Lighting module for autonomous vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a light emitting module for a motor vehicle, comprising a first light source and a second light source, a first concentrator having a first reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light rays emitted by the first light source, and a second concentrator having a second reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light rays emitted by the second light source, and an optical system configured to project the light rays coming from the first concentrator as a first light beam, the optical system being configured to form an image of the first reflective surface, the first reflective surface being configured such that the first light beam has an upper cutoff, and the optical system is also configured to project the light rays coming from the second concentrator as a second light beam, the optical system being configured to form an image of a second reflective surface, the second reflective surface being configured such that the second light beam extends at least partially above the upper cutoff, wherein the first concentrator and the second concentrator are formed by a single piece, the single piece comprising a light shield extending between the first and second concentrators.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lighting and signaling areas of motor vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a light-emitting module adapted to achieve at least two lighting or signaling functions.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of lighting and signaling of motor vehicles, there is currently a need for a light-emitting module capable of achieving at least two light-emitting functions, such as a low beam function and a high beam function. In other words, the module should be capable of emitting at least two different light beams from the same light-emitting surface.

[0003] Optical modules that meet this need are known by combining several light sources and several condensers. In these modules, an intermediate light shield or deflector is arranged in the optical path of the light rays emitted by one of the light sources, and an upper cut-off is defined in the light beam projected by the lens from these light rays. However, such a light-emitting module has the drawback that a high accuracy is required for the positioning of the light shield or deflector in order to ensure that the upper cut-off achieves the regulation requirements of this light beam. This accuracy means that the projection lens has to be a thick lens due to its short focal length, which has the effect of increasing its weight and complicating its manufacture.

[0004] Patent Document 1 (US2021010653) discloses the aforementioned dual-function module. The module comprises two light sources, each associated with a condenser and combined with a projection lens. The projection lens is configured to form an emitted image of the reflective surfaces of each condenser when these surfaces are illuminated by their respective associated light sources. While this solution effectively addresses the above-mentioned needs by increasing the positioning tolerances of the module's elements, it requires the projection lens to be specifically designed to image both reflective surfaces. Thus, the lens of the module is essentially a lens divided into many regions, each optimized for one of the condensers. This design may affect adaptability to achieve a particular aesthetic appearance and presents a strong constraint on lens design.

[0005] Considering the above, there is a need for a light-emitting module that can achieve at least two different light-emitting functions, has tolerances regarding the positioning of its elements, and can be easily designed regardless of the aesthetic constraints required of the projection optical system. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 010653 [Overview of the Initiative]

[0007] The objective of this invention is to meet this need.

[0008] For this purpose, the subject matter of the present invention is a. First light source and second light source, b. A first light condenser having a first reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light rays emitted from a first light source, and a second light condenser having a second reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light rays emitted from a second light source, c. An optical system configured to project a ray arriving from a first light condenser as a first light beam, wherein the optical system is configured to form an image of a first reflecting surface, the first reflecting surface is configured such that the first light beam has an upward cutoff, and the optical system is also configured to project a ray arriving from a second light condenser as a second light beam, the optical system is configured to form an image of a second reflecting surface, the second reflecting surface is configured such that the second light beam spreads at least partially above the upward cutoff, an automatic vehicle light-emitting module, This is a light-emitting module in which the first light-concentrator and the second light-concentrator are formed from a single component, and the single component includes a light-shielding material that extends between the first light-concentrator and the second light-concentrator.

[0009] According to the present invention, each pair of first and second light sources and first and second light concentrators can produce a light beam, and each light beam can achieve a light-emitting function (either alone or in combination with further light beams). Furthermore, since the light concentrators are formed on the same surface and separated from each other by light shields, from an optical standpoint, they may be considered a single reflective surface divided into two distinct areas, each clearly dedicated to one of the light-emitting functions. Therefore, the same optical system can be used to project these beams without having to divide the optical system into several areas, each dedicated to one of the light concentrators. Thus, the optical system can be freely designed to comply with the required aesthetic constraints.

