Adjustable mounting device with play compensation for automotive headlights

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for fixing a projector housing (1) to the body of a motor vehicle, comprising support means intended to be, on the one hand, fixed to the vehicle body and, on the other hand, pivotally connected to said housing by a transverse axis (X), characterized in that said support means comprise at least one lateral arm (1) having one end an opening (10) receiving one end of the transverse axis (X) and whose inner perimeter is partially delimited by a play-compensating pad (11) bearing against said axis by being supported by a flexible tab (12) fixed to said arm (1). Abstract figure: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Adjustable fixing device with play compensation for motor vehicle headlights

[0001] The invention applies to the field of arrangement and adjustment of lighting systems of motor vehicles.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to an adjustable fixing method for a motor vehicle projector housing with compensation for residual mounting play on the vehicle body.

[0003] Generally, and as is known, motor vehicle headlight modules comprise a housing containing a light source and electronic components. This housing is attached to the vehicle body by means of a support element pivotally connected to the housing by a transverse axis and capable of being rotated around this axis by a motor. This rotatable suspension mounting allows for adjustments to the housing's level to modify the direction of the light beam and avoid dazzling other road users.

[0004] Such fastening means are described, in particular, in patent application FR3038289A1, which relates to a projector comprising a housing with a lower element for anchoring it to the body structure and having, on the one hand, two parallel vertical flanges formed from the same material as the housing and, on the other hand, an elastically deformable tab extending between said flanges. Each of these flanges has a slot extending longitudinally from its rear end, which is intended to receive a flat tab rigidly attached to the body. The slots have a width corresponding to the thickness of the tabs so as to lock the projector vertically onto the body.

[0005] Furthermore, patent application FR2765311Al describes a motor vehicle projector whose arrangement and locking is ensured by means of several elastically deformable locking tabs.

[0006] However, depending on the shapes of the housings and optical modules used for the projector and the chosen method of fixing, it is often necessary to use many complex structural parts in order to achieve a pivoting axial connection, which generates gaps and significant costs.

[0007] Therefore, in this context, the invention aims to provide a comprehensive technical solution allowing for a simple and quick mounting of the projector housing on the chassis using an axial fixing method with play compensation, using the minimum number of parts while retaining the possibilities of adjusting its orientation.

[0008] This goal is achieved by means of a device for fixing a projector housing to the body of a motor vehicle, comprising support means intended to be, on the one hand, attached to the body of the vehicle and connected, on the other hand, in a pivotal manner to said housing by a transverse axis, characterized in that said support means comprise at least one lateral arm, one end of which has an opening receiving one end of the transverse axis and the inner perimeter of which is partially delimited by a play compensation pad coming into contact with said axis by being carried by a flexible tab attached to said arm.

[0009] According to an advantageous feature, the inner perimeter of the opening is provided with bosses intended to come into frictional contact with the transverse axis of the housing.

[0010] According to a specific variant, the perimeter of the opening is provided with three bosses distributed equidistantly.

[0011] According to another feature, the opening of the arm communicates laterally with a recess in which extends the flexible tab carrying the game recovery skate.

[0012] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the length of the flexible leg is determined so that the pad protrudes radially inside the opening of the arm, before mounting the arm on the transverse axis of the housing.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the pad is determined so that it protrudes radially inside the opening of the arm, before mounting the arm on the transverse axis of the housing.

[0014] Preferably, the leg carrying the skate is deformed under stress after mounting the arm on the transverse axis.

[0015] Another object of the invention is a method for manufacturing a fastening device as defined above, characterized in that the arm is made by molding a plastic material and extracted from the mold along the axis of said opening.

[0016] Yet another object of the invention is a motor vehicle projector equipped with a fixing device having the characteristics defined above.

[0017] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with a projector having the fixing device defined above.

[0018] The device of the invention makes it possible to simplify the mounting of the projector on the body of the vehicle thanks to the flexibility of the leg of the support arm, while improving the reliability of the assembly due to the absence of subsequent play resulting from the action of the pad.

[0019] In addition, the manufacturing process for the fastening means can be easily implemented because the flexible leg is demolded with the support arm and without the aid of additional movement in the mold, which simplifies the production tooling.

[0020] Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to reduce the number of parts required for the fixing the projector housing provides substantial savings while optimizing its adjustment possibilities.

[0021] The fixing device of the invention thus contributes to the improvement of the quality of headlights and, more generally, of vehicle lighting systems.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the attached and detailed figures below.

[0023] [Fig-1] is an overall perspective view of a motor vehicle projector provided with an embodiment of the fixing device of the invention.

[0024] [Fig.2] is a partial side view of the embodiment of the fastening device of the [Fig. 1].

