Lighting module for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lighting module (4) for a motor vehicle comprising a fixed projection lens (10) and a light unit (8) that is movable in two directions of adjustment via a vertical adjustment system (26) and via a lateral adjustment system (101), the lateral adjustment system comprising a plate (106) that is secured to the light unit (8) and has at least one bearing surface, an adjustment rod (104) movable in a lateral direction, the adjustment rod having a first end (116) that is in contact with a first bearing surface (126) of the plate, the first end of the adjustment rod being capable of moving along the first bearing surface in a guide rail (129), and holding means (108) that are configured to maintain contact between the adjustment rod and the first bearing surface of the plate.

Description

DESCRIPTION Title of the invention: Light module for motor vehicle.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lighting devices, and in particular to lighting devices intended for use in motor vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lighting module comprising a light unit housed within a casing of such a lighting device and a projection lens. The light unit is capable of generating light rays exiting the lighting device through the projection lens, the projection lens being fixed relative to the casing and the light unit being movable relative to the casing.

[0002] Vehicles, and in particular motor vehicles, are commonly equipped with headlights to generate various lighting functions, such as road illumination or vehicle signaling. To achieve this, motor vehicle headlights are equipped with light modules, each comprising at least one light source configured to emit light beams, optical elements associated with said light source to collect and direct said light beams, and at least one projection lens configured to shape these collected and directed light beams and project them outwards from the headlight and the motor vehicle, forming a standard beam of light suitable for performing the lighting function.

[0003] Lighting functions, and particularly headlight functions, must be properly adjusted to provide optimal road illumination while minimizing glare for other road users. These adjustments are made, for example, on the assembly line during the installation of the light module in the headlight, or automatically based on information gathered by sensors on the vehicle as it moves.

[0004] The light beam can thus be adjusted to have both vertical and lateral movement. Vertical movement is useful for compensating for the vehicle's attitude, which varies from one vehicle category to another and according to the vehicle's load, and for directing the light beam to avoid dazzling other road users, particularly occupants of oncoming vehicles. Lateral movement is useful for adjusting the distance between two light modules and ensuring proper alignment. of the light beam relative to the vehicle axis. It is notably known to move, by means of a suitable actuator, the entire light module, for example by pushing or pulling on one of its ends to tilt it around a pivot axis.

[0005] Particularly for reasons of space 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 optical elements, that is movable relative to the projection lens, it is essential to ensure that the at least one light source and the optical elements remain in a relative position to the projection lens that allows the light function to be performed.In this context, it is noteworthy that the actuator associated with vertical adjustment and the actuator associated with lateral adjustment can be selectively controlled to orient the light unit within the projector. This requires, in particular, that the vertical adjustment actuator follow the lateral movement of the light unit and / or, conversely, that the lateral adjustment actuator follow the vertical movement of the light unit. In known systems, such movement can create friction at the connections between an adjustment actuator and the light unit, damaging the adjustment mechanism.

[0006] The present invention falls within this context by proposing a light module in which the movement of the light unit is independent of the projection lens and in which friction at the linkages of the adjustment device is reduced, thus improving the accuracy and lifespan of the adjustment device. More specifically, the present invention aims to provide a technical solution for implementing a lateral adjustment system that allows for reliable lateral adjustment of the light module's position without generating stress on the vertical adjustment system implemented elsewhere. In particular, the present invention aims to provide a technical solution for implementing an adjustment system in which friction, especially friction generated in the lateral adjustment system during vertical adjustment, is limited, to prevent premature wear of the lateral adjustment system.

[0007] The main object of the present invention is a lighting module for a motor vehicle, intended to be housed in the casing of a lighting device, said lighting module comprising a projection lens and a light unit, the light unit comprising at least one light source, light rays emitted by at least a light source being capable of exiting the light module through said projection lens, said projection lens being intended to be fixed relative to the housing while the light unit is movable in two adjustment directions, by means of a vertical adjustment system capable of tilting the light unit around a tilting axis and by means of a lateral adjustment system, said lateral adjustment system comprising a plate integral with a part of the light unit and having at least one bearing surface, an adjustment rod movable in a lateral direction and the first end of which is in contact with a first bearing surface of the plate, said first end of the adjustment rod being capable of moving along the first bearing surface in a guide rail,and retaining means that are configured to maintain contact between the adjusting rod and the first bearing surface of the plate.

[0008] The lighting device comprises a housing that forms its outer envelope and defines an internal volume containing the light module, specifically the light unit. The housing consists of two complementary parts which, together with the projection lens (which forms part of the housing and is fixed within the lighting device), define the internal volume containing the light unit. In other words, the projection lens, combined with the light module, forms the closing surface of the lighting device.

[0009] The projection lens forms the element of the light module through which light rays exit the module and are projected towards the road. This projection lens processes the light rays to ensure they comply with various regulations. More specifically, this projection lens modifies the trajectory of the light rays emitted by the light unit and initially directed, if necessary, by optical elements positioned between the light unit and the projection lens, in order to generate a beam of light rays according to the desired parameters. It is clear from the above that the projection lens is an optical element that plays a role in shaping the light function formed by the light rays passing through it, and that without this projection lens, producing a compliant beam is not possible.In other words, the projection lens cannot be confused with a transparent glass intended to form a mechanical protection for an optical device housed in a projector and generally operating no treatment. specific light ray optics to form a regulatory light function.

[0010] Furthermore, the projection lens is located at a distance from the light unit and is not part of it. Specifically, the projection lens is configured so that its object focal point is positioned at the level of the light unit, that is, at the level of the light source of that light unit or at the level of optical elements interposed between the light source and the projection lens, when the light module is assembled. More precisely, the light unit may include at least one light source and a collector with a reflective surface that directs the light rays generated by the light source towards the projection lens. The object focal point of the projection lens is located within 10 mm of a rear edge of the collector, that is, the edge furthest from the projection lens.

