VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AT LEAST ONE FRONT BUMPER SUPPORT WITH AT LEAST TWO INTEGRATED HEADLIGHTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a front bumper support (1) with at least two integrated headlights (2, 3), characterized in that the support is configured as a plate and is provided, on the one hand, with at least one means for attaching it (6 to 9) to the vehicle chassis and, on the other hand, with at least one means for attaching it (10, 11) to the vehicle's front bumper, said support (1) being interposed between the chassis and the vehicle's front bumper. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AT LEAST ONE FRONT BUMPER SUPPORT WITH AT LEAST TWO INTEGRATED HEADLIGHTS

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle equipped with at least one front bumper support with at least two integrated headlights.

[0002] Here, the term vehicle means a car, a van, a truck, a public transport vehicle, a piece of public works or agricultural machinery, the vehicle being motorized by an electric motor, a thermal engine or a hybrid motorization.

[0003] Many manufacturers seek to optimize vehicle assembly costs, either by optimizing the parts to be assembled or by reducing assembly time. Regarding the assembly of lighting components such as headlights or projectors located at the front of the vehicle, known techniques consist of mounting the lighting components one after the other. FR-A-2 576 575 describes a front bar for the front of a vehicle, made of plastic, comprising cavities with integrated headlights. EP-B-1 758 767 describes a polymer block for the front of a vehicle with integrated headlights. Known solutions save assembly time due to the incorporation of the headlights. However, the front blocks in question are relatively complex to manufacture and are only dedicated to a specific vehicle model, which can increase manufacturing costs.The invention aims to provide an alternative solution for reducing the costs of mounting headlights on a vehicle, while also being adaptable to different vehicles.

[0004] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a front bumper support with at least two integrated spotlights, characterized in that the support is configured as a plate and is provided, on the one hand, with at least one means of attachment to the chassis of the vehicle and, on the other hand, with at least one means of attachment to the front bumper of the vehicle, said support being interposed between the chassis and the front bumper of the vehicle.

[0005] Thanks to the invention, a support is obtained that is inserted between the front bumper, i.e., the front face of the vehicle, and the chassis. The support has a simple geometric configuration while being usable with different vehicle models, provided that the dimensions allow. Moreover, such a support can be adapted to receive elements other than headlights.

[0006] According to advantageous, but not mandatory, aspects of the invention, such a support may comprise one or more of the following features:

[0007] The support is provided with pre-cuts or predefined areas of different shapes to adapt to the shapes of the projectors.

[0008] The support is provided with predefined housings or pre-cuts adapted in shape and number to various elements, such as lighting, light and / or sound signaling elements.

[0009] The housings for the spotlights in the bracket are configured to allow adjustment, for example in tilt or range, of the spotlights when the bracket is installed in the vehicle.

[0010] The fastening means are connected to a tubular structure fixed to the chassis.

[0011] Other means of fastening to the chassis, for example predefined areas or pre-cutouts, are provided on the support to ensure the mounting of the latter to the chassis of various vehicles.

[0012] The bumper fixing means provided on the support are of variable shape and / or dimensions, for example by pre-cuts or predefined areas, in order to adapt to the configuration of the bumpers of various vehicles.

[0013] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] [Fig-1] is a view of the front face of a single support according to an embodiment of the invention before mounting on a vehicle,

[0015] [Fig.2] is a view from below, along arrow II and to the same scale as the support of [Fig.1] and

[0016] [Fig.3] is a top view, along arrow III and at the same scale as the support of [Fig.1].

[0017] Figure 1 illustrates a support 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a part made of metal, composite materials, or polymers. The support 1 is, in all cases, lightweight and generally plate-shaped to minimize its size and weight, while complying with automotive standards and constraints. The length L of the support 1 is substantially equivalent to the available width at the front of the vehicle, in front of the engine compartment. The right and left ends of the support 1, as seen in Figure 1, each have a housing in which at least one projector is mounted. Here, the term projector refers to a lighting device fixed to the vehicle. The term headlight is also used interchangeably to refer to a projector. The projectors 2 and 3 are circular here. Alternatively, they may have a different shape and / or dimensions.Alternatively, support 1 is provided with pre-cuts or predefined areas of different shapes to adapt to the shapes of the projectors.

