Lighting device for a vehicle

Abstract

It is a vehicle lighting device and includes (1): a reflector (2); an LED lighting source (3) arranged on a support (4) which is configured to emit light radiation (R) towards the reflector (2) and has the function of dissipating the heat emitted by the LED lighting source (3) during use; and a connection and adjustment device (5) which is placed between the support part (6) of the reflector (2) and the support (4) and allows the LED lighting source (3) to be positioned along three directions relative to the reflector (2): Z, X and Y, which are perpendicular to each other.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102023000015186 filed on July 19, 2023.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Vehicle lighting devices are known comprising: a reflector; an LED lighting source configured to emit light radiation towards the reflector and arranged on a support having the function of dissipating the heat emitted, in use, by the LED lighting source.

[0004] The support is connected to a perimeter portion of the reflector using a device for positioning the LED lighting source in relation to the reflector. The known positioning devices do not precisely arrange the LED in relation to the reflector and, in particular, do not enable the adjustment of the support using three directions orthogonal to each other. For this reason, the position of the LED lighting device in relation to the reflector may differ compared to what is planned and the performance of the lighting device may be negatively affected. EP 3771861 A1 discloses a lighting device of a vehicle comprising a reflector, an electronic plate supporting a light source, a connector, a fastening interface between the electronic plate and the reflector, and a heat sink. The lighting device comprises further at least one poka-yoke-prevention device of a right-angled shape, for positioning said reflector relative to the electronic plate. The heat sink comprises at least one window of rectangular shape configured to cooperate with the poka-yoke-prevention device.SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a lighting device that enables, in a simple and economic way, the adjustment of the support using three directions that are orthogonal to each other.PURPOSE OF THIS INVENTION

[0006] The above-mentioned purpose is achieved with this invention in that it relates to a lighting device for a vehicle of the type described in claim 1.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] The invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures wherein: Figure 1 illustrates, in perspective view, a lighting device for vehicles produced according to the precepts of this invention; and Figure 2 illustrates, in a view from above, the device in Figure 1 - Figure 2 also has a detail on an enlarged scale (this portion is enclosed with dashed lines). PREFERRED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] With reference to Figure 1, the reference number 1 identifies a vehicle lighting device comprising: a reflector 2 (partially represented and known); a known LED lighting source 3 configured to emit light radiation R towards the reflector 2 and arranged on a support 4 having the function of dissipating the heat emitted, in use, by the LED lighting source 3.

[0009] As is known, the heatsink absorbs thermal energy that the LED produces and transfers it to the surrounding environment, preventing the joint of the LED from reaching a temperature that is too high. In this way, the heatsink adjusts the operating temperature of the LED.

[0010] The lighting device 1 comprises a connection and position adjustment device 5 interposed between a perimeter support portion 6 of the reflector 2 and the support 4 and suitable for enabling the positioning of the LED lighting source 3 with respect to the reflector 2 with the methods that will be clarified below.

[0011] The connection and adjustment device 5 comprises a flat rectangular wall 7 provided with three raised perimeter edges 7a designed to increase the air exchange surface and provided with a pair of through openings 8a, 8b (Figure 2), each of which has, in plan view, an "S" shape. The flat rectangular wall 7 is configured to be arranged abutting against a support portion 9 of the portion 6. Conveniently, the support portion 9 is formed by three rectilinear portions (not illustrated) of the perimeter portion 6 which are coplanar with each other and arranged, in plan view, at the edges of a triangle.

[0012] The connection and adjustment device 5 also comprises a pair of appendages 10a, 10b extending integrally from the perimeter support portion 6 of the reflector and are configured to engage respective apertures 8a, 8b allowing movement of the flat wall towards the support portion 9 along a first direction Z. The appendages 10a, 10b have an L-section.

[0013] Two adjacent, perpendicular sides of the L-shaped appendages 10a, 10b have, in cross section, a first and a second dimension d1, d2 that are transverse to each other (see the enlarged portion in Figure 2).

[0014] The first and second dimension d1 e d2 have a length value less than the length l1, l2 of corresponding facing edges of the through opening 8a, 8b in such a way that the appendages are spaced with respect to the edges with clearance Δx, Δy which permits the displacement of the flat wall 7 along a second X direction and a third Y direction coplanar to each other and perpendicular to the first Z direction when the plane wall 7 is resting on the support portion 9 and the appendages 10a, 10b engage the openings 8a, 8b.

[0015] The connection and adjustment device 5 also comprises a screw 12 configured to engage a through hole 13 of the flat wall 7 and a threaded seat (not illustrated) created in the perimeter portion 6.

[0016] In use, to assemble the support 4 on the reflector 2, an operator moves the flat wall 7 along Z, making the appendages 10a, 10b enter the apertures 8a, 8b until the flat wall abuts against the support portion 9. The operator thus twists the screw 7; thus, the LED source 3 is stably positioned along Z. Subsequently, the operator, exploiting the presence of clearances Δx, Δy, can precisely adjust the position of the source 3 along X and Y. Once the definitive position is reached, the screw 12 is further tightened in order to achieve a final, stable position.

Claims

1. Vehicle lighting device (1) comprising: a reflector (2); an LED lighting source (3) configured to emit light radiation (R) towards the reflector (2) and arranged on a support (4) having an heatsink function for the heat emitted, in use, by the LED lighting source (3); and means of connection and adjustment (5) interposed between a perimeter support portion (6) of said reflector (2) and said support (4) and suitable for enabling the positioning of the LED light source (3) with respect to said reflector (2), wherein said means of connection and adjustment (5) comprises: a flat wall (7) of said heatsink support provided with a pair of through openings (8a, 8b) and configured to be arranged in abutment on a support portion (9) of said perimeter support portion (6); a pair of appendages (10a, 10b) extending integrally from the perimeter support portion (6) of the reflector and configured to engage respective apertures (8a,8b) allowing movement of the flat wall towards the support portion (9) along a first direction Z; wherein: a) said appendages (10a,10b) having an L-shaped cross-section have a first and a second dimension (d1,d2) transverse to each other; b) each said through opening (8a, 8b) is S-shaped in a plan view; c.) two adjacent perpendicular sides of the appendages with the L-shaped cross section (10a,10b) define in cross-section the first and second dimensions (d1,d2) transverse to each other; d) said first and a second dimension (d1,d2) transverse to each other have a length value less than the length (l1,l2) of corresponding facing edges (c1, c2) of the respective through openings (8a, 8b), e) so as that the appendages (10a,10b) are spaced with respect to said facing edges (c1,c2) with clearance Δx, Δy which permits the displacement of the flat wall along a second X direction and a third Y direction coplanar to each other and perpendicular to the first Z direction when the flat wall is resting on the support portion (9) and the appendages engage the openings.

2. The device according to claim 1, in which the flat wall (7) is provided with raised perimeter edges (7r) to increase the air exchange surface.

3. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support portion (9) is formed by three rectilinear portions of the perimeter support portion (6) which are coplanar with each other and arranged, in plan view, in correspondence to edges of a triangle.

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means of connection and adjustment comprise a screw configured to engage a through-hole of said flat wall (7) and a threaded seat made in said perimeter support portion (6).