Lighting device for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device (1) comprising: - a transparent support (10) comprising a front face (10.1) and a rear face (10.2), the rear face (10.2) being open; - a light guide (11) configured to be arranged in the transparent support (10) on the side of the front face (10.1) and to diffuse light (Fx1) towards the outside of the transparent support (10), characterised in that it further comprises a compressible flexible element (12) configured to be arranged in the transparent support (10) on the side of the rear face (10.2) and comprising attachment shapes (122) configured to engage with corresponding shapes (102) of the transparent support (10).

Description

Vehicle lighting device

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle. It finds a particular but non-limiting application in motor vehicles.

[0002] In the field of motor vehicles, a vehicle lighting device known to those skilled in the art comprises:- a transparent support comprising a front face and a rear face, said rear face being open,- a light guide configured to be arranged in said transparent support on the front face side and to diffuse light towards the outside of said transparent support.

[0003] This light device is used for a front or rear position light.

[0004] To ensure positioning of the light guide in the transparent support, the transparent support includes a plurality of positioning ribs along its entire length.

[0005] To ensure the sealing of the entire lighting device, after the light guide has been placed in the transparent support, a seal composed of a fluid waterproof material, which is glue, is deposited along the entire length of the transparent support with glue. After the glue has cured, the light guide is held in position in the transparent support. The light guide allows light to be diffused towards the outside of the vehicle.

[0006] To prevent light loss into the interior of the vehicle, the light device further comprises a reflective part arranged behind the light guide (relative to the front face of the transparent support), namely between the light guide and the seal.

[0007] A disadvantage of this state of the art is that the light device is not disassemblable. Indeed, it is not possible to remove the glue. Therefore, if a part of the light device is damaged (whether it is the light guide, the transparent support or others), it is not possible to replace it and recycle it. The entire light device must be scrapped.

[0008] In this context, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle lighting device configured to solve the mentioned drawback.

[0009] To this end, the invention proposes a lighting device for a vehicle comprising:- a transparent support comprising a front face and a rear face, said rear face being open,- a light guide configured to be arranged in said transparent support on the front face side and to diffuse light towards the outside of said transparent support,characterized in that the lighting device further comprises a compressible flexible element configured to be arranged in said transparent support on the rear face side and comprising attachment shapes configured to cooperate with counter-shapes of said transparent support.

[0010] Thus, as will be seen in detail later, the fact of using the compressible flexible element with hooking shapes that allow it to be hooked to the transparent support will allow it to be detached from said transparent support if a part of the lighting device is damaged so that said part can be changed and recycled. Furthermore, the compressible flexible element will ensure good sealing of the lighting device. Thus, it allows the lighting device to be dismantled while ensuring good sealing.

[0011] According to non-limiting embodiments, said light device may further comprise one or more additional characteristics taken alone or in all technically possible combinations, among the following.

[0012] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said compressible flexible element is made of elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer.

[0013] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said compressible flexible element is configured to be in contact with said light guide for positioning and maintaining said light guide in said transparent support.

[0014] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said compressible flexible element is reflective

[0015] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said compressible flexible element is white in color or has a metallic appearance.

[0016] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said attachment shapes extend along said compressible flexible element.

[0017] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said counterforms extend along said transparent support.

[0018] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said attachment shapes are of the male type and / or of the female type.

[0019] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said light device further comprises light sources configured to emit light rays which cooperate with said light guide to generate a light beam.

[0020] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said light device is a position light.

[0021] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said counterforms are of the male type and / or of the female type.

[0022] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said counterforms are grooves and / or bosses.

[0023] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said attachment shapes are bosses and / or tabs.

[0024] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said light guide is composed of one or more diffusing optical fibers. This allows light to be extracted over the entire length of the light guide.

[0025] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures:

[0026] illustrates a perspective view of a light device comprising a transparent support, a light guide, and a compressible flexible element, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention,

[0027] illustrates a schematic sectional view of the lighting device of the, according to a first non-limiting embodiment,

[0028] illustrates the light device without the compressible flexible element,

[0029] illustrates a schematic sectional view of the lighting device of the, according to a second non-limiting embodiment,

[0030] illustrates the light device without the compressible flexible element,

[0031] illustrates a schematic sectional view of the lighting device of the, according to a third non-limiting embodiment,

[0032] illustrates the light device without the compressible flexible element,

[0033] Identical elements, by structure or function, appearing in different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.

