LIGHTING MODULE WITH LIGHT GUIDES WITH VIBRATION-DAMPING MOUNTING

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of light modules comprising light guides intended for motor vehicles.

[0002] The present invention relates in particular to an anti-vibration fixing means for these light guides. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Some light modules include at least one light guide intended to guide and transmit light generated by a light source such as a light-emitting diode (abbreviated as "DEL" in French, or designated "LED" from the English "Light-Emitting Diode").

[0004] These light modules are mounted on motor vehicles and are therefore subject to vibrations. These vibrations can cause the light guides to move, making them unable to perform their functions, particularly from a photometric point of view.

[0005] Document FR 3 083 846 A1 discloses a light module comprising two fixing means: a first consisting of a clip holding one of the ends of the light guide and a second with V-shaped attachment teeth holding the second end of the light guide.

[0006] But this solution is not satisfactory because the clips are bulky and the V-shaped hooks disrupt the optical function of the guide. The guides do not withstand vibrations well, which can lead to dust penetration between the light guides and their support. It is also not optimized in terms of the process, because the second end of each guide must be inserted individually into a clip, which is a significant constraint for assembly.

[0007] Document DE 10 2007 010 023 A1 describes a system for fixing light guides to a support of a housing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention provides a solution to the problems mentioned above, by providing better fixing of the light guides allowing better vibration resistance of the light guides and easier assembly.

[0009] One aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle light module comprising at least one light guide extending longitudinally in a direction of extension between a first end and a second end, a holding part arranged on the side of the second end and a support part of the light guide comprising a support element extending longitudinally in the direction of extension between a first edge located on the side of the first end and a second edge located on the side of the second end, extending vertically between an upper surface on which the light guide is positioned and a bottom of the support part and comprising a lateral surface.

[0010] The support element comprises a positioning means of length L 0 , extending longitudinally in the direction of extension from a proximal end facing the first edge to a distal end, located at a distance from the second edge, and projecting relative to said lateral surface in a direction transverse to the direction of extension, and extending vertically between an upper end and a lower end facing the bottom of the support part, the upper end at the distal end being closer to the first end of the light guide than the lower end at the distal end in the direction of extension, so that the distal end forms a first inclined face.

[0011] The holding part comprises a second inclined face of the same inclination as the first inclined face, the length L of the light guide between the second inclined face and the first end being less than the length L 0 of the positioning means before mounting the light guide and the holding part on the support part. The second inclined face is configured to slide on the first inclined face during mounting of the light guide and the holding part on the support part so as to lengthen the light guide until the light guide is positioned on the upper surface of the support element

[0012] The light guide can be assembled on the support part by means of the holding part, and by the cooperation of the first inclined face with the second inclined face. In addition, the cooperation of the inclined faces allows the light guide to be stretched. Once placed on the support part, the light guide is locked in position by deformation. Indeed, when the light guide is placed on the support part, the first inclined face and the second inclined face come into contact and the second inclined face slides along the first inclined face, which allows the light guide to be stretched. The length of the light guide is thus stretched and adjusted to the length of the positioning means of the support part. In particular, the length L of the light guide taken between the second inclined face of the holding part and the first end then becomes identical to the length L 0 of the positioning means.The light guide is thus brought into contact with the support part. This deformation of the light guide allows the light guide to be pressed against the support part, and in particular against the upper surface of the support element. This pressing allows the light guide to have better vibration resistance by preventing any movement and vibration.

[0013] In addition, the first inclined face forms a stop element for the holding means and the light guide in the extension direction, which makes it possible to reinforce the holding in position of the light guide and its resistance to vibration.

[0014] Furthermore, this attachment allows for the creation of a space-saving light module.

[0015] Advantageously, the light module comprises several light guides held together by the holding part, and the support part comprises a support element and a positioning means associated with each light guide, the holding part comprising a second inclined face associated with the first inclined face of each positioning means. The holding part and the support part are thus common to several light guides, and the assembly of the light guides on the support part can thus be carried out simultaneously, which simplifies the mounting method. In addition, unlike the prior art, there is no need to align each light guide in a hole.

