SHARABLE DIFFUSION SCREEN LIGHTING DEVICE FOR BACKLIGHTING OF SHAPE(S)

Abstract

A lighting device (ED) comprises: - a diffusion screen (ED) including a first rear face (FR1) receiving generated photons and a first front face (FV1) diffusing the received photons, - a glass (GD) including a second rear face (FR2) positioned opposite the first front face (FV1) and receiving the diffused photons, and a second front face (FV2), one of the second rear face (FR2) and second front face (FV2) being opaque to photons except in at least one transparent zone (ZT1) having a predefined shape, and - an electronic board (CE) including, in at least one installation zone (ZI1) having a shape similar to the predefined shape of a corresponding transparent zone (ZT1), sources (SP) generating the photons. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: LIGHTING DEVICE WITH SHAPED DIFFUSION SCREEN, FOR BACKLIGHTING OF SHAPE(S) Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to lighting devices for backlighting at least one shape. State of the art

[0002] In certain technical fields, such as for example in certain vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, lighting devices are used to backlight one or more shapes which may, for example, represent a brand logo.

[0003] For example, in a motor vehicle the lighting device can be fitted to a grille installed at the front end in order to make this grille luminous.

[0004] Currently, this type of lighting device comprises sources for generating photons and a diffusion screen having a rear face receiving the generated photons and a front face diffusing the received photons. This diffusion screen includes, on one of its rear and front faces, at least one predefined shape to be backlit.

[0005] A first disadvantage of this type of lighting device lies in the fact that one is forced to provide a diffusion screen for each predefined shape, which prevents a sharing of diffusion screens, for example in the case of an automotive group comprising several car manufacturers.

[0006] A second disadvantage of this type of lighting device lies in the fact that almost the entire broadcast screen is currently backlit, which requires a large number of photon sources (generally light-emitting diodes (or LEDs)), and therefore induces a large consumption of electrical energy and a large generation of heat which is difficult to dissipate and, moreover, increases costs.

[0007] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0008] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a lighting device comprising an electronic board with sources for generating photons, and a diffusion screen comprising a first rear face receiving the generated photons and a first front face diffusing the received photons.

[0009] This lighting device is characterized by the fact that:

[0010] - that it also includes a glass comprising a second rear face placed in looking at the first front face of the diffusion screen and receiving the scattered photons and a second front face, one of these second rear faces and second front faces being opaque to photons except in at least one transparent area having a predefined shape, and

[0011] - that the sources are installed on the electronic board in at least one area installation having a shape similar to the predefined shape of a corresponding transparent area.

[0012] Thanks to the definition of each predefined shape on a single glass, the diffusion screen can be shared by associating it with glass having different predefined shapes, which reduces manufacturing costs, and since backlighting is only carried out at the level of substantially the transparent areas, the number of photon sources is significantly reduced, which significantly reduces the electrical energy consumption of the electronic board and the generation of heat.

[0013] The lighting device according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0014] - opacity to photons can result from a bonding or overmolding of at least one film opaque on one of the second rear face and second front face of the glass;

[0015] - the first rear face may include at least two spacers holding the electronic card at a chosen distance from the display screen;

[0016] - in the presence of the last option, the first rear face can comprise four spacers;

[0017] - also in the presence of the last option, the chosen distance can be a function of a luminous power of the sources and / or of a surface area of ​​a larger transparent area to be illuminated;

[0018] - also in the presence of the last option, each spacer can be located at level of an opaque area of ​​the broadcast screen;

[0019] - also in the presence of the last option, each spacer can include a hollow part housing part of a screw involved in securing the electronic board to the display screen;

[0020] - each predefined shape can participate in a representation of a brand logo, possibly a vehicle.

[0021] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising a lighting device of the type presented above.

[0022] For example, this vehicle may include a front end comprising a grille to which the lighting device is fixedly attached. Brief description of the figures

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, a example of the front end of a vehicle including a grille equipped with an example of an embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention,

[0025] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a side perspective view, the elements main components of the lighting system in [Fig. 1], before they are assembled together, and

[0026] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side and in section in a longitudinal and vertical plane, part of the lighting device of [Fig.l]. Detailed description of the invention

[0027] The invention aims in particular to provide a DE lighting device comprising a shared ED diffusion screen, and allowing backlighting of at least one shape (or figure or drawing).

[0028] In what follows, the DE lighting device is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be intended for use on a motor vehicle, such as a car. However, the DE lighting device can be used on any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air), any electrical device, any installation (including industrial), and any building (public or private) that is required (or may be required) to include an DE lighting device enabling the backlighting of at least one shape.

