Rear structure of a motor vehicle including a trunk and a license plate

Abstract

Rear structure (3) of a motor vehicle (1) comprising a trunk (5) having an upper cross member (7) and a lower edge (9) opposite the upper cross member (7), said rear structure (3) comprising a license plate (15), located on the lower edge (9) of said trunk (5), and a tailgate (11) movably mounted to pivot on the upper cross member (7) between a closed position in which the tailgate (11) obstructs the trunk and an open position in which the tailgate (11) releases the trunk (5), said tailgate (11) having a lower edge (13) opposite the upper cross member (7), characterized in that said lower edge (13) of the tailgate (11) comprises a lighting device (17), and in that the lighting device (17) is capable of illuminating the license plate (15) when the tailgate (11) is in the closed position and is capable of illuminating the interior of the trunk (5) when the tailgate (11) is in open position. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Rear structure of a motor vehicle comprising a trunk and a license plate

[0001] The invention relates to a rear structure of a motor vehicle comprising a trunk and a license plate.

[0002] Typically, a lighting device is installed on the rear of the motor vehicle to illuminate the license plate. In France, rear license plate lighting is mandatory to ensure the plate can be read from 20 meters away, regardless of weather conditions.

[0003] The lighting device used for the plate may then include one or more low-intensity light-emitting bulbs or diodes installed above the plate.

[0004] The motor vehicle may further include another lighting device installed inside the trunk to illuminate it when the user opens it. The trunk lighting device generally has a higher intensity than the license plate lighting device.

[0005] The trunk lighting device can be installed at one or more edges of the trunk. It can also be coupled with a footwell lighting device for the user when the trunk is open.

[0006] The described trunk and license plate lights each have their own operating circuit and are independent of each other. However, the license plate light is not needed when the trunk is open or the vehicle is stationary, and vice versa. It may therefore be possible to control the license plate light to turn off when the trunk is opened, for example. However, both lighting devices described, as well as the control of these devices, consume a significant amount of energy.

[0007] There is therefore a need for a lighting device for the license plate and / or the trunk that reduces the energy used for its operation.

[0008] To this end, a rear structure of a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising a trunk having an upper crossmember and a lower edge opposite the upper crossmember. This rear structure includes a license plate located on the lower edge of the trunk, and a tailgate pivotally mounted on the upper crossmember between a closed position in which the tailgate obstructs the trunk and an open position in which the tailgate releases the trunk. The tailgate has a lower edge opposite the upper crossmember. The lower edge of the tailgate further comprises a lighting device, and the lighting device is capable of illuminates the license plate when the tailgate is in the closed position and is capable of illuminating the inside of the trunk when the tailgate is in the open position.

[0009] Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the installation of a single lighting device which allows the license plate and the interior of the trunk to be illuminated according to the position of the tailgate.

[0010] The use of a single lighting device also reduces energy consumption and the system's footprint compared to the prior art. Furthermore, using a single lighting device reduces the number of components required, such as cables, for its installation and operation. This consequently reduces the cost of manufacturing and operating the lighting device.

[0011] Since the lighting device is installed at the lower edge of the tailgate, it is protected by the tailgate against impacts and weather. Furthermore, when loading the trunk, with the tailgate in the open position, the lighting device is positioned high and cannot be covered by the cargo. Thus, the interior of the trunk is always illuminated.

[0012] In a first embodiment, the lighting device includes a first light source directed towards the license plate so as to illuminate it when the tailgate is in the closed position and a second light source directed towards the inside of the trunk when the tailgate is in the open position.

[0013] The use of two different light sources allows for better control of the lighting system as well as optimal illumination of the license plate and the interior of the trunk. Indeed, depending on the position of the tailgate, the first light source can be switched off while the second light source can be switched on, and vice versa.

[0014] Preferably, the second light source is inclined at an angle between 60° and 80° relative to the first light source.

[0015] The angle of inclination is, for example, 70°. The inclination of the second light source can also vary so that the angle of inclination varies according to the user's needs. The user's needs may be, for example, to illuminate the upper part of the trunk or the lower part of the trunk as well as the ground.

