Removable light assembly

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a lamp assembly (1) comprising:-a main housing (3) comprising a front opening (32) and a rear opening (30) facing at least a portion of the front opening (32); -a light-emitting device having a secondary housing (21); -an outer lens (4) sealingly closing the front opening (32) of the main housing (3), characterized in that the lighting means (1) is located in the rear opening (30) and the secondary housing (21) is sealingly and reversibly fastened to the main housing (3). In the event of a failure of a component of the light emitting device of the light assembly and / or in the event of an impact damage to a portion of the light assembly, the light assembly according to the invention only needs to replace one portion, for example, only the outer lens and the main housing need to be replaced, or only the light emitting device need to be replaced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field of the invention is the field of lamp assemblies for motor vehicles (private vehicles or commercial vehicles). In particular, the lamp assemblies may be able to perform lighting and / or signaling functions.

[0002] The present invention particularly relates to removable lamp assemblies, particularly those located on the front or rear of a vehicle. Background Art

[0003] Currently, motor vehicles are equipped with light assemblies at the front and rear for illuminating the road or being visible to other motorists. These assemblies consist of one or more light sources arranged in a hermetically sealed housing, since the conditions of use require that the assembly be sealed to prevent water from reaching the light sources. Therefore, in the event of an accident causing damage to a part of the assembly or in the event of a malfunction affecting, for example, one of the light sources or an electronic component, the entire assembly must be replaced, which increases the maintenance costs for the user. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a solution to the above problems by requiring only the damaged portion of an assembly to be replaced rather than the entire assembly.

[0005] The invention relates to a lamp assembly intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle and comprising:

[0006] a main housing comprising a first side with a front opening and a second side opposite to the first side with a rear opening facing at least a portion of the front opening,

[0007] - a lighting device, the lighting device having a secondary housing,

[0008] - an outer lens sealingly closing the front opening in the first side of the main housing,

[0009] Characterized in that the light emitting device faces the rear opening in the second side of the main housing, and the secondary housing is sealed and reversibly fastened to the second side of the main housing. The front opening preferably extends over the entire front surface of the main housing.

[0010] In the event of a component failure of the light emitting device of the lamp assembly and / or in the event of a collision damaging a portion of the lamp assembly, the lamp assembly according to the present invention requires only replacement of one portion of the lamp assembly: for example, only the outer lens and the main housing need to be replaced, or only the light emitting device needs to be replaced, while ensuring the sealing of the assembly before and after maintenance. This helps reduce maintenance costs.

[0011] The opening in the second side opposite to the first side enables the light emitting device to be attached to the main housing, in particular by fastening the secondary housing to the main housing. It is particularly advantageous if the main housing is irreversibly closed on the first side by the outer lens.

[0012] The invention also enables a degree of standardization, since the same main housing with associated outer lens of a given lamp assembly can be used with different lighting devices, depending on the equipment level of the vehicle.

[0013] Advantageously, the light emitting device is located in the rear opening in the second side of the main housing.

[0014] Advantageously, the outer lens is irreversibly fastened to the main housing.The outer lens may for example be bonded to the main housing.

[0015] Advantageously, the secondary housing comprises a groove in which the gasket is positioned facing the main housing. The gasket ensures the seal between the two housings, in particular the seal between the secondary housing of the lighting device and the main housing of the lamp assembly.

[0016] Advantageously, the lighting device comprises means for attaching the secondary housing to the main housing. This fastening means consists, for example, of a lug placed on the secondary housing, wherein a fastening screw can be inserted into a complementary fastening means (such as a screw bushing) placed on the main housing. Tightening the fastening screw compresses the gasket on the main housing, thereby ensuring that the secondary housing and therefore the lighting device are tightly fastened to the main housing.

