Optical element intended to produce lighting continuity

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical element (14) for a motor vehicle lighting device (1), the optical element comprising: - a transparent front part (15) intended to be traversed by light rays (R) coming from a light source (13) of the lighting device, and - a skirt (16) at least partially surrounding the front part, the skirt comprising opaque walls (17) intended to block light rays (R) coming from the light source of the lighting device, characterized in that the skirt comprises a transparent window (110) intended to be traversed by light rays coming from the light source of the lighting device.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Optical element intended to produce luminous continuity.

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to an optical element for a lighting device of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a lighting device comprising such an optical element. The invention further relates to a lighting assembly comprising at least two lighting devices, at least one lighting device of the lighting assembly comprising such an optical element. The invention finally relates to a method for manufacturing such an optical element.

[0005] State of the prior art

[0006] A motor vehicle generally incorporates various lighting devices to enable it to be clearly seen by other road users and / or to illuminate the vehicle's surroundings. These lighting devices also contribute to the vehicle's light signature, i.e. they form light patterns that are both aesthetic and make the vehicle easily recognizable. Each lighting device typically comprises a housing through which it is attached to the vehicle, for example to the body or the vehicle. The housing contains at least one light source and various optical elements configured to shape a light beam. The lighting device further comprises a transparent lens intended to be traversed by light rays emitted by the at least one light source. The lens seals the housing, thus protecting the at least one light source and the optical elements from projections.The glass can also integrate certain optical functions for shaping the light beam produced by the optical device. A single motor vehicle can comprise two adjacent light devices, i.e. positioned side by side. A single vehicle can, for example, comprise a first light device attached to a wing of the vehicle and a second light device attached to the front of the vehicle, in particular a grille, or a rear of the vehicle, in particular a tailgate of the vehicle. According to another example, a first light device can be fixed in the frame of reference of the vehicle body while the second light device can be attached to an opening of the vehicle. The light signature of a vehicle can thus be obtained by means of several distinct light devices positioned side by side. This makes it possible to envisage a wide variety of shapes or arrangements of light signatures.This also makes it possible to consider large-scale light signatures that extend over several parts of the vehicle.

[0007] However, such a solution has the disadvantage of generating a light discontinuity between two adjacent light devices: the light pattern is interrupted locally at the edges of the light devices concerned. Thus, the aesthetic appearance and visibility of these vehicles is not optimal.

[0008] Presentation of the invention

[0009] The aim of the invention is to provide an optical element which overcomes the above drawbacks and improves the known lighting devices of the prior art.

[0010] More specifically, a first object of the invention is a luminous device making it possible to obtain luminous continuity with an adjacent optical device. Summary of the invention

[0011] The invention relates to an optical element for a light device of a motor vehicle, the optical element comprising:

[0012] - a transparent front part intended to be crossed by light rays from a light source of the lighting device, and

[0013] - a skirt at least partially surrounding the front part, the skirt comprising opaque walls intended to block light rays coming from the light source of the lighting device, the skirt comprising a transparent window intended to be crossed by light rays coming from the light source of the lighting device.

[0014] The optical element can be obtained by a plastic bi-injection process, the opaque walls being formed by a first opaque plastic material, the front part and said window being formed by a second transparent plastic material.

[0015] The optical element may comprise a ridge separating the front portion of the window, in particular the ridge forming an angle of approximately 90°.

[0016] The invention also relates to a light device comprising a light source and an optical element according to the present disclosure.

[0017] The light device may further comprise a housing for attachment to a motor vehicle, the housing comprising a groove, the skirt of the optical element comprising an edge extending into the groove to seal the housing.

[0018] The light device may further comprise a light guide, one end of the light guide being positioned opposite the window. The invention also relates to a light assembly comprising a first light device and a second light device adjacent to the first light device, the first light device being a light device according to the present disclosure, the window of the optical element of the first light device being oriented towards the second light device, the window being sized so as to produce light continuity between the first light device and the second light device.

[0019] The second light device may comprise a second light source and a second optical element according to the present disclosure, the window of the first optical element being positioned opposite the window of the second optical element.

