FR3075923A1 - SEGMENTED LIGHT BEAM DELIVERING LIGHTING FUNCTIONS - Google Patents

Abstract

A motor vehicle light device configured for projecting a segmented light beam, the device being oriented along an optical axis and comprising: - an optical projection system; a segmented light source comprising light sectors and cooperating with the optical system to form a segmented light beam; wherein the light distribution of the segmented light beam comprises at least six light segments which are distributed over at least two rows and at most three rows, the rows being parallel to the horizontal axis (XX ') and located in a first area between -1 ° D and 1 ° U relative to the horizontal axis (XX '), including terminals, a height of the rows of light segments being between 0.2 ° and 1 ° inclusive.

Description

SEGMENTED LIGHT BEAM CARRYING OUT LIGHTING FUNCTIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the field of projection of a segmented light beam by a light device of a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND

The projection of a light beam by a motor vehicle light device conventionally makes it possible to illuminate the road with global lighting and thus to increase visibility in the event of darkness, for example at night. This allows safe driving of the vehicle.

Recent developments in the field of these light devices make it possible to produce a segmented light beam to achieve this lighting. With such a light beam, the light device can also perform localized lighting functions, for example projecting a pattern onto the scene. Such functions are known in the field of adaptive lighting or ADB acronym for “adaptive driving beam”). For example, glare-free lighting is known, consisting for example of darkening an area corresponding to a vehicle coming from the front so as not to dazzle this other user. We also know the bend lighting function or DBL (acronym for English dynamic bending light) which modifies the illuminated area of the scene when the vehicle has a direction which is not straight, for example in a bend or in a road intersection.

In addition to these driving assistance functions, the light devices of a motor vehicle must of course provide conventional lighting functions, and in particular a high beam function also denoted HB (acronym for “high beam”), a low beam function noted LB (acronym of English "low beam"). These HB and LB functions are used in combination with the driver assistance functions. However, these HB and LB functions are regulated, for example by ECE regulations. In particular, the regulations require that the light beam of the LB function include a cut line comprising an oblique zone; the upper part of the oblique zone is called "shoulder" and the lower part of the oblique zone is called "kink". Above the cut-off line little or no light can be emitted. Below the cut-off line, light is emitted.

In order to obtain a segmented beam respecting this cut-off line, light devices are known in which the light segments contributing to the cut-off line of the segmented beam are positioned obliquely in order to create the "kink" and the "shoulder" . This solution is however not satisfactory because it requires the manufacture of specific light sources.

Light devices are also known in which the light segments contributing to the cut line of the segmented beam have a geometric shape adapted to create the "kink" and the "shoulder"; for example the segments have a shape of parallelogram. This solution is however not satisfactory because it requires the manufacture of light segments having a particular geometry.

Light devices are also known in which the optical projection system at the output from which the light beam is projected creates the cut-off line. The manufacture of such an optical system is complex, and does not make it difficult or difficult to combine the light beam thus created with driving assistance functions.

In this context, there is a need to improve the projection of a light beam segmented by a motor vehicle light device, which makes it possible to perform ADB and DBL functions with a number of light segments which remains less than a thousand, preferably of the order of a few hundred segments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For this, a motor vehicle light device for projecting a segmented light beam is proposed, as well as a motor vehicle light device configured for projecting a segmented light beam. This motor vehicle light device configured for the projection of a segmented light beam, the device being oriented along an optical axis and comprising: - an optical projection system; - a segmented light source comprising light sectors and cooperating with the optical system to form a segmented light beam; in which the light distribution of the segmented light beam measured on a screen placed perpendicular to the optical axis and comprising a horizontal axis (XX ') intersecting with the optical axis comprises at least six light segments which are distributed over at least two rows and at most three rows, the rows being parallel to the horizontal axis (XX ') and located in a first zone between -1 ° D and 1 ° U with respect to the horizontal axis (XX1), terminals included, a height of the rows of light segments being between 0.2 ° and 1 °, terminals included.

