Lighting module for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lighting module (2) for a motor vehicle, the lighting module comprising a plurality of lighting units (4) stacked one on top of the other in a stacking direction (100), each lighting unit (4) comprising at least one light source configured to emit light rays, an optical element (6), a mirror (8) and a projection lens (10), the lighting module (2) comprising a support (12) on which the at least one light source and the optical element (6) of each of the lighting units (4) are arranged, the support (12) being movable relative to the projection lenses (10) and to the mirrors (8) along an adjustment axis (22).

Description

Light module for motor vehicles.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lighting modules, and in particular to lighting modules intended for use in motor vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to such a lighting module comprising a plurality of superimposed lighting units that can be adjusted automatically or manually to produce a light beam whose range can be modified. The invention also relates to a lighting device comprising a lighting module according to the invention.

[0002] Vehicles, and in particular motor vehicles, are commonly equipped with headlights to generate various lighting functions, including lighting functions to illuminate a roadway on which the motor vehicle is traveling.

[0003] Typically, automotive headlights consist of a housing with an opening and a transparent cover that closes the opening. The housing and cover define a volume forming a compartment in which light modules are positioned. The light modules are thus protected by the transparent cover. Each light module may comprise light units, each containing at least one light source configured to emit light rays, optical elements associated with said light source to collect and direct said light rays, and at least one projection lens configured to shape these collected and directed light rays and project them outwards from the headlight and the vehicle, forming a standard beam of light suitable for performing the lighting function.

[0004] Such lighting modules can be capable of providing multiple lighting functions, including a function forming the lower part of a beam projected onto a regulatory grid, such as all or part of a dipped beam function, and another function forming the upper part of said beam projected onto a regulatory grid, such as all or part of a main beam or supplementary main beam function. These two lighting functions are provided by separate elements of the lighting module, due to the specific characteristics of each function.

[0005] For reasons of space or aesthetics, it may be desirable to have a projection lens that remains fixed within the light module. Indeed, the projection lens is visible from outside the vehicle when it is equipped with the light module. Therefore, keeping it stationary can be particularly advantageous.

[0006] However, the aforementioned lighting functions must be properly adjusted to provide optimal road illumination and minimize glare for other road users. These adjustments can be made on the vehicle while it is stationary, for example, on an assembly line or in a repair shop, or automatically when the vehicle is moving or starting, for example, based on information obtained from sensors on board the vehicle. For instance, these adjustments may include lateral beam adjustment to ensure the beam is correctly centered on the road once the lighting module is mounted on the vehicle. They may also include beam height adjustment to project the beam further or shorter onto the road, for example, to accommodate an unusual vehicle load.It is therefore necessary to develop lighting systems that allow the light sources and optical elements of the light units to be rotated while keeping the projection lenses fixed. For example, it must be ensured in this context that these lighting systems allow the range of the projected beam to be modified without altering the shape of the beam performing a given lighting function.

[0007] Furthermore, for other reasons such as space constraints or aesthetics, it may be desirable to have several adjacent projection lenses, each associated with a light unit. In particular, it may be desirable to arrange these projection lenses one on top of the other to form a vertical or oblique arrangement.

[0008] However, in this context, no lighting module is known that combines the desired aesthetics with a small footprint. In particular, no lighting module is known that comprises a plurality of projection lenses stacked one on top of the other in a chosen stacking direction, and that remain fixed regardless of the adjustment made to the projected light beam.

[0009] The present invention falls within this context and relates to a light module for a motor vehicle intended to project a light beam, comprising a housing and a plurality of light units stacked one on top of the other along a stacking direction and housed in the housing, each light unit comprising: - at least one light source configured to emit light rays, - an optical element, - a mirror and - a projection lens, the optical element being configured to reflect the light rays emitted by said at least one light source in the direction of the mirror, the mirror being configured to reflect the light rays reflected by the optical element in the direction of the projection lens, the projection lens being configured to project the light rays reflected by the mirror outwards from the light module along an optical axis,the projection lens having an optical center at the intersection of said projection lens and the optical axis, the projection lenses and the mirrors of the light units being fixed relative to the housing, the light module comprising a support on which are arranged at least one light source and the optical element of each of the light units, the support being movable relative to the projection lenses and the mirrors along an adjustment axis to allow angular movement of the light beam projected by the light module, the adjustment axis passing at plus or minus 10 mm from the symmetrical point of the optical centers of each projection lens with respect to the mirror associated with said projection lenses.

[0010] A light unit is an element of a light module designed to generate part of a single lighting function at a given moment. More precisely, a light unit can participate in the realization of one or more lighting functions, in combination with the other light units arranged within the light module and forming part of the stack.

[0011] Within this light unit, the projection lens is configured to optically process the light beam generated by the light source and directed to the projection lens via the optical element and then the mirror. It then projects a sub-beam onto the road surface, forming part of an overall beam adapted to achieve the desired lighting function. Therefore, the light beam projected by the light module corresponds to this overall beam. It is understood that the projection lens associated with a light unit is a transparent surface designed to perform optical processing of light rays; this projection lens is intended to process only the light rays emitted by the associated light unit. The projection lenses of each light unit are stacked according to the stacking direction.The projection lens associated with the light unit may be a separate component from the other projection lenses or may form a single projection assembly with the other projection lenses, it being understood that each projection lens processes only the light rays emitted by its corresponding light unit. The projection lenses form a fixed element of each of the light units, and therefore of the light module as a whole. According to the invention, the projection lenses form, in particular, a fixed element compared to the support, which is movable and which in this case carries the light sources and optical elements, and which are therefore also movable.

[0012] In other words, the projection lens remains fixed while the support is moving to allow adjustment of the projected light beam, specifically during vertical adjustment (i.e., adjusting the vertical movement of the light beam projected by the light module) and lateral adjustment (i.e., adjusting the lateral movement of the light beam). Therefore, when a lateral or vertical orientation of the beam projected onto the road from the module is desired, the movement of the support, which carries other elements of the light module, is controlled while the projection lens remains fixed. The projection lens can thus remain stationary while the support is moved relative to the housing to adjust the light beam projected by the light module.

