Lighting module forming a light pattern divided into a sharp upper portion and a fuzzy lower portion

Abstract

A lighting module for a motor vehicle headlight including at least one light source and optical elements for forming at least one light pattern, characterized in that each light pattern is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion which are lit simultaneously and inseparably, the upper portion being delimited transversely by two vertical edges for each of which the light intensity decreases according to a first determined gradient, and the lower portion being delimited transversely by two vertical edges for each of which the light intensity decreases according to a second determined gradient lower than the first determined gradient.

Claims

1. A lighting module for a motor vehicle headlight comprising a plurality of light sources and a primary optical element for forming a plurality of light patterns, wherein: each light pattern is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion which are lit simultaneously and inseparably, the upper portion being delimited transversely by two vertical edges for each of which the light intensity decreases according to a first determined gradient, and the lower portion being delimited transversely by two vertical edges for each of which the light intensity decreases according to a second determined gradient lower than said first determined gradient, the plurality of light patterns are contiguously aligned transversely and controlled independently of one another to participate in the formation of a pixel light beam, the primary optical element is associated with the plurality of light sources each of which is associated with one of the plurality of light patterns, the primary optical element comprising a light output face and a plurality of adjacent light guides each associated with one of the light sources, and wherein the lower portions of the light patterns are produced by joining a corresponding part of the lateral faces of the adjacent light guides to form a forming layer, the upper portions of the light patterns being produced by a portion of the lateral faces of the light guides separated transversely from one another.

2. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein the first determined gradient is greater than 0.13.

3. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein the second determined gradient is less than 0.2.

4. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein the first determined gradient is greater than 0.30.

5. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein the second determined gradient is less than 0.13.

6. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein at least one vertical edge of the lower portion is arranged in the vertical extension of the vertical edge of the upper portion.

7. The lighting module according to claim 6, wherein the two vertical edges of the lower portion are arranged in the extension of each vertical edge of the upper portion.

8. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein at least one vertical edge of the lower portion is offset transversely relative to the corresponding vertical edge of the upper portion, said vertical edge being linked to said vertical edge by a horizontal edge.

9. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein the light pattern lights over a field width less than 20.

10. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein the output face of the primary optical element has means for transversely spreading the light rays intended to light the lower part of the light pattern.

11. The lighting module according to claim 10, wherein the means for transversely spreading the light rays are formed by refractive or diffractive structures produced on the output face.

12. The lighting module according to claim 11, wherein the refractive or diffractive structures comprise at least one of cushions, a graining, striations, undulations, and prisms.

13. A motor vehicle headlight comprising at least one lighting module according to claim 1.

14. The lighting module according to claim 2, wherein the second determined gradient is less than 0.2.

15. The lighting module according to claim 2, wherein the second determined gradient is less than 0.13.

16. The lighting module according to claim 2, wherein at least one vertical edge of the lower portion is arranged in the vertical extension of the vertical edge of the upper portion.

17. The lighting module according to claim 2, wherein at least one vertical edge of the lower portion is offset transversely relative to the corresponding vertical edge of the upper portion, said vertical edge being linked to said vertical edge by a horizontal edge.

18. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein the light pattern lights over a field width less than 15.

19. A motor vehicle headlight comprising at least one lighting module according to claim 2.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following detailed description, for an understanding of which reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view which schematically represents a motor vehicle equipped with a lighting module produced according to the teachings of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view which represents a screen lit by a pixel light beam produced by the lighting module of FIG. 1 which comprises several light patterns;

(4) FIG. 3 is a detail view which represents an isolated light pattern of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a view in terms of isocandela curves which represents the light pattern of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 which represents a variant form of the light pattern;

(7) FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 which represents another variant form of the light pattern;

(8) FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 which represents yet another variant form of the light pattern;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view which represents a primary optical element of the lighting module of FIG. 1 which is produced according to a first embodiment of the invention;

(10) FIG. 9 is a view in longitudinal vertical cross section along the cutting plane 9-9 of FIG. 8 which represents the primary optical element;

