High beam module for motor vehicles with upward-facing light source

Abstract

The present invention relates to an illumination module (102) comprising at least one light source (104) capable of emitting light rays upwards, a collector (106) having at least one reflective surface (106.1) configured to collect the light rays emitted by the at least one light source (104) and reflect them as a reflected light beam along an optical axis (110), and a projection lens (108) for projecting the reflected light beam as a projected light beam, wherein the at least one reflective surface (106.1) is configured in such a way that the reflected light beam illuminates an entrance surface (108.1) of the projection optical unit (108) up to an upper edge (108.3) and / or a lower edge (108.4) of said entrance surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of lighting, and more particularly to the lighting of motor vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] WO 2020 / 025171 A1 essentially discloses a lighting module for a motor vehicle, comprising an upward-emitting LED light source and a concentrator with a reflective surface having an ellipsoidal profile, configured to collect the light rays emitted by the light source and reflect them towards a projection lens. The projection lens is configured to image the reflective surface illuminated by the light source. For this purpose, the projection lens has a focal point located on or near the reflective surface, preferably near the trailing edge of the reflective surface, so as to clearly image the trailing edge and thus form an upper cutoff. The illumination beam thus created can provide a low-beam lighting function.

[0003] Patent document 2 (FR 3 093 789 A1) discloses a dual-type lighting module comprising a first lighting module based on the principle of Patent document 1 and a second lighting module based on the same principle but in an opposite position to the first lighting module. The light source of the second lighting module thus illuminates downward. A projection lens projects a reflective surface illuminated from the opposite direction to the first lighting module, creating a lighting beam with a downward horizontal cutoff. This lighting beam complements the lighting beam with an upward horizontal cutoff from the first lighting module, creating a "high beam" lighting function. While this combination of lighting modules is advantageous for creating two lighting functions (low beam and high beam), it can have the disadvantage of being vertically bulky due to the overlapping (in this case, facing each other) of the two lighting modules. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 025171 Brochure [Patent Document 2] French Patent Application Publication No. 3093789 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above, in particular to propose a vertically compact lighting module capable of producing an illumination beam that is compatible with producing a lighting function without an upper cutoff.

[0006] The present invention provides a lighting module, comprising: - an optical axis; - at least one light source capable of emitting a light beam along a main light-emitting axis facing upwards when the lighting module is in an operable state; a collector having at least one reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light rays emitted by the at least one light source as a reflected light beam along an optical axis; - projection optics for projecting the reflected light beam as a projected light beam; A lighting module comprising: At least one reflective surface is notable in that it is configured such that the reflected light beam illuminates the entrance surface of the projection optical component up to the upper and / or lower edges of the entrance surface, and the projection optical component has a focal point located behind the at least one reflective surface along the optical axis. It is related to.

[0007] These means are configured so that the at least one reflective surface illuminated by the light rays is imaged horizontally to a lesser extent than it is imaged vertically. The present invention thus takes advantage of this special feature by illuminating the entrance surface of the projection optical component up to the upper and / or lower edge of the entrance surface of the projection optical component. Furthermore, the focal point of the projection lens is located behind the collector, which allows the illuminated at least one reflective surface to be imaged less clearly. This redistributes the light rays vertically so that the light rays coming from the front and rear areas of the at least one reflective surface are closer to each other in the vertical direction.

