EP1491816A1 - Vehicle headlamp comprising a reflector and an optical deflection element - Google Patents

Abstract

The headlight has a reflector (R) behind a square lens with a cylindrical surface and having a wall with a recess of a side of a plane passing through an optical axis of the reflector. The plane has vertical, horizontal or oblique orientation. An additional reflector on the side at the level of the recess opposite to the axis collects a portion of light from the recess and provides a supplementary beam not intercepted by the lens. An independent claim is also included for a vehicle equipped with a headlight.

Description

The invention relates to a headlamp for a motor vehicle comprising: a reflector admitting an optical axis and at least one focus; a light source placed in the vicinity of a focus of the reflector; and a transparent optical deflection element placed in front of a portion of the reflector, this element being constituted by a module comprising a so-called "square lens" lens and a reflector placed at the rear of said lens, the module being able to ensure essentially a spreading horizontal light.

By the simplifying expression "square lens", and for the sake of brevity, it is understood in the context of the invention a lens having at least one face (inlet and / or outlet) cylindrical vertical generatrices. The outline of the lens is not limited to the square shape, but can be rectangular, circular, oval, ovoid, ogival, or be of square or rectangular type contour but with rounded edges or cut sides, or any other contour.

A headlamp with such a square lens is known from EP-A-1,243,846. This headlamp has the advantage of a relatively small depth (i.e., bulk in the direction of the optical axis). and a large luminous flux. However, the range of the light beam is reduced. In addition, this projector does not make it easy to cut the beam inclined horizontally, for example 15 °, to achieve a projector code.

The object of the invention is, above all, to provide a headlamp which, while maintaining a shallow depth and a large luminous flux, makes it possible to obtain a large range of the beam and, if desired, to cut the inclined beam on the horizontal, especially for a code function.

• la paroi du réflecteur comporte au moins une échancrure d'un côté d'un plan passant par l'axe optique du réflecteur,
• et au moins un réflecteur supplémentaire est disposé du côté de l'échancrure opposé à l'axe optique, ce réflecteur supplémentaire étant prévu pour recueillir au moins une partie de la lumière provenant de la source sortant par l'échancrure, et pour produire un faisceau supplémentaire qui n'est substantiellement pas intercepté par la lentille.

According to the invention, a motor vehicle headlamp of the kind defined above is characterized in that:

• the wall of the reflector comprises at least one indentation on one side of a plane passing through the optical axis of the reflector,
• and at least one additional reflector is disposed on the side of the notch opposite the optical axis, this additional reflector being provided to collect at least a portion of the light from the source exiting through the notch, and to produce a beam additional that is substantially not intercepted by the lens.

Advantageously, the wall of the reflector comprises at least one indentation on one side of a plane which is vertical, horizontal or oblique with respect to the vertical and passing through said optical axis. The invention thus provides a number of embodiments, in which the general orientation of the optical system associating the lamp, the reflectors and the indentations can be either vertical or horizontal, or take any desired orientation with respect to the vertical, in particular to take Consider aesthetic considerations or dimensional requirements related to the vehicle that will be equipped with the projector in question.

The lamp used may be of filament lamp type whose orientation may be axial, transverse or oblique. The optical axis mentioned above is therefore coincident with the axis of the filament of the lamp when it is chosen to have an axial orientation.

In the context of the invention, the spatial references used of the type "vertical", "horizontal", "lateral" or "oblique" are to be understood according to the positioning of the elements considered of the projector, once the projector mounted in the vehicle .

The square lens module is advantageously optimized in total flux collected, as for its horizontal guide curve, for a given depth of the projector and with the greatest possible focal length.

The square lens module can also be optimized in total flux collected, as to the height of its vertical section, for a given depth of the projector and with the greatest possible focal length, especially when the indentation or notches are on one side. a vertical or oblique plane passing through the optical axis.

The height of the reflector and of the lens facing it is preferably chosen so as to ensure the best possible collection of the luminous flux (for the focal length obtained during the optimization of the vertical generatrix and taking into account the acceptable limit depth, this determines the height of the vertical section of the reflector, this height being the highest of the square lens module whose apparent apparent surface then takes on the appearance of an oval).

A horizontal parallel beam is not, or substantially not, vertically deflected.

Preferably, the wall of the reflector (R) comprises two notches (2, 3) located on either side of a plane passing through the optical axis, at least one additional reflector (M2, M3) being associated with each notch and disposed on the side of the notch opposite the optical axis to produce an additional beam that is not intercepted by the lens. The indentations will be respectively above and below a selected horizontal plane passing through the optical axis or respectively to the right and left of a selected vertical plane passing through the optical axis. Of course, the plan can also be oblique, as already mentioned.

