[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive light.
[0002] More specifically, the present invention preferably relates to a taillight for cars
and similar vehicles, i.e. a lighting device suitable for being incorporated in a
motor vehicle with the function of signalling the position, sudden deceleration and/or
indicating the vehicle direction of turning, and/or with the function of lighting
the area around the vehicle. Uses to which the following disclosure specifically refers
without however any loss of generality.
[0003] As is known, taillights for cars and similar vehicles generally comprise: a rigid
and substantially basin-shaped rear casing which is structured forb being stably recessed
in a compartment specially formed in the rear part of the vehicle body; a front half-shell
which is arranged to close the mouth of the rear casing so as to surface outside of
the vehicle body, and is provided with a plurality of transparent or semi-transparent
sectors, generally of different colours from one another; and a series of lighting
assemblies which are located inside the casing, each immediately underneath a respective
transparent or semi-transparent sector of the front half-shell, so as to be able to
selectively back-light the superjacent 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 signal the position
of the vehicle, its sudden deceleration or the direction of turning of the vehicle
while driving, and each lighting assembly is specifically structured to emit, on command,
a light beam which, once it has exited from the light through the corresponding transparent
or semi-transparent sector of the half-shell, meets the homologation specifications
(colour and light distribution) required for such light signal.
[0005] In recent years, some car manufacturers have chosen to equip their new car models
with taillights in which the front half-shell is provided with a plurality of large
transparent or semi-transparent sectors.
[0006] In order to substantially evenly back-light the its own transparent or semi-transparent
sector, each lighting assembly generally comprises: a light-guide plate which is made
of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or other photoconductive material and extends inside
the casing with the front face skimming over the transparent or semi-transparent sector
to be backlighted, substantially for the whole extension of the same transparent or
semi-transparent sector; and a series of high-power LEDs (acronym for Light Emitting
Diode) which is/are located inside the rear casing, adjacent to and directly facing
at least one lateral side of the light-guide plate, so as to direct the light produced
directly inside the body of the light-guide plate.
[0007] The light in question then travels inside the body of the light-guide plate by total
internal reflection, and exits from the front face of the light-guide plate directed
towards the front half-shell, so as to backlight the superjacent transparent or semi-transparent
sector of the half-shell.
[0008] Unfortunately, despite working well, the lighting assemblies described above are
not very versatile, and do not allow dynamic back-lighting of the individual transparent
or semi-transparent sectors of the front half-shell, or the variation at will of the
shape and/or dimensions and/or colour of the backlighted areas.
[0009] Aim of the present invention is to realize an automotive light capable of overcoming
the functional limitations described above.
[0010] In compliance with these aims, according to the present invention there is provided
an automotive light having at least one lighting assembly that emits light on command
and comprises: at least one platelike light-guide body which is made of photoconductive
material and is structured to diffuse the light from its front face; at least one
electronically-controlled active light-deflector device which faces a lateral sidewall
of said platelike light-guide body; and at least one electrically-powered collimated-light
emitter which is adapted to emit a collimated light beam directly towards/against
said active light-deflector device which, in turn, is adapted to reflect/divert said
collimated light beam towards the lateral sidewall of the platelike light-guide body,
so that said collimated light beam can penetrate into the platelike light-guide body
and then travel inside the same platelike light-guide body by total internal reflection;
the automotive light being characterized in that the platelike light-guide body is
provided with a plurality of light-extracting structures that are distributed on the
front or rear face of the same platelike light-guide body and each of which is structured/shaped
so as to be able to divert, outside the platelike light-guide body through the front
face, the collimated light beams travelling inside the platelike light-guide body
and reaching/striking the same light-extracting structure; and in that the lighting
assembly additionally comprises an electronic control unit which is programmed/configured
to command said active light-deflector device so as to direct the collimated light
beam coming from said collimated-light emitter selectively towards a single light-extracting
structure of the platelike light-guide body at a time.
[0011] The present invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings,
which illustrate a nonlimiting embodiment, wherein:
- Figure 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an automotive light made according
to the teachings of the present invention, with parts removed for clarity;
- Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the back-lighting system of the automotive
light shown in Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity's sake; whereas
- Figure 3 is a cross-section view of a portion of the Figure-1 automotive light disclosing
the operation of the back-lighting system shown in Figures 1 and 2.
