Motor vehicle lighting device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle lighting device (2) comprising at least two light units (6, 7, 8), with a first light unit (6) configured to generate a left-cutoff low-beam light sub-beam (16) and a second light unit (8) configured to generate a right-cutoff low-beam light sub-beam (18), each of the light units (6, 8) comprising a basic functional position, and at least one of the light units (6, 8) being able to pivot laterally about a vertical pivot axis (20) so as, where appropriate, to assume a spaced functional position, a cutoff low-beam light beam (100, 120) being generated by superimposing the two sub-light beams (16, 18), the first and second light units (6, 8) being activated simultaneously with at least one of the light units (6, 8) being in its spaced functional position.

Description

DESCRIPTION Title of the invention: Lighting device for motor vehicles.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of light modules and in particular to light modules intended to equip a motor vehicle.

[0002] Vehicles, and especially motor vehicles, are commonly equipped with headlights that generate various lighting functions, including illumination for the road surface on which the vehicle is traveling. Among these lighting functions, there is a high-intensity function that generates a beam of light known as "high beams," which illuminates the road with high intensity when other road users are absent, and a moderate-intensity function that generates a beam of light known as "low beams," which illuminates the road while limiting the risk of dazzling other road users.

[0003] To achieve this, the headlights of motor vehicles are equipped with light modules in which light units each include at least one light source configured to emit light rays, optical elements associated with said at least one light source to collect and direct said light rays, and at least one projection lens configured to shape these light rays collected and directed by the optical elements and to project them outwards from the headlight and the motor vehicle, forming a regulatory light beam suitable for the performance of the lighting function.

[0004] The moderate-intensity lighting function typically includes a cutoff to reduce the perceived light intensity of said moderate-intensity lighting function for oncoming traffic. The cutoff edge of the corresponding beam typically includes a raised section, roughly centered on the cutoff edge, which delineates a lower cutoff, designed to illuminate the oncoming lane and configured to minimize glare for drivers of oncoming vehicles, and an upper cutoff, on the other side of the raised section, designed to more effectively illuminate the lane directly in front of the vehicle implementing this lighting function. It is understood that, depending on the geographical location of the vehicle and the associated direction of travel, the lower and upper cutoff sections of this cutoff edge may be positioned on either side of the raised section.

[0005] This creates a challenge for car manufacturers and suppliers, as they must design different lighting systems depending on the market for which the vehicle is intended. Thus, it is common practice to develop separate modules for left-hand drive vehicles and right-hand drive vehicles. It follows that, in order to limit development costs and simplify vehicle assembly, a universal lighting system is sought that can be fitted to vehicles in all markets, regardless of local regulations.

[0006] In this context, the present invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle comprising at least two lighting units, the lighting device being configured to be able to exhibit at least one mode of operation during which the lighting device generates a dipped beam with a cutoff conforming to a regulation imposed on the vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a first lighting unit configured to generate a left-cut dipped beam and a second lighting unit configured to generate a right-cut dipped beam, each of the first and second lighting units having a basic functional position, and at least one of said first and second lighting units being able to pivot laterally about a vertical pivot axis to assume at least its basic functional position and a displaced functional position,The low beam with cutoff is generated by superimposing the two sub-beams of low beams with cutoff on the left and cutoff on the right, the first and second light units being activated simultaneously, with at least one of said first and second light units being in its functional position offset.

[0007] Each light unit is an element of the lighting system designed to generate, at least partially, a single lighting function at a given moment. More precisely, a light unit can participate in the realization of one or more lighting functions, possibly in combination with other light units arranged within the lighting system, by performing a part of said lighting functions.

[0008] A control unit for the lighting system is configured to control the operation of said at least two lighting units, and in particular to control their activation for the implementation of a lighting function.

[0009] A light unit is considered laterally pivotable when all or part of it can be rotated to modify the lateral range of the beam projected onto the road scene. A light unit typically includes a housing containing one or more light sources and possibly a reflector, and it includes a projection lens. In this context, the entire light unit can pivot as a single unit, with the light source(s), reflector, and projection lens rotating together, or only the light source(s) and projection device can be pivoted, while the projection lens remains fixed.

[0010] It should be understood here and in the rest of the description that a beam with a cut-off on the left is suitable for driving with traffic on the right, in order to limit the glare from vehicles coming from the opposite direction, and that a beam with a cut-off on the right is suitable for driving with traffic on the left.

[0011] Advantageously, according to the invention, two light units are used to allow one or the other to be chosen as the main light unit for implementing the switching lighting function, and a universal device is thus created, which can be fitted to all vehicles, so that they can circulate according to the configuration of the light device with traffic on the left or right.

[0012] In the context of light units that are configured to generate cut-off low beam light subbeams, the standard functional position for each light unit is defined so that the projected light subbeam has a cut-off foot that is centered on the main optical axis of the light beam generated by the light device, and the offset position is defined so that the projected light subbeam has a cut-off foot that is offset laterally from the main optical axis of the light beam generated by the light device.

