Lighting device for a vehicle with an aesthetic trim element

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lighting device for vehicles with an aesthetic finishing element, comprising a cup-shaped housing (3) and a transparent lens (4) which fluid-tightly closes the housing, the outer surface (7) of which is provided with a finishing element (6) comprising a support (8) facing the lens (4) and a channel-shaped profile element (9) fitted above the support (8) on the side opposite the lens; wherein at least one pin or protrusion (14) is operatively associated with the lens (4) and with at least a second section (16) of the support (8) provided at a curved portion (18) of the lens or of the housing, a second section (19) of the profile element (9) being coupled integrally with the second section (16) of the support (8) in such a way as to hide the support (8) and said pin or protrusion on the side of the outer surface (7) of the lens.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102020000005908, filed on March 19, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, particularly a front headlight, having an aesthetic finishing element consisting of a ring (or semi-ring) frame, which is preferably (but not exclusively) chrome-plated or colored, and is referred to in technical terms as a “frame”. Background Technology

[0004] As is well known, most lighting devices used in vehicles today, especially vehicle headlights, include a cup-shaped body that is enclosed at the front by an element or lens, which may be colorless (i.e., completely transparent) or have optical functions.

[0005] In both cases, particularly (but not exclusively) for front headlights, the lenses (and / or the entire headlight body) have increasingly complex shapes defined by curved surfaces, for stylistic reasons. Furthermore, a ring-shaped or semi-ring-shaped frame or other aesthetic finishing element, referred to as a bezel, is generally applied to the lens, almost always for stylistic (and possibly technical) reasons.

[0006] Therefore, the question arises of how to attach such aesthetic finishing elements to the lens (or part of the headlamp body) without changing the function of the lighting device.

[0007] Currently, such decorative elements or frames, typically made of elastically deformable synthetic plastic materials, are fixed with adhesives. However, the complex and generally curved shape of the lens and / or headlamp body necessitates bending the frame when the frame is straight, or it is necessary to manufacture a curved frame that follows the contour of the lens and / or headlamp body within manufacturing tolerances.

[0008] However, in both cases, localized detachment of the frame may occur at points of high stress on the frame. These points of high stress are usually those where the curvature of the lens and / or headlamp body is more pronounced. Localized detachment is not only unsightly, but may also cause unwanted noise and / or even optical malfunctions. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to provide a lighting device for vehicles, which has an external finishing element associated with the lens and / or the headlamp body or lamp of the lighting device and which does not have the drawbacks of the prior art, in particular in that accidental partial detachment of the external finishing element is prevented or limited in the lighting device, which is easy to manufacture and low in manufacturing costs and which is small in size, and which does not create limitations or drawbacks in the functionality of the lighting device.

[0010] Therefore, on the basis of the present invention, a lighting device for vehicles is provided, which has the features indicated in the attached claims.

[0011] In particular, the lighting device for vehicles according to the present invention comprises a cup-shaped housing and a transparent lens which closes in a fluid-tight manner the front opening of the housing.

[0012] At least the lens is provided, on its outer surface opposite the housing, with a finishing element, for example shaped as an annular or semi-annular frame, comprising a support facing the lens and a channel-shaped profiled element fitted above the support on the side opposite the lens.

[0013] At least a first segment of the support which integrally carries the corresponding first segment of the profiled element is provided at a substantially flat portion of the lens or of the housing and is fixed integrally on the lens in a conventional manner, for example by means of an adhesive and / or by removable fastening elements, for example screws.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the lighting device further comprises at least one pin or protrusion operatively associated with the lens and operatively associated with at least a second segment of the support provided at a curved portion of the lens or of the housing.

[0015] The second segment of the profiled element provided at the second segment of the support is coupled integrally with the support in such a way as to hide the support and the pin or protrusion on the side of the outer surface of the lens, i.e. facing the outer surface of the lens.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the pin is a threaded pin forming part of a screw and axially protrudes in a cantilevered manner from the head of the screw.

[0017] The threaded pin is engaged by passing through the lens via a first hole drilled through the lens at the second segment of the support and is screwed into a second hole drilled on the lens side on the second segment of the support.

[0018] The head of the screw is arranged on the inner surface side of the lens facing the housing and directly (or indirectly through the interposition of an opaque lens element which is coupled integrally with the transparent lens on the inner surface side) abuttingly engages the inner surface of the lens by interposing therebetween a ring-shaped gasket which is fitted to the threaded pin and abuttingly engages the head of the screw.

