MOTOR VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICE

Abstract

A motor vehicle lighting device including a housing with a first module for emitting a first beam, a second module for emitting a second beam, extending above the first, a third module for emitting a third segmented beam, extending above the second beam, and an optical projection system. The second module is arranged below the first module, the third module is arranged below the second module, and each of the modules includes a plurality of light sources, a collector for collecting and reflecting the rays emitted by the plurality of light sources into a beam, and a portion of the optical projection system that is arranged to project the beam, the portion forming an image of the collector.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle lighting device, the device comprising a housing in which there are arranged at least: a. a first lighting module designed to emit a first beam of light with a flat cut-off, b. a second lighting module designed to emit a second beam of light extending at least partially above the first beam of light; c. a third lighting module, designed to emit a segmented beam of light, each sector of which can be controlled selectively, the third beam of light extending at least partially above the second beam of light; d. an optical projection system common to the first, second and third modules, with the second lighting module being arranged in the housing below the first lighting module, in that the third lighting module is arranged in the housing below the second lighting module and in that each of the first, second and third lighting modules includes: e. a plurality of light sources, f. a collector comprising a reflective surface configured to collect the rays of light emitted by the plurality of light sources and reflect them as a beam of light; and g. a portion of the optical projection system configured to project the beam of light; the portion being configured to form an image of the reflective surface of the collector.

2. The motor vehicle lighting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collector of each of the first, second and third lighting modules includes a plurality of sectors, each sector being configured to collect and reflect the rays of light emitted by at least one of the light sources of the module with which it is associated, the portion of the optical system of this module being configured to form an image of each sector.

3. The motor vehicle lighting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each sector of the collector of each of the first, second and third lighting modules has a rear edge and wherein the portion of the optical system of this module has a focal line situated in the vicinity of the rear edges of the sectors of the collector of this module so that the image of each sector that is formed by this portion has an upper cut-off that is formed by the rear edge of this sector.

4. The motor vehicle lighting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first lighting module includes a first submodule including the plurality of light sources, the collector and the portion, and two other submodules which are arranged one on each side of the first submodule of the first module, wherein each of these submodules includes a light source, a collector with a reflective surface configured to collect the rays of light emitted by the light source and reflect them as a beam of light; a portion of the optical projection system configured to project the beam of light; the portion being configured to form an image of the reflective surface of the collector and in that the portions of the optical projection system of these other submodules are arranged one on each side of the portion of the optical projection system of the first submodule of the first module.

5. The motor vehicle lighting device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the collectors of each submodule of the first module form a first single component forming a cover of the housing of the lighting device.

6. The motor vehicle lighting device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a first heatsink separating the first and second modules, wherein the light sources of each of the submodules of the first lighting module are mounted on a first common support, the first support being a mounting plate of the first heatsink.

7. The motor vehicle lighting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second lighting module includes a first diffusing screen interposed between the portion of the optical projection system of the second lighting module and the collector of the second lighting module.

8. The motor vehicle lighting device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second lighting module includes a first submodule including the plurality of light sources, the collector, the first screen and the portion, and at least a second submodule, wherein this submodule includes a plurality of light sources, a collector including a reflective surface configured to collect the rays of light emitted by the light source and reflect them as a beam of light; a portion of the optical projection system configured to project the beam of light; the portion being configured to form an image of the reflective surface of the collector and a second diffusing screen interposed between the portion of the optical projection system of this second submodule and of the collector of this second submodule and in that the portion of this second submodule is arranged adjacent to the portion of the first submodule of the second module.

9. The motor vehicle lighting device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second heatsink separating the second and third modules, wherein the light sources of the second lighting module are mounted on a second common support, the second support being a mounting plate of the second heatsink.

10. The motor vehicle lighting device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the collectors of each submodule of the second module form a second single component, and in that the screens of each submodule of the second module form a single component.

11. The motor vehicle lighting device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the third lighting module includes a first submodule including the plurality of light sources, the collector, and the portion, and at least another submodule, wherein this submodule includes a plurality of light sources, a collector including a reflective surface configured to collect the rays of light emitted by the light source and reflect them as a beam of light; a portion of the optical projection system configured to project the beam of light; the portion being configured to form an image of the reflective surface of the collector, and in that the portions of these other submodules are arranged adjacent to the portion of the first submodule of the third module.

