DUAL-FUNCTION PHOTOMETRIC LIGHTING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A lighting device (ED) is fitted to a vehicle including a license plate (LP), and comprises: - a source (SP) generating photons having a first wavelength corresponding to a first color and intended to provide a brake light function at a first location, - a selection device (SD) designed to direct at least some of the generated photons to a second location, and - a converter (CC) installed at this second location and converting the photons arriving at the second location into photons having a second wavelength corresponding to a second color and intended to provide a license plate (LP) illumination function. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: DUAL-FUNCTION PHOTOMETRIC LIGHTING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles comprising at least one license plate which must be illuminated and which provides a photometric brake light function, and more specifically to lighting devices intended to equip such vehicles. State of the art

[0002] Some vehicles, generally of the motor vehicle type, include at least one registration plate installed in their rear end in a central position and to be illuminated by a photometric lighting function, and provide a photometric brake light function to signal to third parties that their braking system is in operation.

[0003] In certain vehicles, the photometric function of the brake light is ensured at the rear end by two lateral signaling devices, right and left, and a central signaling device operating simultaneously but physically separated.

[0004] Furthermore, the photometric lighting function dedicated to the rear license plate is currently provided by a dedicated lighting device, placed near this rear license plate.

[0005] Using a central signaling device and a dedicated lighting system increases the complexity, size, and cost of the rear section of the vehicle (door, tailgate, or trunk lid). Furthermore, it increases the vehicle's electrical energy consumption, which can reduce its driving range when its powertrain is at least partially electric. In addition, it increases maintenance and repair costs.

[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0007] It proposes in particular for this purpose a lighting device, on the one hand, suitable for equipping a vehicle comprising at least one registration plate, and, on the other hand, comprising a source suitable for generating photons having a first wavelength corresponding to a first colour and intended to ensure (at least) a brake light function in a first place.

[0008] This lighting device is characterized by the fact that it comprises:

[0009] - a selection device designed to direct at least a portion of the generated photons to a second location, and

[0010] - a converter installed in this second location and suitable for converting the photons arriving at the second location as photons having a second wavelength corresponding to a second color and intended to provide a function of lighting the license plate.

[0011] Thanks to this common photon source participating in two neighboring photometric functions, it is avoided to have to install two lighting devices dedicated respectively to these two photometric functions, which reduces, on the one hand, the complexity, bulk and cost of the rear part of the vehicle, and, on the other hand, the electrical energy consumption of the vehicle.

[0012] The lighting device according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0013] - its converter may comprise a material that is suitable for absorbing the photons that reach it and have the first wavelength and to emit in reaction photons having the second wavelength;

[0014] - in the presence of the first option, the material can be a yellow phosphorus (or white) ;

[0015] - its selection device may include a reflector which is suitable for reflecting a portion of the generated photons towards the second location;

[0016] - it may include a casing, on the one hand, delimiting an internal space in which are fixedly installed the source and the selection device, and, on the other hand, comprising in the first place a first opening housing a protective glass and in the second place a second opening in which at least part of the converter is installed;

[0017] - in the presence of the last option, in a first embodiment, its source may be able to selectively generate photons either at a first intensity insufficient for passing through the protective ice, or at a second intensity strictly greater than this first intensity so as to be sufficient for passing through the protective ice;

[0018] - in a second embodiment, the selection device may include a flap designed to be selectively placed in an open state, respectively closed, in which it allows, respectively prohibits, the passage of a portion of the generated photons to the first location;

[0019] - its source may include at least one light-emitting diode that is specific to generate photons having the first wavelength.

[0020] The invention also proposes equipment suitable for fitting to a vehicle, comprising, on the one hand, a part having a front face comprising a first an area suitable for receiving a license plate, and a second area comprising a lighting opening, and, on the other hand, a lighting device of the type presented above and fixedly attached to a rear face of this part, opposite its front face, partially passing through this lighting opening so that its first and second places are placed beyond the latter to deliver in front of the front face the photons having the first and second wavelengths.

[0021] For example, this part may include a central recess comprising the first zone. In this case, the central recess may also, for example, comprise the second zone above the first zone.

