DOUBLE WINDOW HEADLIGHTS AND VEHICLE WITH SUCH HEADLIGHTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle projector and a vehicle comprising such a projector.

[0002] To illuminate the road and ensure visibility to other vehicles at night, vehicles are equipped with headlights and taillights. At the front, the headlight includes a high beam function, which illuminates the road over a long distance; a low beam function, which illuminates the road over a shorter distance to avoid dazzling other road users; a position light function indicating the vehicle's boundaries; a turn signal function, which indicates the intended direction of travel, for example, when approaching an intersection; and a daytime running light function, which improves the vehicle's visibility during the day. To give the vehicle a distinctive look, some vehicles feature two headlights on the same side, separated by a body panel, each headlight performing different functions.For example, the vehicle of the registered trademark Citroën ®< with the registered trade name C5 Aircross ®< has a first projector carrying the functions of high beam and low beam, and a second projector located above the first and carrying the functions of turn signal, daytime running light and position light.

[0003] To facilitate the installation of such a light on a vehicle and reduce assembly time, document EP0971167 describes a vehicle headlight with a single lens forming two windows separated by a recess. The light exiting one window has a primary function, while the light exiting the other window has a secondary function, distinct from the first. Once installed on the vehicle, a body panel can cover this recess to create the illusion of two separate headlights.

[0004] Documents JP2003068126A1 and JP2012069372A also describe projectors with a single pane of glass forming two separate windows.

[0005] The drawback of such a solution is that the projector must be large enough to allow for the movement of the optical elements inside, particularly for adjusting the road illumination. Furthermore, the distance between the projector bulb and the reflector and the lens must be sufficient to prevent overheating of the lens, which is usually made of plastic, especially in the recess between the windows. These optical elements might be, for example, a reflector with its bulb, or a module containing LEDs mounted on a support with reflectors.

[0006] The objective of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks. In particular, one of the aims of the invention is to provide a projector with two small windows, thus limiting the heating of the glass. Another objective is to provide such a projector allowing for a wide range of adjustment of the optical elements arranged inside.

[0007] This goal is achieved according to the invention, thanks to an automobile projector as defined by claim 1.

[0008] Advantageously, the curved section allows for greater airflow from one of the lighting modules. Specifically, the heated air in the reflector is more easily evacuated through this curved area, by positioning the recess above the lighting module once the headlight is installed on the vehicle. This allows the module to be moved closer to the opposite window. Furthermore, this arrangement frees up space within the housing at the curved area, enabling the lighting module to move over a wide range, for example, during automatic headlight leveling. This design maintains the appearance of two separate headlights by placing a body panel between the two windows, covering the recess and the curved area.Thus, the domed area remains invisible from outside the vehicle.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the curved area extends over the first side wall. Preferably, a portion of the first lighting module is positioned opposite the curved area.

[0010] Advantageously, the space between the first lighting module and the glass, at the first lateral edge connected to the edge of the first window, is significant. This allows for a greater range of motion for the first module and increases the reflector's ability to expel the hot air it generates. The lighting module can therefore be positioned close to the first window, reducing the projector's depth—that is, its dimension along a direction substantially perpendicular to the glass—while preventing overheating of the glass and minimizing the lighting module's range of motion.

[0011] In another embodiment not according to the invention, the first module comprises a concave reflector within which the light source is disposed, said light source being an incandescent bulb, preferably a halogen bulb. The reflector has an opening delimited by an outer edge through which the light produced by the bulb and reflected by the reflector is diffused. The reflector and the bulb are configured so as to direct the light from the light source towards the first window. Preferably, a portion of the outer edge of the reflector is opposite the convex area.

[0012] Advantageously, the heat produced by the incandescent bulb is easily evacuated from the volume of the reflector thanks to the space created by the curved area between the glass and the outer edge of the reflector.

[0013] According to the invention, the first module comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) forming the light source, mounted on a support, and a reflector, the LED and the reflector being configured to reflect the light from the light source towards the first window. Preferably, the recess extends along an extensional direction, the support being a flat plate arranged substantially perpendicular to the first window and aligned with the extensional direction of the recess, opposite the convex area.

[0014] According to the invention, the first module comprises a complementary plate perpendicular to the support, extending from the edge of said support arranged on the side of the glass, the complementary plate extending opposite the reflector opposite the curved area.

[0015] In one embodiment, the additional wall is, for example, an element concealing the electronic components mounted on the support, on the side of the support opposite the reflector. The additional plate can also be an extension of the support to increase its capacity to dissipate the heat generated by the LED. The presence of the curved area allows the first module to move over a significant range without contact between the support and the glass, particularly in the recess.

