Set of masks for automotive headlights

Abstract

The invention relates to a set of masks for motor vehicle headlights comprising at least a first mask (1) and a second mask (2), said masks having different external appearances and being provided with fastening means for their mounting inside a headlight housing and with means for centering them with respect to a lens closing said housing, characterized in that said masks (1, 2) comprise mutual assembly means comprising, on the one hand, inner edges (1a, 2a) of complementary profiles intended to come into contact by translation and, on the other hand, locking elements (10, 20) intended to cooperate by rotation and snap-fit ​​to interlock said masks with each other. Abstract figure: Fig. 3

Description

Description Title of the invention: Set of masks for projector motor vehicles

[0001] = The invention applies to the field of lighting system design and Motor vehicle signage.

[0002] — More specifically, the invention relates to a method of assembling a set of masks forming an assembly intended to be integrated into a projector housing motor vehicle.

[0003] — In general and traditionally, lighting and signaling systems (also called optical blocks or projector modules), which are intended to equip the motor vehicles include, on the one hand, a casing delimiting a compartment internal in which are housed, at least one light source associated with electronic components, optical components and, on the other hand, a glass fixed on the front part of the case.

[0004] — The optical components consist of reflectors and a set of masks intended, on the one hand, to conceal the technical areas between the internal components and, on the other hand, to stylize and embellish the projector (through shapes, aspects and / or specific coatings for aesthetic purposes).

[0005] — For these functions to be properly performed, it is essential that the masks must be assembled and positioned precisely, both in relation to the casing and to light sources.

[0006] In addition, it sometimes happens that stylists seek to incorporate masks featuring a two-tone appearance (for example, black and metallic). In such an approach, two methods of implementation seem to be emerging.

[0007] — The first consists of manufacturing the mask in monobloc form, in a single piece, with a partial coating (achieved, for example, by scrimping). However, this The solution requires planning a separation between the two areas with different appearances. whose feasibility proves complex from an industrial point of view because it involves the use of a bulky scrimming device likely to cause di- minification of the number of parts manufactured per cycle in the metal vacuum chamber- lisation. This solution also proves to be economically costly because it presents risks of quality defects and therefore an increase in waste from fa- briccation.