[0034] The lighting device 1 for a vehicle according to the invention is described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 2 is a motor vehicle. By motor vehicle is meant any type of motorized vehicle. This embodiment is taken as a non-limiting example in the remainder of the description. In the remainder of the description, the vehicle 2 is thus otherwise called motor vehicle 2. The vehicle axis Ox is shown in the. The motor vehicle 2 comprises said lighting device 1.

[0035] The lighting device 1 is configured to perform a signaling function f1. In a non-limiting embodiment, the signaling function is a position light. Thus, the lighting device 1 is a position light. The position light is a rear position light or a front position light. When it is a front position light, the lighting device 1 is positioned at the front of the motor vehicle 2 around the grille, otherwise called the front grille (as illustrated in a non-limiting example) or in a front headlight of the motor vehicle 2. When it is positioned at the rear of the motor vehicle 2, the lighting device 1 is positioned in the strip (called "Tail" in English) of the motor vehicle 2 in a non-limiting example.

[0036] As illustrated in the, the light device 1 comprises:- a transparent support 10,- a light guide 11, and- a compressible flexible element 12.

[0037] As illustrated in the, the lighting device 1 further comprises light sources 14 and two light engines 15 in which the light sources 14 are arranged. For the sake of clarity, only two light sources 14 have been illustrated in the. The two light engines 15 are distributed on either side of the transparent support 10 at its two respective ends as illustrated in the. As illustrated in the zoom of the, each light engine 15 comprises a housing 150 in two parts 150.1 and 150.2 as well as an electronic support 140 on which the light sources 14 are arranged, and a protective cover 141 for the electronic support 140. It will be noted that the light sources 14 have been illustrated here by transparency because it is the underside of the electronic support 140 which is illustrated in the. Each light engine 15 also includes a connecting piece 152 for receiving one of the two ends 11.5 of the light guide 11.Such light engines 15 being known to those skilled in the art, they are not described here.

[0038] In a non-limiting embodiment, the light sources 14 are semiconductor light sources. In a non-limiting embodiment, the semiconductor light sources are part of a light-emitting diode or a laser diode. By light-emitting diode, we mean any type of light-emitting diode, whether in non-limiting examples LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), OLEDs (Organic LEDs), AMOLEDs (Active-Matrix-Organic LEDs), or FOLEDs (Flexible OLEDs). The light sources 14 are configured to emit light rays that will generate a light beam Fx1, otherwise called Fx1 light.

[0039] In a non-limiting embodiment, the transparent support 10 comprises a central part 10a which extends longitudinally substantially along an axis Oy perpendicular to the vehicle axis Ox when it is mounted on the motor vehicle 2 and two lateral parts 10b on either side of the central part 10a which extend substantially vertically along an axis Oz perpendicular to the vehicle axis Ox and to the axis Oy.

[0040] The transparent support 10 is transparent to allow light to pass through. In non-limiting embodiments, the transparent support is made of Polycarbonate (PC), or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).

[0041] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 7, the transparent support 10 comprises a front face 10.1 and a rear face 10.2 which is open, the front face 10.1 being closed. It further comprises a lower face 10.3 and an upper face 10.4, the front face 10.1 and the rear face 10.2 being connected by the lower face 10.3 and the upper face 10.4. All of the faces form a housing 100 configured to receive the light guide 11. The transparent support 10 further comprises two ends 10.5 (one of which is illustrated in the).

[0042] As illustrated in Figures 3, 5 and 7, the transparent support 10 further comprises counterforms 102 configured to cooperate with gripping forms 122 (described later) of the light guide 11. In a non-limiting embodiment, the counterforms 102 extend along the transparent support 10 over its entire length up to near the two ends 10.5. This allows mechanical support.

[0043] In non-limiting embodiments, the counterforms 102 are male-type counterforms and / or female-type counterforms. In non-limiting embodiments, the counterforms 102 are grooves as illustrated in the or bosses as illustrated in the or a combination of both as illustrated in the.

[0044] As illustrated in the first non-limiting embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, in a non-limiting embodiment, the transparent support 10 comprises two grooves 102 inside hollowed out in the lower face 10.3 and two grooves inside hollowed out in the upper face 10.4. The grooves 102, called interior grooves 102, are configured to cooperate with bosses 122 of the light guide 11. Having a multiplicity of grooves 102 improves the mechanical strength and the sealing.

[0045] As illustrated in the second non-limiting embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, the transparent support 10 comprises a boss 102 on the outside of the lower face 10.3, and a boss 102 on the outside of the upper face 10.4. The bosses 102, called external bosses 102, are configured to cooperate with tabs 122 of the light guide 11.

