Optical unit with outer ribs for lateral support reinforcement of a land vehicle bumper

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical unit (BO) equipped on a land vehicle comprising a bumper and comprising a glass-like piece (GL) having a main portion (PP) and an outer lateral portion (PLE) defined by a first injection and a second injection of a first plastic material (M1) and a second plastic material (M2), the main portion (PP) comprising a rib (N1) comprising a bearing surface (SA1) on which an upper portion of the bumper is borne. This rib (N1) is located just in front of a junction with the outer lateral portion (PLE) and comprises a concave housing (LC) which defines during the first injection an opening simultaneously towards the side on which the outer lateral portion is located, then at least partially filled with the second plastic material (M2) during the second injection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims priority to French application 2103798, filed on April 13, 2021, the contents of which (text, drawings, and claims) are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to an optical unit mounted on the bumper of some land vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Some land vehicles (often motorized land vehicles) typically include a bumper in the front section, the bumper having an upper section supported on a glass element of at least one optical unit (typically two optical units, a right optical unit and a left optical unit).

[0003] For this purpose, the glass-like element of each optical unit includes a main portion (from which photons participate in at least one illumination function), and includes at least one so-called "inner" rib (or protrusion) and a so-called "outer" rib (or protrusion) in the lower sub-part, the "inner" rib (or protrusion) and the "outer" rib (or protrusion) respectively including a support surface, the upper part of the bumper being supported on the support surface.

[0004] Here, "outer" is understood as a rib located near the lateral (or longitudinal) side of the vehicle, and "inner rib" is understood as a rib that is spaced apart from the outer rib and is located closer to the central axis of the vehicle than the outer rib.

[0005] In some optical units, the main portion of the glass-like element is defined by a first injection of a first plastic material into a mold, and typically has a so-called "crystal" color. Furthermore, the glass-like element extends laterally at least on the outer side to form an outer portion, which is defined by a second injection of a second plastic material into the same mold, and typically has a black color to conceal the technical parts (and thus is unsightly).

[0006] The outer portion is therefore overmolded onto the joint edge of the main portion. This overmolding ensures high-quality integration and perfect sealing when the joint (main portion / outer portion) is not subjected to relatively large stresses (e.g., when the outer rib is relatively far from the joint). However, when the outer rib defines the joint in close proximity, the joint is subjected to excessive shear stress (which may cause the outer rib to crack, and thus may cause a significant reduction in the quality of integration and sealing). However, in some cases, this obstacle can be found to be detrimental. This is especially true when it is desired to install equipment (with a lateral extension greater than the maximum possible lateral extension between the inner and outer ribs) due to the aforementioned obstacle. Such equipment may be, for example, another optical unit (which is used to ensure the function of the daytime running light (or DRL (“Daytime running Light (or Lamp)” - a light signal that automatically illuminates when the vehicle is put into operation during the day)).

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore particularly to improve the situation described above. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides an optical unit that can be mounted on a land vehicle including a bumper, and the optical unit includes a glass-like element having a main portion and an outer portion, the main portion and the outer portion being defined by a first injection and a second injection of a first plastic material and a second plastic material, respectively, the main portion including a rib, the rib including a support surface, the upper portion of the bumper being supported on the support surface.

[0009] The optical unit is characterized in that the rib is located just in front of the joint that engages with the outer portion, and includes a concave portion that defines an opening simultaneously toward the side where the outer portion is located during the first injection, and is then at least partially filled with the second plastic material during the second injection.

[0010] Thus, the outer rib serves as part of the joint between the main portion and the outer outward portion, and therefore the upper portion of the bumper can be supported extremely laterally on the support surface of the outer rib without causing the joint to crack.