[0018] The headlights 2, 3 are advantageously mounted removably, for example by screwing, in the bracket 1, thus facilitating any repair or maintenance work on a headlight. Alternatively, they are permanently mounted in the bracket 1, which implies the complete replacement of the bracket 1 in the event of a defect or malfunction in at least one of the headlights. In another embodiment, other elements are fixed, removably or not, to the bracket 1. These may be, for example, additional headlights, fog lights, turn signals, light strips, or any other lighting, visual and / or audible signaling element. For this purpose, the bracket is provided with predefined recesses or pre-cutouts adapted in shape and number to these various elements.Advantageously, the housings for the projectors 2, 3 are configured to allow adjustment, for example in tilt or range, of the projectors when the bracket 1 is installed in the vehicle.

[0019] It is noted that the upper edge 4 of the support 1 is substantially straight, while the lower edge 5 of the support 1 has a complex shape, with cutouts of various shapes and sizes allowing its insertion into the front of the vehicle. Thus, the support 1 has a geometric configuration that allows it to be inserted with minimal bulk into a vehicle without affecting the position and accessibility of other components in the front compartment of the vehicle.

[0020] The support 1 is held in place in the vehicle in a so-called vertical position, its principal plane PI being generally perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of travel, with the headlights 2 and 3 oriented towards the front of the vehicle in accordance with its most frequently encountered direction of travel. The support 1 is removably attached, for example by screws, to the vehicle's chassis. At least one fastening means is provided for this purpose. Preferably, four fastening means 6 to 9 are provided. These consist of through holes 6 to 9 arranged to align with equivalent holes in a portion of the chassis when the support 1 is in place in the vehicle. The holes 6 to 9 define recesses for screws. Advantageously, the connection between the support 1 and the chassis is achieved by a tubular structure, not shown but known per se.This tubular structure is fixed, permanently or temporarily, to the chassis in a manner similar to the screw connection of support 1 to the structure, using the fixing means or holes 6 to 9. It is understood that, in another embodiment, the number and / or arrangement of the fixing means are different. Similarly, other holes, or at least predefined areas or pre-cutouts, may be provided on support 1, in order to easily adapt its mounting to a part, whether attached or not, of the chassis of various vehicles.

[0021] The support 1 also includes at least one, preferably two, means 10, 11 for attaching the bumper. These are two oblong recesses 10, 11 located near the upper edge 4 of the support 1. Alternatively, their shapes and / or arrangement and / or number may differ. Either the bumper is attached directly to the recesses 10, 11 of the support 1, using techniques known per se, with the support 1 then ensuring the bumper is held in place, or the recesses 10, 11 are in fact through-holes allowing the passage of a component of the bumper, which is then attached to the chassis behind the support 1.

[0022] Alternatively, the bumper fixing means provided on the support 1 are of variable shape and / or dimensions, for example pre-cuts or predefined areas, in order to adapt to the configuration of the bumpers of various vehicles, which allows a type of support to be mounted on several vehicle models while being totally adaptable to the chassis and bumper of the vehicle.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle equipped with a front bumper support (1) with at least two integrated spotlights (2, 3), characterized in that the support is configured as a plate and is provided, on the one hand, with at least one means of attachment (6 to 9) to the chassis of the vehicle and, on the other hand, with at least one means of attachment (10, 11) to the front bumper of the vehicle, said support (1) being intercalated between the chassis and the front bumper of the vehicle.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (1) is provided with pre-cuts or predefined areas of different shapes to fit the shapes of the projectors (2, 3).

3. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (1) is provided with predefined housings or pre-cutouts adapted in shape and number to various elements, such as lighting, light and / or sound signaling elements.

4. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the housings of the projectors (2, 3) in the support (1) are configured to allow adjustment, for example in tilt or range, of the projectors (2, 3) when the support (1) is installed in the vehicle.

5. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means (6 to 9) are connected to a tubular structure fixed on the chassis.

6. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that other means of fixing to the chassis, for example predefined areas or pre-cutouts, are provided on the support (1) in order to ensure the mounting of the latter to the chassis of various vehicles.

7. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the bumper fixing means provided on the support are of variable shape and / or dimensions, for example by pre-cuts or predefined areas, in order to adapt to the configuration of the bumpers of various vehicles.