[0012] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes as a whole an automotive
light, i.e. a lighting device particularly adapted to be placed on the front or rear
part of the vehicle body of a motor vehicle, with the function of emitting lighting
signals suitable to signal the position of the vehicle and/or sudden deceleration
of the vehicle and/or direction of turning of the vehicle while driving.
[0013] In other words, the automotive light 1 is adapted to fixed to the front or rear part
of the vehicle body of a car, van, truck, motorcycle or other similar motor vehicle,
to perform the function of a headlight or taillight.
[0014] In the example shown, in particular, the automotive light 1 is preferably structured
to be stably recessed in the rear part of the vehicle body of a car or other similar
motor vehicle.
[0015] In other words, the automotive light 1 is a taillight for cars and the like.
[0016] Obviously, in a different embodiment the automotive light 1 could also be structured
so as to be simply fixed in cantilever manner to the rear part of the vehicle body
(not shown).
[0017] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the automotive light 1 firstly comprises: a substantially
rigid and preferably made of plastic, rear casing 2 which is substantially basin-shaped
and is preferably structured for being at least partially recessed inside a specially
made seat realized in the rear part of the vehicle body (not shown); and a substantially
rigid and preferably made of plastic, front half-shell 3, conventionally known as
a lens, which is placed to close the mouth of rear casing 2, preferably so as to be
able to surface outside of the vehicle body, and is provided with one or more transparent
or semi-transparent sectors.
[0018] Obviously, in a different embodiment the rear casing 2 could also be structured so
as to simply fixed in cantilever manner to the rear part of the vehicle body (not
shown).
[0019] More specifically, in the example shown the rear casing 2 is preferably made of an
opaque plastic material, preferably via an injection moulding process.
[0020] 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, also in this
case preferably via an injection moulding process.
[0021] 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 sectors of front half-shell 3, so as to be able to selectively
back-light the superjacent transparent or semi-transparent sector or sectors of front
half-shell 3.
[0022] In the example shown, in particular, front half-shell 3 is preferably provided with
three different transparent or semi-transparent sectors arranged adjacent and not
bordering each other, that are optionally also coloured.
[0023] Lighting assembly 4, in turn, is preferably located inside the rear casing 2, beneath
all the three transparent or semi-transparent sectors of front half-shell 3, so as
to be able to selectively back-light the same transparent or semi-transparent sectors,
separately and independently from one another.
[0024] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the lighting assembly 4 basically comprises: at
least one platelike light-guide body 6 which is made of photoconductive material and
is structured so as to diffuse the light from its front face 7; at least one electronically-controlled
active light-deflector device 8, which faces a lateral sidewall of platelike light-guide
body 6; and a corresponding electrically-powered LASER light emitting device 9 which
is adapted to emit a laser beam ℓ (i.e. a coherent and monochromatic, extremely concentrated
and collimated beam of light) directly towards/against the active light-deflector
device 8 which, in turn, is adapted to reflect/divert said laser beam ℓ towards the
lateral sidewall of platelike light-guide body 6, so that said laser beam ℓ can penetrate
into the platelike light-guide body 6 and then travel inside the same platelike light-guide
body 6 by total internal reflection.
[0025] In more detail, the platelike light-guide body 6 preferably extends inside the rear
casing 2 locally substantially skimming the superjacent front half-shell 3, so that
its front face 7 faces, substantially skimmed over and, optionally, also parallel
to the corresponding transparent or semi-transparent sector or sectors of front half-shell
3, preferably substantially for the whole extension of the same transparent or semi-transparent
sector or sectors of the front half-shell 3.
[0026] The active light-deflector device 8, on the other hand, is preferably arranged inside
the rear casing 2 substantially facing the lateral sidewall of the platelike light-guide
body 6, whereas the LASER light emitting device 9 is preferably arranged inside the
rear casing 2, preferably underneath the platelike light-guide body 6.
