Motor vehicle grille including an illuminated central logo and control device for such a logo

Abstract

A motor vehicle grille (2) comprising a support (2a) on which is mounted at least one left-hand headlight controlled and powered by a left-hand lighting control means and at least one right-hand headlight controlled and powered by a right-hand lighting control means, characterized in that it comprises an illuminated central logo (1) equipped with at least two plurality (1b, 1c) of light sources, a first plurality (1b) of light sources being controlled and powered by the left-hand lighting control means, the second plurality (1c) of light sources being controlled and powered by the right-hand lighting control means, such that the illuminated central logo (1) remains partially illuminated in the event of a failure of one of the lighting control means. Figure for the abbreviation: [Fig 4]

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle grille comprising an illuminated central logo and a control device for such a logo. Technical field

[0001] The invention has as its technical field the management of the lighting of a motor vehicle, and more particularly the management of such lighting in the grille of the vehicle. Previous techniques

[0002] Regulations at the level of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) have recently changed to now allow the illumination of objects representing car manufacturers' logos. It is therefore possible to install either two illuminated logos on the right and left, or a single logo in the center. These installation requirements are the same for the front and rear of the vehicle.

[0003] The regulations also require that the logo be part of an existing function. Therefore, the installation of an illuminated logo in the central part is only possible with the front lantern function for a front logo and with the rear lantern function for a rear logo.

[0004] Before the amendment of the regulations to permit an illuminated logo, a number of requirements were already in place.

[0005] - For a function, it is necessary to have continuity of the lit area. This continuity must be ensured by an interruption of less than 75mm between two illuminated areas of the same function. To illuminate a logo in the central part, it is necessary to also have light at the grille, as the headlights are generally too far away.

[0006] - Next, in the case of a band-shaped function that would pass through and on the other hand the front or rear face of a vehicle, it is required that two independent power supplies on the left and right allow the generation of light.

[0007] - Finally, if a source fails, either a message must be sent back to the driver, either all other sources of this function must be switched off.

[0008] There is therefore a problem in powering and controlling the illumination of a logo in a central position. Description of the invention

[0009] The invention relates to a motor vehicle grille comprising a support on which is mounted at least one left-hand headlight controlled and powered by a left-hand lighting control means and at least one right-hand headlight controlled and powered by a right-hand lighting control means. It includes an illuminated central logo. equipped with at least two plurality of light sources, a first plurality of light sources being controlled and supplied by the left lighting control means, the second plurality of light sources being controlled and supplied by the right lighting control means, so that the illuminated central logo remains partially illuminated in the event of failure of one of the lighting control means, a light being a front projector or a rear lantern.

[0010] The light sources of the first plurality can be intercalated with the light sources of the second plurality so as to have the most homogeneous possible illumination of the central logo illuminated in the event of the failure of one of the control and supply means.

[0011] The illuminated central logo may include a diffuser designed to diffuse and even out the light emitted by at least one light source located nearby.

[0012] The diffuser may comprise one or more independent parts

[0013] The first plurality of light sources can be controlled and powered at the same time as a third plurality of light sources arranged in the left part of the grille, the second plurality of light sources can be controlled and powered at the same time as a fourth plurality of light sources arranged in the right part of the grille, the third plurality of light sources and the fourth plurality of light sources being associated with a position light and daytime running light function of the lighting.

[0014] The grille may include a second diffuser extending from the optics of the left projector to the central logo illuminated and lit by the third plurality of light sources and a third diffuser extending from the optics of the right projector to the central logo illuminated and lit by the fourth plurality of light sources.

[0015] The grille may include a fifth plurality of light sources arranged next to a left-hand projector and a sixth plurality of light sources arranged next to a right-hand projector, the fifth plurality of light sources being controlled and powered by the left-hand lighting control means, the sixth plurality of light sources being controlled and powered by the right-hand lighting control means, the fifth plurality of light sources and the sixth plurality of light sources being associated with a position light function.

[0016] The grille may include a fourth diffuser near the optics of the left projector illuminated by the fifth plurality of light sources and a fifth diffuser near the optics of the right projector illuminated by the sixth plurality of light sources.

[0017] The support may be opaque.

[0018] Another object of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising a grille as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] - Figure [Fig. 1] illustrates a central illuminated logo according to the invention,

[0021] - Figure [Fig.2] illustrates a central illuminated logo according to the invention, while a The first plurality of light sources is inactive.

[0022] - Figure [Fig. 3] illustrates a central illuminated logo according to the invention, while a The second plurality of light sources is inactive.

