DEVICE FOR PROCURING AN INFINITY EFFECT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE SIGNALING LIGHT

• US 20130010487A1
• Filed: 03/18/2011
• Published: 01/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marelli Automotive Lighting France
• Original Assignee: Automotive Lighting Rear Lamps France SAS (Automotive Lighting Italia SPA)
• Inventors: Buisson, Alain
• Granted Patent: US 9,121,564 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/516
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/30 characterised by reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0025 Combination of two or more reflectors for a single light source array of reflectors for a cluster of light sources F21V7/0083
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2106/00 Interior vehicle lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A device and corresponding module are for a signaling light and/or lighting an exterior or interior ambient of a motor-vehicle passenger compartment including a type of light source. The device comprises an optical assembly of a first reflector including a mirror and a second reflector including a semi-transparent mirror. Light emitted by an LED is diffused in a curtain diffuser of a transparent material. Planes or mid-planes of the mirror, the semi-transparent mirror, and the diffuser are mutually parallel. Light transmitted or reflected by the assembly is transmitted and visible to an observer from a surface of the second reflector that is opposite to that facing other elements of the assembly. The diffuser includes a lighting sub-assembly arranged in space between the mirror and semi-transparent mirror and having a transparent optical material and a light source arranged for emission of light rays propagated within a thickness of the optical material.

Claims

1. A device for at least one of a signaling light and lighting either of an exterior and interior ambient of a motor-vehicle passenger compartment including at least one type of light source, the device comprising:

an optical assembly of at least one first reflector including a mirror (1) and at least one second reflector including a semi-transparent mirror (2); and

a curtain diffuser (4) of a substantially transparent material in which light emitted by at least one LED (3) is diffused, a plurality of either of planes and mid-planes of the mirror (1), the semi-transparent mirror (2), and the curtain diffuser (4) being mutually substantially parallel wherein light either of transmitted and reflected by the optical assembly is transmitted and visible to an observer from a surface of the second reflector that is substantially opposite to that facing a plurality of other elements of the optical assembly and the curtain diffuser (4) includes a lighting sub-assembly arranged in space between the mirror (1) and semi-transparent mirror (2) and having a substantially transparent optical material and at least one light source (5) arranged for emission of a plurality of rays of light propagated within, a thickness of the transparent optical material.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the device is either of integrated and suitable for integration in a housing in a general form of a substantially cylindrical section to constitute a module.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the second reflector and curtain diffuse is arranged in front of the LED.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transparent optical material includes a plate having at least one bilateral and extended convex projection, of substantially circular overall cross-section, defining a substantially median longitudinal axis in a substantial mid-plane of the plate, and adapted to form a light guide and at least one LED arranged at at least one end of the light guide and defining a main orthogonal axis in a longitudinal axis of the light guide.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the respective either of planes and mid-planes of the mirror and semi-transparent mirror are mutually substantially parallel.

6. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the respective either of planes and mid-planes of the mirror and semi-transparent mirror enclose an angle ranging from about one degree to about three degrees.

7. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the optical assembly is arranged substantially perpendicularly to an optical axis of a beam emitted by the LED.

8. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mirror is arranged substantially on a level of the LED with a reflective surface of the mirror facing substantially a front whereas the mirror is either of substantially hollowed-out and non-existent at the level of the LED to allow the LED to project a light beam of the LED substantially in front of the mirror.

9. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mirror is semi-transparent and either of substantially identical to and different than the semi-transparent mirror and the LED is provided with at least one reflector.

10. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the device comprises further a curtain that is combined with the mirror.

11. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mirror is selected from any of a reflector, mirror proper, and semi-mirror and any of substantially plane, conical, elliptical, semi-elliptical, hyperbolic, spiral, logarithmic spiral, and helical.

12. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the mirror is provided with variable curvature, including variations within respective zones of the mirror.

13. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one LED is arranged in a substantially central position in the mirror and, with a curtain that Is combined with the mirror, delivers cither of a “

relief”

effect and “

reverse infinity”

effect that indicates illumination of a brake light.

14. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein an additional optical system is arranged substantially between the two mirrors and provides a light source that is substantially parallel to other light sources for provision of the signaling light.

15. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein, the device functions as a side light with, an initial substantial ring of LEDs arranged in a substantial circle around a substantially central point and a brake light delivering a stronger intensity and “

relief”

effect from substantially a base of the device.

16. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the mirrors is substantially spherical.

17. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the LED is either of replaced and supplemented by at least one substantially 16-watt axial-filament lamp.

18. At least one of a signaling and lighting module for either of an exterior and interior of a motor vehicle, wherein the module comprises:

at least one device for at least one of a. signaling light and lighting an ambient of either of the exterior and interior of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle including at least one type of light source, wherein the device comprises;

an optical assembly of at least one first reflector including a mirror (1) and at least one second reflector including a semi-transparent mirror (2); and

a curtain, diffuser (4) of a substantially transparent material in which light emitted by at least one LED (3) is diffused, a plurality of either of planes and mid-planes of the mirror (1), the semi-transparent mirror (2), and the curtain diffuser (4) being mutually substantially parallel, wherein light either of transmitted and reflected by the optical assembly is transmitted and visible to an observer from a surface of the second reflector that is substantially opposite to that lacing a plurality of other elements of the optical assembly and the curtain diffuser (4) includes a lighting sub-assembly arranged in space between the mirror (1) and semi-transparent mirror (2) and having a substantially transparent optical material and at least one light source (5) arranged for emission of a plurality of rays of light propagated within a thickness of the transparent optical material.

19. The module as set forth in claim 18, wherein a substantially median direction of emission of the LED is substantially parallel with an optical axis of the module.

20. The module as set forth in claim 18, wherein an additional optical system is arranged between the two mirrors and provides a light source that is substantially parallel to other light sources for provision of the signaling light.