Optical module for light-emitting devices in automotive vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical module (1) for a lighting device of an automotive vehicle, said optical module (1) comprising: a first light source (10a) capable of emitting a light beam; a light guide including a first coupling surface (11a) capable of receiving the light beam emitted by the first light source (10a) and capable of diffusing the light beam propagating in the light guide over all or part of its surroundings; a transparent or translucent exiting outer lens (12), said exiting lens (12) defining a recess through which a large part of the light guide extends such that the light beam diffused by the light guide passes through said exiting lens (12); a deflecting member located in the recess facing the light guide (11), said deflecting member being arranged to redirect the light beam diffused by the light guide towards said deflecting member towards said exiting lens; and a sealing member arranged to hold the deflecting member in the recess and to block said recess.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of light guides for vehicles. It is particularly applicable to, but not limited to, motor vehicles.

Summary of the Invention

[0002] Prior Art In the field of motor vehicle lighting and / or signaling, light-emitting devices using light guides are known. Conventionally, this light guide comprises a connection surface on which a light source is disposed, and a main body extending from the connection surface, wherein light emitted by the light source coupled to the light guide via the connection surface propagates by total internal reflection against the wall of the main body. Diffusing elements are generally provided along the main body to enable extraction of the light propagating therein towards the outside of the guide. This light guide thus makes it possible to achieve the light-emitting function, in particular light-emitting signaling such as daytime running lights, position lights or direction indicators, while leaving sufficient room for modification in terms of aesthetics.

[0003] However, such light guides have several drawbacks.

[0004] First of all, in known light-emitting devices, the light guide is generally arranged behind a protective outer lens, which in particular makes it possible to ensure the sealing inside the light-emitting device. However, in recent light-emitting devices, there is a tendency to eliminate this protective outer lens, and the light guide is directly mounted on the grille of a vehicle. As a result, there is a risk that the light guide is damaged by climatic conditions.

[0005] Secondly, in known light-emitting devices, the light guide directly installed on the grille of a vehicle must be fixed to the grille such that the light guide is completely fixed against the vibration of a moving motor vehicle. During the design of an optical module, components may partially obscure the light guide, which results in a loss of performance of the guide.

[0006] Therefore, the invention belongs to this category and seeks to overcome all of the aforementioned drawbacks. Thus, the invention seeks to propose an optical module comprising an optical guide and a support for the optical guide that enables it to be molded while being optimally fixed to a grille and that enables optimal performance of the optical guide. Disclosure of the invention The invention relates to an optical module for a light-emitting device of an automobile vehicle, the optical module comprising: a first light source capable of emitting a ray of light; an optical guide including a first connecting surface capable of receiving the ray emitted by the first light source and diffusing the ray propagating in the optical guide over all or part of its surroundings; a transparent or translucent outward-facing lens, the outward-facing lens defining a recess, the majority of which the optical guide extends into the recess so that the ray diffused by the optical guide passes through the outward-facing lens; a deflection member disposed in the recess facing the optical guide, the deflection member being positioned to redirect the ray diffused by the optical guide toward the deflection member toward the outward-facing lens; and a sealing member being positioned to hold the deflection member in the recess and to block the recess.

[0007] The first light source may be a semiconductor light source. In another embodiment, the first semiconductor light source forms part of a light-emitting diode. The term light-emitting diode is given to mean any type of light-emitting diode, and in non-limiting examples, these may also be LEDs, OLEDs (organic LEDs), AMOLEDs (active-matrix organic LEDs), or FOLEDs (flexible OLEDs). The first light source may be arranged on an electronic support mounted on a first printed circuit board.

[0008] A light-emitting module equipped with an optical guide can be configured to perform illumination and / or signaling functions or room lighting functions. In this application, the optical guide is given to mean an optical component capable of guiding light, by continuous total internal reflection of this light at one or more of its peripheral walls, from a first connecting surface toward an exit region of the optical guide formed, for example, by some or all of its one or more peripheral walls. The optical guide can be flexible. The optical guide can be substantially cylindrical in particular. The cross-section of the tubular element may, in non-limiting examples, have a circular, square, rectangular or triangular outline, or have the shape of a collection of curved and / or straight portions. The size and / or shape of the cross-section may further vary along the longitudinal profile of the optical guide. As a variation, its cross-section may be constant along the optical guide.

