REMOVABLE LIGHTING SET

Abstract

DETACHABLE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY One aspect of the invention relates to a lighting assembly (1) comprising: a main housing (3) having a front opening (32) and a rear opening (30) positioned opposite at least a portion of the front opening (32); a lighting device with a secondary housing (21); and a lens (4) sealing the front opening (32) of the main housing (3) in a watertight manner. It is characterized in that the lighting device (1) is housed in the rear opening (30), and the secondary housing (21) is fixed in a watertight and reversible manner to the main housing (3). In the event of a failure of a component of a lighting device in a lighting assembly and / or in the event of impacts causing damage to a portion of the lighting assembly, the lighting assembly according to the invention allows only a portion to be replaced: for example, only the lens and the main housing, or only the lighting device, can be replaced. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: DISMOUNTABLE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of light assemblies for motor vehicles (private vehicles or utility vehicles). The light assembly may in particular be capable of emitting a lighting and / or signaling function.

[0002] The present invention relates in particular to removable light assemblies, in particular those located at the front or rear of the vehicle. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Currently, motor vehicles are equipped with light assemblies at the front and rear, either to illuminate the road or to be visible to other motorists. These assemblies consist of one or more light sources arranged in a hermetically sealed housing, because given the conditions of use, it is necessary for the assembly to be waterproof to prevent water from reaching the light sources. Therefore, in the event of an accident causing deterioration of a part of the assembly or a failure, such as one of the light sources or an electronic component for example, the entire assembly must be replaced, which increases the cost of the repair for the user. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention offers a solution to the problems mentioned above, by making it possible to change only the part of the assembly which is damaged and not the complete assembly.

[0005] The invention relates to a lighting assembly intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle and comprising: • a main housing comprising a first side with a front opening and a second side, opposite the first side, with a rear opening arranged opposite at least part of the front opening, • a light device with a secondary box, • a window closing the front opening on the first side of the main housing in a watertight manner, it is characterized in that the light device is housed in the rear opening of the second side of the main housing, and the secondary housing is fixed in a sealed and reversible manner to the second side of the main housing. The front opening preferably extends over the entire front surface of the main housing.

[0006] In the event of failure of a component of a lighting device of an assembly luminous and / or in the event of impacts causing deterioration of a part of the luminous assembly, the luminous assembly according to the invention makes it possible to replace only a part of the luminous assembly: for example, only the glass and the main housing or only the luminous device can be replaced, while guaranteeing the sealing of the assembly before and after the repair. This makes it possible to reduce repair costs.

[0007] The opening on the second side, opposite the first side, allows the introduction of the luminous device into the main housing, in particular if the latter is irreversibly closed on the first side by the glass.

[0008] The invention also allows a certain standardization because the same main housing with its glass of a given lighting assembly can be used with different lighting devices depending on the level of equipment of the vehicle.

[0009] Advantageously, the glass is irreversibly fixed to the main housing. The glass can, for example, be glued to the main housing.

[0010] Advantageously, the secondary housing comprises a groove in which a seal is positioned opposite the main housing. This seal guarantees the seal between the two housings, in particular between the secondary housing of the lighting device and the main housing of the lighting assembly.

[0011] Advantageously, the lighting device comprises a means for attaching the secondary housing to the main housing. This attachment means will for example consist of ears placed on the secondary housing in which fixing screws can be used which are inserted into complementary attachment means, such as screw barrels, placed on the main housing. When the fixing screws are tightened, they allow the sealing gasket to be compressed on the main housing, and thus guarantee the sealed attachment of the secondary housing, and therefore of the lighting device to the main housing.

[0012] Advantageously, the secondary housing is open on a front face and the glass closes the front face of the secondary housing. Indeed, as the secondary housing is fixed in a sealed manner to the main housing and the glass closes the front opening of the main housing in a sealed manner, the glass participates in the sealed closure of the front face of the secondary housing. In particular, the front face of the secondary housing is not fixed to the glass, that is to say that the front face of the secondary housing and the glass are not in contact. The glass then participates indirectly in the closure of the front face of the secondary housing.

[0013] Advantageously, the light device comprises a light source and an optical deflection element, such as for example a reflector, a lens or a light guide. The optical deflection element makes it possible to shape the light rays emitted by the light source to participate in the formation of a lighting or signaling beam.

