FR3056483A1 - AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICE HAVING AN OPTICAL MODULE AND A FRONT MASK - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention proposes a device (for lighting and / or signaling, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising an optical module (12A) for sending a light beam forward) along a horizontal emission axis, which is mounted on a support (16A) arranged on an armature (14), and a front mask (58) which is fixed on the support (16A) and / or on the armature (14) to mask a part of the optical module to the view of an observer, characterized in that the front mask (58) comprises at least one lug (120) for pre-positioning the front mask (58) with respect to the optical module (12A) which cooperates with a complementary rib ( 132) of the armature (14) during assembly of the front mask (58) and its attachment to the support (16A) and / or the armature (14).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a lighting and / or signaling device, in particular for a motor vehicle.

Such a device can be in particular in the form of a motor vehicle light projector, for example for producing a lighting light beam or a code beam.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates more particularly to a lighting and / or signaling device which comprises an optical module for transmitting a light beam towards the front along a horizontal emission axis which is mounted on a support for the various components of the optical module.

The support of each optical module is arranged on a structural element of the lighting device which is an armature element on which the support is mounted, for example in an adjustable manner.

By way of nonlimiting example, such an adjustable mounting is ensured by means of an aiming mechanism allowing the adjustment of a predetermined position of the optical module relative to the frame.

Such a device can include a single optical module, or several adjacent optical modules, each of which comprises a support mounted on a common frame.

For aesthetic and appearance reasons for an observer outside the vehicle equipped with such a device, it is known to equip the device with a front mask making it possible to mask part of the optical device from view. of the observer.

The invention aims in particular to propose a design of the device which facilitates the mounting and fixing of the front mask on the support of the optical module and / or on the frame.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a light device, in particular for lighting and / or signaling for a motor vehicle, comprising an optical module for the forward emission of a light beam along a horizontal emission axis, which is mounted on a frame, and a front mask which is fixed on the frame to mask a part of the optical module from the view of an observer, located outside the vehicle, characterized in that the front mask comprises at least one prepositioning member of the front mask with respect to the optical module which cooperates with a means complementary to the frame during the mounting of the front mask and its attachment to the frame.

"Mounted on the frame" means that the module or mask can be mounted directly or indirectly (via intermediate parts such as a support) on the frame.

If necessary, the optical module can be mounted on a support arranged on a frame. The front mask can be fixed on the support and / or on the frame.

According to other characteristics of the device:

- The pre-positioning member is a prepositioning tab which has a face, in particular lower, abutment, in particular parallel to the emission axis, which is able to cooperate with an edge, in particular upper, facing -screw of the frame to vertically pre-position the front mask relative to the optical module;

- The pre-positioning tab has an axial guide groove open vertically, in particular downwards, which is able to cooperate with a rib complementary to the frame to axially guide the front mask relative to the optical module;

- The guide groove is delimited vertically upwards by the abutment face of the pre-positioning tab;

- The frame comprises a plate-shaped portion, an upper part of which constitutes said rib and the free edge of which is able to cooperate with the abutment face of the prepositioning tab;

- The device comprises means for axially fixing the front mask to the support and / or to the frame;

- The fixing means comprises an upper member for axial fixing of the front mask on a portion facing the frame, and a lower member for axially fixing the front mask on a portion facing the support the optical module;

- The lower axial fixing member is associated with axial guiding and centering means, in particular during fixing;

- Each axial fixing means comprises a screw for fixing and axial clamping of the front mask on the support or on the frame;

the device comprises at least two optical modules, each of which is a module for transmitting a light beam forwards along a horizontal emission axis and each of which is mounted on a support, these supports being arranged on a common frame , and the front mask is a common front mask which is fixed on at least one of the two supports and / or on the frame to mask part of each of the optical modules from the view of the observer;

- The fixing means comprise a common upper member for axial fixing of the front mask on a portion facing the frame, and a common lower member for axial fixing of the front mask on a portion facing one of the two supports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which will follow for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention comprising three optical modules, each of which comprises an associated individual support arranged on a common frame, and a front mask common to three optical modules;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view according to another angle of representation than that of Figure 1 which, for the same assembly, illustrates only the common frame, the three individual supports of the three optical modules, and three aiming mechanisms;

- Figure 3 is a top view of the elements illustrated in Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating one of the three optical modules belonging to the assembly illustrated in Figure 1 with its main components; - Figure 5 is a perspective view at the same angle as that of Figure 1 which illustrates the front mask common to the three optical modules in association with the three supports and three reflectors;

Figure 6 and a front perspective view which illustrates the front mask in association with the central optical module, and the frame, which are illustrated in the relative position they occupy after assembly and fixing;

Figure 7 and a view similar to that of Figure 6, without the front mask;

Figure 8 and a rear perspective view of the front mask;

Figure 9 and a top view of the frame; Figure 10 and a detail view on a large scale of the upper part of the front mask shown in Figure 8 for attachment to the frame;

Figure 11 is a detail view on a large scale of the lower part of the front mask shown in Figure 8 for attachment to the support of the central optical module;

Figure 12 and a detail view on a large scale which illustrates the cooperation of the pre-positioning tab of the front mask with the frame;

FIG. 13 and a large-scale detail view which illustrates the cooperation of the lower part for fixing the front mask with the support of the central optical module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the description which follows, identical, analogous or similar components will be designated by the same references.