[0013] According to an optional feature of the invention, the two light units are configured to each project a light sub-beam delimited in its upper part successively by a lower horizontal cut-off portion, a step and an upper horizontal cut-off portion, the first light unit being configured to generate a left-cut dipped beam light sub-beam with a lower horizontal cut-off portion which is to the left of said light sub-beam, while the second light unit is configured to generate a right-cut dipped beam light sub-beam with a lower horizontal cut-off portion which is to the right of said light sub-beam.

[0014] In each of the two light subbeams, the oblique portion extends the lower horizontal portion to a cutoff point, and the upper horizontal portion extends the oblique portion to a cutoff apex point. In a configuration of the lighting device where both light units are active with one of them in a functional offset position, the cutoff point of the first subbeam is offset angularly, or laterally, relative to the cutoff point of the second subbeam.

[0015] As mentioned previously, a left-cut dipped beam sub-beam, which tends to illuminate the left side of the road with a reduced range, is suitable for driving with right-hand traffic, and a right-cut dipped beam sub-beam, which tends to illuminate the right side of the road with a reduced range, is suitable for driving with left-hand traffic.

[0016] According to an optional feature of the invention, the two light units are configured to each project a light sub-beam delimited in its upper part successively by a lower horizontal cut portion, a step and an upper horizontal cut portion, the step connecting the two horizontal cut portions being inclined relative to the lower horizontal cut portion by an angle of inclination of absolute value between 15° and 90°, the first light unit being configured to generate a left-cut dipped beam light sub-beam with a positive angle of inclination, while the second light unit is configured to generate a right-cut dipped beam light sub-beam with a negative angle of inclination.

[0017] The direction of the angle of inclination of the bulge formed by the oblique portion is defined by going from the oblique portion to the lower horizontal cut portion.

[0018] According to an optional feature of the invention, the left-cut dipped beam sub-beam has a mirror image of the right-cut dipped beam sub-beam.

[0019] The mirror image is understood here with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry that includes an optical axis of the light source, such that the mirror image is formed horizontally relative to the original image. In other words, in the case of a projection formed by an oblique portion of the cutting edge, the oblique portion is inclined at an angle of the same absolute value for both beams, with opposite signs, and this symmetry remains true regardless of the lateral pivoting of one light unit relative to the other.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, the offset functional position of at least one of said first and second light units is defined so that the superposition of the light subbeams forms a cut-off low beam with a cup in the cut-off edge forming an upper delimitation of the cut-off low beam, the cup being delimited laterally by a first bump present in the cut-off light subbeam on the left and by a second bump present in the cut-off light subbeam on the right.

[0021] The offset functional position of the pivoting light unit allows for the formation of a beam with a dip in the upper edge of the light beam generated by the lighting device. This dip is defined by each of the projections to the left and right of the two sub-beams. Specifically, this dip is achieved with a main light unit that remains in its basic functional position and an additional light unit that is offset at an angle. The main light unit generates a primary sub-beam of dipped beams with a cutoff, oriented according to local regulations, and the additional light unit generates an additional sub-beam that is offset and complements the shape of the main sub-beam.

[0022] In other words, in addition to being able to choose which light unit should be considered the primary light unit, the second one, the one not chosen as the primary light unit, is used to generate a supplementary beam. This maintains the regulatory character of the cutoff light beam but allows the beam to extend upwards into a lateral portion, for example, to illuminate the sides of the road. This function is thus achieved with simple means, namely conventional light units and a control unit configured to control the rotation of a specific light unit depending on the implementation of the device on a motor vehicle in a particular region of the world.

[0023] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first and second light units are each mobile in rotation around a vertical pivot axis to take at least one basic functional position and one extended functional position.

[0024] According to an optional feature of the invention, the lighting device is configured to be able to exhibit two modes of operation during each of which the lighting device generates a low beam with a cutoff conforming to a regulation imposed on the vehicle, the low beam with a cutoff being generated in each of the modes of operation by superimposing the two sub-beams of low beams with a left cutoff and with a right cutoff respectively generated by the two light units activated simultaneously, the device being characterized in that one of said first and second light units which is in its offset functional position in a first mode of operation is in its basic functional position in a second mode of operation,and in that the other of the said first and second luminous units, which is in its basic functional position in the first mode of operation, is in its offset functional position in the second mode of operation.

[0025] In other words, since the two light units are able to pivot laterally, there can be two modes of operation with the same light device, including a first mode of operation with a low beam that has a cut along one side and a second mode of operation with a low beam that has a cut along a second side.In the first operating mode, a first unit is in its basic functional position and takes the role of the main unit and a second unit is in its extended functional position and takes the role of the additional unit, while if it is decided, by the user or by a control body, that the second operating mode should be implemented to adapt to a driving side different from that encountered previously, the first light unit is then in its extended functional position and takes the role of the additional unit while the second unit is then in its basic functional position and takes the role of the main unit.