[0014] According to a first embodiment, the lighting device is a headlight or a rear light. In particular, the headlight, respectively the rear light, may comprise one or more light modules, respectively one or more light units. The light module(s), respectively the light unit(s), are arranged in the secondary housing. According to one example, the secondary housing comprises a cavity in which the light module(s), respectively the light unit(s), are received. The cavity may in particular comprise an opening, and the headlight, respectively the rear light, may be devoid of a closing glass closing the opening of this cavity.

[0015] For example, each light module, respectively each light unit, comprises at least one light source and an optical deflection element making it possible to shape the light rays emitted by the light source.

[0016] Advantageously, the main housing has an elongated shape having two ends and comprises two headlights or two rear lights, each having a secondary housing fixed in a sealed and reversible manner to each end of the main housing. In this case, the lighting assembly is intended to cover the entire front or rear width of the vehicle. The main housing and the glass then constitute a strip to which the headlights or rear lights are attached. In this case, the lighting assembly comprises both this very bulky strip, very extensive with the glass which has large dimensions and which is therefore expensive, as well as several other very expensive elements, such as the headlights or rear lights. Thanks to the invention, it is not necessary to change the entire lighting assembly, formed by the strip and the headlights or rear lights, in the event of failure of a headlight or rear light, or in the event of impact on the glass.In fact, it is possible to change only the defective headlight or tail light and keep the strip, that is to say, the glass and the main housing as well as the other headlight or tail light, or it is also possible to change only the glass and the main housing, and keep the headlights or tail lights.

[0017] Advantageously, the glass covers the two headlights or the two rear lights. In particular, the secondary housing of each of the two headlights or the two rear lights is open on a front face, and the glass covers the front face of the secondary housings of the two headlights or the two rear lights. This opening on the front face may correspond to the opening of the cavity of the secondary housing. The strip here comprises a single, large glass covering both the two headlights or the two rear lights and the part located between them, instead of two smaller glass panels each covering only a single headlight or a single rear light. The lighting assembly according to the invention is particularly advantageous here because the headlights or the rear lights can be retained in the event of impacts on the glass, for example.

[0018] Advantageously, the light assembly comprises at least one light guide placed in the main housing behind the glass. These light guides make it possible to form a light pattern. These light guides make it possible in particular to form a light signature specific to the motor vehicle on which the light assembly is intended to be mounted.

[0019] Advantageously, the or each light guide is powered by a light source arranged in the headlight or in the rear light. This avoids having electronics in the strip. In other words, in the light assembly, only the headlights, or the rear lights have electronic components. Thus, it is easy to be able to replace the strip, or one or other of the headlights or the rear lights independently.

[0020] This specific light source can be arranged in the secondary housing of the headlight or rear light, for example on a printed circuit board dedicated to it. By dedicated printed circuit board, it is meant that this printed circuit board differs from a printed circuit board on which the light source of the headlight or rear light is arranged and which produces the lighting or signaling beam.

[0021] According to a second embodiment, the light assembly is a projector and the light device comprises at least one light module.

[0022] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] The figures are presented as an indicative and in no way limiting example of the invention.

[0024] [Fig. 1] is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the invention,

[0025] [Fig.2] is a sectional view in the middle of the whole of [Fig.l],

[0026] [Fig.3] is a detail of a sectional view of the whole of [Fig.l],

[0027] [Fig.4] is an exploded view of a second embodiment at the height of one of the projectors,

[0028] [Fig.5] is an exploded view of a variant of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing in different figures has a single reference.

[0030] Throughout the description, the side from which the light comes out will be called "front" and the side from which the light is emitted will be called "rear".

[0031] In the first embodiment illustrated [Fig.l], the light assembly 1 comprises two light devices formed by two projectors 2, a main housing 3 and a window 4. The description is given here for light devices formed by front projectors but this would apply in the same way for light devices formed by rear lights. The main housing 3 comprises a first side with a front opening 32, and a second side, opposite the first side, with two rear openings 30. In an alternative not shown, the light assembly may comprise only a single projector, and the main housing may comprise only a single rear opening.

[0032] In the illustrated example, the main housing 3 has an elongated shape having two ends. The front opening 32 extends from one end to the other of the main housing 3, that is to say over the entire surface of the main housing 3. The rear openings 30 are each arranged opposite the front opening 32, at one of the ends of the main housing 3.