[0027] In the example shown, in particular, the lighting assembly 4 is preferably provided
with two different active light-deflector devices 8 which are preferably arranged
on opposite sides of the platelike light-guide body 6, each facing a respective lateral
sidewall 10, 11 of the platelike light-guide body 6; and with two different LASER
light emitting devices 9, which are placed inside the rear casing 2, preferably close
to the bottom of rear casing 2, and each of which is capable of emitting and directing
a laser beam ℓ directly towards/against a respective active light-deflector 8.
[0028] The active light-deflector device 8 that faces the lateral sidewall 10 of the platelike
light-guide body 6 is thus adapted to reflect/divert the laser beam ℓ coming from
the first LASER light emitting device 9 towards the lateral sidewall 10, so that said
laser beam ℓ can penetrate inside the platelike light-guide body 6 and then freely
travel inside the same platelike light-guide body 6 by total internal reflection.
[0029] Similarly, the active light-deflector device 8 that faces the lateral sidewall 11
of platelike light-guide body 6 is adapted to reflect/divert the laser beam ℓ coming
from the second LASER light emitting device 9 towards the lateral sidewall 11, so
that said laser beam ℓ can penetrate inside the platelike light-guide body 6 and then
freely travel inside the same platelike light-guide body 6 by total internal reflection.
[0030] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the lighting assembly 4 furthermore comprises
an electronic control unit 12 which is located inside the rear casing 2, preferably
close to the bottom of rear casing 2, and is adapted to drive/command the active light-deflector
device(s) 8 and preferably also the LASER light emitting device(s) 9.
[0031] In more detail, the platelike light-guide body 6 has a plurality of small light-extracting
structures 13, which are distributed on the rear face 14 of light-guide body 6 one
beside the other, preferably spaced apart to one another, and each of which is specifically
structured/shaped to divert the light beams, or rather the laser beam(s) ℓ, travelling
inside the platelike light-guide body 6 and reaching/ striking the same light-extracting
structure 13, towards the front face 7 of platelike light-guide body 6, with an angle
of incidence such that said light beams exit from an facing and corresponding limited
area of the front face 7, towards the superjacent front half-shell 3.
[0032] In other words, the light beams, or rather the laser beam(s) ℓ, that strike each
light-extracting structure 13 are directed towards the front face 7 of light-guide
body 6, so as to exit from a corresponding and facing light-output area of front face
7, of small dimensions.
[0033] In the example shown, in particular, the light-extracting structures 13 are preferably
distributed on the rear face 14 of platelike light-guide body 6 according to a predetermined
regular pattern, and/or are preferably grouped /aligned beneath the various transparent
or semi-transparent sectors of front half-shell 3.
[0034] Preferably each light-extracting structure 13 additionally takes up an area of rear
face 14 having an extension of less than 100 mm
2 (square millimetres).
[0035] The electronic control unit 12, in turn, is programmed/ configured so as to direct
the laser beam ℓ coming from the LASER light emitting device 9, selectively towards
a single light-extracting structure 13 of rear face 14, so that the light comes out
only from the small light-output area of the front face 7 of light-guide body 6 that
is associated/ corresponds to the same light-extracting structure 13.
[0036] More specifically, with particular reference to Figure 3, the electronic control
unit 12 has stored inside itself a series of distinct and different predetermined
directions of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n, each of which forces the laser beam ℓ to reach/strike a single and respective light-extracting
structure 13 of rear face 14; and is adapted to command the active light-deflector
device 8 in such a way that the latter reflects the laser beam ℓ coming from the LASER
light emitting device 9, towards the lateral sidewall 10, 11 of platelike light-guide
body 6 selectively and solely in any of the aforementioned predetermined directions
of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n.
[0037] In other words, each predetermined direction of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n is calculated as a function of the position of the active light-deflector device
8 relative to the platelike light-guide body 6, and of the position of the light-extracting
structure 13 on the rear face 14 of the platelike light-guide body 6, and carries/forces
the laser beam ℓ arriving from the active light-deflector device 8 to penetrate into
the platelike light-guide body 6 at a predetermined point of the lateral sidewall
10, 11, and then to travel inside the platelike light-guide body 6 up to reach/strike
substantially only a corresponding light-extracting structure 13 of rear face 14.
With reference to Figure 3, clearly the path inside the platelike light-guide body
6 may include one or more rebounds/deviations by total internal reflection.
