Optical component comprising microlens arrays

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical component (1) intended to have light pass through it in a main optical direction in its thickness, delimited by a first face and a second face, an input microlens array being formed on the first face and an output microlens array (13(i,j)) being formed on the second face, the input microlens and the output microlens (13(i,j)) delimiting an optical channel with edges parallel to the main optical direction, the output microlens (13(i,j)) comprising a useful optical surface (130) and a transition surface (132) connecting the useful optical surface (130) to the edges of the output microlens (13(i,j)), the transition surface (132) forming, in a plane of section parallel to the main optical direction, an angle greater than 20° with respect to the edges of the optical channel. (Figure 6)

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title of the invention: Optical component comprising microlens arrays

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of optics, and more specifically concerns an optical component comprising microlens arrays, finding a particular application in the automotive field.

[0004] Vehicles, and especially motor vehicles, are commonly equipped with headlights that provide various lighting functions, including road illumination and vehicle signaling to other road users. Lighting functions include high beams and low beams. Signaling functions include, but are not limited to, position lights, turn signals, and parking lights.

[0005] For reasons of style and aesthetics, for example, light modules can be designed to follow certain surfaces of the vehicles they are intended to equip, such as the exterior lens of the headlight or the front of the vehicle. These vehicle surfaces are not always flat, so it is necessary to adapt the light modules to follow these non-planar surfaces. Furthermore, it is also possible to encounter a relatively flat exterior lens or front panel and want to create a light module that deviates from it to create an impression of depth. In both cases, the light modules are configured so that their output face—that is, the face intended to be in contact with the exterior lens or front panel—has a controlled and appropriate shape.

[0006] In certain applications, the realization of one of the aforementioned lighting functions is made possible by the emission of light rays from a light source through a microlens array, also known by the English acronym MLA for microlens array. A microlens array notably includes light channels formed respectively by an input microlens and an output microlens, which are respectively focused so that the light rays entering through an input microlens propagate within the microlens array through a dedicated light channel to exit through the output microlens associated with that light channel.

[0007] We know of microlens arrays with an opaque mask inside, on either side of which are attached an input microlens array and an output microlens array, each array being focused onto the mask and apertures formed in the mask. We also know of maskless microlens arrays, with an output microlens array directly attached to the input microlens array, and with input microlenses converging on the corresponding output microlens and output microlenses focused on the corresponding input microlens.

[0008] It is of interest to produce a matrix microlens device by plastic injection to give a particular curvature to this matrix microlens device, in particular by offsetting the inlet faces of the inlet microlenses and / or the outlet faces of the outlet microlenses from each other.

[0009] In the context of plastic injection of the microlens matrix device, draft angles must be provided from a flow channel to the adjacent channel to allow demolding of the part after injection.

[0010] While the presence of draft angles, necessary for mechanical considerations, should not have optical consequences, the realization of these draft angles in molds configured for the formation of microlenses, having dimensions on the order of a millimeter, for example between 0.3 mm and 10 mm (millimeters), is difficult to implement.The inventors, seeking to imprint the curve of a vehicle onto an optical component comprising microlens arrays, found that when the microlenses are intended to cover the surface of a transparent plastic plate having an overall doubly curved shape, that is to say having curvatures in distinct directions, with at least one microlens that is prominent in relation to microlenses arranged on either side of this prominent microlens, the formation of a corresponding metal mold is made difficult in particular to make the counter-form corresponding to this prominent microlens, which can have the effect of significantly trimming the neighboring counter-forms and consequently modifying the useful optical surfaces of some of the microlenses.

[0011] Figure 1 shows how such a mold 2 is made. A tool 3, for example a milling cutter, machines a metal surface intended to form the mold 2, modeled by the inventors during testing. Given the very small dimensions of the microlens arrays to be produced, and the size of the machine containing the tool 3, the mold 2 being made and the tool 3 have very little range of motion relative to each other. In particular, the tool 3 cannot cut the metal surface without presenting an angle greater than 5 degrees to a demolding direction. This demolding direction is approximately orthogonal to each counterform of the mold intended to form an entry or exit surface for a microlens. It is, in fact, parallel to the principal optical direction of one of the microlens arrays formed by the mold, when the array is still embedded in the mold.

[0012] For simplicity in this example, we assume that tool 3 can only work parallel to the cutting plane of figure 1.

[0013] Tool 3 forms on the surface of mold 2 a first counterform 20, a second counterform 21, and a third counterform 22, each intended to form the entry or exit surface of a microlens. The second counterform 21 is sandwiched between two risers formed by the first counterform 20 and the third counterform 22. The counterforms are each substantially orthogonal to the demolding direction, and the risers have a draft angle, typically on the order of 1° to 3°, to allow the demolding of the microlens matrix that will subsequently be formed in mold 2. In Figure 1, the risers are schematically represented substantially parallel to the demolding direction, in a theoretical orientation, to emphasize the difference with the orientation of the riser actually produced by machining with tool 3.

[0014] Tool 3 can fully produce the first counterform 20 and the third counterform 22, these counterforms being easily accessible to the metal surface of the mold 2. On the other hand, tool 3 cannot fully produce the second counterform 21. More in particular, one of the risers 30, as well as a portion 31 of the second counterform 21, located in the direct extension of the riser 30, cannot be produced without deforming the second and third counterforms 21, 22 as they should be.

[0015] Figure 2 shows that after the passage of tool 3, the riser 30 is not, in practice, produced substantially parallel to the demolding direction, with a draft angle as previously described, but with a clearance angle 0 whose value is much greater than that of the draft angle, and for example, greater than or equal to five degrees. As can be seen in Figure 2, this has the effect of trimming a portion 220 of the third counterform 22, which is nevertheless easily accessible by tool 3.

[0016] Furthermore, the tool 3, unable to produce surfaces with a radius of curvature R, resulting from a machining radius, of less than 0.1 mm, cuts off a portion 210 of the second counterform 21, at the junction between this second counterform 21 and the riser 30.

[0017] Figure 3 illustrates areas 32 of mold 2 as identified by the inventors during their tests as having counterforms suitable for forming useful optical surfaces, clipped because one of these counterforms is sandwiched between more than two other counterforms. Indeed, as explained in relation to Figures 1 and 2, tool 3 cannot easily create a sandwiched counterform by working perpendicular to two risers on either side of the counterform and located directly above the edges of the counterform. Nor can it easily create one by working parallel to these two risers, since it is then limited by a final riser perpendicular to these two risers.

