Support for a luminous unit that is movable relative to a projection lens within a luminous module for a motor vehicle and manufacturing method
The support system with elastic articulation connections simplifies assembly and adjusts light beams in motor vehicle modules by allowing easy positioning of the light unit relative to the projection lens, addressing complex assembly issues and ensuring optimal illumination and glare reduction.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2025/057919
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-26
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing light modules in motor vehicles face challenges in adjusting light beams for optimal road illumination and glare reduction, with complex assembly processes due to a fixed projection lens and a movable light unit configuration.
A support system with movable walls and a single-piece frame assembly, featuring elastic articulation connections, allows for easy assembly and adjustment of the light unit relative to the projection lens, ensuring proper positioning and alignment of light sources and optical elements.
Facilitates the assembly of light modules by eliminating the need for precise positioning of walls, maintaining the light unit's relative position, and enabling effective beam adjustments while reducing assembly complexity.
Smart Images

Figure EP2025057919_02102025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
SUPPORT FOR A LIGHT UNIT MOVABLE RELATIVE TO A PROJECTION LENS WITHIN A LIGHT MODULE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of light modules and in particular light modules intended to equip a motor vehicle. The present invention relates more particularly to a support intended to carry a light unit housed in a housing of such light modules, the light unit being capable of generating light rays exiting the light module through a projection lens, the projection lens being fixed relative to the housing and the light unit movable relative to the housing.
[0002] Vehicles, and in particular motor vehicles, are commonly equipped with headlights for generating various light functions such as road lighting or vehicle signaling. To do this, the headlights of motor vehicles are equipped with light modules which each comprise at least one light source configured to emit light rays, optical elements associated with said at least one light source for collecting and directing said light rays, and at least one projection lens configured to shape these light rays collected and directed by the optical elements and to project them towards the outside of the headlight and the motor vehicle, forming a regulatory light beam suitable for performing the light function.
[0003] The lighting functions, and in particular the lighting functions, must be adjusted appropriately to, on the one hand, provide optimal illumination of the road and, on the other hand, limit the glare of other road users. These adjustments are, for example, carried out on the assembly line when the light module is fitted in the headlight or carried out automatically according to information obtained during the movement of the vehicle by sensors arranged on the said vehicle.
[0004] The light beam can thus be adjusted so as to have vertical and lateral travel. The vertical travel is useful to take into account the vehicle attitude which varies from one vehicle category to another and which varies according to the vehicle load and to bend the light beam to avoid dazzling an occupant of an oncoming vehicle. The lateral travel is useful for adjustment between two light modules and to ensure good alignment of the light beam with respect to the vehicle axis.
[0005] Particularly for reasons of space requirement or aesthetics, it may be desirable to have a projection lens that remains fixed during vertical and lateral adjustments of the light beam. However, in this context of a fixed projection lens and a light unit, comprising at least one light source and the optical elements, which is movable relative to the projection lens, it is appropriate to ensure that the at least one light source and the optical elements remain, relative to the projection lens, in a relative position that allows the light function to be performed.
[0006] For this purpose, it is known to provide a support configured to carry the light unit and pivotally mounted relative to a housing of the light module in which the light unit is housed. If this configuration is effective in allowing mobility of the light unit for adjusting the light beam while ensuring that the at least one light source and the optical elements remain correctly positioned relative to the projection lens, it should be noted that the disadvantage that the assembly of the light unit on the support is complex and adds for the operator to the operations of mounting the light unit in the housing.
[0007] The present invention falls within this context and proposes to overcome at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art and in particular to propose an architecture of a pivoting support for a light unit making it possible to facilitate the assembly of the light module in which this support and the light unit are embedded.
[0008] Thus, a first object of the present invention is a support intended to carry a light unit within a housing of a light module of a motor vehicle, the support comprising a plurality of walls, configured to delimit between them at least one channel for circulation of light rays emitted by said light unit, and a frame extending along a main elongation direction, said walls being respectively movable in rotation relative to the frame around a front pivot axis perpendicular to the main elongation direction, said walls extending in a main extension direction secant to the main elongation direction of the frame, said walls comprising opposite the frame an anchoring end intended to cooperate with the light unit, characterized in that the walls and the frame form a single-piece assembly, and in that each wall is secured to the frame by elastic articulation connections,a first elastic hinge connection being formed at the junction of said wall with a first wall of the frame and a second elastic hinge connection being formed at the junction of said wall with a second wall of the frame, the front pivot axis being defined by the alignment of the first elastic hinge connection and the second elastic hinge connection.,
[0009] The support is a structural element for supporting the light unit within the light module. This support for the light unit makes it possible to make the latter mobile relative to the housing of the light module, in particular to allow the position of the light unit to be adjusted within the housing and to adjust the orientation of the light beam coming out of the light module. Thus, it is understood that the support ensures, within the housing, both the maintenance in position of the light unit and its movement. More specifically, the movement of the light unit is permitted in two adjustment directions making it possible to adjust the orientation of a light beam emitted by light sources housed in the light unit.
[0010] In the support according to the invention, the first elastic articulation connection and the second elastic articulation connection respectively form an articulation zone of the corresponding wall and it is thus possible to define a hinge axis, here called a front pivot axis, by the alignment of these elastic articulation connections.
[0011] The frame and the supporting walls form a single-piece assembly such that each wall is made in one piece with the frame and more particularly the portion of the frame which supports it. Each of the elastic articulation connections formed at the junction of a wall and a wall of the frame consists of a weakening zone allowing the wall, when it is subjected to a stress induced, for example, by an adjustment device, to pivot around this weakening zone. The alignment of the two weakening zones associated with the same wall helps to form the front pivot axis of the wall relative to the supporting frame.
[0012] The pivot axis is here called the front pivot axis insofar as the free end of the walls, or anchoring end, is intended to cooperate with the light unit to form for each wall a rear pivot axis, substantially parallel to the front pivot axis.
[0013] It should be noted that the front pivot axis is perpendicular to the main elongation direction of the frame, or substantially perpendicular, to the extent that the angle can vary by plus or minus 5°. Indeed, a projection lens fitted to the light module, and through which the light rays are able to exit the light module, may, in certain situations, have an aesthetic inclination of at most 5° which will be followed by the frame. The front pivot axis will then form a slight inclination with the main elongation direction of the frame, depending on the inclination of the projection lens. However, independently of the inclination of the projection lens, each front pivot axis of the walls is perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection lens.
[0014] In the support according to the invention, the support advantageously comprises a frame and walls made from a single piece, which facilitates the assembly of the light module as a whole, since it is not necessary for the operator to provide a tedious step of positioning each of the walls relative to the frame. The fact of not having to position the walls relative to the frame also makes it possible to avoid checking the correct positioning of the walls relative to each other before the light unit is finally assembled.
