Method for manufacturing a light projector for a motor vehicle, light projector and associated motor vehicle.

The method of injection molding a single piece part with light sources and transparent polymer organs for motor vehicle projectors addresses the need for cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing light projectors by enhancing positioning and reducing costs.

FR3152052B1Active Publication Date: 2025-12-26STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2023008523
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-08-07
Publication Date
2025-12-26
Estimated Expiration
2043-08-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

There is a need to manufacture light projectors for motor vehicles that are both aesthetically pleasing and inexpensive.

Method used

A method involving injection molding of a single piece part comprising first and second light sources and transparent polymer organs to guide and diffuse light, followed by securing this part to a support, which facilitates positioning and reduces manufacturing costs.

Benefits of technology

Facilitates positioning of light organs and reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a light projector comprising: A support (200) including a first light source (221) producing a first light and a second light source (222, 223) producing a second light, and a first component (110), a second component (120), a third component (130), and a fourth component (140), the first component (110) guiding the first light to the third component (130), the third component diffusing the first light outside the vehicle, the second component (120) guiding the second light to the fourth component (140), the fourth component (140) diffusing the second light outside the vehicle. The method being characterized by the following steps: Injection molding of a part (100) comprising the first component (110), the second component (120), the third component (130), and the fourth component (140), Fixing the part (100) to support (200). Figure for the abbreviation: figure 3
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Description

Title of the invention: Method for manufacturing a light projector for a motor vehicle, light projector and associated motor vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to light projectors for motor vehicles.

[0002] There is a need to manufacture light projectors that are both aesthetically pleasing and inexpensive.

[0003] To this end, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a light projector suitable for installation (for example, clipped and / or screwed) in a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising an interior and an exterior, the light projector comprising: - A support comprising a first light source capable of producing (in other words: capable of emitting) a first light and a second light source capable of producing (in other words: capable of emitting) a second light (distinct or different from the first light source), and - A first organ (for example, opposite the first light source), a second organ (distinct or different from the first organ, for example, opposite the second light source), a third organ and a fourth organ (distinct or different from the third organ), The first component having a shape, a position and being made of at least one transparent polymer, (all three) chosen so that the first component is able to guide the first light to the third component, (when the light projector is installed in the motor vehicle,)

[0004] The third element having a shape, a position, and being made of at least one transparent polymer, (all three) chosen so that the third element is capable of diffusing the first light outside the motor vehicle, (when the light projector is installed in the motor vehicle,)

[0005] The second member having a shape, a position and being made of at least one transparent polymer, (all three) chosen so that the second member is able to guide the second light to the fourth member, (when the light projector is installed in the motor vehicle,)

[0006] The fourth element having a shape, a position, and being made of at least one transparent polymer, (all three) chosen so that the fourth element is capable of diffusing the second light outside the motor vehicle, (when the light projector is installed in the motor vehicle,)

[0007] The process being characterized in that it comprises the following steps; - Injection molding of a part comprising the first organ, the second organ, the third organ, and the fourth organ (in one piece), then - Securing the part to the support.

[0008] By manufacturing the first organ, the second organ, the third organ, and the fourth organ in a single piece, the invention makes it possible to: - To facilitate the positioning of the first organ, the second organ, the third organ, and the fourth organ in the light projector, - To reduce the manufacturing cost of the light projector.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the attachment of the part to the support can be followed by the following steps: - Mounting the bracket and the part in the light projector, for example in a housing of the light projector, then, for example - Installation of the projector in the motor vehicle.

[0010] For example, the first light source and the second light source can be light-emitting diodes.

[0011] For example, the part provides daytime running lights in the light projector. The light projector can also perform several lighting functions such as low beam and / or high beam functions (when the light projector is installed in the motor vehicle).

[0012] For example, the projector includes a housing, in which the support is fixed, closed by a glass on one side turned towards the outside of the vehicle.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the first organ, the second organ, the third organ and the fourth organ are made of polycarbonate (as well as, optionally, the connecting organ below).

[0014] Of course, other transparent polymers can be used.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the part is fixed to the support by means of clips.

[0016] Alternatively, the part can be screwed to the support, for example.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the part further comprises a connecting element in transparent polymer fixing the first organ (and / or the third organ) to the second organ (and / or the fourth organ).

[0018] Alternatively, for example, the first organ is fixed directly to the second organ.

[0019] For example, the first component is a cylinder, comprising a cylindrical surface, one end of the cylinder facing the first light source, a portion of the cylindrical surface (for example, facing the interior of the vehicle when the light projector is installed in the vehicle) comprising a first relief (for example, grooves) to diffuse the first light towards the third component consisting of a plate (located, for example, opposite the first relief in relation to the cylinder) capable of diffusing the first light towards the outside of the motor vehicle when the light projector is installed in the motor vehicle.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the light projector comprises a plate including: - An inner face turned towards the interior of the motor vehicle when the light projector is installed in the motor vehicle, and - An outer face facing outwards from the motor vehicle when the light projector is installed in the motor vehicle (parallel to the inner face), The fourth component comprising a fourth portion of the plate where the inner face includes a fourth relief (for example, a grain, or a bead) to diffuse the second light outwards from the vehicle (through the outer face), when the light projector is installed in the motor vehicle,

[0021] The second component comprising: - A second portion of the plate located between the fourth portion (in other words: the fourth organ) and the second light source, and - A slice of the plate opposite the second light source.

[0022] The invention also relates to a light projector obtained by the manufacturing process according to the invention and a motor vehicle comprising this projector.

