Lighting system comprising at least two lighting devices for vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle lighting system (10), the lighting system comprising a first lighting device (11) and a second lighting device (12). Specifically, the first lighting device is characterized in that it comprises a first casing (111) having 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 1

Description

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

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

[0002] Many vehicles include lighting systems or devices with various functions. For example, a vehicle includes headlights or projectors to illuminate the vehicle's surroundings so that the driver can best perceive them. A vehicle also includes parking lights, position lights, or daytime running lights to ensure visibility to other road users and / or recognition through a distinctive light signature. Finally, a vehicle may include other lighting devices to warn other road users of a maneuver, such as turn signals.

[0003] These lighting systems or devices are designed to follow the vehicle's silhouette and can highlight certain lines of that silhouette. To integrate a lighting system into certain body parts, it is sometimes composed of several sub-assemblies or lighting devices arranged side by side. It is therefore important to control the functional clearances between the different sub-assemblies or lighting devices, both to give an impression of unity and to ensure their proper assembly. It is also important to maintain them in their relative positions to prevent these sub-assemblies or lighting devices from colliding or rubbing against each other, which would cause 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 lifespan.

[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 luminous 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 way. The arrangement of these lighting devices is thus controlled and their wear is reduced, as the relative friction between these two lighting devices is limited.

[0007] According to one 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 yet 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 light system, the first external surface is distant from the second external surface by a target distance of between 0.1mm and 5mm.

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

[0013] According to yet another variant of the light 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 features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 3, in which:

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

[0018] [Fig.2] illustrates a perspective view of the lighting devices of the lighting system of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention;

[0019] [Fig.3] illustrates a front view of an example embodiment of an interface element mechanics of a lighting system of the [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[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 including 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," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to allow for the identification and distinction of different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 1 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 illuminates the vehicle's surroundings, allows the vehicle to be seen by other road users, and enables the vehicle to be recognized and / or warn other road 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 spotlight. According to another example, the first lighting device 11 is a turn signal, while the second lighting device 12 is a spotlight or a daytime running light. However, the invention is not limited to these examples above but to any lighting system comprising two or more lighting devices, for example, two, three, or five lighting devices.

[0024] In this example, the vehicle equipped with the lighting system 10 corresponds to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, with electric motor(s), or a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle such as a car, a truck, a bus, or a motorcycle. Finally, the vehicle corresponds to an autonomous or non-autonomous vehicle. that is to say, a vehicle operating 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 of the vehicle, for example at one of the lateral ends of the front. According to other embodiments, the lighting system 10 is, for example, placed on the rear 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, they are positioned relative to each other in space, with one 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 instance, each lighting device includes an electrical connection means for being connected to a vehicle's electrical harness, electrical conductors, at least one socket to which a bulb is connected, or electronic components connected, for example, to a light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED) or laser. Optionally, a lighting device includes a means for adjusting the inclination of a light beam that it emits through, for example, a diffuser, particularly in the case of a spotlight. All these components are then placed within a housing, thus forming an optical unit. The term "optical unit" is therefore synonymous with the term "lighting device." It should be noted that the aforementioned diffuser may be an integral part of this housing.

[0027] On this casing are placed, for example, means of fixing, allowing the optical unit or light 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 comprise, respectively, a first enclosure 111 and a second enclosure 121. These enclosures serve, for example, to make each lighting device watertight or to prevent any contact by a user with a conductive part located inside this lighting device. These enclosures include, for example, different parts, such as a base, a diffuser, and one or more covers allowing access to the inside of the lighting device, for example, for maintenance operations. Typically, such an enclosure includes a concealed portion, that is, a portion not visible once the lighting device is mounted in the vehicle. This concealed portion is often opaque. Conversely, an enclosure includes a visible part that is more aesthetically pleasing, incorporating, for example, trim pieces. The visible part of the enclosure generally includes a diffuser, allowing the light emitted by the lighting device to pass through. The diffuser is, for example, completely transparent, such as crystal or opal, thus diffusing the light without revealing the internal components of the lighting device or optical unit.

[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 embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The first device 11 comprises the first envelope 111, this first envelope 111 having a first external surface 1111 parallel to a second external surface 1211 of the second envelope 121 of the second lighting device (12). These first external surfaces 1111 and second external surfaces 1211 are positioned opposite each other, that is, 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, a constant dimensional gap is defined between the first external surface 1111 and the second external surface 1211.

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

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

[0033] According to yet another particular 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 separated by the target distance d.

