Optical unit coupled directly to the upper part of a land vehicle bumper
The optical unit integrates the bumper directly to the headlight housing using deformable clips and indexing pins, reducing costs, assembly time, plastic usage, and weight by eliminating the need for additional interface pieces.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022011891
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-11-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-28
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-11-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for attaching and indexing the upper portion of a vehicle bumper to the headlight unit require additional interface pieces, increasing costs, assembly time, plastic material usage, vehicle weight, and bulk, which are inefficient and costly.
An optical unit with a deformable coupling clip and indexing system directly couples the bumper to the headlight housing, eliminating the need for additional interface parts and enhancing the coupling process.
Reduces costs, assembly time, and simplifies the manufacturing process by integrating the coupling process.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: OPTICAL BLOCK DIRECTLY COUPLED TO AN UPPER PART FROM A LAND VEHICLE BUMPER Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to land vehicles comprising at least one bumper (or shield), and more specifically to optical blocks which are at least partially surrounded by a land vehicle bumper. State of the art
[0002] Certain land vehicles, generally automobiles, include a bumper (or shield) having an upper portion positioned just above the upper portion of the housing of at least one headlight unit. To ensure that this upper portion of the bumper is perfectly positioned relative to the upper portion of the housing, and that this positioning is permanent and without play, the upper portion of the bumper must be secured and indexed relative to the upper portion of the housing.
[0003] Currently, this attachment and indexing are achieved via an interface piece that is first fixed to the outer face of the upper part of the housing, and is generally manufactured by injection molding of a plastic material. In other words, the interface piece attached to the upper part of the housing must be fixed, which requires defining fastening elements on the latter, and then the upper part of the bumper must be indexed into position and secured to the interface piece.
[0004] The use of such an added interface part leads to an increase in the cost of the vehicle, the time required to assemble the vehicle, the amount of plastic material within the vehicle, the weight of the vehicle and the bulk in the interface area.
[0005] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention
[0006] In particular, it proposes for this purpose an optical unit suitable for equipping a land vehicle and comprising a housing having a first upper part suitable for being coupled to a second upper part of a bumper of this vehicle.
[0007] This optical block is characterized in that the first upper part of its housing comprises at least one protrusion equipped with a deformable coupling clip and adapted to be inserted into a corresponding coupling hole, defined in the second upper part of the bumper, until it is held relative to this coupling hole to couple the second upper part to the housing.
[0008] Thanks to the invention, the second upper part PS2 can now be directly coupled to the housing without the need to use an added interface part, which makes it possible to reduce the cost of the vehicle, the time required to assemble the vehicle, the amount of plastic material within the vehicle, the weight of the vehicle and the bulk in the coupling area.
[0009] The optical block according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:
[0010] - the first upper part of its housing may include two protrusions equipped with coupling clips designed to be inserted respectively into two corresponding coupling holes, defined in the upper second part;
[0011] - the first upper part of its housing may include at least one pawl indexing specific to passing through an indexing hole, defined in the second upper part of the bumper, to pre-position this second upper part relative to the following housing of the first and second directions of space;
[0012] - in the presence of the last option, the indexing pin may include a threaded hole for screwing in a screw which is intended to help to immobilize the second upper part of the bumper in relation to the housing;
[0013] - also in the presence of the last option, the first upper part of its housing may include at least one positioning pin defining a stop for the support of a predefined sub-part of the second upper part of the bumper designed to pre-position the latter relative to the housing along a third spatial direction, perpendicular to the first and second spatial directions;
[0014] - in the presence of the last sub-option, the positioning pawl may include a threaded hole for screwing in a screw which is intended to help to immobilize the second upper part of the bumper in relation to the housing.
[0015] The invention also proposes a bumper suitable for equipping a land vehicle and comprising a second upper part having at least one coupling hole suitable for participating in its coupling to an optical block of the type presented above.
[0016] The bumper according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:
[0017] - its second upper part may include at least one indexing hole which is suitable to be crossed by an indexing pin of the optical block to pre-position it relative to the next optical block in the first and second directions of space;
[0018] - in the presence of the first option, its second upper part may include a predefined sub-part that is designed to rest against a stop defined by a pawl positioning of the optical block to pre-position it relative to the optical block along a third direction of space, perpendicular to the first and second directions of space.
