FR3011313A1 - LIGHTING AND / OR LIGHT-SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH MULTIPLE ROTARY MULTIFUNCTION MODULES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting and / or signaling system (120), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of optical modules (102; 202; 302) configured to produce beams that combine in a main direction. The optical modules (102; 202; 302) each comprise at least two optical systems (104, 104 ', 104' '; 204, 204', 204 ''; 304, 304 ', 304' ') disposed on a rotating support (116; 216; 316) so as to be able to selectively orient each of the optical systems in the main direction. Various lighting or signaling functions such as daytime running lights, dipped beam and high beam can be realized with a single system.

Description

The invention relates to the field of lighting and / or light signaling, in particular for motor vehicles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The published patent document EP 2 280 215 A2 discloses a lighting device for a motor vehicle, configured to generate an adaptive dynamic lighting beam. This beam is a road lighting beam (commonly called "High Beam" in English) with the particularity that it includes a lower illumination upper zone, this area being movable horizontally so as to correspond to a vehicle coming in the opposite direction. The device comprises a series of individually electro-luminescent light-emitting diode-type light sources that are optically coupled to form a lighting beam by adding beam segments produced by each of the light sources. This teaching is interesting in that it does not include any moving parts. However, it requires a large number of light sources. It also has limitations as to the characteristics of the beam produced. The object of the invention is to provide a lighting and / or light-signaling system which overcomes at least one of the drawbacks of the state of the art, more particularly of the state of the art mentioned above. More particularly, the invention aims to provide a lighting system and / or light signaling capable of generating a lighting beam and / or variable or adaptable light signaling.