[0013] The fixed nature of the mirrors allows for limiting the number of moving elements within a light unit while ensuring angular adjustment, particularly lateral and / or vertical, of the light sub-beam projected by that unit. This architecture, in which the mirrors are fixed, simplifies the assembly of the light module while allowing for beam adjustment with small lateral adjustment ranges. Furthermore, by keeping the mirrors fixed during lateral and / or vertical adjustments, it is ensured that neither the vertical nor the lateral adjustment is affected.

[0014] Furthermore, the light units are stacked one on top of the other along a stacking direction, such that each light unit is positioned on one side or the other of another light unit along the stacking direction. The orientation of the stacked light units is defined according to the desired configuration of the light module. The orthogonal projection of the stacking direction onto a first plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle can extend in a vertical or horizontal direction, particularly when the light module is part of a lighting system installed in a motor vehicle.It is understood that the orthogonal projection of the stacking direction in the first plane can extend through a wide variety of angles, ranging from plus or minus 90° to the vertical or horizontal direction, once the light module is mounted on the motor vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the orthogonal projection of the stacking direction in a second plane, extending parallel to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle in which the light module is to be mounted and parallel to a vertical axis, can also extend through a wide variety of angles, for example, from plus or minus 30° to the vertical axis. This stacking thus allows, on the one hand, for the implementation of a wide variety of different styles, and on the other hand, for limiting the bulk of the light module in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.It is important to note that the stacking of the light units is such that each element of the light unit—that is, the projection lens, the mirror, the optical element, and at least one light source—is offset along the stacking direction relative to the same elements of the other light units in the light module. In other words, the light sources of the light units are stacked on top of each other along an axis parallel to the stacking direction, and the mirrors, and the optical elements respectively, are stacked on top of each other along an axis parallel to this stacking direction.

[0015] Stacking the light units along the stacking direction results in a stacking of the light sources on the support that extends primarily along the stacking direction. The support is a common support for all the light units. On this support, all the light units are installed, that is, at least one light source and one associated optical element. The use of mirrors to redirect the light rays reflected by the associated optical element towards the projection lens allows the light sources to be stacked on the support along the stacking direction. These mirrors are positioned between the light source and the associated projection lens and all extend in a principal plane of elongation parallel to each other. Thus, when the elements of the light module are moved relative to the adjustment axis, the light beam projected by the light module remains uniform and homogeneous.The use of mirrors allows the stacking direction to be changed as mentioned previously while having all the light sources installed on the same support.

[0016] Indeed, the mirror of each light unit reflects the light rays emitted by the light source towards the projection lens. Furthermore, for each light unit in the light module, the associated mirror creates a virtual image of the light source and the optical element. This virtual image of the optical element is then corrected relative to the actual optical element and aligned along the optical axis of the projection lens. The projection lens then projects an image of this virtual image of the optical element.

[0017] It is understood that in a context where all light sources and optical elements are mounted on a common support, it is not possible to align the optical elements directly with the optical axis of the associated projection lens. Thus, thanks to the mirror forming a virtual image of the optical elements, it becomes possible to have a common support for all light sources and optical elements and to have considerable freedom in the angular arrangement relative to a reference plane of the stacking direction.

[0018] The adjustment axis is defined according to the orientation of the mirrors and projection lenses, so that moving parts of the light units can be moved along this adjustment axis without impacting the light function, i.e. without the implementation of a movement to generate a lateral or vertical displacement impacting the projected light beam along the direction of the other displacement.

[0019] More specifically, the adjustment axis, around which the support will rotate and / or along which the support will slide, is defined as a straight line passing within ±10 mm of a line defined by a plurality of virtual points. In a particular example, the adjustment axis can pass through the plurality of virtual points. Each of these virtual points corresponds to the orthogonal symmetry of an optical center of the projection lens of each light unit with respect to the plane of symmetry formed by the mirror associated with each light unit.This applies in a context where, for each light unit, the mirror is oriented with respect to the projection lens in such a way that the light subbeam that is projected onto the road by the projection lens is the image of the light distribution formed at the level of the virtual image of the optical element, the virtual image of the optical element corresponding to the orthogonal symmetry of the optical element with respect to the mirror.

[0020] By defining this adjustment axis which passes close to the virtual points formed according to the orientation of the mirrors, it is possible to achieve a movement of the beam both vertically and horizontally, while maintaining a coherent position of the virtual images of the light sources and optical elements with respect to their own projection lenses, and thus prevent any of these movements of deflection from penalizing the guidance of the light rays towards the projection lens according to an appropriate orientation allowing the realization of a desired light function.

[0021] According to one feature of the invention, the support is rotationally movable about the adjustment axis. As previously mentioned, the support is movable both relative to the mirrors and relative to the projection lenses. More specifically, the rotation of the support about the adjustment axis allows for the adjustment of the vertical displacement of each portion of the light beam projected by the projection lenses. This is because the rotation of the support modifies the position of the virtual images of the optical elements and the virtual images of the light sources, obtained respectively by orthogonal symmetry of the optical element and the light source with respect to the mirror of the same light unit, due to the change in the position of the optical elements and the light sources.Indeed, when the support rotates around its adjustment axis, the light sources and optical elements mounted on the support rotate in the same direction. Because the mirrors straighten the light rays, the virtual images of the light sources and optical elements all have the same vertical rotation, but around different axes for each light source. Each virtual image of the light sources and optical elements then rotates around a horizontal axis passing through the optical center of its associated projection lens.