(11) FIG. 10 is view in horizontal cross section along the cutting plane 10-10 of FIG. 8 which represents the lighting module as a whole in which a single light source is switched on;

(12) FIG. 11 is a view in horizontal cross section along the cutting plane 11-11 of FIG. 8 which represents the lighting module as a whole in which a single light source is switched on;

(13) FIG. 12 is a perspective view which represents the primary optical element of the lighting module of FIG. 1 produced according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(14) Hereinafter in the description, the following orientations will be adopted: longitudinal, directed from back to front in the direction of movement of the vehicle, vertical, directed from bottom to top according to an orientation orthogonal to the road, and transverse, directed from a left side to a right side of the road, these being indicated by the trihedron L, V, T in the figures. These orientations are also understood when the elements are installed in a lighting device which is itself installed in position of operation on the vehicle.

(15) Hereinafter in the description, elements that have an identical structure or similar functions will be denoted by the same references.

(16) FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 equipped with a lighting device 12, here a headlight 12. The lighting device 12 produces a pixel light beam 14 which produces a determined lighting function. In a nonlimiting manner, it is, here, a high beam function. The pixel light beam 14 is emitted along an axis A of emission that is substantially longitudinal to the front of the vehicle 10.

(17) It will be understood that the invention can be applied to light beams fulfilling other functions as has already been explained in the preamble to this description.

(18) For the purposes of the description, a vertical transverse screen 16 has been arranged at a determined longitudinal distance in front of the vehicle 10. The screen 16 is, here, arranged 25 m from the vehicle.

(19) FIG. 2 shows the zones of the screen 16 which are lit by the pixel light beam 14.

(20) On the screen 16, a transverse axis H and a vertical axis V have been plotted that intersect at the axis A of emission of the pixel light beam 14. The axes H and V are graduated in degrees of aperture of the light beam. The horizontal axis H divides the screen 16 into an upper part and a lower part. The parts of the pixel light beam 14 which light the lower part of the screen 16 are intended to light the surface of the road in front of and in proximity to the vehicle, whereas the parts of the pixel light beam 14 which light the upper part of the screen 16 are intended to light above the road.

(21) In the example represented in FIG. 2, the pixel light beam 14 here comprises a transverse alignment of five identical and contiguous light patterns 18. The light patterns referenced 18 light a bottom part of the screen 16. The headlight 12 is also capable of projecting a second row of complementary light patterns 17 which are arranged above the lower row of patterns 18. The set of light patterns 18 and 17 makes it possible to produce the high beam function when they are switched on simultaneously.

(22) The invention specifically relates to the formation of the light patterns 18 of the lower row which overlap the horizontal axis H of the screen 16.

(23) The fourth light pattern 18 starting from the left is switched off selectively to form a shadow zone 20. All the light patterns 18 here overlap the horizontal axis H. Each light pattern 18 lights over a field width less than or equal to 20, for example a field width less than or equal to 15 or to 10.

(24) At least one of the light patterns 18 is produced by a lighting module 19 of the motor vehicle headlight 12 comprising at least one light source and optical elements. Such a lighting module 19 will be described in more detail hereinbelow. Each light pattern 18 is projected in a fixed direction relative to the motor vehicle.

(25) The headlight 12 mainly comprises a housing (not represented) which is closed by an outer lens (not represented) through which the pixel light beam is projected. The headlight 12 thus encloses at least the lighting module 19.

(26) Since the light patterns 18 are identical, just one of these light patterns 18 will be described with reference to FIG. 3, the description being applicable to the other light patterns.

(27) Each light pattern 18 is divided into an upper portion 18A and a lower portion 18B which are lit simultaneously and inseparably. Thus, it is not possible to light only the upper portion 18A nor is it possible to light only the lower portion 18B. More particularly, the upper portion 18A and the lower portion 18B are delimited by a transverse line which here runs through the optical axis A and which corresponds here to the line H of the screen. Thus, the upper portion 18A of the light pattern 18 lights above the road, whereas the lower portion 18B lights the surface of the road in front of and in proximity to the vehicle 10, for example between 5 m and 50 m.