[0022] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising equipment of the type presented above. 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 (some of which were obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view of the side of the face previously, a portion of an example embodiment of vehicle equipment comprising an example embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention,

[0025] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, a first example of an embodiment of the lighting device of [Fig.1], and

[0026] [Fig.3] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, a second example of the realization of the lighting device of [Fig.1]. Detailed description of the invention

[0027] The invention aims, in particular, to provide a lighting device DE intended, on the one hand, to equip a vehicle comprising at least one license plate PI which must be illuminated at least at certain times of the day, and, on the other hand, to provide a photometric function for a central brake light and a photometric function for illuminating this license plate PL

[0028] In what follows, the vehicle is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any land vehicle comprising at least one license plate that must be illuminated and provides a photometric brake light function.

[0029] Furthermore, in the following, by way of non-limiting example, the DE lighting device is considered to be part of an EV component intended to be part of a vehicle (here, a car) and to which a PI license plate must be attached for illumination. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, a DE lighting device, according to the invention, can be mounted on the rear wall of a vehicle (possibly already equipped with a license plate) in order to perform its two photometric functions.

[0030] In figures 1 to 3, the 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, the direction Y is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0031] Figure [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates part of an example of an embodiment of EV equipment intended to be part of a vehicle (here a car) and including an example of an embodiment of a DE lighting device according to the invention.

[0032] This EV equipment includes here, on the one hand, a PS part intended to be fixedly attached to a rear wall of a vehicle and a DE lighting device according to the invention.

[0033] The PS part comprises a front face FV designed to receive a license plate PI in a first zone ZI and a rear face FR opposite this front face FV and intended to be fixedly attached to this rear wall of the vehicle. In addition, this front face FV here comprises a second zone Z2 including a lighting opening OE

[0034] The lighting device DE is (here) fixedly attached to the rear face FR of the part PS by partially passing through its lighting opening OE so that the first and second places (which it includes and which will be discussed later) are placed beyond this lighting opening OE.

[0035] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 3, part PS includes a central recess RC (along the longitudinal direction X) delimited by a central wall PC comprising the first ZI and second Z2 zones, the second zone Z2 being located above (along the vertical direction Z) the first zone ZI. However, in an alternative variant not shown, the second zone Z2 could be located below (along the vertical direction Z) the first zone ZI. In yet another alternative variant not shown, part PS might not include a central recess RC, and therefore be substantially flat.

[0036] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 2 and 3, a lighting device DE, according to the invention, comprises at least one photon source SP, a selection device DS and a converter CL.

[0037] The (photon) source SP is designed to generate photons having a first wavelength XI, which corresponds to a first color cl, and which, in a first part, performs the function of a central brake light at the aforementioned first location of the lighting device DE. It should be noted that the photometric brake light function signals to third parties, by diffusing light having the first color cl, that the vehicle's braking system is in operation.

[0038] The DS selection device is arranged so as to direct at least a second part of the photons generated by the SP source towards the second aforementioned location of the lighting device DE.

[0039] The converter CL is installed in the second location, and is arranged so as to convert the photons that have reached the second location into photons which, on the one hand, have a second wavelength X2, strictly different from the first wavelength XI and corresponding to a second color c2 different from the first color cl, and, on the other hand, are intended to ensure the function of lighting the license plate PL. The second location is therefore situated near the first zone ZI where the license plate PI is installed, so that it can be illuminated (at least when the level of light intensity becomes less than a predefined threshold).

[0040] It will be understood that the first part of the photons generated by the SP source is used to provide the central brake light function at the first location, and that the second part of the photons generated by this same SP source is used to provide the license plate illumination function after wavelength conversion. Therefore, the lighting device DE performs two similar photometric functions with a single SP photon source, which offers several advantages. Indeed, this avoids having to install two separate lighting devices for these two photometric functions, thus reducing the complexity, size, and cost of the rear section of the vehicle (door, tailgate, or trunk lid).Furthermore, since the SP photon source is shared, this significantly reduces the vehicle's electrical energy consumption, thus increasing its driving range when its powertrain is at least partially electric. In addition, this reduces maintenance and repair costs.

