Technical field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a rotating lighting module for vehicles and to a
lighting device equipped with a plurality (i.e. at least two) of such lighting modules
having rotation capabilities, preferably associated with a main non-rotating lighting
module, in order to provide selectively a plurality of lighting distributions by means
of the same lighting device.
Technical Background
[0002] Lighting devices for vehicles comprising a plurality of individual lighting modules,
some of which are provided with rotating elements, like e.g. a rotating reflector,
are known in the art.
[0003] EP2902701 and
FR3022322A1 disclose a lighting module having a fixed light source consisting of a LED and a
rotating support having two opposite faces, one constituting a reflector and the other
realizing a second function, e.g. an aspect function; a fixed motor rotates the support
with respect to the fixed light source in order to bring selectively the two faces
on the front side of the device facing toward the direction of motion of the vehicle.
[0004] In the device of
EP2902701 the light source is a LED mounted on a printed circuit board and the rotating reflector
is pivoting on a couple of opposite coaxial pins, a first of which is idly housed
in a through seat provided in the printed circuit board and in a supporting structure
thereof, and a second of which is idly housed in a second seat provided in a base
of the supporting structure.
[0005] Such solution guarantees on one side a reliable pivoting of the rotating part of
the lighting module, but on the other side is difficult to be implemented, is bulky,
renders the assembly operation of the lighting module complex, slow and costly and
above all, does not allow to standardize the component elements of the lighting module,
so that lighting modules apparently identical but designed to be arranged in different
positions in the overall lighting device have in reality components which differ,
even if slightly, from each other so increasing the production costs.
[0006] Finally, especially the rotation of the upper pin within its seat provided through
the printed circuit board may wear out the rotation seat causing noise and in some
cases the generation of dust that may deposit onto the optical parts of the module
and so impair its lighting performances.
Summary of the invention
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a rotating lighting module and
a lighting device for vehicles comprising a plurality of such rotating lighting modules,
which are of simple and compact construction and assembly, are cost-effective and,
at the same time, are highly reliable, are not noising and maintain their optical
performances along time.
[0008] According to the invention, therefore, a rotating lighting module and an associated
lighting device for vehicles including a plurality of such rotating lighting modules
are provided, having the features set out in the appended claims.
Brief description of the drawings
[0009] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent
from the following description of one non-limiting embodiment thereof, made with reference
to the figures in the accompanying drawings, in which:
- figure 1 shows schematically a three-quarter front perspective view of a lighting
device for vehicles according to the present invention, represented facing a forward
driving direction of a vehicle;
- figure 2 shows in an enlarged scale a three-quarter front perspective view of one
rotating lighting module of the invention pertaining to the lighting device of figure
1;
- figure 3 shows the same rotating lighting module of figure 2, with parts removed in
order to show the inner structure thereof;
- figure 4 shows a detail of one rotating unit of the rotating lighting module of figures
2 and 3;
- figure 5 shows a sectioned side elevation view of the lighting module of figure 2;
and
- figure 6 and 7 show in a further enlarged scale respective side elevation views, figure
7 in section, of a same detail of the lighting module of figure 2.
Detailed description
[0010] With reference to figure 1, reference number 1 indicates as a whole a lighting device
consisting, in the non-limiting embodiment shown, in a vehicle headlight assembly,
which is only schematically shown from the front, with parts, which are not essential
for describing the invention, removed for sake of simplicity.
[0011] The lighting device 1 comprises a generally cup-shaped housing body 2 designed to
be mounted on a vehicle, known and not shown for sake of simplicity. Housing body
2 is made of synthetic plastic material by injection molding and has a front inlet
opening 3 in use facing opposite to the vehicle and toward a forward driving direction
FD of the vehicle, indicated by an arrow; the front inlet opening is closed by a transparent
cover, normally constituted by a terse lens (i.e. a transparent lens not provided
with optical functions), known and not shown (removed) for sake of simplicity .
[0012] According to the present invention, the lighting device 1 comprises a stationary
main lighting module 4 and a plurality (e.g. at least two or more than two) of secondary
lighting modules 5, each rotating around a respective axis, arranged generally vertical.
The lighting modules 4,5 are arranged side by side within the housing body 2, facing
the inlet opening 3 and the rotating lighting modules 5 are arranged within the housing
body 2, as it will be seen in greater details herein below, pivoting around respective
first axes A1, A2 and A3, arranged all parallel to each other.