[0008] = The second embodiment would consist of making the mask in two pieces separate physical components. However, this solution requires a simple assembly method. of the two parts to facilitate the task of the operators and avoid the risk of scratching the mask covering. However, due to the independence of the two parts of the mask, this solution greatly constrains the stylists because it requires providing assembly elements and fixing devices on the projector glass. French Patent FR2918956 describes a system for assembling a mask onto a headlight housing for a motor vehicle. This mask is made in a single, monobloc form with a reflector. However, this system does not address the problem raised by the design requirement, which is to create an aesthetic mask with different appearance coating areas, without stylistic breaks, and which, while being functional, is also easy and quick to mount in a projector housing. In this context, the invention aims to provide a technical solution to the problems raised previously by proposing a monobloc appearance assembly formed from the optimal and contiguous assembly of a set of at least two masks with different appearances. This goal is achieved according to the invention by means of a set of masks for motor vehicle projectors comprising at least a first mask and a second mask, said masks having different external aspects and being provided with means of fixing for their mounting inside a projector housing and means of centering vis-à-vis a glass closing said housing, characterized in that said masks include means of mutual assembly comprising, on the one hand, inner edges of complementary profiles intended to come into contact by translation in a close manner and, on the other hand, locking elements intended to cooperate by rotation and snap-fitting to interlock said masks with each other. According to an advantageous feature of the invention as a whole, the locking elements comprise openings provided on one of the masks and into which hook-shaped lugs carried by the other mask engage. According to a specific embodiment variant, the hooks of the lugs are oriented antagonistically to ensure the relative and contiguous positioning under constraints of the two masks with each other. According to another advantageous feature, the means of fixing to the projector housing include at least two tabs extending around the periphery of each of the masks and intended to come into contact, during their assembly, to receive screws ensuring the attachment to the housing. Preferably, the means of attachment to the projector housing shall also include a third tab carried by only one of the two masks. According to another variant, the centering means include fingers carried by the housing and engaged in holes provided at the periphery of the masks. Preferably, these holes are made through the tabs of both masks. According to yet another variant, at least one of the masks has, on its periphery, a tab intended to be glued to the interface between the case and the glass. In a preferred embodiment of the entire invention, the first mask is provided to have a metallic exterior appearance and to be nested in the body of the second mask, which has a black exterior appearance. Another object of the invention is a motor vehicle equipped with a projector module provided with a set of masks as defined above. The invention allows, on the one hand, a simple and quick assembly of two masks with different appearances and, on the other hand, the precise and reliable mounting of this assembly in the projector housing using the minimum number of parts. After assembly and thanks to the contiguous bonding zone of the two masks, the whole of the invention presents a continuous and regular surface which ensures a very satisfactory optical performance while improving the aesthetic appearance to meet the new requirements of style. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to avoid the complex and expensive implementation of a partial metallization process for masks. The invention thus contributes to the improvement of the quality and design of the optical unit and, more generally, of vehicle lighting and signaling systems. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description that follows, with reference to the attached and detailed figures below. [Fig.1] is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment according to the invention of the assembly of masks for motor vehicle projector in assembled position. [Fig.2] is a perspective view from below of the set of masks from [Fig.1] in assembled position. [Fig.3] is a top perspective view of the entire [Fig.1] during the mask assembly phase. [Fig.4] is a perspective view from below of the entire [Fig.1] during the mask assembly phase. [Fig.5] is a top perspective view of the entire [Fig.1] during the final phase of mask assembly. [Fig.6] is a schematic cross-sectional view along plane AA of the embodiment of [Fig.1] after assembly of the masks. [Fig.7] is a front view of a projector housing equipped with the mask set from [Fig.1]. [Fig.8] is a rear view of the projector housing of [Fig.7] fitted with the mask set of [Fig.1]. [Fig.9] is a detailed view of the mask assembly of [Fig.1] mounted on the projector housing in figures 7 and 8. For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference symbols across all figures. Naturally, the embodiments of the entire invention illustrated by the figures shown above and described below are given only as non-limiting examples. It is explicitly intended that different embodiments may be proposed and combined to create others. The invention relates to the field of arrangement of optical components and, in particular, of masks in the housing of the projector module forming the lighting and signaling system of motor vehicles. More specifically, the invention focuses on improving the configuration of masks whose function is to conceal the technical interface between the internal optical components and to stylize and / or embellish the projector with aesthetic profiles. In particular, the current trend among designers is to create masks with a two-tone appearance, featuring, for example, a black area and a metallic area. However, the production of such masks raises problems from both an industrial and an economic standpoint. In general, the invention aims to provide a simple and reliable technical solution to solve this problem by producing an assembly consisting of at least two masks made independently, preferably with different aspects, nested or fitted one inside the other and ready for mounting in a projector housing. More specifically, and as illustrated by Figures 1 and 2, which represent a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises at least a first mask 1 and a second mask 2 with different external appearances. Thus, in the variant illustrated here by the figures, the first mask 1 is provided to have a metallic external appearance and the second mask 2 to have a black external appearance. Traditionally, the two masks 1, 2 are provided with fixing means (described later) for their mounting inside a projector housing 3 (shown in figures 7 to 9) and with centering means vis-à-vis a glass 4 (shown in [Fig.8]) closing this housing at the front. According to the invention, the masks 1, 2 comprise means for mutual assembly including, on the one hand, inner edges 1a, 2a of complementary profiles intended to come into contact by translation in a contiguous manner and, on the other hand, locking elements intended to cooperate by rotation and snapping to interlock the two masks with each other and which will be described later. The locking elements include 20 holes made on one of the masks and here on the second mask 2 (black in color) into which come engage the hooked lugs 10 carried here by the first mask | (of metallic appearance), as illustrated by figures 3 and 4. Preferably the hooks of the lugs 10 are oriented antagonistically to ensure the close positioning and centering under stress of the two masks 1, 2 relative to each other, as illustrated by [Fig.6]. The means for attaching the assembly to the projector housing 3 comprise at least two tabs and, in the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, two tabs 11, 12 on the first mask 1 and two tabs 21, 22 on the second mask 2. These tabs extend outwards around the periphery of each mask and are intended to make contact during their assembly. Tabs 11, 12 and tabs 21, 22 have through and opposite holes intended to receive screws (not shown) securing the assembly to the housing 3 (shown in Figures 7 and 8). Tabs 11, 21 protrude from one end of the masks 1, 2, while tabs 12, 22 protrude from the center of the masks 1, 9. In the variant of the invention illustrated in the figures, the means for attaching it to the projector housing 3 further include a third tab 23 carried by only one of the two masks, and here by the end of the second mask 2 opposite tab 21. Indeed, the assembly of the two masks must also be attached to the inside of the projector lens 4, and to reinforce the mechanical strength of the assembly, tabs 11, 12, 21 and 22 are supplemented by tab 23. It is not necessary to provide a third attachment tab on the first mask 1 since the locking elements 10, 20 already ensure the geometric stability of the assembly. The assembly method of the two masks proceeds from a kinematic process including a preliminary translational displacement ensuring the approach and contact between the two masks 1, 2 by their inner edges la, 2a. This translation is carried out by an oblique approach of the first mask ! towards the front of the second mask 2, as illustrated by figures 3 and 4. The next phase of the assembly involves a rotation or pivoting of the first mask 1 relative to the second mask 2 as illustrated by [Fig.5]. This rotation allows, on one side, the tabs 11, 12 of the first mask | to pass under the second mask 2, and on the other side, to pass the lugs 10 from the top. This second phase ends with the hooks of the lugs 10 of the first mask 1 clicking into the holes 20 of the second mask 2, thus securing the two masks 1 and 2 and locking the assembly in place; the two masks are then firmly held together, the first mask (with a metallic appearance) being nested within the body of the second mask 2 (with an external appearance). black). Thanks to the contiguous edges of the two masks, their joining area is continuous and regular and does not show any break in profile across the whole. Once the masks are assembled, the assembly must then be fixed and centered both in the housing 3 and on the glass 4. The fixing in the housing 3 is ensured, for example, by means of three screws (not shown). Vertical centering is ensured by two lateral fingers 31, 32 carried by the housing 3 and engaged in complementary and opposite holes made through the tabs 11, 12, 21, 22 and 23 (next to the fixing holes) extending to the periphery of the masks 1, 2. Horizontal centering is ensured, for its part, by a central finger 33 also carried by the housing 3, engaged in a hole in the tab 22 of the second mask 2 and which allows to balance the dispersions, as illustrated by [Fig.8]. In this mounting configuration, however, two areas of the masks 1, 2 remain cantilevered and cannot be directly attached to the lens 4 due to lack of space or manufacturing constraints when the masks are made by molding (in particular, the impossibility of removing them from the molds). In this case, the invention provides that at least one of the masks, and here both masks, has, on its periphery, a tab 14, 24 (shown in particular in Figures 1, 2 and 7) intended to be glued into the peripheral groove 30 located at the interface between the housing 3 and the lens 4, as illustrated in [Fig. 9]. Thus, after final assembly, the masks 1, 2 forming the assembly of the invention are completely interlocked, immobilized and secured by being fixed by snap-fitting, screwing, and gluing.

