Motor vehicle comprising a light assembly movable in translation relative to a technical front face

Abstract

Motor vehicle (1) comprising a front face extending in a vertical direction covered by a shield (3), a front windshield (5) located above the shield (3), a technical front face (10) located under the shield (3) and secured to a body (8) of the vehicle, and a lighting assembly (20) located between an upper end of the shield (3) and the front windshield (5). The lighting assembly (20) is movable in translation along a vertical axis (Z) relative to the technical front face (10) between a deployed position in which the lighting assembly is vertically spaced from the shield (3) and a retracted position in which the lighting assembly is in contact with the shield (3). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle comprising a light assembly movable in translation relative to a technical front face

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles and in particular the integration of lighting on the front face of a motor vehicle.

[0002] New designs of motor vehicles, in particular with a front end that is vertical or substantially inclined relative to the vertical axis, have emerged. In this type of motor vehicle, the lighting has been integrated in the form of a light strip placed in a high position, under the windshield of the vehicle.

[0003] Generally, the light strip extends transversely across the entire width of the front face.

[0004] However, such a light strip must be removed to access the battery, the brake fluid reservoir or the windshield wiper fluid reservoir. Note that this type of vehicle generally does not have a hood.

[0005] The light strip is made of transparent material, for example polycarbonate, the surface of which is fragile to scratches and sensitive to impacts, in the same way as conventional optics on motor vehicles.

[0006] Furthermore, the particularly large size of the light strip makes it difficult to handle, particularly in a repair workshop, without risking damaging it.

[0007] There is therefore a need to simplify access to the car components located under this strip.

[0008] The objective of the invention is therefore to overcome these drawbacks by minimizing the handling of the strip while facilitating access to the car components located under this strip, in order to reduce the risk of damage to the light strip.

[0009] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a front face extending in a vertical direction covered by a shield, a front windshield located above the shield, a technical front face located under the shield and secured to a body of the vehicle, and a light assembly located between an upper end of the shield and a lower part of the windshield.

[0010] The term "shield" is understood herein to mean that it extends over a vertically extended area at the front of the vehicle and is not bordered by any hood as conventionally known in the prior art.

[0011] The light assembly is movable in translation along a vertical axis relative to the technical front face between a deployed position in which the light assembly is spaced vertically from the shield, in particular from the upper part of the shield, and a retracted position in which the light assembly is in contact with the shield, in particular the upper part of the shield.

[0012] In other words, the light assembly is connected to the technical front face by a sliding connection along the vertical axis.

[0013] Advantageously, the light assembly comprises a transverse light strip extending along a transverse axis over at least part of the width of the motor vehicle.

[0014] For example, the light assembly comprises two guide columns secured to the light strip and each extending along the vertical axis towards the technical front face, and the technical front face comprises two guide members each extending along the vertical axis towards the light strip, each guide column being intended to slide in a corresponding guide member.

[0015] The guide columns are parallel to each other.

[0016] In other words, each guide member is hollow so as to receive a guide column of the light assembly.

[0017] For example, each guide member has a rectangular section. Alternatively, other cross-sectional shapes of the guide member could be provided, for example square or circular.

[0018] Generally, the shape of the section of each guide member is identical to the shape of the section of the corresponding guide column.

[0019] Generally, the internal dimension of the section of each guide member is slightly greater than the external dimension of the section of the corresponding guide column, in order to allow said guide column to slide easily in the corresponding guide member.

[0020] For example, a return member could be provided associated with each guide column in order to facilitate the movement of the light strip into the deployed position.

[0021] Advantageously, each guide member of the technical front face comprises an opening intended to cooperate with a position holding pin located on the light assembly.

[0022] For example, each guide column comprises a first pin for holding the light strip in position in the retracted position, said first pin being intended to cooperate with the opening located on the corresponding guide member.

[0023] For example, each guide column comprises a second pin for holding the light strip in position in the deployed position, said second pin being intended to cooperate with the opening located on the corresponding guide member.

[0024] Thus, the high and low positions of the light strip are locked.

[0025] Advantageously, the light assembly comprises at least one fixing lug, for example three fixing lugs, integral with the light strip, projecting along the vertical axis towards the technical front face and intended to cooperate with a corresponding fixing lug located on the technical front face.

[0026] The fixing lugs of the light assembly and the technical front face are advantageously secured to each other by reversible fixing means, preferably screw means.

[0027] For example, the shield comprises an opening for access to the reversible fixing means of the fixing lugs and a hatch pivoting along the transverse axis between a closed position in which the hatch closes the opening and an open position in which the hatch allows access to the opening.

[0028] Thus, when the hatch is open, it is possible to dismantle the reversible fixing means to slide the light strip upwards along the vertical axis and thus clear the maintenance area without having to detach the light strip from the vehicle.

