Luminous device for motor vehicle.

Abstract

Title of the invention: Lighting device for a motor vehicle. The present invention relates to a lighting device (2) for a motor vehicle comprising at least one housing (4) and a lighting module arranged within the housing, the lighting module comprising a projection lens (16) and a lighting unit (24), the housing (4) comprising a first part (6) and a second part (8) secured to each other so as to delimit an internal volume in which the lighting unit (24) is housed, the first part (6) of the housing (4) being made in a single-piece assembly formed on the one hand by said projection lens (16) and on the other hand by a cover (18), configured to cooperate with the second part (8), said lighting unit (24) being movable relative to the housing and the lighting device (2) comprising a device for adjusting the position of the lighting unit (24) within the housing (4) in two perpendicular directions. (Figure 4)

Description

Title of the invention: Luminous device for a motor vehicle.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lighting devices and in particular lighting devices intended to equip a motor vehicle. The present invention relates more particularly to a lighting unit housed in a housing of such a lighting device, the lighting unit being capable of generating light rays exiting the lighting module through a projection lens, the projection lens being fixed relative to the housing and the lighting unit movable relative to the housing.

[0002] Vehicles and in particular motor vehicles are commonly equipped with headlights for generating various light functions such as road lighting or vehicle signaling. To do this, the headlights of motor vehicles are equipped with light modules which each comprise at least one light source configured to emit light rays, optical elements associated with said at least one light source for collecting and directing said light rays, and at least one projection lens configured to shape these light rays collected and directed by the optical elements and to project them towards the outside of the headlight and the motor vehicle, forming a regulatory light beam suitable for performing the light function.

[0003] Vehicle headlights generally comprise a housing within which the light modules are arranged and which is associated with a transparent closing window, also called a closing glass, closing the headlight and intended to form a physical protection to protect the light modules housed in these headlights. However, this transparent surface has many disadvantages. It has thus been verified that this transparent surface causes a loss of efficiency of the light function of approximately 15%, in particular by unwanted deviations of the light rays intended to perform this light function. In addition, for reasons of space requirement or aesthetics, it may be desirable not to have an additional transparent surface opposite the lenses of the light modules.

[0004] It is therefore sought, for the production of at least certain vehicles, headlights without closing glass.

[0005] This implies constraints in terms of sealing to ensure the protection of both the light modules arranged within the projector and the devices for adjusting the inclination of these light modules, also housed in the projector.

[0006] These adjustment devices have the function of adjusting the orientation of the light module within the projector, both vertically and laterally, in order to ensure that the light beam emitted by the light module is correctly thrown onto the road.

[0007] The present invention falls within this context, and aims to protect a lighting device which does not include a closing window as presented previously, that is to say a transparent surface additional to a projection lens and resulting in a loss of luminous efficiency, this lighting device however having to ensure optimal sealing for the components housed within the projector housing.

[0008] The present invention falls within this context and has as its main object a lighting device for a motor vehicle comprising at least one housing and a lighting module arranged within the housing, the lighting module comprising a projection lens and a lighting unit, the lighting unit comprising at least one light source, light rays emitted by the at least one light source being able to exit the lighting device through said projection lens, the housing comprising a first part and a second part secured to each other so as to delimit an internal volume in which the lighting unit is housed, the first part of the housing being made in a single-piece assembly formed on the one hand by said projection lens and on the other hand by a cover, configured to cooperate with the second part,said light unit being movable relative to the housing and the light device comprising a device for adjusting the position of the light unit within the housing in two perpendicular directions.

[0009] The lighting device comprises a housing which forms the external envelope of the lighting device and which defines an internal volume in which the lighting unit is housed. The housing is formed of two complementary parts, namely a first part comprising a cover and the projection lens, and a second part. The housing therefore makes it possible to define the internal volume in which the lighting unit is housed. It is understood that the projection lens thus participates in forming the housing.

[0010] The first part is secured to the second part in a sealed manner to ensure the protection of the light module, and in particular of the light unit, as well as any element housed in the housing of the light device, such as for example the device for adjusting the position of the light unit.

[0011] The configuration of the lighting device according to the invention makes it possible to dispense with the presence of a closing window. The projection lens of the lighting module is used both by the lighting module for the projection of the light rays emitted by the at least one light source into a lighting and / or signaling beam, and by the housing to form the sealed external envelope of the lighting device.

[0012] It is understood that since the light unit is movable relative to the housing, the unit The light unit is movable relative to the projection lens since the latter is part of the housing. Thus, when adjusting the position of the light unit within the housing by the adjustment device, the housing, and therefore the projection lens, remain fixed.

[0013] The cover and the projection lens which form the first part of the housing are made so as to form a single-piece assembly. Here, a single-piece assembly should be understood to mean that the first part is indivisibly formed of the projection lens and the cover, that is to say that the projection lens cannot be disassembled from the cover without damaging the first part of the housing.

[0014] The projection lens forms the element of the lighting device through which the light rays are able to exit the lighting device to be projected towards the road. Thus, the projection lens is configured to shape the light rays emitted by the at least one light source, and optionally collected and oriented by one or more optical elements of the lighting unit, and to project them towards the outside of the lighting device. This projection lens is an element performing a treatment of the light rays to make them compliant with various regulations.More specifically, this projection lens makes it possible to modify in particular the trajectory of the light rays emitted by the light unit and oriented a first time if necessary by one or more optical elements arranged in the light unit, and arranged upstream of this projection lens, so as to generate a beam of light rays according to desired parameters.

[0015] It is understood from the above that the projection lens is an optical element playing a role in the formation of the light function formed by the light rays which pass through the projection lens and that without this projection lens, the production of a regulatory beam is not possible. In other words, the projection lens cannot be confused with a transparent glass intended to form a mechanical protection of an optical device housed in a projector and not carrying out any specific optical treatment of the light rays to form a regulatory light function.

