FR3038695A1 - LUMINOUS MODULE FOR LIGHTING AND / OR SIGNALING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

A light module for lighting and / or signaling of a motor vehicle comprises first means (2) arranged to produce a first cut-off beam and second means (6) arranged to produce at least two selectively activatable light segments, so that the light segments form a second complementary beam to the cut-off beam, when the first and second means are activated simultaneously. According to the invention, the second means comprise at least one reflector (30) specific for each of the light segments selectively activatable to achieve.

Description

LUMINOUS MODULE FOR LIGHTING AND / OR SIGNALING A

The invention relates to the field of lighting and / or signaling, in particular for motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a lighting and / or signaling module for a motor vehicle.

A motor vehicle is equipped with headlamps, or headlights, intended to illuminate the road in front of the vehicle, at night or in the case of reduced luminosity. These projectors can generally be used in two lighting modes: a first mode "high beam" and a second mode "low beam". The "high beam" mode provides strong illumination of the road far ahead of the vehicle. The "low beam" mode provides more limited illumination of the road, but still offers good visibility without dazzling other road users. These two modes of lighting are complementary, and one passes from one to the other according to the traffic conditions. The switching from one mode to another can be done manually, the driver deciding the moment of this switching, or it can be done automatically, depending on the detection by appropriate means of the conditions required for such a change of mode. 'lighting.

For the passage from "low beam" to "high beam", there are known projectors in which a light module integrates a movable mechanical element, designed to participate in the formation of such or such beam at the request of the driver or the driver. associated control system. DE 10 2006 042 749 discloses a vehicle headlamp illumination device comprising an LED light source and an elliptical reflector in a half space with two foci. The LED source is placed at the first focus of the reflector near the reflector. The light emitted by the LED source is reflected by the reflector towards its second focus where a so-called folding reflective surface is positioned. This reflecting surface has an edge on the reflector side and an edge on the opposite side of the reflector. These edges are called "cutoff edges. A portion of the light beam reflected by the reflector meets the reflective surface and is reflected at its angle of incidence on the surface. Another part of the light beam passes over the cutoff edge (s) and is not deflected by the reflecting surface. The cutoff edge thus defines a boundary between the portion of the reflected beam and thus deflected and the nonreflected portion. A lens is positioned behind the reflective surface so that its focus corresponds to that of the elliptical reflector. The reflective surface with its cutoff edge (s) is called a folder because it deflects or "bends" part of the beam to form a cutoff at the beam emitted by the lens. The folder is movable along an axis parallel to the optical axis of the reflector. This mobility makes it possible to provide the "road" or "high beam" function and the "code" or "low beam" function. It can be understood that projectors of this type involve an internal mechanics of the module which requires great precision and which induces a significant manufacturing cost.

Moreover, there is a need, in the automotive field, to be able to illuminate the road ahead in "partial road lighting mode", namely to generate in a road beam one or more dark areas corresponding to the locations where there are present oncoming vehicles or vehicles driving ahead, so as to avoid dazzling other drivers while illuminating the road in its larger area. Such a function is called ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam in English) or "selective beam". Such an ADB function is intended to automatically detect a user of the road likely to be dazzled by a beam of light emitted in headlight mode by a projector, and to modify the outline of this beam of light in a manner to create a shadow zone at the location of the detected user. The advantages of the ADB function are multiple: comfort of use, better visibility compared to a lighting in dipped beam mode, better reliability for the change of mode, risk of dazzling greatly reduced, driving safer. The invention is part of this dual context of a presence of a "selective beam" function on the one hand, and a complementarity of "low beam" and "high beam" modes of operation on the other hand , the object of the invention is to propose a motor vehicle headlamp whose lighting and / or signaling functions are at least as efficient as before, and this for improved compactness and lower cost.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a light module comprising first means arranged to produce a cut-off beam and second means arranged to produce at least two selectively activatable light segments, the light segments forming a complementary beam to the cut-off beam. when the first and second means are activated simultaneously. According to the invention, the second means comprise at least one specific reflector for each of the selectively activatable light segments. These specific reflectors comprise a reflecting wall, which can in particular be made by a presence of aluminum, for example in surface coating.

In such a module, the first and second means are arranged so as to arrange the shape of the beams at the output of the module. The first means can be arranged so that the breaking of the cut-off beam is generally horizontal, and the second means can be arranged so that each light segment has at least one vertical edge. It is particularly advantageous that the module is arranged so that the light segments are superimposed on the generally horizontal cutoff of the cut-off beam, or that they partially cover this cut. The presence of reflectors, one for the realization of each light segment, allows one hand to concentrate the flow output of the second means at the level of this cut and secondly, to control the photometry at the output of the module. It will be possible to describe various embodiments of the module with these advantages, whether the reflectors take a specific form or that they are associated with complementary optical means.

