Illuminated vehicle grille

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle grille designed to be illuminated by homogeneous light while minimizing the volume of the elements required to illuminate the grille. To achieve this, a light guide (9) is positioned above a translucent blade so that the beam of light emitted by a light source strikes a right-angle reflector face (34) located at the rear of the translucent blade. The right-angle reflector face (34) is adapted to redirect the beam of light in a desired lighting direction. (See Figure 12 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Illuminated vehicle grille technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to grilles which equip vehicles, for example of automobile type, which provide a lighting function. Technological background

[0002] Nowadays, it appears that vehicle grilles are illuminated primarily for stylistic reasons. Vehicle grille lighting also serves a signaling function, such as daytime running lights, streetlights, or turn signals, and may even highlight a vehicle manufacturer's logo. This involves implementing a relatively long-lasting lighting function, covering all or part of the grille.

[0003] However, illuminating a grille requires the addition of elements in an area which is subject to many constraints, in particular a volume which is delimited by other non-modifiable elements positioned at the front of the engine part of the vehicle.

[0004] In particular, it is mandatory, from a regulatory standpoint, to maintain a minimum space behind a vehicle grille to comply with impact regulations (energy absorption). This space is indeed useful because it helps prevent damage to internal vehicle components located behind the grille in the event of low-amplitude frontal impacts.

[0005] The grille can be illuminated in many ways. We will limit ourselves hereafter to the illumination of a grille by means of a translucent blade. This translucent blade can be made, for example, of plastic.

[0006] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of a grille 2 of a vehicle 1 illuminated by a translucent blade 3, in two parts according to this example. The vehicle 1 comprises a hood 4 and a bumper 5 on its front part. The grille 2 is conventionally positioned between the hood 4 and the front bumper 5 so as to be visible from outside the vehicle 1 when the hood 4 is closed.

[0007] The addition of the translucent blade 3 and elements to illuminate this translucent blade 3 poses the problem of housing this blade and these elements in the grille without being able to modify the other elements located under the hood 4 in the front part of the engine part of the vehicle 1.

[0008] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an example of elements used to illuminate the grille 2 located under the hood 4 in front of the engine part of a vehicle 1.

[0009] Among these elements, we can list a housing 6 which delimits a maximum depth P are the elements that will need to be added to the grille to illuminate it.

[0010] The maximum depth P can be defined with respect to an orthonormal coordinate system formed by a longitudinal axis AL of vehicle 1, a lateral axis Al of vehicle 1, and a vertical axis AV of vehicle 1. The origin of this orthonormal coordinate system can be, for example, the center of gravity of vehicle 1. The axis Al is represented in [Fig. 2] by a point, since [Fig. 2] represents a profile of elements on the (AL, AV) plane. Each axis AL, Al, and AV defines coordinates of element positions in three-dimensional space. These coordinates increase along at least one of these axes as the element positions move away from the origin of this orthonormal coordinate system. The maximum depth P is a distance extending to the housing 6 along the longitudinal axis AL of vehicle 1.

[0011] At the front, the housing 6 is closed by a translucent glass 7 so as to form a closed cavity. This glass (or screen) can be made of any translucent material, having a color suitable for the desired photometric function (for example, red, orange, crystal, etc.), and rigid, such as a plastic or synthetic material. In this case, it can be made by molding.

[0012] This cavity houses the lighting elements of the grille 2, in particular the translucent blade 3 and optionally an optical mask 8. The recoil of the grille 2 in the event of low amplitude shocks without impact on elements positioned behind the grille 2 is shown in dotted lines.

[0013] The translucent blade 3 comprises an upper face 31, a lower face 32, a front face 33 and a rear face 34 positioned according to the orthonormal frame (AL, Al, AV) of the vehicle 1. The upper face 31 is positioned at a coordinate of the vertical axis AV of the vehicle 1 greater than that of the lower face 32, the front face 33 being positioned at a coordinate of the longitudinal axis AL of the vehicle 1 greater than that of the rear face 34.

[0014] To illuminate the grille 2, i.e. to project a beam of light (of photons) in the longitudinal axis AL of the vehicle 1, several solutions based on light guides can be considered.

