Optical device for a vehicle light signaling device

Abstract

Optical device for a vehicle signaling device. The optical device (20) comprises several optical units (30), each including: - a reflector (40) that collects a portion of the incident rays emitted by a light source and generates a reflected beam of rays parallel to the principal axis (A30) of the optical unit; - a transverse dispersion wall (50), located at the front and integral with the reflector. The dispersion wall has adjacent lenses (51) and generates, from the reflected beam, via said lenses, a transmitted beam that diverges in a first plane parallel to the median plane (P30) of the optical unit and in a second plane parallel to the principal axis and orthogonal to the median plane. The optical units (30) are arranged side by side and are integral with each other so that the optical device (20) forms a single unit. Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Optical device for a vehicle light signaling device

[0001] The invention relates to an optical device intended to be installed in a vehicle lighting system, such as a light bar intended to be mounted on the roof of the vehicle. The invention also relates to a vehicle lighting system comprising such an optical device, as well as a vehicle equipped with such a lighting system.

[0002] Certain vehicles requiring particularly high visibility are equipped with light bars. These may include priority vehicles such as police or gendarmerie vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, etc.

[0003] For these vehicles, there is a need for blue lighting, typically when the vehicle is moving, but also for amber (or orange) lighting, for example for marking purposes when the vehicle is stationary. Furthermore, it is desirable that the brightness be sufficient so that the light bar is clearly visible not only at night, but also during the day.

[0004] These needs may be difficult to reconcile with the constraints of available space in the light bar and overall cost.

[0005] The present invention aims to improve existing practices in this field.

[0006] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to an optical device intended to be installed in a vehicle light signaling device. The optical device comprises a plurality of optical units, each optical unit having a median plane and a principal axis included in the median plane, and comprising:

[0007] - a reflector configured to collect a portion of the incident rays emitted by a light source and to generate a reflected beam of substantially parallel rays, said reflected beam having an axis of reflection substantially parallel to the principal axis and directed from back to front;

[0008] - a dispersion wall attached to the reflector, arranged at the front of the reflector Transversely to the principal axis, said dispersion wall comprising a plurality of adjacent lenses, each having an entrance diopter and an exit diopter located in front of the entrance diopter, the dispersion wall being configured to generate from the reflected beam and via the lenses a transmitted beam that diverges in a first plane PI parallel to the median plane and in a second plane P2 parallel to the principal axis and orthogonal to the median plane, corresponding respectively to a vertical plane and to a horizontal plane in the position of use of the optical device, the angular amplitude a of the transmitted beam, in projection in the plane PI, on either side of the axis of reflection, being greater than or equal to 4°;

[0009] the optical units being arranged next to each other, along a line of contiguity substantially transverse to the median planes of the optical units, the optical units being joined together so that the optical device forms a single piece.

[0010] The invention thus provides an optical device that, by itself, performs two required functions: collecting light rays emitted by several light sources and transmitting these rays according to a desired distribution, generally defined by regulations. Furthermore, this is achieved by an optical device in the form of a single, monobloc component. Providing a single, monobloc component results in reduced manufacturing and storage costs, and greater ease of assembly.

[0011] These advantages are not obtained at the expense of the optical device's ability to meet specific needs for different customers, modularity being able to be managed with the same optical device by means of software solutions.

[0012] Furthermore, due to the presence of distinct but contiguous units, the optical device of the invention exhibits a high degree of compactness. This is particularly advantageous in the case of two-color (blue and amber) light bars, which already require housing a greater number of light sources. It also results in the possibility of having a relatively low-profile light signaling device.

[0013] Furthermore, the fact that the collection and dispersion of the emitted light rays are carried out within the same unit of the optical device, respectively by the reflector and the dispersion wall, improves efficiency in terms of the light intensity obtained. Moreover, since the optical units are contiguous, rays emitted by a light source that are not collected by one reflector can be collected by an adjacent reflector, and are therefore not "lost." This results in a significant improvement in the overall efficiency of the optical device.

[0014] The invention therefore makes it possible to produce a light bar with blue lighting and amber lighting, each of which is approved in class 1 but also in class 2, that is to say with a higher level of light intensity, therefore visible during the day.

[0015] Another advantage of the invention is that the apparent element is the dispersion wall, which can present a more aesthetic appearance than conventional reflectors.

[0016] The "beam" transmitted from the optical device is defined as the set of rays that produce a luminous intensity exceeding a predefined threshold, typically defined by applicable regulations. This threshold is, for example, 50 cd, 100 cd, or 150 cd. Other light rays may be emitted by the optical device, in addition to this beam.

[0017] By "transmitted beam," we mean the beam perceptible to a person when the optical device of the invention is in its operating position, for example, within a light bar fixed to a vehicle roof. In other words, the transmitted beam should be understood as the beam obtained at a certain distance from the optical device, not between the output diopter and the focal point located in front of this output diopter, but beyond said focal point, forwards. Thus, the use of a converging lens is not excluded, since a diverging beam is indeed obtained beyond the image focal point of the lens, forwards. The use of lenses having a diverging output diopter could also be considered.

