Lighting system comprising at least two lighting devices for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting system (10) for a vehicle, the lighting system comprising a first lighting device (11) and a second lighting device (12). Indeed, the first lighting device is characterized in that it comprises a first casing (111) comprising a first external surface parallel to a second external surface of a second casing (121) of the second lighting device, and at least one mechanical interface element configured to maintain a constant gap between the first casing and the second casing. Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Lighting system comprising at least two lighting devices for a vehicle Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting system for a vehicle. The present invention also relates to a lighting device for a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Many vehicles include lighting systems or devices with different functions. For example, a vehicle includes headlights or projectors, making it possible to illuminate the vehicle's surroundings so that its driver can better perceive this environment. For example, a vehicle includes sidelights, position lights or daytime running lights in order to be seen by other users and / or to be recognized by a light signature. A vehicle also includes other lighting devices making it possible to warn other users of a maneuver, for example with turn signals.

[0003] These lighting systems or devices are developed in such a way as to match the silhouette of the vehicle and can highlight certain lines of this silhouette. In order to integrate a lighting system into certain body parts, it is sometimes composed of several sub-assemblies or lighting devices arranged next to each other. It is then important to control functional clearances between the different sub-assemblies or lighting devices, so as to give an impression of unity and also so as to guarantee their assembly. It is also important to keep them in relative position to prevent these sub-assemblies or lighting devices from colliding or rubbing against each other, thus generating premature wear of their components. Summary of the present invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above by designing a lighting system which makes it possible to improve its assembly and to guarantee its service life.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a lighting system for a vehicle, the lighting system comprising a first lighting device and a second lighting device, the first lighting device being characterized in that it comprises: - a first envelope comprising a first external surface parallel to a second external surface of a second envelope of the second lighting device, and - at least one mechanical interface element configured to maintain a constant gap between said first envelope and said second envelope.

[0006] Such a lighting system then comprises a first and a second lighting device configured to remain positioned relative to each other in the same manner. The arrangement of these lighting devices is thus controlled and the wear of these lighting devices is reduced, the relative friction between these two lighting devices being limited.

[0007] According to a variant of the lighting system, the mechanical interface element corresponds to a rib of a first component of the first lighting device.

[0008] According to another variant of the lighting system, the rib is obtained by injection molding of the first component.

[0009] According to another variant of the lighting system, the mechanical interface element corresponds to a joint fixed to a second component of the first lighting device.

[0010] According to yet another variant of the lighting system, the mechanical interface element corresponds to a hardening glue applied to a third component of the first lighting device.

[0011] According to an additional variant of the lighting system, the first external surface is distant from the second external surface by a target distance of between 0.1 mm and 5 mm.

[0012] According to another variant, the lighting system comprises means for adjusting the target distance.

[0013] According to another variant of the lighting system, the first external surface is concave when the second external surface is convex or the first external surface is convex when the second external surface is concave.

[0014] According to yet another variant of the lighting system, at least one of the first and second lighting devices is a light projector.

[0015] The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a vehicle comprising a lighting system as described above according to the first aspect of the present invention. Brief description of the figures

[0016] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 3, in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] illustrates a perspective view of a part of a lighting system, according to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] [Fig.2] illustrates a perspective view of light devices of the light system of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] [Fig.3] illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an interface element mechanics of a lighting system of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of implementation

[0020] An example of a lighting system will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. According to this example, the lighting system comprises a first lighting device and a second lighting device. Indeed, the first lighting device is characterized in that it comprises a first envelope comprising a first external surface parallel to a second external surface of a second envelope of the second lighting device, and at least one mechanical interface element configured to maintain a constant gap between the first envelope and the second envelope.

[0021] The terms "first(s)", "second(s)" (or "first(s)", "second(s)"), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to enable different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below to be identified and distinguished. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0022] [Fig.l] illustrates a lighting system 10 designed to perform at least one of the functions presented in the technological background. As a reminder, the lighting system makes it possible to illuminate the environment of the vehicle, to be seen by other users, to be recognized and / or to warn other users of a maneuver.