[0018] Such a mold therefore produces a matrix of counterforms, some of which have degraded optical surfaces, especially as the counterforms become smaller. When the microlens matrix formed by the mold is illuminated by a light source, this degradation results in a loss of some of the light, a reduction in the maximum expected intensity at the output of the microlens matrix, distortion of the image projected by the light source, and the appearance of uncontrolled light leakage. The inventors observed that 10 to 30% of the useful optical surface of a microlens can be reduced due to these machining constraints.

[0019] In addition to the requirement of an overall doubly curved shape for the microlens arrays of the optical component, the inventors sought not to degrade the rendering of the optical component when the light device containing it is turned off, or even to improve it.

[0020] The present invention aims to remedy, at least in part, the aforementioned drawbacks by providing an optical component that is easily manufactured by injection molding, can have curvatures, and does not significantly degrade the useful optical surfaces of its microlenses, while maintaining a pleasing appearance even when a light source incorporating the optical component is switched off. In particular, the invention eliminates the need to modify a simple and inexpensive machining technique for creating a mold to form microlens arrays of the optical component.

[0021] To this end, the invention proposes an optical component comprising a substrate intended to be traversed by light through its thickness along a principal optical direction, the thickness being delimited by a first face and a second face of the optical component, an array of input microlenses being formed on the first face and an array of output microlenses being formed on the second face, each input microlens being configured to direct its incident light rays towards only one of the output microlenses, itself configured to receive light rays coming only from said input microlens, one of the input microlenses and one of the output microlenses delimiting in pairs an optical channel in the substrate, with edges parallel to the principal optical direction,the optical component being characterized in that each input microlens is convergent and capable of directing all the light rays onto a useful optical surface of one of the output microlenses, the output microlens comprising the useful optical surface and a transition surface connecting the useful optical surface to the edges of the output microlens, the transition surface forming, in a cutting plane parallel to the principal optical direction, at least an angle greater than 20° with respect to the edges of the optical channel.

[0022] According to the invention, the output surfaces of an output microlens are arranged in two distinct zones: a central zone forming a useful optical surface and a peripheral zone, called a transition surface, surrounding the useful optical surface. This distinction between the two zones is primarily functional, particularly in the optical role they play in achieving the light function. According to an optional feature of the invention, the output surface of the output microlens exhibits a structural discontinuity, specifically in the curvature of the output surface, at the junction between the useful optical surface and the transition surface. By way of non-limiting example, the useful optical surface may be convex, and the adjacent transition surface(s) may be concave.It should also be noted that transition surfaces do not necessarily have segments in the cutting plane; they can have curves in this cutting plane. The useful optical surface of an output microlens is the surface through which all light rays entering the optical channel corresponding to that output microlens exit. The term "all light rays" here refers to the implementation of focusing a very large majority, for example, at least 90% of the light rays passing through the output microlens.

[0023] It is therefore understood that few or no light rays are destined to exit the optical component through one of the transition surfaces.

[0024] In other words, the useful optical area of ​​the output microlens is such that beyond this useful optical area, the output surface of the output microlens receives very little light, for example less than 5 to 10% of the light flux arriving at the output microlens.

[0025] By introducing this transition surface between the edges of the output microlens and its useful optical surface, the manufacturing stresses of the output microlens array will affect the transition surface and not the useful optical surface of the output microlens. Thus, the output microlens array does not generate optical defects, and the transition surface can be used to give a predetermined appearance to the second face of the optical component.

[0026] The input and output microlens arrays considered on the optical component may possibly be alongside microlenses that do not have a transition surface on the first or second face of the optical component, for example when these microlenses without a transition surface do not have the same manufacturing constraints as those of the input and output microlens arrays, due for example to a larger size.

[0027] In the invention, the microlenses of the input and output microlens arrays have input or output surfaces delimited by the edges of the microlenses, with dimensions on the order of a millimeter, for example from 0.3 to 10 mm on a side, and the rows of the array can be of different lengths, as the columns of the array can be of different lengths, for example to follow a shape of optical output surface of a luminous device according to the invention.

[0028] The optical channel formed by the entrance and exit microlenses constitutes a portion of the substrate, generally having the shape of a right prism with a height parallel to the principal optical direction. This portion of the substrate is not strictly a right prism because the entrance and exit surfaces of the optical channel are not planar and differ in shape.

[0029] Furthermore, in this application, "parallel" means substantially parallel, that is, within a few degrees of angle. The transition surface forms an angle greater than 20 degrees with the edges delimiting the optical channel, and also forms an angle greater than 20 degrees with the principal optical direction. This transition surface differs from a draft surface as defined later, the draft surface forming portions of the optical channel edges connecting the exit surfaces of different exit microlenses. Draft surfaces are a consequence of a molded embodiment of the optical component, and it is essential to be able to remove the optical component from the mold without damage.The presence, specific to the invention, of this transition surface, which is not optically useful, allows for greater tolerance in the manufacture of the mold, particularly in the portions of the mold corresponding to the edge portions of the optical channel, with draft angles that can go up to.

[0030] 10 degrees, therefore significantly larger than usual. Indeed, the increase in the draft angle to facilitate mold making only impacts the extent of the transition surface as ideally modeled without taking this manufacturing tolerance into account, and therefore has no impact on the optical performance of the output microlenses.

[0031] 11 It should be noted that although in the optical component according to the invention, obtained with an easy-to-make mold and with larger angle draft surfaces, these draft surfaces can have a draft angle with respect to the main optical direction of up to 10 degrees, the transition surfaces are distinguished from these draft surfaces in that they have a significantly larger angle of inclination than the draft surfaces, in particular greater than 20°.

[0032] Furthermore, the principal optical direction refers to the direction of the rays passing through the thickness of the substrate without being deviated, the other rays being able to present acute angles with this direction.

[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, for at least one subset of the output microlens array, the ratio between the transition area and the output area of ​​each output microlens in the subset is greater than 20%. The output area consists of the transition area and the useful optical area of ​​the output microlens. In this embodiment of the invention, the ratio between the transition area and the output area of ​​each output microlens in the output microlens array is, for example, greater than or equal to 10%.