[0016] Furthermore, the projection lens is arranged at a distance from the light unit and is not part of the latter. The projection lens is configured so that the object focus of the latter is positioned at the level of the light unit, for example at the level of the light source of this light unit or at the level of optical elements interposed between the light source and the projection lens, when the light device is assembled. More specifically, the light unit may comprise at least one light source and a collector having a reflective surface for directing the light rays generated by the light source towards the projection lens. The object focus of the projection lens is arranged less than 10 mm from a rear edge of the collector, i.e. the edge furthest from the projection lens.

[0017] The light unit is mounted so as to be movable relative to the housing, i.e. the light unit is mounted so as to be movable relative to the projection lens which is a fixed component of the housing. Such an architecture of the light device makes it possible to adjust the light function generated by the light module without moving the projection lens. The projection lens can then be positioned fixedly relative to the body of the vehicle equipped with the light device according to the invention.

[0018] The adjustment device is formed of two independent adjustment means, one being configured to exert on the light unit, independently of the housing, a horizontal pushing or pulling movement and the other to exert, again independently of the housing, a pushing or pulling movement according to a vertical component. During each of these movements, the light unit moves inside the housing while the projection lens remains fixed, as does the housing.

[0019] According to a characteristic of the invention, the projection lens extends in a main elongation plane and the lighting device comprises a junction zone between the first part and the second part of the housing, the junction zone extending in a junction plane intersecting a plane perpendicular to said main elongation plane of the projection lens. In other words, the junction plane and the elongation plane of the projection lens are intersecting, with an intersection which is substantially parallel to the ground on which the vehicle is moving, and these two planes are not perpendicular. The junction zone is more specifically located between the edges of the cover participating in forming the first part and the edges of the second part, the edges of the first part being intended to come opposite the edges of the second part.

[0020] The plane in which the junction zone mainly extends forms the junction plane which makes it possible to define the main orientation of this junction zone, in particular with respect to the projection lens. It is understood that if the edges of the two parts of the housing are not flat, the junction zone can extend over several levels and a plurality of contact planes can be identified, the junction plane then being defined as the plane whose orientation is the average of the orientations of each contact plane between the parts of the housing of the lighting device.

[0021] This junction plane is inclined relative to a longitudinal direction which is the direction of advance of the vehicle when the light device equips said vehicle. It is thus particular according to the invention that, when the housing is positioned so that the projection lens has a vertical orientation, the plane of junction of the two parts of this housing is not horizontal, but inclined. This makes it easier to insert the light unit inside the second part of the housing forming a base of the housing intended to be then covered by the first part. The operator can insert the light unit into this second part with a substantially longitudinal movement, since a wall delimiting this second part at one of the longitudinal ends is configured to form a clearance through which the light unit can be more easily inserted. The substantially longitudinal insertion movement can in particular make it easier to clip the light unit with adjustment means of the adjustment device already present in the housing.

[0022] According to a characteristic of the invention, the junction plane forms an angle of between 10° and 30° with the plane which is perpendicular to the main elongation plane of the projection lens and parallel to the ground on which the vehicle equipped with the lighting device is intended to move. This defines the inclination of the junction plane and therefore the dimension of the clearance formed at the longitudinal end by which the lighting unit is inserted into the housing. In other words, it has been defined by the inventors that the junction plane is advantageously secant to a longitudinal and transverse plane, which may correspond to a horizontal plane when the lighting device is mounted on the motor vehicle, by an angle whose value is between 10° and 30°.Such a range of values ​​offers a good compromise between the need for a sufficient value to facilitate accessibility for assembly and the need for a maximum value to avoid degrading the finesse of the front-facing light device. Preferably, this angle has a value between 15° and 20°.

[0023] According to a characteristic of the invention, the internal volume of the housing is formed of a first volume delimited between the junction plane and the first part and a second volume delimited between the junction plane and the second part, a portion of the light unit being arranged in the first volume and another portion of the light unit being arranged in the second volume. The inclination of the junction plane relative to a plane perpendicular to the main elongation plane of the projection lens makes it possible to easily insert the light unit into the housing, with the light unit once installed extending into both the first and second volumes.

[0024] According to a characteristic of the invention, the second part of the housing comprises fixing lugs among which a first fixing lug and a second fixing lug arranged on either side of the light unit, the first fixing lug being connected to the light unit at a first pivot point and the second fixing lug being connected to the light unit at a second pivot point. The light unit is rotatable about an axis of pi vote passing through the first pivot point and the second pivot point. The first fixing lug and the second fixing lug allow the light unit to be supported so as to allow the light unit to pivot about the pivot axis. In particular, each fixing lug may have a fork.

[0025] According to a feature of the invention, the projection lens comprises connecting tabs, among which a first connecting tab connected to the light unit at the first pivot point and a second connecting tab connected to the light unit at the second pivot point. The cooperation between the connecting tabs and the fixing tabs makes it possible to block the light unit relative to the housing while only allowing the mobility of the light unit around the pivot axis. In particular, each connecting tab may have a fork.

[0026] According to a characteristic of the invention, the light unit comprises pivoting elements respectively engaged with a fixing lug of the second part of the housing and a connecting lug of the projection lens, each pivoting element being in point contact with a fixing lug and in point contact with a connecting lug. In particular, the light unit may comprise a first pivoting element engaged with the first fixing lug and the first connecting lug and a second pivoting element engaged with the second fixing lug and the second connecting lug, the first pivoting element being in point contact with the first fixing lug and the first connecting lug, and the second pivoting element being in point contact with the second fixing lug and the second connecting lug.

[0027] According to a characteristic of the invention, the two point contacts of each pivoting element are diametrically opposed.

