LIGHT DISPLAY AND SIGNAL DEVICE WITH A UNIFORM OFF-LIGHT APPEARANCE

Abstract

DISPLAY AND LIGHT SIGNALING DEVICE WITH UNIFORM OFF APPEARANCE The invention relates to a light signaling device (2) comprising a display module (4) including an array of light sources (4.2) with a pitch; a light signaling module (6) including at least one light bar; and an optical film (8) including a substrate (10) and an opacifying layer (12) with an array of windows (12.1) free of opacifying material, disposed on a rear face of said substrate (10), and said optical film (8) extending with an identical output-face texture along the display module (4) and the light signaling module (6), the window array (12.1), opposite the light signaling module (6), having a pitch identical to the pitch of the array of light sources and being opposite at least one optical piece (6.1). (Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: DISPLAY AND LIGHT SIGNALING DEVICE WITH A UNIFORM, OFF-GROUND APPEARANCE technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of light signaling and display for motor vehicles. Previous technique

[0002] It is known to provide displays comprising an array of small-sized, closely spaced light-emitting diodes (LEDs), including a generally dark-colored circuit board on which the LEDs are arranged, and a layer of translucent material covering both the LEDs and the circuit board, this layer being able to have a thickness of between 50 and 200 µm. Such an LED display has the advantage of being simple in construction and multifunctional, meaning that the display can contribute to several different lighting functions, such as signaling, decoration, and / or information display or indicator functions.

[0003] Thanks to this versatility of the display, it is generally placed next to another light module, particularly a signaling module. In this case, the display works with the signaling light module to perform various signaling functions, as defined by regulations.

[0004] However, it may happen that the signaling light module has a different optical configuration from that of the display, which itself has certain limitations in that the light sources remain potentially visible. Therefore, when combined with the signaling light module, the display and signaling light module assembly may exhibit inconsistencies between these two elements, both when illuminated and when off. Description of the invention

[0005] The invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art. In particular, the invention aims to provide a light signaling device comprising a light display and a light signaling module, said device having particularly uniform off and on appearances across the entire device while exhibiting a pixelated on appearance. More specifically, the objective of the invention is to achieve uniformity of appearance, in the on or off state of the signaling device, between the digital display and the light signaling module placed near the display despite the fact that the module does not have the same digitization property as the display.

[0006] The invention relates to a light signaling device for a motor vehicle, comprising a display module including an array of light sources with a pitch in at least one direction; and a light signaling module including at least one continuous light element adjacent to the display module in at least one direction of the pitch; notable in that the light signaling device further comprises an optical film including a substrate of transparent or translucent material and an opacifying layer with an array of free windows of opacifying material, said opacifying layer being disposed on a rear face of said substrate, and said optical film extending with an identical output-face texture along the display module and the light signaling module;the window array, arranged at least opposite the light signaling module, having a spacing identical to that of the light source array and being opposite at least one optical component capable of supplying said windows with light.

[0007] Advantageously, at least one direction of the pitch of the light source array comprises two directions perpendicular to each other.

[0008] Advantageously, the light from at least one optical component and supplying the windows is convergent so as to then diverge into the substrate.

[0009] Advantageously, the window network also extends opposite the light signaling module.

[0010] Advantageously, the optical film is identical along the display module and the light signaling module.

[0011] Advantageously, the optical film is continuous between the display module and the light signaling module.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one optical part comprises a light entry face opposite a corresponding light source and a light exit face forming a network of converging lenses opposite and corresponding with the windows.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one optical part is a collimator configured to collimate the light rays emitted by the corresponding light source, before reaching the light exit face.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one optical part is a sheet-shaped light guide configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the corresponding light source back to the light output face.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the optical film further comprises an additional substrate, made of transparent or translucent material, disposed against the opacifying layer and the substrate, and comprising a rear face forming converging lenses in correspondence with the windows.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one optical part comprises a light entry face opposite a corresponding light source and a light exit face opposite the converging lenses of the rear face of the optical film.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one optical part is a collimator configured to collimate the light rays emitted by the corresponding light source, before reaching the light exit face, or a light guide configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the corresponding light source back to the light exit face.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one optical part is a light guide of circular or oval cross-section configured to guide the light rays emitted by the corresponding light source and to reflect said rays towards the light exit face via facets distributed along said light guide.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the optical film further comprises a reflective layer, preferably of metallization, disposed on the opacifying layer so that light incident on said opacifying layer, outside the windows, is reflected towards the light guide.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the facets are arranged in correspondence with the converging lenses of the rear face of the optical film.