[0016] Advantageously, the first and second light sources are light-emitting diodes.

[0017] In a second embodiment, the lighting device includes at least one light source and at least one moving drive element of at least one light source so as to change the orientation of at least one light source to direct it towards the license plate when the tailgate is in the closed position or towards the inside of the trunk when the tailgate is in the open position.

[0018] Preferably, the light source is a light-emitting diode.

[0019] Another object of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising a rear structure as described above.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] - [Fig.1] is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle;

[0022] - [Fig.2] is a schematic rear view of the motor vehicle;

[0023] - [Fig.3] is a schematic side view of the rear structure of a vehicle automobile when a particular element is in a first position;

[0024] - [Fig.4] is a schematic view of another particular element of the rear structure of a motor vehicle in a first embodiment;

[0025] - [Fig.5] is a schematic side view of the rear structure of a vehicle automobile when a particular element is in a second position.

[0026] In the figures, with regard to the coordinate system (XY, Z), the motor vehicle extends longitudinally from front to back along the X axis, transversely from left to right in driving situation, along the Y axis and vertically opposite the support surface along the Z axis.

[0027] The invention relates to a rear structure of a motor vehicle comprising a device for lighting the license plate and the interior of the trunk of the vehicle.

[0028] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrate a motor vehicle 1 comprising a rear structure 3 extending transversely along the Y axis.

[0029] The rear structure 3 includes a storage compartment 5 corresponding to a recess inside the vehicle. The storage compartment 5 is used, in particular, by the user to store luggage in the vehicle 1. Its size depends mainly on the size of the motor vehicle, which varies depending on the model.

[0030] The chest 5 has an upper cross member 7 and a lower edge 9. The lower edge 9 is opposite the upper cross member 7. They are substantially parallel and extend horizontally along the Y axis.

[0031] The rear structure 3 also includes a tailgate 11 mounted movable by pivoting on the upper cross member 7 by means of hinges not shown in the figures.

[0032] The tailgate 11 is movable between a closed position as illustrated in [Fig.2] in which the tailgate 11 obstructs the trunk 5 and an open position as illustrated in [Fig.1] in which the tailgate 11 releases the trunk 5.

[0033] The tailgate 11 has a lower edge 13 opposite the upper cross member 7 coming in relation to the lower edge 9 of the trunk 5 when the tailgate 11 is in the closed position.

[0034] The rear structure 3 further includes a license plate 15, also called a registration plate. The license plate 15 is located on the lower edge 9 of the trunk 5.

[0035] The license plate 15 can be made of aluminium or of polymer material such as polymethyl methacrylate.

[0036] With reference to [Fig.3], the lower section 3 includes a lighting device 17. The lighting device 17 is suitable for illuminating the license plate 15 when the tailgate 11 is in the closed position and is suitable for illuminating the interior of the trunk 5 when the tailgate 11 is in the open position.

[0037] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the lighting device 17 is opposite the plate 15 when the tailgate 11 is in the closed position.

[0038] The lighting device can be installed during the manufacture of the vehicle or it can be added after manufacture in replacement of the original license plate lighting device.

[0039] The lighting device 17 may include an internal battery, not shown in the figures, which can, for example, be recharged when the license plate or trunk is illuminated. It can also be connected to the vehicle's electrical circuit for power.

[0040] The lighting device can also be controlled, for example, by the lighting lights or by opening the trunk.

[0041] Figure 4 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention, in which the lighting device 17 includes a first light source 19 directed towards the license plate 15 and a second light source 21 directed towards the inside of the trunk 5 when the tailgate is in the open position.

[0042] The second light source 21 can be inclined at an angle between 60° and 80° relative to the first light source 19. Preferably the second light source 21 is inclined at an angle of 70° relative to the first light source.

[0043] The first and second light sources are housed in different compartments 23 in the lighting device 17 as illustrated in [Fig.4]. They can, for example, be installed on the same support while being independent of each other (not shown in the figures).

[0044] They can be installed on the support next to each other along the X axis or the Y axis.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the first 19 and second 21 light sources are white light-emitting diodes.

