[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive light.
[0002] In more detail, the present invention relates to a taillight for cars and similar
vehicles, i.e. a lighting device adapted to be incorporated into a motor vehicle with
the function of signalling the position, the sudden deceleration and/or the turning
direction of the vehicle, and/or with the function of lighting the area surrounding
the vehicle. Use to which the following disclosure specifically refers without however
any loss of generality.
[0003] As we know, the taillights for cars and the like generally comprise: a rigid and
substantially basin-shaped rear casing, which is structured so as to be stably recessed
into a compartment specially realized in the rear part of the vehicle bodywork; a
front half-shell, which is placed to close the rear casing so as to surface outside
the vehicle bodywork, and is provided with a plurality of transparent or semi-transparent
sectors, generally of a different colour to one another; and a series of lighting
assemblies, which are located inside the casing, each immediately beneath a respective
transparent or semi-transparent sector of the front half-shell, so as to be able to
selectively backlight the above transparent or semi-transparent sector of the front
half-shell.
[0004] Usually each transparent or semi-transparent sector of the front half-shell is moreover
exclusively associated with a specific light signal adapted to indicate the position
of the vehicle, its sudden deceleration or the turning direction of the vehicle while
driving, and each lighting assembly is specifically structured for emitting, on command,
a light beam that, once coming out from the automotive light through the corresponding
transparent or semi-transparent sector of the half-shell, meets the approval specifications
(colour and light distribution) provided for this light signal.
[0005] In the latest up-to-date taillights currently on the market, each lighting assembly
is basically made up of one or more high-power LEDs (acronym of Light Emitting Diode)
which are placed inside the rear casing, usually close to the bottom of the rear casing
together with the corresponding control electronics; and of a light-guide body which
is made of polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) or other photoconductive material, and is
placed inside the rear casing with a first end immediately adjacent to the LED(s)
and a second end skimmed over the transparent or semi-transparent sector to be backlighted,
in order to channel, by total internal reflection, the light emitted by the LED to
the same transparent or semi-transparent sector of the half-shell.
[0006] Usually the second end of the light-guide body is moreover specifically structured/shaped
so as to direct the light emitted by the LEDs towards the facing transparent or semi-transparent
sector of the half-shell, so as to be able to backlight the whole transparent or semi-transparent
sector of the half-shell in a substantially even way.
[0007] Unfortunately, although working well, the backlighting via the lighting assemblies
described above do not allow to vary, as desired, the shape and/or dimensions and/or
colour of the single transparent or semi-transparent sectors of the front half-shell.
[0008] Aim of the present invention is to realize automotive lights capable of overcoming
the limits described above.
[0009] In compliance with these aims, according to the present invention there is provided
an automotive light as defined in Claim 1 and preferably, though not necessarily,
in any one of the depending claims.
[0010] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings
illustrating a nonlimiting embodiment thereof, in which:
- Figure 1 is a partially-exploded perspective view of an automotive light realized
according to the teachings of the present invention;
- Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the backlighting system of the automotive
light shown in Figure 1, with parts in transparency and parts removed for clarity;
- Figure 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the automotive light shown in Figures
1 and 2, with parts removed for clarity;
- Figures 4 and 5 are two diagrams of the light intensity of a light beam emitted by
the automotive light shown in Figure 1; whereas
- Figure 6 is a sectional view of a portion of a second embodiment of the automotive
light shown in Figures 1 and 2, with parts removed for clarity.
[0011] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, number 1 denotes as a whole an automotive light,
i.e. a lighting device particularly adapted to be located on the front part or rear
part of a motor-vehicle bodywork, with the function of emitting light signals suitable
for signalling the position of the vehicle and/or the sudden deceleration of the vehicle
and/or the turning direction of the vehicle while driving.
[0012] In other words, the automotive light 1 is adapted to be attached to the front or
rear part of the bodywork of a car, van, truck, motorcycle or other similar motor
vehicle, to perform the function of a headlight or taillight.
[0013] In the example shown, in particular, the automotive light 1 is preferably structured
to be stably recessed into the rear part of the bodywork of a car or other similar
motor vehicle.
[0014] In other words, the automotive light 1 is a taillight for cars and the like.
[0015] Obviously, in a different embodiment the automotive light 1 could also be structured
to be simply fixed protruding from the rear part of the vehicle bodywork (not shown).