Without limitation and without reference to the Earth's gravity, the terms vertical, horizontal, transverse, longitudinal will be used with reference to the trihedron L, V, T shown in the figures.

Reference will be made to the front-rear orientation along the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the trihedra shown in the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a lighting assembly 10 comprising three adjacent optical modules 12A, 12B and 12C which are substantially aligned transversely with a slight vertical offset from each other and with a slight longitudinal offset from each other.

Each optical transmission module 12A, 12B and 12C is of identical general design, a design which will be described in detail below.

Each optical emission module 12A, 12B, and 12C allows the emission of a light beam towards the front, along a generally horizontal emission axis, the three horizontal emission axes VA, VB, VC being substantially parallel. , close to the angular deviations allowed by the aiming mechanisms which will be described later.

The assembly 10 comprises a common frame 14 on which are mounted the three optical modules 12A, 12B, and 12C.

The common frame 14 is a part in the general form of a plate produced by molding which extends generally in a vertical and transverse plane and which comprises three adjacent consecutive parts 14B, 14A, 14C offset longitudinally with respect to each other and on each of which are mounted the three individual supports 16B, 16A, and 16C respectively.

Each individual support 16A, 16B, 16C is a part produced by molding which is essentially constituted by a fixing wing 18A, 18B, and 18C in the form of a plate which extends generally in a vertical and transverse plane, c ' that is to say substantially parallel to the corresponding part opposite 14A, 14B, 14C of the common frame 14.

Each individual support 16A, 16B, and 16C also comprises a component-holding plate 20A, 20B, and 20C which extends generally forward from the lower portion of the corresponding vertical fixing wing 16A, 16B, and 16C.

To allow its mounting on the common frame 14 and its angular adjustment relative to the common frame 14, each individual support 16A, 16B, and 16C is associated with a so-called sighting (or adjustment) mechanism, each of which is here made up overall of a group of three threaded rods and three spherical nuts.

Thus, each aiming mechanism comprises a group of three parallel threaded rods 22A-24A-26A, 22B-24B-26B,

22C-24C-26C each of which is here carried by the fixing wing 18A, 18B, and 18C of the individual support 16A, 16B, and associated 16C to which they are for example fixed by screwing their front sections, or alternatively by overmolding .

The three threaded rods extend longitudinally rearward and each carries a so-called spherical tightening nut 28A, 28B, and 28C respectively which, as can be seen in FIG. 7, has an active tightening face with a trunk profile. sphere which is here of convex profile.

By way of nonlimiting example, all the threaded rods and all the spherical nuts are here of identical design.

Each sighting mechanism includes a first threaded rod 22A, 22B, and 22C known as a reference threaded rod which carries an associated spherical reference nut, a second so-called adjustment rod 24A, 24B, and 24C which carries an associated spherical adjustment nut , and a third threaded rod called pivot 26A, 26B, and 26C which carries an associated spherical pivot nut.

Each part 14A, 14B, and 14C of the common frame 14 comprises a group of three holes which are here arranged by constituting the vertices of a right triangle, for example isosceles.

In the front face 13 of the common frame 14, each hole is delimited by a portion of flat support surface.

In the rear face 15 of the frame 14, each hole opens into an associated bearing surface whose profile is functional and distinct as a function of the reference, adjustment, or pivoting threaded rod which passes through it.

For mounting and adjusting the side modules 12B and 12C, each threaded rod is fitted with a compression compression spring which is mounted compressed longitudinally between the fixing plate 18B, 18C and the associated part 14B, 14C of the frame. common 14.

Thus, the central module constitutes a fixed module whose longitudinal position and the orientation of its emission axis VA is fixed first to constitute a reference, relative to the common frame 14, for the adjustment of the other axes of VB and / or VC transmission.

Each of the two lateral modules is a module whose aiming adjustment is then carried out with respect to the common frame 14 for indirectly adjusting the longitudinal position and the orientation or inclination of its emission axis VB, VC with respect to the emission axis VA of the central module 12A.

With regard to the components, the general design of an optical module has only been illustrated by way of example, this being able to vary significantly as is for example illustrated in documents FR-A-2,979 .971 or FR-A-2.964.724.