[0019] The invention also proposes a land vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising, on the one hand, an optical unit of the type presented above, and, on the other hand, a bumper of the type presented above and coupled to this optical unit. Brief description of the figures
[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:
[0021] [Fig-1] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a perspective view on the front side, part of an example of a land vehicle bumper associated with two optical blocks according to the invention,
[0022] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, part of an example embodiment of an optical block according to the invention, before coupling to an upper part of a bumper,
[0023] [Fig.3] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, a mounting protrusion equipped with a coupling clip for an upper part of a housing of an optical block according to the invention,
[0024] [Fig.4] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear, an example of an embodiment of an upper part of a bumper suitable for coupling to the upper part of the optical block of figures 2 and 3,
[0025] [Fig. 5] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the bumper frame of the upper part of the bumper of [Fig. 4], coupled to the upper part of the optical block of Figures 2 and 3, and
[0026] [Fig.6] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, the upper part of the bumper of [Fig.4], coupled to the upper part of the optical block of figures 2 and 3. Detailed description of the invention
[0027] The invention aims in particular to provide an optical unit BO intended to equip a land vehicle and comprising a first upper part PS 1 to which is directly coupled a second upper part PS2 of a bumper (or shield) PC of this vehicle.
[0028] In what follows, the land vehicle is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates to any land vehicle. including at least one optical unit to which the upper part of a bumper must be coupled.
[0029] Furthermore, in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, it is assumed that the PC bumper is intended to be installed in the front part of a land vehicle (here a car). However, the PC bumper could also be intended to be installed in the rear part of a land vehicle.
[0030] Furthermore, in the following, by way of non-limiting example, each optical block BO is considered to be a front projector (or headlight). However, each optical block BO could be a front or rear light.
[0031] In figures 1 to 6, the X direction is the longitudinal direction of the (terrestrial) vehicle, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.
[0032] Figure 1 schematically illustrates part of an example of a PC bumper (here, the front bumper) of a land vehicle (here, a car) associated with two BO optical units, right and left, according to the invention. It should be noted that a PC bumper could comprise only one BO optical unit according to the invention.
[0033] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 and 6, the PC bumper, according to the invention, comprises at least one (second) upper part PS2 directly coupled to a (first) upper part PSI of a BB housing of an optical block BO, according to the invention. It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, Figure 1, the PC bumper comprises two second upper parts PS2, right and left, directly coupled respectively to two first upper parts PSI of BB housings of optical blocks BO, right and left.
[0034] The BB housing delimits an internal space containing elements participating in at least one photometric function. This internal space is separated from the outside, on the front side, by a glass GB fixedly attached to the BB housing and through which the photons participating in each photometric function of the optical block BO exit.
[0035] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6, the first upper part PSI comprises at least one protrusion PF equipped with a deformable coupling clip AC. This coupling clip AC is designed to be inserted into a corresponding coupling hole TC defined in the second upper part PS2 of the bumper PC (see Figures 4 to 6). This insertion occurs until the coupling clip AC is retained relative to the corresponding coupling hole TC, thus coupling the second upper part PS2 to the first upper part PSI of the housing BB.
[0036] It will be understood that the deformability of the coupling clip AC which is installed on a protrusion PF allows it to pass through the coupling hole TC, then to return to its initial shape after this passage, which prevents it from coming out and therefore allows it to participate in the coupling of the second upper part PS2 to the first upper part PSI.
[0037] Thus, the second upper part PS2 can be directly coupled to the housing BB without the need for an additional interface piece. This reduces the vehicle's cost, assembly time, the amount of plastic used in the vehicle, its weight, and the space required in the coupling area. Furthermore, the protrusion PF (on which the coupling clip AC is mounted) protrudes from the outer face of the first upper part PSI, thus simplifying the molding and demolding of the latter (PSI).
[0038] Preferably, and as illustrated in Figures 2, 5 and 6, each protrusion PF can be defined on a front face FV of the first upper part PSI, which is positioned just above the window GB and oriented towards the outer area in front of the vehicle. This allows the second upper part PS2 to be coupled as close as possible to the upper edge of the window GB.
[0039] Also preferably, and as illustrated in figures 4 to 6, the (each) coupling hole TC can be defined in a bumper frame AP to which is attached a bumper skin PP intended to mask the latter (AP) and located at the interface with the outside.
[0040] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the first upper part PSI comprises two protrusions PF equipped with coupling clips AC which are designed to be inserted respectively into two corresponding coupling holes TC, defined in the second upper part PS2 of the bumper PC. However, the number of protrusions PF, and therefore the number of corresponding coupling holes TC, can take any value greater than or equal to one.
[0041] For example, and as illustrated, without limitation and at least partially, in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the first upper part PSI of the housing BB may include at least one indexing pin PI which is adapted to pass through an indexing hole TI defined in the second upper part PS2 of the bumper PC. This interaction between the indexing pin PI and the corresponding indexing hole TI advantageously allows the second upper part PS2 to be pre-positioned relative to the next housing BB in the first and second spatial directions. For example, these first and second spatial directions may be the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions, respectively.