[0009] The optical guide may be provided with multiple diffusing members across its entire refractive surface. In this way, the diffusing members are provided or formed on all or part of the outer circumference of the refractive surface of the optical guide, enabling the diffusion of light rays propagating in all 360° directions within the optical guide.

[0010] The exit outer lens has an incident surface facing the recess for light rays diffused by the optical guide, and an exit surface for light rays that enter the exit outer lens through this incident surface.

[0011] The deflection member can be positioned to redirect light rays diffused by the light guide through reflection or diffusion. The deflection member may, in particular, comprise a white material that enables the reflection or diffusion of the light rays.

[0012] The optical guide comprises a first diffusion portion facing the incident surface of the outer exit lens and a second diffusion portion facing the reflective surface and / or diffusion surface of the deflection member, wherein the reflective surface and / or the diffusion surface are arranged to redirect the light rays diffused by the optical guide toward the incident surface of the outer exit lens via the second portion. The reflective surface and / or the diffusion surface are arranged in the optical guide to redirect the light rays diffused by the optical guide via the second portion toward the first diffusion portion.

[0013] Advantageously, the deflection member and the sealing member form a single component.

[0014] In this embodiment, the single component can be made from a reflective and / or diffusive silicone, such as white silicone. This single component can be directly formed into a recess after the light guide is placed therein.

[0015] Advantageously, the deflection member and the sealing member form two separate parts.

[0016] In this embodiment, the reflective member is made from a diffusive and / or reflective thermoplastic material, such as white, such as polyurethane, particularly filled with titanium dioxide (TiO2), and the sealing member is made from a thermoplastic resin or silicone.

[0017] The sealing component may be located in a recess.

[0018] The sealing member can be directly shaped in the recess so that, after the optical guide and deflection member are positioned therein, it makes full or partial contact with the deflection member. The sealing member is shaped and then can be inserted into the recess.

[0019] Advantageously, the recess of the exit outer lens includes a set of multiple side walls joined together to form a U-shaped section and an opening, and the deflection member is positioned in the opening of the recess of the exit outer lens.

[0020] The exit outer lens may include a U-shaped profile. The recess of the exit outer lens may be defined by a U-shaped wall and opening. An optical guide may be inserted into the recess through the opening. The exit outer lens may allow for the formation of a flexible optical guide. By inserting a flexible optical guide into the recess of the exit outer lens, the optical guide thus stiffens to its working shape.

[0021] Advantageously, the deflection member has an L-shaped profile.

[0022] The deflection member may have dimensions substantially similar to the recess so that it can be easily inserted into the recess. The deflection member may have two arms, with an angle between them, so that it has an L-shaped profile. The two arms may allow the optical guide to surround it. The two arms may allow the optical guide to be held in place in the recess.

[0023] Advantageously, the exit outer lens has an exit surface for light rays diffused by the optical guide, and the exit surface is positioned to deflect the light rays diffused by the optical guide in a predetermined general direction.

[0024] The exit surface of the outer exit lens has a radius of curvature suitable for deflecting light rays diffused by the optical guide.

[0025] Advantageously, the optical module includes at least one occlusion mask positioned downstream of the exit outer lens, along the exit surface.

[0026] Using an outward-facing lens that includes an outward-facing surface with a radius of curvature allows light rays to be deflected so that they can be diffused, even when the occlusion mask is positioned downstream of the outward-facing lens. In this way, light rays that are initially diffused on the opposite side of the occlusion mask can be deflected to supply light to the unoccluded zone.

[0027] Advantageously, the emitting outer lens comprises a plurality of members for fixing to the chassis.

[0028] In one embodiment, each fixing member may be a lug for fixing to a chassis of a motor vehicle.

[0029] Advantageously, the plurality of fixing members can extend rearward of the recess. Said fixing members can extend at a continuous portion of one of the ends of the U-shaped wall.

[0030] Advantageously, the optical module comprises a second light source capable of emitting light rays, and the light guide comprises a second coupling surface located opposite the first coupling surface and capable of receiving light rays emitted by the second light source.