[0020] The first light device may be intended to be attached to a fender of a motor vehicle, and the second light device may be intended to be attached to a grille or a tailgate of the motor vehicle.

[0021] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an optical element according to the present disclosure, the manufacturing method comprising a step of injecting an opaque plastic material into a first injection mold to form the opaque walls of the skirt, then a step of overmolding the opaque walls comprising the injection of a transparent plastic material into a second injection mold to form the front part and the side window.

[0022] Presentation of figures

[0023] These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which: Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a motor vehicle equipped with a set of lighting devices according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic sectional and top view of a set of two light devices according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an assembly comprising a first light device and a second light device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the first light device of Figure 3.

[0027] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a transparent portion of an optical element of the light device of Figure 4.

[0028] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an opaque portion of an optical element of the light device of Figure 4.

[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of a skirt of an optical element according to one embodiment of the invention, the skirt comprising a first embodiment of a transparent window intended to be passed through by light rays.

[0030] Figure 8 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of a skirt of an optical element according to one embodiment of the invention, the skirt comprising a second embodiment of a transparent window intended to be passed through by light rays.

[0031] Figure 9 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of a skirt of an optical element according to one embodiment of the invention, the skirt comprising a third embodiment of a transparent window intended to be passed through by light rays.

[0032] Detailed description

[0033] Figure 1 schematically illustrates in front view a motor vehicle V according to one embodiment of the invention. The vehicle V comprises a first lighting device 1, a second lighting device 2 and a third lighting device 3. The lighting devices 1, 2, 3 are arranged on a front part of the vehicle. These lighting devices are intended to illuminate the environment in front of the vehicle V and / or to make the vehicle V clearly visible to road users positioned in a half-space in front of the vehicle.

[0034] Alternatively, the lighting devices 1, 2, 3 could be arranged in any other location of the vehicle V, in particular on a rear part of the vehicle, so as to illuminate the environment at the rear of the vehicle and / or to make the vehicle clearly visible to road users positioned in a half-space at the rear of the vehicle.

[0035] The light devices are positioned side by side. More specifically, the second light device 2 is positioned between the first light device 1 and the third light device 3. According to the embodiment presented, the light devices are positioned next to each other along a horizontal axis, in particular a transverse axis of the vehicle. Alternatively, the light devices could also be positioned vertically above each other. As a further alternative, the first light device 1 is positioned vertically relative to the second light device 2, above or below, and the third light device 3 horizontally relative to the second light device 2, to the right or to the left.The light devices could also be arranged relative to each other following one or more inclined directions, that is to say making a non-zero angle relative to the horizontal direction and relative to the vertical direction. It is considered that the vehicle V rests on horizontal ground. In other words, the positions are understood for light devices in their normal position of use. The second light device 2 may in particular be integrated into a front face or a grille of the vehicle V. The second light device 2 may in particular be intended to generate a light pattern that extends over the entire width of the grille. The light pattern generated by the second light device 2 aims in particular to make the vehicle clearly visible to users positioned in front of the vehicle V.The light pattern generated by the second light device 2 may in particular comprise at least one light strip 21 extending horizontally between two lateral edges of the second light device 2.

[0036] The first light device 1 and the third light device 3 may be integrated respectively into a left front wing and a right front wing of the vehicle V. Left and right are here defined according to the point of view of a driver of the vehicle V, the driver being seated in the vehicle V in the driving position and looking ahead, in the direction in which the vehicle is moving forward and in a straight line. The first light device 1 and the third light device 3 may be intended to make the vehicle V clearly visible for users positioned respectively on a left side and on a right side of the vehicle. The light pattern generated by the first light device 1 may in particular comprise at least one light strip 11 extending between two lateral edges of the first light device 1.Likewise, the light pattern generated by the third light device 3 may in particular comprise at least one light strip 31 extending between two lateral edges of the third light device 3.