[0017] Advantageously, the secondary housing is open on the front side and the outer lens closes the front side of the secondary housing. In fact, since the secondary housing is sealingly fastened to the main housing and the outer lens sealingly closes the front opening of the main housing, the outer lens forms part of the sealing closure of the front side of the secondary housing. In particular, the front side of the secondary housing is not fastened to the outer lens, i.e. the front side of the secondary housing is not in contact with the outer lens. Thus, the outer lens indirectly participates in closing the front side of the secondary housing.

[0018] Advantageously, the lighting device comprises a light source and an optical deflection element, such as a reflector, a lens or a light guide. The optical deflection element is used to shape the light emitted by the light source to participate in the formation of the light or signaling beam.

[0019] According to a first embodiment, the light emitting device is a headlight or a taillight. In particular, the headlight or, respectively, the taillight may comprise one or more light emitting modules or, respectively, one or more lighting units. The one or more light emitting modules or, respectively, one or more lighting units are arranged in the secondary housing. According to one example, the secondary housing comprises a cavity for receiving the one or more light emitting modules or, respectively, one or more lighting units. The cavity may in particular comprise an opening, and the headlight or, respectively, the taillight may or may not have a closed outer lens closing the opening of this cavity.

[0020] For example, each lighting module or respectively each lighting unit comprises at least one light source and an optical deflection element for shaping the light emitted by the light source.

[0021] Advantageously, the main housing has an elongated shape with two ends and includes two headlamps or two taillamps, each of which has a secondary housing sealed and reversibly fastened to each end of the main housing. In this case, the lamp assembly is intended to cover the entire front width or rear width of the vehicle. The main housing and the outer lens then constitute a panel to which the headlamps or taillamps are attached. In this case, the lamp assembly includes both this panel, which is very large and very wide, with a large and expensive outer lens, and several other very expensive elements, such as the headlamps or taillamps. The present invention eliminates the need to replace the entire lamp assembly formed by the panel and the headlamps or taillamps in the event of a headlamp or taillamp failure or in the event of an impact on the outer lens. In fact, only the defective headlamp or taillamp needs to be replaced, so that the panel can be retained, that is, the outer lens and the main housing and another headlamp or taillamp are retained, or only the outer lens and the main housing need to be replaced, so that the headlamp or taillamp can be retained.

[0022] Advantageously, the outer lens covers two headlamps or two tail lamps. In particular, the secondary housing of each of the two headlamps or each of the two tail lamps is open on the front side and the outer lens covers the front side of the secondary housing of the two headlamps or the two tail lamps. This opening in the front side can correspond to the opening of the cavity of the secondary housing. In this case, the panel comprises a single large outer lens covering the two headlamps or the two tail lamps and the part located therebetween, instead of two smaller outer lenses each covering only a single headlamp or a single tail lamp. In this case, the lamp assembly according to the invention is particularly advantageous, since, for example, the headlamps or tail lamps can be preserved in the event of a blow to the outer lens.

[0023] Advantageously, the lamp assembly comprises at least one light guide placed in the main housing behind the outer lens. These light guides are used to form a light pattern. In particular, these light guides are used to form a light signature specific to the motor vehicle on which the lamp assembly is intended to be mounted.

[0024] Advantageously, the or each light guide is fed by a light source arranged in the headlamp or taillight. This eliminates the need for electronics in the panel. In other words, in the lamp assembly, only the headlamp or taillight comprises electronic components. This makes it easy to replace the panel alone or to replace one or the other of the headlamp or taillight alone.

[0025] This specific light source can be arranged in a sub-housing of the headlamp or taillight, for example on a dedicated printed circuit board. "Dedicated printed circuit board" means that this printed circuit board is different from the printed circuit board on which the light source of the headlamp or taillight is arranged and generates the light or signaling beam.

[0026] According to a second embodiment, the lamp assembly is a headlamp and the lighting device comprises at least one lighting module.

[0027] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The accompanying drawings show non-limiting examples of the invention.

[0029] [ Figure 1 ] is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0030] [ Figure 2 ]yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the middle of the component,

[0031] [ Figure 3 ] shows Figure 1 Details of the cross-sectional view of the components,

[0032] [ Figure 4 ] is an exploded view of the second embodiment at one of the headlamps,

[0033] [ Figure 5 ] is an exploded view of a variation of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Unless otherwise stated, the same element appearing in different drawings has a single reference number.