[0026] Thus, it is noteworthy that with a single lighting unit, a vehicle's lighting system can be adapted to both right-hand and left-hand traffic configurations using both units. This allows for a standard lighting system to be offered on vehicles likely to be sold in different geographical areas.

[0027] According to an optional feature of the invention, the lighting device includes a control unit that is configured to generate simultaneous rotation, and with an angle of equal pivoting of the first and second light units, the control unit now activating said light units during this simultaneous rotation. Such operation is specific to an adaptive beam operation, of the DBL type for the English acronym "Dynamic Bending Light", which differs from nominal operation in that here the rotation takes place with the lights active, whereas in nominal operation, the additional light unit is pivoted during a pre-adjustment operation prior to the vehicle being put into service, before the light units are activated.

[0028] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one of the light units is configured to generate a low beam light sub-beam with variable light intensity cutoff, said light intensity of the light sub-beam generated by this light unit being controlled independently of that of the sub-beam generated by the other light unit.

[0029] According to an optional feature of the invention, said at least one light unit with variable light intensity is said at least one light unit capable of assuming a functional position away from the street.

[0030] In other words, we have a primary light unit that generates a dipped beam on the right and left, respectively, and an additional light unit that generates a dipped beam on the left and right, respectively. The primary light unit is defined at the time the device is installed on the vehicle and according to the regulations applicable to that vehicle. It should be noted that this definition may not be fixed and may be modified based on a detection or a user command. As a non-exhaustive example, a control device in the vehicle could allow the driver to change the configuration between driving on the right and driving on the left when changing countries.

[0031] The main light unit emits at maximum light intensity to meet the regulatory requirements for light distribution of a cutoff lighting beam, and the additional light unit is controlled at lower intensity.

[0032] If necessary, the two light units can assume a functionally separated position to form a cut-off low beam, and in this case the two Light units are controlled to generate a sub-beam of light with variable light intensity.

[0033] According to an optional feature of the invention, the lighting device includes a third lighting unit configured to generate a complementary beam, said third lighting unit being fixed and activated simultaneously with the first and second lighting units in said at least one operating mode.

[0034] The supplementary beam can in particular contribute to forming the overall regulatory beam of dipped headlights with cut-off, by forming for example the lower part which is substantially the same whether we are in a regulation of lights with cut-off on the left or cut-off on the right, the first two light units being activated to form the upper portion of the beam with the cut-off, on the left or on the right.

[0035] Alternatively, the supplementary beam can be used to form another type of beam, namely a high beam beam.

[0036] The invention also relates to a method for controlling the lighting of a motor vehicle, implemented by a lighting device as previously mentioned, characterized in that it comprises: - a step for detecting a road lighting situation by the dipped headlights with cut-off, said detection step comprising a step for identifying the orientation of the cut-off to be given to the dipped headlight beam with cut-off, - a step of adjusting the light units, during which one of said first and second light units is adjusted so that it is capable of projecting a light sub-beam of cut-off lights with a standard light intensity and in its basic functional position, and during which the other of said first and second light units is adjusted so that it is capable of projecting a light sub-beam of cut-off lights with a reduced light intensity and in its extended functional position.

[0037] It should be noted that the identification step can take place during vehicle assembly, if it is already clear that the market for operating the vehicle has regulations requiring the cut to be on the left or right.

[0038] Furthermore, this identification step can take place once the vehicle is on the market, either automatically, for example by detecting the vehicle's position via a geolocation system, or by a command triggered by the driver.

[0039] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0040] [Fig.1] schematically represents, in top view, a lighting device according to the invention, comprising at least two lighting units capable of pivoting laterally;

[0041] [Fig.2] schematically represents the lighting device of figure 1 in top view, in a first configuration with a first active lighting unit and the second inactive lighting unit;

[0042] [Fig.3] schematically represents the light beam projected onto a screen by the light device in the first configuration of figure 2;

[0043] [Fig.4] schematically represents the lighting device of figure 1 in top view, in a second configuration with a first inactive lighting unit and the second active lighting unit;

[0044] [Fig.5] schematically represents the light beam projected onto a screen by the light device in the second configuration of figure 4;

[0045] [Fig.6] schematically represents the lighting device of figure 1 in top view, in a third configuration with the light units active and with the second light unit rotated in a positive direction;

[0046] [Fig.7] schematically represents the light beam projected onto a screen by the light device in the third configuration of figure 6;

[0047] [Fig.8] schematically represents the lighting device of figure 1 in top view, in a fourth configuration with the light units active and with the first light unit rotated in a negative direction;

[0048] [Fig.9] schematically represents the light beam projected onto a screen by the light device in the fourth configuration of figure 8;

[0049] [Fig.10] schematically represents the lighting device of figure 1 in top view, in a fifth configuration with the light units active and with the first light unit rotated in a negative direction;

[0050] [Fig.11] schematically represents the light beam projected onto a screen by the light device in the fifth configuration of figure 10;

[0051] [Fig.12] schematically represents, in top view, a lighting device according to a variant of the invention, comprising a third complementary lighting unit to said at least two lighting units capable of pivoting laterally;

[0052] [Fig.13] schematically represents the light beam projected onto a screen by the light device in the embodiment variant of figure 12.