[0011] The light unit is movable in two perpendicular directions, its mobility in each direction being achieved by one of the two adjustment systems of the control device. The vertical adjustment system allows the light unit to pivot around a tilting axis parallel or nearly parallel to the principal elongation direction of the projection lens, that is, the direction of its longest dimension. The vertical adjustment allows the light beam projected by the light module to be moved vertically when the beam is projected onto a screen positioned in front of the vehicle equipped with this light module.

[0012] The lateral adjustment system allows for changing the orientation of the light unit relative to a transverse direction. Implementing this lateral adjustment enables the horizontal movement of the light beam projected by the light module when the beam is projected onto a screen positioned in front of the vehicle equipped with this light module.

[0013] The lateral adjustment system implemented according to the invention allows, on the one hand, for the efficient transmission of lateral movement to the light unit, ensuring that the adjustment rod is firmly supported on the plate attached to the light unit, notably through the presence of retaining means. In particular, the movement of the adjustment rod in the lateral direction directly drives the light unit in circular translation, which, as explained in more detail later, can be considered equivalent to a lateral rectilinear translation. Thus, it is thanks to the lateral movement of The adjustment rod is used to move the light unit in a translational direction. Note that the adjustment rod is only moved laterally to move the light unit in this direction.

[0014] The lateral adjustment system implemented according to the invention also prevents interference with the tilting movement of the light module, which is independently controlled by the vertical adjustment system. This is achieved, in particular, through the guide rail formed on the mounting plate and the resulting freedom for the guide head of the adjustment rod to slide along the mounting plate's bearing surface. Indeed, thanks to the contact between the first end of the adjustment rod and the first bearing surface of the mounting plate, the end of the adjustment rod can slide along this first bearing surface without generating excessive friction when the vertical adjustment is activated. In fact, the mounting plate does not have a function of holding or retaining the end of the adjustment rod, which allows the end of the adjustment rod to follow the movement induced by the activation of the vertical adjustment system while minimizing friction.

[0015] Since the adjusting rod is not held by the mounting plate, retaining means are provided to ensure that the end of the adjusting rod remains in contact with the first bearing surface of the mounting plate. The adjusting rod can push against the first bearing surface in one direction of the lateral direction, and the retaining means allow the end of the adjusting rod to be pressed against the first bearing surface in the opposite direction of the lateral direction. Thanks to the combined presence of the mounting plate and the retaining means, the end of the adjusting rod can slide on the first bearing surface of the mounting plate, while ensuring that friction is limited, and the contact between the end of the adjusting rod and the first bearing surface of the mounting plate is guaranteed by the retaining means.

[0016] It is all the more important to limit friction between the end of the adjustment rod and the first bearing surface of the mounting plate the further the end of the adjustment rod is located from the tilting axis of the light unit. Indeed, the further the end of the adjustment rod is located from the tilting axis, the greater the travel it will have to undergo when the vertical adjustment system is activated and the light unit tilts. However, according to the invention, the mounting plate of the lateral adjustment system is integral with the light unit and is located, in particular, at the rear of the light unit. It is therefore imperative to limit friction in the lateral adjustment system.

[0017] Advantageously, if a new lateral adjustment is required after the vertical adjustment, the correct contact of the end of the guide head of the adjustment rod on the bearing surface of the plate is ensured in this new position again thanks to the presence of the retaining means.

[0018] According to an optional feature of the invention, said retaining means are elastic return means, the return force of which is configured to press said first end of the adjusting rod against the first bearing surface of the plate. The elastic return force is thus used to ensure that, regardless of the position of the adjusting system, continuous contact is maintained between the adjusting rod and the plate, so as to transmit the lateral movement of the adjusting system to the light unit via the plate as efficiently and therefore as precisely as possible.

[0019] According to an optional feature of the invention, the elastic return means comprise a spring interposed between a fixed support attached to a housing containing the light module and a second bearing surface of the plate, said second bearing surface being opposite the first bearing surface, the spring being configured to exert an elastic return force pushing the plate towards the adjustment rod.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, the spring has a curved blade shape with a fixing portion, intended to be housed in a slot of said fixed support, and a contact portion folded opposite the fixing portion and intended to be in contact with the second bearing surface of the plate.

[0021] According to an optional feature of the invention, the fastening portion includes a position adjustment boss in the slot of the fixed support. The boss is a part of the fastening portion that can be elastically deformed, this boss ensuring, in particular, that the fastening portion is locked in position in the slot, regardless of manufacturing tolerances.

[0022] According to an optional feature of the invention, the contact portion has a curved edge at its free end, designed to contact the second bearing surface of the plate. This ensures linear contact between the spring and the plate, and allows for more efficient transmission of the elastic restoring forces.

[0023] Alternatively, the elastic return means may include a tension spring attached to the light unit and bearing against the first bearing face of the plate, the tension spring being configured to exert an elastic restoring force pulling the plate towards the adjusting rod.

[0024] According to an optional feature of the invention, said retaining means comprise an additional plate supported on a second end of the adjusting rod opposite the first end of the adjusting rod, the additional plate being made integral with the part of the light unit to which the plate is integral.

[0025] According to an optional feature of the invention, the additional plate is formed by a return portion of the plate, this additional plate being configured to be in contact with a second end of the adjusting rod opposite the first end of the adjusting rod.

[0026] The use of an additional plate is an alternative to using spring-like elements and requires that the other end of the adjusting rod be accessible and continuously in contact with the additional plate. The lateral distance between the additional plate and the main plate is equal, within manufacturing and assembly tolerances, to the lateral dimension of the adjusting rod, so that both the main plate and the additional plate are simultaneously in contact with the end of their respective adjusting rods. While the additional plate cannot be considered an elastic return mechanism in the same way as the previously mentioned spring elements, particularly due to its rigidity (giving it the appearance of a rigid plate), it does possess a degree of flexibility that allows it to deform slightly to compensate for the aforementioned manufacturing and assembly tolerances.