[0038] The electronic control unit 12, in turn, is adapted to pilot the active light-deflector
device 8 so that the latter reflects the laser beam ℓ towards the lateral sidewall
10, 11 of the light-guide body 6, selectively and solely in any one of the predetermined
directions of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n stored, so as to make the light exit from the front face 7 of platelike light-guide
body 6 selectively and solely at a single and specific light-extracting structure
13.
[0039] Preferably the electronic control unit 12 is moreover programmed/configured to switch
off/deactivate the LASER light emitting device 9 during each change/variation of the
predetermined direction of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n.
[0040] Lastly, the electronic control unit 12 is preferably programmed/configured so as
to switch from one light-extracting structure 13 to another with a given speed/ frequency
higher than that perceptible by the human eye (e.g. with a frequency greater than
50hz), so as to simulate the simultaneous output of light from a plurality of limited
areas of front face 7, all aligned with respective light-extracting structures 13
of the rear face 14 of platelike light-guide body 6.
[0041] In other words, the electronic control unit 12 is adapted to command the active light-deflector
device 8 so as to change the predetermined direction of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n with a given frequency/speed higher than that perceptible by the human eye (for example
at a frequency equal to 100hz).
[0042] In the example shown, in particular, the electronic control unit 12 is preferably
programmed/configured to control/command both active light-deflector devices 8, and
optionally also the respective LASER light emitting devices 9.
[0043] Preferably, the electronic control unit 12 is moreover adapted to control/command
the two active light-deflector devices 8 independently of each other, so that each
laser beam ℓ strikes a different light-extracting structure 13 of rear face 14.
[0044] In more detail, in the example shown, the electronic control unit 12 preferably has/carries
stored inside itself two different and distinct series of predetermined directions
of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n, each of which is uniquely associated with a respective active light-deflector device
8.
[0045] In other words, the first series of predetermined directions of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n is uniquely associated with the active light-deflector device 8 facing the lateral
sidewall 10 of light-guide body 6, whereas the second series of predetermined directions
of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n is uniquely associated with the active light-deflector device 8 facing the lateral
sidewall 11 of light-guide body 6.
[0046] Preferably, each series of predetermined directions of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n furthermore includes a number of predetermined directions of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n lower than the total number of light-extracting structures 13 on the rear face 14
of platelike light-guide body 6.
[0047] In other words, each active light-deflector device 8 is preferably capable to direct
its laser beam ℓ only towards a limited part/number of the light-extracting structures
13 on rear face 14.
[0048] Preferably, though not necessarily, this limited part/ number of light-extracting
structures 13 furthermore includes only light-extracting structures 13 located underneath
a same transparent or semi-transparent sector of front half-shell 3.
[0049] With reference to figures 1, 2 and 3, in the example shown, in particular, the platelike
light-guide body 6 preferably has a substantially constant thickness, and/or preferably
ranging between 7 and 40 mm (millimetres).
[0050] Preferably the platelike light-guide body 6 is furthermore made of polymethylmethacrylate
(PMMA) or other photoconductive polymeric material, such as for example the transparent
polycarbonate, preferably via an injection moulding process.
[0051] Alternatively, the platelike light-guide body 6 could also be made of glass.
[0052] Preferably, the light-extracting structures 13 of platelike light-guide body 6, on
the other hand, take up each an area of the rear face 14 having an extension of less
than 25 mm
2 (square millimetres).
[0053] In the example shown, in particular, each of the light-extracting structures 13 preferably
takes up an area of the rear face 14 having an extension of less than 10 mm
2 (square millimetres).
[0054] In more detail, the light-extracting structures 13 of platelike light-guide body
6 preferably consist of small surface recesses, preferably substantially prismatic,
conical or lenticular in shape, that are suitably distributed on the rear face 14
of platelike light-guide body 6.
[0055] In other words, in the example shown, the platelike light-guide body 6 is preferably
provided with a series of small surface recesses 13, preferably substantially prismatic,
conical or lenticular in shape, which are suitably distributed on the rear face 14
of platelike light-guide body 6.
