Optical module for a lighting system of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical module (1, 20) for a lighting system (10) of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one light source (2), a primary optical element (4) with at least one primary optical element (5) connected to a light output optical element (6), the primary optical element having a light entrance surface (51) and a joint surface (52) connecting the primary optical element to the light output optical element, the primary optical element being an integral component, and a projection optical system (7) designed to project an image (1a, 1b, 1c) of the joint surface onto the ground using the light emitted by the light source and collected by the primary optical element. The primary optical element is configured such that the image of its joint surface projected by the projection optical system onto the ground is generally bounded by a substantially sharp edge.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automotive lighting systems. In particular, the present invention relates to an optical module for an automotive lighting system. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of luminous lighting and signalling for motor vehicles, it is known to perform, in addition to conventional functions, the function of projecting logos or light patterns onto the ground in the near field of the vehicle. This type of function can intervene in driving assistance situations, for example by creating markings on the ground that make it possible to materialise traffic lanes. This type of function can also intervene in support of conventional signalling functions, in order to warn other road users of lane changes.

[0003] One known solution for projecting patterns or light logos onto the ground consists in introducing dark areas into the pixelated light beam emitted by the lighting system of the motor vehicle. The driver or road user thus sees the pattern or logo through the contrast between the dark and light areas. However, this solution requires that the light beam has a particularly high resolution, and therefore requires a particularly large number of light sources, which makes the lighting system expensive and complex.

[0004] Another known solution consists in projecting the light emitted by a light source through a perforated mask, the openings of which have a contour corresponding to the contour of the pattern or logo that it is desired to project onto the ground. This solution is much cheaper than the previous one, but is not as effective, since a large part of the light is blocked or absorbed by the mask.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for an affordable and effective optical module that is capable of projecting patterns or optical logos onto the ground. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention is within this context and aims to meet this need.

[0007] Thus, one subject of the invention is an optical module in a lighting system for a motor vehicle, comprising: a. at least one selectively controllable light source; b. a primary optical element comprising at least one primary optical member connected to a light output optical member, the primary optical member having a light input surface positioned facing the light source and a bonding surface connecting the primary optical member to the light output optical member, the primary optical element being an integral component; and c. a projection optical system configured to project an image of the junction surface of the primary optical element onto a ground surface using light emitted by the light source and collected by the primary optical element, the primary optical element being configured such that the image of its junction surface projected onto the ground surface by the projection optical system is generally bounded by a substantially sharp edge.

[0008] In the present invention, the primary optical element is connected to the light output optical element by its joint surface. Thus, the light emitted by the light source through the light input surface of the primary optical element and propagating in the primary optical element enters the light output optical element through the joint surface. The joint surface thus constitutes the virtual light output surface of the primary optical element. Thus, all the light emitted by the light source and collected by the primary optical element is utilized to form (at the joint surface of the element) a pattern that substantially corresponds to a predetermined pattern desired to be materialized on the ground. Since the primary optical element is an integral component, the light undergoes little or no deflection during the passage from the primary optical element to the light output optical element. It is noted that the light output element makes it possible, inter alia, to provide a base for holding the primary optical element, which base does not affect or may even contribute to improving the optical performance of the module. The image of this pattern can thus be projected by the projection optical system onto the ground without its clarity (substantially determined by the primary optical element) being affected by the exiting optical element. Thus, the present invention makes it possible to project a pattern or a light logo onto the ground using the light emitted by a light source in an optical manner with an acceptable number of elements and therefore with reasonable cost and complexity.

[0009] In the present invention, the light pattern forms a logo, a pictogram, a geometric pattern, or a set of several logos, pictograms, or geometric patterns, or a combination thereof, such as a pictogram associated with one or several geometric patterns, etc. The geometric pattern is advantageously selected from well-known shapes, such as any polygon or regular polygon, a chevron, a triangle, or a disk.

