Plastic housing of a lighting device and lighting device with such a plastic housing

Abstract

A plastic housing (4) of a lighting device (6) of a motor vehicle, designed to receive components of the lighting device (6) which are designed to emit light in a light emission direction (32) of the lighting device (6) when switched on, and which has an opening (20) in the light emission direction (32) that can be closed by means of a light-transmitting cover plate (2), through which the light emitted by the light-emitting components of the lighting device (6) in its switched-on state passes, characterized in that the plastic housing (4) has at least one clip (16) manufactured integrally with the rest of the plastic housing (4) and movably hinged to the rest of the plastic housing (4) by means of a film hinge (18), which is designed in such a way as to be movable between a release position (16a) and a detent position (16b),that in the release position (16a) the cover plate (2) can be placed on or removed from the opening (20) of the plastic housing (4) and the clip (16) in the detent position (16b) engages an outer edge (26) of a cover plate (2) placed on the opening (20) of the plastic housing (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a plastic housing of a lighting device of a motor vehicle, wherein the plastic housing is designed to accommodate components of the lighting device which are designed to emit light in a light exit direction of the lighting device when switched on, and the plastic housing has an opening in the light exit direction which can be closed by means of a light-permeable cover plate and through which the light emitted by the light-emitting components of the lighting device in its switched on state passes.

[0002] The invention further relates to a lighting device of a motor vehicle, comprising a plastic housing, a translucent cover plate, and components configured to emit light in a light exit direction of the lighting device when switched on. The plastic housing is configured to accommodate the light-emitting components and has an opening in the light exit direction that can be closed by the cover plate and through which the light emitted by the light-emitting components of the lighting device passes when switched on.

[0003] In general, there are currently two common ways to attach the cover plate to the housing of a lighting device: a. Cost-effective variant through the integration of a clip or locking geometry directly into the components. An example of this is known from DE 44 43 682 A1. This configuration usually requires additional slides for the housing mold. However, it does not allow for play-free assembly or fastening of the cover plate to the housing, which means that sometimes strict tolerance requirements of customers (manufacturers of the vehicles in which the lighting device is installed) can only be met with considerable additional effort. b. The second option involves the use of separate retaining springs, e.g., made of metal, particularly a metal sheet or metal wire. An example of this is known from DE 43 41 292 A1. This option allows for a play-free fixation of the cover plate to the housing, which leads to better tolerances. However, it requires additional components and a more complex assembly process.

[0004] Based on the described prior art, the present invention is based on the object of proposing a cost-effective possibility for fastening the cover plate to the housing of a lighting device, which at the same time enables a play-free fastening of the cover plate.

[0005] This object is achieved by a plastic housing of a lighting device of a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. In particular, starting from the plastic housing of the type mentioned at the outset, it is proposed that the plastic housing has at least one clip which is manufactured in one piece with the rest of the plastic housing and is movably hinged to the rest of the plastic housing by means of a film hinge, which clip is designed and movable between a release position and a latching position such that in the release position the cover plate can be placed on the opening of the plastic housing or can be removed from it and in the latching position the clip engages around an outer edge of a cover plate placed on the opening of the plastic housing.

[0006] Essentially, the present invention enables the cover plate to be mounted and secured to the housing of the lighting device without play, without the need for additional separate components and without additional slides in the injection mold for the housing's production. Thus, the invention represents a technically simple, robust, and cost- and space-efficient solution for attaching a cover plate to the plastic housing of the lighting device.

[0007] The proposed design comprises at least one, preferably several, clips, each connected to the housing via a film hinge. These clips are molded directly into the housing's manufacturing process, without the need for additional sliders, thus resulting in no significant additional tooling costs. After the cover plate is placed over the housing opening, the clips are folded over and snapped into place under pre-tension, ensuring a robust and play-free connection between the housing and the cover plate.

[0008] Placing the cover plate on the housing opening comprises in particular inserting or placing the cover plate into a sealing bed of the housing which surrounds the opening.

