Radiator guard for a motor vehicle as well as motor vehicle with such a radiator guard

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a radiator guard for a motor vehicle, comprising a grille body with several grille openings.

[0002] Motor vehicles typically have a radiator grille located at the front, comprising a grille body with numerous openings that allow air to pass to a radiator behind the grille, which, for example, cools a coolant. Since such a radiator grille, sometimes quite large, is positioned prominently at the front of the vehicle, it is known to incorporate a lighting device in the area of ​​this grille. This device emits light, thereby improving the visibility and recognizability of the vehicle.

[0003] From DE 10 2020 130 590 A1, a device with such a radiator guard is known, wherein a reflector is assigned to the radiator guard, through which light from one or more lighting elements such as LEDs can be bundled and radiated through the grid structure of the radiator guard.

[0004] From DE 10 2020 209 963 A1, a motor vehicle is known in which a light-optical communication device is assigned to the radiator grille, through which light can be emitted through the radiator grille into the surroundings, so that a corresponding illumination pattern can be displayed for transmitting a message by projecting the light pattern. The ability to selectively open and close openings in the grille allows for variation of the light pattern.

[0005] The known devices are very elaborately designed and are based on shining light through a radiator grille.

[0006] WO 2005 / 018989 A1 describes a lighting device for vehicles that is mounted on a radiator grille. The radiator grille comprises a grille body with several openings. A single, grid-shaped light guide element is described, designed as a one-piece frame comprising three horizontal elements and two vertical elements made of a transparent plastic, for example, PMMA, so that light fed into the light guide element can be both transmitted and emitted. The light is fed into this light guide element by one or more light sources. The light guide element can be dimensioned so that it is invisibly arranged behind a radiator grille, or it can be visibly arranged.

[0007] WO 2022 / 199728 A1 describes a radiator grille with a light strip that can be configured as a series of point light sources, for example, in the form of LED chips. This light strip is directed onto an associated light guide. This light guide runs around the radiator grille together with the light strip, the radiator grille, together with a grille frame and the light guide, defining a cavity along the entire circumference of the radiator grille. The light strip, which also runs around the grille, is located within this defined cavity. The front surface of the radiator grille has a texture to deflect the incident light, for example, in the form of a roughened surface, creating protrusions or depressions from which light can be reflected.

[0008] US Patent 2018 / 361971 A1 describes a motor vehicle with a radiator grille comprising a plurality of spaced-apart light sources, each with a front-mounted aperture and an associated reflector unit. The reflector units are designed and arranged such that the light from the light sources is reflected by the corresponding reflector unit, and the light is then emitted out of the vehicle through the radiator grille. The reflector units may have reflective surfaces, the reflective properties of which preferably result from the surface material, for example, by vapor deposition of chromium or aluminum.

[0009] DE 10 2014 015 185 A1 describes an add-on part for a vehicle with at least one lighting unit for generating a light distribution on at least one section of the add-on part. The lighting unit comprises a housing, the housing being designed such that light generated by at least one light source can be coupled out of the housing in such a way that a light-dark boundary of the light distribution is formed at least substantially at one edge of the at least one section of the add-on part.

[0010] FR 3 087 247 A1 relates to a lighting device suitable for being fitted to a body part of a motor vehicle, comprising a first lighting element suitable for emitting light in a substantially first principal direction and a second lighting element suitable for emitting light in a substantially second principal direction which differs from the first principal direction.

[0011] JP 2015 220205 describes a lighting device that generates indirect light to give a decorative component a complex and appealing external appearance while simultaneously highlighting its design features without impairing the component's air permeability. The device consists of a front grille made up of laterally arranged louvers with multiple ribs. Frame elements form an outer lateral frame of the front grille. Each of these frame elements houses a transparent material. The illuminating surfaces of the transparent materials are arranged along the outer lateral edges of the front grille and are positioned further forward on the vehicle body than the louvers. LEDs are arranged longitudinally opposite each other on the two end faces of the transparent material.

[0012] The invention is based on the problem of providing an improved radiator guard.

[0013] To solve the problem, a radiator guard for a motor vehicle is provided according to the invention, comprising a grille body with several grille openings, wherein at least a part of the grille openings is limited by a light-scattering surface provided with a surface structure, and comprising several light sources, each illuminating an area, wherein the light sources are arranged on a common carrier which is attached to the rear of the grille body.

