AUTOMOTIVE LIGHT

Description

[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] DE10233719 A1 discloses an automotive light wherein an panel is arranged underneath the front half-shell to control the passage of light towards the outside. Other automotive lights are known from DE 10 2013 223717 A1, DE 10 2011 076330 A1, or DE 10 2012 004759 A1.

[0008] 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.

[0009] Aim of the present invention is to realize automotive lights capable of overcoming the limits described above.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[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 to be simply fixed protruding from the rear part of the vehicle bodywork (not shown).

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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).

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] In the example shown, in particular, the front half-shell 3 is preferably provided with two adjacent transparent or semi-transparent areas.

[0024] 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).

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] Preferably, electronic control unit 12 is furthermore adapted to also drive the platelike light source 10.

[0033] 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.

[0034] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, moreover the lighting assembly 4 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 d₀ 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.

[0035] 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 d₀ and moreover has a predetermined angular distribution of the light around said main emission direction d₀.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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 d₀, a substantially bell-shaped angular distribution with the maximum intensity on the main emission direction d₀.

[0038] Obviously the main emission direction d₀ 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The electronic control unit 12, in turn, is preferably adapted to control the switching on and off of the LEDs 14.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] Preferably, the LCD panel 11 finally has a TFT architecture (acronym of Thin Film Transistor).

[0049] Being an optoelectronic device widely known and easily available on the market, the LCD panel 11 won't be further described.

[0050] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the multidirectional collimation device 13 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.

[0051] 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 d₀ and an angular distribution of the light intensity around the same main emission direction d₀ in accordance with the automotive regulations.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] In the example shown, in particular, the lenticular bodies 16 are preferably made in one piece with the supporting plate 17.

[0055] 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.

[0056] Operation of automotive light 1 is easily inferable from the above and does not require further explanations.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] The advantages associated with the particular structure of the lighting assembly 4 are considerable.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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 d₀) and a substantially Gaussian distribution of the light intensity around this predetermined direction.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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 as defined in the appended claims.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] In a more sophisticated embodiment, furthermore, the LCD panel 11 can be at least partially embedded/incorporated in the front half-shell 3.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

Claims

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), each sector (5, 6) being associated with a specific light signal ; 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) separately and independently from one another;
wherein 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 plurality of 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 is divided into a multitude of pixels each of which is capable of, selectively and alternatively, allowing or preventing the light to pass through the same pixel; 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); 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); wherein said platelike light source (10) comprises a multitude of LEDs (14) or other electrically-powered point light sources, which are suitably distributed beneath the transparent or semi-transparent area(s) of said front half-shell (3) to be backlighted, so as to direct the emitted light towards the same transparent or semi-transparent area(s) of said front half-shell (3); and wherein said 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 (d₀) in accordance with automotive regulations, and comprises a series of basic collimator members (16, 26) that are located each at a respective LED (14) or other electrically-powered point light source, and are structured to collimate the light rays coming out of the same LED (14) or other electrically-powered point light source each in a respective predetermined direction (d_c).

2. Automotive light according to Claim 1, 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).

3. Automotive light according to Claim 1 or 2, 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).

4. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said LEDs (14) are distributed substantially uniformly beneath the areas of the front half-shell (3) to be backlighted.

5. Automotive light according to Claim 4, wherein said LEDs (14) are spread on a 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).

6. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic collimator members are lenticular bodies (16) placed each in front of a respective LED (14) of the platelike light source (10).

7. Automotive light according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the basic collimator members are cup-shaped reflector bodies (26) fitted each onto a respective LED (14) of the platelike light source (10).

8. Automotive light according to Claim 6 or 7, 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).

9. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, 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.

10. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, 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).

11. Automotive light according to Claim 10, 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).

12. Automotive light according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the LCD panel (11) has a TFT architecture.

13. 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).

