ILLUMINATING GRILLE ASSEMBLY

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiator grille having lighting elements, specifically a radiator grille with opaque ribs between which light-guiding projections are formed for emitting the light from the light source arranged behind the radiator grille. Current state of the art

[0002] The primary purpose of a vehicle's grille is to define the airflow to the engine, radiator, and / or the interior through the air conditioning system. It is typically a plastic part mounted in the mounting opening at the front of the vehicle. This plastic part features a series of air flow openings. In recent years, the grille has often been supplemented or replaced by a lighting assembly. Such an illuminated grille illuminates the area in front of the vehicle and increases its visibility, allowing it to function, for example, as daytime running lights or, in night mode, as part of the parking / low beam headlights. Furthermore, the illuminated grille is a very distinctive design element of the vehicle, as it covers a relatively large area at the front of the vehicle, which is the most visible area.The design of the illuminated grille can then, for example, clearly differentiate vehicles of a particular brand from others. Illuminated grilles can still be used for air intake, or they can completely close off the grille mounting opening, allowing the air to be drawn in through another grille in the bumper, for example.

[0003] An example of an illuminated grille is known, for example, from document CZ201800475. The described solution comprises a light source, a light guide, a frame, and a transparent front cover, which together form a closed assembly. The specific shape of these components determines the final appearance of the grille and the emitted light. However, this solution requires replacing a standard opaque grille and blocks the air supply, which may not be suitable for some vehicle types. Furthermore, grilles made entirely of a translucent material are less resistant to dirt, scratches, or impact than conventional opaque grilles.

[0004] Another luminous grille is known from document EP3741619. The solution from this document comprises a grille comprising a series of horizontal corrugated fins formed from a transparent material, a light guide, and an opaque frame, with the transparent material serving as a lens for the light emission from the light guide. However, this solution also requires replacing the original grille with opaque fins with a completely new grille partially made of transparent material.

[0005] A radiator grille for a vehicle with through-openings is also known from CN 210 310 255 U. A lighting assembly with a plurality of LED lamps is provided on a rear side of the radiator grille facing the engine compartment of the vehicle. A light-conducting plate with silver-coated projections is arranged between the lighting assembly and the radiator grille. The projections can be pushed through the through-openings and thus emit light from the LED lamps forward in front of the vehicle. The silver coating ensures that the light is emitted evenly forward and that there is no light scattering on the side walls of the projections. Another illuminated radiator grille is known from document DE 20 2020 104697 U1.

[0006] Known solutions for illuminated grilles, which involve the original grille made of opaque material and supplemented by light sources, usually LEDs, emit light primarily indirectly by illuminating the grille or ribs. This means that the light source illuminates an opaque part, which reflects the light in front of the vehicle. However, these solutions have limited possibilities in terms of modifying the appearance of the illuminated grille and in terms of the intensity and homogenization of the emitted light.

[0007] Another illuminated grille is known from document WO200518987. This document describes a grille with opaque ribs, which is backlit from behind by a light guide with point light sources at the ends. The light from the light guide thus illuminates the ribs, which reflect the light in front of the vehicle. In one embodiment of this solution, the light guide is arranged so that it is visible through the air passages in the grille, so that the light guide also illuminates directly in front of the vehicle. However, the homogeneity of the emitted light is unsatisfactory with this solution, since the ribs further away from the light guide are illuminated with less intensity and over a smaller part of their surface than the ribs closer to the light guide. In the embodiment with a visible light guide, this light guide is partially covered by the ribs.Another disadvantage of this solution is the reduced modifiability of the appearance of the grille, the directly luminous part of the grille is only the part of the used light guide with a constant cross-section, which is visible through the gaps in the grille.

[0008] It would therefore be appropriate to propose a solution that offers a luminous vehicle grille in which the original opaque grille is integrated and at the same time it will allow a sufficiently homogeneous light emission. Description of the invention

[0009] The disadvantages of the solutions known from the prior art are partially solved by the assembly of an illuminated radiator grille for installation in the front of a vehicle, comprising a radiator grille made of opaque material that determines the number of air passages. The assembly further comprises a light bar, a light bar support, a light guide part made of at least partially translucent material, and a rear cover designed to be arranged between the radiator grille and the space beneath the vehicle's front lid. The radiator grille is connected to the rear cover, and the light bar is attached to the rear cover by the light bar support. The light bar is arranged between the rear cover and the radiator grille and extends across most of the width of the assembly.The light guide part runs along the light bar between the light bar and the radiator grille, with part of the light guide part engaging in the air passage openings in the radiator grille.

