Vehicle light-emitting member and mounting method

Abstract

The invention relates to a light-emitting piece for a vehicle, having a holder for mounting in a through-opening of a body panel of the vehicle and a light-emitting module assigned for insertion into the holder, to a vehicle and to a method for mounting a light-emitting piece on a body panel of a vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a light-emitting element for a vehicle, the light-emitting element having a bracket for mounting in a through portion of a vehicle body panel and a light-emitting module designated for insertion into the bracket. The invention also relates to a vehicle and a method for mounting the light-emitting element onto a vehicle body panel. Background Technology

[0002] Various designs of the aforementioned types of light-emitting elements are all existing technologies and are used to illuminate the exterior of vehicles, especially motor vehicles, such as passenger cars (Pkw) or trucks (Lkw). These light-emitting elements are typically constructed as a two-piece unit consisting of a bracket and a light-emitting module, and are configured to emit visually perceptible light from outside the vehicle in the particularly dark surrounding environment. Therefore, this type of light-emitting element is often more accurately referred to as an external light-emitting element for a vehicle.

[0003] The purpose of installing lights on a vehicle is to ensure compliance with traffic regulations. However, each regulated light also contributes to the vehicle's appearance. Furthermore, the vehicle's appearance is also affected by the dimensions of the seams between body panels and / or exterior trim panels located adjacent to the lights. Therefore, the lights and body panels should be able to be adjusted independently of each other to optimize the appearance.

[0004] Therefore, DE 10 2004 063 458 B4 discloses a light-emitting element for a vehicle. This light-emitting element and the vehicle's bumper trim are mounted on the vehicle's load-bearing frame via a common bracket. The common bracket allows the light-emitting element to be adjusted relative to the bumper trim without altering the positioning of the bumper trim relative to the load-bearing frame.

[0005] In addition to the prescribed light-emitting elements, vehicles may also include light-emitting elements used solely for aesthetic purposes, that is, light-emitting elements that improve the vehicle's appearance by means of the light emitted by the light-emitting elements. For example, the light-emitting element may include the vehicle manufacturer's logo and be configured to illuminate the logo. In this case, the light-emitting element is typically mounted on the vehicle's rear cover. However, mounting the light-emitting element on the rear cover is often too costly.

[0006] On the one hand, screwing the light-emitting element to the back cover requires tools. On the other hand, the poor accessibility of the inside of the back cover makes using the required tools even more difficult. Furthermore, the inability to fully accommodate the installation of the light-emitting element may limit the design of the back cover, which is undesirable. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a light-emitting element for a vehicle that can be easily installed without tools and with minimal restrictions on the design of the vehicle body panels. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle and a method for mounting the light-emitting element on the vehicle body panels.

[0008] One subject of the present invention is a light-emitting element for a vehicle, the light-emitting element having a bracket for mounting in a through portion of a vehicle body panel and a light-emitting module designated for insertion into the bracket. The light-emitting element is configured in multiple parts and includes the bracket and the light-emitting module.

[0009] The bracket is configured to be installed in a through-hole in a body panel and typically closes the through-hole when the bracket is correctly installed. The bracket defines a receiving portion for a light-emitting module. The light-emitting module is configured to be inserted into the receiving portion and typically completely or substantially completely covers the bracket when the light-emitting module is correctly inserted.

[0010] According to the invention, the bracket includes a plurality of retaining rods / retaining latches / retaining tongues for holding or locking the bracket in the through portion. When the bracket is held or locked in the through portion, the retaining rods engage the body panel from the rear, and the light-emitting element includes an operating lever movably held on the bracket for simultaneously moving the retaining rods. The operating lever may be arranged on the side of the bracket opposite to the mounted light-emitting module. When the operating lever is moved, the operating lever simultaneously moves the retaining rods. Each retaining rod is movably held on the bracket and configured to be moved by the operating lever to engage the body panel from the rear. Each retaining rod may include a roller for rolling / unrolling on the body component, thereby facilitating the movement of the retaining rod and preventing scratches on the body component. Ideally, the bracket includes exactly four retaining rods or more.

[0011] The light-emitting element is designed to be mounted in the through section using only a lever. The light-emitting element can be easily mounted using the lever and requires no tools. Therefore, the accessibility of the through section is not a major requirement for the light-emitting element, nor does it limit the ease of installation design of the body panels.

