Lamp for vehicle, lamp for vehicle, and method for removing and sealingly mounting cover on housing of lamp

Abstract

A vehicle lamp (1) having a housing (2), a cover (3) and a sealing material (4), the housing (2) having a housing profile (20) extending into an outer region (6) in each connection region (9) and the cover (3) having a cover profile (30) extending into the outer region (6) in each connection region (9), each connection device (8) being closed in each connection region (9) by a locking connection (10), in each connection region (9), each closed connection device (8) can be separated by means of a separating tool, and the cover profile (30) in each connection region (9) is clamped to the housing profile (20) in such a way that a clamping force (K) required for sealing is generated between the cover (3), the housing (2) and the sealing material (4) arranged between the cover (3) and the housing (2), and each closed connection device (8) can be separated in each connection region (9) by means of a separating tool.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, which has a housing, a cover and a sealing material, wherein the housing, the cover and the sealing material together separate an inner area from an outer area, wherein the cover is at least partially held to the housing by a clamping force, and the sealing material is arranged along a closed sealing path between the cover and the housing, so that the sealing between the inner area and the outer area is ensured at least in the area where the cover is connected to the housing by the sealing material, wherein the clamping force is generated by a plurality of similar connecting devices, which are arranged in connecting areas spaced apart from each other. Background Art

[0002] Such lamps must fulfill their specific lighting functions in vehicles over a long service life and are therefore designed to be correspondingly robust and durable. However, damage to the lamp or components within its interior area can render the lamp unsuitable for proper operation. Previously, such lamps had to be completely replaced. For durability reasons, it is desirable to be able to replace individual components of such lamps. These components may involve the cover itself, particularly in the form of a cover plate, or components within the interior area of ​​the lamp that can only be accessed by removing the cover from the exterior area.

[0003] For such lamps, connecting devices are usually used which form a positively coupled connection between the housing and the cover. Required structures, such as snap-on connectors, are always mechanically engaged on the housing or cover, making it difficult to resolve the clamping forces. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp and a method for removing and sealing a cover on a housing of the lamp in order to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0005] This object is achieved by a lamp of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the housing has a housing profile extending into the exterior region in each connection area, and the cover has a cover profile extending into the exterior region in each connection area, wherein each connecting device is closed in each connection area by a locking connection, wherein the connecting device partially surrounds the cover profile and the housing profile and, moreover, clamps the cover profile in each connection area to the housing profile in such a way that the clamping force required for the seal is generated between the cover, the housing and a sealing material arranged between the cover and the housing, wherein each closed connecting device is detachable in each connection area by a separating tool.

[0006] In this context, "separable" means that the state of a closed connection can be changed by separation, so that the connection is no longer closed. Separation methods according to, for example, DIN standard DIN 8588 from September 2003 are particularly contemplated.

[0007] Tightness refers to sufficient sealing against specific gases or liquids. This can be assessed using specific tightness tests. For example, a lamp is considered to be sufficiently tight if it can be completely immersed in water for at least 5 seconds and no air from the interior area can enter the exterior area, at least in those areas where the cover is connected to the housing by means of sealing material. The immersion depth can be, for example, at least 10 mm to 100 mm. Furthermore, provision can be made for an atmospheric overpressure to be applied to the interior area during the tightness test. For example, the overpressure can be at least 10 mbar to 100 mbar. Elements that establish an atmospheric exchange between the interior and exterior areas during normal operation of the lamp, such as ventilation elements, can close naturally during the tightness test to enable the tightness to be tested.

[0008] In order to ensure a secure hold of at least such a connecting device, provision can be made for the housing profile and / or the cover profile to have an opening in at least one connecting region, through which the connecting device is guided.

[0009] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, in at least one connecting region, the housing profile and / or the cover profile at least partially has a recess corresponding to the connecting device and in which the connecting device extends.

