Removable light unit

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of lighting assemblies for motor vehicles (passenger cars or commercial vehicles). The lighting assembly may, in particular, be capable of providing a lighting and / or signaling function.

[0002] The present invention relates in particular to removable light assemblies, especially those located at the front or rear of the vehicle. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Currently, motor vehicles are equipped with front and rear lighting assemblies, either to illuminate the road or to be visible to other drivers. These assemblies consist of one or more light sources housed in a hermetically sealed casing. Given the conditions of use, it is essential that the assembly be watertight to prevent water from reaching the light sources. Consequently, in the event of an accident resulting in damage to part of the assembly or a malfunction, such as a light source or an electronic component, the entire assembly must be replaced, increasing the repair cost for the user.

[0004] Document DE 10 2019 218 671 A1 describes a lighting system according to prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention offers a solution to the problems mentioned above, by allowing only the damaged part of the assembly to be replaced, rather than the entire assembly.

[0006] The invention is described in claim 1. More particularly, the invention relates to a lighting assembly intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle and comprising: a main housing comprising a first side with a front opening and a second side, opposite the first side, with a rear opening positioned opposite at least part of the front opening, a lighting device with a secondary housing, a glass panel closing the front opening on the first side of the main housing in a watertight manner, It is characterized in that the lighting device is positioned opposite the rear opening on the second side of the main housing, and the secondary housing is fixed in a watertight and reversible manner to the second side of the main housing. The front opening preferably extends across the entire front surface of the main housing.

[0007] In the event of a component failure within a lighting system, and / or in the event of impacts causing damage to part of the lighting system, the lighting system according to the invention allows for the replacement of only a portion of the system: for example, only the lens and main housing, or only the lighting device itself, can be replaced, while ensuring the system remains watertight before and after the repair. This reduces repair costs.

[0008] The opening on the second side, opposite the first side, allows the lighting unit to be brought back to the main housing, particularly thanks to the attachment of the secondary housing to the main housing. This is especially advantageous if the main housing is irreversibly sealed on the first side by the glass.

[0009] The invention also allows for a certain degree of standardization because the same main housing with its glass from a given lighting assembly can be used with different lighting devices depending on the vehicle's equipment level.

[0010] Advantageously, the lighting device is housed in the rear opening on the second side of the main case.

[0011] Advantageously, the glass is irreversibly fixed to the main casing. The glass can, for example, be glued to the main casing.

[0012] Advantageously, the secondary housing includes a groove in which a sealing gasket is positioned opposite the main housing. This gasket ensures a watertight seal between the two housings, in particular between the secondary housing of the lighting device and the main housing of the lighting assembly.

[0013] Advantageously, the lighting device includes a means of attaching the secondary housing to the main housing. This attachment method will, for example, consist of tabs on the secondary housing into which fixing screws can be inserted, these screws then being inserted into additional attachment points, such as screw bushings, on the main housing. When the fixing screws are tightened, they compress the sealing gasket on the main housing, thus ensuring a watertight seal between the secondary housing, and therefore the lighting device, and the main housing.

[0014] Advantageously, the secondary housing is open on one front face, and the glass closes the front face of the secondary housing. Indeed, since the secondary housing is hermetically sealed to the main housing, and the glass seals the front opening of the main housing, the glass contributes to the airtight seal of the front face of the secondary housing. Specifically, the front face of the secondary housing is not attached to the glass; that is, the front face of the secondary housing and the glass are not in contact. The glass thus contributes indirectly to sealing the front face of the secondary housing.

[0015] Advantageously, the lighting device comprises a light source and an optical deflection element, such as a reflector, lens, or light guide. The optical deflection element shapes the light rays emitted by the light source to contribute to the formation of a lighting or signaling beam.

[0016] According to the invention, the lighting device is a headlight or a taillight. In particular, the headlight, or taillight, may comprise one or more light modules, or one or more light units, respectively. The light module(s), or light unit(s), are arranged in the secondary housing. By way of example, the secondary housing comprises a cavity in which the light module(s), or light unit(s), are received. The cavity may, in particular, have an opening, and the headlight, or taillight, may not have a cover plate to close the opening of this cavity.

[0017] For example, each light module, or each light unit, includes at least one light source and an optical deflection element to shape the light rays emitted by the light source.

