Projector housing for motor vehicles including a guide means to facilitate positioning of the housing on a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a headlight housing for a motor vehicle, including a guide means that facilitates positioning the housing on a motor vehicle. The housing (2) includes at least one external mounting bracket (4) for securing it to a motor vehicle. The mounting bracket (4) consists of a plate (6) with a first large face (8). Notably, it includes a guide element (10) extending from said first large face to facilitate alignment of the housing during its mounting on a motor vehicle, and an opening (14) designed to interact with a reversible retaining means. The invention thus allows for faster and more precise positioning of the housing on a motor vehicle, optimizing the assembly process and improving the overall quality of the installation. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Headlight housing for a motor vehicle comprising a guiding means facilitating the positioning of the housing on a motor vehicle. Technical field to which the invention relates.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of the automotive industry and, more particularly, to that of headlights for motor vehicles. Technological background

[0002] Safety standards and rules require motor vehicles to be equipped with signaling devices to enable their visibility and increase the safety of road users.

[0003] These signaling devices include different types of lights, such as dipped headlights, main beam headlights, and brake lights. Each of these lights has a specific function: dipped headlights illuminate the road without dazzling other road users, main beam headlights provide more powerful illumination for better long-distance visibility, and brake lights signal the vehicle's braking to other drivers.

[0004] To facilitate their handling and assembly on a motor vehicle, these lights are grouped in housings called headlights. A headlight is therefore a device integrating several lighting and signaling functions in a single unit.

[0005] Over time, headlights have become increasingly larger. This evolution is explained by the integration of new features, such as daytime running lights, directional turn signals, and adaptive lighting systems. Furthermore, aesthetic considerations play an important role in headlight design, as they contribute significantly to the overall vehicle design.

[0006] The increasing size and weight of headlights pose new challenges during their assembly on motor vehicles. To ensure a stronger and more robust hold, it is known to equip headlight housings with mounting brackets. These mounting brackets are designed to be attached to anchor points on various body parts, such as fenders, hood, or bumper, to ensure secure and precise positioning of the headlight.

[0007] However, the simultaneous alignment of each mounting bracket with its corresponding anchor point poses a particular problem. Indeed, due to the complex and bulky shapes of the spotlights, some mounting brackets may be positioned in locations not visible to the operator during their maneuver. Projector positioning. This situation makes assembling the projector on a motor vehicle more difficult and time-consuming.

[0008] The present invention aims to address this problem by providing a housing for a motor vehicle projector allowing faster and easier alignment of at least one mounting bracket of said housing, with an anchor point present on a bodywork element of a motor vehicle. Object of the invention

[0009] The invention thus proposes a housing for a motor vehicle projector, comprising at least one mounting bracket extending outside said housing, said mounting bracket being intended to allow the housing to be held on a motor vehicle.

[0010] The invention is remarkable in that said fixing lug comprises a plate delimited by a first large face, and in that said first large face comprises a guiding member which extends from said first large face, and in that said first large face comprises an orifice configured to cooperate with a reversible retaining means.

[0011] Advantageously, the presence of a guide element on at least one mounting tab of the housing allows for easier and more precise guidance of said mounting tab to an anchor point present on a bodywork element of a motor vehicle, so that the orifice of the mounting tab is aligned or substantially aligned with an anchor point of said motor vehicle.

[0012] In other words, thanks to the presence of a guide means on the mounting tab, a faster and more secure alignment of the orifice of the mounting tab with an anchoring means can be achieved by an operator, when said mounting tab and / or said anchoring means is not visible during the mounting of the housing on a motor vehicle.

[0013] Optionally, the mounting bracket may include several guide elements and / or several holes to provide increased flexibility during assembly.

[0014] Preferably, said orifice extends in a first direction normal or substantially normal to said first large face. The angle between the axis of the orifice and the normal to the first large face can vary from 0° to 15° to accommodate different mounting configurations.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, said orifice passes through said plate so as to allow the passage of said reversible retaining means through said plate.