[0009] A further advantage is the easy adjustment of the clip geometry in parallel with the adjustment of positioning ribs in the housing, which allows the required high tolerances to be achieved.

[0010] Preferably, the at least one clip and the associated film hinge are made of the same plastic material as the plastic housing.

[0011] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is proposed that the at least one clip is designed such that the at least one clip, which in the locking position engages around the outer edge of the cover plate placed on the opening of the plastic housing, presses the cover plate under tension onto an edge of the plastic housing surrounding the opening, at least in the region of the outer edge of the cover plate.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the at least one clip is designed such that the at least one clip, which in the latching position engages around the outer edge of the cover plate placed over the opening of the plastic housing, engages behind the outer edge of the cover plate. The outer edge of the cover plate preferably has, at least at the points where a clip engages behind the outer edge of the cover plate, a recess open in the light exit direction, into which recess a corresponding projection of the clip can engage. The projection of the clip preferably extends counter to the light exit direction. Particularly preferably, the outer edge of the cover plate has a groove running along the edge of the cover plate, which groove is open towards the front parallel to the light exit direction. The at least one recess of the cover plate is preferably part of the circumferential groove.

[0013] Advantageously, the at least one clip is designed such that the at least one clip, which, in the locking position, engages around the outer edge of the cover plate placed over the opening of the plastic housing, engages under pretension behind the outer edge of the cover plate. In this context, it is proposed that the at least one clip be made of an elastic plastic material and / or be shaped such that it is elastically deformable for locking into the corresponding recess in the cover plate.

[0014] As mentioned, it is advantageous if an edge of the plastic housing surrounding the opening comprises a sealing bed designed to tightly support the outer edge of the cover plate placed over the opening of the plastic housing. The sealing bed comprises, for example, a groove extending along an edge of the housing opening and filled with a sealing compound, e.g., bitumen, a plastic, or rubber. When the cover plate is placed over the housing opening in the area of ​​the sealing bed, the interior of the housing is preferably sealed against moisture and dust.

[0015] Various possibilities are conceivable for attaching the cover plate to the housing using at least one clip. Particularly preferably, the plastic housing comprises several clips arranged circumferentially spaced from one another along an edge of the plastic housing surrounding the entire opening. With the aid of the clips, the cover plate is pressed around its entire circumference onto the edge of the housing surrounding the opening.

[0016] Alternatively, it is proposed that the plastic housing have a plurality of clips which are arranged spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the opening along an edge of the plastic housing surrounding a first section of the opening, wherein the plastic housing comprises at least one rigid fastening element on a section of the edge of the plastic housing surrounding the opening outside the first section, which rigid fastening element is designed to interact with an outer region of a cover plate placed on the opening. According to this embodiment, the cover plate can first be hooked obliquely into or onto the rigid fastening element(s) on the section outside the first section. The cover plate is then pivoted about an axis of rotation in the direction of the housing and fastened to the housing by means of the clip(s) in the first section. The axis of rotation is defined by the rigid fastening element(s).

[0017] The rigid fastening element(s) of the housing preferably interact with corresponding rigid fastening elements of the cover plate. For example, it would be conceivable for the rigid fastening element(s) of the cover plate to be inserted into the rigid fastening elements of the housing. Pivoting the cover plate around its axis of rotation toward the housing presses the cover plate, in the section outside the first section, against the outer edge of the housing opening with increasing force.

[0018] Preferably, the at least one rigid fastening element can be designed to interact with an outer region of a cover plate placed on the opening only when the at least one clip is in its locking position.

[0019] The object underlying the present invention is also achieved by a lighting device of a motor vehicle with the features of claim 10. In particular, starting from the lighting device of the type mentioned at the outset, it is proposed that the plastic housing has at least one clip which is manufactured in one piece with the remaining plastic housing and is movably hinged to the remaining plastic housing by means of a film hinge, which clip is designed and movable between a release position and a latching position such that in the release position the cover plate can be placed on the opening of the plastic housing or removed therefrom and the clip in the latching position engages around an outer edge of a cover plate placed on the opening of the plastic housing. The clip is designed such that in the release position it is designed without an undercut, i.e.without undercuts, so that the injection mold for the housing does not require any additional sliders to produce the clips on the housing, which would make the injection mold expensive and technically complex.

