ASSEMBLY OF THE ILLUMINATED RADIATOR GRILL

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiator grille having lighting elements, specifically a radiator grille with opaque ribs with cutouts in which a light guide part is inserted from the rear. State of the art

[0002] The primary function of a vehicle's radiator grille is to direct airflow to the engine, radiator, and / or into the passenger compartment via the air conditioning system. It is typically a plastic component mounted in a designated opening at the front of the vehicle, featuring a series of air vents. In recent years, the radiator grille has often been supplemented or replaced by an integrated lighting assembly. Such an illuminated grille then illuminates the area in front of the vehicle, enhancing its visibility. It can function, for example, as daytime running lights or, in a night mode, as part of the parking / low beam headlights. Furthermore, the illuminated grille is a highly distinctive design element, as it covers a relatively large and highly visible area at the front of the vehicle.The design of the illuminated radiator grille can, for example, clearly differentiate vehicles of a particular brand from other vehicles. Illuminated radiator grilles can also be used for air intake, or they can completely close off the mounting opening for the radiator grille, allowing air to be supplied, for example, through another grille in the bumper.

[0003] An example of an illuminated radiator grille is known from document CZ 2018 00 475. 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 radiator grille and the emitted light. However, this solution requires replacing a standard opaque radiator grille and obstructs airflow, which may not be suitable for some vehicle types. Furthermore, radiator grilles made entirely of a translucent material have lower resistance to dirt, scratches, or impact than conventional opaque grilles.

[0004] Another illuminated radiator grille is known from document EP 3 741 619 A1. The solution from this document comprises a radiator grille having a series of horizontal corrugated ribs formed from a transparent material, a light guide, and an opaque frame, with the transparent material acting as a lens for the light emission from the light guide. However, this solution also requires that the original radiator grille with opaque ribs be replaced by a completely new radiator grille partially made of transparent material.

[0005] Known solutions for illuminated radiator grilles, which involve supplementing the original opaque grille with light sources, usually LEDs, primarily emit light indirectly by illuminating the mesh or ribs on the grille. In other words, the light source illuminates an opaque section, from which the light is reflected in front of the vehicle. However, these solutions offer limited possibilities for modifying the appearance of the illuminated grille and for adjusting the intensity and homogeneity of the emitted light.

[0006] Another illuminated radiator grille is known from document WO 2005 / 018 987 A1. This document describes a radiator grille with opaque ribs, where this grille is backlit by a light guide with point light sources at its 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 positioned so that it is visible through the air passages in the radiator grille, allowing the light guide to shine directly in front of the vehicle. However, the homogeneity of the emitted light is unsatisfactory with this solution, as the ribs further away from the light guide are illuminated with lower intensity and over a smaller area than the ribs closer to the light guide. Furthermore, in the embodiment with a visible light guide, this light guide is partially obscured by the ribs.Another disadvantage of this solution is the reduced modifiability of the appearance of the radiator grille; the directly illuminated part of the radiator grille is only the part of the light guide used with a constant cross-section that is visible through the gaps in the radiator grille.

[0007] It would therefore be appropriate to propose a solution that offers an illuminated vehicle radiator grille, in which the original opaque radiator grille is integrated and at the same time allows for a sufficiently homogeneous light emission.

[0008] Furthermore, publication WO 2018 / 073678 A1 discloses a lighting device for a motor vehicle, publication WO 2014 / 179824 A1 discloses a lighting device for motor vehicles, publication JP 2021-009791 A discloses a light emission device, publication DE 10340723 A1 discloses a front area of ​​a vehicle, and publication WO 2022 / 199729 A1 discloses an assembly of the illuminated radiator grille. Description of the invention

[0009] The disadvantages of solutions known from the prior art are partially overcome by an assembly of an illuminated radiator grille for installation in the front of a vehicle. This assembly comprises a radiator grille made of opaque material, which has a non-empty set of ribs that define the air passage openings. The assembly further comprises a light bar, a light bar support, a light guide section made of at least partially translucent material, and a back cover designed for placement between the radiator grille and the space under the vehicle's front hood. The radiator grille is connected to the back cover, and the light bar is attached to the back cover by the light bar support. The light bar is positioned between the back cover and the radiator grille and extends over most of the width of the assembly.Each rib in the set of ribs includes, in the direction from the rear cover, a cutout for the light guide component. The light guide component runs along the light bar between the light bar and the radiator grille, and a portion of its volume engages with the air passages in the radiator grille. The light guide component comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, and a front surface.

