VEHICLE OPTICAL UNIT WITH LIGHT GUIDE AND SIMPLIFIED INSTALLATION

Abstract

An optical unit (OU) is fitted to a vehicle and comprises a support piece (SB) to which are coupled at least one flat-type light guide (LG) and an electronic board (EB) equipped with components designed to participate in the controlled generation of photons that power this light guide (LG) to perform a photometric function. The light guide (LG) is positioned relative to the support piece (SB) in such a way as to prevent forward translation, and the electronic board (EB) is immobilized relative to the support piece (SB) behind the light guide (LG), preventing the latter (GL) from moving backward. Figure 7

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE OPTICAL UNIT, WITH LIGHT GUIDE WITH SIMPLIFIED INSTALLATION Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to optical units which are intended to equip vehicles and which must provide at least one photometric function. State of the art

[0002] Certain vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise at least one optical unit comprising a housing in which are installed a support part, at least one light guide, and an electronic card provided with components which are suitable for participating in the controlled generation of photons which must supply this light guide to participate in a photometric function. For example, this photometric function may be a brake light function.

[0003] Sometimes, the light guide and the electronic card must be secured at least to the support part, which requires the provision of fixing means, such as for example screws and clipping elements, and may also require welding and / or gluing operations. This leads to an increase in complexity of the support part and / or the light guide and possibly of the architecture of the housing, and requires the provision of free spaces in the housing in order to allow the welding, gluing, screwing and clipping operations to be carried out, which increases the volume of the optical unit and therefore makes the latter more difficult to integrate into a vehicle. In addition, this makes the assembly of the optical unit more complex and more time-consuming, and therefore increases the manufacturing cost of this optical unit.

[0004] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0005] It proposes in particular for this purpose an optical unit, on the one hand, intended to equip a vehicle, and, on the other hand, comprising a support part to which are coupled at least one flat type light guide and an electronic card provided with components capable of participating in a controlled generation of photons which must supply this light guide to participate in a photometric function.

[0006] This optical unit is characterized by the fact that:

[0007] - its light guide is positioned relative to its support part by being prevented from moving forward, and

[0008] - its electronic card is immobilized relative to its support part at the rear of the light guide by preventing the latter from translating backwards.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, the installation of the light guide in the housing of the optical unit is particularly simple and does not require the definition of clipping means on the light guide, nor screws, nor welding or gluing operations, nor the definition of free spaces in the housing, which makes the assembly of the optical unit less complex and less time-consuming, and therefore reduces its manufacturing cost.

[0010] The optical unit according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0011] - its support part may comprise first positioning elements and first immobilization elements and its light guide may comprise second positioning elements cooperating with these first positioning elements to position its light guide relative to its support part while preventing its translation towards the front. In this case, its electronic card may comprise second immobilization elements cooperating with the first immobilization elements at the rear of the light guide while preventing the latter from translating towards the rear;

[0012] - in the presence of the first option, the first positioning elements can comprise two open notches on a rear face, and the second positioning elements may comprise two tabs housed respectively in the notches;

[0013] - in the presence of the last sub-option, the legs can be defined respec tively in a front lateral part and an intermediate part of the light guide;

[0014] - also in the presence of the first option, the first and second elements immobilization can be clipping elements;

[0015] - its light guide can comprise in a rear part thirds positioning elements, and its electronic card may comprise fourth positioning elements cooperating with the third positioning elements to position its electronic card relative to the light guide;

[0016] - its support part can include in a rear part fifths positioning elements, and its electronic card may comprise sixth positioning elements cooperating with the fifth positioning elements to position its electronic card relative to its support part;

[0017] - its light guide may comprise an upper face provided with a rib on upper part projecting upwards so as to mask a first part of a technical part of the optical unit;

[0018] - its light guide may comprise a lower face provided with a rib in lower part projecting downwards so as to hide a second part of a technical part of the optical unit;

[0019] - the photometric function can be a brake light function.

