EP4372270A1

EP4372270A1 - Automotive lighting and/or signaling device with improved screen device

Info

Publication number: EP4372270A1
Application number: EP22208610.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alessandro SACCA'; Federico IANNACONE
Original assignee: Marelli Automotive Lighting Italy SpA
Current assignee: Marelli Automotive Lighting Italy SpA
Priority date: 2022-11-21
Filing date: 2022-11-21
Publication date: 2024-05-22

Abstract

A lighting and/or signaling device (4) for vehicles comprising a container body (8) delimiting a containment seat (12) which accommodates at least one light source (16) adapted to emit a light beam comprising a plurality of light rays (20), at least one collimator device (28) contained in the container body (8) and configured to receive said light rays (20) emitted by said at least one light source (16) and to collimate them parallel to a main propagation direction (X-X), at least one screen device (24) of said collimated light rays (20), arranged to close the container body (8), extending from an inlet wall (32) facing the collimator device (28) to an outlet wall (36), wherein the outlet wall (36) has alternating screened portions (40) which are opaque to said light rays (20), and windows (44) which are transparent to said light rays (20). Said windows (44) are obtained on recesses (48) of the outlet wall (36), misaligned with respect to the screened portions (40) along said main propagation direction (X-X). The inlet wall (32) of the screen device (24) comprises at least one concentration means (52) of the light beam (incoupling) configured to direct and concentrate, in said windows (44), the collimated light rays (20) incident thereon. [Fig. 4]

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention relates to an automotive lighting and/or signaling device with an improved screen device.

BACKGROUND ART

The term automotive lighting and/or signaling device is used herein in a very broad sense to comprise an either rear or front automotive light, the latter also referred to as a headlight or headlamp.
As is known, an automotive light is to provide a signal or make the roadbed visible for the driver. In other words, the automotive light is a device intended to provide at least one lighting and/or signaling function of the vehicle. Lighting and/or signaling functions of the vehicle include, for example, the position light, the turn signal light, the brake light, the rear fog lamp, the reversing light, the dipped beam light, the high beam light, the daytime running light, and further similar lights typical of automotive light assemblies. It is also possible that the device can also perform an aesthetical function, such as lighting devices that show logos and the like, which can be located both outside and inside the vehicle.
Applications are further known, in which the lighting device takes an aesthetical function when it is not activated, i.e., when it does not emit light beams and, as needed, if it is activated, it also takes the lighting/signaling function. This is the case of devices having an overall opaque, typically black aspect when OFF, so as to conceal the lighting function from an outside observer.
Such known devices comprise outer black or opaque lenticular bodies which, when OFF, appear as dark plates and conceal the presence of inner light sources from the outside observer. Such outer lenticular bodies have an overall dark wall (for example, blackened by painting, pad printing, hot pressing, film overmolding and similar techniques) which acts as a mask interspersed with thin transparent windows which instead allow the crossing by the light beams emitted by light sources inside the device.
Such windows are very thin since they have a thickness in the order of a few tenths of a millimeter: for this reason, they are not usually visible to an outside observer when the inner light sources are OFF.
On the other hand, when said inner light sources are activated, the light beams can propagate outside the device through the mentioned windows so as to be visible to an outside observer and to serve the signaling and/or lighting function thereof.
The set of lit dots (corresponding to said windows) forms the light image or pattern of the lighting and/or signaling device.
More in detail, the light rays emitted by the light sources are first collimated and then concentrated towards said windows to pass the lenticular body and leave the lighting and/or signaling device.
Such known solutions have some drawbacks and limitations.
Indeed, the accuracy of shapes, dimensions and positions of the windows obtained on the wall of the lenticular body is a critical item which is difficult to achieve and industrialize, resulting in the light patterns emitted upon the activation of the light sources having inaccuracies, inhomogeneity and blurring, which make the optical system not very efficient and aesthetically unacceptable for a user.
Moreover, it is essential to achieve a perfect alignment between the ray collimators and the windows themselves.
The solutions of the prior art do not ensure the correct mutual alignment between the collimated rays and the windows themselves. Accordingly, the known solutions are not capable of providing accurate, sharp, and homogeneous light patterns.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a lighting and/or signaling device which overcomes the above-described technical limits.
Such a need is met by an automotive lighting and/or signaling device according to claim 1 and by a method for manufacturing an automotive lighting and/or signaling device according to claim 16.
Other embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more comprehensible from the following description of preferred and non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:

Figure 1 depicts a perspective view, with separated parts, of a lighting and/or signaling device according to a possible embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 depicts a perspective view, in an assembled configuration, of the lighting and/or signaling device in Figure 1;
Figure 3 depicts a front view, in an assembled configuration, of the lighting and/or signaling device in Figure 1;
Figure 4 depicts a sectional view, in an assembled configuration, of the lighting and/or signaling device in Figure 1, along the section plane IV-IV shown in Figure 3;
Figures 5-6 depict diagrammatic sectional views of possible embodiments of lighting and/or signaling devices according to the present invention, in which a Fresnel lens, such as a collimator device, is used;
Figures 5-6 depict diagrammatic sectional views of possible embodiments of lighting and/or signaling devices according to the present invention, in which a collimator lens or a reflector, such as a collimator device, is used, respectively.

The elements or parts of elements common to the embodiments described below will be indicated using the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the aforesaid drawings, reference numeral 4 indicates, as a whole, a lighting and/or signaling device, such as an automotive light, to which the following disclosure will refer without however losing in generality.
As mentioned above, the term "lighting and/or signaling device" can indifferently mean either an automotive rear light or an automotive front light, the latter also referred to as a headlight or headlamp, comprising an external light of the vehicle serving a lighting and/or signaling function, such as a position light, for example, which can be a front or rear or side position light, a turn signal light, a brake light, a rear fog lamp, a high beam light, a dipped beam light, and the like.
Thus, as better described below, the device can comprise, in the signaling function thereof, the possibility to send light signals, logos, but also words and light messages of any kind. Thus, it is possible that the device can perform a merely aesthetical function, as in the case of lighting devices showing logos and the like, which can be arranged both outside and inside the vehicle.
The lighting and/or signaling device 4 comprises a container body or hollow housing 8, usually made of a polymer material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or ABS, for example, which typically allows fixing the lighting and/or signaling device 4 to the related vehicle or to any type of support.
For the purposes of the present invention, the container body or housing 8 can have any shape and size, as well as position: for example, the container body 8 can also not be directly associated with the body or other external mountings of the associable vehicle.
The container body 8 delimits a containment seat 12 which accommodates a plurality of components of said lighting and/or signaling device.
In particular, the containment seat 12 accommodates at least one light source 16 arranged and supported inside said containment seat 12. The at least one light source 16 preferably comprises a LED or mini LED light source adapted to emit a light beam, typically with a Lambertian distribution, comprising a plurality of light rays 20.
For example, a screen device 24 acting as a lenticular body can be placed to the container body 8 to at least partially close it and so as to close said containment seat 12 which accommodates the light source 16.
For the purposes of the present invention, the screen device or lenticular body 24 is outside the lighting and/or signaling device 4 so as to define at least one outer wall of the lighting and/or signaling device directly subject to the atmosphere, integrating with the line of the car when the container body 8 is firmly recessed in the chassis of the vehicle.
According to possible embodiments, the material of the screen device or lenticular body 24 is of the polymer type, i.e., a resin such as PMMA (poly methyl methacrylate), PC (polycarbonate) and the like. Said material of the lenticular body or screen device 24 is thus at least partially transparent or semitransparent or translucent, one or more opaque portions also possibly being included.
It is possible that the screen device 24 can also be mechanically distinct from the lenticular body; in other words, it is possible that the lighting and/or signaling device can also include a lenticular body which is distinct from the screen device 24, to cover the latter. In other words, the screen device 24 is accommodated inside a chamber consisting of the container body 8 closed by the lenticular body.
The lighting and/or signaling device 4 for vehicles further comprises at least one collimator device 28 contained in the container body 8, i.e., inside the chamber of device 4, and configured to receive said light rays 20 emitted by said at least one light source 16 and to collimate them parallel to a main propagation direction X-X. Said collimation direction is substantially parallel to the main propagation direction X-X. Said previously collimated light rays 20 are to be sent to said screen device 24, as better described below. It is important for said light rays 20 to be collimated beforehand so they can be effectively and accurately directed towards the screen device 24, as better described below.
According to a possible embodiment, said collimator device 28 comprises a Fresnel lens and/or a collimator lens and/or a collimator reflector. When using a Fresnel lens, the well-known advantage of decreasing the thickness of the entire optical architecture arises.
According to a possible embodiment, said collimator device 28 comprises a reflector.
Said reflector can comprise, for example, a parabolic or hyperbolic profile.
As mentioned above, said at least one screen device 24 intercepts the light rays 20 collimated by the collimator device 28.
The screen device 24, which can be arranged to close the container body 8, extends from an inlet wall 32 facing the collimator device 28 to an outlet wall 36 opposite to the collimator device 28, along said main propagation direction X-X.
Advantageously, the outlet wall 36 has alternating screened portions 40 being opaque to said light rays 20, and windows 44 being transparent to said light rays 20.