[0010] The size of this portion of the volume is determined on the one hand by the width of the ribs and on the other hand by the depth of the cutouts and how deep the light guide part is positioned in the cutouts.

[0011] The light strip thus serves as the light source, and the light from the light strip is guided through the light guide section and emitted through the parts of the light guide section visible in the air passage openings. The length of the light strip, 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. The number of ribs on the radiator grille can range from eight to thirty, for example. There can also be only two ribs, creating an air passage opening between them, or there can be several dozen, or even more than one hundred. Preferably, however, the ribs are approximately vertical, for example, deviating from the vertical by no more than 45°, and more advantageously by no more than 30°.The rear cover can be made of plastic, for example, and may contain openings through which air from inside the radiator grille flows further under the front hood. The rear cover can facilitate the mounting of the assembly in the installation opening.

[0012] In addition to the ribs from the aforementioned set of ribs, the radiator grille can also include further ribs that do not have a cutout for the light guide component. These can be, in particular, the outer ribs; it is also possible, for example, to form a radiator grille in which the central rib or several central ribs do not have cutouts for the light guide component. For example, the assembly can comprise two light guide components with two light guide strips, with a gap in the middle between them where the radiator grille is not illuminated. The cutouts for the light guide component engage at least one-third, preferably half, and even more preferably at least two-thirds of the thickness of these ribs. The light guide component advantageously engages the majority of the cutout depth, e.g., at least two-thirds.Advantageously, a portion of the light guide section, particularly its outermost front area, is enclosed by the walls of the cutout for the light guide section from above, below, and the underside. The light guide section can fit snugly against the sides of the cutout, or there can be air gaps between them; it may even be in contact with the cutout in some areas and not in others. Preferably, these air gaps are not very large, for example, they are smaller than the width of the ribs or, more preferably, smaller than the height of the section of the light guide section surrounded by cutouts, so that the side walls that can be illuminated by the light guide section are located near it. This prevents the design of the radiator grille from being disrupted by the cutouts in the ribs themselves.

[0013] Thanks to the arrangement of the light guide component within the cutouts for the light guide component, it is possible to position this component further forward while maintaining the thickness and thus the strength of the ribs, and primarily their height. This makes the light guide component more visible and illuminates brighter in front of the vehicle than if it were located deeper within the assembly. Furthermore, this arrangement of the light guide component provides clear illumination of the side walls of the ribs and other surfaces of the radiator grille that are oriented towards the air passage openings. The assembly according to the invention thus provides not only direct illumination in front of the vehicle by means of the light emitted by the light guide component, but also indirect illumination with the light emitted by the light guide component and reflected from the surface of the radiator grille.The illuminated surfaces of the radiator grille run along the depth of the air passages, creating a three-dimensional effect when viewed from the front. This contrasts with conventional radiator grilles with light sources, where typically only the light line or the light points arranged in a flat area behind the grille are visible. The use of cutouts for the light guide components therefore gives the assembly a superior design effect, i.e., improved aesthetics, as well as greater luminosity for the same power consumption.

[0014] At the same time, compared to radiator grilles made of translucent material, this assembly is more resistant to dirt or damage and provides brighter and more homogeneous illumination than radiator grilles with LED light sources, which are, for example, arranged between the fins. The material of at least part of the light guide transmits at least some of the light falling on it from the light bar and directs this light forward. Preferably, this material is clear, for example, Plexiglas. Some parts of the light guide can also be made of an opaque plastic, such as its brackets for attaching it to the rear frame or the light bar holder.