[0053] The features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention may be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0054] In the detailed description that follows, the terms "longitudinal," "transverse," and "vertical" refer to the orientation of a light subunit according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to the direction of travel of a vehicle equipped with the light subunit, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a frame of reference L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A transverse direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular, in a horizontal plane, to the direction of travel of the vehicle equipped with the light subunit, this transverse direction being parallel to a transverse axis T of the frame of reference L, V, T, and this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a vertical axis V of the frame of reference L, V, T, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the transverse axis T.

[0055] Figure 1 shows a lighting device 2 intended to equip a motor vehicle to provide, in the embodiment shown, a lighting function with a light beam projected along an optical axis AX. The lighting device 2 comprises a housing 4 forming an enclosure in which at least two light units 6, 8 are housed (here, two light units). Without departing from the scope of the invention, the housing 4 can be intended to be housed within a headlight of a motor vehicle or to be directly integrated into the body of a motor vehicle.

[0056] Each light unit 6, 8 comprises a housing 10 containing one or more light sources and a reflecting device configured to form a beam of rays towards a projection lens 12, here attached to the housing. As illustrated, the housing is here equipped with fins forming a heat exchange means 14.

[0057] Each light unit 6, 8 is configured to generate a sub-beam of light, specifically a sub-beam of dimming headlights, shown in more detail in Figures 3 and 5, so that the combination of the two sub-beams generates an overall dimming headlight beam. More specifically, the light units differ from each other in that the first light unit 6 is configured to generate a sub-beam 16 of dimming headlights on the left, and the other light unit, or second light unit 8, is configured to generate a sub-beam 18 of dimming headlights on the right.

[0058] Furthermore, at least one light unit is configured to pivot laterally. In the illustrated example, the first and second light units 6, 8 are mounted to pivot, but an alternative embodiment in which only one of the light units pivots will be detailed below.

[0059] A light unit 6, 8 is said to be pivotally mounted within the lighting system insofar as it is capable of rotating about a vertical pivot axis 20, perpendicular to the optical axis AX and perpendicular to the road surface on which the vehicle equipped with the lighting system travels. Here, the housing 10 and all the optical components it contains, as well as the lens 12, are rotationally fixed as a single unit around the vertical pivot axis. It should be noted that, alternatively, only the housing and its components can rotate while the lens remains fixed.

[0060] As schematically illustrated in Figure 1, each light unit 6, 8 is capable of being selectively activated by a control unit 22 via an appropriate activation instruction II. Furthermore, this control unit 22 is configured to give a positioning instruction 12 to each light unit, and in particular a positioning instruction between a basic functional position, with zero pivoting, with a light beam projected without offset from the optical axis, and a predefined pivoted position, with an angle of rotation of the light unit around its vertical pivoting axis that corresponds to an angle of offset of the beam from the optical axis.

[0061] Alternatively or in addition, each light unit 6, 8 is equipped with a manual adjustment means, which allows this light unit to be given the desired position during vehicle assembly, or during adjustment in the workshop.

[0062] Subsequently, with reference in particular to Figures 2 to 11, several possible configurations of the lighting device as just presented will be described. The structure of the lighting device thus allows for one or more operating modes, implemented according to driving characteristics, and in particular the driving side of the road. A lighting device according to the invention can therefore be applied to a vehicle traveling on the right as well as to a vehicle traveling on the left.The lighting device may, in particular, have a first mode of operation in which it is under one of the configurations that will be presented, to adapt to the regulatory constraints applied in one country, and after adjustment, for example via the control unit, have a second mode of operation in which it is under a second of the configurations that will be presented, to adapt to the regulatory constraints applied in a second country.

[0063] Figures 2 and 3 schematically illustrate the operation of the first light unit 6 housed in the casing 4 of the lighting system and a first possible configuration of the lighting system. As mentioned, the first light unit 6 is configured to generate a left-cut dipped beam 16 visible in Figure 3 when projected onto a screen in front of the vehicle, for example at 25 meters.

[0064] The shape of the dipped beam sub-beam is delimited in its upper part by a cut-off edge 160, so as not to dazzle road users, and this cut-off edge comprises an upper horizontal cut-off portion 162, or upper, and a lower horizontal cut-off portion 164, these horizontal cut-off portions being connected substantially to the center of the beam by a vertical portion, or oblique portion, which forms a bump 166. A cut-off on the left in a dipped beam sub-beam implies, as illustrated, that the cut-off edge 160 has a first horizontal cut-off portion located on the right of the beam which is higher than a second horizontal cut-off portion located on the left of the beam with a bump formed between these two portions.