[0034] The useful optical surfaces can be of any shape, for example anamorphic. They do not necessarily form a surface of revolution. Their shapes and sizes are calculated to produce a desired image, and to ensure that these useful optical surfaces are not cropped during the manufacturing process.

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention, the input microlens is configured to focus the light rays arriving at its useful optical surface onto the optical axis of the optical channel, the focal point of the input microlens being slightly upstream or downstream of the useful optical surface of the output microlens depending on the light function performed by the optical component according to the invention. It should also be noted that the principal optical direction is not necessarily parallel to the principal extension direction of the vehicle.

[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, the useful optical surface of the output microlens is smaller than the useful optical surface of the input microlens. This is because the first face of the optical component is less subject to curvature constraints than the second face and can therefore be formed by a simpler counter-mold matrix.

[0037] The effective optical area of ​​the input microlens, for example, covers almost the entire input area of ​​that input microlens because the rays arrive parallel to this input area. For example, the effective optical area of ​​the input microlens covers at least 90 to 95% of its input area. Therefore, the ratio between the effective optical area of ​​an output microlens of an optical channel and the effective optical area of ​​the input microlens of that optical channel is, for example, on the order of 90% to 95%.

[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, at least the second face of the optical component has at least one curvature with respect to a plane perpendicular to the principal optical direction. The second face and / or the first face of the optical component may, for example, have a double curvature with respect to this plane. The curvatures of the first or second face of the substrate refer, of course, to curvatures corresponding to radii of curvature significantly larger than those of the entrance or exit surfaces of microlenses, for example, at least ten times larger than the radii of curvature resulting from machining radii associated with a microlens. The entrance microlens array and / or the exit microlens array reproduce the curvature(s) of the first and / or the second face of the optical component.

[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, the exit microlens comprises a draft surface connecting an edge of the exit microlens to an edge of another exit microlens of the output microlens array, the draft surface forming an angle less than or equal to 10 degrees with respect to an edge of the optical channel and therefore with respect to the principal optical direction.

[0040] As explained above, the invention allows for the easy fabrication of the optical component using a mold whose cutting tool, forming complementary counterforms of the exit surfaces of the output microlenses, can be inclined relative to a demolding direction corresponding to the optical axis of the output microlenses, which is easy to implement. The cutting tool can be easily manipulated and inclined by a robot or an operator, since draft angles of up to 10 degrees relative to this demolding direction are permitted.

[0041] This embodiment of the invention makes it possible to follow curves on the output face of the optical component without encroaching on the useful optical surfaces of the output microlenses. It also allows, or instead of, giving the optical component a glossy appearance when it is not transmitting light but is illuminated by ambient light.

[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one sub-array of output microlenses of the output microlens array of the optical component according to the invention complies with the following conditions:

[0043] - on each line of N lenses, each microlens of rank i with i

[0044] ​- on each column of M lenses, each microlens of rank j with i <j <M présente d’une part un troisième bord en saillie, selon la direction optique principale, d’un bord de l’une des microlentilles de rang j-i ou de rang j+i, le troisième bord et ledit bord de l’une des microlentilles de rang j-i ou de rang j+iétant reliés par une troisième surface de dépouille située dans un troisième plan parallèle à la direction optique principale, et d’autre part un quatrième bord en retrait, selon la direction optique principale, d’un bord de l’autre des microlentilles respectivement de rang j+i ou de rang j-i, le quatrième bord et ledit bord de l’autre des microlentilles respectivement de rang j+i ou de rang j-i étant reliés par une quatrième surface de dépouille située dans un quatrième plan parallèle à la direction optique principale.

[0045] In this embodiment, the draft surfaces in the sub-matrix form walls around the microlenses, contained within a plane forming an angle of less than five degrees with the principal optical direction. The corresponding risers of a mold used to form the microlens sub-matrix can be more easily machined according to these characteristics of the microlens sub-matrix. As a result, the useful optical surfaces of the microlenses in this sub-matrix can form 90% and up to 95% of their corresponding exit surfaces without being degraded during manufacturing. The invention also makes it possible to achieve radii of curvature, resulting from machining radii, of less than 0.1 mm between the risers and the counterforms intended to form the microlenses on the sub-matrix manufacturing mold.

[0046] Indeed, due to the characteristics of the sub-matrix, no microlens of the sub-matrix is ​​directly surrounded by three walls projecting from that microlens and belonging to adjacent microlenses. Preferably, no microlens of the microlens array according to the invention is directly surrounded by three walls projecting from that microlens and belonging to adjacent microlenses.

[0047] It is understood that these complementary characteristics make it possible to reduce the transition surfaces in favor of the useful optical surfaces of the larger output microlenses, the transition surfaces then having the main function of giving a bright or matte finish to the optical component when it is illuminated only by ambient external light.

[0048] Therefore, in a microlens matrix, and in particular in an output microlens matrix, one can have submatrices implementing the main aspect of the invention, namely output surfaces which include transition surfaces in the vicinity of the useful optical surfaces, in combination or not with constraints relating to the arrangement of the adjacent output microlenses, so that in a submatrix implementing this combination, one can reduce the extent of the transition surface since it is not necessary to provide draft surfaces with a draft angle going beyond the few degrees of classical draft.

[0049] Within the sub-matrix, when a first edge protrudes or is recessed relative to a second edge, it does so over at least part of the second edge's length, without protruding or being recessed relative to the second edge over the remaining part of the second edge's length. More generally, the second face of the optical component may have less curved areas where two adjacent microlenses of the output microlens array have conjoined output surfaces without a wall along an identical edge or portion thereof. Areas with an identical edge for two adjacent microlenses are not included in the sub-matrix.

[0050] The sub-matrix comprises at least three rows of three columns of output microlenses, and preferably the sub-matrix comprises at least

[0051] 10 rows of 10 output microlenses. The sub-matrix can of course include all the microlenses of the output microlens array.

[0052] 11. It should be noted that the input microlens array may also have at least one sub-array with the characteristics mentioned above.

[0053] In an embodiment variant of the embodiment comprising draft surfaces, the transition surfaces of adjacent exit microlenses, extended by one or two draft surfaces, meet to form a ridge.