[0018] In practice, each lens generates its own transmitted beam from the portion of the reflected beam that arrives at the corresponding entrance diopter. The superposition of these individual transmitted beams, that is, the beams transmitted individually by each lens, forms the beam transmitted by the optical unit. The superposition of the beams transmitted by the different optical units of the optical device forms a single transmitted beam.

[0019] The desired angular amplitude of the transmitted beam is obtained by the shape of each lens, that is to say, in particular, by geometric specificities such as the local curvatures of the lens, more specifically of the exit diopter. A person skilled in the art knows how to design the lens, and in particular knows how to determine the shape of the exit diopter to obtain these angle values.

[0020] The angular amplitude a of the transmitted beam, projected onto the PI plane, on either side of the reflection axis, can be greater than or equal to 6°, or even 8°. In addition, the dispersion wall of each optical unit can be configured so that the angular amplitude [3 of the transmitted beam, projected onto the P2 plane, at least on one side of the median plane of the optical unit, is greater than or equal to 20°, for example on the order of 30°.

[0021] Furthermore, each optical device can be configured so that the angular amplitude ô of the overall transmitted beam, projected in the plane P2, on either side of a median plane of the optical device, is between 65° and 75°, for example on the order of 70°.

[0022] According to one possible embodiment, the dispersion wall has a mean plane that can be substantially orthogonal to the principal axis of the corresponding optical unit, that is, substantially orthogonal to the reflection axis. In the operating position, said The average plane can be arranged almost vertically. Preferably, the dispersion wall is curved relative to this average plane.

[0023] By “contiguity”, we mean that the optical units of the optical device are close to each other, without necessarily being joined.

[0024] An arrangement can be provided in which, on the one hand, the reflectors of the optical units are arranged next to each other, along a line of contiguity substantially transverse to the median planes of the optical units, and are joined to each other and, on the other hand, the dispersion walls are arranged next to each other, along a line of contiguity substantially transverse to said median planes, and are joined to each other.

[0025] According to one possible embodiment, the principal axes - or median planes - of two adjacent optical units form a non-zero angle y between them, preferably between 5° and 15°, for example close to 10°. Preferably, all the angles y are identical.

[0026] Alternatively, an embodiment with a zero angle y could be envisaged.

[0027] The main axes of the optical units can be located in the same plane, which can be horizontal in the position of use.

[0028] It can be foreseen that the optical units are arranged so that the principal axes of all the optical units intersect at a single point of intersection located at the rear of the optical units.

[0029] According to one possible embodiment, at least one reflector forms an arch having a semi-parabolic profile with an axis oriented globally along the principal axis of the corresponding optical unit and a vertex located at the rear. In other words, said vertex is situated opposite the dispersion wall. Thus, by placing the light source at the focus of the parabola, a collimated reflected beam is obtained.

[0030] The reflectors can be arranged so that the axes of the half-parabolic reflectors intersect at a single point located at the rear of the optical units. This point can be located directly above, vertically, the point of intersection of the principal axes of the optical units.

[0031] In section in a plane orthogonal to the principal axis of the optical unit, at least one reflector may have a curved shape convex outwards from the optical device. Thus, the concavity of the reflector is directed inwards towards the optical unit, towards the axis of reflection and towards the light source, which allows for the collection of a maximum of rays emitted by the light source.

[0032] According to one possible embodiment, the rear edges of the reflectors form substantially a rear arc, and / or the front edges of the reflectors form substantially a front arc, and / or the dispersion walls form substantially a front arc. Preferably, the rear, front, and front arcs are centered on a single vertical line, for example the line of intersection of the median planes of the different reflectors.

[0033] For example, each reflector comprises two lateral edges, at least one of the lateral edges of a reflector being connected to the adjacent lateral edge of the adjacent reflector, said connected edges preferably coinciding. The lateral edges of a reflector may be located on either side of the median plane of the optical unit.

[0034] It can be assumed that all the reflectors of the optical device are identical.

[0035] According to one possible embodiment, the entrance diopters of the lenses of the dispersion wall of at least one optical unit, and preferably all the entrance diopters of the lenses of the dispersion walls of the optical device, form a substantially continuous surface without any relief. In other words, this surface is smooth, without facets or notches. For example, this surface can be substantially in the shape of a portion of a cylinder.

[0036] According to one possible embodiment, each dispersion wall comprises two lateral edges, at least one of the lateral edges of a dispersion wall being connected to the adjacent lateral edge of the adjacent dispersion wall, said connected edges preferably coinciding. The lateral edges of a dispersion wall may be located on either side of the principal axis of the optical unit, in the same plane orthogonal to the principal axis of the optical unit.

