Lighting module for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting module (2) for a motor vehicle, wherein the lighting module (2) comprises at least a first and a second light source (22.1, 22.2) configured to generate light rays (RL), an array (1) of microlenses (10) comprising entrance lenses (101) forming an entrance face (104) of the array (1) of microlenses (10) and exit lenses (102) forming an exit face (105) of the array (1) of microlenses (10), wherein each entrance (101) and exit (102) lens forms an optical channel (103) configured to shape the light rays (RL) generated by the at least first and second light sources (22.1, 22.2) in order to generate a projection beam (FP), wherein a plurality of collimators (21.1, 21.2) optically couple the at least one light source (22.1, 22.2) to the entrance face (104) of the entrance lenses (101) of the array (1) of microlenses (10), and wherein the collimators (21.1, 21.2) comprise at least a first collimator (21.1) associated with first microlenses (10), a conformation of which differs from that of at least a second collimator (21.2) associated with second microlenses (10).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Light module for a motor vehicle [1] The technical context of the present invention is that of luminous lighting and / or signaling devices for motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a luminous module for a motor vehicle. [2] In the state of the art, the use of light modules is known for one of the lighting devices of a motor vehicle making it possible to shape a headlight beam used as a main beam or as a dipped beam to illuminate a road scene located in front of the motor vehicle. Such known light modules comprise: - at least one light source configured to generate light rays; - a microlens array comprising input lenses forming an input face of the microlens array and output lenses forming an output face of the microlens array, each input lens being coupled to the output lens located opposite via an optical channel, the microlens array being configured to shape the light rays generated by the at least one light source in order to generate a projection beam; - a plurality of collimators optically coupling the at least one light source to the input face of the input lenses of the microlens array. [3] Such microlens matrices thus make it possible to shape the incident light rays in order to form the beam of a main beam or that of a dipped beam. In order to comply with the national legislation in force, such main beams have a cut-off line which delimits an extinction zone of the projection beam so as not to dazzle a motor vehicle situated in front and to illuminate only the road situated in front, and on the side of the driving lane. [4] In order to correctly position such a cut-off line, the use of masks is known which, applied to the microlens matrix or associated with said microlens matrix, make it possible to form such a cut-off line. Unfortunately, the use of such masks associated with microlens matrices complicates the design of such light modules as well as their manufacturing process, leading to an increase in their production costs. [5] In order to meet these constraints, the use of microlens matrices which are not associated with such masks is known, such as for example in document US2020218077A1. In this case, such microlens matrices directly shape the projection beam and its cut-off line, by an optimized dimensioning and geometry of each optical channel and their associated input and output lenses. For this purpose, the microlens matrix projects small-sized images - in particular less than one degree wide - of the associated light source, so as to construct the desired projection beam. [6] However, in order to construct the aforementioned cut-off line as finely as possible, it is necessary that the images formed - at least at the cut-off line - are as small as possible. However, the geometry of known microlens matrices does not allow such a reduction to be easily achieved. Indeed, the entrance face of such microlens matrices cannot be divergent in order not to promote the mixing of light rays in two directly adjacent optical channels, it is therefore convergent. Consequently, the microlens matrix can only increase the size of the images of the light source reaching the entrance face, which is not desired. [7] The object of the present invention is to propose a new light module in order to address at least a large part of the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages. [8] Another object of the invention is to construct a clean and optimal cut-off line without using a mask. [9] Another aim of the invention is to enable the projection of small-sized images of the light source associated with the microlens matrix.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a light module for a motor vehicle, the light module comprising: - at least a first light source and a second light source configured to generate light rays; - a microlens array comprising input lenses comprising an input face configured to receive the light rays, said input faces of the input lenses forming an input face of the microlens array and output lenses comprising an output face configured to allow the light rays to exit the microlens array, said output faces of the output lenses forming an output face of the microlens array, each input lens associated with the output lens located opposite together forming an optical channel configured to shape the light rays generated by one of at least one first light source and at least one second light source in order to generate a projection beam; - at least one first collimator associated with the at least one first light source and at least one second collimator associated with the at least one second light source in order to respectively optically couple the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source to the input face of the microlens array.