[0031] Accordingly, the light guide can be connected to the first light source via its first coupling surface and to the second light source via its second coupling surface. The light rays diffused by the light guide can come from said first light source and from said second light source.

[0032] Advantageously, the light guide comprises: a core surrounded by a sheath, the core and the sheath being arranged such that light rays entering the light guide through the first coupling surface propagate in the core by total internal reflection on a refractive interface formed by the core and the sheath; and a plurality of diffusing members arranged to diffuse light rays propagating in the core towards the outside of the sheath.

[0033] The sheath may have a protective role and / or an optical role for the core by guiding a part of the light and enabling forming an interface with the core so as to facilitate extraction of a part of the light rays in each region of the diffusing members. Preferably, the refractive index of the sheath may be made lower than the refractive index of the core, to make it possible to ensure that light is guided by total internal reflection.

[0034] An optical guide may consist of a single core enclosed in a single sheath, or a bundle of multiple cores enclosed in a single sheath. In particular, the optical guide may comprise a core formator and an optical fiber. The core / sheath interface can form a refractive surface, where light rays propagating through the core are reflected by total internal reflection. The core of the optical guide may be extruded from a plastic material such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC), or from a material such as glass.

[0035] The diffusion member may have irregularities on the outer surface of the core or on the inner surface of the sheath, which are obtained, for example, by abrasion, sand, or laser impact. In another embodiment, the diffusion member may be arranged or formed in the core and may include diffusion particles attached in the core in the region of the refractive surface.

[0036] Another aspect of the invention relates to a light-emitting device for an automobile vehicle, comprising at least one optical module.

[0037] In another embodiment, the light-emitting device may comprise a plurality of optical modules. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] Other advantages and features of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, using purely illustrative examples that do not limit the scope of the invention, and the accompanying drawings illustrate various forms of the present invention: [Figure 1] Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of the light-emitting module. [Figure 2] Figure 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional perspective view of an external exit lens according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of a light-emitting module according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of a light-emitting module according to another embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a part of a light-emitting module according to one embodiment.

[0039] In the following description, elements that are identical in structure or function but appear in different figures shall retain the same reference numerals unless otherwise specified. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] Description of the Embodiment Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a light-emitting module 1 of a light-emitting device for an automobile vehicle according to a particular embodiment of the invention. This light-emitting module 1 will be described in relation to Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5. Figures 3 and 4 show two particular embodiments of the invention. Figure 5 illustrates the propagation of diffused light rays in one embodiment.

[0041] The optical module 1 comprises a first light source 10a and a second light source 10b, each capable of emitting a light ray 112. The optical module 1 also comprises an optical guide 11 including a first connecting surface 11a suitable for interacting with the first light source 10a and a second connecting surface 11b suitable for interacting with the second light source 10b. The first connecting surface 11a and the second connecting surface 11b are on opposite sides of the optical guide 11.

[0042] The light guide 11 is suitable for receiving light rays 112 emitted by the first light source 10a and the second light source 10b via the first connecting surface 11a and the second connecting surface 11b.

[0043] The optical guide 11 can diffuse the light rays 112 emitted by the first and second light sources 10a and 10b. The optical guide 11 is an optical component that can guide light from one of the first and second connecting surfaces 11a and 11b toward the exit zone of the optical guide 11 by continuous total internal reflection of this light on one or more peripheral walls of the component. The optical guide 11 is a substantially cylindrical element with a tubular cross-section.

[0044] The optical guide 11 comprises a core 110 surrounded by a sheath 111, and the core 110 and sheath 111 are arranged such that light rays 112 incident on the optical guide 11 through one of the first and second connecting surfaces 11a and 11b propagate in the core 110 by total internal reflection on the refractive surface formed by the core 110 and sheath 111. The optical guide 11 includes a plurality of diffusion members (not shown) arranged across the entire refractive surface of the optical guide to diffuse the light rays 112 propagating in the core 110 toward the outside of the sheath 111. The diffusion members are provided or formed on all or part of the outer circumference of the refractive surface of the optical guide 11, enabling 360° omnidirectional diffusion of the light rays 112 spreading in the optical guide 11.