[0018] According to the invention, the main housing has an elongated shape with two ends and comprises two headlights or two taillights, each with a secondary housing fixed in a watertight and reversible manner to each end of the main housing. Thus, the lighting assembly is designed to cover the entire front or rear width of the vehicle. The main housing and the lens then form a strip to which the headlights or taillights are attached. In this case, the lighting assembly comprises both this very large, extensive strip with its large and therefore expensive lens, as well as several other very expensive components, such as the headlights or taillights. Thanks to the invention, it is not necessary to replace the entire lighting assembly, formed by the strip and the headlights or taillights, in the event of a headlight or taillight failure, or in the event of an impact on the lens.Indeed, it is possible to change only the defective headlight or rear light and keep the strip, that is to say, the glass and the main housing as well as the other headlight or rear light, or it is also possible to change only the glass and the main housing, and keep the headlights or rear lights.

[0019] According to the invention, the lens covers both headlights or both taillights. In particular, the secondary housing of each of the two headlights or taillights is open on one front face, and the lens covers the front face of the secondary housings of both headlights or taillights. This opening on the front face can correspond to the opening of the cavity in the secondary housing. The light strip here comprises a single, large lens covering both headlights or taillights and the area between them, instead of two smaller lenses, each covering only one headlight or taillight. The lighting assembly according to the invention is particularly advantageous because the headlights or taillights can be retained even in the event of impacts to the lens, for example.

[0020] According to the invention, the lighting assembly includes at least one light guide located in the main housing behind the lens. These light guides allow for the formation of a light pattern. In particular, these light guides allow for the creation of a specific light signature for the motor vehicle on which the lighting assembly is intended to be mounted.

[0021] According to the invention, the light guide(s) are powered by a light source located in the headlight or taillight. This eliminates the need for electronics in the light strip. In other words, within the lighting assembly, only the headlights or taillights contain electronic components. Therefore, it is easy to replace the light strip, or either headlight or taillight, independently.

[0022] According to the invention, this specific light source is located in the secondary housing of the headlight or taillight, on a dedicated printed circuit board. A dedicated printed circuit board is defined as one that differs from a printed circuit board on which the headlight or taillight light source is located and which produces the lighting or signaling beam.

[0023] According to a second embodiment not covered by the invention, the lighting assembly is a projector and the lighting device includes at least one lighting module.

[0024] 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

[0025] The figures are presented as an indicative example and in no way limit the invention. [ Fig. 1] is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] is a cross-sectional view in the middle of the entire figure 1 , [ Fig. 3 ] is a detail of a cross-sectional view of the entire figure 1 , [ Fig. 4 ] is an exploded view of a second embodiment not covered by the invention at the height of one of the projectors, [ Fig. 5 ] is an exploded view of a variant of the second embodiment not covered by the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing on different figures has a unique reference.

[0027] Throughout the description, the side from which the light exits will be called "front" and the side from which the light is emitted will be called "rear".

[0028] In the first illustrated embodiment figure 1The lighting assembly 1 comprises two lighting devices formed by two projectors 2, a main housing 3, and a lens 4. The description here is for lighting devices formed by front projectors, but it would apply equally to lighting devices formed by rear lights. The main housing 3 comprises a first side with a front opening 32, and a second side, opposite the first side, with two rear openings 30. In an alternative not shown and not covered by the invention, the lighting assembly may comprise only one projector, and the main housing may comprise only one rear opening.

[0029] In the illustrated example, the main housing 3 has an elongated shape with two ends. The front opening 32 extends from one end of the main housing 3 to the other, that is, over the entire surface of the main housing 3. The rear openings 30 are each arranged opposite the front opening 32, at one end of the main housing 3.

[0030] The glass 4 is positioned opposite the front opening 32 of the main housing 3. It seals the front opening of the main housing 3 in a watertight manner. In the illustrated example, the glass 4 is attached to the main housing 3 by adhesive. As can be seen in the figure 2Representing a cross-section of the assembled light assembly 1, the lens 4 includes a rib 40, and the main housing 3 includes a slot 31 that receives the rib 40. To bond the lens 4 to the main housing 3 by gluing, adhesive is introduced into the slot 31, and the rib 40 of the lens 4 is then inserted into the slot 31. Alternatively, the lens 4 could be assembled to the main housing 3 by welding or by a hotplate process. It is thus understood that the lens 4 is fixed not only securely to the main housing 3, but also irreversibly, or in other words, permanently. The lens 4 and the main housing 3 thus form a non-removable strip 10. Non-removable means that it is not possible to detach the glass 4 from the main housing 3 without damaging the glass 4 and / or the main housing 3.