[0010] It is advantageous that the first and second concentrators are oriented in the same direction with respect to the first and second light sources. In other words, each of the first and second concentrators defines a void that forms the first and second reflective surfaces, and these voids are oriented in the same direction.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first and second condensers, in particular each, is configured such that the light rays reflected by the rear portion of the reflective surface of the condenser are parallel to the optical axis of the optical system, or have an inclination angle of 25° or less, preferably 10° or less, with respect to the axis in a vertical plane.

[0012] According to one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, at least a second light source, particularly each of the first and second light sources, is configured to emit light in a principal direction that is perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system or inclined at an angle of 25° or less with respect to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The first and second reflective surfaces are advantageous to have elliptical or parabolic profiles. The surfaces are preferably surfaces of rotation of the profile. The rotation is advantageous to be around an axis parallel to the optical axis of the optical system. According to one variation, the reflective surfaces are freeform surfaces, swept surfaces, or asymmetric surfaces. The surfaces may comprise multiple parts.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first reflecting surface has a trailing edge, and the optical system has a focal region located near this trailing edge (particularly at a distance of less than 10 mm), and the upper cutoff in the first light beam is defined by the trailing edge of the first reflecting surface. Thus, the light shield extends rearward from the trailing edge of the first reflecting surface toward the leading edge of the second reflecting surface. According to this embodiment, the first and second reflecting surfaces are offset from each other along the optical axis of the optical system, and considering this optical axis and the optical paths of the light rays reflected by each light condenser, the second reflecting surface is located behind the first reflecting surface. For example, the focal region may be a single focal point or a focal line (a line consisting of focal points). It is advantageous that the focal line may intersect with the trailing edge. These features make it possible to create an upper cutoff in the first light beam while the module remains compact (particularly in height) and easy to manufacture.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the light shield generally extends in a plane (particularly a horizontal plane). It is advantageous for the optical system to have an optical axis contained within that plane. Preferably, the first and second condensers are located on opposite sides of the plane and the optical axis. For example, the first condenser may extend above the optical axis, and the second condenser may extend below the optical axis and the first condenser. With these features, the image of the second reflecting surface of the first condenser is inverted with respect to the optical axis with respect to the image of the first reflecting surface. In other words, the second light beam extends (at least partially) above the upper cutoff of the first light beam.

[0015] According to one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the trailing edge has a stepped portion intended to form part of the upper cutoff, the stepped portion extending along the entire length of the light shield to the leading edge of the second reflecting surface. For example, the trailing edge may be elliptical overall and have a stepped profile, the stepped portion protruding rearward from the rest of the trailing edge. In this case, the leading edge of the second reflecting surface may have a profile consistent with the first reflecting surface and may also have a stepped portion. This type of trailing edge makes it possible to produce a low beam with a curved upper cutoff (as may be required by some regulation). As a variation, the trailing edge may have a continuous profile overall. This type of trailing edge makes it possible to produce a low beam with a flat upper cutoff (as may be required by another regulation).

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first and second light sources can be arranged on the same substrate and emit light rays in the same direction. This configuration helps to reduce the cost of the light-emitting module.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the light-emitting module includes a third condenser having a third reflective surface configured to collect light rays emitted by a first light source and reflect them toward the first condenser. In this case, the first and second light sources may each be mounted on their own dedicated substrates, with the substrate of the first light source oriented, for example, perpendicular to the substrate of the second light source. In other words, the first light source may emit light rays in a direction different from the direction in which the second light source can emit light rays. This configuration makes it possible to improve the optical performance of the light-emitting module by increasing the maximum intensity that the first light beam can achieve.

[0018] The third reflective surface has an elliptical profile configured to focus light rays arriving from the first focal point to the second focal point, and it is advantageous that the first focal point is located on the first light source and the second focal point is located on the focal range of the optical system.

[0019] According to one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the optical system is a lens having the same incident surface for both the light rays of the first light beam and the light rays of the second light beam. As a variation, the optical system may include one or more lenses and / or one or more reflectors.