[0019] The second segment of the profiled element snap-fits with the second segment of the support on the side opposite the screw. Preferably, in addition to the snap-fitting, the second segment of the profiled element is fixed to the second segment of the support by means of the interposition therebetween of at least one length of adhesive.

[0020] Preferably, in this and other embodiments, the lighting device always comprises the lens element mentioned, which is opaque (for example, painted black) and is integrally coupled with the transparent lens on the inner surface side of the transparent lens and integrally with the second segment of the support in correspondence therewith.

[0021] Therefore, the lens element is interposed between the ring-shaped gasket and the inner surface of the lens in such a way as to receive the head of the screw in abutment.

[0022] In an embodiment different from the preceding one, the presence of the opaque lens element is not optional but necessary and, in this case, the pin is also a threaded pin which forms part of the screw, which protrudes axially from the head of the screw in a cantilevered manner.

[0023] However, in this case, the threaded pin is engaged by passing through the lens via a first hole formed by drilling through the lens at the second segment of the support and is screwed into a second hole formed by drilling on the lens element and facing the support.

[0024] The head of the screw is arranged on the outer surface side of the lens, is housed in a seat obtained in the second segment of the support on the side opposite the lens and directly abuttingly engages the support, preferably with interposition therebetween of a ring-shaped gasket which is fitted to the threaded pin and abuttingly engages the head of the screw.

[0025] The second segment of the profiled element snap-fits with the second segment of the support on the side opposite the screw, covers the support, preferably with interposition therebetween of at least one length of adhesive.

[0026] In different embodiments, the support is integrally co-moulded with the profiled element as a whole and / or is glued to the profiled element on the inner side thereof towards the lens.

[0027] According to this embodiment, a protrusion is used instead of a pin. The protrusion is integrally formed with the lens and protrudes from the outer surface of the lens toward the support in a cantilever manner.

[0028] The second section of the support is configured to define a blank space between itself and the lens, which is defined and closed by the second section of the profile element, and is provided with a housing facing the lens and configured to receive a protrusion of the lens, which extends cantilevered into the blank space.

[0029] In a first variation of this embodiment, the protrusion of the lens is inserted into the housing of the second section of the support for more than half of the cantilever extension of the protrusion, and the protrusion is integrally locked in the housing by means of beads of adhesive contained in the housing.

[0030] In a second variation of this embodiment, for example, the protrusion of the lens is welded to the support within the housing of the second section of the support by laser or ultrasonic welding.

[0031] In two variations of this embodiment, the receiving seat of the second segment of the support is formed by a continuous semi-annular channel that extends at least over the entire length of the second segment of the support.

[0032] Similarly, the protrusion of the lens is composed of continuous semi-annular ribs, the shape of which is conjugate to the shape of the semi-annular channel, and the semi-annular ribs are inserted into the semi-annular channel over their entire length.

[0033] According to another embodiment of the invention, the pin or protrusion is integrally formed with the lens and protrudes from the outer surface of the lens toward the support in a cantilever manner.

[0034] In this embodiment, the second section of the support member is provided with a through-receiver engaged by a pin or protrusion of the lens, the pin or protrusion extending cantilevered into the through-receiver of the support member and up to a shallow recess of the second section of the support member, the shallow recess facing the profile element and forming part of the through-receiver of the second section of the support member.

[0035] The shallow recess is configured to accommodate an elastic annular clip that engages interferingly with a pin or protrusion and is axially connected to the bottom wall of the shallow recess through which the pin or protrusion passes.

[0036] In this case, the second section of the profile element is connected to the second section of the support element by snap-fit ​​and / or by means of adhesive to cover the shallow recess.

[0037] According to a variation of this embodiment, the support member and the profile element are integrally formed as a whole, and / or glued to the profile element on the inside of the profile element toward the lens, and it must be specified that there is an opaque lens element that is integrally connected to the transparent element on the inner surface side of the transparent lens, at the second section of the support member.

[0038] The pin or protrusion is integrally formed with the second section of the support and protrudes cantilevered from the inner surface of the support facing the lens to engage by passing through a first hole and a second hole. The first hole is formed through the lens and the second hole is formed through the lens element. Both the first hole and the second hole are located at the second section of the support and are coaxial with each other.

[0039] The second section of the support engages with the outer surface of the lens by inserting an annular washer therebetween, which is fitted onto a pin or protrusion until it abuts against the inner surface of the support.