[0029] Furthermore, in the following, by way of non-limiting example and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1], the DE lighting device is considered to be intended for use with a CV grille installed in the front end EV of a motor vehicle. However, the DE lighting device could also be intended to be used with the rear end of a motor vehicle, for example.

[0030] Furthermore, in the preceding and following text, the terms "front" and "rear" are defined with respect to the front end of the DE illumination device through which the photons exit. Consequently, the front part of an element is located closer to the front end of the DE illumination device than the rear part of that same element.

[0031] In Figures 1 to 3, direction X is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors; direction Y is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and direction Z is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and transverse direction Y.

[0032] Figure [1] schematically illustrates an example of the front end EV of a vehicle comprising a grille CV to which is fixedly attached, for example by clipping and / or screwing, an example of an embodiment of a lighting device DE according to the invention.

[0033] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 2 and 3, a DE lighting device according to the invention comprises at least one electronic CE card having SP photon sources, an ED diffusion screen and a GD glass.

[0034] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 3], the DE lighting device also includes a BD housing that at least partially contains the elements (ED, GD, CE), and is arranged so as to be fixedly attached (here) to the CV grille, for example by clipping and / or screwing. However, a DE lighting device may not include a BD housing.

[0035] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the SP photon sources are installed on the electronic board CE in at least one installation zone Zlj, and are suitable for generating photons intended for the ED scattering screen.

[0036] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 2], the SP photon sources are installed in two installation zones ZI1 (j = 1) and ZI2 (j = 2), for a reason explained later. However, the number of installation zones ZIj can take any value greater than or equal to one, as will be understood later.

[0037] For example, each SP photon source may include at least one light-emitting diode (or LED). But alternatively, it could include at least one laser diode, for example.

[0038] Also, for example, the CE electronic board may also include electronic components and / or circuit(s) enabling the control of the power supply and operation of the SP photon sources. Also, for example, this CE electronic board may be a printed circuit board of the PCB type ("Printed Circuit Board").

[0039] The diffusion screen ED comprises opposing first rear face FRI and first front face FV1, and is preferably of the flat type (as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3).

[0040] The first rear face FRI is oriented towards the front face of the electronic board CE on which the photon sources SP are installed, in order to receive the photons generated by the latter (SP).

[0041] The first front face FV 1 diffuses the photons received by the first rear face FRI.

[0042] The GD glass comprises opposing second rear face FR2 and second front face FV2.

[0043] The second rear face FR2 is placed opposite the first front face FV1 and receives the photons scattered by the latter (FV1).

[0044] One of the second rear face FR2 and second front face FV2 is opaque to photons except in at least one transparent area ZTj which has a predefined shape. Each transparent area ZTj is associated with a corresponding installation area Zlj. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the opacity (to photons) results from the definition of one or more opaque areas ZO surrounding at least partially at least one transparent area ZTj.

[0045] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, Figures 1 and 2, one of the second rear faces FR2 and the second front face FV2 comprise two transparent areas ZT1 (j = 1) and ZT2 (j = 2), each having two predefined shapes. However, the number of transparent areas ZTj can be any value greater than or equal to one. When there are several (at least two) transparent areas ZTj, their predefined shapes (ZTj) can be identical or different, and / or complementary, as required. Thus, in the example illustrated, but not limited to, Figures 1 and 2, the two predefined shapes are two triangles with different orientations. However, any predefined shape (or figure or design) can be considered, including alphanumeric symbols (such as letters or numbers) and representations of objects.

[0046] For example, each predefined shape can participate in (or be) the representation of a brand logo, possibly a vehicle logo.

[0047] It should also be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 and 2, the transparent areas ZTj and the installation areas Zlj are located on the second front face FV2 of the glass GD. However, in an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the transparent areas ZTj and the installation areas Zlj could be located on the second rear face FR2 of the glass GD.

[0048] Each installation zone Zlj has a shape that is similar to the predefined shape of a corresponding transparent zone ZTj. Therefore, the number of installation zones Zlj is equal to the number of transparent zones ZTj. The word "similar" here means identical or approximately identical.

[0049] Since each predefined shape is now defined on a single GD glass, it is possible to share the diffusion screen by combining it with GD glass panels having different predefined shapes, which notably reduces the manufacturing costs of the DE lighting devices. Furthermore, since the backlighting is now only applied to approximately the transparent areas ZTj and no longer to almost the entire surface of the ED diffusion screen, the number can be significantly reduced. SP photon sources, which significantly reduces the electrical energy consumption of the CE electronic board and the generation of calories, but also reduces the operating and manufacturing costs and the size of the CE electronic board.