Advantageously, at least one additional reflector is associated with each notch and disposed on the side of the notch opposite the optical axis to produce an additional beam that is not intercepted by the lens. In order to equivalently define the position of the additional reflector (s) relative to the associated indentation (s), it can be stated that these reflectors are on the side where the light escapes through said indentation.

Each notch may be located in a horizontal or vertical or oblique plane. It is also possible to combine several types of notches, and to have a system with, for example, a notch in a substantially vertical plane and a notch in a substantially horizontal plane. The two indentations can be disjointed or, on the contrary, be joined and thus form a single notch, shaped L or T for example. It is then possible to obtain an optical system that is also schematically L-shaped, V-shaped, or T-shaped, and not only of horizontal or vertical "linear" appearance.

Advantageously, the limit of the additional reflector (or at least one of them if there are several) on the side of the light source is such that no light is lost between the reflector R and the additional reflector , at the level of the notch. To achieve this, preferably, the additional reflector reaches at least the shadow limit created by the reflector R in the beam emitted by the light source.

The additional reflector or reflectors are preferably of complex surface. They are intended to increase the range of the light beam. Advantageously, the additional reflector or reflectors are also provided to create a cut of the light beam inclined to the horizontal, in particular at 15 °.

The additional reflectors are spaced apart from the lens, in particular vertically or horizontally according to their arrangement, by a distance sufficient to prevent the beam reflected by these reflectors from interfering with the lens.

Additional reflector surfaces may be limited by the plane tangent to the exit surface of the lens and orthogonal to the optical axis, so as not to increase the overall depth of the system.

Advantageously, at least one space created between an additional reflector and the reflector of the lens is used to perform another lighting or signaling function, without increasing the overall size. In particular, a DRL (Day Running Light) function can be installed between an additional top reflector and the top edge of the lens. The illuminating surface, to ensure the DRL function, can be increased by at least a portion of the surface of the lens, by illuminating an edge of the lens (in particular its upper edge or its lateral edge depending on whether the reflector arrangement is vertical or horizontal type), using the beam created by the DRL reflector.

Advantageously, the additional functions are performed using simple reflectors so that all the reflectors can be made in one piece, which can be demolded in the direction of the optical axis.

In addition to the DRL already mentioned, the additional functions can be envisaged as lantern, direction or ID lights, fog lights or AB lights, fixed cornering lights or FBL (for Fixed Bending Light).

When additional light functions using light-emitting diodes are added, said diodes are preferably disposed below a horizontal plane containing the optical axis of the light source providing the code function, to be less exposed to heating.

To improve the light beam of a code projector, particularly in the substantially vertical notch configuration, there is provided an additional reflector in two parts, namely an extreme part, giving the smallest images, essentially providing a large range and the area inclined cut, and a special part, closer to the optical axis, intended to display its images under the cut towards the tip of the V.

To optimize the value of the illumination at points whose position is determined relative to the tip of the cutoff V, or to increase the robustness of the system in terms of glare relative to the relative positioning tolerances (by ensuring the alignment of the cuts from the different elements), there is provided a means for vertically moving the light beam from the square lens relative to the beam of additional reflectors. A lowering of the beam of the square lens is obtained by a rotation of the exit face of the lens around its upper horizontal edge. This rotation can be provided by an added prism against the exit face of the lens, or by an appropriate definition of the exit face of the lens to achieve the same effect.

The top, bottom, or side of the system can be favored for additional reflectors. The system may have an asymmetrical configuration better suited to integration into a given projector. The light source formed by a lamp can then be shifted, in the direction of the additional reflectors, relative to the square lens. Such positioning makes it possible to obtain a more closed surface in the direction opposite to that of the offset.

To maintain a sufficient range of the light beam, it is possible for the additional reflectors to have surfaces which, on the favored side, extend beyond the plane of exit of the lens. The depth along the optical axis of the main reflector is then greater, but this depth following a normal to the oblique exit glass of the projector may be lower.

The surfaces of the additional reflectors may comprise ridges delimiting facets, in particular at least one central facet and two lateral facets.

