Indexing device for assembling automotive signaling modules

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for indexing and positioning a lens (2) on a housing (1) of a signaling module (M) for motor vehicles, the housing (1) comprising a peripheral groove (10) for receiving a rib (21) formed on the periphery of the lens (2), characterized in that said groove (10) comprises at least one female element (100) for receiving, during assembly, a male element (200) carried by said rib (21) of the lens (2), as well as a signaling module (M) equipped with said device. Abstract figure: Fig. 4A

Description

Title of the invention: Indexing device for assembling motor vehicle signaling modules

[0001] The invention applies to the field of lighting and signaling of motor vehicles.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a device intended to facilitate the assembly of the housing and the glass of a signaling module and to perfect their relative positioning.

[0003] Traditionally, motor vehicles are equipped, on their front end, with signaling modules (daytime running lights, also known as "DRL"). This module includes an electronic system (for example, a printed circuit board) controlling one or more light sources in the form of lamps (halogen, xenon, LED, etc.) associated with an optical system (lens, reflector, etc.).

[0004] The optical components specific to each module are enclosed and fixed in a housing sealed at the front by a glass made of a transparent and mechanically resistant material (glass, polycarbonate, ...).

[0005] Traditionally, the case has a peripheral groove, generally U-shaped in cross-section, intended to receive a rib formed around the edge of the glass and in which an adhesive is deposited to ensure the watertight assembly of the whole.

[0006] Assembling the glass onto the case is a delicate operation because it requires relative positioning and perfect integration to both guarantee good isostaticity, satisfactory sealing and offer a coherent, seamless and uniform appearance respecting the style lines of the vehicle.

[0007] However, after assembly, a residual gap often remains between the rib of the glass and the walls of the housing groove. This gap is problematic because the glass itself has optical effect zones that must be precisely positioned with respect to the internal optical components of the housing in order to cooperate reliably with them and, in particular, to comply with regulatory photometry.

[0008] Patent application DE102009024783 describes a device for snap-fitting a lighting module into a recess on a bumper trim. Inserting the module into the recess allows for simple and precise pre-positioning.

[0009] Patent application KR200465953U describes a DRL module comprising a housing for receiving lamps (LEDs) and a cover provided with areas having optical properties ensuring the reflection of the light emitted by these lamps.

[0010] However, these earlier documents do not deal with the assembly of an ice on a signaling module housing and therefore do not provide any solution to the problem of residual play between the glass and the housing of this module.

[0011] In this context, the invention aims to provide a technical solution enabling, through a simple and quick assembly, precise and stable positioning of the glass relative to the internal optical components of the housing.

[0012] This goal is achieved by means of an indexing and positioning device for a glass on a signaling module housing for motor vehicles, the housing comprising a peripheral groove intended to receive a peripheral rib carried by the glass, characterized in that said groove comprises at least one female element intended to receive, during assembly, a male element carried by said rib of the glass.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the female element comprises a recess formed in the inner wall of the throat and into which the male element made in the form of a counter-undercut of complementary profile carried by the rib of the ice is fitted.

[0014] According to a specific variant, the throat relief is formed by a cavity with a wavy profile.

[0015] Preferably, this corrugated cavity has two coplanar lateral portions for guiding the ice rib separated by a partially cylindrical central portion for shimming the undercut.

[0016] According to an advantageous feature, the rib of the glass carries a transverse locking tab intended to snap into place at the end of assembly in a slot provided opposite in the outer wall of the groove.

[0017] According to another feature, the wall of the groove locally has a chamfered tongue extending the outer wall of the groove and intended for guiding the locking tab during assembly.

[0018] Preferably this leg has an end hook that locks under the tongue at the end of assembly.

[0019] Another object of the invention is a method of assembling the glass onto the housing of a motor vehicle signaling module provided with an indexing and positioning device as defined above, characterized in that the glass is brought into contact with the housing by engaging the undercut of the rib in an inclined manner in the undercut of the groove and then the glass is pivoted by closing the housing until the perimeter of the rib is completely trapped in the groove.