[0010] In order to simplify the feasibility of separation, it can advantageously be provided that in each connection area the closed connection device can be accessed by a separation tool from the outside area in at least one section, so that the closed connection device can be separated by the separation tool without applying any mechanical action to the cover or the housing, wherein for this purpose a defined gap is ensured between the corresponding housing mold part and the corresponding cover mold part by a spacer mold part, through which gap the separation tool can be introduced from the outside area.

[0011] Advantageously, provision can be made for the sealing material to be a detachable sealing body having an elastic portion.

[0012] Mounting is simplified if the cover and the housing have positioning elements that correspond to one another.

[0013] Advantageously, provision can be made for all connecting devices to be formed from plastic, to have the same geometry, and to each have a toothing formed in one piece and at least one locking element corresponding to the toothing, which together with the locking element forms a locked connection.

[0014] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle light designed as such a light, wherein the cover is an at least partially transparent cover plate of the vehicle light.

[0015] The invention further relates to a method for removing a cover from a housing of such a lamp and for sealingly installing the cover, the method comprising the following steps:

[0016] a) separating each closed connection device, thereby reducing the clamping force so that the cover can be removed from the housing;

[0017] b) removing the cover from the housing, which is also referred to as the old cover;

[0018] c) removing the sealing material, which is also called old sealing material;

[0019] d) Provide old or new covers;

[0020] e) placing new sealing material between the old or new cover and the housing;

[0021] f) placing the old or new cover at the housing with the new sealing material between the old or new cover and the housing;

[0022] g) provide new connection devices;

[0023] h) Each new connection device is closed in each connection area by means of a locking connection piece, so that the cover molding and the housing molding are partially surrounded by the new connection device, and the cover molding in each connection area is clamped to the housing molding, so that the clamping force required for the tightness is generated between the old cover or the new cover, the housing and the new sealing material arranged between the old cover or the new cover and the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In the following, the invention is explained with the aid of the accompanying drawings which are exemplary and non-limiting.

[0025] Figure 1 An isometric view showing a vehicle lamp,

[0026] Figure 2 An isometric view of the lamp is shown with the cover removed from the housing.

[0027] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view showing the connection area,

[0028] Figure 4 Another cross-sectional view showing the connection area, and

[0029] Figure 5 A flow chart is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 A vehicle lamp 1 is shown. The lamp 1 includes a housing 2 and a cover 3 . Figure 3 and Figure 4 The cross-sectional view of FIG shows a sealing material 4 arranged between the housing 2 and the cover 3. The housing 2, the cover 3 and the sealing material 4 separate an inner area 5 from an outer area 6.

[0031] The sealing material 4 is arranged along a closed sealing path 7 between the cover 3 and the housing 2 (see Figures 2 to 4 ). The closed sealing path 7 is thus a continuous path along which the inner region 5 is sealed relative to the outer region 6. In this case, the cover 3 is secured by the clamping force K (see Figure 3 and Figure 4 ) is held on the housing 2, more precisely, the sealing between the inner area 5 and the outer area 6 is ensured at least in the area where the cover 3 is connected to the housing 2 via the sealing material 4.

[0032] Obviously, the separation between the outer area 6 and the inner area 5 does not necessarily mean an airtight separation. A person skilled in the art is familiar with common means, such as ventilation elements, which can establish an atmospheric connection between the inner area 5 and the outer area 6. It is important that the tightness between the inner area 5 and the outer area 6, for example according to the following definition, is ensured at least in the area where the cover 3 is connected to the housing 2 via the sealing material 4.

[0033] Tightness in this context refers to sufficient tightness against specific gases or liquids. This can be assessed based on a specific tightness test. For example, the lamp 1 is sufficiently tight if it can be completely immersed in water for at least 5 seconds and no air can enter the outer area 6 from the inner area 5, at least in those areas where the cover 3 is connected to the housing 2 via the sealing material 4. The immersion depth can be, for example, at least 10 mm to 100 mm. In addition, it can be provided that an atmospheric overpressure is applied to the inner area 6 during the tightness test. For example, the overpressure can be at least 10 mbar to 100 mbar. Elements that establish an atmospheric exchange between the inner area 5 and the outer area 6 during normal operation of the lamp 1, such as ventilation elements, can close naturally during the tightness test to enable the tightness to be tested.