[0016] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a projector according to one of the preceding claims disposed at the front or rear of said vehicle.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention relating to the vehicle, said vehicle includes a bumper, and the first window is arranged below the second window when placed in the vehicle's frame of reference, the first window being opposite an opening in the bumper of a shape complementary to that of the window so as to allow the light produced by the first lighting module to be diffused in front of the vehicle, the bumper (101) having a cover portion extending over the recess, between the two windows.

[0018] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the attached drawings, in which: [ Fig.1 ] represents the front of a vehicle comprising a projector according to the invention, on each side of the front. Fig.2 ] represents a front view of the projector of the figure 1 . [ Fig.3 ] represents a side view of the projector of the figure 1 . [ Fig.4 ] represents a cross-sectional view AA of a first variant of the projector which is not according to the invention. Fig.5 ] represents a cross-sectional view AA of a second variant of the projector which is according to the invention.

[0019] The drawings are schematic representations to facilitate understanding of the invention. The components are not necessarily shown to scale. The same reference numerals correspond to the same components from one figure to another.

[0020] The X-axis represents the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the Y-axis the transverse axis, and the Z-axis the vertical axis. The top and bottom are defined in the vehicle's frame of reference. A headlight is defined as a front or rear lighting optical unit. The embodiment illustrated in the figures represents a vehicle's front headlight.

[0021] There figure 1 The figure illustrates the front of a motor vehicle 100 comprising a front bumper 101. The vehicle has, on each side of the front, a headlight 1 according to the invention. Each headlight 1 has a transparent lens 2 forming two windows 21 and 22. The first window is located below the second window 22, and an element 102 of the bumper extends between the two windows 21 and 22. The bumper 101 has openings arranged opposite the windows 21 and 22.

[0022] As illustrated in figure 2 The projector 1 comprises a housing 3 to which the lens 2 is attached. The lens 2 and the housing 3 define an internal volume of the housing. The projector 1 comprises two lighting modules 4, each consisting of at least one reflector 41 and / or one optical lens, as well as a light source 42, arranged within the internal volume of the housing, as illustrated in figure 4 And 5The glass 2 comprises a first zone 21, which forms the first window 21, positioned opposite a first lighting module, and a second zone 22, which forms the second window 22 and is positioned opposite a second lighting module 4. The light emitted by each of the lighting modules passes through each of the windows 21 and 22 respectively, so as to be diffused outside the projector 1.

[0023] The window 2 has a recess 23 extending from one edge of said window 2 to the other, between the first window 21 and the second window 22. This recess is formed by a bottom wall 230 disposed in the bottom of the recess 23, a first side wall 231 and a second side wall 232 extending respectively from the bottom wall 230 to respectively an edge of the first window 21 and an edge of the second window 22. That is to say, the bottom wall 230 is connected to the first window by the first side wall 231 and to the second window 22 by the second side wall 232.

[0024] The back wall 230 has a convex area 235 projecting outwards from the projector 2. This means that part of the back wall 230 forms a convex area directed outwards from the projector 1, and therefore forms a concave area inside the projector 1, also oriented outwards from the projector 1. The convex area 235 is not an extension of the back wall 230; that is, the thickness of the glass 2 at the convex area 235 is substantially the same as the rest of the glass 2, particularly at the windows 21, 22 and the back wall 230. The convex area 235 extends from the back wall 230 onto the first side wall 231. In other words, the convex area 235 forms a projecting area from the back wall 230. projection extending over the first lateral wall 231 as illustrated in figure 2 And 3In other words, the first side wall 231 extends from the edge of the first window 21 to the curved area 235. In the figures 2 à 5 , the top of the convex zone 235, which corresponds to the part of the convex zone 235 that protrudes most from the bottom wall 230, is located at the junction with the first side wall 231.

[0025] The gap between the bottom wall 230 and the first window 21 outside the curved area 235 is greater than the gap between the top of the curved area 235 and the first window 21.

[0026] The first window 21 is positioned lower than the second window 22, i.e. below it, once installed on the vehicle 100. The recess 23 is therefore located above the first window 21.

[0027] As illustrated in figure 4 And 5 , an edge of the first lighting module 4 is positioned opposite the convex area 235 of the recess 23.

[0028] In the variant illustrated in figure 4 The first module 4 comprises a concave reflector 41 within which the light source 42 is located. The light source of the first module 4 is an incandescent bulb 42, for example, a halogen bulb. The reflector 41 has an opening delimited by an outer edge 43 through which the light produced by the bulb 42 and reflected by the reflector 41 is diffused. The reflector 41 and the bulb 42 are configured to direct the light from the bulb 42 towards the first window 21. That is, the opening of the reflector 41 is oriented towards the first window 21. The module 4 is arranged so that a portion of the outer edge 43 of the reflector 41 is opposite the curved area 235.This arrangement allows for a local increase, at the level of the outer edge 43, in the distance between the reflector 41 and the window 2, thus creating a wide passage to evacuate the air heated by the bulb 42 in the reflector 41 and prevent overheating of the window 2. Since the recess 23 is above the first window 21, the curved area 235 is also located above the first window 21, and the hot air is evacuated by natural convection. The curved area 235 also allows for a greater range of motion of the reflector when adjusting the direction of the illumination of the module 4, particularly when adjusting its elevation around an axis parallel to the transverse Y-axis.