[0037] For at least one unit, the lenses of the dispersion wall can be arranged in a matrix arrangement, i.e. in a square lattice.

[0038] According to one possible embodiment, the optical device comprises at least:

[0039] - an optical unit of a first type, in which the dispersion wall comprises lenses of a first type, said lenses being identical to each other,

[0040] - and an optical unit of a second type, in which the dispersion wall includes lenses of a second type, said lenses being identical to each other and different from the lenses of the first type.

[0041] In this way, it is possible to obtain different transmitted beams depending on the type of lens.

[0042] More specifically, it can be foreseen that the exit diopter of the lenses of the first type and the exit diopter of the lenses of the second type have different geometric parameters, such that the angular amplitude of the beam transmitted by the lenses of the first type is different from the angular amplitude of the beam transmitted by the lenses of the second type. Such an arrangement is particularly useful in the case where the light sources placed opposite the optical device have different colors, typically blue and amber, for which the regulatory values ​​of the angles of the emitted beams are different.

[0043] The optical device may comprise several optical units of the first type and several optical units of the second type. In this case, the optical units of the first and second types may be arranged alternately along the line of contiguity. This ensures overall homogeneity in terms of illumination.

[0044] The optical device may further comprise at least one optical unit of a third type, in which the dispersion wall comprises lenses of a third type, said lenses being identical to each other and different from the lenses of the first type and the lenses of the second type. These lenses of the third type may provide work light illumination.

[0045] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a light signaling device for a vehicle, such as a light bar intended to be fixed to the roof of the vehicle. The light signaling device comprises a housing and a plurality of light sources housed within the housing, and at least one optical device as previously described, also housed within the housing. A light source is arranged at each optical unit such that a portion of the incident rays emitted by said light source can be collected by the reflector of said optical unit.

[0046] For example, each light source is arranged at the focus of the half-parabola forming the section of the reflector in the median plane of the optical unit, the light sources being arranged on an arc of a circle centered on the point of intersection of the axes of the half-parabolas.

[0047] According to one possible embodiment, an amber-colored light source is arranged at each optical unit of the first type, and a blue-colored light source is arranged at each optical unit of the second type.

[0048] In such a light signaling device comprising a plurality of optical devices, each optical device can be configured so that the angular amplitude θ of the overall transmitted beam—namely, the superposition of the beams transmitted by each optical unit of said optical device—projected onto plane P2, on either side of a median plane (P20) of the optical device, is between 65° and 75°. Furthermore, the optical devices can be arranged along the periphery of the light signaling device so that the overall transmitted beams transmitted by all the optical devices are adjacent or partially superimposed, thus forming a substantially continuous 360° illumination band. This band is substantially horizontal in the operating position.

[0049] Such a result can be obtained without the optical devices necessarily being joined along the periphery of the light signaling device.

[0050] When optical devices comprise one or more optical units of a first type and one or more optical units of a second type, the set of optical units of a given type can form such a substantially continuous band of illumination over 360°, while the set of optical units of the other type is not active, i.e. the corresponding light sources being off.

[0051] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a light signaling device as previously described.

[0052] Several possible embodiments of the invention are now described by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the attached figures:

[0053] [Fig-1] represents a vehicle comprising a light signaling device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0054] [Fig.2] is a partial view of the light signaling device, showing several optical devices according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0055] [Fig.3] is a perspective view from below of an optical device;

[0056] [Fig.4] is a top perspective view of the optical device;

[0057] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view of the optical device;

[0058] [Fig.6] is a bottom view of the optical device;

[0059] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates the light rays emitted by a light source, reflected and then transmitted by the optical device;

[0060] [Fig.8] is a schematic top view of an optical device according to a first method of implementation;

[0061] [Fig.9] is a partial perspective view of the optical device of [Fig.8];

[0062] [Fig. 10] is a partial horizontal cross-sectional view of a dispersion wall of the optical device of [Fig.8];

[0063] [Fig. 11] is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of an area of ​​a dispersion wall of the optical device of [Fig.8], comprising lenses of a first type;

[0064] [Fig. 12] is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of another area of ​​a dispersion wall of the optical device of [Fig.8], comprising lenses of a second type;

[0065] [Fig. 13] is a schematic top view of an optical device according to a second embodiment;

[0066] [Fig. 14] is a partial perspective view of the optical device of [Fig. 13];

[0067] [Fig. 15] is a partial perspective view, from another angle, of the device optics of [Fig. 13].

[0068] Fig. 1 represents a vehicle 1, for example a police vehicle, which includes a light signaling device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, here in the form of a light bar fixed on the roof 2 of the vehicle 1.

[0069] As can be seen in [Fig. 2], the light signaling device 10 comprises a housing 11 consisting of a base 12 and a transparent or translucent cover 13 that is assembled onto the base 12. The base 12 is provided with tabs 14 for attaching it to the roof 2 of the vehicle 1, visible in [Fig. 1]. The light signaling device 10 further comprises an electronic circuit board 15 which is housed in the casing 11 and which, in the operating position, is arranged substantially horizontally.