[0028] According to a characteristic of the invention, the adjustment device comprises at least one vertical adjustment means linked to the light unit and to the housing, the light unit being carried in the housing by three support points formed by the first pivot point, the second pivot point and the connection between the vertical adjustment means and the light unit.

[0029] According to a characteristic of the invention, the projection lens and the cover form two separate elements secured to each other in an indivisible and sealed manner. In other words, the projection lens and the cover are made separately, which makes it possible to use different materials for the two parts intended to be assembled subsequently, and secured indivisible in a second step. By indivisible, it is understood that the assembly formed after securing the projection lens to the cover cannot be undone without damaging the projection lens and / or the cover. This indivisible securing ensures the seal at the junction of these two parts, and it can be obtained in particular by gluing or welding.

[0030] According to a characteristic of the invention, the projection lens comprises a referencing tab configured to position the projection lens at least relative to the cover. This referencing tab makes it possible to reduce the imprecision of the positioning of the projection lens relative to the cover, prior to the joining operation, when the projection lens and the cover form two separate elements.

[0031] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first part and the second part are secured to each other by means of a fixing system. The fixing system is in particular a screw fixing system. According to a characteristic of the invention, at least one screw is arranged in the junction zone between the two parts of the housing opposite the projection lens. According to one characteristic, the fixing system comprises at least one bayonet means.

[0032] According to a characteristic of the invention, the lighting device comprises a seal interposed between the first part and the second part. Bringing the two parts together and fixing them to each other makes it possible to gradually compress the seal between the first part and the second part.

[0033] According to a characteristic of the invention, the sealing joint extends along the junction plane.

[0034] The invention also relates to a method of assembling a light device conforming to at least one of the aforementioned characteristics, the assembly method implementing: - at least a first step during which the light unit is positioned in the second part of the housing, - at least a second step during which the first part is positioned relative to the second part so that the projection lens participating in forming the first part of the housing is positioned at a desired distance from the light unit in place in the second part of the housing, - at least a third step during which the first part and the second part are secured to each other by means of a fixing system.

[0035] According to a characteristic of the invention, the light unit comprises at least two tilting elements, said method being characterized in that during the first step a tilting element of the light unit is housed in the first fixing lug and another tilting element of the light unit is housed in the second fixing lug, the light device comprising a pivot axis passing through said tilting elements around which the unit light is able to rotate.

[0036] According to a characteristic of the invention, in the first step, the light unit is positioned in the second part of the housing by a first vertical assembly movement during which pivoting elements of the light unit are made to rest on forks secured to the second part of the housing and during which said light unit is fixed by snap-fastening by means of vertical adjustment as previously mentioned and already present in the second part of the housing, said adjustment means being held in position by a tool extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first assembly movement.

[0037] According to a characteristic of the invention, in the second step, the first part is positioned relative to the second part by a second assembly movement substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first assembly movement, the second assembly movement being such that forks secured to the first part are positioned against said pivoting elements and that a joining edge of the first part is positioned against a joining edge of the second part.

[0038] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0039] [Fig. 1] represents a general view of a light device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0040] [Fig.2] represents a general view of a light device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0041] [Fig.3] represents the light device of [Fig.2], from another perspective angle;

[0042] [Fig.4] schematically represents the light device visible in figures 2 and 3, this figure making visible a light unit housed in the housing and supported by a vertical adjustment means;

[0043] [Fig.5] represents a sectional view of the light device visible in Figures 2 and 3 highlighting the maintenance of the light unit by a fixing lug of the second part of the housing and by a connecting lug of a projection lens;

[0044] [Fig.6] represents a schematic view showing the cooperation of a pin of the light unit with on the one hand a fork of the fixing lug of the second part of the housing and on the other hand a fork of the connecting lug of the projection lens;

[0045] [Fig.7] represents a sectional view of the luminous device visible in [Fig.l], in which the second part of the housing has been shown schematically and in in which only a support of the light unit has been shown to leave visible a reference tab of a projection lens, produced separately from the first part of the housing.

[0046] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the art.

[0047] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0048] In the detailed description which follows, the terms “longitudinal”, “transverse” and “vertical” refer to the orientation of the lighting device according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a direction of advance of a vehicle equipped with the lighting device, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a reference frame L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A transverse direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular, in a horizontal plane, to the direction of advance of the vehicle equipped with the lighting device, this transverse direction being parallel to a transverse axis T of the reference frame L, V, T and this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a vertical axis V of the reference frame L, V, T, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the transverse axis T.

[0049] Figures 1 and 2 show a lighting device 2 intended to equip a motor vehicle to provide a lighting function. The lighting device 2 comprises a housing 4 forming an envelope in which a lighting unit 24 is housed, visible in [Fig.4]. This housing 4 is formed from a polymer material or a metallic material. In the embodiment shown, the housing 4 of the lighting device 2 is intended to be directly embedded in the body of a motor vehicle.

[0050] The lighting device 2 comprises a projection lens 16, which is configured to shape and project onto the road light rays emitted by at least one light source housed in the lighting unit. The projection lens 16 is, when the lighting device 2 equips the motor vehicle, turned towards the road, in a main elongation plane intersecting the longitudinal axis, so that the projected rays can form a light beam directed towards the road scene, and it can be inscribed in a plane inclined relative to the transverse direction and / or vertical to fit into the curve of the body.

[0051] The projection lens 16 forms a part of the housing 4, which is fixed relative to the vehicle body in which the lighting device 2 is directly embedded. The projection lens 16 and the lighting unit 24 together form a lighting module.

[0052] More specifically, the position of the projection lens 16 is fixed relative to the housing 4 and the inclination of the projection lens 16 relative to the housing 4 cannot be modified. The light unit being mounted movably inside the housing, it is possible to adjust the position of the light unit relative to that of the projection lens once the lighting device is assembled. It should be noted that this position adjustment is only of the order of a few degrees and that the relative movement of the light unit relative to the fixed lens, while it allows vertical or lateral movement of the beam as a whole, has little impact on the shape of the beam and the distribution of light within the beam.

