CENTRAL OPTICAL UNIT PARTICIPATING IN THE BODYWORK, FOR A LAND VEHICLE

Abstract

An optical unit (BO) equips a central part of a front end of a vehicle, land and comprising a front cover placed between two wings, and comprises: - a housing (BB) at least partially delimiting a cavity (CB) housing an optical module (MO) ensuring a photometric function, and - a protective glass (GP) fixedly secured to the housing (BB) by closing the cavity (CB), and comprising an extension (EG) extending above this cavity (CB) and opposite a front part (PVG), through which photons generated by the optical module (MO) exit, defining a front plate occupying an empty space located between this front end and the front cover and wings. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: CENTRAL OPTICAL UNIT PARTICIPATING IN THE BODYWORK, FOR A LAND VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to optical units intended to be installed in a central position in the front ends of land vehicles. State of the art

[0002] Certain land vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise a front hood placed between two wings and set back from a front end comprising a grille, and a plastron (or in English "softnose") occupying an empty space located between this front end and the front hood and wings and participating in the bodywork. This plastron (or softnose) is in particular intended to extend the front hood forward, giving the impression that the front part of the (land) vehicle is elongated.

[0003] Currently, the plastron (or softnose) is a bodywork part (possibly made of plastic) which is attached to the vehicle and therefore requires not only the definition and / or installation of dedicated fixing elements, but also very precise positioning with respect to six components of the vehicle, namely its front hood, its two front wings, its two front headlights, and its grille. It therefore contributes to increasing the complexity of vehicle design, the number of vehicle components to be manufactured, stored, supplied to the assembly lines, and managed, and the time required for assembly of the latter, and therefore also the cost of the vehicle.

[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, suitable for equipping a central part of a front end of a land vehicle comprising a front hood placed between two wings, and, on the other hand, comprising:

[0006] - a housing at least partially delimiting a cavity housing an optical module suitable for ensuring a photometric function, and

[0007] - a protective glass fixedly secured to the housing, closing the cavity.

[0008] This optical unit is characterized by the fact that its protective glass comprises an extension extending above the cavity and opposite a front part, which it comprises and through which photons generated by the optical module exit, defining a plastron (or softnose) which is suitable for occupying an empty space located between the front end and the front hood and wings of the vehicle.

[0009] Thus, the breastplate is now an integral part of the protective glass (and therefore of the optical unit), which makes it possible to reduce the number of fixing elements (dedicated to its fixing) to be provided in the vehicle, and to facilitate its precise positioning, and therefore to reduce the complexity of vehicle design, the number of vehicle components, and the time required for vehicle assembly.

[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 optical module and the front part of its protective glass can define together a grille for the vehicle;

[0012] - the photometric function can be a lighting function;

[0013] - the extension of its protective glass may comprise at least one zone weakening which is likely to facilitate its deformation when struck by a person;

[0014] - in the presence of the last option, the (each) weakening zone can be a extension area having a locally reduced thickness or at least one groove;

[0015] - the extension of its protective glass may comprise a first part made in a first transparent material and having a first crystal color and intended to be placed at the interface with the exterior, and a second part having a second chosen color, and placed against and behind this first part so that this second color is visible from the exterior by transparency;

[0016] - in the presence of the last option, the second part may comprise, on the one hand, a first sub-part having a shape identical to that of the first part, and, on the other hand, a second sub-part extending opposite the front part of its protective glass to a sub-part of the housing while participating in the closing of the cavity;

[0017] - in the presence of the penultimate option and the last sub-option, the first subsection may include the (each) weakening zone.

[0018] The invention also proposes a land vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising, on the one hand, a front hood placed between two wings and set back from a front end, and, on the other hand, an optical unit of the type presented above and installed partly in a central part of this front end. Brief description of the figures

[0019] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a top view, a example of a land vehicle comprising an example of an embodiment of a central optical unit according to the invention,

[0021] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a longitudinal plane and vertical, a first example of embodiment of a central optical block according to the invention, and

[0022] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a longitudinal plane and vertical, a second example of embodiment of a central optical block according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0023] The invention aims in particular to propose a central optical unit BO intended to be installed, at least partially, in a front end of a land vehicle V and to participate in the bodywork of the latter (V).

[0024] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the land vehicle V is of the automobile type. It is for example a car, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l]. But the invention is not limited to this type of land vehicle. It in fact relates to any land vehicle comprising a front hood placed between two front wings and set back from a front end.

