Vehicle headlight projector

Abstract

A vehicle headlight projector (1) comprising: - a housing (2), comprising: an internal surface (20), delimiting a receiving volume, and comprising at least one indexing cavity; an external surface (21), comprising at least one protrusion (210) formed by the indexing cavity; - a mask (3), arranged to mask at least a part of the internal surface (20), and comprising an indexing element (30) arranged in the indexing cavity; - an assembly of optical modules; - a projector lens (4), mounted on the housing (2) above the mask (3) and the assembly of optical modules; - at least one elastically deformable interface piece (5), intended to be interposed between the external surface (21) of the housing (2) and an element of the vehicle such as a body side; Notable in that the interface piece (5) is bonded to the protrusion (210) formed by the indexing cavity. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle headlight projector technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of headlight projectors of a vehicle.

[0002] The invention finds its application in particular in the rear headlight projectors of a motor vehicle. State of the art

[0003] A vehicle headlight, particularly a rear headlight, typically includes interface pieces between the headlight housing and a vehicle component (e.g., body side, fender, bumper, etc.). These interface pieces are generally made in the form of elastically deformable tabs and serve to dampen or even eliminate vibrations caused by impacts between the housing and the vehicle component. Such impacts generate unpleasant, even alarming, noises for vehicle passengers. Furthermore, such impacts can damage (or even break) the headlight lens, requiring replacement of the lens through after-sales service. The more fragile the headlight lens, the greater the risk of damage or breakage.

[0004] A headlight projector of a vehicle known from the prior art, in particular from document FR 3 118 733 Al, includes ribs or walls which serve as support for the elastically deformable tabs on the periphery of the housing.

[0005] Such a headlight projector for a vehicle of the prior art is not entirely satisfactory insofar as the presence of such ribs (or walls) complicates the design of the housing. Description of the invention

[0006] The invention aims to remedy, in whole or in part, the aforementioned drawbacks. To this end, the invention relates to a headlight projector for a vehicle, comprising: - a housing, including: an internal surface, delimiting a receiving volume, and including at least one indexing cavity; an external surface, opposite to the internal surface, comprising at least one protrusion formed by the indexing cavity; - a mask, arranged in the receiving volume to mask at least part of the internal surface, and comprising an indexing element arranged in the indexing cavity; - a set of optical modules, arranged in the receiving volume, each optical module being intended to provide a lighting function or a signaling function; - a projector glass, mounted on the housing above the mask and the set of optical modules; - at least one elastically deformable interface piece, intended to be interposed between the external surface of the housing and an element of the vehicle such as a body side; notable in that the interface piece is glued onto the protrusion formed by the indexing cavity.

[0007] Thus, such a projector according to the invention makes it possible to simplify the design of the housing by taking advantage of the protrusion formed by the indexing cavity to serve as a support for the interface part, for example an elastically deformable tab.

[0008] The projector according to the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0009] According to one feature of the invention, the protrusion formed by the indexing cavity has a flat surface onto which the interface piece is bonded. Thus, one advantage provided is the stability and ease of bonding conferred by such a flat surface.

[0010] According to a feature of the invention, the flat surface has a rectangular cross-section. Thus, one advantage provided is an ease of adaptation to the shape of the interface piece.

[0011] According to a feature of the invention, the indexing cavity has a rectangular cross-section. Thus, one advantage provided is the ease of manufacturing such an indexing cavity.

[0012] According to a feature of the invention, the interface piece is made of an elastomeric material. Thus, one advantage obtained is to achieve elastic deformation of the interface part at a lower cost.

[0013] According to a feature of the invention, the interface piece is made in the form of an elastic block, preferably parallelepiped-shaped. Thus, one advantage provided is to facilitate the bonding of such an interface piece.

[0014] According to one feature of the invention, the indexing element is made in the form of a tenon. Thus, one advantage provided is to facilitate the mounting of the indexing element in the corresponding indexing cavity.

[0015] According to one feature of the invention, the indexing element comprises at least a rib. Thus, one advantage provided is the ability to easily impose a specific orientation on the mask, in cooperation with the indexing cavity.

[0016] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising at least one projector according to the invention.

[0017] According to one feature of the invention, the projector is arranged at the rear of the vehicle. Definitions

[0018] The term “vehicle” means any type of vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a passenger compartment adapted to accommodate at least one occupant transported by the vehicle.

[0019] By "elastically deformable," we mean that the interface part is designed to deform under normal conditions of use. The deformation is elastic, that is to say, the interface part can return to its original shape after having been deformed (reversible deformation).

[0020] By "indexing cavity" is meant a cavity designed to receive an indexing element of the mask such that the cooperation between the indexing element and the indexing cavity imposes a specific orientation on the mask.

[0021] The term "headlight projector" refers to an optical unit adapted to form a front headlight (with the front lights) or a rear headlight (with the rear lights). Front lights include, in particular, position lights (also called "parking lights"), dipped headlights (also called "low beams"), main beam headlights (also called "high beams"), and fog lights. Rear lights include, in particular, brake lights, reversing lights, and fog lights. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Other features and advantages will become apparent in the detailed description of different embodiments of the invention, the description being accompanied by examples and references to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] [Fig-1] is a schematic perspective (transparent) view of a projector according to the invention, oriented towards the side of the internal surface of the housing.

[0024] [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a projector according to the invention.

[0025] [Fig.3] is an enlarged scale view of [Fig.2], illustrating in particular the protrusion and interface piece.

[0026] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of a projector according to the invention, oriented towards the external surface of the housing.

[0027] [Fig.5] is an enlarged scale view of [Fig.4], illustrating in particular the protrusion and the interface piece.

[0028] [Fig.6] is an enlarged perspective view of an indexing cavity equipping a projector according to the invention.