[0050] For example, the (each) opaque zone ZO, ensuring opacity to photons, can result from a bonding or overmolding of at least one opaque film on one of the second rear face FR2 and second front face FV2 (here the second front face FV2).

[0051] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 2], the objective is to backlight the three sides of the triangles (each transparent area ZTj is therefore formed by the union of three narrow strips, each pair sharing a common endpoint). Consequently, the central part of each triangle, located between the three narrow strips, is an opaque area ZO. However, each transparent area ZTj could here be a triangle that one seeks to backlight completely, and in this case, there is no opaque area ZO between the three sides of each triangle.

[0052] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 and 3, the first rear face FRI of the ED diffusion screen may include at least two spacers EE which maintain the electronic board CE at a chosen distance d from the ED diffusion screen. This chosen distance d makes it possible to obtain good homogeneity of the backlighting of each transparent area ZTj.

[0053] Also, for example, each spacer EE can be in the form of a stud erected on the first rear face FRI of the diffusion screen ED and extending towards the front face of the electronic board CE.

[0054] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 2], the first rear face FRI comprises four spacers EE. This ensures perfect consistency of the spacing between the first rear face FRI of the diffusion screen ED and the front face of the electronic board CE. However, the number of spacers EE can take any value greater than or equal to two (and preferably at least three).

[0055] It should also be noted that the chosen distance can, for example, be a function of the luminous power of the photon sources SP and / or the surface area of ​​the largest transparent area ZTj to be illuminated.

[0056] Furthermore, and preferably, each EE spacer can be located at an opaque area ZO of the diffusion screen ED. This makes each EE spacer invisible from the outside and prevents it from disturbing the propagation of photons towards at least one transparent area ZTj (by being partly in their path).

[0057] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3, each spacer EE may advantageously include a hollow portion PC which houses part of a VF screw involved in immobilizing the CE electronic board relative to the ED broadcast screen.

[0058] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 3], the VF screws pass through the CE electronic board at corresponding through holes, so that their threaded shanks are screwed into corresponding threaded holes in the BD housing. However, in the absence of a BD housing, the threaded shanks are screwed into corresponding threaded holes in the CE electronic board or into nuts located against the rear face of the CE electronic board.

[0059] Also, for example, the second rear face FR2 of the glass GD can be fixedly attached to the first front face FV1 of the diffusion screen ED by gluing or welding. Alternatively, this fixed attachment could be achieved by screwing or clipping.

[0060] It should also be noted that the GD glass can, for example, be made of acrylic methyl methacrylate (or “PMMA”).

[0061] It should also be noted that the ED diffusion screen can, for example, be made of polycarbonate (or PC), and more preferably of PC “TARFLON” (registered trademark) which promotes the diffusion of photons.

Claims

Demands

1. Lighting device (ED) comprising an electronic board (CE) having sources (SP) suitable for generating photons, and a diffusion screen (ED) comprising a first rear face (FRI) receiving said generated photons and a first front face (FV1) diffusing said received photons, characterized in that it further comprises a glass (GD) comprising a second rear face (FR2) placed opposite said first front face (FV1) and receiving said diffused photons and a second front face (FV2), one of said second rear face (FR2) and second front face (FV2) being opaque to said photons except in at least one transparent zone (ZTj) having a predefined shape, and in that said sources (SP) are installed on said electronic board (CE) in at least one installation zone (Zlj) having a shape similar to the predefined shape of a corresponding transparent zone (ZTj).

2. Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said opacity to photons results from a bonding or overmolding of at least one opaque film on one of said second rear face (FR2) and second front face (FV2).

3. Lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first rear face (FRI) comprises at least two spacers (EE) holding said electronic board (CE) at a chosen distance from said diffusion screen (ED).

4. Lighting device according to claim 3, characterized in that said first rear face (FRI) comprises four spacers (EE).

5. Lighting device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said chosen distance is a function of a luminous power of said sources (SP) and / or of a surface of a larger transparent area (ZTj) to be illuminated.

6. Lighting device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each spacer (EE) is located at the level of an opaque area (ZOi) of said diffusion screen (ED).

7. Lighting device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that each spacer (EE) comprises a hollow part (PC) housing a part of a screw (VF) participating in the immobilization of said electronic board (CE) relative to said diffusion screen (ED).

8. 9 Lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each predefined shape participates in a representation of a brand logo.

9. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a lighting device (ED) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a front end (EV) including a grille (CV) to which said lighting device (DE) is fixedly attached.

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