[0016] Advantageously, the support elements and the positioning means are joined by the bottom of the support part.

[0017] Advantageously, the light module comprises a light source arranged opposite the first end of the light guide and intended to emit light rays, the light guide being configured to receive the light rays via its first end and to guide the light rays from the first end to the second end. The light guide is thus fixed at its second end and therefore opposite the first end through which the light rays from the light source are introduced into the light guide. The fixing of the light guide therefore does not disturb the optical function of the light guide.

[0018] Where appropriate, the light module comprises a light source arranged opposite the first end of each of the light guides.

[0019] Advantageously, the holding part comprises a wing extending longitudinally from a front edge located at the second end of the light guide towards the first end of the light guide to a rear edge formed by the second inclined face, located at the distal end of the positioning means and vertically between the light guide and the bottom of the support part.

[0020] The wing is therefore positioned against the lateral surface of the support element between the second edge of the support element and the distal end of the positioning means. It ensures that the holding part is properly attached to the support part.

[0021] Advantageously, the lateral surface of the support member is inclined, and the wing follows the inclination of the lateral surface of the support member. For example, the lateral surface flares from its upper surface to the bottom of the support part.

[0022] Advantageously, the retaining piece is a single piece with the light guide. The light guide and retaining piece can, for example, be injected together in a single piece. This ensures the precise positioning of the retaining piece relative to the light guide. In addition, the single-piece nature of the light guide and retaining piece simplifies assembly.

[0023] Alternatively, the retaining piece is attached to the light guide. It can be attached by clipping.

[0024] Advantageously, the first and second inclined sides form an angle of between 10° and 30° relative to the normal to the direction of extension passing through the distal end. This inclination allows easy assembly and provides sufficient tension to the light guide. Too slight an inclination would tension the guide too much and too strong an inclination would not tension it enough.

[0025] Advantageously, the support element comprises an additional lateral surface opposite the lateral surface, and the support part comprises an additional positioning means of length L 0 ', projecting relative to said additional lateral surface in a direction transverse to the direction of extension.

[0026] The positioning means and the additional positioning means are then arranged on either side of the positioning element.

[0027] Advantageously, the upper ends of the positioning means and the additional positioning means form with the upper surface of the support element a channel in which the light guide is positioned. This channel allows easy positioning of the light guide.

[0028] Advantageously, the holding part comprises two second inclined sides arranged on either side of the light guide, one of the two second inclined sides cooperating with the first inclined side of the positioning means and the other of the two second inclined sides cooperating with the first inclined side of the additional positioning means during the mounting of the light guide and the holding part on the support part.

[0029] In particular, the holding part may include an additional wing. The wing and the additional wing are then arranged on either side of the light guide. The wing and the additional wing ensure the positioning of the holding part and the light guide on the support part.

[0030] Advantageously, the first inclined section comprises a width taken in the direction transverse to the direction of extension equal to a width of the second inclined section.

[0031] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of mounting a light module with at least one of the preceding characteristics, characterized in that it comprises a step of positioning the second inclined section on an upper part of the first inclined section and a step of sliding the second inclined section until it reaches the surface of the support part allowing the light guide to be tensioned.

[0032] Sliding on the first inclined section allows the light guide to be stretched and made less sensitive to vibrations.

[0033] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] The figures are presented for information purposes only and in no way limit the invention. [ Fig. 1] is an overall view of a light module according to the invention comprising light guides, a holding part and a support part, [ Fig. 2 ] is a perspective view of the light guides and the light module holding part shown in the figure 1 , [ Fig. 3 ] is a perspective view of the support part of the light module illustrated in the figure 1 , [ Fig. 4 ] is the detail of the assembly of the light guide with the cooperation of the holding part and the support part, [ Fig. 5 ] is a perspective view of one side of the support part of the figure 3 , [ Fig. 6 ] is a perspective view of the other side of the support piece of the figure 3 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing in different figures has a single reference.

[0036] A set 1 comprising a light module 2 and a box 4 is visible on the figure 1 . The box 4 is intended to be fixed to a motor vehicle.