[0029] Alternatively, it could be provided that the top of the shield is devoid of such a hatch and that the light assembly is moved into the deployed position following a vertical force on the light strip.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the light strip comprises at least two lighting means, such as daytime running lights or daytime repeater lighting in English terms, with the acronym DRL.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the light strip is produced in the form of a single transverse block.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the light strip is produced in the form of two lateral blocks fixed directly on the body and a central block movable in translation relative to the top of the shield by means of the guide columns and the guide members.

[0033] For example, the technical front face comprises two parallel cross members extending along the transverse axis over the entire width of the vehicle.

[0034] The two crosspieces are intended to be fixed to each side of the vehicle body.

[0035] For example, the technical front face comprises fixing members for the fixing of a motor vehicle cooling radiator.

[0036] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0037] [Fig.l] very schematically illustrates a view of the front face of a motor vehicle comprising a light assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0038] [Fig.2] is a detail view of [Fig.l] in a closed position of an access hatch;

[0039] [Fig.3] is a detail view of [Fig.l] in an open position of the access hatch;

[0040] [Fig.4] illustrates a transverse light strip of the light assembly of the motor vehicle of [Fig.l] in a deployed position of the light strip;

[0041] [Fig.5] is a detailed perspective view of the technical front face of the motor vehicle of [Fig.4] without the shield;

[0042] [Fig.6a], [[Fig.6b]] represent a rear view of [Fig.5] respectively in a deployed position of the light strip and in a retracted position of said light strip; and

[0043] [Fig.7] very schematically illustrates a view of the front face of a motor vehicle comprising a light assembly according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0044] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "vertical", "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are defined according to the usual orthogonal reference system for motor vehicles, shown in the drawings, and which includes:

[0045] - a longitudinal axis X, horizontal and oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle;

[0046] - a transverse axis Y, horizontal, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and oriented left to right of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving;

[0047] - a vertical axis Z, orthogonal to the longitudinal and transverse axes X and Y and directed from bottom up.

[0048] In [Fig.l], a partial front view of a front face of a motor vehicle, referenced 1 as a whole, comprising a body 2 comprising a shield 3, an aesthetic grille 4 with, in particular, two headlights (not referenced) and a front windshield 5 located above the shield 3, is shown very schematically.

[0049] The motor vehicle 1 further comprises four wheels, of which only two front wheels 6, 7 are visible in [Fig.l].

[0050] The motor vehicle 1 further comprises a technical front face 10 located under the shield 3 of the vehicle, visible in detail in FIGS. 5, 6a and 6b, and a light assembly 20 located between an upper end (not referenced) of the shield 3 and the front windshield 5.

[0051] The light assembly 20 is connected to the technical front face 10 by a sliding connection along the vertical axis Z.

[0052] In other words, the light assembly 20 is movable in translation along the vertical axis Z relative to the technical front face 10.

[0053] The technical front face 10 comprises two parallel crosspieces 11, 12 extending along the transverse axis over the entire width of the vehicle. The two crosspieces 11, 12 are intended to be fixed to the two sides of the body 8 of the vehicle 1.

[0054] The technical front face 10 comprises fixing members (not referenced) for fixing a cooling radiator 9 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0055] The technical front face 10 further comprises three fixing lugs 13, integral with the upper crosspiece 11 and each intended to cooperate with a corresponding fixing lug 27 provided on the light strip 21 of the light assembly 20.

[0056] Alternatively, at least one fixing lug 13 could be provided.

[0057] The technical front face 10 further comprises two guide members 14.

[0058] Each guide member 14 extends along the vertical axis Z and is hollow, so as to receive a guide column 24 from the light assembly 20.

[0059] As illustrated, each guide member 14 has a rectangular section. Alternatively, other section shapes of the guide member could be provided, for example square or circular.

[0060] Generally, the shape of the section of each guide member 14 is identical to the shape of the section of the corresponding guide column.

[0061] Generally, the internal dimension of the section of each guide member 14 is slightly greater than the external dimension of the section of the corresponding guide column, in order to allow said guide column 24 to slide easily in the corresponding guide member.

[0062] Each guide member 14 comprises an opening 14a intended to cooperate with position-holding pins 25, 26 provided on the guide columns 24.

[0063] The light assembly 20 comprises a transverse light strip 21 extending along the transverse axis over the entire width of the motor vehicle.

[0064] The light strip is located under the front windshield 5 and above the shield 3.

[0065] As illustrated, the light strip 21 comprises, here, two daytime running lights 22 and a light-framed area 23.

[0066] Alternatively, it could be provided that the light strip 21 only comprises two daytime running lights 22.

[0067] The light assembly 20 further comprises two guide columns 24 secured to the light strip 21 and extending downwards along the vertical axis Z.

[0068] Each guide column 24 is intended to slide in a corresponding guide member 14 of the technical front face 10.

[0069] Each guide column 24 comprises a first pin 25 for holding the light strip 21 in position in a retracted position, in which the light strip 21 is flush with the shield 3, visible in [Fig.3].