[0041] For example, the SP source may include at least one light-emitting diode (or LED) suitable for generating photons having the first wavelength XL. But alternatively, it could include at least one diode A laser or a gas laser, for example. It should be noted, as illustrated (but not limited to) in Figures 2 and 3, that the lighting device DE may also include an electronic board CE comprising the photon source SP and electronic components and / or circuit(s) for controlling the power supply and operation of this photon source SP. For example, this electronic board CE may be a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0042] Also, for example, the first color cl can be red (because this is the one used by regulation for the brake light function). Also, for example, the second color c2 can be white or yellow (because these are the ones usually used for the license plate illumination function PI).

[0043] Also, for example, the CL converter may include a material which is capable of absorbing photons which reach it and which have the first wavelength XI, and of emitting in reaction to this absorption photons which have the second wavelength X2. By way of example, this material may be a yellow or white phosphorus.

[0044] But in an alternative embodiment, the converter CL could be electronic.

[0045] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 2 and 3. The lighting device DE may include a housing BD delimiting an internal space El in which the light source SP and the selection device DS are fixedly installed. This housing BD includes, at the first location, a first opening 01 which houses a protective lens GP, and at the second location, a second opening 02 in which at least part of the converter CL is installed. It will be understood that the first part of the photons is directed towards the protective lens GP in order to provide the function of the central brake light (by diffusion), and the second part of the photons is directed towards the converter CL in order to be converted into photons having the second wavelength λ and intended to provide the function of illuminating the license plate PL

[0046] At least three embodiments can be envisaged for the DS selection device. In these three embodiments, the DS selection device can, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3, comprise a reflector RP which is adapted to reflect the second part of the photons generated by the SP source towards the second location. It will be understood that the objective of this reflector RP is to reflect (here) downwards (and therefore towards the CL converter) photons that propagate in a general direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X and towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0047] This RP reflector can, for example, be of the parabolic type. But it could also be a mirror with a flat surface, for example.

[0048] In the first embodiment, illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.2], the SP source can be suitable for selectively generating photons either according to a first intensity which is insufficient for crossing the GP protective ice, or according to a second intensity which is strictly greater than the first intensity so as to be sufficient for crossing the GP protective ice.

[0049] It will be understood that the thickness of the GP protective glass is chosen so as to prevent the (unconverted) photons from escaping when generated at the first intensity, but to allow the (unconverted) photons to escape when generated at the second intensity. This thickness acts as a passive filter that limits the scattering of (here) red light so that it is only visible from the outside (at the sufficient level (defined by regulation)) if the intensity of the photons generated by the SP source is greater than or equal to the second intensity.

[0050] It will also be understood that when the braking system is used, a first order (or command) is sent to the lighting device DE, and therefore (here) the electronic board CE triggers the generation of photons at the second intensity by the source SP to ensure the function of the central brake light. Conversely, when the braking system is not used, the source SP generates photons at the first intensity so that they cannot escape the protective lens GP. In this latter case, the generation of photons at the first intensity can occur by default (in the absence of reception of the first order (or command)) or by an action (here) of the electronic board CE following the reception of a second order (or command) associated with the first intensity.

[0051] In the second embodiment, illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.3], the selection device DS also includes a flap VD which is suitable for being placed selectively either in an open state in which it allows the passage of the first part of the generated photons to the first place (and therefore here to the protective ice GP), or in a closed state in which it prohibits the passage of the first part of the photons generated by the source SP to the first place (and therefore here to the protective ice GP).

[0052] It will be understood that when the braking system is used, the lighting device DE receives an opening command, and therefore (here) the electronic control board CE causes the flap VD to be placed in its open state so that the (unconverted) photons can reach the first location (and thus here the protective lens GP) to perform the function of the central brake light. Conversely, when the braking system is not used, the flap VD is placed in its closed state so that the (unconverted) photons cannot reach the first location (and thus here the protective lens GP). In this latter case, the positioning can be default. (in the absence of receipt of a closing order (or command) or by an action (here) of the CE electronic card following the receipt of a closing order (or command).

[0053] It should be noted that, at least in the second embodiment, it is preferable, as illustrated (though not exhaustively) in [Fig. 3], for the selection device DS to also include (here in the housing BD) a partition CS intended to separate the internal space El into two parts dedicated respectively to the first and second photon parts. This partition CS preferably extends from substantially the source SP to substantially the protective glass GP so as to isolate the shutter VD from the reflector RP and to separate the photons generated in the first and second parts.

