FR3063416A1 - RADIATOR OF A LUMINOUS DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH A CONTROL DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a radiator (2) for closing an orifice of a housing, the radiator (2) comprising: an external face intended to be oriented towards the exterior of the housing; and an internal face intended to be oriented towards the inside of the case; According to the invention, the radiator (2) comprises at least one fixing member (51, 511, 512) for fixing a control device (5) on this internal face and inside the housing.

Description

® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY © Publication number: 3,063,416 (to be used only for reproduction orders) (© National registration number: 1751616

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : H 05 K 7/20 (2017.01), F21 V29 / 70

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 28.02.17. (© Applicant (s): VALEO VISION Joint-stock company (© Priority: simplified - FR. @ Inventor (s): HERBIN CYRIL and CREUS GEOF- FREY. (43) Date of public availability of the request: 31.08.18 Bulletin 18/35. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents (73) Holder (s): VALEO VISION Joint stock company related: folded. ©) Extension request (s): (© Agent (s): VALEO VISION Limited company.

(04) RADIATOR OF A LIGHT DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH A STEERING DEVICE.

FR 3,063,416 - A1 _ The invention relates to a radiator (2) for closing an orifice in a housing, the radiator (2) comprising:

- an external face intended to be oriented towards the outside of the housing; and

- an internal face intended to be oriented towards the interior of the housing;

According to the invention, the radiator (2) comprises at least one fixing member (51,511,512) intended to fix a control device (5) on this internal face and inside the housing.

RADIATOR OF A LIGHT DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH A STEERING DEVICE

The invention relates to a radiator of a light device, in particular of a motor vehicle.

It is known, in the field of motor vehicle lighting, light devices include a housing equipped with one or more radiators for dissipating the heat given off by the light source. This avoids having a high temperature which risks damaging the light source and / or impairing its operation.

In general, the radiators carry cooling members, possibly a light source associated with a printed circuit, in particular a printed circuit board (PCB).

Light devices are known in which the housing includes a control device by printed circuit of one or more light sources. In this case, the control device is fixed to the housing of the light device.

In the automotive field, the light source used is for example a light-emitting diode (LED for short). Such a light source uses electroluminescence which is an optical and electrical phenomenon during which a material emits light in response to an electric current passing through it, or to a strong electric field.

“Control device” means a control device which is capable of controlling, controlling and supplying one or more electronic components, in particular one or more LEDs. An additional monitoring function can be integrated into the control device in order to ensure the proper functioning of the electronic components, in particular of the light source in the case of the light device. The piloting device is also called "driver" in English.

In order to be able to change the control device in the event of a failure, in certain known light devices, the control device is disposed outside a housing of the light device. However, these devices are often bulky.

Thus, an objective of the invention is to find a solution for producing a more compact light device.

In this effect, a first object of the invention is a closing radiator orifice ' a housing , the radiator including : - a external face destiny at be oriented towards Outside of the housing; and - a internal face intended at be oriented towards Inside of the housing.

According to the invention, the radiator comprises at least one fixing member intended to fix a control device on this internal face and inside the housing.

Thus, the radiator according to the invention is designed so as to be able to carry the control device inside the housing. Placing the control device inside the box cleverly takes up space that was not previously used in it. Such an arrangement makes it possible to gain in compactness.

Thus, the use of this radiator to close a light device housing makes it possible to gain in compactness of the light device, especially when the control device is mounted fixed on the housing.

This compact structure also means a reduction in size of the light device, which saves space in a compartment of the vehicle where the light device is installed.

In addition, the control device is also protected from disturbing elements of the external environment. This radiator therefore also makes it possible to preserve the integrity of the control device and to reduce the risk of damage to it.

In addition, if the radiator comprises cooling fins oriented towards the outside of the housing, these can be arranged more freely, without taking into account the location of the control device, despite the fact that the latter is carried by the radiator. The manufacturing process of the radiator is therefore less complex and less expensive.