[0035] Throughout this specification, the side through which light exits will be referred to as the "front", and the side from which light is emitted will be referred to as the "rear".

[0036] exist Figure 1 In the first embodiment shown, the lamp assembly 1 comprises two light emitting devices formed by two headlamps 2, a main housing 3, and an outer lens 4. Here, the description is given for the light emitting device formed by the headlamps, but this will apply in the same way to the light emitting device formed by the tail lamps. The main housing 3 comprises a first side with a front opening 32 and a second side opposite to the first side with two rear openings 30. In an alternative solution not shown, the lamp assembly may comprise only one headlamp, and the main housing may comprise only one rear opening.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the main housing 3 has an elongated shape with two ends. The front opening 32 extends from one end to the other end of the main housing 3, that is, extends over the entire surface of the main housing 3. Each of the rear openings 30 faces the front opening 32 at one of the ends of the main housing 3.

[0038] The outer lens 4 faces the front opening 32 of the main housing 3. The outer lens seals the front opening of the main housing 3. In the illustrated example, the outer lens 4 is fastened to the main housing 3 by bonding. Figure 2 As can be seen in the figure, the outer lens 4 includes a rib 40, and the main shell 3 includes a slot 31 for receiving the rib 40. In order to rigidly connect the outer lens 4 to the main shell 3 by bonding, an adhesive is inserted into the slot 31, and then the rib 40 of the outer lens 4 is inserted into the slot 31. Alternatively, the outer lens 4 can be joined to the main shell 3 by welding or by a hot plate process. It should be understood that the outer lens 4 is thus not only sealingly fastened to the main shell 3, but also irreversibly or in other words, in a non-removable manner. The outer lens 4 and the main shell 3 thus form a non-removable panel 10. "Non-removable" means that the outer lens 4 cannot be removed from the main shell 3 without damaging the outer lens 4 and / or the main shell 3.

[0039] The headlamps 2 are each arranged at one end of the main housing 3, facing one of the rear openings 30 of the main housing 3, and are attached to the main housing 3. Each headlamp 2 includes a front opening 25 aligned with the rear opening 30 of the main housing 3.

[0040] When the lamp assembly 1 is mounted on a vehicle, the panel 10 covers the entire front portion of the vehicle, and the two headlamps 2 arranged at each end of the main housing 3 thus constitute the right and left headlamps of the vehicle.

[0041] The headlamp 2 has at least one light source and an optical deflection element, such as a reflector, a lens or a light guide, for shaping the light emitted by the light source to form at least a part of a light or signaling beam. For example, the headlamp 2 may include a lighting module including at least one light source, and an optical deflection element.

[0042] Since the outer lens 4 also faces the rear opening 30 of the main housing 3 , the light or signaling beam formed by each headlamp 2 can therefore pass through the outer lens 4 and be visible from the outside of the lamp assembly 1 .

[0043] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the lamp assembly 1 is shown at one of the headlamps 2. Each headlamp 2 comprises a secondary housing 21 sealingly and reversibly attached to the main housing 3.

[0044] The secondary housing 21 comprises attachment elements which cooperate with complementary attachment elements arranged on the main housing 3. For example, the attachment elements of the secondary housing 21 can be formed by lugs arranged on the periphery of the secondary housing 21 and comprising through holes, and the complementary attachment elements arranged on the main housing 3 can be formed by screw bushings. Thus, fastening screws can be inserted into the through holes and into the screw bushings in order to reversibly attach the secondary housing 21 and the main housing 3 together. The headlamp 2 can thus be removed from the main housing 3 and therefore from the panel 10.