[0020] According to an advantageous development of the lighting device, it is proposed that the plastic housing is designed as a plastic housing according to the invention.

[0021] Further features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It is emphasized that individual features shown in the figures may also be essential to the invention on their own, even if this is not explicitly mentioned in the description. Furthermore, several features shown in the figures may also be essential to the invention in any combination, even if this combination is not shown in the figures and not explicitly mentioned in the description. They show: Fig. 1 shows a first possibility known from the prior art for fastening a cover plate to a plastic housing of a lighting device of a motor vehicle; Fig. 2 shows a second possibility known from the prior art for fastening a cover plate to a plastic housing of a lighting device of a motor vehicle; and Fig. 3 shows a possibility according to the invention for fastening a cover plate to a plastic housing of a lighting device of a motor vehicle.

[0022] In general, there are currently two possibilities in the state of the art for attaching a cover plate 2 to a housing 4 of a lighting device 6: a. According to a Fig. In the cost-effective variant shown in Figure 1, a rigid clip or locking geometry 6, 8 is integrated directly into the components of the cover plate 2 and the housing 4. This configuration usually requires additional slides for the molding tool used to manufacture the housing 4 and / or the cover plate 2. Furthermore, it does not allow for play-free assembly or fastening of the cover plate 2 to the housing 4, which means that sometimes strict customer tolerance requirements can only be met with considerable additional effort. In the Fig. 1, the clip or locking geometry 6, 8 comprises an eyelet 6, which is an integral part of one of the components, i.e. the cover plate 2 or the housing 4, and two locking elements 8, which are encompassed by the eyelet 6. When the cover plate 2 is placed on the housing 4, the eyelet 6 slides along rising sliding surfaces 8a of the locking elements 8, and then locks behind locking surfaces 8b of the locking elements 8. As the eyelet 6 slides along the sliding surfaces 8a, the eyelet 6 is bent somewhat elastically on its side surfaces 6a, so that an engagement surface 6b of the eyelet 6 is moved upwards. When the end of the sliding surfaces 8a is reached, the engagement surface 6b of the eyelet 6 moves elastically downwards again, so that it comes to rest behind the locking surfaces 8b. The elasticity of the side surfaces 6a of the eyelet can be achieved by the choice of material and / or the shape of the side surfaces 6a. Of course, the locking elements 8 could also be formed on the housing 4 and the eyelet 6 on the cover plate 2. b. According to a Fig. The second option shown in Figure 2 uses separate retaining springs 10, for example made of metal, in particular a metal sheet or a metal wire. This option allows for a play-free fixation of the cover plate 2 to the housing 4, which leads to better tolerances. However, it requires additional separate components and a more complex assembly process. In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 2, a bead 12, 14 is formed on the cover plate 2 and the housing 4, behind which the rearwardly bent ends 10a of the retaining spring 10 can engage. The housing 4 has a groove 13 filled with a sealing compound 14, e.g., bitumen, a plastic, or rubber (so-called sealing bed 13). A rear edge of the cover plate 2 engages sealingly in the groove 13. Of course, it would also be conceivable for the cover plate 2 to have the groove 13 with the sealing compound 14, and for a front edge of the housing 4 to engage in it.

[0023] The invention offers a cost-effective possibility for fastening the cover plate 2 to the housing 4 of a lighting device 6, which at the same time enables a play-free fastening of the cover plate 2.

[0024] The present invention relates to the fastening of a cover plate 2 to a housing 4 of a lighting device 6, in particular of a motor vehicle, most preferably to a headlight housing. As in Fig. 3, it is proposed to attach one or more clips 16 to the headlight housing 4 by means of a film hinge 18. Of course, the clips 16 can also be hinged to the remaining housing 4 of the lighting device 6 in another way, in one piece and pivotable about a rotation axis 30. After the cover plate 2 has been placed on an edge 22 of the housing 4 surrounding an opening 20 of the headlight housing 4, the clips 16, which are spaced apart from one another along the edge 22, are folded over such that the clips 16 engage with tension on a bead 24 on the edge 22 of the cover plate 2. The cover plate 2 is then connected to the housing 4 without any play.

