Optical module for a motor vehicle
The optical module with reflective faces and projection optics addresses the challenge of creating ultrathin vehicle lamps by enabling compact, efficient, and aesthetically appealing lighting solutions with clear cutoff lines.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VALEO VISION SA
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle lamps are typically larger in width than in height, which hinders the development of ultrathin lighting apparatuses that enhance the high-tech exterior style of motor vehicles.
An optical module comprising a first and second light source, an optical element with reflective faces and a projection optical system, configured to redirect and project light with a cutoff line profile, allowing for compact design and clear imaging.
The solution enables a compact, efficient, and cost-effective production of vehicle lamps with clear cutoff line profiles, enhancing the high-tech aesthetic while maintaining functionality.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025088907_09072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Title of the Invention: OPTICAL MODULE, LAMP APPARATUS AND MOTOR VEHICLETechnical Field
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate in general to the field of lighting and / or signalling, and in particular to an optical module capable of providing a lighting effect, and a lamp apparatus and a motor vehicle fitted with such an optical module.Background Art
[0002] Lighting apparatuses are widely used in various fields to provide light for lighting and / or optical indication functions; for example, lighting apparatuses such as vehicle lamps are used in motor vehicles to ensure safe travel. In motor vehicles, various types of vehicle lamps are often required to implement different functions, including automotive headlamps, fog lamps, tail lamps, turn signal lamps, brake lamps, side marker lamps and parking lamps, etc.
[0003] Lighting apparatuses in the prior art, particularly headlamps, are generally much larger in size in a width direction of a vehicle than in a height direction of the vehicle, so that an ultrathin lighting apparatus is formed in the height direction of the vehicle, enhancing the high- tech feel of the exterior style. With such a requirement, the question of how to realize such a lighting apparatus is a major challenge.Summary of the Invention
[0004] An objective of the present disclosure is to solve or overcome at least one of the above and other problems and shortcomings in the prior art.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an optical module is provided, the optical module comprising a first light source, a second light source and an optical element, the optical element being adapted to collect light emitted by one first light source and one second light source, so that the light emitted by one first light source and one second light source enters the optical element and is iredirected, and the optical element having a first optical section corresponding to the first light source, a second optical section corresponding to the second light source, and a common light output section located downstream in a light propagation direction; and a projection optical system, configured to project the light that has been redirected by the optical element; the first optical section of the optical element is provided with a reflective face to reflect some of the light in the optical element according to a cutoff line profile, and the optical element and the projection optical system have a combined object focus, the object focus being arranged at an edge of the reflective face of the first optical section.
[0006] In some embodiments, the projection optical system is configured such that an object focus thereof is arranged at a virtual focus at a light output side, and an image focus of the optical element is arranged to coincide with an object focus of the projection optical system, or arranged close to the object focus of the projection optical system.
[0007] In some embodiments, the projection optical system comprises at least one concave lens.
[0008] In some embodiments, an object focus of the optical element is arranged at an edge of the reflective face provided in the first optical section or close to an edge of the reflective face.
[0009] In some embodiments, the projection optical system is configured to have an image focus at infinity.
[0010] In some embodiments, the first optical section and the second optical section of the optical element are integrally formed.
[0011] In some embodiments, the second optical section of the optical element has at least one totally reflective face, so as to change the direction of light emitted from the second light source, so that the light is output from the light output section of the optical element.
[0012] In some embodiments, the optical element comprises at least two totally reflective faces, so as to consecutively change light from the second light source, so that the light is output from the light output section of the optical element.
[0013] In some embodiments, the first optical section and / or the second optical section respectively has / have a light gathering device.
[0014] In some embodiments, light output by the light output section of the optical element is convergent light.
[0015] In some embodiments, the optical module comprises multiple sets of first and second light sources, wherein the optical element is configured to have a number of separate regions less than or equal to the number of sets of first and second light sources, and the projection optical system is configured to have a number of separate windows less than or equal to the number of sets of first and second light sources.
[0016] In some embodiments, the optical element of the optical module is configured to have separate regions corresponding to the number of sets of first and second light sources, and the projection optical system is configured to have separate windows corresponding to the number of sets of first and second light sources.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, embodiments further provide a lamp apparatus, comprising a housing and the optical module described in any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the optical module being at least partially installed in the housing.