[0016] According to another embodiment, said guiding member forms an appendage, and said appendage extends parallel or substantially parallel to said first direction.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, said appendage comprises at least one lug extending radially or substantially radially with respect to said first direction. The number of lugs may vary from 1 to 6, providing different degrees of guidance and stability.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one lateral fin extends along said first direction. These fins may be 2, 3, 4 or more in number, arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically around the axis of the appendage.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, said mounting bracket comprises at least one cutout configured to allow the passage of a bundle of electrical cables. This configuration can be modified to place the guide element at different relative positions with respect to the cutout and the opening, depending on space and mounting constraints.

[0020] Preferably, said guide member is located between said cutout configured to allow the passage of a bundle of electrical cables, and said orifice configured to cooperate with said reversible retaining means.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the invention, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle projector comprising a housing as described above. This projector may be a front projector, a rear projector, a fog light, or any other type of automotive lighting device.

[0022] Of course, the different characteristics, variants and embodiments mentioned above can be combined with each other in various ways, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0023] The invention also relates to a bodywork element of a motor vehicle comprising a groove adapted to accommodate at least partially a guide member of a housing as described above, and in that said groove is configured to allow the sliding of said guide member in said groove to a final position, and in that said bodywork element comprises a cavity arranged so as to be aligned or substantially aligned with said orifice opening onto said first large face of said fixing tab of said housing, when said guide member is at least partially present in said groove in final position.

[0024] In other words, this configuration ensures perfect compatibility between the projector and the vehicle structure, allowing for guided and precise assembly. The alignment tolerance between the cavity of the body element and the mounting tab opening can be adjusted between ±0.1 mm and ±1 mm depending on the accuracy requirements.

[0025] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a headlight as described above, and said headlight is linked to a body element as described above by a reversible retaining means, and said reversible retaining means occupies said opening leading to said first large face of said mounting bracket of said housing and said cavity of said bodywork element.

[0026] By way of non-limiting examples, "reversible retaining means" means: a screw and nut system, a spring clip device, an expanding pin, a bayonet locking mechanism, a magnetic fastening system, a spring latch mechanism, etc. These reversible retaining means are designed to engage in the opening of the housing's mounting tab and the cavity of the body panel, in order to ensure a secure hold of the housing to a body panel, while allowing easy removal of said housing to facilitate maintenance or replacement of the projector.

[0027] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a headlight as described above, and said headlight is connected to a body element as described above by a reversible retaining means, and said reversible retaining means occupies the opening leading to the first large face of the mounting tab of the housing of said headlight and said cavity of the body element. This configuration can be adapted for different body styles, including advanced aerodynamic designs or bodies made of composite materials. Description of the figures

[0028] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0029] [Fig. 1] represents a perspective and partial view of a motor vehicle projector housing, comprising a mounting bracket equipped with a guide element according to the invention;

[0030] [Fig.2] represents a partial perspective view of a bodywork element of a motor vehicle comprising an attachment point and a groove suitable for cooperating with a guide element of the fixing lug illustrated by [Fig.1];

[0031] [Fig.3] represents a first step in a method for maintaining the leg of attachment illustrated by [Fig.1], to the attachment point of the bodywork element illustrated by [Fig.2];

[0032] [Fig.4] represents a second step of the holding process illustrated by [Fig.3];

[0033] [Fig.5] represents a final step of the holding process illustrated by figures 3 and 4. Detailed description of the invention

[0034] As a reminder, the invention proposes a housing for a motor vehicle projector allowing faster and easier alignment of at least one fixing tab of said housing, with an anchor point present on a bodywork element of a motor vehicle.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a non-limiting embodiment of a housing 2 according to the invention. The housing 2 is partially represented in Figure 1. This housing is intended to protect one or more signaling devices of a motor vehicle, such as dipped headlights, main beam headlights, position lights, or turn signals.

[0036] The housing 2 includes at least one mounting tab 4 extending outside said housing. The mounting tab 4 is intended to allow the housing 2 to be secured to a motor vehicle, more specifically to be secured by reversible means to an attachment point of a bodywork element of a motor vehicle, as detailed below.

