Light module comprising an organic light emitting diode

• US 10,711,982 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2018
• Issued: 07/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Dubosc, Christophe, Cabanne, Damien, Reiss, Benoit, Moisy, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Tumebo, Tsion
• Application Number:
  US15/929,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20180347791A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/155 Surface emitters, e.g. organic light emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/192 Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/145 Surface emitters, e.g. organic light emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/195 Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0015 Fastening arrangements intended to retain light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/15 Organic light-emitting diodes [OLED]

Abstract

A light module, comprising: a support comprising at least one first surface called a separating surface and at least one organic light-emitting diode comprising a first light-emitting part, a connecting part or means for attaching the diode to the support and an electrical connector or means for electrically 10 connecting the diode. The means for attaching the diode and the electrical connector or means for electrically connecting the diode are borne by a part of this diode, called a connecting part. Additionally, the separating surface of the support delimits a light-scattering area into which the first light-emitting part of the diode extends, and separates this light-scattering area from a 15 masked area, into which connecting part of the diode extends, such that the connecting part is occulted by the separating surface of the support.

Claims

1. A light module, comprising:

a support comprising a separating surface;

at least one organic light-emitting diode including;

a first light-emitting part; and

a connecting part including an electrical connector electrically connecting said organic light-emitting diode; and

an intermediate fastening module by which said organic light emitting diode is mechanically attached to said support, the intermediate fastening module comprising a pair of retaining clips that are mechanically coupled one to the other by complementary engagement mechanisms, said organic light-emitting diode being captured at said connecting part between said pair of retaining clips through said mechanical coupling thereof by said complementary engagement mechanisms,

wherein said separating surface of said support delimits a light-scattering area into which said first light-emitting part of said organic light-emitting diode extends from a masked area into which said connecting part of said organic light-emitting diode as captured by said intermediate fastening module extends such that said connecting part and said intermediate fastening module are occulted by said separating surface of said support.

2. The light module as claimed claim 1, wherein said support comprises a wall supporting said separating surface, said wall comprising at least one slot passing all the way therethrough, such that said connecting part of said organic light-emitting diode as captured by said intermediate fastening module resides at a technical surface of said support and said first light emitting part of said organic light-emitting diode resides at said separating surface, said technical surface being opposite said separating surface.

3. The light module as claimed in claim 2, wherein said intermediate fastening module comprises means for connecting to said support on said technical surface side thereof.

4. The light module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said intermediate fastening module comprises means for electrically linking with said electrical connector of said organic light-emitting diode.

5. The light module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said complementary engagement mechanism of said intermediate fastening module comprises clipping elements whereby said retaining clips are releasably connected together to capture said organic light-emitting diode therebetween.

6. A lighting and/or signaling housing configured to be mounted on an automotive vehicle comprising at least one light module as claimed in claim 1.

7. The light module as claimed in claim 3, wherein said support comprises, on said technical surface side, fastening means capable of being directly connected to said connecting means of said intermediate fastening module.

8. The light module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said complementary engagement mechanism of said intermediate fastening module comprises elements that mutually engage by press-fit whereby said retaining clips are connected together to capture said organic light-emitting diode therebetween.

9. The light module as claimed in claim 8, wherein said elements that mutually engage by press-fit include holes formed in one of said retaining clips and protuberances formed on said other one of said retaining clips, said protuberances being press-fit into said holes.

10. The light module as claimed in claim 9, wherein said protuberances are conical.

11. The light module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retaining clips include support tabs that elastically support said organic light-emitting diode at said connecting part when said organic light-emitting diode is captured between said retaining clips.

12. The light module as claimed in claim 11, wherein electrical contact is made between one or more of said support tabs and said electrical connector of said connecting part.

13. The light module as claimed in claim 7, wherein said fastening means comprises protuberances extending from said technical surface side of said support at which said connecting means of said intermediate fastening module are directly connected.

14. The light module as claimed in claim 13, wherein said support comprises a wall supporting on opposite sides thereof said separating surface and said technical surface, said wall comprising at least one slot formed therein such that said connecting part of said organic light-emitting diode as captured by said intermediate fastening module resides on said technical surface side of said wall and said first light emitting part of said organic light-emitting diode resides on said separating surface side of said wall, said protuberances extending from said technical surface side of said support by a length that supports said intermediate fastening module such that said first light emitting part of said organic light-emitting diode extending through said slot is retained at an angle relative to said separating surface.

15. The light module as claimed in claim 14, wherein said wall comprises a plurality of slots and said support comprises a plurality of protuberances, said protuberances having respective lengths such that a plurality of said organic light-emitting diodes respectively extending through said slots are retained at different angles relative to said separating surface.

16. A light module comprising:

a support comprising a pair of opposing separating surfaces;

at least one organic light-emitting diode including;

a first light-emitting part and a second light-emitting part; and

a connecting part interposed between said first light-emitting part and said second light-emitting part attaching said organic light-emitting diode to said support such that said connecting part is placed between said separating surfaces, said connecting part attached to said support by a releasable locking element that engages with a corresponding element of said support, said connecting part including an electrical connector electrically connecting said organic light-emitting diode; and

wherein said separating surfaces of said support delimit light-scattering areas into which said first light-emitting part and said second light-emitting part of said organic light-emitting diode respectively extend and separates said light-scattering areas from a masked area into which said connecting part of said organic light-emitting diode extends such that said connecting part is occulted by said separating surfaces of said support, and

wherein said support comprises walls supporting said separating surfaces, said walls each comprising at least one slot passing all the way therethrough such that said connecting part of said organic light-emitting diode is positioned between said walls at a technical surface of said support that is opposite one of said separating surfaces.