Installation of a lighting and / or signaling device on a bodywork component of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Arrangement (AG2) of a lighting and / or signaling device (PRJ) at the rear of a body panel (PAN) of a motor vehicle (VHL), said panel defining an opening (OUV) opposite which the device is positioned; said device comprising a housing (BTR) fixed to the rear face (FAR) of the panel and a lens (GLA) of a defined geometric shape, closing the housing and extending through said opening, having the same defined geometric shape; said arrangement further comprising at least three adjustable ball joints (LR1, LR2), arranged between the housing and the rear face of the panel around the opening; said joints allowing both the fixing of the housing to the rear face of the housing and the adjustment of the positioning of the lens through the opening from the rear of the housing. (Figure 4)

Description

Title of the invention: Arrangement of a lighting and / or signaling device on a bodywork element of a motor vehicle

[0001] The invention relates generally to the arrangements of lighting and / or signaling devices on motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with an arrangement of a lighting and / or signaling device on a bodywork element of a motor vehicle and in particular an arrangement of a projector on a front bodywork panel of a motor vehicle.

[0002] A motor vehicle projector comprises a housing closed on its front face by an external glass, or protective window.

[0003] In the case where the projector is mounted on a front body panel, and the panel is fixed to a tubular element of a vehicle with a tubular chassis, it is common to use an intermediate connecting piece, a connecting plate, to allow the projector housing to be fixed to the tubular chassis. The panel defines an opening through which the projector lens passes.

[0004] The problem with such an arrangement is that the dispersion of the distance between the connecting sheet metal and the body panel is high and it becomes very difficult to position, center and orient precisely the lens of the projector through the opening of the panel.

[0005] The invention therefore aims in particular to overcome this drawback by proposing an arrangement allowing the projector to be positioned on the body panel with optimal centering and optimal orientation of the projector lens in the opening, regardless of the shape of the lens.

[0006] To this end, the invention primarily relates to an arrangement of a lighting and / or signaling device at the rear of a body panel of a motor vehicle, said panel defining an opening opposite which the device is positioned; said device comprising a housing fixed to the rear face of the panel and a lens of a specific geometric shape closing the housing and extending through said opening having the same specific geometric shape; said arrangement further comprising at least three adjustable ball joints arranged between the housing and the rear face of the panel around the opening; each of the three ball joints comprises a cylindrical connecting rod terminating at one end in a spherical head cooperating with a cage that retains the spherical head in rotation and defines a ball joint between the housing and the panel, and a system screw-nut cooperating with said ball joint allowing adjustment of the positioning of the glass through the opening from the rear of the housing.

[0007] According to a feature related to first means for adjusting the positioning, a second end of the connecting rod, opposite the first end, cooperates with a fixing shaft, integral with the rear face of the panel, and projecting from the rear face towards the rear of the panel, to define a screw-nut system, and in which the cage receiving the spherical head is mounted in an insert fixed in the housing to define a ball joint in the housing; said spherical head further comprising an adjustment rod, integral with the spherical head, extending from the spherical head towards the rear of the housing allowing the positioning of the glass to be adjusted through the opening from the rear of the housing by rotation of said adjustment rod.

[0008] According to a feature related to second means for adjusting the positioning, a second end of the rod, opposite the first end, is fixed in a fixing sleeve integral with the rear face of the panel and projecting from the rear face towards the rear of the panel, and in which the cage receiving the spherical head is mounted in an insert screwed into the housing and which defines with the housing a screw-nut system; the insert further comprising an adjustment protrusion, integral with the insert, extending towards the rear of the housing allowing the positioning of the glass to be adjusted through the opening from the rear of the housing by rotation of said adjustment protrusion.

[0009] According to a feature related to third means for adjusting the positioning, the cage receiving the spherical head defines an end piece which is clipped onto a fixing shaft attached to the rear face of the panel and projecting from the rear face towards the rear of the panel, and in which the second end of the rod, opposite to the first, is threaded and screwed into the housing defining with the housing a screw-nut connection; the extreme part of the second threaded end of the rod extending to the rear of the housing, being shaped to allow adjustment of the positioning of the glass through the opening from the rear of the housing by rotation of the rod.

[0010] According to another feature, the panel is obtained by molding thermoplastic material; said fixing barrels being made of material by molding with the panel.

[0011] According to another feature, each of the three ball joints between the housing and the rear face of the panel defines one of the vertices of a positioning adjustment triangle.

[0012] The invention has as its second object, a motor vehicle comprising at least one arrangement as described above.