[0070] The Z direction is defined as the vertical direction.

[0071] The light signaling device 10 also includes several optical devices 20 according to the invention, housed in the casing 11. The optical devices 20 are mounted on the electronic board 15 and, for this purpose, may include mechanical mounting studs 21 illustrated in [Fig. 3]. A plurality of light sources 25 (not visible in [Fig. 2], but schematically illustrated in [Fig. 9], in particular) are housed in the casing 11 by being mounted on the electronic board 15. At least one light source 25 – and preferably several – is arranged in correspondence with an optical device 20, so that a portion of the incident rays emitted by the light source 25 can be collected and then transmitted by the optical device 20.The optical devices 20 are preferably arranged at the periphery of the housing 11, opposite the cover 13, and positioned so that the rays can be transmitted through the cover 13 to the outside of the housing 11. The light sources 25 can typically be LEDs.

[0072] The optical device 20 is described in the position of use, which is the position it occupies when mounted in the housing 11, with the electronic board 15 substantially horizontal.

[0073] The optical device 20 is a single-piece unit, which can be made by molding a plastic material, preferably transparent or translucent. It may comprise a substantially horizontal plate 22, having a substantially flat lower face 23 from which the pads 21 project downwards, the lower face 23 being intended to be adjacent to the upper face of the electronic board 15.

[0074] The optical device 20 has a median plane P20 that is orthogonal to the plate 22, and therefore vertically oriented in the operating position, and which is preferably orthogonal to the area of ​​the cover 13 opposite which the optical device 20 is located. The median plane P20 may be a plane of symmetry. The term "rear" is used to designate elements of the optical device 20 located further from the cover 13 than elements designated as "front".

[0075] At the front of the plate 22, the optical device 20 comprises a plurality of optical units 30 which form a downward-facing cavity 24. Each optical unit 30 has a median plane P30 which is orthogonal to the plate 22, and therefore arranged vertically in the operating position, and which is oriented globally along a The direction is forward and backward without necessarily being parallel to the median plane P20 of the optical device 20, as will be seen later. Each optical unit 30 also has a principal axis A30 which is included in the median plane P30 and extends horizontally. Each optical unit 30 is associated with a light source 25.

[0076] Each optical unit 30 includes a reflector 40 which is configured to collect a portion of the incident rays 26 emitted by the corresponding light source 25, and to generate a reflected beam 31 of substantially parallel rays, said reflected beam 31 having a reflection axis A31 parallel to the main axis A30 and directed from the rear to the front.

[0077] Each optical unit 30 also includes a dispersion wall 50 integral with the reflector 40, disposed in front of the reflector 40 transversely to the principal axis A30, opposite the reflected beam 31. The dispersion wall 50 comprises a plurality of adjacent lenses 51 which are configured to generate each a specific transmitted beam from the portion of the reflected beam 31 that reaches said lens 51. The superposition of the beams transmitted individually by each lens 51 forms the transmitted beam 52, that is, the beam that is transmitted by the dispersion wall 50 of the optical unit 30. The transmitted beam 52 has a transmission axis A52.

[0078] The lenses 51 are preferably contiguous. They can be arranged on the dispersion wall 50 in a matrix arrangement.

[0079] The optical units 30 are arranged side by side along a line of contiguity L1, which is defined as the line followed to move from one optical unit 30 to the adjacent optical unit 30. The line of contiguity L1 is substantially transverse to the median planes P30 of the optical units 30, without necessarily being orthogonal to one or both of these principal axes A30. The term "transverse" should be understood here as meaning "intersecting" and as including an oblique arrangement. The line of contiguity L1 is preferably parallel to the plate 22, that is, substantially horizontal in the operating position.

[0080] The optical units 30 are fixed together with each other and with the plate 22.

[0081] The optical device 20 can comprise from two to ten optical units 30, per example six optical units 30 in the realization illustrated in the figures.

[0082] The main axes A30 of the optical units 30 are preferably located in the same horizontal plane in the position of use.

[0083] In the embodiment shown in the figures, and as can be seen in [Fig. 6], the principal axes A30 of two adjacent optical units 30 form a non-zero angle y with each other, preferably between 5° and 15°, for example close to 10°. Thus, in an optical device 20 comprising six optical units 30, the principal axes A30 of the 30 extreme optical units can form an angle between them between 35° and 75°, for example between 50° and 60°.

[0084] In addition, the optical units 30 are arranged so that their median planes P30 all intersect in the same vertical line L2 located at the rear of the optical units 30 (see figures 6 and 9).

[0085] The reflectors 40 of all the optical units 30 of the optical device 20 are preferably identical. They are arranged adjacently and contiguously and are images of each other under a rotation about the vertical line L2.

