Light module including a guide means for a position adjustment device

Abstract

Title of the invention: Light module comprising a guiding means for a position adjustment device Light module (1) comprising a support (2) configured to house at least one light source and optical elements, the support (2) comprising several fixing members (6, 8, 10) configured to allow pivoting of the light module (1) about at least one pivot axis (P), the light module (1) being associated with a position adjustment device (106), the position adjustment device (106) cooperating with a first fixing member (6) housed in the support (2), the light module (1) comprising a receiving area (14) for the position adjustment device (106), the light module (1) further comprising at least one guiding means (19) arranged between the receiving area (14) and the first fixing member (6) and configured to direct the position adjustment device (106) towards the first fixing member (6).Figure from the summary: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: A light module comprising a guiding means for a position adjustment device

[0001] The present invention relates to a light module, in particular for a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a light module support allowing the light module to pivot and cooperating for this purpose with a position adjustment device.

[0002] Motor vehicles are equipped with lighting modules that implement both lighting functions designed to improve the driver's visibility of the road scene and signaling functions designed to make the driver's actions visible and / or to make the vehicle visible to other road users when the lighting functions are not in use, particularly during the day. These lighting and signaling functions must comply with regulatory standards, including standards for the inclination of the light beam projected onto the road. The lighting module must therefore adapt to the vehicle's load or the road conditions in real time to manage the lighting and signaling functions emitted while the vehicle is in motion, in particular to avoid dazzling or disturbing other road users.

[0003] These light modules are arranged within a projector on the front of the motor vehicle and a position adjustment device housed in the projector allows interaction with the light module once it has been assembled in order to adjust the standard position of the light module according to manufacturing and assembly clearances and to adjust the position of the light module during driving in accordance with what has been mentioned above.

[0004] It is thus known to mount the light module in a support that interacts with the positioning device. In particular, the support is fixed at three points to the projector housing with mounting capsules embedded in the support that cooperate with spherical heads of the positioning device housed in the projector. One of the spherical heads is mounted on a telescopic rod of an actuator, and driving the actuator to push or pull on the corresponding mounting capsule of the support generates a pivoting of the support, and therefore of the light module, around an axis passing through the center of the other two mounting capsules.

[0005] By way of example, when the position adjustment device is driven to push on the fixing capsule, the light module is tilted forward, which consequently induces a downward bending of the emitted light beam to ensure the function lighting and / or signaling and avoids potential glare for other road users. Conversely, when the position adjustment device is used to pull on the mounting capsule, the light module is tilted backwards, which raises the beam trajectory and aims for a greater lighting range.

[0006] The light module is mounted in the projector while the positioning device is already in position. An operator must then align the spherical heads with each of the mounting capsules, and in particular, insert the spherical head, located at the end of the actuator's telescopic rod, into the mounting element, or mounting capsule, of the support designed to receive this spherical head. This assembly is performed blindly and must be done slowly to ensure that the spherical head is properly engaged in the mounting element without applying excessive force to the spherical head and risking damage to the actuator's telescopic rod.

[0007] In this context, the invention aims to offer an alternative to this type of assembly, by modifying in particular the support of the light module to simplify the work of the operator during blind assemblies of the light module within the projector.

[0008] The main object of the present invention is a light module for a motor vehicle comprising a housing, configured to house at least one light source and optical elements, and a support for the housing, the support having several fixing members configured to allow the light module to pivot about at least one pivot axis passing through two of said fixing members, the light module being associated with a position adjustment device, the position adjustment device cooperating with a first fixing member housed in a first fixing zone of the support, the support further comprising a receiving zone for the position adjustment device formed in the vicinity of the first fixing zone and at least one guiding means arranged between the receiving zone and the first fixing member and configured to direct the position adjustment device towards the first fixing member.