[0040] The pin or protrusion is also interference-fitted to the inner surface of the lens by an elastic ring clamp, which is axially abutting the lens element on the side opposite to the transparent lens.

[0041] The second section of the profile component completely covers the support, gasket, and the first and second holes.

[0042] Finally, the present invention relates to vehicles including lighting devices (headlights or lamps) according to any of the foregoing embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following description of some non-limiting embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0044] - Figure 1 The diagram schematically shows a frontal view of a lighting device manufactured according to the present invention, which, in a non-limiting example shown, comprises a vehicle's front headlights;

[0045] - Figure 2 Schematic illustration at magnified scale Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the lighting device according to the trace plane II-II, and only a portion of the cross-sectional view is shown for simplicity;

[0046] - Figure 3 Schematic illustration at magnified scale Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the lighting device according to the trace plane II-II, and only a portion of the cross-sectional view is shown for simplicity;

[0047] - Figure 4 Schematic illustration at magnified scaleFigure 1 A cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the lighting device according to the trace plane II-II, and only a portion of the cross-sectional view is shown for simplicity;

[0048] - Figure 5 Schematic illustration at magnified scale Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the lighting device according to the trace plane II-II, and only a portion of the cross-sectional view is shown for simplicity;

[0049] - Figure 6 Schematic illustration at magnified scale Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the lighting device according to trace plane II-II, and for simplicity only partially showing the cross-sectional view; and

[0050] - Figure 7 Schematic illustration at magnified scale Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the lighting device according to the trace plane II-II, and for simplicity only partially shown. Detailed Implementation

[0051] Reference Figure 1 Reference numeral 1 generally indicates a lighting device for a vehicle installed on a vehicle of a known type 2, and for simplicity, only a part of the main body of the lighting device is shown.

[0052] In the non-limiting example shown, the lighting device 1 consists of the front headlights of the vehicle; however, it should be understood that the following description also applies to different lighting devices, such as the rear lights of the vehicle.

[0053] The lighting device 1 includes a cup-shaped housing 3 of a known type and a transparent (colorless) lens 4 that closes the front opening 5 of the housing 3 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0054] The housing 3 and / or the transparent lens 4 are provided with a decorative element 6, which in the example shown is manufactured in the shape of an annular frame with a rectangular outline, but other shapes are also possible, such as circular, elliptical or defined by a compound curve.

[0055] The decorative element 6 can also be manufactured as a semi-circular frame, i.e., open on one side, for example, in a C-shape, and can be applied to the lens 4 around all or part of the outer periphery of the lens 4. In this case, the decorative element can also be (or only) fully or partially fitted to the housing 3 at the outer periphery edge of the front opening 5, or applied above the outer surface 7 of the transparent lens 4 on the opposite side facing the housing 3, and can surround all or part of the outer surface 7 of the lens 4 in order to produce a desired aesthetic pattern on the lighting device 1.

[0056] In certain cases, the finishing element 6 may also have technical functions, such as improving the separation of beams emitted by different light sources (which are known but not shown for simplicity), which are housed side by side in the housing 3 and illuminate outward through a single transparent lens 4.

[0057] In any case, at least the lens 4 has a decorative element 6 on its outer surface 7 opposite to the housing 3.

[0058] The first non-limiting embodiment of the invention is also illustrated with reference to the schematic diagram. Figure 2 The finishing element 6 includes a support 8 facing the lens 4 and a channel-shaped profile element 9 mounted on the support 8 on the side opposite to the lens 4, the profile element 9 completely covering the support 8 towards the outside of the housing 3.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 At least a first segment 10 of the support member 8 is disposed at a substantially flat portion 12 of the lens 4 (and / or housing 3) (i.e., flat or curved, but with a very large radius of curvature, for example, the radius of curvature is one or two orders of magnitude equal to the lateral width of segment 11), the first segment 10 integrally carrying the corresponding first segment 11 of the profile element 9.

[0060] Such segment 10 is preferably fixed integrally with the lens 4 in a conventional manner, for example by means of an adhesive and / or by a removable fastening element, such as a screw or rivet 13 anchored to the lens 4 and / or housing 3 on the outside of the lens 4 and / or housing 3, which is preferably covered (and thus hidden) by the first segment 11 of the profile element 9 during use.

[0061] According to one aspect of the invention, according to the first embodiment and according to Figure 3 The lighting device 1 in different embodiments also includes at least one pin 14, which is operatively associated with the transparent lens 4 and at least operatively associated with a second segment 16 of the support 8 disposed at the curved portion 18 of the lens 4 or the housing 3.

