Illuminated, shock-resistant grille for a vehicle
The luminous grille addresses installation challenges and impact damage by employing a central part with reduced depth for indentation, absorbing energy and reducing breakage and repair costs, while ensuring comprehensive illumination.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023014072
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-12-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing illuminated vehicle grilles with significant depth for impact absorption are difficult to install in congested front-end areas and often break or damage adjacent components during frontal impacts, increasing repair costs.
A luminous grille design with a central part having a reduced depth relative to lateral parts, allowing for indentation and energy absorption without contacting rear components, featuring a housing with two lateral parts and a central part of differing depths, along with optional rear masks and internal glass panels for illumination.
Reduces the risk of grille breakage and adjacent component damage during impacts, minimizing repair costs by enabling energy absorption through indentation without rear contact, while maintaining comprehensive illumination.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Illuminated shock-absorbing grille for a vehicle Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to illuminated grilles intended to be installed in the central areas of the front ends of certain vehicles. State of the art
[0002] Certain vehicles, generally of the automobile type, include a lighted grille installed in the central area of their front end, and comprising:
[0003] - a housing that at least partially delimits a cavity housing a central part including a logo and a lighting device capable of generating light illuminating at least the central room, possibly from the rear, and
[0004] - a protective glass fixedly attached to the housing, for example by welding or gluing, by closing the cavity in front of the central piece.
[0005] Due to its positioning, this type of illuminated grille must contribute, in the event of an impact to the front end of the vehicle, to absorbing some of the energy of that impact. Consequently, the housing of the illuminated grille has a relatively significant depth (along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle), which makes its installation difficult when at least part of the area behind it is heavily obstructed (which is frequently the case).When an element or piece of equipment is fixedly installed very close to the rear face of the housing, as is frequently the case in the central part of the latter, it is common during a frontal impact for the longitudinal recoil of the light grille to be abruptly interrupted by contact between its housing and this element or piece of equipment, which generally causes the light grille to break and / or damages the aforementioned element or piece of equipment, and therefore increases repair costs.
[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention
[0007] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a luminous grille suitable for equipping a central area of a front end of a vehicle, and comprising, on the one hand, a housing delimiting at least partially a cavity housing a central piece including a logo and a lighting device suitable for generating a light illuminating at least the central piece, and, on the other hand, a protective glass fixedly attached to the housing by closing the cavity in front of the central piece.
[0008] This illuminated grille is characterized by the fact that its housing comprises:
[0009] - two lateral parts, right and left, having a first average depth, and
[0010] - a central part interposed between the lateral parts, housing the central piece and having a second average depth strictly less than the first average depth in order to allow central indentation of the illuminated grille without contact with an element of the vehicle placed behind it in the event of an impact suffered by the front end of the vehicle.
[0011] Thanks to this reduced depth of the central part, an empty recess is defined which defines a gap and allows the light grille to deform by indentation during a front impact, in order to absorb part of the energy of this impact, with virtually no risk of crushing against an element (or equipment) of the vehicle installed behind this empty recess.
[0012] The luminous grille according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:
[0013] - the first average depth can be between 35 mm and 50 mm;
[0014] - the second average depth can be between 20 mm and 30 mm;
[0015] - it may include, on the one hand, two rear masks installed on the right and left of the central piece respectively in the lateral parts of the housing and designed to conceal technical parts of the housing, and, on the other hand, two internal glass panels installed to the right and left of the central piece respectively in the lateral parts of the housing and between the rear panels and the protective glass. In this case, the lighting device may be designed to generate lights illuminating respectively the internal glass panels;
[0016] - in the presence of the last option, each of the internal ice packs may include a front face on which three-dimensional elements are defined together to form a grille;
[0017] - the lighting device may include a light diffuser installed in the central part of the casing behind the central piece and designed to diffuse some of the generated light towards a rear face of the latter;
[0018] - in the presence of the last two options, the lighting device may include at minus three light sources suitable for generating lights respectively for the light diffuser and the internal glass;
[0019] - in the presence of the last sub-option, each light source may include at least one light-emitting diode.
[0020] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising, on the one hand, a front end having a central area, and, on the other hand, a luminous grille of the type presented above and installed in the central part of this front end. Brief description of the figures
[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:
[0022] [Fig. 1] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a front view from the front side, an example of an embodiment of a luminous grille according to the invention,
[0023] [Fig.2] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a top view, the illuminated grille of the [Fig.1],
[0024] [Fig.3] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a perspective view, elements of the illuminated grille shown in Figures 1 and 2, before their assembly,
[0025] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal plane and vertical at the level of the left side of the casing, the illuminated grille of figures 1 and 2, and
[0026] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in another plane lon gitudinal and vertical at the level of the central part of the case, the luminous grille of figures 1 and 2. Detailed description of the invention
[0027] The invention aims in particular to provide a CL luminous grille intended to be installed in a central area of a front end of a vehicle, and to absorb front impacts in a congested environment.
