VEHICLE PANEL WITH INTEGRATED LIGHTING ELEMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle panel incorporating a luminous element.

[0002] Usually, lighting devices in motor vehicles are independent of the bodywork. They most often comprise a housing with a transparent or translucent glass containing a light source and an optical element. Such devices are, however, restrictive because they are relatively bulky, and therefore difficult to install.

[0003] In this context, documents FR3021925 and FR3058776B1 present body panels with integrated internal lighting comprising a translucent or transparent skin allowing the passage of light and a lighting device assembled against the internal face of this skin.

[0004] The lighting device comprises a light source installed inside an opaque casing which has an opening capable of allowing the passage of light. This casing can be likened to a light guide since it makes it possible to direct and guide the light rays, from the light source, in the desired direction outside the opaque casing.

[0005] This arrangement requires a certain seal between the internal face of the skin and the housing in order to prevent any infiltration of water and any penetration of dust inside the housing.

[0006] In addition, there is also a need to simplify the tools used to produce these elements and to enable simpler repairs, particularly for replacing the light source.

[0007] In other words, a problem that arises and that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a panel integrating a luminous element that is simpler to implement and which can retain all of its integrity over time.

[0008] For this purpose, a panel is proposed incorporating a luminous element of a motor vehicle, comprising: a skin having an external face oriented towards the outside of the vehicle and an opposite internal face oriented towards the inside of the vehicle, said skin comprising at least one window allowing the passage of light; and a light source capable of emitting light rays and a device for fixing said light source, said fixing device bearing against said internal face to hold said light source substantially opposite said window. According to the invention, the fixing device further comprises a transparent portion, extending from said light source to said skin and passing through said window.

[0009] An advantage of the invention is to be able to ensure sealing between the transparent portion and the light source in order to be able to guide the light rays from said light source towards the outside of the motor vehicle without disturbance at the interface, in particular due to the diffusing material, of the silicone type, used for the light source.

[0010] Advantageously and in a non-limiting manner, the fixing device and said transparent portion are formed from a single piece. As will be explained in more detail in the remainder of the description, the fixing device requires the use of two polymer materials. These materials are then co-injected into the same mold. And thanks to the shape of the fixing device according to the invention, the tools required and installed in the mold are simpler.

[0011] In addition, the production of the fixing device itself and the light guide is simpler.

[0012] According to the invention, the fixing device comprises fixing lugs located on either side of the light source.

[0013] An advantage is then that the fixing device can be easily fixed to the inner face of the skin, because the fixing tabs can rest flat against the inner face.

[0014] Furthermore, the implementation of fixing lugs at a distance from each other, compared to the implementation of a continuous wing, makes it possible to reserve a certain flexibility for the fixing device according to a plane corresponding substantially to the plane defined by the fixing lugs, as will be explained in the remainder of the description.

[0015] According to the invention, the fixing device comprises holding clips capable of holding the light source against the transparent portion.

[0016] An advantage of the invention is to hold the light source against the transparent portion to ensure the absence of air between the two and thus prevent the penetration of dust and water.

[0017] According to the invention, the fixing lugs and the holding clips are distributed alternately over the entire length of the light source.

[0018] This way, the fixing legs and the retaining clips do not run the entire length, and therefore the flexibility of the assembly is increased. In addition, this alternation also allows for process optimization by allowing demolding in a single direction and therefore limiting the number of internal movements in the mold.

[0019] Advantageously and in a non-limiting manner, said retaining clips have a return provided with a hooking lug allowing them to fit into a slot carried by a fixed part.

[0020] This configuration makes assembly easier in production plants and also makes it easier to repair the light source since the holding device can be easily removed.

[0021] Advantageously and in a non-limiting manner, the fixing tabs are glued to the skin by means of an adhesive.

[0022] Advantageously and in a non-limiting manner, the fixing lugs are welded to the skin.

[0023] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising the panel as described above.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of several particular embodiments of the invention, given for informational but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a partial schematic rear perspective view of the panel incorporating a luminous element according to the invention and in a first state; [ Fig. 2 ] is a partial schematic sectional view of the panel incorporating a light element illustrated in the [ Fig. 1 ] according to plan II - II; and, [ Fig. 3 ] is a partial schematic sectional view of the panel incorporating a light element illustrated in the [ Fig. 2 ] in a second state.

[0025] The invention relates to a panel integrating a luminous element of a motor vehicle.

[0026] Usually, motor vehicles include various panels incorporating luminous elements that not only illuminate the environment around the vehicle, but also make the vehicle visible to other motorists.

[0027] Panels incorporating light elements are most often installed at the front and rear of the vehicle and on either side of it.

[0028] There [ Fig. 1 ] partially illustrates in perspective and seen from the rear, a panel 1 comprising a skin 3 and a fixing device 13 having a general U-shaped cross section for receiving a light source 11 as will be explained below.