[0045] The lamp assembly 1 includes a gasket 20, which is positioned in a groove 23 of the secondary housing 21 and bears against the main housing 3 to ensure a sealed fastening between the headlamp 2 and the panel 10. When the secondary housing 21 is joined to the main housing 3, the fastening screws are tightened so that the main housing 3 is in contact with the secondary housing 21, thereby compressing the gasket 20 between the main housing 3 and the secondary housing 2. This ensures a seal between the main housing 3 and the secondary housing 2.

[0046] In this example, the headlamps 2 do not have their own closed outer lens. In other words, the front opening 25 of each headlamp is not closed by an outer lens specific to the headlamp. The outer lens 4 indirectly and sealingly closes the front opening 25 of each headlamp 2, thereby protecting the headlamp 2. In fact, the outer lens 4 sealingly closes the front opening 32 of the main housing 3, and the secondary housing 21 of each headlamp 2 is sealingly fastened to the main housing 3 at the rear opening 30. Therefore, the outer lens 4 sealingly closes the front opening 25 of the headlamp 2.

[0047] In a variant that is not shown, the front opening 25 of the headlight 2 can be sealed by an outer lens that is specific to the headlight 2 .

[0048] In the non-limiting example shown, the lamp assembly 1 further includes a plurality of light guides 5, supports 50 for the light guides 5, and a mask 6. The supports 50 for the light guides 5, the light guides 5, and the mask 6 are arranged between the main housing 3 and the outer lens 4, and more precisely, between the first side of the main housing 3 and the outer lens 4. The supports 50 for the light guides 5, the light guides 5, and the mask 6 are sandwiched between the main housing 3 and the outer lens 4. Therefore, the panel 10 includes the light guides 5, the supports 50 for the light guides 5, and the mask 6.

[0049] The support 50 for the light guide, the light guide 5 and the mask 6 are optional. The panel 10 only needs to include the main housing 3 and the outer lens 4. The panel 10 may also include only one of the main housing 3, the outer lens 4, and the mask 6 and the assembly formed by the support 50 for the light guide 5 and the light guide 5.

[0050] The light guides 5 are used to form a light signature specific to the vehicle on which the lamp assembly 1 is mounted. In the example shown, the lamp assembly comprises six light guides 5 distributed along the periphery of the front face of the main housing 3. Two curved lateral light guides 5a are located at each end of the main housing 3, and two central light guides 5b join the lateral light guides 5a in pairs. This distribution of the light guides 5 optimizes the guidance of light in the curved parts. However, the number of light guides is not limiting, and for example a single light guide or two light guides may be used.

[0051] As in Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the light guide 5 is placed in a groove 51 of a support 50 for the light guide 5 to be held in place.

[0052] Each light guide 5 is fed by at least one light source arranged in one of the headlights 2. The light source feeding the light guide 5 is positioned in the secondary housing 21 of the headlight 2, for example on a dedicated printed circuit board 15 (in Figure 3 The panel 10 therefore does not have any electronic components, which enables relatively easy and separate replacement of the panel or one or the other of the headlamps 2. It should be noted that the light source feeding the light guide 5 is different from the light source forming the light or signalling beam of the headlamp 2.

[0053] The central light guides 5 b are each fed at their first end by a light source arranged in one of the headlights 2 and at their second end by a light source arranged in the other of the headlights 2 . Figure 1 Two light inlets 15b of the central light guide 5b are shown. This double feeding of the central light guide 5b enables the central light guide 5b to be uniformly illuminated. The lateral light guides 5a are fed by a single light source arranged in the headlamp 2, which is located at the same end of the main housing 3 as the corresponding lateral light guide 5a. Figure 1 The light inlet 15a of the lateral light guide 5a is shown.

[0054] In order to enable the light guides to be fed by the light sources arranged in the headlamp 2, each light guide therefore comprises an end located in the headlamp comprising the light source feeding the light guide, a portion located in the panel 10, and a junction area between the end and the portion located in the panel 10. The junction area therefore enters the front opening 25 of the headlamp 2 and the rear opening 30 of the main housing 3.

