Vehicle headlight assembly with multiple light guides

Abstract

A vehicle optical unit comprising a housing (2) and a lens. Light guides (40) and a support (5) on which the light guides (40) are arranged are housed within the housing (2). The light guides (40) are connected to each other by a connecting ribbon cable (400). The connecting ribbon cable (400) and the light guides (40) form a single unit (4). This single unit (4) is arranged on a support (5). The support (5) has a first raised motif (51) visible through the lens. The connecting ribbon cable (400) has a second raised motif (41) visible through the lens. A gap (6), formed between the connecting ribbon cable (400) and the support (5), is located between the first (51) and second (41) motifs. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle optical unit with multiple light guides technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of light-guided optical blocks for vehicles.

[0002] The invention finds its application in particular in optical blocks comprising at least one of the following lights: daytime running lights (“DRL” or “Daylight Running Lamp” in English), position lights (also called “parking lights”), dipped headlights (also called “codes”), main beam headlights (also called “headlights”), fog lights, rear lights, turn signals. State of the art

[0003] A vehicle optical unit comprising a housing and a lens with at least two transparent or translucent areas is already known. The housing and the lens essentially define a space in which at least two light guides are housed, along with a support on which the two light guides are mounted. Each of the two light guides is visible through one of the two transparent areas. The two light guides are connected by a connecting ribbon cable. The connecting ribbon cable and the two light guides form a single unit.

[0004] The connecting ribbon cable has the advantage of avoiding the need for separate light guides (a solution that notably increases assembly time). However, good mechanical strength of the monobloc component comprising the connecting ribbon cable and the light guides is necessary, particularly during ejection after molding, as well as during handling, storage, and assembly. The connecting ribbon cable must therefore have a mechanical function, in addition to transmitting light as efficiently as possible. However, connecting ribbon cables designed to perform these functions are not aesthetically pleasing, and it has been considered to place them in a technical space within the optical unit that is concealed by a vehicle component such as a bumper.

[0005] However, the larger the technical volume of the optical unit, the more other constraints and drawbacks must be addressed. For example, a large technical volume of the optical unit may not be compatible with the clearance required for pedestrian impacts, or with the presence of other vehicle components when the environment around these components is already highly constrained. Description of the invention

[0006] The invention aims to remedy, in whole or in part, the aforementioned drawbacks. To this end, The invention relates to a vehicle optical unit comprising a housing and a lens including at least two transparent zones, the housing and the lens essentially delimiting a space in which at least two light guides are housed and a support on which the two light guides are arranged, the two light guides being visible each through one of the two transparent zones, the two light guides being connected to each other by a connecting ribbon, the connecting ribbon and the two light guides forming a single unit.

[0007] Furthermore, - the support features a first raised motif visible through the glass, - the joining layer features a second raised pattern visible through the ice, and - a gap, left between the joining layer and the support, is placed between the first and second motifs.

[0008] Thus, in the optical unit according to the invention, the presence of visible patterns on the ribbon cable and on the support contributes to the vehicle's stylistic signature and allows the gap to be concealed among these patterns. It then becomes possible to avoid hiding the junction strip and the technical volume of the optical unit can be reduced.

[0009] The optical block according to the invention may also include one and / or the other of the following characteristics, each considered independently of the other or in combination with one or more others: - at least one of the first and second motifs includes recessed areas extending parallel to the gap; - each of the two light guides extends along a longitudinal direction, and the recessed areas repeat periodically along at least one of the two longitudinal directions along each of which one of the two light guides extends; - the first and second motifs each contain recessed areas, the recessed areas of the first and second motifs are repeated with the same periodicity; - the support has a step defining a step between two planes and the tablecloth is housed in the step so that the first and second motifs have an external surface substantially in the same plane; - the minimum distance, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of each of the two light guides, between each of the two light guides and the glass, is identical; - it includes a mask with openings, each of these openings revealing, through the glass, respectively one of the two light guides and defining an angle of projection of the light emitted by each of the two light guides through the glass, which is the same for each of the two light guides; - it includes an opaque band positioned near, on, or in the ice of in order to at least partially mask the gap, according to a direction of observation.

[0010] According to another aspect, a vehicle is proposed, comprising an optical unit according to the invention. This vehicle includes a bumper and the connecting cable is not obscured by the bumper.

[0011] Optionally, in this vehicle, the optical unit includes an opaque strip positioned near, on, or in the glass so as to at least partially mask the gap, according to a direction of observation, and the opaque strip is aligned with a visible pattern of the vehicle.