[0013] The main lighting module 4 has an optical axis O arranged parallel to the forward
march direction FD and along which the light beam generated in use by the lighting
module 4 is delivered. Likewise, each rotating lighting module 5 has its own optical
axis O1, which may be rotated in use around the respective pivoting axes A1, A2 and
A3.
[0014] A rotating lighting module 5 for vehicles according to the invention is shown in
an enlarged scale and in details in figures 2, 3 and 5-7.
[0015] For sake of simplicity it is shown and it will be described the lighting module 5
closer to the main lighting module 4, i.e. that one rotating around a pivoting axis
A1; it is clear, however, that, according to one feature of the invention, the other
lighting modules 5 in the same lighting device 1 are identical to that one closer
to the main lighting module 4, i.e. all the rotating lighting modules 5 are identical
to one another.
[0016] Each rotating lighting module 5 comprises at least one light source 6, at least one
reflector 7 and at least one actuator 8 to rotate the reflector 7 relative to the
light source 6 around a first pivoting axis A, in the example shown the axis A1.
[0017] According one feature of the invention, each lighting module 5 further comprises
a lens 9, which is assembled angularly rigid with the reflector 7 and forms, together
with the reflector 7, a rotating optical unit 10 powered by the actuator 8.
[0018] The at least one light source 6, the actuator 8 and the rotating optical unit 10
are operatively associated with a framed support 11 holding rigid in a fixed position
the light source 6 and bearing in idling manner the rotating optical unit 10.
[0019] The light source 6 is borne by a printed circuit board 12, also bearing electronic
components 13, known in the art, to control the light source 6.
[0020] If necessary or preferred, the printed circuit board 12 bears more than one light
source, e.g. further two or three, to perform different lighting functions. The light
source 6 is preferably a LED.
[0021] According to a first main feature of the invention, the framed support 11 is formed
by a rigid metallic structure, generally C-shaped, e.g. realized in a press-molded,
aluminum based, light alloy.
[0022] According to a further main feature of the invention, in combination with the above
first main feature, each lighting module 5 is configured so that the corresponding
rotating optical unit 10 is supported in idly manner solely by a bottom portion 14
of the framed support 11 of each module 5. Moreover, the rotating optical unit 10
is self-supporting and is configured (figures 3,4) to form within the corresponding
lighting module 5 a first sub-assembly 15, which is completely independent of an upper
portion 16 of the framed support 11 bearing the at least one light source 6, in the
case in point bearing the whole printed circuit board 12 with the at least one (or
more) light source 6 and the electronic components 13.
[0023] In particular, the at least one light source 6 with the printed circuit board 12
and the electronic components 13 form within the corresponding lighting module 5 a
second sub-assembly 18 supported solely by the upper portion 16 of the framed support
11.
[0024] In this manner, according to a feature of the invention and contrary to the prior
art, the first sub-assembly 15 is mechanically disconnected in rotation from the second
sub-assembly 18.
[0025] At this purpose, the first sub-assembly 15 (figures 3,4) comprises a rigid box-like
structure 19 connecting the reflector 7 with the lens 9, facing to each other, and
a shaft 20 having a symmetry axis coinciding with the first axis A (axis A1 in the
embodiment shown) ; the shaft 20 is configured such as to project in cantilever fashion
from the rigid box-like structure 19, in particular from the bottom thereof, namely
on the side thereof facing away from the printed circuit board 12 and the respective
sub-assembly 18.
[0026] According to the invention, the shaft 20 is housed entirely within a first through
seat 21 (figures 3 and 5) provided in the bottom portion 14 of the framed support
11 and is supported by a first rolling bearing 22 and by a second rolling bearing
23 housed within opposite ends 24,25 of the first through seat 21.
[0027] The rolling bearings 22,23 are coupled idly with the shaft 20 at respective opposite
ends 26,27 thereof; accordingly, the shaft 20 with the bearings 22,23 are configured
so that the shaft 20 is the sole, unique, single support and rotational guide for
the rotating optical unit 10.
[0028] According to the invention, the shaft 20 is of a tubular shape (see figure 5), being
axially crossed by a second through seat 28 so as to be delimited laterally by an
annular wall 29.