[0018] In some embodiments, the lamp apparatus comprises at least one of a lighting lamp, a signalling lamp and an ambient lamp used for a motor vehicle.
[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, embodiments further provide a motor vehicle, which comprises the optical module or the lamp apparatus described in any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0020] Adetailed description of the present disclosure is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings to make other objectives and advantages of the present disclosure obvious and help achieve a comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure.Brief Description of the Drawings
[0021] These and / or other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
[0022] Fig. 1 is a sectional drawing schematically showing optical paths of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] Fig. 2 is an exploded drawing showing the structure of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] Fig. 3 is a sectional drawing showing optical paths of an optical module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.Detailed Description of the Invention
[0025] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Identical or similar components are indicated by identical or similar reference numerals herein. The following description of embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings is intended to explain the general concept of the present disclosure, and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.
[0026] In addition, in the following detailed description, for ease of explanation, many specific details are expounded to provide a comprehensive understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is obvious that one or more embodiments may also be implemented without these specific details. In other scenarios, well-known structures and devices are shown in the form of illustrations to simplify the drawings.
[0027] Figs. 1 to 3 show schematic drawings of the structure and optical paths of an optical module 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As an example, the optical module 10 shown in Fig. 1 may be fitted in a motor vehicle as a vehicle lamp, for example, including but not limited to a low-beam lamp and / or a high-beam lamp.
[0028] Fig. 1 is a sectional drawing schematically showing optical paths of the optical module 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an exploded drawing showing the structure of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the optical module 10 comprises at least one first light source 120, at least one second light source 140, an optical element 200, and a projection optical system 300.
[0029] According to the technical solution of the present disclosure, the optical element is adapted to collect light emitted by the first light source 110 and the second light source 120, so that the light emitted by the first light source 110 and the second light source 120 enters the optical element and is redirected. At the same time, as shown in Fig. 1, the optical element has a first optical section 220 corresponding to the first light source 120, a second optical section 240 corresponding to the second light source 140, and a light output section 290, which is located downstream in a light propagation direction and common by light from the first light source and light from the second light source. Fig. 1 shows an example in which the second optical section is located above the first optical section, but it should be understood that the present application is not limited to this, and the first optical section could also be arranged above the second optical section.
[0030] The first light source 110, the second light source 120 and the optical element in the optical module 10 shown in Fig. 1 are used to produce two light beams for realizing two different lighting functions, for example, lighting with a cutoff line profile to avoid dazzling oncoming vehicles (corresponding to a "low beam" type lighting function); and lighting without a cutoff line profile (corresponding to a "full beam" or "high beam" type lighting function). It will be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this, and other light beams with different lighting or signalling functions are possible.
[0031] In some embodiments, the first optical section 220 of the optical element is provided with a reflective face 250 to reflect at least some of the light in the optical element according to a cutoff line profile, so as to produce a light beam with a cutoff line profile. In some examples, the reflective face 250 is a totally reflective face or a reflective face with a metal layer (e.g. an aluminium-plated layer). Specifically, the optical element 200 and the projection optical system 300 have a combined object focus, which is arranged at an edge of the reflective face of the first optical section, so as to produce a clear cutoff line profile.
[0032] According to embodiments of the present application, an object focus F0 of the optical element and the projection optical system is arranged at an edge of the reflective face 250 or close to an edge of the reflective face 250, preferably within 0 - 10 mm of an edge of the reflective face 250; thus, the cutoff line profile of the light beam of the optical element is produced by the reflective face 250 at the focus F0. In this way, a clear cutoff line profile can be produced, and a transitional effect of a light beam output by the light output section 290 can be improved. Further, an object focus F1 of the optical element is also arranged at an edge of the reflective face 250 or close to an edge of the reflective face 250.
[0033] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the optical module according to the technical solution of the present disclosure further comprises the projection optical system 300, configured to project the light that has been redirected by the optical element 200.