[0065] Such a light sub-beam of dipped headlights with a left-hand cutoff, visible in Figure 3, which tends to illuminate the left side of the road with a reduced range, is suitable for driving with right-hand traffic.

[0066] In the illustrated example, the first light unit 6 is configured to generate a light sub-beam 16 of left-cut dipped beams with a first bump 166 which is inclined, with an inclination relative to the lower horizontal cut portion which has a positive angle œ between 10° and 80°.

[0067] Here, the first light unit 6 is in a standard position, or basic functional position, so that the light sub-beam 16 of left-cut dipped beams that is generated is centered on the optical axis AX, with a cut foot 168, at the junction between the lower horizontal cut portion and the step is positioned on the optical axis.

[0068] In this first configuration, the control unit 22 is configured to activate only the first light unit 6, and to generate accordingly a cutoff lighting beam F, at the output of the lighting device as a whole, which corresponds to the shape of the light sub-beam 16 of left-cutoff low beams associated with the first light unit 6.

[0069] Figures 4 and 5 schematically illustrate the operation of the second light unit 8 housed in the casing 4 of the lighting system and a second possible configuration of the lighting system. As mentioned, the second light unit 8 is configured to generate a right-hand cutoff low beam 18 visible in Figure 5 when projected onto a screen in front of the vehicle, for example at 25 meters, i.e., a low beam adapted for driving with left-hand traffic.

[0070] Here again, the sub-beam of dipped beam headlights with a cutoff is delimited in its upper part by a cutoff edge 180, so as not to dazzle road users. Having a cutoff on the right means that the cutoff edge has a first upper horizontal cutoff portion 182 which is located on the left of the beam and which is higher than a second lower horizontal cutoff portion 184 which is located on the right of the beam with a rise 186 formed between these two portions.

[0071] In the illustrated example, the second light unit 8 is configured to generate a right-cut dipped beam sub-beam 18 with a second bump 186 which is inclined, with an inclination relative to the lower horizontal cut-off portion which has a negative angle between 10° and 80°.

[0072] In accordance with what has been mentioned previously for the first light unit 6, the second light unit 8 is here in a standard position, or basic functional position, so that the right-cut light sub-beam 18 is centered on the optical axis AX, with a cut foot 188, at the junction between the second lower horizontal cut portion and the step 186, is positioned on the optical axis AX.

[0073] In this second configuration, the control unit 22 is configured to activate only the second light unit 8, and to generate accordingly a cutoff lighting beam F, at the output of the light device as a whole, which corresponds to the shape of the right-cutoff low beam sub-beam 18 associated with the second light unit 8.

[0074] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a third possible configuration of the lighting device, for the realization of an optimized low beam 100, with a cut-off edge 102 which has a bowl shape 104 as seen in Figure 7. This low beam is particularly suitable for driving with right-hand traffic.

[0075] The basin 104 is formed by a lower horizontal cut portion 106 which is positioned between two upper horizontal cut portions 108, 110 with two steps 112, 114, among which we identify a cut step 112, which corresponds to the regulatory step substantially centered on the optical axis AX, and a beam rise step 114.

[0076] In the third configuration, the beam formed is a left-hand dipped beam, so that the cutoff jump 112 is formed by the first jump 166 of the light sub-beam 16 generated by the first light unit 6. The beam rise jump 114 is formed by the second jump 186 of the sub-beam 18 generated by the second light unit 8.

[0077] The beam visible in Figure 7 is obtained here by the third configuration of the light device visible in Figure 6, which is implemented by the activation of the two light units, by maintaining in its standard position, or basic functional position, the light unit corresponding to the desired cut, here the first light unit 6 making the light sub-beam 16 with cut on the left, and by pivoting the other light source, here the second light unit 8, from its basic functional position to a distant functional position.

[0078] More specifically here, the functional position is obtained by pivoting the second light unit 8 by an angle of 5°, in the counterclockwise direction, with respect to the optical axis Ax.

[0079] The pivot angle, here equal to 5°, affects the position within the projected beam of the bump associated with the pivoting light unit—in this case, the second bump 186 associated with the second light unit 8—and therefore affects the size of the basin defined by the distance between the two bumps. It is understood that the width of the basin must be sufficient to provide a low horizontal cutoff area large enough to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.

[0080] Figure 6 illustrates for the second light unit both the standard subbeam, i.e. the beam suitable for being emitted in the basic functional position, with dotted lines, and the offset subbeam, i.e. the beam emitted here in the offset functional position of this second light unit, with dashes.