[0010] The light bar thus serves as a light source, and the light from the light bar is emitted through the light guide section and through the parts of the light guide section that engage with the air passages. The length of the light bar, at least half, i.e. the majority, preferably at least two-thirds of the width of the radiator grille, ensures sufficient illumination of the assembly. This illuminates the area in front of the vehicle, e.g., increasing the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles or illuminating the roadway. The walls of the air passages are also illuminated, which then shine indirectly in front of the vehicle. This makes the assembly according to the invention more valuable in terms of design than conventional illuminated radiator grilles.At the same time, it is more resistant to dirt or damage than grilles made of translucent material, and it provides brighter and more uniform illumination than grilles with LED light sources, for example, arranged between the ribs. The material of the light guide guides at least part of the light incident on it from the light bar and directs this light forward. This material is preferably clear, such as Plexiglas.

[0011] A light guide part comprises a body and a number of projections connected to the body, wherein the body has a light entry surface that runs along the light bar, and each projection has a light exit surface, wherein each projection engages in at least one of the air passage openings in the radiator grille. These projections therefore represent the aforementioned parts of the volume of the light guide part that engage in the air passage openings. The shape of the projection then influences the shape of the emitted light; for example, the projection can be rounded or, conversely, have sharp edges. Furthermore, the light guide part can comprise homogenizing elements such as cracks, projections, depressions, angled surfaces, reflective particles distributed in the material, etc. The light guide part can also be colored, for example orange, if the assembly according to the invention is to serve as an indicator, or blue ororange if it is to serve as a warning light.

[0012] According to the invention, each projection comprises two opposing side walls and a front wall, wherein the side walls face the walls of the respective air passage opening, and the front wall is designed to emit light in front of the vehicle. The side walls thus illuminate the walls of the air passage openings, i.e. the walls of the ribs that form these openings, so that these walls are more clearly visible than the other parts of the radiator grille. The side walls can optionally be placed on the walls of the air passage openings, and the walls of the air passage openings are then illuminated by the front wall, possibly by the upper and lower walls of the projection, although this is not part of the invention. The front wall is then directly visible when viewed from the front of the vehicle, and its shape influences the appearance of the emitted light.

[0013] The height of each projection can taper toward the front, with the front wall covering the narrowest part of the projection and thus forming the brightest illuminated part of the projection. Alternatively, or additionally, the width of the projections, i.e., in the horizontal dimension, can taper, so that the side walls are also visible when viewed from the front.

[0014] The illuminated grille assembly preferably also comprises a frame, the frame extending along the light bar, being attached to the grille and / or the rear cover, and having gaps for the passage of the light guide portion aligned with at least some of the air passage openings in the grille, the light guide portion being attached to the frame and passing through the gaps for the passage of the light guide portion. This frame can thus be made of an opaque material so that the light is only guided through portions of the light guide portion passing through the frame. This facilitates installation because the frame aligns the position of the light guide portion relative to the grille.In addition, the light guide part can be partially covered by the frame so that from the outside only the desired part of the light guide part is visible, which is determined by the shape and size of the gaps for the passage of the light guide part.

[0015] The light bar preferably comprises a light guide with two free ends, each free end of the light guide having a light source. These are preferably LED light sources, although the light source can then also comprise additional LEDs. The use of a light guide increases the homogeneity of the emitted light and, compared to a light bar consisting of multiple point light sources, also makes production cheaper and installation easier. Explanation of the drawings