[0008] The projection optics is advantageously a projection lens, or may be formed by at least one reflector.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a ray of light reflected along the optical axis by the front part of at least one reflecting surface reaches an area of ​​the entrance surface close to the upper edge, and / or a ray of light reflected along the optical axis by the rear part of at least one reflecting surface reaches an area of ​​the entrance surface close to the lower edge.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one reflecting surface has a hyperbolic profile in a vertical plane defined by the optical axis and the main light-emitting axis, with a first focus located at the at least one light source and a second focus, which is a virtual focus located behind the collector. The reflecting surface may also have a hyperbolic profile in a horizontal plane extending perpendicular to the main light-emitting axis. Alternatively, the reflecting surface may have an elliptical profile in a horizontal plane extending perpendicular to the main light-emitting axis, allowing the reflected light beam to diverge in the vertical plane and converge in the horizontal plane.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second focal point of the at least one reflecting surface is located at a distance along the optical axis from the first focal point of the at least one reflecting surface, which distance is equal to or greater than the distance along the optical axis between the first focal point and the entrance surface of the projection optical component.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one reflecting surface has an elliptical profile with a first focus located at the at least one light source and a second focus located in front of the entrance surface of the projection optics.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second focal point of at least one reflecting surface located in front of the projection optics is curved in a vertical direction when the lighting module is in an operable state.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projection optics has a vertical refractive power and a horizontal refractive power that is zero or less than the vertical refractive power, and advantageously the horizontal refractive power is less than 50% of the vertical refractive power.

[0015] Advantageously, the projected light beam forms (in particular partly) an illumination beam of the type of high beam of a motor vehicle.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle, comprising a first lighting module configured to project a first light beam, for example for low beam type function, with an upper horizontal cut-off, and a second lighting module configured to project a second light beam which together with the first light beam at least partially forms a high beam type lighting function, the second module being notable in that it is according to the invention.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first lighting module comprises at least one light source arranged on a mounting plate and a collector having at least one reflective surface configured to collect light rays emitted by the at least one light source and reflect them as a first reflected light beam, and the at least one light source of the second lighting module is arranged on the mounting plate and faces in the same direction as the at least one light source of the first lighting module.

[0018] The inventive means are advantageous in that they make it possible to create a vertically compact lighting module which is capable of generating a light beam, in particular when combined with another lighting module which generates a light beam with an upper horizontal cut-off, that can generate, together with one or more light beams with an upper horizontal cut-off, a light beam which constitutes a lighting function without an upper horizontal cut-off, in particular a regulatory motor vehicle lighting function of the "high beam" type. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic representation of a cross-section of a lighting module according to the prior art; [Figure 2] 2 illustrates an image of a light beam produced by the illumination module of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic representation in cross section of a lighting module according to a first embodiment of the invention; [Figure 4] 4 illustrates an image of a light beam produced by the illumination module of FIG. 3; [Figure 5] 3 is a schematic representation in cross section of a lighting module according to a second embodiment of the invention; [Figure 6] 6 illustrates an image of a light beam produced by the illumination module of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic representation in perspective of a lighting module according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In the following description, the concepts of relative position and orientation, such as those expressed by the terms "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "upper," and "lower," should be interpreted when the lighting device or module is in an operational state as shown in the respective figures.

[0021] 1 and 2 show a lighting module according to the prior art.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lighting module according to the prior art. The lighting module 2 comprises a light source 4 of the LED type, which has a light-emitting diode. The light source 4 illuminates a space defined by a plane corresponding to the extent of the light source (in this case, the horizontal extent) and faces upward in a main direction of illumination 4.1 perpendicular to said plane. The lighting module 2 also comprises a collector 6 provided with a reflective surface 6.1. The reflective surface 6.1 forms a cavity capable of collecting and reflecting the light rays directly emitted by the light source 4. The lighting module 2 also comprises a projection lens 8 perpendicular to the optical axis 10 of the lighting module. For the sake of simplicity, the light source 4 is aligned with the optical axis 10, but it should always be understood that it could be somewhat deviated from the optical axis 10. The reflective surface 6.1 has an elliptical profile exhibiting rotational symmetry (over 180° or less) around the optical axis 10. It has a first focal point 6.1.1 located at the light source 4 and a second focal point 6.1.2 located on the entrance surface 8.1 of the projection lens 8 (opposite the exit surface 8.2). The projection lens 8 has a focal point 8.3 located at the intersection of the optical axis 10 with the reflecting surface 6.1. The projection lens 8 has a vergence, or refractive power, in all directions perpendicular to the optical axis 10, that corresponds to the reciprocal of the focal length (i.e., the distance between the projection lens 8 and the focal point 8.3). As a result, the portion of the reflecting surface 6.1 located at the focal point 8.3 can be perfectly imaged. The rest of the reflecting surface 6.1 is also imaged, but with a clarity that decreases with distance from the focal point 8.3. For this purpose, the projection lens 8 has entrance surfaces 8.1 and 8.2 with a curvature in the horizontal and vertical planes.

