Light module for a vehicle

Abstract

Light module for a vehicle The present invention relates to a light module (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one light emission assembly (2), at least one collimator (3) arranged opposite the light emission assembly (2), the light emission assembly (2) comprising a light source (5) configured to emit a set of light rays (22) towards the collimator (3), the collimator (3) being configured to orient the light rays (22) parallel to each other, and at least one matrix device (4) of microlenses arranged opposite the collimator (3) and configured to project the light rays (22) into an overall light beam (9) providing a light function, characterized in that the light emission assembly (2) comprises two opposite sides (13), one of the sides (13) comprising a projection (12), the projection (12) forming two parallel edges (14, 15) vertically offset from each other relative to each other. the other. (figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Light module for a vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of light modules equipping a motor vehicle, and it relates more particularly to a light module capable of generating a light lighting and / or signaling function.

[0002] Vehicles, and in particular motor vehicles, are commonly equipped with headlights for generating various light functions such as road lighting or signaling the vehicle to other road users. The lighting corresponds, for example, to a main beam function or a dipped beam function, while the signaling corresponds, for example, to a daytime running light function, known by the English acronym DRL for "Day Running Light", or to a position light function or direction indicator light function, without this being limiting.

[0003] Concerning lighting, the two functions mentioned are distinguished insofar as the “high beam” function makes it possible to illuminate the road in front of the vehicle and the verges with a high light intensity in a satisfactory manner when the road is straight and where the “low beam” function makes it possible to illuminate the road in front of the vehicle with a lower light intensity, but nevertheless offering good visibility, without dazzling other road users. In traffic conditions where the road is shared by several vehicles, these are in “low beam” mode so as not to dazzle other road users.

[0004] It is thus known to split the lighting beam projected for the “dipped beam” function into a wide lighting zone with a cut-off, forming a lower part of the beam known as “fiat”, meaning “flat” in English, and aimed at illuminating the road scene in a wide manner below a horizon line formed by a horizontal cut-off of this lighting zone so as not to dazzle other users of the road scene, and a narrower focused lighting zone, forming an upper part of the beam known as “kink”, used in English for a “bend beam”, arranged at least partly above this horizon line and mainly on one side of a median longitudinal axis of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a straight line.This focused lighting zone has in particular a cut-off edge, inclined relative to the horizontal cut-off of the lower part of the beam at an angle of inclination in particular between 15° and 45°, which laterally delimits the upper part of the beam by stopping this upper part on the side of the driver and vehicles likely to be traveling on a lane in the opposite direction to that on which the vehicle is traveling.

[0005] It is now known, for at least some of these applications, to implement a light module within the projectors which comprises a light source and a microlens array device, also known by the acronym MLA for "microlens array" in English. The light source is conventionally a light-emitting diode, the emission surface of which, through which the light rays exit towards the matrix device, is rectangular, if necessary square. The matrix device comprises a plurality of input microlenses and a plurality of microlens output microlenses.The matrix device is configured to form light flow channels between at least one of the input microlenses and at least one of the output microlenses and the microlenses are configured such that within a given light flow channel, focusing each of the input microlenses illuminates an output microlens to achieve the desired light function.

[0006] The implementation of such an MLA type light module for performing a dipped beam function is known, by providing a mask within the matrix device, between the input microlenses and the output microlenses. More particularly, mask portions are arranged in each light circulation channel, and openings of appropriate shape are made in this mask to allow only the light rays capable of forming a dipped beam type lighting beam to pass through, with a portion of the light beam capable of exiting the matrix device being cut off to avoid visual nuisance to third-party users while coupling such a light function to a microlens matrix device.

[0007] The production of such a mask is complex, in particular insofar as it consists of conventionally providing a glass plate made opaque and on which a cutout of the opaque coating is made locally to form an opening of appropriate shape as mentioned above. In addition to the complexity, the presence of a glass plate interposed between the matrix of input microlenses and the matrix of output microlenses makes it difficult to produce light modules which must follow, for aesthetic reasons, the curve of a motor vehicle equipped with these light modules.

[0008] The present invention falls within this context and proposes an alternative to existing MLA type light modules, which aims to overcome the drawbacks which have just been mentioned.