[0025] The plastic housing 4 is designed to accommodate components of the lighting device 6, which, when switched on, are designed to emit light in a light exit direction 32 of the lighting device 6. The housing 4 has an opening 20 in the light exit direction 32 that can be closed by the light-permeable cover plate 2 and through which the light emitted by the light-emitting components of the lighting device 6 passes in its switched-on state.

[0026] The light-emitting components can have one or more light sources (e.g. LEDs or laser diodes) for emitting light, one or more primary optics, e.g. one or more attachment optics, for bundling and / or deflecting the emitted light, and / or one or more secondary optics, e.g. a projection lens, for imaging the bundled light from an intermediate image plane in the light exit direction 32 into a front area of ​​the illumination device 6.

[0027] The lighting device 6 can be a motor vehicle headlight or a motor vehicle lamp. The cover plate 2 can be transparent or colored. It can be equipped with or without optically active elements (e.g., prisms and / or cylindrical lenses) to scatter the passing light rays, particularly in the horizontal direction.

[0028] In particular, the invention proposes that the plastic housing 4 have at least one clip 16 manufactured in one piece with the remaining plastic housing 4 and movably hinged to the remaining plastic housing 4 by means of a film hinge 18, which clip 16 is designed and movable between a release position 16a and a latching position 16b such that in the release position 16a the cover plate 2 can be placed on the opening 20 of the plastic housing 4 or removed therefrom, and in the latching position 16b the clip 16 engages around an outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2 placed on the opening 20 of the plastic housing 4. The movement of the clip 16 between the release position 16a and the latching position 16b is designated by the reference numeral 28. The axis of rotation of the clip 16 relative to the remaining housing 4, defined by the film hinge 18, is designated by the reference numeral 30.

[0029] The outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2 has an L-shape. A first bar of the "L" is received by the sealing bed 13. The other bar of the "L" extends substantially perpendicular to the first bar. The other bar carries a recess 34 designed to receive a projection 36 of the clip 16 and the bead 24 of the cover plate 2.

[0030] Essentially, the present invention enables the play-free mounting and fastening of the cover plate 2 to the housing 4 of the lighting device 6, without the need for additional separate components and without additional slides in the injection mold of the housing 4 or the cover plate 2 for its production. Thus, the invention represents a technically simple, robust, and cost- and space-efficient solution for fastening the cover plate 2 to the plastic housing 4 of the lighting device 6.

[0031] The proposed design comprises at least one, preferably several clips 16, each connected to the housing 4 by means of a film hinge 18. These clips 16 are molded directly and without undercuts, i.e., without the need for additional slides in the injection mold, during the manufacturing process of the housing 4, which does not incur significant additional tooling costs. After the cover plate 2 is placed on the housing opening 20, the clips 16 are folded over (movement 28) and, under pretension, snapped into place behind the edge 26, where the bead 24 may be formed, thereby ensuring a robust and play-free connection between the housing 4 and the cover plate 2.

[0032] Placing the cover plate 2 onto the housing opening 20 comprises, in particular, inserting or placing the cover plate 2 into a sealing bed 13 of the housing 4, which surrounds the opening 20.

[0033] A further advantage is the easy adjustment of the geometry of the clips 16 in parallel with the adjustment of positioning ribs in the housing 4, whereby the required high tolerances can be achieved.

[0034] Preferably, the at least one clip 16 and the associated film hinge 18 are made of the same plastic material as the plastic housing 4.