[0016] The representation of the invention is further explained by means of embodiments which are described using drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the perspective front view of the assembly according to the invention, wherein half of the radiator grille is invisible for a clear representation of the parts arranged behind the radiator grille, Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the front view of the assembly from Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a representation of the perspective view of section AA from Fig. 2 by a vertical plane guided by one of the projections of the light guide part, Fig. 4 a representation of the perspective view of the section BB from Fig. 2 through a vertical plane passing through one of the grille ribs, ie between the air passage openings and between the projections of the light guide part, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a detailed view of section AA from Fig. 3 in a view perpendicular to the plane of this section, Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a detailed view of section BB from Fig. 4 in a view perpendicular to the plane of this section and Fig. 7 shows a view of the light guide part fastened in the frame, wherein the projections of the light guide part penetrate through the gaps for the passage of the light guide part in the frame. Embodiments of the invention

[0017] The invention, the subject of which is the assembly of a luminous radiator grille, in particular for a passenger car, will be explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

[0018] The assembly of the luminous grille according to the present invention shows the Fig. 1 and 2 and it comprises a radiator grille 1, a light bar 3, a light bar carrier 4 , a light guide part 5 and a back cover 6. The light bar 3 is on the back cover 6 mounted, pointing forward towards the radiator grille 1The light guide part 5 is in front of the light bar 3 arranged so that the light from the light bar 3 through it and this light into the space in front of the assembly and onto some surfaces of the grille 1 is broadcast. The radiator grille 1 represents the front section of the assembly, i.e. the section facing the space in front of the vehicle, and includes the peripheral part and a series of ribs therein 11 , which are vertical in the illustrated version. Between the ribs 11 are air passage openings 2 through which the air flows through the radiator grille 1 into the interior of the assembly and from the assembly towards the radiator, air conditioning, etc. As air passage openings 2 Here are the spaces between the ribs 11 . The radiator grille 1is made of opaque material, especially plastic, and can have the shape of the conventional radiator grilles known from the prior art. Fig. 1 as well as Fig. 2 only half of the grille 1 so that the components located behind it are also visible. The half not shown is symmetrical to the one shown, as is common with radiator grilles.

[0019] The back cover 6 is also made of opaque plastic and forms the back of the assembly, which, after installation in the vehicle's mounting opening, faces the passenger compartment, the engine, etc. The radiator grille 1 and the back cover 6are connected to each other at the periphery, for example, by screwing, gluing, positive connection, by means of flexible plastic clips on one part that snap into the complementary openings of the other part, etc. After the radiator grille 1 and the back cover 6 Connected together, they define the interior of the illuminated grille assembly, in which the other components are located. Air can be extracted from the assembly through the openings in the rear cover. 6 e.g. to the cooler.

[0020] The light bar 3 runs across most of the width of the assembly and is aligned horizontally. The light bar 3in the illustrated embodiment comprises an elongated light guide with a more or less constant cross-section, here circular, but it can also have a different shape, e.g. mushroom-shaped, which is a common shape for light guides. The mushroom shape results from a closed curve that is symmetrical about an axis lying in the same plane as the entire curve, whereby this curve has four sections, in the first section it is curved inwards, e.g. it is a circular sector, the second and third sections are curved in a different direction, i.e. outwards, with the first section lying between them, and in the fourth section the curve is straight, whereby the fourth section is opposite the first and the axis of symmetry runs through the middle of the first and fourth sections. The fourth section often has deflecting elements.The light guide may have deflection elements on its rear side, and in the illustrated embodiment, it also includes two light entry surfaces at its ends. The light bar. 3 further comprises two point light sources, in particular LED light sources, each directed towards one of the light entry surfaces at the ends of the light guide. Alternatively, the light bar can 3 For example, it can be realized as a series of point light sources, in which case it can additionally have a homogenizing lens running along this series.

[0021] The light bar carrier 4 used to attach the light bar 3 on the back cover 6. The light bar carrier 4 runs along the entire light bar 3 and comprises a front part with an elongated opening complementary to the shape of the light guide and a rear part for attachment to the rear cover6 . The light guide can be fixed in the opening in the front part, for example by a positive connection with pre-tension, it can be glued, etc. The rear part in the illustrated embodiment comprises several, for example four to ten, holders, which are inserted through the rear cover 6 Each of these brackets has an opening with an internal thread into which a screw is screwed from the back, the head of which is attached to the back of the rear cover 6 and thus supports the light bar support 4 fixed in position. This bracket is shown in the cuts in Fig. 4 and 6 Alternatively, the light bar support 4 on the body 9 (Fiber optic part 5 ) by gluing, positive connection, etc., or it can be an integral part of the back cover 6The front of the light bar support 4 , for example, the surface of the gaps for the light guide, can be coated with reflective material in some designs. In addition, the front of the rear cover can 6 partially coated with reflective material. The shape of the light bar 3 , the light bar carrier 4 and their arrangement among each other and in relation to the other components of the assembly are best Fig. 3 to 6 can be found.