[0009] The light module according to the invention is intended for use in a motor vehicle and is characterized by having a movable support, capable of pivoting the housing in which the light sources and optical elements are located. This housing has a zone configured to facilitate the blind mounting of the light module in a headlight of the motor vehicle. More specifically, the light module is mounted in a headlight in such a way that various points of the support, herein referred to as fastening elements, cooperate with position adjustment elements present in the headlight at the time of mounting the light module. These adjustment elements may, in particular, comprise two fixed pins, notably with spherical heads, of complementary shapes and dimensions to two fastening elements. taking the form of plastic capsules press-fitted onto the support, they also include a positioning device, for example, a dynamic or static actuator, which is driven to push or pull on a third fastening member press-fitted onto the support. The induced movement causes the assembly to tilt around the pivot axis formed by the other two fastening members. The dynamic actuator has a spherical head that must be housed in the corresponding fastening member.

[0010] The mobile support according to the invention is particular in that it provides means for more easily guiding the positioning of the light module within the projector so that the position adjustment device is placed in the corresponding mounting member. To this end, the mobile support includes, in the vicinity of the mounting area in which the mounting member is mounted, particularly by force, a receiving area to facilitate the contact of the position adjustment device with the mobile support and a guiding means configured to direct said device from the receiving area to the mounting member. In other words, the guiding means is interposed between the receiving area and the mounting member and makes it possible to define a trajectory that an operator can easily give to the position adjustment device as soon as the latter makes contact with the receiving area of ​​the support.The assembly of the positioning device within the light module support is thus facilitated, as the operator does not have to blindly try to position the device correctly against the support; the presence of the receiving zone simplifies this process. Furthermore, there is no risk of the positioning device slipping out of position and failing to reach the mounting element, since the guiding means effectively directs the device to the mounting element.

[0011] As mentioned, the position adjustment device comprises a spherical head designed to engage with the first fastening member, the spherical head being mounted at the end of a rod. The first fastening member has a housing in the form of a cylindrical rail extending along a sliding axis, the cross-sectional dimensions of which correspond to the diameter of the spherical head of the position adjustment device. The cylindrical rail is defined by arms whose free ends converge towards each other to retain the spherical head of the position adjustment device within the rail once it is installed, with only the rod then able to pass through the opening between the two arms. In this context, the configuration of the light module support, with the presence of the receiving area and the guiding means, allows the spherical head to be inserted into the fastening member without putting stress on the fastening member.

[0012] Once the position adjustment device is connected to the first mounting member, the inclination of the light module can be modulated according to the force exerted by the spherical head of the position adjustment device against the body of the first mounting member in which it is engaged. In one case, particularly when the vehicle is loaded, the rod is extended and the spherical head pushes on the first mounting member, which has the effect of rotating the light module around the pivot axis passing through the two other mounting members in a direction tending to direct the light beam towards the road in order to limit the risk of dazzling other road users.Conversely, in a second case, the rod is retracted and the spherical head pulls on the first fixing element, which again has the effect of rotating the light module around this pivot axis, but this time to raise the trajectory of the light beam.

[0013] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first fastening member has a sliding shape along a sliding axis, the receiving area being arranged in the extension of the first fastening member along the sliding axis.

[0014] In other words, the receiving area is positioned opposite an entry point of a rail of the first mounting member, which forms a slide. The spherical head of the position adjustment device is designed to slide along this rail to accompany the pivoting movement of the light module in either direction. The position adjustment device can thus slide in the same movement from the receiving area to the center of the first mounting member.

[0015] According to an optional feature of the invention, the receiving area is delimited by one or more ribs which define a semi-circular profile.

[0016] The semi-circular profile allows for easy reception, during blind insertion of the light module into the projector, of the spherical head at the end of the positioning device, which can, if necessary, slide freely along the curved wall due to the complementary nature of its shape. This semi-circular profile can, in particular, be formed by a rib creating a curved wall.

[0017] According to an optional feature of the invention, a rib defines the semi-circular profile by forming a curved wall that is locally interrupted. In other words, the wall delimiting the receiving area is not continuous and has grooves, which tend to lighten the support for the light module, without altering the overall profile of the curved delimitation of the receiving area.

[0018] Alternatively, the receiving area can be delimited by ribs arranged at regular intervals and of which an internal slice participates in generating the curved wall.

