Lighting equipment for motor vehicles

Abstract

A lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle comprises: a housing (10) having a front lighting surface (11), a substantially planar plate (3), and at least one lighting module (20, 21) mounted on the plate; characterized in that the plate (3) has an extended general plane which is horizontal when the housing is mounted in the vehicle, and has a surface referred to as a lower surface (3A) and a surface referred to as an upper surface (3B), and wherein the lighting device comprises a first control system (4) and a second control system (5), the first control system comprising a first convex element (40) and arranged to translate the first convex element (40) along an axis parallel to the plate, the plate (3) being provided with a first recess (30) for receiving the first convex element (40); the second adjustment system comprising a second convex element (50) and arranged to translate the second convex element (50) on an axis perpendicular to the plate, the plate being provided with a second recess (31) for receiving the second convex element (50) on its upper or lower surface. Thus, the housing takes up less space above the module and the module can be easily lifted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle, in particular a vehicle headlamp or front lamp. Background Art

[0002] A lighting device for a motor vehicle comprises a plate on which at least one lighting module is mounted, the lighting modules being arranged together in a housing. When the lighting device is mounted in the vehicle, the plate extends vertically in the housing. In order to adjust the angular range of illumination of the lighting module(s), the vertical plate can be pivoted about a horizontal axis on the one hand so as to orient the lighting module angularly downwards or upwards, and on the other hand so as to orient the lighting module transversely to the right or to the left. The mobility of the plate is obtained by its three-point attachment to a vertical face opposite to the face carrying the module. The first attachment point is integral with the housing and consists of a ball joint to ensure the pivoting of the plate in space, while the other two points, spaced apart from the first point to substantially form a trihedron, are attached to respectively horizontal and vertical translation means so as to make the plate movable in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively.

[0003] Nowadays, automobile manufacturers want to make the design of the housing even thinner while making it possible to adjust the lighting module relative to the height of the housing. However, it is not possible to increase the vertical travel of the board with the existing housing and this would not be possible even with a thinner and shorter housing. In fact, the vertical board has, on the one hand, an already relatively high upper extension and, on the other hand, a motor is attached at the upper end of said board, thereby ensuring the vertical mobility of the board. Therefore, the current shape of the board and the arrangement of the motorization in the housing are not compatible with moving the board in the height direction in a short housing designed to accommodate thinner devices.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a new type of lighting device for motor vehicles which eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages by ensuring a vertical displacement of the lighting module over a height range equal to or greater than the current ones, while retaining or even reducing the usual housing volume for satisfying design requirements with fine lines. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to the invention, a lighting device for a motor vehicle comprises: a housing (with a lighting front), a substantially planar plate, and at least one lighting module mounted on the plate; the device is characterized in that the plate has a so-called upper side and a so-called lower side, and in that the device comprises, on the one hand, a first adjustment system comprising a first convex element and arranged to translate the first convex element along an axis parallel to the plate (horizontal direction), the plate being provided with a first recess for receiving the first convex element; and the device comprises, on the other hand, a second adjustment system comprising a second convex element and arranged to translate the second convex element along an axis perpendicular to the plate (vertical direction), the plate being provided with a second recess for receiving the second convex element at a height above or below the plate.

[0006] The housing comprises an illuminated front face, a back face opposite the illuminated face, two opposite lower faces and an upper face perpendicular to the illuminated face, and two opposite side faces. Preferably, the plate has a single extended plane. The plate is mounted in the housing so as to be positioned in a plane substantially parallel to the lower face and the upper face of the housing, the lower face of the plate being oriented towards the lower face of the housing and the upper face of the plate facing the upper face of the housing. The plate has an extended general plane which is horizontal when the housing is mounted in a vehicle.

[0007] The lighting module(s) are preferably mounted on the upper side of the board.

[0008] In the rest of the description, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "up", "down", "top" and "bottom" are used in the context of normal installation of the lighting device, that is, relate to vertical and horizontal concepts related to the installation of the lighting device in a vehicle.