(28) The upper portion 18A is delimited transversely by two so-called sharp vertical edges 20A, 20B, for each of which the light intensity decreases according to a first determined gradient G1.

(29) The lower portion 18B is delimited transversely by two so-called fuzzy vertical edges 22A, 22B, for each of which the light intensity decreases according to a second determined gradient G2, lower than said first determined gradient G1.

(30) The terms fuzzy and sharp are used relatively. Thus, a sharp first edge will be sharper than a fuzzy second edge, that is to say that the gradient of intensity of the sharp edge will be greater than that of the fuzzy edge, and, conversely, the fuzzy second edge will be fuzzier than the sharp first edge, that is to say that the gradient of intensity of the fuzzy edge will be lesser than that of the sharp edge.

(31) FIG. 4 shows the isocandela curves of such a light pattern 18, the units of the axes H and V being angular.

(32) The first determined gradient G1 of light intensity of the so-called sharp transverse edge 20A has been calculated along a transverse line L1 running through the axis H. The first determined gradient G1 is, here, equal to approximately 0.35. Generally, the first determined gradient G1 is greater than 0.13, preferably greater than 0.30. This corresponds to a rapid reduction of the intensity when the vertical edge 20A is crossed along the line L1.

(33) The second determined gradient G2 of light intensity of the so-called fuzzy transverse edge 22A has been calculated along a transverse line L2 arranged below the axis H. The second determined gradient G2 is, here, equal to approximately 0.11. Generally, the second determined gradient G2 is less than 0.2, preferably less than 0.13. This corresponds to a slower reduction of the light intensity when the vertical edge 22A is crossed along the line L2 compared to the reduction of intensity along the line L1.

(34) More specifically, in the present application, the gradient is obtained in the manner described hereinbelow.

(35) Along the line L1 or L2, for any point of a segment extending on either side of the lateral edge for which the gradient is to be measured, the following is calculated:
G()=log(I(+0.05))log(I(0.05))
in which is the angle according to the axis H of said point of the segment traveled and I is the intensity of the light beam for the angle considered.

(36) The first or second gradient G1, G2 corresponds to the maximum value of G() obtained over the segment corresponding to the lateral edge considered.

(37) Thus, when one of the light patterns 18 is switched off, as is illustrated in FIG. 2, the shadow zone 20 which is created on the surface of the road is delimited transversely by so-called fuzzy vertical edges 22A, 22B. Such a configuration makes it possible to not draw the attention of the driver to the delimitation between the shadow zone 20 and the zones lit by the light patterns 18 that are switched on.

(38) In a first embodiment of the light pattern 18 represented in FIGS. 2 to 4, each so-called fuzzy vertical edge 22A, 22B of the lower portion 18B is arranged substantially in the vertical extension of the corresponding so-called sharp vertical edge 20A, 20B of the upper portion 18A.

(39) However, because the lower portion 18B is delimited by so-called fuzzy vertical edges 22A, 22B, it lights a surface that is transversely more extensive than the upper portion 18A.

(40) According to a second embodiment of the light pattern 18, at least one so-called fuzzy vertical edge 22A, 22B of the lower portion 18B is offset transversely relative to the corresponding so-called sharp vertical edge 20A, 20B of the upper portion 18A. In this case, the top end of said offset fuzzy vertical edge 22A, 22B is linked to the bottom end of said sharp vertical edge by a so-called sharp horizontal edge 24A, 24B. The so-called sharp horizontal edge 24A, 24B here coincides with the axis H so as not to be perceptible by the driver.

(41) Thus, according to a first variant of this second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the lower portion 18B of the light pattern 18 is more transversely extensive in both directions relative to the upper portion 18A. In this case, the lower portion 18B is delimited at the top by a so-called sharp first edge 24A, by the upper portion 18A and by a so-called sharp second edge 24B.

(42) According to a second variant of this second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the lower portion 18B of the light pattern 18 is entirely offset transversely in a direction relative to the upper portion 18A, here to the left. In this case, the lower portion 18B is delimited at the top by a so-called sharp first edge 24A, by the upper portion 18A. The upper portion 18A is delimited at the bottom by the lower portion 18B and by a so-called sharp second edge 24B.