[0011] In the light module according to the first aspect of the invention, the at least one first collimator has a first focal length different from a second focal length of the at least one second collimator.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, the microlens array forms a two-dimensional array of microlenses. Each microlens thus forms a light channel, when exposed to the light rays emitted by the at least one associated light source, so as to shape said corresponding light rays in order to create a predetermined light function. In other words, the microlens array is an optical element for shaping a light beam in order to produce a predetermined light function depending on the geometry of the associated microlenses.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, the microlens matrix thus makes it possible to construct the projection beam by the juxtaposition - possibly with overlap - of several images of the light source(s), formed by the microlens matrix.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the at least one first and second light source are of the type comprising one or more light-emitting diodes. By light-emitting diode is meant any type of light-emitting diodes, such as for example LEDs - English acronym meaning "Light Emitting Diode", OLEDs - English acronym meaning "organic LED", AMOLEDs - English acronym meaning "Active-Matrix-Organic LED", or FOLEDs - English acronym meaning "Flexible OLED". Advantageously, the at least one first and second light source are selectively controlled by a control unit which regulates an electrical supply current for each of the light-emitting diodes in order to control their emission of light rays in order to produce the light function.It is thus possible to selectively control the light-emitting diodes in order to configure them in any configuration between an off configuration and a maximum illumination configuration.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the collimators form optical coupling means making it possible to orient the light rays which are generated by the at least one corresponding light source towards the entrance face of the microlens matrix. According to the invention, and unlike the light modules known until now, the light module according to the first aspect of the invention comprises several collimators having geometries and / or dimensions and / or optical properties which are different from each other, in order to construct directly through the microlens matrix and without the use of a mask a projection beam already comprising a cut-off line perfectly positioned according to the regulations in force.

[0016] Of course, in the context of the present invention, a given collimator may be associated - i.e. optically coupled - with one or more microlenses of the microlens array. In other words, one of the collimators of the light module according to the invention is configured to inject the light rays coming from the at least one associated light source into one or more microlenses.

[0017] The cut-off line has at least one horizontal portion. The cut-off line may further also have at least one inclined portion, also called an inclined edge, said horizontal portion and said at least one inclined portion forming an elbow.

[0018] The light module in accordance with the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0019] - the first focal length of the at least one first collimator is greater than the second focal length of the at least one second collimator. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible, at the at least one first collimator, to form images of the at least one first light source, smaller at the input face of the microlens array, thus leading to the fact that, at the output face of said microlens array, the images projected from the at least one first light source by the microlenses associated with the at least one first collimator are of smaller dimensions than those projected by the microlenses associated with the at least one second collimator.Consequently, this advantageous configuration makes it possible to increase the density of the images of the at least one first light source formed by the microlenses associated with the at least one first projected collimator, leading to a finer definition of certain parts of the beam projected by the microlens matrix;

[0020] - the second focal length of the at least one second collimator is of the order of approximately 20 mm. More generally, the second focal length of the at least one second collimator is less than 30 mm. Preferably, the second focal length of the at least one second collimator is between 10 mm and 20 mm;

[0021] - the first focal length of the at least one first collimator is of the order of approximately 70 mm. More generally, the first focal length of the at least one first collimator is greater than 50 mm. Preferably, the first focal length of the at least one first collimator is between 50 mm and 80 mm;