[0037] The light strips 11, 21 and 31 extend substantially at the same height. As will be seen below, the light strips 11, 21 and 31 form a continuous light strip which extends from one wing to the other of the vehicle V. According to an alternative embodiment, the vehicle V could comprise a different number of light devices, for example at least two light devices. According to an alternative embodiment, the first light device 1 and the third light device 3 could be integrated respectively into a left rear wing and a right rear wing of the vehicle V. The second light device 2 could be integrated into a tailgate or trunk door of the vehicle V.

[0038] Figure 2 illustrates schematically and in a top sectional view the first lighting device 1 and the second lighting device 2. This view is partial, only the parts close to the area where the two lighting devices are facing each other being shown. Certain elements therefore appear truncated when moving away from said area, such as for example the housings or the optical elements. The first lighting device 1 comprises a housing 12 by means of which it is fixed to the vehicle V, at least one light source 13, and an optical element 14 closing the housing 12. The optical element 14 comprises a protective glass or in other words an exit glass of the lighting device 1. The optical element 14 comprises a transparent front part 15 intended to be crossed by light rays R coming from the light source 13, and a skirt 16 at least partially surrounding the front part 15.

[0039] By "transparent", it is understood that the front portion 15 is configured to be crossed by light rays emitted by the light source of the lighting device. The front portion may optionally deflect and / or filter all or part of the light rays which pass through it. The front portion may also comprise a structured surface, that is to say a surface comprising a set of micro-reliefs adapted to create a particular visual effect, for example to blur a light beam. The front portion 15 may extend at least roughly perpendicular to an optical axis of the first lighting device 1. The front portion 15 may be flat or substantially curved.

[0040] The skirt 16 may comprise an annular shape centered around the optical axis. By annular shape is meant a closed curve, whatever the shape of this curve. The skirt 16 comprises opaque walls 17 intended to block light rays R coming from the light source of the lighting device. The skirt 16 may be intended to be covered by bodywork elements or any other component of the vehicle so as to be invisible once the lighting device 1 is assembled to the vehicle V. These bodywork elements or other components may comprise an outer surface which extends in the extension of the front part 15. The opaque walls 17 make it possible to prevent light rays coming from the light source 13 from being emitted in unwanted directions. In other words, the walls 17 aim to block unwanted light leaks out of the first lighting device 1.The skirt also constitutes a connecting interface of the front part 15 to the housing 12.

[0041] The assembly comprising the housing 12 and the optical element 14 forms a closed enclosure inside which the light source 13 is arranged. In addition, the first light device may also comprise a reflector 18, or any other optical component suitable for shaping a light beam from the light source 13, such as a lens, a collimator or a light guide. The light source 13 and the reflector 18 are protected from projections by the optical element 14. Advantageously, edges of the skirt 16 cooperate with a circumferential groove 19 of the housing to close the housing in a sealed manner. Alternatively or in addition, the skirt 16 could also be glued or welded to the housing 12, so as to close the housing in a sealed manner. In such an eventuality, the skirt 16 and the housing 12 could for example comprise flat surfaces facing each other.

[0042] The second lighting device 2 and the third lighting device 3 may be designed in a similar manner to the first lighting device 1. In particular, they may each comprise a housing, at least one light source, an optical element and a reflector or any other optical component suitable for shaping a light beam from the light source. Each optical element may comprise a transparent front portion and a skirt comprising opaque walls. The housing and the optical element of each lighting device may form a sealed enclosure protecting the light source and the reflector. In Figure 2, the housing 22, the at least one light source 23, the optical element 24 and the reflector 28 are shown. The front portion 25, the skirt 26 of the optical element 24 and the opaque walls 27 of the skirt 26 are also shown.

[0043] The skirt 16 of the first light device 1 comprises a transparent window 110 intended to be crossed by light rays R coming from the light source 13. The window 110 extends at the level of the skirt 16, in a side wall of the optical element 14. The window can be oriented at least roughly perpendicular to the front part 15. A ridge 111 can separate the front part 15 from the window 110. Thus the window 110 can be clearly distinguished from the front part 15. This ridge can form an angle A1 of between 60° and 120°, for example approximately 90°.