[0054] This ridge forms a protruding point on the substrate in a cutting plane parallel to the principal optical direction and to a row or column of the output microlens array. This embodiment of the invention enhances the brightness of the optical component when illuminated only by ambient light. In an embodiment of the invention that does not necessarily have a draft surface, the transition surface has straight portions on either side of a relief on the useful optical surface of the output microlens in the cutting plane. The relief is, for example, convex or concave. In this embodiment, the transition surface forms, for example, a plane around the useful optical surface of the output microlens, or extends the useful optical surface of the output microlens so as to give a cup-like appearance to the output surface of the output microlens.In the latter case, the cups are connected to each other by edges forming prominent ridges giving a shiny appearance to the optical component when it is only illuminated by ambient light.

[0055] In another embodiment of the invention, the transition surfaces of adjacent output microlenses meet to form a curved surface. In this other embodiment of the invention, the optical component has a matte appearance when illuminated only by ambient light.

[0056] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the transition surfaces of adjacent output microlenses meet, forming a facet of the second face of the optical component. A single transition surface then forms several flat portions around the useful optical surface of the output microlens. This further embodiment of the invention gives the optical component a different appearance when illuminated only by ambient light.

[0057] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, the exit microlenses are concave. In another embodiment of the invention, the exit microlenses are convex.

[0058] The invention also relates to a vehicle lighting device comprising one or more light sources, a collimator adapted to receive light emitted by the light source(s), and an optical component according to the invention, adapted to receive light transmitted by the collimator and to be traversed by it along the principal optical direction. The light source(s) are preferably light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The lighting device is, for example, adapted to project a beam of low beam or high beam.

[0059] The invention also relates to a mold configured to form, based on a substrate, an optical component intended to be traversed by light through its thickness along a principal optical direction, the thickness being delimited by a first face and a second face of the optical component, the mold comprising a first matrix of counterforms configured to form an array of input microlenses on the first face and a second matrix of counterforms configured to form an array of output microlenses on the second face, each input microlens being convergent and capable of transmitting light rays onto a useful optical surface of one of the output microlenses, the input microlens and the output microlens delimiting an optical channel in the substrate, with edges parallel to the principal optical direction,the mold being characterized in that the second matrix of counterforms is configured so that each of its counterforms comprises, on the one hand, a central portion suitable for forming a useful optical surface of one of the exit microlenses, and on the other hand, a peripheral portion to the central portion, suitable for forming a transition surface of the exit microlens, connecting the useful optical surface to the edges of the exit microlens, the peripheral portion forming, in a cutting plane of the mold parallel to a mold demolding direction, at least an acute angle greater than 20° with respect to this demolding direction.

[0060] The mold according to the invention is for example in two parts and allows the optical component according to the invention to be made.

[0061] The mold according to the invention is, for example, metallic and has characteristics symmetrical to those of the optical component according to the invention. It therefore offers advantages similar to those of the optical component according to the invention.

[0062] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0063] [fig i] already commented on in relation to the prior art, represents in cross-section a portion of a mold intended to form a matrix of microlenses, and which must be produced by a machining tool, according to a model determined during tests by the inventors,

[0064] [fig 2] already discussed in relation to prior art, represents in cross-section the portion of the mold of figure i as machined by the machining tool, imperfections of the mold being highlighted in dotted lines,

[0065] [fig 3] already discussed in relation to earlier art, represents in perspective areas of the mold in figure 1, on which counterforms were trimmed during the machining of the mold,

[0066] [Fig. 4] shows in cross-section a lighting device according to the invention, in one embodiment of the invention, the lighting device comprising a light source, a collimator and an optical component according to the invention, represented in a simplified manner in this figure,

[0067] [fig 5] shows a cross-section of a portion of the optical component of figure 4, the portion being only three entrance and exit microlenses wide so as to visualize their surfaces,

[0068] [Fig. 6] represents in perspective a portion of the optical component of Figure 4, comprising different shapes of output microlenses, and two enlargements, seen in cross-section, of two of these output microlenses of distinct shapes,

[0069] [fig 7] shows in cross-section another portion of the output microlens array of the optical component in figure 4, highlighting a particular arrangement of the microlenses relative to each other,

[0070] [fig 8] represents in cross-section a portion of another optical component according to the invention, in an embodiment of the invention, in which exit microlenses of this other optical component are convex, and [fig 9] represents in perspective a portion of an optical component according to another embodiment of the invention, in which exit microlenses of the optical component give it a smooth appearance, a cross-sectional view of one of these exit microlenses also being shown in this figure.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the invention shown in figure 4, a light device 100 according to the invention is intended to be mounted in a vehicle, to perform a lighting function of the type dipped beam or main beam.

[0072] The lighting device 100 comprises a light source 5, a collimator 6 and an optical component 1 according to the invention, aligned along an optical axis, which corresponds to a principal optical direction X of propagation of light from the light source 5 to the outside of the vehicle.

[0073] The light source 5 is for example formed of one or more light-emitting diodes, capable of emitting light rays 7. The collimator 6 is capable of collecting and configuring these light rays 7 to direct them into a beam of parallel rays towards the optical component 1, parallel to the main optical direction X.

[0074] The optical component 1 is a component made of synthetic polymer (plastic) with an overall curved shape, so as to follow the curve of a vehicle's headlight. In this embodiment of the invention, the optical component 1 has a double curvature along an unadjusted surface 9, shown in cross-section through the thickness of the optical component 1. Consequently, the optical component 1 cannot be in the form of a plate arranged orthogonally to the principal optical direction X.

[0075] A first face 10 of the optical component 1, facing the interior of the vehicle, is arranged opposite a second face 12 of the optical component 1 with respect to the optical component 1. An input microlens array 11 according to the invention is formed on the first face 10 of the optical component 1.

[0076] The second face 12 of the optical component 1, visible from outside the vehicle, is particularly subject to the requirement of tracking the curvature of the vehicle's headlight. A microlens array 13 according to the invention is formed on the second face 12 of the optical component 1.

[0077] It is understood that the first face 10 and the second face 12 delimit the thickness of the optical component 1, intended to be traversed by the light rays 7 substantially along the principal optical direction X.

[0078] The input microlens matrix 11 forms on the first face 10 of the optical component 1, rows and columns of varying lengths, so as to cover almost entirely the first face 10 of the optical component 1. Each input microlens of the input microlens matrix 11 is indexed n(i,j) with i between 1 and N, N being the number of microlenses on the row containing the input microlens n(i,j), and j between 1 and M, M being the number of microlenses on the column containing the input microlens n(i,j).

