FR3040934A1 - STOP SURELEVE SIGNALING LIGHT FOR MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle lighting or signaling device (4) such as a vehicle rear window signaling light (CHMSL). The device (4) comprises a light source (8) emitted from the device (4), a light guide (12), an electro-optical filter (14) covering an end and a rear face of the light guide. This filter (14) limits the non-regulatory red light emissions towards the front of the vehicle, while presenting a transparent state that does not limit the visibility in the passenger compartment. The filter (14) comprises a screen of the OLED type, or LCD or MEMS; or alternatively an electro-chromatic filter, or micro-shutters. A control unit (34) creates an operating frequency of the filter (14) to communicate a signal. The invention also proposes a method for managing a signaling device (4) with an electro-optical filter (14) blocking certain light emissions.

Description

STOP SURELEVE SIGNALING LIGHT FOR MOTOR VEHICLE

Technical Field [0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle signaling device. The invention particularly relates to a raised stop signal light for a motor vehicle, in particular arranged in the central high position of a rear window of a motor vehicle.

Prior art [0002] For safety reasons, the vehicles are generally equipped with a rear brake light. Thus, when a driver brakes, his stop light comes on and wakes the attention of users following it. By being disposed in raised position, for example in the upper part of a rear window or in a rear window spoiler, the stop light becomes visible by a queue of users. In this way, more successive users are informed of the speed change of the user who brakes upstream. They can better anticipate the dangers, traffic conditions become safer.

To improve visibility while preserving the useful volume of the passenger compartment, the raised brake light can be installed in the opening of the trunk when the latter makes the rear window pivoting. When the telescope is fixed, the stop light can be attached to the roof of the cockpit. The stop light extends vertically from its support. It illuminates through the rear window of the vehicle that receives it, while remaining discreet in the cabin.

[0004] Document FR 2 794 218 A1 discloses a complementary stop lamp for a motor vehicle. This light is arranged behind the rear window at the top; a cover with a slot defines the lighting aperture to the rear. The light source is associated with a transparent wall, this assembly being housed in a box. The present architecture makes it possible to emit light in a narrow band, regardless of the size of the light source. The presence of the box allows to dress the light source, including its connections and mounting brackets. Being opaque, the box prevents the brake light from propagating towards the driver - towards the front of the vehicle - which is prohibited by regulation.

However, the presence of this box obstructs the vision towards the rear; through the rear window. This limits the visibility of the rear environment of the vehicle, and thereby penalizes safety; which is the essence of a stop light. Summary of the invention

TECHNICAL PROBLEM [0006] The object of the invention is to solve at least one of the problems posed by the prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to improve the driving safety of a vehicle with a raised brake light while respecting the light emission regulations. The invention also aims to improve the visibility of a raised brake light vehicle, while controlling the direction of light emission of said raised brake light.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION The subject of the invention is a vehicle signaling device, in particular a signaling light for a vehicle rear window, the device comprising a light source emitting a luminous flux intended to be emitted out of the device, remarkable in that it further comprises an electro-optical filter at least partially disposed in the luminous flux of the light source, the electro-optical filter being configured to reduce the luminous flux therethrough when it is activated so as to reduce the emission bright off the device.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a main direction of light emission from the light source and at least one auxiliary direction of light emission from the light source; the electro-optical filter being disposed transversely to at least one auxiliary direction of light emission.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a light guide leading the light flux from the light source, the electro-optical filter being applied against at least one surface of said light guide, preferably the filter is applied on two faces inclined relative to each other, more preferably the filter forms a bend.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light guide comprises two opposite faces, one receiving the electro-optical filter and the other of these two faces being opposite the light source, possibly the receiving face. the filter forms a bevel on the guide.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light guide comprises at least one internal light reflection zone emitted by the light source, preferably two internal light reflection zones, the electro-optical filter covering at least one light source. or each internal zone of reflection.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a mounting surface intended to cooperate with a corresponding mounting surface of the vehicle, the mounting surface being disposed between the electro-optical filter and the light source.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electro-optical filter comprises an electro-chromatic filter.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electro-optical filter comprises a liquid crystal screen.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electro-optical filter comprises an organic electroluminescent diode screen.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electro-optical filter comprises an electromechanical microsystem with moving parts less than 1 mm in size, preferably less than 100 .mu.m.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electro-optical filter comprises electrically actuated shutters, preferably the shutters are micro-shutters optionally capable of winding.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light source is a diode, and / or a monochromatic light source; possibly a source of red light.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device comprises electrical connection means connecting the electro-optical filter to the light source, preferably the connection means are configured so that the electro-optical filter reduces the luminous flux. crossing when the light source is on. The operation of the filter is synchronized with the lighting of the light source, which can be activated in continuous or pulsed mode to preserve the rear visibility.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a control unit configured to alternately actuate the electro-optical filter, preferably the control unit is configured to modulate the frequency of actuation of the electronic filter. optical so as to transmit information.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electro-optical filter is generally transparent or generally opaque depending on its power supply.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the main direction of light emission is inclined with respect to each auxiliary direction of light emission of more than 10 °, preferably more than 30 °, more preferably more than 60 °, possibly more than 90 ° or more than 120 °.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the auxiliary directions of light emission is generally opposite to the main direction of light emission. By opposite, one can hear inclined more than 160 °, or generally turned 180 °.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light guide comprises a first zone and a second zone which are opposite to the light guide, the first zone receiving the light source, the other zone receiving the filter. electro-optics.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a fixing surface, possibly with fixing means, the fixing surface being disposed between the light source and the electro-optical filter.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light guide comprises a translucent body, for example in the form of optionally bevelled plate.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light guide has a generally trapezoidal profile, the two parallel sides of which are preferably the longest sides. The longer sides may correspond to the main faces of the light guide.