[0053] The housing 4 is formed by two parts delimiting between them a housing for at least the light unit, these two parts being able to be fixed to each other to form a sealed housing. More particularly, the housing 4 comprises a first part 6, formed of the projection lens 16 and a cover 18, and a second part 8. The first part 6 and the second part 8 are secured to each other by a fixing system 10.

[0054] Each part of the housing has a bowl shape delimited by a side wall of which a free edge is turned towards the other part. Edges of each part of the housing, and in particular the free edges of the side walls of the second part 8 and the free edges of the side walls of the cover participating in forming the first part 6, thus participate in forming a junction zone between the two parts.

[0055] More specifically, [Fig.l] illustrates a lighting device 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention in which the projection lens 16 and the cover 18 are two elements produced separately and made integral with each other in a second stage in an indivisible and sealed manner to form a single-piece assembly. In this first embodiment, the projection lens 16 is housed in an opening made in a front portion of the cover 18 and made integral with this cover to form a single-piece assembly, the projection lens and the cover originally forming two separate elements which are attached to each other and fixed irreversibly, by welding for example.

[0056] [Fig.2] illustrates a light device according to a second embodiment of the invention in which the projection lens 16 and the cover 18 again form a single-piece assembly, but this time with a single-piece construction, in particular by proposing here a continuity of material between the projection lens 16 and the cover 18. projection 16 and the cover 18. An alternative embodiment could be to have a cover which is surmounted on the projection lens to form this single-piece assembly.

[0057] It is understood from the above that regardless of the embodiment of the invention, the projection lens 16 is part of the first part 6 of the housing 4, forming a single-piece assembly with the cover 18, all participating in closing the housing 4 in a sealed manner.

[0058] [Fig. 3] shows the fastening system 10 from another perspective, here in the case of application of the second embodiment. However, the description of the fastening system 10 applies mutatis mutandis to the fastening system of the first embodiment. More specifically and as will be described in more detail in the description which follows, the fastening system 10 makes it possible, on the one hand, to secure the first part 6 and the second part 8 to each other and, on the other hand, to form a means of compressing a seal arranged between the first part 6 and the second part 8.

[0059] The fixing system 10 comprises in particular here screwing means 12, which are here advantageously arranged at the rear of the lighting device 2, opposite the projection lens 16. The fixing system further comprises a bayonet fixing means 14 arranged laterally on each side of the lighting device 2 and a holding means 15 arranged at the front of the lighting device 2. It results from this embodiment that the lighting device has a compact and refined shape in its front part. Indeed, the projection lens 16 projects from the second part of the housing 4.

[0060] The bayonet means 14 comprises first connecting elements 20 produced on the contour of the first part 6 and more precisely of the cover 18 and second connecting elements 22 produced on the contour of the second part 8 of the housing 4. The first connecting elements 20 and the second connecting elements 22 are complementary such that a second connecting element 22 can be housed in a slot delimited in part by a first connecting element 20.

[0061] The holding means 15 is formed of a plurality of lugs 17 made in the second part 8 of the housing 4 and a plurality of slots 19 made in the first part 6 of the housing 4, to engage on the tee lugs 17. It is understood that the position of the lugs 17 and the slots 19 on the first and second parts 6, 8 could be interchanged. It should also be noted that in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the holding means could be formed of a single lug 17 and a single slot 19.

[0062] The holding means 15, arranged in substantially transverse and vertical walls, and the bayonet means 14, arranged in side walls, substantially perpendicular to the walls of the holding means, allow the two parts to be locked in position relative to each other and the fixing is completed by the screws 12. These screws 12 have the function, in particular, of locking the position of the cover in the mounting direction, i.e. in the joining plane, in order to prevent the first part of the housing from being able to move forward relative to the second part of the housing. In this way, it is ensured that the projection lens remains well focused relative to the light unit and it is ensured that the pivot for the vertical adjustment of the light device remains correctly formed. Furthermore, in combination with the holding means and the bayonet means, these screws help to ensure the desired compression of the two parts against each other and allow the housing to be sealed.

[0063] [Fig. 4] very schematically represents a lighting device 2 according to the first embodiment of the invention visible in [Fig. 1]. This [Fig. 4] makes it possible more specifically to highlight components of the lighting device 2 and in particular a lighting unit 24 and a vertical adjustment means 26 of an adjustment device housed in the housing 4.

[0064] The light unit 24 forms an enclosure in which are housed at least light sources, not shown here, and where appropriate means for guiding the light rays emitted by these light sources, these elements being capable of generating a light function, in particular a lighting function, to ensure visibility of the road by the users of the vehicle, in particular in conditions of extreme darkness.

[0065] The light unit 24 is assembled in the housing of the light device so as to, on the one hand, be articulated on one end of the adjustment means of the adjustment device housed in the housing, and here on a first end 35 of a dynamic actuator 34 of the vertical adjustment means 26, and on the other hand be linked by a pivot connection to the housing. This pivot connection forming a pivot axis 32 of the light unit is shown schematically in [Fig. 4] and shown in more detail in [Fig. 5]. It is notable that the pivot axis thus defined is as close as possible to the projection lens 16, that is to say less than 10 mm and preferably less than 5 mm, to control the movement of the light unit relative to the fixed projection lens and ensure that the light function is correctly performed.

[0066] The lighting device 2 comprises an adjustment device comprising a lateral adjustment means, not shown here, and the vertical adjustment means 26, which can act independently of one another. The lighting device 2 makes it possible to adapt the vertical adjustment means 26 so that the potential movements of the lighting unit 24 generated by means of the lateral adjustment means do not generate constraints on the vertical adjustment means 26 and / or on the lighting unit 24.