[0054] In the third embodiment (not illustrated), the SP source may include a first part dedicated to the central brake light function, and a second part dedicated to the license plate illumination function. Thus, when only the central brake light function is required, only the first part of the SP source is operated; when only the license plate illumination function is required, only the second part of the SP source is operated; and when both the central brake light and license plate illumination functions are required, both the first and second parts of the SP source are operated simultaneously.

[0055] It will be understood that:

[0056] - when the braking system is used, the lighting device DE is connected A first order (or command) is received, and therefore (here) the CE electronic board triggers the generation of photons by the first part of the SP source to ensure the function of the central brake light. However, when the braking system is not in use, the first part of the SP source does not operate. In this latter case, the non-operation of the first part of the SP source can occur by default (due to the absence of reception of the first order (or command)) or through an action (here) by the CE electronic board following the reception of a second order (or command) associated with the non-operation of the first part of the SP source.

[0057] - when the PI license plate needs to be illuminated, the device is addressed The third-order DE lighting (or third control) means that the CE electronic board triggers the generation of photons by the second part of the SP source to illuminate the license plate PI. Conversely, when the license plate PI is not to be illuminated, the second part of the SP source does not operate. In this latter case, the non-operation of the second part of the SP source may be a default behavior (due to the absence of reception). of the third order (or third command) or by an action (here) of the CE electronic board following the reception of a fourth order (or fourth command) associated with the non-operation of the second part of the SP source.

[0058] It should be noted that in the third embodiment, it is also preferable for the selection device DS to include (here in the housing BD) the partition CS intended to separate the internal space El into two parts dedicated respectively to the first and second parts of the photons. This partition CS preferably extends from substantially the source SP to substantially the protective glass GP so as to prevent photons from the second generated part from propagating towards the protective glass GP and photons from the first generated part from propagating towards the reflector RP.

Claims

Demands

1. Lighting device (ED) suitable for equipping a vehicle comprising at least one license plate (LP), and comprising a source (SP) suitable for generating photons having a first wavelength corresponding to a first color and intended to provide a brake light function in a first location, characterized in that it comprises i) a selection device (SD) suitable for directing at least a part of said generated photons to a second location, and ii) a converter (CC) installed in said second location and suitable for converting said photons arriving at said second location into photons having a second wavelength corresponding to a second color and intended to provide a lighting function for said license plate (LP).

2. Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said converter (CL) comprises a material suitable for absorbing photons which reach it and having said first wavelength and for emitting in reaction photons having said second wavelength.

3. Lighting device according to claim 2, characterized in that said material is a yellow phosphor.

4. Lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said selection device (DS) comprises a reflector (RP) adapted to reflect a portion of said generated photons towards said second location.

5. Lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a housing (BD) delimiting an internal space (El) in which said source (SP) and said selection device (DS) are fixedly installed, and comprising at said first place a first opening (01) housing a protective glass (GP) and at said second place a second opening (02) in which at least a part of said converter (CL) is installed.

6. Lighting device according to claim 5, characterized in that said source (SP) is capable of selectively generating said photons either at a first intensity insufficient for passage through said protective glass (GP), or at a second intensity strictly greater than said first intensity so as to be sufficient for said passage through the protective glass (GP).

7. Lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said selection device (DS) comprises a shutter (VD) adapted to be placed selectively in an open state, respectively closed, in which it permits, respectively prohibits, the passage of a portion of said generated photons to said first place.

8. Equipment (EV) for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises i) a part (PS) having a front face (FV) comprising a first zone (Z1) adapted to receive a registration plate (PI), and a second zone (Z2) comprising a lighting opening (OE), and ii) a lighting device (DE) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, fixedly attached to a rear face (FR) of said part (PS), opposite said front face (FV), by partially passing through said lighting opening (OE) so that its first and second locations are placed beyond the latter (OE) to deliver in front of said front face (FV) said photons having said first and second wavelengths.

9. Equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that said part (PS) comprises a central recess (RC) having said first zone (Zl) and said second zone (Z2) above said first zone (Zl).

10. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one piece of equipment (EV) according to claim 8 or 9.