[0034] According to the technical solution of the present disclosure, an image focus F1 ' of the optical element is arranged to coincide with an object focus F2 of the projection optical system 300, or arranged close to the object focus F2 of the projection optical system 300, and the object focus F2 of the projection optical system 300 is arranged at a virtual focus at a light output side of the projection optical system 300. Thus, light output from the light output section 290 of the optical element is converged, and is projected by the projection optical system 300 to form parallel light rays, i.e. the projection optical system 300 isconfigured to have an image focus at infinity. Thus, the height of the projection optical system 300 in a perpendicular direction can be further reduced, realizing an optical module of more compact size.
[0035] In some embodiments, the projection optical system 300 comprises one or more projecting lens, including at least one concave lens. The projecting lens may be configured as an optical element. The projection optical system 300 is arranged along an optical axis and projects a light beam from the optical element 200, so as to produce at least one of two lighting functions.
[0036] In some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 1 , the first optical section 220 and the second optical section 240 of the optical element are integrally formed, so that the structure and process are simpler, the production cost is reduced, and the installation procedure is simplified.
[0037] Fig. 2 further shows the case where the optical module according to the technical solution of the present disclosure has multiple sets of first and second light sources, wherein, as shown in Fig. 2, the optical element 200 is configured to have separate regions corresponding to the number of sets of first and second light sources, and the projection optical system 300 is configured to have separate windows corresponding to the number of sets of first and second light sources; that is, a separate region of the optical element 200 and a window of the projection optical system 300 are in one-to-one correspondence with one set of first and second light sources, so as to meet the design requirements of a beam pattern. Of course, the present application is not limited to this; for example, it is possible that multiple sets of first and second light sources share a region in the optical element 200 and a window of the projection optical system 300. Thus, in some embodiments, the optical element 200 may be configured to have a number of separate regions less than or equal to the number of sets of first and second light sources, and the projection optical system 300 is configured to have a number of separate windows less than or equal to the number of sets of first and second light sources. Thus, greater variety is possible in the styling of the optical module without affecting light output efficiency.
[0038] Of course, the present application is not limited to this. Fig. 3 shows schematically a sectional drawing of optical paths of an optical module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the first optical section 220 is located above the second optical section 240, and an air gap is present between the first optical section 220 and the second optical section 240, thus providing more room for variation in styling design.
[0039] According to the technical solution of the present disclosure, the optical element as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 has at least one totally reflective face, so as to change the direction of light emitted from the second light source, so that the light is output from the light output section 290 of the optical element. In some embodiments, the optical element has two or more totally reflective faces 260 and 280, to consecutively change the optical path of light incident from the second light source. Since the optical element has multiple totally reflective faces, the size of the projection optical system can be further compressed in the perpendicular direction, to obtain a more compact optical module.
[0040] It should be understood that the "totally reflective face" in the optical element means that the refractive index of this surface is such that light arriving at the surface at an angle of incidence greater than a predetermined value is totally reflected at the surface, without any significant part of the energy of this light being transmitted through the surface.
[0041] In some embodiments, a first optical element and a second optical element have a light gathering part to collect incident light from the first light source and the second light source, thereby further increasing utilization and improving the light output effect.
[0042] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the optical element is made of a transparent material with a refractive index greater than that of air. Preferably, polycarbonate (PC) capable of withstanding the heat generated by the light sources is used. The choice of this material is particularly advantageous in that it allows the light sources to be arranged close to the transparent optical elementand will not be affected by the heat which they generate. In other embodiments, the optical element may be made of polypropylene carbonate (PPC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
[0043] As shown in Fig. 1, the first light source 110 and the second light source 120 are arranged on the same support 100. It will be understood that the first light source 110 and the second light source 120 could also be arranged on different supports which have different orientations, such that utilization and the light output effect are improved.
[0044] The optical module 10 may further comprise a housing and a heat sink (not shown), and the optical module may be at least partially installed in the housing, for example in an accommodating space of the housing. The heat sink may be attached to the support 100 of the light sources 120 and 140 or formed integrally with the support 100, to improve the efficiency of dissipation of heat generated by the light sources 120 and 140.