[0021] The measures of the invention are advantageous in that they make it possible to provide a light signaling device comprising a display array and one or more light signaling functions adjacent to said display array with a perfectly uniform off and on appearance along the display array and the light signaling function(s), more particularly at the junction between the display array and the light signaling function(s). These uniform off and on appearances are achieved in that the common optical film comprises the opacifying layer with a window array extending continuously along the light signaling function(s) and optionally along the display array.Also, providing means for backlighting the optical film at the level of the light signaling function(s), capable of converging the light produced towards the windows and then diverging through the transparent or translucent substrate of the optical film before exiting, ensures uniform illumination of the exit face of the optical film, at the level of the light signaling function(s), and avoids light loss by absorption. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] [Fig.1] is a front view of a light signaling device according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] is a sectional view II-II of the light signaling device of the [Fig.1], according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0024] [Fig.2bis] is a cross-sectional view of an alternative to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.2];

[0025] [Fig.3] is a sectional view III-III of the light signaling device figures 1 and 2, according to the first embodiment;

[0026] [Fig.4] is a sectional view III-III of the light signaling device of the [Fig.1], according to a second embodiment;

[0027] [Fig.5] is a sectional view II-II of the light signaling device of the [Fig.1], according to a variant of the invention;

[0028] [Fig.6] is a sectional view II-II of the light signaling device of the [Fig.1], according to another variant of the invention;

[0029] [Fig.7] is a sectional view III-III of the light signaling device of the [Fig.1], according to a third embodiment;

[0030] [Fig.8] is a sectional view III-III of the light signaling device of the [Fig.1], according to a fourth embodiment;

[0031] [Fig.9] is a sectional view III-III of the light signaling device of the [Fig.1], according to a fifth embodiment;

[0032] [Fig. 10] is a sectional view II-II of the light signaling device of [Fig.1], according to the fifth embodiment of the invention;

[0033] [Fig. 11] is a sectional view III-III of the light signaling device of [Fig.1], according to a sixth embodiment. Detailed description

[0034] The following description, the terms expressing relative positions, such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", etc., are to be understood when the light signaling device is in its normal mounting and operating position, as illustrated in the figures, and following a principal direction of light propagation.

[0035] Fig. 1 is a front view of a light signaling device for a motor vehicle, according to the invention.

[0036] The signaling device 2 comprises a display module 4 with a dot-matrix display and a light signaling module 6. The light signaling module 6 can perform a light signaling function among the functions signaling functions listed below, or a combination of at least two of these functions: - signaling function of the type stop light (or "Stop" in English); - signaling function of the direction indicator light type (or "Tum") Indicator (in English); - signaling function of the type front or rear position light (or "Position Lamp" in English); - signaling function of the daytime running light type (or "Day Running Lamp" in English).

[0037] The display module 4 has an aesthetic function in this instance, while the signaling module 6 has regulatory signaling functions. That being said, the display module 4 can also contribute to the implementation of the regulatory signaling functions as specified above. Furthermore, the display module 4 can perform an information display function to show information concerning the vehicle or driving.

[0038] The light signaling module 6 comprises several bar-shaped elements, in this case three, although other shapes and configurations are possible. The light signaling module 6 could, in fact, comprise one element, two elements, four elements, or even more. The element(s) may also take shapes other than that of a bar. The signaling device 2 is characterized by a uniform appearance between the display module 4 and the light signaling module 6, both when switched off and when switched on. To this end, the signaling device 2 comprises an identical optical film along the display module 4 and the light signaling module 6. This optical film is advantageously continuous between the display module 4 and the light signaling module 6.Alternatively, the display module 4 and the signaling module 6 are each associated with their own optical film. These optical films, however, have the same configuration to further improve the uniform appearance between the display module 4 and the signaling module 6.

[0039] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view II-II of the signaling device 2 of Figure 1, according to a first embodiment of the invention. The presence of an optical film 8 common to the display module 4 and the light signaling module 6 can be observed. This optical film 8 comprises a substrate 10 of transparent or translucent material, and an opacifying layer 12 deposited on a rear or inner face of the substrate 10, continuously while leaving a network of windows 12.1 free of opacifying material. This opacifying layer 12 is arranged opposite the light signaling module 6 and optionally opposite the display module. 4. Indeed, in an alternative embodiment as illustrated in [Fig.2bis], the opacifying layer 12 is only present in front of the light signaling module 6. The opacifying layer 12 is, on the other hand, absent in front of the display module 4.