[0015] The weakening zone is thus dimensioned to offer a compromise between, on the one hand, the need for a narrow portion, to allow the pivoting of the wall when it is subjected to a predefined amplitude constraint, and on the other hand the need for a connection sufficiently robust to support the mass of the walls without generating the pivoting of the walls relative to the frame under the effect of their weight.
[0016] In this context, the walls may retain, during assembly, an orientation consistent with the theoretical orientation that they must have in relation to the main direction of elongation of the frame, compliance with this orientation being important insofar as the free end of the walls, opposite the frame, is intended to be fixed to the light unit.
[0017] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first elastic articulation connection and the second elastic articulation connection associated with a low wall are formed at each of the junctions of the low wall with two walls of the frame opposite each other. The corresponding weakening zones are formed on edges of the low wall opposite each other and respectively in the vicinity of one of the walls of the frame.
[0018] According to a characteristic of the invention, each of said elastic articulation connections is formed by at least one release of material configured to form a zone of low thickness at the junction between a low wall and one of said walls of the frame.
[0019] As discussed, each wall extends in a principal extension direction and the thickness corresponds to the dimension of the wall which is measured in a direction perpendicular to this principal extension direction of the wall and which is perpendicular to the front pivot axis associated with this wall.
[0020] The thin zone should be understood here as a portion of the wall whose thickness is reduced compared to the rest of the wall. This thin zone locally reduces a section of the wall made perpendicular to the front pivot axis. The elastic articulation connections thus form point pivot points of the wall in relation to the frame.
[0021] According to a feature of the invention, the thickness of the wall is reduced locally to form an elastic articulation connection, both in the main extension direction of the wall and in the direction of the front pivot axis. In particular, the elastic articulation connections do not extend along the entire height of the walls, i.e. the dimension of the walls considered parallel to the front pivot axis. The thickness of the wall is reduced only punctually at the junction of the wall with each of the walls of the frame and not over the entire height of the walls so as to facilitate the formation of the elastic articulation connections by a molding process.In fact, it is thus possible to respect the draft angles necessary for the demolding of the part and to have control over the desired thickness in the area of low thickness, namely as mentioned previously a thickness sufficiently reduced compared to the rest of the wall to generate the bending at the origin of the pivoting but with a minimum value making it possible to ensure the holding of the wall in a theoretical position when it is not constrained by the movement of the light unit via an adjustment system.
[0022] According to a characteristic of the invention, the at least one clearance of material forms a recess in the thickness of one of said walls of the frame. The clearance of material is produced so that the thin zone of the wall and the recess are formed continuously. In particular, the clearance of material is defined by a shape of an arc of a circle with a given radius of curvature. It is understood that here, the at least one clearance of material produced at the junction of the wall and a wall of the frame consists of a clearance of material within said wall of the frame to form the recess and a clearance of material within the wall to form the thin zone.
[0023] According to a characteristic of the invention, each of said elastic articulation connections is formed of a first material clearance and a second material clearance, said material clearances being separated by the thin zone. The first material clearance and the second material clearance are made on either side of the wall and more specifically on either side of the thin zone and the front pivot axis. Producing a material clearance on each side of the wall makes it possible to make the wall pivot relative to the frame in two pivot directions.
[0024] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first material clearance and the second material clearance have the same radius of curvature. This same radius of curvature of the first material clearance and the second material clearance makes it possible to homogenize the stresses undergone by the wall in each of the pivoting directions.
[0025] According to a characteristic of the invention, the front pivot axis around which a wall is movable relative to the frame is parallel to at least one other front pivot axis around which another wall is movable relative to the frame. The design of the support according to the invention, with the walls which are made in one piece with the frame, makes it possible to avoid an operation of assembling the walls one by one on the frame, which would generate, in addition to the difficulty of these assembly operations, a multiplicity of assembly clearances which could impact the desired parallelism of the pivot axes.
[0026] According to a characteristic of the invention, when the walls are unconstrained in a nominal position, the main extension direction of the walls is inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the main elongation direction of the frame and inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the front pivot axis. The material clearances being arranged symmetrically relative to the main extension direction of the wall, the inclination of the walls relative to a normal to the frame leads to one of the material clearances forming a larger recess in a wall of the frame. The inclination of the walls is such that the main extension direction of the walls forms an angle of inclination with the main elongation direction of the frame strictly greater than 0°, preferably this angle of inclination is less than 20°.
[0027] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first wall of the frame is an upper wall and the second wall of the frame is a lower wall, the upper wall being opposite the lower wall, the upper wall being secured to a low wall by the first elastic articulation connection and the lower wall being secured to said low wall by the second elastic articulation connection. The upper wall is at a distance from the lower wall so that the light rays emitted by the at least one light source reach the projection lens by passing between the upper wall and the lower wall.It is recalled that each elastic articulation connection extends in the vicinity of the junction of the low wall with one of the walls of the frame, so that it is understood that the first elastic articulation connection and the second elastic articulation connection are distant from each other by a distance substantially equal to the distance separating the upper wall and the lower wall. In addition, it is understood that the elastic articulation connections form point connections and do not extend along the entire length of a dimension of the low wall.
[0028] According to a feature of the invention, at least one wall comprises an occulting portion extending between the lower wall of the frame and the upper wall of the frame. The occulting wall makes it possible to extend at least one circulation channel. Thus, the light rays circulating in a circulation channel are guided in this channel, without being able to join another circulation channel, until they reach the projection lens.
[0029] According to a characteristic of the invention, the wall comprises a central portion participating in delimiting the circulation channel, the central portion extending between the junction zone of the wall to the frame and the anchoring end of the wall, the concealing portion extending the central portion along the main extension direction of said wall beyond the junction zone.
[0030] According to a characteristic of the invention, each wall of the plurality of walls extends parallel to the other walls.
[0031] According to a characteristic of the invention, the frame and the low walls are formed from the same material.
[0032] According to a feature of the invention, the frame and the walls are formed from polyoxymethylene. Polyoxymethylene is also known by the acronym “POM”.
[0033] According to a feature of the invention, the support comprises a tilting element at each lateral end of the support, the tilting elements being aligned so as to define a tilting axis around which the support is pivotally mounted relative to the projection lens of the light module in which the support is fitted. The tilting elements may take the form of a stud.
[0034] A second object of the present invention relates to a light module for a motor vehicle comprising a support conforming to at least one of the characteristics presented previously.
