Cover sheet for motor vehicle headlamps with integrated heating foil

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure flap for a motor vehicle headlamp, in which a heating device is arranged, wherein the heating device has an electrical contact point via which the heating device can be supplied with energy. The closure flap has a socket, which has an electrically conductive contact element, wherein the contact element in the socket projects with a first end region out of the closure flap, and wherein the contact element runs from the socket into the closure flap towards the electrical contact point of the heating device, and a second end region of the contact element is in contact with the electrical contact point of the heating device. The contact element has an elastically deformable section, and the contact element bears against the electrical contact point in a state in which the elastically deformable section is pre-tensioned in the direction of the electrical contact point, wherein the closure flap is formed from a hardened injection-moulded material, and wherein the contact element is at least partially surrounded by the hardened injection-moulded material, wherein the elastically deformable section is completely surrounded by the hardened injection-moulded material in the pre-tensioned state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sealing plate for a motor vehicle headlight or a lighting device for a motor vehicle headlight, the sealing plate comprising:

[0002] -The front and the back opposite the front.

[0003] - At least one heating device, arranged inside the enclosed plate between the front and back sides, wherein the heating device has at least one electrical contact portion through which energy can be supplied to the heating device.

[0004] - A socket, arranged on the enclosure, wherein the socket is capable of connecting to a plug, the plug being connected to or capable of connecting to an energy source, thereby providing a plug connection in the plugged-in state, by means of which energy can be supplied to the at least one heating device.

[0005] The socket has at least one, particularly two, conductive contact elements, wherein at least one contact element extends from the closure with a first end region, such that when a plug connection is present, the at least one contact element contacts a mating contact element of the plug, thereby enabling a conductive contact with the energy source to be established by establishing a plug connection via the plug, and the at least one contact element extends from the socket toward the closure toward at least one electrical contact portion of the at least one heating device, and a second end region of the at least one contact element contacts at least one electrical contact portion of the at least one heating device. Background Technology

[0006] A motor vehicle headlight is mounted on the front of a motor vehicle. It includes one or more lighting devices for illuminating the traffic space in front of the vehicle. Such a headlight typically comprises a housing in which the one or more lighting devices are arranged. The housing is enclosed by a cladding, which is often at least partially optically transparent, although other sections of the cladding may be opaque.

[0007] The at least one lighting device emits light through the transparent area of ​​the enclosed sheet. Preferably, a heating device is arranged in the enclosed sheet before the lighting device, wherein, for example, a heating device can be provided for each lighting device separately.

[0008] With the help of such a heating device, the sealing sheet can remain free of moisture, ice, etc., at least in the area through which light passes.

[0009] One or more sensor devices, such as radar, can also be additionally arranged in the housing, wherein preferably the heating device or its own heating device is also located in the area below the enclosure through which electromagnetic waves transmitted and / or received by the sensor devices pass.

[0010] The housing may also contain only one or more sensor devices, which in the terminology are not motor vehicle headlights, but rather, for example, sensor receiving devices.

[0011] The above description applies similarly if, for example, it pertains not to motor vehicle headlights, but to signal lights (turn signals, etc.) or devices located at the rear of the motor vehicle (e.g., reversing lights, etc.). For a purely sensor-receiving device, it can also be positioned on the motor vehicle in virtually any location suitable for the sensor device.

[0012] In order to supply energy to (one or more) heating devices, a socket is provided on the enclosure, from which contact elements, typically two contact elements (positive and negative), extend, so that (electrical) energy can be supplied to the heating device when a corresponding plug connected to an energy source is inserted, enabling the heating device to heat the enclosure.

[0013] Here, during manufacturing and partly during use in motor vehicles (e.g., due to impacts, vibrations, etc.), the following problem often occurs: the contact element does not or unreliably contact the heating device or the contact becomes loose. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The objective of this invention is to provide a sealing sheet that provides reliable contact between a contact element and a heating device.