[0010] In the present invention, a "substantially sharp edge of the image projected onto the ground" should be understood to mean the fact that the change in illuminance caused by this projection (between two points located on either side of this edge in a direction approximately perpendicular to said edge and separated by at least 1 cm) has a slope of 10 lux / cm (in particular, at at least one location).

[0011] The optical module comprises: a. a plurality of selectively controllable light sources; b. a primary optical element comprising a plurality of primary optical members connected to identical light output optical members, each primary optical member having a light entry surface positioned facing one of the light sources and a bonding surface connecting the primary optical member to the light output optical member, the primary optical element being an integral component; c. a projection optical system configured to project an image of each of the joint surfaces of these primary optical elements onto the ground using light emitted by each of the light sources and collected by each primary optical element, wherein each primary optical element is advantageously configured such that the image of its joint surface projected onto the ground by the projection optical system is generally bounded by a substantially sharp edge.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the projection optics is configured to project images of each interface projected by the projection optics onto the ground in the near field of the vehicle. "Near field" means a projection distance of less than 10 meters (in particular less than 5 meters) and / or a general projection direction at an angle of at least 5° below the horizontal (in particular at an angle of at least 10° below the horizontal). These images can thus contribute to performing a function of indicating the direction taken by the vehicle (in particular of the turn indicator and reversing light type).

[0013] Preferably, each selectively controllable light source comprises a light emitting semiconductor chip, in particular a light emitting diode. More preferably, each selectively controllable light source can emit white light. As a variant, each selectively controllable light source can emit orange light. Also as a variant, each selectively controllable light source can emit light of a controllable color.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the (in particular each) primary optical element comprises a primary light guide. If appropriate, the light entrance surface of the (in particular each) light guide may be connected to the joint surface of the light guide by an envelope surface such that each point of the contour of the light entrance surface is connected by a straight line to a point of the contour of the joint surface. In other words, the envelope surface of the light guide is a developable surface. According to this feature, the light emitted by the light source through the light entrance surface of the primary optical element propagates in this primary optical element by total internal reflection on the wall of the light guide until it reaches the joint surface. The fact that the envelope surface is a developable surface makes it possible to form a pattern at the joint surface that is entirely bounded by a substantially sharp edge.

[0015] Advantageously, the light entrance surface of the (in particular each) primary optical element is substantially rectangular. If appropriate, the joining surface of the primary optical element has a shape that is substantially different from the shape of the light entrance surface of the primary optical element. According to this feature, each primary optical element can be optimized at its joining surface to obtain a pattern of a predetermined shape that corresponds to the shape of this joining surface. The pattern can be separate for each primary optical element and can be projected by the projection optics onto the ground in the sharpest possible way.

[0016] Alternatively, the entrance surface of the primary optical element may have a shape and / or orientation adapted to the contour of the pattern formed at the joining surface of the primary optical element, within which the light distribution is substantially uniform. For example, the entrance surface may have the shape of a semicircular plate, a rhombus or a modified rectangle. The joining surface may have a different number of edges than the entrance surface and / or edges of a different size than the edges of the entrance surface and / or angles between the edges that are different from those between the edges of the entrance surface. In particular, the shape of the joining surface may be different from any shape that can be obtained by a similarity transformation of the shape of the entrance surface. For example, the joining surface may have a substantially triangular, trapezoidal, rhombus or pentagonal shape.

[0017] If desired, the two light entry faces of the at least two primary optical elements have distinct orientations relative to one another.

[0018] In an alternative or cumulative embodiment, the module comprises an opaque shield arranged upstream of the output optical element and having at least one opening (particularly a plurality of openings), through which the (particularly each) primary optical element extends (particularly one of the openings). Each opening is preferably configured such that its contour is in contact with the primary optical element that passes through it. This shield makes it possible to block or absorb parasitic rays that may escape from the primary optical element before the joint surface and enter the output optical element, thus preventing these parasitic rays (which would create unwanted light speckles) from being projected onto the ground by the projection optics.