[0009] The present invention more particularly proposes a light module for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one light emission assembly, at least one collimator arranged opposite the light emission assembly, the light emission assembly comprising a light source configured to emit a set of light rays towards the collimator, the collimator being configured to orient the light rays parallel to each other, and at least one microlens matrix device arranged opposite the collimator and configured to project the light rays into an overall light beam providing a light function, characterized in that the light emission assembly has two opposite sides, one of the sides comprising a projection interposed between two parallel edges offset from each other.

[0010] The light emission assembly and the associated light source are configured so that the emission surface of the light source is turned opposite the collimator. In the event of activation of the light emission assembly, which can be controlled remotely by the driver of the vehicle or automatically depending on a triggering event, light rays are thus emitted via the emission surface towards the collimator. The collimator is positioned so as to advantageously receive the set of light rays emitted by the light source and deflects said light rays so that they propagate in parallel at the exit of the collimator. By parallel, it is to be understood that the light rays exit the collimator by propagating in the same direction or substantially the same direction with a given tolerance, in particular a tolerance taking into account the dimensions of the light source and / or the focal length of the collimator.

[0011] Subsequently, the parallel light rays enter the microlens matrix device. The latter comprises in particular light circulation channels extending adjacent to each other between at least one input microlens and at least one output microlens, and the light rays propagate respectively within one of the light circulation channels so as to ensure the generation of an overall light beam at the output of the microlens matrix device from all the light beams formed respectively at the output of a light circulation channel.

[0012] The overall light beam capable of being generated by the light module is here a lighting beam comprising a cut-off, allowing the performance of a dipped beam type lighting function which aims in particular to not dazzle the occupants of a third-party vehicle traveling on an adjacent lane and passing the vehicle provided with the light module according to the invention.

[0013] In other words, the overall light beam has a wide lower part and a refocused upper part delimited laterally by a cut-off edge intersecting the horizontal demarcation between the lower part and the upper part of the beam.

[0014] The cut-off edge in the overall light beam generated at the output of the matrix device is formed by the presence of the projection on the path of the light rays. According to the invention, it is notable that this projection is produced at the level of the light emission assembly. As will be detailed below, it is understood, by the presence of a projection formed within one side of the light emission assembly, that this projection can just as easily be formed directly on the light source of this light emission assembly as on an element associated with the light source to form the light emission assembly, said element being in the direct vicinity of the light source, where appropriate against the emission surface of the latter.

[0015] This makes it possible to avoid the presence of a mask within the matrix device, which offers greater flexibility in the production of the matrix device.

[0016] Furthermore, the projection is here advantageously formed as close as possible to the light source, which makes it possible to reduce the potential dispersion of the rays between the emission source and the shutter means forming the projection and to ensure homogeneity of the overall light beam at the output of the microlens matrix device.

[0017] The projection is formed within one side of the light emission assembly, and the choice of said side is such that the resulting cutoff in the beam generated at the output of the matrix device is an upper cutoff of the beam. In this context, the projection may be preferentially formed in a side called the upper side of the light emission assembly.

[0018] The side of the light-emitting assembly comprising the projection is truncated so as to form the two edges offset and parallel to each other. Considering that the side comprising the projection and the opposite side are separated from each other in a vertical direction, the offset between the two edges formed by the projection is vertical and the two offset edges are horizontal, that is to say perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0019] Among the two parallel edges offset from each other by the presence of the projection, a first edge and a second edge can be defined. The first edge is the edge furthest from the opposite side of the light emission assembly, and it participates in delimiting the contour of the surface for emitting the light rays. In other words, if a shutter means is used to produce the projection and the offset of the two edges of the side comprising the projection, the first edge corresponds to an edge delimiting the emission surface, the shutter means participating in forming the projection and the second edge. The second edge is offset relative to the first edge, so as to be closer to the opposite side than the first edge, to reduce the quantity of light likely to propagate in the microlens matrix device.The projection is oriented so that the parallel edges extend on either side of the projection without being superimposed or partially superimposed on each other.

[0020] The light module may also include one or more of the features listed below, taken alone or in combination.