[0015] This task is solved by a closure sheet as mentioned at the beginning, wherein at least one contact element according to the invention has an elastically deformable section, and wherein the at least one contact element abuts against the at least one electrical contact in a pre-tightened state in the direction of the elastically deformable section toward the at least one electrical contact, and wherein the closure sheet is formed of a hardened injection molding material, wherein the at least one contact element is at least partially surrounded by the hardened injection molding material, and wherein the elastically deformable section is completely surrounded by the hardened injection molding material in the pre-tightened state.

[0016] By pre-tightening the at least one contact element toward the electrical contact portion of the heating device during manufacturing, it is ensured that the contact element will not loosen from the contact portion during manufacturing, thereby reliably and permanently establishing the contact even when the injection molding material is hardened.

[0017] Typically, each contact element has its own contact portion for the heating device. Usually, two contact elements are provided for the positive and negative poles (and correspondingly, two contact portions are provided).

[0018] Preferably, the elastically deformable segment is arranged in the second end region or between the first end region and the second end region.

[0019] The second end region is configured, for example, in a planar shape, so as to enable contact with the contact area over the largest possible area.

[0020] For example, the elastically deformable section of the at least one contact element or the at least one contact element may be configured as a leaf spring or a leaf spring.

[0021] Advantageously, the second end region is configured in a planar shape, so that when the contact element is pre-tightened toward the contact portion, the second end region abuts against the contact portion of the heating device in a planar shape. In this way, the electrical contact portion is enlarged and the pre-tightening can be performed mechanically and stably.

[0022] The socket, preferably arranged on the back of the closure, can be integrally formed from the hardened injection-molded material of the closure, or it can be formed as a separate component partially surrounded by the hardened injection-molded material forming the closure, such that the socket is fixedly connected to the closure.

[0023] Preferably, the at least one heating device is completely housed inside the enclosed sheet, and in particular, at least one electrical contact portion of the at least one heating device is completely housed inside the enclosed sheet.

[0024] For example, at least one heating device is configured as a heating foil, wherein the heating foil preferably includes a base on which heating wires are arranged, wherein the base is preferably configured to be transparent, and in particular optically transparent.

[0025] For example, the base is a base provided with, in particular printed with, heating wires, especially printed foil, which is preferably transparent, especially optically transparent.

[0026] For example, the sealing sheet is at least regionally, preferably optically transparent in its entirety. "Optically transparent" here means, for example, "transparent in the visible wavelength range".

[0027] It can be specified that the at least one heating device is located in a region of the sealing sheet, particularly in a region where the sealing sheet is transparently formed, or that a heating device is provided that extends over the entire region of the sealing sheet, particularly over the entire optically transparent region of the sealing sheet.

[0028] The closure is often constructed as a 2-component sheet made of two different materials. The lighting device and / or sensor device are located behind the transparent area of ​​the closure, and the heating device is typically arranged thereafter in the transparent area. The socket is preferably arranged on the opaque portion of the closure.

[0029] The heating device extends over the defined area of ​​the sealing sheet, but can also extend over the entire sealing sheet, at least over its entire optically transparent area.

[0030] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a receiving device for a motor vehicle, which is used to receive:

[0031] - At least one sensor device, said sensor device being configured to detect the surrounding environment of the receiving device, particularly the surrounding environment of a motor vehicle, by means of the emission and / or reception of electromagnetic waves, in a sensing manner, and / or

[0032] - At least one lighting device, said lighting device being configured to emit light in order to produce one or more lighting functions.

[0033] The receiving device includes a housing, wherein the at least one sensor device and / or the at least one lighting device are arranged in the housing, and wherein the housing is closed by the aforementioned sealing plate.

[0034] Preferably, the at least one sensor device and / or the at least one lighting device are arranged in the housing such that at least a portion, preferably all, of the electromagnetic waves and / or light beams pass through the enclosure in the area where the heating device is arranged, wherein preferably each sensor device and each lighting device is provided with a heating device.

[0035] For example, the receiving device may be configured to receive only one or more sensor devices, or it may be configured to receive a lighting device, such as a vehicle headlight or reversing light. Typically, the receiving device may be configured to form a vehicle headlight or reversing light that additionally includes one or more sensor devices.