[0067] The vertical adjustment means 26 comprises a drive means which, in this first embodiment, is formed by a dynamic actuator 34. As mentioned previously, the light unit 24 is linked to the dynamic actuator via the first end 35 of the latter, the assembly of these two elements being carried out during the mounting of the light unit 24 in the second part of the housing, according to a simplified assembly method which will be described below.

[0068] The lateral adjustment means is configured to move the light unit laterally, in a translational movement, which causes a lateral shift of the light beam.

[0069] Whether it is the vertical adjustment means 26 or the lateral adjustment means, in both cases it is a matter of adjusting the position of the light unit 24 independently of the position of the projection lens 16, which remains fixed relative to the housing 4 of the light device 2 and more generally fixed relative to the vehicle.

[0070] The vertical adjustment means 26 is capable of modifying the vertical orientation, i.e. the orientation relative to the vertical axis V, of the light unit 24. In other words, the vertical adjustment means 26 is configured to drive the light unit 24 in rotation about the axis passing through the first pivot point 32 and the second pivot point by pulling or pushing on an area of ​​the light unit 24 at a distance from said pivot points.

[0071] The dynamic actuator 34 makes it possible to adjust the inclination of the light unit 24 relative to the housing 4 without the user of the vehicle needing to manually make the adjustment. For this purpose, sensors collect information allowing a control unit, not shown here, to control the operation of the dynamic actuator 34. For example, the dynamic actuator 34 can be controlled as a function of a value representative of the inclination of the vehicle, whether this is due to an overload at the rear of the vehicle or to the vehicle passing over a rough road.

[0072] It is understood from the above that the adjustment device is capable of modifying the position of the light unit 24 relative to the projection lens 16 in two perpendicular directions. For this purpose, the light unit 24 is mounted in the housing by making this light unit cooperate with each of the adjustment means already present in the second part of the housing. The assembly is carried out blindly and the shape of the housing can be configured to simplify this assembly, in particular with a specific arrangement of the two parts as will now be described.

[0073] As mentioned, the light device 2 comprises a junction zone 36 between the first part 6 and the second part 8. This junction zone 36, formed by the contact of the edges of the two parts against each other, defines a junction plane P at which the first part 6 is in contact with the second part 8 in such a way that waterproof. In other words, the fixing system 10 makes it possible to compress the first part 6 against the second part 8 of the housing 4 at the level of said junction plane.

[0074] In the illustrated example, it should be noted that the light device 2 is configured so that a single junction plane is formed, but it would be possible, without departing from the context of the invention, to have parts 6, 8 of the housing which are configured to form a stepped junction zone, it being understood that in what follows a main orientation of the junction plane will be considered.

[0075] As may have been mentioned previously, a seal is arranged between the first part 6 and the second part 8 along the entire length of the junction zone. The fixing system 10 makes it possible to secure the first part 6 to the second part 8 by compressing the seal between these two parts 6, 8, which ensures a good level of sealing between the first part 6 and the second part 8. It is understood that the seal extends over the entirety of the junction zone, and for example over the entire periphery of the second part 8, to ensure the sealing of the lighting device 2.

[0076] The seal may in particular be placed in a gutter provided for this purpose in an edge of one of the two parts. By way of non-limiting example, the seal may be, as seen in [Fig. 5], housed in a groove 37 made, in the embodiment shown, in an edge of the first part 6 and against which a portion of the second part 8 bears.

[0077] In connection with [Fig.4], it is notable that the junction plane extends in a plane intersecting a plane perpendicular to the main elongation plane of the lens 6. In other words, on the one hand the junction plane and the elongation plane of the projection lens are intersecting, with an intersection which is substantially parallel to the ground on which the vehicle is moving, and on the other hand these two planes are not perpendicular. In this, the junction plane is inclined relative to a horizontal plane, parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the elongation plane of the projection lens. This results for each of the two parts of the housing in an asymmetry between a front portion on the side of the projection lens and an opposite rear portion.

[0078] More specifically, the junction plane and the plane perpendicular to the main elongation plane of the projection lens 16 form an angle of at least 20° with each other. And the inclination between these planes is oriented in such a way that the second part of the housing has a height which increases as one moves away from the end intended to be on the projection lens side, that is to say as one moves away from the front of the device. More particularly, as can be seen in each of the figures, the inclination of the junction plane is such that the front face of the housing, that is to say the face facing forward of the vehicle and therefore the face comprising the projection lens 16, is produced by the first part of the housing. Thus, the inclination of the junction plane allows it to be moved back relative to the front face, in order to minimize the visible height of the projector mounted on the vehicle, which may be desired by automobile manufacturers.

[0079] This inclination of the junction plane relative to the longitudinal direction also makes it possible to house the light unit 24 in the housing 4 in a simplified manner. The light unit is inserted in a substantially vertical direction, being simultaneously positioned on the fixing lugs of the second part of the housing at the front and snapped onto a ball joint of the dynamic actuator at the rear. The inclination of the junction plane provides access to hold the actuator during this operation.

[0080] The internal volume of the housing 4 is formed of a first volume 38 delimited between the junction plane and the first part 6 of the housing 4 and of a second volume 40 delimited between the junction plane and the second part 8 of the housing 4. During assembly of the device, a portion of the light unit 24 is arranged initially in the second volume 40 and the other portion of the light unit 24 is arranged in the first volume 38 when the housing 4 is closed with the first part 6 of the housing 4.

[0081] As has been mentioned, and with reference to [Fig.5] in particular, the light unit 24 is pivotally mounted in the housing and this is achieved here by the cooperation of a pin secured to the light unit with a sheath formed on the one hand by one end of a fixing lug 28 secured to the second part 8 of the housing and on the other hand by a connecting lug 42 secured to the first part 6 of the housing.