• Fig.1 est une vue schématique de face d'un premier projecteur selon l'invention, de type à orientation verticale.
• Fig.2 est une coupe schématique verticale suivant la ligne II-II de Fig.1.
• Fig.3 est une coupe schématique semblable à Fig.2 d'une variante comportant une fonction supplémentaire DRL.
• Fig.4 est une coupe schématique suivant la ligne IV-IV de Fig.2.
• Fig.5 est une section suivant la ligne V-V de Fig.4.
• Fig.6 est un schéma de la zone centrale d'un écran éclairé par un projecteur selon l'invention.
• Fig.7 est un schéma illustrant un déplacement relatif de la coupure horizontale par rapport à la coupure inclinée.
• Fig.8 est une coupe schématique, par un plan vertical parallèle à l'axe optique, de la lentille carrée équipée d'un prisme sur sa face de sortie.
• Fig.9 est une coupe verticale schématique d'une variante de réalisation du projecteur avec glace de sortie oblique, et
• Fig.10 est un schéma d'une photométrie obtenue avec le premier projecteur de l'invention.
• Fig. 11 est une vue schématique latérale d'un second projecteur selon l'invention, de type à orientation horizontale
• Fig. 12 est une vue schématique selon une coupe horizontale du second projecteur selon la figure 11
• Fig. 13 est une vue schématique de face du second projecteur selon la figure 11, (feu de code de type trafic à droite)
• Fig. 14 est une vue schématique de face d'un troisième projecteur de type à orientation horizontale, en feu de code de type trafic à droite, mais avec un positionnement relatif du réflecteur R par rapport au réflecteur supplémentaire M2 qui est inversé par rapport à la configuration selon la figure 13
• Fig. 15 est une vue de face extrêmement schématique d'un quatrième projecteur avec une orientation en L

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements described above, in a certain number of other arrangements which will be more explicitly discussed below with regard to exemplary embodiments described in detail with reference to the appended drawings, but which are in no way limiting. On these drawings:

• Fig.1 is a schematic front view of a first projector according to the invention, of vertical orientation type.
• Fig.2 is a vertical schematic section along the line II-II of Fig.1.
• Fig.3 is a schematic section similar to Fig.2 of a variant having an additional function DRL.
• Fig.4 is a schematic section along the line IV-IV of Fig.2.
• Fig.5 is a section along line VV of Fig.4.
• Fig.6 is a diagram of the central area of a screen illuminated by a projector according to the invention.
• Fig.7 is a diagram illustrating a relative displacement of the horizontal cut with respect to the inclined cut.
• Fig.8 is a schematic sectional view, through a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis, of the square lens equipped with a prism on its exit face.
• Fig.9 is a schematic vertical section of a variant of realization of the projector with oblique exit glass, and
• Fig. 10 is a diagram of a photometry obtained with the first projector of the invention.
• Fig. 11 is a schematic side view of a second projector according to the invention, of horizontal orientation type
• Fig. 12 is a schematic view in a horizontal section of the second projector according to FIG. 11
• Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic front view of the second projector according to FIG. 11, (traffic type code light on the right)
• Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic front view of a third horizontally-oriented projector of traffic type code on the right, but with a relative positioning of the reflector R with respect to the supplementary reflector M2 which is inverted with respect to the configuration according to figure 13
• Fig. 15 is an extremely schematic front view of a fourth projector with an L orientation.

Example 1

Figures 1 to 10 relate to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the general orientation of the projector, or at least the optical system comprising the reflectors, the light source and the lens, is vertical. In this invention, a "vertical" or "vertical" optical system is referred to.

Referring to Figs.1 and 2, one can see a bright projector P for a motor vehicle having a reflector R admitting an optical axis YY and at least one focus F1, a light source S placed in the vicinity of the focus, and a transparent element optical deflection D placed in front of the reflector R.

The deflection element D is constituted by a square lens 1 having at least one cylindrical face 1b with vertical generatrices, adapted to ensure a horizontal spread of the light, without significant influence in the vertical direction. A lens of this type is described in EP-A-1,243,846. In the example shown in the drawings (FIG. 4), the input or rear face 1a of lens 1 is plane, orthogonal to FIG. optical axis YY, while the front face 1b is the cylindrical face with vertical generatrices based on a horizontal directional curve A. The director A may comprise a convex central portion forwardly between two concave portions. The outline of the lens 1 (Fig.1) is generally rectangular or square, but this lens could be cut in a circular outline or other.

Advantageously, because the simplest, the cylindrical face 1b of the lens is turned towards the rear and constitutes the input face while the flat face 1a is the exit face facing forward. The face 1 may be optionally cylindrical, especially for reasons of style.

The reflector R constitutes a substantially convergent mirror (the edges may be parabolic, and the reflector may therefore have locally non-convergent zones), whereas the lens 1 is partially divergent.