[0025] In Figures 1 to 3, the X direction is the longitudinal direction of the (land) vehicle V, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is the transverse direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions.

[0026] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate an example of a (land) vehicle V (here a saloon car) comprising, on the one hand, a front hood CV placed between two front wings AV and set back from a front end EV, and, on the other hand, a (central) optical unit BO according to the invention, installed partly in the central part of this front end EV.

[0027] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 3, a (central) optical unit BO, according to the invention, is suitable for equipping the central part of the front end EV of a vehicle V, and comprises a housing BB, an optical module MO, and a protective glass GP.

[0028] The BB housing at least partially delimits a cavity CB which houses the optical module MO.

[0029] The optical module MO is capable of providing a photometric function. For this purpose, it comprises, for example, at least one photon source capable of generating photons that are to participate in the photometric function, an electronic card for powering and controlling the (each) photon source and possibly comprising the (each) photon source, and possibly at least one optical element, such as for example a reflector or a light guide or a lens or even a mask.

[0030] Also for example, the (each) photon source may comprise at least a light-emitting diode (or LED). But alternatively, the (each) photon source may include at least one laser diode or a gas laser. Note that the choice of the (each) photon source may depend on the photometric function provided.

[0031] Also for example, the electronic card can be a printed circuit board of the PCB type (“Printed Circuit Board”).

[0032] It is considered in the following, by way of illustrative example, that the photometric function is a lighting function. But this is not an obligation. Indeed, it could be a signaling function or an ornamental function (or light signature).

[0033] The protective glass GP is fixedly secured to the housing BB by closing the cavity CB. As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, this protective glass GP comprises a front part PVG, through which photons generated by the optical module MO exit, and an extension EG.

[0034] It will be noted that in the examples illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3 the protective glass GP also participates in the definition of the cavity CB, more precisely here in its upper part. But this is not an obligation. Indeed, the entirety of the cavity CB could be delimited by the housing BB alone.

[0035] As is better seen in Figures 2 and 3, the extension EG extends above the cavity CB and opposite the front part PVG, defining a plastron (or softnose) which is suitable for occupying an empty space located between the front end EV and the front hood CV and front wings AV of the vehicle V.

[0036] The EG plastron is now an integral part of the GP protective glass and therefore of the BO optical unit, there are fewer fixing elements, dedicated to its fixing, to be provided in the vehicle V, and its precise positioning is simplified since it is now only done with respect to three components of the vehicle V, namely the front hood CV and front wings AV. This results in a reduction not only in the design complexity of the vehicle V, in the number of components of the vehicle V to be manufactured, stored, supplied to the assembly lines, and managed, but also in the time required for the assembly of the vehicle V, and therefore a reduction in the cost of the vehicle V.

[0037] Furthermore, this allows for continuity of glass between the EG faceplate and the glass of the front projectors (or headlights).

[0038] For example, the optical module MO and the front part PVG of the protective glass GP can advantageously together define a grille for the vehicle V. Such an option can in particular be implemented by integrating at least one mask into the optical module MO and / or by defining a mask and / or openings on the front part PVG of the protective glass GP. This provides a grille lit from the rear.

[0039] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3, the extension EG of the protective glass GP may comprise at least one weakening zone ZA which is capable of facilitating its deformation when it is struck by a person, such as for example a pedestrian or a cyclist or even a motorcyclist.

[0040] Thus, the EG plastron does not induce a reduction in the shock absorption capacity in the part of the vehicle V located just after its front end EV, and even now participates in this shock absorption. This very advantageously allows the vehicle V to comply with certain regulations in force regarding shocks on its part located just after its front end EV (and in particular that defined by Euro NCAP (“European New Vehicle Assessment Program”)). It is recalled that this regulation prohibits having a rigid zone in all circumstances in the front (and therefore central) part of the front hood and on the nose of the vehicle V.

[0041] It will be noted that the (each) weakening zone ZA may be capable of facilitating its deformation by depression or by breakage.

[0042] It is also important to note that the extension of a weakening zone ZA can be more or less large, and that the location of a weakening zone ZA can be variable. This depends in fact on the desired result during an impact, or even on the intensity of the impact. For example, a weakening zone ZA can allow local (and possibly partial) deformation during an impact of low intensity and local (and possibly partial) breakage during an impact of high intensity.