The invention also relates to a control method of a signaling device and / or vehicle lighting, including a signaling light for vehicle rear window, the device comprising a light source emitting a luminous flux intended to be emitted out of the device, remarkable in that the device further comprises an electro-optical filter at least partially disposed in the flux of the light source, and in that when the light source is switched on, the power supply of the electro-filter -optic is modified so as to reduce the luminous flux that passes through it.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, as soon as the light source is powered, the filter changes state.

The invention also relates to a use of means for reducing the emission of light in an auxiliary direction of light emission from a signaling device and / or vehicle lighting, including signaling light for vehicle rear window, remarkable in that the means comprise an electro-optical filter.

In general, the advantageous modes of each object of the invention are also applicable to the other objects of the invention. These objects can also be combined.

Advantages Provided The invention makes it possible to limit the parasitic emission of light thanks to the filter that can behave sometimes as an opaque screen, sometimes as a transparent window. Depending on the configurations chosen, the filter can only reduce the proportion of light passing through it, which simplifies it and limits the primary energy required for its operation. The filter may be adapted to block only one light, preferably the red emitted in a regulatory manner by the light source.

When the filter is positioned close to or applied to a transparent light guide, the whole remains invisible and does not limit the vision to the rear because they let both pass the light when the stop light does not work.

The invention also improves the safety associated with a lighting device for a vehicle passenger. Indeed, the electro-optical filter associated therewith is placed, for example on a light guide surface, so as to intercept the light emitted towards the driver of the vehicle. In this way, the driver is not dazzled and keeps his driving comfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 represents a portion of a vehicle with a signaling device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a signaling device with an electrooptic filter according to the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an electro-optical filter according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0038] FIG. 1 is a simplified representation of a section of a rear part of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle. Part of the passenger compartment is defined by the roof of the vehicle and its rear window 2. The rear window 2 can be fixed to the vehicle body, or be secured to the opening of the trunk.

A signaling device 4, for example a rear central light, is associated with the rear window 2. It is visible from the rear of the vehicle, through the rear window 2 which allows another vehicle to see braking signals. The device 4 can be mounted in the upper position, it can be a device 4 of the FSS type, acronym for raised brake light or CHMSL, for the acronym "Center High Mounted Stop Lamp".

The device 4 can be attached to the vehicle body, or on the boot flap. Fixing can be done on a structural element 6 such as a sheet, or on a trim element 6. The device 4 projects vertically downwards or upwards, inside the passenger compartment. It can be remote from the glass of the rear window 2 by marrying it, being generally parallel.