[0021] According to a characteristic of the invention, the light emission assembly comprises a shutter means arranged between the light source and the collimator, the projection being formed by the shutter means. In such a configuration, the light source is parallelepipedal, and the emission surface of the light source is rectangular, if necessary square. In other words, the projection and at least one of the parallel edges are formed by the shutter means. Thus, advantageously, the usual shape of a light-emitting diode, conventionally forming the light source within a light module, is retained, which limits the design and manufacturing costs of the light source.The shutter means is associated with the light source to form the light emission assembly, and a ray exit surface is formed by axially superimposing, along the direction of emission of the rays towards the collimator, the shutter means on the emission surface of the light source. The shutter means is arranged on the path of a portion of the light rays, particularly on the path of the light rays to be interrupted in order to form a cut-off beam at the exit of the light module. The shutter means comprises a shutter surface extending in overlapping the emission surface of the light source and the shape of which generates the shape of the projection, and it may comprise support means secured to the shutter surface and making it possible to arrange this shutter surface in overlapping the emission surface of the light source.

[0022] According to a characteristic of the invention, the shutter means is in contact with the light source. The shutter means directly in contact with the light source makes it possible to form the projection as close as possible to the emission zone of the light rays, which improves the homogeneity of the overall light beam.

[0023] The sealing means may for example be a plate fixed against the light source or a layer of paint. Since the light source can increase in temperature during operation to high temperatures, the sealing means must therefore be heat-resistant.

[0024] According to a characteristic of the invention, the light module comprises a support supporting the shutter means, the shutter means being at a distance from the light source and the collimator. Alternatively to the shutter means directly in contact with the light source, the latter can be arranged in the vicinity of the light source by being positioned on a support in an arrangement making it possible to form the projection. Such a support must of course be configured so as not to interfere with the light rays due to its spatial extension.

[0025] According to a characteristic of the invention, an emission surface of the light source is rectangular in shape. Where appropriate, said emission surface of the light source may be square in shape.

[0026] As mentioned, the advantage of having a shutter means associated with a light source to form the light emission assembly is that light sources, and in particular light-emitting diodes, conforming to what is sold commercially, can be used in the light module, without it being necessary to modify the shape of the emission surface.

[0027] Therefore, in the presence of a shutter means, the side comprising a projection must be considered as a side of the ray exit surface, said exit surface being considered as the surface resulting from the projection of the emission surface of the light source not covered by the shutter surface of the shutter means.

[0028] According to a characteristic of the invention, the light source is directly opposite the collimator and comprises an emission surface, one side of which includes said projection. By "directly opposite", it is meant that there is no element arranged between the light source and the collimator. Alternatively to the implementation of a shutter means, the light source can be directly designed so that its emission surface directly includes the projection, for example during its manufacture. This avoids incorporating an additional element into the light module.

[0029] According to a characteristic of the invention, the projection comprises a slope connecting the two parallel edges, the collimator being centered around an optical axis, a base of the slope of the projection being positioned on the optical axis of the collimator. The slope can for example be positioned in the middle of the side.

[0030] It is understood that in the projection of the overall light beam to infinity, the part that must be the sharpest is located at the base of the slope, that is to say at the point connecting the slope to the second edge, since this zone delimits both the horizontal cut-off between the lower part of the dipped beam and the zone that it is desired not to illuminate and the vertical cut-off between this zone not to be illuminated and the upper part of the dipped beam. In this context, it is advantageous for this zone of the projection to be aligned with the optical axis of the collimator, so that the corresponding zone of the light beam is projected to infinity in a clear manner.

[0031] According to a characteristic of the invention, the slope forms an angle of 30° and 60° relative to a vertical normal. The vertical normal being perpendicular to the horizontal edges, a slope forming an angle of 30° with the vertical normal forms an angle of 60° with the horizontal edges. Thus, the higher the value of the angle, the more the slope tends towards the horizontal. This helps to modify the shape and dimensions of the overall projected light beam, and this makes it possible to adapt to the standards in force in the country where the vehicle equipped with the device according to the invention is marketed. The slope is oriented so that each parallel edge is positioned on either side of the vertical normal.

[0032] Of course, the characteristics of the overall projected light beam also depend on the characteristics of the microlens matrix device. For example, if this microlens matrix device comprises microlenses having different focal lengths horizontally and vertically, tending to horizontally spread the image at the origin of the overall projected light beam, the inclined plane corresponding to the projection may have an angle greater than the angle of the slope of the projection formed in the light emission assembly.