[0035] According to a characteristic of the invention, the light module comprises - a housing; - a projection lens fixed relative to the housing; - a light unit in which at least one light source is housed, light rays emitted by the at least one light source being able to be projected by the projection lens along an optical axis of the light module, the light unit being movable relative to the projection lens along an adjustment direction; - the plurality of walls of the support each being connected by their anchoring end to the light unit, the walls being configured to delimit at least one channel for the circulation of the light rays emitted by said at least one light source in the direction of the projection lens, and the anchoring end of each of the walls being pivotally mounted relative to the light unit around a rear pivot axis,andeach of the walls being connected to the support frame by elastically deformable connections defining a front pivot axis, the front pivot axes and the rear pivot axes being parallel to each other, and the distances between the front pivot axis and the rear pivot axis for each of the walls being identical, the front pivot axes and the rear pivot axes allowing movement of the light unit in the adjustment direction, perpendicular to the front and rear pivot axes, and substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.,
[0036] According to a characteristic of the invention, the support carries the light unit and is pivotally mounted around a tilting axis relative to the projection lens, to allow movement of the light unit in a correction direction, the correction direction being distinct from the adjustment direction.
[0037] The light module comprises a fixed projection lens and a light unit that is movable relative to the housing. The light unit comprises one or more light sources configured to emit light rays, and may comprise optical elements for shaping the light rays. These optical elements make it possible to return the rays emitted by the light source(s) to the projection lens. For example, these optical elements may be configured to collect, guide, or deflect the light rays emitted by these light sources toward the projection lens of the light module. In particular, the light unit may be lensless. Thus, only the projection lens of the light module makes it possible to project the light rays emitted by the light source(s) onto the road.
[0038] The projection lens forms the element of the light module through which the light rays are able to exit the light module to be projected towards the road. Thus, the projection lens is configured to shape the light rays emitted by the at least one light source, and optionally collected and oriented by one or more optical elements of the light unit, and to project them towards the outside of the light module. This projection lens is an element performing a treatment of the light rays to make them compliant with various regulations. More specifically, this projection lens makes it possible to modify in particular the trajectory of the light rays emitted by the light unit and oriented a first time if necessary by one or more optical elements arranged in the light unit, and arranged upstream of this projection lens, so as to generate a beam of light rays according to desired parameters.
[0039] It is understood from the above that the projection lens is an optical element playing a role in the formation of the light function formed by the light rays which pass through the projection lens and that without this projection lens, the production of a regulatory beam is not possible. In other words, the projection lens cannot be confused with a transparent glass intended to form a mechanical protection of an optical device housed in a projector and not performing any specific optical treatment of the light rays to form a regulatory light function.
[0040] Furthermore, the projection lens is arranged at a distance from the light unit and is not part of the latter. For example, the projection lens is configured so that the object focus of the latter is positioned at the light unit, for example at the light source of this light unit or at optical elements interposed between the light source and the projection lens, when the light module is assembled. More specifically, the light unit may comprise at least one light source and a collector having a reflective surface for directing the light rays generated by the light source towards the projection lens. The object focus of the projection lens is arranged less than 10 mm from a rear edge of the collector, i.e. from the edge furthest from the projection lens.
[0041] The light module is associated with a device for adjusting the position of the light unit. This adjustment device is capable of allowing the movement of the light unit in the correction direction or the adjustment direction. In particular, the adjustment device is capable of moving the light unit in a substantially vertical or substantially transverse direction, by pushing on a given portion of the light unit to allow the movement of the light unit in the correction direction or the adjustment direction.
[0042] According to a characteristic of the invention, the light module comprises a lateral adjustment device configured to pivot the walls around their respective front pivot axis in the adjustment direction.
[0043] According to a feature of the invention, the light module comprises a vertical adjustment device configured to pivot the light unit relative to the housing around the tilting axis in the correction direction. More particularly, the correction direction is induced by the tilting of the support around the tilting axis.
[0044] The adjustment direction is induced by the pivoting of the walls around the front and rear pivot axes. The correction direction is defined by the orientation of the tilting axis of the support, this correction direction being perpendicular to the tilting axis. The correction direction makes it possible to ensure vertical adjustment of a light beam formed from said light rays and projected by the light module. It is understood that this vertical adjustment makes it possible to orient the light beam more or less in the direction of a roadway on which a vehicle equipped with the light module is traveling. The adjustment direction is defined by the orientation of the pivot axes of the walls. Indeed, this adjustment direction is perpendicular to the pivot axes. In addition, this adjustment direction is also substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.It is the movement of the walls around their front pivot axis that allows the light unit to move in the adjustment direction. For example, the light unit can move laterally, in a horizontal plane, if the pivot axes are vertical. The adjustment direction allows for horizontal adjustment of the said light beam. Thus, this horizontal adjustment allows the light beam to be directed more or less towards one of the verges bordering the roadway.
[0045] As previously mentioned, the tilting elements arranged at each lateral end of the support define a tilting axis around which the support is pivotally mounted relative to the projection lens of the light module. The tilting axis may be parallel to the adjustment direction. However, it is also understood that this tilting axis may have an angle relative to the adjustment direction. In a particular case, the tilting axis may be parallel to the transverse direction.
[0046] In particular, it is understood that an angle strictly greater than 0° and less than or equal to 20° is possible between the adjustment direction and the tilting axis, in particular to take into account the fact that the tilting axis is not necessarily parallel to the adjustment direction consisting of the lateral adjustment direction. Indeed, in particular for stylistic reasons, it may be necessary to have to tilt the projection lens in top view, so that it follows the curve of the vehicle body, and the tilting axis of the support and the lighting unit must be inclined by the same value. The adjustment direction, corresponding here to the lateral adjustment direction, is then secant to the direction of this tilting axis.
[0047] The walls have the function of guiding the light rays emitted by a light source towards a defined portion of the projection lens. The support participates in delimiting a plurality of circulation channels. Among these circulation channels, two circulation channels, called end circulation channels, are delimited by a wall and a portion of the housing and at least one other circulation channel arranged between these end circulation channels is delimited by two walls. It is understood that when the support participates in delimiting only three circulation channels, each wall participating in delimiting an end circulation channel also participates in delimiting the circulation channel arranged between these end circulation channels.
[0048] In this case, and in particular when the light unit is laterally offset, it is appropriate for the light circulation channels to remain properly oriented to continue to send the light onto the appropriate portion of the projection lens. For this purpose, the walls are fixed at a first end, called the anchoring end, on the light unit, and in particular on upper and lower parts of the light unit, which also participate in defining the circulation channels.
[0049] It is notable in this context that the production of the support according to the invention, with the walls which are an integral part of the support by being made in a single piece with the frame carrying the tilting elements, makes it possible to fix the position of the front pivot axes of the walls independently of the assembly clearances inherent in the assembly of the light module and in particular the assembly of the light unit relative to the support.