[0086] In this embodiment, the contiguity line L1 can be defined as straight and orthogonal to the median plane P20 of the optical device 20, as shown in [Fig. 6]. In this case, with six optical units and an angle between 5° and 15°, the contiguity line L1 is indeed transverse to the median planes P30 of the optical units 30 but is not orthogonal to any of them. The angle formed by the contiguity line L1 with each of these median planes P30 is here 90° ± 30°, or even 90° ± 25°. Alternatively, the contiguity line L1 could be defined as curved, essentially an arc of a circle centered on the vertical line L2. With this definition, the contiguity line L1 is locally orthogonal to each of the median planes P30 of the optical units 30.

[0087] Each reflector 40 forms an arch which, in substantially any vertical plane including the vertical line L2, has a cross-section in the shape of a half-parabola 4L. This half-parabola 41 has an axis A41, a vertex 42 located at the rear, i.e. opposite the dispersion wall 50, and a focus 43. The axis A41, the vertex 42 and the focus 43 of the half-parabola 41 are preferably located substantially at the level of the plate 22. The focal length of the half-parabola 41, i.e. the distance between the vertex 42 and the focus 43, is for example 3mm.

[0088] The axis A41 of the semi-parabola 41 is oriented globally along the principal axis A30 of the optical unit 30, that is to say, it is parallel to said principal axis A30 or forms a small angle with it. In the present case, where the reflectors 40 are arranged as successive images rotated by an angle y around the vertical line L2, the angular deviation from perfect parallelism between the axes A41 and A30 is at most y / 2, i.e., less than 8°, or even less than 5°.

[0089] The reflectors 40 are arranged so that the axes A41 of the half-parabolas 41 intersect at a single point O located at the rear of the optical units 30 and situated on the vertical line L2, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 9. In [Fig.9] only the axis A41 of the half-parabola 41 included in the median plane P30 of the optical unit 30 is shown for each optical unit 30.

[0090] Moreover, in section in a plane orthogonal to the axis A30 of the optical unit 30, each reflector 40 has a curved shape that is convex outwards from the optical device 20, i.e. upwards.

[0091] Each reflector 40 thus comprises a rear edge 44 which is substantially formed by all the vertices 42 of the half-parabolas 41, a front edge 45 and two lateral edges 46. The rear edge 44 and front edge 45 each substantially form an arc of a circle whose center is located on the vertical line L2. The lateral edge 46 of a reflector 40 is connected to the lateral edge 46 of the adjacent reflector 40, and preferably coincides with it.

[0092] A vertical wall 47 may also be provided at each of the extreme lateral edges 46 of the assembly of reflectors 40, in order to laterally close the cavity 24, as can be seen in figures 3 and 4.

[0093] In the embodiment shown, the light source 25 associated with each optical unit 30 is arranged at the focus 43 of the half-parabola 41 forming the section of the reflector 40 in the median plane P30, so that the reflected beam 31 is a collimated beam parallel to the axis A41. The light sources 25 are thus arranged on an arc of a circle centered on the point O of intersection of the axes A41 of the half-parabolas 4L

[0094] The inner face 48 of each reflector 40, that is, the face facing the cavity 24 and the light source 25, is preferably covered with a metallic film. Preferably, said inner face 48 is free of raised features.

[0095] The dispersion wall 50 is now described.

[0096] The dispersion wall 50 of an optical unit 30 has a mean plane P50 that is substantially orthogonal to the principal axis A30 of the optical unit 30 and is therefore arranged substantially vertically. The mean plane P50 may be slightly inclined with respect to a vertical plane, at an angle of less than 5°. In the embodiment shown, and as can be seen in [Fig. 5], the mean plane P50 may be inclined from bottom to top and from front to back. The dispersion wall 50 is preferably curved with respect to this mean plane P50, generally around a vertical axis in the operating position, with the concavity directed towards the rear. The dispersion wall 50 may have a substantially rectangular contour.

[0097] The principal axis A30 of an optical unit 30 is defined as the axis included in the median plane P30, orthogonal to the mean plane P50 of the dispersion wall 50 and passing through the center of the dispersion wall 50, as shown in particular in Figures 4 and 5.

[0098] The dispersion wall 50 is preferably transparent, the colour of the transmitted light being given by the light sources 25.

[0099] Each lens 51 of the dispersion wall 50 has an entrance diopter 53 and an exit diopter 54 located in front of the entrance diopter 53.

[0100] The entrance diopters 53 of the lenses 51 of a dispersion wall 50 form a substantially continuous surface without relief, for example substantially in the shape of a portion of a cylinder, preferably centered on the vertical line L2. Preferably, the set of entrance diopters 53 of the optical device 20 form such a substantially continuous surface without relief.