[0013] The invention has as its third object a quadricycle-type motor vehicle comprising a welded tubular chassis on which plastic body panels are assembled; said vehicle comprising an arrangement as described above.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawing, on which:

[0015] [Fig-1] illustrates, in a front view, a first arrangement according to the invention, of a spotlight at the rear of a motor vehicle body panel;

[0016] [Fig.2] illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second arrangement according to the invention prior to the fixing of the projector onto the vehicle's body panel;

[0017] [Fig.3] illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second arrangement according to the invention after fixing the projector onto the vehicle's body panel;

[0018] [Fig.4] illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second arrangement according to the invention after adjusting the positioning of the projector on the vehicle's body panel;

[0019] [Fig.5] illustrates a cross-sectional view of first means of adjusting the second arrangement according to the invention.

[0020] [Fig.6] illustrates a cross-sectional view of second adjustment means of the second arrangement according to the invention; and

[0021] [Fig.7] illustrates a cross-sectional view of third adjustment means of a variant of the second arrangement according to the invention.

[0022] The elements shown in the figures are oriented within the same orthonormal XYZ coordinate system and identical elements are designated by the same alphanumeric references.

[0023] For this purpose, and unless otherwise specified, reference is made to the orthonormal coordinate system XYZ to identify the directions of extension of the arrangement under consideration mounted on the vehicle, and the associated relative concepts, including a longitudinal direction (along X), a transverse direction (along Y), and a vertical direction (along Z). The longitudinal direction X extends between the front and rear of the vehicle, the transverse direction Y extends between the right and left lateral sides of the vehicle as identified relative to the driver in the vehicle's driving position, and the vertical direction Z defines the vehicle's elevation from its ground plane. Consequently, the relative concepts front and rear are identified longitudinally, the lateral concept and the relative concepts right and left are identified transversely, and concepts such as upper and lower, or other related relative concepts such as lower and upper, ...are defined vertically relative to the vehicle's running plane on the ground.

[0024] The present invention is based on an arrangement comprising at least three ball joints, also referred to as ball joints or ball joints, linking the housing of a projector on the rear face of a body panel equipping the front face of a motor vehicle; each ball joint also having an adjustment means allowing the positioning of the glass through the opening of the panel to be adjusted for optimal centering and optimal orientation of the glass in the opening, regardless of the geometric shape of the glass: round, square, triangular, diamond, cross, etc.; the geometric shape of the opening being adapted to that of the glass.

[0025] Figure 1 illustrates a first arrangement AGI according to the invention as seen from the front face FAV of a portion of a front body panel PAN of a motor vehicle VHL. By front face FAV, we mean the face of the front body panel PAN that is visible on the front of the vehicle VHL.

[0026] In the example considered, the PAN panel delimits an opening OUV with a cross-shaped geometric form. The opening OUV is designed to allow clearance for a lens GLA of a lighting and / or signaling device, for example, a lens GLA of a PRJ projector on a motor vehicle VHL. The lens GLA has the same cross-shaped geometric form. The lens GLA closes a BTR housing which is fixed to the rear face (not visible in this figure) of the PAN panel. The BTR housing is represented on the rear of the PAN panel by a dashed circle. The BTR housing can take different forms, including the same geometric form as the lens GLA.

[0027] The BTR housing is fixed to the rear face of the PAN panel by three adjustable ball joints LR1, LR2 and LR3. The three joints LR1, LR2 and LR3 are identified respectively and schematically by three circles in dashed lines.

[0028] They are arranged around the opening OUV so as to define respectively the vertices of an adjustment triangle ABC. This triangle ABC is adapted according to the geometric shape of the opening OUV to allow optimal adjustment of the positioning of the glass GLA through the opening OUV.

[0029] Each of these three ball joints LR1, LR2 or LR3 is adjustable independently of each other along a direction passing through a plane perpendicular to the plane of the PAN panel (plane passing substantially in a YZ plane, in the XYZ frame) and being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, (along X) of the VHL vehicle when the PAN panel is mounted on the VHL vehicle.

[0030] The PAN panel is obtained for example by injecting a thermoplastic material into a mold, such as polypropylene or polyamide loaded with glass fibers.

[0031] Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second AG2 arrangement according to the invention of a PRJ projector, for example, of general cylindrical shape: cylindrical BTR housing and cylindrical GLA lens (chosen geometric shape) (here as an example for the simplification of the drawing), at the time of mounting the PRJ projector on the rear face FAR of the PAN panel.