[0023] The characteristics and advantages of the light projector and the vehicle are identical to those of the method according to the invention, without it being necessary to repeat them here.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description, which includes embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: - [Fig.1] represents a motor vehicle according to the invention comprising the light projector of [Fig.2], according to an embodiment of the invention. - [Fig.2] represents a light projector of the vehicle in [Fig.1], according to an embodiment of the invention, - [Fig.3] and [Fig.4] represent a part of the light projector of the [Fig.2], as well as its support, - [Fig. 5] represents an implementation of the process according to the invention, according to a example of implementation, for the manufacture of the projector of [Fig.2].

[0025] Detailed description of an example embodiment of the invention with reference to figures 1 to 5.

[0026] [Fig.l], a vehicle 10000 includes an interior 11000 and an exterior 12000 as well as a light projector 1000.

[0027] [Fig.2], the projector 1000 comprises, in the housing 300, a part 100, represented figures 3 and 4, fixed to support 200.

[0028] For example, part 100, in the light projector 1000, can provide daytime running lights. The projector 1000 also includes a low beam module and / or a high beam module.

[0029] For example, the housing 300 is closed by a glass on the outside 12000 of the motor vehicle 10000.

[0030] Fig. 3 represents part 100 and support 200.

[0031] The [Fig.4] represents the section referenced ICC [Fig.3].

[0032] Part 100 comprises: - A 130-page plaque, - A cylindrical 110, one end of which faces the light-emitting diode 221, comprising grooves 111 for diffusing the first light towards the plate 130, capable of diffusing the light emitted by the light-emitting diode 221 outwards 12000 of the motor vehicle 10000 when the light projector 1000 is installed in the motor vehicle 10000, - A plate having a first portion 140, the face of which, turned towards the interior 11000 of the vehicle 1000 when the light projector 1000 is installed in the motor vehicle 10000, comprises a graining 141 to diffuse the light, emitted by the light-emitting diodes 222 and 223, and received via the first portion 120 of the plate (which itself receives this light from the light-emitting diodes 223 and 222, through a slice of the first portion 120), towards the exterior 12000 of the motor vehicle 1000, and - A connecting element 150 fixing the first portion 120 to the cylinder 110.

[0033] This configuration makes it possible to produce a light signature comprising an elongated part, at the level of the cylinder and a narrower vertical part at the level of the plate.

[0034] In part 100, the plate can be replaced by a cylinder or another type of light guide. Also, the cylinder 110 can be replaced by a plate or another type of light guide.

[0035] The support 200 includes the light-emitting diodes 221, 222 and 223.

[0036] [Fig.5], at step S00, part 100 is manufactured, in one piece, by an injection molding step of transparent polycarbonate.

[0037] At step S10, part 100 is fixed to support 200 by clipping.

[0038] At step S20, the support 200 and the part 100 are mounted in the projector of 1000 lumens, 300 lumens in the case.

[0039] At step S30, the projector 1000 is then mounted in the motor vehicle 10000.

Claims

1. Demands Method for manufacturing a light projector (1000) suitable for installation in a motor vehicle (10000), the motor vehicle comprising an interior (11000) and an exterior (12000), the light projector (1000) comprising: - A support (200) comprising a first light source (221) capable of producing a first light and a second light source (222, 223) capable of producing a second light, and - A first organ (110), a second organ (120), a third organ (130) and a fourth organ (140), The first organ (110) having a shape, a position and being made of at least one transparent polymer, chosen so that the first organ (110) is able to guide the first light to the third organ (130), The third component (130) having a shape, a position, and being made of at least one transparent polymer, chosen so that the third component (130) is capable of diffusing the first light outside (12000) of the motor vehicle (12000), The second organ (120) having a shape, a position and being made of at least one transparent polymer, chosen so that the second organ (120) is capable of guiding the second light to the fourth organ (140), The fourth component (140) having a shape, a position, and being made of at least one transparent polymer, chosen so that the fourth component is capable of diffusing the second light outside (12000) of the motor vehicle (10000), The process is characterized in that it comprises the following steps; - Injection molding (S00) of a part (100) comprising the first organ (110), the second organ (120), the third organ (130), and the fourth organ (140), - Fixing (S 10) of the part (100) to the support (200), in that the first organ (110) is a cylinder, comprising a cylindrical surface, one end of the cylinder making

2.

3.

4.

5. facing the first light source (221), a portion of the cylindrical surface comprising a first relief (141) for diffusing the first light towards the third component (130) consisting of a plate capable of diffusing the first light outwards (12000) from the motor vehicle (10000) when the light projector (1000) is installed in the motor vehicle (10000), and in that the light projector (1000) comprises a plate including: - An inner face facing inwards (11000) of the motor vehicle (10000) and an outer face facing outwards (12000) of the motor vehicle (10000), when the light projector (1000) is installed in the motor vehicle (1000), and The fourth component (140) comprising a fourth portion of the plate where the inner face includes a fourth relief (141) for diffusing the second light outwards from the vehicle, when the light projector (1000) is installed in the motor vehicle (10000), The second organ comprising: - A second portion (120) of the plate located between the fourth portion and the second light source, and - A slice of the plate opposite the second light source (222, 223). A manufacturing method according to the preceding claim, wherein the first component (110), the second component (120), the third component (130), and the fourth component (140) are made of polycarbonate. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment (S 10) of the part (100) to the support is achieved by means of clips. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims in which the part (100) further comprises a connecting element (150) made of transparent polymer fixing the first element (110) to the second element (120). Light projector (1000) obtained by the manufacturing process according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. Motor vehicle (10000) comprising the light projector (100) according to the preceding claim.