[0012] Preferably, the bracket and the joystick together define an insertion position for inserting the bracket into the through-hole, a holding position for holding the bracket inserted into the through-hole, and a locking position for locking the bracket held in the through-hole. The joystick in the insertion position allows the bracket to be easily inserted into the through-hole. The joystick in the holding position allows the light-emitting module to be easily inserted into the bracket. The joystick in the locking position locks the bracket in the through-hole. The holding position of the joystick can be arranged between the insertion position and the locking position.

[0013] The joystick includes a positioning element that is resiliently held on the joystick, and the bracket includes a recess corresponding to the positioning element for engaging the positioning element. When the positioning element engages with the recess, the recess holds the joystick in an inserted position, a held position, and / or a locked position. Specifically, the joystick and the bracket each include a positioning element or a corresponding recess for each defined position of the joystick. This further simplifies the installation of the light-emitting element. Advantageously, the light-emitting module has an anchor-shaped locking protrusion protruding from the light-emitting module, the bracket has a positioning through-hole corresponding to the locking protrusion, and the joystick has a locking through-hole corresponding to the locking protrusion. When the light-emitting module is normally inserted into the bracket, the locking protrusion passes through and engages the locking through-hole, and the joystick in the locked position engages the locking protrusion from behind. The joystick in the locked position causes the light-emitting module to be locked in the bracket. Ideally, the light-emitting module includes exactly two or more anchor-shaped locking protrusions.

[0014] The keyhole shape of the locking through section includes a circle and an elongated ellipse connected to the circle and extending radially outward. The diameter of the circle is smaller than the width of the elongated ellipse. The diameter of the circle is larger than the diameter of the mushroom-shaped protrusion's head. The diameter of the head is larger than the width of the elongated ellipse.

[0015] In one embodiment, each retaining lever has a mushroom-shaped actuating protrusion, and the lever has a corresponding, keyhole-shaped actuating passage, which is engaged by the actuating protrusion and provides a forced guide for moving the actuating protrusion. The size of the actuating passage relative to the actuating protrusion is determined in the same way that the size of the locking passage relative to the locking protrusion is determined. The forced guide is formed by the keyhole-shaped actuating passage. The main extending direction of the actuating passage is inclined relative to the moving direction of the lever, i.e., forming an acute angle with the moving direction, which is greater than 0° and less than 90°, preferably greater than 20° and less than 40°.

[0016] Preferably, the bracket has multiple guide slots that extend perpendicular to the movement direction of the joystick and are arranged on the side of the bracket opposite to the normally inserted light-emitting module, each through which a retaining rod passes. When the joystick moves in the movement direction, the guide slots allow the retaining rod to move perpendicular to the joystick's movement direction.

[0017] Advantageously, the light-emitting module has a locking hook protruding from it, and the bracket has a locking through-hole corresponding to the locking hook. When the light-emitting module is normally inserted into the bracket, the locking hook passes through the engaging locking through-hole in a locking manner. Because the light-emitting module is locked in the bracket, it is held in the bracket in the holding position of the lever. In other words, the light-emitting module will not accidentally disengage from the bracket after being inserted until the bracket and the light-emitting module are locked together. In this way, the installation of the light-emitting component is further simplified.

[0018] Advantageously, the light-emitting element includes an annular first sealing element disposed in an edge section of the bracket on the side of the bracket opposite to the normally inserted light-emitting module, and / or the light-emitting element also includes an annular second sealing element disposed on the bottom of the bracket on the side of the bracket facing the normally inserted light-emitting module. For example, these annular sealing elements can be applied to the bracket as FIPGFG (formed in-place foam gaskets) elements. When the lever is in the locked position and the light-emitting element is installed in the through-hole of the body panel, these annular sealing elements are compressed.

[0019] The first and second sealing elements respectively seal the gaps formed between the bracket and the body panel and between the light-emitting module and the bracket. This prevents water from penetrating the through parts of the body panel.

[0020] Another subject of the invention is a vehicle comprising a body panel having a through portion and a light-emitting element mounted in the through portion. Vehicles having a light-emitting element mounted in the through portion of the body panel are widely used. Therefore, this provides numerous application possibilities for the invention. In particular, the light-emitting element may include a trademark of the vehicle manufacturer and is configured to illuminate the trademark, and is provided for mounting on a rear cover, which is part of the vehicle body.

[0021] According to the present invention, a light-emitting element according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed in the through portion. This light-emitting element allows for easy installation without tools and imposes minimal design restrictions on the vehicle body panels.