[0025] [Fig.3A] is a detailed view of the embodiment of the support arm of the fastening device before assembly on the axis of the housing.

[0026] [Fig.3B] is a detailed view of the embodiment of the support arm of the fastening device after assembly on the axis of the housing.

[0027] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

[0028] Naturally, the embodiments of the device of the invention illustrated by the figures shown above and described below are given only by way of non-limiting examples. It is explicitly intended that different embodiments may be proposed and combined to create others.

[0029] The invention relates to the field of mounting headlights forming lighting systems on vehicle bodies. More particularly, the invention focuses on compensating for play resulting from the assembly of the various parts ensuring the pivoting mounting of the housing on the body.

[0030] Figure 1 shows an overall view of a projector housing P equipped with an embodiment of the mounting device according to the invention. This device comprises at least one lateral support arm 1 intended to be, on the one hand, fixed to the vehicle body (not shown) and, on the other hand, pivotally connected to the housing P by a transverse axis X.

[0031] For this purpose, the end la of the arm 1 located on the side of the housing P has an opening 10, at least partially cylindrical, receiving one of the ends of the transverse axis X.

[0032] The inner perimeter of the opening 10 is locally interrupted and is delimited at this point by a pad 11. This pad 11 is suitable and intended for compensating for the play resulting from the mounting of the arm 1 on the X axis by coming into contact against the X axis in the assembly position of the housing P.

[0033] At the interruption of its perimeter, the opening 10 communicates laterally with a recess 13 formed in the body of the arm 1 and in which a flexible leg extends 12. The leg 12 is attached at one end to the arm 1 and carries, at its other end, the play recovery pad 11.

[0034] The support arm 1 of the housing P thus ensures direct contact with the X axis by integrating means for compensating for residual play in mounting the housing on the arm 1.

[0035] Preferably, the inner perimeter of the opening 10 is provided with bosses or ribs 14 intended to come into frictional contact with the X axis. In the embodiment illustrated by figures 3A and 3B, the perimeter of the opening 10 is provided with three bosses distributed equidistantly.

[0036] This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the contact surfaces between the X axis and the arm 1 and to avoid the presence of excessive friction which would require a more powerful motor if it is desired to ensure the mechanized pivoting of the housing.

[0037] The length of the flexible leg 12 is determined so that the pad 11 protrudes radially inside the opening 10 before mounting the arm 1 on the X axis, as illustrated by [Fig.3A] and in dotted lines on [Fig.3B].

[0038] However, it is also possible to provide, without departing from the scope of the invention, that, jointly or independently of the length of the leg 12, the thickness of the pad 11 is determined in such a way that it can protrude radially inside the opening 10 before mounting the arm 1 on the X axis.

[0039] As illustrated by [Fig.3B], the lug 12 carrying the pad 11 is deformed under stress after mounting the arm 1 on the housing P, which guarantees the permanence of the support of the pad 11 on the X axis and the compensation of the intermediate play over time.

[0040] The manufacturing process for the fastening device of the invention involves producing the support arm 1 by injection or compression molding of a plastic material using a press. Under these conditions, the arm 1 is extracted from the mold along the axis of the opening 10, which corresponds to the direction of the transverse axis X of the housing 1 with which the arm 1 will subsequently be assembled.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for fixing a headlight housing (1) to the body of a motor vehicle, comprising support means intended to be, on the one hand, secured to the body of the vehicle and connected, on the other hand, pivotally to said housing by a transverse axis (X), characterized in that said support means comprise at least one lateral arm (1) one end of which has an opening (10) receiving one end of the transverse axis (X) and the inner periphery of which is partially delimited by a play-compensating pad (11) coming into bearing contact against said axis while being carried by a flexible tab (12) secured to said arm (1); the inner periphery of the opening (10) is provided with bosses (14) intended to come into frictional contact with said axis (X).

2. Fixing device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the periphery of the opening (10) is provided with three bosses (14) distributed equidistantly.

3. Fixing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said opening (10) communicates laterally with a recess (13) in which the flexible tab (12) carrying said pad (11) extends.

4. Fixing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the lug (12) is determined such that the pad (11) projects radially inside the opening (10) before mounting the arm (1) on said axis (X).

5. Fixing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the pad (11) is determined such that it projects radially inside the opening (10) before mounting the arm (1) on said axis (X).

6. Fixing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tab (12) carrying said pad (11) is deformed under stress after mounting the arm (1) on said axis (X).

7. Method of manufacturing a fixing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said arm (1) is produced by molding a plastic material and extracted from the mold along the axis of the opening (10).

8. Motor vehicle headlight equipped with a fixing device according to one of claims 1 to 6.

9. Motor vehicle equipped with a headlight according to the preceding claim.

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