[0020] According to one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first light beam constitutes part or all of the low-beam function, and the first light beam constitutes part or all of the high-beam function. For example, the upper cutoff of the first light beam may be perfectly flat, or it may consist of a first flat portion and a second flat portion offset vertically from the first flat portion, with the two flat portions separated by an inclined portion.

[0021] The subject of the present invention is also a lighting device for an automatic vehicle, comprising the light-emitting module according to the present invention.

[0022] By reading the detailed description of the embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings, which are used as non-limiting examples, the present invention will be more deeply understood, and other advantages will become apparent.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] Schematic representation of the light-emitting module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Perspective view of the light-emitting module of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] Plan view of the condenser in the lighting module of FIG. 1. [Figure 4A] Graphical representation of the emission image of the first light beam created by the lighting module of FIG. 1. [Figure 4B] Graphical representation of the emission image of the second light beam created by the lighting module of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] Schematic representation of the light-emitting module according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] In the following description, the concepts of "upper (side)" and "lower (side)" should be understood to relate to the light-emitting module when it is in an operable state (i.e., in the orientation corresponding to the orientation for which the light-emitting module is designed). Similarly, the concepts of "front (side)" and "rear (side)" should be understood to relate to the overall direction of the light along the optical axis of the light-emitting module when it is in an operable state.

[0025] FIGS. 1 to 4B show a first embodiment of the light-emitting module 1 according to the present invention.

[0026] While FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the light-emitting module and its operating principle, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of this module.

[0027] The light-emitting module 1 includes a first light source 2 and a second light source 3 respectively mounted on a substrate (not shown). The light sources 2 and 3 are advantageously semiconductor light sources, particularly light-emitting diodes.

[0028] Each of the light sources 2 and 3 emits a light ray within half of the space defined by the substrate on which the light source is mounted. In the illustrated example, the substrate of the first light source 2 is oriented perpendicular to the substrate of the second light source 2. Thus, the first light source 2 emits a light ray backward in a principal direction parallel to the optical axis XX of the light-emitting module, while the second light source 3 emits a light ray upward in a principal direction perpendicular to the optical axis XX. According to the present invention, the principal direction of emission of the first light source 2 may be inclined at an angle of 25° or less with respect to the direction parallel to the optical axis XX, and the principal direction of emission of the second light source 3 may be inclined at an angle of 25° or less with respect to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis XX.

[0029] The light-emitting module 1 includes a first light-gatherer 4 capable of reflecting light rays emitted by a first light source 2 to form a first light beam LB along the optical axis XX of the module 1, and a second light-gatherer 5 capable of reflecting light rays emitted by a second light source 3 to form a second light beam HB along the optical axis XX. The module 1 also includes a lens 6 for projecting the beams LB and HB. According to the present invention, the lens 6 may be replaced with any other projection optical system, in particular one or more reflectors.

[0030] Module 1 is equipped with a third light condenser 7 to redirect the light rays emitted by the first light source 2 toward the first light condenser 4.

[0031] The third light concentrator 7 comprises a shell- or cap-shaped support and a reflective surface 71 formed on the inner surface of the support. The shell- or cap-shaped light concentrator is advantageously made of a material with excellent heat resistance, such as glass, or a synthetic polymer compound such as polycarbonate PC or polyetherimide PEI. The reflective surface 71 is advantageously made of a reflective coating applied to the support, such as an aluminum or silver coating.

[0032] The reflective surface 71 has an elliptical profile and is configured to concentrate, or focus, the light rays arriving from the first focal point 72 where the first light source 2 is located, towards the second focal point 73 located near the first light condenser 4. Therefore, the reflective surface 71 is configured to collect the light rays emitted by the first light source 2 and reflect them toward the first light condenser 4.

[0033] The first and second light concentrators 4 and 5 are formed on the same support having two cavities that define them, and reflective surfaces 41 and 51 are formed on the inner surface of each cavity, respectively.

