Mounting element for a lighting device of a motor vehicle and lighting arrangement on a motor vehicle

Abstract

Retaining element (2) for a lighting device of a motor vehicle, comprising a first receiving area (6) in which a first lighting element (4) can be attached to the retaining element (2), a second receiving area (7) in which a second lighting element (5) can be attached to the retaining element (2) below the first lighting element (4), whereby the lighting elements (4, 5) are spaced apart from each other, and a mounting area (15) via which the retaining element (2) can be attached to a body component (16) of the motor vehicle, characterized in that at least one of the lighting elements (4, 5) rests on the retaining element (2), which has at least one predetermined breaking point, whereby the retaining element (2) is designed to be flexible in the vehicle's vertical direction (z).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a holding element for a lighting device of a motor vehicle and a lighting arrangement on a motor vehicle.

[0002] DE 10 2017 207 290 A1 discloses a lighting assembly, wherein this lighting assembly comprises a first headlight assembly and a second headlight assembly stacked vertically one above the other. Each of the headlight assemblies includes a composite lens, an optical reflector housing, and an illumination source.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 196 36 029 C1 discloses a front light unit for a motor vehicle with a light housing in which at least one light arrangement is provided and which can be inserted into a receiving opening in a front region of the vehicle body, defined by at least two body components. The light housing is provided in the region of a lower outer surface with at least one positioning system for aligning a body part that can be attached after assembly of the light housing. At least two lights can be integrated into the light housing, with the two lights having separate diffusers and reflector housings.To ensure an exact position relative to the adjacent light, guide elements are provided on the adjoining side surfaces of the two lights, which guide the detachable light relative to the light in a vehicle width position when inserted into the holder and fix it in a force-fitting manner.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2008 035 336 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a bumper assembly that has at least two support units for the vehicle's lighting devices. The support units each have openings for accommodating lighting devices.

[0005] Furthermore, the subsequently published DE 10 2018 129 034 A1 discloses a front-end structure for a motor vehicle with at least one mounting bracket that can be attached to at least one supporting structure of a vehicle body shell. At least two main headlights can be mounted on the mounting bracket on one side of the vehicle.

[0006] Finally, further constructions worthy of mention in the prior art relating to the subject matter of the invention are disclosed in DE 10 2007 042 624 A1, DE 102013 100 915 A1 and EP 2 221 217 B1.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a holding element for a lighting device of a motor vehicle and a lighting arrangement on a motor vehicle, which enable two separate lighting elements to be arranged on the motor vehicle, wherein the respective joint courses of the body components surrounding the lighting elements can be specified particularly precisely.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a holding element for a lighting device of a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 1 and by a lighting arrangement of a first lighting element to a separate second lighting element on a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 6. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims and the description.

[0009] The invention relates to a holding element for a lighting device of a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, having a first receiving area in which a first lighting element can be fastened to the holding element. Furthermore, the holding element comprises a second receiving area in which a second lighting element can be fastened to the holding element below the first lighting element. When the first lighting element is fastened in the first receiving area and the second lighting element is fastened in the second receiving area, the lighting elements are aligned at a distance from one another by means of the holding element. The holding element further has a fastening area via which the holding element can be fastened to a body component of the motor vehicle, in particular the motor vehicle.Both the first lighting element and the second lighting element are thus to be held on the holding element, whereby the lighting elements can be held indirectly on the body component by holding the holding element on the body component. By means of the holding element, the lighting elements can thus be positioned relative to one another and fixed in their position relative to one another. The holding element enables a particularly precise, fixed alignment of the lighting elements relative to one another. Furthermore, the holding element enables the lighting elements to be held on the body component, whereby the lighting elements can be held particularly securely in a front-end module or in a rear area of ​​the motor vehicle.The particularly precise positioning of the lighting elements using the retaining element enables a particularly precise design of the joints of the motor vehicle, in particular of the car, thereby providing a particularly defined appearance of the vehicle. In particular, the precise positioning of the lighting elements ensures that a joint path can be precisely specified, in particular that a joint width can be kept constant over the entire length of the respective joint.