[0027] According to an optional feature of the invention, the mounting plate is fixed to a part of the light unit, so as to make the mounting plate and the light unit rigidly connected during movement. Alternatively, the mounting plate can be made from the same material as a part of the light unit, in particular the heat-dissipating elements of the light unit. Providing a mounting plate manufactured independently and then attached to a part of the light unit allows this mounting plate to be made from a different material than that used to manufacture the part of the light unit.

[0028] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first end of the adjusting rod is convex to form a point or linear contact with the first bearing surface of the plate.

[0029] According to an optional feature of the invention, the guide rail and / or the adjusting rod include anti-friction means configured to limit friction. during the movement of the adjustment rod in the guide rail by means of the implementation of the vertical adjustment system.

[0030] The aim is to limit friction between the first end of the adjustment rod and the mounting plate, as this end must remain in contact with the plate. Since the vertical adjustment is dynamic, it is important to minimize the friction generated in the lateral adjustment system by the vertical adjustment. This is crucial to prevent premature wear and also to avoid hysteresis during position changes in both directions, which could prevent the light unit from returning precisely to its initial position.

[0031] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least the guide rail of the turntable is made of a different material from the material of the part of the light unit on which the turntable is fixed.

[0032] The material of the base plate and guide rail, and where applicable of the entire base plate, may in particular be polyoxymethylene (POM), a preferred material for limiting friction.

[0033] According to an optional feature of the invention, the guide rail for the moving adjustment rod is delimited by walls projecting from the first bearing surface of the plate in the lateral direction. In other words, the walls extend from the plate towards the adjustment rod and form a stop preventing the end of the adjustment rod from slipping out of the guide rail.

[0034] According to an optional feature of the invention, the walls are curved, forming an arc around the tilting axis. This ensures that, when the light unit and therefore the mounting plate are tilted, while the distance between the adjustment rod and the tilting axis remains unchanged, the guide rail also remains at the same distance from the tilting axis so that the guide head of the adjustment rod can slide in this guide rail without jamming.

[0035] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first end of the adjusting rod includes anti-rotation means adapted to cooperate with complementary shapes provided in the plate.

[0036] According to an optional feature of the invention, the anti-rotation means of the first end of the adjusting rod are formed by flats arranged opposite the walls.

[0037] According to an optional feature of the invention, the adjusting rod is a screw cooperating with a tapped bore formed in a nut housed in a cylindrical hole in a sleeve intended to be integral with the housing containing the light module. Specifically, the nut is pivotally connected to the sleeve around the screw's axis of extension. Thus, it is prevented from moving in the direction of this axis of extension. Therefore, the nut can only rotate about its own axis.

[0038] The invention also relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle comprising at least one housing and a lighting module as described above, arranged within the housing, the projection lens being fixed relative to the housing and the lighting unit being movable relative to the housing in two distinct adjustment directions.

[0039] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and the illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0040] [Fig.1] represents a general view of a lighting device according to the invention, comprising a fixed projection lens attached to a housing of the device, and equipped with an adjustment device comprising two independent adjustment systems;

[0041] [Fig.2] represents a general view of the lighting device of figure 1, with part of the housing, and in particular the projection lens, which has been removed to make visible the light unit housed in the housing, the adjustment systems having the function of changing the position of this light unit in relation to the housing and the fixed projection lens;

[0042] [Fig.3] partially represents the lighting device of figures 1 and 2, seen in cross-section to make visible in particular the light ray guidance walls within the lighting unit, these guidance walls forming parallelograms configured to allow the lateral movement of the lighting unit;

[0043] [Fig.4] represents a detail of a lateral adjustment system according to a first embodiment of the invention and visible in figure 2;

[0044] [Fig.5] is an exploded view of the lateral adjustment system in Figure 4;

[0045] [Fig. 6] shows a top view of the lighting device in a first configuration, the lateral adjustment system having helped to bring the lighting unit into a first lateral position relative to the housing and the projection lens, not visible in this figure;

[0046] [Fig.7] represents a top view similar to that of figure 6, the light device being in a second configuration, the lateral adjustment system having helped to bring the light unit into a second lateral position relative to the housing and the projection lens, not visible in this figure;

[0047] [Fig.8] represents a partial schematic view of the lighting device, showing a guide plate for the lateral adjustment system and its position relative to a tilting axis when the dotted light unit is in a standard position;

[0048] [Fig.9] represents a partial schematic view of the lighting device, showing a guide plate for the lateral adjustment system and its position relative to a tilting axis when the dotted light unit is in a tilted position;

[0049] [Fig.10] represents a partial schematic view of the adjustment device associated with the light unit, with the movements generated during an implementation of the lateral adjustment system;

[0050] [Fig.11] represents a schematic view of a lighting device according to the invention, with a lateral adjustment system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0051] The features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may include only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0052] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0053] In the detailed description that follows, the terms "longitudinal," "transverse," or "lateral," and "vertical" refer to the orientation of the light module according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to the direction of travel of a vehicle equipped with the light module, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a frame of reference L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A transverse direction, or a lateral direction, corresponds to a direction perpendicular, in a horizontal plane, to the direction of travel of the vehicle equipped with the light module. This transverse or lateral direction is parallel to a transverse axis T of the L, V, T frame, and this transverse axis T is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a vertical axis V of the L, V, T frame, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the transverse axis T.

[0054] Figures 1 and 2 depict a lighting device 2 intended for equipping a motor vehicle to provide a lighting function. The lighting device 2 comprises a light module 4 and a housing 6 forming an enclosure in which the light module 4 is housed. The housing 6 is designed to be housed within a headlight of a motor vehicle and, for this purpose, has fastening means not shown here. It should be noted that in another embodiment of the invention, the housing 6 is designed to be directly embedded in the body of a motor vehicle.

[0055] The housing 6 is formed by two parts delimiting between them a housing for at least the light module 4, these two parts being able to be fixed to each other to form a watertight housing.

[0056] The light module 4 includes in particular a light unit 8, visible in figure 2, and a projection lens 10.