According to various features of the invention, taken alone or in combination: - a projection device comprising a focal zone, and in particular a focal surface, flat or curved, may be arranged in the path of said beams; the projection device may in particular comprise one or more lenses and / or one or more reflectors, distinct from the reflectors of the second means; the first means consist of a first sub-module arranged to produce a code-type beam, in particular having an oblique cut-off portion: alternatively, it can be provided that the cut-off is devoid of an oblique cutting portion, to be entirely flat, or still present a vertical step; the first sub-module comprises an optical element and at least a first light source, the optical element being able to deviate towards the projection device the rays emitted by the first light source; the optical element comprises at least one concave collector portion of generally ellipsoidal type having at least a first focus and a focusing point, the first light source being disposed at the first focus such that a majority of light rays emitted by the first light source is reflected by the collector portion in the vicinity of the focusing point: it can be provided that the optical element comprises a plurality of generally ellipsoidal type concave collector portions each having a first focus and a focus point; the first submodule further comprises a mask, in particular a reflective mask, for forming a means of breaking the beam of the rays emitted by the light source; the cover has an edge disposed in the focal zone of the projection device, the edge being carried by an edge of the cover joining the upper and lower faces of the cover; the edge is located substantially at the point of focus of the collector portion of the first submodule: where appropriate, when an optical element having a plurality of collector portions has been provided, the cutting edge advantageously passes through all the focus points of all the manifold portions of the first submodule. the edge has a curved profile, in particular by having a step shape substantially in the center of the cutting edge: the curved profile in the form of a step may for example have two straight portions that are offset relative to one another by a projection located in the central part of this cutting edge, to form, in association with the rays reflected by the collector of the first sub-module, the code-type beam having an oblique cut portion.

According to the invention, it is particularly notable that the second means consist of a second submodule in which at least two second selectively activatable light sources are able to emit, simultaneously or alternatively, light rays in the direction of reflectors, one of each reflectors being associated with each of the second sources. For example, the arrangement and arrangement of each second light source and its associated reflector are able to emit light rays intended to form a light segment, the set of light segments formed by the second sources forming the second complementary beam.

The reflectors may be arranged to cooperate with the second light sources so as to form images of these sources at the focal zone of the projection device, these images being intended to be projected by the projection device to form said light segments. More particularly, the reflectors may be arranged with respect to the sources, the first sub-module and the projection device so that the images have edges arranged to be adjacent to the cutoff edge of the first submodule, in the zone. focal length of the projection device: the reflectors are thus arranged so that the light segment, which each of the reflectors forms, has at least one edge, particularly lower, whose profile is complementary to a portion of the profile of the cutoff of the cut-off beam.

It can be provided that the reflectors have a section of substantially ellipsoidal shape in a vertical and longitudinal plane, that is to say a plane perpendicular to the focal plane and the cover, and / or that they have a section of substantially paraboloidal shape in a horizontal and longitudinal plane, that is to say a plane perpendicular to the focal plane and parallel to the cache.

The reflectors and the associated second light sources can form either a direct assembly, in which the light sources emit rays mainly in the optical direction, that is to say in the direction of the optical device at the output of the module, or an indirect set wherein the light sources emit rays toward the reflector in a direction distinct from the optical direction.

In each of the cases, the reflectors may comprise delimiting walls that extend parallel to each other on each side of each reflector in a vertical and longitudinal plane, the front longitudinal end of these walls being arranged at the edge of the cut-off edge. .

Moreover, the second submodule may comprise complementary means reflectors.

The reflectors and the complementary means are then arranged to cooperate with the second light sources so as to form images of these sources at the focal zone of the projection device, these images being intended to be projected by the projection device to form said light segments; for this purpose, the reflectors comprise a first focus coinciding with the second associated light source and a second focus positioned according to the location and shape of the complementary means; the complementary means are arranged in such a way that the images at the output of said complementary means have edges arranged so as to be adjacent to the cutoff edge: the complementary means are thus arranged so that each light segment has at least one edge, in particular lower, of which the profile is complementary to a portion of the profile of the cutoff of the cut-off beam.

The complementary means are arranged to be in contact with the cache while the reflectors are remote from the cache; it can advantageously be provided in this case that the complementary means are in contact with the cache only in the vicinity of the focal zone.