[0010] According to the invention, at least one of the lighting elements rests on the holding element. This means that the holding element has a support surface for at least one of the lighting elements. By placing the at least one lighting element on the support surface of the holding element, the lighting element can be positioned in the vertical direction of the vehicle. By placing the lighting element on the holding element, the lighting element can firstly be positioned particularly easily and, secondly, a weight of the lighting element can be placed on the holding element. The weight of the lighting element placed on the holding element can be transferred via the holding element to the body component, whereby the weight of the light resting on the holding element is at least partially held by the body component.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, it has proven advantageous if the holding element has a latching region in at least one of the receiving regions, via which latching region at least one of the lighting elements can be held on the holding element via a latching connection. By establishing the latching connection between the lighting element and the holding element, the lighting element can be positioned particularly securely three-dimensionally on the holding element. The latching connection is in particular a clip connection, which is particularly easy to provide and, moreover, particularly easy to remove again if necessary. The latching connection thus allows the lighting element to be connected to the holding element particularly easily, quickly and securely in order to hold the lighting element on the holding element and to position it relative to it.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, it has proven advantageous if the holding element has an insertion element in at least one of the receiving areas, which insertion element can be inserted into a recess of at least one of the lighting elements, whereby this lighting element can be aligned relative to the holding element. The insertion element is, for example, a pin or a tongue. By inserting the insertion element into the recess, at least a two-dimensional positioning of the lighting element having the recess can advantageously take place relative to the holding element. A longitudinal direction of the insertion element, which runs parallel to a direction in which the insertion element is inserted into the recess, extends obliquely, in particular perpendicular, to a vertical direction in which the lighting elements can be fastened one above the other on the holding element.When inserted into the recess, the plug-in element rests against a wall bordering the recess at least on one side, in particular on the periphery. This allows for particularly simple positioning of the lighting element having the recess relative to the retaining element. Inserting the plug-in element into the recess allows for limiting a degree of freedom of the lighting element having the recess to zero along the vertical direction.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, it has proven advantageous if the retaining element is formed from a plastic. In this case, the retaining element can in particular be manufactured additively. The plastic can, for example, be a flexible or elastic plastic, whereby the retaining element is designed to be flexible or elastic. The flexibility or elasticity of the retaining element makes it possible to provide pedestrian protection in that the retaining element yields in the event of a pedestrian impact with the motor vehicle, in particular the motor vehicle in the region of the retaining element, whereby the risk of injury to the pedestrian can be kept particularly low.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the retaining element can have at least one predetermined breaking point, at which the retaining element yields when a force acting on the retaining element exceeds a limit force specified by the predetermined breaking point. The at least one predetermined breaking point can provide flexibility of the retaining element for pedestrian protection. In particular, the retaining element is rigid and has the at least one predetermined breaking point.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, it has proven advantageous if the holding element has at least one stiffening rib. The at least one stiffening rib can be provided by a material accumulation or a thickening of the holding element. By means of the at least one vertical direction, a particularly high dimensional stability of the holding element can be enabled, especially with a flexible or elastic design of the holding element. The particularly high dimensional stability of the holding element enables particularly secure holding and positioning of the lighting elements.

[0016] The invention further relates to a lighting arrangement of a first lighting element to a separate second lighting element on a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, in which the first lighting element is arranged above the second lighting element in the vertical direction of the vehicle and the lighting elements are directed with their radiation direction into the surroundings of the motor vehicle, in particular the motor vehicle. This means that the lighting elements are exterior lights of the motor vehicle, in particular the motor vehicle. The lighting elements are arranged at a distance from one another. In order to particularly advantageously and reliably fix a relative position of the lighting elements to one another, the lighting arrangement comprises a holding element on which the first lighting element and the second lighting element are each held, whereby the lighting elements are fixed at a distance from one another.The lighting elements are held together on a body component via the holding element. In other words, the holding element is fastened to the body component and configured to accommodate both the first lighting element and the second lighting element. Thus, the lighting elements can be positioned both relative to one another and relative to the body component by means of the holding element. Due to the particularly precise positioning of the lighting elements relative to one another and to the body component by means of the holding element, at least substantially constant joint widths of joints between the lighting elements and outer skin components of the motor vehicle, in particular of the motor vehicle, adjoining the lighting elements can be achieved along their longitudinal direction.