[0016] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the automotive light 1 firstly comprises: a
substantially rigid and preferably made of plastic material, rear casing 2 which is
substantially basin-shaped and is preferably structured so as to be at least partially
recessed into a seat specially made in the rear part of the vehicle bodywork (not
shown); and a substantially rigid and preferably made of a plastic material, front
half-shell 3 which is arranged to close the mouth of the rear casing 2, preferably
so as to be able to surface outside the vehicle bodywork, and is provided with one
or more transparent or semi-transparent areas.
[0017] Obviously, in a different embodiment the rear casing 2 could also be structured to
be simply cantilever fixed to the rear part of the vehicle bodywork (not shown).
[0018] In more detail, in the example shown the rear casing 2 is preferably made of an opaque
plastic material, preferably via an injection moulding process. The front half-shell
3, on the other hand, is preferably made of a transparent or semi-transparent plastic
material, such as for example polycarbonate or polymethyl-methacrylate, also in this
case preferably via an injection moulding process.
[0019] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in addition, the automotive light 1 is moreover
provided with at least one electrically-powered lighting assembly 4 that emits light
on command, and is located inside the rear casing 2, beneath at least one of the transparent
or semi-transparent areas of the front half-shell 3, so as to be able to selectively
backlight the same transparent or semi-transparent area of the front half-shell 3.
[0020] In more detail, each transparent or semi-transparent area of front half-shell 3 is
provided with/divided into one or more adjacent transparent or semi-transparent sectors,
each of which is preferably exclusively associated with a specific light signal.
[0021] The lighting assembly 4, in turn, is specifically designed to selectively backlight
the transparent or semi-transparent sectors of the front half-shell 3, separately
and independently from one another, so that the light beams coming out from the automotive
light 1 through the various transparent or semi-transparent sectors of front half-shell
3, comply with the approval specifications for position and/or stop and/or turn signals
of the vehicle.
[0022] In the example shown, in particular, the front half-shell 3 is preferably provided
with two adjacent transparent or semi-transparent areas.
[0023] The first transparent or semi-transparent area of front half-shell 3 is preferably
provided with a single large transparent or semi-transparent sector 5. The second
transparent or semi-transparent area of front half-shell 3, on the other hand, is
preferably provided with a plurality of transparent or semi-transparent sectors 6
(two sectors in the example shown).
[0024] Lighting assembly 4, in turn, is preferably located inside the rear casing 2, beneath
both transparent or semi-transparent areas of front half-shell 3, and is selectively
adapted to backlight the transparent or semi-transparent sectors 5, 6 of both transparent
or semi-transparent areas of front half-shell 3, separately and independently to one
another.
[0025] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the lighting assembly 4 comprises: an electrically-powered
platelike light source 10 that emits light on command and is located inside the rear
casing 2 so as to be able to simultaneously backlight all transparent or semi-transparent
sectors 5, 6 of the transparent or semi-transparent area(s) of front half-shell 3;
a substantially platelike LCD panel 11 (acronym of Liquid Crystal Display) that extends
inside the rear casing 2 in front of the transparent or semi-transparent area(s) of
the front half-shell 3 to be backlighted, preferably substantially for the whole extension
of the transparent or semi-transparent area(s) of the front half-shell 3 to be backlighted,
so as to be crossed by the light emitted by the platelike light source 10 and directed
towards the front half-shell 3; and an electronic control unit 12 which is located
inside the rear casing 2, preferably behind the platelike light source 10, and is
adapted to drive the LCD panel 11 so as to control the passing of the light through
the single pixels of the LCD panel 11.
[0026] In more detail, the LCD panel 11 extends inside to rear casing 2 preferably while
remaining more or less skimmed over the inner face of the front half-shell 3, and
is divided into a multitude of small-size sectors or pixels, preferably arranged in
a matrix configuration, each of which is capable of, selectively and alternatively,
allowing or preventing the light to pass through the same pixel.
[0027] In other words, each pixel of LCD panel 11 can be, selectively and alternatively,
transparent or opaque to the light coming from the beneath-located platelike light
source 10.
[0028] In the example shown, in addition, the LCD panel 11 is preferably substantially complementary
in shape to the rear face of front half-shell 3.