[0034] The clamping force K is generated by means of a plurality of similar connecting means 8. The connecting means 8 are arranged in connecting regions 9 that are spaced apart from one another. Preferably, the connecting regions 9 are arranged at regular intervals in the region of the sealing path 7.

[0035] The housing 2 has a housing profile 20 in each connection region 9 that extends into the exterior region 6. Similarly, the cover 3 has a cover profile 30 in each connection region 9 that extends into the exterior region 6. The respective housing profile 20 is formed integrally with the housing 2. Similarly, the respective cover profile 30 is formed integrally with the cover 3. Preferably, the housing 2 and the associated housing profile 20, as well as the cover 3 and the associated cover profile 30, are formed from plastic.

[0036] Furthermore, the connecting device 8 arranged in each connecting region 9 partially surrounds and thus contacts the housing profile 20 and the cover profile 30. Simultaneously, each connecting device 8 is closed by a locking connector 10. Because the connecting device 8 is closed and partially surrounds the housing profile 20 and the cover profile 30, no structures on the housing or cover need to be damaged in order to remove the cover 3 from the housing 2. If it is necessary to remove the cover 3 from the housing 2 for repair purposes, it is only necessary to separate the closed connecting device 8 to reduce the clamping force K between the cover 3, the housing 2, and the sealing material 4 arranged between the cover 3 and the housing 2, so that the cover 3 can be removed from the housing 2.

[0037] The connection 8 is disconnected, if necessary, by a disconnection tool. This disconnection tool can be designed so that the connection 8 can be disconnected using a disconnection method according to, for example, the DIN standard DIN 8588 from September 2003. Consequently, only the connection 8 is destroyed, without damaging the housing 2 or the cover 3. After disconnection of the connection 8, the closed connection 8 is thus changed to a state where the connection 8 is no longer closed.

[0038] Figure 2 The cover 3 is shown removed from the housing 2. A lighting module 16 can be arranged in the interior area 5 of the lamp 1 , which can implement a specific lighting function. If the lamp 1 is a vehicle lamp, the lighting function can be, for example, a low beam function or a high beam function. The cover 3 can be designed as an at least partially transparent cover plate. The cover 3 can also be designed as a lid for the lamp 1 .

[0039] Figure 3 Shown along Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view along the section line AA is shown. It can be seen here that the housing profile 20 and the cover profile 30 partially have recesses 12. These recesses 12 correspond at least partially to the connecting means 8. The connecting means 8 can therefore extend in these recesses 12 and be securely held in place.

[0040] The sealing material 4 mentioned above is arranged between the housing and the cover 3. The sealing material 4 extends along the closed sealing path 7. The sealing material 4 is preferably a removable sealing body with an elastic portion. Compared to reactive adhesive compounds that must be removed at high cost during the repair process, the removable sealing body can be easily removed from the sealing path 7. However, in order to achieve the required tightness by combining the sealing material 4 with the clamping force K generated by the connecting device 8, the removable sealing body is preferably a thermoplastic elastomer. For example, sealing styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer (SEBS) or butyl rubber can be considered as the material for the removable sealing body.

[0041] The cover 3 and the housing 2 can have visible positioning elements 13. As shown in the present example, these positioning elements 13 can be directly molded onto the housing 2 and the cover 3 or designed as additional elements. The positioning elements 13 of the present application are designed as ribs and grooves.