[0017] According to the invention, at least one of the lighting elements rests on the holding element. This means that the holding element has a support surface for at least one of the lighting elements. By placing the at least one lighting element on the support surface of the holding element, the lighting element can be positioned in the vertical direction of the vehicle. By placing the lighting element on the holding element, the lighting element can firstly be positioned particularly easily and, secondly, a weight of the lighting element can be placed on the holding element. The weight of the lighting element placed on the holding element can be transferred via the holding element to the body component, whereby the weight of the light resting on the holding element is at least partially held by the body component.

[0018] It has also proven advantageous if the body component is designed as a deformation element. The deformation element is particularly designed to absorb a force acting on it in an accident by converting kinetic energy into deformation energy that deforms the deformation element. The deformation element connects the retaining element particularly securely to the body shell of the motor vehicle, in particular the car. The retaining element is thus structurally fixed via the deformation element. In particular, the body component is a component of a painted body of the car.As an alternative to the design of the body component as a deformation element, the body component can be a support beam of a wheel house of the motor vehicle or a side wall of the motor vehicle or a rigid connecting element which provides a rigid connection of the holding element to an outer wall of the motor vehicle.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, it has proven advantageous if the holding element is held on the body component via at least two fastening points. The at least two fastening points allow the alignment of the holding element relative to the body component to be specified particularly precisely when it is fastened to the body component. The at least two fastening points can at least substantially prevent pivoting of the holding element relative to the body component. The two fastening points thus enable three-dimensional fixation of the holding element to the body component. This allows the holding element to be held and positioned particularly securely on the body component.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding element has an insert element, in particular a tongue, which can be inserted into a recess of one of the lighting elements in a fastening direction running obliquely, in particular perpendicular, to the vertical direction of the vehicle, whereby this lighting element can be fixed three-dimensionally to the body component. In particular, the fastening direction runs in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, whereby the associated lighting element can be fixed in the transverse direction of the vehicle by means of the insert element inserted into the recess. The insert element can be pushed into the recess particularly easily, whereby the lighting element can in turn be arranged particularly easily on the holding element and fixed relative to it via the insert element.

[0021] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0022] The invention will now be explained in more detail using a preferred embodiment and with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a lighting arrangement of a motor vehicle in a front-end module in a viewing direction in the transverse direction of the vehicle from the inside onto the lighting arrangement of the front-end module, wherein the lighting arrangement comprises a holding element and two lighting elements held on the holding element, formed separately from one another and positioned at a distance from one another, wherein the holding element is fastened to a deformation element of the motor vehicle, whereby the lighting elements are supported against the deformation element; and Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of the lighting arrangement in a viewing direction directed into an interior of the motor vehicle, wherein a first of the lighting elements rests on a support surface of the holding element and a tongue of the holding element is inserted into a recess of the first lighting element and the second lighting element is held in the holding element via a clip connection.

[0023] Identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0024] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a lighting arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle, in this case a car. In this case, the lighting arrangement 1 is arranged in a front-end module of the motor vehicle, wherein a radiation direction of light from the lighting arrangement 1 runs forward at least in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x. Alternatively, the lighting arrangement 1 can be arranged in a side area or a rear area of ​​the motor vehicle. In this case, the motor vehicle is a passenger car; alternatively, it can be a truck. Furthermore, alternatively, the motor vehicle can be a motorcycle.