[0101] For each optical unit 30, the front edge 45 of the reflector 40 is preferably located in the immediate vicinity of the rear face of the dispersion wall 50, i.e., the entrance diopters 53 of the lenses 51. For example, said front edge 45 and the entrance diopters 53 are separated by less than 3 mm, or even less than 1 mm, parallel to the principal axis A30. According to one possible embodiment, the front edge 45 of the reflector 40 and the rear face of the dispersion wall 50 are contiguous.

[0102] It can be predicted that the front edge 45 of the reflector 40, which is also its upper edge, and the upper edge of the dispersion wall 50 are located substantially in the same plane substantially parallel to the plate 22. It should be noted that figures 7, 9 and 14 are representations from optical simulation software; the fact that, in these figures, the dispersion walls 50 extend above the reflectors 40 does not correspond to the reality of the optical device 20.

[0103] Furthermore, it can be foreseen that, for at least one optical unit 30, and preferably for all optical units 30, the rear edge 44 of the reflector 40, which is also its lower edge, and the lower edge of the dispersion wall 50 are located substantially in the same plane, parallel to the plate 22 of the optical device 20.

[0104] Each of the lenses 51 is configured to angularly open the reflected beam 31, which is a collimated beam of rays substantially parallel to the reflection axis A31, in order to achieve the regulatory angular values.

[0105] More specifically, each of the lenses 51 is configured such that, when projected onto a vertical plane PI parallel to the median plane P30 of the optical unit 30, and onto a horizontal plane P2, in the operating position of the optical device 20 (see [Fig. 9]), the beam transmitted individually by said lens 51 is divergent. In concrete terms:

[0106] - in the vertical plane PI, the angular amplitude on either side of the horizontal is noted a, that is to say that the beam transmitted individually by a lens 51 has an overall amplitude of 2a, between -a and +a (see [Fig.7]). The transmitted beam 52 which is transmitted by the set of lenses 51 has an angular amplitude a on either side of the transmission axis A52;

[0107] - in the horizontal plane P2, each lens 51 tends to bend the part of the beam reflected 31 which reaches it towards the median plane P20 of the optical device 20. For example, the lens 51 can be configured so that, in projection into the plane P2, the proper beam transmitted by this lens 51 is formed between a line substantially parallel to the median plane P30 of the optical unit 30 and a line inclined, with respect to this median plane P30, at an angle [3 greater than or equal to 20°, for example of the order of 30° (see [Fig.8]).

[0108] The transmission axis A52 of the transmitted beam 52 by the set of lenses 51 of an optical unit 30 can be substantially coincident with the reflection axis A31, in projection onto a plane PI, as seen in [Fig. 7]. On the other hand, in projection onto a plane P2 (see [Fig. 8]), the transmission axis A52 is not necessarily coincident with the reflection axis A31.

[0109] Each optical device 20 can be configured so that the angular amplitude ô of the overall transmitted beam, projected into the plane P2, on either side of the median plane P20 of the optical device 20, is between 65° and 75°.

[0110] Preferably, the light distribution of the optical device 20 as a whole is substantially symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane P20 and with respect to the horizontal plane containing the reflection axis A31. The optical device 20 can typically form a horizontal oblong illuminated area.

[0111] According to a first embodiment, illustrated in figures 8 to 12, the optical device 20 can produce blue or amber lighting.

[0112] The regulations regarding the angular amplitude of the transmitted beam differ for blue and amber lighting. To comply with these regulations, the optical device 20 comprises:

[0113] - optical units 30a of a first type, in which the dispersion wall 50 comprises lenses 51a of a first type which are identical to each other, an amber-colored light source 25a being arranged at each of these optical units 30a of the first type, and

[0114] - optical units 30b of a second type, in which the dispersion wall 50 comprises lenses 51b of a second type which are identical to each other and different from the lenses 51a of the first type, a blue light source 25b being arranged at each of these optical units 30b of the second type.

[0115] The geometric parameters of the exit diopter of the lenses 51 are chosen so that the angles required for the transmitted beam can be obtained. Thus, these geometric parameters are different for the lenses 51a of the first type and for the lenses 51b of the second type.

[0116] The exit diopter 54 of the lenses 5la of the first type can have the following shapes.

[0117] In cross-section in a horizontal plane ([Fig. 10]), the exit diopter 54 of the lens 51a has a forward-curved shape that is not symmetrical with respect to the median vertical plane P51a of the lens 51a. The exit diopter 54 has an internal edge 55 close to the median plane P20 of the optical device 20 and an opposing external edge 56, further away from said median plane P20. The external edge 56 forms a continuous convex curvature, while the internal edge 55 is substantially straight, having no optical function but serving to demold the optical device 20. The internal edge 55 and external edge 56 are connected by a front edge 57 substantially orthogonal to the median vertical plane P51a.

[0118] In cross-section in a vertical plane ([Fig. 11]), the exit diopter 54 of the lens 51a has a forward-curved shape that is not symmetrical with respect to the median horizontal plane P51'a of the lens 51a. The exit diopter 54 has an upper edge 59 and a lower edge 60, forming a convex line without a step. The upper edge may be longer than the lower edge 60, so that the apex 61 of the exit diopter 54 is located below the median horizontal plane P51'a.