(43) According to a third variant of this second embodiment of the light pattern 18 illustrated in FIG. 7, the lower portion 18B of the light pattern 18 is more transversely extensive in a single direction relative to the upper portion 18A. In this case, the lower portion 18B is delimited at the top by a so-called sharp first edge 24A, by the upper portion 18A. The so-called fuzzy second edge 22B is arranged substantially in the extension of the corresponding so-called sharp edge 20B. The pattern then takes the form of an L.

(44) There now follows a description of a lighting module 19 capable of producing at least some of the light patterns forming the pixel light beam 14, as is represented in FIGS. 8 to 10.

(45) The lighting module 19 is designed to form several transversely aligned light patterns 18. Said light patterns 18 are contiguous, even overlap, transversely, in order to form a pixel light beam 14 lighting uniformly when all the light patterns 18 are switched on.

(46) Each light pattern 18 is capable of being controlled independently to participate in the formation of the pixel light beam 14 producing a determined lighting function, for example a high beam.

(47) The lighting module 19 comprises a primary optical element 26 associated with a plurality of light sources 28, each of which is associated with a light pattern 18.

(48) Each light source 28 is, for example, a light-emitting diode belonging to a matrix of light-emitting diodes. The light sources 28 are, here, aligned transversely.

(49) The primary optical element 26 comprises a plurality of light guides 30 which form a transverse row. Each light guide 30 extends overall longitudinally from a rear input face 32 for the light emitted by an associated light source 28 to a front light output face 34.

(50) In a preferred embodiment, each light guide 30 is associated with one of the light sources 28. According to a variant, each light guide 30 is associated with several of the light sources 28.

(51) The input faces 32 are in one and the same vertical transverse plane parallel to the plane of the light-emitting diodes 28. The output faces 34 are also arranged in one and the same transverse vertical plane. A transverse space is reserved between two adjacent light guides 30 to allow the guiding of the light rays by total internal reflection on the lateral faces of the light guides 30.

(52) Each light guide 30 has a transverse cross section of rectangular form. Each light guide 30 thus has two vertical lateral faces 35 and two top and bottom faces.

(53) The primary optical element 26 also comprises a front lens 36. The front lens 36 is delimited longitudinally to the front by a face 38 for forming the light patterns 18 and to the rear with a transverse vertical face which coincides with the plane of the output faces 34 of the light guides 30.

(54) The front lens 36 is, here, produced materially in a single piece with the light guides 30. Thus, the light guides 30 emerge directly in the front lens 36. The light rays outgoing from the output faces 34 of the light guides are thus propagated without being deflected to the output face 38 of the front lens 36.

(55) The lighting module 19 also comprises a front end projection lens 39, represented in FIG. 9, which is arranged longitudinally in front of and at a distance from the output face 38 of the front lens 36. The projection lens 39 is intended to project a vertically inverted image of the output faces 34 of the light guides to infinity. Thus, an upper portion 34B of the output face 34 of a light guide 30 is intended to form the lower portion 18B of the associated light pattern 18, whereas a lower portion 34A of the output face 34 of the light guide 30 is intended to form the upper portion 18A of the associated light pattern 18.

(56) According to a first embodiment of the lighting module 19, an upper portion of each lateral face 35 of each light guide 30 is linked to the lateral faces 35 of the adjacent light guides 30 via a transverse bridge 40 produced materially and in a single piece with the light guides. Each bridge 40 extends longitudinally from the plane of the input faces 32 to the plane of the output faces 34, here to the front lens 36. Each bridge 40 is arranged transversely coinciding with the upper portion 34B of the output face of the light guides 30. Furthermore, all the bridges 40 are delimited by a bottom face 41 and by a top face 43. The top face 43 is arranged in the same plane as the top faces of the light guides 30. The bottom faces 41 are arranged in a common horizontal plane.

(57) In this configuration, the upper parts of the light guides 30 thus linked by the bridges 40 form a single light forming layer which extends transversely over the entire row of the light guides 30 and which has a single output face 34B extending transversely all along the row of light guides 30. Only a lower part of the lateral faces 35 of the light guides remains free, as is represented in FIGS. 8 and 9. In a variant of the invention that is not represented, some light guides are not linked by bridges. Thus, the primary optical element has several light forming layers each of which encompasses several light guides and each of which has an associated output face.