[0057] The projection lens 10 is configured to shape and project onto the road light rays emitted by at least one light source housed in the light unit. When the light device 2 is fitted to the motor vehicle, the projection lens 10 is oriented towards the road in a principal plane of elongation intersecting the longitudinal axis, so that the projected rays can form a beam of light directed towards the road scene. It can also be positioned in a plane inclined relative to the transverse and / or vertical direction to conform to the curve of the bodywork.

[0058] The projection lens 10 is fixed to the housing 6, which is fixed relative to the vehicle body into which the light device 2 is directly embedded. More specifically, the position of the projection lens 10 is fixed relative to the housing 6, and the inclination of the projection lens 10 relative to the housing 6 cannot be changed.

[0059] The projection lens 10 is intended to be attached to one or both of the two parts of the housing. In the illustrated example, the housing 6 comprises a first part 12, formed by the projection lens 10 and a cover 14, and a second part 16. The first Part 12 and the second part 16 are joined together by a fastening system 18.

[0060] The light unit 8 comprises one or more light sources, not shown here, and means for guiding the light rays emitted by these light sources to the projection lens 10. These guiding means may include, in particular, collectors 20, for example, elliptical collectors. As will be detailed below, the light module 8 also includes guiding walls 22 connected to the light unit 8, which, together with the guiding means, help to guide the emitted light rays. The light unit also includes heat-dissipating elements 24, ensuring cooling of the assembly, which may be heated by the operation of the light sources and the electronic components necessary for their operation.

[0061] The light unit 8 is associated with an adjustment device that allows its position within the housing 6 of the light module to be changed, and thus its position relative to the fixed projection lens 10 to be changed. Specifically, the light unit is movable relative to the projection lens 10 in a first adjustment direction and in a second adjustment direction. In the illustrated example, the first adjustment direction is vertical and the second is lateral.

[0062] It should be noted that this position adjustment is only on the order of a few degrees and that the relative displacement of the light unit with respect to the fixed lens, while allowing a vertical or lateral displacement of the beam as a whole, has little impact on the shape of the beam and the distribution of light within the beam.

[0063] The light module 4 includes a device for adjusting the position of the light unit relative to the fixed projection lens, comprising a vertical adjustment system 26 and a lateral adjustment system 101. These two systems are configured to operate independently of each other. In other words, the light module 4 is configured so that potential displacements of the light unit 8 generated via the lateral adjustment system do not exert any stress on the vertical adjustment system 26 and / or on the light unit 8, and conversely, potential displacements of the light unit 8 generated via the vertical adjustment system 26 do not exert any stress on the lateral adjustment system and / or on the light unit 8.

[0064] Figure 2 clearly shows the structure of the light unit 8 and the shape of the adjustment device associated with this light unit, while Figure 3 clearly shows the shape of the movable guide walls mentioned earlier. These walls form parallelograms, allowing for lateral movement by circular translation of the light unit, as will be detailed below.

[0065] As can be seen in Figure 2, the light unit 8 is formed in two parts, a first part 28 and a second part 30 joined together by means of at least one fixing element which here has the form of elastic snap-on means without this being limiting of the invention.

[0066] This is the first part 28 of the light unit 8 which includes the collectors 20 previously mentioned, configured to collect the light rays emitted by at least one light source and direct them towards the projection lens 10, and this is the second part 30 of the light unit 8 which includes the heat-dissipating elements 24, previously mentioned.

[0067] Figure 2 also shows, with the first part of the housing 6 removed, a support 32 which is an element of the light module 4 mounted pivotally relative to the housing 6, and therefore relative to the projection lens 10 and configured to support the light unit 8.

[0068] The support 32 extends along a main elongation direction, which in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 is substantially parallel to the axis T, and it has a tilting element 34 at its lateral end. It is understood that the support 32 comprises two tilting elements 34, one at each lateral end of the support 32, each tilting element 34 taking the form of a stud extending from the corresponding lateral wall outwards from the frame forming the support 32. The studs forming these tilting elements 34 are aligned with each other so as to define a tilting axis 36 around which the support 32 and the light unit 8 are able to pivot when the tilting elements are engaged between the upper part 6 and the lower part 8 of the housing 6.

[0069] As mentioned previously, the support 32 supports the light unit 8. To this end, the light module 4 includes a linking device between the support 32 and the light unit 8. The linking device, formed by the interaction of pins 38 made on the support 32 and lights 40 made on the light unit 8, makes it possible, in particular, to lock the light unit 8 and the support 32 together during the movement of the unit. luminous according to the first adjustment direction and also allows a degree of freedom of the light unit 8 relative to the support 32 when moving the light unit according to the second adjustment direction.

[0070] The pivoting of the support 40 around the tilting axis 36 thus allows the light unit 8 to move along the first adjustment direction around this tilting axis. During the tilting movement of this first adjustment, the distance between the projection lens 10 and the light unit 8, in particular the collectors 30, remains substantially the same, because the tilting axis 36 is close to the projection lens 10, for example at a distance of less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm.

[0071] As mentioned, the light module 4 includes an adjustment device formed, in the embodiment shown, of a lateral adjustment system 101, which will be described in more detail below, and a vertical adjustment system 26.

[0072] The vertical adjustment system 26, as more particularly visible in figure 10, allows a movement of the light unit to be generated along the first adjustment direction.

[0073] The vertical adjustment system 26 here includes a dynamic actuator 260 whose free end 262 is linked to the light unit, so that by a longitudinal push on the latter, it can be tilted around the tilting axis previously mentioned.

[0074] The dynamic actuator 260 allows the tilt of the light unit relative to the housing to be adjusted without the need for manual adjustment by the vehicle user. Sensors gather information that enables a control unit (not shown here) to operate the dynamic actuator 260. For example, the dynamic actuator 260 can be controlled based on a value representing the vehicle's tilt, whether due to an overload at the rear of the vehicle or driving over a rough road.