[0022] The definition of the adjustment axis, passing near the point of symmetry of the optical center of a lens within a light unit with respect to the mirror associated with that lens within that light unit, means that rays originating from an optical element, or reflector, pivoting around this adjustment axis and rectified by said mirror, are affected by the pivoting of the optical element only in a vertical component, without a lateral component. Thus, the vertical adjustment of the light module, by this movement of the support rotating around the adjustment axis, has no impact on the lateral adjustment of the light beam projected by the light module, which can be performed before or after this vertical adjustment.

[0023] According to one feature of the invention, the rotational mobility of the support is configured to ensure adjustment of the vertical displacement of the light beam projected by the light module.

[0024] According to one feature of the invention, the support is movable in translation along a direction parallel to the adjustment axis. In the context of this feature, the support is movable both relative to the mirrors and relative to the projection lenses. More specifically, the translation of the support parallel to the adjustment axis allows for the adjustment of the lateral displacement of each portion of the light beam projected by the projection lenses. The fact that this lateral adjustment is achieved by a translation parallel to the adjustment axis, defined in particular by the position of the mirrors and projection lenses, ensures that the lateral adjustment of the light module, through this translational movement of the support along the adjustment axis, does not affect the vertical adjustment of the light beam projected by the light module, which can be performed before or after this lateral adjustment.

[0025] According to one feature of the invention, the translational mobility of the support is configured to ensure adjustment of the lateral movement of the light beam projected by the light module.

[0026] According to one feature of the invention, to enable the production of a uniform and homogeneous light beam regardless of the adjustment made, the mirrors are parallel to each other. This parallelism of the mirrors ensures that, when the common support for each source is moved, these sources move relative to their respective mirrors in the same proportion.

[0027] Furthermore, the mirrors can be joined together. This joining of the mirrors ensures that each mirror remains parallel to the others regardless of the adjustment made, and facilitates the assembly of the light module.

[0028] According to one feature of the invention, for each light unit, the optical element consists of at least one reflector, the mirror being configured to form a virtual image of the reflector, and the focal point of the projection lens being located less than 10 mm from a rear edge of the virtual image of the reflector. The virtual image of the reflector may correspond to the reflection of the reflector across the plane in which the mirror extends, particularly here where the mirror is a plane mirror.

[0029] The mirror of a light unit, when considering the path of light rays within the unit, allows the light rays to be straightened towards the projection lens to reduce the overall size of the light module. In this context, the object focal point of the projection lens must be positioned on a virtual image of the reflector associated with the light source, the origin of the light rays. This virtual image aligns with the lines of sight of the rays arriving at the projection lens from the mirror, thus forming a high-quality beam of light exiting the projection lens. The virtual image of the reflector corresponds to the reflection of the reflector across the plane mirror. It is clear that the virtual image of the reflector is obtained by reflection across a plane, in this case, the plane in which the mirror is inscribed.

[0030] According to one feature of the invention, the light module comprises at least a first series of at least one light unit configured to generate a first light function and a second series of at least one light unit configured to generate a second light function, the first series and the second series being arranged on the same support.

[0031] According to one feature of the invention, the first series is configured to form a low-range lighting function and the second series is configured to form a high-range lighting function or a complementary lighting function, the second series being configured to activate concomitantly with the first series to form a high-range lighting function when the second series provides a complementary lighting function.

[0032] For example, the low-range lighting function can form what is commonly called a dipped beam function. The high-range lighting function can form what is commonly called a main beam function. It is understood that the light sources of the first and second series can be selectively activated so that the lighting module can perform each of these functions. More specifically, to perform the low-range lighting function, only the light sources of the first series are activated. When the second series performs a complementary lighting function, to perform the high-range lighting function, both the light sources of the first and second series are activated. Alternatively, the second series can perform the high-range lighting function alone, with only the light sources of the second series being activated.

[0033] According to one feature of the invention, the support extends along a principal extension plane comprising a straight line parallel to the stacking direction. It is understood that the support extends, like the light units, along the stacking direction. Thus, a light module can be formed extending primarily along said stacking direction.

[0034] According to one feature of the invention, the support is mobile relative to the projection lenses and mirrors such that the light beam projected by the light module has a lateral deflection of 10° and / or a vertical deflection of 16°. The vertical or lateral deflection can thus be adjusted with the projection lenses and associated mirrors remaining fixed while the support is mobile relative to the projection lenses and mirrors. In particular, the lateral deflection of the light beam projected by the light module can be + / - 5° with respect to a vertical plane including an optical axis of the light module. In particular, the vertical deflection of the light beam projected by the light module can be + / - 8° with respect to a horizontal plane including an optical axis of the light module. Preferably, the lateral deflection of the light beam projected by the light module is 4°.Specifically, the lateral deflection of the light beam projected by the light module can be + / - 2° relative to a vertical plane containing an optical axis of the light module. Preferably, the vertical deflection of the light beam projected by the light module is 10°. In particular, the vertical deflection of the light beam projected by the light module can be + / - 5° relative to a horizontal plane containing an optical axis of the light module.

[0035] According to one feature of the invention, the adjustment axis passes through a plurality of points respectively obtained by symmetry of the optical center of each projection lens with respect to the mirror associated with said projection lens.

[0036] The invention also relates to a lighting device intended to be mounted in a motor vehicle, the lighting device comprising a lighting module according to the present invention.

[0037] According to one feature of the invention, the orthogonal projection of the stacking direction onto a first plane extending parallel to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle in which the lighting device is intended to be mounted and parallel to a vertical axis, is inclined at an angle of plus or minus 30° with respect to said vertical axis. Preferably, the orthogonal projection of the stacking direction onto the first plane is inclined at an angle of plus or minus 10° with respect to said vertical axis. The vertical axis is defined with reference to the lighting device when it is mounted in the motor vehicle in its normal mounting position.

[0038] According to one feature of the invention, the orthogonal projection of the stacking direction onto a second plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle in which the lighting device is intended to be mounted is inclined at an angle of plus or minus 90° with respect to a vertical axis. The vertical axis is defined with reference to the lighting device when mounted in the motor vehicle in its normal mounting position.