[0042] As shown, additional spacer profiles 21 can be formed on the housing profile 20. These spacer profiles 21 ensure a defined gap D between the housing profile 20 and the cover profile 30 in each connection region 9. As a result, the closed connection devices 8 extend locally without coming into contact with parts of the housing 2 or cover 3. This makes it easier for a separating tool to access the individual closed connection devices 8 from the exterior region 6 during the repair process. Alternatively or additionally, the cover profile 30 can also include such spacer profiles 21.

[0043] Figure 4 Another possible embodiment of the connecting region 9 is shown in FIG. Figure 4 Shown along Figure 1 , a partial cross-section along the section lines BB and CC is shown in FIG. The connecting device 8 is constructed in the same manner as the connecting device 8 already described and is likewise closed by a locking connection 10. In this example, the housing molding 20 has an opening 11 through which the connecting device 8 is guided. This makes handling the connecting device 8 simpler during assembly. Alternatively or additionally, the cover molding 30 may also have such an opening 11.

[0044] All connecting devices 8 are preferably made of plastic and have the same geometry, although, as shown in the figures, the connecting regions 9 of the connecting devices 8 around the housing molding 20 and the cover molding 30 can be designed differently. All connecting devices 8 preferably have an integral, i.e., one-piece, toothing 14 and at least one locking element 15 corresponding to the toothing 14. The toothing 14 and the locking element 15 together form a locking connection 10, by which the connecting devices 8 can be closed according to the principle of a ligature. Of course, the connecting devices 8 are correspondingly flexible so that they can be closed.

[0045] Given the possible repair process, Figure 5 The steps of the corresponding method are shown by means of a flow chart, and the associated operational items are shown schematically in part. Therefore, the features of the lamp 1 mentioned here in the course of the method are those already mentioned in the previous description.

[0046] In order to remove the cover 3 and subsequently, if necessary, to sealably mount a new cover 3n on the housing 2 of the lamp 1, in step a) each closed connection 8 is separated, thereby reducing the clamping force K so that the cover 3 can be removed from the housing 2. Ideally, the clamping force K is completely eliminated by separating each closed connection 8.

[0047] In step b), the cover 3 is removed from the housing 2. This cover 3 can be referred to as the old cover 3.

[0048] In step c), the sealing material 4 is removed. This sealing material 4 can be referred to as old sealing material 4.

[0049] If the replacement of the old cover 3 is predetermined, a new cover 3n can be provided in step d). This new cover 3n is preferably constructed in the same way as the old cover 3 and therefore also has a corresponding cover molding 30. Figure 5 If, instead of replacing the old cover 3, only a part of, for example, the light module 16 needs to be replaced in the inner region 5 of the lamp 1, the old cover 3 can be reused, whereby the old cover 3 is provided in step d).

[0050] In step e), a new sealing material 4n is arranged between the old cover 3 or the new cover 3n and the housing 2. The new sealing material 4n is preferably constructed in the same manner as the old sealing material 4. Figure 5 The arrangement of the new sealing material 4n is shown in FIG.

[0051] In step f), the old cover 3 or the new cover 3 n is placed on the housing 2 with the new sealing material between the old cover 3 or the new cover 3 n and the housing 2 so that the housing molding 20 and the respective corresponding cover molding 30 face each other. This results in the already described connection area 9.

[0052] In step g), a new connection device 8n is provided, which is preferably designed in the same constructional manner as the connection device 8 described. Figure 5 The provision of new connection means 8n is shown in FIG.

[0053] In the subsequent step h) of the method, the new connecting device 8n is closed in each connecting region 9 by means of a locking connection 10. In this process, the new connecting device 8n partially surrounds the cover molding 30 of the old cover 3 or the new cover 3n and the housing molding 20 of the housing 2 and clamps them together, so that the clamping force K required for the tightness is generated between the old cover 3 or the new cover 3n, the housing 2 and the new sealing material 4n arranged between the old cover 3 or the new cover 3n and the housing 2.