The screened portions 40 are opaque and thus cannot be crossed by said light rays 20; therefore, they are perceived by an outside observer as black or darkened portions even when the light sources 16 are OFF. When the light sources 16 are activated, a homogeneous lighting surface is formed due to the close arrangement of the windows, as better described below.
Advantageously, said windows 44, or transparent portions, are obtained on recesses 48 of the outlet wall 36, misaligned with respect to the screened portions 40 along said main propagation direction X-X.
According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, said recesses 48 on the outlet wall 36 are arranged at a constant pitch P along a vertical direction Y-Y, perpendicular to said main propagation direction X-X.
It is possible that said recesses 48 on the outlet wall 36 can also be arranged at a varying pitch P along said vertical direction Y-Y, perpendicular to said main propagation direction X-X.
The recesses 48 can have various geometries.
For example, said recesses 48 can also have a "U", "V" and/or parabolic profile with respect to a section plane perpendicular to said main propagation direction X-X.
According to a possible embodiment, said recesses 48 have a minimum depth 64 or distance from the screened portions 40 of the outlet wall 36, along the main propagation direction X-X, more or less equal to 2 mm.
An outside observer is not able to see the inner components of the lighting and/or signaling device when the light sources 16 are OFF due to the very small dimensions of the transparent windows 44. Therefore, an observer will perceive an evenly darkened plate from the outside. Contrarily, when the light sources 16 are activated, the light rays 20 are capable of coming out of the windows 44 so as to be visible from the outside and perform the lighting and/or signaling functions of device 4. More in detail, the pitch of the windows 44, i.e., the pitch of the screened portions 40, is structured so that the screen device 24 appears as a dark surface, for example black in color, when the light source 16 is OFF, or contrarily, as a substantially homogeneous lighting surface when the light source 16 is ON, due to the fact that the windows 44 are sufficiently close to one another and in any case at a distance below the angular resolution of the human eye. In order to obtain the desired effect, such an alternation, i.e., the pitch, between the windows 44, i.e., the screened portions 40, is obtained in a manner known per se.
The inlet wall 32 of the screen device 24 preferably comprises at least one concentration means 52 of the light beam (incoupling) configured to direct and concentrate, in said windows 44, the collimated light rays 20 incident thereon.
Preferably, each of said concentration means 52 of the light beam is sized and positioned so as to concentrate and direct, in a corresponding window 44, all the light rays 20 incident thereon. In other words, due to the concentration means, there are no light rays 20 being incident on the screened portions 40.
Preferably, a concentration means 52 of the light beam (incoupling) is provided at each recess 48 on the outlet wall 36. Thereby, the lighting efficiency of the lighting and/or signaling device 4 is increased.
According to a possible embodiment, said concentration means 52 of the light beam (incoupling) has a convex profile towards the light rays 20 incident thereon, and a concave profile towards said corresponding recess 48.
A concentration means 52 of the light beam having a concave profile towards the light rays 20 incident thereon, and a convex profile towards said corresponding recess 48, can also be used.
In general, a concentration means 52 of the light beam having a curved lenticular profile can be used.
According to a preferred embodiment, a plurality of light sources 16 is provided, where each light source 16 is associated with a corresponding collimator device 28 and a corresponding screen device 24, and where each light source 16, with the corresponding collimator device 28 and screen device 24, is accommodated in a seat 56 optically separated from the other adjacent seats by means of internal separating partitions 60.
For example, the screen devices 24 and the collimator devices 28 are counter-shaped to one another and the respective seats 56 delimited by the internal separating partitions 60. Thereby, the lighting and/or signaling device 4 consists of a plurality of independent modules, having a hexagonal shape as shown in Figures 1-3, for example, each module comprising a light source 16, a collimator device 28, and a screen device 24 and being delimited by said internal separating partitions 60. The hexagonal geometry is merely indicative and not limiting.
Preferably, the screen device 24, comprising the inlet wall 32 provided with the light beam concentration means 52 and the outlet wall 36 provided with the windows obtained on recesses 48 of the outlet wall 36, is made in one piece from a material which is transparent to the light rays. In other words, the inlet wall 32 provided with the light beam concentration means 52 and an outlet wall 36 provided with the windows 44 obtained on recesses 48 of the outlet wall 36 itself are made in one piece with each other.
Therefore, the windows 44 are obtained by molding: thereby, not only is the accurate production/geometry of the windows 44 always ensured, but also the correct mutual alignment between the collimated rays 20 and the windows 44 themselves, i.e., the correct alignment between each concentration means 52 and the corresponding window 44, i.e., the respective recess 48. Therefore, the solution according to the present invention is capable of providing accurate, sharp, and homogeneous light patterns.
Moreover, said screened portions 40 are thus obtained by applying a layer 72 which is opaque to said light rays 20.
According to a possible embodiment, said opaque layer 72 is obtained by pad printing or painting or molding the outlet wall 36 of the screen device 24.
The method for manufacturing a lighting and/or signaling device for vehicles according to the present invention is described below.
In particular, said method comprises the steps of:

providing a container body 8 delimiting a containment seat 12 which accommodates at least one light source 16 adapted to emit a light beam comprising a plurality of light rays 20,
providing at least one collimator device 28 contained in the container body 8 and configured to receive said light rays 20 emitted by said at least one light source 16 and to collimate them parallel to a main propagation direction X-X,
providing, in a single piece, at least one screen device 24 of said collimated light rays 20, extending from an inlet wall 32 facing the collimator device 28 to an outlet wall 36 opposite to the inlet wall 32,
where the outlet wall 36 has alternating screened portions 40 which are opaque to said light rays 20, and windows 44 which are transparent to said light rays, said opaque screened portions 40 being obtained by means of stereoplates or painting on the outlet wall 36 of the screen device 24,
where said windows 44 or transparent portions are obtained on recesses 48 of the outlet wall 36, misaligned with respect to the screened portions 40 along said main propagation direction X-X so as not to be affected by said step including stereoplates or painting on the outlet wall 36 of the screen device 24,
where the inlet wall 32 of the screen device 24 comprises at least one concentration means 52 of the light beam (incoupling) configured to direct and concentrate, in said windows 44, the collimated light rays 20 incident thereon.

As can be appreciated from the above description, the present invention allows overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art.
In particular, by virtue of the present invention, a lighting and/or signaling device can be manufactured, which has plates, i.e., dark or opaque portions concealing the presence of inner lighting devices from an outside observer, when deactivated.
Simultaneously, when the inner light sources are activated, the lighting and/or signaling device according to the invention allows emitting light beams according to very sharp and accurate patterns or designs.
Moreover, a perfect alignment can be obtained between the concentration means 52 and the respective windows 44, i.e., the respective recesses 48.
Therefore, not only is the accurate construction/position of the windows always ensured, but also the correct mutual alignment between the collimated rays and the windows themselves.
Accordingly, the solution according to the present invention is capable of providing accurate, sharp and homogeneous light patterns when the light sources are activated. If the light sources are OFF, the outside observer will instead perceive a dark and homogeneous plate. The accuracy in manufacturing the windows and the opaque portions is ensured by the molding and offset between the inlet wall and the outlet wall of the screen device. Indeed, due to said offset or misalignment, the opaque portions can be darkened, for example with pad printing or painting or hot pressing techniques, in a highly accurate manner without affecting the windows which are retracted instead and thus not affected by the step of applying the darkening layer.
The method for manufacturing a lighting and/or signaling device according to the invention is also industrially repeatable and allows obtaining constant and repeatable results in terms of accuracy and sharpness of the light patterns generated by activating the light sources.
In order to meet contingent and specific needs, those skilled in the art can make several changes and variations to the lighting and/or signaling devices described above.
The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

A lighting and/or signaling device (4) for vehicles, comprising:
- a container body (8) delimiting a containment seat (12) which accommodates at least one light source (16) adapted to emit a light beam comprising a plurality of light rays (20),

- at least one collimator device (28) contained in the container body (8) and configured to receive said light rays (20) emitted by said at least one light source (16) and to collimate them parallel to a main propagation direction (X-X),

- at least one screen device (24) of said collimated light rays (20) extending from an inlet wall (32) facing the collimator device (28) to an outlet wall (36),