[0023] 2 graphically illustrates the image of the light beam projected by the illumination module of FIG. 1 in the form of an isolux diagram (commonly called an isolux curve) in HV Cartesian coordinates (H corresponds to the horizontal axis and V corresponds to the vertical axis). The intersection of the axes H and V corresponds to the optical axis 10. The luminous image actually corresponds to the reflective surface 6.1 (FIG. 1) illuminated by the light source 4, but in an inverted form. The central upper part of the luminous image corresponds to the part of the reflective surface 6.1 (FIG. 1) located at the focal point 8.3, thus forming a horizontal cutoff. In contrast, the lower part of the luminous image corresponds to the part of the reflective surface located at the front edge of the reflective surface 6.1, which generally does not form a sharp cutoff.

[0024] The luminous image shown in Figure 2 is not suitable for completing a luminous image with an upper horizontal cutoff corresponding to a "low beam" type lighting function for the purpose of achieving a "high beam" type lighting function due to its shape and difference in clarity.

[0025] 3 and 4 show a lighting module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lighting module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numerals from the lighting module of Figure 1 are used to indicate identical or corresponding elements, but these numerals have been increased by 100. Furthermore, the descriptions of these elements with respect to Figures 1 and 2 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] The illumination module 102 of Figure 3 differs from the illumination module 2 of Figure 1 essentially in that the reflective surface 106.1 of the collector 106 has a hyperbolic profile in the vertical plane defined by the optical axis 110 and the main light-emitting axis 104. The reflective surface 106.1 then has a first focal point 106.1.1 located at the light source 104 and a second focal point 106.1.2 (which is a virtual focus) located behind the reflective surface 106.1 and therefore also behind the collector 106. The effect of this configuration of the reflective surface 106.1 is to create a divergent reflected light beam (particularly in the vertical plane) that can illuminate the entrance surface 108.1 of the projection lens 8 up to the upper edge 108.3 and / or the lower edge 108.4 of the projection lens 108. In other words, the light rays reflected by the front of the reflecting surface 106.1 reach an area of ​​the entrance surface 108.1 close to the upper edge 108.3, and similarly, the light rays reflected by the rear of the reflecting surface 106.1 reach an area of ​​the entrance surface 108.1 close to the lower edge 108.4. The area of ​​the entrance surface 108.1 close to the upper edge 108.3 advantageously includes the upper edge 108.3. Similarly, the area of ​​the entrance surface 108.1 close to the lower edge 108.4 advantageously includes the lower edge 108.4.

[0028] The upper part of the reflected light beam may be lost and thus cut off by the upper edge 108.3 of the projection lens 108. The cut off of the upper part of the reflected light beam results in a lower cut off of the projected light beam (remembering the inversion caused by the projection lens 108).

[0029] It should be noted that the reflecting surface 106.1 may advantageously have an elliptical profile in a horizontal plane extending perpendicular to the main light-emitting axis, or alternatively, the reflecting surface 106.1 may have a hyperbolic profile in said horizontal plane.

[0030] Advantageously, the distance along the optical axis 110 between the first focal point 106.1.1 and the second focal point 106.1.2 (which is a virtual focal point) is equal to or greater than the distance along the optical axis 110 between said first focal point 106.1.1 and the entrance surface 108.1 of the projection lens 8. This makes it possible to limit the divergence of the reflected light beam and thus the dimensions (especially in the vertical direction) of the projection lens 108.