According to different embodiments, any combination of at least one of the following characteristics can be implemented - the optical system is capable of blurring the segmented light beam with a gradient value between 0.13 and 0.4, limits included . - the gradient value is at most equal to 0.3 if the number of rows is equal to two. - the gradient value is at most equal to 0.4 if the number of rows is equal to three. - the rows are located in a first zone between -0.57 ° D and 1 ° U relative to the horizontal axis XX ', terminals included. - the height of the rows is between 0.4 ° and 0.6 °, terminals included. a primary optical system is arranged between the segmented light source and the projection optical system, the primary optical system being provided with a plurality of converging optics, at least one converging optic being associated with one or more light sectors of the source light. the distribution comprises a second zone which comprises at least one light segment, the said second zone being contiguous to the first zone. the distribution further comprises a third zone which comprises at least one light segment, the said third zone being contiguous to the first zone and to the second zone. - The density of light segments of the second zone is less than the density of light segments of the first zone. the density of light segments of the third zone is less than the density of light segments of the first zone and is greater than the density of light segments of the second zone. - the light segments of the segmented light distribution are quadrangles at right angles and form a grid of light segments. - the light segments of the first zone are capable of performing a low beam function by being configured such that: - for a first row which has the lowest position relative to the horizontal axis (XX '), n segments luminous neighbors of the first row have a lower light intensity than that of the other luminous segments of the first row, one of the n luminous segments being situated at the edge of the first row; - For a second row close to the first row, n + 1 light segments have a lower light intensity than that of the other light segments of the second row, one of the n + 1 light segments being located at the edge of the second row; and - if the light device comprises a third row adjacent to the second row, n + 2 light segments have a lower light intensity than that of the other light segments of the third row, one of the n + 2 light segments being situated on the edge of the third row; with n which is a natural whole number. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle light projector comprising a light device according to one of the preceding characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Different embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an example of a segmented light source;

Figures 2 to 4 show examples of segmented light distribution of the light device according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows an example of a segmented light distribution according to the invention obtained with a light device configured to perform a low beam function;

Figures 6 to 9 show examples of the low beam light beam obtained at the output of the light device according to the invention;

Figures 10 to 12 show examples of configuration of the light segments of light distributions according to the invention;

Figure 13 shows an example of a regulatory cut-off line; and Figure 14 shows an example of a device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The motor vehicle can be any type of land vehicle, for example an automobile (car), a motorcycle, or a truck. The vehicle can be fitted with one or more front headlamps and / or one or more rear headlamps. One or more of the front and / or rear headlights may each include one or more light device (s) each configured to project a segmented light beam. The projection of a segmented light beam is of particular interest when carried out by a headlight light device.

For a given light device, the projection is made on a scene, or "road scene", which is the environment of the vehicle capable of being illuminated by the light device.

The light device can perform a global lighting function on at least part of the scene. The part of the scene thus lit by the overall lighting can correspond to a driving field of vision, made visible or more visible to the driver in order to facilitate driving. The overall lighting can thus be, for example, a high beam function or a low beam function. The global lighting can be regulatory, that is to say it can meet a national or community regulation setting a photometric grid to be respected. The regulation can for example be the regulation ECE R98, R112, R113 or R123.

In particular, the regulations require that the lighting includes a cut-off line when the light device produces lighting of the low beam type. The cut-off line in the ECE R112 regulation has two substantially horizontal axes connected by an oblique zone; the upper part of the oblique zone is generally called "shoulder" and the lower part of the oblique zone is called "kink". Above the cut line, little or no light is emitted, and the light is emitted below the cut line. FIG. 13 shows an example of a cutoff line 130 of a light distribution 52: it is composed of two half-lines linked together by an oblique segment 132. The “kink” 136 is formed by the lowest half-line and the oblique segment, and the "shoulder" 134 is formed by the highest half-line and the oblique segment.

A segmented light beam is in known manner a light beam subdivided into elementary light beams each corresponding to a light segment, also called "pixels". The subdivision can be arbitrary, for example forming a grid having an azimuth dimension and a dimension in depth (or distance) relative to the position of the vehicle. Each segment is individually controllable by the light device to a extent allowing at least one motif to be projected onto the scene.