[0034] It is advantageous that the reflective surfaces 41 and 51 have elliptical or parabolic profiles. It is advantageous that at least one of these reflective surfaces is a surface of revolution about an axis parallel to the optical axis XX. Alternatively, the reflective surface may be a freeform surface, a swept surface, or an asymmetric surface. The reflective surface may have multiple parts. Thus, each of the reflective surfaces 41 and 51 is configured to collect the light rays emitted by the first light source 2 (and reflected by the third light condenser 7) and the light rays emitted by the second light source 3 and reflect them toward the lens 6.

[0035] Furthermore, the first light condenser 4 and the second light condenser 5 are configured such that the light rays reflected by the rear portions of the reflective surfaces 41 and 51 are parallel to the optical axis XX, or have an inclination angle of 25° or less, preferably 10° or less, with respect to the axis XX in the vertical plane.

[0036] The cavities formed by the reflective surfaces 41 and 51 face in the same direction, particularly downwards in the illustrated example. Thus, the reflective surfaces 41 and 51 are offset from each other along the optical axis XX, with the second reflective surface 51 located behind the first reflective surface 41. Furthermore, the first condenser 4 extends above the optical axis XX, and the second condenser 5 extends below the optical axis XX and the first condenser 4.

[0037] The first and second light condensers 4 and 5 are formed on the same single support. A light shielding body 8 formed on this support extends between the first light condenser 4 and the second light condenser 5.

[0038] The light-shielding body 8 generally extends in a horizontal plane containing the optical axis XX between the trailing edge 42 of the first reflective surface 41 and the leading edge 52 of the second light-gatherer 5. At their trailing and leading edges 42 and 52, the light-shielding body 8 is coupled to these reflective surfaces 41 and 51.

[0039] Lens 6 has a focal line 61 (a line consisting of two focal points 61) that passes near the trailing edge 42 of the first reflective surface. The second focal point 73 of the third light condenser 7 is located on this focal line 61. Thus, lens 6 is configured to project the light rays arriving from the first light condenser 4 as the first light beam LB (while forming an image of the first reflective surface 41). Consequently, the trailing edge 42 defines an upper cutoff LB1 within the image, and thus within the first light beam LB1.

[0040] Lens 6 is also configured to project the light rays arriving from the second condenser 5 as a second light beam LB (while forming an image on the second reflective surface 51). Considering that the second condenser 5 is positioned further back than the location of the first condenser 4 and the positions of each focal point 61 of lens 6, the second light beam HB spreads, at least partially, over the cutoff LB1 of the first beam LB. Furthermore, since the light shield 8 generally spreads in a horizontal plane located near or on the optical axis XX of lens 6, both reflective surfaces 41 and 51 constitute a single reflective surface (from the perspective of lens 6). This means that there is no need to specifically design dedicated areas within lens 6 (i.e., incident and / or exit surfaces) for each condenser 4 and 5. Rather, lens 6 has the same incident and exit surfaces for both the first light beam LB and the second light beam HB.

[0041] In the illustrated example, as shown in Figure 3, the trailing edge 42 has an overall elliptical profile, but a stepped portion 43 is formed that protrudes rearward from the rest of the edge. This stepped portion 43 is intended to form part of the upper cutoff LB1. Figure 4A shows the projection of the first light beam LB projected by the light-emitting module 1 when only the first light source 2 is lit onto a vertical screen installed at a distance of 25 m from the light-emitting module 1. The upper cutoff LB1 has a first flat portion and a second flat portion that is vertically offset from the first flat portion, and these two flat portions are separated by an inclined portion. All of these portions are formed by the trailing edge 42, but the inclined portion is in particular formed by the stepped portion 43. Thus, the first light beam LB can form part of the low-beam function and can be completed with another light beam to form a full low-beam function in accordance with European regulations. The other light beam has a greater spread and an upper cutoff that is intended to overlap with the lower, flatter portion of the upper cutoff LB1.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, which represents a plan view of the support forming the first light condenser 4, the second light condenser 5, and the light shield 8, the stepped portion 43 extends from the trailing edge 42 on the light shield 8 to the leading edge 52 of the second reflective surface 5 along the entire length of the light shield 8. Thus, the leading edge 52 has a profile with the stepped portion 53 that coincides with the trailing edge 42 of the first reflective surface 51.