[0031] The projectors 2 are each arranged at one end of the main housing 3, opposite one of the rear openings 30 of the main housing 3, and they are attached to the main housing 3. The projectors 2 each have a front opening 25 aligned with the rear opening 30 of the main housing 3.

[0032] When the light assembly 1 is mounted on a vehicle, the strip 10 covers the entire front of the vehicle, and the two projectors 2, arranged at each end of the main housing 3, thus constitute a right and a left projector of the vehicle.

[0033] Projectors 2 include at least one light source and an optical deflection element, such as a reflector, lens, or light guide, for shaping the light rays emitted by the light source to form at least part of a lighting or signaling beam. For example, projectors 2 may include light modules comprising at least one light source and the optical deflection element.

[0034] Since the glass 4 is also positioned opposite the rear openings 30 of the main housing 3, the beam of light or signaling light formed by each projector 2 can thus pass through the glass 4, and be visible from outside the light assembly 1.

[0035] There figure 3shows a cross-section of the light assembly 1 at the height of one of the projectors 2. Each projector 2 has a secondary housing 21 attached to the main housing 3 in a sealed and reversible manner.

[0036] The secondary housing 21 includes attachment elements that cooperate with complementary attachment elements on the main housing 3. For example, the attachment elements of the secondary housing 21 may consist of tabs located around its periphery and having a through hole, while the complementary attachment elements on the main housing 3 may consist of screw holes. Thus, fixing screws can be inserted into the through holes and the screw holes to reversibly attach the secondary housing 21 and the main housing 3 together. The projectors 2 can therefore be removed from the main housing 3 and consequently from the strip 10.

[0037] The light assembly 1 includes a sealing gasket 20 positioned in a groove 23 of the secondary housing 21, and supported by the main housing 3 to ensure a watertight seal between the projector 2 and the strip 10. When the secondary housing 21 is assembled to the main housing 3, the fixing screws are tightened, which brings the main housing 3 and the secondary housing 21 into contact, thus compressing the sealing gasket 20 between the main housing 3 and the secondary housing 2. The seal between the main housing 3 and the secondary housing 2 is thus guaranteed.

[0038] In this example, the projectors 2 do not have their own individual closing lenses. In other words, the front opening 25 of each projector is not closed by a lens specific to that projector. It is lens 4 that indirectly and hermetically seals the front opening 25 of each projector 2, thus protecting the projectors 2. Indeed, lens 4 seals the front opening 32 of the main housing 3 in a hermetically sealed manner, and the secondary housing 21 of each projector 2 is hermetically fixed to the main housing 3 at the rear openings 30. Thus, lens 4 ensures the hermetically sealed front openings 25 of the projectors 2.

[0039] In an unrepresented variant, the front opening 25 of the projectors 2 can be sealed by a glass specific to the projector 2.

[0040] In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the light assembly 1 also includes a plurality of light guides 5, a support 50 for the light guides 5, and a mask 6. The support 50 for the light guides 5, the light guides 5, and the mask 6 are arranged between the main housing 3 and the lens 4, and more precisely between the first side of the main housing 3 and the lens 4. The support 50 for the light guides 5, the light guides 5, and the mask 6 are sandwiched between the main housing 3 and the lens 4. The strip 10 thus comprises the light guides 5, the support 50 for the light guides 5, and the mask 6.

[0041] The light guide bracket 50, the light guides 5, and the mask 6 are optional. The strip 10 may consist of only the main housing 3 and the lens 4. It is also possible for the strip 10 to consist of only the main housing 3, the lens 4, and either the mask 6 or the assembly formed by the light guide bracket 50 and the light guides 5.

[0042] The light guides 5 allow for the creation of a unique light signature for the vehicle on which the lighting assembly 1 is mounted. In the illustrated example, the lighting assembly comprises six light guides 5 distributed along the periphery of the front face of the main housing 3. Two curved side light guides 5a are located at each end of the main housing 3, and two central light guides 5b connect the side light guides 5a in pairs. This distribution of the light guides 5 optimizes light guidance in the curved sections. However, the number of light guides is not limited, and a single light guide, or two light guides, could, for example, be used.

[0043] As seen on the figure 2 , the light guides 5 are placed in a groove 51 of the support 50 of the light guides 5, in order to be held in position.