Each segment of the segmented light beam projects onto a corresponding area of the scene. The light device can individually control the light intensity of the light source of each segment of the segmented light beam, thereby individually controlling the illumination of each segment of the scene. The light device can divide the scene into more than 10 segments, more than 50 segments, or, for a projection implementing advanced lighting functions, more than 500 segments up to 800 segments.

A light distribution can have the function of avoiding the glare of another user or of the driver by darkening an area of the scene corresponding to this other user and / or to a reflective panel. Thanks to this, the light device can for example operate continuously in high beam, the light device ensuring the darkening of the segments concerned as soon as another vehicle and / or a reflective panel comes from the front. This ensures high driving comfort and visibility and therefore increases safety.

Another distribution can be applied in a cornering driving situation, with displacement of the maximum intensity of the projected beam and in particular of a beam of low beam in the direction of driving.

A segmented light beam can be projected by a light device comprising a segmented light source. The light source is able to cooperate with an optical system (integrated into the device or not) arranged to project onto the road a segmented light beam emitted by the segmented light source. A segmented light source is a light source divided into several units of light sources or light emitters which can be individually controlled. Each segment of light emitted by the segmented light source, and therefore each unit of light source, can correspond to a segment of the projected segmented light beam. Thus, the light intensity of each light emitter of the segmented light source and therefore the illumination of each segment of the scene can be controlled individually.

The segmented light source may include a matrix of light source units. The matrix can include a multitude of light emitters in a plane. In the case of a light source comprising a matrix of light emitters and cooperating with an optical system, the optical system may have a focusing zone coincident with the plane of the matrix of light emitters, that is to say say confused with the segmented light source.

The segmented light source can be an electroluminescent source. An electroluminescent source is a light source which comprises at least one electroluminescent element. Examples of the light emitting element include the light emitting diode or LED (acronym for "Light Emitting Diode"), the organic light emitting diode or OLED (acronym for "Organic Light-Emitting Diode"), or the polymer light emitting diode or PLED (English acronym for "Polymer Light-Emitting Diode"). The segmented light source can be a semiconductor light source. Each electroluminescent element or group of electroluminescent elements can form an illumination segment and can emit light when its or their material is supplied with electricity. The electroluminescent elements can each be semiconductor, that is to say that they each comprise at least one semiconductor material. The electroluminescent elements can be mainly made of semiconductor material. We can therefore speak of an illumination segment when an electroluminescent element or group of electroluminescent elements forming a sector of the segmented light source emits light. The electroluminescent elements can be located on the same substrate, for example deposited on the substrate or obtained by growth and extend from the substrate. The substrate can be predominantly made of semiconductor material. The substrate may include one or more other materials, for example non-semiconductors.

The segmented light source can be a monolithic semiconductor electroluminescent. The source can for example be a monolithic matrix, that is to say a source in which the electroluminescent elements are epitaxied on the same substrate. The light source may for example be a monolithic array of LEDs (translation of the English term "monolithic array of LEDs"). A monolithic matrix implemented in the invention comprises at least 50 electroluminescent elements located on the same substrate (for example on the same face of the substrate), for example more than 100 and at most 800, preferably at most 500. The substrate may include sapphire and / or silicon. The electroluminescent elements of the monolithic matrix can be separated from each other by lines (called “lanes” in English) or streets (called “streets” in English). The monolithic matrix can therefore form a grid of light sectors. A monolithic source can be a source having a high density of light sectors. The density of light sectors can be greater than or equal to 400 light sectors per square centimeter (cm2). In other words, the distance between the center of a first light sector and the center of a second light sector close to the first may be equal to or less than 500 micrometers (pm). This distance is also called "pixel pitch" in English.

In a first configuration, corresponding in particular to the case of a monolithic matrix of LEDs, each of the electroluminescent elements of the matrix may be electrically independent of the others and may or may not emit light independently of the other elements of the matrix. Each electroluminescent element can thus form a light segment of the segmented light beam. Such a light source makes it possible to achieve a high resolution (more than 100 segments to 800 segments) relatively simply.