[0079] Similarly, the output microlens array 13 forms on the second face 12 of the optical component 1, rows and columns of varying lengths, so as to cover almost entirely the second face 12 of the optical component 1. Each output microlens of the output microlens array 13 is indexed i3(i,j) with i between 1 and N, N being the number of microlenses on the row containing the output microlens I3(i,j), and j between 1 and M, M being the number of microlenses on the column containing the output microlens I3(i,j).

[0080] It is understood that the output microlens i3(i,j) on the second face 12 of the optical component 1 corresponds to the input microlens n(i,j) on the first face 10 of the optical component 1. The optical axes of these input microlenses n(i,j) and output microlenses i3(i,j) coincide and are parallel to the principal optical direction X. Thus, these input microlenses n(i,j) and output microlenses i3(i,j) form an optical channel that can be indexed (i,j), and which passes through the thickness of the optical component 1.

[0081] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment of the invention, the entrance microlenses n(i,j) each have a useful optical surface 110, here convex, and the exit microlenses i3(i,j) each have a useful optical surface 130, here concave. The optical channel (i,j), connecting the entrance surface of the entrance microlens n(i,j), having the convex useful optical surface n0, to the exit surface of the exit microlens i3(i,j), having the concave useful optical surface 130, is delimited by these entrance and exit surfaces as well as by edges parallel to the principal optical direction X. In the cross-sectional plane of Figure 5, it can be seen that the edges of the channel (i,j) are contained in planes P(i) and P(i+i) located on either side of the channel (i,j) and parallel to the principal optical direction X.It should be understood that this characteristic relating to the edges of the channel applies to the edges in opposition two by two, in two directions perpendicular to the principal optical direction X.

[0082] Furthermore, in Figure 5, the entrance microlens n(i,j) is framed in the slice plane by an adjacent entrance microlens n(ii,j) on one side and by an adjacent entrance microlens n(i+i,j) on the other. Similarly, the exit microlens i3(i,j) is framed in the slice plane by an adjacent exit microlens i3(ii,j) on one side and by an adjacent exit microlens i3(i+i,j) on the other. The input microlens n(ii,j) and the output microlens i3(ii,j) form an optical channel (ii,j) whose edges lie in the plane P(i) and in a plane P(ii) located on either side of the channel (ii,j) and parallel to the principal optical direction X. Similarly, the input microlens n(i+i,j) and the output microlens i3(i+i,j) form an optical channel (i+i,j) whose edge lies in the plane P(i+i). These optical channels are contiguous and form a portion of optical component 1.

[0083] In what precedes and follows, it is important to understand that by edge of an optical channel, we aim to define a virtual demarcation, a continuity of matter being effective between adjacent optical channels.

[0084] Because of the shape of the entrance microlenses n(i,j) and because the first face 10 does not exactly follow the curve of the vehicle's headlight, the entrance microlenses can be arranged relative to each other so that the useful optical surface 110 of each entrance microlens n(i,j) covers the entire entrance surface of the entrance microlens n(i,j) without suffering degradation due to its manufacture.In particular, and as can be seen in Figure 5, the entrance microlenses can be arranged one after the other with a step profile, that is, with each entrance microlens which, for a direction perpendicular to the main optical direction, is set back from one of the adjacent entrance microlenses and protrudes from the other adjacent microlens, participating in forming over the entire entrance surface a continuous orienting slope on said direction perpendicular to the main optical direction.

[0085] Light rays 7a, 7b from collimator 6 arrive parallel to the principal optical direction X at this entrance surface and intersect in the optical channel (i,j) at the focal point of the entrance microlens n(i,j). The distance between this focal point and the useful optical surface 130 of the output microlens i3(i,j) is such that the light rays 7a, 7b passing through this focal point then reach this useful optical surface 130. In the illustrated example, the focal point of the entrance microlens is located within the material of the optical component 1, upstream of the output surface, considering the propagation of the light rays. Indeed, in this embodiment of the invention, the optical component 1 acts as a light diffuser, in order to homogenize the light of the illumination beam projected by the light device 100.

[0086] It should be noted, however, that the same characteristic could be obtained with an input microlens configured to present a focus outside the optical channel, downstream of the output surface, provided that the focus is close enough to the output surface so that the rays are directed to pass predominantly through the useful optical surface at the center of the output surface.

[0087] Thus almost all the light rays arriving on the useful optical surface 110 of the input microlens n(i,j) exit the optical channel through the useful optical surface 130 of the output microlens i3(i,j), which is diverging.

[0088] Thus, as can be seen in Figure 5, the useful optical surface 130 of the output microlens i3(i,j) is smaller than its output surface. A transition surface 132, shown with thicker lines than the useful optical surface 130 for better differentiation, is formed between the useful optical surface 130 of the output microlens i3(i,j) and the edges of the optical channel (i,j). This transition surface 132, for a given optical channel, consists of a portion of the output surface that is not, or only minimally, reached by the light rays focused by the input microlens of that optical channel.

[0089] The output surface of an i3(i,j) output microlens is thus formed by a useful optical surface 130 and a transition surface 132. The useful optical surface 130 is located approximately at the center of the output surface, and its shape is influenced by the desired light function of the optical component, in this case, a concave shape. The transition surface 132 is positioned around the periphery of the useful optical surface 130, notably to create an intermediate zone between the useful optical surface 130 and the edges of the output surface, and its shape is independent of the desired light function, since few or no light rays pass through this transition surface. In the example illustrated in Figure 5, the transition surface has a frustoconical, or nearly frustoconical, shape around the useful optical surface 130.

[0090] It should be noted that this transition surface 132 is distinct from a draft surface, for example m_i, formed during the manufacturing of the optical component by injection molding. According to the invention, the transition surface 132 is intentionally formed around the useful optical surface, the extent of which is deliberately reduced, in combination with a particular configuration of the optical channel inlet surface so that the light rays are focused onto the useful optical surface, thus ensuring that the presence of a draft surface does not impact the optical performance of the optical component.

[0091] The transition surface 132 and the draft surface m_i, m_i+i associated with an exit microlens are distinguished by the inclination of this surface with respect to the plane P(i), P(i+i). In what follows and throughout this patent application, the inclination angle of a transition surface and a draft surface is defined in a cutting plane similar to that of Figure 5, i.e., a cutting plane parallel to the principal optical direction X, with respect to a line parallel to an edge of the optical channel (i,j).