[0009] In the remainder of the specification, the terms "X direction, Y direction and Z direction" refer to directions corresponding to the orientation of the lighting device when installed in a vehicle, the X direction being a horizontal direction extending along the depth in the shell between the lighting front and back of the shell, the Y direction being a horizontal direction perpendicular to the X-axis (the direction extending between the left and right sides of the shell, also referred to as the lateral direction), and the Z direction being a vertical direction.

[0010] The plate is thus arranged in a horizontal plane in the housing (since the vertical extension of the prior art no longer exists) and the design of the plate combined with the design of an adjustment system providing a suitable translation makes it possible to save on the volume available for moving the plate in height direction.

[0011] According to one feature, the plate comprises two transverse shafts (which serve as additional supports for the plate relative to the housing), each of which is housed in a slideway provided in the housing. These shafts make it possible to react forces in the Z direction in the event that the plate is subjected to vertical vibrations. Each slideway extends in the X direction; during horizontal adjustment of the plate (adjustment in the X direction), a shaft slides in its slideway.

[0012] The first and second recesses form a pocket cavity, wherein the male element of the first adjustment system and the male element of the second adjustment system are received in the pocket cavity by snap fit. The pocket cavity is a recess that receives the male element; the pocket cavity includes an opening whose profile allows the male element to be snap fit into the recess.

[0013] Preferably, the male element is a ball.

[0014] Several embodiments are conceivable regarding the adjustment system and the attachment of the plate.

[0015] In the first two embodiments, these embodiments have in common the nature of the first adjustment system, and the attachment of the plate to the housing with a ball joint; they differ in the arrangement of the motorization for achieving the vertical translation of the plate.

[0016] In the first two embodiments, the plate is attached to the housing by a ball joint which, together with the first and second recesses, defines the axis of rotation of the adjustment of the plate, so as to adjust the plate vertically (pivoting from top to bottom and from bottom to top) and laterally (pivoting from left to right or from right to left). In particular, the ball joint is a fixing point of the housing in the form of a protruding element which is integral with the housing and acts as a ball joint, such as a ball, and is positioned eccentrically relative to the housing (and at the back of the housing), opposite the first adjustment system. The vertical adjustment of the plate is accomplished by rotation around a horizontal axis defined by two transverse axes which are integral with the opposite transverse sides of the plate (and oriented in the Y direction) and are coplanar with the ball joint and the first recess of the plate. The transverse adjustment of the plate is accomplished by rotation around a vertical axis defined by the ball joint and the second recess.

[0017] Advantageously, in the first two embodiments, the second recess of the plate forms a slideway in which the second element of the second adjustment system is mounted, the second element being in the form of a ball. Advantageously, the slideway extends tangentially to an arc of a circle whose center is the ball joint and whose radius is the distance from the ball joint to the second recess.

[0018] According to a first embodiment, the second adjustment system comprises a motor (advantageously located in a plane above the plate, in the upper part of the device and in the back of the housing), a rod, and a movement conversion member supporting the second element, the motor being arranged to translate the rod along an axis parallel to the plate (horizontal axis), and the rod being connected to the conversion member so that the translation of the rod along the axis parallel to the plate causes the translation of the second element along the axis perpendicular to the plate (vertical axis). The conversion member makes it possible to convert an initial movement of horizontal translation into a final movement of vertical translation. Advantageously, the conversion member comprises a support comprising two arms, a first arm and a second arm, the first arm being perpendicular to the plate and connected to the rod by one of these ends, the second arm being connected orthogonally to the first arm, and the second element being arranged at the end of the second arm, the support being mounted on the housing of the lighting device by a ball joint. In particular, the ball joint of the support is arranged at the end of the first arm opposite to the end connected to the rod and in a plane lower than the plane housing the second element.

[0019] This arrangement of the motor at the rear of the housing creates a free space above the lighting module, so that the lighting module can be easily lifted.