The segmented light source can be coupled to a unit for controlling the light emission of the segmented light source. The control unit can thus control (control) the generation (for example the emission) and / or the projection of a light beam segmented by the light device. The control unit can be integrated into the light device. The control unit can be mounted on the light source, the assembly thus forming a light module. The control unit may include a processor (or CPU acronym for “Central Processing Unit”, literally “central processing unit”) which is coupled with a memory on which is stored a computer program which includes instructions allowing the processor to perform steps generating signals allowing the control of the light source so as to execute the method. The control unit can thus for example individually control the light emission of each light sector or electroluminescent emitter of a segmented light source. The control unit can form an electronic device capable of controlling electroluminescent elements. The control unit can be an integrated circuit. An integrated circuit, also called an electronic chip, is an electronic component reproducing one or more electronic functions and capable of integrating several types of basic electronic components, for example in a reduced volume (i.e. on a small plate). This makes the circuit easy to implement. The integrated circuit can for example be an ASIC or an ASSP. An ASIC (acronym for "Application-Specific Integrated Circuit") is an integrated circuit developed for at least one specific application (that is to say for a client). An ASIC is therefore a specialized integrated circuit (micro-electronics). In general, it combines a large number of unique or tailor-made functionalities. An ASSP (acronym for “Application Specifies Standard Product”) is an integrated electronic circuit (microelectronics) grouping together a large number of functions to satisfy a generally standardized application. An ASIC is designed for a more specific (specific) need than an ASSP. The supply of electricity to the electroluminescent source, and therefore to the electroluminescent elements is carried out via the electronic device, itself supplied with electricity using for example using at least one connector connecting it to a source of electricity. The electronic device then supplies the electroluminescent elements with electricity. The electronic device is thus able to control the electroluminescent elements.

Examples of the light device according to the invention are now discussed with reference to the figures.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic example of a light device used to produce a segmented light beam according to the invention.

The light device comprises a segmented light source 22, for example that illustrated in FIG. 1. The light source 22 is in the form of a matrix of light sources. This matrix includes a multitude of light sectors 23 located in a plane n which extends in two directions. The light sectors 23 can have different sizes or the same size. The light sectors 23 can be aligned horizontally along the axis X'X and / or vertically along the axis Y'Y. The axis X'X is horizontal with respect to the light device, which is itself (substantially) horizontal with respect to the vehicle on which the light device is installed. Here, the term horizontal therefore designates an orientation parallel to a straight plane defined by the position of the vehicle on the terrestrial surface on which it rests.

Still in the example of Figure 14, the light device comprises an optical projection system 14 with an optical axis x. The projection optical system can be a projection lens or a reflector, and is arranged downstream of the light source in the direction of projection of the light beam; the projection system is capable of projecting a segmented light beam from images of the segmented light source. In other words, the segmented light source which includes the light sectors cooperates with the projection optical system to form a segmented light beam. For example, this cooperation may be that the optical projection system focuses on the plane which contains the light source, or on images (real or virtual) of the light source.

The light device can also comprise a primary optical system 15 which is arranged between the segmented light source 22 and the projection optical system 14. The primary optical system which is provided with a plurality of converging optics. Each converging optic of the primary optical system forms an image of a light segment of the segmented source. One or more converging optics is associated with each electroluminescent element. The association can be exclusive, that is to say that the optic or optics are responsible for converging light from a single electroluminescent element. Preferably, an optic is associated with an electroluminescent element. The converging optics form an image of the electroluminescent element with which it is associated. The image formed is preferably a virtual image. The creation of a real image can also be considered.

