WO2019197761A1 - Dull-looking luminous device for motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dull-looking luminous device (2) for a motor vehicle, comprising an optical housing (4) containing a light source (6A, 6B) and at least one optical reflector (16) arranged in such a way as to direct a light beam emitted by the light source (6A, 6B), through an opening (14) of the optical housing, the opening (14) being closed by an external indicator light (18) in order to protect the light source (6A, 6B) and the optical reflector (16) from bad weather, characterised in that the external indicator light (18) has a dull appearance in the light of day, and in that a translucent screen (26) is inserted between the optical reflector (16) and the external indicator light (18), the translucent screen (26) being at a distance from the external indicator light (18).

Description

 LUMINOUS APPARATUS DEVICE DARK

 FOR MOTOR VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION REFERS

[01] The present invention relates to the technical field of lighting and / or light signaling. It relates more particularly to a light and / or signaling device for a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[02] The regulatory standards require each motor vehicle to be equipped with lighting devices in order to warn road users of the presence and intentions of other drivers. These include the position lights, located at the rear of the vehicle, of red color and moderate intensity to signal its position, and stop lights also red, but stronger intensity to warn of braking of the motor vehicle.

[03] These luminous devices have reflective surfaces for directing outwards and in a desired direction, the light beam emitted by a light source. Metallized surfaces are favored because of their high coefficient of reflection, such as chromium or aluminum. In daylight, these metallic surfaces are characterized by a light tone color, which can create unwanted contrast with the color of the bodywork. This is particularly the case when the bodywork is painted with a color whose tone is dark, locally modifying and pronounced the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle in the light of day.

[04] The present invention aims to solve this problem by proposing a light device whose external appearance, when off, is dark in color and homogeneous in daylight.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[05] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a light device for a motor vehicle, comprising an optical box in which a light source and an optical reflector are present. The optical reflector is arranged to direct a light beam, emitted by a light source, through an opening of the optical housing. The opening of the optical box is closed by an external indicator to protect the light source and the optical reflector from inclement weather.

[06] The invention is characterized in that the outside light has a dark color in the light of day, and in that a translucent screen is interposed between the optical reflector and the external light, the translucent screen being remote from the outside light.

[07] The outside light has a dark tone or dark tone to darken the inside of the light box when the light is off and exposed to daylight. Preferably, the outside light is characterized by a color consistent with daylight. Advantageously, a translucent screen is interposed between the optical reflector and the outer light, so as to homogenize the daylight reflected by the various elements present inside the optical housing. The translucent screen is placed at a distance from the outside light to reduce the contrast in light intensity of the daylight reflected by the different elements constituting the optical box. Sufficient space is maintained between the translucent screen and the outside light, to promote a better dissipation of moisture between the translucent screen and the external light.

[08] According to another embodiment of the invention, the external indicator has a color whose trichromatic coordinates are in the following ranges of values: for the red between 0.4 and 0.5; for green between 0.35 and 045 and for blue between 0.1 and 0.2. Preferably, the outside light with a color whose trichromatic coordinates are of the order of 0.441 for the red, 0.408 for the green and 0.153 for the blue. According to a preferred embodiment, the external indicator is black. Of course, the color of the outer light may vary depending on the color of the body of the motor vehicle on which the light device is intended to be mounted. Thus, the color of the external indicator can also be blue, red or other color. [09] According to another embodiment of the invention, the distance between the translucent screen and the external indicator is between 1 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 4 mm. These ranges of values are favorable to obtain a luminous device of very dark appearance in the light of day and when it is off, while limiting its size in the direction of propagation of the light emitted by the light source of said device.

[10] According to another embodiment of the invention, the external indicator has a thickness of between 2 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably of the order of 2.2 mm.

[11] According to another embodiment of the invention, the outer light absorbs between 80% and 95% of the intensity of daylight, preferably of the order of 90%.

[12] According to another embodiment of the invention, the translucent screen diffuses daylight, so as to limit the intensity of daylight between 30% and 10%, preferably of the order of 15% inside the optical reflector. According to this variant, the optical box is preferably opaque to daylight, so that daylight only enters the optical box through the outside light.

[13] According to another embodiment of the invention, a light beam under normal incidence is diffused by the translucent screen, in a range of diffusion angle between 0 ° and 41 °, preferably between 0 ° and 20 °.

[14] According to another embodiment of the invention, the translucent screen has a visible pattern, through the outer light, when the light source is turned on. According to a preferred embodiment, the pattern is screen printed and / or embedded in the translucent screen.