[0092] The transition surface 132 must be considered as a portion of the exit surface in its own right, unlike the adjacent draft surface, insofar as the transition surface 132 forms at least an angle of inclination ai, a2 of absolute value greater than 20 degrees, and therefore a shape capable of being across the light rays if these were not focused on the useful optical surface, while the draft surface m_i, m_i+i forms an angle of inclination a3 of absolute value less than 10°, the draft surface being able according to the invention to be more inclined than usual since it opens onto the transition surface 132, namely a non-useful optical surface.

[0093] This transition surface 132 is present, in this embodiment of the invention, on all the exit surfaces of the exit microlenses i3(i,j), and forms angles greater than 20 degrees with respect to the edges of the associated optical channels (i,j) in any cutting plane of the optical component 1, parallel to the main optical direction X.

[0094] Figure 6, and in particular the detail of two output microlenses, shows the rendering of the output microlenses I3(i,j) on a portion of the optical component 1, whose shape varies according to the values ​​of the inclination angles ai, a2 between the transition surfaces and the edges of the optical channels (i,j). It can be seen that the smaller these values ​​are, above twenty degrees, the more the associated output microlens i3(i,j) takes on the shape of a basin, while the closer these values ​​are to 90 degrees, the more the associated output microlens i3(i,j) takes on the shape of a flat surface in the center of which the useful optical surface 130 is hollowed out.

[0095] It should be noted that, although in this embodiment of the invention the transition surface 132 has straight portions on either side of the relief formed by the useful optical surface 130 in the cutting plane, this transition surface 132 may have a curvature in this plane, it being understood that the transition surface 132 has no optical function and that curves may be given to the output surface in this area without impacting the realization of the desired light function.

[0096] In the example illustrated in Figure 6, the optical channels (i,j) are offset from one another in the principal optical direction (X) to follow the curved surface 9, so that the output microlenses i3(i,j) form steps that follow the columns or rows of the output microlens array 13. The arrangement of these steps facilitates the design of the mold for manufacturing the output microlens array 13. However, even if some output microlenses i3(i,j) were boxed in and their counterforms difficult to form in the mold, the presence of the transition surface 132 on the output microlens would absorb the defects due to these manufacturing difficulties, particularly the local increase in the inclination of the draft surface, and thus prevent the optical component 1 from experiencing a degradation in optical performance.

[0097] The ratio between the transition surface 132 and the exit surface of the exit microlens i3(i,j) is greater than 10%. In other words, more than 10% of the exit surface of the exit microlens is formed by the transition surface 132. This ratio is, for example, greater than 20% over a whole subset of the matrix 13 of exit microlenses.

[0098] Returning to Figure 5, the offset between the optical channels of the exit microlenses i3(ii,j), i3(i,j) and i3(i+i,j) along the principal optical direction X, is materialized by the formation of walls which are in fact draft surfaces m_i, m_i+i, the draft surface m_i contributing to form a step between the exit microlens I3(ii,j) and the exit microlens i3(i,j), while the draft surface m_i+i contributes to form a step between the exit microlens i3(i,j) and the exit microlens 13(1+1, j).

[0099] As mentioned previously, the clearance surface m_i, connecting an edge of the exit microlens i3(ii,j) to an edge of the exit microlens 13(i,j), forms an angle 0C3 less than or equal to 10 0 degrees and even at 5 degrees relative to the plane P(i), that is to say to an edge of the optical channel (ii,j). This small value of the angle of inclination relative to that of the transition surfaces implies that the draft surfaces m_i, m_i+i are substantially parallel to the principal optical direction X and stand out in this respect from the transition surfaces 132 intended to absorb the imperfections of these draft surfaces m_i, m_i+i.

[0100] Figure 7 shows a cross-section of a portion of the output microlens array 13, in which the useful optical surfaces 130 of the output microlenses i3(i,j) are larger than those in Figure 5, i.e., their transition surfaces 132 are narrower. In this configuration, the stepped arrangement of the output microlenses i3(i,j) on the columns and rows of the output microlens array 13 reduces the stresses on the fabrication of the mold counterforms corresponding to these output microlenses i3(i,j) and ensures that the narrower transition surfaces 132 absorb imperfections in the mold counterforms.

[0101] In Figure 7, for simplicity, the elements common to those in Figure 5 are referenced identically; in particular, the first, second, and third microlenses, which follow one another in this figure, are also referenced I3(ii,j), I3(i,j), and I3(i+i,j). The first microlens, I3(ii,j), is delimited in the cutting plane by a first plane, P(ii), and a second plane, P(i), parallel to the principal optical direction X. The second microlens, I3(i,j), is delimited in the cutting plane by the second plane, P(i), and by a third plane, P(i+i), parallel to the principal optical direction X.

[0102] In this figure 7, the line d(ii,j) passing in the cutting plane through a first edge bi(i,j) of the second exit microlens 13 (i,j), located in the second plane P(i), and through a first edge bi(ii,j) of the first exit microlens I3(ii,j), located in the first plane P(ii,j), forms a first acute angle 0_i in the clockwise direction with respect to the second plane P(i).

[0103] Similarly, the line d(i,j) passing in the cutting plane through the first edge bi(i,j) of the second exit microlens 13 (i,j), and through a first edge bi(i+i,j) of a third exit microlens I3(i+i,j), located in the third plane P(i+i), forms a second acute angle 0_i+i in the clockwise direction with respect to the third plane P(i+1).

[0104] Therefore, we have: 0_i * 0_i+i >o

[0105] This is also equivalent to saying that:

[0106] - the first edge bi(i,j) of the second exit microlens i3(i,j) is recessed from a second edge bs(ii,j) of the first exit microlens i3(ii,j), these two edges being connected by a first draft surface m_i located in the second plane P(i), and a second edge b2(i,j) of the second exit microlens i3(i,j) is projecting from the first edge bi(i+i,j) of the third exit microlens i3(i+i,j), these last two edges being connected by a second draft surface m_i+i in the third plane P(i+i), or, in another configuration not shown,

[0107] - the first edge bi(i,j) of the second exit microlens i3(i,j) is in projection of the second edge b2(ii,j) of the first exit microlens i3(i- i,j) and the second edge b2(i,j) of the second exit microlens i3(i,j) is in recess of the first edge bi(i+i,j) of the third exit microlens 13 (i+i,j).