[0023] For example, if the lighting system 10 comprises a first 11 and a second 12 lighting devices, the first lighting device 10 is for example a daytime running light while the second lighting device is for example a headlight or a light projector. According to another example, the first lighting device 11 is a turn signal while the second lighting device 12 is a light projector or a daytime running light. The invention is however not limited to these previously cited examples but to any lighting system comprising a number of lighting devices greater than or equal to 2, for example 2, 3 or 5 lighting devices.

[0024] In this example, the vehicle carrying the lighting system 10 corresponds to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with an electric motor(s) or even a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle such as an automobile, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle. Finally, the vehicle corresponds to an autonomous vehicle or not, that is to say a vehicle traveling according to a determined level of autonomy or under the total supervision of the driver.

[0025] The lighting system 10 is for example positioned on the front face of the vehicle, for example example at one of the lateral ends of the front face. According to other exemplary embodiments, the lighting system 10 is for example placed on the rear face of the vehicle. The first lighting device 11 is for example positioned next to the second lighting device 12, for example to the right of the second lighting device 12 as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 or to the left of the second lighting device 12. According to other examples, the first lighting device 11 is positioned above, below, in front of or behind the second lighting device 12. In the case where more than two lighting devices make up the lighting system 10, these are positioned relative to each other in space, a lighting device being able to be positioned between two other lighting devices.

[0026] The first 11 and second 12 lighting devices comprise, for example, numerous components. For example, each lighting device comprises an electrical connection means for being connected to an electrical harness of the vehicle, electrical conductors, at least one socket to which a bulb is connected, or electronic components connected, for example, to a light source of the light-emitting diode (LED) or laser type. Optionally, a lighting device comprises a means for adjusting an inclination of a light beam that it emits through, for example, a diffuser, in particular when it is a light projector. All these components are then placed in an enclosure, thus forming an optical unit. The term optical unit is thus comparable to the term lighting device. It should be noted that the previously mentioned diffuser may be an integral part of this enclosure.

[0027] For example, fixing means are placed on this envelope, allowing the optical unit or lighting device to be mounted in the vehicle.

[0028] The particular embodiment of the lighting system 10 shown here comprises a first lighting device 11 and a second lighting device 12. These first 11 and second 12 lighting devices each respectively comprise a first casing 111 and a second casing 121. These casings have, for example, the role of making each lighting device watertight or of preventing any contact of a user with a conductive part located inside this lighting device. These casings comprise, for example, different parts, for example a base, a diffuser and one or more covers allowing access to the inside of the lighting device, for example for maintenance operations. Commonly, such an casing comprises a masked part, i.e. not visible once the lighting device is mounted in the vehicle. This masked part is often opaque.Conversely, an envelope includes a visible part which is then more aesthetic, integrating for example hubcaps. The visible part of the envelope generally includes a diffuser, then allowing the light emitted by the to pass through. lighting device. The diffuser is, for example, completely transparent, of the crystal or opal type, allowing the diffusion of light without letting the interior of the lighting device or optical unit show through.

[0029] [Fig. 2] illustrates a perspective view of the first 11 and second 12 light devices of the light system 10 of [Fig. 1], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The first device 11 comprises the first casing 111, this first casing 111 comprising a first external surface 1111 parallel to a second external surface 1211 of the second casing 121 of the second lighting device (12). These first external surface 1111 and second external surface 1211 are positioned opposite each other, that is to say they face each other. The term parallel means that the first external surface 1111 and second external surface 1211 are located at a constant target distance d from each other, that is to say a constant dimensional clearance is defined between the first external surface 1111 and the second external surface 1211.

[0031] According to a particular exemplary embodiment, the first external surface 1111 is concave while the second external surface 1211 is convex.

[0032] According to another particular exemplary embodiment, the first external surface 1111 is convex when the second external surface 1211 is concave.

[0033] According to yet another particular exemplary embodiment, the first 1111 and second 1211 external surfaces are planar, the first external surface 1111 defining a first plane and the second external surface 1211 defining a second plane, the first and second planes being parallel and spaced apart by the target distance d.