[0037] According to the present example, the fixing bracket 4 is a plate 6 delimited by a first large face 8. The first large face 8 is flat or substantially flat.

[0038] In the present case, the first large face 8 is parallel or substantially parallel to an optical axis of a light beam emitted by at least one signaling means not shown, present in said housing 2. This configuration makes it possible to ensure precise positioning of the projector relative to the vehicle body, thus guaranteeing an optimal orientation of said light beam.

[0039] Remarkably, the first large face 8 includes a guiding member 10 extending from said large face, in a direction normal or substantially normal to said large face.

[0040] According to the present example, the guide element 10 has a generally cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape. Said guide element 10 comprises several fins 12 arranged longitudinally along its outer surface. These fins 12 extend in the direction of the elongation of said guide element 10.

[0041] The arrangement of said fins 12 is such that, when a cross-section of the guide member 10 is observed in a plane perpendicular to its direction of extension, said section has a cross-shaped form. This cross-shaped configuration is formed by the intersection of the fins 12 with the cutting plane, each fin 12 appearing as a branch of the cross in said section.

[0042] This structure ensures efficient guidance of the guide element in a groove, while minimizing the contact area between the guide element 10 and the walls of said groove, thereby reducing potential friction during the movement of the guide element in said groove. This reduction in friction facilitates the insertion and positioning of the projector during assembly.

[0043] The mounting tab 4 also includes an opening 14 connecting its first large face 8 to a second large face opposite said first large face. In other words, the opening 14 defines the opening of a passage through the mounting tab.

[0044] According to the present example, the passage is cylindrical in shape and extends along a direction normal or substantially normal to the first large face 8. The passage is of sufficient dimensions to allow a reversible retaining means to pass through the fixing tab 4. The diameter of the orifice can vary from 3 mm to 15 mm depending on the size of the reversible retaining means used.

[0045] The mounting bracket 4 also includes a cutout 16, configured to allow the passage and retention of a bundle of electrical cables. This cutout facilitates, for example, the organization and management of the electrical cables required for the operation of the various signaling devices of the projector.

[0046] Figure 2 shows a partial perspective view of a bodywork element 18 of a motor vehicle according to the invention, comprising an attachment point 20 and a groove 22 formed in a first face 24 of said element. The first face is flat and the groove 22 is of suitable dimensions to allow the insertion, at least partially, of the guide member 10 of the fixing bracket 4 described above, as well as the sliding of said guide member from an initial position 26 to a final position 28 in said groove.

[0047] Preferably, the groove 22 opens onto at least one edge 30 of the bodywork element 18 in order to allow the guide member 10 to be inserted with a greater number of degrees of freedom, as illustrated by [Fig. 3]. Indeed, the guide member 10 can be inserted at the initial position 26 of the groove, in a translational movement parallel or substantially parallel to the first face 24 of the bodywork element, in a direction parallel to the elongation direction of the groove at said initial position 26, or in a direction normal or substantially normal to said elongation direction of the groove 22.

[0048] According to the present example, the body element 18 includes an attachment point in the form of a cavity 32. The cavity 32 opens onto the first face 24 of the body element. According to the present example, the cavity 32 is cylindrical and extends in a direction normal to the first face 24. The inner wall of the cavity is threaded to allow the end of a reversible retaining means such as a screw or bolt to be held.

[0049] Remarkably, the cavity 32 is arranged with respect to the final position 28 of the groove, so that when the guide member 10 of the fixing tab 4 described above occupies said final position as illustrated by [Fig.4], the passage 14 of the fixing tab is aligned with the cavity 32 of the bodywork element 18.

[0050] This alignment can be achieved with a predefined tolerance, for example from ±0.5 mm to ±2 mm, according to the specific requirements of the assembly.

[0051] Thus, a reversible retaining means can be inserted in the passage 14 as well as in the cavity 32, to allow solid retention of the fixing tab to the bodywork element by said retaining means.

[0052] By reversible retaining means, in the present example, a nut 34 is meant, visible on the [Fig.5].