[15] According to another embodiment of the invention, the light device comprises a frame placed between the light source and the translucent screen, the frame comprises at least one opening allowing at least a portion of the emitted light beam to pass through. by the light source. Preferably, the mask frame at least a portion of the interior of the housing to promote greater homogenization of the light reflected from the interior of said housing.

[16] According to a preferred embodiment, the frame seals a portion of the optical housing comprising the light source.

[17] According to another embodiment, the translucent screen covers at least partially the surface of the frame vis-à-vis the outer light, preferably the translucent screen covers the entire surface of the frame vis-à-vis -vis the outside light. According to another embodiment, the surface of the frame vis-à-vis the external indicator has a dark or dark color, preferably a color similar to the external or black indicator. Preferably, the surface of the frame vis-à-vis the external indicator is parallel or substantially parallel to the external indicator to promote a uniform hue of the external indicator when the light device is off and exposed to daylight.

[18] Of course, the various features, variations and embodiments mentioned above may be associated with each other in various combinations, to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

[19] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one light device according to one of the preceding claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[20] The following description with reference to the following accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will better understand what the invention is and how it can be achieved:

 - Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a cross section of a light device according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows the light device shown in Figure 1, illuminated by daylight. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

As a reminder, the invention proposes a luminous device whose external appearance, when extinguished, is dark in color and homogeneous in the light of day.

[22] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a non-limiting embodiment of a light device 2 according to the invention for use as a position light or lantern by a motor vehicle.

[23] The light device 2 comprises an optical box 4 in which there are present two light sources 6A and 6B. A first light source 6A is configured to emit an amber light beam to signal the driver's intention to change lanes or turn. A second light source 6B is configured to emit a red light beam to signal the position of the motor vehicle and / or its braking. Each light source comprises one or more light-emitting diodes held at the same front face of a printed circuit board. In known manner, the plate 8 allows a control device not shown in the figures, to control the operation of the light sources 6A and 6B.

[24] In order to limit heating of the light sources during their use, the optical box 4 also comprises a heat sink 10 which extends along the rear face of the plate. The heat emitted by the heat radiator 10 is discharged outside the optical housing 4 via a vent 12.

[25] The light sources are oriented so that their light beam passes through the same opening 14 of the optical housing 4. The opening 14 is located at a distance from the light sources 6, between 25 mm and 80 mm, preferably of the order of 50 mm. In order to direct the light beams through the opening 14 in a desired direction, it is associated with each light source an optical reflector 16. The optical reflectors are characterized by a surface with a high reflection coefficient at their inner face. [26] In order to protect the elements present in the optical box 4 from inclement weather, the opening 14 is closed by an external indicator light 18. Of course, the external indicator is partially transparent to the light beams emitted by the light sources, so that the light device can emit light signals visible to other drivers.

[27] As mentioned above, the exterior light is usually transparent or translucent in daylight. The elements present in the optical box are thus visible through the external indicator which modifies locally and very strongly the appearance of the body of the motor vehicle in the light of day.

[28] In order to solve this problem, the present invention proposes to substitute the external indicators usually used, by an external indicator 18 characterized by a homogeneous color of dark or dark hue in order to very much limit the amount of daylight passing through. through said indicator. By the terms "daylight" we mean all forms of light coming from the sun, direct and indirect. The outer light has a color whose trichromatic coordinates are in the following ranges: for red between 0.4 and 0.5; for green between 0.35 and 045 and for blue between 0.1 and 0.2. Preferably, the outside light with a color whose trichromatic coordinates are of the order of 0.441 for the red, 0.408 for the green and 0.153 for the blue. The outer light 18 has a thickness of between 2 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably of the order of 2.2 mm. The thickness of the outer light 18 is here defined according to the direction of incidence of the light beams emitted by the light sources 6 on said light. The outer light 18 is characterized by daylight absorption which is between 80% and 95%, preferably of the order of 90%. The external indicator 18 is made from one of the following materials: polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC).

[29] In order to promote a color of homogeneous hue of the outside light in the light of day, the optical box 4 also includes a frame 20 bearing on the inner walls of the optical housing 4. The frame 20 closes a portion of said housing, comprising the light sources 6 and the optical reflectors 16. The frame comprises a front face 22 parallel or substantially parallel to the external indicator 18. The front face 22 is opaque to daylight to form a dark and homogeneous background color. The frame also includes passages 24 extending the optical reflectors, so as to allow the light sources to illuminate the outer light 18.