[0031] The illumination module 102 of Figure 3 also differs from the illumination module 2 of Figure 1 in that the focal point 108.5 of the projection lens 108 is located behind the collector 106 and behind the reflective surface 106.1. This configuration has the effect of blurring the reflective surface 106.1 illuminated by the light source 104. The rear and front edges of the reflective surface 106.1 are then imaged to appear closer to each other, causing an essentially vertical light redistribution that consists in bringing the light rays originating from the front and rear areas of the reflective surface 106.1 closer to each other in the vertical direction.

[0032] The illumination module 102 of FIG. 3 also differs from the illumination module 2 of FIG. 1 in that the projection lens 108 has a flat entrance surface 108.1 and an exit surface 108.2 that has only a vertical curvature (i.e., no horizontal curvature). The illustrated projection lens 108 thus has zero horizontal power, a simplified configuration intended to improve clarity of the description of the invention. The projection lens 108 may have different geometric features while still having a vertical power associated with its focal point 108.5 located behind the reflective surface 106.1 and a horizontal power that is zero or less than the vertical power. In the case of a non-zero horizontal power, the projection lens 108 has a second focal point (referred to as the horizontal focal point) located further rearward from the focal point 108.5 along the optical axis 110. This means that the reflective surface 106.1 illuminated by the light source 104 will only be partially imaged in the horizontal direction, i.e. will be incompletely imaged in the horizontal direction, which in turn will lead to a horizontal spread of the projected light beam produced by the illumination module 102. Advantageously, the horizontal refractive power (whenever non-zero) is less than 50% of the vertical refractive power.

[0033] FIG. 4 graphically illustrates the image of the light beam projected by the illumination module of FIG. 3 in the form of an isolux diagram (commonly called an isolux curve) in a manner similar to that of FIG.

[0034] The illumination image of the light beam shown in Figure 2 projected by the illumination module of Figure 1 is shown in dashed line form, whereas the illumination image is shown by solid lines. It may be noted that the illumination image of the light beam produced by the illumination module 102 of Figure 3 has a significantly larger horizontal extent than the illumination image of the light beam produced by the illumination module of Figure 1. This makes it suitable for completing a light beam with an upper horizontal cutoff for the purpose of creating a light beam without horizontal cutoff (e.g., a "high beam" type lighting function).

[0035] 5 and 6 show a lighting module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lighting module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Reference numerals from the lighting module of Figure 3 are used to designate identical or corresponding elements, but these numerals have been increased by 100. Furthermore, the descriptions of these elements with respect to Figures 3 and 4, as well as the descriptions of these elements with respect to Figures 1 and 2, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0037] The illumination module 202 of Fig. 5 essentially differs from the illumination module 102 of Fig. 3 in that the reflective surface 206.1 of the collector 206 has an elliptical profile. The reflective surface 206.1 therefore has a first focal point 206.1.1 located at the light source 204 and a second focal point, which is no longer a virtual focal point behind the collector but is formed by a vertical focal line 206.1.2 located in front of the projection lens 208. As a result, the light beam reflected by the reflective surface 206.1 illuminates the entrance surface 208.1 upwards to its upper edge 208.3 and downwards to its lower edge 208.4. The upper part of the reflected light beam can therefore be lost and therefore cut off by the upper edge 208.3. The upper cut-off of the reflected light beam results in a lower cut-off of the projected light beam (remembering the inversion caused by the projection lens 208). Also, the vertical focal curve 206.1.2 in front of the projection lens 208 causes a reduction in the vertical spread of the projected light beam and causes a vertically extended illumination at the entrance face 208.1 of the projection lens 208. The latter is preferable to the horizontal spread of the projected light beam, as in the first and second embodiments.

[0038] In a manner similar to the illumination module 102 of FIG. 3, the focal point 208.5 of the projection lens 208 is located behind the collector 206 and the reflecting surface 206.1. The projection lens 208 also has a flat entrance surface 208.1 and an exit surface 208.2 that has only vertical curvature (i.e., no horizontal curvature). The illustrated projection lens 208 thus has zero horizontal optical power. These differences are similar to the differences between the illumination module 102 of FIG. 3 and the illumination module 2 of FIG. 1.