[0022] Another subject of the invention is a method for mounting a light-emitting element on a vehicle body panel, wherein the light-emitting element is mounted in a through portion of the vehicle body panel. Various methods for assembling vehicles include methods for mounting light-emitting elements on vehicle body panels. Therefore, numerous application possibilities exist for the method according to the invention.

[0023] According to the present invention, the bracket of the light-emitting element is inserted into the through portion in the insertion position using a lever held on the bracket. The lever is then moved from the insertion position to the holding position, and the bracket is held in the through portion. The light-emitting module of the light-emitting element is inserted into the bracket. The lever is then moved from the holding position to the locking position. In the locking position, the lever engages the locking protrusion of the light-emitting module from the rear, and the holding rod of the bracket, which is simultaneously moved by the lever, engages the body panel from the rear. The installation of the light-emitting element in the through portion of the body panel is performed in three steps.

[0024] First, insert the bracket into the through section. Then, move the joystick to the holding position along the movement direction. Insert the light-emitting module into the bracket. Finally, move the joystick to the locking position along the movement direction. The joystick simplifies the installation of the light-emitting component and eliminates the need for tools.

[0025] Of course, by performing the above steps in the reverse order, wherein the control lever moves in the opposite direction to the direction of movement, the light-emitting element mounted on the vehicle body can be easily removed.

[0026] A significant advantage of the light-emitting element according to the invention is that it allows for easy installation without tools and imposes minimal design restrictions on vehicle body panels. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The present invention is schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings and further described with reference to the drawings. Wherein:

[0028] Figure 1 A front perspective view of a light-emitting element for a vehicle, mounted in a through portion of a body panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown.

[0029] Figure 2 Show respectively Figure 1 The front perspective view of the bracket of the light-emitting element before it is inserted into the through part, as shown. Figure 1 The light-emitting element shown is a front perspective view of the light-emitting module before it is inserted into the bracket;

[0030] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 Rear perspective view of the light-emitting module of the light-emitting element shown;

[0031] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the light-emitting component shown;

[0032] Figure 5 Show Figure 1 The rear view of the light-emitting element shown, wherein the joystick is in the insertion position and the holding position;

[0033] Figure 6 Show Figure 1 The rear view of the light-emitting element shown, wherein the joystick is in the holding position and the locked position;

[0034] Figure 7 Show Figure 6 Rear perspective view showing details of the light-emitting element.

[0035] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0036] 1. Light-emitting component

[0037] 10 supports

[0038] 100 retaining bar

[0039] 1000 manipulator protrusions

[0040] 1001 Roller

[0041] 101 Guide gap

[0042] 102 Positioning and Connecting Section

[0043] 103 Locking through section

[0044] 104 Second sealing element

[0045] 105 First sealing element

[0046] 11 Light-emitting modules

[0047] 110 Locking Protrusion

[0048] 111 Locking hook

[0049] 12 joysticks

[0050] 120 Locking through section

[0051] 121 Positioning element

[0052] 122 Manipulation through section

[0053] 123 Movement direction

[0054] 124 Insertion position

[0055] 125 Maintain position

[0056] 126 Lock position

[0057] 2 Body panels

[0058] 20 Through Sections Detailed Implementation

[0059] Figure 1 A through-hole 20, mounted on a vehicle body panel 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown (see figure). Figure 2 The image shows a front perspective view of the light-emitting element 1. The light-emitting element 1 may belong to a vehicle (not shown) known per se according to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle including a body panel 2, such as a rear cover, the rear cover having a through portion 20 and a light-emitting element 1, such as an illuminated trademark of the vehicle manufacturer, mounted in the through portion 20.

[0060] The light-emitting element 1 includes a bracket 10 for mounting in the through portion 20 of the vehicle body panel 2 and a light-emitting module 11 designated for insertion into the bracket 10.

[0061] Figure 2 They are shown respectively Figure 1 The front perspective view of the bracket 10 before the light-emitting element 1 is inserted into the through portion 20, and Figure 1 The image shows a front perspective view of the light-emitting module 11 before it is inserted into the bracket 10. The bracket 10 may include an annular second sealing element 104, which is arranged on the bottom of the bracket 10 on the side of the bracket 10 facing the normally inserted light-emitting module 11. The annular second sealing element 104 surrounds each through portion of the bracket 10.