[0029] The electronic control unit 12, in turn, is adapted to control the transparent or
opaque state of the single pixels of LCD panel 11, so that the platelike light source
10 can/ succeed in backlight only some specific areas of the front half-shell 3 whose
shape and dimensions is determined by the number and position of the transparent pixels
of the LCD panel 11.
[0030] In more detail, electronic control unit 12 is adapted to control the transparent
or opaque state of the single pixels of LCD panel 11, so that the platelike light
source 10 can selectively backlight each transparent or semi-transparent sector 5,
6 of front half-shell 3, or part of the same transparent or semi-transparent sector
5, 6, separately and independently from the other transparent or semi-transparent
sectors 5, 6.
[0031] Preferably, electronic control unit 12 is furthermore adapted to also drive the platelike
light source 10.
[0032] In more detail, the electronic control unit 12 is preferably adapted to activate
the platelike light source 10 only when one or more pixels of the LCD panel 11 are
configured so as to be transparent to the light coming from the same platelike light
source 10.
[0033] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, moreover the lighting assembly 4 preferably also
comprises a multidirectional collimation device 13 which is located inside the rear
casing 2, between the platelike light source 10 and the LCD panel 11, and is adapted
to collimate the light emitted by the platelike light source 10 in a plurality of
main emission directions d
0 suitably angled to one another and each of which is uniquely associated with a respective
transparent or semi-transparent sector 5, 6 of front half-shell 3.
[0034] In more detail, the collimation device 13 is adapted to collimate the light emitted
from the platelike light source 10 in a plurality of different predetermined directions,
so that the light beam emitted from each transparent or semi-transparent sector 5,
6 has a predominant component parallel to the corresponding main emission direction
d
0 and moreover has a predetermined angular distribution of the light around said main
emission direction d
0.
[0035] In other words, the collimation device 13 is adapted to collimate the light emitted
from the platelike light source 10 so as to form different light beams which, once
crossing the corresponding transparent or semi-transparent sectors 5, 6, meet the
requirements at the photometric grids (see figure 5) required by the approval regulations
in force for light signals associated to the single transparent or semi-transparent
sectors 5, 6.
[0036] In even more detail, with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the collimation device 13
is adapted to collimate the light emitted from platelike light source 10 in a series
of predetermined and suitably angled directions, so that the light intensity of the
light beam coming out from each transparent or semi-transparent sector 5, 6 has, around
the corresponding main emission direction d
0, a substantially bell-shaped angular distribution with the maximum intensity on the
main emission direction d
0.
[0037] Obviously the main emission direction d
0 associated to each transparent or semi-transparent sector 5, 6 of front half-shell
3 is inclined of a given angle with respect to the optical axis A of the automotive
light. Optical axis that, in use, is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis
of the vehicle (not shown) that accommodates the same automotive light 1.
[0038] In other words, the multidirectional collimation device 13 is adapted to collimate
the light coming from the platelike light source 10 in a series of predetermined and
suitably angled directions, so that the light beam emitted from each transparent or
semi-transparent sector 5, 6 of front half-shell 3 meets the automotive standards
for the position, stop or turn light signal specifically associated to the same transparent
or semi-transparent sector 5, 6.
[0039] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in the example shown, in particular, the platelike
light source 10 preferably comprises a multitude of LEDs 14 (acronym for Light Emitting
Diode) or other electrically-powered point light sources, which are suitably distributed
beneath the transparent or semi-transparent area(s) of the front half-shell 3 to be
backlighted, so as to direct the emitted light towards the same transparent or semi-transparent
area(s) of the front half-shell 3.
[0040] In more detail, the LEDs 14 of platelike light source 10 are preferably spread on
the front face of one or more support boards 15 that are located inside the rear casing
2, facing the transparent or semi-transparent area(s) of front half-shell 3 to be
backlighted, so that the single LEDs 14 can direct the emitted light towards the front
half-shell 3. Preferably, the LEDs 14 are moreover substantially uniformly spread
underneath the transparent or semi-transparent area(s) of front half-shell 3 to be
backlighted.
[0041] The electronic control unit 12, in turn, is preferably adapted to control the switching
on and off of the LEDs 14.
[0042] In more detail, electronic control unit 12 is preferably programmed/configured to
turn on only the LEDs 14 beneath the zone(s) of LCD panel 11 that are momentarily
transparent to light.