[0019] Advantageously, the primary optical elements are arranged one above the other, for example so that an image of the joint surface of an upper primary optical element is projected (by a projection optics) onto the ground surface upstream or downstream of an image of the joint surface of a lower primary optical element arranged below the upper primary optical element. Alternatively, the primary optical elements may be arranged next to each other along a horizontal axis.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the primary optical element is connected to the light output optical element such that the joint surfaces of at least two adjacent primary optical elements with the light output optical element are spaced apart from each other. This feature thus makes it possible to generate a gap between the images of the joint surfaces of the two adjacent primary optical elements, such that the gap is clearly bounded on the ground by the edges of these images.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention (cumulative or alternative), at least two primary optical elements intersect each other upstream of their joint surface so that they are connected together to the light output optical element by one and the same joint surface. This feature makes it possible to project particularly long patterns (e.g. long lines) onto the ground that are not possible with a single primary optical element. The dimensions of the joint surface in the case of a single primary optical element for creating such a pattern mean that the light rays emitted by the light source at the light entrance surface of this element and intended to form both ends of this line will have angles that will not be projected by the projection optics. In contrast, the combination of several primary optical elements to obtain a single joint surface makes it possible to obtain large-sized uniform patterns.

[0022] Advantageously, the output optical element has an output surface in the shape of a substantially smooth dome. For example, the output optical element may be a section of a truncated sphere or, alternatively, a section of a truncated cylinder. This feature makes it possible to provide an output optical element capable of correcting the geometric aberrations introduced by the projection optics during the projection of the image of the interface onto the ground.

[0023] The respective refractive indices of each of the primary and output optical members are preferably substantially the same. For example, each of the primary and output optical members are manufactured from the same material, in particular from the same polymer. "The same material" is understood to mean that each of the primary and output optical members is made from a material made from at least the same base polymer, for example polycarbonate (PC) or PMMA, although these materials may have different fillers. Each of the primary and output optical members is preferably produced in a single mold to form the primary optical element, so that the primary optical element can be a single component.

[0024] Alternatively, one or more (or even all) of the primary and output optical members may be fabricated in separate molds and then assembled to form the primary optical element. If appropriate, the primary optical members fabricated in separate molds may be adhesively bonded to the output optical member using an adhesive with substantially the same refractive index as the primary and output optical members.

[0025] For example, the light output optical element may have a notch formed in its upstream side opposite the light output surface, and at least one primary optical element may have a base intended to be inserted into the notch, with the downstream side of the base facing the notch and forming the bonding surface of the primary optical element. In this example, it is thus possible to manufacture one of the primary optical elements separately from the light output optical element, while another primary optical element is produced together with the light output optical element. The notch makes it possible to ensure that the bonding surfaces of the primary optical elements are in the same plane.

[0026] According to another example, the set of primary optical elements form a single component provided with a substrate to which each primary optical element is connected via its bonding surface. The single component is bonded to the light-emitting optical component in such a way that the downstream side of the substrate faces the upstream side of the light-emitting optical component. Where appropriate, the substrate and the light-emitting optical component together form the light-emitting optical element.

[0027] If desired, the primary optical member or members, produced in a mold separate from the light-emitting optical member, may have fixing and positioning tabs that are intended to cooperate with the light-emitting optical member (e.g., with a lip of the light-emitting optical member or with a complementary fixing tab of the light-emitting optical member). These features make it possible to ensure precision in the positioning of the light-emitting optical member relative to the primary optical member or members.

[0028] The projection optical system advantageously has a focal plane that substantially passes through the joint surface of the primary optical element with the light output optical element (particularly, each joint surface of the primary optical elements with the light output optical element). For example, the focal plane may be a flat or curved surface that is substantially located at the joint plane between the joint surface and the light output optical element.