[0015] The first of these, illustrated in [Fig. 3], consists of positioning a light guide 9 opposite the rear face 34, that is to say, the position of the light guide 9 corresponds to a coordinate of the longitudinal axis AL of the vehicle 1 which is lower than that of the rear face 34. The coordinates along the vertical axis AV of the positions of the rear face 34 and the light guide are identical. The light guide 9 is powered by a light source 10 shown in [Fig. 4].

[0016] Typically, a light guide is illuminated by a light source positioned in the desired lighting direction. It is often possible to find sufficient space to position the light source in this way, particularly in pro light projectors. However, in the automotive field, volumes are more restricted, especially behind the grille and the maximum depth P is very often insufficient to accommodate both this light source and a curved part of the light guide 9. [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the case where this first lighting solution does not respect the maximum depth P, i.e. the case where the volumetric constraints are not respected.

[0017] This first solution is not acceptable because it cannot be implemented when the maximum depth P is relatively small, a case which occurs quite often because of modern grille styles.

[0018] Moreover, this first solution is not optically acceptable because the light guide poorly illuminates the translucent blade 3 at the elbow as schematically illustrated by zone Z in [Fig.6].

[0019] A second solution consists of positioning the light source 10 in the extension of the light guide 9 ([Fig.7]) to reduce the volume required to house the light source 10 and the light guide 9. However, it is difficult to straighten the light beam to 90° in a light guide because it results in a large part of the photons not being emitted in the desired lighting direction, causing a heterogeneous appearance of the lighting produced which may not comply with the regulatory photometric grid.

[0020] A third solution for illuminating the grille 2 could consist of using a straight light guide 9 and positioning the light source 10 in line with the light guide 9 ([Fig. 8]). In this arrangement, the light guide 9 operates optimally, and the translucent blade 3 compensates for the difference in depth between the front curve and the straight light guide at the rear. However, this very often results in the maximum depth P not being respected. Moreover, this significant difference in depth of the translucent blade 3 leads to a risk of a difference in luminance between its two ends due to the different thicknesses of material that the photons must pass through. A heterogeneous appearance of the lighting can then occur.

[0021] A fourth solution is to use not a light guide but a light source comprising an array of light-emitting diodes arranged opposite as many collimators extending from the translucent blade 3. Figure 9 schematically illustrates this fourth solution when the light-emitting diodes (light source 10) and the collimators 11 are arranged in the desired lighting direction. Naturally, the shape of the translucent blade 3 must be adapted to follow the curve of the grille 2.

[0022] However, this type of light source combined with collimators produces a pixelated appearance depending on the viewing angles due to the number and spacing of each Light-emitting diode (LED). Furthermore, the financial cost of such a solution is higher than those using light guides. In addition, a large number of LEDs are required, which impacts the dimensions of the light source (an electronic board that supports these LEDs). Hence the risk of not being able to fit them in the cavity formed by the housing 6 and the glass 7. Moreover, this significant difference in depth of the translucent plate 3 leads to a risk of luminance difference between its two ends due to the different thicknesses of material that the photons must pass through. A heterogeneous appearance of the lighting may then occur.

[0023] A variant of this fourth solution, illustrated in [Fig. 10], would be to orient the light source 10 to best follow the curve of the grille 2 in order to shorten the depth required to house this light source and the collimators in the cavity. However, this would be insufficient because the resulting depth would still be greater than the maximum depth P. Furthermore, orienting the light-emitting diodes (light source 10) creates a risk of uneven illumination on the photometric grid due to the overall orientation of the photons, which will not be aligned with the longitudinal axis AL of the vehicle 1.

[0024] None of the solutions presented allows for homogeneous illumination of the translucent blade 3 while the elements used for illuminating the translucent blade 3 can be housed in a cavity formed by the casing 6 and the lens 7 and, in particular, respect a maximum depth P which defines a distance between the rear of the grille 2 and elements of the front part of the vehicle's engine 1. Summary of the present invention

[0025] One of the objects of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems or deficiencies of the technological background described above.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to propose an illuminated grille whose lighting is homogeneous while limiting the volume of the elements used to illuminate this grille.