[0022] - the at least one first collimator is configured to shape the projection beam at a cut-off line of said beam of projection. In other words, the at least one first collimator is associated with input lenses of the microlens array which make it possible to project the light rays generated by the at least one first light source at the cut-off line of the projection beam shaped by the microlens array. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to better define the cut-off line of the beam projected by the microlens array, leading to better resolution and better compliance with the regulations in force.Furthermore, the increase in the image density of the at least one first light source projected by the light module and its microlens array leads to a better definition of the projected beam and of some of its light characteristics, such as, for example, the cut-off line as mentioned above, but also to better locate a maximum light intensity near this cut-off line, in accordance with the regulations in force. Advantageously, the at least one first collimator is configured to shape the projection beam at a cut-off line of said projection beam, near the bend formed by the horizontal part and the at least one inclined part of said cut-off line, i.e. near the intersection between these two parts. ;.

[0023] - the at least one first collimator is located at a central region of the microlens array and the at least one second collimator is located peripherally to said at least one first collimator, relative to an optical axis of the light module. In other words, the at least one first collimator is located close to the optical axis of the light module, and the at least one second collimator is located at a distance from said optical axis. Advantageously, the microlenses used for the formation of the images forming the parts of the projected beam located close to or directly forming the cut-off line are preferably located in the central part of the microlens array, and therefore in angular proximity to the optical axis. It is then desirable for these microlenses to be associated with the at least one first collimator for the reasons mentioned above.Conversely, the microlenses used for the formation of images forming the parts of the projected beam located at a distance from the cut-off line are preferentially located in the peripheral part of the microlens matrix, and therefore at a distance. angular of the optical axis. It is then desirable that these microlenses are associated with at least one second collimator because, for these parts of the projected beam, the need for resolution of the projected beam is less;

[0024] - a numerical aperture of the at least one first collimator is high taking into account the geometric constraints of implantation of the light module, for example corresponding to an aperture number between 0.5 and 1.2 in order to guarantee optimal efficiency for the injection of the light rays collimated by said at least one first collimator into the microlens matrix. Consequently, a large numerical aperture and the high focal length of the at least one first collimator induce a large exit surface of the latter. The at least one first collimator is then associated, that is to say optically coupled, with a large number of microlenses of the microlens matrix. Generally speaking, the numerical aperture of the at least one first collimator is greater than the numerical aperture of the at least one second collimator;

[0025] - the majority of the microlenses associated with the at least one first collimator have a low magnification, typically between 1 and 2, preferably between 1 and 1.5. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to form images of the at least one first light source of small dimensions, for the reasons mentioned above;

[0026] - microlenses are configured to produce an image of the at least one first light source or of the at least one second light source whose angular dimension is less than 1°, preferably between 0.5° and 0.7°;

[0027] - microlenses are configured to induce a small angular deviation of the light rays generated by the at least one first light source or the at least one second light source, relative to the optical axis, typically less than 1°, preferably between 0.5° and 0.7°;

[0028] - microlenses associated with the at least one first collimator are configured to produce an image of the at least one first light source whose angular dimension is less than 1°, preferably between 0.5° and 0.7°. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to form images of the at least one first light source of small dimensions in order to delimit precisely and as linearly as possible the cut-off line on the projected beam;

[0029] - the microlenses configured to produce an image of the at least one first light source whose angular dimension is less than 1°, preferably between 0.5° and 0.7°, and optionally inducing a small angular deviation of the light rays generated by the at least one first light source, relative to the optical axis, typically less than 1°, preferably between 0.5° and 0.7°, are associated with the at least one first collimator. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to project the images of the at least one first light source in the direction of the cut-off line of the projected beam, in particular near the elbow formed by the horizontal part and the at least one inclined part of said cut-off line, that is to say near the intersection between these two parts, in particular when the angular deviation of the light rays is small in accordance with the optional characteristic above.Optionally, other types of microlenses, i.e. offering magnification values ​​and / or angular deviations different from those mentioned above, can be associated with the at least one first collimator. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to ensure a similarity of lit appearance in all directions between areas of the microlens matrix associated with the at least one first collimator, and areas of the microlens matrix associated with the at least one second collimator;