According to a series of characteristics, taken alone or in combination, of a particular embodiment of the invention, the complementary means may comprise an opaque plate disposed across the light rays in the focal zone of the projection device and in which the at least two orifices let light rays pass through said opaque plate. Each of the at least two orifices is associated with an assembly formed by a second light source and a reflector, and it advantageously has a section, in the plane of the plate, of rectangular shape for the formation at the output of the module of a light segment. corresponding.

The at least two orifices may be made in one or more opaque plates, it being understood that the single plate carrying all the orifices in transverse series is preferred, since no space is left between the plates so that the rays passing through these complementary means are concentrated in bands.

The (or) plate may have a first transverse edge whose profile is complementary to the profile of the edge of the cover, the orifices carried by this plate being opening on the first transverse edge of the plate.

According to a series of features of another embodiment of the invention, the complementary means comprise a plurality of optical guides respectively associated with one of the reflectors, each optical guide having an input face and an output face. so as to guide the light reflected by the associated reflector of the input face to the output face: each reflector is disposed vis-à-vis the input face of the associated optical guide; thus, each optical guide may be arranged to form an image of the second light source associated with the reflector at the exit face of this guide, this output face being advantageously disposed at the focal zone of the projection device; the exit face of each optical guide may be arranged to be in contact with the cover, the contact edge between each exit face and the cover being in the focal zone; each optical guide may comprise a lower face and an upper face that extend between the ends of the input face and the output face, the lower face being turned away from the cover while the upper face is turned to the cover, said lower face being a reflection face, for example having a substantially elliptical shape whose first focus coincides with the location of the second focus of the associated reflector and a second focus is located at the exit face: for example, the lower reflection face has a section whose profile is at least partially substantially elliptical; the second focus of the reflection face is located at the contiguous edge of the upper face and the exit face, at the point of contact with the cache; and the upper face of each optical guide is arranged to be in contact with the mask, the line of contact between each output face and the mask being in the focal zone.

Advantageously, the optical guides are arranged so that their respective downstream portion, carrying the exit face, are contiguous against each other and that their respective upstream portion, carrying the input face, are spaced transversely one by one. the other. For example, the optical guides may be arranged in series in a fan arrangement.

According to different characteristics, taken alone or in combination, it can be provided that all the guides is made in a single piece. Or each of the optical guides can be made individually and the guides are mounted relative to each other, in particular by gluing at their downstream portion. In both cases, the downstream portions of two adjacent optical guides can join upstream of the focal zone, to form a common area of overlap images formed by each guide. In this way, the common area of the guides extends from a junction area upstream of the focal zone to the exit face, at the focal zone.

It can be provided that the optical guides are mounted on a mounting bracket carried by the cover. For example, it can be provided that the transverse ends of the fixing support are fixed at the transverse ends of the cover.

The optical guides may be made of a material that propagates the light rays by internal reflection from the input face to the exit face, for example polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or silicone or glass.

In a light module comprising first means and second means as presented above, provision may be made for the first and second light sources corresponding to the first and second means to be arranged on a common support which extends between the two sub-modules. ; this common support then consists of a means of thermal cooling of the light sources, the first and second light sources being disposed on either side of the common support; the first and second light sources are respectively associated with a printed circuit board, the common carrier carrying the printed circuit boards; the first and second light sources are mounted directly on the thermal cooling means: "directly mounted" means that the light sources are mounted without the intermediary of a printed circuit.

According to the invention, it is advantageous for the two sub-modules to be arranged in the same housing. The invention also relates to a lighting system comprising at least one module as just described and control means for switching on, off or modifying the light power emitted by the first and second means of the light module. . The same control means can control the first and second means of the module.

The lighting system may further comprise a detection module on the road of a body not to dazzle, said detection module being able to send a detection information to said control means which turn on, off or change the light output emitted by at least the second means according to this detection information.

Advantageously, the control means of the lighting system are arranged, when a body not to dazzle is detected by the detection module, to turn on or increase or keep the ignition of the first means so that the beam to cut-off illuminates the road, to extinguish or diminish or preserve the extinction of the second means, the luminous segments of which could dazzle said body not to dazzle and to ignite or increase or maintain the ignition of the second means whose light segments avoid dazzling said body not to dazzle.

