Illuminated grille for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a grille (CAL) intended to equip the front end of a motor vehicle and comprising a lighting and / or signaling device (DES) comprising a central light module (MLC), centered on the outer face of the grille (CAL) and a light module (MLG, MLD) extending transversely to the grille (CAL), to the left and to the right of the central light module (MLC), from the central light module (MLC) to the left lateral edge (BLG) and respectively the right lateral edge (BLD) of the grille (CAL); and a lens arrangement (AGG) defining both a lens (GLA) for each of the left and right light modules (MLG, MLD) and a casing (BTR) for the central light module (MLC); said casing (BTR) being integral with the lenses (GLA) of the left and right light modules (MLG, MLD).

Description

DESCRIPTION Title of the invention: Illuminated grille for motor vehicle

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2404340 filed on April 25, 2024, the content of which (text, drawings, and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The invention relates generally to lighting and / or signaling devices for motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with a motor vehicle grille equipped with a lighting and / or signaling device.

[0002] The main function of such a device integrated into a motor vehicle grille is to define a light signature on the front of the vehicle, which can complement the one already present conferred by other signaling devices also designated by DRL for "Daytime Running Light" (or Lamp) in English, daytime running light.

[0003] These DRLs are mainly installed on at least one of the corners of a motor vehicle, generally on both corners of the front of a motor vehicle on either side of the grille, being integrated partially or totally into the bumper and / or the front wings of the vehicle.

[0004] The device can also be used to "highlight" the vehicle brand logo with an illuminated or backlit logo.

[0005] It can also be used as a signal light, especially at night.

[0006] A motor vehicle grille typically extends transversely across the exterior of the vehicle's front end, between the hood and the front bumper, centered between the left and right headlights. The grille, by its position, is a An important styling element of the vehicle. It contributes to the vehicle's visual signature, both day and night.

[0007] The transverse dimension of the grille, between the left and right front headlights, can be relatively large, and therefore a lighting function must be provided that is in relation to the transverse dimension of the grille and that complies with the relevant regulations.

[0008] A lighting and / or signaling device generally comprises a housing closed by an external translucent protective glass, or window; the housing supporting in particular at least one light source.

[0009] The case and the crystal that closes the case are generally each produced separately using plastic injection molding techniques in molds designed to give the case and crystal their respective shapes. The crystal is then mounted securely, usually by gluing it to the case.

[0010] The geometry of the glass, which is the most visible part of the device, depends in part on the style chosen when designing the vehicle, the constraints related to the molding and demolding process, and the technical requirements related to mounting the device on the grille.

[0011] For a lighting system designed to illuminate a grille and logo, requiring illumination over a relatively long distance, typically the width of the grille, it's natural to consider using long, linear light guides and / or flat strips with a light-emitting edge to achieve homogeneous lighting along the entire length of the system. This may necessitate several successive light modules along the length of the system, thus increasing the number of components: housings, lenses, etc. The glass is necessary to protect the light guides, blades, ... which, by their location, are exposed to weathering, projectiles, etc.

[0012] The addition of an illuminated or backlit logo centered on the grille with interconnections with the light modules adds another layer of complexity to the production of the glass(es), particularly with regard to the number of parts and the number of tools required, resulting in significant manufacturing costs.

[0013] The invention therefore aims in particular to overcome these drawbacks by offering a grille equipped with a lighting and / or signaling device designed to reduce the number of parts and thus reduce manufacturing costs.

[0014] To this end, the invention has as its first object a grille intended to equip the front face of a motor vehicle and comprising a lighting and / or signaling device including a central light module, centered on the outer face of the grille and a light module extending transversely to the grille, to the left and right of the central light module, from the central light module to the respective left and right lateral edges of the grille, and a glass arrangement defining both a glass for each of the left and right light modules and a housing for the central light module; said housing being made of material with the glass of the left and right light modules.

[0015] According to one characteristic, said arrangement is obtained by a bi-injection molding process of thermoplastic material in a mold shaped to allow demolding of the arrangement in two opposite demolding directions.