[0034] It should be noted that the three previously presented embodiments can be combined, the first 1111 and second 1211 surfaces being able to be more complex and being able to have different curvatures in different places.

[0035] According to a particular embodiment, the first external surface 1111 is distant from the second external surface 1211 by a target distance d of between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, for example 0.5 mm, thus guaranteeing a play that is very little perceptible at a distance of one meter by the human eye. With such a dimensional play, the first 11 and second 12 light devices appear to form a single-piece light system. However, with such target distance d values, a positioning difference between the first 11 and second 12 devices is quickly perceptible. It is then appropriate to perfectly control the relative positioning of the first 11 and second 12 devices, for example so as to obtain an actual distance differing from the target distance d by less than 5, 10 or 20%.Thus, it is necessary to control the relative position of the first 11 and second 12 light devices in order to guarantee a real dimensional play, that is to say taking into account manufacturing variations and the . positioning deviations during assembly in the vehicle, consistent. For example, for a target distance d of 0.5mm, a tolerance of + / -0.05mm should be defined. Thus, the dimensional difference between the first light device 11 and the second light device 12 on a control plane is, according to this example, between 0.45mm and 0.55mm. These limits can be verified or controlled in production, for example through the use of control gauges.

[0036] In addition, the lighting system 10 embedded in a vehicle sometimes undergoes mechanical forces or vibrations, for example when the vehicle is moving. If the first 111 and second 121 casings of the first 11 and second 12 devices respectively come into contact at the first external surface 1111 and second external surface 1211, the first 111 and second 121 casings wear prematurely by friction or by excessive stress. Additionally, one of the lighting devices may be displaced, for example following an impact, the target distance d between the first lighting device 11 and the second lighting device 12 is then no longer respected.

[0037] The first lighting device 11 comprises at least one mechanical interface element 112 configured to maintain a constant gap between the first casing 111 and the second casing 121. Such a mechanical element thus makes it possible to limit any relative movement between the first lighting device 11 and the second lighting device 12 while controlling the areas in mechanical contact between the first lighting device 11 and the second lighting device 12.

[0038] According to a first particular embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the mechanical interface element 112 corresponds to at least one rib of a first component of the first lighting device 11. Such a first component is for example an internal part of the first lighting device 11 passing through the first casing 111 to come into contact with the second casing 121. According to another example, the first component is a part constituting the first casing 111, for example a diffuser.

[0039] The mechanical interface 112 is for example made up of two ribs, thus allowing contact between the first 11 and second 12 light devices, preventing any rotation or any relative translation between these two light devices. Each rib is thus made so as to follow the first external surface 1111 with an offset equal to its height, this height being for example equal to the target distance d, thus making it possible to come into contact and to match the second external surface 1211. The width e of each rib is defined so as to ensure a sufficient contact surface, the greater the width e, the greater the contact surface, thus reducing the mechanical stress exerted between the first 11 and second 12 light devices when applying a mechanical force to the first light device 11 or to the second light device 12. Such a width e is for example between 1mm and 10mm. Thus, once the first 11 and second 12 devices are mounted in the vehicle, they are brought into contact via the mechanical interface element 112.

[0040] The rib or mechanical interface 112 is for example obtained by injection molding of the first component, in particular if the first component is a part made of a thermoplastic material such as a polyamide (PA), a polypropylene (PP), a polycarbonate (PC), or an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

[0041] It is further possible to set or adjust the target distance d separating the first external surface 1111 from the second external surface 1211 during an assembly phase, for example by planing the surface of a rib in contact with the second external surface 1211.