[0032] The PRJ projector is brought opposite the OUV opening from the rear of the PAN panel in the direction of the arrow (along X). The GLA glass is opposite and substantially centered with respect to the OUV opening.

[0033] The BTR housing has protrusions EX1, EX2 formed from the material of the BTR housing and extending laterally outwards from the BTR housing. There are three of these protrusions (one per ball joint), but only two, EX1 and EX2, are visible in [Fig. 2]. Each of these protrusions supports a cage, CGI, CG2, for example, press-fitted into a through hole TD1, TD2 formed in the protrusion EX1, EX2. Each cage, CGI, CG2, is designed to cooperate with a spherical head, TS1, TS2, mounted at one end of a rod, TGI, TG2, which projects from the rear face FAR of the PAN panel in the direction (along X) of the corresponding cage, CGI, CG2. The second end of the TGI rod, TG2, opposite the first end, is fixed to the rear face FAR of the PAN panel by means of a fixing sleeve FF1, FF2. The fixing sleeves FF1, FF2 are made of the same material as the rear face FAR of the PAN panel.

[0034] The cages CGI, CG2 and the spherical heads TS1, TS2 received respectively in the cages CGI, CG2 define first and second ball joints LR1, LR2. The third joint “LR3”, not visible, has similar elements.

[0035] The cages CGI, CG2 are shown schematically here. They are mounted in inserts or themselves form inserts (not shown) which are press-fitted into the through holes TD1, TD2 of the protrusions EX1, EX2, or overmolded into the through holes TD1, TD2. The cages CGI, CG2 are made of plastic and have an opening that can be spread apart to receive the spherical head TS1, TS2 and then hold it in a tight position within the cage CGI, CG2 to secure the PRJ projector to the rear of the PAN panel.

[0036] Figure 3 illustrates the same second arrangement AG2 in a first position mounting of the PRJ projector on the rear face FAR of the PAN panel

[0037] The GLA ice passes through the OUV opening by being pre-positioned in the OUV opening with a certain orientation.

[0038] In order to be able to position the glass GLA precisely (centering and orientation determined) through the opening OUV, accesses RG1, RG2 for the adjustment of the ball joints LR1, LR2 are provided from the rear of the BTR housing and more precisely at the rear of the protrusions EX1, EX2 in the alignment of the axes of the rods TGI, TG2, materialized by dashed lines, substantially along X. These accesses RG1, RG2 are materialized respectively by dashed arrows.

[0039] Figure 4 illustrates the same second arrangement AG2 in a second mounting position, in which the projector PRJ has undergone an adjustment of its positioning (centering and orientation) in the opening OUV. This adjustment is made via the access points RG1, RG2, provided at the rear of the protrusions EX1, EX2 on the three ball joints LR1, LR2 and LR3. (The access points and protrusion of the third ball joint LR3 are not visible in the figure).

[0040] Figure 5 illustrates a first embodiment of MRI adjustment means for each of the three ball joints LR1, LR2, LR3 of the second arrangement AG2 (figures 2, 3 and 4).

[0041] The MRI adjustment means comprise an overmolded or press-fit insert IS1 in a through hole TD1 formed in the protrusion EX1 of the BTR housing, and thus fixed relative to the BTR housing. It is shaped to define the cage CGI, which receives the spherical head TS1 supported by the first end of the rod TGI of the ball joint LR1. The through hole TD1 is formed in the protrusion EX1 so as to be substantially aligned with the mounting shaft FF1 when the BTR housing is fixed to the rear face FAR of the PAN panel.

[0042] The second end of the TGI rod is furthermore shaped to define a threaded rod TF1 which is screwed into the fixing shaft FF1 integral with the rear face FAR of the PAN panel.

[0043] The spherical head TS1 also includes a protrusion defining a cylindrical adjustment rod TRI, integral with the spherical head TS1 and extending from the spherical head TS1 in a direction diametrically opposite to the direction of the first end of the rod TGI, substantially horizontal (along X). This adjustment rod TRI may be a simple manual adjustment rod or one requiring a tool, for example a screwdriver or a wrench, not shown, in which case the end portion of the adjustment rod TRI is shaped to receive the adjustment tool: screwdriver or wrench.

[0044] The adjustment of the LR1 ball joint is achieved by rotating the TRI rod around its axis (along X), indicated by a dashed line. A rotation in one direction, shown in the figure by a single arrow, allows the TGI rod to be screwed into the FF1 barrel, and a rotation in the other direction allows the TGI rod to be unscrewed. This causes the spherical head TS1 to move in one direction or the other, respectively, along a substantially horizontal direction (along X), a movement shown in the figure by a double arrow.