[0046] As illustrated in the third non-limiting embodiment of Figures 6 and 7, the transparent support 10 comprises two grooves 102 inside in the lower face 10.3 and a boss 102 on the outside of the upper face 10.4. The grooves 102, called inner grooves 102, are configured to cooperate with bosses 122 of the light guide 11, and the boss 102, called outer boss, is configured to cooperate with a tab 122 of the light guide 11.

[0047] In a non-limiting embodiment, the light guide 11 is a cylindrical light guide. It has a cylindrical section. The light guide 11 comprises two ends 11.5.

[0048] The light guide 11 is configured to be arranged in the transparent support 10 on the front face side 10.1. It is introduced through the rear face 10.2 of the transparent support 10 which is open for this purpose and is inserted into the transparent support 10 over its entire length. The light guide 11 extends over the entire length of the transparent support 10 when inserted therein. As illustrated in the, its ends 11.5 protrude from the ends 10.5 of the transparent support 11 and are respectively connected to the light engines 15 described above so that it can cooperate with the light sources 14. The light generated by the light sources 14 of each light engine 15 will thus enter respectively via each end 11.5 of the light guide 11.

[0049] The light guide 11 is configured to diffuse light Fx1 towards the outside of the transparent support 10 substantially along the vehicle axis Ox when the light device 1 is installed on the motor vehicle 2. The light Fx1 is diffused outside towards the front of the motor vehicle 2 when the light device 1 is a front position light (as illustrated in a non-limiting example of the), and the light Fx1 is diffused outside towards the rear of the motor vehicle 2 when the light device 1 is a rear position light.

[0050] The light sources 14 are thus configured to emit light rays which cooperate with the light guide 11 to generate a light beam Fx1 which emerges from the light device 1 substantially along the axis Ox.

[0051] In a non-limiting embodiment, the light guide 11 is composed of one or more diffusing optical fibers. The optical fiber is called diffusing because the light is extracted along its entire length. In a non-limiting embodiment, the diffusing optical fiber that composes the light guide 11 has an extruded or injected profile. The extruded profile makes it possible to have an inexpensive extruded flexible light guide compared to an injected profile which requires a dedicated mold to manufacture it.

[0052] The compressible flexible element 12 is configured to be arranged in the transparent support 10 on the rear face side 10.2. It is therefore placed behind the light guide 11 which is arranged on the front face side 10.1 of the transparent support 10. The compressible flexible element 12 extends along the transparent support 10 when inserted therein up to its two ends 10.5. It thus closes the transparent support 10 from the rear so that it positions and holds the light guide 11 in position in the transparent support 10 over its entire length along the transparent support 10.

[0053] In a non-limiting embodiment, the compressible flexible element 12 is configured to be in contact with the light guide 11 for holding said light guide 11 in the transparent support 10 so that the latter is taken between the compressible flexible element 12, in particular between its front face 12.1 and the inside of the front face 10.1 of the transparent support 10. It can thus no longer move. Indeed, when the compressible flexible element 12 is inserted into the transparent support 10 on the rear face 10.2 side, it will push on the light guide 11 so that the latter advances to the front face 10.1 of the transparent support 10 and is thus in contact with the front face 10.1 of the transparent support 10 over its entire length.In a non-limiting embodiment, the compressible flexible element 12 thus has a length substantially equal to that of the light guide 11 so as to hold it in position over its entire length in the transparent support 10. The light guide 11 is thus positioned and held in the transparent support 10 over its entire length.

[0054] The compressible flexible element 12 comprises a lower face 12.3 and an upper face 12.4. It also comprises a front face 12.1 and a rear face 12.2. The front face 12.1 is in contact with the light guide 11 when the compressible flexible element 12 is arranged in the transparent support 10. In a non-limiting embodiment, the front face 12.1 has a curved shape to be able to adapt to the curved surface of the light guide 11 due to its cylindrical shape in the non-limiting embodiment taken.

[0055] The compressible flexible element 12 comprises gripping shapes 122 configured to cooperate with the counter-shapes 102 of said transparent support 11. In a non-limiting embodiment, the gripping shapes 122 extend along said compressible flexible element 12 so that the holding of the light guide 11 by said compressible flexible element 12 is effective over the entire length of the light guide 11.

[0056] In non-limiting embodiments, the hooking shapes 122 are male and / or female. In non-limiting embodiments, the hooking shapes 122 are bosses as illustrated on the or tabs as illustrated on the or a combination of both as illustrated on the.