[0020] The invention also provides a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising at least one optical unit of the type presented above. Brief description of the figures

[0021] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, a part of an exemplary embodiment of an optical unit according to the invention,

[0023] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the support part, light guide and electronic card of the optical block of [Fig.l] after their assembly, but before their assembly in the housing,

[0024] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear side, the light guide of figures 1 and 2 once positioned relative to the support part, but before assembly of the electronic card,

[0025] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a vertical and almost transverse plane, the part of the optical block of [Fig.3],

[0026] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above and from the front side, the light guide of Figures 1 to 4, before assembly,

[0027] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below and from the rear side, the light guide of figures 1 to 4, before assembly,

[0028] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear side, the support part, light guide and electronic card of the optical block of [Fig.l] after their assembly, but before their assembly in the housing,

[0029] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates, in a partially perspective view from above and partially in section in a nearly horizontal plane, the positioning of the electronic card relative to the light guide,

[0030] [Fig.9] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear side, the cooperation between first and second immobilizing elements respectively of the assembled support part and electronic card,

[0031] [Fig. 10] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear side, the cooperation between other first and second immobilizing elements respectively of the assembled support part and electronic card,

[0032] [Fig. 11] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view on a lateral side, the cooperation between the first and second immobilizing elements of [Fig.9], and

[0033] [Fig. 12] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a vertical and almost longitudinal plane, the assembly of the front part of the light guide with the support part and the mask of the optical block of [Fig.l]. Detailed description of the invention

[0034] The invention aims in particular to propose an optical unit BO intended to equip a vehicle and capable of ensuring at least one photometric function by means of a flat type light guide GL and the installation of which is simplified.

[0035] It is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the optical unit BO is intended to equip a motor vehicle, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. Indeed, the optical unit BO can equip any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air) which must have at least one photometric function by means of a light guide coupled to a support part.

[0036] Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the optical unit BO constitutes a rear light of a vehicle. But it could constitute a front headlight (or projector) (when it also provides at least one photometric lighting function), or a front light of a vehicle, for example.

[0037] In the foregoing and the following, the notion of "front" is defined in relation to the place where the photons participating in a photometric function exit, and the notion of "rear" is defined in relation to the place which is opposite to that where the photons participating in a photometric function exit. Consequently, the front face of an element is oriented towards the outside, while the rear face of this element is oriented towards the inside and opposite the front face.

[0038] In Figures 1 to 12, the X direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle and perpendicular to the longitudinal directions X and transverse directions Y.

[0039] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an example of an embodiment of an optical block BO according to the invention.

[0040] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1, 2 and 12, an optical block BO, according to the invention, comprises at least one housing BB, one support part PS, one light guide GL, one electronic card CE, and possible masks MB and protective glass GP.

[0041] The BB housing defines, possibly with the GP protective glass, a cavity housing an assembly of the PS support part, GL light guide and CE electronic card (which we will return to later).

[0042] The electronic card CE is provided with components (not illustrated) which are suitable for participating in the controlled generation of photons which must supply the light guide GL on the side of its rear part PR1 to participate in a photometric function.

[0043] For example, this photometric function can be a signaling function. A As an illustrative (and therefore non-limiting) example, this signaling function may be a brake light function. But it could be a reversing light function or a direction indicator (or flashing) function, for example.

[0044] Also for example, the electronic card CE may comprise at least one photon source not illustrated and suitable for generating the photons which must participate in the photometric function and supplying the light guide GL, and components and / or electronic circuit(s) making it possible to control the supply and operation of this (each) photon source.

[0045] Also for example, the (each) photon source may comprise at least one light-emitting diode (or LED). But as a variant the (each) photon source may comprise at least one laser diode or a gas laser.

[0046] It will be noted that the choice of the (each) photon source may depend on the photometric function.

[0047] Also for example, the CE electronic card can be a printed circuit board of the PCB type (“Printed Circuit Board”).

[0048] The light guide GL is of the flat type and is suitable for being coupled to the support part PS, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, 7 and 12. It comprises a front end EV passing through an opening OP defined in the support part PS, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 12. Furthermore, this light guide GL is suitable for participating in the photometric function when it is supplied with photons by at least one photon source.

[0049] It will be noted that the light guide GL is arranged so as to guide the photons that it receives in its rear part PR1 towards a front face FV located at the end of its front end EV and through which they exit to reach the outside for example after passing through the protective glass GP.

[0050] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the light guide GL is positioned relative to the support part PS while being prevented from translating forwards (along the longitudinal direction X). Furthermore, and as illustrated at least partially in Figures 7 to 11, the electronic card CE is immobilized relative to the support part PS at the rear of the light guide GL while preventing the latter (GL) from translating backwards (along the longitudinal direction X).

[0051] In other words, the light guide GL is interposed (or "sandwiched") tightly between the support part PS and the electronic card CE, and these three elements of the optical block BO form, due to the immobilization of the electronic card CE relative to the support part PS, an assembly which is ready to be fixedly installed in the housing BB.