[0081] Regarding the activation of the light units, the control unit is configured to send, in this third configuration, an instruction to operate at full load of the first light unit 6, and to send in this third configuration, an instruction to operate at reduced load of the second light unit 8, here on the order of 50% of full load.The beam visible in Figure 7 thus schematically comprises three zones with a central zone ZI which has an overintensity of light due to the superposition of the light sub-beam 16 generated by the first light unit 6 at full load and the light sub-beam 18 generated by the second light unit 8 at reduced load, a regulatory peripheral zone Z2, which has a standard light intensity by being formed by the light sub-beam 16 generated by the first light unit 6 without overlap of the light sub-beam 18 generated by the second light unit 8, and finally a supplementary peripheral zone Z3, which has a reduced light intensity compared to that of the other two zones, by being formed by the part of the light sub-beam 18 generated by the second light unit 8 which is beyond the range of the light sub-beam 16 generated by the first light unit 6.

[0082] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a fourth possible configuration of the lighting device, for the realization of an optimized right-hand dipped beam 120, with a cut-off edge 122 which has a bowl shape 124 as can be seen in Figure 9.

[0083] The basin 124 is formed by a lower horizontal cut portion 126 which is positioned between two upper horizontal cut portions 128, 130 with two steps 132, 134, among which we identify a cut step 132, which corresponds to the regulatory step substantially centered on the optical axis AX, and a beam rise step 134.

[0084] In the fourth configuration, the beam formed is a right-hand dipped beam, so that the cutoff jump 132 is formed by the second jump 186 of the sub-beam 18 generated by the second light unit 8. The beam rise jump 134 is formed by the first jump 166 of the light sub-beam 16 generated by the first light unit 6.

[0085] The beam visible in Figure 9 is obtained here by the fourth configuration of the lighting device shown in Figure 8. This configuration is achieved by activating the two light units, maintaining the light unit corresponding to the desired cutoff (here, the second light unit 8, which creates the sub-beam with a right-hand cutoff) in its standard, or basic, functional position, and pivoting the other light source (here, the first light source 6) from its basic functional position to an offset functional position. More specifically, the offset functional position is obtained by pivoting the first light unit by 5° clockwise about the optical axis Ax. Again, by adjusting the pivot angle of the first light unit, the size of the beam can be increased.

[0086] Figure 8 illustrates for the first light unit both the standard subbeam, i.e. the beam suitable for being emitted in the basic functional position, with dotted lines, and the offset subbeam, i.e. the beam emitted here in the offset functional position of this second light unit, with dashes.

[0087] Regarding the activation of the light units, the control unit 22 is configured to send, in this fourth configuration, a full-load operating instruction to the second light unit, and in this fourth configuration, a reduced-load operating instruction to the first light unit, here at approximately 50% of full load. The beam visible in Figure 9 thus schematically comprises three zones, as previously discussed for the third configuration. The central zone ZI again exhibits a luminous overintensity due to the superposition of the light sub-beam 16 generated by the first light unit 6 at reduced load and the light sub-beam 18 generated by the second unit luminous 8 at full load, while the regulatory peripheral zone Z2 has a standard luminous intensity by being formed by the luminous sub-beam 18 generated by the second luminous unit 8 without overlap of the luminous sub-beam 16 generated by the first luminous unit 6, and the supplementary peripheral zone Z3 has a reduced luminous intensity compared to that of the other two zones, by being formed by the part of the luminous sub-beam 16 generated by the first luminous unit 6 which is beyond the range of the luminous sub-beam 18 generated by the second luminous unit 8.

[0088] Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a fifth configuration that can be implemented using the lighting device according to the invention, in which the vehicle can project a low-beam type beam 150, that is, a beam without an upper portion that could dazzle other road users, but here without a raised section defining a high horizontal portion and a low horizontal portion. The beam illustrated in Figure 11 has a horizontal cutoff portion 152 that is substantially constant across the entire width of the beam.

[0089] The beam visible in Figure 11 is obtained by the fifth configuration of the lighting device shown in Figure 10. This configuration is achieved by activating both light sources, maintaining one of the light units (here, the second light unit) in its standard or basic functional position, and pivoting the other light source from its basic functional position to an offset functional position. Specifically, the offset functional position is obtained by pivoting the first light unit 6 by an angle of 1° counterclockwise about the optical axis Ax.

[0090] The pivot angle value, here equal to 1°, allows the junction points of each of the jumps to be superimposed with the upper horizontal portion of the beam associated with them within the corresponding sub-beam.

[0091] Regarding the activation of the light units, the control unit is configured to send, in this fifth configuration, an instruction to operate at full load for the first light unit, and to send, in this fifth configuration, an instruction to operate at reduced load for the second light unit, here on the order of 20% of full load.

[0092] In each of the configurations described and illustrated above, a basic functional position and a functional position have been defined for each light unit. excluded, which can be defined during the assembly of the vehicle, prior to the first putting into circulation of this vehicle, or during a workshop adjustment of this vehicle when the latter is intended to circulate on traffic roads for which the regulations are modified, or via the control unit when the passage from one configuration to another is commanded manually or automatically.