Ansprüche

1. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte (1), umfassend: ein im Wesentlichen beckenförmiges hinteres Gehäuse (2); eine vordere Halbschale (3), die so angeordnet ist, dass sie die Öffnung des hinteren Gehäuses (2) verschließt, und die mit einer Vielzahl von transparenten oder halbtransparenten Sektoren (5, 6) versehen ist, wobei jeder Sektor (5, 6) einem bestimmten zugeordnet ist; und mindestens eine Beleuchtungsanordnung (4), die auf Befehl Licht emittiert und innerhalb des hinteren Gehäuses (2) angeordnet ist, um die transparenten oder halbtransparenten Sektoren (5, 6) der vorderen Halbschale (3) separat und unabhängig voneinander selektiv von hinten zu beleuchten;

wobei die Beleuchtungsanordnung (4) umfasst: eine elektrisch betriebene plattenförmige Lichtquelle (10), die auf Befehl Licht aussendet und im Inneren des hinteren Gehäuses (2) angeordnet ist, um gleichzeitig die mehreren transparenten oder halbtransparenten Sektoren (5, 6) der vorderen Halbschale (3) von hinten zu beleuchten; ein LCD-Panel (11), das sich im Inneren des hinteren Gehäuses (2) vor den transparenten oder halbtransparenten Sektoren (5, 6) der vorderen Halbschale (3) erstreckt, so dass es von dem von der plattenförmigen Lichtquelle (10) ausgestrahlten und auf die vordere Halbschale (3) gerichteten Licht durchquert wird, und das in eine Vielzahl von Pixeln unterteilt ist, von denen jedes in der Lage ist, selektiv und alternativ das Licht durch dasselbe Pixel hindurchzulassen oder zu verhindern; eine multidirektionale Kollimationsvorrichtung (13), die innerhalb des hinteren Gehäuses (2) angeordnet ist,

zwischen der plattenförmigen Lichtquelle (10) und dem LCD-Panel (11), und dazu ausgelegt ist, das von der plattenförmigen Lichtquelle (10) emittierte Licht in eine Vielzahl von Hauptemissionsrichtungen (d₀) zu kollimieren, die in geeignetem Winkel zueinander angeordnet sind und jeweils eindeutig einem jeweiligen transparenten oder halbtransparenten Sektor (5, 6) der vorderen Halbschale (3) zugeordnet sind; und eine elektronische Steuereinheit (12), die dazu geeignet ist, das LCD-Panel (11) anzusteuern, um den Durchgang des Lichts durch die einzelnen Pixel des LCD-Panels (11) zu steuern, so dass die plattenförmige Lichtquelle (10) jeden transparenten oder halbtransparenten Sektor (5, 6) der vorderen Halbschale (3) oder einen Teil desselben transparenten oder halbtransparenten Sektors (5, 6) separat und unabhängig von den anderen transparenten oder halbtransparenten Sektoren (5, 6) selektiv hinterleuchten kann; wobei die plattenförmige Lichtquelle (10) eine Vielzahl von LEDs (14) oder andere elektrisch betriebene Punktlichtquellen umfasst, die in geeigneter Weise unter dem (den) transparenten oder halbtransparenten Bereich(en) der vorderen Halbschale (3), der (die) hinterleuchtet werden soll(en), verteilt sind, um das emittierte Licht auf den (die) gleichen transparenten oder halbtransparenten Bereich(e) der vorderen Halbschale (3) zu richten; und wobei die multidirektionale Kollimationsvorrichtung (13) dazu ausgelegt ist, das von der plattenförmigen Lichtquelle (10) emittierte Licht so zu kollimieren, dass der aus jedem transparenten oder halbtransparenten Sektor (5, 6) der vorderen Halbschale (3) austretende Lichtstrahl eine vorherrschende Komponente parallel zur entsprechenden Hauptemissionsrichtung (d₀) aufweist, und eine vorbestimmte Winkelverteilung des Lichts um die Hauptemissionsrichtung (d₀) in Übereinstimmung mit den Automobilvorschriften aufweist, und eine Reihe von Basis-Kollimatorelementen (16, 26) umfasst, die jeweils an einer entsprechenden LED (14) oder einer anderen elektrisch betriebenen Punktlichtquelle angeordnet und so strukturiert sind, dass sie die aus derselben LED (14) oder einer anderen elektrisch betriebenen Punktlichtquelle austretenden Lichtstrahlen jeweils in einer entsprechenden vorbestimmten Richtung (dc) kollimieren.

2. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte nach Anspruch 1, wobei die multidirektionale Kollimationsvorrichtung (13) so angepasst ist, dass sie das aus der plattenförmigen Lichtquelle (10) austretende Licht so kollimiert, dass die Lichtintensität des aus jedem transparenten oder halbtransparenten Sektor (5, 6) austretenden Lichtstrahls eine im Wesentlichen glockenförmige Winkelverteilung um die Hauptemissionsrichtung (d₀) herum aufweist, wobei die maximale Intensität in der Hauptemissionsrichtung (d₀) liegt.

3. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die elektronische Steuereinheit (12) darüber hinaus so angepasst ist, dass sie die plattenförmige Lichtquelle (10) so ansteuert, dass sie die plattenförmige Lichtquelle (10) nur dann aktiviert, wenn ein oder mehrere Pixel des LCD-Panels (11) für das von der plattenförmigen Lichtquelle (10) kommende Licht transparent sind.

4. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die LEDs (14) im Wesentlichen gleichmäßig unter den zu hinterleuchtenden Bereichen der vorderen Halbschale (3) verteilt sind.

5. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte nach Anspruch 4, wobei die LEDs (14) auf einer Vorderseite einer oder mehrerer Trägerplatten (15) verteilt sind, die sich im Inneren des hinteren Gehäuses (2) befinden und dem/den transparenten oder halbtransparenten Bereich(en) der zu hinterleuchtenden vorderen Halbschale (3) zugewandt sind, so dass die einzelnen LEDs (14) das emittierte Licht auf die vordere Halbschale (3) richten können.

6. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Kollimatorgrundelemente linsenförmige Körper (16) sind, die jeweils vor einer entsprechenden LED (14) der plattenförmigen Lichtquelle (10) angeordnet sind.

7. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei die Kollimatorgrundelemente becherförmige Reflektorkörper (26) sind, die jeweils auf eine LED (14) der plattenförmigen Lichtquelle (10) aufgesetzt sind.

8. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, wobei sich die Kollimatorgrundelemente (16, 26) auf der Rückseite einer transparenten oder halbtransparenten Trägerplatte (17, 27) befinden, die sich innerhalb des hinteren Gehäuses (2) erstreckt und über das LCD-Panel (11) gestülpt ist.

9. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die elektronische Steuereinheit (12) dazu angepasst ist, das Ein- und Ausschalten der LEDs (14) so zu steuern, dass nur die LEDs (14) unterhalb der Bereiche des LCD-Panels (11), die momentan für Licht transparent sind, eingeschaltet werden.

10. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die LEDs (14) RGB-LEDs sind, die in der Lage sind, auf Befehl die Farbe des emittierten Lichts zu verändern, wobei die elektronische Steuereinheit (12) dazu ausgebildet ist, die einzelnen RGB-LEDs (14) so anzusteuern, dass die Farbe des von den einzelnen Bereichen der plattenförmigen Lichtquelle (10) emittierten Lichts variiert wird.

11. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte nach Anspruch 10, wobei die einzelnen Pixel des LCD-Panels (11) in drei oder mehr benachbarte Subpixel unterteilt sind, die in der Lage sind, das Licht unabhängig voneinander durchzulassen oder zu verhindern, und die mit farbigen Filtern versehen sind, die eine andere Farbe als die anderen haben; wobei die elektronische Steuereinheit (12) dazu geeignet ist, den transparenten oder undurchsichtigen Zustand der einzelnen Subpixel zu steuern, um so den Farbton/die Schattierung des Lichts zu variieren, das durch dasselbe Pixel des LCD-Panels (11) hindurchtritt.

12. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das LCD-Panel (11) eine TFT-Architektur aufweist.