[0037] The light module 2 comprises light sources (not visible), light guides 20 and a support part 3. In the illustrated example, the light module 2 comprises three light guides 20 and a light source associated with each light guide 20. It is understood that the number of light guides is not limiting. The light module 2 could alternatively comprise one, two or more than three light guides.

[0038] Each light guide 20 extends longitudinally in a direction of extension E between a first end 200 and a second end 201, opposite the first end 200. The first end 200 of each light guide 20 is arranged opposite the light source associated with the light guide 20, and is intended to receive the light rays emitted by the light source. The first end 200 of the light guides 20 therefore forms an entry face of the light guide 20. The light guide 20 then guides the light rays received from its first end 200 to its second end 201. The light rays are transmitted by the light guides 20 to the outside of the light module 2 in a direction transverse to the direction of propagation of the light rays in the light guides, that is to say in a direction transverse to the direction of extension E. This direction is represented by the arrow R on the figure 1 .

[0039] As visible at the figure 2 , the first ends 200 of the light guides 20 are connected to each other by a connecting piece 22 of the light module 2. The connecting piece 22 is in one piece with the light guides 20. According to an alternative, the connecting piece 22 could be attached to the light guides 20, in particular by clipping.

[0040] The second ends 201 of the light guides 20 are connected to each other by a holding piece 21. The holding piece 21 is in one piece with the light guides 20. According to another alternative, the holding piece 21 could be attached to the light guides 20, in particular by clipping.

[0041] Support part 3 is illustrated in figure 3. It comprises a support element 13 for each of the light guides 20. Each support element 13 extends longitudinally in the direction of extension E between a first edge 30 located on the side of the first end 200 of the light guides 20 and a second edge 31 located on the side of the second end 201 of the light guides 20. Each support element 13 extends vertically between an upper surface 131 on which the light guide 20 associated with the support element 13 is positioned and a bottom 321 of the support part 3. The upper face 131 may in particular have a concave shape complementary to the shape of the light guide 20 which rests on it. The support element 13 also comprises a lateral surface 132, and an additional lateral surface 132', opposite the lateral surface 132 in a direction transverse to the direction of extension E, and transverse to the direction of emission of the light rays out of the light module 2.The lateral surface 132 and the additional lateral surface 132' flare from the upper face 131 to the bottom 321 of the support part 3.

[0042] The support part 3 also comprises a positioning means 32, and an additional positioning means 32' associated with each support element 13. It is understood that the support part 3 could only comprise a positioning means 32 associated with one or each of the support elements 13.

[0043] The positioning means 32 and the additional positioning means 32' all extend longitudinally along the direction of extension E from a proximal end 322 facing the first edge 30 to a distal end 323 located at a distance d from the second edge 31. For each support element 13, the positioning means 32 projects relative to the lateral surface 132 of the support element 13 in a direction transverse to the direction of extension E, while the additional positioning means 32' projects relative to the additional lateral surface 132' of the support element in the direction transverse to the direction of extension E. It will be noted that the positioning means 32 and the additional positioning means 32' associated with the same support element 13 extend in the same direction but in opposite directions.

[0044] The positioning means 32 and the additional positioning means 32' all extend vertically between an upper end 324 and a lower end 325 facing the bottom 321 of the support part 3.

[0045] In the example illustrated, the upper end 324 of the positioning means 32 and of the additional positioning means extends vertically beyond the light guide 20, and is inclined towards the light guide 20. Thus, for each support element 13, the upper ends 324 of the positioning means and of the additional positioning means form with the upper surface 131 of the support element 13 a chute 320 in which the light guide 20 is positioned.

[0046] For each positioning means 32 and additional positioning means 32', the upper end 324 at the distal end 323 is closer to the first end 200 of the light guide 20 than the lower end 325 at the distal end 323 along the extension direction E, so that the distal end 323 forms a first inclined section 310.

[0047] The first ends 200 of the light guides 20 are attached to the support piece 3, on the side of the first edge 30 of the support elements 13, by means of the connecting piece 22.