[0030] - the microlenses associated with the at least one second collimator have a magnification greater than the average of that of the microlenses associated with the at least one first collimator, typically greater than 2, preferably between 2 and 10. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to form images of the at least one second light source of larger dimensions, so as to more easily form the illuminated part of the projected beam, below and at a distance from the cut-off line;

[0031] - the microlenses associated with the at least one second collimator induce an angular deviation of the light rays generated by the at least one second light source, relative to the optical axis, greater than that induced by the microlenses associated with the at least one first collimator, typically greater than 1°. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to project the images of at least one second light source at a distance and below the cut-off line of the projected beam;

[0032] - the microlenses associated with the at least one second collimator are configured to produce an image of the at least one second light source whose angular dimension is greater than 1°, preferably between 1° and 10°. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to form images of the at least one second light source of larger dimensions, so as to more easily form the illuminated part of the projected beam, below and at a distance from the cut-off line;

[0033] - the microlenses configured to produce an image of the at least one second light source whose angular dimension is greater than 1°, preferably between 1° and 10°, are preferably associated with the at least one second collimator. Optionally, some of these microlenses may also be associated with the at least one first collimator, in particular if the angular deviation is less than 1°;

[0034] - the microlenses configured to produce an image of the at least one second light source whose angular dimension is greater than 1°, preferably between 1° and 10°, and optionally inducing an angular deviation of the light rays generated by the at least one second light source greater than 1°, relative to the optical axis, are preferably associated with the at least one second collimator. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to project the images of the at least one second light source at a distance from the cut-off line of the projected beam. Optionally, other types of microlenses, i.e. offering magnification values ​​and / or angular deviations different from those mentioned above, may be associated with the at least one second collimator.This advantageous configuration makes it possible to ensure a similarity of lit appearance in all directions between areas of the microlens array associated with the at least one first collimator, and areas of the microlens array associated with the at least one second collimator;

[0035] - in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the focal length of the collimators is decreasing. Generally, the collimators located at a distance from the optical axis have a focal length greater than that of the collimators located near said optical axis. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to form images of the at least one associated light source of small dimension near the optical axis and of larger dimension at a distance from the optical axis, according to the need for resolution and filling of the projected beam, as described above;

[0036] - a variation in the focal distances of the collimators taken from the optical axis and towards a periphery distant from said optical axis decreases gradually. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to guarantee a certain continuity in the variation in dimensions of the images of the at least one associated light source in the projected beam. In other words, this advantageous configuration makes it possible to gradually vary the size of the images of the at least one corresponding light source projected by the microlens matrix, thus improving the quality of the beam projected by the light module according to the invention;

[0037] - in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, a focal distance difference between two adjacent collimators is less than 30 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 20 mm;

[0038] - the at least one first collimator is of the anamorphic type and comprises a first main focal length in a first direction and a first secondary focal length in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first main focal length being greater than the second focal length of the at least one second collimator. The first direction is here preferably oriented along a vertical axis, that is to say perpendicular to the plane of the road onto which the projection beam is intended to be projected.

[0039] - the at least one second collimator is of the anamorphic type and comprises a second main focal length in the first direction and a second secondary focal length in the second direction, the first principal focal length of the at least one first collimator being greater than the second principal focal length.

[0040] According to a second aspect of the invention, a lighting device for a motor vehicle is provided, the lighting device comprising a housing housing the lighting module according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

[0041] Advantageously, the lighting device comprises a support on which at least one first and second light source of said light module are fixed. The support comprises at least one electronic card on which at least one first and second light source of said light module are fixed. Alternatively, or in addition, the support may for example comprise a radiator.

[0042] In the context of the present invention, the light device is for example of the projector type and / or a signal light and / or a daytime running light.

[0043] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all of their possible combinations, the various optional features set out herein.