[0033] The glass 4 is arranged opposite the front opening 32 of the main housing 3. It closes the front opening of the main housing 3 in a sealed manner. In the example illustrated, the glass 4 is fixed to the main housing 3 by gluing. As seen in [Fig.2] representing a section made in the middle of the assembled light assembly 1, the glass 4 comprises a rib 40, and the main housing 3 comprises a slot 31 receiving the rib 40. To secure the glass 4 to the main housing 3 by gluing, glue is introduced into the slot 31, and the rib 40 of the glass 4 is then introduced into the slot 31. Alternatively, the glass 4 could be assembled to the main housing 3 by welding, or by a hotplate process. It is thus understood that the glass 4 is fixed not only in a sealed manner to the main case 3, but also in an irreversible manner, or in other words in a non-removable manner.The glass 4 and the main housing 3 thus form a non-removable strip 10. By non-removable is meant that it is not possible to detach the glass 4 from the main housing 3 without damaging the glass 4 and / or the main housing 3.

[0034] The projectors 2 are each arranged at one end of the main housing 3, opposite one of the rear openings 30 of the main housing 3, and they are attached to the main housing 3. The projectors 2 each have a front opening 25 aligned with the rear opening 30 of the main housing 3.

[0035] When the light assembly 1 is mounted on a vehicle, the strip 10 covers the entire front of the vehicle, and the two projectors 2, arranged at each end of the main housing 3, thus constitute a right projector and a left projector of the vehicle.

[0036] The projectors 2 comprise at least one light source and an optical deflection element, such as for example a reflector, a lens or a light guide, making it possible to shape the light rays emitted by the light source to form at least part of a lighting or signaling beam. For example, the projectors 2 may comprise light modules comprising the at least one light source and the optical deflection element.

[0037] The glass 4 also being arranged opposite the rear openings 30 of the main housing 3, the lighting or signaling beam formed by each projector 2 can thus pass through the glass 4, and be visible from outside the lighting assembly 1.

[0038] [Fig. 3] shows a section of the lighting assembly 1 at the height of one of the projectors 2. Each projector 2 comprises a secondary housing 21 attached to the main housing 3 in a sealed and reversible manner.

[0039] The secondary housing 21 comprises attachment elements which cooperate with complementary attachment elements arranged on the main housing 3. For example, the attachment elements of the secondary housing 21 may be formed by ears arranged at the periphery of the secondary housing 21 and comprising a through hole, and the complementary attachment elements arranged on the main housing 3 may be formed by screw barrels. Thus, fixing screws may be inserted into the through holes and into the screw barrels in order to attach the secondary housing 21 and the main housing 3 together in a reversible manner. The projectors 2 are thus removable from the main housing 3 and therefore from the strip 10.

[0040] The light assembly 1 comprises a seal 20 positioned in a groove 23 of the secondary housing 21, and pressed against the main housing 3 in order to guarantee a sealed fixing between the projector 2 and the strip 10. When the secondary housing 21 is assembled to the main housing 3, the fixing screws are tightened, which brings the main housing 3 and the secondary housing 21 into contact, thus compressing the seal 20 between the main housing 3 and the secondary housing 2. The seal between the main housing 3 and the secondary housing 2 is thus guaranteed.

[0041] In this example, the projectors 2 do not have their own closing glass. In other words, the front opening 25 of each projector is not closed by a glass specific to the projector. It is the glass 4 which makes it possible to indirectly and tightly close the front opening 25 of each projector 2, and thus to protect the projectors 2. Indeed, the glass 4 closes the front opening 32 of the main housing 3 in a tightly sealed manner, and the secondary housing 21 of each projector 2 is fixed in a tightly sealed manner to the main housing 3 at the rear openings 30. Thus, the glass 4 ensures the tight closing of the front openings 25 of the projectors 2.

[0042] In a variant not shown, the front opening 25 of the projectors 2 can be sealed by a glass specific to the projector 2.

[0043] In the non-limiting example illustrated, the light assembly 1 also comprises a plurality of light guides 5, a support 50 for the light guides 5 and a mask 6. The support 50 for the light guides 5, the light guides 5 and the mask 6 are arranged between the main housing 3 and the glass 4, and more precisely between the first side of the main housing 3 and the glass 4. The support 50 of the light guides 5, the light guides 5 and the mask 6 are sandwiched between the main housing 3 and the glass 4. The strip 10 thus comprises the light guides 5, the support 50 of the light guides 5 and the mask 6.

[0044] The support 50 of the light guides, the light guides 5 and the mask 6 are optional. The strip 10 may comprise only the main housing 3 and the glass 4. It is also possible for the strip 10 to comprise only the main housing 3, the glass 4 and one or other of the mask 6 or the assembly formed by the support 50 of the light guides 5 and the light guides 5.