12. The motor vehicle lighting device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the light sources of the second lighting module are mounted on a first face of the second common support and in that the light sources of the third lighting module are mounted on a second face, opposite to the first face, of the second common support.

13. The motor vehicle lighting device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the collectors of each submodule of the third module form a third single component forming a casing of the housing of the lighting device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Other advantages and features of the present invention will now be described using examples that are purely illustrative and by no means limit the scope of the invention, and on the basis of the accompanying drawings, in which the various figures show:

[0052] FIG. 1 schematically and partially depicts a view in perspective, from the front, of a lighting device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0053] FIG. 2 schematically and partially depicts another view in perspective, from the front, of the lighting device of FIG. 1 with the optical projection system omitted;

[0054] FIG. 3 schematically and partially depicts a view in perspective, from above, of a first lighting module of the lighting device of FIG. 1;

[0055] FIG. 4 schematically and partially depicts a view in perspective, from above, of a second lighting module of the lighting device of FIG. 1;

[0056] FIG. 5 schematically and partially depicts a view in perspective, from above, of a third lighting module of the lighting device of FIG. 1;

[0057] FIG. 6 schematically and partially depicts a view in cross section of the lighting device of FIG. 1;

[0058] FIG. 7 schematically and partially depicts a view in perspective, from the rear, of the second lighting module of the lighting device of FIG. 1;

[0059] FIG. 8 depicts, in projection onto a vertical screen, an example of a beam of light emitted by the first lighting module of the lighting device of FIG. 1;

[0060] FIG. 9 depicts, in projection onto a vertical screen, an example of a beam of light emitted by the second lighting module of the lighting device of FIG. 1;

[0061] FIG. 10 depicts, in projection onto a vertical screen, an example of a beam of light emitted by the third lighting module of the lighting device of FIG. 1.

[0062] Throughout the following description, elements that are identical in terms of structure or in terms of function and that appear in various figures have been designated with the same reference sign, unless otherwise indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] FIG. 1 depicts a motor vehicle lighting device 30 according to one embodiment of the invention. This lighting device 30 will be described in connection with FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, each of which depicts a view of a part of this lighting device 30, and in connection with FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, each of which depicts an example of a beam of light liable to be emitted by this lighting device 30.

[0064] The lighting device 30 comprises three lighting modules 31, 32, 33 and on its front face has an optical projection lens 34. The lens 34 is formed as a single component common to the plurality of lighting modules 31, 32, 33, allowing the beams of light emitted by the plurality of light sources to be projected onto the road.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 2, the first lighting module 31 is positioned above the second lighting module 32, itself positioned above the third lighting module 33. The first lighting module 31 comprises a first submodule 31.1, referred to as central submodule, and a second and a third submodule 31.2 and 31.3, referred to as lateral submodules, which are aligned horizontally, so as to be adjacent to one another. The second lighting module 32 comprises a first submodule 32.1 and a second submodule 32.2, which are aligned horizontally, so as to be adjacent to one another. The third lighting module 33 comprises a first submodule 33.1, referred to as central submodule, a second submodule 33.2 and a third submodule 33.3, which are referred to as lateral submodules, which are aligned horizontally, so as to be adjacent to one another. In each of the lighting modules 31, 32, 33, two adjacent submodules comprise a common lateral edge.

[0066] Each of the lighting submodules 31.1, 31.2 and 31.3 comprises at least one light source (these are not depicted in the figures), a collector 31.11, 31.21 and 31.31 respectively, comprising a reflective surface configured to collect the rays of light emitted by said at least one light source and reflect them as a beam of light.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 3, the collector 31.11 is divided into five sectors, and the lighting submodule 31.1 comprises five light sources, each one associated with one of these sectors. In the collector 31.11, two adjacent sectors have a common lateral edge. In the example described, the plurality of sectors of the collector 31.11 are positioned transversely relative to one another. The sectors have a truncated parabolic profile each defining a cavity in which the light source is arranged.

[0068] The collectors 31.21 and 31.31 each comprise a single sector, and the submodules 31.2 and 31.3 each comprise a single light source (not depicted) which is associated with the respective collector 31.21 and 31.31.

