Body panel with light signature

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (2) of a motor vehicle body panel (4) and several light modules (6) distributed on the body panel and forming a light signature on the body panel (4), each light module (6) comprising: - at least one housing (12) comprising at least one light source (14), - at least one light guide (16) configured to diffuse the light emitted by the light source (14) through the body panel (4) so ​​as to make the light visible from an external face (22) of the body panel (4), the assembly (2) comprising at least one drive element (26) for the light modules (6) configured to move all or part of the light modules (6) relative to the body panel (4) in at least two positions different from each other. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Description Title of the invention: Body panel with signature bright

[0001] — The invention relates to motor vehicle body panels and more par- particularly those incorporating a light signature.

[0002] It has been known for several years to place, at the level of the body panels of a motor vehicle, elements for customizing the motor vehicle.

[0003] It is for example known to integrate one or more light devices into a panel bodywork, or to place it or them in the immediate vicinity of the latter, for example a bumper skin or even a tailgate, in order to define a light signature visible from outside the vehicle.

[0004] — However, current solutions exclusively dedicated to the implementation of a light signature often only allows you to play on a limited number of pa- parameters in the implementation of the light signature, such as for example the color, or the length of the light source or a light guide. By For example, many light signatures are produced by implanting several continuous lines or curves, formed for example by a light guide, at the surface of a body panel (or adjacent to it). This limits consequently the possibilities of customizing a light signature.

[0005] — The invention aims in particular to provide a body panel comprising one or more light devices allowing a signature to be further personalized brighter than according to the solutions of the prior art.