The invention relates to a lighting and / or signaling system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of optical modules configured to produce beams combining in a main direction; remarkable in that at least one, preferably each, optical modules comprises at least two optical systems arranged on a rotatable support so as to be able to selectively orient each of the optical systems in the main direction.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one, preferably each, of the optical systems comprises a lens with an input face, an output face and a reflective surface able to reflect towards the output face the rays coming from the entrance face.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the or at least one of the lenses extends in a curved profile in a transverse plane, preferably generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the support. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the entry face of the lens or lenses is generally transverse, preferably generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the support. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the exit face of the lens or lenses forms a projecting rounded portion, able to bring closer, in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the rays issuing from the lens. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the exit face of the lens or lenses has a rounded profile in a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the support, the exit face forming a convex surface. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the optical systems comprises one or more specific light sources, said light sources of one or each of the modules being preferentially arranged on a plate 20 common to said module. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light sources of one or each of the modules are electroluminescence diodes illuminating in a main direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the support. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the light sources of the module or modules is arranged in such a way that its main lighting direction forms an angle of between 5 ° and 25 °, preferably between 10 ° and 20 °. °, with the axis of rotation of the support. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the light sources of the module or modules is colored and / or is covered with a colored filter.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a first module of which at least one, preferably each, optical systems is capable of forming a lighting beam whose width corresponds to that of a crossing lighting function. for a motor vehicle, and a second module at least one of the optical systems is capable of forming a narrower illumination beam and higher than that of the first module, corresponding to a road lighting function. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the output face of the lens or lenses of the first module has a curved profile in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the support, the radius of curvature of said profile remaining constant in a range of tolerance of 10% over most of its length. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the exit face of the lens or lenses of the second module has a curved profile in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the support, projecting from the lateral portions of the lens or lenses. . According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the modules comprises a first optical system capable of forming a beam participating in the construction of a first lighting and / or signaling function and a second optical system capable of forming a participating beam. to the construction of a second lighting and / or signaling function, the first function being provided by the addition of the beams of the first systems of the modules and the second function being provided by the addition of the beams of the second systems of the modules . According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lighting and / or signaling functions are selected from the following lighting and / or signaling functions for a motor vehicle: daytime running signal (DRL), lighting or dipped beam, lighting or high beam, change of direction indicator. The measures of the invention are interesting in that they make it possible to produce a system that provides several lighting and / or signaling functions. The modules according to the invention can be made in a compact manner. Their accuracy can be very good, especially when the light sources of the same module are arranged on a common board, thus ensuring exact relative positioning. The presence of two modules with each two optical systems, already allows for several combinations of beams. The presence of three modules with, each, three optical systems, as shown in Figure 2, allows in particular to build at least three basic functions with variations.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with the help of the description and the drawings, among which: FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a lighting and / or multifunctional luminous signaling module; and rotary; - Figure 2 is an illustration of a lighting system and / or light signaling according to the invention and comprising a plurality of modules according to the principle illustrated in Figure 1; FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional representation of a first module of the system of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an illustration of the illumination beam of a first optical system of the module of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is an illustration of the illumination beam of a second optical system of the module of FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is an illustration of the illumination beam of a third optical system of the module of FIG. 3; FIG. 7 is a basic representation of the construction of a crossing and road lighting beam; FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional representation of a second module of the system of FIG. 2; FIG. 9 is an illustration of the illumination beam of a first optical system of the module of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is an illustration of the illumination beam of a second optical system of the module of FIG. 8; FIG. 11 is an illustration of the illumination beam of a third optical system of the module of FIG. 8; FIG. 12 is a three-dimensional representation of a third module of the system of FIG. 2; FIG. 13 is an illustration of the illumination beam of a first optical system of the module of FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is an illustration of the illumination beam of a second optical system of the module of FIG. 12; Fig. 15 is an illustration of the illumination beam of a third optical system of the module of Fig. 12; Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a lighting and / or light signaling module for a motor vehicle, present in the lighting system and / or light signaling according to the invention and illustrated in Figure 2. 15 The module 2 essentially comprises several optical systems, in this case two optical systems 4 and 4 'disposed on either side of an axis of rotation 18. The optical systems 4 and 4' are arranged on a support 16 not detailed, this support being rotatable relative to a frame not shown around the axis of rotation 18. The axis of rotation is therefore preferably fixed relative to the frame and relative to the vehicle on which it is intended to be mounted. Each optical system 4 and 4 'essentially comprises a lens 6 and a specific light source 8. More particularly, the lens 6 or 6 'comprises an input face 10 or 10' of the light, arranged opposite the light source 8 or 8 '. The latter is preferably of the electroluminescence diode type. It illuminates preferentially in a main direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation 18. The input face 10 or 10 'is then transverse to the axis of rotation 18, preferably perpendicular to said axis. The lens 6 or 6 'comprises a reflecting surface 12 or 12' disposed opposite the input face 10 or 10 '. The reflecting face is preferably substantially flat. It may, however, have a non-planar geometry, however close to a plane geometry. It is preferably carried out by depositing a reflective coating on the face in question of the lens, such as an aluminum-based coating. The lens 6 or 6 'also comprises an exit face 14 or 14'. The reflecting face 12 or 12 'is configured to reflect to the output face 14 or 14' the rays from the light source 8 or 8 'via the input face. The configuration of the lens, in particular the location of the light source and the geometry of the input face, the reflective face and the output face make it possible to produce beams with different characteristics. It can indeed be observed in FIG. 1 that the right-hand lens 6 produces a beam directed downwards with respect to the horizon, such as a crossover lighting beam, that is to say a cut-off beam, and that the lens 6 'on the left produces a more homogeneous beam in a vertical direction, which may correspond to a road lighting beam. The lenses 6 and 6 'extend in a generally curved direction so as to form a generally arcuate segment substantially in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The particular shapes of the lenses will be detailed below in relation to FIGS. 3, 8 and 12. The rotation of the support 16 and the optical systems 4 and 4 'allows the module to orient one of its optical systems in a desired direction as the direction of formation of a general beam. Rotational actuation means (not shown) are then provided at the level of the support 16 in order to allow the angular positioning of the optical systems. Such means are well known to those skilled in the art and should not be detailed. The material of the lenses 6 and 6 'is transparent, such as for example glass or plastic materials such as polycarbonate.