[0043] Preferably, the single LEDs 14 of platelike light source 10 are finally RGB LEDs
capable of varying, on command, the colour of the emitted light.
[0044] The electronic control unit 12, in turn, is preferably adapted to drive the single
RGB LEDs 14 so as to vary/control the colour of the light emitted by the single areas
of the platelike light source 10 towards the facing transparent or semi-transparent
sectors 5, 6 of front half-shell 3.
[0045] In the example shown, furthermore at least one and preferably each pixel of the LCD
panel 11 is preferably divided into three or more adjacent subpixels, which are able
to allow or prevent the passing of the light independently to each other, and are
provided with coloured filters having different colours from one another (typically
the colours are red, green and blue). By appropriately varying the amount of light
passing through each coloured subpixel, it is therefore possible to give/provide a
specific colour hue/shade to the light that passes through the pixel of LCD panel
11.
[0046] Electronic control unit 12, in turn, is preferably configured so as to control the
transparent or opaque state of the single subpixels of LCD panel 11, in such a way
to control/vary the hue/shade of the colour of the light passing through the pixel
of LCD panel 11 and reaches the facing transparent or semi-transparent sector 5, 6
of front half-shell 3.
[0047] Preferably, the LCD panel 11 finally has a TFT architecture (acronym of Thin Film
Transistor).
[0048] Being an optoelectronic device widely known and easily available on the market, the
LCD panel 11 won't be further described.
[0049] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the multidirectional collimation device 13 preferably
comprises a series of basic collimator members, each located at a respective LED 14
or point light source, and are structured to collimate the light rays emitted from
the same LED 14 each in a respective predetermined direction d
c not necessarily orthogonal to the immediately facing area of front half-shell 3.
[0050] The collimation direction d
c of the single basic collimator members are furthermore selected to form a series
of light beams that are directed each towards a respective transparent or semi-transparent
sector 5, 6 of front half-shell 3, and have, on coming out from the same transparent
or semi-transparent sector 5, 6, a prevailing component parallel to the corresponding
main emission direction d
0 and an angular distribution of the light intensity around the same main emission
direction d
0 in accordance with the automotive regulations.
[0051] In more detail, the collimation device 13 preferably comprises a series of lenticular
bodies 16 that are located each in front of a respective LED 14, and are structured
to collimate the light rays emitted from the same LED 14 each in a respective predetermined
direction d
c not necessarily orthogonal to the immediately facing area of front half-shell 3.
[0052] Preferably furthermore the multidirectional collimation device 13 also comprises
a transparent or semi-transparent supporting plate 17, preferably made of plastic
material, that extends inside the rear casing 2, more or less skimmed over and optionally
also parallel to LCD panel 11, substantially for the whole extent of the LCD panel
11 and/or of the transparent or semi-transparent area(s) of front half-shell 3 to
be backlighted. The lenticular bodies 16 are preferably located on the rear face of
supporting plate 17.
[0053] In the example shown, in particular, the lenticular bodies 16 are preferably made
in one piece with the supporting plate 17.
[0054] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, preferably the lighting assembly 4 moreover
comprises a spacer mask 18 with a platelike structure and preferably made of opaque
plastic material, which is interposed between the platelike light source 10, or rather
the supporting plate 17 of platelike light source 10, and the LCD panel 11, and is
provided with a series of pass-through openings 19 each of which is aligned with a
respective transparent or semi-transparent sector 5, 6 of front half-shell 3, and
preferably also substantially copies the shape of the immediately-superjacent transparent
or semi-transparent sector 5, 6.
[0055] Operation of automotive light 1 is easily inferable from the above and does not require
further explanations.
[0056] As regards lighting assembly 4, LCD panel 11 allows to selectively and separately
backlight each transparent or semi-transparent sector 5, 6 of front half-shell 3 using
a single/sole light source.
[0057] In addition, the LCD panel 11 allows to dynamically backlight even a single part
of the transparent or semi-transparent sector 5, 6 producing particularly innovative
optical effects.
[0058] In more detail, the electronic control unit 12 can, for example, drive the LCD panel
11 so as to backlight a part of any transparent or semi-transparent sector 5, 6 of
half-shell 3 that progressively grows in its extension over time, or that moves inside
the transparent or semi-transparent sector 5, 6.