[0054] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In addition, various aspects of the present invention or embodiments can be adopted and combined with each other. Any reference numerals in the claims are exemplary and are only used to make the claims easier to read and do not limit the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp (1), the lamp (1) having housing (2), cover (3), and Sealing material (4), in, The housing (2), the cover (3) and the sealing material (4) together separate the inner area (5) from the outer area (6). The cover (3) is at least partially held on the housing (2) by a clamping force (K), and the sealing material (4) is arranged along a closed sealing path (7) between the cover (3) and the housing (2), ensuring the seal between the inner region (5) and the outer region (6) at least in the region where the cover (3) is connected to the housing (2) via the sealing material (4). wherein the clamping force is generated by a plurality of similar connecting devices (8) which are arranged in connecting regions (9) spaced apart from one another, It is characterized by: The housing (2) has a housing molding (20) in each connection region (9) extending into the outer region (6), and the cover (3) has a cover molding (30) in each connection region (9) extending into the outer region (6), wherein each connecting device (8) is closed in each connecting region (9) by a locking connection (10), wherein the connecting device (8) partially surrounds the cover profile (30) and the housing profile (20) and furthermore clamps the cover profile (30) to the housing profile (20) in each connecting region (9) such that the clamping force (K) required for the seal is generated between the cover (3), the housing (2) and the sealing material (4) arranged between the cover (3) and the housing (2), Each closed connection device (8) can be separated in each connection area (9) by a separating tool.

2. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein In at least one connecting region (9), the housing profile (20) and / or the cover profile (30) has an opening (11) through which the connecting device (8) is guided.

3. The lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein In at least one connection region (9), the housing molding (20) and / or the cover molding (30) at least partially has a recess (12) corresponding to the connection device (8), the connection device (8) extending in the recess (12).

4. The lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein In each connection area (9), the closed connection device (8) can be accessed by the separation tool from the external area (6) in at least one section, so that the closed connection device (8) can be separated by the separation tool without exerting a mechanical action on the cover (3) or the housing (2), wherein, for this purpose, a defined gap (D) is ensured between the corresponding housing molded part (20) and the corresponding cover molded part (30) by a spacer molded part (21), through which gap (D) the separation tool can be introduced from the external area (6).

5. The lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The sealing material (4) is a detachable sealing body having an elastic portion.

6. The lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The cover (3) and the housing (2) have positioning elements (13) corresponding to each other.

7. The lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein All connecting devices (8) are made of plastic, have the same geometry and each have an integrally formed toothed section (14) and at least one locking element (15) corresponding to the toothed section (14), the toothed section (14) and the locking element (15) together forming the locking connection (10).

8. A vehicle lamp, which is designed as a lamp (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The cover (3) is an at least partially transparent cover plate of the vehicle light.

9. A method for removing and sealingly mounting a cover (3, 3n) on a housing of a lamp (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The method comprises the following steps: a) separating each closed connection device (8) to reduce the clamping force (K) so that the cover (3) can be removed from the housing (2); b) removing the cover (3) from the housing (2), the cover (3) also being referred to as the old cover (3); c) removing the sealing material (4), which is also referred to as old sealing material (4); d) providing the old cover (3) or the new cover (3n); e) placing a new sealing material (4n) between the old cover (3) or the new cover (3n) and the housing (2); f) placing the old cover (3) or the new cover (3n) at the housing (2) with a new sealing material (4n) located between the old cover (3) or the new cover (3n) and the housing (2); g) providing new connection means (8n); h) each new connection device (8n) is closed in each connection area (9) by means of a locking connection piece (10) so that the cover molding (30) and the housing molding (20) are partially surrounded by the new connection device (8n), and the cover molding (30) in each connection area (9) is clamped to the housing molding (20) so that the clamping force (K) required for sealing is generated between the old cover (3) or the new cover (3n), the housing (2) and the new sealing material (4n) arranged between the old cover (3) or the new cover (3n) and the housing (2).

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