[0029] We will refer to the [ Fig. 2 ] in order to describe in detail the fixing device 13, following the section plane II-II, before returning to the [ Fig. 1 ].

[0030] So, we find on the [ Fig. 2 ], on the one hand the skin 3 and the fixing device 13 cooperating with each other and on the other hand, the light source 11 engaged in the fixing device 13.

[0031] The fixing device 13 has a base 14 and two facing wings 12, 12'. The height of the wings is substantially greater than the width of the base 14.

[0032] The fixing device 13 further comprises a rib 16 extending projecting from the bottom opposite the wings 12, 12' relative to the bottom 14. The rib 16 extends substantially equidistant from the two mean planes defined by the two facing wings 12, 12'. In addition, it has a width close to the thickness of the two wings 12, 12'. The width of the rib 16 corresponds to the luminous width visible to the customer.

[0033] The rib 16 and the base 14 form the same portion 15 of the fixing device 13, which portion is transparent to allow the passage of light.

[0034] The portion 15 and the two opposite wings 12, 12' of the fixing device 13 are formed from a single piece. However, the portion 15 is made of a transparent material to precisely allow the passage of light, while the complement and in particular the two opposite wings 12, 12' are made of an opaque material.

[0035] The transparent material is, for example, polycarbonate. This polymer has the advantage of being flexible and of being able to be co-molded with other polymers, and in particular, the opaque material, which can be PMMA.

[0036] In addition, the rib 16 and the base 14 are coated with a layer of varnish to protect them from scratches or even UV rays during assembly as explained below.

[0037] Thus, the complementary portion of portion 15, that is, of rib 16 and bottom 14, is co-molded in an opaque polymer such as for example Polyphenylene Ether (PPE), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or even polypropylene (PP).

[0038] Thus, the two portions are co-molded to form a single piece.

[0039] Co-molding is therefore done by successive injection of two materials, otherwise known as 2K injection. Bi-material injection is a process allowing the association of two polymer materials without these two materials mixing with each other.

[0040] The two polymers are injected almost simultaneously into the mold. Therefore, a specific mold is required to create additional space to accommodate the additional polymer. This technique simplifies the tooling used since only one mold is needed to produce the part.

[0041] The fixing device 13 further comprises a plurality of pairs of fixing lugs 17 spaced from each other, as illustrated in the [ Fig. 1 ]. The fixing lugs 17 of each of the pairs are located on either side of the bottom 14 of the U-shaped section. The fixing lugs 17 extend laterally in the extension of the bottom 14 of the U-shaped section.

[0042] Furthermore, the fixing device 13 comprises a plurality of holding clips 18 respectively located between the pairs of fixing lugs 17. The holding clips 18 are composed of two parts: a fixed part 19 adjoining one of the wings 12' and a movable part 20 adjoining the other wing 12 and extending in line with the fixed part 19.

[0043] The movable part 20 comprises a locking member 22 connected by a hinge 21 to said other wing 12 of the U-shaped section. At the end of the locking member 22, the movable part 20 comprises a return 25 having a hooking lug 26 making it possible to lock the retaining clip 18 as will be explained below.

[0044] Then between the hinge 21 and the return 25, the movable part 20 comprises an excess thickness 23, in the form of a straight projecting block, the width of which according to a component extending from the hinge 21 towards the return 25 is equal to the width of the space extending between the two wings 12, 12'.

[0045] Furthermore, the hinge 21, in the shape of a crescent moon, is not only movable relative to said other wing 12, but it is also deformable as will be explained below.

[0046] Conversely, the fixed part 19 extends in a direction opposite to the movable part 20. The fixed part 19 comprises a slot 27 substantially parallel to said wing 12' and in which the return 25 is able to engage as will be explained in the following description.

[0047] The fixing device 13 as described above is included in the panel 1, which also includes the skin 3. The latter has an external face 5 facing the outside of the vehicle and an internal face 7 facing the inside of the vehicle. The panel 1 further has a window 9.

[0048] So, as illustrated on the [ Fig. 2 ], the rib 16 of the transparent portion 15 is engaged through the window 9 and comes flush with the external face 5 of the skin 3, while the pairs of legs 17 are applied flat on the internal face 7 of the skin 3.

[0049] It will be observed that the rib 16 has a width equal to the width of the light in the window 9 so as to be able to ensure continuity of the external surface 5 in line with the window 9.

[0050] We will refer again to the [ Fig. 1 ] where the fixing device 13 is applied to the internal face 7 of the skin 3. The fixing of the tabs 17 flat on the skin 3 can be carried out in several ways. According to a first alternative, the fixing is carried out by means of an adhesive.

[0051] Alternatively, the fixing is carried out by hot welding, and preferably by ultrasound.