[0044] The window 110 thus makes it possible to produce a lateral light leak, located at a given location on the skirt 16. Advantageously, this light leak is oriented in the direction of the second light device 2, and in particular in the direction of the light strip 21 of the second light device 2. Thus, the window 110 makes it possible to obtain a certain light continuity between the light strip 11 generated by the first light device 1 and the light strip 21 generated by the second light device 2.

[0045] As with the front portion 15, the window 110 may optionally deflect and / or filter all or part of the light rays passing through it. The window 110 may also comprise a structured surface.

[0046] The window 110 is not a simple opening made in a wall 17 of the skirt 16, without which the lighting device 1 would no longer be watertight. The window is formed by a transparent material which protects the lighting device from projections while allowing light rays to pass through.

[0047] By integrating the window 110, the light strip 11 extends substantially in line with the light strip 21. An end 21G of the light strip 21 can be substantially confused with an end 11D of the light strip 11. A tangent to the light strip 21 at its end 21G can be substantially parallel to a tangent to the light strip 11 at its end 11D. A person observing the vehicle V when the light sources 13 and 23 are on would thus perceive a light continuity between the light strip 11 and the light strip 21.

[0048] Advantageously, a wall 27 of the skirt 26 of the optical element 24 of the second light device also comprises a transparent window 210 intended to be crossed by light rays coming from the light source 23. The window 210 is positioned opposite the window 110, which further improves the light continuity. A ridge 211 separates the window 210 from the front part 25. The section in Figure 2 is made at the height of the windows 110 and 210. Outside the windows 110 and 210, the walls 17 and 27 are opaque and therefore do not allow any laterally oriented light rays to pass through.

[0049] Advantageously, the third optical device 3 is designed symmetrically to the first optical device 1. As between the first light device 1 and the second light device 2, light continuity can be obtained between the second light device 2 and the third light device 3, thanks to the presence of windows in the respective skirts of the second light device 2 and third light device 3, positioned opposite each other. It is thus possible to obtain a continuous light signature of very large dimensions, which extends from one wing to the other of the vehicle V. The vehicle V is therefore particularly visible and identifiable.

[0050] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate in more detail an embodiment of the first lighting device 1 and the second lighting device 2. The front portion 15 of the first lighting device may comprise a curved surface connecting a front face of the vehicle to a wing of the vehicle. It is observed that the skirt 16 of the first lighting device may also comprise walls 112 substantially parallel to the front portion 15 but set back relative to the front portion. These walls 112 may be covered by bodywork elements of the vehicle.

[0051] Furthermore, the first light device 1 comprises a light guide 113 which extends transversely opposite the window 110. One end of the light guide 113 can be positioned opposite the window. Light rays can be emitted from a lateral face at the end of the light guide towards the window 110. The second light device 2 comprises a tapered shape along a transverse axis of the vehicle. The front surfaces 15 and 25 extend in line with one another. They comprise facing edges which extend parallel to one another. These edges extend in particular parallel to an axis forming a non-zero angle with a vertical axis.

[0052] The optical element 14 is preferably obtained by a plastic bi-injection process. The opaque walls 17 are formed by a first opaque plastic material. The front part 15 and the window 110 are formed by a second transparent plastic material. The optical element 14 therefore results from the assembly, by a bi-injection process, of a first transparent part P1 and a second opaque part P2. These two parts can be made of the same family of plastic, for example polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The plastic forming the second part P2 can comprise opaque pigments. Thanks to the bi-injection process, excellent cohesion and excellent sealing are thus obtained between these two parts. According to an alternative embodiment, the parts P1 and P2 could be injected separately and then assembled together mechanically, for example by clipping.