[30] The entire surface of the front face 22 of the frame 20 is covered by a translucent screen 26. The translucent screen 26 is characterized by a thickness of between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, preferably of the order of 0.3 mm. The thickness of the translucent screen is here defined according to the direction of incidence of the light beams emitted by the light sources 6A and 6B on said screen. The translucent screen diffuses the daylight so as to limit in each optical reflector 16 the intensity of the daylight between 30% and 10%, preferably of the order of 15%. Preferably, the front face 22 of the translucent screen vis-à-vis the outer indicator 18, promotes reflection of a light beam at normal incidence, in a range of reflection angle between 0 ° and 41 ° preferably between 0 ° and 20 °. For this, the front face 28 of the translucent screen 26 may comprise relief patterns made by a molding technique. The translucent screen is made from one of the following materials: polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC).

[31] The frame 20 keeps the translucent screen 26 at a distance from the outer light 18 which is between 1 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 4 mm, preferably of the order of 3 mm. In these ranges of values, it promotes both the air flow between the translucent screen 26 and the outer sight 18 to avoid a phenomenon of condensation, and at the same time a homogenization of the hue of said indicator light of the day. Optionally, the optical box 4 may comprise unrepresented vents, to promote an air flow between the frame 20 and the outer sight 18.

[32] Of course, the light sources 6A and 6B mentioned above are chosen so that they can emit through the external indicator 18 light signals in accordance with the standards in force. By way of nonlimiting example, the first light source 6A is configured to emit a light beam whose luminous intensity is between 5 Im and 200 Im depending on the desired function. The second light source 6B is configured to emit a light beam whose luminous intensity is between 5 Im and 200 Im, according to the desired function.

[33] In conclusion, the luminous device 2 according to the invention is characterized by a particular arrangement between the dark-colored outside light 18, the frame 20 and the translucent screen 26. As illustrated in FIG. 2, this arrangement advantageously allows absorb the majority of the light intensity of the daylight 30, so that the light sources 6A and 6B and their optical reflector 16 are not visible from outside the light device 2. Therefore, when it is off, the luminous device appears very dark in color and very homogeneous in the light of day. A light device according to the invention thus makes it possible to avoid, or at least to reduce, a color contrast with the bodywork of a dark-colored motor vehicle.

Claims

Light device (2) for a motor vehicle, comprising an optical box (4) in which a light source (6A, 6B) and an optical reflector (16) arranged to direct a light beam, emitted by the light source, are present. light (6A, 6B) through an opening (14) of the optical housing, the opening (14) being closed by an external indicator (18) to protect the light source (6A, 6B) and the reflector from inclement weather lens (16), characterized in that the outer light (18) absorbs between 80% and 95% of the intensity of the daylight, preferably of the order of 90%, and in that the external indicator (18) has a color whose tristimulus values lie within the following ranges of values: for red between 0.4 and 0.5; for the green between 0.35 and 045 and for the blue between 0.1 and 0.2, and in that a translucent screen (26) is interposed between the optical reflector (16) and the external indicator (18), the translucent screen (26) being remote from the external indicator (18) and the translucent screen (26) diffuses daylight, so as to limit the intensity of the daylight between 30% and 10%, preferably of the order of 15%, inside the optical reflector (16). 2. Light device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the outer light (18) is black. 3. Luminous device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the translucent screen (26) and the outer indicator (18) is between 1 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 4 mm. 4. Luminous device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer indicator (18) has a thickness of between 2 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably of the order of 2.2 mm. Light device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a light beam under normal incidence is reflected by the translucent screen (26) in a reflection angle range. between 0 ° and 41 °, preferably between 0 ° and 20 °. 6. Luminous device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the translucent screen (26) has a visible pattern, through the outer light (18), when the light source (6A, 6B) is on. 7. Light device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pattern is screen printed and / or embedded in the translucent screen (26). 8. Luminous device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a frame (20), placed between the light source (6A, 6B) and the translucent screen (26), the frame (20) having at least one opening permitting at least a portion of the light beam emitted by the light source (6A, 6B). 9. Light device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the frame (20) closes a portion of the optical housing (4) comprising the light source (6A, 6B). 10. Luminous device (2) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the translucent screen (26) covers at least partly the surface of the frame (20) vis-à-vis the external indicator (18) preferably the translucent screen (26) covers the entire surface of the frame (20) vis-à-vis the external indicator (18). 1 1. Light device (2) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the surface of the frame (20), facing the outer light (18), has a color whose trichromatic coordinates are included in the following ranges of values: for red between 0.4 and 0.5; for the green between 0.35 and 045 and for the blue between 0.1 and 0.2, preferably a color similar to the external indicator (18). 12. Motor vehicle comprising at least one light device (2) according to one of the preceding claims.