[0039] It is important to note that during the design of the lighting module, the orientation of the stacking direction of the light units relative to the desired vertical axis is chosen, both in the foreground and background, once the lighting module is mounted in the vehicle. This choice determines the relative positions of the component elements of the lighting units, particularly the position of the mirrors relative to the optical elements and projection lenses. The ability to adapt the design of the lighting module based on the desired stacking direction relative to the vertical axis allows for easy achievement of the desired aesthetic.

[0040] The first plane is distinct from the second plane. More specifically, the first plane is perpendicular to the second plane.

[0041] 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:

[0042] schematically represents a light module according to the present invention in a nominal vertical adjustment position and in a nominal lateral adjustment position;

[0043] schematically represents a part of the visible light module in a first vertical adjustment position superimposed on the nominal vertical adjustment position shown in dotted lines;

[0044] schematically represents the part of the light module visible on the screen in a second vertical adjustment position superimposed on the nominal vertical adjustment position shown in dotted lines;

[0045] schematically represents a beam of light projected by the light module onto a screen at 25 meters when the light module is in its nominal vertical adjustment position visible on the;

[0046] schematically represents a beam of light projected by the light module onto a screen at 25 meters when the light module is in its first vertical adjustment position visible on the;

[0047] schematically represents a beam of light projected by the light module onto a screen at 25 meters when the light module is in its second vertical adjustment position visible on the;

[0048] schematically represents a part of the visible light module in a first lateral adjustment position superimposed on the nominal lateral adjustment position shown in dotted lines;

[0049] schematically represents the part of the light module visible on the screen in a second lateral adjustment position superimposed on the nominal lateral adjustment position shown in dotted lines;

[0050] schematically represents a beam of light projected by the light module onto a screen at 25 meters when the light module is in its nominal lateral adjustment position visible on the;

[0051] schematically represents a beam of light projected by the light module onto a screen at 25 meters when the light module is in its first visible lateral adjustment position on the;

[0052] schematically represents a beam of light projected by the light module onto a screen at 25 meters when the light module is in its second lateral adjustment position visible on the;

[0053] schematically represents a luminous unit of the luminous module highlighting the paths of rays from the light source to the projection lens;

[0054] schematically represents the light module visible on the, in which a stacking direction of the light units is inclined in a plane parallel to a direction of advancement of a motor vehicle equipped with the light module;

[0055] schematically represents the light module visible on the, in which the stacking direction of the light units is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of a motor vehicle equipped with the light module.

[0056] 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.

[0057] In the detailed description that follows, the terms "longitudinal," "transverse," and "vertical" refer to the orientation of a light module according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to the direction of travel of a vehicle equipped with the light module, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a frame of reference L, V, T illustrated in the figures. 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 direction of travel of a motor vehicle equipped with the light module and perpendicular to the road on which said vehicle is traveling. Finally, a transverse direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a transverse axis T of the frame of reference L, V, T, this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the vertical axis V.

[0058] Figure 1 schematically represents a light module 2 according to the present invention and intended for use in a motor vehicle. The light module 2 comprises a housing 3 and a plurality of light units 4, each comprising at least one light source 5, visible on the figure, an optical element 6, a mirror 8, and a projection lens 10. The plurality of light units 4 is housed in the housing 3 of the light module 2.

[0059] At least one light source 5 of each light unit 4 is configured to emit light rays. The optical element 6 is configured to collect said light rays emitted by the light source 5 and to reflect them, that is, to direct them, towards the mirror 8. The optical element 6 may, as can be seen in the figure, be formed of a single reflector or of a plurality of reflectors. In the case where the optical element 6 of a light unit 4 comprises a plurality of reflectors, the light unit 4 comprises a plurality of light sources 5, and each light source 5 is associated with a reflector.

[0060] When considering the path of light rays within a light unit, the mirror 8 of this light unit 4 allows the light rays reflected by the optical element 6 of said light unit 4 to be reflected towards the projection lens 10. It should be noted that each mirror 8 of the light module 2 is associated with a unique optical element 6 belonging to the same light unit 4 as the mirror 8 considered.

[0061] In the embodiment shown, the light module 2 comprises a first series of 16 light units and a second series of 14 light units. The 4 light units of the first series of 16 are arranged side by side and configured to form a first light function that constitutes the top of a regulatory beam projected by the light module 2. More specifically, the 4 light units of the first series of 16 provide a low-range light function, more commonly known as dipped beams. This light function is characterized by a beam cutoff optimized to provide illumination when vehicles traveling in opposite directions pass each other. The light units of the second series of 14 are arranged side by side and configured to form a second light function that constitutes the bottom of the aforementioned regulatory beam projected by the light module 2.More specifically, the four light units of the second series of four contribute to providing a high-range lighting function, more commonly known as high beams or auxiliary high beams. Indeed, the second series of four light units can participate, alone or in combination with the first series of six light units, in providing a high beam function. Furthermore, the first series of six units can be selectively activated so that when the second series of four light units alone provides a high beam function, the first series of six light units is deactivated, and when the second series of four light units provides an auxiliary high beam function, the first series of four light units is activated. Thus, the first series of four and the second series of four light units work together to provide the high beam function.It should be noted that the following description, relating to a light module 2 comprising a plurality of light units, each ensuring a distinct light function, applies mutatis mutandis to a light module 2 comprising a plurality of light units together ensuring the same light function.

[0062] More specifically, the light units 4 of the first series 16 and of the second series 14 are stacked one on top of the other along a stacking direction 100 which, in the embodiment shown, is substantially parallel to the vertical axis V. It should be noted that alternatively, and as will be explained in more detail later in the description, the stacking direction 100 could be inclined with respect to the vertical axis V.

