Lighting and / or signaling device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Title: Lighting and / or signaling device for a motor vehicle The invention relates to a device (1) for lighting and / or signaling a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, this device comprising: At least one light source (10) arranged to emit visible light, At least one first screen (20) and one second screen (30), the first screen (20) being arranged opposite the second screen (30) between the light source and said second screen (30), the first screen (20) and the second screen (30) each comprising: A plurality of illuminating zones (21; 31) arranged for the passage of light coming from the light source, and At least one masking zone (22;32) adjacent at least partially to an illuminating zone, said masking zone being arranged to allow less light to pass through than the illuminating zones or to prevent the passage of light emitted by the light source, the illuminating zones (21) of the first screen (20) and the illuminating zones (31) of the second screen (30) being arranged relative to each other so as to be in optical interaction to generate a dynamic image. Abstract figure: Fig. 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Lighting and / or signaling device for a motor vehicle

[0001] The subject of the invention is a lighting and / or signaling device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.

[0002] In the automotive industry, most light signatures have a homogeneous and static appearance when lit.

[0003] In this context, the present invention aims in particular to propose a new lighting and / or signaling device with dynamic light effects.

[0004] The invention relates to a lighting and / or signaling device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, this device comprising: - At least one light source arranged to emit visible light, - At least a first screen and a second screen, the first screen being arranged opposite the second screen between the light source and said second screen, the first and second screens each comprising: • A plurality of illuminating zones arranged for the passage of light coming from the light source, and • At least one masking zone adjacent at least partially to an illuminating zone, said masking zone being arranged to allow less light to pass through than the illuminating zones or to prevent the passage of light emitted by the light source, the illuminating zones of the first screen and the illuminating zones of the second screen being arranged relative to each other so as to be in optical interaction to generate a dynamic image.

[0005] Here, the term “dynamic image” is understood to mean an image that changes appearance depending on the angle of observation from which an observer looks at the lighting and / or signaling device. For example, a dynamic image may be a pattern or set of patterns that is in motion depending on the angle of observation of the observer. In particular, the pattern or set of patterns may be in motion in any direction or even a down / up direction, and / or a left / right direction, and / or a direction along a translation axis, and / or around a rotation axis. The dynamic image may be an image in which a pattern or set of patterns changes appearance depending on the angle of observation from which an observer looks at the lighting and / or signaling device. For example, the pattern or set of patterns may change size (for example enlargement / shrinking depending on the angle of observation of an observer), changing shape, changing angle depending on the angle of observation from which the observer looks at the lighting and / or signaling device. The dynamic image can be an image in which a pattern or set of patterns moves in a translational movement or in a rotational movement depending on the angle of observation of an observer from which he looks at the lighting and / or signaling device.

[0006] By "optical interaction" is meant here a spatial interference between the illuminating zones of the first and second screen producing a dynamic image, in other words an image which changes appearance depending on the observation angle of the observer from which he looks at the lighting and / or signaling device.

[0007] The invention thus makes it possible to obtain a dynamic image which changes appearance, for example by offering a scintillating effect, when one approaches it.

[0008] For example, a driver in a vehicle overtaking another vehicle with such a lighting and / or signaling device sees a dynamic image that becomes animated as he moves closer to the vehicle to be overtaken (since the viewing angle changes gradually). In another example, a pedestrian passing close to the vehicle sees a dynamic image as he moves alongside the vehicle.

[0009] The invention is also advantageous (because it is simple to construct) because no control electronics are required to generate the animation. In addition, the invention thus makes it possible to comply with regulatory provisions on the intensity and illuminated surface area of ​​vehicle lights.

[0010] In one aspect of the invention, the illuminating areas of the first screen form a first array of illuminating areas, and the illuminating areas of the second screen form a second array of illuminating areas.

[0011] In one aspect of the invention, the first array and the second array of illuminating zones are arranged on top of each other so as to optically interact to generate a dynamic image.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the illuminating zones of the first screen are distributed according to a regular pitch.

[0013] Alternatively, the illuminating zones of the first screen are distributed according to an irregular pitch.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the illuminating zones of the second screen are distributed according to a regular pitch.

[0015] Alternatively, the illuminating zones of the second screen are distributed at an irregular pitch.

[0016] For example, the illuminating areas of the first screen and the illuminating areas of the second screen are distributed at a regular pitch. In another example, the illuminating areas of the first screen and the illuminating areas of the second screen are distributed at an irregular pitch. In another example, the illuminating zones of one of the screens, in particular the first screen or the second screen, are distributed at a regular pitch, and the illuminating zones of the second screen are distributed at an irregular pitch.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the illuminating zones of the first screen all have the same shape.