[0011] The optical unit according to the invention may include other features that can be taken individually or in combination, in particular:

[0012] - The main portion of the glass-like member of the optical unit may include an upper sub-part and a lower sub-part extending downward from the upper sub-part, photons participating in at least one illumination function are output from the upper sub-part, the lower sub-part is used to be shielded by the bumper, and the rib is defined in the lower sub-part;

[0013] - In the presence of a first optional configuration, the lower sub-part of the main portion of the glass member may be defined as recessed relative to the lower edge of the upper sub-part, the lower edge defining a shield above the support surface of the rib and defining a receiving portion together with the support surface for receiving the sub-part of the bumper;

[0014] - In the presence of the latter optional configuration, the shield may be hollow and may include an inner surface that defines an inner portion opening toward the interior of the optical unit, and a lower portion that, during the second injection, covers at least a portion of the region located above the support surface of the rib with the second plastic material.

[0015] -The ribs may have a generally inverted L-shaped shape;

[0016] - The main part of the glass-like component of the optical unit may include other ribs (double-layered) spaced apart from the rib, the other ribs including a support surface, the upper part of the bumper being supported on the support surface;

[0017] - The optical unit can ensure at least one lighting function selected from the high beam lighting function and the low beam lighting function.

[0018] The present invention also provides a land vehicle of an optional mobility type, the land vehicle including a bumper and at least one optical unit of the type described above, the bumper being supported on the at least one optical unit.

[0019] For example, the vehicle may include a front section that includes a bumper and each optical unit. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings (obtained by means of CAO / DAO, "computer-aided design / computer-aided drafting"):

[0021] - Figure 1 An embodiment of the optical unit according to the invention prior to its installation on a land vehicle is schematically shown in a frontal perspective view.

[0022] - Figure 2The first frontal perspective view schematically shows Figure 1 The optical unit includes the portion with outer ribs.

[0023] - Figure 3 A second side perspective view schematically shows Figure 1 The optical unit includes the portion with outer ribs.

[0024] - Figure 4 A sectional view taken along a vertical longitudinal plane schematically shows... Figure 1 The optical unit includes the portion with outer ribs, and

[0025] - Figure 5 A schematic diagram is shown in front view. Figure 1 An optical unit having another optical unit mounted between the inner and outer ribs of the optical unit. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention is particularly intended to provide an optical unit BO for mounting on a land vehicle and including a glass element GL, a bumper PC for support on the glass element, and the optical unit allowing for the placement of an equipment BO' having, for example, a large lateral volume in front of the glass element (GL).

[0027] In the following text, by way of non-limiting example, the land vehicle is considered to be a motor vehicle (e.g., an automobile). However, the invention is not limited to this type of land vehicle. In fact, the invention relates to any land vehicle that includes a bumper that needs to be supported on at least one optical unit.

[0028] Additionally, in the following text, by way of non-limiting example, the bumper PC and each optical unit BO are considered to be part of the front section of a land vehicle. However, this is not mandatory. In fact, the bumper and each optical unit can be used as part of the rear section of a land vehicle.

[0029] In the preceding and following text, the concept of "front portion" is defined relative to the front end of the vehicle, and the concept of "rear portion" is defined relative to the rear end of the vehicle (which is opposite to the front end). Thus, the front portion (or front face) of an element is oriented toward the front end of the vehicle, while the rear portion (or rear face) of the element is oriented toward the rear end of the vehicle.

[0030] Furthermore, in the following text, by way of non-limiting example, each optical unit BO is considered to be a headlight (or lamp) used to ensure at least one lighting function (e.g., high beam or low beam function). However, the invention is not limited to this type of optical unit.

[0031] Taking the latter assumption into account, the bumper PC here is used to support two optical units BO, namely the right optical unit and the left optical unit, which are respectively installed near the right (or longitudinal) side and the left (or longitudinal) side of the vehicle, including the side door.

[0032] exist Figures 1 to 5 Above, direction X is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (which is parallel to the lateral side including the side door), direction Y is the lateral direction of the vehicle (which is perpendicular to the lateral side and to direction X), and direction Z is the vertical direction of the vehicle (which is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y).

[0033] exist Figure 1 The above schematically illustrates an embodiment of the optical unit BO according to the invention, prior to the optical unit being mounted on the (land) vehicle (here, its front portion) and prior to the bumper PC being supported on the optical unit.