[0015] A light strip can comprise a light guide with two free ends, each free end of the light guide being equipped with a light source. Preferably, these are LED light sources, and a single light source can then comprise multiple LEDs. The use of a light guide increases the homogeneity of the emitted light and, compared to a light strip consisting of multiple point light sources, also makes it more cost-effective to manufacture and easier to install.

[0016] The light guide component comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, and a front surface, with each cutout for the light guide component enclosing the entire front surface and a portion of the upper and lower surfaces along a longitudinal section of the light guide component. The light guide component can also be secured at its front end by a cutout, thus reducing vibrations during operation. Furthermore, the light guide component can include homogenizing elements such as grooves, protrusions, depressions, angled surfaces, reflective particles distributed within the material, etc. The light guide component can also be colored, for example, orange if the assembly according to the invention is intended to function as a turn signal, or blue or orange if it is intended to function as a warning light.

[0017] At least one of the air passage openings is advantageously defined by the upper surface, the lower surface, and a pair of side surfaces that are part of the radiator grille, the side surfaces being primarily part of the ribs. The cutout for the light guide element thus passes through these side surfaces. The light guide element preferably engages in the space between the upper and lower surfaces of the air passage openings. This preferably applies to all air passage openings that are delimited by ribs from the set of ribs. By arranging the light guide element between these surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces are also illuminated by the light guide element, which enhances the three-dimensional effect of the illuminated radiator grille elements described above.Preferably, the largest proportion of the light from the light guide part is emitted forwards and the smaller proportion upwards, downwards and to the sides, with this smaller proportion thus providing indirect illumination of the radiator grille.

[0018] The light guide component can be partially made of opaque material. An opaque material can, for example, form the components of a light guide that secure it in place. It can also extend over a portion of a specific light-emitting surface to influence the shape or intensity of the light emitted from that surface.

[0019] Advantageously, the light guide section comprises a front projection and two rear projections, all extending over most of its length, i.e., its entire length, meaning a horizontal dimension approximately perpendicular to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. The front projection includes a surface for light emission and is partially located within the cutouts for the light guide section. The rear projections face the rear cover, and the light bar is positioned between them. The light bar is located behind the front projection, ensuring that the light is emitted most intensely forward from it. Some light can also enter the light guide section through the rear projections surrounding the light bar, allowing a larger portion of the light entering from the light bar to be utilized.The rear projections can also emit light to a lesser extent, so that they are visible when looking at the illuminated radiator grille and further enhance the three-dimensional effect of the lighting of the assembly.

[0020] At least one rear projection can include a surface at its front end that is inclined at no more than 45° to the vertical, preferably no more than 30°. The light bar holder can then be partially or completely concealed behind the light guide section so that it does not disrupt the design. Furthermore, this near-perpendicular surface can be illuminated by a light bar, allowing light to be emitted at a higher intensity deeper within the grille than the main light emission area, thus creating an even more striking lighting effect. This near-perpendicular surface, preferably on each of the two rear projections, will then be illuminated less brightly than the main light emission area, but brighter than the other surfaces of the light guide section.

[0021] Preferably, the light guide part is attached to the rear frame using a light strip bracket, so that it is not necessary to attach these two components separately to the rear cover. Explanation of the drawings

[0022] The invention is further explained by means of exemplary embodiments, which are described using drawings, showing: Fig. 1 the perspective view of the assembly according to the invention in a schematic sectional view, wherein the section is made through the air passage opening, so that the rib defining this opening and the arrangement of the light guide part in the cutout for the light guide part in the rib are visible laterally, Fig. 2the perspective view of the assembly according to the invention in a schematic sectional view, while half of the radiator grille is made invisible, so that the light guide part behind the radiator grille and its arrangement relative to the radiator grille and the rear cover are visible. Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the in Fig. 2 indicated section AA, wherein the section plane runs through the opening between the ribs and the mutual arrangement of all components of the assembly, in particular the light guide part and the light strip and their attachment to the rear cover of the assembly, is evident, and the Fig. 4 a schematic representation of the in Fig. 2 indicated section BB, wherein the section plane passes through one of the ribs, in particular showing the arrangement of the light guide part in the cutout for the light guide part. Exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0023] The invention, the subject of which is the assembly of a luminous radiator grille, in particular for a passenger vehicle, will be explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