[0044] Each light guide 5 is powered by at least one light source located in one of the spotlights 2. The light sources powering the light guides 5 are positioned in the secondary housing 21 of the spotlights 2, for example on a printed circuit board 15 (visible in figure 3 ) dedicated. Thus, the strip 10 does not contain any electronic components, which makes it easier to replace the strip or either of the projectors 2 independently. It should be noted that the light sources that power the light guides 5 are separate from the light sources forming the lighting or signaling beams of the projectors 2.

[0045] The central light guides 5b are each powered by a light source located in one of the projectors 2 at their first end, and a light source located in the other of the projectors 2 at their second end. On the figure 1We can see the two light inputs 15b of the central light guides 5b. This dual power supply to the central light guides 5b ensures homogeneous illumination of the central light guides 5b. The side light guides 5a are powered by a single light source located in the projector 2, situated at the same end of the main housing 3 as the corresponding side light guide 5a. On the figure 1 , we can see the light entry 15a of the lateral light guides 5a.

[0046] To enable the light guides to be powered by the light sources arranged in the projectors 2, each light guide thus comprises an end located in the projector which includes the light source which powers the guide, a portion located in the strip 10 and a junction zone located between the end and the portion located in the strip 10. The junction zone thus passes through the front opening 25 of the projector 2 and through the rear opening 30 of the main housing 3.

[0047] The mask 6 is positioned at the front of the support 50 for the light guides 5 and the light guides 5. The mask 6 includes two openings 60 located at its ends, and positioned opposite the rear openings 30 of the main housing 3. The openings 60 are therefore also located opposite the headlights 2, and in particular opposite the front openings 25 of the headlights 2. The lighting or signaling beams emitted by the headlights 2 can thus be transmitted through the rear openings 30, the front opening 32 and the openings 60 to the lens 4, so that they are visible from outside the lighting assembly 1.

[0048] The mask 6 includes an opaque part 63 allowing to mask certain parts of the light assembly 1, and in particular the central part of the light assembly 1, as well as a transparent part 61 arranged opposite the light guides 5, in front of the light guides 5. The light guides 5, and the light emitted by the light guides 5 can thus be seen from outside the light assembly 1.

[0049] Furthermore, on the front face of mask 6, corresponding to the face facing the glass 4, it is possible to draw patterns to give the vehicle a style. For example, the patterns can be geometric shapes.

[0050] The light guide bracket 50 and the mask 6 are assembled together, for example, by clipping or screwing, and the light guides 5 are positioned and held in place by being sandwiched between the bracket 50 and the mask 6. Alternatively, the bracket 50 and the mask 6 could be assembled by gluing. Clipping or screwing reduces assembly time compared to gluing, which requires drying time.

[0051] Once assembled, the support 50, the light guides 5 and the mask 6 are positioned between the main housing 3 and the glass 4, being sandwiched between the main housing 3 and the glass 4. Thus, the strip 10 comprising the main housing 3, the support 50, the light guides 5, the mask 6 and the glass 4 is assembled in a non-removable manner.

[0052] As seen on the figure 1Optionally, the band can also include a logo 7 positioned between the mask 6 and the lens 4. Alternatively, but not shown, the logo 7 can be positioned between the mask 6 and the main housing 3. In order to make the logo 7 visible from the lens 4, an opening is made in the mask 6.

[0053] The light assembly 1 is advantageous in that in the event of an impact on the glass 4 or in the event of a malfunction of one of the projectors 2, it is possible to change only the strip 10 and keep the projectors 2, or to change only one of the projectors 2 and keep the strip 10 and the other projector 2.

[0054] To replace the strip 10, simply remove the light assembly 1, then unscrew the two projectors 2 from the strip 10, and screw the two projectors 2 onto a new strip. To replace one of the projectors, simply remove the light assembly 1, then unscrew the projector 2 to be replaced and replace this defective projector 2 with another projector.

[0055] In this embodiment, the strip 10 can be more or less complex depending on the options (with or without light guide, with or without logo, ...), and thanks to the removable assembly of the projectors 2 on the strip 10, it is possible to mount different projectors 2, more or less sophisticated, on the strip 10, depending on the desired performance for the light assembly 1.

[0056] There figure 4shows a second embodiment not covered by the invention where the light assembly 1 is a projector 11 and includes a main housing 3, a lens 4 and a light device 8. The light device 8 includes light modules 41, a support 62 for the light modules 41, and a secondary housing 21 in which the light modules 41 and the support 62 for the light modules 41 are arranged.