It is advantageous to provide a lighting system of this type with at least two modules, one of the modules being disposed in a left projector, the other module being disposed in a straight projector; the modules are arranged relative to each other so that at least one segment made by one of the modules covers at least one segment made by the other of the modules. Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly with the help of the description and the drawings, among which: FIG. 1 is a side view of a light module, for lighting and / or signaling of a motor vehicle, according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein a first submodule is disposed above a second sub-module, separated by a common support plate and at a distance from a projection device; FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 in which only the projection device, the support plate and the second sub-module have been preserved, and on which is schematically represented the path of light rays traveling in the module ; FIG. 3 is a view from above of the second sub-module comprising in this first embodiment a plurality of reflectors, with the visible light sources, the support plate having been hidden, and light ray paths; FIG. 4 is a perspective view, three quarters front, of the second sub-module illustrated in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a side view of a light module according to a second embodiment, in which the first sub-module has not been represented and in which a plate of the second sub-module has been represented vertically; FIG. 6 is a front view of the plate illustrated in FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a side view of a light module according to a third embodiment, in which the first sub-module has not been represented; FIG. 8 is a side view similar to that of FIG. 7, in which the projection device has been enlarged, and in which the path of light rays emitted by the light sources has been represented; and FIG. 9 is a view from above of the module according to the third embodiment of FIG. 7, the support plate having been masked.

A light module for lighting and / or signaling of a motor vehicle comprises according to the invention first means 2 arranged to produce a cut-off beam, an optical projection device 4 disposed in the path of this beam, at the output of the module, as well as second means 6 arranged to produce a complementary beam to the cut-off beam, when the first means and the second means are activated simultaneously.

An exemplary projection device is particularly illustrated in FIG. 1. This is a lens 8 arranged axially upstream of the first and second means. It is understood that the projection device may have other forms otherwise known, and for example consist of one or more lenses and / or one or more reflectors.

The projection device has a focal zone, in particular a focal plane P represented by dashed lines in certain of the figures, and the position of the different elements of the projection device is determined with precision in order to obtain a reliable positioning of this focal plane.

The first means and the second means are, in the orientation of the module illustrated in the figures, arranged one above the other, forming respectively a first sub-module 10 and a second sub-module 12 arranged in the same housing of the module, and each having at least one light source.

The module also comprises a common support 14 to the light sources corresponding to the first and second means, the common support extending between the two submodules. The common support advantageously forms a thermal cooling means light sources disposed on either side of this common support.

It is understood that the module according to the invention can take a different orientation than that described and illustrated and in which the two sub-modules are arranged vertically one above the other. The sub-modules could for example be arranged horizontally next to each other when a common support separates the two sub-modules.

The first sub-module comprises a first light source 16, an optical element, in particular a collector 18, which is capable of deflecting towards the projection device rays emitted by the light source, as well as a mask 20, in particular reflecting, for forming means for cutting off the beam of rays emitted by the first light source.

The first light source 16 consists of a semiconductor source, and for example a light-emitting diode fixed on a printed circuit board. In this case, the printed circuit board is fixed on the common support 14 separating the two sub-modules.

The collector 18 is of the elliptical type. It comprises two foci, an optical axis and a substantially elliptical reflective inner surface 22. The first light source 16 emits the majority of its light energy towards the reflective inner face and is arranged in the vicinity of the first focus of the collector 18. The entire first submodule 10 is arranged so that the second focus of the collector is included in the focal plane P of the projection optical device 4, it being understood that it could be, without departing from the context of the invention, substantially in the vicinity of this focal plane.

The cover 20 is located between the collector 18 and the projection optical device 4. It consists of a plate which extends parallel to the junction plane of the two sub-modules, here substantially horizontally. The cover includes a central reflection zone, as well as module attachment means which are arranged laterally at each end of the plate. The central reflection zone has a reflective upper face 24, a lower face and two longitudinal end edges, among which the front edge, turned towards the projection device, forms a cutting edge 26 arranged in the vicinity of the second focus of the reflector. The cache thus creates a horizontal cut of the beam and the concentration of the rays under this cut for the realization of the beam corresponding to the "low beam" mode.

In accordance with what has been described above, the cutoff edge 26 is disposed in the focal plane P of the projection device (visible in FIG. 1 or 2 in particular). The cutoff edge 26 may have a curved profile, in particular by having a step shape substantially in the center of the cutoff edge. The central reflection zone is thus composed of two distinct parts offset vertically relative to each other, an inclined plane, for example 15 ° or 45 °, connecting them to form said step.

The principle of operation of the first lighting sub-module is as follows: as the first light source 16 is arranged at the first focus of the collector 18, the majority of the rays emitted by the source, represented in solid lines in FIG. after being reflected on the inner face of the collector, is returned to the second focus or in the vicinity thereof. They then pass through the lens 8 (or reflect on a complementary reflector) and they leave the lighting module in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.