[0029] For example, the projection optical system comprises at least one lens and / or at least one reflector and / or a combination of at least one lens and at least one reflector. The projection optical system may preferably comprise a single projection lens whose focal plane substantially passes through the interface of the primary optical element with the output optical element. It is noted that the term "substantially" corresponds to a deviation of a few millimeters between the focal plane and the interface, which makes it possible to take into account the defocus introduced by the output optical element. As a variant, the projection optical system may comprise a substantially plane mirror (substantially flat mirror body) and a projection lens. The former is configured to form a virtual image of each interface on one side of the substantially plane mirror. The projection lens is located on the other side of the substantially plane mirror and has its focal plane substantially passing through these virtual images. This type of projection optical system makes it possible to substantially reduce the bulk of the optical module.

[0030] Another subject of the invention is a lighting system for a motor vehicle, comprising an optical module according to the invention and a control unit for the light source of said optical module.

[0031] For example, the lighting system may comprise a lighting device of the tail light type of the motor vehicle and / or a lighting device of the front headlight type of the motor vehicle, and / or a lighting device arranged in the bumper of the motor vehicle and / or in the rear view mirror of the motor vehicle, in which the optical module is arranged.

[0032] Advantageously, the control unit is capable of selectively controlling the light sources of each of said optical modules in response to commands received from a computer of the motor vehicle.

[0033] According to one example, the lighting system may comprise an additional optical module equipped with at least one additional light source and capable of emitting a signaling light beam (in particular a regulated one), and the control unit may be configured to control (in a synchronized manner) said additional light source of the additional optical module and said light source of the optical module according to commands received from the computer of the motor vehicle.

[0034] For example, the additional optical module may be capable of emitting a regulatory turn signal type light beam, and the control unit may be configured (in response to instructions received from the motor vehicle computer) to control the emission of that light beam by the additional light source intermittently, as well as to control the emission of light by each light source of the optical module simultaneously with the emission of that light beam.

[0035] According to another example, the additional optical module may comprise a plurality of additional light sources and may be capable of performing a regulated sequential turn signal type function, and the control unit may be configured (in response to instructions received from the computer of the motor vehicle) to control the sequential and / or progressive emission of light beams by the additional light sources and to control the emission of light by each light source sequentially and / or progressively simultaneously with the sequential and / or progressive emission of its light beam.

[0036] The invention will now be described by way of examples and on the basis of the accompanying drawings, which are merely illustrative and do not in any way limit the scope of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic and partially depiction cross-sectional view of an optical module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic, partially depicting a perspective view of a primary optical element in the module of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3]2 is a schematic, partially depicting, diagrammatic representation of a lighting system for an automotive vehicle incorporating the optical module of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic and partially depiction cross-sectional view of an optical module according to another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] In the following description, elements that are structurally or functionally identical and that appear in different figures retain the same reference numbers unless otherwise stated.

[0039] FIG. 1 depicts an optical module 1 of a lighting system for a motor vehicle according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0040] The optical module 1 comprises a number of light emitting diodes 2 mounted on one and the same printed circuit board 3. In the example described, the optical module 1 comprises three LEDs 2, each of which can be controlled independently of the others to emit white light.

[0041] The optical module 1 comprises a primary optical element 4 arranged downstream of the light emitting diode 2. This primary optical element 4 will be explained in relation to figure 2 which shows this element 4 in a rear perspective view.

[0042] The primary optical element 4 has a plurality of primary optical members 5 and a light output optical member 6 to which these primary optical members 5 are connected. In the example to be described, the primary optical element 4 has three primary optical members 5, and each of the primary optical members 5 is formed in the form of a light guide. The primary optical members 5 are arranged vertically side by side.

[0043] Each light guide 5 has a light entrance surface 51, and one of the LEDs 2 is arranged facing the light entrance surface 51. Thus, light that can be emitted by this LED 2 enters the light guide 5 through this light entrance surface 51.

