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: VARIABLE ARRANGEMENT OPTICAL BLOCK Technical field of the invention

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

[0002] In certain fields, such as for example that of vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, optical blocks are used which include 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.

[0003] Currently, the arrangement (such as the appearance) of this type of optical unit in the area containing its protective lens cannot be modified by the user, nor for the user (at the factory or in after-sales service), for example, according to their preferences. This is particularly true when the photometric function provided by the optical unit must comply with applicable regulations (which is notably the case when it is fitted to a vehicle). It is understandable that certain modifications to an optical unit in the area containing its protective lens could degrade at least one of its photometric functions, which could prove dangerous for the passengers of the vehicle concerned or for third parties outside the vehicle concerned.

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

[0005] In particular, it proposes for this purpose an optical block 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 a regulation.

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

[0007] Thanks to the invention, a person can now modify the arrangement (and in particular the appearance) of an optical block in the area comprising its protective glass by selecting the color that the (each) sub-zone should display.

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

[0009] - in a first embodiment, the protective glass may include at minus 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 has the crystal color or a second state in which it has the chosen non-crystal color;

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

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

[0013] - in the presence of the last option, it may include at least one cache having the non-crystalline color chosen and suitable for being placed selectively in, or at least partly outside of, a second associated subzone;

[0014] - in the presence of the last sub-option, it may include an electrical mechanism capable of moving the cover opposite the inner or outer 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 block of the type presented above.

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

[0017] Also, for example, this vehicle may include a human-machine interface to allow 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 features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] [Fig. 1] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, a part of an example vehicle comprising a first example of an embodiment of an optical block according to the invention,

[0020] [Fig.2] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a front view of the side Previously, the optical block of [Fig. 1] was placed in a first state in which all three of its first sub-zones had a crystal color,

[0021] [Fig.3] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a front view, the optical block of [Fig.1] placed in a second state in which two of its first three sub-zones have a non-crystalline color,

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

[0023] [Fig.5] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a cross-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 provide an optical block BO having an arrangement that can be modified by a person (for example a user).

[0025] In what follows, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the optical unit BO is intended to equip a vehicle V of the motor vehicle type, and more specifically a car as illustrated, without limitation, in [Fig. 1]. 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 preceding and following text, the notions "upstream" and "downstream" are used in reference to the direction of circulation of photons ensuring a photometric function.

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

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

[0029] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 1], the optical unit BO is installed in the front part of the vehicle V. It is therefore a headlight front (or projector) or front light. But a BO optical unit can also be installed in the rear part of a vehicle, and in this case it constitutes a rear light.

[0030] It should also be noted that the front part of the vehicle V may include two BO optical units, right and left, or even more. Similarly, the number of BO optical units installed in the rear part of a vehicle may be 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 a housing BB, a protective glass GP, and an optical module MOj.

[0032] The BB housing and the GP protective glass together define a space in which at least one MOj optical module is installed. It should be noted that in the example illustrated (though not limited to) in Figures 2 and 3, the optical block BO comprises two MO1 (j = 1) and MO2 (j = 2) optical modules, respectively performing two different photometric functions. However, it could comprise only one MOj optical module or could comprise more than two MOj optical modules (for example, three or four).

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

[0034] It should be noted that an optical module MOj comprises at least one photon source generating photons and electronic components and / or circuit(s) for controlling the power supply and operation of this (each) photon source, possibly installed on an electronic board (not shown). For example, the electronic board may be a printed circuit board (PCB).

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

[0036] Also, for example, each photon source may include at least one light-emitting diode (LED). Alternatively, each photon source may include at least one laser diode or a gas laser. It should be noted that the choice of each photon source may depend on the photometric function to be performed.

[0037] It should also be noted that depending on the arrangement of the optical block BO and / or the photometric function to be ensured, an optical module MOj may also include 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 includes, in an area comprising its protective glass GP, at least one sub-area SZnm which is suitable for being selectively of a chosen crystal color or 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 optical block BO (of each optical block) within an area comprising its protective glass GP by selecting the color that each sub-zone SZnm should display. It will be understood that the number of modifications that can be made depends on the number of SZnm sub-zones in the optical block BO. In particular, when there are several (at least two) SZnm sub-zones, it may be decided to modify the initial color of at least one SZnm sub-zone and not modify the initial color of at least one other SZnm sub-zone. This is notably the case in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 3]. Indeed, sub-zones SZ21 and SZ31 have a chosen non-crystalline color (here, gray), while sub-zone SZ11 has the crystalline color. In the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig.2], all SZnm subzones exhibit the crystal color.