[0052] The installation of the light guide GL in the BB housing is therefore particularly simple and does not require the definition of clipping means on the GL light guide, nor screws, nor welding or gluing operations, nor the definition of free spaces in the BB housing. This makes it possible to reduce the volume of the optical block BO and therefore facilitate its integration into a vehicle, but also to make the assembly of the optical block BO less complex and less time-consuming, and therefore to reduce the manufacturing cost of the optical block BO.

[0053] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 3 to 6, the support part PS may comprise first positioning elements EPI and first immobilization elements EU, and the light guide GL may comprise second positioning elements EP2 which cooperate with the first positioning elements EPI to position the light guide GL relative to the support part PS while preventing its translation towards the front (substantially in the longitudinal direction X). In this case, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 7 and 9 to 11, the electronic card CE may comprise second immobilization elements EI2 which cooperate with the first immobilization elements EU at the rear of the light guide GL while preventing the translation of the latter (GL) towards the rear (substantially in the longitudinal direction X).

[0054] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 3 to 6, the first positioning elements EPI may comprise two notches which are open on a rear face, and the second positioning elements EP2 may comprise two tabs which are housed respectively in the two EPI notches.

[0055] Preferably, and as illustrated non-limitingly, the two tabs EP2 extend in different directions. Thus, in the illustrated example, a first tab EP2 is defined in a front lateral part PLV of the light guide GL (and more precisely (here) on a lateral face FL joining the upper FS and lower FI faces), and a second tab EP2 is defined in an intermediate part of the light guide GL (and more precisely (here) on its lower FI face). The first tab EP2 is here planar and extends substantially in the XY (horizontal) plane in order to be housed in a first substantially horizontal notch EPI of the support part PS, while the second tab EP2 is in the form of a pin and extends (here) substantially in the vertical direction Z, downwards, in order to be housed in a second substantially vertical notch EPI of the support part PS.

[0056] Such an arrangement makes it possible to precisely position the light guide GL along the transverse Y and vertical Z directions by cooperation of the first tab EP2 and first notch EPI, and to precisely position the light guide GL along the longitudinal X direction while allowing play to be taken up along the direction transverse Y. In addition, it prevents any rotation of the light guide GL around the vertical Z direction.

[0057] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 7 and 9 to 11, the first EU and second EI2 immobilization elements may be clipping elements. It will be noted that in the illustrated example the support part PS comprises two first immobilization elements EU cooperating respectively with two second immobilization elements EI2 of the electronic card CE. But the number of first immobilization elements EU (and therefore also the number of second immobilization elements EI2) may take any value greater than or equal to one.

[0058] It will also be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation, each first immobilization element EU is a clipping tab extending rearwardly (substantially along the longitudinal direction X) and comprising a notch passing through a through hole constituting a corresponding second immobilization element EI2. But an inverse arrangement is conceivable, namely each first immobilization element EU can be a through hole crossed by a clipping tab extending forwardly (substantially along the longitudinal direction X) and constituting a corresponding second immobilization element EI2.

[0059] It will also be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation, each clipping tab EU comprises a small anti-unclipping rib NAP defined on a face opposite to that on which the clipping notch is defined. This small anti-unclipping rib NAP rests on an internal edge of the corresponding through hole EI2, and therefore forces the associated notch to remain placed in front of the wall of the electronic card CE surrounding the through hole EI2, advantageously preventing it from descending (or rising), including in the presence of vibrations or a shock.

[0060] It will also be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation, the support part PS comprises, near each clipping tab EU, a tensioning pin PMT which extends towards the rear, in the direction of the front face of the wall of the electronic card CE surrounding the corresponding through hole EI2, and defines a counter-support stop on which this front face of the wall of the electronic card CE rests, in order to tension the clipping and thus stress the assembly (PS, GL, CE) to avoid the generation of vibrations.

[0061] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 3 and 5 to 8, the light guide GL may comprise in its rear part PR1 third positioning elements EP3. In this case, the electronic card CE may comprise fourth positioning elements EP4 which cooperate with the third positioning elements EP3 in order to allow precise positioning of the electronic card CE relative to the light guide. GL light.

[0062] It will be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation, each third positioning element EP3 is a positioning tab extending towards the rear (substantially in the longitudinal direction X) and having a rear part passing through a through hole constituting a corresponding fourth positioning element EP4. This makes it possible to position the electronic card CE fairly precisely in the transverse directions Y and vertical Z, relative to the light guide GL. In order to facilitate this positioning in Y and Z, the edges of the rear part of each third positioning element EP3 can be slightly inclined in opposite directions (as in the case of a cone). But an inverse arrangement is conceivable, namely each third positioning element EP3 can be a through hole crossed by a positioning tab extending towards the front and constituting a corresponding fourth positioning element EP4.