[0039] FIG. 6 graphically illustrates the image of the light beam projected by the lighting module of FIG. 5 in the form of an isolux diagram (commonly called an isolux curve), in a manner similar to FIGS. 2 and 4.

[0040] The light beam image shown in FIG. 2 projected by the illumination module of FIG. 1 is shown in the form of a dashed line, while the light beam image shown in FIG. 5 is shown by a solid line. It may be noted that the light beam image projected by the illumination module of FIG. 5 has the same vertical extent as the light beam image projected by the illumination module of FIG. 1. Alternatively, as a result of the lower cutoff, the light beam image projected by the illumination module of FIG. 5 could have a smaller vertical extent than the light beam image projected by the illumination module of FIG. 1. It may also be noted that the light beam image projected by the illumination module of FIG. 5 has a slightly larger horizontal extent than the light beam image projected by the illumination module of FIG. 1. This is because the horizontal refractive power is zero or less than the vertical refractive power.

[0041] Note that the top cutoff of the reflected light beam is optimal.

[0042] FIG. 7 shows, in a schematic perspective view, a lighting device comprising a number of lighting modules, at least one of which is according to the invention.

[0043] The illumination device 112 comprises a first illumination module 114 similar or identical to the illumination module 2 shown in Figure 1. Such an illumination module is therefore preferably configured to produce a projected light beam with a flat upper horizontal cutoff, known as a "flat" cutoff. The emission image of such a light beam is shown graphically and diagrammatically in HV Cartesian coordinates in a manner similar to Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8.

[0044] The lighting device 112 comprises at least a second lighting module according to the invention (in this case, for example one of the above-mentioned modules 102 and 202), which is therefore configured to produce (each) a light beam projected without an upper horizontal cut-off, which light beam is capable of completing the light beam of the first lighting module 114 in order to form an illumination light beam without an upper horizontal cut-off (in this case, a regulated motor vehicle illumination beam of the "high beam" type).

[0045] The lighting module 112 may also include a third lighting module 116. The third lighting module 116 is similar to the first lighting module 114, except that the third lighting module 116 is configured to project a limited illumination light beam with an upper horizontal cutoff having a "bend," or what might be called a bend. This light beam can be combined with that of the first lighting module 114 to create a "low beam" regulatory motor vehicle lighting beam for European regions. Some regulations (particularly those in the United States) do not require a bend in the horizontal cutoff, in which case the third lighting module can be omitted. Note, however, that the third lighting module may also be configured to create a light beam with a flat upper horizontal cutoff (similar to the first lighting module 114) to complement the light beam of the first lighting module to create a "low beam" regulatory motor vehicle lighting beam for regions that do not require a bend.

[0046] It is advantageous to note that the light sources of the first, second, and third lighting modules are arranged on a single mounting plate 118 (which is therefore common to them) and all face upwards. The collectors of the lighting modules therefore each have their openings facing downwards and are advantageously supported by, or at least fixed to, the mounting plate 118. It is also conceivable, and even preferred, that the collectors of the various lighting modules are formed integrally (as a single piece). The projection lens 120 of the lighting device may then be the projection lenses of the various lighting modules arranged side by side. Advantageously, these projection lenses can be formed integrally (as a single piece).

[0047] Thus, the lighting device 112 of FIG. 7 has limited vertical bulk, which may be particularly advantageous for integration into modern vehicle body contours.