[0040] This modification of the arrangement (and in particular of the appearance) in the area including the GP protective glass 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 according to 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 include at least a first sub-zone SZnl (m = 1) which may be subject to a change of color (crystal or non-crystal).

[0043] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 2 and 3, the GP protective glass comprises three initial sub-zones SZ11 (n = 1), SZ21 (n = 2) and SZ31 (n = 3). However, the number of initial sub-zones SZnl can take any value greater than or equal to one.

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

[0045] For example, in the first embodiment, the first sub-zone SZnl can be arranged so as to be selectively placed in a first state in which it has the crystal color or in a second state in which it has the chosen 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 Figures 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 allowing a first sub-zone SZnl to be defined and the latter to be placed in a first or second state may be used.

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

[0049] In a second embodiment illustrated, without limitation, in Figures 4 and 5, at least one second subzone SZn2 (m = 2) may be located in the immediate vicinity of the inner face FI or the outer face FE of the protective ice GP. In other words, a second subzone SZn2 may be located just upstream (on the inner face FI side) of the protective ice GP or just downstream (on the outer face FE side) of the protective ice GP. It should be noted that in the example illustrated, without limitation, in Figures 4 and 5, each second subzone SZn2 is located just upstream of the protective ice GP.

[0050] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 4 and 5, in the second embodiment, the optical block BO may include at least one Cl mask having the chosen non-crystalline color and suitable for being selectively placed in a second associated sub-zone SZn2 or at least partially outside a second associated sub-zone SZn2. In the example of [Fig. 4], the Cl mask is almost entirely outside a second associated sub-zone SZ21, and therefore the latter (SZ21) has the crystalline color. Conversely, in the example of [Fig. 5], the Cl mask is entirely placed in the second associated sub-zone SZ21, and therefore the latter (SZ21) has the non-crystalline color.

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

[0052] In order to selectively place a blanking plate Cl in a second sub-zone SZn2 or at least partially outside a second sub-zone SZn2, the optical block BO may include an electrical mechanism ME. This electrical mechanism ME may, for example, be adapted to move the blanking plate Cl relative to the inner face FI or outer face FE in the associated second sub-zone SZn2. This movement may be achieved by rotational drive, as illustrated, but not limited to, Figures 4 and 5, or by sliding (possibly translation), by means of a dedicated electric motor.

[0053] It should be noted that the number of seconds subzones SZn2 (and therefore here of caches Cl) can take any value greater than or equal to one.

[0054] It should also be noted that the second sub-zones SZn2 (and therefore here the Cl shields) can have any shape (geometric or otherwise) provided that they do not prevent each photometric function from complying with the aforementioned regulations. In particular, it is possible for a second sub-zone SZn2 to cover part of the area illuminated by the photons providing a photometric function at the level of the GP protective glass.

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

[0056] It should also be noted that the vehicle V may include a part having an external face in the chosen non-crystalline color. For example, this part may be a component to which the headlight assembly is attached (but this is not mandatory). Such a component may, for example, be a front or rear bumper (or shield) or a body panel. However, the chosen non-crystalline color could be different from any color appearing on the external faces of the vehicle V components visible from the outside. Furthermore, it is not necessary

[0057] It should also be noted, as illustrated (though not limited to) in [Fig. 1], that the vehicle V may include a human-machine interface CC that allows a user to select the color of each sub-zone SZnm and to display an image of the vehicle V representing each sub-zone SZnm with its selected color. For example, this human-machine interface CC may be what is commonly referred to as the central instrument cluster of the vehicle V, which includes a digital display screen and is generally installed in or on the dashboard PB.

Claims

Demands

1. Optical block (OB) 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 a regulation, 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 regulation said protective glass (GP) comprising at least a first sub-zone (SZnl) arranged so as to be placed selectively in a first state in which it presents said crystal color or a second state in which it presents said chosen non-crystal color, said first sub-zone (SZnl) comprising photonic crystals.

2. Optical block according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one second sub-zone (SZn2) is located in the immediate vicinity of an inner face (FI) or an outer face (FE) of said protective glass (GP).

3. Optical block according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one mask (Cl) having said selected non-crystal color and suitable for being placed selectively in, or at least partly outside, a second associated subzone (SZn2).

4. Optical block according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises an electrical mechanism (ME) adapted to move said cover (Cl) in relation to said inner face (FI) or outer face (FE) in a second associated sub-zone (SZn2).

5. Vehicle (V), characterized in that it comprises at least one optical unit (OU) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a part having an external face having said non-crystalline colour.

7. Vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises a human-machine interface suitable for enabling a user to select the color of each sub-zone (SZnm) and to display an image of said vehicle (V) materializing each sub-zone (SZnm) with its selected color.

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