[0093] As mentioned, the lighting device 2 can have several different operating modes to comply with the regulations in force in the country where the vehicle equipped with the lighting device is driven. Each operating mode corresponds to one of the configurations described, with the creation of a low beam with a cutoff achieved by superimposing the two low beam sub-beams, one with a left cutoff and the other with a right cutoff, generated respectively by the two light units 6 and 8 activated simultaneously. Switching from one operating mode to another, or from one configuration to another, is achieved by pivoting at least one of the light units, and where applicable, by modulating the light intensity of the pivoted unit.For example, one of the two light units 6, 8 can move from its extended functional position in a first operating mode to its basic functional position in a second operating mode, while the other of the said first and second light units 6, 8 simultaneously moves from its basic functional position in the first operating mode to its extended functional position in the second operating mode.

[0094] It is understood, however, that during the use of the vehicle, the light units may be made to pivot simultaneously, for example via a command instruction from the control unit, as part of an adaptive beam function, of the DBL type for the English acronym "Dynamic Bending Light", which aims to pivot the beam inside a bend to improve the visibility of the sides.

[0095] Figure 12 illustrates a variant of the invention, which differs from what has been previously described by the presence in the housing 4 of the light device 2 of a third light unit 7 which generates a complementary light sub-beam 17 to the light sub-beams 16, 18 generated respectively by the first light unit 6 and by the second light unit 8 and which participates in forming with these two light units 6, 8 an overall light function.

[0096] In the illustrated example, these three light units 6, 7, 8 participate in generating a high beam 160, visible in Figure 13, that is to say, a beam for a superior, uninterrupted lighting function that must exhibit a higher overall luminous intensity. In this context, the third light unit 7 is fixed and is activated via the control unit 22 only according to an activation instruction II, in a full-load operating mode. The third light unit 7 has an associated sub-beam 17 which aims to widen the lower portion 162 of the beam 160 and to form an upper portion 164 of the beam 160, but it should be noted that this embodiment is not limiting to this variant of the invention.

[0097] The control unit 22 is here driven to generate, in addition to the command instruction to activate the third light unit, a full-load activation instruction for the first light unit 6, with a pivot of 1° counterclockwise, so that the first light unit 6 takes a first functional position adjusted relative to the basic functional position, and a full-load activation instruction for the second light unit 8, with a pivot of 1° clockwise, so that this second light unit 8 takes a second functional position adjusted relative to the basic functional position.

[0098] Of course, the example chosen is not limiting to the invention and aims to illustrate the possibility of having a lighting device with complementary light units to the first light unit and the second light unit forming a main aspect of the invention.

[0099] Furthermore, it should be noted that in this main aspect of the invention, at least one light unit is configured to pivot laterally independently of the other light unit. Indeed, as mentioned previously, in one embodiment, only one of the light units pivots independently of the other. This allows the vehicle to be adapted to different regulations depending on the traffic lanes for which it is intended, as previously mentioned, but where the difference between the regulations does not concern whether the break is on the left or right, but rather the size of the "bathtub" that is to be created by pivoting the movable light unit.Of course, the notion of pivoting independently of the other light unit allows us to foresee in this last variant of embodiment the fact that the two light units are also likely to pivot simultaneously during driving to achieve an adaptive beam in the turns.

[0100] The various lighting device configurations as described above are associated with a lighting control method, forming one aspect of the invention and during which includes both a detection step by the control unit of a road lighting situation by the dipped headlights with cut-off, and a step of adjusting and activating the light units.

[0101] The detection stage includes, in particular, a step of identifying the orientation of the cut to be given to the low beam with cut, and this step can take place either at the origin, for example at the factory during the assembly of the vehicle, or at a second stage, by modifying the original configuration, for example following a user order or geolocation of the vehicle.

[0102] The step of adjusting the light units is such that one of the said first and second light units is adjusted so that it is capable of projecting a light sub-beam of cut-off lights in its basic functional position, and with a standard light intensity, and that the other of the said first and second light units is adjusted so that it is capable of projecting a light sub-beam of cut-off lights with a reduced light intensity and in its extended functional position.

[0103] In the example of a modification to the original configuration, it is understood that the transition from a first operating mode to a second operating mode is achieved by moving one of the first and second light units from its extended functional position in the first operating mode to its basic functional position in the second operating mode, and simultaneously moving the other of the first and second light units from its basic functional position in the first operating mode to its extended functional position in the second operating mode. In this case, the modification of the original configuration is such that the transition of a unit from one functional position to the other is accompanied by a change in the light intensity emitted by the light unit, the light intensity being reduced when the light unit is in the extended functional position.

[0104] As described above through various implementation examples, the present invention successfully achieves its objective by providing a lighting device capable of generating, at a lower cost, several types of switching lighting functions. This allows for the creation, at a lower cost, of a standard lighting device that can be used in vehicles sold in multiple markets with different regulations.