[0053] Figure 5 illustrates the first transparent part P1 and Figure 6 illustrates the second opaque part P2. Only the first part P1 extends at the level of the front part 15 and the window 110. The first part P1 also extends beyond the front part 15 and the window 110 superimposed on the second opaque part P2. Only the second part P2 extends in certain zones of the optical element 14, in particular at the level of an upper edge of the optical element 14. The second part P2 comprises an opening 114 whose location and shape correspond to the window 110. Figure 7 illustrates a first embodiment of the window 110. According to this embodiment, the first transparent part P1 and the second opaque part P2 extend against each other in two distinct and superimposed layers.Preferably, the edges of the opening 114 of the second part P2 comprise fillets 115 so as to avoid a phenomenon of light diffraction and / or so as to facilitate the injection of the second part P2.

[0054] Figure 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the window 110. According to this embodiment, the first transparent part P1 and the second opaque part P2 extend in the same layer. Such an injection mode called "edge-to-edge" makes it possible to obtain a thinner skirt wall 16 since it does not comprise a superposition of an opaque layer and a transparent layer. A boundary 116 between the opaque plastic material and the transparent plastic material preferably comprises a shoulder so as to improve the cohesion between the two plastic materials. This shoulder could also comprise fillets (not shown) to facilitate injection.

[0055] Figure 9 illustrates a third embodiment of the window 110, called "topping". According to this embodiment, the first part P1 covers the second part P2 as in the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 7. In addition, the first part P1 fills the space between the two edges of the part P2 as in the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 8. This solution ensures excellent cohesion between the two parts P1 and P2.

[0056] To manufacture the optical element 14, by bi-injection, an opaque plastic material is first injected into a first mold to form the skirt 16. Then, the skirt 16 is overmolded with transparent plastic material to form the front part 15 and the side window 110. The optical element 14 can then be assembled to the housing 12 containing the light source 13 to form the light device 1. When the light source 13 is switched on, light rays are emitted through the front part 15 but also through the window 110. The light rays passing through the window 110 contribute to giving an impression of light continuity between the first light device 1 and the second light device 2. Finally, a light device 1 is obtained which makes it possible to generate light continuity with an adjacent light device. The light signature and the visibility of the vehicle are thus improved.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Optical element (14) for a light device (1) of a motor vehicle, the optical element comprising: - a transparent front part (15) intended to be crossed by light rays (R) coming from a light source (13) of the lighting device, and - a skirt (16) at least partially surrounding the front part, the skirt comprising opaque walls (17) intended to block light rays (R) coming from the light source of the lighting device, characterized in that the skirt comprises a transparent window (110) intended to be crossed by light rays coming from the light source of the lighting device.

2. Optical element (14) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is obtained by a plastic bi-injection process, the opaque walls being formed by a first opaque plastic material, the front part and said window being formed by a second transparent plastic material.

3. Optical element (14) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an edge (1 1 1 ) separating the front part (15) from the window (1 10), in particular the edge forming an angle of approximately 90°.

4. Luminous device (1) comprising a light source (13) and an optical element (14) according to one of the preceding claims.

5. Lighting device (1) characterized in that it further comprises a housing (12) intended to be fixed to a motor vehicle, the housing comprising a groove (19), the skirt of the optical element comprising an edge extending into the groove for sealing the housing.

6. Lighting device (1) characterized in that it further comprises a light guide (113), one end of the light guide being positioned opposite the window (110).

7. A light assembly comprising a first light device (1) and a second light device (2) adjacent to the first light device, the first light device being a light device according to one of claims 4 to 6, the window (110) of the optical element (14) of the first light device being oriented towards the second light device, the window being sized so as to produce light continuity between the first light device and the second light device.

8. Lighting assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second lighting device (2) comprises a second light source (23) and a second optical element (24) according to one of claims 1 to 3, the window (110) of the first optical element (14) being positioned opposite the window (210) of the second optical element (24).

9. Lighting assembly according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the first lighting device (1) is intended to be fixed to a wing of a motor vehicle, and in that the second lighting device (2) is intended to be fixed to a grille or a tailgate of the motor vehicle.

10. Method for manufacturing an optical element (14) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a step of injecting an opaque plastic material into a first injection mold to form the opaque walls of the skirt, then a step of overmolding the opaque walls comprising the injection of a transparent plastic material into a second injection mold to form the front part and the side window.

Images