[0108] In this embodiment according to the invention, this condition is met for every microlens i3(i,j) of the output microlens array 13, on all its rows and similarly on all its columns. In other words, the microlenses of the output microlens array 13 are arranged in a stepped pattern, whether on the columns or on the rows of the output microlens array 13, without forming any gaps.

[0109] In this embodiment according to the invention also, this condition is fulfilled for all microlenses n(i,j) of the matrix 11 of input microlenses.

[0110] It should be noted, however, that even though this stepped arrangement is advantageous, its implementation in the invention is optional. In alternative embodiments, only one of the input or output microlens matrices 11, 13, or only portions of these matrices, follow this stepped arrangement. Furthermore, Figure 7 shows that in the main embodiment of the invention, the transition surface 132 of the first output microlens i3(ii,j), the first draft surface m_i, and the transition surface 132 of the second output microlens i3(i,j) form a protruding ridge between the useful optical surfaces 130 of the first and second output microlenses i3(ii,j), i3(i,j).Similarly, the transition surface 132 of the second exit microlens i3(i,j), the second clearance surface m_i+i and the transition surface 132 of the third exit microlens i3(i+i,j) form a salient ridge between the useful optical surfaces 130 of the second and third exit microlenses i3(i,j), 13(1+1, j).

[0111] These raised ridges on the second face 12 of the optical component 1 contribute to its bright appearance when viewed from outside the vehicle, when the light source 5 is switched off. These raised ridges can be produced without compromising the performance of a lighting function, since the light rays exiting through the exit surface of an output microlens pass through a central portion of this exit surface, and the transition surfaces, directly connected to these raised ridges, are not, or only minimally, penetrated by light rays.

[0112] An alternative embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to Figure 8, in which an optical component ib according to the invention comprises a first face on which is formed an array 11b of input microlenses 11b(i,j), each having a convex optically useful surface 110b, and a second face on which is formed an array 13b of output microlenses i3b(i,j). Unlike the principal embodiment of the invention, the output microlenses i3b(i,j) each have a convex optically useful surface 130b. Since the other features of the optical component ib are very similar to those of optical component 1, the optical component ib is not described in as much detail, and certain reference numerals of elements common to both embodiments are identical.

[0113] Specifically, a first input microlens nb(ii,j) and a first output microlens i3b(ii,j) form a first optical channel whose edges are contained in a first plane P(ii) and in a second plane P(i) located on either side of this optical channel and parallel to the principal optical direction X. A second optical channel connects the input surface of a second input microlens nb(i,j) to the output surface of a second output microlens i3b(i,j), and is delimited by these input and output surfaces as well as by edges parallel to the principal optical direction X and contained in the second plane P(i) and a third plane P(i+i) located on either side of the second optical channel and parallel to the principal optical direction X.

[0114] The second input microlens nb(i,j) is framed in the cutting plane by the first input microlens nb(ii,j) on one side and by a third input microlens nb(i+i,j) on the other. Similarly, the second output microlens i3b(i,j) is framed in the cutting plane by the first output microlens i3b(ii,j) on one side and by a third output microlens i3b(i+i,j) on the other. The third input microlens nb(i+i,j) and the third output microlens i3b(i+i,j) form a third optical channel. The first, second, and third optical channels together form a portion of the optical component ib.

[0115] The useful optical surface nob of each input microlens nb(i,j) covers the entire input surface of the input microlens nb(i,j), while the useful optical surface 130b of each output microlens i3b(i,j) is smaller. Light rays 7c, yd from the collimator 6 arriving parallel to the principal optical direction X on the useful optical surface 110b of an input microlens nb(i,j), converge towards the useful optical surface 130b of the associated output microlens i3b(i,j), which converges these light rays 7c, yd at the output of the optical component ib.

[0116] Thus almost all light rays arriving on the useful optical surface 110b of the input microlens nb(i,j) exit the associated optical channel through the useful optical surface 130b of the output microlens i3b(i,j), which is converging.

[0117] A transition surface 132b, shown with thicker lines than the useful optical surface 130b for better differentiation, connects the useful optical surface 130b of the output microlens i3b(i,j) to the edges of the output surface of the output microlens i3b(i,j). In the cross-sectional plane of Figure 8, this transition surface 132b forms an angle greater than 20 degrees with respect to the edges of the optical channel (i,j).

[0118] This transition surface 132b is present, in this embodiment of the invention, on all exit surfaces of the exit microlenses i3b(i,j), and forms angles greater than 20 degrees with respect to the edges of the associated optical channels in any cutting plane of the optical component ib, parallel to the main optical direction X.

[0119] Figure 8 shows the angles θ14 and αs formed by the transition surface θ132b of the second output microlens i3b(i,j) with respect to the edges of the associated optical channel. These angles θ4 and αs are, according to the invention, greater than 20 degrees, and are here obtuse angles, on the order of 95°. 0While they differ from the inclination angles of the transition surfaces of the previously described embodiments by being obtuse instead of acute, and by taking a value close to 90° which tends to give the corresponding transition surface an orientation substantially perpendicular to the principal optical direction, it should be noted that, according to the invention, they differ primarily from a draft angle a6 formed by a draft surface n_i with the second plane P(i), this draft angle being less than 10 degrees. The draft surface n_i has an arrangement substantially parallel to the principal optical direction X and allows a connection between an edge of the first exit microlens i3b(ii,j) and an edge of the second exit microlens i3b(i,j), these two exit microlenses i3b(ii,j), i3b(i,j) being offset from each other in the principal optical direction X.In accordance with what has been mentioned previously, the draft angle can have a greater value than the classic inclination angle values ​​of a draft surface, insofar as this draft surface is, according to the invention, contiguous with an optically neutral transition surface.

[0120] Another embodiment of the invention is now described in relation to Figure 9, in which an optical component ic according to the invention comprises, on an output face, an array 13c of output microlenses. The output surface of each of the output microlenses is formed of a useful optical surface 130c and a transition surface 132c surrounding the useful optical surface 130c.

[0121] The useful optical surfaces 130c differ in size according to their positions in the 13c array of output microlenses.

[0122] Furthermore, this embodiment of the invention does not use a draft surface, the transition surfaces 132c of two adjacent exit microlenses joining to form a curved surface.