13. Kraftfahrzeugleuchte nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Beleuchtungsanordnung (4) zusätzlich eine plattenförmige Abstandsmaske (18) umfasst, die zwischen der plattenförmigen Lichtquelle (10) und dem LCD-Panel (11) angeordnet ist und mit einer Reihe von Durchgangsöffnungen (19) versehen ist, von denen jede mit einem entsprechenden transparenten oder halbtransparenten Sektor (5, 6) der vorderen Halbschale (3) ausgerichtet ist.

Revendications

1. Feu automobile (1) comprenant : un boîtier arrière (2) sensiblement en forme de cuvette ; une demi-coque avant (3) qui est agencée pour fermer l'embouchure du boîtier arrière (2) et est pourvue d'une pluralité de secteurs (5, 6) transparents ou semi-transparents, chaque secteur (5, 6) étant associé à un signal lumineux spécifique ; et au moins un ensemble d'éclairage (4) qui émet de la lumière sur demande, et est localisé à l'intérieur du boîtier arrière (2) de façon à rétroéclairer sélectivement lesdits secteurs (5, 6) transparents ou semi-transparents de la demi-coque avant (3) séparément et indépendamment les uns des autres ;

dans lequel l'ensemble d'éclairage (4) comprend : une source de lumière de type plaque (10) alimentée électriquement qui émet de la lumière sur demande et est placée à l'intérieur du boîtier arrière (2) pour rétroéclairer en même temps ladite pluralité de secteurs (5, 6) transparents ou semi-transparents de la demi-coque avant (3) ; un écran LCD (11) qui s'étend à l'intérieur du boîtier arrière (2), à l'avant des secteurs (5, 6) transparents ou semi-transparents de la demi-coque avant (3), de façon à être croisé par la lumière émise par la source de lumière de type plaque (10) et dirigée en direction de la demi-coque avant (3), et est divisé en une multitude de pixels dont chacun est capable, sélectivement et alternativement, d'autoriser ou d'empêcher à la lumière de traverser le même pixel ; un dispositif de collimation multidirectionnelle (13) qui est placé à l'intérieur du boîtier arrière (2),

entre la source de lumière de type plaque (10) et l'écran LCD (11), et est conçu pour collimater la lumière émise par la source de lumière de type plaque (10) dans une pluralité de directions principales d'émission (d₀) convenablement inclinées les unes par rapport aux autres et dont chacune est associée de façon unique à un secteur transparent ou semi-transparent (5, 6) respectif de la demi-coque avant (3) ; et une unité de commande électronique (12) qui est conçue pour piloter l'écran LCD (11) afin de commander le passage de la lumière à travers les pixels uniques de l'écran LCD (11) de sorte que la source de lumière de type plaque (10) peut rétroéclairer sélectivement chaque secteur transparent ou semi-transparent (5, 6) de la demi-coque avant (3), ou une partie du même secteur transparent ou semi-transparent (5, 6), séparément et indépendamment des autres secteurs transparents ou semi-transparents (5, 6) ; dans lequel ladite source de lumière de type plaque (10) comprend une multitude de DEL (14) ou d'autres sources lumineuses ponctuelles alimentées électriquement, qui sont convenablement distribuées en dessous de la ou des zone(s) transparente(s) ou semi-transparente(s) de ladite demi-coque avant (3) à rétroéclairer, de façon à diriger la lumière émise en direction de cette(s) même(s) zone(s) transparente(s) ou semi-transparente(s) de ladite demi-coque avant (3) ; et dans lequel ledit dispositif de collimation multidirectionnelle (13) est conçu pour collimater la lumière émise par la source de lumière de type plaque (10) de sorte que le faisceau de lumière sortant de chaque secteur transparent ou semi-transparent (5, 6) de la demi-coque avant (3) a une composante majeure parallèle à la direction principale d'émission (d₀) correspondante, et une distribution angulaire prédéterminée de la lumière autour de ladite direction principale d'émission (d₀) conformément à des réglementations automobiles, et comprend une série d'éléments collimateurs de base (16, 26) qui sont localisés chacun au niveau d'une DEL (14) ou autre source lumineuse ponctuelle alimentée électriquement, respective, et sont structurés pour collimater les rayons lumineux sortant de cette même DEL (14) ou autre source lumineuse ponctuelle alimentée électriquement chacun dans une direction prédéterminée (dc) respective.