[0063] To enable this stacking, the light module 2 includes a support 12 which, in the embodiment shown, is formed from a printed circuit board. This support 12 extends along a principal extension plane which includes at least one straight line parallel to the stacking direction 100. In the embodiment shown, at least one light source and the optical element 6 of each light unit 4 are arranged on the support 12 substantially along the vertical principal extension direction of the support 12. Thus, each light source and each associated optical element 6 arranged on the support 12 are offset from each other substantially along a component corresponding to the stacking direction 100, here corresponding to a vertical component.It should be noted that the different light sources may not be exactly aligned along a straight line parallel to the stacking direction, but that they are all arranged in the extension plane of the support.

[0064] In other words, the stacking of the light units 4 on top of each other is particularly remarkable in that at least one light source, optical element 6, mirror 8 and projection lens 10 of a light unit 4 are all respectively offset along the stacking direction 100 relative to the corresponding component of an adjacent light unit 4.

[0065] Such an arrangement of the light sources and optical elements 6 on the support 12 makes it possible to form a light module 2 extending primarily along the stacking direction 100, that is, vertically in this case, although it could be inclined relative to this vertical direction, as will be seen later. Such a light module 2 can thus meet aesthetic and space constraints requiring an arrangement of the light units along the stacking direction 100.

[0066] In this context, the presence of a mirror 8 interposed between the optical element 6 and the projection lens 10 within the same light unit 4, when considering the path of the light rays within this light unit, makes it possible to straighten the light rays emitted by the light source towards the projection lens 10. Indeed, the arrangement along the stacking direction 100 of the light units 4 relative to each other requires, in order to form a regulatory light beam, to redirect the light rays reflected by the optical elements 6.

[0067] Within each light unit, the mirror 8 extends in a principal plane of elongation from a proximal end of the support 12 to a proximal end of the projection lens 10, with at least one reflective surface facing both the optical element and the projection lens, so as to reflect the light rays as described above. It should be noted that the mirror 8 may, without departing from the scope of the invention, have a slight curvature to enhance its mechanical strength, in particular by having a radius of curvature greater than 100 mm, preferably greater than 200 mm. However, considering the dimensions of the mirror 8, the radius of curvature is sufficiently large for the mirror to appear flat and for the light rays reaching the reflective surface of said mirror 8 to be unaffected by the slight curvature of the mirror 8.

[0068] All 8 mirrors of the light module 2 are parallel to each other. This configuration of the 8 mirrors allows for uniform adjustment of the inclination of the regulatory beam projected by the light module during the adjustment of light module 2. This adjustment will be described in more detail in the following section.

[0069] As described previously, when considering the path of light rays within a light unit, the light rays reaching a mirror 8 from an optical element 6 are reflected towards the associated projection lens 10. This projection lens 10 is part of a projection assembly 18.

[0070] The projection lenses 10 are stacked one on top of the other along a stacking axis 20, extending substantially parallel to the stacking direction 100 of the light units 4, to form the projection assembly 18. It should be noted that the projection lenses 10 are in contact with each other so that the assembly of projection lenses 10 forms a single projection assembly 18.

[0071] In the embodiment shown, the stacking axis 20 of the projection lenses 10 passes through the projection lenses 10, and more precisely through an optical center of each of said projection lenses 10. This optical center is considered to be at the intersection of said projection lens 10 and the optical axis of this projection lens 10. It should be noted that, without departing from the context of the present invention, the stacking axis 20 may pass at approximately 10 mm from the optical center of each projection lens 10; preferably, the stacking axis 20 passes at approximately 5 mm from the optical center of each projection lens 10.

[0072] It should be noted that in the embodiment represented by figures 1 to 12, the stacking axis 20 of the projection lenses 10 extends substantially parallel to the vertical axis V. However, as can be seen on the and if we consider a motor vehicle 1 in which a lighting device including the lighting module 2 is intended to be mounted, the stacking axis 20 of the projection lenses 10 can be inclined in a first plane, extending parallel to the direction of advance of the motor vehicle and parallel to the vertical axis V associated with this vehicle, at an angle A between plus or minus 30° with respect to the vertical axis V, preferably plus or minus 10° with respect to the vertical axis V.

[0073] More specifically, and as can be seen in the figure, which illustrates both the vehicle seen from the side with a light module schematically represented by a box, and a detail of the light module in the same orientation, it can be observed that the stacking axis 20 of the projection lenses is inclined relative to the vertical axis V by this angle A. It is understood from the above that the foreground extends along two directions respectively defined by the longitudinal axis L and the vertical axis V. The light module thus has an orientation that is not vertical once mounted on the vehicle. The upper end of the light module is located further back than the lower end of the light module.

[0074] Thus, the light module 2 can adapt to the different possible curves of the vehicle's bodywork.

[0075] Furthermore, and as can be seen on the stacking axis 20 of the projection lenses 10, it can be inclined in a second plane perpendicular to the direction of advance of the motor vehicle 1 in which the light device is intended to be mounted, at an angle B, between plus or minus 90° with respect to the vertical axis V.

[0076] More specifically, and as can be seen in the figure, which illustrates both the vehicle seen from the front with a light module schematically represented by a box and a detail of the light module in the same orientation, it can be observed that the stacking axis of the projection lenses is inclined relative to the vertical axis V by this angle B. It is understood from the above that the second plane extends along two directions respectively defined by the transverse axis T and the vertical axis V. The light module can thus have a stacking direction aligned with the transverse direction or the vertical direction, or with any direction between the transverse and longitudinal directions, in the plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle.

[0077] Here again, such a potential inclination of the stacking direction of the light units 4 allows the light module 2 to be configured so that it can easily adapt to the different aesthetic or technical configurations of the motor vehicle to best integrate the light module.

