Headlight assembly with detachable holder for pedestrian protection (PedPro)

Abstract

A releasable mounting for a vehicle headlight assembly comprises: a fixed mounting section configured to attach to a structural component of the vehicle, and a component-side section attached to the headlight assembly. The component-side section is configured to engage with the fixed mounting section in a held position to secure the headlight assembly to the structural component of the vehicle. One of the fixed mounting sections or the component-side section contains a clip, and another of the fixed mounting sections or the component-side section contains a cage section. The clip is configured to release from the cage section in response to an impact force acting on the headlight assembly.The clip is designed to re-engage with the cage section and re-attach the fixed mounting section to the cage section after it has been detached from it.

Description

AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the mounting of a headlamp assembly to a vehicle structure. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a releasable bracket for securing a headlamp assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicle headlight mounts may be designed to allow the headlight to shift relative to a vehicle structure in response to the application of a compressive force, such as one caused by a collision with a pedestrian. Such mounts may contain breakable or fragile parts designed to break in response to the compressive force. In some cases, breakable parts may be included as part of a housing of the headlight assembly. While fragile mounts provide the desired pedestrian protection (PedPro) function, they can be very expensive to replace. SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure provides a releasable retainer for a headlight assembly of a vehicle. The releasable retainer includes a fixed retainer portion configured to be secured to a structural component of the vehicle. The releasable retainer also includes a component-side portion attached to the headlight assembly and configured to engage the fixed retainer portion in a retained position to hold the headlight assembly to the structural component of the vehicle. One of the fixed retainer portions, or component-side portion, includes a clip, and another of the fixed retainer portions, or component-side portion, includes a cage portion.

[0004] In some embodiments, the clip is configured to disengage from the cage portion in response to the application of an impact force to the headlight assembly, and the clip is configured to re-engage and re-attach the fixed support portion to the cage portion after disengagement therefrom.

[0005] In some embodiments, the fixed support portion comprises the clip and the component-side portion comprises the cage portion.

[0006] In some embodiments, the fixed support portion comprises the cage section and the component-side portion comprises the clip.

[0007] In some embodiments, the clip includes a locking portion having a catch surface configured to engage a lip of the cage portion in a retained portion.

[0008] In some embodiments, the fixed support portion includes at least one guide arm configured to fit into an opening of the cage portion and guide the clip into a position to engage the cage portion in the held position.

[0009] In some embodiments, the at least one guide arm comprises two guide arms, wherein the clip is arranged between the two guide arms.

[0010] In some embodiments, the clip is configured to release from the cage portion upon application of an impact force of at least about 55 Newtons.

[0011] In some embodiments, the headlight assembly includes a housing, wherein the cage portion is integrally molded with the housing of the headlight assembly.

[0012] In some embodiments, the clip includes a carrier having a catch surface extending therefrom that is configured to engage a lip of the cage portion in the retained position.

[0013] In some embodiments, the catch surface forms an angle of more than 90 degrees relative to the clip carrier.

[0014] In some embodiments, the releasable retainer further includes a spring configured to urge the fixed retainer portion away from the cage portion when the releasable retainer is in the retained position.

[0015] In some embodiments, the spring is molded integrally with the fixed support member.

[0016] In some embodiments, the spring comprises two arcuate structures disposed on opposite sides of the clip.

[0017] The present disclosure also provides a headlight assembly for a vehicle. The headlight assembly includes a housing, at least one deformable mount, and a releasable mount. The at least one deformable mount is configured to retain the housing to a structural component of the vehicle, wherein the deformable mount is configured to deform in response to the application of an impact force to the headlight assembly. The releasable mount includes a fixed mount portion configured to be secured to a structural component of the vehicle, and a component-side portion. The component-side portion is attached to the headlight assembly and configured to engage the fixed mount portion in a retained position to retain the headlight assembly to the structural component of the vehicle.One of the fixed support portions or the component-side portion includes a clip, and another of the fixed support portions or the component-side portion includes a cage portion. The clip is configured to disengage from the cage portion in response to the application of an impact force to the headlamp assembly. The clip is also configured to re-engage and reattach the fixed support portion to the cage portion after disengagement.