[0029] Moreover, the shaft 20 is configured such as to be elastically deformable in radial
direction at least at the opposite ends 26,27 thereof.
[0030] This is obtained in the non-limitative embodiment shown by providing both ends 26,
27 with at least a couple of radial slots 30 extending axially; the radial slots 30
are open-ended at respective terminal edges of the ends 26,27.
[0031] According to a feature of the invention, the first sub-assembly 15 further comprises
(figure 5) a rod 31 designed to be removably inserted axially within the second through
seat 28 in order to prevent, when inserted, any radial deformation of the shaft 20
and so rendering it completely rigid.
[0032] In the non-limitative embodiment shown the rod 31 is threaded and is screwed into
the seat 28. Another way of coupling, e.g. a snap-coupling, may be used in alternative,
even if the screw coupling is safer and is preferred.
[0033] According to a feature of the invention, the shaft 20 has to have in axial direction
a length comparable with the height of the box-like rigid structure 19 in the same
axial direction. Here and below for "comparable" is intended that the length of shaft
20 is at least of the same order of magnitude of the height of the box-structure 19
and preferably that the two differ for less than the 20%.
[0034] According to the invention, the shaft 20 has its side wall 29 provided radially outwards
with at least one axial groove 32 (preferably at least three axial grooves 32 angularly
spaced at 120° to each other).
[0035] The at least one axial grove 32 is engaged by a first transmission wheel 33 (figure
5 - a toothed wheel or gear 33, in the embodiment shown) fitted axially upon shaft
20; in fact, in the preferred embodiment shown, the bottom portion 14 of the framed
support 11 is shaped as a box forming externally on the framed support 11 an internally
hollow plate-like base 34 (figure 2).
[0036] The rotating optical unit 10 projects axially upwards in cantilever fashion from
the bottom portion 14 of the framed support 11, namely from the internally hollow
plate-like base 34, towards the upper portion 16 of the framed support 11, remaining
spaced apart from the upper portion 16
[0037] The actuator 8 is carried externally by the bottom portion 14 of the framed support
11, in particular by the internally hollow plate-like base 34, on the side opposite
to the rotating optical unit 10; the actuator 8 is moreover mechanically connected
to the transmission wheel 33 by transmission elements, e.g. other two toothed gears
35 (figure 5); the transmission wheel 33 and the transmission elements 35 are housed
idly within the plate-like base 34 formed by the bottom portion 14 of the framed support
11.
[0038] Of course, other means of transmission could be used, e.g. a transmission belt connecting
directly the output shaft of the actuator 8 with the transmission wheel 33 keyed onto
the shaft 20 in order to make the shaft 20 to rotate around axis A1.
[0039] As mentioned above, the framed support 11 is generally C-shaped and, according to
a further feature of the invention, is formed (figure 2) by two specular-symmetrical
half-shells 36, one of which is better shown alone in figure 3) mechanically coupled
together side by side at a plane parallel to the half-shells 36, i.e. parallel to
their laying plane, and containing the first axis A, in the example shown axis A1.
The two half-shells 36 are coupled together in a removable manner, so as to be separable,
in the embodiment shown by means of lateral screws 37.
[0040] Each half-shell comprises (figure 3): a L-shaped portion 38 configured as a solid,
profiled element having a double T shape in cross-section and defining with its opposite
wings, when the two half-shells 36 are coupled, the upper portion 16 and a middle
portion 39 of the framed support 11; and a bottom cup-shaped section 40 configured
such as, when the two half-shells 36 are coupled, extends parallel to and facing with
the upper portion 16 of the framed support 11, to which is connected by the middle
portion 39.
[0041] The bottom cup-shaped sections 40 of the two half-shells 36 form, when the latter
are coupled together, the plate-like hollow base 34 defining/delimiting at least part
of the bottom portion 14 of the framed support 11.
[0042] In this manner, the assembly of each rotating lighting module 5 is extremely easy.
Moreover, the rotating optical unit 10 is guided with precision and without the risk
of oscillations/vibrations by the combination of the partially hollow, rigid and metallic
framed support 11 with the projecting shaft 20 borne rigid with the rotating optical
unit 10 and with the supporting rolling bearing 22,23 thereof arranged at the opposite
ends 26,27 of the shaft 20.