The converging optics of the primary optical system can be converging microlenses of millimeter or submillimetric dimensions. The primary optical system has the function of transmitting light rays from the light sectors of the segmented light source so that, combined with projection means, here under an optical projection system, the beam projected outside the device, by example on the road, be homogeneous. In one example, the input diopters of the converging optics have a convex surface, that is to say that they are curved outwards, in the direction of the light sectors 23. The surface could however be planar, planar convex or concave-convex. The primary optical system may further include a single output diopter for all of the input diopters. The output diopter provides optical correction of the beam transmitted to the projection lens. The correction is used in particular to improve the optical efficiency of the device and to correct the optical aberrations of the optical projection system. The primary optical system may include an output diopter for each input diopter. The primary optical system then forms a set of bi-convex lenses, each microlens being arranged in front of the segmented light source. The primary optical system 4 can be a matrix of microlenses. However, the microlens does not allow the overall transmitted beam to be corrected, like a primary optical system which would be provided with a single output diopter. However, the correction of the overall beam can be carried out by the projection system. Microlenses have the advantage of providing better homogeneity of virtual images and less distortion of images. The microlenses have an angle of collection of the emitted light which must be maximum so that they recover all the light even emitted with a large angle of emission. The collection angle can preferably be between 30 ° and 70 °, terminals included.

The projection optical system is preferably not very sensitive to defects in the construction of a primary optical system which can be interposed between the light source and the projection system. If the optical projection system is focused on the surface of the diopters, it is this surface which is imaged and therefore all of its production defects which are made visible, which can generate homogeneity or chromaticism defects in the light beam. projected. Furthermore, still in the case where the projection optical system is focused on the surface of the diopters, the projection optical system preserves the segmentation of the light source, that is to say that the geometry of each light sector is preserved . In other words, if the light sectors have a square shape, then the optical projection system projects light squares. In order to smooth the defects and the geometry of the light sectors, the optical projection system may be able to blur the segmented light beam which it emits. Blurring means that the projection optical system introduces into the light beam a lack of sharpness of the contours or edges of the images of the light segments of the source which are projected. This degree of blurring is determined by a value of a contrast gradient in the beam on either side of a cut edge as a function of the positioning in degrees relative to this cut C. The gradient used corresponds to the formula following: G = log (l (o) - log (l (C + o, i ")) where l (o is the light intensity in the beam measured on a screen placed 25 m from a given point C at proximity of a cut, and (Ι (ε + ο, ι-)) is the light intensity in the beam on the other side of this cut, at a distance increased by 0.1 degree on an axis perpendicular to said cut.

The characteristics of blurring created by the optical projection system are discussed below.

In the example of Figure 14, a first group of light sectors G1 of the matrix is intended to project global lighting and a second group of light sectors G2 is intended to form a pattern, a cut line when the device Figure 14 should illuminate in low beam mode. Each light emitter 23 can be controlled individually, consequently the light intensity and the illumination can be controlled in all or nothing or in a linear fashion. The light source 22 is associated with an optical system 14 for projecting light onto the stage. The optical system 14 has in this example a focusing zone coincident with the plane n of the light emitter matrix.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic example of a light module comprising a segmented light source 22 comprising a plurality of light emitters 23. The light device according to the invention can comprise such a light module. The light module 20 of the example of FIG. 1 comprises a monolithic electroluminescent source 22, a printed circuit or PCB 25 (from the “Printed Circuit Board”) which supports the source 22 and a control unit 27 which controls the electroluminescent elements 23 of the monolithic light source 22. Any support other than a PCB can be envisaged. The control unit 27 can be at any other location, even outside the light module 20. The control unit Y1 is represented in the form of an ASIC, but other types of control unit can implement the functions of the light module.

According to a variant, the light device according to the invention comprises a segmented light source which comprises at least six emitters or light sectors which are distributed over at least two rows and at most three rows. For example, if the segmented light source comprises two rows, each row will preferably have at least 3 emitters per row; if the segmented light source comprises three rows, each row will preferably have at least 2 emitters per row.

Figures 2 to 4 show examples of segmented light distributions 52 according to the invention, seen in projection on a screen, which include two areas. The first zone, shown in gray, comprises at least two and at most three rows of light segments 53. A second zone, which includes at least one light segment, is attached to the first zone. Joining means that the zones are located one against the other, at least in part. The rows of the first area are parallel to the horizontal axis (XX1). All the rows in the first zone are therefore mutually parallel. The light segments of the light distribution form a regular matrix in which the light segments are right angle quadrilaterals, here squares. It is understood that the light segments could have another geometry, for example they can be rectangular.