[0036] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle having at least one of the aforementioned receiving devices, wherein preferably the at least one receiving device is arranged on the front or rear of the motor vehicle, wherein the receiving device is configured, for example, as a motor vehicle headlight.

[0037] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a sealing sheet, particularly for use in receiving devices, the method comprising the following steps:

[0038] • Provide injection molds for forming closed sheets.

[0039] • The at least one heating device is placed into the injection mold and positioned in a fixed position, such that, in the hardened state of the injection material injected into the injection mold, the at least one heating device is located between the front side of the sealing sheet and the back side opposite to the front side.

[0040] • At least one conductive contact element, particularly two conductive contact elements, is placed into the injection mold, wherein the at least one contact element has a section capable of elastic deformation.

[0041] • A contact is established between the at least one contact element and the electrical contact portion of the at least one heating device.

[0042] • Pre-tighten the elastically deformable section of each contact element that abuts against the electrical contact point toward the electrical contact point.

[0043] • When the at least one contact element comes into contact with the contact portion and the elastically deformable segment is pre-tightened in the direction of the contact portion, the injection material is injected into the injection mold.

[0044] • The injection molding material is hardened when the at least one contact element comes into contact with the contact portion and the elastically deformable segment (7a) is pre-tightened in the direction of the contact portion.

[0045] It can be stipulated that

[0046] - The injection mold is configured such that the socket and the sealing piece are integrally formed together through the injection and hardening of the injection material, or

[0047] - The socket is constructed as a separate insert, which is placed into the injection mold such that the insert is at least regionally surrounded by the injected injection material and connected to the closure sheet upon hardening.

[0048] It can be specified that the at least one conductive contact element is positioned in the injection mold such that the at least one contact element is surrounded by the injection molding material in the area in contact with the contact portion and the elastically deformable, pre-tightened section of the contact element is completely surrounded by the injection molding material, and the end of the at least one contact element away from the contact portion protrudes from the hardened closure plate, especially in the socket. Attached Figure Description

[0049] The invention will now be explained in detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments. Wherein:

[0050] Figure 1 The front view shows a receiving device in the form of a motor vehicle headlight.

[0051] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A rough schematic vertical section of the receiving device in the area of ​​a heating device arranged in the enclosed plate of the receiving device.

[0052] Figure 3 The arrangement in Figure 2 A view of the heating device in the enclosed sheet.

[0053] Figure 4 The diagram illustrates a heating device along with a conductive contact element in contact with the contact area.

[0054] Figure 5 The diagram shows the contact element during the manufacturing process of the closure sheet, prior to pre-tightening the contact element.

[0055] Figure 5a The diagram shows the contact element in contact with the contact portion when it is pre-tightened. Detailed Implementation

[0056] Figure 1 A receiving device 100 for a motor vehicle is shown, specifically a motor vehicle headlight. The receiving device 100 includes a housing 101 in which a sensor device 102, such as radar, and two lighting devices 103 and 104 are arranged.

[0057] The sensor device 102 is configured to detect the surrounding environment of the receiving device, particularly the surrounding environment of a motor vehicle, by means of the emission and / or reception of electromagnetic waves. The lighting devices 103 and 104 are configured to emit light to produce one or more lighting functions, such as producing low beam and high beam distributions.

[0058] The housing 101 is closed on its front side by a sealing sheet 1, which is transparent in the illustrated embodiment.

[0059] As in Figure 1 As can be seen from the illustration, in the illustrated embodiment, a heating device 4 is provided in the enclosure 1, which is positioned in front of the sensor device 102 such that electromagnetic waves emitted and / or received by the sensor device 102 pass through the enclosure 1 in the area where the heating device 4 is located.

[0060] like Figure 2As shown, the sealing plate 1 includes a front side 2 and a back side 3 opposite to the front side, wherein the heating device 4 is arranged inside the sealing plate 1 between the front side 2 and the back side 3. The heating device 4 includes at least one, particularly two, electrical contact portions 5 through which energy can be supplied to the heating device 4.