2. Feu automobile selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif de collimation multidirectionnelle (13) est conçu pour collimater la lumière sortant de la source de lumière de type plaque (10) de sorte que l'intensité de lumière du faisceau de lumière quittant chaque secteur transparent ou semi-transparent (5, 6) a une distribution angulaire sensiblement en forme de cloche autour de la direction principale d'émission (d₀) avec l'intensité maximale sur la direction principale d'émission (d₀).

3. Feu automobile selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel l'unité de commande électronique (12) est de plus conçue pour piloter la source de lumière de type plaque (10), de façon à activer la source de lumière de type plaque (10) uniquement lorsqu'un ou plusieurs pixels de l'écran LCD (11) sont transparents à la lumière venant de la source de lumière de type plaque (10).

4. Feu automobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdites DEL (14) sont distribuées de façon sensiblement uniforme en dessous des zones de la demi-coque avant (3) à rétroéclairer.

5. Feu automobile selon la revendication 4, dans lequel lesdites DEL (14) sont réparties sur une face avant d'une ou plusieurs cartes de support (15) qui sont localisées à l'intérieur du boîtier arrière (2), faisant face vers la ou les zone(s) transparente(s) ou semi-transparente(s) de la demi-coque avant (3) à rétroéclairer, de sorte que les DEL (14) uniques peuvent diriger la lumière émise en direction de la demi-coque avant (3).

6. Feu automobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les éléments collimateurs de base sont des corps lenticulaires (16) placés chacun devant une DEL (14) respective de la source de lumière de type plaque (10).

7. Feu automobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel les éléments collimateurs de base sont des corps réflecteurs (26) cupuliformes montés chacun sur une DEL (14) respective de la source de lumière de type plaque (10).

8. Feu automobile selon la revendication 6 ou 7, dans lequel les éléments collimateurs de base (16, 26) sont localisés sur la face arrière d'une carte de support transparente ou semi-transparente (17, 27) qui s'étend à l'intérieur du boîtier arrière (2), en rasant l'écran LCD (11).

9. Feu automobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'unité de commande électronique (12) est conçue pour commander l'allumage et l'extinction des DEL (14) de façon à allumer seulement les DEL (14) en dessous des zones de l'écran LCD (11) qui sont momentanément transparentes à la lumière.

10. Feu automobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les DEL (14) sont des DEL RVB capables de faire varier, sur demande, la couleur de la lumière émise ; l'unité de commande électronique (12) étant conçue pour piloter les uniques DEL (14) RVB de façon à faire varier la couleur de la lumière émise par les zones uniques de la source de lumière de type plaque (10).

11. Feu automobile selon la revendication 10, dans lequel les pixels uniques de l'écran LCD (11) sont divisés en trois sous-pixels adjacents ou plus, qui sont aptes à autoriser ou à empêcher à la lumière de traverser indépendamment les uns des autres, et sont pourvus de filtres de couleur ayant une couleur différente les uns par rapport aux autres ; l'unité de commande électronique (12) étant conçue pour commander l'état transparent ou opaque des sous-pixels uniques de façon à faire varier la teinte/nuance de la couleur de la lumière qui traverse ce même pixel de l'écran LCD (11).

12. Feu automobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'écran LCD (11) a une architecture TFT.

13. Feu automobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'ensemble d'éclairage (4) comprend en outre un masque espaceur de type plaque (18) qui est interposé entre la source de lumière de type plaque (10) et l'écran LCD (11), et est pourvu d'une série d'ouvertures traversantes (19) dont chacune est alignée, avec un secteur transparent ou semi-transparent (5, 6) respectif de la demi-coque avant (3).

Drawing