The first zone is between -1 degree (also noted -1 ° D for "Down") and 1 degree (also noted + 1 ° U for "Up") relative to the horizontal axis (XX1). [In other words, the sides of the light segments have an ordinate on the axis (YY '), the axis (YY') being perpendicular to the axis (XX '), which is between -1 ° ( degree) and + 1 ° (degree), limits included. The axes XX 'and YY' are graduated in degrees.

The height, denoted h, of the rows of segments is between 0.2 ° and 1 °.

In the example of Figures 2 to 4, the segments are square and have sides with a length of 0.5 °. They are arranged in a regular pattern called a grid of light segments, or a two-dimensional array of light segments.

In Figure 2, the first area includes two rows of segments arranged on either side of the axis (XX '), and has a height h of 1 °.

In FIG. 3, the highest row of the first zone comprises luminous segments 53 square with sides of 0.5 °. The lowest row comprises rectangular light segments with sides parallel to the axis XX 'which have a length of 0.5 °, and sides parallel to the axis YY' which have a length of 0.2 °. The height h is therefore equal to 0.7 °.

In FIG. 4, the first zone comprises three rows of rectangular light segments with sides parallel to the axis XX '(one could say horizontal sides) which have a length of 0.5 ° and sides parallel to the axis YY 'which have a length of 0.2 °. The height h is therefore equal to 0.6 °.

Preferably, the first zone is between -0.57 ° D and 1 ° U relative to the horizontal axis XX ', limits included ,. The horizontal axis XX 'and the vertical axis YY' intersect at a point denoted O through which the optical axis of the optical projection system passes. In this way, the first zone extends on either side of the optical center of the optical projection system, which makes it possible to have sharper segments at the center of the beam than at its ends.

The segmented light distribution according to the invention therefore comprises at least a first zone which comprises two or three of rows of segments which are horizontal. The light distribution may further include a second area with at least one light segment. This second zone is contiguous to the first, that is to say that the two zones are side by side over at least a given length. In the examples of Figures 2 to 4, the light distribution comprises a second area (which is not grayed out in the figures) which is located on either side of the first area. In practice, the second zone has a density of segments which is lower than the first zone. Indeed, the segments of the first zone are the segments which are used to implement the regulatory cut-off line comprising an oblique zone, and moreover the first zone is the zone which must emit the greatest amount of light intensity whatever or the lighting mode of the device.

Figure 5 illustrates an example in which the segments of the first zone perform a low beam function. The dipped beam function is implemented by configuring the segments so that they form a cut line. The cut-off line is created by varying the light intensity of the segments from one row to another. For this, a number n of segments of the lowest row relative to the axis XX 'are little or not bright so that their lowest horizontal sides relative to the horizontal axis XX' serve as a line carrying the "Kink" of the cut line. The other row or rows have at least one additional segment which is dim or not bright, and the highest horizontal sides of the segments of the highest row serve as a line carrying the "shoulder" of the cut line. The expressions "lowest", "lowest", "highest", "highest" are defined in relation to the frame of reference introduced by the axes XX 'and YY'. Thus, the “lowest”, “the lowest” relate to the elements having the smallest positive ordinate or the largest negative ordinate on the axis YY '; the “highest”, “the highest” concern the elements having the largest positive ordinate or the smallest negative ordinate on the axis YY '.

In FIG. 5, the lowest row 30 or first row, that is to say the one with the largest negative ordinate on the vertical axis YY ′, has a number n of neighboring light segments which have a lower light intensity than that of the other light segments of this same first row. The darkest segments represent those with the highest light intensity. At least one of these n light segments being located at the edge of the row, the leftmost in the figure. In FIG. 5, the eight neighboring segments starting from the left have a lower light intensity than the eight neighboring segments which end the row; for example, the eight neighbors from the left can be turned off, and the next eight can be turned on at full intensity. The lowest side of these n neighboring light segments which have a lower light intensity therefore serves as a half-line which carries the part of the cut line called “kink” 136. Here, the term “neighbor” designates two segments having at least one common side.

The row next to the first row is called the second row 32. In the example in FIG. 2, n + 1 light segments have a lower light intensity than that of the other light segments of the second row, one of the n + 1 segments bright being located at the edge of the row.