[0045] This movement, thanks to the articulation formed by the ball joint LR1, allows the BTR housing and therefore the GLA glass to tilt into the OUV opening. The combined adjustment of the other ball joints LR2 and LR3, using the same principle, allows for fine adjustment of the positioning (centering and orientation) of the GLA glass in the OUV opening.

[0046] In this first embodiment, the MRI adjustment means implement a ball joint (insert-cage IS1, fixed CGI and spherical head TS1) and a screw-nut joint (threaded rod TF1 and tapped fixing shaft FF1).

[0047] Fig. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the adjustment means MR2 for each of the three ball joints LR1, LR2, LR3 of the second arrangement AG2.

[0048] In this second embodiment, the adjustment means MR2 still include an insert IS1, but this insert is screwed into the tapped through hole TD1, which is provided in the protrusion EX1 of the BTR housing. The insert IS1 is therefore free to move in translation relative to the BTR housing. It is shaped to define the cage CGI, which receives the spherical head TS1 supported by the first end of the rod TGI of the ball joint LR1.

[0049] The second end of the TGI rod is here fixed in the FF1 mounting shaft, which is integral with the rear face of the PAN panel. The TGI rod is therefore fixed relative to the PAN panel.

[0050] The cage CGI also includes a protrusion defining a cylindrical adjusting rod ER1, integral with the cage CGI and extending from the cage CGI in a direction diametrically opposite to the direction of the first end of the rod TRI, substantially horizontal (along X). This adjusting rod TRI may be a simple manual adjusting rod or one requiring a tool, for example a screwdriver or a wrench, not shown, in which case the end portion of the adjusting rod TRI is shaped to receive the adjusting tool: screwdriver or wrench.

[0051] . The adjustment is made by rotating the ER1 rod around the axis of the TRI rod (along X) represented by a dashed line. Rotation is shown in the figure by a single arrow. Rotation in one direction allows the face of the CGI, IS1 insert cage to be inserted into the EX1 protrusion, and rotation in the other direction allows the CGI, IS1 insert cage to be unscrewed. This causes the IS1 insert to move in one direction or the other, respectively, along a substantially horizontal direction (along X), a movement which is shown in the figure by a double arrow.

[0052] This movement, thanks to the articulation formed by the ball joint LR1, allows the BTR housing and therefore the GLA glass to tilt into the OUV opening. The combined adjustment of the other ball joints LR2 and LR3, using the same principle, allows for fine adjustment of the positioning (centering and orientation) of the GLA glass in the OUV opening.

[0053] As in the first embodiment, the adjustment means MR2 implement a ball joint (insert-moving cage IS1, CGI and spherical head TS1) and a screw-nut joint (threaded insert IS1 and tapped through hole TD1 of the protrusion EX1).

[0054] Fig. 7 illustrates an AG3 variant of the second AG3 arrangement in which the ball joint is no longer on the side of the BTR housing, but on the side of the PAN panel.

[0055] In this variant, the second end TF1 of the rod TGI is threaded and screwed into the tapped through hole TD1 of the protrusion EX1 of the BTR housing.

[0056] The CGI cage receiving the spherical head TS1 defines an EC1 tip which is clipped by clipping means CL1, into the FF1 fixing barrel integral with the rear face FAR of the PAN panel.

[0057] The EC1 tip, thus clipped into the FF1 fixing barrel, allows easier disassembly of the BTR housing, enabling easier repair in case of breakage of the PRJ projector.

[0058] The extreme part PE1 of the threaded end TF1 of the rod TGI, is shaped to receive an adjustment tool: screwdriver or key, here a TNV screwdriver blade.

[0059] The adjustment is made by rotating the rod TGI around its axis (along X), represented by a dashed line. The rotation is shown in the figure by a single arrow. A rotation in one direction allows the rod TGI to be screwed into the protrusion EX1, and a rotation in the other direction allows the rod TGI to be unscrewed. This results in the translation of the rod TGI and the spherical head TS1 in one direction or the other, respectively, along a substantially horizontal direction (along X), a movement which is shown in the figure by a double arrow.

[0060] This movement, thanks to the articulation formed by the ball joint LR1 on the PAN panel side, allows the BTR housing and therefore the GLA glass to tilt into the OUV opening. The combined adjustment of the other ball joints LR2 and LR3, using the same principle, allows for fine adjustment of the positioning (centering and orientation) of the GLA glass in the OUV opening.