[0119] Thanks to these characteristics, we obtain a value of angle a greater than 8°, in accordance with the regulations.

[0120] The exit diopter 54 of the lenses 51b of the second type may have the following shapes.

[0121] In cross-section in a horizontal plane ([Fig. 10]), the exit diopter 54 of the lens 51b has a forward-curved shape, is substantially symmetrical with respect to the median vertical plane P51b of the lens 51b. The distance between the entrance diopter 53 and the apex 58 of the exit diopter 54 of the lens 51b of the second type may be less than the distance between the entrance diopter 53 and the front edge 57 of the exit diopter 54 of the lens 5la of the first type.

[0122] In section in a vertical plane ([Fig. 11]), the exit diopter 54 of the lens 51b has a forward-extending shape that is not symmetrical with respect to the median horizontal plane P51'b of the lens 51b. The exit diopter 54 of the lens 51b has a top edge 62 that is substantially straight, slightly inclined with respect to the vertical, from top to bottom and from back to front, for example at an angle of less than 10°. The upper edge 62 has a length of approximately 80 to 90% of the total length of the exit diopter 54 of lens 51b along the vertical Z. The exit diopter 54 of lens 51b also has a very small lower edge 63 extending from the lower end of the upper edge 62, which is also the front apex 64 of the exit diopter 54 of the lens 51b, downwards and backwards. The exit diopter 54 thus forms a succession of small steps in a back-to-front direction.

[0123] Thanks to these characteristics, we obtain a value of angle a greater than 4°, in accordance with the regulations, but not necessarily reaching 8°.

[0124] In order to obtain homogeneity of lighting, the optical units 30a of the first type and the optical units 30b of the second type are arranged alternately along the line of contiguity Ll, as seen in figures 8 and 9.

[0125] According to a second embodiment, illustrated in figures 13 to 15, the optical device 20 can produce, in addition to blue or amber lighting, high intensity lighting, for example white in color, to form a work light also called a work light or work spotlight.

[0126] Thus, in addition to optical units 30a of the first type with lenses 51a of the first type for producing amber illumination, and optical units 30b of the second type with lenses 51b of the second type for producing blue illumination, there is at least one optical unit 30c of a third type. For this optical unit 30c of the third type, the dispersion wall 50 comprises lenses 51c of a third type that are identical to each other and different from the lenses 51a of the first type and the lenses 51b of the second type.

[0127] For example, the optical device 20 comprises two optical units 30c of the third type, arranged centrally with respect to the median plane P20 of the optical device 20.

[0128] Each of the lenses 51c of the third type can be substantially in the form of a half-cylinder with a vertical axis curved outwards.

[0129] The light signaling device 10 may include, on the one hand, optical devices 20 comprising only optical units 30a of the first type and optical units 30b of the second type, and on the other hand, optical devices 20 equipped with such optical units 30c of the third type. For example, an optical device 20 equipped with optical units 30c of the third type may be provided at the ends of the light signaling device 10, i.e. laterally relative to the vehicle 1, as well as such an optical device 20 illuminating towards the front of the vehicle 1 and another illuminating towards the rear of the vehicle 1.

[0130] By arranging the optical devices 20 along the periphery of the light signaling device 10 so that the overall transmitted beams that are transmitted by all the optical devices 20 are adjacent or partially superimposed, the invention makes it possible to form a substantially continuous band of illumination over 360°, whether with amber or blue light sources 25.

[0131] The vehicle 1 may include a light source control system 25, allowing the active source(s), the color of the lighting, the level of light intensity to be defined, and creating scrolling, beacon, flashing, blinking, etc. effects.

[0132] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example but includes all technical equivalents and variants of the means described as well as their combinations.

Claims

Demands

1. Optical device (20) intended to be installed in a vehicle (1) light signaling device (10), the optical device (20) comprising a plurality of optical units (30), each optical unit (30) having a median plane (P30) and a principal axis (A30) included in the median plane (P30), and comprising: - a reflector (40) configured to collect a portion of the incident rays (26) emitted by a light source (25) and to generate a reflected beam (31) of substantially parallel rays, said reflected beam (31) having a reflection axis (A31) substantially parallel to the principal axis (A30) and directed from the rear to the front;- a dispersion wall (50) integral with the reflector (40), disposed in front of the reflector (40) transversely to the main axis (A30), said dispersion wall (50) comprising a plurality of adjacent lenses (51) each comprising an entrance diopter (53) and an exit diopter (54) located in front of the entrance diopter (53), said dispersion wall (50) being configured to generate from the reflected beam (31) and via said lenses (51) a transmitted beam (52) which is divergent in a first plane (PI) parallel to the median plane (P30) and in a second plane (P2) parallel to the main axis (A30) and orthogonal to the median plane (P30), corresponding respectively to a vertical plane and a horizontal plane in the operating position of the optical device (20), the angular amplitude (a) of the transmitted beam (52), projected onto the plane (PI), on either side of the reflection axis (A31), being greater than or equal to 4°;the optical units (30) being arranged next to each other, along a line of contiguity (L1) substantially transverse to the median planes (P30) of the optical units (30), the optical units (30) being joined together so that the optical device (20) forms a single piece.;

2. Optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that the principal axes (A30) of two adjacent optical units (30) form a non-zero angle (y) between them, preferably between 5° and 15°.