[0022] The fiber optic part 5 consists of a translucent material, for example the same as the light guide of the light bar 3 This material can be, for example, glass or Plexiglas, in particular PMMA or polycarbonate; for example, any at least partially translucent polymer material can be used. The light guide part 5serves as a light guide, lens and / or homogenizing element for the light from the light bar 3. The fiber optic part 5 includes a body 9 and a lot of the body 9 protruding protrusions 10 . The body 9 runs along the entire length of the light bar 3 and partially encloses them, in the illustrated version the body 9 a trapezoidal cross-section with a trapezoidal opening in the middle from one side, and through this opening the light bar goes 3 through. The projections 10 are arranged so that each one is behind an air passage opening 2 and into this air passage opening 2 intervenes, as in Fig. 3 and in the simplified view in Fig. 5 shown. The projections 10 serve to emit light from the light guide part 5 .

[0023] In the illustrated version, each projection 10 an approximately triangular shape that narrows towards the front, alternatively it may have a shape with a parallel upper and lower surface and at the front end the projection 10 rounded or not. The projection 10 comprises two opposite side walls which correspond to the walls of the corresponding air passage opening 2 facing and resting on them. The walls of the ribs 11 are then supported by the other walls of the projection 10 illuminated, which is not part of the invention. Alternatively, there may be an air gap between the side walls and the walls of the ribs 11 The lead 10 further comprises a front wall, in the illustrated embodiment this front wall also forms the top and bottom of the projection 10.The front wall serves as the light exit surface facing in front of the vehicle; since it is directly opposite the light bar 3 arranged, it radiates more light than the side walls. As a result, the front of the grille 1 the front wall of each projection 10 as well as the walls of the air passage openings 2 more visible than with conventional radiator grilles. In particular, the side walls of the ribs 11 that form these openings and illuminates the upper and lower walls of these openings. The height of the projections 10 in the illustrated embodiment is about one twentieth to one tenth of the height of the ribs 11. The entire fiber optic part 5 can be a single piece. Alternatively, it can be composed of several parts, for example, the projections 10 individually on the body 9 be attached.

[0024] As can be seen from the figures, the projections 10 in the illustrated version approximately three-quarters of the depth of the air passage openings 2 where the depth of the openings represents the dimension measured in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis. In alternative designs, however, they can, for example, only engage half or one tenth, etc., they can cover the entire depth of the air passage openings 2 through and in some versions they can even be moved forward in front of the grille 1 The shape of the protrusions 10may vary in other designs, for example, they may be formed from angled surfaces, they may have the shape of a cuboid, a cylindrical part (with a horizontal or vertical axis), a polyhedron, an ellipsoid, etc. In the case of the cylinder or ellipsoid, the transition between the side walls and the front wall does not have to be recognizable, or these walls may be formed by a common surface. The height of the projections 10 can also be different in alternative designs, for example they can be up to half the height of the air passage openings 2 fill out.

[0025] The attachment of the light guide part 5 In the illustrated version, this is done by means of a frame 7 made of opaque polymer, for example the same as the radiator grille 1 and the back cover 6. The frame 7has a trapezoidal cross-section and encloses the light bar 3 and the body 9 of the light guide part 5 along their entire length, with the projections 10 through the gaps 8 for the passage of the light guide part in front of the frame 7 go through. The framework 7 can be used for the radiator grille 1 and / or for back cover 6 . be attached, an independent frame 7 with the light bar 3 and the light guide part 5 shows the Fig. 7 . The frame 7 can be fixed by screwing, gluing, by snapping projections into complementary openings, etc. The light guide part 5 keeps within the framework 7 for example, thanks to its shape, like the Fig. 5 can be removed, but it can also be glued, screwed, etc. Thanks to the frame 7 is the body 9not visible at all from the outside of the vehicle. The gaps 8 for the passage of the light guide part are connected to the air passage openings 2 Preferably, the gaps are evenly spaced from each other. In an advantageous embodiment, the number of projections 10 equal to the number of air passage openings 2, so that each of these openings is illuminated. Alternatively, for example, only every second one, or only the openings in the middle of the grille 1 or conversely, only illuminated at its edges, etc.