The light source of each optical system 4 or 4 'is preferably specific, that is to say fixed with respect to the corresponding lens 6 or 6'. The light sources 8 and 8 'of a module 2 can be arranged on a common support, in this case on a common plate 9, said plate being fixed to the rotary support 16. Alternatively, the light sources can be fixed individually to their optical system. It is also conceivable that a module comprises only one light source common to the various optical systems. In this case, it is then fixed relative to the frame of the module, the optical systems being able to move in rotation with respect in particular to the light source. Still with regard to the light sources, it should be noted that the light source common to all the optical systems of the module or specific to each optical system of the module may not be unique and include a set of point light sources forming an assimilable source to a single source. During operation of the module, the means for rotating the support and the optical systems makes it possible to position the selected optical system in the desired lighting and / or light-signaling direction. In this case, it is desirable for the light source (s) of the inactive optical systems to be extinguished. The number of optical systems on each module 2 can vary: it can be two, three or more. The dimensions of the module 2 can be reduced, such as for example having an outside diameter less than or equal to 150mm, preferably 120mm, and a reduced height, for example less than or equal to 60mm, preferably 50mm.

FIG. 2 illustrates a lighting and / or light signaling system comprising a plurality of modules corresponding to the principles of the module of FIG. 1 and described above. All the features mentioned above are therefore also applicable to this system. The system 120 of Figure 2 is shown schematically, so as to highlight its principle of operation and its advantages. Figures 3 to 15 illustrate in more detail certain aspects of construction and operation. The system 120 comprises three lighting and / or light-signaling modules, in this case a first module 102, a second module 202 and a third module 302. Given the similarity of these modules, the reference numbers of Figure 1 are used for the three modules, however, these numbers are increased by 100 for the first module, 200 for the second and 300 for the third, in order to distinguish them. The first module 102 comprises three optical systems 104, 104 'and 104' 'distributed homogeneously around the axis of rotation 118 of said systems, the optical axes of the three optical systems being furthermore represented and preferably forming identical angles. The second and third modules 202 and 302 each comprise three optical systems 204, 204 ', 204' ', 304', 304 'and 304', distributed homogeneously around each other. rotation axis 218 and 318 of said systems The optical axis of the system 120 as illustrated in Figure 2 corresponds to the generally vertical direction, the resulting beam being directed upwards The system comprises several combinations depending on the angular positions of each of three modules and also according to the activation or not of each of these modules In the configuration illustrated in Figure 2, it is the optical systems 104, 204 and 304 which are directed along the optical axis of the system and whose beams can be added to form a global beam. The construction of the modules and the different types of beam will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 3 to 15. FIG. 3 illustrates the first module 102 where it can be seen that each of the optical systems is formed of a lens extending substantially uniformly throughout its length. The ends of the lenses may be contiguous with those of neighboring lenses. The reflective surfaces 112, 112 'and 112 "of the three lenses respectively can be observed there.The light sources and the support are not visible in FIG. 3. FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are isolux curves (FIG. that is to say of the same luminous illumination) beams produced by these three optical systems.The three beams produced are broad in the manner of a basic beam of a function of daytime signaling, of crossing lighting or of The beams of Figures 4 and 5 have a cutoff at the horizon while the beam of Figure 6 extends beyond the horizon, particularly as in a road lighting function. Figure 4 may correspond to the base of a cross-illumination function while Figure 5 may correspond to the base of a day-time signaling function The horizontal spread of the beams of the optical systems of the first module 102 to Figure 3 is essentially related to the extent of their lenses according to their main directions. Calculation methods well known to those skilled in the art allow to define the lenses, more particularly their exit faces and their reflection faces in order to produce the beams illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. basis of the construction of the day, crossing and road signal beams. The continuous line footprint below the horizon illustrates the beam portion common to the crossing and road lighting functions. This is a beam with wide spread and close to the vehicle. The simple dashed footprint is a part of the passing beam, this part having a cut and a portion above the horizon. The double dashed footprint (line + point) is the additional long-range beam above the horizon for the road lighting function. In order to be able to carry out the various functions mentioned above, the second and third modules may have optical systems that are somewhat different from the optical systems of the first module and which have just been described. Indeed, the second module 202 shown in Figure 8 comprises an optical system 204 'whose lens is limited in the horizontal plane or perpendicular to its axis of rotation. Indeed, the lens has an exit face 214 'projecting relative to the lateral portions of the lens, and in the direction of its optical axis. The rays reflected by the reflecting surface 212 'of the lens in question and meeting the diopter formed by the protruding outlet face 212' with a deflection angle with respect to the optical axis will then be refracted so as to be straightened and form a beam less spread out and therefore more concentrated.