The light source S can be constituted by the filament of an incandescent lamp, or by the arc of a gas discharge lamp.

The different elements of the headlamp can be housed in a B-box closed at the front by a smooth ice-cream schematized in G (Figs.2 and 9). The housing is arranged around cheeks J1, J2 to which lens 1 is attached.

The reflector R is designed to generate a light beam delimited by a horizontal upper cut Lg (see Fig.6). EP-A-1,243,846 discloses a method for calculating the surface of the reflector R. The section (Fig. 4) of the reflector R by a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis YY is constructed according to a determined law, chosen so that the curve of the section closes sufficiently around the source S to recover a large luminous flux. The focal distance f0 between the point F1 and the theoretical background of the reflector (the rear part of this reflector is cut to create a passage) also makes it possible to intervene on the recovery of luminous flux. The recovery is even higher than this focal distance f0 is lower.

The wall of the reflector R comprises at least one indentation, and preferably two indentations 2, 3 located in a horizontal plane, respectively above and below the optical axis Y-Y. The indentations 2, 3 may extend at least to the rear end of the filament, or arc, of the source S.

At least one additional reflector M2, M3 is associated with each notch 2, 3 and is arranged on the side of the notch opposite the optical axis.

These additional reflectors M2, M3 are designed to collect, at least partially, the light escaping through the indentations 2, 3 and to return this light in the direction of exit (parallel to the optical axis YY) without it crossing the lens 1. Additional reflectors M2, M3 can be spaced at will in the vertical direction. However, it is necessary to limit them, preferably, by the plane Q of the exit surface of the lens 1 so not to increase the overall depth of the system in the direction of the optical axis.

The additional reflectors M2, M3 are provided to give a light beam having a large range along the optical axis YY, but much less spread than that produced by the lens 1. The reflectors M2, M3 are also generally provided to give a beam located below a cut line Ld (see Fig.6) inclined to the horizontal of a given angle (depending on the type of duct on the right or left) to perform a code function. As an indication, for a European country with traffic on the right, the cut line Ld of the beam produced by the reflectors M2, M3 is inclined by 15 ° on the horizontal and rises from left to right.

The reflectors M2, M3 are of the complex surface type, in particular of the "verticalized reflector" type as taught by EP-A-0 933 585. Such a reflector extends mainly in the vertical direction and its surface is determined to reflect in one direction. substantially horizontal, below a cutoff line, light rays from a source located in the vicinity of the focus.

The complex surfaces of these reflectors are adapted to transverse filaments which make it possible to reduce the height of the images used to achieve the maximum of illumination, and thus to reduce the light that "hangs" on the road. The cut inclined at 15 ° on the horizontal is then performed by shifting upward the images naturally having an inclination of between 0 ° and 15 °.

Given the generator of the reflector R for square lens 1, a rigorously transverse filament substantially decreases the light flux captured by the module. It is, however, possible to tilt it, in a horizontal plane, so as to increase the flux captured: it will then preferably use an axial filament lamp more common and reliable than a transverse filament lamp. This moves the passage hole of the lamp and the shadow cone of its opaque end (black top): the useful flow can remain collected, at least on one side, to the exit face of the mirror. The consequence on the surfaces is a change of position of the hearths to be taken into account to generate the parabolic cylinders and, for the "verticalized" reflector, a change of the zone to be shifted to construct the line of cut inclined at 15 ° on the horizontal.

In such an alternative, a compromise can be found between the flux captured and the amount of light that "hangs" on the road.

Reflectors M2, M3 to give a good range, it is interesting to separate them vertically from the light source S to have the smallest possible images. This spacing is however limited by the total height acceptable for the projector.

When the filament of the light source is axial, or substantially axial, the surfaces of the reflectors M2, M3 are of any generator and driven fires, giving images rotated at a desired angle around the axis of the filament and redécoupées. On the other hand, if the filament is transversal (in the case of complex so-called vertical surfaces), images are shifted.

The choice of the vertical spacing and the data of the output plane Q define the focal length of the additional complex surfaces M2, M3 which, by way of non-limiting example, may be of the order of 20 to 25 mm.

The generator of the surfaces of the reflectors M2, M3 is chosen quasi parabolic to maximize the intensity of the light beam with however a rightward sweep, in right traffic, of the largest images, in order to create a beam of significant size limited by a cut at 15 °.

The upper reflector M2 is spaced vertically from the reflector R so as to prevent downward portions of the images coming from the reflector M2 from meeting the upper edge of the lens 1 and thus creating glare by glassy reflection.