[0012] Definitions

[0013] The adjective "transparent" describes a material or area of ​​ice that allows light to pass through and makes objects behind it visible; it also describes an area sufficiently translucent to allow objects behind it to be seen. An object located behind a transparent area is therefore "visible" through it.

[0014] The adjective "opaque," as opposed to the adjective "transparent" as defined above, describes a material or area of ​​ice that does not allow objects behind it to be seen. An object located behind an opaque strip is therefore not "visible" through it. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] Other features and advantages will become apparent in the detailed description of different embodiments of the invention, the description being accompanied by examples and references to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] [Fig.1] schematically represents in perspective, an example of an embodiment of an optical block according to the invention.

[0017] [Fig.2] schematically represents in perspective, the example of an embodiment of the optical block shown in [Fig.1], without its glass and mask.

[0018] [Fig.3] schematically represents in perspective the monobloc multi-guide element of the optical block shown in [Fig.1].

[0019] [Fig.4] schematically represents in perspective a portion of the monobloc multi-guide element and its support, housed in the optical block shown in [Fig.1].

[0020] [Fig.5] schematically represents in cross-section, in a longitudinal plane, a portion of an example embodiment of an optical block according to the invention.

[0021] [Fig.6] schematically represents in cross-section, in a transverse plane, a portion of an example embodiment of an optical block according to the invention.

[0022] [Fig.7] schematically represents, viewed from above, a vehicle element under which is shown an example of an embodiment of an optical block according to the invention.

[0023] It should be noted that the drawings described above are schematic and are not necessarily to scale for the sake of legibility and to simplify their understanding. Detailed description of embodiments

[0024] Identical elements or elements performing the same function shall bear the same references for the different embodiments, for the sake of simplification.

[0025] An example of a vehicle optical unit 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is schematically shown in [Fig. 1]. The optical unit 1 comprises a housing 2 and a lens 3. The lens 3 and the housing 2 form a essentially enclosed space. The housing 2 is made of a rigid and opaque material (for example, a metal). The lens 3 is made of a rigid and transparent material. Optionally, the lens 3 is bicolor, for example, black and clear. The lens 3 has three protruding regions 31. These protruding regions 31 are transparent. The optical unit 1 is intended to be placed behind one or more vehicle components 100 (e.g., grille, bumper, bodywork, etc.) comprising slots 110 through which the protruding regions 31 are visible (see [Fig. 7]).

[0026] As shown in [Fig. 2], a one-piece multi-guide light element 4 and a support 5 are housed in the casing 2. The one-piece multi-guide element 4 is mounted on the support 5. The support 5 is made of a molded, opaque, and optionally colored plastic material. The one-piece multi-guide element 4 is made of a molded, transparent plastic material. The optional color of the support 5 is therefore visible through the one-piece multi-guide element 4. The support 5 has a first raised pattern 51 visible through the glass 3. This first pattern 51 forms a band comprising, for example, recessed areas 52 and raised areas 53. The recessed areas 52 and the raised areas 53 are arranged periodically along the longitudinal direction of the band.

[0027] As shown in [Fig. 3], the multi-guide monoblock element 4 comprises three light guides 40 connected by a connecting ribbon 400. Each of the light guides 40 extends essentially along a longitudinal direction L. The light guides 40 are not necessarily straight. The light guides 40 have essentially cylindrical portions. The light guides 40 are arranged on the support 5 and in the housing 2 so as to be visible, at least in certain portions, through the protruding regions 31 of the glass 3.

[0028] The joining sheet 400 comprises four thin sheets 401, 402, 403, 404 resting on the support 5: - a first veil 401 linked to a first light guide 40 near one of its ends, - a second veil 402 linked to the first and to a second light guides 40, near one of their ends, - a third veil 403 linked to the second and a third light guides 40, near one of the ends of the latter, and - a fourth veil 404 linked to the third light guide near one of its ends.

[0029] The first 401, second 402, and third 403 sails each respectively have a second raised motif 41 visible through the glass 3. This second motif 41 forms a band comprising, for example, recessed areas 42 and raised areas 43. The recessed areas 42 and the raised areas 43 are arranged periodically along the longitudinal direction of the bands. For example, the bands of the first 51 and second 41 motifs are arranged longitudinally and parallel to the light guides 40, along them. For example, the periodicity of the recessed areas 42, 52 and raised areas 43, 53 of the first 51 and second 41 motifs is the same.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a gap 6 is arranged between the respective bands of the first 51 and second 41 motifs. The recessed areas 42, 52 and raised areas 43, 53 of the first 51 and second 41 motifs extend lengthwise parallel to the length of the gap 6 (the length of the gap 6 corresponding in the example described here to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bands, itself parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the light guides 40).