[0044] Each light guide 5 is connected to a light output optic 6 by an interface 52. The interface 52 is located at an upstream wall 61 of the light output optic 6, opposite the light input surface 51.

[0045] For each light guide 5, the light entrance surface 51 is connected to the interface surface 52 by an envelope surface 53. This envelope surface 53 is developable such that each point of the contour of the light entrance surface 51 is connected by a straight line to a point of the contour of the interface surface 52 (through the envelope surface 53). Thus, the light that can be emitted by the LED 2 located facing the light entrance surface 51 (when entering the light guide 5 through this light entrance surface 51) is coupled to this light guide 5 and propagates through successive total internal reflections against the envelope surface 53 until it reaches the interface surface 52. The light is separated from the light guide 5 through the interface surface 52 and enters the light output optical element 6. The interface surface 52 thus forms a virtual light output surface of the light guide 5.

[0046] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the entrance faces 51 of the light guides 5 are distinct from one another. In the example described, the entrance face 51 of the lower light guide has a semicircular shape, whereas the entrance faces 51 of the central and upper light guides are rectangular. It is possible to envisage shapes other than those described, in particular rhombic or modified rectangular shapes, without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also possible to envisage, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the shapes of all the entrance faces 51 are distinct from one another, or else the dimensions of only some or all of the entrance faces 51 are distinct from one another, or else the orientations of only some or all of the entrance faces 51 are distinct from one another. As will be explained below, the choice of the shape of the entrance faces 51 of the light guides 5 is in principle linked to the shape of the joining face 52 of this light guide 5 and to the desired light distribution at this joining face 52.

[0047] Likewise, the joining surfaces 52 of the light guides 5 may be distinct from each other and from the entrance surface 51 of this light guide 5. The joining surfaces 52 of the light guides 5 thus bound, by their contour, a pattern of a predetermined shape specific to this light guide 5. The shape of the entrance surface 51 and the envelope surface 53 of each light guide 5 thus makes it possible to utilize all the light emitted by the LEDs 2 through the entrance surface 51 at the joining surface 52 in such a way as to obtain a pattern generally bounded by substantially sharp edges. Similarly, the shape of the entrance surface 51 and the envelope surface 53 makes it possible to obtain, at the joining surface 52, a uniform distribution of light within this pattern.

[0048] In the example described, the interface 52 of the lower light guide has a triangular shape, whereas the interface 52 of the central and upper light guides is trapezoidal, the dimensions of which are smaller than those of the central guide. It should be noted that the semicircular shape of the light entrance surface 51 of the lower guide is particularly suitable for obtaining a uniform light distribution at the interface 52 of this lower guide, and the rectangular shape of the light entrance surfaces 51 of the central and upper guides is particularly suitable for obtaining a uniform light distribution at the interface 52 of these central and upper light guides.

[0049] Furthermore, the light guides 5 are arranged such that two adjacent joint surfaces 52 are spaced apart by a gap 54 .

[0050] The primary optical element 4 is an integral component, and the light guides 5 and the output optical elements 6 are made from exactly the same material, namely polycarbonate, or PC. In the example described, the primary optical element 4 is produced in a single mold. In other words, the refractive index of each light guide 5 and the output optical elements 6 is the same, and there is no diopter at each joint surface 52. This is so that the light entering the output optical elements 6 from each light guide 5 is not deflected at each joint surface 52.

[0051] The light output optical element 6 has, on the side opposite the upstream side 61, a light output surface 62 in the shape of a smooth dome. In particular, this light output surface 62 may be partially spherical, so that the light output optical element 6 has the shape of a partially truncated sphere. The light output surface 62 is in particular centered on the joining surface 52 of the central light guide 5. As a result, the light coming from the joining surface 52 is substantially undeflected while exiting the primary optical element 4 through this light output surface 62. The light output optical element 6 thus forms a mounting support for each light guide 5, on which the fixing elements of the primary optical element 4 can be arranged.