The vertical spaces E2 and E3 respectively created between the reflector R and the additional reflectors M2 and M3 are advantageously used to perform other functions without increasing the overall size of the projector P.

In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a DRL function is installed in the space E2. This function is performed using an appropriate reflector 4 fixed in the space E2 by any conventional means not shown, and a suitable light source 5. In the case of the DRL function, a minimum illuminating surface is imposed by the regulations. If necessary, the illuminating surface of the reflector 5 can be increased to that of the lens 1, or part of this lens, by illuminating the upper edge 6 of the lens with a part of the surface of the reflector DRL 4.

Other additional functions for example: lantern, direction indicator ID, fog light AB, fixed cornering lights FBL, can be installed in spaces E2, E3. If the additional functions envisaged are carried out with light-emitting diodes, they are preferably placed below the lamp code constituting the source S, for thermal reasons.

In order not to disturb the main lighting function provided by the source S and the reflector R, and in order not to create glare in code, the reflectors of the added functions must be located behind the light cones C2, C3 (FIG. .3) coming from the main source S and resting on the edges of the openings 2, 3 of the reflector R.

Additional functions such as DRL, lantern or other, are advantageously made using simple reflectors made integral with the reflector R and additional reflectors M2, M3 so that the assembly can be made in one piece that can be demolded following the direction of the optical axis YY.

The square lens module 1 is optimized, as to its guide curve A, for a given depth H (FIG. 4), in total flux collected and with the greatest possible focal distance.

The sections of the reflector R by vertical planes consist of quasi parabolas little vertically enveloping because of a relatively large focal length. The section through a vertical plane passing through the optical axis YY (FIG. 2) has, at the level of the reflector R, an upper part composed of two almost parabolic arcs R1, R2, with different foci F1, F2 and of the lower part of two arcs R3, R4, of quasi parabola with different foci F3, F4.

The light source S is schematized in the form of a cylinder of revolution whose axis is parallel to the optical axis Y-Y, situated above this axis and having its lower generatrix tangent to the optical axis.

The arc R1 is provided so that its focus F1 is located on the optical axis YY at the rear end (or in the neighborhood) of the source S. The arc R2 is provided so that its focus F2 is located at the rear end high (or near) the source S, that is to say slightly above the optical axis YY.

The lower arc R3 is provided so that its focus F3 is located on the optical axis YY at the front end (or in the vicinity) of the source S. The arc R4 is provided so that its focus F4 is located at the front end high (or near) the source S, so slightly above the axis YY.

There is thus a difference in focal length between the upper part R1, R2 and the lower part R3, R4 of the reflector section. The upper part R1, R2 has a lower focal length than the lower part R3, R4, the difference between the two focal lengths corresponding to the length of the filament of the light source. By way of non-limiting example, the filament has a axial length of 4mm, the focal length of the upper part R1, R2 is 12mm while that of the lower part R3, R4 is 16mm. The greater the focal length, the less sensitive a positioning error of the source S. The positioning tolerance of the source S is generally of the order of 0.15mm.

The piloting of the hearths is planned in such a way as to optimize the cut-off sharpness of the beam coming from the square lens above the horizontal line Lg. This is achieved through an iterative process.

The position parameters of the lens 1 and the different foci of the generator (corresponding to a section by a vertical plane) of the reflector R are chosen so as to minimize the depth. A minimum space requirement is nevertheless imposed by the minimum distance required between the front end, or balloon, of the source S and the lens 1 to avoid thermal problems and interception of light rays.

FIG. 3 represents a dotted axis passing through the space E2 and touching the lower edge of the reflector R: by extending this axis downwards, it can be seen that it constitutes in fact the shadow limit created by the reflector R : in this configuration, no or almost no light is "lost" at the notch: all the light escaping from R by the indentation is recovered by the reflector M4.

An example of controlling the foci of the vertical sections of the reflector R is given with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In Fig.4 we consider a light ray i from the center of the source S, falling on the reflector R at a point m on the horizontal section containing the optical axis. The normal at the surface of the reflector R at the point m is represented by the line n. The radius i is reflected in the symmetrical direction q of the radius i with respect to n. The section of the reflector R by a vertical plane passing through the direction q and corresponding to the section VV is illustrated in FIG. 5 by the curve Rq which consists of four different curve arcs Rq1, Rq2, Rq3 and Rq4. We consider a first orthogonal projection of the source S on the vertical plane passing through the direction n and, from this first projection, a second orthogonal projection on the vertical plane passing through the direction q. In the plane passing through q, we obtain a representation of the source S whose circular ends are transformed into ellipses. The arcs Rq1 and Rq2 are designed to have foci Fq1 and Fq2 behind the rear end of this projection of the source S, respectively at the vertical level of the lower and upper generatrices. The two lower arcs Rq3 and Rq4 are designed to have foci Fq3, Fq4 in front of the front end of the source S, and at the same vertical level as Fq1 and Fq2.