[0006] — To this end, the invention relates to an assembly of a bodywork panel of motor vehicle and a plurality of light modules distributed on the panel of bodywork and forming a light signature on the body panel, each light module including: at least one housing comprising at least one light source, the housing being arranged opposite an internal face of the body panel, at least one light guide extending, from the housing, into a first through hole provided in the body panel and configured for diffuse the light emitted by the light source through the panel bodywork so as to make the light visible from an external face of the body panel, the assembly comprising at least one drive member for the light modules configured to move all or part of the light modules relative to the panel bodywork in at least two positions different from each other. This results in a solution in which several light modules, and therefore the light guides, are movable relative to the body panel and can occupy different positions relative to the latter. This possibility of moving the light modules therefore increases the possibilities for customizing a light signature placed at the level of a body panel. This results in a light signature that can be large thanks to the use of a multitude of smaller light modules, with numerous possibilities for movement, both at the level of a light module and at the level of the light modules between them. Different positions of the light modules in relation to the body panel can be considered, for example depending on the interactions between a user and the vehicle (movement of the light module(s) when unlocking the vehicle, etc.), or depending on the speed at which the vehicle is moving, According to other optional characteristics of the assembly according to the invention taken alone or in combination: at least one of the positions of the light modules corresponds to a position in which one face of the light guides is flush with the external face of the body panel; each position of the light modules is associated with an activation state of the light source: The light modules are divided into several groups of modules luminous, each group of luminous modules is coupled to an organ different drive, configured to move the module group bright relative to the body panel independently of the others groups of light modules; the light guide includes a fixing end of the light guide in a housing mounting hole; the fixing end opens out facing the light source, the end of fixing comprising a face placed opposite the light source and in a light scattering field; a seal is placed at an interface between the light guide and the case; at least a portion of a surface of the light guide is at least partially transparent; a part of a surface of the light guide is painted, preferably one face visible from the external face of the body panel; the housing comprises a main body and a cover attached to the main body, the main body and the cover defining an internal space of the housing in which houses the light source; a seal is placed at an interface between the main body and the cover; the cover carries the light source and a connecting element of the light source to an energy source; at least one of the positions of the light module is a rest position of the light module; the housing comprises at least one return member of the light module in its resting position: the housing comprises several elastically deformable return legs, of preferably molded with the housing, configured to be deformed by a stress on the drive member on the light module, and for return the light module to its rest position by returning to their shape initial; the assembly includes a support plate arranged between the inner face of the body panel and light module; the support plate includes a shoulder forming a stop against which the light guide rests on when it occupies one of the positions; the support plate includes a light guide guide member in the first through hole; the set includes a module position adjustment element bright relative to the body panel configured to adjust one of the positions. Brief description of the figures The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which: [Fig.1] is an exploded view from the front of a part of an assembly according to the invention, [Fig.2] is a perspective view from the rear of a part of an assembly according to the invention assembled, [Fig.3] is a first perspective view from the rear of a light module according to the invention, [Fig.4] is a second perspective view from the front of a light module according to the invention, [Fig.5] is a perspective view from the front of a housing of a light module according to the invention, [Fig.6] is a perspective view from the front of a body panel of a assembly according to the invention, [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a fraction of a support plate of an assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, [Fig.8] is a sectional view, along a section plane À-À, of part of an assembly according to the invention, [Fig.9] is a view of an assembly according to the invention in which a light module is in a first position, and [Fig.10] is a view of an assembly according to the invention in which a light module is in a second position. Detailed description The figures include an XYZ reference system illustrating the conventional axes of orientation of a motor vehicle. The reference system shows the longitudinal axis X, the transverse axis Y and the vertical axis Z of a motor vehicle. The terms "front" and "rear" used in particular when introducing the figures have the meaning commonly adopted in the automotive field. We now refer to [Fig. 1] illustrating a part of an assembly 2 (visible in figures 9 and 10) formed first of all by a body panel 4. A body panel is understood to mean an exterior trim panel of a motor vehicle, for example a bumper skin, an exterior tailgate skin, a door panel, a side wing or even a roof panel of a motor vehicle. The body panel 4 can be made in a conventional manner from plastic. The materials forming it as well as the possible methods for manufacturing it are known to those skilled in the art and will not be the subject of a more detailed description in the present description. The assembly 2 also comprises at least one light module 6. A light module is understood to mean a member comprising means for generating light and diffusing this light. An isolated light module 6 is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The light module 6, and more particularly a housing 12 of the latter, is placed opposite an internal face 10 of the bodywork panel 4. By "placed opposite" is meant an arrangement of the light module 6 opposite the internal face 10 of the bodywork panel 4, by direct contact or with the presence of an intermediate element, for example a support plate 8 (described below), arranged between them. The light module 6 comprises a housing 12 comprising at least one light source 14 (visible in [Fig.8]). This housing 12 is placed opposite the internal face 10 of the bodywork panel 4. The light source 14 is arranged so as to emit light towards a light guide 16 described below. The light source 14 can for example be formed by at least one light-emitting diode, carried by a printed circuit. The light source 14 can be activated remotely by an electronic control unit (depending for example on the position of the light guide of each light module 6). It is also possible to provide the presence