[0045] The light guides 5 make it possible to form a light signature specific to the vehicle on which the light assembly 1 is mounted. In the example illustrated, the light assembly comprises six light guides 5 distributed along the periphery of the front face of the main housing 3. Two curved lateral light guides 5a are located at each end of the main housing 3, and two central light guides 5b joining the lateral light guides 5a in pairs. This distribution of the light guides 5 makes it possible to optimize the guidance of the light in the curved parts. However, the number of light guides is not limiting, and a single light guide, or two light guides could for example be used.

[0046] As seen in [Fig.2], the light guides 5 are placed in a groove 51 of the support 50 of the light guides 5, in order to be held in position.

[0047] Each light guide 5 is powered by at least one light source arranged in one of the projectors 2. The light sources powering the light guides 5 are positioned in the secondary housing 21 of the projectors 2, for example on a dedicated printed circuit board 15 (visible in [Fig. 3]). Thus, the strip 10 does not include electronic components, which makes it easier to replace the strip or one or other of the projectors 2 independently. It will be noted that the light sources powering the light guides 5 are distinct from the light sources forming the lighting or signaling beams of the projectors 2.

[0048] The central light guides 5b are each powered by a light source arranged in one of the projectors 2 at their first end, and a light source arranged in the other of the projectors 2 at their second end. In [Fig.l], the two light inputs 15b of the central light guides 5b can be seen. This double power supply of the central light guides 5b makes it possible to illuminate the central light guides 5b in a homogeneous manner. The lateral light guides 5a are powered by a single light source arranged in the projector 2 located at the same end of the main housing 3 as the corresponding lateral light guide 5a. In [Fig.l], the light input 15a of the light guides can be seen lateral 5 a.

[0049] The mask 6 is arranged at the front of the support 50 of the light guides 5 and the light guides 5. The mask 6 comprises two orifices 60 placed at its ends, and arranged opposite the rear openings 30 of the main housing 3. The orifices 60 are therefore also located opposite the projectors 2, and in particular opposite the front openings 25 of the projectors 2. The lighting or signaling beams emitted by the projectors 2 can thus be transmitted through the rear openings 30, the front opening 32 and the orifices 60 to the glass 4, so that they are visible from outside the light assembly 1.

[0050] The mask 6 comprises an opaque part 63 making it possible to mask certain parts of the light assembly 1, and in particular the central part of the light assembly 1, as well as a transparent part 61 arranged opposite the light guides 5, in front of the light guides 5. The light guides 5, and the light emitted by the light guides 5 can thus be visible from outside the light assembly 1.

[0051] In addition, on the front face of the mask 6, corresponding to the face facing the window 4, it is possible to draw patterns in order to provide a style to the vehicle. For example, the patterns can be geometric shapes.

[0052] The support 50 of the light guide 5 and the mask 6 are assembled together for example by clipping or by screwing, and the light guides 5 are positioned and held by being sandwiched between the support 50 and the mask 6. Alternatively, the support 50 and the mask 6 could be assembled by gluing. The assembly by clipping or by screwing makes it possible to limit the assembly time compared to an assembly by gluing which requires a drying time.

[0053] Once assembled, the support 50, the light guides 5 and the mask 6 are positioned between the main housing 3 and the glass 4, being sandwiched between the main housing 3 and the glass 4. Thus, the strip 10 comprising the main housing 3, the support 50, the light guides 5, the mask 6 and the glass 4 is assembled in a non-removable manner.

[0054] Optionally, the headband may also include a logo 7 placed between the mask 6 and the glass 4.

[0055] The lighting assembly 1 is advantageous in that in the event of an impact on the window 4 or in the event of a malfunction of one of the headlights 2, it is possible to change only the strip 10 and keep the headlights 2, or to change only one of the headlights 2 and keep the strip 10 and the other headlight 2.

[0056] To change the strip 10, simply remove the light assembly 1, then unscrew the two projectors 2 from the strip 10, and screw the two projectors 2 back onto a new strip. To change one of the projectors, simply remove the light assembly 1, then unscrew the projector 2 to be changed and replace this projector 2 defective by another projector.

[0057] In this embodiment, the strip 10 can be more or less complex depending on the options (with or without light guide, with or without logo, etc.), and thanks to the removable assembly of the projectors 2 on the strip 10, it is possible to mount different projectors 2, more or less sophisticated, on the strip 10, depending on the desired performance for the light assembly 1.