[0055] The shield 6 is arranged in front of the support 50 for the light guide 5 and the light guide 5. The shield 6 comprises two apertures 60 placed at its ends and facing the rear opening 30 of the main housing 3. The apertures 60 therefore also face the headlamp 2, in particular the front opening 25 of the headlamp 2. The light or signaling beams emitted by the headlamp 2 can thus be transmitted through the rear opening 30, the front opening 32 and the apertures 60 as far as the outer lens 4, making them visible from the outside of the lamp assembly 1.

[0056] The mask 6 comprises an opaque portion 63 which enables certain parts of the lamp assembly 1, in particular the central part of the lamp assembly 1, to be masked, and a transparent portion 61 which faces the light guide 5 in front of the light guide 5. Thus, the light guide 5 and the light emitted by the light guide 5 can be seen from the outside of the lamp assembly 1.

[0057] Furthermore, a pattern may be drawn on the front side of the mask 6 corresponding to the side turned toward the outer lens 4 to shape the vehicle. For example, the pattern may be a geometric shape.

[0058] The support 50 and the mask 6 for the light guide 5 are joined together, for example, by snap fit or threaded coupling, and the light guide 5 is positioned between the support 50 and the mask 6 and held by being sandwiched therebetween. Alternatively, the support 50 and the mask 6 may be joined together by bonding. Compared to bonding that requires drying time, bonding by snap fit or threaded coupling reduces bonding time.

[0059] Once assembled, the support 50, the light guide 5 and the mask 6 are positioned between the main housing 3 and the outer lens 4, so as to be sandwiched between the main housing 3 and the outer lens 4. Therefore, the panel 10 including the main housing 3, the support 50, the light guide 5, the mask 6 and the outer lens 4 is joined in an irremovable manner.

[0060] like Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, the panel may optionally further include a logo 7 arranged between the mask 6 and the outer lens 4. Alternatively, but not shown, the logo 7 may be arranged between the mask 6 and the main housing 3. In order to make the logo 7 visible from the outer lens 4, an opening is formed in the mask 6.

[0061] The advantage of the lamp assembly 1 is that in the event of an impact on the outer lens 4 or in the event of a failure of one of the headlamps 2, only the panel 10 needs to be replaced, thereby retaining the headlamps 2, or only one of the headlamps 2 needs to be replaced, thereby retaining the panel 10 and the other headlamp 2.

[0062] To replace the panel 10, all that is required is to remove the lamp assembly 1, then unscrew the two headlamps 2 from the panel 10 and screw the two headlamps 2 back onto the new panel. To replace one of the headlamps, all that is required is to remove the lamp assembly 1, then unscrew the headlamp 2 to be replaced and replace the defective headlamp 2 with another headlamp.

[0063] In this embodiment, the panel 10 can be more or less complex depending on the options (with or without light guides, with or without logos, etc.), and the removable connection of the headlamp 2 to the panel 10 makes it possible to install a different, more or less complex headlamp 2 on the panel 10 depending on the desired performance of the lamp assembly 1.

[0064] Figure 4 A second embodiment is shown, in which the lamp assembly 1 is a headlamp 11 and includes a main housing 3, an outer lens 4 and a light emitting device 8. The light emitting device 8 includes a light emitting module 41, a support 62 for the light emitting module 41 and a sub-housing 21 in which the light emitting module 41 and the support 62 for the light emitting module 41 are arranged.

[0065] Elements similar to the first embodiment will be briefly described, with the understanding that the descriptions given for these elements in the first embodiment apply.

[0066] As in the first embodiment, the main housing 3 includes a first side having a front opening 32 and a second side opposite to the first side having a rear opening (not visible) facing the front opening 32, and the outer lens 4 sealingly closes the front opening in the first side of the main housing 3. In addition, the outer lens 4 is irreversibly fastened to the main housing 3. The fastening of the outer lens 4 to the main housing 3 is similar to the fastening described for the first embodiment.