[0070] Each guide column 24 further comprises a second pin 26 for holding the light strip 21 in position in a deployed position, in which the light strip 21 is spaced vertically from the shield 3, visible in [Fig.4].

[0071] Thus, the high and low positions of the light strip 21 are locked.

[0072] The light assembly 20 further comprises three fixing lugs 27 secured to the light strip 21, projecting along the vertical axis Z towards the base and each intended to cooperate with a corresponding fixing lug 13 provided on the technical front face 10.

[0073] The fixing lugs 13, 27 are secured to each other by reversible fixing means (not shown), for example screw means.

[0074] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the shield 3 comprises a hatch 3a pivoting along the transverse axis Y between a closed position, visible in [Fig.2], in which the hatch 3a closes an opening 3b provided on the shield 3 and an open position, visible in Figures 3 and 4, in which the hatch 3a allows access to the opening 3b.

[0075] The opening 3b provided in the shield 3 allows access to a filler cap 3c of a windshield washer fluid reservoir (not shown), as well as to the reversible fixing means of the fixing lugs 13, 27.

[0076] Thus, when the hatch 3a is open, it is possible to dismantle the reversible fixing means to slide the light strip 21 upwards along the vertical axis Z and thus to clear the maintenance zone without having to separate the light strip 21 from the vehicle 1.

[0077] A return member (not shown) could be provided associated with each guide column 24 in order to facilitate the movement of the light strip 21 into the deployed position.

[0078] In the example illustrated in Figures 3 to 6b, the light strip 21 is produced in the form of a single transverse block.

[0079] Alternatively, it could be provided that the light strip 21 is produced in the form of several blocks, for example two lateral blocks 21a, 21b fixed relative to the shield 3 and a central block 21c movable in translation relative to the shield 3 by means of the guide columns 24 and the guide members 14, as illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0080] By fixing the light strip in a sliding manner on the technical front of the motor vehicle, access to the battery, the brake fluid reservoir or the windscreen wiper fluid reservoir is facilitated and it is thus possible to avoid damage to said light strip during a maintenance operation in this area of the vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a front face extending in a vertical direction covered by a shield (3), a front windshield (5) located above the shield (3), a technical front face (10) located under the shield (3) and secured to a body (8) of the vehicle, and a light assembly (20) located between an upper end of the shield (3) and a lower part of the front windshield (5), characterized in that the light assembly (20) is movable exclusively in translation along a vertical axis (Z) relative to the technical front face (10) between a deployed position in which the light assembly is spaced vertically from the shield (3) and a retracted position in which the light assembly is in contact with the shield (3).

2. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, in which the light assembly (20) comprises a transverse light strip (21) extending along a transverse axis (Y) over at least part of the width of the motor vehicle.

3. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 2, in which the light assembly (20) comprises two guide columns (24) integral with the light strip (21) and each extending along the vertical axis (Z) towards the technical front face (10), and in which the technical front face (10) comprises two guide members (14) each extending along the vertical axis (Z) towards the light strip (21), each guide column (24) being intended to slide in a corresponding guide member (14).

4. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 3, in which each guide member (14) of the technical front face (10) comprises an opening (14a) intended to cooperate with a position-holding pin (25, 26) located on the light assembly (20).

5. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 4, in which each guide column (24) comprises a first pin (25) for holding the light strip (21) in position in the retracted position, said first pin (25) being intended to cooperate with the opening (14a) located on the corresponding guide member (14).

6. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 4 or 5, in which each guide column (24) comprises a second pin (26) for holding the light strip (21) in position in the position deployed, said second pin (26) being intended to cooperate with the opening (14a) located on the corresponding guide member (14).

7. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, in which the light assembly (20) comprises at least one fixing lug (27) integral with the light strip (21), projecting along the vertical axis (Z) towards the technical front face (10) and intended to cooperate with a corresponding fixing lug (13) located on the technical front face (10).

8. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 7, in which the fixing lugs (13, 27) of the light assembly (20) and of the technical front face (10) are secured to each other by reversible fixing means, preferably screw means.

9. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 8, in which the shield (3) comprises an opening (3b) for access to the reversible fixing means of the fixing lugs (13, 27) and a hatch (3a) pivoting along the transverse axis (Y) between a closed position in which the hatch (3a) closes the opening (3b) and an open position in which the hatch (3a) allows access to the opening (3b).

10. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 2 taken in combination with any one of the preceding claims, in which the light strip (21) comprises at least two side daytime running lights (22).

11. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 2 taken in combination with any one of the preceding claims, in which the light strip (21) is produced in the form of a single transverse block.

12. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 3 taken in combination with any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the light strip (21) is produced in the form of two lateral blocks (21a, 21b) fixed relative to the shield (3) and a central block (21c) movable in translation relative to the shield (3) by means of the guide columns (24) and the guide members (14).

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