[0025] In Fig. 1, the lighting arrangement 1 is shown in a side view in the vehicle transverse direction y from the inside towards the surroundings of the motor vehicle. Fig. 2, the lighting arrangement 1 is shown in a perspective view, in a viewing direction from the surroundings of the motor vehicle towards an interior of the motor vehicle. The lighting arrangement 1 comprises a holding element 2 and two lighting elements 3. The lighting elements 3 in this case are respective exterior lights of the motor vehicle, in this case exterior headlights. Both a first lighting element 4 and the second lighting element 5 are fastened to the holding element 2, whereby the first lighting element 4 is positioned relative to the second lighting element 5. The first lighting element 4 and the second lighting element 5 are arranged and held at a distance from one another by means of the holding element 2. The first lighting element 4 and the second lighting element 5 are arranged one above the other on the motor vehicle in the vehicle's vertical direction z. In this case, the first lighting element 4 is arranged above the second lighting element 5 in the vehicle's vertical direction z.By means of the holding element 2, the lighting elements 3 can be fixed particularly precisely relative to one another in order to ensure particularly high precision of joints between the lighting elements 4, 5 and other motor vehicle components, in particular on an outer skin of the motor vehicle. The holding element 2 has a first receiving area 6, in which the first lighting element 4 can be fastened to the holding element 2. In addition, the holding element 2 has a second receiving area 7, in which the second lighting element 5 can be fastened to the holding element 2. In the present case, a support surface 8 is provided in the first receiving area 6, on which the first lighting element 4 can be placed in sections. At least part of the weight of the first lighting element 4 can be supported via the support surface 8. As shown in . Fig.2 can also be seen particularly well, an insertion element, in this case a tongue 9 of the holding element 2, is further provided in the first receiving area 6. In the installed position of the holding element 2, the tongue 9 can be inserted into a recess 10 of the first lighting element 4 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x. By inserting the tongue 9 into the recess 10, the first lighting element 4 is fixed in its position by means of the holding element 2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x and / or in the vehicle transverse direction y and / or in the vehicle vertical direction z. In addition, the first lighting element 4 can be held in contact with the support surface 8 by means of the tongue 9 in order to prevent the first lighting element 4 from lifting off the support surface 8. The support surface 8 is provided in this case by an arm 11 of the holding element 2. The first lighting element 4 can be supported by means of the arm 11 of the holding element 2 via the support surface 8.The arm 11 extends with its longitudinal extension direction in the installed position of the holding element 2 at least substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction x.

[0026] The holding element 2 has a first locking element 12 in the second receiving area 7. The first locking element 12 can be brought into engagement with a second locking element 13 of the second lighting element 5 in order to provide a locking connection 14 between the holding element 2 and the second lighting element 5. By locking the first locking element 12 with the second locking element 13, the second lighting element 5 can be particularly easily fixed to the holding element 2. The locking connection 14 fixes the first lighting element 5 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x, vehicle transverse direction y and vehicle vertical direction z relative to the holding element 2.

[0027] The holding element 2 further comprises a fastening region 15 in which a connection between the holding element 2 and a body component 16 of the motor vehicle can be established. The holding element 2 can be fastened to the body component 16 via the fastening region 15 via at least one fastening point 17, in particular fastened within the framework of the provided lighting arrangement 1. In the present case, the holding element 2 is held to the body component 16 via exactly two fastening points 17. At the fastening points 17, the holding element 2 is held to the body component 16 via respective screw connections. The body component 16 in the present case is a deformation element of the motor vehicle. As an alternative to connecting the holding element 2 to the deformation element as a body component 16 close to the joint, the holding element 2 can be held to a side wall of the motor vehicle.By means of the two fastening points 17, the holding element 2 can be fastened three-dimensionally to the body component 16. Rotation of the holding element 2 relative to the body component 16 can be at least substantially prevented by the fastening points 17. In the lighting arrangement 1, the holding element 2 is thus held particularly securely to the body component 16. The lighting elements 3 are, in turn, held particularly securely to the body component 16 via the holding element 2.

[0028] The lighting elements 3 and the holding element 2 are formed from a plastic material. In this case, the holding element 2 is designed to be rigid. In particular, the holding element 2 has at least one predetermined breaking point (not shown in the figures), whereby the holding element 2 is designed to be flexible in the vehicle's vertical direction z in order to meet legal requirements for pedestrian protection, for example in the event of a head impact. In order to provide the flexibility on the one hand and to enable the first lighting element 4 to be supported on the arm 11 of the holding element 2 on the other, the holding element 2 is provided with a plurality of stiffening ribs 18, by means of which the holding element 2 is stabilized. In order to provide the lighting arrangement 1, the holding element 2 can be pre-assembled on the body component 16.Subsequently, the body component 16, in this case the deformation element, can be attached to a side wall and / or a bumper fascia of the motor vehicle. Following this, the lighting elements 3 can be attached to the retaining element 2.