[0043] Moreover, since the rotating optical unit 10 is mechanically completely separated
from the printed circuit board 12 as far as its rotation capability is concerned,
both wear of the rotation seat through the printed circuit board (which exists no
more according to the invention) and the formation of dust due to wear are avoided,
so impeding both the possible generation of noise and the possible impairment of the
optical performances of the lighting module in use.
[0044] All the aims of the invention are therefore accomplished.
1. A rotating lighting module (5) for vehicles, comprising at least one light source
(6), at least one reflector (7) and at least one actuator (8) to rotate the reflector
relative to the light source around a first axis (A); wherein the reflector (7) forms,
together with a lens (9) assembled angularly rigid therewith, a rotating optical unit
(10) powered by said actuator (8) and wherein the light source, the actuator and the
rotating optical unit are operatively associated with a framed support (11) holding
rigid in a fixed position the light source (6) and bearing in idling manner said rotating
optical unit (10); the light source (6) being borne by a printed circuit board (12)
also bearing electronic components (13) to control the light source; wherein, in combination:
i)- the framed support (11) is formed by a rigid metallic structure;
ii)- the rotating optical unit (10) is supported in idly manner solely by a bottom
portion (14) of the framed support (11) and forms a first sub-assembly (15), said
sub-assembly being completely independent in rotation of an upper portion (16) of
the framed support (11) bearing the at least one light source (6);
iii)- the at least one light source (6) with the printed circuit board (12) and the
electronic components (13) forming a second sub-assembly (18) supported solely by
the upper portion (16) of the framed support;
iv)- such as the first sub-assembly (15) is mechanically disconnected in rotation
from the second sub-assembly (18); and wherein the first sub-assembly (15) comprises
a rigid box-like structure (19) connecting the reflector (7) with the lens (9) facing
to each other, and a shaft (20) having a symmetry axis coinciding with the first axis
and projecting in cantilever fashion from a bottom of the rigid box-like structure
(19); the shaft (20) being housed entirely within a first through seat (21) provided
in the bottom portion (14) of the framed support (11) and being supported by a first
and a second rolling bearing (22,23) housed within opposite ends (24,25) of the first
through seat (21), coupled idly with the shaft (20) at respective opposite ends (26,27)
thereof; said shaft (20) being the sole support and rotational guide for the rotating
optical unit (10);
characterized in that said shaft (20) is of a tubular shape, being axially crossed by a second through
seat (28), the second through seat (28) being delimited laterally along the first
axis (A) by an annular wall (29) of the shaft (20); said shaft (20) being configured
such as to be elastically deformable in radial direction at least at the said opposite
ends (26,27) thereof.
2. A lighting module according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sub-assembly (15) further comprises a rod (31) designed to be removably
inserted axially within said second through seat (28) in order to prevent any radial
deformation of the shaft (20).
3. A lighting module according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said shaft (20) has in axial direction a length comparable with the height of said
rigid box-like structure (19).
4. A lighting module according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said annular wall (29) is provided radially outwards with at least one axial groove
(32); said axial grove (32) being engaged by a first transmission wheel (33) fitted
axially upon said shaft (20); said bottom portion (14) of the framed support (11)
being shaped as a box forming an internally hollow plate-like base (34); said rotating
optical unit (10) projecting axially upwards in cantilever fashion from the internally
hollow plate-like base (34) of the bottom portion (14) of the framed support (11)
and towards the upper portion (16) of the framed support, remaining spaced apart from
the upper portion (16) of the framed support; and said actuator (8) being carried
externally by the bottom portion (14) of the framed support on the side opposite to
the rotating optical unit (10) and being mechanically connected to the transmission
wheel (33) by transmission elements (35), the transmission wheel (33) and the transmission
elements (35) being housed idly within the plate-like base (34) formed by said bottom
portion (14) of the framed support.
5. A lighting module according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the framed support (11) is generally C-shaped and is formed by two half-shells (36)
mechanically coupled together side by side in a removable manner at a plane parallel
to the half-shells and containing the first axis (A); each half-shell (36) comprising:
a L-shaped portion (38) configured as a solid, profiled element having a double T
cross-section and defining said upper portion (16) and a middle portion (39) of the
framed support (11) when the two half-shells (36) are coupled; and a bottom cup-shaped
section (40) extending parallel to and facing with the upper portion (16) and connected
thereto by the middle portion (39) with the half-shells (36) coupled; the bottom cup-shaped
sections (40) of the two half-shells (36) forming, when the latter are coupled together,
a plate-like hollow base (34) defining at least part of said bottom portion (14) of
the framed support (11).