(58) In the embodiment of FIG. 8, each bridge 40 has a thickness approximately equal to half the height of the lateral face 35 of the light guide 30. As a variant, the thickness of each bridge can also be less than half said height.

(59) According to a variant of the invention that is not represented, the thickness of the bridges varies as a function of their position along the primary optical element.

(60) To illustrate the operation of the lighting module 19, FIGS. 10 and 11 show a single light source 28 switched on to form a light pattern 18, the other light sources 28 being switched off. FIGS. 10 and 11 represent the same light source 28 switched on.

(61) As is represented in FIG. 10, the upper portion 18A of the light patterns 18 is produced by the lower parts of light guides 30 separated transversely from one another by a space. This configuration allows the free lateral faces 35 of the light guide 30 to reflect the light by total internal reflection to concentrate the light rays towards the lower portion 34A of the output face 34. This thus makes it possible to form the so-called sharp vertical edges of the upper portion 18A of the light pattern 18.

(62) As is illustrated in FIG. 11, the bridges 40 produced on either side of the upper part of the light guides 30 allow the light rays to continue their propagation in a straight line beyond the lateral face 35 to exit over a more transversely extensive surface of the upper portion of the output face 34B than the lower portion 34A of the output face. The lower portion 18B of the light pattern 18 is thus obtained. It is thus observed that the light rays emitted by a light source 28 exit through an upper portion of output face 34B which encroaches on the output face of the adjacent light guides 30.

(63) The forming layer formed by the bridges 40 makes it possible to obtain a light pattern 18 in the form of an inverted T as represented in FIGS. 3 and 4. An inverted T should be understood to mean a pattern having an upper portion of substantially constant width and a lower portion wider than the upper portion and extending laterally on either side of the upper part.

(64) In a variant of the invention that is not represented, when the horizontal faces of the bridges are fairly wide, in particular wider than what is represented in FIG. 8, they make it possible to produce the light pattern 18 represented in FIG. 5. In this case, the bottom horizontal faces of the bridges 40 in fact make it possible to create so-called sharp horizontal edges which link the so-called sharp vertical edges 20A, 20B, formed by the lateral faces of the light guides 30, with the so-called fuzzy vertical edges 22A, 22B, formed by the bridges 40.

(65) In the example represented in FIGS. 8 to 11, the primary optical element 26 also comprises a second row of light guides 42 which make it possible to obtain the complementary light patterns 17 of rectangular form delimited transversely by so-called sharp vertical edges over all their height. These complementary light patterns 17, represented in FIG. 2, are intended to light only above the road.

(66) According to a second embodiment of the lighting module 19 which is represented in FIG. 11, the light guides remain separated from one another by a space over all their vertical height. On the other hand, a portion of the output face 38 of the front lens 36 of the primary optical element 26 has means for transversely spreading the light rays intended to light the lower portion 18B of the light pattern 18. Indeed, the output face 38 is sufficiently close to the focal plane of the system, for example the output face is arranged at a distance from the focal plane of between 2% and 20% of the focal length of the system. In this way, a diffraction or refraction structure arranged on an upper part of the output face 38 affects only a lower part of the light pattern 18.

(67) The light spreading means are for example formed by diffraction or refraction structures produced in relief on a portion of the output face 38. The diffraction or refraction structures are for example conformed as cushions 44.

(68) This second embodiment makes it possible to obtain light patterns of a form similar to that represented in FIG. 3.

(69) As a variant, the spreading means are formed by a graining of the corresponding parts of the output face.

(70) According to another variant, the diffraction or refraction structures are formed by striations, undulations, prisms or any other form suitable for producing the light spreading function.

(71) A third embodiment is also provided, not represented, in which the primary element comprises a structure with light-forming layers, as in the first embodiment, of which the output face comprises light spreading means, as in the second embodiment. The third embodiment of the invention thus combines the features of the first and second embodiments of the invention.