[0046] The orientation of the first 19 and second 21 light sources can also be changed manually by the user, for example, using a remote control or buttons installed on the support.

[0047] The number of first and second light sources is not limited. Indeed, according to one embodiment, the lighting device comprises several first light sources oriented in the same direction and / or several second light sources oriented in the same direction.

[0048] The first light source 19 is oriented so as to illuminate the plate 15 when the tailgate 11 is in the closed position as illustrated in [Fig.3] while the second light source 21 is oriented so as to illuminate the interior of the trunk 5 when the tailgate 11 is in the open position as illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0049] The first 19 and second 21 light sources can illuminate at different intensities, in particular the first light source 19 can have a lower intensity than the intensity of the second light source 21 because the plate 15 requires less lighting than the interior of the trunk 5.

[0050] The intensity of the first and second light sources can also vary automatically, for example, when the tailgate pivots between the two positions. The intensity of the first and second light sources can also be adjusted manually, for example, by a control installed on the trunk 5 or by a remote control.

[0051] In the case of automatic control, it can be controlled according to the opening of the tailgate by means of a motion or intensity sensor located at the level of the trunk or tailgate.

[0052] In a second embodiment of the invention, the lighting device comprises a single light source.

[0053] The number of light sources is not limited. Indeed, it can be chosen according to the size of the lighting device. The lighting device can thus comprise between 1 and 20 light sources oriented in the same direction.

[0054] The light source may include different lighting intensities so that the intensity can be changed according to the user's needs.

[0055] According to the second embodiment, the lighting device further comprises a moving drive element for the light source.

[0056] The moving drive element allows the orientation of the light source to be changed to direct it towards the license plate when the tailgate is in the closed position or towards the inside of the trunk when the tailgate is in the open position.

[0057] The drive element may include a plate on which the light source is mounted. The light source may be mounted, for example, by screwing it to the plate or by gluing it.

[0058] The mounting plate is installed at the lower edge of the tailgate and can extend transversely along the upper edge. The mounting plate is hinged around a rod extending transversely along the Y-axis.

[0059] The drive mechanism also includes a spring that is compressed when the tailgate is in the closed position, because the plate is pressed against a stop installed in the lower edge of the trunk. Conversely, when the tailgate is in the open position, the plate is no longer in contact with the stop and the spring is released, thus changing the orientation of the plate and therefore that of the light source.

[0060] The invention presented above can be installed on any type of motor vehicle such as passenger cars, utility vehicles, buses, trucks comprising a rear structure as described above.

Claims

Demands

1. Rear structure (3) of a motor vehicle (1) comprising a trunk (5) having an upper cross member (7) and a lower edge (9) opposite the upper cross member (7), said rear structure (3) comprising a license plate (15), located on the lower edge (9) of said trunk (5), and a tailgate (11) movably pivotally mounted on the upper cross member (7) between a closed position in which the tailgate (11) obstructs the trunk and an open position in which the tailgate (11) releases the trunk (5), said tailgate (11) having a lower edge (13) opposite the upper cross member (7), characterized in that said lower edge (13) of the tailgate (11) comprises a lighting device (17), and in that the lighting device (17) is capable of illuminating the license plate (15) when the tailgate (11) is in the closed position and is capable of illuminating the interior of the trunk (5) when the tailgate (11) is in the open position.

2. Rear structure (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting device (17) comprises a first light source (19) directed towards the license plate (15) so as to illuminate it when the tailgate (11) is in the closed position and a second light source (21) directed towards the interior of the trunk (5) when the tailgate (11) is in the open position.

3. Rear structure (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second light source (21) is inclined at an angle between 60° and 80° with respect to the first light source (19).

4. Rear structure (3) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first and second light sources (21) are light-emitting diodes.

5. Rear structure (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting device (17) comprises at least one light source and at least one moving drive element of at least one light source so as to change the orientation of at least one light source to orient it towards the license plate when the tailgate is in the closed position or towards the inside of the trunk when the tailgate is in the open position.

6. Rear structure (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that the light source is a light-emitting diode.

7. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a rear structure (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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