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

[0035] According to a particular embodiment, the first external surface 1111 is separated from the second external surface 1211 by a target distance d between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, for example 0.5 mm, thus ensuring a gap that is barely perceptible to the human eye at a distance of one meter. With such dimensional clearance, the first 11 and second 12 luminous devices appear to form a single luminous system. However, with such values ​​of target distance d, a positioning discrepancy between the first 11 and second 12 devices is quickly noticeable. It is therefore necessary 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, the relative position of the first 11 and second 12 light devices must be controlled to guarantee a consistent actual dimensional clearance, that is, one that takes into account manufacturing variations and positioning deviations during assembly in the vehicle. For example, for a target distance d of 0.5 mm, a tolerance of + / - 0.05 mm should be defined. Thus, the dimensional deviation between the first light device 11 and the second light device 12 on a control plane is, according to this example, between 0.45 mm and 0.55 mm. These limits can be verified or controlled in production, for example, through the use of control gauges.

[0036] Furthermore, the lighting system 10 installed in a vehicle is sometimes subjected to mechanical stresses or vibrations, for example when the vehicle is moving. If the first 111 and second 121 envelopes 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 envelopes wear prematurely due to friction or excessive stress. Additionally, if one of the lighting devices is displaced, for example as a result of an impact, the target distance d between the first lighting device 11 and the second lighting device 12 is no longer maintained.

[0037] The first light device 11 includes at least one mechanical interface element 112 configured to maintain a constant gap between the first envelope 111 and the second envelope 121. Such a mechanical element thus makes it possible to limit any relative movement between the first light device 11 and the second light device 12 while controlling the areas in mechanical contact between the first light device 11 and the second light 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 luminous device 11. Such a first component is, for example, an internal part of the first luminous device 11 passing through the first envelope 111 to come into contact with the second envelope 121. According to another example, the first component is a part constituting the first envelope 111, for example, a diffuser.

[0039] The mechanical interface 112 is, for example, made up of two ribs, thus allowing the first 11 and second 12 light devices to come into contact, preventing any rotation or 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 enabling contact and conformation with the second external surface 1211. The width e of each rib is defined to ensure sufficient contact area; the larger the width e, the larger the contact area, thereby reducing the mechanical stress exerted between the first 11 and second 12 light devices when a mechanical force is applied to the first light device 11 or the second light device 12. Such a width e is, for example, between 1 mm and 10 mm. 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 obtained for example by injection molding of the first component, in particular if the first component is a part made of a thermoplastic type material such as a polyamide (PA), a polypropylene (PP), a polycarbonate (PC), or an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

[0041] It is also possible to adjust or set 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 shown in the first embodiment. This second component has, for example, one or more grooves or channels configured to accommodate a seal. This seal has, for example, a cylindrical or rectangular cross-section and a diameter or height that allows it to contact 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.Furthermore, this solution offers a simple way to adjust the target distance d by selecting a gasket diameter or height, thus adjusting the dimensional gap between the first light device 11 and the second light device 12. For example, if the gasket is placed in a groove 2 mm deep and the target distance is 1 mm, a gasket with a thickness or height of 3 mm should be selected. If a manufacturing dimension of a part constituting the first envelope 111 or the second envelope 121 is not met, then selecting another gasket makes it possible to compensate for this discrepancy, for example, by selecting a gasket with a diameter or height of 3.5 mm to compensate for a 0.5 mm discrepancy, as in the previous example.

[0043] According to a third particular embodiment, the mechanical interface element 112 corresponds to an elastomer or a hardening adhesive applied to a third component of the first luminous device 11. The third component corresponds, for example, to the first component shown in the first particular embodiment or to the second component shown in the second particular embodiment. Thus, this mechanical interface element is applied, for example, upstream of an assembly phase. The elastomer or the hardening adhesive is, for example, in the form of a paste that is applied so as to form one or more continuous or discontinuous beads. During the assembly phase, the first 11 and second 12 luminous devices are positioned, and each bead is then compressed and deformed so as to conform to the second external surface 1211.After drying, the cord is then either rigid, in the case of using a hardening adhesive, or flexible in the case of using an elastomer, for example silicone. In the event of mechanical stress being applied to one of the first 11 and second 12 luminous devices: . - if the mechanical interface 112 is a soft 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 the assembly of the first 11 and second 12 light devices in the vehicle; - if the mechanical interface 112 is a hardening glue, it 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 allowing both to maintain and adjust the relative position of the first light device 11 with respect to the second light device 12. Such means make it easier to assemble these devices during a mounting phase in the vehicle and to limit the wear of the light 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 a good perceived quality, the assembly gaps being controlled, and good durability over time, the lifespan being guaranteed by the limitation of the mechanical wear of the lighting devices constituting the lighting system 10.

[0047] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a lighting system embedded in a vehicle which would include additional components without going outside 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.1].

Claims

Demands

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

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

3. A lighting system (10) according to claim 2, which includes means for adjusting said target distance.

4. Lighting system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 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.

5. Lighting system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of said first (11) and second (12) lighting devices is a light projector.

6. Vehicle comprising a lighting system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.