[0045] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a single module is permitted to be used to produce multiple beams including a horizontal cutoff line, and this module remains compact (especially in height) and is simple to produce. For example, the height of a light output face of the module according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be less than or equal to 8 mm. Imaging of an illuminated reflective surface at a sufficient depth of field allows a clearly projected light emission image to be obtained, and thus allows a similarly clear and bluish cutoff line to be produced with the aid of an edge of the reflective surface of the optical element. In addition, when the paraxial approximation applies (i.e. when light is inclined relative to the optical axis by a small amount and not far from the axis), the lens forming the projection system may be a thin lens with a thickness of less than 6 mm, for example; this allows the lens to be produced in a single plastic injection moulding operation.
[0046] Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a motor vehicle which comprises the optical module or the lamp apparatus as described in any one of the above embodiments.
[0047] Although the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure demonstratively, and must not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The dimensional proportions in the drawings are merely schematic, and must not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.
[0048] Although some embodiments of the general concept of the present disclosure have been shown and described, those ordinarily skilled in the art will understand that changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principle and spirit of the general concept of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
Claims
Claims
1. An optical module, characterized in that the optical module comprises:at least one first light source (120), at least one second light source (140) and an optical element (200), the optical element being adapted to collect light emitted by the at least one first light source (110) and the at least one second light source (120), so that the light emitted by the at least one first light source (110) and the at least one second light source (120) enters the optical element and is redirected, and the optical element having a first optical section (220) corresponding to the first light source (120), a second optical section (240) corresponding to the second light source (140), and a common light output section (290) located downstream in a light propagation direction; anda projection optical system (300), configured to project the light redirected by the optical element (200), whereinthe first optical section (220) of the optical element (200) is provided with a reflective face (250) to reflect at least some of the light in the optical element according to a cutoff line profile, andthe optical element (200) and the projection optical system (300) have a combined object focus (F0), the object focus (F0) being arranged at or close to an edge of the reflective face (250) of the first optical section (220).
2. The optical module according to Claim 1 , wherein the projection optical system comprises at least one concave lens.
3. The optical module according to Claim 1 , wherein the projection optical system (300) is configured such that an object focus (F2) thereof is arranged at a virtual focus at a light output side, and an image focus (FT) of the optical element is arranged to coincide with an object focus (F2) of the projection optical system (300), or arranged near the object focus (F2) of the projection optical system (300).
4. The optical module according to Claim 1 , wherein an object focus (F1 ) of the optical element is arranged at an edge of the reflective face (250) provided in the first optical section (220) or near an edge of the reflective nface (250).
5. The optical module according to Claim 1 , wherein the projection optical system (300) is configured to have an image focus at infinity.
6. The optical module according to Claim 1 , wherein the first optical section and the second optical section of the optical element are integrally formed.
7. The optical module according to Claim 1 , wherein the second optical section (300) of the optical element has at least one totally reflective face or metal reflective face, so as to change the direction of light emitted from the second light source, so that the light is output from the light output section (290) of the optical element.
8. The optical module according to Claim 7, wherein the optical element comprises at least two totally reflective faces or metal reflective faces, so as to consecutively change light from the second light source, so that the light is output from the light output section (290) of the optical element.
9. The optical module according to Claim 1 , wherein the first optical section and / or the second optical section respectively has / have a light collimating device.
10. The optical module according to Claim 1 , whereinlight output by the light output section (290) of the optical element is convergent light.
11. The optical module according to Claim 1, comprising:multiple sets of first and second light sources, whereinthe optical element (200) is configured to have a number of separate regions less than or equal to the number of sets of first and second light sources, and the projection optical system (300) is configured to have a number ofseparate windows less than or equal to the number of sets of first and second light sources.
12. The optical module according to Claim 11, whereinthe optical element (200) is configured to have separate regions corresponding to the number of sets of first and second light sources, and the projection optical system (300) is configured to have separate windows corresponding to the number of sets of first and second light sources.
13. A lamp apparatus, comprising:a housing; andthe optical module according to any one of Claims 1 - 11, the optical module being at least partially installed in the housing.
14. A motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle comprises the optical module according to any one of Claims 1 - 12, or the lamp apparatus according to Claim 13.