[0033] Advantageously, the slope forms an angle of 45° with the vertical normal. This is the ideal angle so that the overall projected light beam has an inclined plane in the cut-off whose inclination is identical to that originally provided in the light emission assembly, regardless of the magnification properties of the microlens matrix device.

[0034] According to a characteristic of the invention, the microlens matrix device comprises a plurality of input microlenses and output microlenses, the microlenses defining at least one light circulation channel with a magnification capacity defined by a focal length of at least one input microlens and at least one output microlens.

[0035] The light rays deflected by the collimator advantageously penetrate into the microlens matrix device in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the microlens matrix device, itself being parallel to the optical axis of the collimator.

[0036] The input microlenses allow the convergence of light rays, within the corresponding light channel, towards the corresponding output microlens and this output microlens is configured to image at infinity the rays coming from the input microlens associated with it. In this way, a clear image is projected at infinity and the effectiveness of the function is ensured by propagating the rays passing through an input microlens only within a light circulation channel dedicated to this input microlens and to an associated output microlens. For example, an image focus of an input microlens and an object focus of the output microlens associated with said input microlens are merged with each other.

[0037] The microlenses may be grouped into pairs of microlenses to form light circulation channels, each comprising an input microlens and an output microlens. Alternatively, an input microlens may be associated with several output microlenses or an output microlens may be associated with several input microlenses.

[0038] The magnification capacity of the light circulation channels may be dependent on the focal length of the input microlenses of the microlens array device. The higher this focal length, the lower the magnification capacity and vice versa.

[0039] According to a characteristic of the invention, the growth capacity of each circulation channel is identical to one another.

[0040] According to another characteristic of the invention, at least one magnification capacity of a circulation channel is different from a magnification capacity of an adjacent circulation channel. In the arrangement of the circulation channels within the microlens matrix device, it is possible to provide an alternation between circulation channels having a first magnification capacity value and circulation channels having a second magnification capacity value, which makes it possible to obtain a more homogeneous overall light beam.

[0041] Each image projected at the output of a light circulation channel is projected to infinity and is superimposed on the images projected at the output of the other light circulation channels.

[0042] Having light circulation channels with different magnification capacities from one channel to another makes it possible to superimpose images of different sizes. The center of the overall light beam is thus more intense, because it results from the superposition of all the projected images, whereas the periphery of the overall light beam is less intense because it results only from the superposition of the images projected at the output of the circulation channels whose magnification capacity is of a greater value than the values ​​of the other magnification capacities.

[0043] The implementation of different magnification capacities from one light circulation channel to another involves taking into account the angle of the slope of the jump described above, in particular if the passage section of the light circulation channels is other than square. In this context, the image projected at the output of a circulation channel with a first magnification capacity may be more stretched in width than in height, in two directions perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis, compared to the image projected at the output of a circulation channel with a second magnification capacity, but it is appropriate in this context that the cut-off edges of each projected image still overlap.

[0044] It is understood that in the case of a projection having a slope of an angle of 45°, it is desirable to proportionally modify the dimensions of width and height of each projected image intended to be superimposed to form the overall light beam.

[0045] On the other hand, a slope having an angle greater than 45°, that is to say a slope tending more towards the horizontal direction, may be preferred if the difference in magnification capacity implies a greater increase in width than in height when moving from one image to another. Conversely, a slope having an angle less than 45°, that is to say a slope tending more towards the vertical direction, may be preferred if the difference in magnification capacity implies a greater increase in height than in width when moving from one image to another.

[0046] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0047] [Fig.l] schematically represents a light module according to the invention seen from above,

[0048] [Fig.2] is a front view of a first embodiment of an assembly light emission of the light module,

[0049] [Fig.3] is a front view of a second embodiment of the assembly light emission of the light module,

[0050] [Fig.4] is a first diagram of projection of a global light beam by a light module according to the invention,

[0051] [Fig.5] is a second diagram of projection of a global light beam by light module according to the invention,

[0052] [Fig.6] is a third diagram of projection of a global light beam by light module according to the invention.

[0053] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation seen from above of a light module 1 according to the invention. Such a light module can be integrated within a vehicle, in particular at the level of a front headlight of said vehicle. The light module 1 is capable of implementing at least one light function within the vehicle, for example a light function of the dipped beam type.