If the light distribution according to the invention comprises a third row, which is in the example of FIG. 5 the highest row 33, n + 2 light segments have a lower light intensity than that of the other light segments of the third row, one of the n + 2 light segments being located at the edge of the row. The highest side of these n + 2 neighboring light segments which have a higher light intensity therefore serves as a half-line which carries the part of the cut line called "shoulder" 134.

Thus, the diagonal 132 of the cut-off area 130 is obtained by creating an offset from one row to another between the segments having a lower light intensity and those having a higher light intensity.

The number n of segments is a natural whole number. The segments of the first zone, which have a lower light intensity, preferably have the same first light intensity, e.g. they are all extinct. Conversely, the segments of the first zone, which have a higher light intensity, preferably have a variable light intensity according to their positioning with respect to the oblique cut: they will be more intense in the immediate vicinity and their intensity will decrease as we move away horizontally from the oblique cut.

According to a first variant, as illustrated, the segments of the first zone are all of the same width.

According to another variant, the segments of the different rows have widths which are multiples of each other, with the widest segments on the bottom line. In this configuration, the edges of the segments remain aligned in multiples between each row: if a lower segment is twice the width of the two segments of the row located just above, then, the right outer edge will be aligned with that of the segment at - above right and the left edge with that of the second segment.

Still with reference to FIG. 5, the segmented light distribution 52 comprises a second zone (shown in gray) which is contiguous to the first zone. More specifically, the second zone includes three rows of sixteen segments located above the second zone and two rows of sixteen segments located under the second zone. The term "above" means that the sides of the light segments have an ordinate on the vertical axis (YY ') which is greater than or equal to those of the segments of the first zone, and the term "below" means that the sides of the light segments have a negative ordinate on the vertical axis (YY ') which is greater than or equal to those of the segments of the first zone. The segments of the part of the second zone situated above the first will preferably have, when the segments of the first zone perform a dipped beam function, a light intensity substantially equal to that of the segments of the first zone having l lowest light intensity. Conversely, the segments of the part of the second zone situated below the first zone will preferably have, when the segments of the first zone perform a dipped beam function, a light intensity substantially equal to that of the segments of the first area with the strongest light intensity.

Figures 10 to 12 illustrate examples in which the segmented light distribution comprises three zones: a first segment zone which extends along the horizontal axis (XX ′) as previously discussed, a second zone contiguous to the first, and a third zone which is contiguous with the first and the second zones. We can say that the third zone is included in the first and second zones.

In FIG. 10, the first zone is shown without gray and is similar to those described in FIGS. 4 and 5, with however in this example a number n of segments on each of the three rows which is greater. The third zone is located above the first and has a segment density which is three times lower than that of the first zone. The third zone is adjacent (that is to say contiguous) to the first and second zones. The second zone is attached in this example to the first zone, but also to the second zone. The second zone has a density of segments which is lower than that of the first and third zone. The first zone and third zone constitute the corresponding part of the matrix of which the light emitted by the segments is that which illuminates the most important part of the scene from the point of view of the driver, for example the part of the road on which the vehicle. For this reason, they have the highest density of segments. These are also the two zones for which driving aid functions are preferably implemented, and the higher density of segments makes it possible to implement them with finer granularity.

In FIG. 11, the first zone is represented in black, the second and the third zone are represented in gray level, the third zone being darker than the second. Again, the first and third zones have a higher density of segments because they include the segments having a predominant part in correct illumination of the scene from the point of view of a driver. For the second zone, the density of segments is lower.

Figure 12 is similar to Figure 11, but differs in that the first zone includes a greater number of segments per row, and the third zone does not extend all along the first zone. The second zone is similar to that of Figure 11. As the first zone extends over a greater distance (between -10 ° and + 17 °) along the horizontal axis XX ', the help functions to the pipe can be implemented over a greater part of the light beam emitted by the device according to the invention.