- wherein the outlet wall (36) has alternating screened portions (40) being opaque to said light rays (20), and windows (44) being transparent to said light rays (20),

- wherein said windows (44) are obtained on recesses (48) of the outlet wall (36), misaligned with respect to the screened portions (40) along said main propagation direction (X-X),

- wherein the inlet wall (32) of the screen device (24) comprises concentration means (52) of the light beam (incoupling), each concentration means (52) being configured to direct and concentrate, in a respective window (44), the collimated light rays (20) incident thereon.
A lighting and/or signaling device (4) according to claim 1, wherein said collimator device (28) comprises a Fresnel lens and/or a collimator lens.
A lighting and/or signaling device (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said collimator device (28) comprises a reflector.
A lighting and/or signaling device (4) according to claim 3, wherein said reflector comprises a parabolic or hyperbolic profile.
A lighting and/or signaling device (4) according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said recesses (48) on the outlet wall (36) are arranged at a constant pitch (P) along a vertical direction (Y-Y), perpendicular to said main propagation direction (X-X).
A lighting and/or signaling device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said recesses (48) on the outlet wall (36) are arranged at a varying pitch (P) along a vertical direction (Y-Y), perpendicular to said main propagation direction (X-X).
A lighting and/or signaling device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said recesses (48) have a "U", "V" and/or parabolic profile with respect to a section plane perpendicular to said main propagation direction (X-X).
A lighting and/or signaling device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said concentration means (52) of the light beam has a curved lenticular profile, towards the light rays (20) incident thereon.
A lighting and/or signaling device (4) according to claim 8, wherein said curved lenticular profile is concave or convex towards said recess (48).
A lighting and/or signaling device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a plurality of light sources (16) is provided, wherein each light source (16) is associated with a corresponding collimator device (28) and a corresponding screen device (24), and wherein each light source (16), with the corresponding collimator device (28) and screen device (24), is accommodated in a seat (56) optically separated from the other adjacent seats by means of internal separating partitions (60).
A lighting and/or signaling device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said recesses (48) have a minimum depth (64) or distance from the screened portions (40) of the outlet wall (36), along the main propagation direction (X-X), equal to 2 mm.
A lighting and/or signaling device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said screen device (24) comprises an inlet wall (32) provided with the light beam concentration means (52), and an outlet wall (36) provided with the windows (44) obtained on recesses (48) of the outlet wall (36), wherein said inlet wall (32) and said outlet wall (36) are made in one piece from a material which is transparent to the light rays (60).
A lighting and/or signaling device according to claim 12, wherein said screened portions (40) are obtained by applying a layer (72), which is opaque to said light rays (20), to the outlet wall (36).
A lighting and/or signaling device (4) according to claim 13, wherein said opaque layer (72) is obtained by means of stereoplates or by painting the screened portions (40) on the outlet wall (36) of the screen device (24).
A method for manufacturing a lighting and/or signaling device (4) for vehicles, comprising the steps of:
- providing a container body (8) delimiting a containment seat (12) which accommodates at least one light source (16) adapted to emit a light beam comprising a plurality of light rays (20),

- providing at least one collimator device (28) contained in the container body (8) and configured to receive said light rays (20) emitted by said at least one light source (16) and to collimate them parallel to a main propagation direction (X-X),

- providing, in a single piece, at least one screen device (24) of said collimated light rays (20), extending from an inlet wall (32) facing the collimator device (28) to an outlet wall (36),

- wherein the outlet wall (36) has alternating screened portions (40) which are opaque to said light rays (20), and windows (44) which are transparent to said light rays (20), said screened portions (40) being obtained by means of stereoplates or painting on the outlet wall (36) of the screen device (24),

- wherein said windows (44) are obtained on recesses (48) of the outlet wall (36), misaligned with respect to the screened portions (40) along said main propagation direction (X-X) so as not to be affected by said step including stereoplates or painting on the outlet wall (36) of the screen device (24),

- wherein the inlet wall (32) of the screen device (24) comprises concentration means (52) of the light beam, each concentration means (52) being configured to direct and concentrate, in a respective window (44), the collimated light rays (20) incident thereon.
A method for manufacturing a lighting and/or signaling device (4) for vehicles according to claim 15, comprising the steps of providing a lighting and/or signaling device (4) for vehicles according to any one of claims 2 to 14.