[0016] According to another characteristic, the housing of the central light module, featuring a cavity oriented towards the outside of the grille, is obtained after demolding along a first ejection direction. determined from a first part of the mold, and in which the glass of the left and right light modules, each having a cavity oriented towards the inside of the grille, are obtained after demolding from a second part of the mold, following a second same ejection direction, opposite to the first.

[0017] According to another feature, the central module housing has a cover fixed securely to the housing; said cover supporting a vehicle brand logo capable of being illuminated or backlit by at least one light source from the central module.

[0018] According to another feature, the left and right modules each have a light engine arranged respectively in the vicinity of the left and right lateral edges of the grille; said light engines each having at least one light source coupled to a light guide housed behind the glass of each of the left and right modules; said glass extending respectively from the lateral edges of the grille to the central module.

[0019] According to another characteristic, the central module housing has a general rectangular parallelepiped shape and the windows of the left and right modules have a generally rectangular cross-section that is substantially constant from the lateral edges of the grille to the left and right side walls of the housing.

[0020] According to another feature, a mechanical linking interface between the left and right end faces of the glass of the left and right modules and the left and right side walls of the central module housing is achieved by connecting walls and stiffening ribs extending respectively between said connecting walls and the left and right side walls of the housing; said connecting walls and said ribs being made of material with the glass of the left and right modules and the housing.

[0021] According to another feature, the rear face of the bottom of the case is shaped to be used as a case mounting interface.

[0022] Finally, the present invention has as its second object a motor vehicle comprising at least one grille as described above.

[0023] The present invention allows the connection of three light modules using a single-piece glass assembly, thus requiring only one glass tooling instead of three (one per light module). This results in cost savings for both parts and tooling.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawing, on which:

[0025] [Fig.1] illustrates a perspective view of the front of a motor vehicle equipped with a grille according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig. 2] illustrates a perspective view of a lighting and / or signaling device equipping the grille according to the invention;

[0027] [Fig.3] illustrates a perspective view of a glass arrangement of the lighting and / or signaling device equipping the grille according to the invention;

[0028] [Fig. 4] illustrates a cross-sectional view along plane IV-IV of figure 3;

[0029] [Fig. 5] illustrates a cross-sectional view along the VV plane of figure 3;

[0030] [Fig. 6] partially illustrates, in perspective, the rear of the glass arrangement of the lighting and / or signaling device fitted to the grille according to the invention; and

[0031] [Fig. 7] illustrates a cross-sectional view along plane VII-VII of figure 6.

[0032] In what follows, we consider that the elements represented in the figures are oriented within the same orthonormal XYZ coordinate system and identical elements are designated by the same alphanumeric references.

[0033] For this purpose, and unless otherwise specified, reference is made to the orthonormal coordinate system XYZ to identify the directions of extension of the grille and the lighting and / or signaling device according to the invention as mounted on the vehicle, and the associated related concepts, including a longitudinal direction (along X), a transverse direction (along Y), and a vertical direction (along Z). The longitudinal direction X extends between the front and rear of the vehicle, the transverse direction Y extends between the right and left lateral sides of the vehicle as identified relative to the driver in the vehicle's driving position, and the vertical direction Z defines the vehicle's elevation from its ground plane.Consequently, the relative notions front and rear are identified longitudinally, the lateral notion and the relative notions right and left are identified transversely, the notions such as superior and inferior or other related relative notions such as bottom and top, ... are defined vertically with respect to the vehicle's rolling plane on the ground.

[0034] The figures are described below considering the grille as mounted on the front of a motor vehicle.

[0035] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the front FAV of a motor vehicle VHL, featuring a grille CAL equipped with a lighting and / or signaling device DES which, in this example, extends between the left and right lateral edges BLG, BLD of the grille CAL identified in Figure 1, within a closed contour shown in a dashed line. The grille CAL is itself framed transversely by left and right daytime running lights FDG, FDD of the vehicle VHL.

[0036] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the lighting and / or signaling device DES intended to equip the grille CAL according to the invention, represented respecting the position of the vehicle VHL in accordance with the orientation of the vehicle VHL of Figure 1. The left and right lateral edges BLG, BLD of the grille CAL, arranged respectively in the vicinity of the left and right extremities EXG, EXD of the DES device, are represented fictitiously and schematically respectively by dashed line segments.