[0018] Alternatively, at least two illuminating zones of the first screen have different shapes.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the illuminating zones of the second screen all have the same shape.

[0020] Alternatively, at least two illuminating zones of the second screen have different shapes.

[0021] For example, the illuminating areas of the first screen have the same shape and the illuminating areas of the second screen have the same shape. In another example, at least two illuminating areas of the first screen have different shapes and at least two illuminating areas of the second screen have different shapes. In another example, the illuminating areas of one of the screens, in particular the first screen or the second screen, have the same shape, and at least two illuminating areas of the second screen have different shapes.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the illuminating zones of the first screen all have the same dimension.

[0023] Alternatively, at least two illuminating zones of the first screen have different dimensions.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the illuminating zones of the second screen all have the same dimension.

[0025] Alternatively, at least two illuminating zones of the second screen have different dimensions.

[0026] For example, the illuminating areas of the first screen have the same dimension and the illuminating areas of the second screen have the same dimension. In another example, at least two illuminating areas of the first screen have different dimensions and at least two illuminating areas of the second screen have different dimensions. In another example, the illuminating areas of one of the screens, in particular the first screen or the second screen, have the same dimension, and at least two illuminating areas of the second screen have different dimensions.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the illuminating zones form a pattern.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the pattern formed on the first screen and the pattern formed on the second screen are identical.

[0029] Alternatively, the pattern formed on the first screen and the pattern formed on the second screen are different.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the pattern formed by the first screen and the pattern formed on the second screen are antisymmetric. For example, the pattern formed on the second screen is a mirror of the pattern formed on the first screen.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the pattern formed on the first screen is offset relative to the pattern formed on the second screen. For example, the pattern formed on the first screen is offset along a left / right direction axis, and / or along an up / down direction axis, and / or along any direction axis relative to the pattern formed on the second screen. In another example, the pattern formed on the first screen is offset from the pattern formed on the second screen according to a rotation about an axis of rotation.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the first screen and the second screen are spaced apart by a non-zero distance.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the distance between the first and second screens depends on the size of the illuminating zones.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the smaller the illuminating zones, the smaller the distance between the first and second screens.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the ratio of the distance between the first screen and the second screen and the dimension of the illuminating zones is between 2 and 4.

[0036] Preferably, the minimum size of the illuminating zones is greater than 10 mm in its greatest length. In this case, the gap between the first screen and the second screen is for example between 20 and 40 mm.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the first screen and the second screen are spaced apart by a non-zero distance and are superimposed on each other. In other words, no element is arranged between the first and second screens.

[0038] In one aspect of the invention, the illuminating areas are translucent. In other words, the illuminating areas partially allow light to pass through.

[0039] Alternatively, the illuminating areas are transparent. In other words, the illuminating areas allow the light to pass through completely.

[0040] In one aspect of the invention, the illuminating areas allow more light to pass through than the masking areas.

[0041] In one aspect according to the invention, the illuminating zones are formed by perforation of the first and / or the second screen.

[0042] Alternatively, the illuminating areas are formed by masking the first and / or second screen. For example, the illuminating areas of the first and / or second screen are formed by depositing a mask comprising the pattern formed by the illuminating areas on said first and / or second screen.

[0043] In one aspect according to the invention, the masking zone of the first and / or second screen completely prevents the passage of light.

[0044] Alternatively, the masking zone of the first and / or second screen partially allows light to pass through by homogeneous diffusion of the light. In other words, said masking zone is made of a material arranged to partially diffuse the light.

[0045] In one aspect of the invention, the masking area of ​​the first screen is arranged to completely prevent the passage of light, and the masking area of ​​the second screen is arranged to allow more light to pass through than the first masking area. Thus, this forms a diffuse background on the second screen.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the patterns formed on the first and / or the second screen are chosen from geometric shapes, in particular triangles, polygons, circles, lines, letters, arrows, etc.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the light source comprises one or more LEDs (light emitting diodes).

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises a light engine configured to define the light source(s), in particular to emit light in a substantially uniform manner.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the light source is capable of emitting visible light through one of its lateral faces, and comprises a textile sheet formed of interlaced textile threads and optical fibers, the optical fibers each comprising at least one lateral light emission zone oriented towards the lateral face capable of emitting visible light, said emission zone being formed by interlacing the optical fiber with a textile thread when the optical fiber is superimposed on the textile thread on the lateral face of the light structure capable of emitting light.

[0050] In other words, by interlacing, it is understood here an area in which the optical fiber and the textile yarn cross, and in which the optical fiber overlaps the textile yarn, in other words it passes over the textile yarn.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the first and / or second screens is curved.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises at least one reflective surface arranged to reflect light, the reflective surface being in particular arranged on all of the internal walls on a light engine as well as on surfaces between each screen.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, the lighting and / or signaling device forms a front or rear position light for a motor vehicle.