FIG. 10 illustrates the beam produced by the optical system 204 'of the second module 202. It can indeed be observed that it is substantially more limited in the horizontal direction and that it is predominantly above the horizon. It can be a supplement for a daytime signaling function or road lighting. The other two optical systems 204 and 204 "of the second module 202 are similar to those of the first module 102. Figures 9 and 11 illustrate the beams produced by these optical systems The beam of Figure 9 may correspond to a daytime signaling beam and the beam of Figure 11 may correspond to a lower portion of a road lighting beam.The third module 302 illustrated in Figure 12 comprises two optical systems 304 and 304 'similar to the optical system 204' of the second module 202.

These optical systems in fact comprise a limited lens whose outlet face 314 and 314 'has a rounded shape and protrudes from the lateral portions of the lens (in the horizontal plane). Similar to what has been previously described in connection with FIGS. 8 and 10, the rounded shape of the output faces makes it possible to produce beams that are substantially more concentrated in the horizontal direction. These optical systems 304 and 304 'produce the beams shown in FIGS. 13 and 15. The beam of FIG. 13 is similar to that of FIG. 10. It may correspond to a complement of daytime signaling beam or road lighting. The beam of Figure 15 is particular, besides the fact that it is little spread, in that it has, on the one hand, a cut and, on the other hand, a side portion above the horizon . Such a beam may for example correspond to a complement to the passing beam in a so-called motorway variant (or "Highway" in English). The right lateral portion extending above the horizon may in particular be obtained by inclining the light source (not visible) correspondingly.

The optical system 304 "is similar to the three optical systems of the first module 102 and the optical systems 204 and 204" of the second module 202. It produces a spread beam, as illustrated in FIG. 14, and is similar to those of FIGS. Figures 4 to 6, 9 and 11. It may correspond to a portion of crossing lighting beam.