[0078] Figures 13 and 14 illustrate two specific cases in which the stacking direction is inclined only in the first plane, and only in the second plane, respectively. However, it is possible to couple a 100° inclination of the stacking direction in the first plane with respect to the vertical axis and a 100° inclination of the stacking direction in the second plane with respect to the vertical axis.

[0079] In this case, the orthogonal projection of the stacking direction onto the first plane is inclined at an angle A between ±30° and ±30° with respect to the vertical axis in that first plane. And, the orthogonal projection of the stacking direction onto the second plane is inclined at an angle B between ±90° and ±90° with respect to the vertical axis in that second plane.

[0080] Preferably, the projection of the stacking direction in the first plane is inclined with respect to the vertical axis V by an angle of plus or minus 10°, preferably + / - 5°.

[0081] The choice of the stacking direction of the 100 light units relative to the vertical axis V, once the light module is mounted on the vehicle, is made before the module's design, as this choice will dictate the positioning of the individual light unit elements relative to each other. If a different stacking direction relative to the vertical axis is desired, then a different module must be designed. Indeed, the stacking direction relative to the vertical axis is not adjusted after the fact, i.e., once the module is mounted on the vehicle; it is a parameter that must be considered both before and during the module's design. Once the module is mounted in its position on the vehicle, the projection lenses remain fixed, and beam adjustments are made through the movement of the light units.

[0082] The projection lenses 10 are configured to project the light rays reflected by the mirrors 8, each associated with a corresponding projection lens 10, outwards from the light module 2. To this end, the projection lenses 10 are capable of optically processing the light rays to shape them into a compliant light beam. More specifically, each projection lens 10 projects an image of the virtual image of the associated reflector 6, this virtual image being obtained by symmetry with the mirrors 8.

[0083] In the figure, the path of light rays emitted by a light source 5 associated with an optical element 6 of a light unit 4 is shown. This allows us to understand that the mirror 8 creates a virtual image 13 of the optical element 6. The projection lens 10 is configured so that the object focal point of the projection lens 10 is located at the level of said virtual image 13 of the optical element 6. Thanks to the positioning and orientation of the mirror 8, the virtual image 13 of the optical element 6 is substantially aligned with an optical axis 21 of the projection lens 10, passing through the object focal point 11 and an optical center 19 of said projection lens 10. Indeed, the mirror 8 of a light unit 4 is oriented so that the lower edge of the virtual image 13 of the reflector 6 is mainly contained in a horizontal plane parallel, here, to the longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis T.Moreover, this virtual image is formed from a symmetry of a real object, that is to say of the reflector 6, whose lower edge is mainly contained in a plane parallel to the extension plane of the support 12, this extension plane 12 containing at least one axis parallel to the stacking direction 100.

[0084] The mirror 8 thus allows the light rays emitted by the light source 5 to be redirected. Thus, all the light sources 5 of the light module 2 can be arranged on the same support 12 with the light rays emitted by these light sources 5 which are redirected by the mirrors 8 so that the projection lenses can project the light beam in accordance with the regulations.

[0085] Within each light unit 4, the projection lens 10, the mirror 8 and the optical element 6 are positioned between them so that an object focus 11 of the projection lens 10 is located near a virtual image 13 of a reflective surface of the optical element 6. This virtual image 13 is obtained by symmetry of the optical element 6 with respect to the mirror 8.

[0086] The positioning of the object focal point 11 of the projection lens 10 at the level of the virtual image 13 results from the orientation of the image of the reflector 6 that we wish to project. Indeed, an object focal point of the projection lens 10 positioned directly at the level of the reflector 6 would lead to an unsuitable orientation of the image of the reflector 6 projected by the projection lens 10 for achieving the desired lighting function. Thus, by positioning the object focal point 11 of the projection lens 10 at the level of the virtual image 13 of the reflector 6, the projection lens projects an image of the reflector 6 whose orientation is suitable for achieving the desired lighting function.

[0087] The projection lens 10 thus has the role of projecting to infinity the image of the virtual image of the optical element 6 illuminated by the light source 5. In particular, the object focal point 11 of the projection lens 10 can be located between a front edge 15 and a rear edge of the virtual image 13 of the optical element 6, along the optical axis of the projection lens 10. According to an example, the object focal point 11 of the projection lens 10 is located at the rear edge of the virtual image 13, at a distance of less than 10 mm from the rear edge.

[0088] The configuration of the different elements of the light module 2 allows that after the light rays from the light source 5 are reflected by a reflective surface of the optical element 6, they move towards the mirror 8 to be then straightened towards the projection lens 10 to form, according to their position relative to the projection lens 10, a portion of a light beam which can form or participate in forming a complementary high beam or a low beam.

[0089] We will now describe in more detail the vertical and lateral adjustments of the light beam made possible by the light module according to the invention, and the means implemented in this light module to enable adjustment along one of the vertical or horizontal components without interfering with the other component. It should be noted that the mechanical configuration of the system, which will be described below, can be accompanied by an operating mode in which the vertical and lateral adjustments are performed separately. This ensures that the lateral adjustment, or vertical adjustment, of the light beam does not affect the vertical adjustment, or lateral adjustment, that was performed previously or will be performed subsequently, provided that the lateral adjustment, or vertical adjustment, has only a lateral component, or vertical adjustment, as will now be described.

[0090] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a vertical adjustment of the light beam projected by the light module 2. More specifically, 1 represents the light module 2 in a nominal vertical adjustment position, while 2 represents the light module 2 in a first vertical adjustment position and 3 represents the light module 2 in a second vertical adjustment position.

[0091] Figures 4 to 6 illustrate, according to an embodiment of the invention, a projection of the light beam at 25 meters onto a screen respectively when the light module 2 is in its nominal vertical adjustment position, in its first vertical adjustment position and in its second vertical adjustment position.

[0092] The nominal vertical adjustment position allows, as seen on the figure, the projection of a nominal regulatory light beam which is regulatedly centered on a horizon line 24. Here, the beam is a cut-off beam, with a bump 26 formed in the cut-off line which is positioned substantially on this horizon line 24.