However, if the use of a diode makes it possible to focus the light emission, rays at the periphery of the source can be emitted. Thus, rays may, after being reflected on the inner face of the reflector, go beyond the cut. The role of the cache is to limit the number of these rays by allowing their reflection on the reflective upper surface of the cache before crossing the optical element. We understand that without the reflection on the cache, the peripheral rays would have been untapped.

The second submodule 12 is arranged to produce a second complementary beam of the first beam produced by the first sub-module 10. This complementary beam here consists of a selective beam for the realization of a non-glare high beam function. By complementary beam is meant a beam which forms with the beam produced by the first sub-module a coherent beam when the two sub-modules are controlled to simultaneously achieve the emission of the light beam which is specific to them.

According to the invention, the beam emitted by the second sub-module is selective, that is to say that the beam is divided into several portions, which can be switched on or off selectively according to the control instructions of the second light sources of the second sub-module. -module. These portions of the bundle can take, indifferently for the invention, the form of rectilinear straight strips or for example the form of tasks whose contour is less defined than that of the segments.

The lighting function performed by each beam portion may, in all these cases, be extinguished or attenuated to form a non-glare area of a detected vehicle driver in the road scene upstream of the vehicle, while still allowing maintain good lighting conditions for the rest of the road scene.

In the following description, the beam portions of the complementary beam take the form of segments

The second sub-module comprises at least a second light source 28 and a reflector 30 which is able to deflect the rays emitted by the second light source. According to various embodiments of the invention, the reflectors can deflect the rays directly to the projection optical device, and the second submodule comprises in this case only a plurality of second light sources and an equivalent number of reflectors, or the reflectors can deflect the rays to complementary means 32 capable of conforming the deviated rays to direct them towards the optical device.

A first embodiment will now be described, in which the reflectors 30 form unique means of deflecting the light rays between the second light sources 28 and the optical device 4, said reflectors being arranged so that the rays coming from the second light sources they return pass in the vicinity of the second focus of the first submodule and the focal plane of the optical device, to form a coherent overall beam at the output of the module.

The second sub-module 12 comprises on the one hand a plurality of second light sources 28 arranged in transverse series and selectively activatable to emit, simultaneously or alternatively, light rays, and secondly reflectors 30 arranged correspondingly in series. transverse, to cooperate with the light sources so as to deflect the rays emitted by the sources towards the projection optical device, forming an image of these sources at the focal plane P of the projection optical device 4, so that these images can be projected by the projection device at the output of the module. Each beam portion segment is obtained by the cooperation of a second light source 28 and an associated reflector 30.

The second light sources each consist of a semiconductor source, and for example a light emitting diode fixed on a printed circuit board. In this case, and as it may be the case for the printed circuit board associated with the light-emitting diode of the first sub-module, the printed circuit board is fixed on the common support 14 separating the two sub-modules.

In the illustrated example, notably visible in FIG. 4, as will be described, there are three light sources, but it will be understood that the number of sources may be greater and that at least two light sources should be selectively activatable to form a complementary beam capable of performing a non-glare road beam function in which one of the segments of the complementary beam may be extinguished or attenuated upon detection of a vehicle in the area illuminated by this segment, being understood that the number of reflectors 30 to be provided is equal to the number of sources.

The reflectors 30 are arranged in transverse series, at the same number as the second light sources 28, each reflector being arranged facing one of these second light sources. The series of reflectors and the second light sources associated may be shifted transversely to the center of the module, insofar as this device is integrated in each of the two projectors, left and right of the vehicle and where the superposition of the two beams left and right must give a complete complementary route beam. To reach the width of this beam, it is possible to shift the reflectors and the diodes transversely relative to the center of the lens so as to obtain a left or right shifted beam and the two beams are then superimposed.

The inner surface 31 of the reflector portion, that is to say that turned towards the second light sources, has a reflective coating reported, for example aluminum.