The lighting and / or signaling system thus described makes it possible to produce, with a single system, several beams corresponding to radically different functions, such as, for example, the functions of daytime signaling, crossing and road lighting. It also makes it possible to produce variations of these basic functions by adding or removing certain beam additions. Indeed, for example, the crossing lighting function can be completed with a less spread beam and beyond one side of the horizon to achieve a so-called highway lighting function. It also makes it possible to produce light signaling functions such as, for example, a change of direction indicator. The light source can be colored or covered with a colored filter.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. A lighting and / or signaling system (120), especially for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of optical modules (2; 102; 202; 302) configured to produce beams combining in a main direction; characterized in that at least one, preferably each, of the optical modules (2; 102, 202, 302) comprises at least two optical systems (4, 4 '; 104, 104', 104 "; 204, 204 ', 204"; 304, 304 ', 304 ") disposed on a rotatable support (16; 116, 216, 316) so as to be able to selectively orient each of the optical systems in the main direction. 2. A lighting and / or signaling system (120) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one, preferably each, optical systems (4, 4 '; 104, 104', 104 "; 204 ', 204 ", 304, 304', 304") comprises a lens (6, 6 '; 106, 106', 106 "; 206, 206 ', 206"; 306, 306', 306 ") with one face an exit face (14, 14 '; 114, 114', 114 "; 214, 214 ', 214"; 314, 314', 314 ") and a reflecting surface (12, 12 '); 112, 112 ', 112 ", 212, 212', 212", 312, 312 ', 312 ") adapted to reflect to the exit face the rays coming from the input face. 3. Illumination and / or signaling system (120) according to claim 2, characterized in that the or at least one of the lenses (6, 6 '; 106, 106', 106 "; 206, 206"; 306 ") extends in a curved profile in a transverse plane, preferably generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation (18; 118, 218; 318) of the support (16; 116, 216, 316). 4. lighting and / or signaling system (120) according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the input face (10) of the or lenses (6, 6 ') is generally transverse , preferably generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation (18; 118, 218; 318) of the support (16; 116, 216, 316). 5. Lighting and / or signaling system (120) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the exit face (214 '; 314, 314') of the lens or lenses (206 '; 306, 306 ') forms a projecting rounded portion adapted to bring the radii coming out of a support plane (16, 116, 216, 316) into a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation (18, 118, 218, 318). The lens. 6. Lighting and / or signaling system (120) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the output face (14, 14 '; 114, 114', 114 "; 214, 214 ' , 214 ", 314, 314 ', 314") of the lens or lenses (6, 6', 106, 106 ', 106 ", 206, 206', 206", 306, 306 ', 306 ") has a profile rounded in a plane passing through the axis of rotation (18; 118, 218; 318) of the support (16; 116, 216, 316), the exit face forming a convex surface. 7. Lighting and / or signaling system (120) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the optical systems (4, 4 '; 104, 104', 104 "; 204, 204 ' , 204 "; 304, 304 ', 304") comprises one or more specific light sources (8, 8'), said light sources of one or each of the modules being preferably arranged on a plate (9) common to said module. 8. lighting and / or signaling system (120) according to claim 7, characterized in that the light sources (8, 8 ') of one or each of the modules are electroluminescence diodes illuminating in a main direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation (18; 118, 218; 318) of the support (16; 116, 216, 316). 9. lighting and / or signaling system (120) according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the light sources of the module or modules (302) is arranged so that its main direction of illumination forms an angle between 5 ° and 25 °, preferably between 10 ° and 20 °, with the axis of rotation of the support. 10. Lighting and / or signaling system (120) according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that at least one of the light sources of the module or modules is colored and / or is covered with a filter couleur.11 Lighting and / or signaling system (120) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a first module (102) of which at least one, preferentially each, optical systems ( 104, 104 ', 104 ") is adapted to form a lighting beam whose width corresponds to that of a crossing lighting function for a motor vehicle, and a second module (202; 302) including at least one of optical systems (204 ', 304, 304') is adapted to form a narrower and higher illumination beam than that of the first module, corresponding to a road lighting function 12. Lighting system and / or signaling device (120) according to claims 2 and 10, characterized in that the output face (114, 114 ', 114 ") of the lens or lenses (106, 106 ', 106") of the first module (102) has a curved profile in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the support, the radius of curvature of said profile remaining constant in a tolerance range of 10% over most of its length. Lighting and / or signaling system (120) according to claims 2 and 10 or claim 12, characterized in that the exit face (214 '; 314, 314') of the lens or lenses (206 ' 306, 306 ') of the second module (202; 302) has a curved profile in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the support, projecting from the lateral portions of the lens or lenses. 14. Lighting and / or signaling system (120) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that each of the modules (102, 202; 302) comprises a first optical system (104; 204; 304). capable of forming a beam involved in the construction of a first lighting and / or signaling function and a second optical system (104 '; 204'; 304 ') capable of forming a beam participating in the construction of a second lighting function and / or signaling, the first function being provided by the addition of the beams of the first systems of the modules and the second function being provided by the addition of the beams of the second systems of the modules. Lighting and / or signaling system (120) according to claim 14, characterized in that the lighting and / or signaling functions are selected from the following lighting and / or signaling functions for a motor vehicle: daytime signaling, crossing lighting, road lighting, change of direction indicator.