[0020] Yet another object of the invention is a signalling module for motor vehicle provided with a device having the characteristics defined above for indexing and securing the glass on the housing.

[0021] A final object of the invention is a motor vehicle equipped with a signaling module as defined above.

[0022] The device of the invention is applicable in a very general way to the assembly of modules intended for both lighting (projectors, ...) and signaling (daytime running lights DRL, ...).

[0023] Thanks to the invention and the cooperation between the respective male and female elements of the glass and the case, their assembly is facilitated and residual play is eliminated.

[0024] As a result, the optical effect zones of the glass are perfectly positioned in relation to the internal optical components, which guarantees the obtaining of optimal photometric properties in accordance with regulatory provisions.

[0025] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the attached and detailed figures below.

[0026] [Fig. 1] is a perspective and partial cross-sectional view of a signaling module according to the prior art.

[0027] [Fig.2A] is a perspective view of an embodiment of the housing of a signaling module according to the invention.

[0028] [Fig.2B] is a detailed perspective view of the housing of [Fig.2A].

[0029] [Fig.3A] is a perspective view of an embodiment of the ice of a module signaling according to the invention.

[0030] [Fig.3B] is a detailed perspective view of the ice in [Fig.3A].

[0031] [Fig.4A] is a detailed perspective view of the case and the glass in progress assembly.

[0032] [Fig.4B] is a detailed perspective view of the case and glass of [Fig.4A] at the end of assembly after locking.

[0033] [Fig.5] is a perspective view illustrating the implementation of the process assembly of the invention.

[0034] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

[0035] Naturally, the embodiments and implementations 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.

[0036] The invention relates to the field of lighting and signaling of motor vehicles.

[0037] More specifically, the invention relates to the assembly of lighting or signaling modules such as, for example, a projector module or a daytime running light (DRL) module and consists of equipping this module with an indexing and alignment device. glass added and intended to seal the case.

[0038] Fig. 1 represents a traditional signaling module M comprising, on the one hand, a housing 1 and, on the other hand, a glass 2 intended to close the housing 1. The housing 1 is provided with a peripheral groove 10 of U-shaped cross-section intended to receive a rib 21 extending around the perimeter of the glass 2. Where appropriate, an adhesive (glue) is injected into the groove 10 to reinforce the bond and ensure the sealing of the assembly.

[0039] This module M contains at least one light source such as a light-emitting diode E (LED) associated with an optical element P intended to extend inside the housing 1 opposite an optical effect zone Z located locally on the glass 2.

[0040] As illustrated, in particular, by figures 2A, 2B and 3A, 3B, the invention provides for equipping the groove 10 of the housing 1 with at least one female element 100 (and therefore recessed) intended to receive, during the assembly of the module M, a male element 200 (and therefore protruding), carried by the rib 21 of the glass 2. Of course, it would be entirely possible to reverse the positions of the female element and the male element without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0041] Preferably, the female elements 100 and male elements 200, respectively, of the housing 1 and the glass 2 are arranged in their narrowest parts which, in the embodiment shown in the attached figures, is the lower part or foot of the module M.

[0042] The cooperation between the female element 100 and the male element 200 ensures the indexing and the positioning of the glass 2 on the housing 1, i.e. a stable assembly over time of the rib 21 in the groove 10, without residual play and therefore a precise positioning of the optical element P of the lamp E relative to the optical effect zone Z of the glass 2, as illustrated by figures 4A and 4B.

[0043] In the embodiment of the invention shown in detail in Figures 2B and 3B, the female element 100 includes a draft 11 formed in the inner wall 10a of the groove 10 and into which, during assembly, a counter-draft 22 of complementary profile carried by the inner face of the rib 21 of the glass 2 is fitted.