[0042] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 and 5, the indexing pin PI can be defined on an upper face FS of the first upper part PSI of the housing BB, and therefore at a distance from each protrusion PF. In this case, the second upper part PS2 can, as illustrated without limitation in Figures 4 and 5, comprise a rearward-facing sub-part SP in which the indexing hole TI is defined.
[0043] Thus, the BB housing has its own indexing system dedicated to the second upper part PS2. The indexing pin PI protrudes on the front face FV of the first upper part PSI, it does not complicate the molding and demolding of the latter (PSI).
[0044] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 2 and 5, the indexing pin PI may include a threaded hole for screwing in a screw which is used to secure the second upper part PS2 relative to the housing BB. Thus, the housing BB has its own screw fastening system dedicated to the second upper part PS2.
[0045] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 and 5, the indexing pin PI may include at least one positioning pin PP which defines a stop for the support of the predefined sub-part SP of the second upper part PS2. This allows the second upper part PS2 to be pre-positioned relative to the housing BB along a third spatial direction that is perpendicular to the first and second spatial directions. For example, this third spatial direction may be the vertical Z direction.
[0046] Thus, the BB housing has its own pre-positioning system dedicated to the second upper part PS2, allowing control of the local distance separating this part (PS2) from the upper face FS of its first upper part PSI. The positioning pin PP protrudes from the upper face FS of the first upper part PSI, thus simplifying the molding and demolding of the latter (PSI).
[0047] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.2], the stop can be defined at the free end of the positioning pin PP.
[0048] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 2 and 5, the positioning pin PP is defined next to the indexing pin PI. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, they could be spaced apart.
[0049] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 2], the positioning pin PP may include a threaded hole for screwing in a screw which is used to secure the second upper part PS2 relative to the housing BB. Thus, the housing BB has its own screw fastening system dedicated to the second upper part PS2.
Claims
Demands
1. Optical unit (OU) suitable for equipping a land vehicle and comprising a housing (LU) having a first upper part (UP) suitable for being coupled to a second upper part (UP) of a bumper (BMP) of said vehicle, said first upper part (UP) comprising at least one protrusion (P) equipped with a deformable coupling clip (CP) suitable for being inserted into a corresponding coupling hole (C) defined in said second upper part (UP) until it is retained relative to said coupling hole (C) to couple said second upper part (UP) to said housing (LU), said first upper part (UP) comprising at least one indexing pin (IP) suitable for passing through an indexing hole (ID) defined in said second upper part (UP) to pre-position said second upper part (UP) relative to said housing (LU) along first and second spatial directions,characterized in that said first upper part (PSI) comprises at least one positioning pin (PP) defining a stop for the support of a predefined sub-part (SP) of said second upper part (PS2) suitable for pre-positioning the latter (PS2) relative to said housing (BB) along a third spatial direction, perpendicular to said first and second spatial directions.
2. Optical block according to claim 1, characterized in that said first upper part (PSI) comprises two protrusions (PF) equipped with coupling clips (AC) adapted to be inserted respectively into two corresponding coupling holes (TC), defined in said second upper part (PS2).
3. Optical block according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said indexing pin (PI) includes a threaded hole for screwing a screw suitable for participating in immobilizing said second upper part (PS2) relative to said housing (BB).
4. Optical block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said positioning pin (PP) includes a threaded hole for screwing in a screw suitable for participating in immobilizing said second upper part (PS2) relative to said housing (BB).
5. Bumper (PC) suitable for equipping a land vehicle and comprising a second upper part (PS2), characterized in that said second upper part (PS2) comprises at least one coupling hole (TC) suitable for participating in its coupling to an optical block (BO) according to one of the preceding claims.
6. Bumper according to claim 5, characterized in that said second upper part (PS2) comprises at least one indexing hole (TI) suitable for being traversed by an indexing pin (PI) of said optical block (BO) for pre-positioning (PS2) relative to said optical block (BO) along first and second spatial directions.
7. Bumper according to claim 6, characterized in that said second upper part (PS2) comprises a predefined sub-part (SP) adapted to bear against a stop defined by a positioning pin (PP) of said optical block (BO) for the second upper part (PS2) pre-positioned relative to said optical block (BO) along a third spatial direction, perpendicular to said first and second spatial directions.
8. Land vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one optical unit (OU) according to one of claims 1 to 4, and a bumper (PM) according to one of claims 5 to 7 coupled to said optical unit (OU).