[0058] [Fig. 4] shows a second embodiment where the light assembly 1 is a projector 11 and comprises a main housing 3, a lens 4 and a light device 8. The light device 8 comprises light modules 41, a support 62 for the light modules 41, and a secondary housing 21 in which the light modules 41 and the support 62 for the light modules 4L are arranged.

[0059] Elements similar to the first embodiment will be briefly described, it being understood that the description given of these elements in the first embodiment applies.

[0060] As in the first embodiment, the main housing 3 comprises a first side with a front opening 32 and a second side, opposite the first side with a rear opening (not visible) arranged opposite the front opening 32, and the glass 4 closes the front opening of the first side of the main housing 3 in a sealed manner. In addition, the glass 4 is irreversibly fixed to the main housing 3. The fixing of the glass 4 on the main housing 3 is similar to that described for the first embodiment.

[0061] The rear opening is intended to receive the secondary housing 21 of the lighting device 8. As in the first embodiment, the secondary housing 21 of the lighting device 8 comprises ears 24 comprising through holes, and distributed around the periphery of the secondary housing 21, cooperating with screw barrels of the main housing 3 and allowing the insertion of fixing screws 9 to attach the secondary housing 21 reversibly to the main housing 3. In addition, the secondary housing 21 of the lighting device 8 is also mounted in a sealed manner on the main housing 3. As described for the first embodiment, a seal can be used to guarantee sealing.

[0062] The lighting device 8 comprises a front opening 25 aligned with the rear opening of the main housing 3. In the example illustrated, the lighting device 8 does not have its own closing glass. In other words, the front opening 25 of the lighting device 8 is not closed by a glass specific to the lighting device 8. The glass 4 of the projector 11 makes it possible to indirectly and tightly close the front opening 25 of the lighting device 8.

[0063] The light modules 41 comprise at least one light source and an optical deflection element, such as for example a reflector, a lens or a light guide. light, making it possible to shape the light rays emitted by the light source to form at least part of a lighting or signaling beam. The beams emitted by the light modules 41 pass through the glass 4, and are thus visible from outside the projector 11.

[0064] With this projector 11 according to the invention, in the event of an impact on the glass 4, it is possible to change only the assembly formed by the glass 4 and the main housing 3 and to keep the lighting device 8. And, in the event of a malfunction of a lighting module 41, it is possible to change only the lighting device 8 and to keep the assembly formed by the glass 4 and the main housing 3.

[0065] Furthermore, the removable assembly of the lighting device 8 on the main housing of the projector 11 makes it possible to change the lighting device 8 mounted on the projector 11, and in particular, the number or type of lighting modules arranged in the lighting device 8.

[0066] Thus, as shown in [Fig. 5] representing an alternative embodiment of the second embodiment, the lighting device 8 may comprise only a single lighting module 42 instead of the two lighting modules 41. Furthermore, the lighting module 42 is different from the lighting module 41. Thus, it is possible to easily adapt the projector 11 according to the lighting or signaling functions that the projector 11 must perform, by choosing the lighting device 8 which is positioned in the projector 11. The projector 11 therefore allows good interchangeability between different lighting devices 8.

Claims

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. Claims Lighting assembly (1) intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle, and intended to cover the entire front or rear width of the vehicle and comprising: - a main housing (3) comprising a first side with a front opening (32) and a second side, opposite the first side, with a rear opening (30) arranged opposite at least part of the front opening (32), and having an elongated shape having two ends - two headlights or two rear lights, each having a secondary housing (21), - a window (4) closing the front opening on the first side of the main housing (3) in a watertight manner and covering the two headlights or rear lights, characterized in that the two headlights or the two rear lights are housed in the rear opening on the second side of the main housing, and the secondary housing (21) of the headlights or rear lights is fixed in a sealed and reversible manner to each end of the main housing (3), and in that it comprises at least one light guide (5) placed in the main housing (3) behind the glass (4), the light guide (5) being powered by a light source arranged in at least one of the headlights (2) or the rear lights, and positioned in the secondary housing (21) of said at least one headlight (2) or said at least one rear light, on a dedicated printed circuit board (15). Lighting assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the glass (4) is irreversibly fixed to the main housing (3). Lighting assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary housing (21) comprises a groove (23) in which a seal (20) is positioned opposite the main housing. Lighting assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two projectors or the two rear lights comprise a means (24) for attaching the secondary housing (21) to the main housing (3). Light assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, ca-

6. characterized in that the secondary housing (21) is open on a front face and that the glass (4) closes the front face of the secondary housing. Lighting assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two projectors or the two rear lights comprise a light source and an optical deflection element.

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