[0075] The dynamic actuator 260 is mounted on a bracket 264. More specifically, the dynamic actuator 260 is linked to the bracket 264 by a pivot joint 266, so that the dynamic actuator is able to pivot around an axis of the pivot joint in accordance with arrow R2.

[0076] The bracket 264 is formed of a first arm 268 and a second arm 270 and this second arm 270 is made fixed at its free end to a manual actuator 272 of the vertical adjustment system, by means of a linear-annular link 274.

[0077] The bracket 264 is linked to the housing 6 by a ball joint 276, here formed by the cooperation of on the one hand a spherical portion at the end of a pin 278 fixed to the housing 6, for example by screwing, and on the other hand a receiving cavity formed in the bracket 264 at the intersection of the two arms and forming a housing configured to accommodate the spherical portion of the pin 278. Of course, this embodiment is given only as an example and other embodiments of this connection to the housing could be possible.

[0078] It is noteworthy that the center of the ball joint 276 is here substantially located on the axis of the annular joint 274. This forms a pivot axis of the vertical adjustment system around this axis when the lateral adjustment system is actuated.

[0079] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the light module 4, highlighting the circulation channels 44 delimited by the guide walls 22 and the light sources 46 associated with collectors 30 to direct the light rays emitted by the light sources 46 towards the projection lens 10. More specifically, this figure 3 highlights the fact that the guide walls 22 are connected on one side to the light unit 8 and on the other side to the support 32.

[0080] More specifically, the light module 4 comprises a plurality of circulation channels 44 which are delimited by at least one guide wall 22, the first part here partially visible at the level of the collectors 30 seen in section, and the second part 30 of the light unit 8. In the embodiment shown, the light module 4 comprises three guide walls 22 contributing to delimiting four circulation channels 44. Each circulation channel 44 allows the light rays emitted by the light sources and deflected by the collectors 30 to circulate to the projection lens 10.

[0081] Each guide wall 22 is attached at one end 48 to the light unit 8 and at a second end 50 to the support 32.

[0082] More specifically, at the first end 48 of the guide wall 22, the guide wall 22 is housed in the light unit 8 and more specifically in a recess formed in the first part 28 of the light unit 8 and in the second part 30 of the light unit 8. The first end 48 has fingers which can The fingers fit into complementary shaped openings in each part of the light unit so as to block the longitudinal and transverse translational movement of the guide wall 22 relative to the light unit 8, and the fact that they are engaged between each of the parts 28, 30 forming the light unit 8 blocks the vertical movement of the guide wall 22. The fingers have a cylindrical or conical shape with a circular cross-section so that the guide wall 22 can pivot relative to the light unit around a rear pivot axis 52 formed by the alignment of the fingers arranged at this first end 48 of the wall. In particular, the rear pivot axis 52 of each guide wall 22 is formed by the first end 48 of the guide walls 22.

[0083] The guide wall 22 is secured to the support 32 by means of fingers and holes such that the guide wall 22 is able to pivot about a front pivot axis 54. More specifically, each guide wall 22 secured to the support 32 is able to pivot about a front pivot axis 54. The front pivot axis 54 of each guide wall 22 is formed by the second end 50 of the guide walls 22.

[0084] The set of pivot axes, front 54 and rear 52, thus formed are parallel to each other.

[0085] Furthermore, the distance between the front pivot axis 54 and the rear pivot axis 52 is identical for each of the walls. When considering two walls, the projection of the front pivot axes 54 and the rear pivot axes 52 onto a plane perpendicular to these front and rear pivot axes forms a parallelogram. In addition, the guide walls 22 are parallel to the optical axis 100 when the light unit 8 is in a median position, also called the nominal position, i.e., before the light unit 8 is moved along the second adjustment direction. This specific arrangement of the front pivot axes 54 and rear pivot axes 52 thus allows the light unit to be moved along the second adjustment direction. This second adjustment direction is perpendicular to the front pivot axes 54 and rear pivot axes 52, and substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0086] More specifically, the guide walls 22 are parallel to the longitudinal direction L when the light unit 8 is in its nominal position. This specific arrangement of the front pivot axes 54 and rear pivot axes 52 thus allows the second adjustment direction to coincide with a substantially transverse direction T.

[0087] It should be noted that the light unit 8 does not rotate as a whole when moved along the second adjustment direction, namely during lateral adjustment. Only the guide walls 22 pivot. The movement induced for the light unit 8 is a circular translation, that is, a translation along a circular path, without the angular orientation of the light unit 8 relative to the projection lens 10 changing during this movement. The shape of the pins 38 and the lights 40 of the connecting device allows this circular translational movement to be accommodated.

[0088] It should also be noted that the maximum pivoting angle of the guide walls 22 is sufficiently small that the circular translational movement of the light unit 8 can be considered equivalent to a rectilinear translational movement along the transverse direction. Thus, when the light unit moves along the second adjustment direction, the projection lens 10 is not defocused with respect to the light unit 8. For example, the pivoting angle of the walls is less than 15°, preferably less than 5°, with respect to the median position, also called the nominal position, of the guide walls 22, defined when the walls are parallel to the optical axis, and in the illustrated example to the longitudinal direction L.

[0089] We will now describe in more detail, particularly with reference to figures 2, 4 and 5, the lateral adjustment system configured to move the light unit laterally, according to a circular translation movement similar to a lateral translation movement, which generates a lateral shift of the light beam.

[0090] The lateral adjustment system 101 includes an actuator 102, an adjustment rod 104 movable in translation along a lateral direction, a plate 106 attached to the light unit and in contact with the adjustment rod and intended to follow the translational movement of the adjustment rod when it pushes on the plate, as well as retaining means 108 which allow the contact between the adjustment rod and the plate to be maintained, in particular when the adjustment rod is pulled in a direction opposite to the plate.