[0023] - Figure [Fig. 4] illustrates a front grille 2 of a motor vehicle comprising a illuminated central logo, and

[0024] - Figure [Fig. 5] illustrates an illumination device 20 of a front grille of motor vehicle according to the invention Detailed description

[0025] Figure [Fig. 1] illustrates an illuminated central logo 1 intended to be placed in the central part of the front grille of a vehicle. The illuminated central logo 1 includes a diffuser delimiting a shape, such as a car manufacturer's logo. The illuminated central logo 1 also includes a first plurality 1b of light sources and a second plurality 1e of light sources. The parts of the diffuser 1e illuminated by the first plurality 1b of light sources are identified by a first grid, and the other parts of the diffuser 1e illuminated by the second plurality 1e of light sources are identified by a second grid. It is understood that in the event of a failure of the first plurality 1b of light sources or the second plurality 1e of light sources, the diffuser 1e remains illuminated by the other plurality of light sources, which are still functioning.In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the light sources of the first plurality 1b and the light sources of the second plurality 1b are arranged alternately so that the diffuser 1b remains uniformly illuminated even if one of the plurality of light sources fails. Depending on the embodiment, the diffuser 1b comprises one or more independent parts.

[0026] Figure [Fig. 2] illustrates the illuminated central logo 1 lit only by the first plurality 1b of light sources, while the second plurality 1b of light sources is faulty. The parts of the diffuser illuminated by the first plurality 1b of light sources are shown in the first frame.

[0027] Figure [Fig. 3] illustrates the illuminated central logo 1 lit only by the second plurality 1 of light sources, while the first plurality 1b of light sources is faulty. The parts of the diffuser 1 illuminated by the second plurality 1 of light sources are illustrated by a second grid different from the grid of Figure [Fig. 2].

[0028] Figure [Fig.4] illustrates a front grille 2 of a motor vehicle comprising an opaque support 2a in which the diffuser la of the central illuminated logo 1 is embedded in the central position, forming a first diffuser of the grille 2. The front grille 2 also includes a second diffuser 22al extending from the optic of the left projector to the central illuminated logo 1 and a third diffuser 22a2 extending from the optic of the right projector to the central illuminated logo 1, a fourth diffuser 23al near the optic of the left projector, a fifth diffuser 23a2 near the optic of the right projector.

[0029] In one embodiment, the second and third diffusers 22al,22a2 are symmetrical.

[0030] In one embodiment, the second and third diffusers 22al,22a2 each comprise several parts, distributed in particular between the upper limit and the lower limit of the front grille 2.

[0031] In another embodiment, the fourth and fifth diffusers 23al,23a2 located near the optics of a projector each comprise several parts, arranged in particular around or on either side of the optics of a projector.

[0032] The front grille 2 also includes light sources 1b,le,23b,23c,22b,22c arranged behind the diffusers Ia,23al,23a2,22al,22a2.

[0033] The first plurality 1b of light sources and the second plurality le of light sources are arranged behind the first diffuser la included in the illuminated central logo 1.

[0034] The left light projector 21b and the right light projector 21c each comprise a plurality of light sources.

[0035] A third plurality 22b of light sources is arranged on the left side of the vehicle behind the second diffuser 22al extending from the left light projector to the illuminated central logo 1.

[0036] A fourth plurality 22c of light sources is arranged on the right side of the vehicle behind the third diffuser 22a2 extending from the right light projector to the illuminated central logo 1.

[0037] A fifth plurality 23b of light sources is arranged on the left side of the vehicle behind the fourth diffuser 23al near the optics of the left projector 21b.

[0038] A sixth plurality 23c of light sources is arranged on the right side of the vehicle behind the fifth diffuser 23a2 near the optics of the right projector 21c.

[0039] The various pluralities of light sources 1b, le, 22b, 22c, 23b, 23c of the front grille 2 are switched on or off according to the operating mode of the vehicle's lights, chosen by the driver or by an electronic control unit.

[0040] The operating mode of the vehicle's lights refers to parking lights, dipped headlights, or main beam headlights, encompassing all the vehicle's light sources. For the remainder of this description, only the light sources at the front of the vehicle will be considered. Dipped headlights and main beam headlights differ primarily due to the different operating states of the vehicle's front headlights 21b, 21c, particularly their angle of incidence. In France, the use of these different lighting systems is regulated by Articles R416-4 et seq. of the French Highway Code.

[0041] Generally speaking, position lights are low-intensity lights that allow third-party vehicles to determine the position of the vehicle that turned them on.

[0042] Dipped headlights are front lights of sufficient intensity to allow the user of a vehicle to see the road and obstacles in front of his vehicle, but having an inclination relative to the horizon such that they cannot dazzle drivers of vehicles traveling in the opposite direction.

[0043] High beams are front lights that allow the driver of a vehicle to see the road and obstacles in front of the vehicle, but they are not inclined relative to the horizon. As such, they have a much larger illuminated area and a much greater illumination distance than low beams. However, they can dazzle drivers of oncoming vehicles, so their use is regulated.

[0044] For some years now, daytime running lights have been introduced to increase the daytime visibility of motor vehicles when none of the lights mentioned above are on.

[0045] Returning to the pluralities of light sources illustrated in Figure [Fig.4], it will be noted that the pluralities of light sources 23b and 23c of the front grille 2 are lit when the daytime running lights are activated.

[0046] The pluralities of light sources 1b, 1e, 22b, 22c, 23b, 23c of the front grille 2 are illuminated when the position lights are activated, the pluralities of sources Illuminated lights 23b and 23c are then lit with a different intensity than when the daytime running lights are activated.