[0062] According to an alternative aspect of the invention, the lighting device 1 according to the third and fourth embodiments alternatively includes at least one protrusion 15 operatively associated with the transparent lens 4 and operatively associated with at least a second segment 16 of the support 8 disposed at the curved portion 18 of the lens 4 or the housing 3.

[0063] In all cases, the second section 19 of the profile element 9 located at the second section 16 of the support member 8 is integrated with the section 16 of the support member 8, thereby concealing the support member 8 and the pin 14 or protrusion 15 on the outer surface 7 side of the transparent lens 4.

[0064] according to Figure 2 In one embodiment, the pin 14 is a threaded pin that forms part of the screw 20 and protrudes axially from the head 21 of the screw 20 in a cantilever manner.

[0065] The threaded pin 14 is engaged by passing through the lens 4 via a first hole 22 and screwed into a second hole 23. The first hole is formed by drilling through the lens 4 at the second section 16 of the support member 8, and the second hole is formed by drilling on the lens 4 side of the second section 16 of the support member 8.

[0066] The head 21 of the screw 20 is located on the side of the lens 4 opposite to the outer surface 7 and thus facing the inner surface 24 of the housing 3, and engages with the inner surface 24 of the lens 4 directly or indirectly by inserting an annular washer 25 therebetween, the annular washer 25 being fitted onto the threaded pin 14 and engaging with the head 21 of the screw 20.

[0067] exist Figure 2 In the non-limiting example shown, the head 21 of the screw 20 engages with the inner surface 24 only indirectly, because not only is a washer 25 inserted between the head 21 and the surface 24, but also an additional component of the lighting device 1 consisting of an opaque lens element 26 (e.g., painted black) is integrally connected to the transparent lens 4 on the inner surface 24 side of the transparent lens 4, for example, the lens element 26 is glued or co-molded on the inner surface 24.

[0068] Such a lens element 26 is preferably always present as a component of the illumination device 1 together with the lens 4. The lens element 26 is integral with the lens 4 and can extend generally to the outer edge of the lens 4, for example, below segment 18, or extend in a ring manner to the entire outer periphery of the lens 4.

[0069] Therefore, the lens element 26 is inserted between the annular washer 25 and the inner surface 24 of the lens 4 to abut against the head 21 of the ground receiving screw 20.

[0070] exist Figure 2 In a non-limiting example, the lens element 26 is provided with a through hole 27 coaxial with the hole 22 for this purpose, which is engaged by a threaded pin 14 passing through it.

[0071] Gasket 25 is inserted between head 21 and lens element 26 to isolate the atmospheric pressure inside housing 3 from through holes 22 and 27 and thus prevent potential entry of moisture or contaminants from outside lens 4.

[0072] Still refer to Figure 2 In one embodiment, the second segment 19 of the profile element 9 engages with the second segment 16 of the support member 8 on the side opposite to the screw 20.

[0073] In this way, the support 8, which is usually manufactured by molding a flexible synthetic plastic material that is at least partially elastic, can be firmly locked above the outer surface 7 of the lens 4, thus being forced to follow the curved profile of the lens 4 (and / or the housing 3) even when the manufacturing tolerances of the shape are relatively high.

[0074] Profile element 9 is typically also obtained by molding from at least partially flexible synthetic plastic material and is painted or metallized (e.g., chrome plated) to achieve the desired aesthetic appearance of the finishing element 6. The profile element 9 is snap-fitted onto the support 8 after the support 8 is locked, and is also forced to precisely follow the contour of the curved portion 18, while concealing the support 8 and all elements below it.

[0075] For example, the locking of the snap-fit ​​engagement is achieved by means of two opposing teeth 28 and 29 of the profile element 9, which are integrally obtained with the profile element 9 and face the outer surface 7. The teeth are engaged with corresponding recesses 30 and 31 obtained on the top and side of the support member 8, respectively.

[0076] Preferably, in addition to the snap-fit ​​between the profile element 9 and the support member 8, at least the second segment 19 of the profile element 9 is fixed to the second segment 16 of the support member 8 by inserting at least one section of adhesive 32 therebetween.

[0077] Furthermore, preferably, the support 8 is glued to the surface 7 of the lens 4 by means of discontinuous or continuous segments of adhesive 32 along the entire extension of the support 8 and in particular corresponding to segment 16.