As previously described, the reflectors are arranged so that the image of the second light sources is formed in the focal plane of the projection optical device. This arrangement provides that the elliptical section of the reflector has two foci, a first focus corresponding to the position of the second light source 28 associated with the reflector 30 while the second focus is positioned in the focal plane P of the optical projection device 4. From Advantageously, the reflectors are arranged so that the second focus is disposed on this focal plane, as close as possible to the edge 26 of the cover 20 of the first sub-module 10, in order to concentrate the deviated rays in the vicinity of this cover.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the reflectors have a section of ellipsoidal shape in a vertical and longitudinal plane, that is to say a plane perpendicular to the focal plane and the cache (in the plane of Figure 2 ), and / or they have a section of paraboloidal shape in a horizontal and longitudinal plane, that is to say a plane perpendicular to the focal plane and parallel to the cache (in the plane of Figure 3). The ellipsoidal shape makes it possible in particular to focus the light rays (three of its spokes being illustrated in FIG. 2 by way of example) in the vicinity of the focal plane on which the second focus of the ellipsoidal shape is aligned, while the paraboloidal shape allows to deflect the parasitic rays (two of which are illustrated in Figure 3 by way of example) so that they come out of the reflector substantially parallel to the optical axis and thus ensure a uniform lateral intensity of the light segments.

FIG. 4 shows a series of reflectors according to the invention, in which delimitation walls 34, which extend parallel to each other on each side of each reflector in a vertical and longitudinal plane, have been made visible. front longitudinal end of these walls being arranged substantially to the right of the cutting edge formed by the downstream edge of the cover, as can be seen in Figure 2, the end being shown in dashed lines. The presence of these delimiting walls 34 makes it possible to control the reflection of the rays of a light source in the transverse dimension for the formation of regular light segments according to whether one lights the one or the other of the light sources. As illustrated in FIG. 4, it can be provided that the boundary walls do not extend to the focal plane at the edge of the downstream edge of the cache, but that they stop upstream of this focal plane. so as to allow some radii to overlap transversely and ensure transverse continuity of the complementary beam when two neighboring light sources are lit.

The reflectors 30 are arranged in transverse series, made integral with the common support plate 14 to the two sub-modules. Advantageously, the reflectors are made in a single piece in which are arranged in transverse series reflector portions as described above and delimiting walls 34 between each reflector portion, it being understood that with the exception of the portions of reflector disposed at each end of the transverse series, each reflector portion shares its boundary walls with adjacent reflector portions, these walls then having a first blocking face of the rays from a light source and a second blocking face of rays from a neighboring light source.

FIGS. 5 to 9 show two other embodiments, in which the reflectors are associated with complementary means 32 arranged in series transverse between the reflectors 30 and the projection optical device 4. In these two embodiments, the reflectors 30 are arranged at a distance from the cover 20 while the complementary means 32 are in contact, at least in part, against the cover. As may have been mentioned above, the transverse series of complementary means 32 is arranged to be shifted transversely to the center of the module, due to the fact that there are two projectors, left and right of the vehicle.

In a second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the complementary means 32 consist of an opaque plate 36 arranged in the focal plane P of the projection optical device 4 and perforated by slots 38 arranged in series transverse so as to leave Pass the light rays through the plate at certain points of passage.

The plate 36 has an edge whose profile is complementary to the profile of the cutting edge 26 of the cover 20, it being understood that the plate can be integral with the cover or be independent and attached against the cover so that no day is formed between the plate and the cover and all the rays extending longitudinally beyond the plate have passed through one or the other of the lights.

It is understood that the presence of the perforated plate in the path of the light rays makes it possible to form a mask for creating, in the focal plane of the optical projection device, images of light bands which will be projected at infinity to form the light segments. selectively activatable by switching on and off the light sources.

As described previously in the first embodiment, it is possible to shift the image to be projected by the optical projection device slightly upstream of the focal plane, so that the original images of the light segments are superimposed. to each other at their transverse ends.

In a third embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, the optical guides 40 play the role of the complementary means 32 of the reflectors 30. It should be noted that, as in the second embodiment, the complementary means are arranged in the second sub-module 12 so that the images they form light sources after deviation of the light rays emitted by the reflectors have edges arranged to be adjacent to the profile of the cutting edge. In the case of the optical guides 40 described in the example illustrated, the complementary means 32 are in contact with the cover 20. They are oriented so as to be in contact with the cover only in the vicinity of the focal plane P.

The optical guides 40 are arranged to cooperate with the second light sources 28 and the reflectors 30 so as to form images of these sources at the focal plane P of the projection optical device 4, so that these images can be projected by the device. projection at the output of the module. Each beam portion segment is obtained by the cooperation of a second light source 28, a reflector 30 and an associated optical guide 40.

Each optical guide 40 has an input face 42 and an output face 44 so as to guide the light from the input face to the output face. The optical guides further comprise a lower face, referred to as reflection, 46 and an upper face, referred to as front face, 48 which extend between the ends of the entry face and of the exit face, the reflection face being turned opposite the cache while the front face is facing the cache 20.