[0044] The draft 11 is formed here by a cavity with a corrugated profile. More precisely, the draft 11 has two coplanar lateral portions lia, 11b connecting to the wall of the groove 10 by a slight curve and ensuring the guidance of the undercut 22 of the rib 21. These lateral portions lia, 11b are separated by a partially cylindrical central portion 1, which in turn ensures the positioning of the projecting central portion 22a of the undercut 22 with a complementary profile and made here as an extra thickness.

[0045] The undercut 22 and the undercut 11 are thus in contact and joined together after assembly of the glass 2 onto the housing 1.

[0046] The rib 21 of the glass 2 also carries a transverse tab 23 intended to snap into place, to lock the assembly, in a slot 12 located in the groove 10.

[0047] More specifically and as illustrated by [Fig.4B], the slot 12 is made through the outer wall 10b of the groove 10 opposite the wall 10a carrying the draft 11.

[0048] The outer wall 10b of the groove 10 is locally extended, opposite the draft 11, by a chamfered-edge tab 13 for guiding the lug 23 during assembly. The end of the lug 23 has a hook 23a which locks under the tab 13 at the end of assembly.

[0049] The assembly method for module M is carried out according to the invention and as illustrated by [Fig. 5] in the following manner. In a first phase, the glass 2 is brought into contact with the housing 1 by engaging the undercut 22 of the rib 21 at an angle in the undercut 11 of the groove 10.

[0050] Then, in a second phase, the glass 2 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow by guiding the undercut 22 in the undercut 11, if necessary by slightly and elastically deforming the walls 10a, 10b of the groove 10.

[0051] This operation leads to the closing of the housing 1 until the perimeter of the rib 21 is fully trapped in the groove 10 and the hook 23a of the tab 23 is locked in the slot 12 to ensure the locking of the assembly.

[0052] This assembly method with indexing and alignment makes it possible to guarantee the position of the internal optical elements in the housing 1 relative to the optical effect Z zones of the glass 2 and to ensure perfect photometry.

[0053] If necessary, a bead of glue is then introduced into the groove 10 to make the assembly watertight and permanent.

Claims

Demands

1. A device for indexing and positioning a lens (2) on a housing (1) of a signaling module (M) for motor vehicles, the housing (1) comprising a peripheral groove (10) for receiving a rib (21) formed on the periphery of the lens (2), characterized in that said groove (10) comprises at least one female element (100) for receiving, during assembly, a male element (200) carried by said rib (21) of the lens (2), in that said female element (100) comprises a draft (11) formed in the inner wall (10a) of the groove (10) and into which the male element (200) is fitted, formed in the form of an undercut (22) of complementary profile carried by the rib (21) of the lens (2), in that the draft (11) of said groove (10) is formed of a cavity with a corrugated profile, in that said corrugated cavity has two lateral portions (lia,11b) coplanar guides for the rib (21) of the glass (2) separated by a partially cylindrical central portion (11c) for shimming the undercut (22), in that the rib (21) of the glass (2) has a transverse locking tab (23) intended to snap into place at the end of assembly in a slot (12) formed opposite it in the outer wall (10b) of the groove (10), in that the wall of said groove (10) locally has a chamfered tongue (13) extending from the outer wall (10b) of the groove (10) and intended to guide the tab (23) during assembly, and in that said tab has an end hook (23a) which locks under said tongue (13) at the end of assembly.

2. Method of assembling the glass on the housing of a motor vehicle signaling module provided with an indexing and positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the glass (2) is brought into contact with the housing (1) by engaging the undercut (22) of the rib (21) in an inclined manner in the undercut (11) of the groove (10) and then the glass (2) is pivoted by closing the housing (1) until the periphery of the rib (21) is completely trapped in the groove (10).

3. Motor vehicle signaling module (M) equipped with device according to claim 1 for indexing and positioning the glass (2) on the case (1).

4. Motor vehicle equipped with a signalling module (M) according to the preceding claim.

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