The part of the device 4 placed in the passenger compartment may have a generally transparent state under certain conditions. In this way, its presence does not disturb the rear view of the driver who observe his rear environment through the entire available surface of the rear window 2.

The device 4 may comprise a light source 8 or light source 8 emitting the light flux 10, a plume of light rays 10, which emerges from the device and then passes through the telescope 2 towards vehicles at the rear. This light 10 comes out of the device 4 in a main direction 11 of light emission 10 from the source 8, which is arranged towards the rear of the vehicle in the normal direction of assembly.

The light source 8 may be a LED or LED emitting diode according to the acronym "Light Emitting Diode". At the output, the light 10 can form a band of light. The device 4 may comprise optical means driving, guiding, collimating, concentrating the light 10 coming from the light source 8. The optical means may include at least one light guide 12 and / or sets of lenses, and / or games of mirrors.

In order to prevent the light 10 from being emitted towards the front of the vehicle, the device 4 is equipped with an electro-optical filter 14 blocking part of the light 10 emitted. The electro-optical filter 14 has a state at rest, or inactive, where the light 10 passes through it; and an active state where it reduces the light flow 10 which passes through it with respect to the inactive state. The state changes are reversible, and depend on the power supply of the electro-optical filter. It is understood that at rest the electro-optical filter can block a fraction, preferably a minority of the light 10 therethrough, and being activated it lets part of the light 10, for example less than 5%. The electro-optical filter 14 thus makes it possible to control the light of the source 8 which propagates forwards, issuing from the guide 12 or reflected by the rear window. It is placed partially or totally in the path of propagation of the light rays 10.

The light guide 12 may be a block, a body of material. It can usually form a plate. It is advantageously transparent to allow vision through its thickness. It may be a profile, possibly bent, for example to follow the telescope. The device 4 may have several light guides 12.

Here, the filter 14 is shown as a partition placed at a distance from the guide.

Advantageously, the filter extends along the guide 12 at least until intercepting the projection of the distal end of the guide (opposite to the light source) orthogonal projection to the median longitudinal surface M of the guide 12. This median surface M shares the thickness of the guide in half. Advantageously, the filter 14 extends substantially parallel to this median surface. Moreover, the presence of the guide in the device is not essential in the sense of the invention. Indeed, the filter 14 may be an extension, a cap blocking a portion of the rays of a light source housed in the passenger compartment.

[0047] Figure 2 is a sectional view of the vehicle signaling device and / or vehicle lighting. A portion of the cabin trim of the vehicle is shown.

The device 4 has at least one, possibly several auxiliary directions 16 for transmitting the light 10 from the source 8. The filter is advantageously placed so as to intercept at least one, or several, or each auxiliary direction 16 d 'program. At least one or more dark areas separate the main direction 11 and each auxiliary direction 16. The dark areas form spaces where the guide 12 conveys less light from the light source 8 relative to the main direction 11 and with respect to each auxiliary direction 16. The decrease in light intensity from the source 8 is at least 10%, preferably at least 50%, preferably at least 90% relative to the main direction 11 and / or with respect to each direction. auxiliary 16.

The electro-optical filter 14 is controllable. It can be active or inactive. One of the states corresponds to a configuration where the filter 14 is generally transparent, the other where it becomes generally opaque. The active state corresponds to a reduction of the light passage 10, and the inactive state means that the filter passes a maximum of light.

The change of state can be made reversibly, using a setpoint, a power supply. The active state may occur when power is supplied, and the inactive state may occur when the power supply is turned off. The electro-optical filter 14 may also show the reverse operation.

Depending on its state, the filter 14 can promote the passage of light or impede the passage of this light. The filter 14 can act on a light of a certain frequency or a frequency range. The filter 14 can limit the passage of light, it can let part of the light passing through it, and reduce this passage, and possibly completely block the light 10 trying to cross it.

The light guide 12 has several faces, possibly two to two opposite. The guide may comprise two opposite major faces (18; 20). One of the main faces 18 may be the one from which the radiation 10 originates in the main direction 16 of transmission of the device 4, the other 20 of these two faces may be covered, at least partially by the filter 14. device 4 may comprise two other opposite faces (22; 24), possibly an upper face 22 which for example receives the source 8, and possibly a lower face 24. The latter may be covered by the filter 14. The filter 14 may have a continuity of material from one face to the other (20; 24), it can be bent at the junction of the adjoining faces (20; 24).