[0061] On the back 3, a socket 6 is arranged on the enclosure 1, wherein the socket 6 can be connected to a plug 60, which is connected or can be connected to an energy source 61 (e.g., on the vehicle side) via an electrical connection, particularly a cable 62, so that a plug connection exists when the plug 60 is plugged into or inserted into the socket 6, by means of which energy can be supplied to the heating device 4.

[0062] The socket 6 has at least one, and in particular exactly two, conductive contact elements 7, which extend from the closure piece 1 in the socket 6 with a first end region 8, so that when a plug connection is present, the at least one contact element 7 contacts the mating contact element 63 of the plug 60.

[0063] The at least one contact element 7 extends from the socket 6 toward the closure plate 1 toward the heating device 4 and its assigned electrical contact portion 5, and the second end region 9 of the contact element 7 contacts its assigned electrical contact portion 5.

[0064] As in Figure 2 As can also be seen, the sensor device 102 is preferably positioned such that the cone 1000 surrounding the emitted electromagnetic waves passes through the sealing plate 1, preferably only through the sealing plate 1 in the area where the heating device 4 is located.

[0065] Figure 3 Again, compared to Figure 1 The enlarged illustration shows the heating device 4. For example, the heating device 4 is constructed as a heating foil, particularly a transparent heating foil, wherein the heating foil includes a base 40 or forms a base 40, and heating wires 41 (or continuous heating wires) are arranged on the base. For example, the base 40 or the heating foil is printed with heating wires. Electrical energy is supplied to the heating wires 41 through the contact portion 5 to heat the sealing sheet 1.

[0066] As from Figure 4As can be seen from the above, the at least one contact element 7 has an elastically deformable section 7a, wherein the at least one contact element 7 abuts against the at least one electrical contact 5 in a pre-tightened state in the direction of the elastically deformable section 7a toward the at least one electrical contact 5, and wherein the sealing piece 1 is formed of a hardened injection molding material 10, wherein the at least one contact element 7 is at least partially surrounded by the hardened injection molding material 10, and wherein the elastically deformable section 7a is completely surrounded by the hardened injection molding material 10 in the pre-tightened state.

[0067] The elastically deformable segment 7a is arranged between the first end region 7 and the second end region 9, wherein the second end region 9 is configured, for example, in a planar shape, as shown, to enable contact with the contact portion over the largest possible area. The contact portion 5 (see, for example, [reference needed]). Figure 3 It is also preferably configured in a planar shape, wherein the contact portion 5 preferably has a larger area than the contact area formed by the end region 9 of the contact element 7.

[0068] For example, the elastically deformable segment 7a of the at least one contact element 7 or the at least one contact element may be configured as a leaf spring or a leaf spring.

[0069] The socket 6 can be integrally formed with the sealing plate 1 from the hardened injection molding material 10 that forms the sealing plate, or it can be constructed as a separate component that is partially surrounded by the hardened injection molding material that forms the sealing plate, so that the socket is fixedly connected to the sealing plate.

[0070] at last, Figure 5 and 5a The manufacturing process of the sealing sheet according to the invention is again roughly schematically illustrated. The method includes...

[0071] • Provide an injection mold for forming the closed piece 1,

[0072] The at least one heating device 4 is thus placed into the injection mold and positioned in a fixed position, such that, in the hardened state of the injection molding material 10 placed into the injection mold, the at least one heating device 4 is located between the front side 2 of the sealing sheet 1 and the back side 3 opposite to the front side.

[0073] • Place at least one conductive contact element 7, particularly two conductive contact elements, into the injection mold, wherein the at least one contact element 7 has a section 7a that can elastically deform (see Figure 5 (The section 7a mentioned here has not yet been pre-tightened).

[0074] • A contact is established between the at least one contact element 7 and the electrical contact portion 5 of the at least one heating device 4.