[0040] The display module 4 comprises a board 4.1, light sources 4.2 arranged in a grid on the board 4.1, and a transparent or translucent layer 4.3 deposited on the board 4.1 and the light sources 4.2. The transparent or translucent layer 4.3 may comprise carbon black. It is advantageously deposited in a liquid or paste state and is subsequently hardened. The board 4.1 is advantageously a printed circuit board made of FR-4 type material (abbreviation for Flame Retardant 4). The board 4.1 is advantageously black or at least dark on the side receiving the light sources 4.2. The light sources 4.2 are advantageously light-emitting diodes. They are advantageously of small size, in particular between 20pm and 800pm, preferably between 80pm and 400pm, and arranged at a distance from one to the next of between 300pm and 2mm, preferably between 600pm and 1.2mm.The illumination rate of plate 4.1 by light sources 4.2 is advantageously between 1% and 50%. The grating is advantageously regular and of the matrix type.

[0041] The light source array 4.2 has a step in at least one direction, advantageously in two perpendicular directions y and z, as can be seen in [Fig.1].

[0042] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the windows 12.1 of the opacifying layer 12 correspond with the light sources 4.2 of the display module 4. The network of windows 12.1 of the opacifying layer 12 is also present along the light signaling module 6, with the same spacing as the network of light sources 4.2 of the display module 4, so as to present uniform off and on aspects between the display module 4 and the light signaling module 6.

[0043] The light signaling module 6 includes means for backlighting the optical film 8. These backlighting means comprise one or more optical elements 6.1 made of transparent or translucent material, each with a light-inlet face opposite a corresponding light source 6.2 and a light-outlet face opposite the inner face of the optical film 8, more precisely opposite windows 12.1 of the opacifying layer 12. The light rays exiting the outlet face of the optical element(s) 6.1 converge towards the centers of the corresponding windows 12.1, so as to diverge at the exit of these windows and produce a uniform light beam along the light signaling module 6, despite the presence of the opacifying layer 12 and the array of windows 12.1. said opacifying layer. For this purpose, the exit face of the optical part(s) 6.1 forms a converging lens.

[0044] Figure 3 is a sectional view III-III of the signaling device 2 of Figures 1 and 2, according to the first embodiment of the invention. It can be seen that the optical part 6.1 is configured to collimate the rays emitted by the light source 6.2 and entering the entrance face 6.1.1. These rays are refracted by the central part of the entrance face 6.1.1 directly towards the light exit face 6.1.2, while the outer annular part of the light entry face 6.1.1 refracts the rays in question towards the opposite lateral faces 6.1.3 to undergo reflection, preferably total, towards the light exit face 6.1.2. These two types of rays are thus collimated before reaching the light exit face 6.1.2. The latter has a cushion-like relief, forming converging lenses arranged in correspondence with the windows 12.1 of the opacifying layer 12.These converging lenses are configured to converge the collimated rays towards the centers of the corresponding windows 12.1. The focal point of convergence is advantageously in the substrate 10 of the optical film 8, in the plane of the opacifying layer or further within said substrate. The light rays, after passing through the focal points in question, diverge in the remainder of the thickness of the substrate 10 and thus illuminate the entire exit face of the substrate 8 uniformly and without loss of light by absorption on the opacifying layer 12.

[0045] In the configuration of the signaling device 2 shown in Figures 1 to 3, the optical elements 6.1 are distributed along each of the bars, in this case three bars, of the light signaling device 6 and each extends transversely to the corresponding bar. It is understood, however, that the optical elements may extend along the corresponding bar and be distributed transversely to said bar. Therefore, the bar(s) of the light signaling device 6 do not necessarily have to extend primarily horizontally, that is, along the y-axis of the orthonormal xyz system shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. This bar(s) may, in particular, extend vertically, that is, along the z-axis, or even at an angle to the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0046] Figure 4 is a sectional view III-III of the signaling device 2 of Figure 1, according to a second embodiment. The reference numerals of the optical component of the first embodiment are used to represent identical or corresponding elements, these reference numerals being, however, increased by 100. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the first embodiment.