The radiator according to the invention can optionally include one or more of the following characteristics:

- The fixing device of the control device comprises a stud projecting from the internal face; in other words, a stud is a relief or a protrusion which exceeds the internal face; the stud thus makes it possible to carry the control device at a distance from the internal face of the radiator;

- according to the previous paragraph, the stud is a screw barrel; thus, the control device is mounted on the fixing member by means of the screws; it is therefore a simple way to install the control device on the radiator;

- the external face of the radiator carries cooling fins; thus, the capacity to dissipate the heat of the radiator is improved considerably because the contact surface, constituted by the total surface of the fins, is increased;

- According to the preceding paragraph, the cooling fins extend in a first direction and the external face comprises at least one support stud projecting from the external face and projecting from the cooling fins in said first direction; by way of example, the first direction may be a longitudinal direction which is parallel to the direction of light emission; as its name suggests, the support pad can provide a support surface during a method of bolting or crimping of the elements located on the internal face, which reduces the risk of deforming the cooling fins;

- the support stud is aligned with the fixing stud of the corresponding control device on the internal face; one can thus use a support on the support pad on one side and carry out the screwing on the other;

- The internal face comprises at least one member for fixing a printed circuit; in this case, the radiator can then carry a printed circuit separate from the radiator, such as a printed circuit board;

- alternatively to the previous paragraph, electronic tracks can be formed on the internal face of the radiator; in such a case, these electronic tracks formed on the internal face do not need a fixing member, which reduces the number of elements and possibly the weight of the radiator as a whole;

- The fixing device of the control device is arranged so as to keep the control device away from the electronic tracks or the printed circuit; thus, the fixing member defines a specific area for fixing the control device where counterparts of the fixing member and isostatism references are integrated. The fixing member makes it possible to keep the control device of the printed circuit or electronic tracks at a distance in order to avoid any deterioration caused by vibrations or during the assembly of the radiator;

- The radiator comprises on at least one of the external face and the internal face a seal; the presence of the seal on the internal face or on the external face or on both sides makes it possible to prevent the introduction of moisture inside the housing, which helps to protect the electronic components of the radiator;

- The radiator comprises at least one connector body; the connector body is designed to receive a connection and / or power socket for the guide device; the connector body also makes it possible to maintain the connection and / or supply socket in position; the connector body may include at least one blocking member to prevent withdrawal of the plug in a simple translational movement; the blocking member can for example comprise a stop, a groove and / or a slide;

the external face and the internal face belong to a base plate, and the radiator comprises a connector body on each side of the base plate; in other words, two connector bodies are each located on either side of a plane containing the base plate of the radiator;

- a light source is mounted directly or indirectly on the radiator; for example, the light source is installed on a printed circuit which is in turn fixed on the internal face of the radiator; in this case, the light source is mounted indirectly on the radiator via the printed circuit; this allows the light source to be changed by simply removing the radiator; the radiator with the printed circuit, the light source and the control device can thus form an interchangeable light generator module, making it possible to replace it in the event of failure.

The invention also relates to a vehicle light device comprising a housing with an orifice. This orifice is closed by a radiator according to the invention, comprising at least one of the characteristics presented above.

This vehicle light device can be:

a road lighting device, in particular a headlamp or a fog light;

a signaling light, in particular: a stop light, a daytime running light (also called DRL for "Day Running"

Light ”), a night position light, a direction indicator;

an interior lighting device, namely the interior of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular: a ceiling lamp or a wall lamp.

According to the invention, the light device can optionally include one or more of the following characteristics:

the light device comprises an optical part intended to receive light rays from a light source mounted in the light device, the internal face of the radiator comprising members for positioning the optical part; the optical part is understood to mean either the shaping optic or the first part forming part of the shaping optic; according to the present document, a shaping optic deflects the light rays emitted by the light source of the device so as to confer on the beam of the light device given photometric characteristics, in particular of a road lighting beam; shaping optics may include a lens, a reflector, a light guide, a combination of lenses, a combination of reflectors, a combination of light guides, or a combination of at least two of the lenses, reflectors and light guides;

- all or part of the positioning members of the optical part also form positioning members of a printed circuit; thus, some of the members for positioning the optical part perform a dual function, namely, the positioning of the optical part and the positioning of the printed circuit;

- According to the previous paragraph, the positioning members common to the optical part and to the printed circuit includes studs protruding from the printed circuit;

thus, these positioning members have a simple shape which is easy to produce;

the light device comprises a light guide comprising members for fixing to the radiator; in the case where the radiator carries the light source, the positioning accuracy of the light guide is improved relative to the source;

- the light guide is supported by a guide holder and mounted directly or indirectly on the internal face of the radiator;

- According to the preceding paragraphs, the positioning members are arranged so as to position the light guide;

- The radiator carries the light source, the positioning members of the optical part and positioning members of the printed circuit being arranged around the light source; the positioning accuracy of the light guide is further improved relative to the light source, from which it receives the rays.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "front", "rear", "lower", "upper", "side", "transverse" refer to the direction of light emission outside the corresponding light device. Furthermore, the terms "horizontal", "vertical" or "transverse" are defined relative to the orientation of the light device once it is mounted in the vehicle.