of an activation button carried by each light module 6. In this second example, it is necessary to provide a mobile means, for example carried by the drive member 26, making it possible to actuate said activation button. The housing 12 may comprise a main body 18 and a cover 20 secured to the main body 18, for example by screwing, welding, gluing, snap-fastening, etc. The housing 18 and the cover 20 define an internal space of the housing 12 in which the light source 14 is housed. A seal may be placed between the main body 18 and the cover 20. The cover 20 may carry the light source 14, for example the printed circuit carrying one or more light-emitting diodes. It may also comprise an element for connecting the light source to a power source. This connecting element may for example be formed by one or more metal rods overmolded in the cover 20, the plastic material forming the cover being able to define a housing in which the metal rod(s) extend. Each light module 6 also comprises a light guide 16 extending, from the housing 12, into a first through-orifice 9 formed in the body panel 4 and configured to diffuse the light emitted by the light source 14 through it, and through the first through-orifice 9 of the body panel 4 so as to make the light visible from an external face 22 of the body panel 4. In other words, the light emitted from the housing 12 is emitted opposite the internal face 10 of the body panel 4, the light guide 16 allowing the light to pass through the body panel 4 to be visible from an external face 22 of the body panel 4. This external face 22 will be the one visible from the outside of a motor vehicle on which the assembly 2 will be attached. The through holes can be obtained during the molding of the body panel 4, or made by reworking the body panel 4 after molding the latter. Advantageously, the light guide 16 comprises a fitting end 24 (referenced in [Fig. 5]) in a fitting orifice 25 of the housing 12, more precisely arranged in the main body 18, opening out opposite the light source 14, the fitting end 24 comprising a face placed opposite the light source 14 and in a light diffusion field. In other words, the light guide 16 comprises an end passing through the main body 18 to reach the internal space of the housing 12 and the light source 14, and thus capture the light at guide through body panel 4. The example illustrated in the figures shows a fitting by interlocking the light guide 16 into the housing 12 (and therefore of the interlocking end 24 into the main body 18), for example by tightening adjustment. Obviously, other types of mounting can be envisaged, for example a snap-on or gluing mounting. A seal may be placed between the light guide 16 and the housing 12. Alternatively, one of the aforementioned assemblies, typically a force-fit assembly, may make it possible to obtain the required seal. It is also possible to produce the main body 18 of the housing 12 and / or the light guide 16 by integrating therein during manufacture, for example by molding, a sealing element, for example overmolded onto the main body 18 of the housing 12 and / or onto the light guide 16. The part of the light guide 16 visible from the external face 22 of the bodywork panel 4, forming a symbol visible from the exterior of a motor vehicle carrying the assembly according to the invention, can take the desired shape, a triangle in the example of the figures. The light guide 16 may be wholly or partly transparent in order to diffuse the light from its entire surface. Alternatively or in combination, it may be partly opaque, for example by having at least one painted face, preferably the face of the light guide opposite the housing 12 (i.e. the one that may be flush with the external face 22 of the body panel 4), or even a face that would only be visible when the light guide 16 extends projecting from the external face 22 of the body panel 4. Opacification of a portion of the surface of the light guide 16 makes it possible to direct the light towards particular faces of the light guide 16. It is also possible for a portion of the surface of the light guide to undergo a surface treatment such as laser scraping, etc. The assembly 2 further comprises at least one drive member 26 of the light module 6 configured to move the light module 6 relative to the body panel 4 into at least two positions, relative to the body panel 4, different from each other. The mobility of the light modules 6 as well as the positions that can be taken by the latter correspond to an entry or an exit of the light guide projecting relative to the external face 22 of the body panel 4, in a direction locally perpendicular to the body panel 4. In the example illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the drive member 26 comprises an actuating motor 28 setting in motion, by rotation, an actuating cam 30. The latter interacts with a cam track 32 during its displacement in order to move in translation an actuating plate 34. The actuating plate 34 allows, thanks to its displacement here guided by legs of guide 35, to move the light modules 6 by pushing them, each of them interacting with a pusher 36 carried by the actuating plate 34. Figures 9 and 10 respectively illustrate two extreme positions of the actuating cam 30, with one face of the latter in end-of-travel abutment against a wall of a housing 37 enclosing the actuating cam 30. In [Fig. 9], the actuating cam 30 does not exert any stress on the actuating plate 34, and the light modules 6 are in the so-called rest position. In the example illustrated, this position corresponds to a position in which one face of the light guide 16, here the face opposite the housing 12, is flush with the external face 22 of the bodywork panel 4. In [Fig. 10], the actuating cam 30 exerts a constraint on the actuating plate 34, and the light modules 6 are therefore moved into a second position. In the example illustrated, this position corresponds to a position in which one face of the light guide 16, here the face opposite the housing 12, projects from the external face 22 of the body panel 4. It is possible that the actuating cam 30 occupies one or more intermediate positions between the two extreme positions of figures 9 and 10, which would lead the light modules 6, and more particularly the light guides 16, to occupy several intermediate positions between the extreme positions of figures 9 and 10. This is obviously true regardless of the nature of the drive member. Alternatively to the example illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the drive member 26 may comprise an actuating motor setting into motion, by translation, an actuating cam. The latter interacts with a cam track during its movement in order to move an actuating plate, for example perpendicular to the translation of the actuating cam. Guide legs may make it possible to ensure the correct movement of the actuating plate, for example in a direction perpendicular to that of movement of the actuating cam. The actuating plate may make it possible, thanks to its movement, to move the light modules, for example in the same positions as for the example of Figures 9 and 10. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a movement of a light module 6 by a single drive member 26. This movement could be the same (i.e. movement of all the light patterns by the same drive member) for all the light modules 6 of a set 2 according to the invention or for only some of them. In the second case, there may be several drive members 26, each of them making it possible to set several light modules 6 in motion. Alternatively to this, it is possible for each light module to be coupled to a different drive member, configured to move the light module 6 in function of the body panel independently of the other light modules. It is therefore possible to customize the possible movements of each light module 6 independently of the other light modules 6. It is therefore possible to envisage simultaneous or non-simultaneous movement of all the light modules 6, with the same deployment stroke or different deployment strokes. It is also possible to set in motion several groups of light modules 6 independently of each other, by coupling each group of light modules 6 to a specific light sequence. It is also conceivable that a portion of the light modules 6 is coupled to a drive member configured to move this portion of the light modules 6 according to the body panel 4 independently of the other light modules 6. This is another possibility for customizing the movements. It is also possible to determine the speed at which the drive member 26 moves each light module 6. It is also possible to provide several movements of each light module 6 at different speeds. The programming of an electronic control unit coupled with the use of one or more actuating motors that can be set in motion at different speeds allows the implementation of these possibilities. Advantageously, each position of each light module 6 is associated with an activation state of the light source 14. For example, positioning a light module 6 in a position in which its light guide 16 is flush with the external face 22 of the bodywork panel 4 may correspond to an off state of the light source 14. The latter may be switched on when the light guide(s) 16 protrude from the external face 22 of the bodywork panel 4. The light source 14 may be activated when the light module 6 has reached a given position, or when it begins to move and during its movement. At least one of the positions that can be occupied by each light module 6 can correspond to a rest position of the light module 6. This means that, in this position, the drive member 26 does not exert any stress on the light module 6. Advantageously, the housing 12 comprises at least one return member for each light module 6 to its rest position. This return member may be carried by a part of the light module 6 other than the housing 12. For example, and as can be seen in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 8 to 10, the housing 12 may comprise several elastically deformable return legs 38, preferably molded with the housing 12, configured to be deformed by a stress of the drive member 26 on a light module 6, and to replace the light module 6 in its rest position. rest by returning to their initial shape. In the example illustrated in the figures, each light module 6 comprises three return legs 38, molded with the housing 12 and bearing against the support plate 8. By pressing against the cover 12, the actuating plate 34 moves each light module 6, which leads to a deformation of the return legs 38. When the actuating plate 34 stops pressing on the light module 6, the return legs 38 return to their initial shape, replacing the light module 6 in its rest position, here the position in which the light guide 16 is flush with the external face 22 of the body panel 4. The return member may, alternatively to a molded element with a light module 6, be an element attached to a light module 6. It may for example be a return spring, or even a washer made of elastic material, arranged between the housing 12 and the support plate 8. As can be seen in the figures (and described above), the assembly 2 comprises a support plate 8 arranged between the internal face 10 of the body panel 4 and each light module 6. As described above, it can serve as a support surface for the return legs 38. The support plate comprises a number of second through-holes 9” identical to that of the body panel 4, the first through-holes 9 of the body panel 4 and the second through-holes 9° of the support plate 8 being aligned to allow the passage of each light module 6. The support plate 8 may comprise a shoulder 40 forming a stop against which the light guide 16 bears when the light module 6 occupies one of the positions, for example its rest position (corresponding here to the position in which a face of the light guide 16 is flush with the external face 22 of the bodywork panel 4). This shoulder 40 makes it possible to precisely define a position, here the rest position of the light module 6. In the absence of a support plate 8, the bodywork panel 4 may comprise the shoulder 40. Generally speaking, the shoulder 40 could have a varied position on the assembly 2 depending on the desired effect (for example on the guide leg 35 to block the raising of the actuating plate 34).It will be noted that, in such a configuration, the light guide 16 and the housing 12 are assembled to each other only after assembly of the body panel 4 and the support plate 8 (or simply after obtaining a body panel 4 comprising the through-holes in the absence of a support plate). Indeed, it is necessary in this case to assemble the light guide 16 and the housing 12 by placing them on either side of the body panel 4 (or of the assembly formed by the support plate 8 and the body panel 4). The support plate 8 may further comprise a guide member 42 for guiding the light guide 16 in the first through-hole 9. This guide member 42 may further interact with a complementary shape of a light module 6, for example the light guide 16, to ensure an anti-rotation function of the light guide 16 in the first through-hole 9. The anti-rotation is of particular interest when the respective shapes of the light guide 16 and the first through-hole 9 do not prevent such rotation, or if the light guide 16 is, when it is set in motion, placed in a position in which its shape no longer prevents its rotation (for example if the part of the light guide which allows the anti-rotation is entirely projecting from the bodywork panel 4). This guide member 42 could also be carried by the bodywork panel 4, particularly in the absence of a support plate 8.Generally speaking, the guidance of the light module 6 during its movement can be ensured by the support plate 8, or by the body panel 4, in particular in the absence of a support plate 8. In the example illustrated in [Fig. 7], the support plate comprises three guide fins 44 (also allowing here the centering of the light guide 16) guiding the light guide 16, and more particularly its portion extending from the housing 12 through the first through-orifice 9 of the body panel 4. Orifices are provided near the guide fins 44 so that the latter are carried by the elastic tabs 46 to allow the latter to be moved by a stress exerted on them by the light guide 16, and this in order to hinder or even prevent the movement of the latter between the different positions of the light module 6. List of references 2: together 4: body panel 6: light module 8: support plate 9: first through hole 9': second through hole 10: internal face of the body panel 12: case 14: light source 16: light guide 18: Main body of the case 20: cover 22: external face of the body panel 24: fixing end 25: fixing hole 26: drive member 28: actuating motor 30: actuating cam 32: cam track 34: Actuating plate 35: Guide legs 36: Pusher 37: case 38: recall legs 40: shoulder 42: guide member 44: guide fins 46: elastic tabs