[0024] The Figs. 1 to 4 The assembly of the illuminated radiator grille according to the invention comprises a radiator grille 1, a light bar 3, a light bar holder 4, and a light guide part. 5 and a back cover 6. Light strip 3 is on the back cover 6 The light guide part is attached, pointing forward towards the radiator grille 1. It can preferably be positioned in the upper half of the height of the ribs 7 so that it is more visible to the observer viewing the radiator grille 1 from the front and above, which is common for radiator grilles, for example, when the observer is an oncoming driver or pedestrian. 5is positioned in front of light strip 3, so that the light from the light strip 3 Light passes through this and is emitted into the space in front of the assembly and onto some surfaces of the radiator grille 1. The radiator grille 1 represents the front part of the assembly, i.e., the part facing the space in front of the vehicle, and comprises the surrounding section and the set of ribs 7, which are vertical in the embodiment shown. Air passage openings 2 are located between the ribs 7, through which air can flow through the radiator grille 1 into the assembly and from the assembly to the radiator, air conditioning system, etc. The spaces between the ribs 7 thus serve as air passage openings 2. The radiator grille 1 is made of an opaque material, in particular plastic, and can have the shape of conventional radiator grilles known from the prior art. Fig. 2Only half of the radiator grille 1 is shown so that the components behind it are also visible. The half not shown is symmetrical to the one shown, as is usual for radiator grilles.

[0025] The ribs 7 include on their back, i.e. the back cover 6 and the light guide part 5 facing side, excerpts 8 for the light guide part, preferably across the entire width of these ribs 7. Advantageously, these cutouts all feature ribs 7 on the radiator grille, but in some versions, ribs 7 without cutouts may also be present on the radiator grille 1. 8 for the light guide part, especially, for example, the outer ribs 7. The excerpts 8 The shape of the light guide section can determine the cross-section of the light guide section. 5or approximately copy its front section. Preferably, the cutouts extend 8 for the light guide section, at least one quarter of the thickness of the ribs 7, where the thickness is the measure taken along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, i.e., in a front-to-rear direction. They advantageously extend over at least one-third, more advantageously over at least half, and most advantageously over at least two-thirds of the thickness, as shown in Fig. 1 indicated. The occurrence of the excerpts 8 for the light guide and the arrangement of the light guide part 5 As will be described in more detail below, this allows for an improvement in the design value and the lighting effect of the illuminated radiator grille 1. In particular, it is possible to illuminate all surfaces bordering the air passage openings 2 in such a way that the radiator grille 1 not only emits light directly from the light guide section.5, but also emits light indirectly through reflection on the opaque radiator grille 1, e.g., the side wall of the ribs 7. Furthermore, the light guide part 5 its shift further forward thanks to the cutouts 5 The light guide component is more visible when viewing the vehicle from the front, as it is less recessed in the radiator grille 1. A larger part of the light guide component 5 Furthermore, the emitted light is projected in front of the vehicle and thus utilized; a smaller portion of the light is emitted only within the radiator grille 1, where it serves no lighting function and thus represents the unused power of the illuminated radiator grille 1. The section 8 for the light guide part in rib 7 is in Fig. 1 and 4 depicted. The Fig. 4 does not show the lower half of the rib 7, For example, the rest of this rib would 7have the same shape as in Fig. 1 can be seen.