[0031] As shown in [Fig.5], the connecting sheet 400 is not masked by a bumper 120. The support 5 has a step 54 defining a step between two planes and the connecting sheet 400 is housed in the step 54 so that the first 51 and second 41 motifs have an external surface visible substantially in the same plane.

[0032] As illustrated in [Fig. 6], the optical block 1 includes a mask 7 housed in the space formed by the housing 2 and the lens 3. The mask 7 has openings 70. Each of the openings 70 is essentially coincident with the protruding regions 31 of the lens 3. The openings 70 thus each respectively reveal one of the light guides 40. The openings 70 also reveal shallow areas 410, 510 of the connecting layer 400 and the support 5. The bands of the first 51 and second 41 patterns are located at the level of these shallow areas 410, 510. The openings 70 define a projection angle α of the light emitted by each of the light guides 40 through the lens 3. The minimum distance θ, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of each of the light guides 40, between each light guide and the glass 3, is identical and the projection angle a is the same for each of the light guides 40.These provisions. allow a homogeneous lighting appearance to be achieved by the 40 light guides regardless of the viewing angle.

[0033] Optionally, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, to further reduce the risk of perceiving the gap 6, an opaque band 32 is positioned near, on, or in the glass 3 so as to at least partially mask the gap 6, according to a direction of observation.

[0034] Optionally, the opaque band 32 is aligned with a visible pattern 130 on a visible element 140 (e.g. grille, bumper, bodywork, etc.) of the vehicle 100, this visible element 140 having the slots 110 through which the light guides 40 appear.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described. A person skilled in the art is able to consider their technically operative combinations and to substitute equivalents for them.

Claims

Demands

1. A vehicle optical unit (1) comprising a housing (2) and a lens (3) including at least two transparent regions (31), the housing (2) and the lens (3) essentially defining a space in which at least two light guides (40) are housed, and a support (5) on which the two light guides (40) are arranged, the two light guides (40) each being visible through one of the two transparent regions (31), the two light guides (40) being connected to each other by a connecting ribbon (400), and the connecting ribbon (400) and the two light guides (40) forming a single unit (4), characterized in that: - the support (5) has a first raised motif (51) visible through the lens (3), - the connecting ribbon (400) has a second raised motif (41) visible through the lens (3), and - a gap (6) formed between the ribbon of junction (400) and support (5),is arranged between the first (51) and second (41) motifs; the support (5) has a recess (54) defining a step between two planes and the joining sheet (400) is housed in the recess (54) so ​​that the first (51) and second (41) motifs have an external surface substantially in the same plane.

2. Optical block (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first (51) and second (41) motifs has recessed areas (42 or 52) extending parallel to the gap (6).

3. Optical block (1) according to claim 2, wherein each of the two light guides (40) extends along a longitudinal direction (L), and the recessed areas (42 or 52) are periodically repeated along at least one of the two longitudinal directions (L) along each of which one of the two light guides (40) extends.

4. Optical block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first (51) and second (41) motifs each have recessed areas (42 or 52) and the recessed areas (42 or 52) of the first (51) and second (41) motifs repeat with the same periodicity.

5. Optical block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the minimum distance (ô), perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of each of the two light guides 40, between each of the two light guides (40) and the glass (3), is identical.

6. Optical block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a mask (7) including openings (70), each of these openings (70) revealing, through the glass (3), respectively one of the two light guides (40) and defining a projection angle (a) of the light emitted by each of the two light guides (40) through the glass (3), which is the same for each of the two light guides (40).

7. Optical block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an opaque band (32) positioned near, on, or in the glass (3) so as to at least partially mask the gap (6), along a direction of observation.

8. Vehicle (100) comprising an optical unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, as well as a bumper (120), and in which the connecting cable (400) is not obscured by the bumper (120).

9. Vehicle (100) according to claim 8, wherein the optical block (1) comprises an opaque band (32) positioned near, on, or in the glass (3) so as to at least partially mask the gap (6), according to a direction of observation, and wherein the opaque band (32) is aligned with a visible pattern (130) of the vehicle (100).

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