[0062] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 The image shows a rear perspective view of the light-emitting module 11 of the light-emitting element 1. The light-emitting module 11 may have an anchor-shaped locking protrusion 110 protruding from the light-emitting module 11 and / or a locking hook 111 protruding from the light-emitting module 11.

[0063] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 The image shows a cross-sectional view of the light-emitting element 1. The support 10 of the light-emitting element 1 includes a plurality of retaining rods 100. Each retaining rod 100 may have a mushroom-shaped operating protrusion 1000. When the support 10 is held or locked in the through portion 20, the retaining rods 100 engage the body panel 2 from the rear. Ideally, each retaining rod 100 includes a roller 1001 for rolling on the body panel 2.

[0064] In addition, the light-emitting element 1 also includes a lever 12 that is movably held on the bracket 10 (see Figure 5 , Figure 6 ), to be used to move the retaining rod 100 simultaneously.

[0065] The bracket 10 and the lever 12 preferably define together an insertion position 124 for inserting the bracket 10 into the through portion 20, a holding position 125 for holding the bracket 10 inserted into the through portion 20 in the through portion 20, and a locking position 126 for locking the bracket 10 held in the through portion 20 in the through portion 20.

[0066] The joystick 12 may include a positioning element 121 that is resiliently held on the joystick 12, and the bracket 10 may include a recess corresponding to the positioning element 121 for engaging the positioning element 121, wherein when the positioning element 121 engages with the recess, the recess holds the joystick 12 in an insertion position 124, a holding position 125, and / or a locking position 126.

[0067] The bracket 10 may also include multiple guide slots 101. The guide slots 101 are perpendicular to the direction of movement 123 of the control lever 12 (see...). Figure 5 and Figure 6 The guide slot extends to the side of the bracket 10 opposite to the normally inserted light-emitting module 11, and is respectively engaged by the retaining rod 100 passing through it.

[0068] The light-emitting element 1 may also include an annular first sealing element 105, which is arranged in the edge section of the bracket 10 on the side of the bracket 10 opposite to the normally inserted light-emitting module 11. When the light-emitting element 1 is mounted on the body panel 2, the annular first sealing element 105 is arranged between the edge section of the bracket 10 and the corresponding edge section of the body panel 2.

[0069] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 The rear view of the light-emitting element 1 shown shows the lever 12 in the insertion position 124 and the holding position 125, respectively.

[0070] Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 The rear view of the light-emitting element 1 shown shows the joystick 12 in the holding position 125 and the locked position 126, respectively.

[0071] The bracket 10 may have a positioning through portion 102 corresponding to the locking protrusion 110, and the lever 12 may have a locking through portion 120 with a lock hole shape corresponding to the locking protrusion 110. When the light-emitting module 11 is normally inserted into the bracket 10, the locking protrusion 110 passes through and engages the positioning through portion and the locking through portion. The lever 12 may engage the locking protrusion 110 from the rear in the locked position 126.

[0072] The lever 12 may have a control passage 122 with a lock hole shape corresponding to the control protrusion 1000, the control passage being engaged by the control protrusion 1000, and a forced guide for moving the control protrusion 1000.

[0073] The bracket 10 may have a locking through portion 103 corresponding to the locking hook 111. When the light-emitting module 11 is normally inserted into the bracket 10, the locking hook 111 passes through and engages the locking through portion in a locking manner.

[0074] The light-emitting element 1 is mounted on a vehicle body panel 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as described below.

[0075] The light-emitting element 1 is installed in the through part 20 of the vehicle body panel 2.

[0076] The bracket 10 of the light-emitting element 1 is inserted into the through portion 20 in the insertion position 124 of the operating lever 12, which is held on the light-emitting element 1. The operating lever 12 is moved from the insertion position 124 to the holding position 125. Here, the operating lever 12 moves the holding lever 100 in such a way that the holding lever 100 engages the body panel 2 from the rear. A spring can move the operating lever 12 to the holding position and hold the operating lever 12 in the holding position. Thus, the bracket 10 is held in the through portion 20. This installation state is... Figure 2 As shown on the right side of the image.

[0077] The light-emitting module 11 of the light-emitting element 1 is inserted into the bracket 10. The locking hook 111 of the light-emitting module 11 locks with the locking through portion 103 of the bracket 10, thereby holding the light-emitting module 11 in the bracket 10. The operating lever 12 is moved from the holding position 125 to the locking position 126.