Fig.6 is a simplified diagram of a central area illuminated by a projector code according to the invention, on a screen orthogonal to the optical axis placed at a determined distance (usually 25 meters) from the projector. The beam is cut above a V line comprising a horizontal left arm Lg and a straight leg Ld inclined to the horizontal of 15 ° and rising from left to right. The intersection of the two branches defines the tip K of V.

The area below the horizontal line Lg, on either side of tip K, is defined as "zone IV" by a standard. The illumination in this zone IV must reach a predetermined minimum level.

To improve the light beam and to satisfy the illumination required on the left in zone IV, the lower supplementary reflector comprises two parts: an end part corresponding to the previously described reflector M3, giving the smallest images, and an upper part consisting of a special surface formed by another additional reflector M4 (Figs.2 and 3) provided for spreading the images of the source under the cut Lg in the area IV, up to an angle of 6 ° between the optical axis and the direction through the center of the projector and the far left edge of Zone IV.

This additional reflector M4 is preferably arranged in the lower part because the surface of the reflector R is more open in its lower part whose focal length is greater, for a positioning of the lamp S in the center.

A characteristic point, referred to as "75R" according to a standard, is located slightly to the right of the K point in defined coordinates.

In order to optimize the value of illumination at point 75R, the light beam issuing from square lens 1 is displaced relative to the light beam coming from additional reflectors M2, M3. For this, the light beam of the square lens 1 is lowered vertically relative to the beam of the additional reflectors M2, M3. The right branch Ld of the cutoff V does not move because it results in additional reflectors. By against the horizontal leg Lg due to the beam of the square lens 1 is moved down as shown in Fig.7. The tip K of the cutoff V moves on the line Ld downwards and to the left as shown in Fig.7.

To bring back the tip K on the optical axis Y-Y is made a setting of moving the beam of the additional headlights to the right (arrow Td) and up (arrow Th), as shown in Fig.7.

In an exemplary embodiment, the beam of the square lens 1 has been lowered by 0.33 °. This amounts, after adjustment, to move the beam 2% (tangent of the angle of displacement) to the right and 0.5% (tangent of the angle of displacement) upwards.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the downward displacement of the beam issuing from the square lens 1 may be ensured by a rotation of the exit face of the lens around a horizontal axis constituted by its upper edge. The exit face of the lens is then preferably constituted by the plane face 1 a. The rotation of the exit face is obtained by adding a prism 7 whose face is glued against the face 1a. The edge of the prism is applied against the upper edge of the exit face of the lens while the base is at the bottom. The prism 7 may be made of the same material as the lens to have same refractive index. The prism 7 may not exist physically: one then simply has a lens with a flat face making with the "vertical" an appropriate angle, the "vertical" to be understood as being the axis of the generatrices of the other face of the lens.

In this configuration, it is necessary to switch the beam of the special surface M4, when it exists, of the same angle as that of the beam of the square lens 1. This can be obtained by rotating the base surface M4 around a horizontal axis passing through its low focus.

It is possible to favor the top or the bottom of the system to place additional reflectors. It can even be envisaged to have additional reflectors only at the top or at the bottom, since an asymmetrical configuration may be better adapted to integration in a given projector. In order to maintain a high captured luminous flux, it is then desirable to place the lamp S in an offset manner, in the direction of the additional reflectors, with respect to the square lens 1. In fact, such positioning makes it possible to obtain a larger surface area. closed in the opposite direction to that of the offset.

To maintain a satisfactory range of the light beam, it is also desirable to let the surfaces of the additional reflectors such as M3 (Fig.9) beyond the exit plane Q of the lens, which allows small images to be obtained. The enlargement of the M3 reflector downwards, however, is technically limited by the interception of light rays from the source S by a possible opaque end 8 (black top) or by the lower part 9 of the lens 1.

The depth H1 along the optical axis is then greater, but if we consider the exit ice G generally oblique, the depth H2 in a direction perpendicular to the mean direction of the ice G is lower.

Finally, it may be interesting to place the special surface M4 on one side and all other additional surfaces forming the additional reflectors on the other side.