[0050] According to a characteristic of the invention, the light unit is formed of a first part formed at least in part by reflection means and a second part formed at least in part by a heat dissipation means, the first part of the light unit being configured to reflect light rays emitted by at least one light source housed in the light unit towards the projection lens through which the light rays are able to exit the light module. It should be noted that without departing from the context of the invention, the roles of each of the parts forming the light unit could be reversed.
[0051] According to a characteristic of the invention, each wall is linked to the light unit with the anchoring end of the wall which is engaged on each of the parts forming the light unit.
[0052] According to a characteristic of the invention, the walls have, at the anchoring end opposite the frame, fingers extending in a direction parallel to the front pivot axis, at least one of said fingers of a wall being housed in a housing made in the first part of the light unit and another of said fingers being housed in a housing made in the second part of the light unit.
[0053] In other words, the walls comprise a central portion which extends in a main extension plane, between the junction area with the support frame and the anchoring end cooperating with the light unit, and fingers which project from the central portion in a direction parallel to the direction of the front and rear pivot axes.
[0054] According to a feature of the invention, the support extends between the projection lens and the light unit with a front end edge facing the projection lens and a rear end edge facing the light unit. The rear end edge is the edge to which the walls are connected.
[0055] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a support implementing:- at least a first step during which an imprint corresponding to the support is formed by the juxtaposition of a first part, a second part and a third part of a mold;- at least a second step during which a material is injected into the imprint;- at least a third step during which the first part of the mold participating in forming at least a first part of each wall is removed in a first direction and a first demolding direction;- at least a fourth step during which the second part of the mold participating in forming at least a second part of each wall is removed in said first direction and a second demolding direction opposite to the first demolding direction;- at least a fifth step during which the third part of the mold participating in forming at least a third part of each wall is removed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.;
[0056] It should be noted that there is no chronology to be respected in the order in which the three stages of removing a part of the mold are carried out. For example, the name first part of the mold is only indicative and does not imply that this part of the mold must be removed before the others, the first part of the mold being able to be removed after the second part of the mold and / or the third part of the mold.
[0057] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:
[0058] schematically represents a general view of a light module according to the present invention and comprising a housing forming an envelope of the light module and on which a projection lens is fixedly mounted;
[0059] schematically represents a general view of a light unit housed in the housing of the light module visible on the;
[0060] schematically represents a sectional view of the light unit revealing circulation channels separated from each other by low walls, said low walls being secured at one end to a common support frame;
[0061] schematically represents a detail of the support frame visible on the and of one of the walls integral with said support frame;
[0062] schematically represents a sectional view of the light unit highlighting the arrangement of a wall secured to one end of the support frame of figures 3 and 4 and cooperating at the other end with a housing formed in the light unit;
[0063] schematically represents a support frame according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said frame highlighting elastic articulation connections formed at the junction between the walls and the support frame;
[0064] schematically represents a top view of the support visible on the highlighting the formation of the elastic articulation connections by at least one release of material generating a zone of low thickness at the junction between a low wall and a wall of the support frame;
[0065] schematically represents a detailed view of a first elastic articulation connection at the junction between a low wall and a wall of the support frame according to the embodiment represented by figures 1 to 5.
[0066] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.
[0067] In the detailed description which follows, the terms “longitudinal”, “transverse” and “vertical” refer to the orientation of a light module comprising a support according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a direction of advance of a vehicle equipped with the light module, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a reference frame L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A transverse direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular, in a horizontal plane, to the direction of advance of the vehicle equipped with the light module, this transverse direction being parallel to a transverse axis T of the reference frame L, V, T and this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a vertical axis V of the reference frame L, V, T, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the transverse axis T.
[0068] La represents a light module 2 intended to equip a motor vehicle to ensure, in the embodiment shown, a light lighting function, with a light beam projected along an optical axis 100. The light module 2 comprises a housing 4 forming an envelope in which is housed a light unit, which will be described in more detail in connection with la. This housing 4 is formed from a polymer material or a metallic material. The housing 4 is intended to be housed in a headlight of a motor vehicle and for this purpose has fixing means not shown here. It should be noted that in another embodiment of the invention, the housing 4 of the light module 2 is intended to be directly embedded in the bodywork of a motor vehicle.
[0069] The housing 4 is formed of an upper part 6 and a lower part 8 secured to each other, in the embodiment shown, by a screw fixing system 10, these screws being advantageously arranged at the rear of the light module 2, and by holding means 11. These holding means 11 are formed by first connecting elements 12 produced on the contour of the upper part 6 and second connecting elements 14 produced on the contour of the lower part 8 and complementary to the first connecting elements 12.
[0070] The light module 2 comprises a projection lens 16 housed in the housing 4 at a front face of the housing 4 intended to be turned towards the road. Such a configuration makes it possible, when the light module 2 is directly embedded in the body of the vehicle, to arrange the projection lens 16 in the extension of the body of the motor vehicle.
[0071] It is understood from the above that the projection lens 16 is integral with the housing 4. More specifically, the position of the projection lens 16 is fixed relative to the housing 4 and the inclination of the projection lens 16 relative to the housing 4 cannot be modified. In addition, the housing 4 is fixed relative to the projector in which the light module 2 is housed or relative to the body of the vehicle when the light module 2 is directly connected to the latter.
[0072] The represents a light unit 18 housed in the housing 4. The light unit 18 forms an enclosure in which are housed at least light sources, not shown here, capable of generating a light function, in particular a lighting function, to ensure visibility of the road by the users of the vehicle, in particular in conditions of extreme darkness. These light sources generate light rays constituting said light function emitted from the light unit 18 in the direction of the projection lens 16.
[0073] The light unit 18 is associated with an adjustment device which makes it possible to modify the position of the light unit within the housing 4 of the light module, and therefore to modify the position of the light unit relative to the fixed projection lens 16. In particular, the light unit 18 is movable relative to the projection lens 16 in a correction direction. The light unit 18 is also movable relative to the projection lens 16 in an adjustment direction. In the example illustrated, the correction direction corresponds to a vertical adjustment direction and the adjustment direction corresponds to a lateral adjustment direction.
[0074] As seen in the, the light unit 18 is formed in two parts, a first part 20 and a second part 22 secured to each other by means of at least one fixing element 24, which here has the form of elastic snap-fastening means. In the illustrated example, the fixing element 24 is formed of a lug 26 made in the second part 22 of the light unit 18 and an elastically deformable tab 28, made in the first part 20, to engage on the lug 26. It is understood that the position of the lug and the tab on the first and second parts could be interchanged and that other fixing elements, such as screwing means for example, could be implemented without departing from the context of the invention.
[0075] The first part 20 of the light unit 18 is formed at least in part by reflection means. For this purpose, the first part 20 comprises a plurality of collectors 30 configured to collect the light rays emitted by at least one light source and direct them towards the projection lens 16.