[0020] In a second embodiment, the second adjustment system comprises a motor (located in a plane below the board, in the lower part of the housing) and a rod carrying the second element, preferably a ball, the motor being arranged to translate the rod along the axis perpendicular to the board (vertical axis). Thus, here too, the technical area with the motor is arranged below the board, which can then be easily raised in free space above the lighting modules.

[0021] In a third embodiment, the plate comprises two transverse axes, each of which is received in a slideway provided in the housing, the first recess defining a ball joint between the first element and the plate, and the second recess defining a ball joint between the second convex element and the plate, the first recess and the second recess defining a rotation axis for lateral horizontal adjustment, and the second recess and the transverse axes together defining a rotation axis for adjustment in a direction perpendicular to the plate (vertical adjustment).

[0022] In this third embodiment, the second adjustment system corresponds to the second adjustment system of the first embodiment, comprising a motor, a rod, and a motion conversion member (bracket) supporting the second element, the motor being arranged to translate the rod along an axis parallel to the plate, and the rod being connected to the conversion member so that the translation of the rod along the axis parallel to the plate causes the translation of the second element along the axis perpendicular to the plate. On the other hand, in this third embodiment, the second recess receiving the male element has a shape matching that of the male element, in the form of a ball. In this third embodiment, the second recess has no slide.

[0023] Whatever the embodiment, the first adjustment system advantageously comprises an adjustment screw. The first adjustment system acts in the X direction in a plane parallel to the plate to allow transverse adjustment of the plate. A first recess cooperating with the first adjustment system (in particular the spherical end of the adjustment screw) forms a slideway, the opening of which is located in a plane perpendicular to the general plane of extension of the plate (that is to say, vertically positioned). The slideway of the first recess has a longitudinal axis axially aligned with the transverse axis of the plate.

[0024] According to one feature of the lighting device of the invention, the plate and, if present, the motion conversion member comprise at least one ribbed face. Advantageously, the plate and, if present, the motion conversion member are based on a thermoplastic polymer, such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), optionally reinforced with glass fibres or aluminium.

[0025] According to another feature, the device comprises one or more lighting modules arranged on said board.

[0026] In a preferred use, the lighting device comprises a lighting module of the segmented high-beam type, which is mounted on the plate and is adjustable in height by means of vertical adjustment screws inserted into vertical holes of the plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The invention will now be described by means of examples which are merely illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the invention and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] [ Figure 1 ] represents a front perspective view of a lighting device according to the present invention with respect to a first embodiment.

[0029] [ Figure 2 ] represents a front perspective view of a lighting device according to the present invention regarding a second embodiment.

[0030] [ Figure 3 ] is a perspective view from above the bottom of the board, which is Figure 1 and Figure 2 of the first two embodiments of the device.

[0031] [ Figure 4 ]yes Figure 1 Partially exploded perspective view.

[0032] [ Figure 5 ] is from Figure 1 A horizontal cross-sectional view of the device viewed from below.

[0033] [ Figure 6 ]yes Figure 1 Vertical and side cross-sectional views of the device.

[0034] [ Figure 7 ] is composed Figure 1 A perspective view of a motion conversion member of an interface portion between a housing and a plate of a first embodiment.

[0035] [ Figure 8 ] is a front perspective view of a lighting device of the present invention according to a third embodiment.

[0036] [ Fig. 9 ] is from Figure 8 A perspective view of the device's panels and lighting modules viewed from underneath.

[0037] [ Fig.10 ] is before installing the board and lighting module Figure 8 A front perspective view of the interior of the housing of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The motor vehicle lighting device 1 illustrated in the drawing is intended in particular to constitute a vehicle headlight or front lamp.

[0039] The lighting device 1 comprises: at least one lighting module 2 for lighting, in this case two lighting modules 20 and 21 are illustrated; a plate 3, which is designed to be movable and is used to support the lighting module; a housing 10, which accommodates the components of the plate and the components of the lighting module and has a front side 11, from which the light of the lighting module is emitted; and devices 4, 5 for adjusting the height and depth of the plate in the housing so as to adjust the angular orientation of the lighting module vertically in the Z direction (from bottom to top or from top to bottom) and laterally in the Y direction (from left to right or from right to left).