[0026] The back cover 6 It also consists of an opaque plastic and forms the back of the assembly, which, after installation in the vehicle, faces the passenger compartment, engine, etc., into the mounting opening in the front area. The radiator grille 1 and the rear cover 6 They are connected to each other all around, for example by screws, adhesives, positive locking, flexible plastic clips on one component that engage in the complementary openings in the other component, etc. The radiator grille 6 and the back cover 6 Define the interior of the illuminated radiator grille assembly 1, in which the other listed components are located. Air can escape from the assembly through the openings in the rear cover. 6 e.g., directed to the cooler.

[0027] The light strip 3The light strip runs across most of the width of the assembly and is, for example, horizontally oriented. However, it can run higher or lower towards the center of the radiator grille 1 than at the edges of the radiator grille 1. Preferably, the light strip runs across the entire assembly. 3 at least three-quarters of the width of the radiator grille 1, for example, a section of the light bar can be located behind each air passage opening 2 3 for the air passage or behind each opening except the two outermost openings 2. The vertical position of the light strip 3 can basically be arbitrary, as long as it guides the light through the light guide part 5 The light bar allows the vehicle to be positioned in front of the vehicle. 5The light guide itself need not even be visible; it can, for example, extend below the plane of the lower ends of the air passage openings 2 or above the plane of their upper ends. The light guide section 5 can then be curved in side view to direct the light, for example, to the middle third of the height of the air passage openings 2. Preferably, however, the light guide is located 3 behind the air passage openings 2 together with the other lighting components.

[0028] The light strip 3In the illustrated embodiment, it comprises an elongated optical fiber with an approximately constant cross-section, here circular, but it can also be shaped differently, e.g., mushroom-shaped, which is a common shape for optical fibers. The mushroom shape results from the closed curve, which is symmetrical about an axis lying in the same plane as the entire curve. This curve has four sections: in the first section, it is curved inwards, e.g., a sector of a circle; the second and third sections are curved in the opposite direction, i.e., outwards, with the first section lying between them; and in the fourth section, the curve is straight, with the fourth section opposite the first and the axis of symmetry passing through the midpoint of the first and fourth sections. The fourth section may contain deflection elements.The light guide can include deflecting elements on its back side, regardless of its cross-section, and in the illustrated embodiment, it also includes two light entry surfaces at its ends. The light strip... 3 It 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 strip 3 can, for example, be implemented as a series of point light sources; in such a case, it can additionally have a homogenizing lens running along this series.

[0029] The light strip carrier 4 used to attach the light strip 3 on the back cover 6. The light strip carrier 4 runs along the entire light strip 3and comprises a front part with an elongated opening complementary to the shape of the light guide and a rear part for attachment to the back cover. 6 The light guide can be attached to the front of the opening, for example, by a pre-tensioned positive fit, adhesive bonding, etc. The back can be used for attachment to the back cover. 6 Openings or brackets for screws are included; it can be glued to the back cover or attached with interlocking elements, e.g., spring clips, etc. Alternatively, the light strip holder 4 can be an integral part of the back cover. 6 The front of the light strip carrier 4, for example the surface of the slots for the light guide, can be coated with reflective material in some versions. In addition, the front of the back cover can 6 partially coated with reflective material. The shape of the light strip 3,of the light strip holder 4 and their arrangement relative to each other and in relation to other parts of the assembly are best described in the Fig. 3 and 4 to see.

[0030] The light guide part 5 consists of a translucent material, for example the same as the light guide of the light strip 3. This material can be, for example, glass or plexiglass, especially PMMA or polycarbonate; for example, any polymer material that is at least partially translucent can be used. The light guide part 5 serves as a light guide, lens and / or homogenizing element for the light from the light bar 3 and thus extends along this. The light guide part 5 Part of its volume is located in the projections 8 for the light guide part of the ribs 7, which the light guide part 5,In particular, the light-emitting surfaces can be moved closer to the space in front of the vehicle so that they are more visible.