[0056] Each recess 13 is specifically shaped so as to divert, outside of platelike light-guide
body 6 and towards the superjacent front half-shell 3, the light beams, or rather
the laser beams ℓ, travelling inside the platelike light-guide body 6 and reaching
the same surface recess 13.
[0057] Preferably each recess 13 is furthermore shaped so as to be able to divert the light
beams, or rather the laser beams ℓ, travelling inside the platelike light-guide body
6 and reaching the same surface recess 13, outside of the platelike light-guide body
6, in a direction locally substantially perpendicular to the surface of front face
7.
[0058] In addition, each recess 13 is preferably enclosed within an area having an extension
of less than 10 mm
2 (square millimetres).
[0059] In other words, each recess on rear face 14 forms a respective light-extracting structure
13.
[0060] In the example shown, lastly, the surface recesses 13 are preferably distributed
on the rear face 14 of platelike light-guide body 6 according to a predetermined regular
pattern, and are preferably grouped beneath the various transparent or semi-transparent
sectors of front half-shell 3.
[0061] Obviously, in a different embodiment, each light-extracting structure 13 could include
a plurality of recesses preferably adjacent to each other.
[0062] The/each active light-deflector device 8, on the other hand, preferably consists
of, or in any case includes at least one MOEMS (acronym of Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical
System) or OPTICAL-MEMS device of the known type.
[0063] Preferably, the aforesaid MOEMS device is furthermore a DMD (acronym for Digital
Micromirror Device), i.e. a miniaturized integrated circuit with thousands of adjustable
micromirrors, or a scanning micro-mirror with integrated electronically-controlled
movement system. DMDs and scanning micromirrors with integrated electronically-controlled
movement systems are devices easily available on the market, and therefore will not
be further described.
[0064] The electronic control unit 12 is thus adapted to control/command the or each MOEMS
device 8 in such a way as to divert, on command, the laser beam ℓ arriving from the
corresponding LASER light emitting device 9, towards the facing lateral sidewall 10,
11 of platelike light-guide body 6, selectively and alternately in any of the corresponding
predetermined directions of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n.
[0065] The LASER light emitting device 9, in turn, is preferably a LASER RGB emitter of
known type, which is capable of emitting a laser beam ℓ with colour and optionally
also intensity variable on command.
[0066] In more detail, in the example shown the LASER light emitting device 9 preferably
comprises a plurality of monochromatic laser sources, which are capable of emitting
laser light with wavelengths (colours) different from each other, and are optically
coupled so as to provide at output a single laser beam ℓ with colour and, optionally,
also intensity variable on command.
[0067] In fact, by combining laser beams with different wavelengths, it is possible to create
a mix of colours or a white light.
[0068] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, preferably the lighting assembly 4 lastly also
comprises an opaque spacer mask 15 preferably with a platelike structure, which is
interposed between the platelike light-guide body 6 and the front half-shell 3, and
is provided with one or more through openings each of which is aligned with a respective
transparent or semi-transparent sector of front half-shell 3, and preferably also
substantially copies the shape of the immediately superjacent, transparent or semi-transparent
sector.
[0069] The spacer mask 15 is preferably adapted to conceal from view the active light-deflector
device(s) 8 and optionally also other components of the lighting assembly 4 and/or
of the automotive light 1.
[0070] Preferably, the spacer mask 15 is furthermore adapted to directly support the platelike
light-guide body 6 and/or the active light-deflector device(s) 8 of lighting assembly
4 .
[0071] In the example shown, in particular, the spacer mask 15 is preferably made of opaque
plastic material and is preferably structured so as to fit/couple with the mouth of
rear casing 2, underneath the front half-shell 3.
[0072] General operation of the automotive light 1 is easily inferable from the above.
[0073] With regard instead to the operation of lighting assembly 4, the electronic control
unit 12 uses the individual light-extracting structures 13 present on the rear face
14 of light-guide body 6 to create, on front face 7, luminous macropixels (the small
light-output areas) which are "switched on" on command to create/compose, on front
face 7, luminous areas that have shape and/or dimensions and/or colours that vary
dynamically as desired.