[0082] In the embodiment shown, the second part 8 of the light device housing 2 comprises two fixing lugs 28, with a first fixing lug 30 and a second fixing lug arranged on either side of the light unit 24 and the projection lens 16 comprises two connecting lugs 42 respectively intended to cooperate with one of the fixing lugs 28 to block the longitudinal and vertical movement of the light unit 24 relative to the housing and to the projection lens, by trapping the pins integral with the light unit.

[0083] More particularly, the projection lens 16 here comprises a first connecting tab 42 forming with the first fixing tab 30 a first sheath for a pin associated with the light unit 24, forming a first pivot point 32, and a second connecting tab forming with the second fixing tab a second sheath for a pin associated with the light unit 24, forming a second pivot point.

[0084] The pins associated with the light unit are aligned with each other so as to define a pivot axis around which the light unit 24 is able to pivot, when the device is assembled. In other words, the two pivot points 32 form the pivot axis. This pivot axis is parallel to the plane of elongation of the projection lens, and which can be inclined relative to the transverse axis T by an angle value less than or equal to 30°, preferably less than or equal to 10°.

[0085] These pivot points being formed by the cooperation, once the lighting device is assembled, of the pins of the lighting unit with on the one hand the fixing lugs 28, 30 of the second part 8 of the housing and on the other hand the connecting lugs 42 secured to the projection lens 16, each pin secured to the lighting unit 24 thus forms a pivoting element 46. The pivoting elements 46 are more particularly secured to a support 25 of the lighting unit, this support 25 making it possible to accompany the pivoting of the lighting unit around the pivot axis previously mentioned.

[0086] In order to ensure the desired pivot connection between the light unit 24 and the housing, it is thus clear from what emerges that a pivot connection is provided between the parts of the housing and pins integral with the light unit, here integral with a support 25 in the context of an adjustment in position in two perpendicular directions. The sheaths previously mentioned make it possible to block two degrees of freedom in translation and the third degree of freedom in translation, parallel to the pivot axis, is blocked by the contact of the light unit with the two fixing lugs 28 arranged on either side of the light unit. Alternatively, the third degree of freedom in translation can be blocked by contact of the end of the pins forming the pivot elements 46 with side walls of a part of the housing.

[0087] Figures 5 and 6 represent the light device 2 at the level of the first fixing lug 30 according to the second embodiment visible in [Fig.2], that is to say when the projection lens 16 is originally formed in one piece with the cover 18 of the housing 4. It should be noted that what will be described in connection with this [Fig.5] applies mutatis mutandis to the first embodiment and to the second embodiment.

[0088] [Fig. 5] makes more particularly visible the fact that once the lighting device is assembled, the fixing lugs 28 form a stop to the transverse movement of the lighting unit 24, by coming against the side wall of the lighting unit 24, so that the two directions of movement in this transverse direction are fixed by the presence of the fixing lugs 28 on either side of the lighting unit. It also makes it possible to realize that each pin forming one of the pivoting elements 46 associated with the lighting unit is engaged between a fixing lug of the second part of the housing and a connecting lug secured to the projection lens 16.

[0089] [Fig. 6] provides a schematic representation allowing this cooperation to be better understood, by an embodiment which is advantageously applied to the first or second embodiment, without this however being limiting of the invention. In this specific embodiment, the pivoting element 46 cooperates in a particular manner with positioning forks respectively carried by a fixing lug and a connecting lug.

[0090] Each fixing lug 28 has, at the free end intended to cooperate with one of the pivoting elements 46, a first U-shaped fork, oriented vertically and open opposite the second part of the housing. This first fork is produced by a wall of the body of the fixing lug 28, which forms a stop wall in a first longitudinal direction, by a base 280 longitudinally extending said body to form a stop for the pivoting element 46 in a first direction of the vertical direction and by a branch 282 formed by a vertical portion which forms a stop for the pivoting element in the second direction of the longitudinal direction. The first U-shaped fork is open to receive the pivoting element 46 when the latter is brought vertically against the fixing lug 28.It is notable here that the branch 282 and the wall of the body of the fixing lug are configured in a flared manner relative to the base 280.

[0091] In a complementary manner, the connecting tabs 42 have a second U-shaped fork, oriented longitudinally and open opposite the projection lens 16. A first branch 420 of the U makes it possible in particular to vertically cover the pivoting element 46 and to block the second direction of movement in the vertical direction when the pivoting element is housed in said fork, and a base 422 of the U makes it possible to prevent longitudinal movement by blocking the second direction of translation along this axis. Furthermore, a second branch 424 of the U extends opposite the first branch 420 of the U. It is notable here that the branches are configured in a flared manner relative to the base 422.In particular, the internal face of the second branch 424 is inclined relative to a longitudinal direction which defines the orientation of this second fork, and this inclination makes it possible to lift the pin and move it away from the base of the first fork during the longitudinal movement of the projection lens 16 and of this second fork as will be described below.

[0092] The complementarity between the fixing lugs 28 and the connecting lugs 42 around the pivoting elements 46 makes it possible to generate the pivot connection making it possible to accompany the rotational movement of the light unit 24 within the housing.

[0093] These forks, formed respectively on the connecting tab and the fixing tab intended to cooperate with a pin forming the pivoting element 46, are dimensioned so that once the lighting device is assembled, the pivoting element 46 has only one point of contact with each fork. More particularly, the width of the U-shaped receiving seats formed by the forks is slightly greater than the diameter of the pin, so as to ensure a single point of contact between the pin and each fork. When the device is assembled, the pin forming the pivoting element 46 is in contact against on the one hand the base 422 of the connecting tab 42 and on the other hand against the body of the fixing tab 28. A clearance is formed between the pin and the branch 282 and between the pin and the base 280 against which the pin can rest before it cooperates with the first part 6 of the housing.