[0044] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0045] [Fig.1] illustrates a schematic profile view of a light module known from the prior art;

[0046] [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic side view of a light module according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0047] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0048] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described can be combined with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0049] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0050] With reference to FIGURE 1, a light module 2 known from the prior art is described. Such a light module 2 comprises at least one light source 22 configured to generate light rays RL, and a matrix 1 of microlenses 10 configured to shape light rays RL generated by the at least one light source 22 in order to generate a projection beam FP, said matrix 1 of microlenses 10 being optically coupled to the at least one light source 22.

[0051] Such a matrix 1 of microlenses 10 generally comprises: - input lenses 101 forming an input face 104 of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10. In particular, the input lenses 101 comprise the input face 104 configured to receive the light rays RL; - output lenses 102 forming an output face 105 of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10. In particular, the output lenses 102 comprise the output face 105 configured to allow the light rays RL to exit from the matrix 1 of microlenses 10;, said output face 105 of the output lenses 102 forming an output face of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10, each input lens 101 associated with the output lens 102 located opposite together forming an optical channel 103 configured to produce an image IM of the light source 22.

[0052] More particularly, the input lenses 101 of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10 are coupled to the at least one light source 22 via collimators 21 which make it possible to collimate the light rays RL generated by the at least one light source 22 at the level of the input face 104 of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10. The collimators 21 optically couple the at least one light source 22 at the input face 104 of the input lenses 101 of the array 1 of microlenses 10.

[0053] In FIGURE 1 as in FIGURE 2, the collimators have been represented schematically by a double arrow, a convention usually used for thin lenses. This is not limiting on the form that these collimators can take. Thus, in particular for the light module of the invention, they can consist of one or more lenses, thin or thick, and / or comprise other types of dioptric elements, in particular elements in which at least part of the light propagates by total reflection, and / or comprise reflective elements.

[0054] Thus, each microlens 10 makes it possible to generate an IM image of a part of the at least one associated light source 22, said IM image being projected in front of the light module 2 - onto a road scene located in front of the motor vehicle equipped with such a known light module 2. Consequently, it is indeed the composition of all the IM images projected from the at least one light source 22 by all the microlenses 10 which makes it possible to produce a light beam 3 across the road scene and illuminating said road scene.

[0055] Obviously, the regulatory constraints regarding lighting of the road scene impose precise characteristics in terms of shape, width and light intensity of such a light beam 3 illuminating the road scene. However, the light beam 3 shaped by the microlens matrices 10 of the known light modules exhibits large inhomogeneities in light intensity. Indeed, as visible in the diagram on the right in FIGURE 1, the light beam 3 produced by the known light modules shows a juxtaposition of light cells of decreasing intensity, framed by light or dark borders, depending on the case.

[0056] These light cells are formed by each of the IM images of the at least one light source 22 projected by the matrix 1 of microlenses 10 - and precisely by each of said microlenses 10 - projected in front of the known light modules. Due to the conformation of the known microlens matrices 10, the light cells resulting from the IM image of the at least one light source 22 overlap each other, and this superposition of said IM images leads to local increases in light intensity when two or more IM images are locally superimposed on each other or, conversely, to darker areas when a single IM image of the light source 22 is projected into the light cell considered.

[0057] This variation in light density is not sought because it leads - if not to non-conformities - to the formation of a projection beam FP that is not optimal for use in the automotive field. In particular, such known microlens matrices 10 lead firstly to poor positioning of the maximum light intensity in the light beam 3, but also to poor definition of a cut-off line between a lower part of the projection beam FP - illuminated - and a higher part that is not illuminated so as not to dazzle an oncoming driver.