[0037] The lighting and / or signaling device DES comprises a central light module MLC, and left and right light modules MLG, MLD respectively extending transversely on either side of the central module MLC, aligned with each other, from the central module MLC, respectively to the left and right lateral extremities EXG, EXD of the DES device.

[0038] The left and right modules MLG and MLD are equipped at their respective left and right ends, corresponding to the left and right ends EXG and EXD of the DES device, with light engines MOG and MOD, respectively. It should be noted that a light engine is an electronic device, often with a printed circuit board, comprising one or more LEDs (light-emitting diodes) combined with means for transmitting the light emitted by the LED(s).

[0039] The methods of light transmission are well known. To cite just a few examples, including elongated light guides and / or translucent flat plates, ...

[0040] Light guides, for example, are housed in elongated cavities in the left and right modules MLG and MLD. The light guides are not shown.

[0041] In the embodiment considered, the left and right ends EXG, EXD of the left and right modules MLG, MLD define transverse arms of a "T" to the rear of which the housings BMG, BMD of the light motors MOG and MOD are attached. The arms of the "T" formed by the left and right ends EXG, EXD and the left and right housings BMG, BMD of the left and right light motors MOG, MOD are completely concealed once the grille CAL is mounted on the front FAV of the VHL vehicle. The elongated sections of the left and right modules MLG, MLD appear visually continuous with the horizontal sections of the left and right daytime running lights FDG, FDD illustrated in Figure 1.

[0042] The central MLC module is dedicated to the lighting, or backlighting, of an instinctive sign, logo, related to the vehicle brand.

[0043] It comes in the form of a BTR case with the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, closed by a CBT cover supporting the LGO logo on the front of the DES device.

[0044] The BTR housing contains, among other things, an electronic circuit board (not shown) supporting one or more light sources, such as LEDs, capable of illuminating or backlighting the CBT cover bearing the LGO logo, which is, for example, translucent. The CBT cover is bonded to the BTR housing in a watertight manner, similar to a lens on a projector housing.

[0045] An AGG glass arrangement is configured to constitute both the GLA glass of the left and right modules MLG, MLD and the BTR housing of the DES lighting and / or signaling device.

[0046] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the AGG glass arrangement of the DES lighting and / or signaling device.

[0047] This AGG glass arrangement according to the invention allows the mechanical connection of the three light modules MLC, MLG and MLD. It is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry PSV passing through the median plane of the central housing MLC (according to XZ).

[0048] The BTR housing of the central module MLC is formed from the GLA lenses of the left module MLG and the right module MLD. This AGG arrangement allows the GLA lenses of the left and right modules MLG and MLD, and the BTR housing of the central module MLC, to be made as a single unit. The left and right ends EXG and EXD of the GLA lenses of the left and right modules MLG and MLD, respectively, define the T-shaped crossbars behind which the BMG and BMD housings of the MOG and MOD light motors are mounted (Figure 2).

[0049] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view along plane IV-IV of Figure 3, allowing visualization of a section of the GLA glass of the left module MLG in an area near the left end EXG of the left module MLG which has the same section as that of the right module MLD in the same area symmetrically with respect to the vertical plane of symmetry PSV of the central module housing MLC as shown in Figure 3.

[0050] The ice section GLA of the left and right modules MLG, MLD is generally rectangular in shape and substantially constant over its entire length between the central module MLC and the ends, respectively, left and right EXG, EXD of the arrangement AGG.

[0051] The GLA ice of the left and right modules MLG, MLD are formed respectively of first and second superimposed parts PIG and PEG.

[0052] The first, internal, black (opaque to light) part, PIG, defines a CVG cavity open towards the interior of the CAL grille, with a "U"-shaped profile comprising upper and lower wings AGS and AGI (the "U" arms) extending from the front face FFU (the "U" base) of the first, internal, PIG part of the GLA glass towards the interior of the CAL grille (along the X-axis). The CVG cavity formed by the front face FFU and the upper and lower wings AGS and AGI is designed to house the light transmission means (light guides) for the light emitted by the light source(s), LEDs, housed in the light engines MOG and MOD (Figure 2).