[0057] Elements similar to the first embodiment will be briefly described, it being understood that the description of these elements in the first embodiment applies.

[0058] As in the first embodiment, the main housing 3 comprises a first side with a front opening 32 and a second side, opposite the first side, with a rear opening (not visible) positioned opposite the front opening 32. The glass 4 seals the front opening of the first side of the main housing 3 in a watertight manner. Furthermore, the glass 4 is irreversibly fixed to the main housing 3. The fixing of the glass 4 to the main housing 3 is similar to that described for the first embodiment.

[0059] The rear opening is intended to receive the secondary housing 21 of the lighting device 8. As in the first embodiment, the secondary housing 21 of the lighting device 8 includes lugs 24 with through holes, distributed around the periphery of the secondary housing 21, cooperating with screw threads of the main housing 3 and allowing the insertion of fixing screws 9 to attach the secondary housing 21 reversibly to the main housing 3. In addition, the secondary housing 21 of the lighting device 8 is also mounted in a watertight manner on the main housing 3. As described for the first embodiment, a sealing gasket can be used to ensure watertightness.

[0060] The light fixture 8 includes a front opening 25 aligned with the rear opening of the main housing 3. In the illustrated example, the light fixture 8 does not have its own closing lens. In other words, the front opening 25 of the light fixture 8 is not closed by a lens specific to the light fixture 8. The lens 4 of the projector 11 indirectly and hermetically seals the front opening 25 of the light fixture 8.

[0061] The light modules 41 comprise at least one light source and an optical deflection element, such as a reflector, lens, or light guide, which shapes the light rays emitted by the light source to form at least part of a lighting or signaling beam. The beams emitted by the light modules 41 pass through the lens 4 and are thus visible from outside the projector 11.

[0062] With this projector 11 according to the invention, in the event of an impact on the glass 4, it is possible to change only the assembly formed by the glass 4 and the main housing 3 and to retain the lighting device 8. And, in the event of a malfunction of a lighting module 41, it is possible to change only the lighting device 8 and to retain the assembly formed by the glass 4 and the main housing 3.

[0063] Furthermore, the removable assembly of the light device 8 on the main housing of the projector 11 allows the light device 8 mounted on the projector 11 to be changed, and in particular, the number or type of light modules arranged in the light device 8.

[0064] Thus, as the figure 5Representing a variant embodiment of the second embodiment, the lighting device 8 may comprise only a single lighting module 42 instead of the two lighting modules 41. Furthermore, the lighting module 42 is different from the lighting module 41. Thus, it is possible to easily adapt the projector 11 according to the lighting or signaling functions that the projector 11 must perform, by selecting the lighting device 8 that is positioned within the projector 11. The projector 11 therefore allows for good interchangeability between different lighting devices 8.

Claims

1. Light assembly (1) intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle, and intended to cover the entire front or rear width of the vehicle, and comprising: - a main housing (3) having an elongated shape with two ends and comprising a first side with a front opening (32) and a second side, opposite to the first side, with two rear openings (30) arranged facing at least a part of the front opening (32), - two headlamps or two tail lights, each having a secondary housing (21), - a outer lens (4) closing the front opening of the first side of the main housing (3) in a watertight manner and covering the two headlamps or tail lights, - the two headlamps or the two tail lights each being arranged facing one of the two rear openings of the second side of the main housing, and the secondary housing (21) of each of the headlamps or tail lights being fixed in a watertight and reversible manner to each end of the main housing (3), - the light assembly (1) being characterized in that it includes at least one light guide (5) placed in the main housing (3) behind the outer lens (4), the light guide (5) being powered by a light source arranged in at least one of the headlamps (2) or tail lights, and positioned in the secondary housing (21) of said at least one headlamp (2) or said at least one tail light, on a dedicated printed circuit board (15).

2. Light assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer lens (4) is fixed irreversibly to the main housing (3).

3. Light assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each secondary housing (21) comprises a groove (23) in which a sealing gasket (20) is positioned facing the main housing.

4. Light assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two headlamps or the two tail lights comprise a means of attachment (24) of their secondary housing (21) to the main housing (3).

5. Light assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each secondary housing (21) is open on a front face and the outer lens (4) closes the front face of the secondary housing.

6. Light assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two headlamps or the two tail lights comprise a light source and an optical deviation element.