[0029] The described retaining element 2 or the described lighting arrangement 1 is based on the realization that the first, upper lighting element 4 cannot be securely held by a bumper fascia of the motor vehicle alone. Despite the secure connection of the first, upper lighting element 4 by means of the retaining element 2, pedestrian protection must be ensured, particularly with regard to head impact. Furthermore, the mounting, positioning, and alignment of the lighting elements 3 via the retaining element 2 on each side of the motor vehicle to joint-forming body components, such as a front flap or a side panel, must be ensured.

[0030] The holding element 2 is a receiving element or an alignment element. The holding element 2 is designed to receive the lighting elements 3, at least two of which are provided stacked one above the other, via their lighting housings, in particular with regard to their weight, whereby a sinking of the lighting elements 3 over the service life of the lighting elements 3 or of the motor vehicle can be prevented. In the present case, the lighting elements 3 are various, structurally separate parts of a front lighting combination. By means of the holding element 2, the lighting elements 3 can be guided, received and brought into a precise position in a vehicle longitudinal direction x, in a vehicle transverse direction y and in a vehicle vertical direction z relative to the motor vehicle and to one another.This allows a particularly high joint quality to be achieved between the lighting elements 3 and joint-forming body components, such as the front flap, the side wall or a wheel arch.

[0031] Overall, the invention shows how a multiple holder for a front light combination can be provided.

Claims

[1] Holding element (2) for a lighting device of a motor vehicle, with a first receiving area (6) in which a first lighting element (4) can be fastened to the holding element (2), with a second receiving area (7) in which a second lighting element (5) can be fastened below the first lighting element (4) to the holding element (2), whereby the lighting elements (4, 5) are aligned at a distance from one another, and with a fastening area (15) via which the holding element (2) can be fastened to a body component (16) of the motor vehicle, characterized by that at least one of the lighting elements (4, 5) rests on the holding element (2), which has at least one predetermined breaking point, whereby the holding element (2) is designed to be flexible in the vertical direction (z) of the vehicle. [2] Holding element (2) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the holding element (2) has a latching area in at least one of the receiving areas (6, 7), via which at least one of the lighting elements (4, 5) is to be held on the holding element (2) via a latching connection (14). [3] Holding element (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the holding element (2) has in at least one of the receiving areas (6, 7) an insertion element (9) which can be inserted into a recess (10) of at least one of the lighting elements (4, 5), whereby this lighting element (4, 5) can be aligned relative to the holding element (2). [4] Holding element (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding element (2) is made of a plastic. [5] Holding element (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding element (2) has at least one stiffening rib (18). [6] Lighting arrangement (1) of a first lighting element (4) to a separate second lighting element (5) on a motor vehicle, in which the first lighting element (4) is arranged above the second lighting element (5) in the vehicle vertical direction (z) and the lighting elements (4, 5) are directed with their radiation direction into an environment of the motor vehicle, and in which a holding element (2) is provided, on which the first lighting element (4) and the second lighting element (5) are each held, whereby the lighting elements (4, 5) are fixed at a distance from one another, and via which the lighting elements (4, 5) are held together on a body component (16), characterized by that at least one of the lighting elements (4, 5) rests on the holding element (2), which has at least one predetermined breaking point, whereby the holding element (2) is designed to be flexible in the vertical direction (z) of the vehicle. [7] Lighting arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized bythat the body component (16) is designed as a deformation element. [8] Lighting arrangement (1) according to one of claims 6 to 7, characterized by that the holding element (2) is held on the body component (16) via at least two fastening points (17). [9] Lighting arrangement (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by in that the holding element (2) has an insertion element (9) which can be inserted into a recess (10) of one of the lighting elements (4, 5) in a fastening direction running obliquely, in particular perpendicularly, to the vertical direction (z) of the vehicle, whereby this lighting element (4, 5) can be fixed three-dimensionally to the body component (16).

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