[0047] The optical piece 106.1 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that instead of being a collimator it is a light guide, with a light entry face 106.1.1 opposite which is located the corresponding light source 106.2, with two main opposite faces for guiding the light by total reflection, these two faces being essentially in the plane of the [Fig.4], a lateral light exit face 106.1.2 and a lateral face opposite to the light exit face 106.1.2 and curved so as to also form an end face, forming a light reflection face 106.1.3. The light rays emitted by the light source 106.2 enter the optical part 106.1 through the light entry face 106.1.1 and propagate by successive total reflections essentially on the two opposite principal faces before being incident on the light reflection face 106.1.3 and undergo reflections, total or via the presence of a reflective coating, towards the light exit face 106.1.2, in a collimated manner, similar to the first embodiment. The light exit face 106.1.2 has, similarly to the first embodiment, a pincushion relief, forming converging lenses arranged in correspondence with the windows 12.1 of the opacifying layer 12. These converging lenses are configured to converge the collimated rays towards the centers of the corresponding windows 12.1. The focal point of convergence is advantageously in the substrate 10 of the optical film 8, in the plane of the opacifying layer or further within said substrate.

[0048] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view II-II of the light signaling device of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the light signaling device 2' is provided with a diffusing layer 14. This layer is formed or applied to the front or outer face of the substrate 10 of the optical film 8'. This layer can thus be formed directly in the transparent or translucent material of the substrate or deposited as a film or coating on the front or outer face of the substrate 10. It is, as is known to those skilled in the art, a layer of transparent or translucent material having an outer surface with a regular relief, capable of diffusing light homogeneously.

[0049] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view II-II of the light signaling device of Figure 1, according to another embodiment of the invention. In this other embodiment, the optical film 8” of the light signaling device 2” is provided with an additional substrate 16, made of transparent or translucent material, applied to the rear or inner face of the substrate 10 and to the opacifying layer 12. This additional substrate 16 is characterized by having pads on its rear face 16.1, forming converging lenses arranged in correspondence with the windows 12.1 of the opacifying layer 12. In this case, the optical parts 6.1 or 106.1 of the means The backlighting of the 8" optical film no longer necessarily requires means of converging the light transmitted to the 8" optical film. In this case, the light exit faces of the 6"l or 106"l optical components no longer need to form a pad-like array and can thus generally be flat. This variant is advantageous because the geometric correspondence between the converging lenses and the windows 12.1 of the opacifying layer is intrinsic to the 8" optical film and is therefore not dependent on positioning inaccuracies between the 6"l or 106"l optical components and the 8" optical film.

[0050] Figure 7 is a sectional view III-III of the light signaling device of Figure 1, according to a third embodiment. The signaling device 2" according to the third embodiment is essentially a combination of the first embodiment as illustrated in Figure 3 and the other variant illustrated in Figure 6. The optical film 8" is according to the other variant of Figure 6, and the optical parts 6" are collimators according to Figure 3, except that their light exit faces 6" do not have pads and can thus generally be flat.

[0051] Figure 8 is a sectional view III-III of the light signaling device of Figure 1, according to a fourth embodiment. The signaling device 2'' according to the fourth embodiment is essentially a combination of the second embodiment as illustrated in Figure 4 and the other variant illustrated in Figure 6. The optical film 8" is according to the other variant of Figure 6, and the optical parts 106" are light guides according to Figure 4, except that their light exit faces 106" do not have pads and can thus generally be flat.

[0052] Figures 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views III-III and II-II, respectively, of the light signaling device of [Fig. 1], according to a fifth embodiment. The reference numerals of the optical component of the first embodiment are used to represent identical or corresponding elements, these reference numerals being, however, increased by 200. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the first embodiment. The signaling device 2'' according to the fifth embodiment is based on the other variant illustrated in [Fig. 6], where the means for backlighting the optical film 8" comprise at least one optical component 206.1 forming a light guide of generally circular or oval cross-section and extending along the principal direction of the corresponding bar of the light signaling module 6, in this case horizontally along the y direction. The optical component 206.1 includes a light entry face 206.1.1 opposite which is located the light source 206.2. The light rays from the latter, after passing through said entry face. Light rays 206.1.1 propagate through the light guide by successive total internal reflections on the main face of said light guide, and are then incident on facets 206.1.3 located on said main face and configured to reflect the light rays towards the light exit face 206.1.2, also located on said main face. The pitch of the facets 206.1.3 corresponds to the pitch of the windows 12.1 of the opacifying layer 12 and to the pitch of the converging lenses on the additional substrate 16.