[0052] Ultrasonic welding involves making the two parts pressed against each other vibrate at high frequency using a shoe equipped with a transducer, or sonotrode. The welding is then carried out using the heat generated by the vibrations at the interface between the two parts.

[0053] Still referring to the [ Fig. 1 ], and as indicated above, the holding clips 18 and the pairs of fixing lugs 17 are distributed alternately over the entire length of the fixing device 13. The rib 16 and the bottom 14 of the fixing device 13, for their part, are continuous over the entire length of the device, as is the window 9.

[0054] In addition, between each retaining clip 18 and pair of fixing tabs 17, the fixing device 13 advantageously comprises pairs of facing notches 24, 28 made respectively in the wings 12, 12'. They thus extend perpendicular to the skin 3.

[0055] This arrangement thus allows for a certain flexibility of the structure, particularly in the directions perpendicular to the skin 3, to absorb variations in the cutting, or to absorb small shocks. This arrangement also allows for better adaptation to the curvature of the skin 3.

[0056] Finally, the panel 1 comprises the light source 11 intended to be engaged in the U-shaped section of the fixing device 13 without play. The light source 11 comprises LEDs molded in a square section rod in a polymer material.

[0057] As illustrated in the [ Fig. 2 ], the light source 11 is engaged inside the U-shaped section of the fixing device 13. It extends throughout the space defined by this U-shaped section with the exception of the upper edge of the two wings 12, 12'. The light source 11 is then pressed against the bottom 14 opposite the rib 16.

[0058] The transparent portion 15 thus extends from the light source 11 to the skin 3, passing through the window 9 without discontinuity. It thus makes it possible to guide the light rays from the light source 11 towards the outside of the vehicle.

[0059] The light source 11 is then held in a fixed position in the fixing device 13 by folding down the movable part 20 of the retaining clip.

[0060] The excess thickness 23, or straight block, then engages inside the U-shaped section to press against the light source 11, while the hinge 21 closes on itself and compresses.

[0061] By continuing the movement, the return 25 of the movable part 20 engages through the slot 27 of the fixed part 19. And by pressing forcefully on the movable part 20 against the fixed part 19, the hooking lug 26 extends elastically in return against the face opposite the fixed part 19. The return 25 is then locked inside the slot 27, as illustrated in [ Fig. 3 ] to which we will refer.

[0062] Thus, the excess thickness 23, or right block, exerts pressure on the light source 11 when the retaining clip 18 is locked. The light source 11 is therefore forcefully applied against the transparent portion 15 without space between the two.

[0063] Thus, this arrangement holds the light source 11 against the transparent portion 15 to ensure the absence of air between the two and thus prevent the penetration of dust and / or water.

[0064] It is then understood that all the holding clips 18 of said plurality of holding clips can thus be in the locking position to hold the light source 11 in a fixed position inside the U-shaped section.

[0065] This arrangement also allows the light source 11 to be easily and quickly inserted and removed during the manufacture or repair of the panel 1.

[0066] There [ Fig. 3] thus illustrates panel 1 when the retaining clip 13 is locked, thus allowing the light source 11 to be held as explained previously.

[0067] In this way, when the light source 11 is in operation, in other words when it emits light, this light propagates in the bottom 14 and the rib 16 without losses at the interface.

[0068] Thus, the base 14 and the rib 16 forming the transparent portion 15, make it possible to guide the light coming from the light source 11 and to propagate it outside the vehicle.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle panel (1) incorporating a lighting element, comprising: - a skin (3) having an external face (5) oriented towards the outside of the vehicle and an opposite internal face (7) oriented towards the inside of the vehicle, said skin (3) having at least one window (9) allowing light to pass through; - a light source (11) that is able to emit light rays and a fastening device for said light source (11), said fastening device (13) bearing against said internal face (7) so as to hold said light source (11) substantially facing said window (9), -said fastening device (13) also comprising a solid transparent portion (15), extending from said light source (11) as far as said skin (3) and passing through said window (9), the fastening device (13) also comprising fastening tabs (17) situated on either side of the light source (11), characterized in that the fastening device comprises holding clips (18) that are able to hold the light source (11) against the transparent portion (15) and in that the fastening tabs (17) and the holding clips (18) are distributed alternately over the entire length of the light source (11).

2. Panel (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fastening device (13) and the transparent portion (15) are formed in a single piece.

3. Panel (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said holding clips (18) have a mobile part (20) having a return (25) provided with an attachment lug (26) allowing it to be fitted in a slot (27) borne by a fixed part (19).

4. Panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening tabs (17) are bonded to the skin (3) by means of an adhesive.

5. Panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening tabs (17) are welded to the skin (3).

6. Motor vehicle comprising the panel (1) incorporating a lighting element according to Claims 1 to 5.