[0078] Therefore, screw 20 serves as an additional protection against the support 8 accidentally detaching from surface 7, especially at the curved portion 18 of lens 4, and also helps to properly glue segment 16 to surface 7, because when screw 20 is tightened, screw 20 presses the support 8 onto surface 7 and thus onto adhesive 32 by reaction force, thereby expelling potential air bubbles.

[0079] The lighting device 1 according to the invention always includes the aforementioned lens element 26, which is opaque (e.g., painted black as already mentioned) and is integrally connected to the transparent lens 4 on the inner surface 24 side of the transparent lens 4 and corresponding to the second section 16 of the support 8.

[0080] But at least in Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the lens element 26 is not strictly necessary and may be absent. In this case, the head 21 of the screw 20 directly engages with the inner surface 24, but a washer 25 is always inserted therebetween.

[0081] Now refer toFigure 3 For simplicity, elements similar to or the same as those already described are indicated by the same reference numerals. This figure illustrates different embodiments of the lighting device 1, in which the presence of the opaque lens element 26 is not optional but necessary.

[0082] In the same embodiment, the finishing element 6b includes a support 8 facing the lens 4 and a channel-shaped profile element 9 mounted on the support 8 on the side opposite to the lens 4, the profile element 9 completely covering the support 8 towards the outside of the housing 3.

[0083] At least a first segment 10 of the support member 8 that integrally carries the profile element 9 is provided at a substantially flat portion 12, and at least one pin 14 is operatively associated with the transparent lens 4 and at least with a second segment 16 of the support member 8 provided at a curved portion 18 of the lens 4 (or housing 3), and the pin 14 in this case is also a threaded pin forming part of the screw 20, the threaded pin 14 protruding axially from the head 21 of the screw 20 in a cantilever manner.

[0084] In this case, even though the threaded pin 14 is always engaged by passing through the lens 4 via the first hole 22, it also passes through the overhead hole 33 and is screwed into the second threaded hole 34 (shown as a blind hole in this example). The first hole 22 is formed by drilling through the lens 4 at the second segment 16 of the support 8, the overhead hole 33 is obtained by passing through the segment 16 of the support 8, and the second threaded hole 34 is formed by drilling in the lens element 26 and facing the support 8.

[0085] Then, the head 21 of the screw 20 is positioned on the outer surface 7 of the lens 4, that is, with... Figure 2 The implementation is the opposite, and it is housed in a reservoir 34, which is obtained on the side opposite to the lens 4 on the second section 16 of the support member 8; when a through hole 33 is obtained through the support member 8 at the bottom wall of the reservoir 35, the through hole 33 communicates with the reservoir 35.

[0086] Therefore, the head 21 directly abuts against the support 8 (and the bottom wall of the housing 35), preferably with an annular washer 25 inserted therebetween, which is fitted onto the threaded pin 14 and abuts against the head 21 of the screw 20.

[0087] Therefore, without the lens element 26, it would be impossible to secure the screw 20, as the use of the nut would be extremely inconvenient and could cause localized stress that could damage the lens 4.

[0088] According to the same embodiment, the second segment 19 of the profile element 9 engages with the second segment 16 of the support member 8 on the side opposite to the screw 20, covering the support member 8, and preferably inserting at least one section of adhesive 32 therebetween.

[0089] In the same case, the support 8 is directly glued to the surface 7 of the lens 4 by means of continuous segments or multiple discontinuous segments of adhesive 32.

[0090] according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In both implementations, it should be understood that, depending on the length of the segment 16 of the support 8 to be applied, there may be more than one screw 20.

[0091] Now refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 Details that are similar to or identical to those already described are indicated by the same reference numerals. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Two possible variations of other embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0092] In this case, the lighting device 1 includes a decorative element 6c, wherein a support 8 integrally formed with the profile element 9 on the inside of the profile element 9 toward the lens 4 has been obtained before the decorative element 6c is mounted on the lens 4, and / or a support 8 glued to the profile element 9 on the inside of the profile element 9 toward the lens 4 has been obtained.

[0093] According to this embodiment, in order to ensure the mechanical connection between the lens 4 and the support member 8, instead of using a pin such as a threaded pin 14, a protrusion 15 is used. This protrusion 15 is integrally formed with the lens 4 and protrudes from the outer surface 7 of the lens 4 toward the support member 8 in a cantilever manner.

[0094] In these embodiments, since the second segment 16 of the support 8 is configured to define a blank space 36 between it and the lens 4, which is defined and closed by the second segment 19 of the profile element 9, there may be no additional mechanical connection ensured by possible continuous or discontinuous segments of the adhesive 32 (which can always be used if needed).