[0054] To do this, the light module 1 comprises a light emission assembly 2, a collimator 3 and a microlens matrix device 4. The light emission assembly 2 comprises at least one light source 5 capable of emitting light rays 22 in a plurality of directions. This light source 5 is electrically connected to a printed circuit board (not shown) and is activated manually, for example following a command from the driver of the vehicle, or automatically, for example following detection of a lack of external light.

[0055] The emitted light rays 22 then propagate to the collimator 3 which is opposite the light source 5. The collimator 3 is configured around an optical axis 6 and ensures a deviation of the light rays 22 so that all of the light rays 22 are parallel to the optical axis 6 at the output of the collimator 3, the parallelism of the light rays 22 being implemented according to a defined tolerance. The collimator 3 thus makes it possible to distribute the light rays 22 homogeneously on the matrix device 4 of microlenses arranged downstream of the collimator.

[0056] Indeed, at the exit of the collimator 3, the light rays 22 parallel to each other propagate to the matrix device 4 of microlenses. The matrix device 4 comprises a plurality of microlenses, more particularly input microlenses 7 facing the collimator 3 and output microlenses 8 opposite the input microlenses 7. Each light ray 22 thus enters the matrix device 4 via one of the input microlenses 7 and exits in the form of a light beam 9 via one of the output microlenses 8.

[0057] An input microlens 7 and an output microlens 8 facing each other form a pair 10 of microlenses, said pair 10 defining a circulation channel 11 extending substantially parallel to the optical axis 6 of the collimator and within which the light rays 22 are caused to propagate in the direction of the output microlens. Alternatively, an input microlens can be associated with several output microlenses or vice versa.

[0058] Each pair 10 of microlenses processes the light rays 22 circulating in their respective circulation channel 11 according to the optical characteristics of each microlens. In particular, the propagation of the light rays 22 within a given light circulation channel is dependent on a focal length 23 of the input microlens 7 and the corresponding focal length of the output microlens 8. By way of example, the pairs 10 of microlenses can be arranged so that an image focus of the input microlens 7 of said pair 10 coincides with an object focus of the output microlens 8, so that a global light beam 100 at the output of the microlens matrix device, formed by the combination of all the images generated respectively by the light beams 9 leaving each light circulation channel, is projected to infinity in the sharpest possible manner.

[0059] The focal length 23 of the two microlenses each processing the light rays makes it possible to define a magnification capacity of the associated circulation channel 11, namely a magnification capacity of the light beam 9 resulting from this circulation channel. The magnification capacity corresponds to the transformation of the angular tolerance on the parallelism of the rays coming from the collimator 3 into a more or less significant angular spacing in the resulting light beam. Thus, the magnification capacity transforms the size of the light source into a greater or lesser angular spacing in the resulting light beam. The magnification capacity of each circulation channel 11 influences the size of the image 102 projected at the output of the light circulation channel, the overall light beam 100 being formed by the infinite superposition of each of the images 102, as is more particularly visible in [Fig. 5] where the images 102 are of different sizes. This results, in this embodiment, in an overall light beam 100 with variable light intensity, the light intensity of a zone of the beam depending on the number of images 102 superimposed in this zone.

[0060] In the context of a microlens matrix device, it is envisaged to have sets of light circulation channels having the same magnification capacity, the difference in magnification capacities being made from one set of light circulation channels to another. Therefore, it is advantageous to provide an alternation between a circulation channel 11 having a low magnification capacity and a circulation channel 11 having a high magnification capacity to ensure the generation of an overall light beam whose intensity evolution from the center to the periphery of the beam appears homogeneous for an external observer.

[0061] The light module 1 according to the invention is characterized in that the light emission assembly 2 comprises a projection 12 positioned on one side 13 of the light emission assembly 2, which in the example shown schematically in [Fig.l] corresponds to the visible edge.