[0048] We can see on the figure 6, that the bottom 321 of the support part 3 has notches 301. The connecting part 22 with the light guides 21 will fit into the notches 301 when mounting the light guides 20 on the support part 3. In particular, the connecting part 22 is positioned below the bottom 321 of the support 3, and the first ends of the light guides 20 are housed in the notches 301 of the support part 3. Other means for fixing the first end 200 of the light guides 20 to the first edge 30 are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0049] The second ends 201 of the light guides 20 are attached to the support part 3, on the side of the second edge 31 of the support elements 13, by means of the holding part 21.

[0050] In particular, as visible on the figure 2, for each light guide 20, the holding part 21 comprises a wing 211 and an additional wing 211' each extending longitudinally from a front edge 221 located at the second end 201 of the light guide 20 towards the first end 200 of the light guide 20 to a rear edge 222 formed by a second inclined face 210. When the light guides are arranged on the support part 3, the second inclined face 210 of the wing 211, respectively of the additional wing 211' is located at the distal end 323 of the positioning means 32, respectively at the distal end 323 of the additional positioning means 32'. The wing 211 and the additional wing 211' extend vertically between the light guide 20 and the bottom 321 of the support part 3.

[0051] The wing 211 and the additional wing 211' follow the inclination of the lateral surface 132, respectively of the additional lateral surface 132' of the support element 13. Thus, when the light guides 20 are mounted on the support part 3, the contact between the wings 211, 211' and the lateral surfaces 132, 132' guarantees that the light guides 20 are held in position correctly.

[0052] For each light guide 20, the two second inclined sides 210 of the holding part 21 associated with the light guide 20 in question have the same inclination as the first inclined sides 310 of the support part 3. In addition, the first inclined sides 310 comprise a width taken in the direction transverse to the direction of extension equal to a width of the second inclined sides 210.

[0053] The first inclined face 310 of each positioning means 32 and additional positioning means 32', as well as the second inclined face 210 associated with the first inclined face 310 considered, make an angle of between 10° and 30° relative to the normal to the direction of extension passing through the distal end of the positioning means 32 or the distal end of the additional positioning means 32' comprising the first inclined face 310 considered. This angle makes it possible to guarantee the correct sliding of the second inclined face 210 on the first inclined face 310.

[0054] For each light guide, the two second inclined sides 210 of the holding part 21 are arranged on either side of the light guide 20 in question. One of the two second inclined sides 210 is associated with the first inclined side of the positioning means 32 associated with the support element 13 supporting the light guide 20 in question, and the other of the two second inclined sides 210 is associated with the first inclined side of the additional positioning means 32' associated with the support element 13 supporting the light guide 20 in question.

[0055] It is understood that for each light guide 20, the holding part 21 could comprise only one wing, and only one second inclined face, which would then cooperate with the first inclined face of the positioning means associated with the support element 13 supporting the light guide 20 considered.

[0056] Each light guide 20 comprises a length L taken between the second inclined face 210 and the first end 200 of the light guides 20 in the direction of extension. And, the positioning means 32, and the additional positioning means 32' comprise a length L 0 and L 0 ' in the direction of extension. The length L taken between the second inclined face 210 and the first end 200 for each of the light guides 20 is such that it is less than the length L 0 of the positioning means 32 and L0' of the additional positioning means 32' before mounting the light guide 20 and the holding part 21 on the support part 3. For example, it is possible to have L=L 0 -1mm before mounting the light guides 20 on the support part 3.

[0057] Once the light guides 20 are in place on the support part 3, the length L taken between the second inclined face 210 and the first end 200 for each of the light guides 20 is equal to the length L 0 of the positioning means 32 and L 0 ' of the additional positioning means.

[0058] Indeed, when mounting the light guides 20 on the support part 3, the second inclined section 210 slides on the first inclined section 310 so as to lengthen the light guides 20 until the light guides are each positioned on the upper surface 131 of the support element 13 which is associated with them.

[0059] We will now describe the installation of the light guides 20. The connecting piece 22 with the first end of the light guides 20 are fitted into the notches 301 of the support piece 3, then the light guides 20 are pivoted to come into contact with the support 3, and in particular with the upper surface 131 of the support element 13. The light guides 20 then engage in the channels 320 formed by the upper surface 131 with the positioning means 32 and the additional positioning means 32'. The second inclined sides 210 of the holding piece 21 come into contact with an upper part of the first inclined sides 310 of the support piece 3 and by a sliding movement represented by the arrow M of the figure 4, the light guides 20 are then stretched and then the holding part 21 is pressed against the bottom 321 of the support part 3. Fixing screws 5 then block the holding part 21 and the light guides 20 to the support part 3.