[0053] The rear of the CVG cavity is intended to be closed by a housing not shown.

[0054] The FFU front face has adjacent rectangular openings OUV allowing light to exit the CAL grille through the second translucent PEG glass section.

[0055] The second part of PEG ice, external, translucent, partially covers the upper and lower wings AGS, AGI of the first part of PIG ice.

[0056] The front face FGF of the second part of the PEG glass, external, is the visible part of the left and right modules MLG and MLD for an observer located in front of the VHL vehicle and looking at the CAL grille mounted on the front face FAV of the VHL vehicle.

[0057] Thus, the second part of PEG ice, external, has a translucent appearance (a crystal color) while the first part of PIG ice, internal, has an opaque appearance (a black color).

[0058] The first and second parts of PIG, PEG ice are made from a single mold by a bi-injection molding process of plastic material or bi-material plastic injection.

[0059] Such a process makes it possible to produce on a single press and with a single tooling (mold), a part composed of two materials with different characteristics, for example a part requiring two colors and / or different levels of hardness.

[0060] The plastic material used for the AGG arrangement is, for example, a thermoplastic material of the PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) type or a PC (Polycarbonate) with two different shades (colors): crystal (translucent) for the second part of PEG ice and black (opaque) for the first part of PIG ice.

[0061] Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view along the VV plane of Figure 3, allowing visualization of the ILM mechanical linkage interface between the outer face FEG of the end wall PXG of the GLA of the left module MLG and the inner face FIB of the left side wall PLG of the BTR housing which comes from the material with the GLA of the left module MLG and the right module MLD, in other words, which is obtained from the same mold as the GLA.

[0062] The BTR housing has a general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped defining a CVB cavity open to the outside of the CAL grille.

[0063] Three NVG connecting ribs are arranged, from the outer face FEG of the PXG end wall, between the upper and lower wings AGS and AGI of the GLA ice.

[0064] Their function is both to stiffen the connection between the PXG end wall of the GLA glass of the left module MLG, and the left side wall PLG of the BTR housing, and to butt the GLA glass onto the BTR housing.

[0065] By symmetry with respect to the PSV symmetry plane (figure 3), we find the same ILM mechanical link interface with the MLD right module.

[0066] Figure 6 partially illustrates, in perspective, the rear of the AGG ice arrangement.

[0067] In this figure, the ILM mechanical link interface reveals three stiffening ribs NVS, NVC and NVI allowing the end wall PXD of the GLA of the right module MLD to be attached to the right side wall PLD of the BTR housing.

[0068] The upper and lower stiffening ribs NVS and NVI extend respectively, along X, in continuity with the upper and lower wings AGS, AGI of the ice GLA of the right module MLD.

[0069] The central rib NVC extends parallel to the other two NVS and NVI, being centered between them.

[0070] As illustrated in Figure 6, the rear FAB face of the bottom of the BTR housing is shaped to be used as a mounting interface for the BTR housing.

[0071] A partial detail view of the ILM mechanical linkage interface of Figure 6 is illustrated in Figure 7 following plane VII-VII of Figure 6.

[0072] This figure makes it possible to distinguish more clearly a PFG bonding wall belonging to the ILM mechanical bonding interface, connecting the outer face FED of the right side wall PLD of the BTR housing to the end wall PXG of the GLA glass of the right module MLD.

[0073] The central NVC rib, supported by the PFG connecting wall, stiffens the mechanical connection between the BTR housing and the GLA glass of the right MLD module.

[0074] To achieve such an AGG arrangement according to the invention, in which the GLA lenses of the left and right light modules MLG and MLD are integral, made of material, to each other and to the BTR housing of the central light module MLC, while having an opposing orientation: the BTR housing has a CVB cavity oriented towards the outside of the CAL grille while the GLA windows of the left and right modules MLG, MLD have CVG cavities oriented towards the inside of the CAL grille, it is necessary to plan for demolding of the part resulting from the molding forming the AGG arrangement, following two opposite demolding directions.