[0059] Finally, the use of RGB LEDs 14 in combination with an LCD panel 11 with coloured
subpixels, enables the lighting assembly 4 to produce light beams with a wider range
of colours than those obtainable from traditional backlighting systems, and even capable
of reaching the chromatic shades required for the light signals of automotive lights.
[0060] The advantages associated with the particular structure of the lighting assembly
4 are considerable.
[0061] Firstly, the multidirectional collimation device 13 enables the lighting assembly
4 to produce light beams that satisfy the emission requirement for light signals generated
by automotive lights.
[0062] The backlighting systems that are traditionally coupled to LCD panels to produce
common displays and the like, in fact, basically comprise a LED matrix and a platelike
diffusing screen which is interposed between the LED matrix and the LCD panel, and
is structured to scatter the light produced by the LED matrix evenly over the entire
extension of the LCD panel.
[0063] Conventional backlighting systems, therefore, are physically unable to produce many
light beams, each of which has a prevailing component parallel to a predetermined
direction (i.e. the main emission direction d
0) and a substantially Gaussian distribution of the light intensity around this predetermined
direction.
[0064] In addition, the traditional white-light backlight systems do not allow the production
of light beams that meet the colorimetric requirements (gradation and/or colour intensity)
required by the approval specifications for automotive lights.
[0065] The multidirectional collimation device 13 in combination with the platelike light
source 10 additionally allows to considerably reduce the thickness of the automotive
light, with all the advantages that this entails.
[0066] It is finally clear that modifications and variations cab be made to the automotive
light 1 described above without however departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0067] For example, with reference to Figure 6, in a different embodiment of multidirectional
collimation device 13, the basic collimator members are a series of cup-shaped reflector
bodies 26 preferably made of plastic material, that are fitted each onto a respective
LED 14 of platelike light source 10 so as to surround the same LED 14, and have a
substantially parabolic profile so as to collimate the light rays emitted from the
same LED 14 in a predetermined direction d
c not necessarily orthogonal to the immediately-facing area of front half-shell 3.
[0068] Preferably, reflector cup-shaped bodies 26 are moreover attached to the rear face
of a transparent or semi-transparent supporting plate 27, preferably made of plastic
material, which extends inside rear casing 2, more or less skimmed over and optionally
also parallel to the LCD panel 11, substantially for the whole extent of the LCD panel
11 and/or of the transparent or semi-transparent areas of front half-shell 3 to be
backlighted.
[0069] In a more sophisticated embodiment, furthermore, the LCD panel 11 can be at least
partially embedded/incorporated in the front half-shell 3.
[0070] Finally, in a non-shown embodiment, instead of being backlighted by lighting assembly
4, the first transparent or semi-transparent area of front half-shell 3, and therefore
its transparent or semi-transparent sector 5, may be backlighted by a second electrically-powered
lighting assembly completely separated from lighting assembly 4.
[0071] This second lighting assembly, in particular, may comprise: a light-guide plate that
is made of photoconductive material, and extends skimmed over the inner surface of
front half-shell 3, immediately beneath the transparent or semi-transparent sector
5, so as to cover the whole area of the transparent or semi-transparent sector 5;
and a series of LEDs (acronym for Light Emitting Diode) that are placed in abutment
against one or more sides of the light-guide plate so as to direct the light inside
the body of the light-guide plate. The light then travels within the body of the light-guide
plate by total internal reflection and comes out in known manner from the front face
of the light-guide plate directed towards the superjacent transparent or semi-transparent
sector 5 of front half-shell 3.
1. An automotive light (1) comprising: a substantially basin-shaped, rear casing (2);
a front half-shell (3) which is arranged to close the mouth of the rear casing (2)
and is provided with a plurality of transparent or semi-transparent sectors (5, 6);
and at least one lighting assembly (4) that emits light on command, and is located
inside the rear casing (2) so as to selectively backlight said transparent or semi-transparent
sectors (5, 6) of the front half-shell (3);
the automotive light (1) being characterised in that the lighting assembly (4) comprises: an electrically-powered platelike light source
(10) which emits light on command and is placed inside the rear casing (2) to contemporaneously
backlight said transparent or semi-transparent sectors (5, 6) of the front half-shell
(3); an LCD panel (11) that extends inside the rear casing (2), in front of the transparent
or semi-transparent sectors (5, 6) of the front half-shell (3), so as to be crossed
by the light emitted by the platelike light source (10) and directed towards the front
half-shell (3); and an electronic control unit (12) which is adapted to drive the
LCD panel (11) in order to control the passing of the light through the single pixels
of the LCD panel (11) so that the platelike light source (10) can selectively backlight
each transparent or semi-transparent sector (5, 6) of the front half-shell (3), or
part of the same transparent or semi-transparent sector (5, 6), separately and independently
from the other transparent or semi-transparent sectors (5, 6).