[0061] In this variant, AG3, the adjustment means MR3 implement a ball joint LR1 (fixed cage end EC1, CGI and spherical head TS1) and a screw-nut joint (threaded part TF1 of the rod TF1 and tapped through hole TD1 of the protrusion EX1).

[0062] Such arrangements according to the invention are particularly suitable for quadricycle-type motor vehicles, constructed from a chassis with a welded tubular structure onto which body panels, generally made of plastic material, are attached.

Claims

Demands

1. Arrangement (AGI; AG2; AG3) of a lighting and / or signaling device (PRJ) at the rear of a body panel (PAN) of a motor vehicle (VHL), said panel (PAN) defining an opening (OUV) opposite which the device (PRJ) is positioned; said device (PRJ) comprising a housing (BTR) fixed to the rear face (FAR) of the panel (PAN) and a lens (GLA) of a determined geometric shape, closing the housing (BTR) and extending through said opening (OUV) having the same determined geometric shape; said arrangement (AGI; AG2; AG3) further comprising at least three adjustable ball joints (LR1, LR2, LR3), arranged between the housing (BTR) and the rear face (FAR) of the panel (PAN) around the opening (OUV);Each of the three ball joints (LR1, LR2, LR3) comprises a cylindrical connecting rod (TGI) terminating at one end with a spherical head (TS1) cooperating with a cage (CGI) which holds the spherical head (TS1) in rotation and defines a ball joint (LR1) between the housing (BTR) and the panel (PAN), and a screw-nut system cooperating with said ball joint (LR1) allowing adjustment of the positioning of the glass (GLA) through the opening (OUV) from the rear of the housing (BTR).

2. Arrangement (AG2) according to the preceding claim, wherein a second end (TF1) of the connecting rod (TGI), opposite to the first end, cooperates with a fixing shaft (FF1), integral with the rear face (FAR) of the panel (PAN), and projecting from the rear face (FAR) towards the rear of the panel (PAN), to define a screw-nut system, and wherein the cage (CGI) receiving the spherical head (TS1) is mounted in an insert (IS1) fixed in the housing (EX1, BTR) to define a ball joint (LR1) in the housing (BTR); the said spherical head (TS1) further comprising an adjustment rod (TRI), integral with the spherical head (TS1), extending from the spherical head (TS1) towards the rear of the housing (BTR) allowing the adjustment of the positioning of the glass (GLA) through the opening (OUV) from the rear of the housing (BTR) by rotation of the said adjustment rod (TRI).

3. Arrangement (AG2) according to claim 1, wherein a second end of the rod (TGI), opposite the first end, is fixed in a fixing barrel (FF1) integral with the rear face (FAR) of the panel (PAN) and projecting from the rear face (FAR) towards the rear of the panel (PAN), and in which the cage (CGI) receiving the spherical head (TS1), is mounted in an insert (IS1) screwed into the housing (BTR) and which defines with the housing (BTR) a screw-nut system; the insert (IS1) further comprising an adjustment protrusion (ER1), integral with the insert (IS1), extending towards the rear of the housing (BTR) allowing the adjustment of the positioning of the glass (GLA) through the opening (OUV) from the rear of the housing (BTR) by rotation of said adjustment protrusion (ER1).

4. Arrangement (AG3) according to claim 1, wherein the cage (CGI) receiving the spherical head (TS1) defines an end piece (EC1) which is clipped onto a fixing shaft (FF1) integral with the rear face (FAR) of the panel (PAN) and projecting from the rear face (FAR) towards the rear of the panel (PAN), and wherein the second end (TF1) of the rod (TGI), opposite to the first, is threaded and screwed into the housing (BTR) defining with the housing (BTR) a screw-nut connection; the extreme part (PE1) of the second threaded end (TF1) of the rod (TGI) extending to the rear of the housing (BTR), being shaped to allow adjustment of the positioning of the glass (GLA) through the opening (OUV) from the rear of the housing (BTR) by rotation of the rod (TGI).

5. Arrangement (AGI; AG2; AG3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel (PAN) is obtained by molding from thermoplastic material; said fixing barrels (FF1) being made from material by molding with the panel (PAN).

6. Arrangement (AGI; AG2; AG3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the three ball joints (LR1, LR2, LR3) between the housing (BTR) and the rear face (FAR) of the panel (PAN), defines one of the vertices (A, B, C) of a positioning adjustment triangle (ABC).

7. Motor vehicle (HV) comprising at least one arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. A quadricycle-type motor vehicle (VHL) comprising a welded tubular chassis onto which plastic body panels are assembled; said vehicle (VHL) comprising an arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images