The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising at least one light device according to the invention.

Other characteristics and innovative advantages will emerge from the description below, provided for information and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows, schematically, a perspective view, viewed from the front of an exemplary radiator according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a perspective view, viewed from the rear of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows a perspective view, viewed from the front of the radiator of Figure 1 carrying a printed circuit and a control device;

- Figure 4 shows a perspective view, viewed from the rear of Figure 3;

- Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of an example of a light device according to the invention and comprising the radiator illustrated in Figures 1 to 4;

- Figure 6 shows a detailed view of the light device of Figure 5, but with some of the elements assembled.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate a radiator 2 for closing an orifice of a housing 3. This housing 3 belongs to a light device 1 illustrated in Figure 5. The radiator 2 as shown in Figure 1 is arranged depending on the position it is intended to take in the housing 3.

In this example, the radiator 2 is formed by a base plate 20 comprising an internal face 21 oriented towards the front (visible in FIG. 1) and an external face 22 (visible in FIG. 2) oriented towards the rear. In other words, the base plate 20 is delimited in depth on one side by the internal face 21 and on the other side by the external face 22. The base plate 20 is substantially vertical and extends transversely. Here, the radiator is made of aluminum.

To facilitate understanding of these orientations, axes X, Y and Z are associated with the radiator in the figures. In this example, these axes X, Y and Z are perpendicular to each other so as to form an orthogonal coordinate system. The axis X is parallel with respect to the direction of light emission outside the light device 1, the axis X being also called the longitudinal axis X. The second axis Y is horizontal and perpendicular to the direction of light emission, therefore to the longitudinal axis X. In this example, the Y axis extends from one side to the other side of the radiator 2, the Y axis also being called the transverse Y axis. The third Z axis is parallel to the vertical direction extending from the bottom to the top of FIG. 1, the axis Z being otherwise called the vertical axis Z. The axes X, Y, and Z are also represented in FIGS. 2 to 5.

When the radiator 2 is installed on the box 3 of the light device 1, the internal face 21 is oriented towards the inside of the box 3 while the external face 22 is directed towards the outside of the box 3. The outside means of the box 3 the space which is outside the enclosure of the box. Conversely, the interior of the housing 3 is located within the enclosure of the housing.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the internal face 21 of the radiator here comprises two fixing members 51 of a control device 5. In this example, the fixing members are two screw drums 511 and 512. These screwing barrels 511 and 512 make it possible to fix the control device 5 on the radiator 2 by means of the fixing screws 54 (visible in FIG. 5). The screwing drums 511 and 512 are here spaced from one another in the transverse direction and by a distance equivalent, in this example, to the width of the piloting device 5.

Furthermore, the top of each of the screwing barrels 511 and 512 is situated at a higher level with respect to the internal face 21 along the longitudinal axis X. In other words, the screwing barrels 511 and 512 exceed the internal face 21 of the radiator along the longitudinal axis X. Thus, when the control device 5 is installed on these screwing barrels

511 and 512, the latter is kept at a distance from the internal face 21 of the radiator 2.

Still with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, fixing members 61 of a printed circuit 6 are present on the internal face 21 of the radiator 2. In this example, the fixing members 61 of the printed circuit 6 comprise two bosses 611 and 612 each having a cylindrical shape. In the same way as the screwing barrels 511 and 512, the bosses 611 and 612 protrude from the internal face 21 towards the front but remain at a lower level than the screwing barrels 511 and

512 along the longitudinal axis X.

The internal face 21 of the radiator 2 further comprises positioning members 45 of an optical part 4 installed in the light device 1 relative to a light source, as here a group of three LEDs 7 shown in FIG. 3. The optical part 4 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 5.

In this example, the positioning members 45 of the optical part 4 consist of a first lug 451 extending from the internal face 21 along the longitudinal axis X.

Here, the first lug 451 also serves to position the printed circuit 6 relative to the optical part 4. In fact, in this example, the positioning of the printed circuit 6 is important because the LEDs 7 are mounted on the printed circuit

6. In this way, positioning the printed circuit 6 amounts to positioning the light source 7 relative to the optical part 4.

Furthermore, the positioning of the printed circuit 6 is also ensured by a tongue 622 and a second lug 621 placed next to a boss for fixing the printed circuit. Thus, the printed circuit also has its own positioning member 62.

Thanks to the various positioning members 45, 62 presented above, the optical part 4 and the LEDs 7 carried by the printed circuit 6 have a position relative to each other so as to ensure optimal light transmission to the part. optical 4. In this example, the printed circuit 6 is positioned so that the LEDs 7 are located between the first lug 451 and the tongue 622. Thus, this close arrangement between these two elements makes it possible to precisely position the optical part 4 compared to LED 7.