[0058] It is clear that known light modules fail to meet these two objectives, as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

[0059] In order to solve this technical problem, the invention according to its first aspect provides for modifying the conformation of the known light modules. The objective sought here is to make the projection beam FP shaped by the matrix 1 of microlenses 10 according to the invention both more homogeneous and more precise in the definition and linearity of the inclined part of the cut-off line. Also, such a light module 2 according to the invention now comprises: - at least one first light source 22.1 and at least one second light source 22.2 configured to generate the light rays RL; - the matrix 1 of microlenses 10 comprising the input lenses 101 comprising the input face 104 and the output lenses 102 comprising the output face 105, each input lens 101 associated with the output lens 102 located opposite forming an optical channel 103 configured to shape the light rays RL generated by one of at least one first light source 22.1 and at least one second light source 22.2 in order to generate a projection beam FP - at least one first collimator 21.1 associated with the at least one first light source 22.1 and at least one second collimator 21.2 associated with the at least one second light source 22.2 in order to optically couple respectively the at least one first light source 22.1 and the at least one second light source 22 at the entrance face 104 of the entrance lenses 101 of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10.

[0060] In the light modules according to the invention, the at least one first collimator 21.1 has a first focal length f1 different from a second focal length f2 of the at least one second collimator 21.2.

[0061] Thus, the new association between the different types of collimators 21.1, 21.2 and the input lenses 101 of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10 now makes it possible to project IM images of the at least one corresponding light source 22.1, 22.2 which are of variable size, thus making it possible to increase the density of IM images on the light beam 3 or to reduce it, depending on the desired effects and regulatory needs, or even the need to produce homogeneous illumination of the road scene. Of course, the microlenses themselves define the size of the projected IM images. However, the clever combination of certain microlenses 10 with collimators of greater focal length, the at least one first collimator 21.1, makes it possible to benefit from an additional adjustment to dimension the size of said projected IM images.Unlike the light modules 2 known prior to the present invention and which only associated a single type of collimator with the microlenses, making it impossible to integrate a very large focal length collimator, the invention provides precisely for integrating such collimators and for proposing different focal lengths upstream of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10, so as to increase the possible combinations and to benefit from more freedom in the formation of the light beam 3.

[0062] As visible on the light beam 3 shown on the right part of FIGURE 2, the light cells formed by the light module 2 according to the invention now have different dimensions depending on their position relative to the cut-off line: some of them, close to the inclined edge of the cut-off line, are of small dimensions in order to be able to improve the linearity and the resolution of said inclined edge, while some other light cells are of larger dimensions in order to form in a more precise manner effective of the less sensitive parts of the light beam 3 and the cut-off line for example.

[0063] This composition of light cells having different dimensions is related to the optical properties chosen for the collimators 21.1, 21.2 associated with the microlenses 10: the choice of the collimators 21.1, 21.2 and / or their dimensioning and / or their positioning upstream of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10 and / or their coupling to the input face 104 of said matrix 1 of microlenses 10 now makes it possible to construct a light beam 3 comprising, without unacceptable loss of flux efficiency, sufficiently small images, in order to meet the aforementioned resolution and homogeneity needs for illuminating the road scene and the cut-off line. Now, the integration in a light module 2 of several collimators 21.1, 21.2 different from each other makes it possible to offer more freedom and better performance for the production of an optimal projection beam FP.

[0064] In FIGURE 2, the collimators 21.1, 21.2 have been shown schematically with one or two microlenses 10, for the sake of readability of the figure. It goes without saying that in practice each collimator 21.1, 21.2 can be associated with a large number of microlenses 10, in particular several tens, several hundreds or even several thousands of microlenses 10.

[0065] According to the invention, the at least one first collimator 21.1 and the at least one second collimator 21.2 have in particular the following distinctive characteristics.

[0066] The first focal length f1 of the at least one first collimator 21.1 is greater than the second focal length f2 of the at least one second collimator 21.2. Thus, each first collimator 21.1 makes it possible to form images IM of the at least one first light source 22.1 that are smaller than those formed by each second collimator 21.2. By way of non-limiting example, the second focal length f2 of the at least one second collimator 21.2 is of the order of approximately 20 mm, while the first focal length f1 of the at least one first collimator 21.1 is of the order of approximately 70 mm. Thus, the at least one first collimator 21.1 can be optically coupled to a greater number of microlenses 10 than the at least one second collimator 21.2, within the limit of the space available for such integration. Indeed, the at least one first collimator 21.1 may have a larger lateral dimension than the at least one second collimator 21.2. This configuration makes it possible to limit the optical losses of the light module.