[0053] Figure 11 is a sectional view III-III of the light signaling device of Figure 1, according to a sixth embodiment. The signaling device 2" according to the sixth embodiment is based on the signaling device 2" according to the fifth embodiment, with the difference that the optical film 8" further comprises a reflective layer 18 applied over the opacifying layer 12. This reflective layer 18, which can be made by depositing a metallic coating, allows at least a portion of the rays incident on the opacifying layer 12 to be reflected towards the optical part 206.1 for reflection on one of the facets 206.1.3 towards the exit face 206.1.2 to reach the optical film 8" again. Such a path is illustrated by a dashed line, starting from a first reflection on the facet 206.1.3 towards an upper part of the exit face 206.1.2, undergoing a reflection on the opacifying layer 12 towards the optical part 206.1, and then undergoing a second reflection on the facet 206.1.3 back towards a lower part of the exit face 206.1.2 and then passing through a window 12.1 of the opacifying layer 12.

Claims

Demands

1. Light signaling device (2; 2'; 2"; 2'") for motor vehicle, comprising: - a display module (4) comprising an array of light sources (4.2) with a pitch in at least one direction; and - a light signaling module (6) comprising at least one continuous light bar adjacent to the display module (4) following at least one direction of the pitch; characterized in that the light signaling device (2; 2'; 2"; 2"') further comprises: - an optical film (8; 8'; 8"; 8'") comprising a substrate (10) of transparent or translucent material and an opacifying layer (12) with a window array (12.1) free of opacifying material, said opacifying film (12) being disposed on a rear face of said substrate (10), and said optical film (8; 8'; 8"; 8"') extending with an identical output-face texture along the display module (4) and the light signaling module (6), the window array (12.1), positioned at least opposite the light signaling module (6), having a pitch identical to the pitch of the light source network and being opposite at least one optical part (6.1; 6”.1; 106.1; 106”.1; 206.1) capable of supplying said windows with light.

2. Light signaling device (2; 2') according to claim 1, wherein at least one optical part (6.1; 106.1) comprises a light inlet face (6.1.1; 106.1.1) opposite a corresponding light source (6.2; 106.2) and a light outlet face (6.1.2; 106.1.2) forming an array of converging lenses opposite and corresponding with the windows (12.1).

3. Light signaling device (2; 2') according to claim 2, wherein at least one optical part is a collimator (6.1) configured to collimate the light rays emitted by the corresponding light source (6.2), before reaching the light exit face (6.1.2).

4. Light signaling device (2; 2') according to claim 2, wherein at least one optical part is a light guide configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the corresponding light source back to the light output face (106.1.2).

5. Light signaling device (2”; 2’”) according to claim 1, wherein the optical film (8”; 8’’) further comprises an additional substrate (16), of transparent or translucent material, disposed against the opacifying layer (12) and the substrate (10), and comprising a rear face (16.1) forming converging lenses in correspondence with the windows (12.1).

6. Light signaling device (2”; 2’”) according to claim 5, wherein at least one optical part comprises (6”.l; 106”.1; 206.1) a light inlet face (6”.1.1; 106”.1.1; 206.1.1) opposite a corresponding light source (6”.2; 106”.2; 206.2) and a light outlet face (6”.1.2; 106”.1.2; 206.1.2) opposite the converging lenses of the rear face (16.1) of the optical film (8”; 8’”).

7. Light signaling device (2”; 2’”) according to claim 6, wherein at least one optical part is a collimator (6”.l) configured to collimate the light rays emitted by the corresponding light source (6”.2), before reaching the light exit face (6”.1.2), or a light guide (106”.1) configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the corresponding light source (106”.2) back to the light exit face (106”.1.2).

8. Light signaling device (2”; 2’”) according to claim 6, wherein at least one optical part is a circular or oval cross-section light guide (206.1) configured to guide the light rays emitted by the corresponding light source (206.2) and to, via facets (206.1.3) distributed along said light guide, reflect said rays towards the light exit face (206.1.2).

9. Light signaling device (2'”) according to claim 8, wherein the optical film (8'”) further comprises a reflective layer (18), preferably of metallization, disposed on the opacifying layer (12) so that light incident on said opacifying layer (12), outside the windows, is reflected towards the circular or oval section light guide (206.1).

10. A light signaling device (2”; 2’”) according to any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the facets (206.1.3) are arranged corresponding with the converging lenses of the rear face (16.1) of the optical film (8”; 8’”).

Images