[0076] The second part 22 of the light unit 18 is formed at least in part by a heat dissipation means. For this purpose, the second part 22 comprises heat dissipating elements 32 making it possible to evacuate the heat generated within the light unit 18, for example, by the light sources, and more broadly by a printed circuit board housed in the light unit 18 and comprising a plurality of electronic components participating in the operation of the light unit 18.
[0077] The light module 2 also comprises a support 34 which is pivotally mounted relative to said housing 4, and therefore relative to the projection lens 16, and which is configured to carry the light unit 18 within the housing 4. The support 34 comprises a plurality of walls 36 and a frame 38. On the only part of the walls 36 is visible, each of these walls 36 being configured to delimit at least one circulation channel 40 of a part of the light rays emitted by one of the light sources.
[0078] More specifically, the light unit 18 comprises a plurality of circulation channels 40 which are delimited by at least one wall 36, the first part 20 and the second part 22 of the light unit 18. In the embodiment shown, the support 34 comprises three walls 36 participating in delimiting four circulation channels 40. Each circulation channel 40 allows the light rays emitted by the light sources to circulate to the projection lens 16.
[0079] Each wall 36 is, as will be described in more detail in connection with figures 3 and 4, secured to the light unit 18 at one of its ends and linked to the frame 38 at the other of its ends, at a junction zone which will be detailed below.
[0080] The frame 38 extends in a main elongation direction which in the embodiment represented by is substantially parallel to the axis T. The frame 38 comprises a first wall 42 which is here an upper wall and a second wall 44 which is here a lower wall. The first wall 42 and the second wall 44 are connected at their transverse ends by side walls. The first wall 42 and the second wall 44 are opposite each other and each extend mainly in said main elongation direction of the frame 38, facing each other.
[0081] The first wall 42 and the second wall 44 of the frame 38 are connected to each of the ends of the frame 38 defined with respect to the main elongation direction by the side walls which each carry a stud forming a tilting element. More specifically, the frame 38 extends between a first stud 46 and a second stud 48 extending respectively along the main elongation direction of the frame 38. More precisely, the first stud 46 and the second stud 48 extend from the corresponding side wall towards the outside of the frame 38. The first stud 46 and the second stud 48 are aligned with each other so as to define a tilting axis 50 around which the support 34 is movable in rotation.It is understood that, the support 34 being integral with the light unit 18 as soon as the walls 36 of the support 34 are engaged in appropriate housings of the light unit 18, the light unit 18 is also able to pivot around the tilting axis 50 while being driven by the support 34, when the support 34 pivots by means of the first stud 46 and the second stud 48 rotating respectively in a bearing formed between the upper part 6 and the lower part 8 of the housing 4.
[0082] More particularly, as can be seen in the, the first stud 46 and the second stud 48 are respectively engaged between a first fixing lug 52 secured to the upper part of the housing 4 and a second fixing lug 54 secured to the lower part 8 of the housing 4. The second fixing lugs 54 form a stop to the transverse movement of the support 34, by coming against the side wall of the frame 38, and a stop to the longitudinal movement, that is to say in the direction of the fixed projection lens 16, and to the vertical movement, by forming with the first fixing lugs 52 a cylindrical sheath for receiving the first stud 48 and the second stud 48.The fixing lugs 52, 54 are thus configured to form a pivot connection for each tilting element formed respectively by the first stud 46 and the second stud 48, so as to allow the movement of the support 34 only in rotation around the tilting axis 50.
[0083] The pivoting of the support 34 about the tilting axis 50 allows a movement of the light unit 18 in the correction direction. In particular, the light unit 18 then also pivots about the tilting axis. The distance between the projection lens 16 and the light unit 18, in particular the collectors 30, remains substantially identical, since the tilting axis 50 is close to the projection lens 16, for example at a distance of less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm.
[0084] The represents a sectional view of the light module 2 making it possible to highlight the circulation channels 40 delimited by the walls 36 as well as the light sources 56 associated with collectors 30 previously mentioned to direct the light rays emitted by the light sources 56 in the direction of the projection lens 16. More specifically, this makes it possible to highlight the fact that the walls 36 are on the one hand linked to the light unit 18 and on the other hand secured to the frame 38 at a connection zone specific to each wall.
[0085] It should be noted that the description which will follow and which is specific to a wall 36 of the plurality of walls 36 applies mutatis mutandis to each wall 36. The walls 36 are linked by an anchoring end 58 to the light unit 18 and at least at one junction zone to the frame 38, the anchoring end 58 forming the end of the wall 36 opposite the frame 38, that is to say the furthest from the frame 38.
[0086] More particularly, at the anchoring end 58 of the wall 36, the wall 36 is housed in the light unit 18 and more specifically in a housing made in the first part 20 of the light unit 18 and in the second part 22 of the light unit 18. As will be described in more detail on the, the anchoring end 58 has fingers which can be housed in complementary shaped orifices made in each of the parts 20, 22 of the light unit 18 so as to block the longitudinal and transverse translational movement of the wall 36 relative to the light unit 18, and the fact of being engaged between each of the parts 20, 22 forming the light unit 18 blocks the vertical movement of the wall 36 and therefore of the support 34.The fingers have a circular shape so that the wall 36 can pivot relative to the light unit around a rear pivot axis 74' formed by the alignment of the fingers arranged at this anchoring end 58 of the wall 36. In particular, the rear pivot axis 74' of each wall 36 is formed by the anchoring end 58 of the walls 36.
[0087] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a more detailed view of the support 34 highlighting in particular the connection of the wall 36 with the frame 38 at the junction zones. In addition, as visible in Figures 4 and 5, the walls 36 comprise a central portion 62 extending in a main elongation plane which, in the embodiment shown corresponding to the nominal adjustment position, extends parallel to the longitudinal L and vertical V axes. This main elongation plane of the central portion 62 is parallel to a main extension direction of the walls 36. This central portion 62 may have a specific coating for guiding the light in the circulation channel 40 that the wall 36 helps to delimit.
[0088] Opposite the anchoring end 58 of the wall 36, the central portion 62 is extended, in a direction parallel to the main extension direction of the wall 36, by an occulting portion 64 extending beyond the junction zones. This occulting portion 64 extends at least one circulation channel 40 so that the light rays emitted by a light source 56 circulate strictly within the same circulation channel 40 from the light source 56 to the projection lens 16.
[0089] Furthermore, it is particularly noteworthy in Figures 4 and 5 that the anchoring end 58 comprises fingers 66 which extend vertically beyond the central portion 62, to form a projection suitable for being inserted into a suitable housing on the light unit 18.