[0014] The radiator guard according to the invention offers the possibility that the guard body itself can be used as an illuminated element, thus emitting light itself. For this purpose, at least a portion of the guard openings is bounded by a surface with a defined texture. This surface texture is designed as a kind of graining or defined surface roughness, such that when light strikes the surface, it is diffusely scattered. Each guard opening bounded by such a textured, light-scattering surface is assigned a light source, for example, an LED, which illuminates the respective area. Because the light is reflected and diffusely scattered at the illuminated area, the entire textured surface is ultimately visible as a uniformly illuminated surface.If several such surfaces are provided on the radiator guard, a correspondingly large number of defined illuminated areas will be visible on the radiator grille, clearly demarcated from unilluminated grille areas. The radiator grille, or rather the light pattern it produces, is clearly and unambiguously recognizable, which improves the visibility of the radiator grille and thus, of course, the vehicle equipped with it. This means, for example, that people in the vicinity can see the vehicle even better. Vehicles ahead can also see the vehicle more easily in their rearview mirrors, as the radiator grille is regularly visible there. The illuminated or virtually self-illuminating radiator grille can therefore even be used as daytime running lights, or at least in addition to other daytime running lights.

[0015] This is achieved by creating a defined surface texture, i.e., a defined roughness or grain, which forms the reflective or luminous surface. Due to diffuse scattering, the surface appears as a correspondingly large luminous spot, significantly improving its visibility. Without such a surface texture, if the surface is flat and, as is often the case, painted, only the local light source of the lamp would be reflected on the surface, resulting in a small point of light that is sometimes barely perceptible.

[0016] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the surface textured area is coated with a light-reflecting layer. This layer increases the reflectivity of the textured surface. At the same time, the surface texturing prevents the coating from reflecting light only at specific points. Therefore, the surface texturing also allows such coated surfaces to be illuminated, resulting in them being perceived as uniformly illuminated.

[0017] Such a reflective coating can be a gloss coating, in particular a high-gloss coating, with which the radiator grille is provided either completely or locally, at least on the structured surfaces.

[0018] As explained, each structured surface is assigned a separate light source, for example, an LED. To facilitate the simplest possible arrangement of these light sources on the grille, the invention provides that the light sources are arranged on a common carrier attached to the radiator grille. Thus, a single light source carrier is used, on which all light sources are mounted. By mounting this easy-to-handle and install carrier, all light sources are therefore attached to the grille in a single assembly operation and precisely fixed in position, ensuring that each light source is assigned to a structured surface and can illuminate it optimally.

[0019] The support is advantageously designed as a support grid with corresponding support openings. This means that the support grid openings are precisely aligned with the grid openings of the grid body. Such a support grid, or support, is, for example, a flexible plastic element that is easy to manufacture, easy to align and install, and, due to its flexibility, can readily adapt to the geometry of the grid body.

[0020] Mounting brackets for attaching individual light sources are conveniently provided adjacent to at least some of the openings in the support grid. The support grid is therefore a prefabricated component already equipped with these brackets, to which the light sources can be attached. These brackets are conveniently designed as snap-in brackets, to which the light sources are locked. Each light source has a corresponding housing or similar component, allowing it to be easily snapped into place on the brackets. Consequently, when equipping the support or support grid with the light sources, they simply need to be positioned and locked into place, a straightforward process.

[0021] As described, the support grid is preferably made of a flexible plastic material, i.e., mat-like, so that it can be easily mounted due to its flexibility and can adapt well to the structure of the grid body, which is usually made of a much harder plastic.

[0022] For easy assembly, connecting elements that can be joined together are advantageously provided on the support or support grid and on the grid guard body. In a further development of the invention, these connecting elements can be designed as snap-fit ​​elements. These snap-fit ​​elements, in particular, allow for very simple assembly, since the support or support grid only needs to be positioned on the grid body and pressed against it, so that the snap-fit ​​elements click together and a secure fix is ​​achieved. Screwing is also possible, of course.

[0023] The light sources themselves are connected either in series or in parallel and are conveniently located at a common terminal for connecting an external power supply. This means that all light sources can be powered and controlled via a single terminal. The corresponding supply lines from the terminal to each individual light source can easily be routed along the back of the support or the support grid.

[0024] As described, LEDs are preferably used as the light source, as they are sufficiently small and can easily be installed on the back of the carrier. They are characterized by high luminous efficacy and low power consumption.