[0019] According to an optional feature of the invention, the receiving area has a first passage section that is larger than a second passage section of the first fastening member, the guiding means being configured to reduce progressively the passage section so as to center the position of the position adjustment device within said first fixing member.

[0020] The passage sections are to be considered in a plane parallel to the principal elongation plane of the support, which includes the center of each of the fastening members. The receiving area has a large passage section to allow sufficient space for the positioning adjustment device, and this passage section tends to decrease progressively as one approaches the first fastening member via the adjustment means. The passage section of the first fastening member is reduced to correspond to the diameter of the spherical head of the positioning device and to ensure that the latter remains within the first fastening member once in position.

[0021] According to an optional feature of the invention, the pivot axis passes through a second fixing member and a third fixing member, the sliding axis of the first fixing member being perpendicular to the pivot axis.

[0022] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first fixing zone and the receiving zone are formed by ribs extending outward from an external face of the support, the ribs participating in defining the receiving zone extending in a direction perpendicular to the external face by a first distance greater than a second distance by which the ribs defining the first fixing zone extend in the same direction.

[0023] In other words, the ribs involved in defining the receiving area protrude more from the support than the ribs involved in defining the fixing area intended to receive the first fixing member, in particular in order to constitute an easily accessible receptacle for the spherical head of the position adjustment device.

[0024] The invention also protects a motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises a light module as just characterized.

[0025] The invention further relates to a method of assembling the light module in a motor vehicle projector, comprising at least the following steps, among which a first step of fixing the position adjustment device in the projector, a second step of inserting the light module into the projector during which the receiving area is positioned in contact with the position adjustment device, a third step of positioning the position adjustment device in the first fixing member by centering along the guiding means.

[0026] According to an optional feature of the invention, the light module is inserted during the second step in a first direction and the light module is moved during the third step in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

[0027] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and the illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] is a schematic view of a motor vehicle headlight, with a projector housing containing adjustment elements designed to cooperate with a light module represented by dotted lines;

[0029] [Fig.2] is a front view of the light module, with a specific support according to the invention and an envelope represented in dotted lines, the visible face of the light module being intended to be turned towards a back wall of the projector housing of [Fig.1];

[0030] [Fig.3] is a detailed view of a first fastening member and an area of reception formed in the support to facilitate according to the invention the docking of a position adjustment device with the support;

[0031] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of the support for the light module in the illustrated area on the [Fig.3];

[0032] [Fig. 5] is a detailed view of the fixing area illustrated in [Fig. 3], with a fastening element and an adjustment device head cooperating with the fastening element;

[0033] [Fig.6] is a schematic representation of the light module and the device of position adjustment intended to illustrate the assembly process of the light module.

[0034] It should first be noted that while the figures illustrate the invention in detail for its implementation, they can of course also be used to further define the invention where appropriate. It should also be noted that, throughout the figures, similar elements and / or elements performing the same function are indicated by the same numbering.

[0035] In the following description, a longitudinal direction corresponding to the direction of travel of the vehicle, a vertical direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the ground, and a transverse direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and vertical directions are represented respectively by the longitudinal axis L, the vertical axis V, and the transverse axis T of a trihedral (L, T, V) in the figures. A horizontal plane can be defined as a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis. Furthermore, the terms "lower" and "upper" should be considered in relation to the vertical direction and proximity to the ground.

[0036] A light module 1 according to the invention is integrated into a lighting device such as a front headlight 100 of a motor vehicle, schematically illustrated in [Fig. 1]. The headlight 100 comprises a housing 102 fixed to the vehicle body and configured to accommodate one or more light modules 1, shown here schematically by an envelope in dotted lines to make visible the bottom of the housing 102, and on the other hand to house adjustment elements among which, as seen here in [Fig.1], fixed points 104 intended to cooperate with corresponding fixing elements of the light module and a position adjustment device 106 intended to cooperate with another fixing element of the light module.