[0091] It is therefore understood that there is a plane-to-plane or plane-to-sphere connection between the end of the adjusting rod 104 and the plate 106, allowing the end of the adjusting rod to move along the first bearing surface of the plate 106 without generating excessive friction, particularly when the vertical adjustment system 26 is activated and the light unit 11 tilts around the tilting axis 36. Maintaining contact between the plate and the adjusting rod is ensured by the retaining means 108. The connection between the plate and the adjusting rod differs from a linear annular connection in that it is not the plate itself that retains the end of the adjusting rod, but rather an additional component, the retaining means, that ensures this function. This allows the adjusting rod 104 to move freely along the plate 106, and more specifically along the first bearing surface 126 of the plate 106, without excessive friction being generated during movement. If the end of the adjusting rod 104 were held in a slide, then, upon activation of the vertical adjustment system, the adjusting rod would generate significant friction as it moved along the slide, leading to premature wear of the lateral adjustment system.

[0092] The actuator 102 is either manual or motorized. It is configured to generate the movement of the adjusting rod 104. As an example (not shown), the actuator 102 could be a hydraulic or mechanical mechanism arranged along the axis of the adjusting rod and controlled to push or pull on the rod. For reasons of vehicle placement and accessibility, the actuator 102 has a 90° drive and is here formed by a bevel gear to rotate a pinion fixed to a nut 110, which together form the adjusting rod 104.

[0093] The adjusting rod 104 is mounted in the nut 110, which is housed in a cylindrical hole in a sleeve 112 attached to the housing. The sleeve 112 ensures the lateral orientation of the adjusting rod's movement.

[0094] In the illustrated example, the nut 110 driven in rotation by the actuator is mounted in a through hole of the sleeve 112 and the adjusting rod 104 is a screw 114 cooperating with the tapped bore of the nut 110.

[0095] The screw 114 of the adjusting rod 104 is blocked against rotation so that the rotational movement of the nut 110 generates a lateral translational displacement of the screw 114. For this purpose, the adjusting rod 104 includes anti-rotation means adapted to cooperate with complementary forms provided in the plate 106.

[0096] The adjusting rod 104 has a first end 116, formed by one end of the screw, which is intended to be in contact with the plate 106. If necessary, the screw 114 may protrude from the nut at the opposite end and form a second end 118 of the adjusting rod.

[0097] In this context, rotating the actuator 102 in a first direction of actuation generates a rotation of the nut 110 in a first direction of rotation and a The screw 114 moves in a first lateral direction, towards the plate. The first end 116 of the screw 114 is thus pushed into contact with the plate 106, and contact is maintained. The retaining means function to hold the plate 106 and ensure that the lateral movement of the plate 106 occurs while remaining in contact with the adjusting rod 104. Conversely, rotating the actuator 102 in a second direction opposite to the first direction of rotation generates a rotation of the nut 110 in a second direction opposite to the first direction of rotation and a corresponding movement of the screw 114 in a second lateral direction, away from the plate 106. Contact between the screw and the plate is maintained by the retaining means 108, which in this case function to push the plate 106 towards the screw 114.

[0098] In other words, the plate 106 is sandwiched between the contact retaining means 108 and the adjusting rod 104 and the movement of the plate 106 follows the movement of the adjusting rod 104 thanks to the presence of the retaining means 108.

[0099] The first end 116 of the adjusting rod 104 is here domed to form a point or linear contact with the plate 106.

[0100] The anti-rotation means, at the level of the first end 116 of the adjusting rod, are formed by flats 120 which form a substantially flat contact with walls formed on the plate 106.

[0101] The mounting plate 106 is attached to a part of the light unit 8, and here to the heat dissipation elements 24 designed to cool the electronic components embedded in the light module. The mounting plate 106 has a mounting tab 122 for this purpose, intended to be screwed onto said part of the light unit, and it also has a hook forming an anti-tipping means 124, configured to engage with an edge of said part of the light unit 8.

[0102] The plate 106 includes a first bearing surface 126, facing the adjusting rod 104, and against which the first end 116 of the adjusting rod 104 is in contact. The plate 106 also includes a second bearing surface 128, facing away from the first bearing surface 126, and against which a portion of the retaining means 108 is in contact. This second bearing surface 128 may include retaining means designed to ensure that the portion of the retaining means 108 in contact with the plate 106 remains in position and does not come loose.

[0103] The plate 106 includes walls 130 which project, according to the lateral adjustment direction, from the first support surface 126 and which are arranged parallel to each other to form a guide rail 129 in movement of the first end 116 of the adjustment rod 104 along the first support surface 126. These walls 130 form the walls cooperating with the flats 120 formed at the end of the guide head of the adjustment rod 104, so that they participate in forming anti-rotation means of the adjustment rod. In other words, the flats 120 of the adjusting rod 104 are positioned opposite the walls 130 when the adjusting rod 104 is in contact with the plate 106. It should be noted that the guide rail 129 prevents the adjusting rod 104 from rotating, but does not ensure that the contact between the end of the adjusting rod 104 and the plate 106 is maintained.Indeed, the guide rail 129 does not hold the adjusting rod 104 when it moves laterally away from the plate. As explained above, it is the retaining means 108 that perform this function.

[0104] As can be seen in particular in figures 8 and 9, the walls 130 are curved, forming an arc of a circle whose center is positioned on the tilting axis 36 formed by the pins of the support 32, or in the vicinity of this tilting axis.

[0105] This curvature of the walls 130, and therefore of the guide rail 129 configured to receive the guide head, ensures that the guide head remains within the guide rail 129 without generating forces that would oppose the tilting of the light unit around the tilting axis 36 during vertical adjustment. The advantage of this arrangement will be detailed below with reference to Figures 8 and 9.

[0106] The retaining means 108 may in particular consist of elastic return means, interposed between a fixed support linked to the housing and a bearing surface of the plate, and whose return force is configured to press said first end of the adjusting rod against the first bearing surface of the plate.

[0107] In the example illustrated in figures 1 to 7, the elastic return means forming the retaining means 108 include a spring 132 interposed between a fixed support 134 attached to the housing 6 which houses the light module 4 and the second bearing surface 128 of the plate 106. The spring here is a compression spring, configured to exert an elastic return force pushing the plate towards the adjustment rod.