[0057] As illustrated in the first non-limiting embodiment of the, the compressible flexible element 12 comprises two bosses 122 located on its lower face 12.3 and two bosses 122 located on its upper face 12.4. The bosses 122 are configured to cooperate with the internal grooves 102 of the transparent support 10 described previously. It will be noted that the rear face 12.2 of the compressible flexible element 12 does not protrude from the open face 10.2 of the transparent support.

[0058] As illustrated in the second non-limiting embodiment of the, the compressible flexible element 12 comprises a tab 122 located on its lower face 12.3 and a tab 122 located on its upper face 12.4. These are external tabs 122 which are on the open face side 10.2 of the transparent support 10. The tabs 122 are configured to cooperate with the external bosses 102 of the transparent support 10 described previously. It will be noted that the rear face 12.2 of the compressible flexible element 12 protrudes from the open face 10.2 of the transparent support to serve as a support for the external tabs 122.

[0059] As illustrated in the third non-limiting embodiment of the, the compressible flexible element 12 comprises two bosses 122 located on one of its lower or upper faces, here its lower face 12.3 and a tongue 122 located on the other of its lower or upper faces, here its upper face 12.4. The bosses 122 are configured to cooperate with the interior grooves 102 of the transparent support 10 described previously. The tongue 122 is configured to cooperate with the exterior boss 102 of the transparent support 10 described previously.

[0060] In a non-limiting embodiment, the compressible flexible element 12 is made of elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer. In non-limiting examples, the compressible flexible element 12 is made of silicone, silicone foam, or rubber. This allows it to be given its flexible and compressible character. It will be noted that silicone, silicone foam, or rubber are lightweight materials.

[0061] The flexibility makes it possible to adapt to any shape of the transparent support 10. Thus, if the transparent support 10 is a complex part which includes several bends with different radii of curvature, the compressible flexible element 12 will be able to easily adapt to the different curvatures.

[0062] The compressibility allows the bosses 122 of the non-limiting example of the can deform to fit into the corresponding inner grooves 102. Furthermore, the compressibility allows the compressible flexible element 12 to be easily and quickly dismantled. Indeed, in the non-limiting example of the, if the compressible flexible element 12 is disengaged from the transparent support 10, the bosses 122 come out of the inner grooves 102 of the transparent support 10. In the non-limiting example of the, it is sufficient to lift the tabs 122 and, for example, to pull on the compressible flexible element 12 by its rear face 12.2 along its entire length. It is possible to start with its end 12.5 in a limiting example.

[0063] The combination of the flexible character and the compressible character allows the compressible flexible element 12 to be forcibly engaged in the transparent support 10 by pushing on it without risk of breaking it. The fact that it is forcibly engaged has the consequence that there is a permanent stress which is exerted inside the transparent support 10. The material of the compressible flexible element 12 is permanently pressed against the transparent support 10, in particular on its lower face 10.3, on its upper face 10.4 and where appropriate in the grooves 102 of the transparent support 10. There is therefore no mechanical play. This allows for good sealing of the entire lighting device 1 against water, dust, etc. This achieves a high level of sealing with an IP67K and IP69K protection index.It will be noted that in the non-limiting example of the, the bosses 122 which are deformable lips fit into the asperities or roughnesses of the transparent support 10 which ensures sealing.

[0064] In a non-limiting embodiment, the compressible flexible element 12 is reflective. In particular, its front face 12.1 is reflective. Thus, the surface of the front face 12.1 which touches the light guide 11 is reflective. This makes it possible to have a shiny surface which ensures the reflection of the light Fx1 (which is diffused by the light guide 11) towards the outside of the motor vehicle 2. This provides, by reflection, additional luminance for the light Fx1 which exits towards the outside of the motor vehicle 2. In a non-limiting example, between 20% and 30% more is provided. The 20% to 30% additional flux towards the right direction (towards the outside of the motor vehicle 2) makes it possible to increase the luminance without increasing the power of the light sources 14 and therefore without increasing their weight and / or size. In a non-limiting example, the surface condition of the compressible flexible element 12 is smooth. This achieves the reflective function.

[0065] In a non-limiting embodiment, the compressible flexible element 12 is white in color or has a metallic appearance. This provides a reflective surface.