[0069] Each sector of the collectors 31.11, 31.21 and 31.31 is positioned in such a way that it collects the beam of light emitted by the light source and reflects it toward the optical system 34. More specifically, each collector 31.11, 31.21 and 31.31 of a lighting submodule 31.1, 31.2 and 31.3 reflects this beam of light to a portion of the optical system 34, the portions being respectively 31.12, 31.22 and 31.32, and considered to form part of said lighting submodule 31.1, 31.2 and 31.3. This lens portion 31.12, 31.22 and 31.32 has a focal line f11, f12 and 13 respectively, passing through the rear edge of the collector 31.11, 31.21 and 31.31, so that this lens portion projects onto the road the image of this collector.

[0070] In the example described, the first central submodule 31.1 is therefore configured to form a beam of light having a substantially flat upper cut-off, depicted in FIG. 8. Each of the second and third lateral submodules 31.2 and 31.3 is configured to form a beam of light likewise having a substantially flat upper cut-off and having a horizontal spread and a maximum light intensity that are less than those of the beam liable to be emitted by the first central submodule 31.1. These two beams are, for example, intended to supplement the beam liable to be emitted by the first central submodule 31.1 to create functions of the motorway-driving beam or long-range beam type.

[0071] The collector 31.11 is positioned between the collectors 31.21 and 31.31. The collectors 31.11, 31.21 and 31.31 are formed by the one same first component 311 that forms a cover of the lighting device 30, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0072] The first lighting module 31 comprises a first heatsink 312. The first heatsink 312 comprises a mounting plate 312.1 acting as a common support for the plurality of light sources of the first lighting module 31 and comprises a plurality of heat-dissipating fins 312.2. The first heatsink 312 comprises on its upper face pins 312.3 which are intended to come into abutment in recesses 311.1 of the cover 311 so that the collectors 31.11, 31.21 and 31.31 can be indexed relative to the light sources.

[0073] The mounting plate 312.1 comprises a plurality of blocking members 312.4, each in the form of a triangular prism arranged in line with each of the light sources of the first module 31. The blocking members 312.4 are preferably shields to prevent direct light, referred to as parasitic light, from the light sources from passing through the optical system 34.

[0074] The rear part of the cover 311, opposite to the zone to which the optical system 34 is to be secured, comprises a recess, depicted in FIG. 3, in which the fins 312.2 of the first heatsink 312 are arranged.

[0075] Each of the lighting submodules 32.1 and 32.2 comprises at least one light source (these are not depicted in the figures), a collector, 32.11 and 32.21 respectively, comprising a reflective surface configured to collect the rays of light emitted by said at least one light source and reflect them as a beam of light, and a first and a second diffusing screen 321.1, 321.2 which is interposed between said collector 32.11 and 32.21 and the optical projection system 34.

[0076] The collectors 32.11 and 32.21 are divided into twelve sectors. The lighting submodules 32.1, 32.2 comprise twelve light sources (not depicted), each one associated with one of these sectors. In the collectors 32.11 and 32.21, two adjacent sectors have a common lateral edge. In the example described, the plurality of sectors of the collectors 32.11 and 32.21 are positioned transversely relative to one another. The sectors have a truncated parabolic profile each defining a cavity in which the light source is arranged. Each sector of the collectors 32.11 and 32.21 is positioned in such a way that it collects the beam of light emitted by the plurality of light sources and reflects said beam toward the optical system 34. More specifically, each collector 32.11 and 32.21 of the lighting submodules 32.1 and 32.2 reflects this beam of light toward a portion of the optical system 34, the portions being respectively 32.12 and 32.22, and considered to form part of said lighting submodule 32.1 and 32.2. This lens portion 32.12 and 32.22 has a focal line, f21 and f22 respectively, passing through the rear edge of the collectors 32.11 and 32.21, so that this lens portion projects onto the road the image of these collectors.