[0067] The rear opening is intended to receive the secondary housing 21 of the lighting device 8. As in the first embodiment, the secondary housing 21 of the lighting device 8 comprises lugs 24 having through holes distributed on the periphery of the secondary housing 21, thereby cooperating with the screw bushings of the main housing 3 and enabling the insertion of the fastening screws 9 to reversibly attach the secondary housing 21 to the main housing 3. In addition, the secondary housing 21 of the lighting device 8 is also sealingly mounted on the main housing 3. As described for the first embodiment, a gasket can be used to ensure the seal.

[0068] The lighting device 8 comprises a front opening 25 aligned with the rear opening of the main housing 3. In the example shown, the lighting device 8 does not have its own closed outer lens. In other words, the front opening 25 of the lighting device 8 is not closed by an outer lens specific to the lighting device 8. The outer lens 4 of the headlamp 11 enables the front opening 25 of the lighting device 8 to be closed indirectly and sealingly.

[0069] The light module 41 has at least one light source and an optical deflection element, such as a reflector, a lens or a light guide, for shaping the light emitted by the light source to form at least a portion of a light or signaling beam. The light beam emitted by the light module 41 passes through the outer lens 4 and is therefore visible from the outside of the headlamp 11.

[0070] With such a headlamp 11 according to the present invention, in the event of a collision with the outer lens 4, only the assembly formed by the outer lens 4 and the main housing 3 needs to be replaced, thereby making it possible to retain the light emitting device 8. Also, in the event of a failure of the light emitting module 41, only the light emitting device 8 needs to be replaced, thereby making it possible to retain the assembly formed by the outer lens 4 and the main housing 3.

[0071] Furthermore, the removable engagement of the lighting device 8 with the main housing of the headlamp 11 enables replacement of the lighting device 8 mounted on the headlamp 11 , and in particular, replacement of the number or type of lighting modules arranged in the lighting device 8 .

[0072] Therefore, as shown in the variation of the second embodiment Figure 5 As shown, the lighting device 8 may include only one lighting module 42 instead of two lighting modules 41. Furthermore, the lighting module 42 is different from the lighting module 41. Thus, by selecting the lighting device 8 positioned in the headlamp 11, the headlamp 11 may be easily adapted depending on the lighting or signaling function to be performed by the headlamp 11. Thus, the headlamp 11 enables good interchangeability between different lighting devices 8.

Claims

1. A lamp assembly (1) intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle and comprising: a main housing (3) comprising a first side having a front opening (32) and a second side opposite to the first side having a rear opening (30) facing at least a portion of the front opening (32), - a lighting device, the lighting device having a secondary housing (21), - an outer lens (4) sealingly closing the front opening in the first side of the main housing (3), The invention is characterized in that the light emitting device faces the rear opening in the second side of the main housing, and the auxiliary housing (21) is sealingly and reversibly fastened to the second side of the main housing (3).

2. The lamp assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The outer lens (4) is irreversibly fastened to the main housing (3).

3. The lamp assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The secondary housing (21) comprises a groove (23) in which a gasket (20) is positioned facing the primary housing.

4. The lamp assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The lighting device comprises means (24) for attaching the secondary housing (21) to the main housing (3).

5. The lamp assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The secondary housing (21) is open on the front side, and the outer lens (4) closes the front side of the secondary housing.

6. The lamp assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The light emitting device comprises a light source and an optical deflection element.

7. The lamp assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The light emitting device is a headlamp (2) or a taillight.

8. Lamp assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The main housing (3) has an elongated shape with two ends and includes two headlamps or two tail lamps, each of which has a secondary housing sealingly and reversibly fastened to each end of the main housing.

9. Lamp assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The outer lens (4) covers two headlights (2) or two taillights.

10. The lamp assembly (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that The lamp assembly comprises at least one light guide (5) which is placed in the main housing (3) behind the outer lens (4).

11. Lamp assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The light guide (5) is fed by a light source arranged in the headlight (2) or in the taillight.

12. The lamp assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The lamp assembly is a headlamp (11), and the lighting device (8) comprises at least one lighting module (41, 42).

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