[0018] In some embodiments, the fixed support portion comprises the clip and the component-side portion comprises the cage portion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the fixed support portion comprises the cage section and the component-side portion comprises the clip.

[0020] In some embodiments, the at least one deformable retainer is disposed adjacent a front surface of the housing, and the releasable retainer is disposed on a rear surface of the housing.

[0021] In some embodiments, the at least one deformable mount comprises two or more deformable mounts.

[0022] In some embodiments, the releasable retainer is disposed between two of the two or more deformable retainers.

[0023] The present disclosure also provides a releasable retainer for a headlight assembly of a vehicle. The releasable retainer includes a fixed retainer portion including a clip, and a cage portion attached to the headlight assembly and configured to engage the clip in a retained position to hold the headlight assembly to a structural component of the vehicle. The clip is configured to disengage from the cage portion when an impact force is applied to the headlight assembly. The clip is configured to re-engage and re-secure the fixed retainer portion to the cage portion after being disengaged therefrom. The clip includes a locking portion having a detent surface configured to engage a lip of the cage portion in a retained portion.

[0024] Further areas of application will emerge from this description. DRAWINGS

[0025] The drawings described herein are intended to illustrate selected embodiments only and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Fig. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a portion of a headlight assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the headlight assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of the headlight assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a detachable bracket for a headlight assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 6A-6B show the detachable bracket in a fixed configuration and in a released configuration, respectively. Fig. 7A shows a rear view of the detachable bracket according to one aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 7B shows a bottom view of the releasable retainer according to one aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 8A shows a perspective top view of a fixed support portion of the releasable support according to one aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 8B shows a rear perspective view of a fixed support portion of the releasable support according to one aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 9A-9E show various views of a second fixed support portion of the releasable support according to an aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of portions of the releasable retainer separating from each other in response to an impact force, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 11A shows a front view of a cage portion of the releasable retainer according to one aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 11B shows a bottom or rear view of the cage portion of the releasable retainer according to one aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 12A-12D show the releasable retainer in progressive steps of detachment in response to an impact force on the headlight assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure, Fig. 13A-13D illustrate a first deformable mount in progressive stages of deformation in response to the impact force on the headlight assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure, and Fig. 14A through 14D illustrate a second deformable mount in progressive stages of deformation in response to the impact force on the headlight assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0026] Corresponding numbers indicate the corresponding parts in the various views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a black taillight assembly with improved efficiency. More specifically, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a black taillight assembly with an efficiency between 2x and 10x that of conventional black taillights.

[0029] The present disclosure provides a black taillight in which a phosphor layer is sandwiched between a short-pass filter and a long-pass filter. Shorter-wavelength light (e.g., blue) passes through the short-pass filter and excites the phosphor layer. The phosphor layer converts the shorter-wavelength light to longer-wavelength light (e.g., red or yellow for a taillight). This light is then passed through the long-pass filter. When viewed from outside the vehicle, the long-pass filter and short-pass filter block the passage of outside light, so the assembly appears black.