[0031] The light guide part 5 preferably includes a front protrusion 12 and two rear projections 13. These projections can, for example, have an approximately rectangular cross-section, especially the rear projections. 13 Alternatively, they can have a curved cross-section, for example as in the Fig. 3 and 4 is shown. The frontal advantage 12 includes a front surface 11, which is the main surface for light exit from the light guide part 5 represents. Furthermore, it also includes the upper surface. 9 and the lower surface 10.These two surfaces can also emit light to a certain extent, so that they are more clearly visible when the light strip 3 is illuminated and additionally emit light upwards and downwards, thus illuminating the areas that define the individual air passage openings 2.

[0032] For most air passage openings 2, these surfaces can be, for example, the two side surfaces that are each located on a rib. 7 from the corresponding pair of adjacent ribs 7 are located. Furthermore, the upper and lower surfaces of the circumferential section of the radiator grille 1 are also located there. Preferably, a section of the light guide part engages. 5 in some or all air passage openings 2 between the upper and lower surfaces. Fig. 1 and 3 The upper surface is shown approximately horizontally, and it can be seen that it is formed by the front projection. 12is irradiated. At the outer air passage openings 2, one of the side surfaces can also be limited by the surrounding section of the radiator grille 1. The light strip 3 It is preferably located with most of its volume between rear projections. 13 behind the light entry surface on the back of the front projection 12. At least a rearward lead 13 preferably includes an almost vertical section at its front end, for example inclined at less than 45° in the vertical direction. This section is shaped by the arrangement of the light strip. 3 between the rear projections 13 relatively brightly illuminated - i.e. brighter than the rest of the respective rear projection 13, but less bright than the leading edge 12, especially its front surface 11. The light guide part 5In the front view of the radiator grille 1, it then appears not only as a bright line of light formed by the front surface 11, but also as a less bright line of light, formed by the front end of the rear projection 13, preferably the two rear projections 12, as in Fig. 1 , 3 and 4 is shown. Furthermore, the front view can show, for example, the upper surface. 9 be visible, for example the front surface 11 of the front projection 12 The brightest part is the front surface of the nearly vertical section, which may shine less brightly, and the upper surface 9 or the lower surface. 10 shine even less brightly. In the version shown, this is due to the inclination of the front projection. 12 the upper surface 9 is more visible, the lower surface 10 is less exposed to the space in front of the vehicle.

[0033] The light guide part 5 It may be partially made of opaque material, for example, a common plastic used to manufacture radiator grilles. Fig. 4 It can be seen that both rear projections 12 The section comprises two parts. The first section is a single piece with the front projection. 12, The first section is light-conducting, at least partially made of a translucent material. The second, rear section can be made of an opaque material and can be used, in particular, to attach the light guide section. 5 Opaque material can be cheaper, stronger, or more flexible than translucent material, so its use can reduce the price or the mechanical resistance of the light guide component. 5 is improved. Furthermore, or alternatively, the opaque material can cover part of the light-emitting surfaces of the light guide section. 5cover, for example, the front surface 11 . Such an opaque material therefore acts as an aperture and can influence the shape of the emerging light, the shape of the light line visible on the illuminated assembly, etc.

[0034] The light guide part 5 can be attached directly to the back cover 6 It can be mounted. Preferably, however, it is attached to the light strip holder. 4 attached, with the light strip then attached to the back cover 6 is attached, which simplifies assembly, as the light guide part 5 then together with the light strip 3 to the back cover 6 is attached. The light guide part 5 It can also be attached with another separate part, such as a frame that encloses one of its projections and is attached to the back cover. 6 or light strip holders 4 is attached. The light guide part 5and the light strip holder 4 can be used together with the back cover, if necessary. 6 to demarcate a closed or isolated space in which the light strip is located 3 and its light sources. This space can also include elements for ventilation or moisture removal, such as a duct with a filter to collect dust particles. The light sources and the light strip 3 They are then protected from dirt or moisture.