The cheeks J1, J2 (Fig.1) do not pose a problem for the opening of the beam to the extent that the width of the beam is obtained by the lens 1, while the light beams from other parts such as M2, M3 are narrow. In addition, the spaced images provided for extending the sloped cut line Ld come from the central area of the additional reflectors. The cheeks J 1, J 2 do not have an optical role.

The thermal problems of the square lens module reflectors are reduced because the reflector R is open above and below the lamp thanks to the notches 2, 3.

The surfaces of the additional reflectors M2, M3 may have ridges reminding the extruded line of the lens 1.

In the case of an asymmetric system, namely a square lens module 1 upwards, S lamp possibly shifted downward of the lens, single additional reflector below the lens module, it is interesting to use for the reflector an additional reflector type "verticalized" particularly suitable for this geometry.

Fig.10 is a diagram of the photometry of the light beam obtained, with a plot of isolux curves (points having the same illumination). The central curve lm is that of a strong illumination, for example 48 lux. The maximum illuminance point, for example 68 lux, is located within this curve. The outer curve If corresponds to a low illumination, for example 0.4 lux. The intermediate curves correspond to illuminations decreasing from the center to the outside. The horizontal graduations expressed in% correspond to the tangent of the angle formed between the optical axis and the horizontal direction passing through the center of the projector and the point marked by the graduation on the screen. For vertical graduations, it is the tangent of the angle formed between the horizontal plane passing through the optical axis and the direction passing through the center of the projector and the point marked by the graduation on the screen. We find the cut lines Lg and Ld.

A projector according to the invention allows a high flux captured and therefore good efficiency. The depth of the projector is limited. All reflectors, including reflectors for additional functions, DRL or other, can be demolded at one time without the need for a drawer for molding. To achieve a code beam, the projector does not have a cover that absorbs light.

It is possible to use the upper part or the lower part for the placement of additional reflectors according to the integration possibilities and the desired style.

Example 2

This example relates to Figures 11 to 13, and relates to a second type of projector, where the general orientation of the optical system is now horizontal. The elements common with the first example will not be detailed again, and the references of the drawings will be identical to those shown in Figures 1 to 10 to designate the same elements. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the optical system. The reflector R is found, the lens D, the contours of which are here chosen substantially oval. And the M2 reflector. The lens is secured to the reflector R by an element E which encloses entirely its periphery. Alternatively, this fastening element E may surround only a part of the periphery of the lens, either for aesthetic reasons, or to provide, especially in the upper part, one or more openings providing better ventilation, so less heating of the optical system. FIG. 12, which is a horizontal sectional view, shows the axial filament lamp S, the "square" lens D of ogival shape, and the indentation 2. Unlike Example 1, there is therefore here a reflector M2 disposed horizontally, and a notch 2 which is substantially in a vertical orientation. The reflector M2 is of the complex surface type, and makes it possible to obtain a code light with cutoff at 15 °. FIG. 13, which is a front view, shows that the reflector M2 can be schematically decomposed into three zones: the zone Z1, preferably devoid of streaks, and the zones Z2 and Z3: the zone Z2, which is arranged in the lower right part of the reflector M2, is the area dedicated to obtaining the cut at 15 °, the zone Z3, which is arranged above the zone Z1, contributes to the scope of the beam, with a cut of the horizontal type. In this example, the zones Z2 and Z3 are provided with streaks, but this is not mandatory.

Example 3

This example refers to Figure 14, and is close in design, in example 2: it is also a horizontal type of optical system, with the same lens as in example 2. The only difference lies in the relative positioning of the reflector R with respect to the reflector M2 : the arrangement of the reflector M2 with respect to the lens D is inverted with respect to the vertical, and the zone Z2 dedicated to make the cut at 15 ° is now in the upper left part of the reflector M2, above the zone Z3 contributing within range of the beam.

For this example in particular, it is noted that one can also obtain traffic lights on the left side, that is to say with cuts in V at 15 ° in paid, by operating a symmetry with respect to a vertical plane containing the optical axis of the modules according to, in particular, Figures 13 and 14, the notch being then on the opposite side.

Example 4

This example relates to the extremely schematic figure 15, which is a front view of a fourth type of projector according to the invention: This is an inverted "L" shaped projector, where the lens D and its reflector R is associated with two additional reflectors M2 and M3, the reflector R defining two notches 2,3 so that a portion of the light emitted by the light source can respectively escape to the reflectors M2 and M3. The reflectors M1, M2 are arranged perpendicularly relative to each other, and the two notches 2,3 are also perpendicular to each other, and joined in a single opening. They could also be disjointed. This projector example can also be modified to have non inverted L shapes, T shapes, oblique shapes.