[0047] The light sources 21b,21c, of the front grille 2 are lit when the low beam or high beam headlights are activated.

[0048] Figure [Fig.5] illustrates an illumination device 20 for the front grille of a motor vehicle according to the invention, comprising a control and power supply means 20b for the lighting of the left part of the vehicle and a control and power supply means 20c for the lighting of the right part of the vehicle.

[0049] The lighting of the left side of the vehicle includes the fifth plurality of light sources 23b associated with the daytime running light function, the third plurality 22b of light sources associated with the position light function and the left projector 21b associated with the low beam and / or high beam function.

[0050] It will be noted that the first plurality 1b of light sources of the illuminated central logo 1 is powered simultaneously with the third plurality 22b of light sources associated with the position light function.

[0051] Similarly, the lighting of the right side of the vehicle includes the sixth plurality of light sources 23c associated with the daytime running light function, the fourth plurality 22c of light sources associated with the position light function and the right projector 21c associated with the low beam function.

[0052] It will be noted that the second plurality of light sources of the illuminated central logo 1 is powered simultaneously with the fourth plurality 22c of light sources associated with the position light function.

[0053] It will be understood that the control of the different sources of a fire function implies the control of the sources of the previous fire functions.

[0054] For example, switching on the dipped headlights implies keeping the position lights on, resulting in the plurality of light sources 1b, le, 21b, 21c, 22b, 22c, 23b and 23c all being lit at the same time.

[0055] The invention has been described above in relation to the front grille of the vehicle. However, the invention is also applicable to the rear of the vehicle, with the right and left front headlights and the daytime running lights being removed.

[0056] List of references:

[0057] 1: illuminated central logo

[0058] the: diffuser

[0059] 1b: first plurality of light sources

[0060] the: second plurality of light sources

[0061] 2: front grille

[0062] 2a: opaque support

[0063] 20: illumination device

[0064] 20b: control and power supply means for the lighting of the left part of the vehicle

[0065] 20c: control and power supply means for the lighting of the right-hand side of the vehicle

[0066] 21b: left-hand spotlight

[0067] 21c: right-hand light projector

[0068] 22al: second diffuser

[0069] 22a2: third diffuser

[0070] 22b: third plurality of light sources

[0071] 22c: fourth plurality of light sources

[0072] 23al: fourth diffuser

[0073] 23a2: fifth diffuser

[0074] 23b: fifth plurality of light sources

[0075] 23c: sixth plurality of light sources

Claims

Demands

1. A motor vehicle grille comprising a support (2a) on which is mounted at least one left light controlled and powered by a control means (20b) of the left lighting and at least one right light controlled and powered by a control means (20c) of the right lighting, characterized in that it comprises an illuminated central logo (1) equipped with at least two pluralities (lb,lc) of light sources, a first plurality (1b) of light sources being controlled and powered by the control means (20b) of the left lighting, the second plurality (le) of light sources being controlled and powered by the control means (20c) of the right lighting, so that the illuminated central logo (1) remains partially illuminated in the event of a failure of one of the control means (20b,20c) of the lighting, a light being a front projector.

2. Grille according to claim 1, wherein the light sources of the first plurality (1b) are interspersed with the light sources of the second plurality (1e) so as to have the most homogeneous possible illumination of the illuminated central logo (1) in the event of the failure of one of the control and supply means (20b,20c).

3. Grille according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the illuminated central logo (1) includes a diffuser (la) designed to diffuse and even out the light emitted by the at least a plurality (1b, le) of light sources arranged nearby.

4. Grille according to claim 3, wherein the diffuser comprises one or more independent parts

5. Grille according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first plurality (1b) of light sources is controlled and supplied at the same time as a third plurality (22b) of light sources arranged in the left part of the grille, the second plurality (1e) of light sources is controlled and supplied at the same time as a fourth plurality (22c) of light sources arranged in the right part of the grille, the third plurality (22b) of light sources and the fourth plurality (22c) of light sources being associated with a position light and daytime running light function of the lighting.

6. Grille according to claim 5, comprising a second diffuser (22al) extending from the optics of the left projector to the illuminated central logo (1) and illuminated by the third plurality (22b) of light sources and a third diffuser (22a2) extending from the optics of the right projector to the illuminated central logo (1) and illuminated by the fourth plurality (22c) of light sources.

7. Grille according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a fifth plurality (23b) of light sources disposed next to a left-hand spotlight (21b) and a sixth plurality (23c) of light sources disposed next to a right-hand spotlight (21c), the fifth plurality (23b) of light sources being controlled and supplied by the control means (20b) of the left-hand lighting, the sixth plurality (23c) of light sources being controlled and supplied by the control means (20b) of the right-hand lighting, the fifth plurality (23b) of light sources and the sixth plurality (23c) of light sources being associated with a position light function.

8. Grille according to claim 7, comprising a fourth diffuser (23al) near the optics of the left projector illuminated by the fifth plurality (23b) of light sources and a fifth diffuser (23a2) near the optics of the right projector illuminated by the sixth plurality (23c) of light sources.

9. Grille according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the support (2a) is opaque.

10. Motor vehicle comprising a grille according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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