Optical system with main function for motor vehicle

• US 8,789,991 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2012
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Martin, Laure, Vernisse, Benjamin, Thierry, Benjamin, Vathonne, Nicolas, Gasquet, Jean-Claude
• Primary Examiner(s): BANNAN, JULIE A
• Application Number:
  US13/656,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20130163264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 362611-613, 362/540, 362509-511, 362/311.01, 362/311.02, 362337-340, 362/489, 362495-497
• US Class Current: 362/540
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/239 plate-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/243 emitting light from one or more of its extremities
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/245 emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/249 with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0035 provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it

Abstract

An optical system for a motor vehicle, the optical system performing at least one main optical function and including in particular a diffusion screen, at least one light source of the LED type, each LED of the optical system producing a set of rays of light to be propagated in the diffusion screen wherein the screen is in the form of a curved sheet, with an upper lateral flange and a lower lateral flange which meet at a periphery which has in particular a rear face and a front edge and the principal function is performed essentially via an output face constituted by the front edge of the diffusion screen.

Claims

1. An optical system for a motor vehicle, said optical system performing at least one main optical function and comprising:

a diffusion screen;

at least one light source, each light source of the optical system producing a set of rays of light to be propagated in the diffusion screen, said at least one light source comprising a plurality of LEDs;

wherein the screen is in the form of a sheet, curved or substantially planar, with an upper lateral flange and a lower lateral flange which are joined by a periphery having a rear face and a front edge;

the main function is performed essentially via an output face constituted by the front edge of the diffusion screen; and

at least one part of the upper lateral flange diffuses a light beam contributing to the performance of at least one of the main function or a complementary optical function;

wherein said main function and said complementary optical function are different and said plurality of LEDs are arranged opposite said periphery such that when said plurality of LEDs are active, light beams project from said front edge in a first direction and from said upper lateral flange in a second direction that is different from said first direction.

2. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the front edge has a thickness of between 3 and 5 millimeters.

3. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein at one least part of the upper lateral flange diffuses a light beam and is oriented in such a way as to increase the visible illuminated surface of the optical system in the direction of emission of the main function.

4. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the main optical function performed is of the brake type, or of the position light type, or of the turn indicator type.

5. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the upper lateral flange diffuses a light beam which performs a complementary optical function of the lateral marking type.

6. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the upper lateral flange diffuses a light beam via a plurality of micro-roughnesses suitable to disperse to the exterior of the diffusion screen some of the rays of light to be propagated in said diffusion screen, these micro-roughnesses forming a plurality of minidiscs.

7. The optical system according to claim 6, wherein said micro-roughnesses form minidiscs with a diameter of between two tenths of a millimeter and six tenths of a millimeter, typically four tenths of a millimeter.

8. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein said light sources are arranged opposite the rear face of the diffusion screen.

9. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein said optical system includes at least one lateral face, said light sources being arranged opposite at least one of the lateral faces of the diffusion screen.

10. The optical system according to claim 9, wherein said light sources are arranged opposite a single lateral face of the diffusion screen.

11. The optical system according to claim 9, wherein the rear face of the periphery comprises a plurality of reflecting prisms suitable to direct the light beams produced by said light sources to the front edge of the diffusion screen.

12. A headlamp or signal lamp for a motor vehicle, wherein said headlamp or signal lamp is fitted with the optical system according to claim 1.

13. The optical system according to claim 2, wherein at one least part of the upper lateral flange diffuses a light beam and is oriented in such a way as to increase the visible illuminated surface of the optical system in the direction of emission of the main function.

14. The optical system according to claim 2, wherein the main optical function performed is of the brake type, or of the position light type, or of the turn indicator type.

15. The optical system according to claim 3, wherein the main optical function performed is of the brake type, or of the position light type, or of the turn indicator type.

16. The optical system according to claim 2, wherein the upper lateral flange diffuses a light beam which performs a complementary optical function of the lateral marking type.

17. The optical system according to claim 2, wherein the upper lateral flange diffuses a light beam via a plurality of micro-roughnesses suitable to disperse to the exterior of the diffusion screen some of the rays of light to be propagated in said diffusion screen, these micro-roughnesses forming a plurality of minidiscs.

18. The optical system according to claim 3, wherein the upper lateral flange diffuses a light beam via a plurality of micro-roughnesses suitable to disperse to the exterior of the diffusion screen some of the rays of light to be propagated in said diffusion screen, these micro-roughnesses forming a plurality of minidiscs.

19. The optical system according to claim 3, wherein said light sources are arranged opposite the rear face of the diffusion screen.

20. The optical system according to claim 3, wherein said optical system includes at least one lateral face, said light sources being arranged opposite at least one of the lateral faces of the diffusion screen.

21. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the front edge has a thickness of 4 millimeters.