[0045] The optical module 1 includes a transparent or translucent outward-facing lens 12. The outward-facing lens 12, as described in Figure 2, defines a recess 120. The recess 120 comprises a set of side walls joined together to form a U-shaped profile and an opening 121.

[0046] The exit lens 12 comprises a plurality of members 15 for fixing to the chassis of an automobile vehicle. Each fixing member 15 is continuous with one of the ends of the U-shaped wall and extends behind the recess 120.

[0047] Most of the optical guide 11 extends in the recess 120 so that the light rays diffused by the optical guide 11 pass through the exit outer lens 12. Because the optical guide 11 is flexible, it can be shaped by the exit outer lens 12, and the optical guide 11 can be stiffened to its working shape.

[0048] The exit outer lens 12 has an incident surface 123 facing the recess 120 for light rays 112 diffused by the optical guide 11, and an exit surface 122 for light rays 112 that enter the exit outer lens 12 through this incident surface 123.

[0049] The optical module 1 includes a deflection member 13 positioned in the recess 120 and facing the optical guide 11. The deflection member 13 is positioned to redirect light rays 112, which have been diffused by the optical guide 11 by reflection or diffusion toward the deflection member 13, towards the exit outer lens 12. The deflection member 13 comprises a white material that enables the reflection or diffusion of the light rays 112.

[0050] The deflection member 13 comprises two arms, each forming an angle between them, so that it has an L-shaped profile. The two arms are suitable for surrounding the optical guide 11 and holding it in the recess 120.

[0051] The optical module 1 includes a sealing member 14 arranged to interact with the deflection member 13. The sealing member 14 is positioned to hold the deflection member 13 in the recess 120 and to block the recess 120.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of the optical module 1, and Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the optical module 1.

[0053] The embodiment shown in [Figure 3] comprises a deflection member 13 and a sealing member 14 that form a single component, the two components being made from the same material. In this case, the optical guide 11 is inserted into a recess 120 of the exit outer lens 12, and the single component 13, 14 is formed by directly molding in the recess 120. The molding of the single component holds the optical guide 11 in the recess 120.

[0054] The embodiment shown in [Figure 4] comprises a deflection member 13 and a sealing member 14 forming two separate parts made from two distinct materials. In this case, the optical guide 11 is inserted into a recess 120 of the exit outer lens 12, and the deflection member 13 is inserted so as to press the optical guide 11 against the incident surface 123 of the exit outer lens 12. The sealing member 14 is molded directly in the recess 120 so as to hold the deflection member 13 in the recess 120 and also to seal the recess 120.

[0055] Figure 5 shows the path of light rays 112 diffused by the optical guide 11 when two occlusion masks 124 are positioned downstream of the exit outer lens 122 along the exit surface 122.

[0056] The light rays 124 emitted by the first and second light sources 10a and 10b are directed toward the optical guide 11 by the first and second connecting surfaces 11a and 11b. The optical guide 11 comprises a first diffusion portion facing the incident surface 123 of the exit outer lens 12 and a second diffusion portion facing the reflective and / or diffusing surface 130 of the deflection member 13. The light rays 124 diffused by the optical guide 11 in the region of the first diffusion portion are directly diffused toward the incident surface 122 of the exit outer lens 12, forming directly diffused light rays 112a. The light rays 124 diffused by the optical guide 11 in the region of the second diffusion portion are diffused toward the reflective and / or diffusing surface 130 of the deflection member 13. The reflective and / or diffusing surface 130 is diffused in that direction by the second diffusing portion of the optical guide 11 and is positioned to redirect the rays 112 that pass through the second diffusing portion and return toward the incident surface 123 of the exiting outer lens 12. The exit surface 122 of the exiting outer lens 12 has a curvature suitable for deflecting all of the rays 112, i.e., the rays 112a diffused in the direction of the first diffusing portion and the rays 112a diffused in the direction of the second diffusing portion. Therefore, all of the rays 112 diffused by the optical guide 11 are diffused despite the presence of an occlusion mask facing the exit surface 122 of the exiting outer lens 12.