Optionally, the faces (20; 24) covered by a filter 14 are covered by a same filter 14 or by separate filters. Optionally the filters overlap. The coated faces (20; 24) may be predominantly or totally. The lower face 24 can form a bevel on the guide 12.

The guide 14 conducts the light rays 10 of the light source 8, possibly by deflecting them. For example, the source 8 can emit a downward luminous flux that the guide 12 sends backwards, for example horizontally in the normal direction of mounting of the device 4. This can be done using at least one internal zone of reflection of the light rays. One of these zones may be the lower face 24 of the guide, and may be the main reflection zone. In addition to this main zone, the guide 12 shows other internal reflection zones, for example adjoining the main zone. Advantageously, the filter covers one of the reflection zones, for example the main zone, and possibly an adjacent reflection zone. The filter 14 then makes it possible to prevent parasitic emissions, consequences of parasitic reflections.

To allow mounting, the device 4 may have a mounting surface 26, which can cooperate with a corresponding mounting surface 28 of a trim element 6 and / or the vehicle body. The mounting surface 26 may be a positioning surface between the device 4 and the covering 6. In addition to or instead of the mounting surface, the device may have a fixing surface, for example with fixing means such as orifices, notches, screws, or any equivalent means. Advantageously, the mounting surface 26, and / or the fixing surface, and / or the fixing means is / are arranged between the source 8 and the filter 14.

The electro-optical filter 14 may comprise several screens and / or several superposed coatings. It may include a liquid crystal display, known by the acronym LCD for "Liquid Crystal Display". It may also comprise an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen, generally designated by the acronym OLED for "Organic Light-Emitting Diode", and / or any other type of screen capable of being traversed by a luminous flux and reduce, block this luminous flux according to a change of power supply. An LCD type screen offers the advantage of remaining transparent without power, then becoming opaque under power. The OLED screen provides the benefit of adapting to curved surfaces, and possibly being able to deform.

The filter 14 may comprise an electrochromic filter, for example in the form of a screen. The electrochromic filter may comprise two conductive glass plates between which is a gel which bathes electrochromic molecules. When an electric current is applied to the conductive plates, the molecules will darken and the screen will attenuate the light passing through it.

The device 4 may have electrical connection means 30 for feeding the filter so as to control it. The connection means 30 may be connected to the power supply of the associated vehicle. A surface 32 delimiting the passenger compartment can separate the filter 14 from connecting means 30. These means 30 can make it possible to connect the filter 14 to the light source 8, they are configured so that the filter 14 is active, that is to say, it reduces the light passing through it, when the source 8 is powered.

The device 4 may comprise a control unit 34 configured to actuate the electro-optical filter 14 in an alternative manner, possibly by modulating the operating frequency of the electrooptic filter 14. In this way, a message may be communicated by wave light. This message may be perceived by electronic devices of the occupants of the vehicle, and / or by other vehicles.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of an electro-optical filter 14 of the device. A support portion, such as the light guide 12 is shown. With solid lines, a movable portion 36 of the filter is shown in open configuration, which corresponds to the inactive state of the electro-optical filter 14, allowing the passage of light. Dashed lines show the same moving part 36 in the closed position blocking the passage of light, corresponding to the active state of the filter 14.

The electro-optical filter 14 may comprise an electromechanical microsystem 38, also known by the acronym MEMS for Microelectromechanical System. An electromechanical microsystem can be understood as a microsystem comprising a plurality of mechanical elements, using electricity as a source of energy, in order to perform an actuator function, with at least one structure having micrometric dimensions. The function of the system is partly ensured by the shape of this structure. An electromechanical microsystem can be understood as a system comprising moving parts and / or actuators of size less than 1 mm, preferably less than 100 μm, more preferably less than 10 μm. The size being measured according to the main dimension.