[0054] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, and the appended drawings in which:

[0055] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a lighting device and / or signaling according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0056] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows schematically dynamic images obtained by the lighting and / or signaling device of [Fig.l];

[0057] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of patterns of a screen according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0058] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of a lighting and / or signaling device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0059] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows schematically dynamic images obtained by the lighting and / or signaling device of [Fig.4].

[0060] [Fig.l] schematically represents a lighting and / or signaling device 1 of a motor vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0061] The lighting and / or signaling device 1 forms a front or rear position light of a motor vehicle.

[0062] This lighting and / or signaling device 1 comprises: - At least one light source 10 arranged to emit visible light, - At least a first screen 20 and a second screen 30, the first screen 20 being arranged opposite the second screen 30 between the light source 10 and said second screen 30, the first screen 20 and the second screen 30 each comprising: • A plurality of illuminating zones 21, respectively 31, arranged for the passage of light coming from the light source, and • At least one masking zone 22, respectively 32, adjacent at least partially to an illuminating zone 21, respectively 31, said masking zone 22, respectively 32, being arranged to allow less light to pass through than the illuminating zones 21, respectively 31, or to prevent the passage of light emitted by the light source 10.

[0063] The illuminating zones 21 of the first screen 20 and the illuminating zones 31 of the second screen 30 being arranged relative to each other so as to be in optical interaction to generate a dynamic image IM1, IM2, IM3, as illustrated in [Fig.2],

[0064] Here, the term "dynamic image" means an image that changes appearance depending on the angle of observation from which an observer looks at the lighting and / or signaling device. For example, a dynamic image may be a pattern or a set of patterns that is in motion depending on the angle of observation of the observer. In particular, the pattern or set of patterns may be in motion in any direction or even a down / up direction, and / or a left / right direction, and / or a direction along a translation axis, and / or around a rotation axis. The dynamic image may be an image in which a pattern or set of patterns changes appearance depending on the angle of observation from which an observer looks at the lighting and / or signaling device.For example, the pattern or set of patterns may change size (e.g. enlargement / shrinkage depending on the viewing angle of an observer), change shape, change angle depending on the viewing angle from which the observer views the lighting and / or signaling device. The dynamic image may be an image in which a pattern or set of patterns moves in a translational motion or in a rotational motion depending on the viewing angle of an observer from which he views the lighting and / or signaling device.

[0065] By “optical interaction” is meant here a spatial interference between the illuminating zones 21 of the first and the illuminating zones 31 of the second screen 30 producing a dynamic image, in other words an image which changes appearance depending on the observation angle of the observer from which he looks at the lighting and / or signaling device.

[0066] In the example illustrated in [Fig.2], an image is obtained which comprises patterns 40, for example circles, which move from left to right (see arrow F), depending on the angle of observation from which an observer looks at the lighting and / or signaling device 1. [Fig.2] illustrates such an animation with three illustrative images IM1, IM2 and IM3, showing the movement of the patterns according to arrow F as the observer moves.

[0067] For example, a driver in a vehicle overtaking another vehicle with such a lighting and / or signaling device sees a dynamic image that animates as he moves up past the vehicle to be overtaken (since the viewing angle changes gradually). In another example, a pedestrian passing close to the vehicle sees a dynamic image as he moves alongside the vehicle.

[0068] In one aspect of the invention, the illuminating zones 21 of the first screen 20 form a first network 24 of illuminating zones, and the illuminating zones 31 of the second screen 30 form a second network 34 of illuminating zones.

[0069] The first network 24 and the second network 34 of illuminating zones are arranged one on top of the other so as to be in optical interaction to generate a dynamic image.

[0070] In the example described in [Fig.l], the illuminating zones 21 of the first screen 20 and the illuminating zones 31 of the second screen 30 are distributed according to a regular pitch.

[0071] Here, the illuminating zones 21 of the first screen 20 all have the same shape and the same dimension, which are squares in the example described. The first network 24 is for example a checkerboard type.

[0072] The same applies to the illuminating zones 31 of the second screen 30.

[0073] Thus, the pattern formed on the first screen 20 and the pattern formed on the second screen 30 are identical.

[0074] Alternatively, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the illuminating zones 21, in the form of circles, of the first screen 20 could have different sizes, and are distributed according to an irregular pitch, for example with a random pitch. Similarly, the pattern formed on the first screen 20 and the pattern formed on the second screen 30 are different.

[0075] In another exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the pattern formed by the first screen 20 and the pattern formed on the second screen 30 are antisymmetric. For example, the pattern formed on the second screen 30 is a mirror of the pattern formed on the first screen 20. Here, the illuminating zones 21, in the form of triangles, of the first screen 20 are antisymmetric relative to the illuminating zones 31, in the form of triangles, of the first screen 30.