[0067] Optionally, each first collimator 21.1 and / or each second collimator 21.2 is an anamorphic collimator which makes it possible to stretch an image IM of the at least one corresponding light source 22.1, 22.2 in a particular direction. In this case, the at least one first collimator 21.1 comprises a first main focal length f 1 p in a first direction X and a first secondary focal length fi s in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction X, the first main focal length f 1 p being greater than the second focal length f2 of the at least one second collimator 21.2; and / or the at least one second collimator 21.2 comprises a second main focal length f2p in the first direction X and a second secondary focal length f2s in the second direction. In such a situation, the first main focal length f 1 p of the at least one first collimator 21.1 is always greater than the second principal focal length f2p.

[0068] The first direction X is here preferably oriented along a vertical axis, that is to say perpendicular to the plane of the road onto which the projection beam FP is intended to be projected. This configuration thus makes it possible to reduce the dimension of the images IM formed by the at least one light cell along the vertical direction, and thus to increase the vertical resolution at the cut-off line. As a result, it is then possible to form a better resolved and more linear cut-off line.

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one first collimator 21.1 is configured to shape the projection beam FP at the cut-off line of said projection beam FP. In other words, the at least one first collimator 21.1 is associated with input lenses 101 and output lenses 102 of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10 which make it possible to project the light rays RL generated by the at least one first light source 22.1 at the cut-off line of the shaped projection beam FP. by the matrix 1 of microlenses 10. In other words, the at least one first collimator 21.1 is associated with input lenses 101 of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10 which make it possible to project an image IM of the at least one first light source 22.1 forming a light cell near the cut-off line of the projection beam FP.

[0070] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 2, the at least one first collimator 21.1 is located at a central region of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10 - that is to say close to the optical axis Z - and the at least one second collimator 21.2 is located peripherally to said at least one first collimator 21, that is to say at a distance from the optical axis Z of the light module 2. Other configurations are of course possible. It may be particularly advantageous to place the at least one first collimator 21.1 in such a way that once the light module 2 is arranged in the light device, the at least one first collimator 21.1 is located in an area where the space available in said light device is significant in the direction of the focal length of said at least one first collimator 21.1.

[0071] Since the light module 2 according to the invention uses several different collimators 21.1, 21.2, the at least one first collimator 21.1 and the at least one second collimator 21.2, to form a matrix 1 of IM images projected from the at least one first light source 22.1 and the at least one second light source 22.2 to illuminate the road scene, it is advantageous for the distribution and organization of the collimators to meet the need for density and dimension of the projected IM images. Thus, in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis Z, the focal length of the collimators is preferentially decreasing: the collimators located at a distance from the optical axis Z have a focal length less than that of the collimators located near said optical axis Z.This advantageous configuration makes it possible to form IM images of the at least one corresponding light source of small dimension in angular proximity to the optical axis Z and of larger dimension at angular distance from the optical axis Z, according to the need for resolution and filling of the projection beam FP.

[0072] Additionally, since the light module 2 according to the invention uses several different collimators, the at least one first collimator 21.1 and the at least one second collimator 21.2, to form a matrix 1 of projected IM images of the at least one first light source 22.1 and the at least one second light source 22.2 to illuminate the road scene, it is also advantageous for the variation in the dimensions of the projected IM images to vary regularly, or in any case to exhibit limited discontinuities. For this purpose, a variation in the focal lengths of the collimators taken from the optical axis Z and towards a periphery distant from said optical axis Z decreases gradually. By way of non-limiting example, in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis Z, a focal length difference between two adjacent collimators is less than 30 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 20 mm.