[0052] The optical module 1 includes a projection optical system 7. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the projection optical system 7 substantially passes through the joint surface 52 of each light guide 5. Focal plane (focal plane) 71 is a projection lens.

[0053] The projection lens 7 is thus configured to project an image of each interface 52 onto the ground (in the near field). The pattern formed at each interface 52 is generally bounded by sharp edges (as an effect of each light guide 5) and these interfaces 52 are Focal plane (focal plane) 71, the images projected onto these ground planes are themselves bounded by generally sharp edges (after inversion by the projection lens 7) corresponding to the edges of these interface surfaces 52. It should be noted that if the projection is not made perpendicular to the ground plane, distortions are introduced during the projection of the image by the projection lens 7. However, in the case of projection onto a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical module, the projected image does indeed correspond to each interface surface 52.

[0054] FIG. 3 illustrates an automotive vehicle lighting system 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] The lighting system 10 includes a taillight 11 and a front headlight 12. The taillight 11 includes a number of light sources (not shown) that can be controlled independently of one another. The optical module 1 of FIG. 1 is arranged in the front headlight 12.

[0056] The lighting system 10 comprises a control unit (not shown) which receives instructions from the motor vehicle's computer to perform lighting functions and controls the light sources of the taillight 11 and the LEDs 2 of the optical module 1 in response to these instructions.

[0057] Upon receiving a command to activate a sequential turn signal type function (e.g. generated by a computer during a lane change of the motor vehicle), the control unit controls each light source of the tail light 11 in a cyclical manner, each cycle consisting of the progressive emission of three light beams 11a, 11b, 11c from the inside to the outside of the motor vehicle, followed by the extinguishing of the three beams.

[0058] In parallel with this, for each period the control unit activates the lower LED 2 simultaneously with the emission of the light beam 11a. Thus, the optical module 1 projects an image 1a of the interface 52 of the lower light guide 5 onto the ground (in the near field of the motor vehicle). The control unit then activates the middle LED 2 simultaneously with the emission of the light beam 11b, while keeping the lower LED 2 activated. Thus, the optical module 1 projects an image 1b of the interface 52 of the middle light guide 5 onto the ground (in the near field of the motor vehicle). The control unit then activates the upper LED 2 simultaneously with the emission of the light beam 11c, while keeping the lower and middle LEDs 2 activated. Thus, the optical module 1 projects an image 1c of the interface 52 of the upper light guide 5 onto the ground (in the near field of the motor vehicle). Finally, the control unit deactivates all LEDs 2 simultaneously with the extinguishing of the light beams 11a, 11b and 11c.

[0059] It should thus be understood that the optical module 1 performs a turn indicator function complementary to the sequential turn indicator function performed by the tail light 11. The images 1a, 1b, and 1c are projected onto the ground (in the near field of the vehicle) and can therefore be easily perceived by road users travelling in a queue with the motor vehicle. The arrangement of the light guides 5 one above the other allows the images 1a, 1b, and 1c to be projected one above the other and one below the other. The gap 54 between the mating surfaces 52 allows the creation of a gap between the images to further improve the clarity of the images.

[0060] FIG. 4 depicts an optical module 20 of a lighting system for a motor vehicle according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0061] In this example, the optical module 20 has three LEDs 2, as in the example of Fig. 1, and a primary optical element 4 arranged downstream of the light emitting diodes 2. The primary optical element 4 corresponds to the examples of Figs. 1 and 3.

[0062] The optical module 20 also comprises an opaque shield 21 placed upstream of the upstream side 61 of the light output optical element 6. This shield 21 comprises a number of openings 22, one of which passes through each light guide 5. This shield 21 thus makes it possible to block parasitic rays that may escape from the light guide 5 before reaching the joining surfaces 52, in order to improve the sharpness of the edges of the pattern formed by these joining surfaces 52.

[0063] Furthermore, the optical module includes a projection optical system 7 that includes both a plane mirror 72 and a projection lens 73 .

