industrial), or a building.

[0026] Furthermore, in the above and below the notions of “upstream” and “downstream” are used with reference to the direction of circulation of the photons ensuring a photometric function.

[0027] In Figures 1 to 5, the X direction is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle V, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is the transverse direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions X and transverse directions Y.

[0028] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a part of an example of a vehicle V comprising a first example of embodiment of an optical unit BO according to the invention.

[0029] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l] the optical unit BO is installed in the front part of the vehicle V. This is therefore a front headlight (or projector) or a front light. But an optical unit BO can also be installed in the rear part of a vehicle, and in this case it constitutes a rear light.

[0030] It will also be noted that the front part of the vehicle V may comprise two optical units BO, right and left, or even more. Similarly, the number of optical units BO installed in the rear part of a vehicle may take any value greater than or equal to one.

[0031] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 3, an optical block BO, according to the invention, comprises at least one housing BB, one protective glass GP, and one optical module MOj.

[0032] The housing BB and the protective glass GP together delimit a space in which at least one optical module MOj is installed. It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3 the optical block BO comprises two optical modules MOI (j = 1) and MO2 (j = 2) respectively ensuring two different photometric functions. But it could comprise only one optical module MOj or could comprise more than two optical modules MOj (for example three or four).

[0033] The (each) optical module MOj is capable of delivering, upstream of the protective glass GP, photons which ensure a photometric function complying with regulations (in force).

[0034] It will be noted that an optical module MOj comprises at least one photon source generating photons and electronic components and / or circuit(s) making it possible to control the power supply and operation of this (each) photon source, possibly installed on an electronic card (not illustrated). For example, the electronic card may be a printed circuit board of the PCB type (“Printed Circuit Board”)•

[0035] Also for example, the (a) photometric function may be a signaling function. In this case, and by way of illustrative (and therefore non-limiting) example, the signaling function may be a position light (or lantern) function. But it could be a stop light function or a reversing light function or a daytime running light or even a direction indicator (or turn signal) function, for example. But the (a) photometric function may also be a lighting function. In this case it may be a high beam or dipped beam function or even a fog light function.

[0036] Also for example, the (each) photon source may comprise at least one light-emitting diode (or LED). But as a variant the (each) photon source may comprise at least one laser diode or a gas laser. It will be noted that the choice of the (each) photon source may depend on the photometric function to be provided.

[0037] It will also be noted that depending on the arrangement of the optical block BO and / or the photometric function to be provided, an optical module MOj may also comprise at least one mask and / or at least one reflector and / or at least one lens, for example.

[0038] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 3, an optical block BO, according to the invention, also comprises, in a zone comprising its protective glass GP, at least one sub-zone SZnm which is capable of being selectively of a crystal color or of a chosen non-crystal color, while allowing the (each) photometric function to comply with the aforementioned regulations.

[0039] Thus, a person can now modify the arrangement (and in particular the appearance) of the (each) optical unit BO in an area comprising its protective glass GP by selecting the color that the (each) sub-area SZnm must have. It will be understood that the number of modifications that can be made depends on the number of sub-areas SZnm of the optical unit BO. In particular, in the presence of several (at least two) sub-areas SZnm, it may be decided to modify the initial color of at least one sub-area SZnm and not to modify the initial color of at least one other sub-area SZnm. This is particularly the case in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 3]. Indeed, the sub-areas SZ21 and SZ31 have a chosen non-crystal color (here gray), while the sub-area SZ11 has the crystal color. In the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.2], all the SZnm sub-zones have the crystal color.

[0040] This modification of the arrangement (and in particular of the appearance) in the area comprising the protective glass GP can be carried out by a user of the vehicle V or by a technician in the factory or in an after-sales service, for example depending on the preferences of the user.

[0041] At least two embodiments of the optical block BO can be envisaged to allow modifications to the arrangement of the optical block BO.

[0042] In a first embodiment illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 3, the protective glass GP may comprise at least a first sub-zone SZnl (m = 1) which may be subject to a change of color (crystal or non-crystal).

[0043] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3, the protective glass GP comprises three first sub-zones SZ11 (n = 1), SZ21 (n = 2) and SZ31 (n = 3). But the number of first sub-zones SZn1 can take any value greater than or equal to one.

[0044] It will also be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3 the first sub-zones SZnl are all rectangular. But they can have any shape (geometric or not) as long as they do not prevent the (each) photometric function from complying with the aforementioned regulations. It is in particular possible for a first sub-zone SZnl to cover a part of the zone which is illuminated by the photons ensuring a photometric function at the level of the protective glass GP.

[0045] For example, in the first embodiment, the first sub-zone SZnl may be arranged to be selectively placed in a first state in which it exhibits the crystal color or in a second state in which it exhibits the selected non-crystal color.

[0046] For this purpose, the (each) first sub-zone SZnl may comprise photonic crystals. In this case, and as illustrated non-limitingly in FIGS. 1 to 3, the optical block BO also comprises control means MC arranged to selectively place the photonic crystals of the (each) first sub-zone SZnl in the first state (crystal color) or in the second state (non-crystal color).