[0034] As partially shown in the accompanying drawings, the optical unit BO according to the invention includes a glass element GL, which is fixedly integrated with a housing (not shown). The glass element GL includes a main portion PP and at least one outwardly oriented portion PLE, the main portion and the at least one outwardly oriented portion being defined respectively by a first injection and a second injection of a first plastic material M1 and a second plastic material M2 into a mold (which includes at least one movable part).

[0035] The main part PP of the glass-like component GL is part of the optical unit BO, from which photons involved in each illumination function ensured by the optical unit (BO) are output. The main part is therefore made of a first plastic material M1, which typically has a so-called "crystal" color.

[0036] The outer portion PLE extends the main portion PP on the lateral (or longitudinal) side of the vehicle. The outer portion thus has an edge that is partially overmolded at the joint (or integral joint) location on the edge of the main portion PP during the second injection. Because it is used to shield (especially internally) the technical parts of the optical unit BO (and therefore is not aesthetically pleasing), the outer portion is made of a second plastic material M2, which is typically black.

[0037] Note that the first plastic material M1 and the second plastic material M2 may be derived from polycarbonate (or PC), but have different colors.

[0038] The main component PP includes rib N1, which includes a support surface SA1. The upper portion of the bumper PC is used to support itself on the support surface, such as... Figure 4 The above is a very schematic illustration.

[0039] The rib N1 is located precisely in front of the joint where it engages with the outer portion PLE, and is therefore referred to hereinafter as the outer rib. Furthermore, the outer rib N1 includes a concave portion LC that defines an opening simultaneously toward the side containing the outer portion (PLE) during the first injection, and is then at least partially filled with the second plastic material M2 during the second injection. Preferably, the concave portion LC is completely filled with the second plastic material M2.

[0040] In other words, the outer rib N1 includes a first "main" layer made of a first plastic material M1 and a second "supplementary" layer made of a second plastic material M2, wherein the second "supplementary" layer is at least overmolded in the recessed portion LC on the first layer, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown above. The positioning of the first main layer of the outer rib N1 exactly in front of the joint allows the first main layer to add the second supplementary layer by overmolding, and thus makes the outer rib a component of the joint. This allows the upper portion of the bumper PC to be supported extremely laterally (along the lateral direction Y) on the support surface SA1 of the outer rib, which is made of the first main layer alone and not of the second supplementary layer, and therefore there is no risk of joint cracking.

[0041] Furthermore, this configuration of the outer rib N1 can significantly increase the stiffness of the outer rib, which in particular can reduce the extension of the outer rib along the transverse direction Y when there is a demand. This demand can occur, in particular, in situations such as (e.g.) Figure 1 and Figure 5 The main portion PP (not limited to the above) includes other ribs N2 (hereinafter referred to as inner ribs because they are spaced apart from outer ribs N1 and include a support surface SA2 on which the upper portion of the bumper PC is also supported) and when it is desired to place the equipment BO' (see above) with a larger lateral extension. Figure 5 When installed between these inner ribs N2 and outer ribs N1. In fact, it is understood that a larger lateral space can be arranged between the inner ribs N2 and outer ribs N1 in the future (which is adapted to a wider equipment BO').

[0042] exist Figure 5 In the non-limiting example shown above, the equipment BO' is another optical unit used to ensure the functionality of the three-band daytime running light (or DRL (or Lamp)). However, other types of equipment may also be installed, regardless of whether the equipment involves an optical unit.

[0043] Note that the “double-layer” manufacturing of the outer rib N1 requires the use of a dual-injection mold with a lateral release pattern (capable of implementing the concave portion LC oriented outwards). In fact, the inner side of the outer rib N1 (which is opposite to the concave portion LC) releases naturally, while the outer side of the outer rib N1 (the concave portion LC) releases due to resistance to draft by the lateral movement of a portion of the mold adapted for this purpose.