[0093] In the first vertical adjustment position, visible in Figure 1, the light beam projected by the light module 2 is vertically offset by +2° compared to the light beam projected by the same module when it is in its nominal vertical adjustment position. Thus, it can be noted in the example illustrated that the offset 26 of the cutoff line is positioned significantly above the horizon line 24.

[0094] In the second vertical adjustment position, visible in Figure 1, the light beam projected by the light module 2 is vertically offset by -2° compared to the light beam projected by the same module when it is in its nominal vertical adjustment position. Thus, it can be noted in the example illustrated that the offset 26 of the cutoff line is shifted below the horizon line 24.

[0095] It should be noted that the light module 2 can assume a plurality of vertical adjustment positions between the first and second vertical adjustment positions. Thus, the light beam projected by the light module can be adjusted vertically with an amplitude of 4°.

[0096] The vertical displacement of the light beam projected by the light module 2 is controlled by the displacement of the support 12, which is movable relative to the mirrors 8 and the projection lenses 10 along an adjustment axis 22, visible in figures 1 to 3. More specifically, the support 12 is movable in rotation around the adjustment axis 22 and it is the control of the angle of rotation of the support around the adjustment axis 22 which determines the amplitude of vertical displacement of the projected light beam.

[0097] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the mobility of the support 12 relative to the projection lenses 10 and the mirrors 8. To facilitate the reading of Figures 2 and 3, the nominal vertical adjustment position of the light units, as seen in Figure 1, is represented by dashed lines in Figures 2 and 3. In Figure 1, a first rotation R1 of the support 12 around the adjustment axis is shown, in a given direction of rotation allowing the beam to be moved vertically in accordance with Figure 1, with an upward vertical deflection of the projected beam. Conversely, in Figure 3, a second rotation R2 of the support 12 around the adjustment axis is shown, in a given direction of rotation opposite to that of the first rotation R1, allowing the beam to be moved vertically in accordance with Figure 1, with a downward vertical deflection of the projected beam.

[0098] The adjustment axis 22 passes through a plurality of virtual points 17, visible on the, respectively obtained by symmetry of the optical center 19 of each projection lens 10 with respect to the mirror 8 associated with the projection lens 10 considered.

[0099] More precisely, each of the said virtual points 17 of the plurality of virtual points 17 is obtained by forming the symmetric of the optical center 19 of a projection lens 10 with respect to the mirror 8 of the same luminous unit 4. Thus, we obtain a number of virtual points 17 equal to the number of luminous units 4 of the luminous module 2 and the adjustment axis 22 passes through this plurality of virtual points 17 at plus or minus 10 mm from each virtual point 17, preferably plus or minus 5 mm.

[0100] The arrangement of the mirrors which remain fixed and the fact that the support rotates around an axis defined by points obtained by symmetry with respect to these mirrors allows for a component of beam displacement which is only vertical during the rotation of the support, so that the vertical adjustment of the light module does not have an impact on the lateral adjustment of the light beam projected by this light module.

[0101] Furthermore, it is noteworthy that during the adjustment of the considered travel, the position of the object focal point 11 of the projection lens 10 remains unchanged. The small degrees of travel achieved during the adjustments considered allow the virtual image 13 to be moved from its nominal position by a sufficiently small amount so as not to degrade the quality of the projection produced by the light module.

[0102] The fact that each optical element 6 of a light unit 4 is arranged on the same support 12 allows, by making the support 12 rotatable relative to the adjustment axis 22, for each optical element 6 of the set of light units 4 to be rotated relative to the projection lens 10 and the associated mirror 8 by the same amount of rotational displacement around the adjustment axis 22. This results in the same angular amplitude of vertical displacement of the projected beam. It should be noted that in an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the focal length between the projection lens 10 and the virtual image of the reflector differs from one light unit 4 to another, the angular amplitude of vertical displacement of the projected beam remains the same because the adjustment axis 22 passes substantially through the virtual points 17.

[0103] To achieve this rotation of the support around the adjustment axis, and without this example being limiting of the invention, the support 12 can be a plate carrying the light sources and optical elements 6, and this plate carrying has at each end lugs forming pins mounted rotatably in a bearing attached to the housing of the light module 2, these pins being aligned on the adjustment axis 22.

[0104] Figures 1, 7 and 8 illustrate a lateral adjustment of the light beam projected by the light module 2. More specifically, 1 represents the light module 2 in a nominal lateral adjustment position, while 2 represents the light module 2 in a first lateral adjustment position and 3 represents the light module 2 in a second lateral adjustment position.

[0105] Figures 9 to 11 illustrate, according to an embodiment of the invention, a projection of the light beam at 25 meters onto a screen respectively when the light module 2 is in its nominal lateral adjustment position, in its first lateral adjustment position and in its second lateral adjustment position.

[0106] The nominal lateral adjustment position, as shown in the figure, allows the projection of a nominal regulatory light beam. This nominal regulatory light beam is said to be centered on a vertical line 28 perpendicular to the horizon line 24.

[0107] In the first lateral adjustment position, visible in the figure, the light beam projected by the light module 2 is laterally offset by -2° compared to the light beam projected by the same module when it is in its nominal lateral adjustment position. As can be seen in the figure, such an offset of the beam to the left of the road, or of the screen onto which the beam is projected, has the effect of bringing the bump 26 formed in the cutoff line closer to the vertical line 28.

[0108] In the second lateral adjustment position, visible in the figure, the light beam projected by the light module 2 is laterally offset by +2° compared to the light beam projected by the same module when it is in its nominal lateral adjustment position. As can be seen in the figure, such an offset of the beam to the right of the road, or of the screen onto which the beam is projected, has the effect of moving the bump 26 formed in the cutoff line away from the vertical line 28.