[0075] Opposite demolding directions mean opposite ejection directions, along X, of the moving parts of the mold, not shown, used for molding the AGG arrangement according to the invention.

[0076] The ejection directions X- and X+ of the moving parts of the mold are shown in figure 7 by dashed arrows.

[0077] The X+ ejection direction is used for the ejection of the mold part forming the GLA windows of the left and right modules MLG and MLD, and the X- ejection direction is used for the ejection of the mold part forming the BTR housing of the center module MLC.

[0078] The ILM mechanical linkage interface corresponds to the jointing part of the two mold parts.

[0079] This results in a cost-effective, one-piece AGG glass assembly achieved through a single, two-component injection molding operation and bidirectional demolding, eliminating the need for a separate central housing between the left and right modules. Furthermore, the DES lighting and / or signaling system benefits from simplified assembly for mounting in the CAL grille.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Grille (CAL) intended to equip the front face (FAV) of a motor vehicle (VHL) and comprising a lighting and / or signaling device (DES) including a central light module (MLC), centered on the outer face of the grille (CAL) and a light module (MLG, MLD) extending transversely to the grille (CAL), to the left and right of the central light module (MLC), from the central light module (MLC) to the respective left (BLG) and right (BLD) lateral edges of the grille (CAL), and a lens arrangement (AGG) defining both a lens (GLA) for each of the left and right light modules (MLG, MLD) and a housing (BTR) for the central light module (MLC); said housing (BTR) being made of the same material as the lenses (GLA) of the left and right light modules (MLG, MLD).

2. Calender (CAL) according to the preceding claim in which said arrangement (AGG) is obtained by a bi-injection molding process of thermoplastic material in a mold shaped to permit demolding of the arrangement (AGG) in two opposite demolding directions.

3. Grille (CAL) according to the preceding claim, wherein the housing (BTR) of the central light module (MLC), having a cavity (CVB) oriented towards the outside of the grille (CAL), is obtained after demolding along a first determined ejection direction (X-) of a first part of the mold, and wherein the lenses (GLA) of the left and right light modules (MLG, MLD), each having a cavity (CVG) oriented towards the inside of the grille (CAL), are obtained after demolding a second part of the mold, along a second same ejection direction (X+), opposite to the first (X-).

4. Grille (CAL) according to any one of the preceding claims in which the housing (BTR) of the central module (MLC) comprises a cover (CBT) fixed in a sealed manner to the housing (BTR); said cover (CBT) supporting a vehicle brand logo (LGO) capable of being illuminated or backlit by at least one light source of the central module (MLC).

5. Grille (CAL) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the left and right modules (MLG, MLD) each comprise a light engine (MOG, MOD) arranged respectively in the vicinity of the left and right lateral edges (BLG, BLD) of the grille (CAL); said light engines (MOG, MOD) each comprising at least one light source coupled to a light guide housed behind the glass (GLA) of each of the left and right modules (MLG, MLD); said glass (GLA) extending respectively from the lateral edges (BLG, BLD) of the grille (CAL) to the central module (MLC).

6. Grille (CAL) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (BTR) of the central module (MLC) has a general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and the windows (GLA) of the left and right modules (MLG, MLD) have a generally rectangular cross-section substantially constant from the lateral edges (BLG, BLD) of the grille (CAL) to the left and right lateral walls (PLG, PLD) of the housing (BTR).

7. Grille (CAL) according to the preceding claim, wherein a mechanical linking interface (ILM) between the left and right end faces (FEG, FED) of the glass (GLA) of the left and right modules (MLG, MLD) and the left and right side walls (PLG, PLD) of the housing (BTR) of the central module (MLC) is formed by linking walls (PFG) and stiffening ribs (NVI, NVC, NVS) extending respectively between said connecting walls (PFG) and the left and right side walls (PLG, PLD) of the housing (BTR); said connecting walls and said ribs being made of material with the glass (GLA) of the left and right modules (MLG, MLD) and the housing (BTR).

8. Grille (CAL) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear face (FAB) of the bottom of the housing (BTR) is shaped to be used as a housing (BTR) fixing interface.

9. Motor vehicle (VHL) comprising at least one grille (CAL) according to one of the preceding claims.

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