[0044] For example, such as Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown in the above non-limiting illustration, the main portion PP may include an upper sub-portion SPS and a lower sub-portion SPI extending downwardly from the upper sub-portion SPS. Photons (participating in each illumination function of the optical unit BO) are output from the upper sub-portion SPS. The upper sub-portion is therefore visible from the exterior of the vehicle. An outer rib N1 is defined in the lower sub-portion SPI, which is intended to be shielded by the bumper PC and partially by optional equipment BO'.

[0045] Note that, such as Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the above non-limiting illustration, the lower sub-part SPI may be defined as recessed relative to the lower edge BI of the upper sub-part SPS. This edge BI thereby defines a shield above the support surface SA1 of the outer rib N1 and, together with the support surface SA1, defines a receiving portion LP for receiving a sub-part of the upper portion of the bumper PC (see above). Figure 4 This mask ensures the consistency of the visible and common mating lines (between the visible portion of the bumper PC and the glass-like element GL of each optical unit BO).

[0046] It was also noted that, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in the above non-limiting description, the mask BI may be hollow and may include an inner surface FI that defines a content placement portion LI opening toward the interior of the optical unit BO. The inner surface FI includes a lower portion PIF that, during the second injection, covers at least a portion of the region located above the support surface SA1 of the outer rib N1 with a second plastic material M2. This further reduces the risk of joint cracking because the second plastic material M2, overmolded in the recessed placement portion LC of the outer rib N1, continuously extends above the outer rib (N1) until it extends onto the inner surface FI of the mask BI.

[0047] It was also noted that, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown in the above non-limiting illustration, the outer rib N1 may have a generally inverted L-shaped shape. This improves the stiffness of the outer rib while providing a relatively large support surface SA1. However, other forms are also possible.

Claims

1. An optical unit (BO) capable of being mounted on a land vehicle including a bumper (PC), and the optical unit comprising a glass element (GL) having a main portion (PP) and an outer portion (PLE), the main portion and the outer portion being defined respectively by a first injection and a second injection of a first plastic material and a second plastic material in a mold, the main portion (PP) including a rib (N1) including a support surface (SA1), the upper portion of the bumper (PC) being supported on the support surface, characterized in that, The rib (N1) is located just in front of the joint that engages with the outer portion (PLE) and includes a concave portion (LC) that defines an opening simultaneously toward the side where the outer portion (PLE) is located during the first injection and is then at least partially filled with the second plastic material during the second injection.

2. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main part (PP) includes an upper sub-part (SPS) and a lower sub-part (SPI) extending downward from the upper sub-part (SPS), from which photons involved in at least one illumination function are output, the lower sub-part is used to be shielded by the bumper (PC), and the rib (N1) is defined in the lower sub-part.

3. The optical unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lower sub-part (SPI) is defined to be recessed relative to the lower edge (BI) of the upper sub-part (SPS), the lower edge defining a shield above the support surface (SA1) of the rib (N1) and defining a receiving portion (LP) together with the support surface (SA1) for receiving the sub-part of the bumper (PC).

4. The optical unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The shield (BI) is hollow and includes an inner surface (FI) that defines a content placement portion (LI) that opens toward the interior of the optical unit (BO), and a lower portion (PIF) that, during the second injection, covers at least a portion of the region located above the support surface (SA1) of the rib (N1) with the second plastic material.

5. The optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The rib (N1) has a generally inverted L-shaped shape.

6. The optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The main part (PP) includes other ribs (N2) spaced apart from the rib (N1), the other ribs including a support surface (SA2), the upper part of the bumper (PC) being supported on the support surface of the other ribs.

7. The optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The optical unit ensures at least one lighting function selectable from high beam and low beam lighting functions.

8. A land vehicle including a bumper (PC), characterized in that, The land vehicle further includes at least one optical unit (BO) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and the bumper (PC) is supported on the at least one optical unit.

9. The land vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that, The land vehicle includes a front section, which includes the bumper (PC) and each optical unit (BO).

10. The land vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The land vehicle is a motorized type.

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