[0037] The light module is configured to implement one or more lighting functions and is associated with the position adjustment device 106, which allows the inclination of the light module to be modified according to the vehicle's driving conditions, in particular to lower or raise the light beam emitted by this light module accordingly. For example, in the event of a temporary overload of the vehicle equipped with the light module according to the invention, it is possible to tilt the light module within the headlight to direct the light beam towards the road and avoid dazzling the driver of a third vehicle. For this purpose, the position adjustment device 106 is a dynamic actuator with a spherical head 108 at the end of a telescopic rod 110.

[0038] Each of the adjustment elements is arranged in the bottom of the projector housing, to allow dynamic or static adjustment, for example in the workshop after the projector has been assembled, and the light module is mounted in the projector while the adjustment elements are already in position relative to the bottom wall of the housing.

[0039] The light module according to the invention is particularly particular in that it includes a support to allow the light module to pivot around at least one pivot axis, which is configured to allow easy mounting of the light module in the projector, with a step of docking the position adjustment device with the light module which is done blindly but in a simplified manner.

[0040] Fig. 2 illustrates more particularly a light module 1 comprising a support 2 configured to carry an envelope 4, shown schematically on this Fig. 2, within which are arranged at least one light source and optical elements configured to generate a light beam for lighting or signaling capable of giving visibility to the driver of the vehicle equipped with this type of light module 1 and making this vehicle visible to other road users.

[0041] The support 2 here has the form of a frame, although this form is not limiting to the invention. The support 2 includes, in particular, a first fastening member 6, adapted to cooperate with the position adjustment device 106, a second fastening member 8, and a third fastening member 10, respectively adapted to cooperate with the fixed adjustment elements mentioned above. Here, the first fastening member 6 is located in the upper right part of the support, and the other two members of Fasteners 8 and 10 are located in the lower part of the support, although this is not a limitation of the invention. More specifically, the first fastener 6 is located in a first fastening zone 12, and the other fasteners are located in fastening zones separate from the first fastening zone. As will be described below, the support 2 is particular according to the invention in that it includes a specific zone located near this first fastening zone 12, which facilitates the blind mounting of the light module in the projector housing.

[0042] Each fastening element here has the form of a capsule, made of plastic in particular, which is press-fitted into ribs of the support forming the appropriate fastening areas of the support. The capsule forming the fastening element has a cavity adapted to receive the spherical head of the corresponding adjustment element.

[0043] The first fixing member 6 has a receiving cavity 13 in the form of a slide within which the spherical head 108 of the position adjustment device 106 is able to slide, said slide extending along a slide axis A, here parallel to the vertical axis V.

[0044] The slide axis A is perpendicular to a pivot axis P passing through the center of the second fixing member 8 and through the center of the third fixing member 10 arranged in the lower part of the support 2, and here parallel to the transverse axis T.

[0045] The second mounting member 8 has a spherical receiving cavity, i.e., with shapes and dimensions corresponding to those of the spherical head of the fixed point forming the corresponding adjustment element, so that a ball joint is ensured between the support 2 of the light module and the projector housing. The slide axis A and the pivot axis P intersect at the center of this second mounting member 8. Thus, if the adjustment element associated with the third mounting member is a dynamic element, the support and the associated light module are able to pivot about the slide axis A and / or about the pivot axis P.

[0046] The third fixing member 10 has a receiving cavity in the form of a slide oriented transversely, parallel to the pivot axis P, in other words in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the slide axis A.

[0047] It is noteworthy that the third fixing member 10 is identical here to the first fixing member 6 in its form, only its orientation differs since the third fixing member is oriented horizontally while the first fixing member is oriented vertically.

[0048] According to the invention and as previously mentioned, the support 2 is particular in that the first fixing zone 12, in which the first fixing member 6 is housed, is extended along the axis of the slide by a receiving zone 14 configured to allow simplified docking of the position adjustment device 106 against the support during blind positioning in the projector. Such a reception zone 14 is thus formed in the support 2, and the first fixing element remains the same as the third fixing element, except for its orientation, as mentioned previously. This is particularly advantageous because the capsules forming these fixing elements can then be used interchangeably in either fixing zone.

[0049] The receiving area 14 formed in the support in the vicinity of the first fixing area 12 is configured to receive a head 108 of the position adjustment device 106 as will be detailed in figures 5 and 6.