[0076] The illuminating zones 21 and the illuminating zones 31 make it possible to form the dynamic images IM4 and IM5, which can generate a 3D type effect with shapes that change depending on the viewing angle. According to one aspect of the invention, the pattern formed on the first screen 20 is offset relative to the pattern formed on the second screen 30. For example, the pattern formed on the first screen 20 is offset along a left / right direction axis, and / or along an up / down direction axis, and / or along any direction axis relative to the pattern formed on the second screen 30. In another example, the pattern formed on the first screen 20 is offset from the pattern formed on the second screen 30 according to a rotation around an axis of rotation.

[0077] In the examples described, the first screen 20 and the second screen 30 are spaced apart by a non-zero distance. This distance between the first screen 20 and the second screen 30 depends on the size of the illuminating zones. In particular, the smaller the illuminating zones, the smaller the distance between the first and second screens 30.

[0078] According to one aspect of the invention, the ratio of the distance between the first screen and the second screen and the dimension of the illuminating zones is between 2 and 4.

[0079] Preferably, the minimum size of the illuminating zones is greater than 10 mm in its greatest length. In this case, the gap between the first screen and the second screen is for example between 20 and 40 mm.

[0080] The illuminating areas are translucent. In other words, the illuminating areas partially allow light to pass through, or are transparent.

[0081] In any case, the illuminating zones let more light through than the masking zones.

[0082] In one aspect according to the invention, the illuminating zones 21, 31 are formed by perforation of the first screen 20 and / or of the second screen 30.

[0083] As a variant, the illuminating zones are formed by masking the first and / or second screen 30. For example, the illuminating zones of the first screen 20 and / or second screen 30 are formed by depositing a mask comprising the pattern formed by the illuminating zones on said first and / or second screen 30.

[0084] The masking areas 22, 32 are made of an opaque material to completely prevent the passage of light.

[0085] Generally, the patterns formed on the first screen 20 and / or the second screen 30 are chosen from geometric shapes, in particular triangles, polygons, circles, lines, letters, arrows, etc.

[0086] The first screen 20 and / or the second screen 30 may be curved.

[0087] In the example described, the light source is a light engine 10 for emitting light in a substantially uniform manner, over the entire surface of the screens 20 and 30. The light engine 10 is an electronic device, in particular a printed circuit device, comprising one or more LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and at least one light guide for guiding the light emitted by the LED(s). In particular, the light guide of the light engine comprises a plate in which light can propagate, this plate comprising at least one light-emitting face, in a known manner.

[0088] In a variant (not shown), the light source comprises a flexible guide sheet, said sheet comprising a film at its core. This film is capable of receiving light rays via a light injection edge and of returning the light rays in the direction along an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the flexible guide sheet via a light emission face emitting the light.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for lighting and / or signaling a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, this device comprising: - At least one light source (10) arranged to emit visible light, - At least one first screen (20) and one second screen (30), the first screen (20) being arranged opposite the second screen (30) between the light source and said second screen (30), the first screen (20) and the second screen (30) each comprising: • A plurality of illuminating zones (21; 31) arranged for the passage of light coming from the light source, and • At least one masking zone (22;32) adjacent at least partially to an illuminating zone, said masking zone being arranged to allow less light to pass through than the illuminating zones or to prevent the passage of light emitted by the light source, the illuminating zones (21) of the first screen (20) and the illuminating zones (31) of the second screen (30) being arranged relative to each other so as to be in optical interaction to generate a dynamic image.;

2. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the illuminating zones (21) of the first screen (20) form a first network of illuminating zones, and the illuminating zones (31) of the second screen (30) form a second network of illuminating zones, and the first network and the second network of illuminating zones are arranged on top of each other so as to be in optical interaction to generate a dynamic image.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the illuminating zones (21) of the first screen (20) and / or of the second screen (30) are distributed according to a regular pitch.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the illuminating zones (21) of the first screen (20) and / or of the second screen (30) all have the same shape.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least two illuminating zones (21) of the first screen (20) and / or of the second screen (30) have different shapes.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pattern formed on the first screen (20) and the pattern formed on the second screen (30) are identical.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the pattern formed on the first screen (20) and the pattern formed on the second screen (30) are different.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first screen (20) and the second screen (30) are spaced apart by a non-zero distance.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the illuminating zones (21; 31) are formed by perforation of the first and / or second screen (30) or the illuminating zones of the first and / or second screen (30) are formed by depositing a mask comprising the pattern formed by the illuminating zones on said first and / or second screen (30).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a light engine (10) configured to define the light source(s), in particular to emit light in a substantially uniform manner.

Images