[0027] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a grille intended to be fitted to a vehicle and comprising a cavity in which are arranged: - a translucent blade comprising an upper face, a lower face, a front face and a right-angle face positioned according to an orthonormal coordinate system of the vehicle formed by a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a lateral axis of the vehicle and a vertical axis of the vehicle, the upper face being positioned at a coordinate of the vertical axis of the vehicle higher than that of the lower face, the front face being positioned at a coordinate of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle higher than that of the right-angle face, the front face joining the upper and lower faces at one of their ends and the right-angle face joining the upper and lower faces at one of their extremities; - a light source designed to emit a beam of light; and - a light guide having a curve identical to that of the grille, said light guide being positioned at a coordinate of the vertical axis of the vehicle higher than that of the upper face and intended to guide the beam of light from the light source to the angle-reversing face intended to direct the beam of light in a determined lighting direction of the grille.

[0028] The positioning of the light guide above the upper surface of the translucent blade, and the specific shape and inclination of the right-angle facing (rear face) of the translucent blade, which allows the light beam emitted by the light guide to be reflected in the desired illumination direction, significantly reduces the volume required for the elements necessary to illuminate the translucent blade. The maximum depth P is not reached, and the light source, the light guide, and the translucent blade can easily be housed in the cavity formed by the housing 6 and the lens 7. Furthermore, the resulting illumination is homogeneous along the front surface of the translucent blade.

[0029] According to one variant, the angle-reversing face is smooth and inclined to redirect the beam of light.

[0030] According to one variant, the angle-reversing face is provided to redirect the beam of photons in a direction of illumination parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0031] According to one variant, the angle-reversing face includes at least one element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and inclined to redirect the beam of photons in the desired lighting direction.

[0032] According to one variant, the angle-reversing face comprises several planar elements perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and inclined to redirect the beam of light in the desired lighting direction, and two of said planar and consecutive elements are connected by another planar element to form a stepped profile of the angle-reversing face.

[0033] According to one variant, the light source includes at least one photon source carried by an electronic board.

[0034] According to one variant, said at least one photon source comprises at least one light-emitting diode, at least one laser diode or at least one bulb.

[0035] According to one variant, the translucent blade is in two distinct parts.

[0036] According to one variant, the parts of the translucent blade are illuminated by the beam of light.

[0037] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type or of the land motor vehicle type, comprising a grille according to the first aspect of the present invention. Brief description of the figures

[0038] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 16, in which:

[0039] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates an example of a grille 2 of a vehicle 1 illuminated by a translucent blade 21 in two parts;

[0040] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an example of elements located under the hood in front of the engine part of a vehicle;

[0041] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a first solution for lighting the vehicle's grille;

[0042] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a light source intended to illuminate a light guide of the first solution;

[0043] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the case where the first solution does not respect the maximum depth to house this light source;

[0044] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a poorly lit area at the bend of a light guide of the first solution of [Fig.3];

[0045] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates a second solution for lighting the vehicle's grille;

[0046] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates a third solution for lighting the vehicle's grille;

[0047] [Fig.9] schematically illustrates a fourth solution for lighting the vehicle's grille;

[0048] [Fig. 10] schematically illustrates a variant of the fourth solution for lighting the grille of the vehicle in [Fig.9];

[0049] [Fig. 11] schematically illustrates a three-dimensional view of the elements necessary to illuminate a vehicle grille according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] [Fig. 12] schematically illustrates a profile view of the elements necessary to illuminate a vehicle grille according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] [Fig. 13] schematically illustrates a three-dimensional view of a variant of the example grille of [Fig. 12];

[0052] [Fig. 14] schematically illustrates another three-dimensional view of the variant of the example grille of [Fig. 12];

[0053] [Fig. 15] schematically illustrates a three-dimensional view of another variant of the example grille of [Fig. 12];

[0054] [Fig. 16] schematically illustrates another three-dimensional view of another variant of the example of the grille in [Fig. 12]; Description of examples of achievements

[0055] A grille intended to equip a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1-16. Unless otherwise indicated, elements common or similar to several figures bear the same reference signs and have identical or similar characteristics, so that these common elements are generally not described again for the sake of simplicity.