From these various examples, it is noted that the invention allows quantities of variants, and allows forms of optical systems very varied in their general appearance.

It is also possible to have, in horizontal version, additional reflectors arranged on either side of the square lens, similar to the configuration according to Figure 1 for example, but rotated 90 °.

Claims (20)

Motor vehicle headlamp comprising a reflector (R) having an optical axis (YY) and at least one focus (F1), a light source (S) placed in the vicinity of a focal point of the reflector, and a transparent optical deflection element ( D) placed in front of a portion of the reflector, this element comprising a module comprising a so-called "square lens" lens (1), the reflector (R) being placed behind said lens, the module being able to ensure a spreading essentially horizontal light, characterized in that : the wall of the reflector (R) comprises at least one notch (2, 3) on one side of a plane passing through the optical axis (YY) of the reflector, and at least one additional reflector (M2, M3) is disposed on the side of the indentation (2,3) opposite to the optical axis (YY), this additional reflector being provided to collect at least a portion of the light coming from from the source exiting through the notch, and to produce an additional beam that is not intercepted by the lens. Projector according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall of the reflector (R) comprises at least one indentation (2,3) on one side of a vertical plane, horizontal or oblique with respect to the vertical and passing through said axis optical (YY). Projector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the square lens module (1) is optimized in total flux collected, as for its horizontal guide curve (A), for a given depth of the projector and with the greatest possible focal length . Projector according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the square lens module (1) is optimized in total flux collected, as to the height of its vertical section, for a given depth of the projector and with the greatest focal length possible, especially when the indentation or indentations are on one side of a vertical or oblique plane passing through the optical axis Projector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the wall of the reflector (R) comprises two notches (2, 3) located on either side of a plane passing through the optical axis, in particular above and below a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis or respectively to the right and left of a vertical plane passing through the optical axis, at least one additional reflector (M2, M3) being associated with each notch and disposed on the side of the notch opposite the optical axis to produce an additional beam that is not intercepted by the lens. Projector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or at least one of the notches (2, 3) is situated in a horizontal, vertical or oblique plane with respect to the vertical. Projector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional reflector or reflectors (M2, M3) are of complex surface, provided to increase the range of the light beam. Projector according to claim 7, characterized in that the additional reflector (s) (M2, M3) are provided to create a cutoff (Ld) of the light beam inclined to the horizontal, in particular at 15 °. Projector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional reflectors (M2, M3) are spaced apart, in particular vertically or horizontally, from the lens (1) by a distance sufficient to prevent the beam reflected by these reflectors from falling. interferes with the lens. Projector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one space (E2) created between an additional reflector (M2) and the reflector (R) of the lens is used to perform another lighting function or signaling, without increasing overall congestion. Projector according to claim 10, characterized in that a DRL function (4, 5) is installed between an additional reflector (M2) and an edge, in particular upper or lateral, of the lens (1). Projector according to claim 9, characterized in that the illuminating surface, to ensure the DRL function, is increased by at least a portion of the surface of the lens (1) by illuminating an edge, in particular upper or side of the lens using the beam created by the reflector DRL (4). Projector according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the additional functions are carried out using simple reflectors (4) so that all the reflectors (R, M2, M3, 4) can be realized in one piece, which can be demolded in the direction of the optical axis. Code projector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an additional reflector in two parts, namely an end part (M3) giving the smallest images, essentially providing a large range and an inclined cut-off area (Ld), and a special part (M4), closer to the optical axis, intended to spread its images under the cut towards the tip (K) of the V cut, especially when the notch is in a horizontal plane or oblique. Code projector according to Claim 14, characterized in that , in order to optimize the value of the illumination at points whose position is determined relative to the tip (K) of the cutoff V, it comprises means (7) for moving vertically the light beam from the square lens (1) relative to the beam of the additional reflectors (M2, M3). Code projector according to Claim 13, characterized in that a lowering of the beam of the square lens (1) is provided by a prism (7) added against the exit face of the lens (1), or by an appropriate definition of the exit face of the lens. Projector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surfaces of the additional reflectors are limited by the tangent plane (Q) to the exit surface of the lens and orthogonal to the optical axis. Projector according to one of claims 1 to 16 with oblique ice (G), characterized in that , in order to maintain a sufficient range of the light beam, the surfaces of the supplementary reflector (M3) which extend beyond the exit plane (Q) are provided. ) of the lens. Projector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or at least one additional reflector M reaches at least the shadow limit created by the reflector R in the beam emitted by the source of light. Vehicle equipped according to at least one headlight according to one of the preceding claims.

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