[0062] The presence of the projection 12 helps to form two parallel edges 14, 15 offset from each other, the offset being to be considered in a direction perpendicular to each of the planes in which these parallel edges 14, 15 extend respectively. The shape and the dimension of the projection 12 are notably defined by the inclination of a slope 16 connecting the parallel edges 14, 15 to each other. As is more particularly visible in [Fig. 2], it is possible to identify, among these two parallel edges 14, 15 respectively delimiting the projection 12 on a first side 13 of the light emission assembly 2, a first parallel edge 14 which corresponds to an upper edge and a second parallel edge 15 which corresponds to a lower edge, the second parallel edge being the edge closest to the side of the light emission assembly opposite said first side 13.The slope 16 thus extends between a vertex 19 which links the slope to the first parallel edge 14 and a base 20 which links the slope 16 to the second parallel edge 15.

[0063] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the base 20 of the projection 12 is advantageously aligned with the optical axis 6 of the collimator 3. The advantage of such an configuration will be more particularly described below based on the illustration in figures 3 and 4.

[0064] The presence of a projection forming an element for blocking the rays propagating within the light module makes it possible to project a beam at the output of the light module, the cut-off of which has a staircase shape, for the production of a dipped headlight function.

[0065] It is known to provide a projection by masks interposed on the path of the light rays emitted by a light source, and in particular within the microlens matrix device, in order to give the overall light beam 100 projected onto the road a regulatory shape for the performance of a dipped beam type lighting function, so as to prevent a third user, for example a driver of a vehicle crossing the road of the motor vehicle equipped with the light module 1 according to the invention, from being bothered by excessively intense brightness of the part of the light beam 9 propagating in its direction.

[0066] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the light module 1 according to the invention is particularly advantageous in that the projection is formed in the vicinity of the light emission assembly, as close as possible to the ray emission surface, where appropriate directly on or against it.

[0067] [Fig. 2] is a front view of the light emission assembly 2, which makes it possible to better visualize the projection 12 as well as the parallel edges 14, 15, and to account for an embodiment of the invention according to which the projection is formed directly opposite the light source by means of a shutter means. As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the light source 5 is rectangular and the projection 12 is formed using a shutter means 17 positioned opposite the light source 5 and having a shape comprising at least one inclined edge of a shape complementary to the slope 16 of the projection 12 and a straight edge corresponding to the second edge 15 of the light source 5.

[0068] The shutter means 17 is advantageously arranged as close as possible to the light source 5, for example by being in contact with the latter. The shutter means 17 may for example be a metal plate or a layer of paint. More generally, the shutter means 17 is a heat-resistant material in order to withstand the heat released by the light source 5 when the latter is active.

[0069] In [Fig.2], as is also the case for [Fig.3], the shutter means 17 is hatched to better reflect its shape superimposed on the light source.

[0070] It is understood that in this embodiment, the light emission assembly 2 is formed of the light source and the shutter means, these two elements being at maximum separated, along the optical axis 6 previously mentioned, by a distance of the order of 1 to 2% compared to a distance between the light source and the collimator.

[0071] Alternatively, the light source 5 may be square in shape as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0072] In another embodiment, as illustrated in [Fig.l], the projection 12 can be formed directly at the light source 5, more particularly at an emission surface of the light source 5, without requiring a shutter means 17, the shuttering of the rays to form a light beam of appropriate shape being directly achieved by a specific shape on one side of the emission surface which has this offset of two parallel edges. In other words, the emission surface of the rays formed during the production of the light source is not square or rectangular but has directly on one of these sides a trimmed portion forming the two parallel edges offset and separated by the projection 12.

[0073] [Fig. 2] also allows the slope 16, which extends from the base 20 to the apex 19, to be better observed. In [Fig. 2], relative to a normal 18, i.e. a straight line perpendicular to the elongation surface of one or other of the parallel edges 14, 15, the slope 16 is oriented at an angle 25 of 45°. Such an angle 25 may, however, vary, for example between 30° and 60°, as will be described in detail later. A 45° angle may be advantageous in a case of application of the microlens matrix device where the light circulation channels have variable magnification capacities, as will be discussed later.

[0074] The light emission assembly 2 illustrated in [Fig. 3], in addition to comprising the square-shaped light source 5, comprises a shutter means 17 held in place between the light source 5 and the collimator, not illustrated here, by a support 21. The support 21 allows the shutter means 17 to be positioned opposite the light source 5 while avoiding itself interfering with the emission of light rays by the light source 5. This is an alternative to the shutter means 17 linked directly to the light source 5.