[0094] The two contact points of the pivot element are diametrically opposed and aligned here in the longitudinal direction, along which the first part 6 of the housing is translated to be positioned against the second part 8 of the housing.

[0095] The position of the pivot element 46 with the two contact points mentioned and the play between the pin and certain portions of the forks is fixed by the fixing system 10 once the lighting device is assembled. This creates a play-free pivot connection, for optimal guidance of the lighting unit. This limits the vibrations that can generate flickering of the light beam. Furthermore, it is ensured that the position of the pivot axis relative to the lens is precise, which is important for the proper functioning of the optical system as a whole, in particular by ensuring the position of the focal length, and which makes it possible to limit the need for travel on the adjustment system.

[0096] [Fig. 7] illustrates more particularly a detail of the first embodiment, namely the fact that the projection lens 16 and the cover 18 form, as mentioned previously, two originally distinct elements which are then made integral with each other by an appropriate method, for example here by a laser or ultrasonic welding method, or by a bonding method. In [Fig. 7] are represented in particular the projection lens 16 and the cover 18 forming the single-piece assembly of the first part 6, an edge of the second part 8 of the housing, as well as the support 25 of the light unit, the rest of the light unit being hidden here.

[0097] The projection lens 16 comprises a central projection portion 160, which is arranged opposite a hole 180 formed in the cover at the level of the front face of the device, and a lateral portion 162, arranged at the periphery of the central portion and which has the function of being pressed against an internal face of the cover to provide a sufficient welding surface for the proper fixing of the projection lens and for optimal sealing performance.

[0098] The welding process mentioned makes it possible to ensure that the projection lens 16 is secured to the cover 18 in a sealed manner. In order to ensure the posi operation of the projection lens 16 relative to the cover 18 prior to this welding operation, the projection lens 16 comprises a referencing tab 44.

[0099] The referencing tab 44 extends from a peripheral edge of the lateral portion 162, extending substantially perpendicularly the projection lens towards the rear thereof, that is to say opposite the front face of the device. This referencing tab 44 has a free end forming a flat bearing surface 45 for a referencing device within the welding station. The orientation of this bearing surface 45 is defined relative to the orientation of a flat bearing face 47 of the edge of the cover 18 so that the referencing device can simultaneously position the projection lens and the cover before welding in the desired theoretical position and ensure the effectiveness of the welding. In the example illustrated, the flat bearing surface 45 extends in the same plane as the flat bearing face 47 of the edge of the cover. This plane corresponds to the junction plane P, shown in dotted lines in [Fig.7], between the first part 6 of the housing and the second part of the housing 8. Such a referencing tab 44 thus makes it possible to limit the chain of dimensions for the correct positioning of the projection lens relative to the cover. The projection lens 16 is in fact directly aligned on the junction plane P between the parts of the housing, after assembly of these parts, and the relative position of the tabs 28, 42 carried respectively by the lens and the second part of the housing is then more precise.

[0100] In connection with figures 1 to 7, the light device 2 is assembled by coming, during a first step of a method of assembling the light device, to position the light unit 24 in the second part 8 of the housing 4. It is understood in view of what has been described previously that only a portion of the light unit 4 is positioned in the second volume 40 of the second part 8 of the housing 4, the remainder being positioned in the first volume 38.This positioning of the light unit 24 during the first step is achieved in particular by a substantially vertical translational movement by which an operator simultaneously positions the pivoting elements 46 carried by the support 25 secured to the light unit 24 against the fixing lugs 28, secured to the second part 8, as well as the rear part of the light unit 24 against the adjustment device and in particular here with the end 35 of the dynamic actuator of the vertical adjustment means 26. During this vertical movement, the actuator is held in position, by means of a tool which can be slid horizontally from the front of the light device, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction of movement of the light unit, the shape of the second part of the housing allowing this access to the tool. As has been mentioned, the positioning of the unit 24. luminous 24 is thus simplified by the inclination of the junction plane between the two parts of the housing and therefore the particular shape of the second part of the housing which results therefrom, with a front face which is of low height compared to the rear face and which does not hinder the insertion of a tool for holding the actuator. During this first step, the pivoting elements 46 are more particularly arranged in the U-shaped seat formed by the forks of the fixing lugs 28 and they come to rest respectively by gravity against the base 280 of the corresponding fork, the body of this fixing lug and the branch 282 of the U preventing longitudinal disengagement.

[0101] During a second step of the assembly method, the first part 6 of the housing is attached opposite the second part 8 in which the light unit is already in place, in order to position in particular the projection lens 16 and to connect it to the light unit 24 at the pivot axis. Prior to this second step, it should be noted that the projection lens 16 has been produced with the cover to form a single-piece assembly, in accordance with what has been mentioned previously.

[0102] In particular, during this second step, the first part 6 is positioned relative to the second part 8 so that the lugs 17 of the second part 8 are housed in the slots 19 made in the first part 6. Simultaneously, the first connecting elements 20 cooperate with the second connecting elements 22 of the bayonet means 14 so as to bring the first part 6 closer to the second part 8.

[0103] During this second step, the correct positioning of the projection lens relative to the light unit is ensured by housing a pivoting element 46 in the first connecting tab 42 and the other pivoting element 46 in the second connecting tab so as to form the cylindrical sheath previously mentioned, with each pivoting element 46 engaged between a fixing tab 28 of the second part 8 of the housing and a connecting tab 42 of the first part of the housing.