[0028] In what follows, the vehicle is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any vehicle comprising a front end having a central area designed to accommodate a light grille.
[0029] In figures 1 to 5 the direction X is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the direction Y is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.
[0030] Furthermore, in the preceding and following text, the term "front" is defined with respect to the front end of the vehicle, and the term "rear" is defined with respect to the rear end of the vehicle (opposite the front end). Consequently, the front part of an element is (intended to be) oriented towards the front end of the vehicle, while the rear part of that element is (intended to be) oriented towards the rear end of the vehicle.
[0031] Figures 1 to 5 schematically illustrate an example of the implementation of a luminous grille CL according to the invention (assembled (figures 1, 2, 4 and 5) or unassembled ([Fig.3])), intended to be installed in the central area of the front end of a vehicle (here a car).
[0032] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 5, a luminous grille CL, according to the invention, comprising at least one housing BC, a central piece PCL bearing a logo (not shown, and representative of the vehicle brand), a lighting device DE and a protective glass GP.
[0033] The BC housing delimits at least partially a cavity CB which houses in particular the central piece PCL and the lighting device DE (see [Fig.3]) which is suitable for generating at least one light intended to illuminate at least the central piece PCL.
[0034] The protective glass GP is fixedly attached to the housing BC by closing the cavity CB in front of the central part PCL. This fixed attachment can be achieved, for example, by welding or bonding. But it could also be achieved by screwing and / or clipping.
[0035] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 5, the BC housing comprises two side parts PLBj, right (j = 1) and left (j = 2), and a central PCB part interposed between (and extended to the right and left respectively by) these side parts PLBj.
[0036] Each of the lateral parts PLBj has a first average depth el (here along the longitudinal direction X), adapted to the environment of the central area of the front end of the vehicle, and more specifically behind it (PLBj).
[0037] Furthermore, the central PCB part houses the central PCL part and has a second average depth e2 (here along the longitudinal direction X) which is strictly less than the first average depth el. This reduced depth of the central PCB part allows the central recess of the illuminated grille CL without contact with a vehicle element located behind it (CL), in the event of an impact sustained by the front end of the vehicle.
[0038] It will be understood that this reduced depth of the central PCB portion allows the outer faces of the central PCB portion and a portion of the lateral PLBj portions to locally define a recess RJ with a depth equal to (el - e2), thus defining a clearance. This recess RJ allows the illuminated grille CL to deform by compression during a frontal impact, absorbing some of the energy of this impact, with virtually no risk of crushing against a component (or equipment) of the vehicle located behind this recess RJ. This reduces the probability of breakage of the illuminated grille CL and / or damage to the component (or equipment) of the vehicle located behind the recess RJ, and therefore reduces repair costs.
[0039] For example, the first average depth el can be between 35 mm and 50 mm. As an example, this first average depth el can be equal to 42 mm. But other values for this first average depth el can be chosen, provided they are strictly greater than the second average depth e2.
[0040] Also, for example, the second average depth e2 can be between 20 mm and 30 mm. As an example, this second average depth e2 can be equal to 25 mm. But other values for this second average depth e2 can be chosen, provided that they are strictly less than the first average depth e1.
[0041] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 3 and 4, the illuminated grille CL may also include two rear masks MRj, right (j = 1) and left (j = 2), and two internal lenses Glj, right (j = 1) and left (j = 2). The two rear masks MRj are installed to the right and left of the central piece PCL, respectively in the right and left side sections PLBj, and are suitable for concealing technical parts of the BC housing. The two internal lenses Glj are installed to the right and left of the central piece PCL, respectively in the right and left side sections PLBj, and between the right and left rear masks MRj and the protective lens GP. In this case, the lighting device DE is also suitable for generating lights intended to illuminate the internal lenses Glj, respectively.Thus, almost the entire front part of the CL illuminated grille, visible through its GP protective glass, is lit (or illuminated), possibly by backlighting (as will be seen later).
[0042] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 1], each of the internal glass panes Glj may comprise a front face FV, oriented towards the protective glass GP, on which three-dimensional elements ET are defined, which together define a grille pattern. It should be noted that in the illustrated example, the three-dimensional elements ET extend substantially along the vertical direction Z in order to define parallel lines. However, some three-dimensional elements ET could extend substantially along the vertical direction Z and other three-dimensional elements ET could extend substantially along the transverse direction Y, in order to define a grid, for example. Alternatively, three-dimensional elements ET could extend substantially along two perpendicular directions, different from the vertical direction Z and the transverse direction Y, in order to define a grid, for example.