[0030] The present disclosure includes embodiments of a black taillight assembly for a vehicle. Such a black taillight assembly may appear black or very dark when off and illuminate when off. Such a black taillight may, for example, illuminate red and / or amber depending on its function, e.g., as a turn signal or brake light. The principles of the present disclosure may also be applied to other exterior lights of a vehicle, e.g., a headlight or a side marker light.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle 10 having a headlight assembly 20. The headlight assembly 20 of the present disclosure may include one or more releasable retainers that hold a housing of the headlight assembly in position on the vehicle 10, but may also be releasable to allow the housing to be displaced in response to the application of an impact force. The releasable retainers of the present disclosure may be reattached after being released.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a portion of a headlight assembly 20 of the present disclosure. The headlight assembly 20 includes a lens portion 22 and a housing 24 for accommodating one or more illumination sources (not shown). Fig. 2 shows a detachable bracket 30, a first deformable bracket 32, and a second deformable bracket 34. Each of the brackets 30, 32, 34 can be used to secure the headlight assembly 20 to the corresponding components of the vehicle 10, e.g., the chassis or the frame. Fig. 2 also shows an external object 12 contacting a front surface of the headlight assembly 20, which may simulate an impact force resulting from a collision between the vehicle 10 and a pedestrian. The mounts 30, 32, 34 may each be configured to allow some relative movement between the headlight assembly 20 and the corresponding components of the vehicle 10 to absorb energy when an impact force is applied during a collision with the object 12.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the headlight assembly 20, and Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of the headlight assembly 20. As shown, the headlight assembly 20 includes two of the releasable brackets 30, each disposed on a bottom side of the housing 24 and adjacent a front surface of the housing 24. The deformable brackets 32, 34 are each located on a rear surface of the housing 24. Each of the releasable brackets 30 is disposed approximately midway between a corresponding one of the first deformable brackets 32 and a corresponding one of the second deformable brackets 34. The left and right sides of the headlight assembly 20 are mirror images of each other, each having one of the three different brackets 30, 32, 34. The first deformable brackets 32 and the second deformable brackets 34 can each be returned to their original configuration and reused after deformation.

[0034] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the releasable bracket 30. As shown, the releasable bracket 30 includes a first fixed bracket portion 40 configured to be attached to a structural component of the vehicle. The first fixed bracket portion 40 has an L-shape with an upper portion 42 that extends generally horizontally and is connected to a mounting flange 44 that extends generally vertically. A sloped outer surface 43 extends between the upper portion 42 and the mounting flange 44. The mounting flange 44 defines a mounting hole 45 for receiving a fastener, such as a bolt or nut, for attaching the first fixed bracket portion 40 to the structural component of the vehicle. A peripheral wall 46 surrounds the mounting flange 44 around the mounting hole 45 and extends perpendicular thereto.The upper portion 42 of the first fixed support member 40 includes a clip 50 and two guide arms 52, each extending in a common plane generally perpendicular to the mounting flange 44. The upper portion 42 of the first fixed support member 40 also includes two shoulders 62 located outside the two guide arms 52 and extending in the same common plane as the clip 50 and the two guide arms 52.

[0035] The clip 50 includes a carrier 51 with a locking portion 54 opposite the mounting flange 44. The locking portion 54 includes a ramp 56 that points upward and away from the mounting flange 44. The locking portion 54 also includes a catch surface 58 that extends upward from the carrier 51 and faces the mounting flange 44.

[0036] The releasable bracket 30 also includes a component-side portion 70 that is secured to the housing 24. The component-side portion 70 includes a cage portion 71 that defines a rectangular opening 72 that is configured to receive the clip 50 and the guide arms 52 of the first fixed bracket portion 40. The cage portion 71 is configured to engage the clip 50 in a retained position to hold the headlight assembly 20 to the structural component of the vehicle. More specifically, the detent surface 58 is configured to be provided with a lip (in Fig. 5 not shown) of the cage portion 71 when the releasable holder 30 is in the holding position.

[0037] The clip 50 is configured to detach from the cage portion 71 in response to the application of an impact force to the headlight assembly 20. The clip 50 is also configured to re-engage and re-attach the first fixed support portion 40 to the cage portion 71 after being detachable therefrom.

[0038] In an alternative arrangement, the component-side portion 70 may include the clip 50 and / or the guide arms 52, and the first fixed support portion 40 may include the cage portion 71. For example, the clip 50 may be attached to the housing 24 of the headlamp assembly 20, and the first fixed support portion 40 may include the cage portion 71 that receives the clip 50 to releasably secure the headlamp assembly 20 to the structural component of the vehicle 10. In this alternative arrangement, the clip 50 may face the front of the vehicle 10 and be configured to move rearward with the headlamp assembly 20 to release from the (fixed) cage portion 71 in response to the application of an impact force to the headlamp assembly 20.