[0029] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a mask equipping a projector according to the invention.

[0030] [Fig.8] is an enlarged scale perspective view of [Fig.7], illustrating an indexing element of the mask.

[0031] It should be noted that the drawings described above are schematic, and are not necessarily to scale for the sake of readability and to simplify their understanding. Detailed description of the implementation methods

[0032] Identical elements or elements performing the same function shall bear the same references for the different embodiments, for the sake of simplification.

[0033] An object of the invention is a headlight projector 1 for a vehicle, comprising: - a case 2, comprising: an internal surface 20, delimiting a receiving volume, and comprising at least one indexing cavity 200; an external surface 21, opposite the internal surface 20, comprising at least one protrusion 210 formed by the indexing cavity 200; - a mask 3, arranged in the receiving volume to mask at least part of the internal surface 20, and comprising an indexing element 30 arranged in the indexing cavity 200; - a set of optical modules, arranged in the receiving volume, each optical module being intended to provide a lighting function or a signaling function; - a projector glass 4, mounted on the housing 2 above the mask 3 and the assembly of optical modules; - at least one elastically deformable interface piece 5, intended to be interposed between the external surface 21 of the housing 2 and an element of the vehicle such as a side of the body; remarkable in that the interface piece 5 is glued onto the protrusion 210 formed by the indexing cavity 200. Housing

[0034] Housing 2 includes: - an internal surface 20, delimiting a receiving volume, and comprising at least one indexing cavity 200; - an external surface 21, opposite the internal surface, comprising at least one protrusion 210 formed by the indexing cavity 200.

[0035] The protrusion 210 formed by the indexing cavity 200 advantageously has a flat surface, forming a bearing surface on which the interface piece 5 is glued. The flat surface advantageously has a rectangular section.

[0036] The indexing cavity 200 advantageously has a rectangular cross-section.

[0037] The projector according to the invention may include several indexing cavities 200 arranged on the internal surface 20 of the housing 2, thus forming several protrusions 210 facing them on the external surface 21 of the housing 2. The indexing cavities 200 and the associated protrusions 210 are preferably made by molding. Mask

[0038] The mask 3 is arranged in the receiving volume to mask at least a part of the internal surface 20. The mask 3 includes an indexing element 30 arranged in the indexing cavity 200.

[0039] The indexing element 30 is advantageously made in the form of a tenon. The tenon can be made in the form of a lug.

[0040] The indexing element 30 advantageously comprises at least one rib 300. By way of non-limiting example, the indexing element 30 may comprise two ribs 300 extending parallel to each other. Optical modules

[0041] The set of optical modules (not shown) is arranged in the receiving volume. Each optical module is intended to provide a lighting or signaling function.

[0042] Each optical module assembly may include a light source emitting in the visible spectrum. Advantageously, the light source of each optical module comprises an array of emitters, which may be light-emitting diodes. The array of emitters is mounted on an electronic circuit board.

[0043] By way of non-limiting examples, optical modules can perform the following functions: - signaling, which notably allows for indicating braking, a change of direction, etc. - conventional lighting, allowing visibility to users in low light conditions (twilight, night, tunnels, etc.), - fog lights, mainly allowing the vehicle to be seen by other road users in fog, heavy rain, snowfall, etc. Projector glass

[0044] The projector glass 4 is mounted on the housing 2 above the mask 3 and the optical module assembly.

[0045] By way of non-limiting example, the projector glass 4 can be made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Interface component

[0046] The elastically deformable interface piece 5 is intended to be interposed between the external surface 21 of the housing 2 and a vehicle element such as a body side, a wing, a bumper, etc. The interface piece 5 is glued onto the protrusion 210 formed by the indexing cavity 200, for example using an adhesive film.

[0047] The interface piece 5 is advantageously made of an elastomeric material such as rubber.

[0048] The interface piece 5 is advantageously made in the form of an elastic block (“pad” in English), preferably parallelepiped-shaped. Vehicle

[0049] An object of the invention is a vehicle comprising at least one projector 1 according to the invention. The projector 1 is advantageously arranged at the rear of the vehicle.

[0050] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described. A person skilled in the art is able to consider their technically operative combinations, and to substitute equivalents for them.

Claims

Demands

1. Headlight projector (1) of a vehicle, comprising: - a housing (2), comprising: an internal surface (20), delimiting a receiving volume, and comprising at least one indexing cavity (200); an external surface (21), opposite the internal surface (20), comprising at least one protrusion (210) formed by the indexing cavity (200); - a mask (3), arranged in the receiving volume to mask at least a part of the internal surface (20), and comprising an indexing element (30) arranged in the indexing cavity (200); - an assembly of optical modules, arranged in the receiving volume, each optical module being intended to perform a lighting function or a signaling function; - a projector lens (4), mounted on the housing (2) above the mask (3) and the assembly of optical modules;- at least one elastically deformable interface piece (5) intended to be interposed between the external surface (21) of the housing (2) and an element of the vehicle such as a body side; characterized in that the interface piece (5) is glued onto the protrusion (210) formed by the indexing cavity (200), the indexing cavity (200) having a rectangular section.

2. Projector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion (210) formed by the indexing cavity (200) has a flat surface on which the interface piece (5) is glued.

3. Projector (1) according to claim 2, wherein the flat surface has a rectangular section.

4. Projector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interface part (5) is made of an elastomeric material.

5. Projector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the interface piece (5) is made in the form of an elastic block, preferably parallelepiped-shaped.

6. Projector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the indexing element (30) is made in the form of a tenon.

7. Projector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the indexing element (30) comprises at least one rib (300).

8.

9. Vehicle, comprising at least one projector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Vehicle according to claim 8, in which the projector (1) is arranged at the rear of the vehicle.

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