[0043] These three-dimensional ET elements can have a cross-section of rectangular, triangular or trapezoidal shape, for example.
[0044] Also, for example, and as illustrated in part and without limitation in Figures 3 and 5, the lighting device DE may include a light diffuser DL which is installed in the central PCB section of the BC enclosure, behind the central PCL component. This light diffuser DL is designed to diffuse a portion of the light generated by the DE lighting device towards the rear face FR of the central PCL component. This light diffuser DL can be a flat light guide that reflects the light, injected into at least one of its sides by the DE lighting device, towards the rear face FR of the central PCL component in order to illuminate it from the rear in a substantially homogeneous manner. However, in an alternative embodiment, the light diffuser DL could be omitted, and the front face of the central PCL component (opposite its rear face FR) could be illuminated.
[0045] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and partially in Figures 3 and 4, the lighting device DE may include at least three light sources SLk which are suitable for generating lights respectively for the light diffuser DL and the two internal glass Glj.
[0046] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, Figure 3, the lighting device DE comprises four light sources SLk (k = 1 to 4). The first SL1 (k = 1) and second SL2 (k = 2) light sources are designed to generate first and second lights respectively for two opposite (and here substantially vertical (parallel to the vertical direction Z)) sides of the light diffuser DL. The third SL3 (k = 3) and fourth SL4 (k = 4) light sources are designed to generate third and fourth lights respectively for the two internal glass panes Glj.For this purpose, the first SL1 and second SL2 light sources can be mounted respectively on two support plates which are fixedly attached to the two opposite (here vertical) sides of the DL light diffuser, and the third SL3 and fourth SL4 light sources can be mounted respectively on two CE electronic boards coupled to the two support plates and controlling the generation of the four lights.
[0047] For example, the two CE electronic boards can be installed respectively on two transverse sides (here substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y and superior) of the internal glass Glj. Also, for example, each CE electronic board can be a printed circuit board of the PCB type ("Printed Circuit Board").
[0048] Also, for example, each SLk light source may include at least one light-emitting diode (or LED). But alternatively, each SLk light source may include at least one laser diode or a gas laser.
Claims
Demands
1. Illuminated grille (CL) suitable for equipping a central area of a front end of a vehicle, and comprising i) a housing (BC) delimiting at least partially a cavity (CB) housing a central piece (PCL) having a logo and a lighting device (DE) suitable for generating light illuminating at least said central piece (PCL), and ii) a protective glass (GP) fixedly attached to said housing (BC) by closing said cavity (CB) in front of said central piece (PCL), characterized in that said housing (BC) comprises a) two lateral parts (PLBj), right and left, having a first average depth, and b) a central part (PCB) interposed between said lateral parts (PLBj),housing said central piece (PCL) and having a second average depth strictly less than said first average depth in order to allow central indentation of said illuminated grille (CL) without contact with an element of said vehicle placed behind it (CL) in the event of an impact suffered by said front end.
2. Illuminated grille according to claim 1, characterized in that said first average depth is between 35 mm and 50 mm.
3. Illuminated grille according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said second average depth is between 20 mm and 30 mm.
4. Illuminated grille according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises i) two rear masks (MRj) installed to the right and left of said central piece (PCL) respectively in said side parts (PLBj) and adapted to mask technical parts of said housing (BC), and ii) two internal lenses (Glj) installed to the right and left of said central piece (PCL) respectively in said side parts (PLBj) and between said rear masks (MRj) and said protective lens (GP), and in that said lighting device (DE) is adapted to generate lights illuminating said internal lenses (Glj) respectively.
5. Illuminated grille according to claim 4, characterized in that each of said internal glass (Glj) comprises a front face (FV) on which three-dimensional elements (ET) are defined together defining a grille grid.
6. Illuminated grille according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said lighting device (DE) includes a light diffuser (DL) installed in said central part (PCB) behind said central part (PCL) and suitable for diffusing a portion of said generated light towards a rear face (FR) of the latter (PCL).
7. Illuminated grille according to claim 4 or 5 taken in combination with claim 6, characterized in that said lighting device (DE) comprises at least three light sources (SLk) suitable for generating lights respectively for said light diffuser (DL) and said internal glass (Glj).
8. Illuminated grille according to claim 7, characterized in that each light source (SLk) comprises at least one light-emitting diode.
9. Vehicle comprising a front end having a central area, characterized in that it further comprises a luminous grille (CL) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, installed in said central area of the front end.
10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.