[0090] It should be noted that in the embodiment shown, the wall 36 comprises two fingers 66 intended to be housed in a housing made in the first part 20 or the second part 22 of the light unit 18. Without departing from the context of the invention, the wall 36 may comprise a single finger 66 intended to be inserted into an appropriate housing of the light unit 18 since this finger 66 participates in blocking, according to at least one vertical and longitudinal component, the movement of the support 34 relative to the light unit 18.
[0091] As mentioned above, the wall 36 is secured to the frame 38 by forming at least one junction zone between the wall and the frame which has the form of an elastic articulation connection. In particular, this elastic articulation connection is achieved by a local thinning of the wall in the junction zone. More specifically, the wall 36 is secured to the frame 38 by a first elastic articulation connection 68 ensuring the junction of the wall 36 to the first wall 42 of the frame 38 and by a second elastic articulation connection 70 ensuring the junction of the wall 36 to the second wall 44 of the frame 38.
[0092] As can be deduced from Figures 1 and 2 for example, the support 34 extends between the projection lens 16 and the light unit 18 with a front end edge 380 of the frame which is turned towards the projection lens 16 and a rear end edge 382 of the frame which is turned towards the light unit 18. The first elastic articulated connection 68 ensuring the junction of the wall 36 to the first wall 42 of the frame 38 and the second elastic articulated connection 70 ensuring the junction of the wall 36 to the second wall 44 of the frame 38, are formed in the vicinity of the rear end edge 382 of the frame 38.
[0093] The junction between the wall 36 and the frame 38 is such that the support 34 forms a single-piece assembly, with the frame 38 and each of the walls 36 being made from a single piece. In other words, there is continuity of material between the frame 38 and each of the walls 36, at the level of the first elastic articulation connection 68 and the second elastic articulation connection 70 specific to each wall 36.
[0094] It is particularly noteworthy on the set 5 that each elastically deformable junction between the wall 36 and the frame 38 does not extend along the entire vertical dimension of the wall 36 but only locally at the junction of the first wall 42 of the frame 38 with the wall and at the junction of the second wall 44 of the frame 38 with the wall 36. Thus, the elastically deformable junction can be formed by thinning a vertical end edge of the wall.As can be seen in particular in the, the wall 36 extends vertically between an upper vertical end edge 361 and a lower vertical end edge 363, and the first elastic articulation connection 68, respectively the second elastic articulation connection 70 extends in the longitudinal extension of the upper vertical end edge 361, respectively of the lower vertical end edge 363, being formed by a reduction in the thickness of the corresponding edge.
[0095] Figures 6 and 7 very schematically illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention making it possible to approach the elastic articulation connections 68, 70 more simply. In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the support 34 comprises two walls 36, each being secured to the first wall 42 of the frame 38 by a first elastic articulation connection 68 and to the second wall 44 of the frame 38 by a second elastic articulation connection 70. In addition, the walls 36 are in their nominal position, that is to say in their elastic return position. In the embodiment shown, in this nominal position of the walls 36, the main extension direction of the walls 36 is perpendicular to the main elongation direction of the frame 34. As will be discussed below, this nominal position of the walls is different in the previously discussed embodiment.
[0096] More specifically, the represents a general view of the support 34 according to this alternative embodiment and the represents a top view of the support 34 according to this alternative embodiment.
[0097] It should be noted that the description which will be made in connection with any one of the elastic articulated connections 68, 70 applies mutatis mutandis to the other elastic articulated connection 68, 70.
[0098] The first elastic articulation connection 68 is formed from at least one clearance of material configured to form, at the junction between a wall 36 and the first wall 42, a zone of small thickness of the wall 72. It is understood that the second elastic articulation connection 70 is formed from at least one clearance of material configured to form, at the junction between this wall 36 and this time the second wall 44, another zone of small thickness of the wall 72.
[0099] Each thin zone of an elastic articulation connection forms an initiation zone for the bending of the wall as a whole when the latter is subjected to a stress at a distance from the thin zone. In particular, when a stress is exerted on the wall at the anchoring end 58, opposite the frame 38, the wall 36 is able to bend from the thin zone of an elastic articulation connection.
[0100] The configuration of the resilient hinge links and the positioning of the first resilient hinge link 68 relative to the second resilient hinge link 70 make the walls 36 pivotable relative to the frame 38 about a front pivot axis 74. More specifically, this front pivot axis 74 is defined by the alignment of the two resilient hinge links 68, 70, which are both formed in the vicinity of the rear end edge 382 of the walls of the frame 38.
[0101] The front pivot axis 74 of each of the walls extends here vertically, perpendicularly on the one hand to the tilting axis 50, here transverse, around which the support 34 is movable in rotation and perpendicularly on the other hand to the main extension direction of the corresponding wall 36.
[0102] It is notable that for each wall, the front pivot axis 74, formed by the alignment of the elastic articulation links 68, 70, and the rear pivot axis 74', formed by the alignment of the fingers 66 at the anchoring end 58, are substantially parallel, within manufacturing tolerances.
[0103] The distance between the front pivot axis 74 and the rear pivot axis 74' is identical for each of the walls. When considering two walls, the projection of the front pivot axes 74 and the rear pivot axes 74' in a direction perpendicular to these front and rear pivot axes then form a parallelogram. Furthermore, the walls 36 are parallel to the optical axis 100 when the light unit 18 is in a middle position, also called the nominal position, i.e. before the light unit 18 is moved in the adjustment direction. This specific arrangement of the front pivot axes 74 and rear pivot axes 74' thus makes it possible to move the light unit in the adjustment direction. This adjustment direction is perpendicular to the front pivot axes 74 and rear pivot axes 74', and substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.
[0104] More particularly, the walls 36 are parallel to the longitudinal direction L when the light unit 18 is in the nominal position. This specific arrangement of the front 74 and rear 74' pivot axes thus allows the adjustment direction to be merged with a substantially transverse direction T.
[0105] Also, when the walls 36 are unstressed, that is to say in their nominal position, the main extension direction of the walls 36 is inclined on the one hand, relative to a direction perpendicular to the main elongation direction of the frame 38 and on the other hand, relative to a direction perpendicular to the front pivot axis 74.
[0106] It should be noted that the light unit 18 does not have a rotational movement as a whole when it is moved in the adjustment direction, namely during lateral adjustment. Only the walls 36 are pivotable. The movement induced for the light unit 18 is a circular translation, that is to say a translation along a circular path, without the angular orientation of the light unit 18 relative to the projection lens 16 changing during this movement.
[0107] It should also be noted that the maximum pivot angle of the walls 36 is sufficiently small so that the circular translational movement of the light unit 18 can be likened to a rectilinear translational movement in the transverse direction. Thus, during the movement of the light unit in the adjustment direction, the projection lens 16 is not defocused relative to the light unit 16. For example, the pivot angle of the walls is less than 15°, preferably less than 5°, relative to the median position, also called the nominal position, of the walls 36, defined when the walls are parallel to the optical axis, and in the example illustrated to the longitudinal direction L.