[0105] The present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein, and also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A motor vehicle lighting device (2) comprising at least two lighting units (6, 7, 8), the lighting device (2) being configured to be able to exhibit at least one operating mode in which the lighting device generates a low-beam cutoff beam (F, 100, 120) conforming to a regulation imposed on the vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a first lighting unit (6) configured to generate a left-hand cutoff low-beam sub-beam (16) and a second lighting unit (8) configured to generate a right-hand cutoff low-beam sub-beam (18), each of the first and second lighting units (6, 8) comprising a basic functional position, and at least one of said first and second lighting units (6,8) being capable of pivoting laterally around a vertical pivot axis (20) to assume at least its basic functional position and a flared functional position, the cut-off low beam (100, 120) being generated by superimposing the two light sub-beams (16, 18) of left-cut and right-cut low beams, the first and second light units (6, 8) being activated simultaneously with at least one of said first and second light units (6, 8) which is in its flared functional position.

2. Lighting device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two lighting units (6, 8) are configured to each project a light sub-beam (16, 18) delimited in its upper part successively by a lower horizontal cut portion (164, 184), a step (166, 186) and an upper horizontal cut portion (162, 182), the first lighting unit (6) being configured to generate a light sub-beam (16) of left-cut dipped beams with a lower horizontal cut portion (164) which is to the left of said light sub-beam, while the second lighting unit (8) is configured to generate a light sub-beam (18) of right-cut dipped beams with a lower horizontal cut portion (184) which is to the right of said light sub-beam (18).

3. Lighting device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the functional position offset of at least one of said first and second lighting units (6, 8) is defined so that the superposition of the light sub-beams (16, 18) forms a cut-off low beam (F, 100, 120) with a cup (104, 124) in the cut-off edge (102, 122) forming an upper delimitation of the cut-off low beam, the cup (104, 124) being laterally delimited by a first bump (166) present in the cut-off light sub-beam (16) on the left and by a second bump (168) present in the cut-off light sub-beam (18) on the right.

4. Lighting device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light sub-beam (16) of left-cut dipped headlights has a mirror shape to the shape of the light sub-beam (18) of right-cut dipped headlights.

5. Lighting device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second lighting units (6, 8) are each mobile in rotation about a vertical pivot axis to take at least its basic functional position and a remote functional position.

6. Lighting device (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the lighting device (2) is configured to have two operating modes, in each of which the lighting device generates a low beam with a cutoff (F, 100, 120) conforming to regulations imposed on the vehicle, the low beam with a cutoff (100, 120) being generated in each of the operating modes by superimposing the two light sub-beams (16, 18) of low beams with a left cutoff and a right cutoff respectively generated by the two light units (6, 8) activated simultaneously, the device being characterized in that one of said first and second light units (6, 8) which is in its extended functional position in a first operating mode is in its basic functional position in a second operating mode, and in that the other of said first and second light units (6,8) which is in its basic functional position in the first operating mode is in its offset functional position in the second operating mode.

7. Lighting device (2) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (22) which is configured to generate the simultaneous rotation, and with an equal pivoting angle, of the first and second lighting units (6, 8), the control unit keeping said lighting units active during this simultaneous rotation.

8. Lighting device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the lighting units (6, 8) is configured to generate a light sub-beam (16, 18) of dipped beams with variable light intensity cut-off, said light intensity of the light sub-beam generated by this lighting unit being controlled independently of that of the sub-beam generated by the other lighting unit.

9. Lighting device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one lighting unit (6, 8) with variable light intensity is said at least one lighting unit capable of taking a functional position away from the wall.

10. Light device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a third light unit (7) configured to generate a complementary beam, said third light unit (7) being fixed and activated simultaneously with the first and second light units (6, 8) in said at least one operating mode.

11. A method for controlling the lighting of a motor vehicle, implemented by a light device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: a step of detecting a road lighting situation by dipped headlights with cut-off, said detection step comprising a step of identifying the orientation of the cut-off to be given to the dipped headlight beam with cut-off (F, 100, 120), a step of adjusting the first and second light units (6, 8), during which one of said first and second light units (6, 8) is adjusted so that it is able to project a light sub-beam (16, 18) of cut-off headlights in its basic functional position, and during which the other of said first and second light units (6, 8) is adjusted so that it is able to project a light sub-beam (16, 18) of cut-off headlights and in its extended functional position.

12. A method for controlling the lighting of a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, where the lighting device conforms to claim 7, characterized in that during the adjustment step, one of said first and second lighting units (6, 8) is adjusted so that it is capable of projecting a light sub-beam (16, 18) of cut-off lights in its basic functional position and with a standard luminous intensity, and during which the other of said first and second lighting units (6, 8) is adjusted so that it is capable of projecting a light sub-beam (16, 18) of cut-off lights in its extended functional position and with a reduced luminous intensity.

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