[0109] It should be noted that the light module 2 can assume a plurality of lateral adjustment positions between the first and second lateral adjustment positions. Thus, the light beam projected by the light module can be adjusted laterally with an amplitude of 4°.

[0110] The lateral adjustment of the light beam projected by the light module 2 is controlled by the translational displacement of the support 12 relative to the projection lenses 10 and the mirrors 8, along the adjustment axis 22. It is the control of the amount of displacement of the support along the adjustment axis 22 that determines the amplitude of lateral displacement of the projected light beam.

[0111] As was the case during the rotation of the support 12 around the adjustment axis, the projection lens 10 and the mirror 8 of a light unit 4 are fixed during this translational movement of the support, the projection lens and the mirror remaining fixed relative to each other, and more broadly relative to the housing of the light module 2 in which the light units are housed. The fixed nature of the projection lens 10 allows it to directly form the outer element of the light module 2, fitting into the curve of the motor vehicle equipped with the light module 2, while the fixed nature of the mirror 8 simplifies the assembly of the light module by reducing the number of moving parts, while allowing for a coherent lighting function after both lateral and vertical adjustment, particularly due to the small amplitude of the permitted movements.

[0112] As with Figures 1 to 3, Figures 1, 7, and 8 aim to highlight the mobility, in this case translational, of the support 12 relative to the projection lenses 10 and the mirrors 8. To facilitate the reading of Figures 7 and 8, the nominal lateral adjustment position of the light units, as seen in Figure 1, is represented by dashed lines in Figures 7 and 8. In Figure 1, a first translation T1 of the support 12 along the adjustment axis is shown, in a given direction of translation allowing the beam to be moved laterally in accordance with Figure 1, with a lateral deflection of the projected beam to the left. Conversely, in Figure 2, a second translation T2 of the support 12 around the adjustment axis is shown, in a given direction of translation opposite to that of the first translation T1, allowing the beam to be moved laterally in accordance with Figure 1, with a lateral deflection of the projected beam to the right.

[0113] The fact that each optical element 6 of a light unit 4 is arranged on the same support 12 allows, by making the support 12 translationally mobile relative to the adjustment axis 22, to ensure that each optical element 6 of the set of light units 4 is mobile relative to the projection lens 10 and the associated mirror 8 by the same amount of displacement along the adjustment axis 22, which has the effect of generating a lateral angular displacement in the same direction and in the same sense for all the light units 4.

[0114] In the embodiment mentioned above, in which the support 12 can be a plate carrying the light sources and optical elements 6, the pins mounted for rotation and aligned on the adjustment axis 22 have a degree of freedom along the adjustment axis within their respective bearing allowing a translation of the support plate.

[0115] The present invention achieves its objective by proposing a light module comprising a plurality of light units stacked one on top of the other to form an arrangement along a stacking direction of the light module while allowing adjustments of the light beam projected by the light module, whether laterally or vertically.

[0116] 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

Light module (2) for a motor vehicle intended to project a light beam comprising a housing (3) and a plurality of light units (4) stacked one on top of the other along a stacking direction (100) and housed in the housing (3), each light unit (4) comprising: - at least one light source configured to emit light rays, - an optical element (6), - a mirror (8) and - a projection lens (10), the optical element (6) being configured to reflect the light rays emitted by said at least one light source in the direction of the mirror (8), the mirror (8) being configured to reflect the light rays reflected by the optical element (6) in the direction of the projection lens (10), the projection lens (10) being configured to project the light rays reflected by the mirror (8) outwards from the light module (2) along an optical axis,the projection lens (10) having an optical center at the intersection of said projection lens (10) and the optical axis, the projection lenses (10) and the mirrors (8) of the light units being fixed relative to the housing (3), the light module (2) comprising a support (12) on which are arranged at least one light source and the optical element (6) of each of the light units (4), the support (12) being movable relative to the projection lenses (10) and the mirrors (8) along an adjustment axis (22) to allow angular movement of the light beam projected by the light module (2), the adjustment axis (22) passing at plus or minus 10 mm from the symmetrical point of the optical centers of each projection lens (10) with respect to the mirror (8) associated with said projection lenses (10). Light module (2) according to claim 1, wherein the support (12) is movable in rotation about the adjustment axis (22). Light module (2) according to claim 2, wherein the rotational mobility of the support (12) is configured to ensure adjustment of the vertical deflection of the light beam projected by the light module (2). Light module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support (12) is movable in translation along a direction parallel to the adjustment axis (22). Light module (2) according to claim 4, wherein the translational mobility of the support (12) is configured to ensure adjustment of the lateral displacement of the light beam projected by the light module (2). Light module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, for each light unit, the optical element (6) is formed of at least one reflector, the mirror (8) being configured to form a virtual image of the reflector and the focus (11) of the projection lens (10) is disposed at a distance of less than 10 mm from a rear edge of the virtual image (13) of the reflector. Light module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising at least a first series (16) of at least one light unit (4) configured to generate a first light function and a second series (14) of at least one light unit (4) configured to generate a second light function, the first series (16) and the second series (14) being arranged on the same support (12). Light module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mobility of the support (12) relative to the projection lenses (10) and the mirrors (8) is such that the light beam projected by the light module (2) has a lateral deflection of 10° and / or a vertical deflection of 16°. Lighting device intended to be mounted in a motor vehicle (1), the lighting device comprising a lighting module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A lighting device according to claim 9, wherein the orthogonal projection of the stacking direction (100) in a first plane, extending parallel to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle (1) in which the lighting device is intended to be mounted and parallel to a vertical axis, is inclined at an angle between plus or minus 30° with respect to said vertical axis. A lighting device according to any one of claims 9 and 10, wherein the orthogonal projection of the stacking direction (100) into a second plane, perpendicular to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle (1) in which the lighting device is intended to be mounted, is inclined at an angle between plus and minus 90° with respect to a vertical axis.

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