[0050] The receiving area 14 is formed in the support by an external face 16 of the support, facing the back of the projector when the light module is in position in this projector, and delimited by ribs 18, 20. The ribs 18, 20, and more particularly the internal edges 21 of these ribs facing each other and towards the center of the receiving area, define a semi-circular profile of the receiving area, of shapes complementary to, but larger than, the spherical shape of the head 108 of the positioning device 106. Blindly, it is thus possible to bring this head against the external face 16 of the support in the receiving area 14, the ribs 18, 20 allowing the head 108 to avoid escaping anywhere other than in the direction of the first fixing area 12.The semi-circular profile of the receiving area leads to the first fixing area 12, with a guiding means 19 disposed between the receiving area 14 and the first fixing member 6 and which allows a trajectory to be defined to be followed so as to guide the position adjustment device 106 from the receiving area 14 towards the first fixing member 6. .

[0051] In the illustrated example, the ribs delimiting the receiving area 14 do not all have the same shape, one of them having a larger shape than the others to facilitate the reception of the head 108 of the position adjustment device 106. In this context, this larger rib takes the form of a curved wall 18 to help define the semi-circular profile of the receiving area 14.

[0052] The perimeter of the receiving zone 14, defined by the internal slices 21 of the ribs, is locally interrupted here, forming a plurality of additional ribs 20 cooperating with the curved wall 18, so as to reduce the amount of material used to delimit the receiving zone 14 by avoiding forming the curved wall 18 in one piece. The additional ribs 20 extend locally so that their internal slice 21 can be substantially straight and still contribute to the semi-circular profile of the receiving zone 14.

[0053] The guide means 19 interposed between the receiving zone 14 and the first fixing zone 12, or the first fixing member 6, forms at least one ramp inclined towards one end of the sliding-shaped receiving cavity of the first fixing member 6. Here, one ramp of the guide means 19 is formed by an additional rib 20 and another ramp of the guide means 19 is formed by one end of the curved wall 18. The guide means 19 makes it possible to progressively reduce the passage cross-section offered to the head 108 of the position adjustment device 106 from the receiving zone 14 towards the first fixing member 6.Indeed, in a principal plane of elongation of the support, here a vertical and transverse plane, parallel to the external face 16 of the support, the receiving area 14 has a first passage section 22, defined between two opposing internal slices 21 of ribs delimiting this receiving area 14, which is of a value greater than that of a second passage section 24 of the first fixing member 6, in other words, the width of the gutter intended to receive the head 108 of the position adjustment device 106. In this way, it is easy, even blindly for an operator, to center the position of the position adjustment device 106 within said first fixing member 6.

[0054] Fig. 4 also shows a feature whereby the receiving area 14 protrudes more from the support than the ribs forming the first fixing area 12, so as to form a receptacle which the head 108 of the position adjustment device 106 comes into contact with first.

[0055] The first attachment zone 12 and the receiving zone 14 both project from the outer face 16 of the support 2, being delimited by different ribs. The ribs 18, 20 that define the receiving zone 14, as previously mentioned, extend along a longitudinal direction, that is, a direction perpendicular to the plane of the outer face 16 of the support 2, with a first distance dl. The ribs 26 that define the attachment zone 12, as previously mentioned, extend along the same longitudinal direction with a second distance d2. It is noticeable in [Fig. 4] that the first distance dl is greater than the second distance d2.

[0056] Fig. 5 illustrates the arrangement of the position adjustment device 106 in the first fixing member 6.

[0057] As mentioned, the position adjustment device 106 includes a spherical head 108, conforming to the semi-circular shape of the first fixing member 6 in which it is arranged.

[0058] In order to retain the spherical head 26 of the position adjustment device 106 within the first fastening member 6, the gutter-shaped capsule has a first edge 28 and a second edge 30 curved towards each other to reduce the passage section relative to that at the center of the gutter. Only the rod 110 carrying the spherical head 108 is able to pass between these two edges 28, 30 and the spherical head 108 is thus retained in the receiving cavity when it is in position in the first fixing member.