By way of non-limiting example, and as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, here with reference to the central optical module 12A, an optical module comprises for example a light source (not visible) carried by the plate 20A and covered with a collector or lens 50A and a reflector 52A.

The reflector 52A is fixed to the fixing wing 18A of the support 16A.

The optical module 12A also includes a cooling device 54A which is here arranged under the underside of the plate 20A. The cooling device 54A is here indirectly in contact with the support with the interposition of a printed circuit board.

The assembly 10 comprises a single part 58 which is fixed on the support 16A of the central optical module 12A (see FIGS. 1 and 4). The part 58 is a front mask for improving the aesthetics of the assembly 10 and it comprises three main parts 56A, 56B, 56C each of which is associated with an optical module.

The front mask 58 has two intermediate partitions 60 of vertical and longitudinal orientation, each of which extends between two adjacent modules and constitutes a cover which prevents light rays emitted by a module from reaching components of the adjacent optical module.

In its inclined upper free edge, each partition 60 has a slot 62 for mounting a decorative covering element 64 (see FIG. 1).

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the front mask 58 is positioned with respect to the three optical modules and it is fixed on the assembly in the upper part by an upper fixing tab 80 which is fixed on a facing portion. -screw 82 of the frame 14.

In the lower part, the front mask 58 is also fixed to the assembly by a lower fixing lug 84 which is fixed to a facing portion 86A of the front end part of the cooling device 54A belonging to the optical module. central 12A.

The fixing of the upper tab 80 is ensured by means of a screw 89, while the fixing of the lower tab 84 is ensured by means of a screw 90.

The portion 82 of the frame 14 is a frustoconical stud which extends axially substantially horizontally forward and which is delimited by a convex frustoconical peripheral wall 83 and by a front annular face 81.

At its front end, the cooling device 54A comprises two convex frustoconical studs 86A. The two pads ίο are arranged symmetrically in the transverse direction so that each pad 86A constitutes a fixing portion for a lower fixing tab 84 of a front mask 58, depending on the embodiment of a lighting device , for example a vehicle headlight provided for the left or right side of the vehicle.

Each pad 86A extends axially forward and is delimited by a convex frustoconical peripheral wall 87A.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 8, 11 and 13, the lower fixing lug 84 is shaped in its rear face with a concave housing 88 delimited by a peripheral crown of axial orientation 90 comprising on its internal face 92 studs centering and guiding 94.

The studs 94 are able to cooperate with the peripheral convex surface 87A of a frustoconical stud 86A, during fixing and axial tightening by means of the fixing screw 89 which extends through a hole 96 in the fixing lug 84 to be received and screwed into a complementary hole 98A of an associated stud 86A.

The cooperation of the concave and convex complementary conical surfaces provides a centering and tightening effect and defines a geometrical reference position of the front mask 58 relative to the “fixed” central optical module 12A.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 8 and 10, the upper fixing lug 80 is shaped in its rear face 100 with three lugs 102 of axial orientation. Each lug 102 is delimited by a rear abutment face 104. The three lugs 102 are carried by a portion of peripheral wall of axial orientation 105.

The three pins 102 are able to cooperate with the annular front axial end 81 of the stud 82 of the frame 14, during fixing and axial tightening by means of the fixing screw 90 which extends through a hole 106 of the fixing lug to be received and screwed into a complementary hole 108 of the stud 82.

In order to facilitate the mounting, assembly and fixing operations of the front mask 58, the lighting device 10 comprises means for pre-positioning the front mask 58 relative to the optical modules.

The pre-positioning means comprise a member for pre-positioning the front mask 58 in the form of a pre-positioning tab 120 belonging to the front mask 58, which is produced in one piece made of material by molding with the mask before 58.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 6, 8 and 12, the pre-positioning tab 120 is close to the upper fixing tab 80.

The pre-positioning tab 120 has a general profile in the shape of a lying "C" and it has a first vertical branch 122, of generally axial orientation, for connecting the pre-positioning tab 120 to the body of the front mask 58.

The pre-positioning tab 120 has a horizontal central branch 124 which extends transversely from the upper end of the connecting branch 122.

The pre-positioning tab 120 also has a second vertical branch of generally axial orientation 126.

The upper horizontal branch 124 is delimited vertically downwards by a lower abutment face 125.

On its internal face, inside the prepositioning tab 120, the first vertical branch 122 for connection comprises two lugs 123 in the form of wings of transverse and vertical orientation each of which is delimited by a vertical edge 121. The two vertical edges 121 define a vertical plane of axial orientation guide.

On its internal face, inside the prepositioning tab 120, the second vertical guide branch 126 has a lug 127 in the shape of a wing of transverse and vertical orientation and which is delimited by a vertical edge 129.