In this third embodiment, the reflector 30 is arranged so that the second focus is substantially upstream of the focal plane P of the projection device 4, and the optical guides 40 are arranged so that, for a set formed of a reflector 30 and a guide 40, the second focus of the reflector is included in the plane of the input face 42 of the guide.

The optical guides 40 are arranged to be in contact with the cover 20. They are oriented so as to be in contact with the cover only in the vicinity of the focal plane P of the projection optical device. As illustrated in FIG. 7, it is the front face 48 of each optical guide which is in contact with the cover 20, the line of contact between each front face and the cover being in the focal plane.

The reflection face 44 has a substantially elliptical shape, a first focus of which coincides with the second focus of the reflector and a second focusing focal point of which is situated at the contiguous edge of the front face 48 and the face of the reflector. output 44, at the point of contact with the cover 20, so that, as shown in Figure 8, the light rays reflected in the optical guides out of the guide mainly at the top of the output face. Part of these rays directly reaches the lens 8 in the upper part (part of the rays not visible in the figure) while another part is reflected by a lower face of the cover 20 to reach the lens at the bottom (part of the visible rays) ).

The optical guides 40 are arranged in transverse series, the same number as the second light sources 28 and the reflectors 30, each guide being disposed opposite one of these reflectors.

FIG. 9 illustrates a reflector 30 and its associated optical guide, as well as a neighboring optical guide, in particular to show that the optical guides are arranged in transverse series in a fan arrangement. A fan arrangement is understood to mean an arrangement according to which the respective downstream portions of the optical guides carrying the outlet faces 44 are glued together and the respective upstream portions carrying the inlet faces 42 are transversely spaced apart. one of the other.

It is understood that to allow the light rays to be guided inside the guides, they are made of a material that allows the light rays to diffuse by internal reflection from the entry face to the exit face. Such a material may for example consist of polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), silicone or glass.

Each of the guides 40 is made individually and the guides are mounted relative to each other on a mounting bracket. The guides are here fixed to each other, in particular by gluing at their downstream end portion, corresponding to their exit face of the light rays, and the spacing of the guides relative to their neighbor or neighbors at the level of their upstream portion, corresponding to their input face of the light rays, is ensured by the fixing of each guide on the support, which can be fixed at its transverse ends to the structure of the module. It is possible for the downstream portions of the optical guides 40 to be pressed against each other over a determined distance to form an overlap zone: the exit faces of each guide being disposed substantially at the edge of the cutoff edge 26 of the cover 20, that is to say substantially in the vicinity of the focal plane P of the projection optical device 4, it is understood that the areas of overlap of the images formed by each guide are arranged upstream of the focal plane, which makes it possible to project a complementary beam whose different portions are smoothed to avoid vertical cutting, in the case of segmentation of the beam, too sharp.

In a non-illustrated variant, the set of guides can be made in a single piece, which retains the fan shape with three input faces respectively at a distance from each other and three ducts each opening on a common exit face, it being understood that this part, as may have been previously described, is formed of a material transparent to light and permitting the diffusion of the light rays emitted by the second light sources 28 and deflected by the reflectors 30 arranged facing the inlet faces 42 of the guides 40.

For each of the embodiments as just described, it will be possible to provide several arrangements of the reflectors and second associated light sources, it being understood that the second light sources are placed at the first focus of the associated reflector. The sources and the reflectors can thus form a direct assembly, in which the light sources emit rays mainly in the optical direction, that is to say in the direction of the optical device at the output of the module, or else an indirect set, in which light sources radiate towards the reflector in a direction distinct from the optical direction. It will be possible to choose one or the other of these variants depending on the size of the light module.

Whatever the embodiment chosen, and the arrangement of the reflectors and the light sources, it is particularly advantageous to propose a lighting system comprising at least two lighting modules as just described, and in which the second submodule 12 comprises at least a plurality of reflectors 30 opposite a plurality of light sources 28. These modules are distributed so that at least one of the modules is disposed in a left projector of the vehicle, and at least one of the modules is arranged in the corresponding right projector. In each projector, a plurality of lighting modules may be provided. The modules are arranged relative to each other either within the same projector, or between the two projectors, so that at least one beam portion, for example a segment, made by the one modules covers at least one beam portion, in the example a segment, made by another of the modules.

The lighting system also comprises control means for turning on, off or modifying the light power emitted by each light source of each module. These control means may be specific to each module or consist of single control means, since the control of each light source of the system can be simultaneous.