[0108] The thickness of the thin zone of the wall 72 is considered along a dimension perpendicular to the front pivot axis 74 and perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the walls 36 and it is notable in FIGS. 6 and 7 that the thickness of the wall in this zone is reduced compared to the thickness of the wall in the central portion 62, for example halfway between the front pivot axis 74 and the rear pivot axis 74'.
[0109] The at least one clearance of material forms a recess in the material of one of the walls 42, 44 of the frame 38 and in the thickness of the wall 36. In the embodiment shown, the zone of small thickness 72 is obtained by the cooperation of a first clearance of material 76 and a second clearance of material 78 distributed on either side of the wall 36.
[0110] It should be noted that the elastic articulation connections 68, 70 are dimensioned to allow mobility of the walls 36 only when a sufficient external force is applied to the walls, and in particular via a transverse thrust of the adjustment device. In other words, the material thickness of the wall at the front pivot axis 74 is sufficient not to cause the walls 36 to pivot about their respective front pivot axis 74 under the effect of their own weight.
[0111] In particular, and as can be seen in the, and even more so in the, the elastic articulation connections 68, 70 do not extend along the entire height of the walls considered parallel to the front pivot axis 74. The thickness of the wall is reduced only punctually at the junction of the wall with each of the walls of the frame, substantially opposite the rear end edge of these walls. This has the advantage of being able to maintain a sufficient local thickness and therefore sufficient rigidity of the walls to hold them in the nominal position in the absence of constraints exerted by the adjustment system, while providing sufficient draft angles to facilitate the demolding of the part at the end of the molding process.
[0112] As a result, when the support 34 is positioned relative to the light unit 18, the walls 36 remain in their nominal position, which makes it possible to precisely house at least one of said fingers 66 of each wall 36 in an associated housing of the light unit 18. It is understood that the continuity of material between the walls 36 and the frame 38 makes it possible to facilitate the assembly of the light module 2, and more precisely of the support 34 relative to the light unit 18, since it avoids having to position each of the walls independently of each other on the support before mounting this subassembly on the light unit.
[0113] As shown in the figure, each of the first material clearance 76 and second material clearance 78 forms a continuous recess on the one hand in the thickness of the wall 36 and on the other hand in the material of the associated wall 42, 44, with a constant radius of curvature forming a circle 80, this material clearance being able in particular to be formed by the presence in the injection mold of a cylindrical pin which prevents the injection of material into this zone.
[0114] It is particularly noteworthy that the first material clearance 76 and the second material clearance 78 have the same radius of curvature and that these two material clearances are formed symmetrically on either side of the wall 36. Such a characteristic makes it possible to pivot the wall 36 with the same ease on the side of the first material clearance 76 and on the side of the second material clearance 78.
[0115] As mentioned, the first material clearance 76 and second material clearance 78 each fit within a circle 80. Also, each of the circles 80 is centered on a straight line 82 which extends perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the corresponding wall 36. The result here is that this straight line 82 on which the circles are centered is parallel to the main direction of elongation of the frame 38.
[0116] Illustrates the first material release 76 and the second material release 78 according to the embodiment of the invention represented by Figures 1 to 5.
[0117] It is particularly noteworthy that, unlike the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the wall 36 extends secantly to the main elongation direction of the frame 38 when the wall 36 is in its nominal position. This inclination of the frame 38 relative to the wall 36 can in particular allow the frame 38 and the projection lens 16 to follow the curve of the vehicle, while maintaining a longitudinal orientation of the walls for the projection of the light function along the optical axis 100. It is understood that depending on the curve of the vehicle at which the light module 2 is installed, the inclination of the frame 38 relative to the wall 36 can be different.
[0118] Furthermore, the first material clearance 76 and the second material clearance 78 are inscribed in the circles 80 centered on the straight line 82, as previously mentioned. The straight line 82 is again perpendicular to the wall 36, when this wall 36 is in its nominal position, but is in fact, in this embodiment shown, secant to the main elongation direction of the frame 38. As a result, the first material clearance 76 extends further into the material of the frame 38 than the second material clearance 78.
[0119] As mentioned, the light module 2 comprises an adjustment device formed, in the embodiment shown, of a lateral adjustment means and a vertical adjustment means.
[0120] The vertical adjustment means makes it possible to generate a movement of the light unit in the correction direction. In particular, the vertical adjustment means makes it possible to pivot relative to the housing 4 the assembly formed by the support 34 and the light unit 18 around the tilting axis 50, by pushing or pulling on an area of the light unit arranged longitudinally opposite the support 34 and the tilting axis 50. Thus, by means of the vertical adjustment means, the user of the motor vehicle or even an operator assembling the light module 2 can adjust the light function emitted by the light module 2.
[0121] The lateral adjustment means makes it possible to generate a movement of the light unit 18 in the adjustment direction. In particular, the vertical adjustment means makes it possible to translate the light unit 18 relative to the housing 4. The translational movement of the light unit 18 is a circular translational movement, that is to say a translation along a circular trajectory. More particularly, as explained above, this circular translational movement can be likened to a rectilinear translation in a transverse direction. Thus, during the lateral adjustment of the light module 2, the light unit 18 is driven in movement in a substantially transverse direction, substantially parallel to the axis T, by the lateral adjustment means.The movement of the light unit 18 follows a curved path due to the elastically deformable connections of each wall with the support frame 34, the configuration and alignment of which form the front pivot axis of these walls.
[0122] The method of manufacturing the support 34 which is the subject of the invention will now be described. In connection with Figures 4 and 8 in particular, it is noteworthy that the support 34 is obtained by a manufacturing method using a three-part mold into which a material intended to form the frame 38 and the walls 36 is injected. It is understood that the frame 38 and the walls 36 are formed from the same material, here polyoxymethylene, also known by the acronym “POM”.
[0123] The mold forms an imprint corresponding to the shape of the support 34. This imprint is produced by the cooperation of three parts of the mold, each part of the mold being intended to form a part of the support 34.
[0124] More particularly, a first part of the mold participates in forming an upper portion of the support. This first part notably comprises cavities whose filling forms a first part, called upper part 360, of each wall 36 and this first part of the mold participates in forming, with the third part of the mold, the upper wall 42 of the frame 38. This upper portion of the support notably comprises the junction zone between the upper wall 42 of the frame 38 and the wall 36, that is to say one of the elastic articulation connections 68 intended to be formed by the material clearances arranged on either side of the wall.The upper portion 360 of each wall 36 extends vertically between the upper vertical end edge 361 and a middle portion of the wall, and it is notable that the thickness of the wall decreases as one approaches the upper vertical end edge 361, which makes it possible to form a clearance angle for the removal of the first mold part.