[0108] The spring 132 has a curved blade shape with a fixing portion 136, intended to be housed in a slot of said fixed support 134, and a contact portion 138 folded in relation to the fixing portion 136, a curved portion 140 linking the fixing portion 136 to the contact portion 138 is intended to ensure the elasticity of the spring 132 when the contact portion 138 is brought closer to or further away from the fixing portion 136.

[0109] The curved portion 140 rests against the second bearing surface 128 of the plate 106, in a position substantially central to the plate 106 when the latter is in a standard position, that is, a position in which the light unit and the attached plate are not tilted via the vertical adjustment system. Of course, the initial position of this curved portion relative to the plate 106 could vary depending on the position of the mounting bracket 122 and the hook 124 of the plate 106.

[0110] The fixing portion 136 here includes a boss 142 which allows adjustment of position in said slot of the fixed support 134. This makes it possible to eliminate any manufacturing play and ensure that the spring 132 is stable in its position in the slot. [YES] The contact portion 138 has at its free end a curved edge 144 intended to be in contact with the second bearing surface 128 of the plate 106.

[0112] Alternatively, instead of the compression spring 132 just described, a tension spring can be interposed between the fixed support and the first bearing surface, the spring then being configured to exert an elastic restoring force pulling the plate towards the adjusting rod.

[0113] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the lateral movement of the light unit 8 within the fixed housing 6 during the operation of the lateral adjustment system 101. Pushing on the plate 106 in either direction causes the light unit to move as a unit. Figure 6 thus illustrates the light unit 8 in a first extreme lateral position, obtained after the adjustment rod 104 has been extended in a direction of translation towards the plate 106. In this first lateral position, the spring 132 is compressed and the light unit is at a first distance dl from a wall of the housing 6. Figure 7 illustrates the light unit 8 in a second extreme lateral position, obtained after the adjustment rod 104 has been extended in a direction of translation away from the plate 106.In this second lateral position, the spring 132 is relaxed and the light unit is at a second distance d2, greater than the first distance dl, from said wall of the case 6.

[0114] Figures 8 to 10 aim to illustrate the characteristic that the two adjustment systems are independent, i.e., the implementation of one is not hindered by the presence of the other and does not impact the subsequent implementation of the other adjustment system.

[0115] Figure 8 illustrates a standard position of the light module with respect to its vertical orientation, according to the first adjustment direction. The light unit 8, shown in dashed lines, and the mounting plate 106 to which it is attached, are in a standard, substantially horizontal position. In this standard position of the mounting plate, the first bearing surface 126 is in contact with the adjustment rod 104, with this adjustment rod being substantially in the middle of the guide rail 129, and the mounting plate 106 can be moved laterally if the lateral adjustment system 101 is used.

[0116] Figure 9 illustrates a tilted position of the light module, with the light unit 8, shown in dashed lines, and the plate 106 to which it is attached, which are tilted, here to allow the projection of a light beam with a different range than that of the light beam that could be projected on Figure 8. In this tilted position of the plate, the adjustment rod 104, which has remained in position because it is not fixed to the movement along the first adjustment direction of the light unit, has moved closer to one end of the guide rail 129. It should be understood that the guide rail is dimensioned so that in an extreme tilting position of the light unit, the adjustment rod cannot come loose.With the tilting axis 36 and the adjusting rod 104 remaining in position during this tilting of the light unit 8, the distance between the adjusting rod and the axis remains unchanged and it is important that any point of the guide rail 129 capable of being in contact with the adjusting rod 104 remains at the same distance from the tilting axis 36 to avoid blocking and friction during movement, so that the guide rail 129 and the walls 130 which delimit it take a curved shape as mentioned.

[0117] Moreover, as can be seen in particular from reading figures 5 and 6 and the orientation of the trihedron present in these figures, the first bearing surface 126 in contact with which the end of the adjusting rod is located is parallel to a longitudinal and vertical plane, so that the contact between the adjusting rod and the first bearing surface 126 remains the same, without position adjustment by the action of the spring.

[0118] Thus, when the vertical adjustment system is activated, the lateral adjustment is not changed.

[0119] Figure 10 illustrates that conversely, when the lateral adjustment system is activated, the vertical adjustment is not changed.

[0120] More specifically, the vertical adjustment system 26 is configured so as not to cause a blockage when a lateral displacement T1 is applied to the light unit via the lateral adjustment system. This results in circular translational displacements TCI at the rear pivot axes 54 of the guide walls 22 that form a parallelogram, and by extension, a circular translational displacement at the free end 262 of the dynamic actuator 260, which is connected to the light unit. This movement, both lateral and longitudinal, is accompanied, on the one hand, by the possibility for the dynamic actuator 260 to pivot via the pivot joint 266 in accordance with arrow R2, and on the other hand, by the possibility for the bracket supporting the dynamic actuator to pivot via the pivot axis formed by the linear-annular joint 274 and the ball joint 276, in accordance with arrow RI.

[0121] It is noteworthy here that the vertical position of the free end 262 of the dynamic actuator 260 remains essentially the same when the vertical adjustment system follows the movement of the lateral adjustment system, particularly because the pivots indicated by arrows RI or R2 are of small amplitude. This ensures a negligible impact on the vertical adjustment.

[0122] In this way, the two adjustment systems are independent. To ensure the independence of the two adjustment systems, that is, to minimize the impact one system can have on the other, it is advantageous to ensure that the movement of the adjustment rod along the plate occurs with as little friction as possible. Thus, the guide rail 129 formed by the walls 130 of the plate 106 and / or the adjustment rod 104 incorporate anti-friction means.

[0123] In the illustrated example, the convex shape of the guide head was mentioned, which ensures either point or linear contact. Furthermore, the materials used to make the guide head, or at least the guide rail formed by and between the base plate walls, can be friction-reducing materials. For example, polyoxymethylene (POM) could be used.