[0057] The above description clarifies how the invention achieves the described objective, namely, obtaining an optical module comprising: a first light source capable of emitting rays; an optical guide including a first connecting surface capable of receiving rays emitted by the first light source and diffusing rays propagating in the optical guide over all or part of its surroundings; a transparent or translucent outward-facing lens, the outward-facing lens defining a recess through which the majority of the optical guide extends so that rays diffused by the optical guide pass through the outward-facing lens; a deflection member positioned in a recess facing the optical guide and arranged to redirect rays diffused by the optical guide toward the deflection member toward the outward-facing lens; and a sealing member arranged to hold the deflection member in the recess and to block the recess.

[0058] 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 feasible combination thereof.

Claims

1. An optical module (1) for a light-emitting device of an automobile vehicle, A first light source (10a) and a second light source capable of emitting light rays; An optical guide (11) including a first connecting surface (11a) capable of receiving light rays emitted by the first light source (10a); A second connecting surface that receives light rays emitted by the second light source, wherein the second connecting surface and the first connecting surface are configured to diffuse the light rays propagating in the optical guide (11) over the peripheral portion of the optical guide; An external exit lens (12) which is transparent or translucent, wherein the external exit lens (12) defines a recess (120) that extends most of the optical guide (11) so that light rays diffused by the optical guide (11) pass through the external exit lens (12); A deflection member and a sealing member forming a single component made of the same material, wherein the deflection member has an L-shaped profile; Equipped with, The optical guide is inserted into a recess of the outer exit lens, the single component is formed directly in the recess, the single component holds the optical guide within the recess, and the single component is positioned to block the recess. The deflection member (13) faces the optical guide (11) and is positioned to redirect the light rays diffused toward the deflection member (13) by the optical guide (11) toward the exit outer lens (12). Optical module (1) for a light-emitting device in an automobile vehicle.

2. An optical module (1) for a light-emitting device of an automobile vehicle, A first light source (10a) and a second light source capable of emitting light rays; An optical guide (11) including a first connecting surface (11a) capable of receiving light rays emitted by the first light source (10a); A second connecting surface that receives light rays emitted by the second light source, wherein the second connecting surface and the first connecting surface are configured to diffuse the light rays propagating in the optical guide (11) over the peripheral portion of the optical guide; An external exit lens (12) which is transparent or translucent, wherein the external exit lens (12) defines a recess (120) that extends most of the optical guide (11) so that light rays diffused by the optical guide (11) pass through the external exit lens (12); A deflection member (13) having an L-shaped profile; sealing member (14) and; Equipped with, The deflection member (13) and the sealing member (14) form two separate parts. The optical guide is inserted into the recess of the outer exit lens. The deflection member (13) faces the optical guide (11) and is positioned to redirect the light rays diffused toward the deflection member (13) by the optical guide (11) toward the exit outer lens (12). Optical module (1) for a light-emitting device in an automobile vehicle.

3. The optical module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the recess (120) of the outer exit lens (12) comprises a set of multiple side walls joined together to form a U-shaped portion and an opening (121), and the deflection member (13) is positioned in the opening (121) of the recess (120) of the outer exit lens (12).

4. The optical module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the outgoing outer lens (12) has an outgoing surface for the light rays diffused by the optical guide (11), and the outgoing surface (122) is arranged to deflect the light rays diffused by the optical guide (11) in a predetermined general direction.

5. The optical module (1) according to claim 4, further comprising at least one occlusion mask (124) positioned downstream of the exit outer lens (12) along the exit surface (122).

6. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 is characterized in that the output outer lens (12) comprises a plurality of members (15) configured to be fixed to the chassis.

7. The second light source is capable of emitting a ray of light from its emission surface. The optical module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting surface can receive light rays on the incident surface.

8. The optical guide (11) is a core (110) surrounded by a sheath (111), and the core (110) and the sheath (111) are arranged such that a light ray incident on the optical guide (11) via the first connecting surface (11a) is transmitted through the core (110) by total internal reflection at the refractive surfaces formed by the core (110) and the sheath (111). The device comprises a plurality of diffusing members arranged to diffuse the light rays transmitted in the core (110) toward the outside of the sheath (111), The optical module (1) according to claim 1.

9. A light-emitting device for an automobile vehicle, comprising at least one optical module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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