6. A lighting device (1) for a vehicle comprising a plurality of lighting modules (5)
according to anyone of the preceding claims, arranged side by side within a cup-shaped
housing body (2) .
7. Vehicle provided with a lighting device (1) according to claim 6.
1. Drehbares Beleuchtungsmodul (5) für Fahrzeuge, umfassend wenigstens eine Lichtquelle
(6), wenigstens einen Reflektor (7) und wenigstens einen Aktor (8) zum Drehen des
Reflektors relativ zu der Lichtquelle um eine erste Achse (A); wobei der Reflektor
(7) zusammen mit einer Linse (9), die winkelstarr mit diesem montiert ist, eine drehbare
optische Einheit (10) bildet, die von dem Aktor (8) angetrieben wird, und wobei die
Lichtquelle, der Aktor und die drehbare optische Einheit operativ mit einem gerahmten
Träger (11) verbunden sind, der die Lichtquelle (6) in einer festen Position starr
hält und die drehbare optische Einheit (10) im Freilauf trägt; wobei die Lichtquelle
(6) von einer gedruckten Leiterplatte (12) getragen wird, die auch elektronische Bauelemente
(13) zum Steuern der Lichtquelle trägt; wobei in Kombination:
i)- der gerahmte Träger (11) von einer starren Metallstruktur gebildet wird;
ii)- die drehbare optische Einheit (10) nur von einem unteren Teil (14) des gerahmten
Trägers (11) im Freilauf getragen wird und eine erste Unterbaugruppe (15) bildet,
wobei diese Unterbaugruppe bei der Drehung völlig unabhängig von einem oberen Teil
(16) des gerahmten Trägers (11) ist, der die wenigstens eine Lichtquelle (6) trägt;
iii)- die wenigstens eine Lichtquelle (6) mit der gedruckten Leiterplatte (12) und
den elektronischen Bauelementen (13) eine zweite Unterbaugruppe (18) bildet, die nur
von dem oberen Teil (16) des gerahmten Trägers getragen wird;
iv)- so dass die erste Unterbaugruppe (15) von der zweiten Unterbaugruppe (18) bei
der Drehung mechanisch getrennt ist; und wobei die erste Unterbaugruppe (15) eine
starre, kastenartige Struktur (19) umfasst, die den Reflektor (7) mit der Linse (9)
verbindet, die einander zugewandt sind, und eine Welle (20) mit einer Symmetrieachse,
die mit der ersten Achse zusammenfällt und freitragend von einem Boden der starren,
kastenartigen Struktur (19) hervorsteht; wobei die Welle (20) vollständig in einem
ersten Durchgangssitz (21) untergebracht ist, der in dem unteren Teil (14) des gerahmten
Trägers (11) vorgesehen ist, und von einem ersten und einem zweiten Wälzlager (22,
23) unterstützt wird, die in gegenüberliegenden Enden (24, 25) des ersten Durchgangssitzes
(21) untergebracht sind und mit der Welle (20) an deren jeweiligen gegenüberliegenden
Enden (26, 27) freilaufend gekoppelt sind; wobei die Welle (20) die einzige Unterstützung
und eine Drehführung für die drehbare optische Einheit (10) ist;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Welle (20) röhrenförmig ist und von einem zweiten Durchgangssitz (28) axial gekreuzt
wird, wobei der zweite Durchgangssitz (28) lateral entlang der ersten Achse (A) durch
eine ringförmige Wand (29) der Welle (20) begrenzt ist; wobei die Welle (20) so konfiguriert
ist, dass sie in radialer Richtung wenigstens an ihren gegenüberliegenden Enden (26,
27) elastisch verformbar ist.
2. Beleuchtungsmodul nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Unterbaugruppe (15) ferner eine Stange (31) umfasst, die dazu eingerichtet
ist, herausnehmbar axial in den zweiten Durchgangssitz (28) eingeführt zu werden,
um jegliche radiale Verformung der Welle (20) zu verhindern.
3. Beleuchtungsmodul nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Welle (20) in axialer Richtung eine Länge aufweist, die mit der Höhe der starren
kastenartigen Struktur (19) vergleichbar ist.