Claims

Demands

1. Set of masks for automotive headlights comprising at least a first mask (1) and a second mask (2), said masks having different external appearances and being equipped with means of fastening for mounting inside a projector housing (3) and centering means with respect to a mirror (4) closing said casing, characterized in that said masks (1, 2) include means for mutual assembly comprising, on the one hand, inner edges (la, 2a) of complementary profiles intended to come, by translation, in close contact and, on the other hand, of locking elements (10, 20) designed to cooperate by rotation and en- snap-fit ​​mechanism for interlocking said masks with each other.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said elements locking mechanisms include holes (20) provided on one of the masks and into which hooked spurs engage (10) worn by the other mask.

3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that said hooks lugs (10) are oriented antagonistically to ensure the posi- relative and contiguous operation under constraints of the two masks (1, 2) one with the other.

4. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the said means of attachment to the projector housing include at minus two legs (11, 12, 21, 22) extending to the periphery of each masks and intended to come into contact during their assembly for receiving screws ensuring attachment to the housing (3).

5. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said means of attachment to the projector housing (3) include, in in addition, a third leg (23) borne by only one (2) of the two masks.

6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that said centering means include fingers (31, 32, 33) carried by the housing (3) and engaged in orifices made in the pe- ripple effect of masks.

7. Assembly according to claims 4 and 6, characterized in that said Openings are made through the legs (11, 12, 21, 22, 23) of the two Masks.

8. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that at least one (1) of the said masks bears, on its periphery, a tab (14) intended to be glued to the interface between the case (3) and the glass (4).

9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the first mask {1) has a metallic exterior appearance and is nested in the body of the second mask (2), which has a black exterior.

10. Motor vehicle equipped with a projector module having a set of masks according to one of the previous claims.

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