[0066] Of course, the description of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and to the field described above. Thus, in another non-limiting embodiment, the female and male parts can be reversed. Thus, the attachment shapes 122 can be grooves while the corresponding counter-shapes 102 can be bosses. Thus, in another non-limiting embodiment, the attachment shapes 122 can be grooves while the corresponding counter-shapes 102 can be tabs. Thus, in another non-limiting embodiment, the transparent support 10 comprises a single groove 102 inside hollowed out in the lower face 10.3 and a single groove inside hollowed out in the upper face 10.4, and the compressible flexible element 12 comprises a single boss 122 located on its lower face 12.3 and a single boss 122 located on its upper face 12.4.Thus, in another non-limiting embodiment, the transparent support 10 comprises three grooves 102 inside hollowed out in the lower face 10.3 and three grooves inside hollowed out in the upper face 10.4, and the compressible flexible element 12 comprises three bosses 122 located on its lower face 12.3 and three bosses 122 located on its upper face 12.4.

[0067] Thus, the invention described has in particular the following advantages: - it allows the light device 1 to be disassembled. Thus, the parts of the light device 1 can be easily disassembled to change and recycle them, - the light guide 11 being sandwiched between the front face 10.1 of the transparent support 10 and the compressible flexible element 12 which blocks it over its entire length, it allows the light guide 11 to be positioned in the same way over its entire length in the transparent support 10; there is no different positioning in the transparent support 10 depending on the locations where one is positioned at the level of the light guide 11, - by replacing the sealed fluid and the reflective part of the prior art with the compressible flexible element 12 which is smooth and reflective,it allows the reflection of light towards the outside of the motor vehicle 2 while avoiding the disadvantages of the reflective part which are a risk of poor placement of said reflective part which can move while the sealing fluid is being deposited, and a bulkiness of the transparent support 10 at the level of its depth; thus, the invention also allows the depth of the entire transparent support 10 to be reduced which allows the volume of the transparent support 10 to be reduced, and therefore its bulkiness, - it allows the sealing of the light device 1 to be ensured over the entire length of the light support 10. By eliminating the use of a sealing fluid, it avoids the risks that the sealing fluid is poorly deposited before the crosslinking of the glue and that the sealing is poorly done especially in cases where the transparent support is a complex part,- it allows the weight of the light device 1 to be reduced, which allows CO2 consumption to be reduced. In the case of an electric vehicle, reducing the mass of the electric vehicle increases its autonomy, - it allows the light guide 11 to be positioned and maintained along the entire length of the transparent support 10 thanks to the compressible flexible element 12. Thus, the ribs for maintaining and positioning the transparent support, which are used in the prior art, are eliminated, and these have the disadvantages listed below: - they are visible from outside the vehicle and create hot spots which cause inhomogeneity of the light, - they create injection points on the transparent support which cause surface imperfections and consequently inhomogeneity of the light, - they complicate the mold and increase the cost of the mold to produce the transparent support,- they create either too many hot spots if there are too many of them to correctly position the light guide in the transparent support, or poor positioning of the light guide which is very long if there are not enough of them,- Thus, with a single part, namely the compressible flexible element 12, the following three functions are ensured: positioning / holding, sealing, reflection of the light, instead of three parts in the state of the prior art (ribs on the transparent support for positioning / holding, fluid tight with glue for sealing, additional reflective part for reflection of the light).,

Claims

Illuminating device (1) for a vehicle (2) comprising:- a transparent support (10) comprising a front face (10.1) and a rear face (10.2), said rear face (10.2) being open,- a light guide (11) configured to be arranged in said transparent support (10) on the front face (10.1) side and to diffuse light (Fx1) towards the outside of said transparent support (10),the illuminating device (1) being such that it further comprises a compressible flexible element (12) configured to be arranged in said transparent support (10) on the rear face (10.2) side and comprising attachment shapes (122) configured to cooperate with counter-shapes (102) of said transparent support (10). A light device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said compressible flexible element (12) is made of elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer. A light device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said compressible flexible element (12) is configured to be in contact with said light guide (11) for positioning and holding said light guide (11) in said transparent support (10). A light device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said compressible flexible element (12) is reflective. A light device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said compressible flexible element (12) is white in color or has a metallic appearance. A light device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said gripping shapes (122) extend along said compressible flexible element (12). Luminous device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which said counterforms (102) extend along said transparent support (10). Luminous device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which said attachment forms (122) are of the male type and / or of the female type. A light device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said light device (1) further comprises light sources (14) configured to emit light rays which cooperate with said light guide (11) to generate a light beam (fx1). A light device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said light device (1) is a position light.

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