[0124] In this context, it is interesting that the mounting plate, or where appropriate only the guide rail, for example via a local coating, be made of a different material from the material of the part of the light unit on which the mounting plate is fixed, said part being made of a material whose properties are good thermal conductivity while the mounting plate is made of said material limiting friction.

[0125] Figure 11 illustrates a variant of the invention which differs from what has been previously described in that the retaining means 108 are not formed of an elastic return means but of a rigid plate forming an additional plate 146. This additional plate 146 is in contact with the second end 118 of the adjusting rod 104, opposite the first end 116 of the adjusting rod 104 which is as before in contact with the plate 106.

[0126] In the illustrated example, this additional plate 146 is fixed to the same part of the light unit as the plate 106, i.e. here to the heat dissipating elements 24, so that the movement which is given to the plate 106, respectively to the additional plate 146 via the translation of the adjusting rod 104 in one direction or the other is transposed to the additional plate 146, respectively to the plate 106. Thus, at all times, the plate 106 and the additional plate 146 remain in contact with the end of the adjusting rod 104 which is associated with them.More specifically, the actuation of the adjusting rod in the first direction of translation always has the direct consequence of ensuring contact between the adjusting rod 104 and the plate 106, and the lateral translational displacement thus imposed on the light module has the effect of moving the additional plate 146 which follows the movement and remains in contact with the second end 118 of the adjusting rod 104. Therefore, when the adjusting rod 104 is moved in the other direction, it is immediately in contact with the additional plate 146 and can immediately push on the latter and cause the light unit 8 to move in the other direction, with the plate 106 moving together.

[0127] In an unrepresented variant, the additional plate is not fixed to the light unit but consists of a portion of the plate, again configured to be in contact with a second end of the adjusting rod opposite the first end of the adjusting rod.

[0128] Thus the present invention achieves its objective by proposing a sealed architecture for a lighting device in which the projection lens helps to form a housing and is fixed relative to a light unit housed in this housing and capable of changing orientation independently of the orientation of the projection lens.

[0129] The present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein, and also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Light module (4) for a motor vehicle, intended to be housed in a housing (6) of a light device, said light module (4) comprising a projection lens (10) and a light unit (8), the light unit (8) comprising at least one light source, light rays emitted by the at least one light source being capable of exiting the light module (4) through said projection lens (10), said projection lens (10) being intended to be fixed relative to the housing while the light unit (8) is movable in two adjustment directions, by means of, on the one hand, a vertical adjustment system (26) capable of tilting the light unit (8) about a tilting axis (36) and, on the other hand, a lateral adjustment system (101), said lateral adjustment system (101) comprising a plate (106) integral with a part of the light unit (8) and having at least one bearing surface (126, 128),an adjustment rod (104) movable in a laterally direction and having a first end (116) in contact with a first bearing surface (126) of the plate (106), said first end (116) of the adjustment rod (104) being able to move along the first bearing surface (126) in a guide rail (129), and retaining means (108) which are configured to maintain contact between the adjustment rod (104) and the first bearing surface (126) of the plate (106).

2. Light module (4) according to claim 1, wherein said retaining means (108) are elastic return means, the return force of which is configured to press said first end (116) of the adjusting rod (104) against the first bearing surface (126) of the plate (106).

3. Light module (4) according to claim 2, wherein the elastic return means comprise a spring (132) interposed between a fixed support (134) integral with a housing (6) accommodating the light module (4) and a second bearing surface (128) of the plate (106), said second bearing surface (128) being opposite the first bearing surface (126), the spring (132) being configured to exert an elastic return force pushing the plate (106) towards the adjustment rod (104).

4. Light module (4) according to claim 3, in which the spring (132) has a curved blade shape with a fixing portion (136), intended to be housed in a slot of said fixed support (134), and a contact portion (138) folded opposite the fixing portion (136) and intended to be in contact with the second bearing surface (128) of the plate (106).

5. Light module (4) according to claim 1, wherein said retaining means (108) comprise an additional plate (146) bearing on a second end of the adjustment rod (104) opposite the first end of the adjustment rod (104), the additional plate (146) being made integral with the part of the light unit (8) to which the plate (106) is integral.

6. Light module (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plate (106) is fixed on a part of the light unit (8), so as to make the plate (106) and the light unit (8) fixed together in movement.

7. Light module (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first end (116) of the adjusting rod (104) is convex to form a point or linear contact with the first bearing surface (126) of the plate (106).

8. Light module (4) according to claim 1 to 7, wherein the guide rail and / or the adjusting rod (104) have anti-friction means configured to limit friction during the movement of the adjusting rod (104) in the guide rail (129) by means of the implementation of the vertical adjustment system (26).

9. Light module (4) according to claim 8, wherein at least the guide rail (129) of the plate (106) is made of a material different from the material of the part of the light unit (8) on which the plate (106) is fixed.

10. Light module (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the guide rail (129) in movement of the adjustment rod (104) is delimited by walls (130) forming a projection of the first bearing surface (126) of the plate (106) in the lateral direction.

11. Light module (4) according to claim 10, in which the walls (130) are curved, forming an arc of a circle around the tilting axis (36).

12. Light module (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first end (116) of the adjusting rod (104) has anti-rotation means adapted to cooperate with complementary forms provided in the plate (106).

13. Light module (4) according to claim 12, in combination with claim 10, wherein the anti-rotation means of the first end (116) of the adjusting rod (104) are formed by flats (120) arranged opposite the walls (130).

14. A light module (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the adjusting rod (104) is a screw cooperating with a tapped bore formed in a housed nut (110) in a cylindrical hole fitted in a sleeve (112) intended to be integral with the housing (6) housing the light module (4).

15. Lighting device for motor vehicle comprising at least one housing (6) and a light module (4), according to any one of claims 1 to 14, arranged within the housing (6), the projection lens (10) being fixed relative to the housing (6) and the light unit (8) being movable relative to the housing (6) in two distinct adjustment directions.

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