Abstract: An illumination apparatus (1) for producing structured light and flood illumination, the illumination apparatus comprising a microlens array (4) comprising microlenses which are arranged at a pitch P in at least a first direction, and a first array (18) of first light sources (9) and a second array (19) of second light sources (10), the first light sources (9) being configured to emit light at a wavelength L, wherein the first light sources (9) are located at a distance D from the microlens array (4), wherein P2=2LD/N and N is an integer, and wherein a size of the second light sources (10) is greater than a size of the first light sources (9), such that the light sources of the first array (18) produce structured light and the light sources of the second array (19) produce a continuous area of light.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus (1) for producing structured light and flood illumination, the illumination apparatus comprising a microlens array (4) comprising microlenses which are arranged at a pitch P in at least a first direction, and a first array (18) of first light sources (9) and a second array (19) of second light sources (10), the first light sources (9) being configured to emit light at a wavelength L, wherein the first light sources (9) are located at a distance D from the microlens array (4), wherein P2=2LD/N and N is an integer, and wherein a size of the second light sources (10) is greater than a size of the first light sources (9), such that the light sources of the first array (18) produce structured light and the light sources of the second array (19) produce a continuous area of light.

Abstract: A projection system for a vehicle, in particular for an ambient lighting device for generating a plurality of light cones for illuminating the ground in the surroundings of the vehicle, includes at least one light source and a microlens array. The microlens array includes an optical axis, a first portion with at least one first channel and a second portion with at least one second channel. The projection system includes an optical device that is provided downstream of the microlens array and is arranged at least in the area of the first portion, with the distance between the microlens array and the optical device being less than 20 mm.

Abstract: A projection system for a vehicle, in particular for an ambient lighting device for generating a plurality of light cones for illuminating the ground in the surroundings of the vehicle, includes at least one light source and a microlens array. The microlens array includes an optical axis, a first portion with at least one first channel and a second portion with at least one second channel. The projection system includes an optical device that is provided downstream of the microlens array and is arranged at least in the area of the first portion, with the distance between the microlens array and the optical device being less than 20 mm.

Abstract: In the present invention a new solar photovoltaic module is proposed comprising: a silicon based photovoltaic element; an intermediate layer deposited on said photovoltaic element to the incident light side; an interference filter deposited on the incident light side of said intermediate layer; a front element disposed on the incident light side of said interference filter.

Abstract: In the present invention a new solar photovoltaic module is proposed comprising: a silicon based photovoltaic element; an intermediate layer deposited on said photovoltaic element to the incident light side; an interference filter deposited on the incident light side of said intermediate layer; a front element disposed on the incident light side of said interference filter.

Abstract: Assembly element (18) made in a plate of brittle material, including an aperture (32) provided for the axial insertion of an arbour (26). The inner wall (33) of the aperture (32) includes elastic structures (34), which are etched into the plate and which each include at least one support surface (36) for gripping the arbour (26) radially in order to secure the assembly element (18) relative to the arbour (26). The assembly element (18) includes a first series (S1) of elastic structures (34) etched in a top layer (39) of the plate and a second series (S2) of elastic structures (34) etched in a bottom layer (41) of the plate. A timepiece may be fitted with this assembly element.

Abstract: Assembly element made in a plate of brittle material, such as silicon, in particular for a timepiece, including an aperture provided for the axial insertion of an arbour, the inner wall of the aperture including elastic structures which are etched into the plate and which each include at least one support surface for gripping the arbour radially in order to secure the assembly element relative to the arbour. Each elastic structure is formed by a fork which is connected to the inner wall of the aperture by a bridge of material and which includes two branches extending, on either side of the bridge of material, generally towards the arbour. Each branch includes a support surface in proximity to the free end thereof. The invention also proposes a timepiece fitted with an assembly element of this type.

Abstract: Assembly element (18) made in a plate of brittle material, including an aperture (32) provided for the axial insertion of an arbour (26), the inner wall (33) of the aperture (32) including elastic structures (34), which are etched into the plate to grip the arbour (26) radially. Each elastic structure (34) includes a first rectilinear elastic strip (L1) which extends along a tangential direction relative to the arbour (26). According to the invention, each elastic structure (34) is formed by a radial stack of several parallel elastic strips.

Abstract: Assembly element (18) made in a plate of brittle material, such as silicon, in particular for a timepiece (10), including an aperture (32) provided for the axial insertion of an arbour (26), the inner wall (33) of the aperture (32) including elastic structures (34) which are etched into the plate and which each include at least one support surface (36, 38) for gripping the arbour (26) radially in order to secure the assembly element (18) relative to the arbour (26). Each elastic structure (34) is formed by a fork which is connected to the inner wall (33) of the aperture by a bridge of material (40) and which includes two branches (42, 44) extending, on either side of the bridge of material (40), generally towards the arbour (26). Each branch (42, 44) includes a support surface (36, 38) in proximity to the free end (46, 48) thereof. The invention also proposes a timepiece fitted with an assembly element (18) of this type.

Abstract: Assembly element (18) made in a plate of brittle material, including an aperture (32) provided for the axial insertion of an arbour (26). The inner wall (33) of the aperture (32) includes elastic structures (34), which are etched into the plate and which each include at least one support surface (36) for gripping the arbour (26) radially in order to secure the assembly element (18) relative to the arbour (26). The assembly element (18) includes a first series (S1) of elastic structures (34) etched in a top layer (39) of the plate and a second series (S2) of elastic structures (34) etched in a bottom layer (41) of the plate. A timepiece may be fitted with this assembly element.

Abstract: Assembly element (18) made in a plate of brittle material, including an aperture (32) provided for the axial insertion of an arbour (26), the inner wall (33) of the aperture (32) including elastic structures (34), which are etched into the plate to grip the arbour (26) radially. Each elastic structure (34) includes a first rectilinear elastic strip (L1) which extends along a tangential direction relative to the arbour (26). According to the invention, each elastic structure (34) is formed by a radial stack of several parallel elastic strips. The invention also proposes a timepiece fitted with this assembly element (18).

Abstract: An illumination unit is suggested in which at least one light selecting element (20) is disposed between and assigned to a primary illumination light providing portion (10) and a secondary illumination light providing portion (30). Said light selecting element (20) is simultaneously adapted to select one or a plurality of predefined spectral components (B) or of one and/or a plurality of predefined polarization components from incident primary illumination light (L1) and to thereby generate secondary illumination light (L2) to be irradiated.

Abstract: An optical device (20) is provided using at least one film (23) of cholesteric liquid crystal to reflect at least one predetermined wavelength band from an incident light. This device is characterized in that a non zero birefringence gradient is present in a portion or the entire thickness of said film. The gradient may be obtained in particular by superposing layers (24a-24j) having increasing or decreasing respective birefringence coefficients. The birefringence gradient has the effect of removing the lateral bands of the reflection spectrum, hence making the color of the reflected light more brilliant and more saturated. The effect is particularly advantageous in the case of the color red, for which the lateral band located on the yellow side is perceived strongly by the human eye.