[0056] The present invention relates to a vehicle grille designed to be illuminated by homogeneous light while minimizing the volume of the elements required to illuminate the grille. To achieve this, a light guide is positioned above a translucent blade so that the beam of light emitted by a light source strikes a right-angle reflector located at the rear of the translucent blade. The right-angle reflector is adapted to redirect the beam of light in a desired lighting direction.

[0057] Figures 11-16 schematically illustrate certain elements of a vehicle grille, according to a specific, non-limiting embodiment and various variants. It is hereafter considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the grille is intended to equip a motor vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this application. The grille can in fact equip any vehicle, whether a motor vehicle or a motorized land vehicle (bus, coach, truck, etc.), that must provide at least a photometric function for lighting and / or signaling.

[0058] Furthermore, the grille is subsequently considered to comprise a translucent blade and a light guide, but the present invention is not limited to this number of translucent blades or this number of light guides. The present invention extends to any grille comprising more than one translucent blade, possibly to the use of several light guides to illuminate this or these translucent blades, and to any grille comprising at least one translucent blade comprising more than one disjointed portion.

[0059] Figures 11-16 illustrate different aspects of certain elements for illuminating the grille, different examples of embodiments implementing some of these aspects being described later with reference to the figures.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the grille 2 is intended to be fitted to a vehicle 1. The grille 2 includes a cavity which can be formed by the housing 6 and the glass 7 of the [Fig.1].

[0061] Fig. 11 schematically illustrates a three-dimensional view of the elements necessary to illuminate a vehicle grille 2 according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] These elements include a translucent blade 3, a light source 10 and a light guide 9 which are housed in the cavity.

[0063] The light source 10 may include an electronic board carrying at least one photon source to emit a beam of light towards the light guide 9.

[0064] Each photon source may, for example, comprise at least one light-emitting diode (LED), at least one laser diode, or at least one light bulb. The configuration of the photon source(s) in terms of number, positioning, arrangement, type, etc., may be adapted by a person skilled in the art as appropriate. The electronic board includes electronic means configured to control the operation of each photon source. This board may, for example, be a printed circuit board (PCB). The electronic board is mounted on a plane, meaning that all the photon sources are mounted on this plane.

[0065] Fig. 12 schematically illustrates a profile view of the elements necessary to illuminate a grille 2 of the vehicle 1 according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] The translucent blade 3 comprises an upper face 31 (also visible in [Fig. 11]), a lower face 32, a front face 33, and a right-angle face 34. The front face 33 joins the upper face 31 and lower face 32 at one end, and the right-angle face 34 joins the upper face 31 and lower face 33 at another end. The faces 31, 32, 33, and 34 are positioned according to the orthonormal coordinate system (AL, A1, AV) of the vehicle 1 described previously. The upper face 31 is positioned at a coordinate of the vertical axis AV of the vehicle 1 that is higher than that of the lower face 32, and the front face 33 is positioned at a coordinate of the longitudinal axis AL of the vehicle 1 that is higher than that of the right-angle face 34.

[0067] The light guide 9 is curved so that its curve corresponds to the curve of the grille 2 as illustrated in [Fig. 11].

[0068] The light guide 9 is configured to be powered by the beam of light emitted by the light source 10.

[0069] As illustrated in [Fig. 12], the light guide 9 is positioned at a coordinate of the vertical axis AV higher than that of the upper face 31. The light guide 9 is designed to guide the light beam emitted by the light source 10 to the right-angle reflector face 34, which is inclined to redirect the light beam (Figures 14 and 16). This light beam is represented by dashed lines in [Fig. 11]. The dashed lines represent the path of the light beam.

[0070] Each light guide may comprise a plurality of planar members which may extend inclinedly towards the right-angle facing 34, other arrangements being possible, in particular in terms of numbers, positions, orientations, etc., of the planar members. The number of planar members can, in particular, take any value greater than or equal to one (1), and specifically, one, two, three, or four. The planar members can all extend in the same direction or in different directions, as the case may be.