[0035] In other versions, the ribs 7 may have a different shape, and consequently, so may the air passage openings 2 and / or their number. The ribs 7They can, for example, be inclined, horizontal, or replaced by a grid, etc. Preferably, however, the ribs 7 are approximately vertical; for example, they do not deviate by more than 45°, preferably by more than 30°, from the vertical direction. Alternatively, the cross-section of the front projection can be 12 For example, it may have the shape of a semicircle, a square, a part of an ellipse, etc. In some versions, the light guide part may 5 homogenizing elements or other elements that influence the shape of the transmitted light. These can include, for example, surface roughening, crevices, protrusions, depressions, angled surfaces, etc. The light guide section 5 For example, its translucent material may contain colored additives.

[0036] The assembly according to the invention can, in some embodiments, be designed to provide additional lighting functionalities, such as direction indicator, flashing when unlocking or locking the vehicle, adjusting the lighting intensity, etc. For these purposes, the assembly can include a control unit or be connected to an existing control unit in the vehicle. In some embodiments, the entire light guide section can be 5 The corresponding sections along its length are located in cutouts 8 for the light guide section. In the front view, the light guide section can be seen 5 or its light emission surface may be curved or wavy, for example, its sections visible through any air passage opening 2 may each be at a different height than the sections of the light guide part 5 visible through adjacent air passage openings 2.

[0037] The above-mentioned alternatives and modifications can be combined. For example, different shapes and numbers of ribs (7) and air passage openings are possible. 2 and / or excerpts 8 for the light guide part with different materials of this or other components, with different shapes of the light guide part 5, They can be combined with various lighting functionalities, different homogenizing elements, etc.

Claims

1. Assembly of the illuminated radiator grille (1) for installation in the front region of a vehicle, comprising a radiator grille (1) made of opaque material, which has a non-empty set of ribs (7) which limit the air passage openings (2), wherein the assembly further comprises a lighting strip (3), a lighting strip holder (4), a light guide part (5) which is made at least partially from a translucent material, and a rear cover (6) which is configured to be arranged between the radiator grille (1) and a space below a vehicle front hood, wherein the radiator grille (1) is connected to the rear cover (6), wherein the lighting strip (3) is attached to the rear cover (6) by means of a lighting strip holder (4), wherein the lighting strip (3) is arranged between the rear cover (6) and the radiator grille (1) and extends over the majority of the width of the assembly, and wherein each rib (7) of the set of ribs (7) has a cut-out (8) for the light guide part (5) in the direction of the rear cover (6), wherein the light guide part (5) extends along the lighting strip (3) between the lighting strip (3) and the radiator grille (1) and engages with part of its volume In the cut-outs (8) for the light guide part (5) of all the ribs (7) from the set of ribs (7), wherein the light guide part (5) comprises an upper surface (9), a lower surface (10) and a front surface (11), characterized in that each cut-out (8) for the light guide part (5) surrounds the entire front surface (11) and part of the upper surface (9) and the lower surface (10) over part of the length of the light guide part (5).

2. Assembly of the illuminated radiator grille (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting strip (3) comprises a light guide with two free ends, wherein each free end of the light guide is provided with a light source.

3. Assembly of the illuminated radiator grille (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the air passage openings (2) is delimited by the upper surface, the lower surface and the pair of side faces that are part of the radiator grille (1), wherein a cut-out (8) for the light guide part (5) extends through the side faces, wherein the light guide part (5) engages in the space between the upper surface and the lower surface of the air passage opening (2).

4. Assembly of the illuminated radiator grille (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light guide part (5) is made partially from an opaque material.

5. Assembly of the illuminated radiator grille (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the light guide part (5) comprises a front projection (12) and two rear projections (13), all of which extend over the majority of the length of the light guide part (5), wherein the front projection (12) comprises the light-emitting face and engages with part of its volume in the cut-outs (8) for the light guide part (5), and wherein the rear projections (13) are directed from the front projection (12) towards the rear cover (6) and the lighting strip (3) is located between the rear projections (13).

6. Assembly of the illuminated radiator grille (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the rear projections has a face at its front end that is inclined by no more than 45° relative to the vertical direction.