[0039] The Fig. 6A-6B show the detachable bracket 30 in a fastened configuration and in a released configuration, respectively. Fig. The attached configuration shown in Figure 6A includes the first fixed bracket portion 40, which is engaged and secured to the cage portion 71 by the clip 50. The releasable bracket 30 can be released from the position shown in Figure 6A in response to an impact on the headlight assembly. Fig. 6A into the released configuration, which may also be referred to as the disassembled configuration. The detachable bracket 30 can be moved back into the position shown in Fig. 6A after having been in the released configuration. Fig. 6A shows the configuration before and after impact, and Fig. Figure 6B shows them during impact.

[0040] Fig. 7A-7B each show additional views of the releasable bracket 30 in the attached configuration. Fig. Figure 7A shows the lip 74 of the cage portion 71 contacting and retaining the locking portion 54 of the clip 50. Fig. 7A also shows additional structural details of the first fixed support portion 40, including a tubular wall 47 surrounding the mounting hole 45 and extending perpendicularly from the mounting flange 44. Six reinforcing ribs 48 extend radially outward from the tubular wall 47 adjacent the mounting flange. Four of the reinforcing ribs 48 extend to an inner surface of the peripheral wall 46. The reinforcing ribs 48 may provide additional rigidity to the first fixed support portion 40. The first fixed support portion 40 may be a molded part made from a polymeric material, such as a fiber-reinforced plastic. Fig. 7A-7B also show the guide arms 52, which can help to bring the clip 50 of the first fixed support part 40 into proper alignment with the cage section 71 and limit lateral movement with the releasable bracket 30 in the assembled configuration.

[0041] The cage portion 71 may also be a molded part that can be formed separately from the fixed support portion and may be made of the same or a different material. The cage portion 71, the clip 50, and / or the guide arms 52 may be formed integrally with the housing 24 of the headlight assembly 20.

[0042] Fig. 8A - 8B show further views of the first fixed support part 40 of the detachable support 30.

[0043] Fig. 9A-9E show various views of a second fixed bracket portion 140 of the releasable bracket 30. The second fixed support portion 140 may be used in place of the first fixed support portion 40 and may be similar or identical to the first fixed support portion 40, except for the differences described herein. The second fixed support portion 140 includes a spring 142 formed as an arcuate structure on an inner surface of each of the shoulders 62 opposite the mounting flange 44. The springs 142 may be configured to urge the second fixed support portion 140 away from the component-side portion 70 when the releasable bracket 30 is in the retained position. The springs 142 may therefore prevent rattling or clattering between the two portions. In some embodiments, the springs 142 may be integrally molded with the second fixed support portion 140.Alternatively or additionally, the springs may comprise other arrangements, such as coil springs or a compressible foam located between the fixed support part 40, 140 and the component-side part 70.

[0044] As shown in the cross-sectional views of Fig. 9C (Section AA of Fig. 9B) and Fig. 9E (section BB of Fig. 9D), the catch surface 58 may form an angle of greater than 90 degrees relative to the carrier 51 of the clip 50. This angle of greater than 90 degrees may cause the carrier 51 to deflect downward to release the latch portion 54 from the cage section 71 in response to the application of an impact force.

[0045] Fig. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of portions of the releasable retainer 30 separating from each other in response to an impact force (the impact force is visualized as an arrow). As shown, the impact force causes the carrier 51 of the clip 50 to bend downward and the locking portion 54 to disengage from the cage portion 71, allowing the releasable retainer 30 to separate from the component-side portion 70 and thus move into the released configuration. The dashed line XX indicates the direction in which the fastener (e.g., screw or bolt) is inserted for attachment to a vehicle structure, symbolized as a hatched rectangle.

[0046] Fig. 11A-11B show additional views of the cage portion 71 of the releasable retainer 30, including the rectangular opening 72 configured to receive the clip 50 and guide arms 52. Fig. 11B also shows the lip 74 of the cage portion 71 facing away from an opening of the rectangular opening 72 to receive and retain the clip 50.