[0095] The support member 8 is further provided with a receiving seat 37 facing the lens 4 and configured to receive a protrusion 15 from the lens 4, which extends cantilevered into the blank space 36.

[0096] In the first variant 6a of this embodiment of the decorative element 6 ( Figure 4The protrusion 15 of the lens 4 is inserted into the housing 37 for more than half of its cantilever extension, and the protrusion 15 is integrally locked in the housing 37 by means of the beads of the adhesive 32 contained in the housing 37.

[0097] And in Figure 5 In the second variant 6d of this embodiment of the decorative element shown, the protrusion 15 of the lens 4 has been welded to the support 8 within the housing 37 by means of laser or ultrasonic welding, and thus integrally connected to the support 8 by means of weld 38.

[0098] In this embodiment of the lighting device 1 Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the two variations, the receiving seat 37 of the second segment 16 of the support member 8 is formed / constructed by a continuous semi-annular channel 370, which, for example, is a C-shaped structure not shown for simplicity, and extends at least along the entire length of the second segment 16 of the support member 8 at the radial outer periphery of the lens 4.

[0099] Similarly, the protrusion 15 of the lens 4 is also composed of a continuous semi-annular rib 150, the shape of which is conjugate to the shape of the semi-annular channel 370, and the semi-annular rib is inserted into the semi-annular channel 370 over its entire length.

[0100] Now refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 For simplicity, details that are similar to or identical to those already described are indicated by the same reference numerals. Figure 6 and Figure 7 Two feasible variations 6 are shown, representing another feasible embodiment of the invention.

[0101] These two variations 6e and 6f are of the decorative elements of the lighting device according to the invention.

[0102] Similarly, according to these embodiments, before mounting the finishing elements 6e / 6f onto the lens 4, a support member 8 (such as...) has been obtained that is integrally formed with the lens 4 on the inner side of the profile element 9 and / or glued to the profile element 9 on the inner side of the profile element 9 towards the lens 4. Figure 4 and 5 As shown in the implementation method).

[0103] However, in both embodiments, to ensure the mechanical connection between the lens 4 and the support 8, a substantially cylindrical (preferably unthreaded) pin is used, or a prismatic protrusion (e.g., a hexagonal or octagonal base) is used. For simplicity, both the pin and the protrusion are... Figure 6 and Figure 7The same reference numeral 39 is used to denote them in both embodiments, as they can be used interchangeably with each other without difference.

[0104] According to implementation method 6f ( Figure 7 The pin or protrusion 39 is integrally formed with the lens 4 and protrudes from the outer surface of the lens toward the support 8 in a cantilever manner.

[0105] In this embodiment, the second segment 16 of the support member is provided with a through-receiver 40, which is engaged by a pin or protrusion 39 of the lens 4. The pin or protrusion 39 extends cantilevered into the through-receiver 40 of the support member 8 and extends to the shallow recess 41 of the second segment 16 of the support member 8.

[0106] The shallow recess 41 faces the profile element 9 and forms part of the through-receiver 40 of the second section 16 of the support member 8.

[0107] The shallow recess 41 is configured to accommodate an elastic annular clip 42, which is interference-fitted with a pin or protrusion 39 and axially abuts against the bottom wall 43 of the shallow recess 41 through which the pin or protrusion 39 passes.

[0108] In this configuration, the second segment 19 of the profile element 9 is joined to the second segment 16 of the support member 8 by a snap-fit ​​and / or by means of an adhesive 32 to cover the shallow recess 41. Furthermore, the support member 8 or at least its second segment 16 is glued to the surface 7 of the lens 4 by means of one or more segments of adhesive 32.

[0109] According to this embodiment of the lighting device 1 Figure 6 In variant 6e, the support member 8 is always integrally formed with the profile element 9 and / or glued to the profile element 9 on the inside of the profile element 9 toward the lens 4, and it must be specified that there is an opaque lens element 26, which is integrally connected with the transparent lens 4 on the inner surface 24 side of the transparent lens 4 at the second section 16 of the support member 8.

[0110] In this case, the pin or protrusion 39 is integrally formed with the second section 16 of the support member 8 and protrudes cantilevered from the inner surface 44 of the support member facing the lens 4 to engage by passing through a first hole 45 and a second hole 46, the first hole 45 being obtained through the lens 4 and the second hole 46 being obtained through the lens element 26, both holes being located at the second section 16 of the support member 8 and coaxial with each other.