[0123] Since the useful optical surfaces 130c are concave in this embodiment of the invention, the transition surfaces 132c of two adjacent output microlenses form a convex surface connecting the useful optical surfaces 130c of these two adjacent output microlenses. This connection is made via points of inflection, that is, without any break in slope between the relief formed by each useful optical surface 130c and the relief formed by the associated transition surface 132c, in a cutting plane parallel to the principal optical direction X.

[0124] In an alternative embodiment, the useful optical surfaces are convex and the transition surfaces of two adjacent output microlenses form a concave surface connecting the useful optical surfaces of these two adjacent output microlenses without asperity at the level of this connection.

[0125] These last two variants of the invention make it possible to give a matte appearance to the optical component ic, when it is illuminated only by ambient light external to the vehicle.

[0126] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the features of the different embodiments can be combined to carry out the invention, provided that these embodiments are not incompatible with each other.

Claims

DEMANDS 1- Optical component (i, ib, ic) comprising a substrate intended to be traversed by light through its thickness along a principal optical direction (X), the thickness being delimited by a first face (10) and a second face (12) of the optical component (1, ib, ic), an array (11, 11b) of input microlenses (n(i,j), nb(i,j)) being formed on the first face (10) and an array (13, 13b) of output microlenses (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)) being formed on the second face (12), each input microlens (n(i,j), nb(i,j)) being configured to direct its incident light rays (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) towards only one of the output microlenses (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)), itself being configured to to receive light rays coming only from said input microlens, one of the input microlenses (n(i,j), nb(i,j)) and one of the output microlenses (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)) delimiting two by two an optical channel in the substrate,of edges parallel to the principal optical direction (X), the optical component (1, ib, ic) being characterized in that each input microlens (n(i,j), nb(i,j)) is convergent and capable of directing all the light rays (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) onto a useful optical surface (130, 130b, 130c) of one of the output microlenses (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)), the output microlens (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)) comprising the useful optical surface (130, 130b, 130c) and a transition surface (132, 132b, 132c) connecting the useful optical surface (130, 130b, 130c) to the edges of the output microlens (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)), the transition surface (132, 132b, 132c) forming, in a cutting plane parallel to the principal optical direction (X), at least one angle (ai, a2, aq, 05) greater than 20° with respect to the edges of the optical channel. 2- Optical component (1, ib, ic) according to claim 1, wherein the useful optical surface (130, 130b, 130c) of the output microlens (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)) is smaller than the useful optical surface (110, 110b) of the input microlens (n(i,j), nb(i,j)). 3- Optical component (1, ib, ic) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, for at least a subset of the matrix (13, 13b) of output microlenses (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)), a ratio between the transition surface (132, 132b, 132c) and an exit area of ​​each exit microlens of the subset is greater than 20%. 4- Optical component (1, ib, ic) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least the second face (12) of the optical component (1, ib, ic) has at least one curvature with respect to a plane perpendicular to the principal optical direction (X). 5- Optical component (1, ib, ic) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the output microlens (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)) has a draft surface (m_i, n_i) connecting an edge of the output microlens (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)) to an edge of another output microlens (i3(ii,j), i3b(i,j)) of the matrix (13, 13b) of output microlenses (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)), the draft surface (m_i, n_i) forming an angle (3, a6) less than or equal to 10 degrees with respect to an edge of the optical channel and therefore with respect to the principal optical direction (X). 6- Optical component (1, ib) according to claim 5, wherein at least one sub-array of output microlenses (i3(ii,j), i3b(i,j)) of the array (13, 13b) of output microlenses (i3(ii,j), i3b(i,j)) meets the following conditions: - on each line of N lenses, each microlens (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)) of rank i with i <i <N présente d’une part un premier bord (b2(i,j)) en saillie, selon la direction optique principale, d’un bord (bi(i+i,j)) de l’une des microlentilles (i3(i+i,j), i3b(i+i,j)) de rang i-i ou de rang i+i, le premier bord et ledit bord de l’une des microlentilles (i3(i+i,j), i3b(i+i,j)) de rang i-i ou de rang i+i étant reliés par une première surface de dépouille (m_i+i) située dans un premier plan (P(i+i)) parallèle à la direction optique principale (X), et d’autre part un deuxième bord (bi(i,j)) en retrait, selon la direction optique principale, d’un bord (b2(i-i,j)) de l’autre des microlentilles (i3(i-i,j), i3b(i- i,j)) respectivement de rang i+i ou de rang i-i, le deuxième bord et ledit bord de l’autre des microlentilles (i3(i-i,j), i3b(i-i,j)) de rang i+i ou de rang i-i étant reliés par une deuxième surface de dépouille (m_i,n_i) located in a second plane (P(i)) parallel to the principal optical direction (X); and, - on each column of M lenses, each microlens (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)) of rank j with i <j <M présente d’une part un troisième bord en saillie, selon la direction optique principale, d’un bord de l’une des microlentilles de rang j-i ou de rang j+i, le troisième bord et ledit bord de l’une des microlentilles de rang j-i ou de rang j+i étant reliés par une troisième surface de dépouille située dans un troisième plan parallèle à la direction optique principale (X), et d’autre part un quatrième bord en retrait, selon la direction optique principale, d’un bord de l’autre des microlentilles respectivement de rang j+i ou de rang j-i, le quatrième bord et ledit bord de l’autre des microlentilles respectivement de rang j+i ou de rang j-i étant reliés par une quatrième surface de dépouille située dans un quatrième plan parallèle à la direction optique principale (X). 7- Optical component (i) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the transition surfaces (132) of adjacent output microlenses (i3(ii,j), i3(i,j), i3(i+i,j)), extended by one or two draft surfaces (m_i, m_i+i), meet to form a ridge. 8- Optical component (1, ib) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transition surface (132, 132b) has straight portions on either side of a relief of the useful optical surface (130, 130b) of the output microlens (i3(i,j), i3b(i,j)) in the cutting plane. 9- Optical component (ic) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transition surfaces (132c) of adjacent output microlenses meet to form a curved surface. 10- Optical component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transition surfaces of adjacent output microlenses meet to form a facet of the second face (12) of the optical component. 11- Light device (100) for vehicle, comprising one or more light sources (5), a collimator (6) capable of receiving light emitted by the light source(s) (5), and an optical component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, capable of receiving light transmitted by the collimator (6) and of being traversed by it in the principal optical direction (X).

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