[0077] The collectors 32.11 and 32.21 are in the continuity of one another and form a second single component 323, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0078] The first diffusing screen 321.1 and the second diffusing screen 321.2 are positioned respectively in line with the collectors 32.11 and 32.21. The first and second screens 321.1 and 321.2 form a single component referred to as screen 321. The first and second screens 321.1 and 321.2 have a front face 321.3, facing toward the first and the second portion of the optical projection system 34, and a rear face 321.4 facing toward the collectors 32.11 and 32.21. Since the rear face 321.4 of the screen 321 faces toward the collectors 32.11 and 32.21, it is this face 321.4 that receives the beams of light passed on by said collectors 32.11 and 32.21. The front face 321.3 of the screen 321 faces toward said optical system 34, which is to say that it is this face 321.3 that projects the image of the collectors 32.11 and 32.21 onto the optical projection system 34. The front 321.3 and rear 321.4 faces have a succession of concave features and of convex features respectively. Each of the front and rear faces 321.3 and 321.4 are provided with a plurality of torus shapes. The screen 321 has an upper lip 321.5 projecting from the rest of said screen 321 toward the collectors 32.11 and 32.21, the screen 321 being configured so that said upper lip 321.5 adjoins the upper edge of the collectors 32.11 and 32.21. The lip 321 5 has a sinusoidal shape similar to the front 321.3 and rear 321.4 faces and coincides with the upper front edge of each collector 32.11 and 32.21.

[0079] The second single component 323 comprises at least one lateral fixing flange 323.1 arranged at one end of its reflective surface, and the screen 321 comprises at least one lateral fixing member 321.6 configured to collaborate with said lateral fixing flange 323.1 of the second single component 323. The lateral fixing flange 323.1 is a slot. The lateral fixing member 321.6 is a pin or a stud. The pin or the stud 321.6 is inserted into the slot 323.1 so as to hold the screen 321 in position in front of the collector 32.11 and 32.21.

[0080] In the example described, the first and second submodules 32.1 and 32.2 are thus configured to form a plurality of lighting segments each having substantially the shape of an inverted T having a horizontal spread. The screen 321 allows horizontal diffusion of each lighting segment formed from the image of each sector, and the lower part thereof, so as to obtain lighting segments having this particular inverted T shape. When all of the light sources of one of these submodules 32.1 and 32.2 are activated, the diffused lower portions of these lighting segments which are formed by this submodule become superimposed to form a segmented beam of light, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0081] The first submodule 32.1 is configured in such a way that the images of the sectors of the first collector 32.11, which are formed by a first portion of the optical projection system 32.12, are superposed on the images of the sectors of the second collector 32.21 of the second submodule 32.2 which are formed by a second portion 32.22 of the optical projection system 34. For example, each image formed by the second submodule 32.2 is superposed with at least one of the images formed by the first submodule 32.1, the set of images thus together forming a uniform beam of light.

[0082] The second lighting module 32 comprises a second heatsink 322. Said second heatsink 322 comprises a mounting plate 322.1 acting as a common support for the plurality of light sources of the second lighting module 32 and comprises a plurality of heat-dissipating fins 322.2. The second heatsink 322 comprises on its upper face pins 322.4 which are intended to come into abutment in recesses 323.2 of the second single component 323 so that the collectors 32.11 and 32.21 can be indexed relative to the light sources.

[0083] The lower face of the second heatsink 322, which is opposite to the face comprising the plurality of light sources, comprises a plurality of dividing walls 322.3 forming a lateral edge common to two adjacent submodules of the third lighting module 33.

[0084] The second single component 323 comprises a sloping opening 323.3 opening onto the fins 322.2 of the second heatsink 322, as depicted in FIG. 4. The second single component 323 comprises fixing members 323.5 arranged in line with said opening 323.3 and intended to collaborate with a fan (not depicted). The sloping opening is able to direct the flow of air toward the fan and thus improve the dissipation of heat. The opening 323.3 allows the dissipation of heat produced by the light sources of the second module 32.

[0085] The lower face of the first heatsink 312, opposite to the face comprising the plurality of light sources of the first module 31, comprises a diaphragm 312.5 positioned perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical projection system 34 and comprises a dividing wall 312.6 separating the first and second submodules of the second lighting module 32, as depicted in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3. The first heatsink 312, the dividing wall 322.3 and the diaphragm 3125 form a single component.