[0073] In summary, the invention relates to a light module 2 for a motor vehicle, the light module 2 comprising at least one first light source 22.1 and at least one second light source 22.2 configured to generate light rays RL, a matrix 1 of microlenses 10 comprising input lenses 101 forming an input face 104 of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10 and output lenses 102 forming an output face 105 of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10, each input lens 101 and output lens 102 forming an optical channel 103 configured to shape the light rays RL generated by one of the at least one first light source 22.1 and at least one second light source 22.2 in order to generate a projection beam FP, a plurality of collimators optically coupling the at least one light source associated with the input face 104 of the input lenses 101 of the matrix 1 of microlenses 10, the collimators comprising at least one first collimator 21.1 associated with first microlenses 10 and whose conformation differs from that of at least one second collimator 21.2 associated with second microlenses 10.

[0074] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Light module (2) for a motor vehicle, the light module (2) comprising: - at least a first light source (22.1) and a second light source (22.2) configured to generate light rays (RL); - an array (1) of microlenses (10) comprising input lenses (101) comprising an input face (104) configured to receive the light rays (RL), said input faces (104) of the input lenses (101) forming an input face of the array (1) of microlenses (10) and output lenses (102) comprising an output face (105) configured to allow the light rays (RL) to exit from the array (1) of microlenses (10), said output faces (105) of the output lenses (102) forming an output face of the array (1) of microlenses (10), each input lens (101) associated with the output lens (102) located opposite together forming an optical channel (103) configured to shape the light rays (RL) generated by one of the at least one first light source (22.1) and at least one second light source (22.2) in order to generate a projection beam (FP); - at least one first collimator (21.1) associated with the at least one first light source (22.1) and at least one second collimator (21.2) associated with the at least one second light source (22.2) in order to respectively optically couple the at least one first light source (22.1) and the at least one second light source (22.2) to the input face of the matrix (1) of microlenses (10); characterized in that the at least one first collimator (21.1) has a first focal length (f1) different from a second focal length (f2) of the at least one second collimator (21.2).

2. Light module (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the first focal length (f1) of the at least one first collimator (21.1) is greater than the second focal length (f2) of the at least one second collimator (21.2).

3. Light module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second focal length (f2) of the at least one second collimator (21.2) is less than 30 mm.

4. Light module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first focal length (f 1 ) of the at least one first collimator (21.1 ) is greater than 50 mm.

5. Light module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first collimator (21.1) is configured to shape the projection beam (FP) at a cut-off line of said projection beam (FP).

6. Light module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first collimator (21.1) is located at a central region of the matrix (1) of microlenses (10) and the at least one second collimator (21.2) is located peripherally to said at least one first collimator (21.1), relative to an optical axis (Z) of the light module (2).

7. Light module (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein microlenses (10) are configured to produce an image (IM) of the at least one first light source (22.1) whose angular dimension is less than 1°, preferably between 0.5° and 0.7°, and optionally induce a small angular deviation of the light rays (RL) generated by the at least one first light source (22.1), relative to the optical axis, typically less than 1°, preferably between 0.5° and 0.7°, and said microlenses (10) are associated with the at least one first collimator (21.1).

8. Light module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one first collimator (21.1) is of the anamorphic type and comprises a first main focal length (f1 p) in a first direction (X) and a first secondary focal length (fis) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (X), the first main focal length (f1 p) being greater than the second focal length (f2) of the at least one second collimator (21.2).

9. Light module (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one second collimator (21.2) is of the anamorphic type and comprises a second main focal length (f2p) along the first direction (X) and a second secondary focal length (f2s) along the second direction, the first main focal length (f1 p) of the at least one first collimator (21.1) being greater than the second main focal length (f2p).

10. A lighting device for a motor vehicle, the lighting device comprising a housing housing the lighting module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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