Body element with integrated lighting for a motor vehicle and vehicle having such an element

Abstract

The invention relates to a body element for a motor vehicle, comprising a wall (1), the wall having a diffusion area (11) on a first surface thereof, the diffusion area diffusing light emitted by at least one light source arranged opposite the first surface; the wall (1) also comprising a light shielding area (12) on a second surface thereof, characterized in that the shielding area (12) is separated by a spacing space (10) forming the light diffusion area (12). The invention also relates to a vehicle having the body element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a body element with integrated lighting for a motor vehicle and to a vehicle having such an element.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a diffusion device integrated into a vehicle body and allowing light signals or lighting signals according to different lighting modes. Background Art

[0003] There are already many lighting devices and / or signaling devices installed on motor vehicles.

[0004] These devices are mandatory and usually consist of a light source (incandescent, LED, xenon, etc.) housed in an internal compartment of the vehicle body, which is separated from the outside by a wall of transparent or translucent material. Such lighting devices are used in particular as headlights or projectors (high beam, crosslight, position light, taillight, turn signal, brake warning light, etc.).

[0005] Today, motor vehicle design aims at fully integrating lighting devices into the profiles of the body and, from this point of view, the projector lamps or headlights of motor vehicles are made by assembling a plurality of parts manufactured separately by injection molding. The shape of these parts is specific to each vehicle model or each manufacturer and some of them have a metallized surface layer, as described in documents FR 3 013 739 and FR 3 036 633.

[0006] Document EP2746106 proposes that the light from the light source is projected only through transparent areas selectively located on the wall of the cover of the lighting device, while other areas are opaque and / or have shielding properties.

[0007] EP952388 discloses a rear light for a motor vehicle, the cover of which is provided with a multi-layer red coating, the light diffusion properties of which coating are adapted to each function of the lighting device.

[0008] In US 4 855 877, a lighting device for a taillight comprises a plurality of juxtaposed compartments, each compartment enclosing at least one light source. The device is closed by a cover formed by the assembly of an inner part and an outer part, the outer part comprising transparent areas and areas with alternating transparent and opaque stripes of different colors.

[0009] However, a recent development in this style consists in integrating display devices for light signals, which are variable in terms of color and geometry, on some parts of the vehicle body for aesthetic or functional purposes.

[0010] However, the construction of known lighting devices is not suitable for this purpose, since these devices are designed and dedicated to projecting light in the path of a vehicle or to signal its direction or its condition.

[0011] Furthermore, for regulatory reasons, known lighting devices are intended to be installed at specific locations on the vehicle body, which do not correspond to current and future projects. Summary of the invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is to solve the technical problems arising from the prior art by providing an improved body element which is provided with means for diffuse signal or display lighting which can be varied in colour and geometry.

[0013] The improvement of the present invention takes into account both the stylistic desires in terms of visual aspects and vehicle integration aesthetics as well as the functional requirements of information presentation.

[0014] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a body element of a motor vehicle, which includes a wall, which has a diffusion area on its first surface, and the diffusion area diffuses light emitted by at least one light source arranged opposite to the first surface; the wall also includes a light blocking area on its second surface, characterized in that the blocking area is separated by a spacing space that forms the light diffusion area.

[0015] According to a first variant, the shielding area forms an opaque block.

[0016] Preferably, the blocks forming the shielding area are connected by bridges.

[0017] According to a second variant, the light diffusion area is made of a translucent sheet forming the inner surface of the wall.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of these last two variants, the wall is made up of translucent sheets assembled on opaque blocks.

[0019] Preferably, the opaque block supports pins ensuring its anchoring by "bouterollage" on the translucent sheet.

[0020] According to another feature, the separation space forming the light diffusion area is constituted by a sealing groove.

[0021] According to a particular variant of the body element according to the invention, the said spacing spaces forming the diffusion areas are each provided with a facing light source.

[0022] Preferably, the light source is a so-called red, green and blue (RGB) LED, and each RGB LED is independently controlled by a microprocessor to generate a light signal.

[0023] According to yet another variant of the invention, the shielding area is provided with a metallized coating.

[0024] Another object of the invention is a motor vehicle which is provided or constructed with at least one body element having the above-described features.

[0025] The light signals displayed on the vehicle body element of the invention can be variable to suit the requirements (turn indicator, daytime running light, signal light) and can be moved in a controlled and selectable manner in the spaces between the shielding areas provided for the diffuse light.

[0026] Thanks to the fineness of these diffusion spaces, the body element of the invention allows the presentation of a unique and original light signal, the dimensions of which are smaller than those allowed by standard lighting devices, and are therefore compatible with current regulations.

[0027] By controlling the light sources independently in terms of intensity, color and frequency, the invention also offers the possibility to vary the light pattern depending on the driving phase, the type and model of the vehicle and throughout its life.

[0028] Finally, an embodiment of the invention comprises the assembly of the attachment of the blocking block on the translucent sheet, thus allowing an industrial manufacturing process of this body element to be easily managed, in particular by injection molding of plastic.

[0029] In particular, the treatment for aesthetic purposes of the surface of apparently shaded areas can start from the original dyeing of the raw material and carry out hard chrome plating by hydrotransfer, heat transfer or paint operation without masking the rest of the body.

[0030] Furthermore, due to its simple structure and variable appearance, the element of the invention can be integrated compactly and aesthetically in the bodies of all types of motor vehicles without causing any interruption of the lines.

[0031] Thus, the improved body element according to the invention can form all or part of the body of a motor vehicle, for example a front or rear fender, door side panels, bonnet etc., or be integrated into the vehicle later by cutting, inserting and fastening to the body.