[0025] The light sources can preferably be RGB LEDs (RGB = red-green-blue). These LEDs allow for the generation of a wide variety of colors, so the light color can be varied almost at will, and consequently, so can the color in which the radiator grille "illuminates" locally. In particular, the use of such LEDs makes it possible to change the color as needed, for example, to switch from white light to red light, which is regularly perceived as a warning color, and similar situations.

[0026] In addition to the radiator guard itself, the invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising a radiator guard of the type described above.

[0027] The vehicle should ideally have a control unit for regulating the operation of the lighting. These lights can either be permanently switched on by default, or they can be switched on as needed, for example depending on the ambient light conditions, or at the driver's request, who can switch the lighting on or off via a control device such as a touchscreen with a corresponding menu.

[0028] The light sources can only be controlled together, meaning that all light sources illuminate simultaneously, thus illuminating the entire grid to its maximum extent. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the light sources can be controlled separately or in different groups. This selective, singular or group-based control makes it possible to create various lighting patterns or scenarios. For example, the groups of light sources can flash alternately, with such flashing naturally increasing visibility even further. It is also conceivable to illuminate the individual groups in different colors, which also improves the warning function, and so on.

[0029] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle according to the invention in a partial view with a radiator guard according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a part of the radiator guard made of Fig. 1 Figure 3 shows the light sources arranged on a grid body via a support grid and their illumination of the structured surfaces; Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a support grid without light sources; Figure 5 shows a partial view of the support grid. Fig. 3 with a light source snapped onto it, and Fig. 5 a partial view of the support grid with a light source and wiring.

[0030] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a partial view of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention with a radiator grille 2 according to the invention. This grille comprises a grille body 3 made of a suitable plastic material. The grille body 3 has a plurality of grille openings 4; see also Figure 2. Fig. 2 , which in the example shown are honeycomb-shaped. At least a portion of the grid openings 4 is bounded at the lower edge by a surface 5 that has a light-scattering surface structure 6 in the form of a defined roughness or texture, as is generally the case in Fig. 2 shown. Surface 5 is covered with a high-gloss lacquer 7, meaning that the surface texture 6 is lacquered over, but it still defines the surface.

[0031] Each structured surface 5 is assigned a light source 8 in the form of an LED 9, which can be a white light-emitting LED or an RGB LED capable of emitting a wide variety of colors. Each light source 9 has a housing 10 by which it is fixed to a support 11 in the form of a support grid 12. The support grid 12 has corresponding locking mechanisms 13 to which the housing 12 is locked, as shown in detail in Fig. 4 shown.

[0032] The support 12 is designed as a support grid, which will be discussed in more detail below, and this mat-like support grid can be easily attached to the back of the grid body 2.

[0033] How Fig. 2 As shown, the individual light sources are arranged such that when they emit light, this light 14 shines directly onto the structured surface 15. Due to the surface structuring 6, despite its glossy finish, the incident light is diffusely reflected, so that despite the more or less point illumination, the respective surface 5 is uniformly and fully illuminated. From the front, i.e., viewed from the front of the radiator grille 2, each surface 5 essentially illuminates itself and is thus recognizable as a corresponding illuminated surface.

[0034] A multitude of surfaces 5 can be provided on the surface of the grid body 3, and thus also a corresponding multitude of individual light sources 8. The light sources 8 are advantageously all connected to a common terminal 15, which allows for easy connection of the entire lighting assembly to a power supply as well as to a control unit 21. This makes it possible to centrally control the operation of all light sources 8 via a control unit. This control operation can be a simple on / off operation, meaning that all light sources 8 are switched on and off together. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that each individual light source 8 can be controlled separately via the control unit, so that any light source can be switched on or off. Groups of light sources can also be formed that can be controlled separately.Individual control or control of groups of lights makes it possible to create different lighting patterns or scenarios on the grid body 3. Flashing is also possible, as are different colors when RGB LEDs are used.

[0035] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a support 12 in the form of a support grid 16. The support grid 16 has a plurality of individual support grid openings 17 which, after the support grid 16 is arranged on the rear side of the grid body 3, align with the grid openings 4. The previously described brackets 13 are provided on the support grid 16, which are shown in detail in Figure 1. Fig. 4 shown. The holders 13 include, for example, two lateral locking arms between which the housing 12 of the respective light source 8 is locked and fixed.