[0053] By way of non-limiting example, the bodywork element 18 may be a front bumper frame, a front wing, a wing support, a front side member, or any other structural element of the motor vehicle body located near the intended location for the projector.

[0054] The invention offers several significant advantages for the in-line mounting of headlights on motor vehicles. It considerably facilitates the alignment of the housing 2 with the attachment point 20 on the body element 18. The kinematics of the mounting, illustrated by Figures 3, 4 and 5, demonstrates these advantages.

[0055] As shown in [Fig.3], the operator can easily insert the guide member 10 into the groove 22 at the initial position 26. The cross-shaped form of the guide member 10, thanks to its fins 12, allows easy insertion even if the initial alignment is not perfect.

[0056] Once inserted, the guide member 10 can be slid along the groove 22 to the final position 28, as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. This guided movement ensures progressive and precise alignment of the housing 2 with the body element 18.

[0057] When the guide member 10 reaches the final position 28, the passage 14 of the fixing lug 4 automatically aligns with the cavity 32 of the bodywork element 18. This self-alignment eliminates the need for the operator to search by feel for the correct positioning.

[0058] Finally, as shown in [Fig.5], the operator can simply insert the reversible retaining means, here the nut 34, through the aligned passage 14 and into the cavity 32 to secure the assembly.

[0059] This assembly sequence significantly reduces the time required to install the projector, thereby decreasing operator fatigue and increasing assembly line efficiency. Furthermore, the risk of alignment errors is minimized, which improves the overall quality of the assembly and reduces the adjustments required after assembly.

[0060] In addition, the cutout 16 mentioned above for the passage of electrical cables simplifies the management of electrical connections, further reducing assembly time and the risk of wiring errors.

[0061] Thus, the invention solves the disadvantages associated with the traditional mounting of projectors by offering an intuitive and efficient guidance system, while ensuring precise and repeatable positioning of the projector on a motor vehicle.

Claims

Demands

1. Housing (2) for a motor vehicle projector, comprising at least one mounting bracket (4) extending outside said housing (2), said mounting bracket (4) being intended to allow the housing (2) to be held on a motor vehicle, characterized in that said mounting bracket (4) comprises a plate (6) delimited by a first large face (8), and in that said first large face (8) comprises a guide member (10) extending from said first large face (8), and in that said first large face (8) comprises an orifice (14) configured to cooperate with a reversible retaining means.

2. Housing (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that said orifice (14) extends in a first direction normal or substantially normal to said first large face (8).

3. Housing (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said orifice (14) passes through said plate (6) so as to allow the passage of a reversible retaining means through said plate (6).

4. Housing (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said guiding member (10) forms an appendage, and in that said appendage extends parallel or substantially parallel to said first direction.

5. Housing (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that said appendage comprises at least one lug (12) extending radially or substantially radially in said first direction.

6. Housing (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said mounting tab (4) comprises at least one cutout (16) configured to permit the passage of a bundle of electrical cables.

7. Housing (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that said guide member (10) is located between said cutout (16) configured to allow the passage of a bundle of electrical cables, and said orifice (14) configured to cooperate with a reversible retaining means.

8. Motor vehicle projector comprising a housing (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Bodywork element (18) of a motor vehicle comprising a groove (22) adapted to accommodate at least partially a guide member (10) of a housing (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and in that said groove (22) is configured to permit the sliding of said guide member (10) in said groove (22) to a final position (28), and in that said bodywork element (18) comprises a cavity (32) arranged so as to be aligned or substantially aligned with said orifice (14) opening onto said first large face (8) of the mounting tab (4) of the housing (2), when said guide member (10) is at least partially present in said groove (22) and in final position (28).

10. Motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises a projector according to claim 8, and in that said projector is linked to a bodywork element (18) according to claim 9 by a reversible retaining means (34), and in that said reversible retaining means (34) occupies the opening (14) leading to the first large face (8) of the fixing tab (4) of the housing (2) of said projector and said cavity (32) of the bodywork element (18).