[0063] It will also be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation, the rear part of each third positioning element EP3 is provided with a recess DA defining a stop allowing the wall of the electronic card CE to rest on it. This allows very precise and fixed positioning (along the longitudinal direction X) of the light guide GL between the support part PS and the electronic card CE.

[0064] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in [Fig.7], the support part PS may comprise in a rear part fifth positioning elements EP5. In this case, the electronic card CE may comprise sixth positioning elements EP6 which cooperate with the fifth positioning elements EP5 to position the electronic card CE relative to the support part PS.

[0065] It will be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation, each fifth positioning element EP5 is a positioning tab extending rearwardly (substantially in the longitudinal direction X) and having a rear portion passing through a through hole or a notch constituting a corresponding sixth positioning element EP6. This makes it possible to position and index the electronic card CE fairly precisely in the transverse directions Y and vertical Z, relative to the support part PS. But an inverse arrangement is conceivable, namely each fifth positioning element EP5 can be a through hole crossed by a positioning tab extending forwardly and constituting a corresponding sixth positioning element EP6.

[0066] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 3 to 6 and 12, the light guide GL may comprise an upper face FS provided with an upper rib NS projecting upwards so as to hide a first part of a technical part of the optical block BO at the level of the opening OP. It will be understood that this upper rib NS is placed very slightly behind the opening OP of the support part PS in order to be almost invisible from the outside.

[0067] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 5, 6 and 12, the light guide GL may comprise a lower face FI provided with a lower rib NI projecting downwards so as to mask a second part of a technical part of the optical block BO at the level of the opening OP. It will be understood that this lower rib NI is placed very slightly behind the opening OP of the support part PS in order to be almost invisible from the outside.

[0068] It will also be noted that the support part PS and the light guide GL can be made by injection molding a rigid and resistant plastic material, such as for example polycarbonate (or PC). Similarly, the housing BB can be made by injection molding a rigid and resistant plastic material, such as for example polycarbonate (or PC).

Claims

Claims

1. Optical unit (BO) suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising a support part (PS) to which are coupled at least one flat-type light guide (GL) and an electronic card (CE) provided with components suitable for participating in a controlled generation of photons to supply said light guide (GL) to participate in a photometric function, characterized in that said light guide (GL) is positioned relative to said support part (PS) while being prevented from translating forwards, and ii) said electronic card (CE) is immobilized relative to said support part (PS) at the rear of said light guide (GL) while preventing the latter (GL) from translating backwards.

2. Optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that i) said support part (PS) comprises first positioning elements (EPI) and first immobilization elements (EU), ii) said light guide (GL) comprises second positioning elements (EP2) cooperating with said first positioning elements (EPI) to position said light guide (GL) relative to said support part (PS) while preventing its translation towards the front, and iii) said electronic card (CE) comprises second immobilization elements (EI2) cooperating with said first immobilization elements (EU) at the rear of said light guide (GL) while preventing the translation of the latter (GL) towards the rear.

3. Optical unit according to claim 2, characterized in that i) said first positioning elements (EPI) comprise two notches open on a rear face, and ii) said second positioning elements (EP2) comprise two tabs housed respectively in said notches (EPI).

4. Optical unit according to claim 3, characterized in that said tabs (EP2) are defined respectively in a front lateral part (PLV) and an intermediate part of said light guide (GL).

5. Optical unit according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said first (EU) and second (EI2) immobilizing elements are clipping elements.

6. Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that i) said light guide (GL) comprises in a rear part (PR1) third positioning elements (EP3), and ii) said electronic card- electronics (CE) comprises fourth positioning elements (EP4) cooperating with said third positioning elements (EP3) to position said electronic card (CE) relative to said light guide (GL).

7. Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that i) said support part (PS) comprises in a rear part fifth positioning elements (EP5), and ii) said electronic card (CE) comprises sixth positioning elements (EP6) cooperating with said fifth positioning elements (EP5) to position said electronic card (CE) relative to said support part (PS).

8. Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said light guide (GL) comprises an upper face (FS) provided with an upper rib (NS) projecting upwards so as to mask a first part of a technical part of said optical unit (BO).

9. Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said light guide (GL) comprises a lower face (FI) provided with a lower rib (NI) projecting downwards so as to mask a second part of a technical part of said optical unit (BO).

10. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one optical unit (BO) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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