[0040] The plate 3 is substantially planar; it has a lower face 3A and an upper face 3B. According to the invention, the plate 3 is arranged in the housing 10 so as to extend in a single dimension corresponding to a horizontal plane in the use position of the device.

[0041] Furthermore, the plate 3 comprises, on each lateral side of the plate, respectively, an axis 60, 61 extending in a direction parallel to the general plane of the plate and to the back 12 of the housing (perpendicular to the direction connecting the front 11 of the housing to the back 12). These axes 60 and 61 are received in corresponding slideways 70 and 71 provided in the body of the housing 10. The axes 60 and 61 make it possible to react to the forces in the Z direction in the event that the plate is subjected to vertical vibrations.

[0042] The adjustment device 4 enables the plate 3 to be moved in a direction parallel to the plate and in the depth direction in the housing (horizontal direction X). The adjustment device 5 enables the plate 3 to be moved along a plane perpendicular to the plate (vertical direction Z).

[0043] More specifically, the adjustment device includes a first adjustment system 4 and a second adjustment system 5, wherein the first adjustment system 4 is supported by the body of the shell 10 and cooperates with the plate 3 to translate the plate 3 in parallel, and the second adjustment system 5 is supported by the body of the shell 10 and cooperates with the plate 3 at at least one other position of the plate 3 to translate the plate 3 perpendicular to the extension plane of the plate.

[0044] Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 8 Two embodiments are illustrated respectively with regard to the design of the plate 3 and the design of the adjustment devices 4 and 5 and their connection to the housing 10 .

[0045] In the first two embodiments ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), in Figure 3 The plate 3 and the adjusting device 4 for the horizontal translation of the plate 3 are shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) are common. On the other hand, the adjustment device 5 for the vertical translation of the plate 3 is different in the two embodiments.

[0046] These first two embodiments are described below.

[0047] According to the present invention, plate 3 ( Figure 3 ) comprises at least two recesses 30 and 31 and a connection point 32, the at least two recesses 30 and 31 being used to cooperate with the convex elements 40 and 50 of the corresponding adjustment systems 4 and 5; the connection point 32 is here of concave shape and is used to cooperate with a fixed connection 13 integral with the back 12 of the shell 10 to form a ball joint between the plate and the shell.

[0048] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5, the first adjustment system 4 comprises an adjustment screw 40 arranged in the back 12 of the housing and whose distal front end corresponds to the male element 40. The screw 4 extends along a horizontal plane in a plane parallel to the plate 30. Preferably, the male element 40 has a spherical head. The recess 30 of the plate forms a blind hole, the entrance of which is located in a plane perpendicular to the general plane of the plate. This first recess 30 can be located at the level of the lower face 3A of the plate, as illustrated here, or on the edge of the plate in the thickness of the plate, or even on the upper face 3B of the plate. The screw 4, whose head 40 engages in the recess 30, is intended to be tightened or loosened so that the plate 3 is translated between the front face 11 and the back 12 of the housing according to the arrow F1 in a plane parallel to the general plane of the plate (horizontal plane). The recess 30 is advantageously in the form of a slide whose axis coincides with the direction of the axes 60 and 61 of the plate.

[0049] According to a first embodiment of the lighting device, a vertical translation movement of the plate 3 is generated and Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figures 5 to 7 The second adjustment system 5 illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises a motor M capable of exerting a horizontal pull or push and angle transmission means for producing a vertical translation on the plate.

[0050] In particular, the adjustment system 5 comprises a motor M and a motion conversion member 51, and a convex element 50, wherein the motion conversion member 51 is arranged as an interface between the motor M and the plate 3 so as to convert the horizontal movement generated by the motor M into the vertical movement of the plate 3, and the convex element 50 is integral with the member 51 and is received in the second recess 31 of the plate.