[0125] This first part of the mold is removed in a first direction, here a vertical direction, and a first demolding direction.
[0126] A second part of the mold participates in forming a lower portion of the support. This second part includes in particular cavities whose filling forms a second part, called lower part 362, of each wall 36 and this second part of the mold participates in forming, with the third part of the mold, the lower wall 44 of the frame 38. This lower portion of the support includes the junction zone between the lower wall 44 of the frame 38 and the wall 36, that is to say the other of the elastic articulation connections 70 intended to be formed by the material clearances arranged on either side of the wall.The lower portion 362 of each wall 36 extends vertically between the lower vertical end edge 363 and the middle portion of the wall, and it is notable that the thickness of the wall decreases as one approaches the lower vertical end edge 363, which makes it possible to form a draft angle for the removal of the second mold part.
[0127] This second part is removed according to said first direction and a second demolding direction opposite to the first demolding direction.
[0128] The third part of the mold therefore makes it possible to form the opposing walls of the frame and in particular to define the draft angle of the internal faces of these walls 42, 44. This third part is removed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, here in the longitudinal direction.
[0129] Thus, the present invention achieves the aim it set for itself by proposing a support making it possible to carry a light unit within a light module housing and to guide light rays emitted by light sources housed in the light unit towards a fixed projection lens, this support facilitating the assembly of the light unit within the housing by limiting the number of operations due to the fact that the plurality of walls participating in guiding the light rays are made of the same material as a frame of the support participating in carrying the light unit.
[0130] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically effective combination of such means.
Claims
Support (34) intended to carry a light unit (18) within a housing (4) of a light module (2) of a motor vehicle, the support (34) comprising a plurality of walls (36), configured to delimit between them at least one circulation channel (40) of light rays emitted by said light unit (18), and a frame (38) extending along a main elongation direction, said walls (36) being respectively movable in rotation relative to the frame (38) around a front pivot axis (74) perpendicular to the main elongation direction, said walls (36) extending in a main extension direction secant to the main elongation direction of the frame, said walls comprising, opposite the frame, an anchoring end intended to cooperate with the light unit, characterized in that the walls (36) and the frame (38) form a single-piece assembly,and in that each wall (36) is secured to the frame (38) by elastic articulation connections (68, 70), a first elastic articulation connection (70) being formed at the junction of said wall (36) with a first wall (42) of the frame (38) and a second elastic articulation connection (70) being formed at the junction of said wall (36) with a second wall (44) of the frame (38), the front pivot axis (74) being defined by the alignment of the first elastic articulation connection (68) and the second elastic articulation connection (70)., A support according to claim 1, wherein each of said elastic articulation connections (68, 70) is formed by at least one clearance of material (76, 78) configured to form a thin area of the wall (72) at the junction between a wall (36) and one of said walls (42, 44) of the frame (38). Support (34) according to claim 2, in which the at least one clearance of material (76, 78) forms a recess in the thickness of one of said walls (42, 44) of the frame (38). Support (34) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, in which each of said elastic articulation connections (68, 70) is formed of a first material clearance (76) and a second material clearance (78), said material clearances (76, 78) being separated by the thin zone of the wall (72). Support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the front pivot axis (74) about which a wall (36) is movable relative to the frame (38) is parallel to at least one other front pivot axis (74) about which another wall (36) is movable relative to the frame (38). A support (34) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, when the walls are unconstrained in a nominal position, the main extension direction of the walls (36) is inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the main extension direction of the frame (38) and inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the front pivot axis (74). Support (34) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the first wall (42) of the frame (38) is an upper wall and the second wall (44) of the frame (38) is a lower wall, the upper wall being opposite the lower wall, the upper wall being secured to a low wall (36) by the first elastic articulation connection (68) and the lower wall being secured to said low wall (36) by the second elastic articulation connection (70). The support (34) of claim 7, wherein at least one wall (36) comprises a screening portion (64) extending between the lower wall of the frame and the upper wall of the frame. A support (34) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each wall (36) of the plurality of walls (36) extends parallel to the other walls (36). Support (34) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the frame (38) and the walls (36) are formed from the same material. Support (34) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the frame (38) comprises a tilting element (46, 48) at each of its opposite lateral ends in the main direction of elongation of the frame, the tilting elements (46, 48) being aligned so as to define a tilting axis (50) around which the support (34) is intended to be pivotally mounted in the housing of the light module. Light module (2) for a motor vehicle comprising a support (34) according to any one of claims 1 to 11. Light module (2) according to claim 12, comprising- a housing (4);- a projection lens (16) fixed relative to the housing (4);- a light unit (18) in which at least one light source is housed, light rays emitted by the at least one light source being able to be projected by the projection lens (16) along an optical axis of the light module, the light unit (18) being movable relative to the projection lens (16) in an adjustment direction;- the plurality of walls (36) of the support (34) each being connected by their anchoring end (58) to the light unit (18), the walls being configured to delimit at least one channel for the circulation of the light rays emitted by said at least one light source in the direction of the projection lens (16), and the anchoring end (58) of each of the walls (36) being pivotally mounted relative to the light unit (18) around a rear pivot axis (74'),andeach of the walls (36) being connected to the frame (38) of the support (34) by elastically deformable connections defining a front pivot axis (74), the front pivot axes (74) and the rear pivot axes (74') being parallel to each other, and the distances between the front pivot axis (74) and the rear pivot axis (74') for each of the walls (36) being identical, the front pivot axes (74) and the rear pivot axes (74') allowing movement of the light unit (18) in the adjustment direction, perpendicular to the front and rear pivot axes, and substantially perpendicular to the optical axis., Light module (2) according to claim 13, in which the support (34) carrying the light unit (18) is pivotally mounted about a tilting axis (50) relative to the projection lens (16), to allow movement of the light unit (18) in a correction direction, the correction direction being distinct from the adjustment direction. A method of manufacturing a support according to any one of claims 1 to 11 implementing:- at least a first step during which an imprint corresponding to the support is formed by the juxtaposition of a first part, a second part and a third part of a mold;- at least a second step during which a material is injected into the imprint;- at least a third step during which the first part of the mold participating in forming at least a first part of each wall is removed in a first direction and a first demolding direction;- at least a fourth step during which the second part of the mold participating in forming at least a second part of each wall is removed in said first direction and a second demolding direction opposite to the first demolding direction;- at least a fifth step during which the third part of the mold participating in forming at least a third part of each wall is removed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.;
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Light device for motor vehicle
FR3118126A1
Light module for motor vehicle
FR3125862A1
Lighting device of a motor vehicle
FR3126746A1
Drive mechanism for reflector of variable luminosity distribution type projector lamp
JP1994176604A
Headlamp module and head lamp
JP2016048674A