[0047] Any other technique known to those skilled in the art and making it possible to define a first sub-zone SZn1 and to place the latter in a first or second state can be used.

[0048] Furthermore, the change in color of a first sub-zone SZnl may not result from the composition (or arrangement) of the latter (SZnl). Indeed, it is possible to envisage projecting onto a first sub-zone SZnl the chosen non-crystal color, for example, by means of a light-emitting diode housed in the housing BB upstream of the protective glass GP and generating photons having a wavelength corresponding to the chosen non-crystal color, for example.

[0049] In a second embodiment illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 4 and 5, at least one second sub-zone SZn2 (m = 2) may be located in the immediate vicinity of the inner face FI or the outer face FE of the protective glass GP. In other words, a second sub-zone SZn2 may be located just upstream (inner face FI side) of the protective glass GP or just downstream (outer face FE side) of the protective glass GP. It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 4 and 5 the (each) second sub-zone SZn2 is located just upstream of the protective glass GP.

[0050] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 4 and 5, in the second embodiment, the optical block BO may comprise at least one mask Cl having the chosen non-crystal color and capable of being selectively placed in a second associated sub-zone SZn2 or at least partly outside a second associated sub-zone SZn2. In the example of [Fig.4], the mask Cl is almost entirely outside a second associated sub-zone SZ21 and therefore the latter (SZ21) has the crystal color. On the other hand, in the example of [Fig.5], the mask Cl is entirely placed in the second associated sub-zone SZ21 and therefore the latter (SZ21) has the non-crystal color.

[0051] For example, each cover Cl can be made of glass or plastic.

[0052] In order to selectively place a cache Cl in a second sub-zone SZn2 or at least partly outside a second sub-zone SZn2, the optical block BO can comprise an electric mechanism ME. This electric mechanism ME may, for example, be capable of moving the cover Cl opposite the internal face FI or external face FE in the associated second sub-zone SZn2. This movement may be carried out by a rotational drive, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 4 and 5, or by sliding (possibly a translation), by means of a dedicated electric motor.

[0053] It will be noted that the number of second sub-zones SZn2 (and therefore here of caches Cl) can take any value greater than or equal to one.

[0054] It will also be noted that the second sub-zones SZn2 (and therefore here the caches C1) can have any shape (geometric or not) as long as they do not prevent the (each) photometric function from complying with the aforementioned regulation. It is in particular possible for a second sub-zone SZn2 to cover a part of the zone which is illuminated by the photons ensuring a photometric function at the level of the protective glass GP.

[0055] It will also be noted that it is possible for an optical block BO to comprise at least a first sub-zone SZn1 (possibly associated with control means MC) and at least a second sub-zone SZn2 (associated with an electrical mechanism ME).

[0056] It will also be noted that the vehicle V may comprise a part having an external face having the chosen non-crystal color. For example, this part may be equipment to which the optical unit is secured (but this is not obligatory). Such equipment may, for example, be a front or rear bumper (or shield) or a body sheet metal part. But the chosen non-crystal color could be different from any color appearing on the external faces of the elements of the vehicle V visible from the outside. Furthermore, it is not necessary

[0057] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1], that the vehicle V may comprise a human-machine interface CC capable of allowing a user to select the color of each sub-zone SZnm and to display an image of the vehicle V materializing each sub-zone SZnm with its selected color. For example, this human-machine interface CC may be what is frequently called the central instrument panel of the vehicle V, which comprises a digital display screen and is generally installed in or on the dashboard PB.

Claims

Claims

1. Optical block (BO) comprising a housing (BB) and a protective glass (GP) delimiting a space in which is installed at least one optical module (MOj) capable of delivering, upstream of said protective glass (GP), photons ensuring a photometric function complying with regulations, characterized in that it comprises in a zone comprising said protective glass (GP) at least one sub-zone (SZnm) capable of being selectively of a chosen crystal or non-crystal color, while allowing said photometric function to comply with said regulations.

2. Optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said protective glass (GP) comprises at least a first sub-zone (SZnl).

3. Optical unit according to claim 2, characterized in that said first sub-zone (SZnl) is arranged so as to be selectively placed in a first state in which it presents said crystal color or a second state in which it presents said chosen non-crystal color.

4. Optical block according to claim 3, characterized in that said first sub-zone (SZnl) comprises photonic crystals.

5. Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one second sub-zone (SZn2) is located in the immediate vicinity of an internal face (FI) or an external face (FE) of said protective glass (GP).

6. Optical unit according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one cover (Cl) having said chosen non-crystal color and suitable for being placed selectively in one, or at least partly outside, a second associated sub-zone (SZn2).

7. Optical unit according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises an electrical mechanism (ME) capable of moving said cover (Cl) opposite said internal face (FI) or external face (FE) in a second associated sub-zone (SZn2).

8. Vehicle (V), characterized in that it comprises at least one optical unit (BO) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a part having an external face having said non-crystal color.

10. Vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises a human-machine interface capable of allowing a user to se- select the color of each sub-zone (SZnm) and display an image of said vehicle (V) materializing each sub-zone (SZnm) with its selected color.

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