[0074] In more detail, following an appropriate sequence of selective lighting of the individual
light-extracting structures 13 on the rear face 14 of light-guide body 6 and switching
from one light-extracting structure 13 to another at a frequency/speed higher than
that perceptible by the human eye, the electronic control unit 12 is capable of creating/simulating/composing,
on front face 7 of platelike light-guide body 6, one or more light areas that have
shapes and/or dimensions and/or colours that vary dynamically as desired, and that
are capable of back-lighting all or part of the superjacent transparent or semi-transparent
sector of front half-shell 3.
[0075] In addition, the lighting assembly 4, or rather the electronic control unit 12, could
turn on the light-output areas so as to compose, on front face 7, written text and/or
luminous logos.
[0076] The advantages associated with the particular structure of the lighting assembly
4 are remarkable.
[0077] Firstly, the lighting assembly 4 is capable of independently back-lighting the individual
transparent or semi-transparent sectors of front half-shell 3, while also creating
luminous areas that move inside the transparent or semi-transparent sector of front
half-shell 3, and/or dynamically vary the shape and/or colour as desired.
[0078] In addition, by selectively lighting some areas of the front face 7, the lighting
assembly 4 is capable of creating, on command, written texts and/or luminous logos
on the single transparent or semi-transparent sectors of the front half-shell 3.
[0079] Lastly, the lighting assembly 4 has significantly smaller dimensions than those of
the lighting assemblies currently used to perform the same functions, and thus allows
a reduction in the overall depth of the automotive light 1.
[0080] It is finally clear that modifications and varits may be made to the automotive light
1 and to the lighting assembly 4 described above without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
[0081] For example, instead of being fixed or recessed into the vehicle body, the automotive
light 1 could be integrated into the structure of rear windscreen of the vehicle.
[0082] In other words, the front half-shell 3 could be replaced by a part of the rear windscreen
of the car or similar vehicle.
[0083] In an alternative embodiment, in addition, the active light-deflector devices 8 could
also be more than two in number, each paired with a respective LASER light emitting
device 9.
[0084] In a constructional variation, in addition, electronic control unit 12 could be fixed
to the rear casing 2, outside of the latter.
[0085] In a second constructional variation, moreover, the light-extracting structures 13
could be distributed on the front face 7 of the light-guide body 6.
[0086] Furthermore, the light-extracting structures 13 could alternatively consist of small
surface protrusions, preferably of a substantially prismatic, conical or lenticular
shape, obviously distributed on the front 7 or rear face 14 of platelike light-guide
body 6.
[0087] In a more sophisticated embodiment, moreover, the active light-deflector device 8,
or one of the active light-deflector devices 8, could be combined with two or more
LASER light emitting devices 9.
[0088] In other words, the lighting assembly 4 may be provided with two or more electrically-powered
LASER light emitting devices 9, which are arranged inside the rear casing 2, preferably
side by side to one another, and are adapted to emit and direct their laser beam ℓ
towards/against the same active light-deflector device 8 which, in turn, is adapted
to reflect/divert such laser beams ℓ towards the lateral sidewall of the platelike
light-guide body 6.
[0089] The various LASER light emitting devices 9 operate alternately under the control
of the electronic control unit 12, and are preferably adapted to generate respective
laser beams ℓ of different colours.
[0090] In this case, the electronic control unit 12 has stored inside itself a plurality
of series of predetermined directions of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n towards the light-extracting structures 13 on the front 7 or rear 14 face of light-guide
body 6, each of which is uniquely associated with a respective LASER light emitting
device 9.
[0091] In a further alternative embodiment, moreover, one or more of the LASER light emitting
devices 9 of lighting assembly 4 may be replaced by electrically-powered LED collimated
light-emitting devices. The or each LED collimated light-emitting device is placed
inside the rear casing 2, preferably beneath the platelike light-guide body 6, and
is able to emit and direct a collimated light beam (i.e. a series of light rays collimated
in a same direction) directly towards/against the active light-deflector device 8
which, in turn, is able to divert/reflect said collimated light beam towards the lateral
sidewall of the platelike light-guide body 6, selectively and alternatively in any
one of the aforementioned predetermined directions of reflection d
1, d
2, d
3... d
n.