The lighting system further comprises a detection module on the road of a body not to dazzle. This detection module consists for example of a camera facing the road scene extending in front of the vehicle, and associated image processing means, which allow the development of a detection information that the detection module is able to send to the control means for switching on, switching off or modifying the light power emitted by each light source according to this detection information.

The foregoing description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives that it has set itself, and in particular to propose a light module that makes it possible to combine in the same module, and without a moving mechanical part, the fire function. non-glare road lighting with a low beam function.

Claims (19)

A light module for lighting and / or signaling of a motor vehicle, said module comprising first means (2) arranged to produce a first cut-off beam and second means (6) arranged to produce at least two segments selectively activatable luminous elements, the light segments forming a second complementary beam to the cut-off beam, when they are activated simultaneously, the second means comprising at least one reflector (30) specific for each of the selectively activatable light segments. 2. Light module according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a projection device (4) disposed in the path of said beams, said projection device comprising a focal zone. 3. Light module according to claim 2, characterized in that the first means (2) consist of a first sub-module (10) arranged to produce a code-type beam, in particular having an oblique cut portion, the first sub-module. module (10) comprising an optical element (18) and at least a first light source (16), the optical element being able to deflect towards the projection device (4) rays emitted by the first light source (16). 4. Light module according to claim 3, characterized in that the first submodule (10) further comprises a cover (20), in particular reflecting, to form beam breaking means emitted by the light source (16). . 5. Light module according to claim 4, characterized in that the cover (20) has an edge (26) disposed in the focal zone (P) of the projection device (4). 6. Light module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second means (6) consist of a second sub-module (12) in which at least two second light sources (28) selectively activatable are each able to emit , simultaneously or alternatively, light rays in the direction of one of the reflectors (30) associated with each of the second sources. 7. Light module according to claim 6 in combination with one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the reflectors (30) are arranged to cooperate with the second light sources (28) so as to form images of these sources at the level of the focal zone of the projection device (4), these images being intended to be projected by the projection device to form said light segments. 8. Light module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reflectors comprise a first focal point coinciding with the second associated light source and a second focus positioned in the focal zone of the projection device (4). 9. Light module according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the reflectors (30) and the second light sources (28) associated form a direct assembly, wherein the light sources emit rays mainly in the optical direction . 10. Light module according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the reflectors (30) and the second associated light sources (28) form an indirect assembly, wherein the light sources emit rays towards the reflector, in a direction distinct from the optical direction. 11. Light module according to one of claims 7 to 10, in combination with claim 5, characterized in that the reflectors (30) comprise delimiting walls (34) which extend parallel to each other on both sides. each reflector in a vertical and longitudinal plane, the longitudinal front end of these walls being arranged at the edge of the cutoff edge (26). 12. Light module according to claim 6 in combination with one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second sub-module (12) comprises complementary means (32) of each of the reflectors (30), said complementary means being arranged to cooperate with the associated reflectors and second light sources (28) so as to form images of these sources at the focal area of the projection device (4), these images being intended to be projected by the projection device; projection to form said light segments. 13. Light module according to claim 12, characterized in that the reflectors (30) respectively comprise a first focus coinciding with the second light source (28) associated and a second focus positioned according to the location and shape of the means complementary (32). 14. The light module according to claim 12 or 13, in combination with claim 5, characterized in that the complementary means (32) are arranged so that the images have edges arranged to be adjacent to the edge (26). 15. Light module according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the complementary means (32) comprise at least one opaque plate (36) disposed across the light rays in the focal zone of the projection device (4). and in which at least two orifices (38) pass the light rays through said opaque plate, each of the at least two orifices being associated with an assembly formed by a second light source (28) and a reflector (30). 16. Light module according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the complementary means (32) comprise a plurality of optical guides (40), respectively associated with one of the reflectors (30), each optical guide having an input face (42) and an output face (44) so as to guide the light reflected by the associated reflector from the input face to the output face. 17. Light module according to claim 16, characterized in that each guide (40) is arranged to form an image of one of the second light sources (28) associated with a reflector (30) at the exit face (44). ) of this guide, this output face being disposed at the focal area of the projection device (4). 18. A light module comprising first means (2) arranged to produce a first cut-off beam according to one of claims 3 to 5 and second means (6) arranged to produce at least two selectively activatable light segments according to one of the claims 6 to 17. 19. Lighting system comprising at least one light module according to the preceding claim and control means for switching on, off or modifying the light power emitted by the first means (2) and the second means (6) of the light module.