3. Optical device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the optical units (30) are arranged such that the axes main (A30) of all optical units (30) are intersecting at a single point of intersection located at the rear of the optical units (30).

4. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one reflector (40) forms an arch having a half-parabolic profile (41) having an axis (A41) oriented globally along the principal axis (A30) of the corresponding optical unit (30) and a vertex (42) disposed at the rear.

5. Optical device according to claim 4, characterized in that the reflectors (40) are arranged so that the axes (A41) of the half-parabolas (41) intersect at a single point (O) located at the rear of the optical units (30).

6. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, in section in a plane orthogonal to the principal axis (A30) of the optical unit (30), at least one reflector (40) has a curved shape convex outwards from the optical device (20).

7. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that all reflectors (40) are identical.

8. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the entrance diopters (53) of the lenses (51) of the dispersion wall (50) of at least one optical unit (30), and preferably all the entrance diopters (53) of the lenses (51) of the dispersion walls (50) of the optical device (20), form a substantially continuous surface without relief, for example substantially in the shape of a portion of a cylinder.

9. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, for at least one unit, the lenses (51) of the dispersion wall (50) are arranged in a matrix arrangement.

10. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least: - an optical unit (30, 30a) of a first type, in which the dispersion wall (50) comprises lenses (51, 51a) of a first type, said lenses (51, 51a) being identical to each other, - and an optical unit (30, 30b) of a second type, in which the dispersion wall (50) comprises lenses (51, 51b) of a second type, said lenses (51, 51b) being identical to each other and different from the lenses (51, 51a) of the first type.

11. Optical device according to claim 10, characterized in that the exit diopter (54) of the lenses (51a) of the first type and the exit diopter (54) of the lenses (51b) of the second type have different geometric parameters, so that the angular amplitude of the beam transmitted by the lenses (51a) of the first type is different from the angular amplitude of the beam transmitted by the lenses (51b) of the second type.

12. Optical device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that it comprises several optical units (30a) of the first type and several optical units (30b) of the second type, and in that the optical units (30a) of the first type and the optical units (30b) of the second type are arranged alternately along the line of contiguity (Ll).

13. Optical device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that it further comprises at least one optical unit (30, 30c) of a third type, in which the dispersion wall (50) comprises lenses (51, 51c) of a third type, said lenses (51, 51c) being identical to each other and different from the lenses (51a) of the first type and the lenses (51b) of the second type.

14. Optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a maximum of ten optical units (30).

15. Light signaling device (10) for a vehicle (1), such as a light bar intended to be fixed on the roof (2) of the vehicle (1), the light signaling device (10) comprising a housing (11) and a plurality of light sources (25) housed in the housing, characterized in that it further comprises at least one optical device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, housed in the housing (11), light signaling device (10) in which a light source (25) is arranged at each optical unit (30) so that a portion of the incident rays (26) emitted by said light source (25) can be collected by the reflector (40) of said optical unit (30).

16. A light signaling device according to claim 15, at least one optical device (20) conforming to claims 4 and 5 and comprising identical reflectors (40), characterized in that, for said optical device (20), each light source (25) is arranged at the focus (43) of the half-parabola (41) forming the section of the reflector (40) in the median plane (P30) of the unit optics (30), the light sources (25) being arranged on an arc of a circle centered on the point (0) of intersection of the axes (A41) of the half-parabolas (41).

17. Light signaling device according to claim 15 or 16, the optical device (20) being in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that an amber light source (25a) is arranged at each optical unit (30a) of the first type, and a blue light source (25b) is arranged at each optical unit (30b) of the second type.

18. A light signaling device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of optical devices (20), each optical device (20) being configured so that the angular amplitude (θ) of the overall transmitted beam - namely the superposition of the beams transmitted (52) by each optical unit (30) of said optical device (20) - in projection in the plane (P2), on either side of a median plane (P20) of the optical device (20), is between 65° and 75°, and in that the optical devices (20) are arranged along the periphery of the light signaling device (10) so that the overall transmitted beams which are transmitted by all the optical devices (20) are adjacent or partially superimposed, thus forming a substantially continuous band of illumination over 360°.

19. Vehicle (1) comprising a light signaling device (10) according to any one of claims 15 to 18.