[0026] In alternative versions, the assembly can be delivered without a frame 7 be realized so that the light guide part 5 for example only through the radiator grille 1 , the rear cover 6, the light guide carrier 4etc. or a combination of these can be held in position. In other designs, there may be a different shape of the ribs 11 and thus also the air passage openings 2 and / or their number. The ribs 11 can be inclined, horizontal, or replaced by a grid, etc. The body 9 may alternatively have the shape of a semicircle, a square, a part of an ellipse, etc. The shape of the frame 7 , if this is part of the assembly, preferentially copies the shape of the body 9 In some versions, the light guide part 5 have homogenizing elements or other elements that influence the shape of the transmitted light. For example, these can be surface roughening, cracks, protrusions, depressions, angled surfaces, etc.

[0027] The assembly according to the invention can, in some embodiments, be designed to provide additional lighting functionalities, such as direction indicators, flashing when unlocking or locking the vehicle, adjusting the lighting intensity, etc. For these purposes, the assembly can comprise a control unit or be connected to an existing control unit in the vehicle. The above-mentioned alternatives and modifications can be combined with each other. For example, it is possible to use different shapes and numbers of ribs. 11, Air passage openings 2 and / or gaps 8 for the passage of a light guide part with different materials of these or other components, with different shapes and numbers of projections 10 , different body shapes 9 , to combine different lighting functionalities, different homogenization elements, etc. List of reference symbols

[0028] 1 - Radiator grille 2 - Air passage opening 3 - Light bar 4 - Light bar support 5 - Light guide part 6 - Rear cover 7 - Frame 8 - Gap for the passage of the light guide part 9 - Body 10 - Projection 11 - Rib

Claims

1. Assembly of an illuminated radiator grill for installation in the front region of a vehicle, consisting of a radiator grill (1) which is made of opaque material with opaque ribs and which determines a series of air passage openings (2), wherein the assembly further comprises a lighting strip (3), a lighting strip support (4), a light guide part (5) made of at least partially translucent material, and a rear cover (6) which is to be arranged between the radiator grill (1) and the area under the vehicle hood, wherein the radiator grill (1) is connected to the rear cover (6), the lighting strip (3) is attached to the rear cover (6) by means of a lighting strip support (4), wherein the lighting strip (3) is arranged between the rear cover (6) and the radiator grill (1) and runs over the majority of the width of the assembly, and the light guide part (5) runs along the lighting strip (3) between the lighting strip (3) and the radiator grill (1), wherein a part of the volume of the light guide part (5) engages into the air passage openings (2) in the radiator grill (1), wherein the light guide part (5) comprises a body (9) and a number of projections (10) connected to the body (9), wherein the body (9) has a light entry surface running along the lighting strip (3), and each projection (10) has a light exit surface, wherein each projection (10) engages into at least one of the air passage openings (2) in the radiator grill (1), wherein each projection (10) comprises two opposite side walls and a front wall, wherein the side walls face the walls of the respective air passage opening (2) and are designed to illuminate the walls of the air passage openings (2), namely the walls of the ribs forming these air passage openings (2), so that the walls indirectly illuminate in front of the vehicle, and wherein the front wall is designed for the emission of the light in front of the vehicle.

2. Assembly of the illuminated radiator grill according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a frame (7), wherein the frame (7) runs along the lighting strip (3), is attached to the radiator grill (1) and / or the rear cover (2), and has gaps (8) for the passage of the light guide part, which are aligned with at least some of the air passage openings (2) in the radiator grill (1), wherein the light guide part (5) is attached to the frame (7) and passes through the gaps (8) for the passage of the light guide part.

3. Assembly of the illuminated radiator grill according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the lighting strip (3) comprises a light guide with two free ends, wherein each free end of the light guide has a light source.