[0043] Figure 4B shows the projection of the second light beam HB, projected by the light-emitting module 1 when only the second light source 3 is lit, onto a vertical screen installed 25 m away from the light-emitting module 1. The second light beam HB extends upward beyond the upper cutoff LB1 of the first light beam. Thus, the second light beam HB can constitute part of the high-beam function and can be completed with a low-beam function (e.g., partially performed by the first light beam LB) to constitute a full low-beam function in accordance with European regulations.

[0044] Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the light-emitting module 10 according to the present invention.

[0045] The light-emitting module 10 is the same as the light-emitting module 1 in Figures 1 to 4, except that the first and second light sources 2 and 3 are installed on the same substrate and emit light rays in the same direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no need for a third concentrator intended to redirect the light rays emitted by the first light source towards the first concentrator.

[0046] This disclosure and each illustration should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. Furthermore, the present invention extends to all combinations, modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the specification. From the perspective of these various embodiments and variations thereof, it should be understood that various combinations of illumination and / or signaling light beams are possible in a given light-emitting module. In particular, the number of light sources and corresponding focusers is not limited to two. Specifically, it is expected that more light sources and more corresponding focusers will be provided. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the beam shapes and illumination functions described. The trailing edge may have a different profile, such as an overall continuous profile. The light-emitting module may be intended to achieve segmented high beams, anti-glare high beams, or fog lights.

Claims

1. a. A first light source and a second light source, b. A first light condenser having a first reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light rays emitted by the first light source, and a second light condenser having a second reflective surface configured to collect and reflect light rays emitted by the second light source, c. An automatic vehicle light-emitting module comprising: an optical system configured to project a ray arriving from the first light condenser as a first light beam, wherein the optical system is configured to form an image of the first reflecting surface, the first reflecting surface is configured such that the first light beam has an upper cutoff; the optical system is also configured to project a ray arriving from the second light condenser as a second light beam, the optical system is configured to form an image of the second reflecting surface, the second reflecting surface is configured such that the second light beam spreads at least partially above the upper cutoff; The first light condenser and the second light condenser are formed from a single component, and this single component includes a light-shielding element that extends between the first light condenser and the second light condenser. A light-emitting module wherein the first reflective surface has a trailing edge, the optical system has a focal region located near this trailing edge, the upper cutoff in the first light beam is defined by the trailing edge of the first reflective surface, and the light-shielding body extends rearward from the trailing edge of the first reflective surface toward the leading edge of the second reflective surface.

2. The light-emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the light-shielding material is generally spread out in a plane.

3. The light-emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the trailing edge portion has a stepped portion intended to form part of the upper cutoff, and the stepped portion extends along the entire length of the light-shielding body to the leading edge portion of the second reflective surface.

4. The light-emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the first light source and the second light source are arranged on the same substrate and can each emit light rays in the same direction.

5. The light-emitting module according to claim 1, further comprising a third light-emitting device having a third reflective surface configured to collect light rays emitted by the first light source and reflect them toward the first light-emitting device.

6. The light-emitting module according to claim 5, wherein the third reflective surface has an elliptical profile configured to focus light rays arriving from the first focal point to the second focal point, the first focal point is located on the first light source, and the second focal point is located on the focal range of the optical system.

7. The light-emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the optical system is a lens having the same incident surface for the light rays of the first light beam and for the light rays of the second light beam.

8. The light-emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the first light beam constitutes part or all of the low-beam function, and the second light beam constitutes part or all of the high-beam function.

9. A lighting device for an automatic vehicle, comprising a light-emitting module according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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