[0059] Figure 6 is intended to illustrate a method for assembling the light module 1 within of a motor vehicle projector, said projector having a housing 102 here represented in dotted line and in the bottom of which is positioned the position adjustment device 106.

[0060] Initially, the light module 1 is inserted into the projector along a first translational direction D1, which here substantially coincides with the longitudinal direction L. This insertion of the light module continues until the receiving area 14 of the support 2 and the head 108 of the positioning device 106 come into contact. It is understood that the projector housing prevents the operator from seeing this contact and that the contact of the head 108 with the support is blind. The receiving area 14 formed on the support 2 facilitates the contact of the head 108 against the support 2 in alignment with the slide of the first fastening member. Subsequently, the light module is then slid along a second translational direction D2, which is substantially parallel to the extensional direction of the slide, i.e., the slide axis A, here parallel to the vertical direction.The guiding means 19 centers the head 108 of the position adjustment device 106 in the first fixing member 6. .

[0061] It follows from the preceding description that the invention achieves the goals it has set for itself by proposing a light module comprising a support in which a guide means for a position adjustment device is arranged, simple to manufacture and inexpensive, and which allows for easy positioning of the position adjustment device in the corresponding fixing member during the assembly of the motor vehicle.

[0062] The invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here, and it also extends to all equivalent means or configurations and to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

Demands

1. Light module (1) for a motor vehicle headlight comprising a housing (4), configured to house at least one light source and optical elements, and a support (2) for the housing, the support (2) having several fastening members (6, 8, 10) configured to permit pivoting of the light module (1) about at least one pivot axis (P) passing through two of said fastening members (6, 8, 10), the light module (1) being associated with a position adjustment device (106), the position adjustment device (106) cooperating with a first fastening member (6) housed in a first fastening zone (12) of the support (2),the support (2) further comprising a receiving zone (14) for the position adjustment device (106) formed in the vicinity of the first fixing zone (12) and at least one guiding means (19) arranged between the receiving zone (14) and the first fixing member (6) and configured to direct the position adjustment device (106) towards the first fixing member (6) during the assembly of the light module in said projector characterized in that the first fixing zone (12) and the receiving zone (14) are formed by ribs (18, 20, 26) projecting from an external face (16) of the support (2), the ribs (18, 20) contributing to defining the receiving zone (14) extending in a direction perpendicular to the external face (16) by a first distance (d1) greater than a second distance (d2) along which the ribs extend in the same direction ribs (26) defining the first attachment zone (12)...,

2. Light module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first fixing member (6) has a sliding shape along a sliding axis (A), the receiving area (14) being arranged in the extension of the first fixing member (6) along the sliding axis (A).

3. Light module (1) according to claim 2, wherein the receiving area (14) is delimited by one or more ribs (18, 20) which define a semi-circular profile.

4. Light module (1) according to claim 3, wherein a rib defines the semi-circular profile by forming a curved wall (18) which is locally interrupted.

5. Light module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the receiving area (14) has a first passage section (22) greater than a second passage section (24) of the first fixing member (6), the guiding means (19) being configured to progressively reduce the passage section so as to center the position of the position adjustment device (106) within said first fixing member (6).

6. Light module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in combination with claim 2, wherein the pivot axis (P) passes through a second fixing member (10) and a third fixing member (12), the slide axis (A) of the first fixing member (6) being perpendicular to the pivot axis (P).

7. Motor vehicle headlight characterized in that it comprises a light module (1) according to any one of claims 1 AA

8. a o. Method of assembling the light module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in a motor vehicle headlight, comprising at least the following steps, among which a first step of fixing the position adjustment device (106) in the headlight, a second step of inserting the light module (1) into the headlight during which the receiving area (14) of the support (2) is positioned in contact with the position adjustment device (106), a third step of moving the light module (1) relative to the position adjustment device (106) to move the latter from the receiving area (14) to the fixing area (8) via the guide means (19).

9. Method of assembling the light module (1) according to claim 8, wherein the light module (1) is inserted in the second step within the projector in a first direction (Dl) and wherein the light module (1) is moved in the third step in a second direction (D2) substantially perpendicular to the first direction (Dl).

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