[0086] Each of the lighting submodules 33.1, 33.2 and 33.3 of the third module 33 comprises at least one light source (these are not depicted in the figures), a collector 33.11, 33.21 and 33.31 respectively comprising a reflective surface configured to collect the rays of light emitted by said at least one light source and reflect them as a beam of light.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 5, the central collector 33.11 is divided into six sectors, and the lighting submodule 33.1 comprises six light sources, each one associated with one of these sectors. In the collector 33.11, two adjacent sectors have a common lateral edge. In the example described, the plurality of sectors of the collector 33.11 are positioned transversely relative to one another. The sectors have a truncated parabolic profile each defining a cavity in which the light source is arranged.

[0088] The collectors 33.21 and 33.31 comprise respectively six and eight sectors, and the submodules 33.2 and 33.3 comprise respectively six and eight light sources (not depicted) associated with the respective collector 33.21 and 33.31.

[0089] Each sector of the collectors 33.11, 33.21 and 33.31 is positioned in such a way that it collects the beam of light emitted by the light source and reflects it toward the optical system 34. More specifically, each collector 33.11, 33.21 and 33.31 of a lighting submodule 33.1, 33.2 and 33.3 reflects this beam of light to a portion of the optical system 34, the portions being respectively 33.12, 33.22 and 33.32, and considered to form part of said lighting submodule 33.1, 33.2 and 33.3. This lens portion 33.12, 33.22 and 33.32 has a focal line, f31, f32 and 33 respectively, passing through the rear edge of the collector 33.11, 33.21 and 33.31, so that this lens portion projects onto the road the image of this collector.

[0090] In the example described, each of the first, second and third submodules 33.1, 33.2 and 33.3 is thus configured to form a segmented beam of light each segment of which can be controlled selectively, as depicted in FIG. 10.

[0091] The collector 33.11 is positioned between the collectors 33.21 and 33.31. The collectors 33.11, 33.21 and 33.31 are formed by the one same third component 330 that forms a casing of the lighting device 30, as shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 5.

[0092] In the third module 33, two adjacent submodules have a common lateral edge 322.3, said lateral edge 322.3 forming a single component with the second heatsink 323, as depicted in FIG. 5.

[0093] The cavity or cavities of the collectors 31.11, 31.21 and 31.31 and the cavities of the collectors 33.11, 33.21 and 33.31 are oriented in opposite directions and the cavity or cavities of the collectors 31.11, 31.21 and 31.31 and the cavities of the collectors 32.11 and 32.21 are oriented in identical directions.

[0094] The light sources of the second lighting module 32 are mounted on a first face of the second common support 322.1 and in that the light sources of the third lighting module 33 are mounted on a second face, opposite to the first face, of the second common support 322.1.

[0095] The second single component 323 comprises two recesses 323.2 in which a pin 330.1 of the casing 330 becomes lodged in order to hold said second single component 323 and said casing 330 together.

[0096] The cover 311 and the casing 330 each comprise second fixing members 311.2, 330.1, these being respectively caps 311.2 and pins 330.1 depicted in FIG. 2. Said caps 311.2 and said pins 330.1 collaborate with one another to hold said cover 311 and said casing 330 together. The second single component 323 and the casing 330 each comprise first fixing members 323.4, 330.1, these being respectively caps 323.4 and pins 330.1 depicted in FIG. 2. Said caps 323.4 and said pins 330.1 collaborate with one another to hold said second single component 323 and said casing 330 together.

[0097] The front part of the cover 311 comprises a slot 3111 for securing the optical system 34. The casing 330 comprises a slot 330.2 able to collaborate with the notch 340 of the optical system 34. The lens comprises at least one notch 340 collaborating with at least the slot 3111 of the housing.

[0098] The device therefore comprises the first lighting module 31 configured to emit the first beam of light with a flat cut-off, the second lighting module 32 configured to emit the second beam of light extending at least partially above the first beam of light, and the third lighting module 33 configured to emit the segmented beam of light each segment of which can be controlled selectively, the third beam of light extending at least partially above the second beam of light.

[0099] The foregoing description explains clearly how the invention is able to achieve its stated objectives, namely use a device comprising several lighting modules that it is desired to be superposed, for example for esthetic reasons, in a device that is compact, by proposing a motor vehicle lighting device comprising a plurality of lighting modules and a diffusing screen.

[0100] In any event, the invention should not be regarded as being limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, and extends, in particular, to any equivalent means and to any technically operative combination of these means.