[0051] In this case, the motion conversion component 51 is in the form of a bracket ( Figure 6 and Figure 7 ). The bracket 51 has two arms (a vertical arm 51A and a perpendicular horizontal arm 51B) and three connection points (a first connection point (vertex) 52, a second connection point 53 (bottom point) and a third connection point, the first connection point 52 being arranged in the upper part of the vertical arm 51A and forming a cavity, preferably in the form of a vertical slide, the entrance of the first connection point 52 being located in a vertical plane; the second connection point 53 being located at a position opposite to the first point, at the lower end of the vertical arm 51A; the third connection point being composed of a convex element 50. The three connection points 52, 53 and 50 form a trihedral. The connection points 52 and 53 are coplanar, while the convex element 50 is offset. The third connection point / convex element 50 is arranged in a plane above the bottom point 53. When the bracket 51 is mounted on the housing 10 and the plate 3, the rear of the plate cooperates with the adjustment systems 4 and 5, while the convex element 50 protrudes toward the front of the plate.

[0052] The motor M is arranged at the back of the housing and behind the support 51, that is to say opposite the plate 3. The adjustment system 5 comprises a rod 54 connected to the motor M and designed to be driven in translation by the motor, parallel to its longitudinal axis and parallel to the general plane of the plate.

[0053] This first connection point or cavity 52 of the support 51 is connected to the motor M via a rod 54. Preferably, the free end of the rod 54 is domed. The head of the rod 54 is received in the top connection point / cavity 52 of the support 51; driving the rod 54 exerts a horizontal translation movement on the support 51 parallel to the general plane of the plate 3 ( Figure 6 F2).

[0054] The second connection point 53 is integrated with the housing at a fixed point 55 with a spherical head to form a ball joint. The second connection point 53 forms a cavity that accommodates the spherical shape 55 of the housing. The fixed arrangement of the ball joint 53, 55 of the second connection point (in contrast to the first connection point 52 which is movable) allows the bracket 51 to rotate around the ball joint 55.

[0055] The third connection point consisting of the male element 50 is arranged at the free end of the horizontal arm 51B of the bracket and is located in a plane higher than the second connection points / ball joints 53, 55 (and lower than the first connection point 52). The rotation of the second connection point 53 about the ball joint 55 generates a vertical translation of the third connection point / male element 50 ( Figure 6 3). The male element 50 is spaced apart from the ball joints 53, 55 in an appropriate manner to provide a radius of curvature associated with the desired pivot angle of the lighting module. Preferably, the male element 50 is spherical in shape. The cooperation of the male element 50 with the second recess 31 of the plate generates a vertical translation of the plate 3. The recess 3 has its opening in a plane parallel to the plate (horizontal plane).

[0056] Advantageously, regarding Figure 3 , the second recess 31 of the plate 3 forms a slide which extends tangentially to an arc of a circle whose center is the connection point 32 and whose radius is the distance between the connection point 32 and the center of the slide 31. The slide 31 has a longitudinal axis which is inclined relative to the vertical and in the direction of the first adjustment system 4.

[0057] According to a second embodiment of the regulating system 5, Figure 2As illustrated, the adjustment system 5 generates a direct movement of vertical translation of the plate 3. To this end, the adjustment system 5 comprises a motor M1 capable of exerting a vertical pull or push at the level of the lower face 3A of the plate 3, so as to translate the plate vertically and to raise or lower it. Furthermore, the adjustment system 5 comprises a male element 50 cooperating with the second concave portion of the plate, in this case formed by an end of a rod connected to the motor M1, preferably a spherical end.

[0058] In the first two embodiments described above, the plate 3 is also attached to a fixing point 13 of the housing by means of a third recess 32 of the plate. This fixed connection point 13 is eccentric in the back 12 of the housing and is located in the upper part opposite the first adjustment system 4 with respect to the vertical plane containing the motor M or M1. The connection point 13 is in the form of a ball joint ( Figure 4 ) to ensure that the plate rotates about this point.

[0059] According to a third embodiment of the lighting device of the present invention, Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the device 1 comprises an adjustment system 4 (an adjustment screw whose end 40 is received in the first recess 30 of the plate) identical in horizontal translation to the two other embodiments described above. Fig.10 As illustrated, the device 1 does not comprise the fixed connection points 13 of the first two embodiments. The plate 3 is carried by the housing through its transverse axes 60, 61 and by the adjustment systems 4 and 5 through its recesses 30 and 31 respectively.