[0104] More particularly, the first part of the housing is attached to the second part of the housing while each pin, or pivoting element 46, associated with the light unit rests in the bottom of the fork associated with one of the fixing lugs 28 of the second part 8 of the housing. During assembly, which is done blindly for the operator, the shape of the fork associated with the projection lens makes it possible to position the branches of the U of this fork on either side of the pin. The projection lens, and the first part 6 of the housing that it helps to form, are pushed longitudinally until the pin comes into abutment in the bottom of the fork associated with the projection lens 16, that is to say in abutment against the base 422. In particular, during this longitudinal push, the projection lens 16 tends to approach the pin and the pin slides along the second branch 424 of the fork associated with the projection lens. In this way, due to the inclination of this second branch, the pin moves away from the base 280 of the first fork associated with the fixing lug 28 of the second part 8 of the housing. In the final position, the pin is in contact with each fork at a single point. This position is fixed using the fixing screws in the third step. This final position is achieved in particular by the flared shape of the forks visible in [Fig.6].

[0105] A third step of the assembly method consists of securing the first part 6 and the second part 8 to each other by means of the fixing system 10. Screwing the first part 6 onto the second part 8 makes it possible to fix the two parts to each other and also makes it possible to participate in the compression of the seal. The seal is thus compressed over its entire periphery, being compressed on the sides by the bayonet means 14, on the front, that is to say in the vicinity of the projection lens, by the holding means 15, and on the rear by the fixing screws 12.

[0106] It should be noted that this assembly method implements a positioning of the light unit within a part of the housing by a vertical displacement movement and a closing of the two housing parts on each other by a substantially perpendicular movement.

[0107] Thus the present invention achieves the aim it set for itself by proposing a sealed architecture for a light device whose projection lens participates in forming a housing and is fixed relative to a light unit housed in this housing and capable of changing orientation independently of the orientation of the projection lens.

[0108] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

Claims

1. A lighting device (2) for a motor vehicle comprising at least one housing (4) and a lighting module arranged within the housing, the lighting module comprising a projection lens (16) and a lighting unit (24), the lighting unit (24) comprising at least one light source, light rays emitted by the at least one light source being able to exit the lighting device (2) through said projection lens (16), the housing (4) comprising a first part (6) and a second part (8) secured to each other so as to delimit an internal volume in which the lighting unit (24) is housed, the first part (6) of the housing (4) being made in a single-piece assembly formed on the one hand by said projection lens (16) and on the other hand by a cover (18), configured to cooperate with the second part (8),said light unit (24) being movable relative to the housing and the light device (2) comprising a device for adjusting the position of the light unit (24) within the housing (4) in two perpendicular directions.,

2. A lighting device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the projection lens (16) extends in a main elongation plane and wherein the lighting device (2) comprises a junction zone (36) between the first part (6) and the second part (8) of the housing (4), the junction zone (36) extending in a junction plane intersecting a plane perpendicular to said main elongation plane of the projection lens (16).

3. Lighting device (2) according to claim 2, in which the junction plane forms an angle of between 10° and 30° with the plane which is perpendicular to the main elongation plane of the projection lens (16) and parallel to the ground on which the vehicle equipped with the lighting device is intended to move.

4. A lighting device (2) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the internal volume of the housing (4) is formed of a first volume (38) delimited between the junction plane and the first part (6) and a second volume (40) delimited between the junction plane and the second part (8), a portion of the lighting unit (24) being arranged in the first volume (38) and another portion of the lighting unit being arranged in the second volume (40).

5. A light device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second part (8) of the housing (24) comprises fixing lugs (28) including a first fixing lug (30) and a second fixing lug arranged on either side of the light unit (24), the first fixing lug (30) being connected to the light unit (24) at a first pivot point (32) and the second fixing lug (28) being connected to the light unit (24) at a second pivot point.

6. The lighting device (2) of claim 5, wherein the projection lens (16) comprises connecting tabs (42) including a first connecting tab connected to the lighting unit (24) at the first pivot point (32) and a second connecting tab connected to the lighting unit (24) at the second pivot point.

7. A lighting device (2) according to any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the lighting unit (24) comprises pivoting elements (46) respectively engaged with a fixing lug (28) of the second part (8) of the housing and a connecting lug (42) of the projection lens (16), each pivoting element (46) being in point contact with a fixing lug (28) and in point contact with a connecting lug (42).

8. A lighting device (2) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the adjustment device comprises at least one vertical adjustment means (26) connected to the lighting unit (24) and to the housing (4), the lighting unit (24) being carried in the housing (24) by three support points formed by the first pivot point (32), the second pivot point and the connection between the vertical adjustment means (26) and the lighting unit (24).

9. Luminous device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the projection lens (16) and the cover (18) form two separate elements secured to each other in an indivisible and sealed manner.

10. The light device (2) of claim 9, wherein the projection lens (16) comprises a referencing tab (44) configured to position the projection lens (16) at least relative to the cover (18).

11. A light device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the light device (2) comprises a seal interposed between the first part (6) and the second part (8).

12. A method of assembling a light device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the assembly method implementing: - at least a first step during which the light unit (24) is positioned in the second part (8) of the housing (4), - at least a second step during which the first part (6) is positioned relative to the second part (8) so that the projection lens (16) participating in forming the first part (6) of the housing is positioned at a desired distance from the light unit (24) in place in the second part (8) of the housing, - at least a third step during which the first part (6) and the second part (8) are secured to each other by means of a fixing system (10).

13. An assembly method according to claim 12, wherein, in the first step, the light unit (24) is positioned in the second part of the housing by a first vertical assembly movement during which pivoting elements (46) of the light unit are made to rest on forks secured to the second part of the housing and during which said light unit is snap-fastened to the vertical adjustment means (26) according to claim 8 and already present in the second part of the housing, said adjustment means (26) being held in position by a tool extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first assembly movement.

14. An assembly method according to claim 13, wherein, in the second step, the first part (6) is positioned relative to the second part (8) by a second assembly movement substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first assembly movement, the second assembly movement being such that forks integral with the first part (6) are positioned against said pivoting elements (46) and that a joining edge of the first part (6) is positioned against a joining edge of the second part (8).

Images