[0075] • Pre-tighten the elastically deformable section 7a of each contact element 7 abutting against the electrical contact portion 5 in the direction of the electrical contact portion 5 (see...) Figure 5a The preferred planar contact is established by pressing the end region 9 of the contact element 7 onto the preferred planar contact portion 5, i.e., by force vector F, and the segment 7a is pre-tightened by further pressing the contact element 7 against the end region 9.

[0076] • When at least one contact element 7 contacts the contact portion 5 and the elastically deformable segment 7a is pre-tightened in the direction of the contact portion 5, the injection material 10 is injected into the injection mold (corresponding to Figure 5a ),

[0077] • When the contact element 7 and the contact portion 5 (corresponding to Figure 5a When the elastically deformable section 7a is pre-tightened in the direction of the contact portion 5, the injection molding material 10 is hardened.

Claims

1. A closure flap (1) for a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising - a front face (2) and a back face (3) opposite the front face, - at least one heating device (4) which is arranged inside the closure flap (1) between the front face (2) and the back face (3), wherein the heating device (4) has at least one electrical contact point (5) via which the heating device (4) can be supplied with energy, - a socket (6) which is arranged on the closure flap (1), wherein the socket (6) can be connected with a plug (60) which is connected or connectable with an energy source (61) so that a plug connection exists in the plugged-together state by means of which the at least one heating device (4) can be supplied with energy, wherein - the socket (6) has at least one electrically conductive contact element (7), wherein at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) in the socket (6) projects with a first end region (8) out of the closure flap (1) so that, in the presence of the plug connection, the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) comes into contact with a counter contact element of the plug (60) so that an electrically conductive contact with the energy source can be established by means of the plug connection established via the plug (60), and the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) extends from the socket (6) into the closure flap (1) towards the at least one electrical contact point (5) of the at least one heating device (4) and a second end region (9) of the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) comes into contact with the at least one electrical contact point (5) of the at least one heating device (4), characterized in that - the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) has an elastically deformable section (7a), and wherein the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) bears against the at least one electrical contact point (5) in a state in which the elastically deformable section (7a) is pre-tensioned in the direction of the at least one electrical contact point (5), and wherein the closure flap (1) is formed from a hardened injection-moulded material (10), wherein the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) is at least partially surrounded by the hardened injection-moulded material (10), wherein the elastically deformable section (7a) is completely surrounded by the hardened injection-moulded material (10) in the pre-tensioned state.

2. The closure flap according to claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable section (7a) is arranged in the second end region (9) or between the first end region (8) and the second end region (9).

3. The closure flap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastically deformable section (7a) of the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) or the at least one electrically conductive contact element is formed in the form of a leaf spring. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 4. The closure tab according to claim 1, wherein the second end region (9) is formed planarly, so that the second end region (9) lies planarly against the electrical contact site (5) of the heating device when the electrically conductive contact element (7) is pre-tensioned towards the electrical contact site (5).

5. The closure tab according to claim 4, wherein the socket (6) arranged on the back (3) of the closure tab (1) is formed integrally with the closure tab (1) from the hardened injection-molded material (10) of the closure tab or as a separate insert which is partially surrounded by the hardened injection-molded material of the closure tab, so that the socket is fixedly connected with the closure tab.

6. The closure tab according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heating device (4) is completely received inside the closure tab (1).

7. The closure tab according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heating device (4) is formed as a heating foil.

8. The closure according to claim 7, wherein, The heating foil comprises a base (40) on which a heating wire (41) is arranged.

9. The closure of claim 8, wherein, The base (40) is formed transparently.

10. The closure of claim 8 wherein, The base (40) is formed optically transparently.

11. The closure of claim 8 wherein, The base (40) is formed as a film.

12. The closure tab according to claim 1, wherein the closure tab is formed optically transparently at least regionally.

13. The closure tab according to claim 1, wherein the closure tab is formed optically transparently overall.

14. The closure tab according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heating device is in one region of the closure tab.

15. The closure of claim 12 or 13, wherein, The at least one heating device is in a region of the closure tab which is formed transparently.

16. The closure of claim 1, wherein, A heating device is provided which extends over the entire region of the closure tab.