[0075] Figures 4 and 5 both illustrate an overall light beam 100 projected to infinity by a light module according to the invention, in different application cases, the overall light beam 100 comprising a horizontal cut-off 110 and a cut-off edge 112 inclined relative to this horizontal cut-off 110 and relative to the normal to this horizontal cut-off, the inclination of the cut-off edge 112 being defined by the angle of the projection 12 formed according to the invention on one side of the light emission assembly.

[0076] In [Fig.4], the overall light beam 100 is projected by a light module at within which on the one hand the projection formed on the light emission assembly has a slope, in accordance with what was mentioned previously, the angle of which is 45°, which has the effect of generating a cut-off edge 112 with an inclination angle 125 of a value substantially equal to 45°, and within which, on the other hand, the light circulation channels of the microlens matrix device have similar magnification capacities from one channel to another. Conversely, in [Fig.5], the inclination angle 125 of the cut-off edge 112 of the slope has a value of 60°, and the light circulation channels of the microlens matrix device are grouped into several sets, here four in number, the magnification capacities of which vary from one set to another.

[0077] [Fig.5] thus illustrates a projection of different images 102 with a proportional variation of the characteristics of the microlenses. The cut-off edge 112 is therefore always oriented according to an inclination angle 125 of 60°.

[0078] [Fig.6], for its part, illustrates a plurality of image projections 102 with a non-proportional variation of the characteristics of the microlenses. In this situation, the shorter the focal length in one direction, the more the image 102 will be extended towards one of the dimensions of the image 102 in said direction, for example the height or the width. As a result, the cut-off edge 112 is oriented differently depending on the characteristics of the microlenses. [Fig.6] therefore comprises several cut-off edges 112, the orientation of which depends on the image of the desired light beam.

[0079] In other words, the value of the angle 25 of the slope 16 and the shape of the image 102 intended to be projected at the output of the light circulation channel are simultaneously taken into account.

[0080] The angle 25 of the slope 16 is thus preferably between 30° and 60° depending on the shape of the light beam that one wishes to implement.

[0081] The invention, as just described, achieves the aim it set itself, and makes it possible to propose a light module, capable of generating a light function of the dipped beam type and using a microlens matrix device, which is simple to produce and which has good luminous efficiency. Variants not described here could be implemented without departing from the context of the invention, provided that, in accordance with the invention, they comprise a light module in accordance with the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Light module (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one light emission assembly (2), at least one collimator (3) arranged opposite the light emission assembly (2), the light emission assembly (2) comprising a light source (5) configured to emit a set of light rays (22) towards the collimator (3), the collimator (3) being configured to orient the light rays (22) in parallel, and at least one matrix device (4) of microlenses arranged opposite the collimator (3) and configured to project the light rays (22) into an overall light beam (100) providing a light function, characterized in that the light emission assembly (2) has two opposite sides (13), one of the sides (13) comprising a projection (12) interposed between two parallel edges (14, 15) offset from each other.

2. Light module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the light emission assembly (2) comprises a shutter means (17) arranged between the light source (5) and the collimator (3), the projection (12) being formed by the shutter means (17).

3. Light module (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the closing means (17) is in contact with the light source (5).

4. Light module (1) according to claim 2, comprising a support (21) supporting the shutter means (17), the shutter means (17) being at a distance from the light source (5) and the collimator (3).

5. Light module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the light source (5) is directly opposite the collimator (3) and comprises an emission surface of which one side (13) comprises said projection (12).

6. A light module (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the projection (12) comprises a slope (16) connecting the two parallel edges (14, 15), the collimator (3) being centered around an optical axis (6), a base (20) of the slope (16) of the projection (12) being positioned on the optical axis (6) of the collimator (3).

7. Light module (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the slope (16) forms an angle of 30° and 60° relative to a vertical normal (18).

8. A light module (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the microlens array device (4) comprises a plurality of input microlenses (7) and output microlenses (8), the microlenses (7, 8) defining at least one light circulation channel (11) with a magnification capacity defined by a focal length (23) of at least one input microlens (7) and at least one output microlens (8).

9. Light module (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the magnification capacity of each circulation channel (11) is identical to each other.

10. A light module (1) according to claim 8, wherein at least one magnification capacity of a circulation channel (11) is different from a magnification capacity of an adjacent circulation channel (11).

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