[0048] In general (i.e., in the first and second embodiments), each lighting module may include a plurality of light sources arranged side by side and a plurality of reflective surfaces (advantageously formed on collectors) also arranged side by side. Furthermore, one or more light sources may not necessarily be located exactly on the optical axis, but may actually be located below the optical axis. Furthermore, if the focal point of the projection lens is located behind the reflective surface, the focal point may not necessarily be located on the optical axis, but may actually be located at a certain distance from the optical axis (e.g., above it). In other words, certain geometric simplifications have been made in the embodiments for the purpose of simplifying the clarity of the description. It should be recognized that deviations from these geometric simplifications are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0049] Also in general, the projection lens may be replaced by one or more projection reflectors, where the reflector or at least one of the reflectors has a non-flat surface capable of shaping and projecting a light beam.

Claims

1. A lighting module (102; 202) comprising: the optical axis (110; 210), at least one light source (104; 204) capable of emitting a light beam along a main light-emitting axis (104.1; 204.1) pointing upwards when said lighting module (102; 202) is in an operational state; a collector (106; 206) having at least one reflecting surface (106.1; 206.1) configured to collect the light rays emitted by said at least one light source (104; 204) and reflect them as a reflected light beam along said optical axis (110; 210); - projection optics (108; 208) for projecting said reflected light beam as a projection light beam; In a lighting module (102; 202) comprising - the at least one reflecting surface (106.1; 206.1) is configured in such a way that the reflected light beam illuminates the entrance surface (108.1; 208.1) of the projection optical component (108; 208) up to the upper edge (108.3; 208.3) and / or the lower edge (108.4; 208.4) of said entrance surface; and The projection optics (108; 208) has a focal point (108.3; 208.3) located behind the at least one reflecting surface (106.1; 206.1) along the optical axis (110; 210).

2. 2. The lighting module (102; 202) according to claim 1, wherein light rays reflected along the optical axis (110; 210) by a front portion of the at least one reflecting surface (106.1; 206.1) reach an area of ​​the entrance surface (108.1; 208.1) close to the upper edge (108.3; 208.3), and light rays reflected along the optical axis (110; 210) by a rear portion of the at least one reflecting surface (106.1; 206.1) reach an area of ​​the entrance surface (108.1; 208.1) close to the lower edge (108.4; 208.4).

3. 3. The lighting module (102) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reflective surface (106.1) has a hyperbolic profile in a vertical plane defined by the optical axis and the main light-emitting axis, with a first focus (106.1.1) located at the at least one light source (104) and a second focus (106.1.2), which is a virtual focus located behind the collector (106).

4. 4. The lighting module (102) of claim 3, wherein the second focal point (106.1.2) of the at least one reflective surface (106.1) is located at a distance along the optical axis (110) from the first focal point (106.1.1) of the at least one reflective surface (106.1), the distance being equal to or greater than a distance along the optical axis (110) between the first focal point (106.1.1) and the entrance surface (108.1) of the projection optics (108).

5. 3. The lighting module (202) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reflective surface (206.1) has an elliptical profile with a first focal point located at the at least one light source (204) and a second focal point (206.1.2) located in front of the projection optics (208).

6. 6. The lighting module (202) of claim 5, wherein the second focal point (206.1.2) of the at least one reflective surface (206.1) located in front of the projection optics (208) forms a curve that faces vertically when the lighting module is in an operational state.

7. 7. A lighting module (102; 202) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the projection optics (108; 208) has a vertical refractive power and a horizontal refractive power that is zero or smaller than the vertical refractive power.

8. a first lighting module (114) adapted to project a first light beam, for example for low beam type functionality, with an upper horizontal cut-off; a second lighting module (102; 202) adapted to project a second light beam which, together with said first light beam, at least partially forms a high beam type lighting function; A lighting device (112) for a motor vehicle, comprising: A lighting device (112) characterized in that the second module (102; 202) is according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. 9. The lighting device (112) of claim 8, wherein the first lighting module (118) comprises at least one light source arranged on a mounting plate (118) and a concentrator having at least one reflective surface configured to collect light rays emitted by the at least one light source and reflect them as a first reflected beam, and wherein the at least one light source of the second lighting module (102; 202) is arranged on the mounting plate (118) and faces in the same direction as the at least one light source of the first lighting module (114).

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