[0078] In the locked position 126, the lever 12 engages the locking protrusion 110 of the light-emitting module 11 from the rear. The retaining rod 100 of the bracket 10, simultaneously moved by the lever 12, engages the body panel 2 from the rear. This installation state is... Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0079] Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 Rear perspective view of the details of the light-emitting element 1 shown.

Claims

1. A light-emitting element (1) for a vehicle, the light-emitting element having a bracket (10) for mounting in a through portion (20) of a vehicle body panel (2), the bracket including a plurality of retaining rods (100) for holding or locking the bracket (10) in the through portion (20), the retaining rods (100) engaging the body panel (2) from the rear when the bracket (10) is held or locked in the through portion (20), the light-emitting element having a light-emitting module (11) designated for insertion into the bracket (10), and a lever (12) movably held on the bracket (10), the lever being used to simultaneously move the retaining rods (100), wherein, The bracket (10) and the lever (12) together define an insertion position (124) for inserting the bracket (10) into the through portion (20), a holding position (125) for holding the bracket (10) inserted into the through portion (20) in the through portion (20), and a locking position (126) for locking the bracket (10) held in the through portion (20) in the through portion (20).

2. The light-emitting element according to claim 1, characterized in that, The joystick (12) includes a positioning element (121) that is resiliently held on the joystick (12), and the bracket (10) includes a recess corresponding to the positioning element (121) for engaging the positioning element (121), wherein when the positioning element (121) engages with the recess, the recess holds the joystick (12) in an insertion position (124), a holding position (125), and / or a locking position (126).

3. The light-emitting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The light-emitting module (11) has an anchor-shaped locking protrusion (110) protruding from the light-emitting module (11), the bracket (10) has a positioning through part (102) corresponding to the locking protrusion (110), and the lever (12) has a lock hole-shaped locking through part (120) corresponding to the locking protrusion (110). When the light-emitting module (11) is normally inserted into the bracket (10), the locking protrusion (110) passes through and engages the locking through part and the positioning through part, wherein the lever (12) in the locked position (126) engages the locking protrusion (110) from the rear.

4. The light-emitting element according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each retaining rod (100) has a mushroom-shaped operating protrusion (1000), and the operating lever (12) has a keyhole-shaped operating passage (122) corresponding to the operating protrusion (1000), which is engaged by the operating protrusion (1000) and provides a forced guide for moving the operating protrusion (1000).

5. The light-emitting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The bracket (10) has a plurality of guide slots (101) that extend perpendicular to the direction of movement (123) of the lever (12) and are arranged on the side of the bracket (10) opposite to the normally inserted light-emitting module (11) and are respectively engaged by retaining rods (100).

6. The light-emitting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The light-emitting module (11) has a locking hook (111) protruding from the light-emitting module (11), and the bracket (10) has a locking through part (103) corresponding to the locking hook (111). When the light-emitting module (11) is normally inserted into the bracket (10), the locking hook (111) passes through and engages the locking through part in a locking manner.

7. The light-emitting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The light-emitting element includes an annular first sealing element (105) disposed in an edge section of the bracket (10) on the side of the bracket (10) opposite to the normally inserted light-emitting module (11), and / or the light-emitting element includes an annular second sealing element (104) disposed on the bottom of the bracket (10) on the side of the bracket (10) facing the normally inserted light-emitting module (11).

8. A vehicle comprising a body panel (2) having a through portion (20) and a light-emitting element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the light-emitting element being mounted in the through portion (20).

9. A method for mounting a light-emitting element (1) on a body panel (2) of a vehicle, wherein, - Install the light-emitting element (1) in the through part (20) of the vehicle body panel (2); - Insert the bracket (10) of the light-emitting element (1) into the through part (20) in the insertion position (124) of the lever (12) held on the light-emitting element (1), move the lever (12) from the insertion position (124) to the holding position (125), and hold the bracket (10) in the through part (20); - Insert the light-emitting module (11) of the light-emitting component (1) into the bracket (10); - Move the lever (12) from the holding position (125) to the locking position (126). In the locking position, the lever (12) engages the locking protrusion (110) of the light-emitting module (11) from the rear. The holding rod (100) of the bracket (10), which is moved simultaneously by the lever (12), engages the body panel (2) from the rear. The bracket (10) and the lever (12) together define the insertion position (124) for inserting the bracket (10) into the through portion (20), the holding position (125) for holding the bracket (10) inserted into the through portion (20) in the through portion (20), and the locking position (126) for locking the bracket (10) held in the through portion (20).

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