[0035] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is proposed that the at least one clip 16 is designed such that the at least one clip 16, which in the latching position 16b engages around the outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2 placed on the opening 20 of the plastic housing 4, presses the cover plate 2, at least in the region of the outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2, under tension onto an edge 22 of the plastic housing 4 surrounding the opening 20.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the at least one clip 16 is designed such that the at least one clip 16, which in the latching position 16b engages around the outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2 placed on the opening 20 of the plastic housing 4, latches behind the outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2. The outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2 preferably has, at least at the points where a clip 16 engages behind the outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2, the recess 34, which is open in the light exit direction 32 and into which the corresponding projection 36 of the clip 16 can latch in the latching position 16b. The projection 36 of the clip 16 preferably extends opposite to the light exit direction 32. The projection 36 is preferably formed at a distal end of the clip 16 opposite the film hinge 18. A recess is formed between the projection 36 and the remaining clip 16, which is designed to receive the bead 24.Particularly preferably, the outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2 has a groove 34 extending along the edge 26 of the cover plate 2, which is open toward the front parallel to the light exit direction 32. The at least one recess 34 of the cover plate 2 is preferably part of the circumferential groove 34.

[0037] Advantageously, the at least one clip 16 is designed such that the at least one clip 16, which in the locking position 16b engages around the outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2 placed on the opening 20 of the plastic housing 4, engages under pretension behind the outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2. In this context, it is proposed that the at least one clip 16 be made of an elastic plastic material and / or be shaped such that it is elastically deformable for locking into the corresponding recess 34 of the cover plate 2.

[0038] As mentioned, it is advantageous if an edge of the plastic housing surrounding the opening comprises a sealing bed 13, which is designed to sealably support the outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2 placed over the opening 20 of the plastic housing 4. The sealing bed 13 comprises, for example, a groove 13 that extends along the edge 22 of the housing opening 20 and is filled with a sealing compound 14, e.g., bitumen or a plastic or rubber. When the cover plate 2 is placed over the housing opening 20 in the region of the sealing bed 13, the interior of the housing 4 is preferably sealed against moisture and dust.

[0039] Various possibilities are conceivable for how the cover plate 2 can be attached to the housing 4 by means of at least one clip 16. Particularly preferably, the plastic housing 4 comprises a plurality of clips 16, which are arranged spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the opening 20 along an edge 22 of the plastic housing 4 surrounding the entire opening 20. With the aid of the clips 16, the cover plate 2 is pressed around its entire circumference onto the edge 22 of the housing 4 surrounding the opening 20.

[0040] Alternatively, it is proposed that the plastic housing 4 have one or more clips 16 which are arranged spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the opening 20 along an edge 22 of the plastic housing 4 surrounding a first section of the opening 20, wherein the plastic housing 4 comprises at least one rigid fastening element (not shown) on a section of the edge 22 of the plastic housing 4 surrounding the opening 20 outside the first section, which rigid fastening element is designed to cooperate with the outer edge 26 of the cover plate 2 placed on the opening 20. According to this embodiment, the cover plate 2 can first be hooked obliquely into or onto the rigid fastening element(s) on the section outside the first section. The cover plate 2 is then pivoted about an axis of rotation in the direction of the housing 4 and then fastened to the housing 4 by means of the clip(s) 16 in the first section.The axis of rotation is defined by the rigid fastening element(s).

[0041] The rigid fastening element(s) of the housing 4 preferably interact with corresponding rigid fastening elements (not shown) of the cover plate 2. For example, it would be conceivable for the rigid fastening element(s) of the cover plate 2 to be inserted into the rigid fastening elements of the housing 4. Pivoting the cover plate 2 about the rotation axis toward the housing 4 presses the cover plate 2 with increasing force against the outer edge 22 of the housing opening 20 in the section outside the first section.