[0111] The second section 16 of the support member 8 also engages abuttingly with the outer surface 7 of the lens by inserting an annular washer 25 therebetween. The annular washer 25 is fitted onto the pin or protrusion 39 until it abuts against the inner surface of the support member 8, in this case against the annular step 47, which cantilevered out of the rest of the inner surface 44 and surrounds the pin or protrusion 39 which cantilevered out of the step 47.

[0112] The pin or protrusion 39 is also connected to the inner surface 24 of the lens 4 by an elastic ring clip 42 (with...). Figure 7 (of the same type) are interference-fitted, and the annular clip 42 abuts axially against the lens element 26 on the side opposite to the transparent lens 4.

[0113] The second segment 19 of the profile element 9 completely covers the support 8, the washer 25, the first hole 45, and the second hole 46.

[0114] Similarly, in this variant or embodiment, the profile element 9 is preferably glued to the support member 8 by means of adhesive 32.

[0115] Based on the description above, it should be understood that the present invention also relates to a vehicle, preferably an automobile, equipped with a lighting device 1 according to all variations 6, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e and 6f of the trim elements or frames described above.

[0116] All these embodiments of the trim elements or bezels provide stylistic content and also potentially offer possible technical effects, such as the separation of different light sources. However, these embodiments are easy and economical to install before and after mounting the lighting device onto the vehicle, thus also allowing for the coverage of possible gaps between the lamp and the body due to manufacturing tolerances, and they do not suffer from accidental detachment of a portion of the bezel in particularly curved areas of the lens and / or headlight body during use.

[0117] Therefore, all the objectives of the present invention have been achieved.

Claims

1. A lighting device (1) for a vehicle, the lighting device comprising a cup-shaped housing (3) and a transparent lens (4) that fluid-tightly closes a front opening (5) of the housing, wherein at least the transparent lens (4) has a decorative element (6; 6b; 6c; 6d; 6e; 6f) on its outer surface (7) opposite to the housing, the decorative element comprising a support (8) facing the transparent lens (4) and a channel-shaped profile element (9) mounted above the support (8) on the side opposite to the transparent lens, wherein a first segment (10) of the support, at least located at a substantially flat portion (12) of the transparent lens or the housing, is integrally fixed to the transparent lens by means of an adhesive and / or a removable fastening element (13) and integrally carries a corresponding first segment (11) of the profile element; characterized in that, The lighting device further includes at least one pin or protrusion (14; 15; 39) operatively associated with the curved portion (18) of the transparent lens and operatively associated at least with the second segment (16) of the support (8) disposed at the curved portion (18) of the transparent lens or the housing; the second segment (19) of the profile element (9) disposed at the second segment (16) of the support is integrally connected to the second segment (16) of the support (8) to conceal the support (8) and the pin or protrusion on the outer surface (7) side of the transparent lens; wherein the lighting device further includes an opaque lens element (26) integrally connected to the transparent lens (4) on the inner surface (24) side of the transparent lens (4) and at the second segment (16) of the support.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pin is a threaded pin (14) forming part of the screw (20), the threaded pin protruding axially from the head (21) of the screw in a cantilever manner; the threaded pin (14) is engaged by passing through the transparent lens (4) via a first hole (22) and screwed into a second hole (23), the first hole being formed by drilling through the transparent lens at the second section (16) of the support member, and the second hole being drilled on the second section (16) of the support member (8) on the side of the transparent lens (4). The head (21) of the screw is positioned on the inner surface (24) of the transparent lens facing the housing and engages directly or indirectly with the inner surface (24) of the transparent lens by inserting an annular washer (25) therebetween, the annular washer (25) being fitted onto the threaded pin and engaging with the head of the screw; the second segment (19) of the profile element (9) engages with the second segment (16) of the support member (8) on the side opposite to the screw.