The filter 14 and / or the electromechanical microsystem 38 may comprise at least one or two electrodes (40; 42) separated locally by an insulator 44. One of the electrodes 42 has a matrix of moving parts 36 such as flaps. generally opaque moving members 36, opening and closing a grid of apertures according to the power supply of each electrode. The other of the two electrodes 40 may be generally translucent, and possibly cover the entire filter 14. When the flaps 36 are open, the light can pass through the filter 14 through the openings; when the shutters are closed the openings are closed and the light is blocked. The openings may represent more than 50% of the filter surface, preferably more than 80%, more preferably more than 90%.

These flaps 36 may have a width and a length less than 1 mm, preferably less than 50 pm, more preferably less than 2 pm. In the open state, each flap 36 is wound and forms at least a portion of the tube. In this configuration, the winding radius R is less than 1.00 μm, preferably less than 0.10 μm or less than 0.02 μm. The filter 14 may comprise at least 1000 flaps 36 per square centimeter, preferably at least 15,000 flaps 36 per square centimeter.

The invention thus provides a control method of a signaling device such as the traffic light for rear window of the vehicle. The method provides that the filter reduces the light passing through as soon as the light source is energized. According to the method, an electrical signal, or a power interruption, or a voltage inversion, is applied to the filter as soon as the source illuminates. Advantageously, the active state of the filter occurs as soon as the light source emits light.

Claims (15)

claims Vehicle signaling device (4), in particular a raised vehicle stop light, the device (4) comprising a light source (8) emitting a luminous flux (10) intended to be emitted from the device (4), characterized in that it further comprises an electro-optical filter (14) at least partially disposed in the luminous flux (10) of the light source (8), the electro-optical filter (14) being configured to reduce flux illuminated (10) therethrough when activated to reduce light emission from the device (4). 2. Device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a main direction (11) of light emission from the light source and at least one auxiliary direction (16) of light emission from the luminous (8); the electro-optical filter (14) being disposed transversely to at least one auxiliary direction (16) of light emission. 3. Device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises a light guide (12) leading the light flux (10) from the light source (8), the electronic filter optical lens (14) being disposed near a surface or applied against at least one surface (20; 24) of said light guide (12), preferably the filter (14) is applied on two inclined faces (20; relative to each other, more preferably the filter (14) forms a bend. 4. Device (4) according to claim 3, characterized in that the light guide (12) comprises two opposite faces (22; 24), one (24) receiving the electro-optical filter (14) and the other (22) of these two faces facing the light source (8), optionally the face (24) receiving the filter forms a bevel on the guide (12). 5. Device (4) according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the light guide (12) comprises at least one internal light reflection zone emitted by the light source, preferably two internal reflection zones of light, the electro-optical filter (14) covering at least one or each internal reflection zone. 6. Device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a mounting surface (26) intended to cooperate with a corresponding mounting surface (28) of the vehicle, the mounting surface ( 26) being disposed between the electro-optical filter (14) and the light source (8). 7. Device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electro-optical filter (14) comprises an electro-chromatic filter. 8. Device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the electro-optical filter (14) comprises a liquid crystal screen. 9. Device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the electro-optical filter (14) comprises an organic light-emitting diode screen. 10. Device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the electro-optical filter (14) comprises an electromechanical microsystem (38) with movable portions (36) less than 1 mm in size, preferably less than 100 pm. 11. Device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the electro-optical filter (14) comprises flaps (36) electrically actuated, preferably the flaps (36) are micro-flaps (36). ) possibly able to wind up. 12. Device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the light source (8) is a diode, and / or a monochromatic light source; possibly a source of red light. 13. Device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises electrical connection means (30) connecting the electrooptical filter (14) to the light source (8), preferably the means of connection (30) are configured so that the electro-optical filter (14) reduces the luminous flux (10) therethrough when the light source (8) is turned on. 14. Device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (34) configured to alternately actuate the electro-optical filter (14), preferably the unit of control (34) is configured to modulate the operating frequency of the electro-optical filter (14) so as to transmit information. 15. A method of controlling a signaling device (4) and / or vehicle lighting, including a signaling light for vehicle rear window (2), the device (4) comprising a light source (8) emitting a luminous flux (10) to be emitted from the device (4), characterized in that the device (4) further comprises an electro-optical filter (12) at least partially arranged in the flux (10) of the light source (8), and in that when the light source (8) is turned on, the power supply of the electro-optical filter is modified so as to reduce the light flux (10) passing therethrough.