[0032] By adjusting the characteristics of the light source and the characteristics of the light diffusion area, the vehicle body element of the present invention can also be used as a lighting device or a signal conditioning device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reading the following description and referring to the accompanying drawings which are described in detail below.

[0034] Figure 1 A front view of an embodiment of a vehicle body element according to the invention is shown.

[0035] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show Figure 1 Partial cross-sectional views of the front and rear of an embodiment of a body element.

[0036] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3FShows the different lighting modes Figure 1 A front view of a body element.

[0037] For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Of course, the embodiments presented above and shown in the figures described below are given by way of non-limiting examples. Figure 1 2A and 2B show an embodiment of a vehicle body element of the invention comprising an integrated lighting or illuminating device. These lighting devices comprise a wall 1 and a compartment 2 ( FIGS. 2A and 2B ); the wall 1 shields the compartment 2 .

[0039] The wall 1 comprises a so-called outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface is the surface visible from outside the vehicle, the inner surface is the invisible surface facing the compartment 2. The compartment 2 encloses a light box comprising at least one light source (not shown) at least partially facing the inner surface of the wall 1.

[0040] A diffusion area 11 of light emitted by the light source and a light shielding area 12 are defined on the wall 1. According to various variants of the invention, the diffusion area 11 and the shielding area 12 may have different forms and geometries.

[0041] The light shielding area 12 is separated by the partition space 10, and the partition space forms a diffusion area 11 of light from the compartment 2 to the outside. Therefore, an external observer sees the light emitted by the light source only through the diffusion area 11.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the shielding areas 12 are realized by opaque blocks 12a attached to the outer surface of the wall 1 and connected by bridges 12b of very small size. These bridges 12b provide a mechanical connection between the blocks 12a to form a one-piece block, which can be realized, for example, by injection molding of plastic or thermoplastic material (polypropylene, etc.).

[0043] The light diffusion area 11 is made of a translucent sheet 11a forming the inner surface of the wall 1 and is defined between the blocks 12a. Preferably, the wall is composed of opaque blocks 12a assembled on the translucent sheet 11a. Then, the space 10 between the blocks 12a forming the light diffusion area 11 here is formed by a narrow and sealed groove.

[0044] The fixing of the opaque block 12a to the translucent sheet 11a is made by plating and inserting and then anchoring the pins 12c carried by the inner surface of the opaque block 12a in the holes formed through the translucent sheet 11a. This so-called "nail" operation is similar to riveting and consists in joining the block 12a in a sealed manner by pressing the ends or heads of the pins 12c protruding on the inner surface of the sheet 11a, possibly under heat and pressure.

[0045] According to another embodiment not shown, the opaque blocks and the translucent sheets can be made in a single overmolding operation by providing free spacing spaces between the blocks.

[0046] According to yet another embodiment, the light diffusing area is created by etching the wall 1 through the outer opaque block until the sheet 11a is reached. Where appropriate, the light shielding area 12 may be provided with a metallized coating, the same coloring as that of the vehicle body.

[0047] According to a preferred variation of the present invention, the interval spaces 10 of the light diffusion slots formed between the shielding blocks 12a are each provided with facing light sources (not shown). These light sources are advantageously constituted by diodes or RGB LEDs, each diode or RGB LED is independently controlled by a microprocessor, and its operation is automatic or controlled by the driver.

[0048] Therefore, according to FIG. 3B to FIG. 3F In the various schematic diagrams shown, the lighting of the slot 10 can be performed according to a predetermined program, starting from a rest state without lighting ( Figure 3A ), which program has variations in intensity, color, movement and position on the body elements of the invention to produce a light signal that is fixed, intermittent, blocked or more generally active and moves on the grid of slots 10.

[0049] In the case where the opaque shielding block 12a consists of a square or rectangular block, the narrow slot 10 thus extends in a substantially vertical and horizontal direction, which allows the "stick The luminous display of typographical (typographique) fonts is consistent with the way digital screens are displayed.

[0050] However, and without departing from the scope of the invention, it can be provided that the light blocking area can consist of blocks whose respective geometric shapes differ from block to block and whose dimensions of the light diffusion spacing spaces defined between them are not uniform over the entire body element.

[0051] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle which is provided or constructed with at least one body element having the above-described features.

Claims

1. A body element of a motor vehicle, comprising a wall (1), the wall having a diffusion area (11) on a first surface thereof, the diffusion area diffusing light emitted by at least one light source arranged opposite to the first surface; the wall (1) also comprising a light shielding area (12) on a second surface thereof, the shielding area (12) being separated by a spacing space (10) forming the light diffusion area, the shielding area (12) forming an opaque block (12a), the light diffusion area (11) being made of a translucent sheet (11a) forming the inner surface of the wall (1), It is characterized in that The blocks (12a) forming the shielding area (12) are connected by bridges (12b), and the wall (1) is composed of a translucent sheet (11a) assembled on an opaque block (12a). The opaque block (12a) is supported by pins (12c) that ensure its anchoring by being nailed to the translucent sheet (11a), The space (10) forming the light diffusion region (11) is composed of a groove, which is a narrow and sealed groove.

2. The body element according to claim 1, characterized in that The partitions (10) forming the diffusion area (11) are each provided with a facing light source.

3. The body element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The light source is an RGB LED, and each RGB LED is independently controlled by a microprocessor to generate a light signal.

4. A motor vehicle having at least one body element according to one of the preceding claims.

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