1. A automotive light (1) provided with at least one lighting assembly (4) that emits
light on command and comprises: at least one platelike light-guide body (6) which
is made of photoconductive material and is structured to diffuse the light from its
front face (7); at least one electronically-controlled active light-deflector device
(8) which faces a lateral sidewall (10, 11) of said platelike light-guide body (6);
and at least one electrically-powered collimated-light emitter (9) which is adapted
to emit a collimated light beam (ℓ) directly towards/against said active light-deflector
device (8) which, in turn, is adapted to reflect/divert said collimated light beam
(ℓ) towards the lateral sidewall (10, 11) of the platelike light-guide body (6), so
that said collimated light beam (ℓ) can penetrate into the platelike light-guide body
(6) and then travel inside the same platelike light-guide body (6) by total internal
reflection;
the automotive light (1) being characterized in that the platelike light-guide body (6) is provided with a plurality of light-extracting
structures (13) that are distributed on the front (7) or rear (14) face of the same
platelike light-guide body (6) and each of which is structured/shaped so as to be
able to divert, outside the platelike light-guide body (6) through the front face
(7), the collimated light beams (ℓ) travelling inside the platelike light-guide body
(6) and reaching/striking the same light-extracting structure (13); and in that the lighting assembly (4) additionally comprises an electronic control unit (12)
which is programmed/configured to command said active light-deflector device (8) so
as to direct the collimated light beam (ℓ) coming from said collimated-light emitter
(9) selectively towards a single light-extracting structure (13) of the platelike
light-guide body (6).
2. Automotive light according to Claim 1, wherein said electronic control unit (12) has
stored inside itself at least a series of predetermined directions of reflection (di,
d2, d3... dn) distinct and different from one another, each of which forces the collimated light
beam (ℓ) to reach/ strike a single and respective light-extracting structure (13)
of the platelike light-guide body (6).
3. Automotive light according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic control unit (12)
commands also said collimated-light emitter (9).
4. Automotive light according to Claim 3, wherein the electronic control unit (12) is
programmed/configured to switch off/deactivate said collimated-light emitter (9) during
each change of said predetermined direction of reflection (d1, d2, d3... dn).
5. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic
control unit (12) is programmed/configured to switch from one light-extracting structure
(13) to another with a predetermined speed/ frequency higher than that perceptible
by the human eye.
6. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting
assembly (4) comprises a plurality of active light-deflector devices (8), each paired
with a respective collimated-light emitter (9).
7. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each
active light-deflector device (8) comprises a MOEMS or OPTICAL-MEMS device.
8. Automotive light according to claim 7, wherein said MOEMS device is a DMD (Digital
Micromirror Device), or a scanning micro-mirror with an integrated electronically-controlled
movement system.
9. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said collimated-light
emitter (9) is a LASER light emitting device or a LED collimated-light emitting device.
10. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light-extracting
structures (13) of the platelike light-guide body (6) are distributed on the front
(7) or rear (14) face of the platelike light-guide body (6) according to a predetermined
regular pattern.
11. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light-extracting
structures (13) of the platelike light-guide body (6) are recesses made on the front
(7) or rear (14) face of the platelike light-guide body (6).
12. Automotive light according to Claim 12, wherein said recesses are substantially prismatic,
conical or lenticular in shape.
13. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each light-extracting
structure (13) takes up an area of the front (7) or rear (14) face of the platelike
light-guide body (6) having an extension of less than 100 mm2.
14. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light additionally
comprises a substantially basin-shaped, rear casing (2) and a front half-shell (3)
which is placed to close the mouth of the rear casing (2); said lighting assembly
(4) being located inside the rear casing (2) so as to selectively back-light one or
more transparent or semi-transparent sectors of said front half-shell (3).
15. Automotive light according to Claim 14, wherein said platelike light-guide body (6)
extends inside the rear casing (2) with the front face (7) facing and substantially
skimmed over one or more of the transparent or semi-transparent sectors of the front
half-shell (3); and wherein said active light-deflector device (8) and said collimated-light
emitter (9) are located inside the rear casing (2).
16. Automotive light according to Claim 15, wherein the light-extracting structures (13)
of the platelike light-guide body (6) are grouped beneath said one or more transparent
or semi-transparent sectors of the front half-shell (3).