[0036] The support grid 16 is preferably provided with several connecting elements 18 in the form of suitable snap-fit ​​elements, which engage with corresponding snap-fit ​​elements on the rear of the grid body 3. The support grid 16, already fitted with the light sources 8, is simply placed onto the rear of the grid body 3 and pressed down until the connecting elements 18 snap into place with those of the grid body 3, thereby securing the entire lighting assembly. All light sources 8 are positioned precisely with respect to their respective surfaces 5. Alternatively, instead of using suitable snap-fit ​​elements as connecting elements, it is also conceivable that the connecting elements 18 serve to accommodate fastening screws, which are screwed into corresponding screw sections of the grid body 3.

[0037] Fig. 5 Finally, it shows a section of the support grid 16 with the light source 8 arranged on it and a wiring 19, which is also shown in dashed lines in Fig. 2 This is shown. All the light sources 8, which can be connected either in series or in parallel, are ultimately connected via this connection. The support grid 16 is provided with corresponding retaining elements 20 in the form of clamps and similar devices, to which the wiring 19 can be fixed and which simultaneously define the routing path. As described, the wiring 19 terminates in the common connection unit 15, which in turn is connected to an external power supply. The control via the connection unit 15 is also carried out via the [unclear text - likely a device name] Fig. 2Basically, the control device 21 of the motor vehicle 1 shown below, which controls the lighting operation of the light sources 8, whether by common control, by separate control or by group control, as well as, if possible, by appropriate control to vary or set a specific light color.

[0038] When the light sources 8 are operated, they emit light more or less only locally onto the respective surface 5. Due to the surface structure 6, the incident light is diffusely reflected, so that, viewed from the front, each surface 5 appears to "illuminate" individually and uniformly, thus forming a luminous area. Because of the diffuse reflection, this area is relatively sharply delineated from adjacent, unilluminated surfaces or sections of the grille body 3, so that only the illuminated surfaces 5 are perceptible as a visible pattern. This luminous pattern is easily perceptible, which is advantageous for safety reasons, as the radiator grille is essentially perceived as a self-illuminating component.Furthermore, as already described, the displayed lighting pattern, i.e., the number and position of the actually illuminated areas 5, can be varied by controlling the light sources individually or in groups. This can result, for example, in a flashing effect when different groups are activated, or in a kind of chasing light effect when the individual light sources are activated sequentially in a sufficiently rapid sequence. Of course, flashing is also possible when all light sources are activated simultaneously. Naturally, a corresponding color variation is also possible, as described.

Claims

1. Radiator grille for a motor vehicle, having a grille body (3) with multiple grille openings (4), characterized in that at least part of the grille openings (4) is delimited by way of a surface (5) which is provided with a surface structuring (6) and scatters light, and also with multiple illuminants (8), which each illuminate a surface (5), wherein the illuminants (8) are arranged on a common carrier (12), which is fastened to the back of the grille body (3).

2. Radiator grille according to Claim 1, characterized in that the surfaces (5) provided with the surface structuring (6) are provided with a light-reflecting coating (7).

3. Radiator grille according to Claim 2, characterized in that the coating (7) is a gloss coating, in particular a high-gloss coating.

4. Radiator grille according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (12) is a carrier grille (16), which has carrier grille openings (17) corresponding to the grille openings (4).

5. Radiator grille according to Claim 4, characterized in that holders (13) for the fastening of a respective illuminant (8) are provided on the carrier grille (16) adjacent to at least part of the carrier grille openings (17).

6. Radiator grille according to Claim 5, characterized in that the holders (13) are embodied as latching holders to which the illuminants (8) are latched.

7. Radiator grille according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (12) or the carrier grille (16) is made of a flexible plastics material.

8. Radiator grille according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that connecting elements (18) which can be connected to one another are provided on the carrier (12) or on the carrier grille (16) and on the grille body (3).

9. Radiator grille according to Claim 8, characterized in that the connecting elements (18) are latching elements.

10. Radiator grille according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the illuminants (8) connected in series or in parallel are located on a common connection device (15) for connection to an external power supply.

11. Radiator grille according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the illuminants (8) are LEDs.

12. Radiator grille according to Claim 11, characterized in that the illuminants (8) are RGB LEDs.

13. Motor vehicle comprising a radiator grille (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

14. Motor vehicle according to Claim 13, characterized in that a control device (21) for controlling the operation of the illuminants (8) is provided.

15. Motor vehicle according to Claim 14, characterized in that the illuminants (8) can only be actuated together, or in that the illuminants (8) can be actuated separately or in different groups.