[0042] According to a second particular embodiment, the mechanical interface element 112 corresponds to a seal fixed to a second component of the first lighting device 11. The second component corresponds, for example, to the first component presented in the first embodiment. This second component has, for example, one or more grooves or grooves configured to accommodate a seal. This seal is, for example, of cylindrical or rectangular section and has a diameter or a height allowing it to come into contact with the second external surface 1211 when it is fixed to the second component. This second particular embodiment has the advantage of having an additional part, the seal, which is removable and therefore replaceable.In addition, this solution presents a means of adjusting the target distance d simply by selecting a joint diameter or height making it possible to adjust the dimensional clearance between the first light device 11 and the second light device 12. Thus, if the joint is placed in a groove 2 mm deep and the target distance is 1 mm, it is appropriate to select a joint with a thickness or height of 3 mm. If a manufacturing dimension of a part constituting the first envelope 111 or the second envelope 121 is not respected, then the selection of another joint makes it possible to compensate for this difference, for example by selecting a joint with a diameter or height of 3.5 mm to compensate for a difference of 0.5 mm according to the previous example.

[0043] According to a third particular embodiment, the mechanical interface element 112 corresponds to an elastomer or to a hardening glue applied to a third component of the first lighting device 11. The third component corresponds, for example, to the first component presented in the first particular embodiment or to the second component presented in the second particular embodiment. Thus, this mechanical interface element is applied for example upstream of an assembly phase. The elastomer or the hardening glue is for example in the form of a paste which is applied so as to form one or more cords, continuous or discontinuous. During the assembly phase, the first 11 and second 12 light devices are put in position, each cord is then compressed and deformed so as to fit the second external surface 1211. After drying the cord is then either rigid, in the case of the use of a hardening glue, or flexible in the case of the use of an elastomer, for example a silicone. In the event of application of a mechanical force on one of the first 11 and second 12 light devices: - if the mechanical interface 112 is a flexible and elastic elastomer, one of the devices is then free to move and then return to its original position, the joint then playing the role of a spring whose equilibrium position is that defined at the time of assembly of the first 11 and second 12 light devices in the vehicle; - if the mechanical interface 112 is a hardening glue, this then plays the same role as a rigid rib as presented in the first particular embodiment.

[0044] According to this third particular embodiment, the target distance d is in particular adjustable during the assembly of the first 11 and second 12 light devices in the vehicle before drying or hardening of the mechanical interface 112.

[0045] Thus, the three particular embodiments present different technical solutions making it possible both to maintain and to adjust the relative position of the first lighting device 11 with respect to the second lighting device 12. Such means make it possible to facilitate the assembly of these devices during a mounting phase in the vehicle and to limit the wear of the lighting devices by limiting their relative movement or even by controlling the areas of mechanical contact and therefore of friction.

[0046] Thus, a lighting system 10 having these lighting devices has good perceived quality, the assembly clearances being controlled, and good durability over time, the lifespan being guaranteed by the limitation of mechanical wear of the lighting devices constituting the lighting system 10.

[0047] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a lighting system on board a vehicle which would include additional components without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0048] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the lighting system of [Fig.l].

Claims

Claims

1. A lighting system (10) for a vehicle, said lighting system (10) comprising a first lighting device (11) and a second lighting device (12), said first lighting device (11) being characterized in that it comprises: - a first casing (111) comprising a first external surface (1111) parallel to a second external surface (1211) of a second casing (121) of the second lighting device (12), and - at least one mechanical interface element (112) configured to maintain a constant gap between said first casing (111) and said second casing (121).

2. A lighting system (10) according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical interface element (112) corresponds to a rib of a first component of said first lighting device (11).

3. A lighting system (10) according to claim 2, wherein said rib is obtained by injection molding said first component.

4. The lighting system (10) of claim 1, wherein said mechanical interface element (112) corresponds to a joint attached to a second component of said first lighting device (11).

5. A lighting system (10) according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical interface element (112) corresponds to a hardening glue applied to a third component of said first lighting device (H).

6. A lighting system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first external surface (1111) is distant from the second external surface (1211) by a target distance of between 0.1 mm and 5 mm.

7. A lighting system (10) according to claim 6, which comprises means for adjusting said target distance.

8. A lighting system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said first external surface (1111) is concave when said second external surface (1211) is convex or wherein said first external surface (1111) is convex when said second external surface (1211) is concave.

9. A lighting system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of said first (11) and second (12) lighting devices is a light projector.

10. Vehicle comprising a lighting system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images