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly (2) of a body panel (4) of a motor vehicle and a plurality of light modules (6) distributed on the car- panel rosserie (4) and forming a light signature on the body panel- rosserie (4), each light module (6) comprising: at least one housing (12) comprising at least one source of light (14), the housing being arranged opposite one face internal (10) of the body panel (4), at least one light guide (16) extending from the housing (12), in a first through orifice (9) provided in the body panel (4) and configured to diffuse the light emitted by the light source (14) through the body panel (4) so ​​as to make visible the light from an external face (22) of the body panel (4), the assembly (2) comprising at least one drive member (26) of the light module (6) configured to move all or part of the modules luminous (6) relative to the body panel (4) in at least two positions different from each other.

2. An assembly (2) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the positions of the light modules {6) corresponds to a position in in which one face of the light guides (16) is flush with the face external (22) of the body panel (4).

3. Assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each position of the light modules (6) is associated with a light source activation state (14).

4. Assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the light modules (6) are divided into several groups of light modules (6), each group of light modules (6) being coupled to a different drive member (26), configured to move the group of light modules (6) according to the panel of bodywork (4) independently of other module groups bright (6).

5. Assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide (16) comprises a fixing end {24) in a fixing hole of the housing (12) opening out facing the light source (14).

6. Assembly (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the end fixing (24) opens out facing the light source (14), the end fixing (24) comprising a face placed opposite the source of light (14) and in a light scattering field.

7. Assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a seal is placed at an interface between the guide light (16) and the housing (12).

8. Assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the light guide (16) is at least partially transparent.

9. Assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of a surface of the light guide (16) is painted, preferably a face visible from the external face (22) of the panel of bodywork (4).

10. Assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (12) comprises a main body (18) and a cover (20) fixed to the main body (18), the main body (18) and the cover (20) defining an internal space of the housing in which is housed the light source (14).

11. Assembly (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the cover (20) carries the light source (14) and a connecting element of the light source (14) to an energy source.

12. Assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the positions of the light module (6) is a rest position of the light module (6).

13. Assembly (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the housing (12) comprises at least one return member (38) of the light module (6) in its rest position.

14. Assembly (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the housing (12) includes several elastically deformable return legs (38) tically, preferably molded with the housing (12), configured to be deformed by a stress of the drive member (26) on the light module (6), and to replace the light module (6) in its resting position by returning to their initial shape.

15. Assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a support plate (8) arranged between the internal face (10) of the body panel (4) and the light module (6).

16. Assembly (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the plate support (8) comprises a shoulder (40) forming a stop against which the light guide (16) rests on when it occupies one of the positions.

17. Assembly (2) according to any one of claims 15 and 16, in which the support plate {8) comprises a guide member (42) of the light guide (16) in the first through hole (9).

18. An assembly (2) according to any preceding claim, a element for adjusting the position of the light module (6) relative to the body panel (4) configured to adjust one of the positions.