[0064] The plane mirror 72 is disposed downstream of the light output surface 62 of the light output optical member 6, and enables the formation of virtual images of each joint surface 52 behind the plane mirror 72. The projection lens 73 is disposed downstream of the plane mirror 72 and substantially passes through the positions of these virtual images. Focal plane (focal plane)74 so that its projection lens 73 can project these virtual images onto the ground.

[0065] The above description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objective it sets for itself, namely by proposing an optical module that is affordable and effective, making it possible to project patterns and light logos onto the ground, comprising an integrated primary optical element combining primary optical elements capable of forming clear patterns and light output optical elements that make it possible to hold these primary optical elements without affecting the optical performance of the module.

[0066] In any case, the invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, but in particular extends to all equivalent means and any technically operable combination of these means. In particular, light sources of other types than those described are conceivable, in particular light sources capable of emitting light of a color other than white, or of a controllable color. Shapes for the interface surfaces other than those described are also conceivable. Also, light-emitting functions other than those described are conceivable, in particular other functions for indicating changes in the path of a motor vehicle (for example reverse indicators or lane change indicators), driving assistance functions or else inter-vehicle communication functions.

Claims

1. An optical module (1, 20) in a lighting system (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a. a plurality of selectively controllable light sources (2); b. A primary optical element (4) comprising a plurality of primary optical members (5) connected to a light output optical member (6), each of the primary optical members having a light input surface (51) arranged to face one of the plurality of light sources and a bonding surface (52) connecting each of the primary optical members to the light output optical member; c) a projection optical system (7) configured to project an image (1a, 1b, 1c) of the joint surface of the primary optical element onto the ground using light emitted by the light source and collected by the primary optical element, the primary optical element being configured such that the image of its joint surface projected by the projection optical system onto the ground is generally bounded by a substantially sharp edge; The optical module further comprises an opaque shield (21) having a plurality of openings (22) disposed upstream of the light output optical element (6), each of the plurality of primary optical elements (5) extending through a respective one of the plurality of openings; The optical module (1, 20) comprises a plurality of primary optical members (5) and a light-emitting optical member (6) integrally formed from the same material.

2. 2. The optical module (1, 20) of claim 1, wherein the primary optical element (5) has a primary light guide, the front light entrance surface (51) of which is connected to the joint surface (52) of the light guide by an envelope surface (53) such that each point of the contour of the light entrance surface is connected to a point of the contour of the joint surface by a straight line.

3. 2. The optical module (1, 20) of claim 1, wherein the front writing surface (51) of the primary optical element (5) is substantially rectangular, and the joining surface (52) of the primary optical element has a shape that is substantially different from the shape of the front writing surface of the primary optical element.

4. 2. The optical module (1, 20) according to claim 1, wherein the primary optical elements (5) are arranged one above the other.

5. The optical module (1, 20) of claim 1, wherein the primary optical element (5) is connected to the light-emitting optical element (6) such that the joining surfaces (52) of the two adjacent primary optical elements with the light-emitting optical element are spaced apart from each other.

6. 2. The optical module (1, 20) of claim 1, wherein at least two primary optical elements (5) intersect with each other upstream of their joining surfaces (52) so as to be connected together to the light-emitting optical element (6) by one and the same joining surface.

7. 2. The optical module (1, 20) of claim 1, wherein the light output optical member (6) has a light output surface (62) in the shape of a substantially smooth dome.

8. 2. The optical module (1, 20) of claim 1, wherein the projection optical system (7) has a focal plane (71) that substantially passes through the joint surface (52) of the primary optical element (5) with the output optical element (6).

9. 9. The optical module (1, 20) of claim 8, wherein the projection optical system (7) comprises at least one lens (7, 73), and / or at least one reflector (72), and / or a combination of at least one lens and at least one reflector.

10. A lighting system (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising an optical module (1, 20) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a control unit for the light source of said optical module.

Images