3. The lighting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lens element (26) is inserted between the annular washer (25) and the inner surface (24) of the transparent lens, and is configured to receive the head (21) of the screw in abutment.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pin is a threaded pin (14) forming part of the screw (20), the threaded pin (14) protruding axially from the head (21) of the screw in a cantilever manner; the threaded pin (14) is engaged by passing through the transparent lens (4) via a first hole (22) and screwed into a second hole (34), the first hole (22) being drilled through the transparent lens at the second section (16) of the support, the second hole (34) being drilled in the lens element (26) and facing the support (8); the screw's The head (21) is located on the outer surface (7) side of the transparent lens, is housed in a seat (35), and directly abuts against the support (8) by inserting an annular washer (25). The seat (35) is obtained in the second section (16) of the support on the side opposite to the transparent lens. The annular washer (25) is fitted on the threaded pin and abuts against the head of the screw. The second section (19) of the profile element (9) snaps into the second section (16) of the support (8) on the side opposite to the screw.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support member (8) is integrally formed with the profile element (9) and / or glued to the profile element on the inside of the profile element (9) toward the transparent lens, and the protrusion (15) is integrally formed with the transparent lens (4) and protrudes from the outer surface (7) of the transparent lens toward the support member in a cantilever manner; The second segment (16) of the support is configured to define a blank space (36) between itself and the transparent lens, defined and enclosed by the second segment (19) of the profile element (9), and is provided with a receiving seat (37) facing the transparent lens (4) and configured to receive the protrusion (15) from the transparent lens, the protrusion extending cantilevered into the blank space (36).

6. The lighting device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The protrusion (15) of the transparent lens is inserted into the housing (37) of the second section of the support for more than half of the cantilever extension of the protrusion, and the protrusion (15) is integrally locked in the housing by means of beads of adhesive (32) contained in the housing (37).

7. The lighting device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The protrusion (15) of the transparent lens has been welded to the support (8) within the housing (37) of the second section of the support by means of a weld (38) obtained by laser or ultrasonic welding.

8. The lighting device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The receiving seat (37) of the second segment of the support is formed by a continuous semi-annular channel (370) that extends at least over the entire length of the second segment (16) of the support; and the protrusion (15) of the transparent lens is formed by a continuous semi-annular rib (150) whose shape is conjugate to the shape of the semi-annular channel (370) and whose semi-annular rib is inserted into the semi-annular channel (370) over its entire length.

9. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pin or protrusion (39) is integrally formed with the transparent lens (4) and protrudes cantilevered from the outer surface (7) of the transparent lens toward the support (8); the second section (16) of the support has a through-receiver (40) engaged by the pin or protrusion (39) of the transparent lens, the pin or protrusion extending cantilevered into the through-receiver (40) of the support and up to the shallow recess (41) of the second section (16) of the support, the shallow recess (41) facing the... The profile element (9) forms part of the through-receiver (40) of the second section of the support; the shallow recess (41) is configured to receive an elastic annular clip (42), which is interference-fitted with the pin or protrusion (39) and axially abutting against the bottom wall (43) of the shallow recess through which the pin or protrusion passes; the second section (19) of the profile element is integrally connected to the second section (16) of the support by snap-fit ​​and / or by means of adhesive (32) to cover the shallow recess (41).

10. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support member (8) is integrally formed with the profile element (9) and / or glued to the profile element (9) on the inner side facing the transparent lens (4); the pin or protrusion (39) is integrally formed with the second section (16) of the support member (8) and protrudes cantilevered from the inner surface (44) of the support member facing the transparent lens to engage by passing through a first hole (45) and a second hole (46), the first hole (45) being obtained through the transparent lens (4) and the second hole (46) being obtained through the lens element (26), both the first hole (45) and the second hole (46) being located at the second section (16) of the support member and The components are coaxial; the second section (16) of the support is abutted against the outer surface (7) of the transparent lens by inserting an annular washer (25) therebetween, the annular washer (25) being fitted onto the pin or protrusion (39) until it abuts against the inner surface (44) of the support; the pin or protrusion (39) is interference-fitted against the inner surface (24) of the transparent lens by an elastic annular clip (42), the annular clip (42) being axially abutted against the lens element (26) on the side opposite to the transparent lens (4); the second section (19) of the profile element (9) completely covers the support (8), the annular washer (25), and the first hole (45) and the second hole (46).

11. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 9 and 10, characterized in that, The lighting device is the front headlight of the vehicle.

12. The lighting device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The lighting device is the front headlight of the vehicle.

13. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 9 and 10, characterized in that, The fastening element (13) is a screw.

14. The lighting device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The fastening element (13) is a screw.

15. The lighting device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, At least one section of adhesive (32) is inserted between the second section (19) of the profile element (9) and the second section (16) of the support member (8).

16. A vehicle comprising a lighting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The vehicle according to claim 16, characterized in that, The lighting device is a lamp.

18. The vehicle according to claim 17, characterized in that, The lighting device is a headlamp.

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