[0060] The light guides 20 are thus kept under tension and are not likely to move during vibrations of the vehicle.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle light module (2) comprising - at least one light guide (20) extending longitudinally along an extension direction between a first end (200) and a second end (201), - a holding part (21) disposed at the second end (201), and - a support part (3) for the light guide comprising a support element (13) extending longitudinally along the extension direction between a first edge (30) situated at the first end (200) and a second edge (31) situated at the second end (201), extending vertically between an upper surface (131) on which the light guide is positioned and a bottom (321) of the support part, and comprising a lateral surface (132), characterized in that the support element (13) comprises a positioning means (32), of length L0, extending longitudinally along the extension direction from a proximal end (322) facing the first edge (30) towards a distal end (323), situated at a distance (d) from the second edge (31), and protruding from said lateral surface in a direction transverse to the extension direction, and extending vertically between an upper end (324) and a lower end (325) facing the bottom of the support part, the upper end at the distal end being closer to the first end of the light guide than the lower end at the distal end along the extension direction, such that the distal end forms a first inclined face (310), in that the holding part (21) comprises a second inclined face (210) with the same inclination as the first inclined face, the length (L) of the light guide between the second inclined face (210) and the first end (200) being less than the length (L0) of the positioning means (32) before the assembly of the light guide and of the holding part on the support part (3), and in that the second inclined face (210) is configured to slide over the first inclined face (310) during the assembly of the light guide (20) and of the holding part on the support part (3), so as to lengthen the light guide until the light guide is positioned on the upper surface of the support element.

2. Light module (2) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of light guides (20) that are kept together by the holding part (21), and in that the support part (3) has a support element and a positioning means which are associated with each light guide, the holding part having a second inclined face associated with the first inclined face of each positioning means (32).

3. Light module (2) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a light source disposed opposite the first end (200) of the light guide (20) and intended to emit light rays, the light guide being configured to receive the light rays via its first end (200) and to guide the light rays from the first end to the second end (201).

4. Light module (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding part has a wing (211) extending longitudinally from a front edge (221) situated at the second end (201) of the light guide towards the first end (200) of the light guide as far as a rear edge (222) formed by the second inclined face (210), situated at the distal end (323) of the positioning means (32) and vertically between the light guide (20) and the bottom (321) of the support part.

5. Light module (2) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral surface (132) of the support element is inclined, and in that the wing (211) follows the inclination of the lateral surface of the support element.

6. Light module (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding part (21) is in one piece with the light guide (20).

7. Light module (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding part (21) is attached to the light guide (20), in particular by clip-fastening.

8. Light module (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second inclined faces (210, 310) make an angle of between 10° and 30° with respect to the normal to the extension direction passing through the distal end.

9. Light module (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (13) has an additional lateral surface (132') opposite to the lateral surface, and the support part comprises an additional position means (32'), of length L0', protruding from said additional lateral surface in a direction transverse to the extension direction.

10. Light module (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the upper ends (324) of the positioning means and of the additional positioning means form, with the upper surface of the support element, a channel (320) in which the light guide is positioned.

11. Light module (2) according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the holding part (21) comprises two second inclined faces (210) that are disposed on either side of the light guide, one of the two second inclined faces (210) cooperating with the first inclined face of the positioning means, and the other of the two second inclined faces cooperating with the first inclined face of the additional positioning means during the assembly of the light guide (20) and of the holding part on the support part (3).

12. Light module (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first inclined face (310) comprises a width measured along the direction transverse to the extension direction equal to a width of the second inclined face (210).

13. Method for assembling a light module (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of positioning the second inclined face (210) on a top part of the first inclined face (310) and a step of sliding the second inclined face (210) until it reaches the surface of the support part (3), allowing the light guide (20) to be tensioned.