The lug 127 is disposed substantially axially between the two lugs 123.

With the abutment face 125, the vertical edges 121 and the opposite vertical edge 129 define an axial guide groove 130 which is open vertically downwards.

The pre-positioning tab 120 is designed and dimensioned to cooperate with additional positioning and guiding means belonging to the frame 14.

This additional positioning means here consists of a rib 132 of the frame 14.

The rib 132 is constituted by the upper part of a plate-shaped portion 134 of the frame 14 of generally vertical and generally axial orientation which, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 9, connects the portions 14B and 14A of the frame 14.

The rib 132 is delimited by two parallel vertical faces 133, and by a horizontal free upper edge 135.

The thickness of the rib 132, that is to say the transverse distance separating its two parallel vertical faces 133 is substantially equal, but slightly less, to the transverse width of the groove 130, so as to allow the introduction of the rib 132 in the groove 130 and an axial sliding with clearance of the front mask 58 relative to the frame 14 in the generally axial direction.

The positioning and pre-positioning of the front mask 58 on the lighting device is carried out, manually or automatically, for example in the following manner.

The front mask 58 is moved vertically downwards towards the frame 14 with the rib 132 substantially facing the groove 130.

This vertically downward movement is continued 5 until the free upper edge 135 of the rib 134 comes into contact with the internal face 125 of abutment of the pre-positioning tab 120.

In this position, the fixing lugs, and in particular the lower fixing lug 84, of the front mask 58 are substantially opposite the associated fixing portions 82 and

86A.

The establishment of the front mask 58 then continues by sliding it axially towards the rear in the direction of the frame 14.

During this axial movement, the stud 86A penetrates axially into the housing 88.

It is then possible to put the fixing screws 89 and 90 in place and then proceed with the axial tightening screwing.

Claims (12)

1. Luminous device (10), in particular for lighting and / or signaling for a motor vehicle, comprising an optical module (12A) for forward emission of a light beam (VA) along a horizontal emission axis , which is mounted on a frame (14), and a front mask (58) which is fixed on the frame (14) to mask part of the optical module from the view of an observer, characterized in that the front mask (58) comprises at least one member for pre-positioning the front mask (58) relative to the optical module (12A) which cooperates with a means complementary to the frame (14) during the mounting of the front mask (58) and its attachment to the frame (14). 2. Device according to claim 1, in which the optical module (12A) is mounted on a support (16A) arranged on a frame (14), the front mask (58) being fixed on the support (16A) and / or on the frame (14). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pre-positioning member is a prepositioning tab (120) which has a face, in particular lower, (125) abutment, in particular parallel to the axis d 'emission, which is able to cooperate with an edge, in particular upper, vis-à-vis (135) of the frame (14) to vertically preposition the front mask (58) relative to the optical module (12A). 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pre-positioning tab (120) comprises an axial groove (130) of guide open vertically, in particular downwards, which is able to cooperate with a complementary rib (132) of the frame (14) for axially guiding the front mask (58) relative to the optical module (12A). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide groove (130) is delimited vertically upwards by the lower face (125) of abutment of the prepositioning tab (120). 6. Device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the frame (14) comprises a plate-shaped portion (134), an upper part of which constitutes said rib (132) and whose free edge (135 ) is able to cooperate with the lower face (125) of abutment of the prepositioning tab (120). 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for axially fixing the front mask (58) on the support (16A) and / or on the frame (14). 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the fixing means comprises a member (80) upper axial fixing of the front mask (58) on a vis-à-vis portion (82) of the frame (14 ), and a lower member (84) for axially fixing the front mask (58) on a vis-à-vis portion (86A) of the support (16A) of the optical module (12A). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the lower axial fixing member (84) is associated with axial guiding and centering means. 10. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that each axial fixing means comprises a screw (89, 90) for fixing and axial clamping of the front mask (58) on the support (16A) or on the frame (14). 11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two optical modules (12A, 12B, 12C) each of which is a module for transmitting a light beam towards the front (VA , VB, VC) along a horizontal emission axis and each of which is mounted on a support (16A, 16B, 16C), these supports being arranged on a common frame (14), and in that the front mask (58) is a common front mask (58) which is fixed on at least one (12A) of the two supports and / or on the frame (14) to mask part of each of the optical modules from the view of the observer. 12. Device according to claim 11 taken in combination with claim 8, characterized in that 5 said fixing means comprise a common upper member (80) for axially fixing the front mask (58) on a facing portion (82) of the frame (14), and a common lower member (84) for axially fixing the front mask (58) on a portion facing one (16A) of the two supports. 1/9 oo LO ^F '0. 1 2/9 3/9 24C