2. Automotive light according to Claim 1, wherein the lighting assembly (4) also comprises
a multidirectional collimation device (13) which is placed inside the rear casing
(2), between the platelike light source (10) and the LCD panel (11), and is adapted
to collimate the light emitted by the platelike light source (10) into a plurality
of main emission directions (d0) suitably angled to one another and each of which is uniquely associated to a respective
transparent or semi-transparent sector (5, 6) of the front half-shell (3).
3. Automotive light according to Claim 2, wherein the multidirectional collimation device
(13) is adapted to collimate the light emitted from the platelike light source (10)
so that the light beam coming out from each transparent or semi-transparent sector
(5, 6) of the front half-shell (3) has a prevailing component parallel to the corresponding
main emission direction (d0), and a predetermined angular distribution of the light around said main emission
direction (do) .
4. Automotive light according to Claim 3, wherein the multidirectional collimation device
(13) is adapted to collimate the light coming out from the platelike light source
(10) so that the light intensity of the light beam exiting each transparent or semi-transparent
sector (5, 6) has a substantially bell-shaped angular distribution around the main
emission direction (d0) with the maximum intensity on the main emission direction (d0).
5. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic
control unit (12) is moreover adapted to drive the platelike light source (10), so
as to activate the platelike light source (10) only when one or more pixels of the
LCD panel (11) are transparent to the light coming from the platelike light source
(10).
6. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the platelike
light source (10) comprises a multitude of LEDs (14) which are distributed substantially
uniformly beneath the areas of the front half-shell (3) to be backlighted.
7. Automotive light according to Claim 6, wherein the multidirectional collimation device
(13) comprises a series of basic collimator members (16, 26) that are located each
at a respective LED (14), and are structured to collimate the light rays coming out
of the same LED (14) each in a respective predetermined direction (dc).
8. Automotive light according to Claim 7, wherein the basic collimator members are lenticular
bodies (16) placed each in front of a respective LED (14) of the platelike light source
(10).
9. Automotive light according to Claim 7, wherein the basic collimator members are cup-shaped
reflector bodies (26) fitted each onto a respective LED (14) of the platelike light
source (10).
10. Automotive light according to Claim 8 or 9, in which the basic collimator members
(16, 26) are located on the rear face of a transparent or semi-transparent supporting
plate (17, 27) that extends inside the rear casing (2), skimmed over the LCD panel
(11).
11. Automotive light according to any one of Claims 6 to 10, wherein the electronic control
unit (12) is adapted to control the switching on and off of the LEDs (14) so as to
turn on solely the LEDs (14) beneath the areas of the LCD panel (11) that are momentarily
transparent to light.
12. Automotive light according to any one of Claims 6 to 11, wherein the LEDs (14) are
RGB LEDs capable of varying, on command, the colour of the emitted light; the electronic
control unit (12) being adapted to drive the single RGB LEDs (14) so as to vary the
colour of the light emitted by the single areas of the platelike light source (10).
13. Automotive light according to Claim 12, wherein the single pixels of the LCD panel
(11) are divided into three or more adjacent subpixels, which are able to allow or
prevent the light to pass through independently to one another, and are provided with
coloured filters having different colour to one another; the electronic control unit
(12) being adapted to control the transparent or opaque state of the single subpixels
so as to vary the hue/shade of the colour of the light that pass through the same
pixel of the LCD panel (11).
14. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the LCD panel
(11) has a TFT architecture.
15. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting
assembly (4) additionally comprises a platelike spacer mask (18) which is interposed
between the platelike light source (10) and the LCD panel (11), and is provided with
a series of pass-through openings (19) each of which is aligned with a respective
transparent or semi-transparent sector (5, 6) of the front half-shell (3).