[0060] Furthermore, although the adjustment system 5 for generating the vertical translational motion of the plate 3 by the motor M and the motion conversion member (bracket) 51 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the geometry of the second recess 31 of the plate 3 that accommodates the second male element 50 of the bracket is different. The second recess 31 of the plate has a concave shape that matches the shape of the male element 50. Here, the second recess 31 has a spherical concave shape.

Claims

1. A lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle, the lighting device comprising: A housing (10) having a lighting front (11), a substantially planar plate (3), and at least one lighting module (20, 21) mounted on the plate; characterized in that the plate (3) has a lower side (3A) and an upper side (3B), and wherein the lighting device comprises, on the one hand, a first adjustment system (4), the first adjustment system (4) comprising a first convex element (40) and arranged to translate the first convex element (40) along an axis parallel to the plate, the plate (3) being provided with a first recess (30) for receiving the first convex element (40); and the lighting device comprises, on the other hand, a second adjustment system (5), the second adjustment system (5) comprising a second convex element (50) and arranged to translate the second convex element (50) along an axis perpendicular to the plate, the plate being provided with a second recess (31) for receiving the second convex element (50) at a height above or below the plate, The second adjustment system (5) comprises a motor (M), a rod (54), and a motion conversion member (51) supporting the second convex element (50), the motor (M) being arranged to translate the rod (54) along an axis parallel to the plate, and the rod (54) being connected to the motion conversion member (51) so that the translation of the rod along the axis parallel to the plate causes the translation of the second convex element along the axis perpendicular to the plate, The motion conversion member (51) comprises a bracket, the bracket comprising two arms, the two arms being a first arm (51A) and a second arm (51B), the first arm (51A) being perpendicular to the plate and connected to the rod (54) via one end of the first arm (51A), the second arm (51B) being orthogonally connected to the first arm, and the second convex element (50) being arranged at the end of the second arm (51B), the bracket being mounted on the housing of the lighting device via a first ball joint (53, 55).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The plate (3) comprises two transverse axes (60, 61), each of which is received in a slideway (70, 71) provided in the housing.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first recess (30) forms a slideway, the opening of which is located in a plane perpendicular to the general plane in which the plate extends.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first recess (30) and the second recess (31) form a pocket cavity, wherein the first male element (40) of the first adjustment system (4) and the second male element (50) of the second adjustment system (5) are received in the pocket cavity by snap-fitting.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The second male element (50) is a ball.

6. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The second recess (31) of the plate forms a slideway in which the second male element (50) of the second adjustment system is mounted, the second male element (50) being in the form of a ball.

7. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The plate (3) is attached to the housing by means of a second ball joint (32, 13), which, together with the first recess (30) and the second recess (31), defines an axis of rotation for adjusting the plate.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The second recess (31) of the plate forms a slideway in which the second male element (50) of the second adjustment system is mounted, the slideway extending tangentially to an arc of a circle whose center is the second ball joint (32) and whose radius is the distance from the second ball joint (32) to the second recess (31).

9. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The first recess (30) defines a ball joint between the first male element (40) and the plate (3), and the second recess (31) defines a ball joint between the second male element (50) and the plate (3), the first recess (30) and the second recess (31) defining a rotation axis for lateral adjustment of the plate, while the second recess (31) and the lateral axis (60, 61) together define a rotation axis for adjustment in a direction perpendicular to the plate.

10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The second recess (31) has a concave shape matching the shape of the second male element (50) in the form of a sphere.

11. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first adjustment system (4) comprises an adjustment screw.

12. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The plate (3) and, when present, the motion conversion member comprise at least one ribbed surface.

13. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The lighting device comprises a lighting module of the segmented high-beam type, which is mounted on the plate and is adjustable in height by means of vertical adjustment screws inserted into vertical holes of the plate.

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