4. Beleuchtungsmodul nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die ringförmige Wand (29) radial außen mit wenigstens einer axialen Nut (32) versehen
ist; wobei die axiale Nut (32) mit einem ersten Übertragungsrad (33) in Eingriff steht,
das axial auf die Welle (20) aufgesetzt ist; wobei der untere Teil (14) des gerahmten
Trägers (11) als Kasten geformt ist, der eine innen hohle, plattenartige Basis (34)
bildet; wobei die drehbare optische Einheit (10) von der innen hohlen, plattenartigen
Basis (34) des unteren Teils (14) des gerahmten Trägers (11) freitragend axial nach
oben und in Richtung zu dem oberen Teil (16) des gerahmten Trägers hervorsteht und
von dem oberen Teil (16) des gerahmten Trägers beabstandet bleibt; und der Aktor (8)
außen von dem unteren Teil (14) des gerahmten Trägers auf der der drehbaren optischen
Einheit (10) gegenüberliegenden Seite getragen wird und mit dem Übertragungsrad (33)
über Übertragungselemente (35) mechanisch verbunden ist, wobei das Übertragungsrad
(33) und die Übertragungselemente (35) freilaufend innerhalb der plattenartigen Basis
(34), die von dem unteren Teil (14) des gerahmten Trägers gebildet wird, untergebracht
sind.
5. Beleuchtungsmodul nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der gerahmte Träger (11) im Allgemeinen C-förmig ist und von zwei Halbschalen (36)
gebildet wird, die Seite an Seite in einer Ebene, die parallel zu den Halbschalen
verläuft und die erste Achse (A) enthält, lösbar mechanisch miteinander gekoppelt
sind; wobei jede Halbschale (36) umfasst: einen L-förmigen Teil (38), der als massives,
profiliertes Element konfiguriert ist, das einen Doppel-T-Querschnitt aufweist und
den oberen Teil (16) und einen mittleren Teil (39) des gerahmten Trägers (11) definiert,
wenn die beiden Halbschalen (36) gekoppelt sind; und einen unteren schalenförmigen
Abschnitt (40), der sich parallel zu dem oberen Teil (16) erstreckt und diesem zugewandt
ist und bei gekoppelten Halbschalen (36) mit diesem über den mittleren Teil (39) verbunden
ist; wobei die unteren schalenförmigen Abschnitte (40) der beiden Halbschalen (36),
wenn letztere miteinander gekoppelt sind, eine plattenartige hohle Basis (34) bilden,
die wenigstens einen Teil des unteren Teils (14) der gerahmten Trägers (11) definiert.
6. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung (1) für ein Fahrzeug, die mehrere Beleuchtungsmodule (5) nach
einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche umfasst, die Seite an Seite in einem schalenförmigen
Gehäusekörper (2) angeordnet sind.
7. Fahrzeug, das mit einer Beleuchtungsvorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 6 ausgestattet ist.
1. Module d'éclairage rotatif (5) pour véhicules, comprenant au moins une source de lumière
(6), au moins un réflecteur (7) et au moins un actionneur (8) pour faire tourner le
réflecteur par rapport à la source de lumière autour d'un premier axe (A) ; dans lequel
le réflecteur (7) forme, conjointement avec une lentille (9) assemblée de manière
rigide et angulaire avec ce dernier, une unité optique rotative (10) alimentée par
ledit actionneur (8) et dans lequel la source de lumière, l'actionneur et l'unité
optique rotative sont associés, de manière opérationnelle, avec un support à armature
(11) maintenant rigide, dans une position fixe, la source de lumière (6) et supportant,
au repos, ladite unité optique rotative (10) ; la source de lumière (6) étant portée
par une carte de circuit imprimé (12) supportant également des composants électroniques
(13) pour commander la source de lumière ; dans lequel, en combinaison :
i) le support à armature (11) est formé par une structure métallique rigide ;
ii) l'unité optique rotative (10) est supportée, au repos, uniquement par une partie
inférieure (14) du support à armature (11) et forme un premier sous-ensemble (15),
ledit sous-ensemble étant complètement indépendant, en rotation, d'une partie supérieure
(16) du support à armature (11) supportant la au moins une source de lumière (6) ;
iii) la au moins une source de lumière (6) avec la carte de circuit imprimé (12) et
les composants électroniques (13) formant un second sous-ensemble (18) supporté uniquement
par la partie supérieure (16) du support à armature ;
iv) un tel premier sous-ensemble (15) est déconnecté, mécaniquement, en rotation,