[0071] These planar members can have different shapes, including rectangular, square, or round, provided that they are flat or have at least one flat surface. For example, each planar member comprises two parallel flat surfaces. The planar members form, for example, blades that guide light.

[0072] According to an example of an embodiment of this variant, illustrated in figures 13 and 14, the angle-referential face 34 is smooth and the angle-referential face 34 is inclined to redirect the beam of photons.

[0073] This variant is simple to implement and inexpensive. However, it deflects the light beam, which then no longer follows a desired lighting direction.

[0074] According to one variant, the angle-reversing face 34 is provided to redirect the beam of photons in a desired lighting direction which may be parallel to the longitudinal axis AL of the vehicle 1.

[0075] According to one variant, the angle-referencing face 34 includes at least one element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AL of the vehicle 1 and inclined to redirect the beam of photons in the desired lighting direction.

[0076] According to an example of an embodiment of this variant, illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, the angle-reversing face 34 comprises several planar elements perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AL of the vehicle 1 and inclined to redirect the beam of light in the desired lighting direction, and two of said consecutive planar elements 342 and 343 are connected by another planar element 344 to form a stepped profile of the angle-reversing face 34 as illustrated in [Fig. 15].

[0077] According to one embodiment, the translucent blade 3 is in two distinct parts.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the parts of the translucent blade 3 are illuminated by the beam of light.

[0079] A person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments and variants described above are only non-limiting examples of implementation of the invention. In particular, a person skilled in the art may consider any adaptation or combination of the embodiments and variants described above in order to meet a specific need.

[0080] The present invention is therefore not limited to the embodiments described above but extends in particular to a grille which would include secondary features without going outside the scope of the present invention.

[0081] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle or more generally a land motor vehicle, including a grille as described above.

Claims

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. Demands Grille (2) intended to be fitted to a vehicle (1) and comprising a cavity in which are arranged: - a translucent blade (3) comprising an upper face (31), a lower face (32), a front face (33) and a right-angle face (34) positioned according to an orthonormal coordinate system of the vehicle formed by a longitudinal axis (AL) of the vehicle (1), a lateral axis (Al) of the vehicle (1) and a vertical axis (AV) of the vehicle (1), the upper face (31) being positioned at a coordinate of the vertical axis (AV) of the vehicle (1) greater than that of the lower face (32), the front face (33) being positioned at a coordinate of the longitudinal axis (AL) of the vehicle (1) greater than that of the right-angle face (34), the front face (33) joining the upper face (31) and lower face (32) at one of their ends and the right-angle face (34) joining the upper face (31) and lower face (33) at another of their ends; - a light source (10) intended to emit a beam of light; and - a light guide (9) having a curve identical to that of the grille (2), said light guide (9) being positioned at a coordinate of the vertical axis (AV) of the vehicle (1) greater than that of the upper face (31) and intended to guide the beam of light from the light source (10) to the angle-reversing face (34) intended to direct the beam of light in a determined lighting direction of the grille (2). Grille according to claim 1, wherein the angle-reversing face (34) is smooth and inclined to redirect the beam of light. Grille according to claim 1, wherein the angle-reversing face (34) is provided to redirect the beam of photons in a direction of illumination parallel to the longitudinal axis (AL) of the vehicle (1). Grille according to claim 3, wherein the angle-referential face (34) comprises at least one element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (AL) of the vehicle (1) and inclined to redirect the beam of photons in the desired lighting direction. Grille according to claim 4, wherein the right-angle face (34) comprises several planar elements perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (AL) of the vehicle (1) and inclined to redirect the light beam in the desired lighting direction, and two of said elements consecutive planes (342) and (343) are connected by another plane element (344) to form a step profile of the angle return face (34).

6. Grille according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source comprises at least one photon source carried by an electronic board.

7. Grille according to claim 6, wherein said at least one photon source comprises at least one light-emitting diode, at least one laser diode or at least one bulb.

8. A calender according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the translucent blade is in two separate parts.

9. Grille according to claim 8, wherein the parts of said translucent blade are illuminated by the beam of light.

10. Vehicle (1) comprising at least one grille (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

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