17. The closure of claim 12 or 13, wherein, A heating device is provided which extends over the entire optically transparent region of the closure tab.

18. The closure of claim 1, wherein, The socket (6) has two electrically conductive contact elements (7).

19. The closure of claim 1, wherein, At least one electrical contact site (5) of the at least one heating device (4) is completely received inside the closure tab (1).

20. A receiving device (100) for a motor vehicle for receiving - at least one sensor device (102) which is set up to detect the surroundings of the receiving device in a sensoric manner by means of the emission and / or reception of electromagnetic waves, and / or - at least one lighting device (103, 104) which is set up to emit light for producing one or more lighting functions, wherein the receiving device (100) comprises a housing (101), wherein the at least one sensor device (102) and / or the at least one lighting device (103, 104) is arranged in the housing (101), and wherein the housing (101) is closed with a closure tab (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. The receiving device according to claim 20, wherein the at least one sensor device (102) and / or the at least one illumination device are arranged in the housing (101) in such a way that at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves and / or light beams pass through the closure sheet in the region in which the at least one heating device (4) is arranged.

22. The receiving device of claim 20, wherein, The sensor device is designed to detect the surroundings of the motor vehicle in a sensoric manner by means of the emission and / or reception of electromagnetic waves.

23. The receiving device of claim 20, wherein, The at least one sensor device (102) and / or the at least one illumination device are arranged in the housing (101) in such a way that all electromagnetic waves and / or all light beams pass through the closure sheet in the region in which the at least one heating device (4) is arranged.

24. The receiving device of claim 20, wherein, One heating device is provided for each sensor device and each illumination device.

25. A motor vehicle having at least one receiving device (100) according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the at least one receiving device (100) is arranged on the front or the back of the motor vehicle, wherein the receiving device (100) is designed as a headlight of the motor vehicle.

26. A method for producing a closure sheet (1) for a receiving device, the closure sheet being a closure sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 19, the method comprising the following steps: • providing an injection mold for shaping the closure sheet (1), • placing the at least one heating device (4) into the injection mold and positionally fixing the at least one heating device (4) in such a way that, in the hardened state of an injection material (10) injected into the injection mold, the at least one heating device (4) is located between a front face (2) and a back face (3) opposite the front face of the closure sheet (1), • placing at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) into the injection mold, wherein the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) has an elastically deformable section (7a), • establishing contact between the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) and an assigned electrical contact site (5) of the at least one heating device (4), • pre-tensioning the elastically deformable section (7a) of each electrically conductive contact element (7) resting on the electrical contact site (5) in the direction of the electrical contact site (5), • injecting an injection material (10) into the injection mold while the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) is in contact with the electrical contact site (5) and the elastically deformable section (7a) is pre-tensioned in the direction of the electrical contact site (5), • hardening the injection material (10) while the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) is in contact with the electrical contact site (5) and the elastically deformable section (7a) is pre-tensioned in the direction of the electrical contact site (5).

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the injection mold is designed in such a way that, by injection and hardening of the injection material, a socket (6) is integrally formed together with the closure sheet (1), or - the socket is formed as a separate insert which is placed in the injection mold in such a way that it is at least regionally surrounded by the injected injection molding material and is connected to the closure flap upon hardening.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) is positioned in the injection mold in such a way that it is surrounded by the injection molding material (10) in the region of contact with the electrical contact site (5) and the elastically deformable section (7a) of the electrically conductive contact element (7) which is pre-tensioned is completely surrounded by the injection molding material (10), and the end of the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) facing away from the electrical contact site (5) protrudes from the hardened closure flap (1).

29. The method of claim 26, wherein, - two electrically conductive contact elements are placed in the injection mold.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein, - the end of the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) facing away from the electrical contact site (5) protrudes in the socket (6) from the closure flap (1). - two electrically conductive contact elements are placed in the injection mold. - the end of the at least one electrically conductive contact element (7) facing away from the electrical contact site (5) protrudes in the socket (6) from the closure flap (1).

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