[0043] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], the (each) weakening zone ZA may be a zone of the extension EG which has a locally reduced thickness (of material). In other words, the (each) weakening zone ZA constitutes in this first exemplary embodiment a zone of reduced thickness favoring its deformation by depression or by breakage.

[0044] Alternatively, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 3], the (each) weakening zone ZA may be a zone of the extension EG which comprises at least one groove (or concave portion).

[0045] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3, the extension EG of the protective glass GP may comprise first PE1 and second PE2 parts. The first part PE1 is made of a first transparent material and has a first color called crystal, and is intended to be placed at the interface with the exterior. It is therefore visible to an observer outside the vehicle V. The second part PE2 has a second chosen color, and is placed (at least in part) against and behind the first part PE1 so that this second color is visible from the outside by transparency.

[0046] For example, the second color can be black. But this is not mandatory. In In fact, any non-crystal color can be considered, and in particular a color identical to that of the rest of the bodywork of which the EG breastplate is a part.

[0047] Also for example, the first PE1 and second PE2 parts can be obtained by overmolding. For this purpose, it is possible in particular to use a plastic material such as PP (polypropylene) TD 10 or 20, for example.

[0048] Also for example, each of the first PE1 and second PE2 parts may have a thickness (of material) of between 1 mm and 2 mm.

[0049] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3, the second part PE2 of the extension EG may comprise first SP1 and second SP2 sub-parts which extend each other. The first sub-part SP1 has a shape identical to that of the first part PE1 of the extension EG. The second sub-part SP2 extends opposite the front part PVG (and therefore towards the rear of the vehicle V) to a sub-part of the housing BB, participating, here, in the closing of the cavity CB. This second sub-part SP2 is therefore here secured to the housing BB, and the first sub-part SP1 passes above it, participating in the definition of the internal part of the plastron EG.

[0050] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3 the first sub-part SP1 comprises the (each) weakening zone ZA. But in a variant embodiment not illustrated, the (each) weakening zone ZA could be defined in the first part PE1 of the extension EG.

[0051] For example, when the first sub-part SP1 has a thickness (of material) of approximately 2 mm, the (each) weakening zone ZA may be a zone where the thickness is reduced by 1 mm ([Fig.2]) or a groove having a depth of 1 mm ([Fig.3]).

Claims

Claims

1. Optical unit (BO) suitable for equipping a central part of a front end (EV) of a land vehicle (V) and comprising a front cover (CV) placed between two wings (AV), and comprising i) a housing (BB) at least partially delimiting a cavity (CB) housing an optical module (MO) suitable for providing a photometric function, and ii) a protective glass (GP) fixedly secured to said housing (BB) by closing said cavity (CB), characterized in that said protective glass (GP) comprises an extension (EG) extending above said cavity (CB) and opposite a front part (PVG), through which photons generated by said optical module (MO) exit, defining a front plate suitable for occupying an empty space located between said front end (EV) and said front cover (CV) and wings (AV).

2. Optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said optical module (MO) and said front part (PVG) of the protective glass (GP) together define a grille for said vehicle (V).

3. Optical unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said photometric function is a lighting function.

4. Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said extension (EG) comprises at least one weakening zone (ZA) capable of facilitating its deformation when it is struck by a person.

5. Optical unit according to claim 4, characterized in that said weakening zone (ZA) is a zone of said extension (EG) having a locally reduced thickness.

6. Optical unit according to claim 4, characterized in that said weakening zone (ZA) is a zone of said extension (EG) comprising at least one groove.

7. Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said extension (EG) comprises i) a first part (PE1) made of a first transparent material and having a first crystal color and intended to be placed at the interface with the exterior, and ii) a second part (PE2) having a second chosen color, and placed against and behind said first part (PE1) so that this second color is visible from the exterior by transparency.

8. Optical unit according to claim 7, characterized in that said second part (PE2) comprises i) a first sub-part (SP1) having a shape identical to that of said first part (PE1), and ii) a second sub-part (SP2) extending opposite said front part (PVG) to a sub-part of said housing (BB) while participating in the closing of said cavity (CB).

9. Optical unit according to one of claims 4 to 6 taken in combination with claim 8, characterized in that said first sub-part (SP1) comprises said weakening zone (ZA).

10. Land vehicle (V) comprising a front hood (CV) placed between two wings (AV) and set back from a front end (EV), characterized in that it comprises an optical unit (BO) according to one of claims 1 to 9, installed partly in a central part of said front end (EV).

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