du second sous-ensemble (18) ; et dans lequel le premier sous-ensemble (15) comprend
une structure rigide en forme de boîte (19) raccordant le réflecteur (7) avec la lentille
(9) se faisant face, et un arbre (20) ayant un axe de symétrie coïncidant avec le
premier axe et faisant saillie, en porte-à-faux, d'un fond de la structure rigide
en forme de boîte (19) ; l'arbre (20) étant complètement logé dans un premier siège
débouchant (21) prévu dans la partie inférieure (14) du support à armature (11) et
étant supporté par un premier et un second palier à roulement (22, 23) logés dans
les extrémités (24, 25) opposées du premier siège débouchant (21), couplés, au repos,
avec l'arbre (20) au niveau de ses extrémités (26, 27) opposées respectives ; ledit
arbre (20) étant le seul support et guide de rotation pour l'unité optique rotative
(10) ; caractérisé en ce que ledit arbre (20) a une forme tubulaire, étant axialement traversé par un second siège
débouchant (28), le second siège débouchant (28) étant latéralement délimité le long
du premier axe (A) par une paroi annulaire (29) de l'arbre (20) ; ledit arbre (20)
étant configuré afin d'être élastiquement déformable en direction radiale au moins
au niveau de ses extrémités (26, 27) opposées.
2. Module d'éclairage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le premier sous-ensemble (15) comprend en outre une tige (31) conçue pour être insérée,
de manière amovible, axialement dans ledit second siège débouchant (28) afin d'empêcher
toute déformation radiale de l'arbre (20).
3. Module d'éclairage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit arbre (20) a, dans la direction axiale, une longueur comparable à la hauteur
de ladite structure rigide en forme de boîte (19) .
4. Module d'éclairage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite paroi annulaire (29) est prévue radialement vers l'extérieur avec au moins
une rainure axiale (32) ; ladite rainure axiale (32) étant mise en prise par une première
roue de transmission (33) montée axialement sur ledit arbre (20) ; ladite partie inférieure
(14) du support à armature (11) étant formée comme une boîte formant une base en forme
de plaque intérieurement creuse (34) ; ladite unité optique rotative (10) faisant
saillie axialement vers le haut en porte-à-faux à partir de la base en forme de plaque
intérieurement creuse (34) de la partie inférieure (14) du support à armature (11)
et vers la partie supérieure (16) du support à armature, demeurant espacée de la partie
supérieure (16) du support à armature ; et ledit actionneur (8) étant porté extérieurement
par la partie inférieure (14) du support à armature sur le bord opposé à l'unité optique
rotative (10) et étant mécaniquement raccordé à la roue de transmission (33) par des
éléments de transmission (35), la roue de transmission (33) et les éléments de transmission
(35) étant logés, au repos, dans la base en forme de plaque (34) formée par ladite
partie inférieure (14) du support à armature.
5. Module d'éclairage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le support à armature (11) est généralement en forme de C et est formé par deux demi-coques
(36) mécaniquement couplées ensemble côte à côte d'une manière amovible au niveau
d'un plan parallèle aux demi-coques et contenant le premier axe (A) ; chaque demi-coque
(36) comprenant : une partie en forme de L (38) configurée comme un élément profilé
solide ayant une section transversale en double T et définissant ladite partie supérieure
(16) et une partie centrale (39) du support à armature (11) lorsque les deux demi-coques
(36) sont couplées ; et une section inférieure en forme de coupelle (40) s'étendant
parallèlement et faisant face à la partie supérieure (16) et raccordée à cette dernière
par la partie centrale (39) avec les demi-coques (36) couplées ; les sections inférieures
en forme de coupelle (40) des deux demi-coques (36) formant, lorsque ces dernières
sont couplées ensemble, une base creuse en forme de plaque (34) définissant au moins
une partie de ladite partie inférieure (14) du support à armature (11).
6. Dispositif d'éclairage (1) pour un véhicule comprenant une pluralité de modules d'éclairage
(5) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, agencés côte à côte dans
un corps de logement en forme de coupelle (2).
7. Véhicule prévu avec un dispositif d'éclairage (1) selon la revendication 6.