[0029] In the variant illustrated in figure 5 The light source of the first module 4 is a light-emitting diode, known as an LED, mounted on a support 44. The first module 4 also includes a reflector 41, the LED and the reflector 41 being configured to reflect the light from the light source 42 towards the first window 21. The reflector 41 is positioned opposite the first window 21. The support 44 is a flat plate positioned substantially perpendicular to the first window 21 and aligned with the extension direction of the recess 23, opposite the curved area 235. In the embodiment of the figure 5 The plate is substantially in a plane parallel to the X and Y axes, with the recess 23 extending in a direction parallel to the transverse axis Y, from one side of the window 2 to the other. The support 44 is opposite the curved area 235. A complementary plate 45 extends perpendicularly to the support 44, from an edge of said support 44 located on the side of the window 2, and opposite the reflector 41. The complementary plate 45 therefore extends opposite the curved area 235. The module 4 can thus move, in particular pivot around the transverse axis Y of the vehicle, over a large amplitude, without touching the window 2. The arrow F of the figure 5 illustrates a direction of movement of module 4 without the convex area 235.

[0030] There figure 1Figure 1 illustrates an example of the application of the projector 1 on a vehicle 100, in which the projector is positioned behind the bumper 101, the windows 21 and 22 being arranged opposite the bumper opening, and a component 102 of the bumper 101 covering the recess 23 with the convex area 235, thus rendering it invisible. Other positions of the projector 1 on the vehicle are possible, for example behind a body panel other than a bumper, or positioned at the rear of the vehicle.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle front headlight comprising a housing (3) to which is fixed a transparent window (2) defining with said housing (3) an inner housing volume, two lighting units (4) each compound with at least one reflector (41) and / or an optical lens, as well as a lighting source (42), arranged in the inner housing volume, the window (2) comprising a first zone (21) called first window (21) arranged opposite a first lighting unit (4) and a second zone (22) called second window (22) arranged opposite a second lighting unit, the window (2) comprising a recess (23) extending from one side to the other of said window (21), between the first window (21), and the second window (22), said recess comprising a bottom wall (230) arranged in the bottom of the recess (23), a first side wall (231) and a second side wall (232) extending respectively from the bottom wall (230) as far as respectively an edge of the first window (21) and an edge of the second window (22), the bottom wall (230) comprising a curved zone (235) towards the outside of the headlight (2), the curved part (235) allowing circulation of the air coming from the first lighting module (4), the first module comprising a light-emitting diode forming the light source (42), being mounted on a support (44), and a reflector (41), light-emitting plate and reflector (41) being configured so as to reflect light from light source (42) towards first window (21), recess (23) extending along an extension management, support (44) being a flat plate arranged substantially perpendicularly to first window (21) and being aligned with the extension management of recess (23), facing curved zone (235), wherein first module (4) comprises a complementary plate (45) perpendicular to support (44), extending from the edge of said support (44) arranged on the side of glass (2), complementary plate (45) extending opposite reflector (41) facing curved zone (2) (235), and in that the complementary plate (45) is an extension of the support (44) making it possible to increase the capacity of said support (44) to evacuate the heat produced by the light-emitting diode (42).

2. Headlight (1) according to the previous claim, the curved zone (235) of which extends over the first side wall (231).

3. Headlight (1) according to the previous claim, a part of the first lighting unit (4) of which is arranged opposite the curved zone (235).

4. Projector according to one of the previous claims, the first module (4) of which comprises a concave reflector (41) inside which the light source (42) is arranged, said light source being an incandescent bulb (42), preferably a halogen bulb, the reflector (41) comprising an opening defined by an outer edge (43) and by which the light produced by the bulb (42) and reflected by the reflector (41) is diffused, the reflector (41) and the bulb (42) being configured so as to direct the light from the light source (42) towards the first window (21).

5. Headlight (1) according to the previous claim, in which part of the outer edge (43) of the reflector (41) is opposite the curved zone (235).

6. Vehicle (100) comprising a headlamp (1) according to one of the previous claims arranged in front of or in the rear of said vehicle (100).

7. Vehicle (100) according to the previous claim, comprising a bumper and the first window (21) of which is arranged below the second window (22) by being placed in the frame of reference of the vehicle (1), the first window (21) being opposite an opening of the bumper (101) of a shape complementary to that of the window so as to allow the light produced by the first lighting module to be diffused in front of the vehicle (100), the bumper (101) comprising a covering part (102) extending above the recess (23), between the two windows (21, 22).