[0047] Fig. 12A-12D show the releasable retainer 30 in progressive steps of detachment in response to an impact force on the headlamp assembly. Fig. 13A - 13D show the first deformable bracket 32 ​​progressively deforming in response to the impact force on the headlight assembly. Fig. 14A through 14D illustrate the second deformable mount 34 progressively deforming in response to the impact force applied to the headlight assembly, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0048] In some embodiments, the releasable retainer 30 may be configured to release when an impact force of greater than 55 Newtons is applied to the headlight assembly 20. In some embodiments, the retainers 30, 32, 34 may be designed to withstand an impact force of up to 600 Newtons without breaking. For example, an impact force of up to 600 Newtons may cause the first deformable retainers 32 and the second deformable retainers 34 to deform but not break. The deformable retainers 32, 34 can be returned to their original position and continue to be used after being deformed (i.e., after being subjected to an impact force of up to 600 Newtons). Forces greater than 600 Newtons may result in permanent damage to one or more of the retainers 30, 32, 34.

Claims

[1] Detachable bracket (30) for a headlight assembly (20) of a vehicle (10), comprising: a fixed support portion (40, 140) configured to be attached to a structural component of the vehicle (10), and a component-side portion (70) attached to the headlight assembly (20) and configured to engage the fixed support portion (40, 140) in a retained position to hold the headlight assembly to the structural component of the vehicle, wherein one of the fixed support sections (40, 140) or the component-side section (70) has a clip (50) and another of the fixed support sections (40, 140) or the component-side section (70) has a cage section (71), wherein the clip (50) is configured to detach from the cage portion (71) in response to the application of an impact force to the headlight assembly, and wherein the clip (50) is configured to re-engage the cage portion (71) and re-attach the fixed support portion (40, 140) to the cage portion (71) after being detached therefrom. [2] The detachable retainer (30) of claim 1, wherein the fixed retainer portion (40, 140) comprises the clip (50) and the component-side portion (70) comprises the cage portion (71). [3] The detachable bracket (30) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the headlight assembly (20) comprises a housing (24), and wherein the cage portion (71) is integrally formed with the housing (24) of the headlight assembly (20). [4] The detachable retainer (30) of claim 1, wherein the fixed retainer portion (40, 140) comprises the cage portion (71) and the component-side portion (70) comprises the clip (50). [5] A releasable retainer (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clip (50) has a locking portion (58) with a detent surface (58) configured to engage a lip (74) of the cage portion (71) in a retained portion. [6] A releasable retainer (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixed retainer portion (40, 140) comprises at least one guide arm (52) configured to fit into an opening (72) of the cage portion (71) and guide the clip (50) into a position to engage the cage portion (71) in the retained position, wherein the at least one guide arm (52) preferably comprises two guide arms (52), the clip (50) being disposed between the two guide arms (52). [7] A releasable retainer (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clip (50) comprises a carrier (51) with a locking surface (58) extending therefrom, the locking surface (58) being configured to engage a lip (74) of the cage portion (71) in the retained position, the locking surface (58) preferably defining an angle of more than 90 degrees relative to the carrier (51) of the clip (50). [8] A releasable retainer (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a spring (142) configured to bias the fixed retainer portion (40, 140) away from the cage portion (71), preferably when the releasable retainer (30) is in the retained position. [9] Detachable holder (30) according to claim 8, wherein the spring (142) is formed integrally with the fixed support part (40, 140) and / or wherein the spring (142) has two arcuate structures arranged on opposite sides of the clip (50). [10] Headlight assembly (20) for a vehicle (10), comprising: a housing (24), at least one deformable bracket (32, 34) configured to hold the housing (24) to a structural component of the vehicle (10), the deformable bracket (32, 34) configured to deform in response to the application of an impact force to the headlight assembly (20), and a detachable holder (30) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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