Figures 6 to 9 show examples of light beams emitted by the device according to the invention when the latter implements a dipped beam function. In Figures 6 and 7, the first area includes two rows of segments, and three rows of segments in Figures 8 and 9. In these four figures, the projection optical system blurs the segmented light beam at the output of the light device; the segmented light beam is blurred with a gradient value between 0.13 and 0.4 bars included. The blurring performed by the optical projection system advantageously makes it possible to smooth the aliasing at the level of the diagonal of the cutting zone so that the segments are no longer visible. A diagonal cutout is thus obtained with a reduced number of light emitters without the aliasing being visible to the driver.

In practice, better results are obtained with a gradient value which is less than or equal to 0.3 for a number of rows which is equal to two, and for a gradient value which is less than or equal to 0.4 if the number of row of the first zone is equal to three.

The first zone of the light distribution according to the invention makes it possible to implement a cut-off line when for example the light device is configured to light the scene in the low beam (or LB) mode. Two of the sides of the light segments are oriented horizontally, and the other two sides are oriented vertically. This arrangement of the segments makes it possible to implement a driving assistance function of the ADB type in which the projected pattern, a tunnel in which the scene is less bright, retains straight edges. The driver is less embarrassed, and the safety of the vehicle is therefore improved. In addition, as a function of dynamic cornering lighting, the oblique cut-off can be offset by simply controlling the supply of the sectors of the segmented light source, without resorting to mechanical systems.

Claims (14)

1. Motor vehicle light device configured for the projection of a segmented light beam, the device being oriented along an optical axis and comprising: - an optical projection system; - a segmented light source comprising light sectors and cooperating with the optical system to form a segmented light beam; in which the light distribution of the segmented light beam measured on a screen placed perpendicular to the optical axis and comprising a horizontal axis (XX ') intersecting with the optical axis comprises at least six light segments which are distributed over at least two rows and at most three rows, the rows being parallel to the horizontal axis (XX ') and located in a first zone between -1 ° D and 1 ° U with respect to the horizontal axis (XX1), terminals included, a height of the rows of light segments being between 0.2 ° and 1 °, terminals included. 2. A light device according to claim 1, in which the optical system is capable of blurring the segmented light beam with a contrast gradient value between 0.13 and 0.4, limits included. 3. The luminous device according to claim 2, in which the gradient value is at most equal to 0.3 if the number of rows is equal to two. 4. Light device according to claim 2, in which the gradient value is at most equal to 0.4 if the number of rows is equal to three. 5. Light device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rows are located in a first zone between -0.57 ° D and 1 ° U relative to the horizontal axis XX ', terminals included. 6. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the height of the rows is between 0.4 ° and 0.6 °, terminals included. 7. Light device according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a primary optical system arranged between the segmented light source and the projection optical system, the primary optical system being provided with a plurality of converging optics, at least one converging optic being associated with one or more light sectors of the light source. 8. Light device according to one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a second zone which comprises at least one light segment, said second zone being contiguous to the first zone. 9. The light device according to claim 8, further comprising a third zone which comprises at least one light segment, said third zone being contiguous to the first zone and to the second zone. 10. Light device according to one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the density of light segments of the second area is less than density of light segments of the first area. 11. The light device according to claim 10 combined with claim 9, wherein the density of light segments of the third zone is less than the density of light segments of the first zone and is greater than the density of light segments of the second zone . 12. Light device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the light segments of the segmented light distribution are quadrilaterals at right angles and form a grid of light segments. 13. Luminous device according to one of claims 5 to 12, in which the luminous segments of the first zone are capable of performing a dipped beam function by being configured such as: - for a first row which has the most position low in relation to the horizontal axis (XX '), n neighboring light segments of the first row have a lower light intensity than that of the other light segments of the first row, one of the n light segments being located at the edge of the first row; - For a second row close to the first row, n + 1 light segments have a lower light intensity than that of the other light segments of the second row, one of the n + 1 light segments being located at the edge of the second row; and - if the light device comprises a third row adjacent to the second row, n + 2 light segments have a lower light intensity than that of the other light segments of the third row, one of the n + 2 light segments being situated on the edge of the third row; with n which is a natural whole number. 14. Motor vehicle light projector comprising a light device according to one of claims 1 to 13.