[0042] Preferably, the at least one rigid fastening element can be designed to interact with an outer region of a cover plate 2 placed on the opening 20 only when the at least one clip 16 is in its locking position 16b. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 44 43 682 A1

[0003] DE 43 41 292 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Plastic housing (4) of a lighting device (6) of a motor vehicle, which is designed to accommodate components of the lighting device (6) which are designed to emit light in a light exit direction (32) of the lighting device (6) when switched on, and which has an opening (20) in the light exit direction (32) which can be closed by means of a light-permeable cover plate (2) and through which the light emitted by the light-emitting components of the lighting device (6) in its switched on state passes, characterized bythat the plastic housing (4) has at least one clip (16) which is manufactured in one piece with the rest of the plastic housing (4) and is movably hinged to the rest of the plastic housing (4) by means of a film hinge (18), which clip is designed and movable between a release position (16a) and a latching position (16b) such that in the release position (16a) the cover plate (2) can be placed on the opening (20) of the plastic housing (4) or can be removed therefrom and the clip (16) in the latching position (16b) engages around an outer edge (26) of a cover plate (2) placed on the opening (20) of the plastic housing (4). [2] Plastic housing (4) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one clip (16) is designed such that the at least one clip (16) which, in the latching position (16b), encompasses the outer edge (26) of the cover plate (2) placed on the opening (20) of the plastic housing (4) presses the cover plate (2) under tension onto an edge (22) of the plastic housing (4) surrounding the opening (20), at least in the region of the outer edge (26) of the cover plate (2). [3] Plastic housing (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one clip (16) is designed such that the at least one clip (16) which, in the latching position (16b), engages around the outer edge (26) of the cover plate (2) placed on the opening (20) of the plastic housing (4) engages behind the outer edge (26) of the cover plate (2). [4] Plastic housing (4) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one clip (16) is designed such that the at least one clip (16) which, in the latching position (16b), engages around the outer edge (26) of the cover plate (2) placed on the opening (20) of the plastic housing (4) engages behind the outer edge (26) of the cover plate (2) under pretension. [5] Plastic housing (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an edge (22) of the plastic housing (4) surrounding the opening (20) comprises a sealing bed (13) which is designed for the sealed support of the outer edge (26) of the cover plate (2) placed on the opening (20) of the plastic housing (4). [6] Plastic housing (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic housing (4) has a plurality of clips (16) which are arranged spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the opening (20) along an edge (22) of the plastic housing (4) surrounding the entire opening (20). [7] Plastic housing (4) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plastic housing (4) has at least one clip (16) which is arranged on an edge (22) of the plastic housing (4) surrounding a first section of the opening (20), wherein the plastic housing (4) comprises at least one rigid fastening element on a section of the edge (22) of the plastic housing (4) surrounding the opening (20) outside the first section, which rigid fastening element is designed to cooperate with an outer region of a cover plate (2) placed on the opening (20). [8] Plastic housing (4) according to claim 7, wherein the plastic housing (4) has at least a plurality of clips (16) which are arranged spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the opening (20) along the edge (22) of the plastic housing (4) surrounding the first portion of the opening (20). [9] Plastic housing (4) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the at least one rigid fastening element is designed to cooperate with an outer region of a cover plate (2) placed on the opening (20) only when the at least one clip (16) is in its locking position. [10] Lighting device (6) of a motor vehicle, which has a plastic housing (4), a light-permeable cover plate (2) and components which are designed to emit light in a light exit direction (32) of the lighting device (6) when switched on, wherein the plastic housing (4) is designed to accommodate the light-emitting components and has an opening (20) in the light exit direction (32) which can be closed by means of the cover plate (2) and through which the light emitted by the light-emitting components of the lighting device (6) in its switched on state passes, characterized bythat the plastic housing (4) has at least one clip (16) which is manufactured in one piece with the rest of the plastic housing (4) and is movably hinged to the rest of the plastic housing (4) by means of a film hinge (18), which clip is designed and movable between a release position (16a) and a latching position (16b) such that in the release position (16a) the cover plate (2) can be placed on the opening (20) of the plastic housing (4) or can be removed therefrom and the clip (16) in the latching position (16b) engages around an outer edge (26) of a cover plate (2) placed on the opening (20) of the plastic housing (4). [11] Lighting device (6) according to claim 10, wherein the plastic housing (4) is designed according to one of claims 2 to 9.

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