Of course, the printed circuit 6 must have a number of complementary positioning and fixing members corresponding to the number of positioning members 45, 62 and fixing 61 of the radiator 3.

In this example, with reference to FIG. 6, the complementary positioning and fixing members of the printed circuit 6 include through holes 63 to cooperate with the bosses 611 and 612 and with the lugs 451 and 621. The positioning and fixing members additional fixing of the printed circuit 6 further comprises a vertical section 64 which abuts against the tongue 622. In this example, the printed circuit 6 is fixed on the internal face 21 of the radiator by crimping or snapping the bosses 611 and 612.

The printed circuit 6, fixed to the radiator 3, is also connected to the control device 5 by connection cables 53. As described above, the control device 5 is kept at a distance from the internal face 21 of the radiator 2, therefore from the circuit printed 6.

According to the invention, as in this example here, a seal 25 is disposed along a peripheral zone 211 of the internal face 21. In this example, the seal 25 is housed in a peripheral channel 212 formed on the internal face 21.

The seal 25 can be made of rubber or other suitable materials so as to ensure a tight closure of the housing 3 once the radiator 2 is installed on the housing 3.

A first connector body 23 is also shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3. In this example, the first connector body 23 is hollow and has a section complementary to the section of a connection socket and / or supply 52 of the control device. The latter, hereinafter called shortcut connection socket 52, is visible in FIG. 3.

In this example, the first connector body 23 comprises a skirt 231 extending along the longitudinal axis X and an opening 232 capable of receiving the connection socket 52 of the control device.

The first connector body 23 further comprises at least one blocking element 233 of the connection socket. According to this example, the locking element 233 is a groove which cooperates with a tongue carried by the connection socket 52. A stop 234 extending perpendicular to the groove makes it possible to limit the travel of the tongue in the groove.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the external face 22 of the radiator comprises several cooling fins 26 parallel to one another. Fins 26 extend from the external face 22 towards the rear and along the longitudinal axis X.

Two support pads 27 are placed between two adjacent cooling fins 26 of support 27 are each aligned 512 corresponding.

Support pads 27 cooling 26 according to

In this example, the studs with a screwing barrel 511 or exceed the fins of the longitudinal axis X. Thus, during crimping or bolting of the fastening means 61 of the printed circuit 6, here bosses 611 and 612, the studs support 27 provide a counter-support surface for the machine carrying out this process. The fins 26 are not touched or crushed by the machine. The support studs 27 serve to protect the cooling fins 26 during the bolting or crimping process.

The external face 22 also comprises a second connector body 24, the shape of which can be identical or similar to that of the first connector body 23 of the internal face 21. The first and second connector bodies 23 and 24 are aligned one compared to each other.

The second connector body 24 is designed to receive a complementary socket (not shown) of the connection socket 52 of the control device. According to the invention and in this example, the complementary socket is clipped onto the second connector body 24 and supplies the control device 5. The complementary socket, otherwise called vehicle connector, is connected to a source of energy of the vehicle .

In this example, the second connector body 24 includes a fastening element 241 of the complementary socket. It is a strip extending along the transverse axis Y and having a slot 242 in the middle. A tongue of the complementary socket is engaged in this slot 242 and held by it.

The radiator 2 further comprises fixing elements 28 and positioning 29 of the radiator relative to the housing.

According to one embodiment of the invention and as here, the fixing elements 28 comprise two fixing lugs 281 and 282 which are located on each lateral side of the radiator 3. Each fixing lug 281 or 282 is drilled to receive a screw. Thus, in this example, the radiator 2 is fixed to the housing 3 by screwing.

The positioning elements 29 of the radiator relative to the housing here comprise forks 291, 292 and positioning notches 293. Here, the notches 293 are formed on the upper edge 201 and on the lower edge 202 of the base plate 20, while the forks 291 and 292 are each in the extension of the corresponding fixing ear 281 and 282.

Here, the positioning elements 29 are distinct from the fixing elements 28. In another embodiment, these elements can be the same.

Of course, the fastening elements 28 and positioning 29 of the radiator relative to the housing can have other shapes and / or be made in other ways known to those skilled in the art.

Thus, the radiator 2 according to the invention and as in this example combines several functions in one piece. Indeed, as described above, the radiator 2, apart from its main cooling function, also has notably functions:

- for supporting the control device 5;

- supporting the printed circuit 6;

- centering or positioning the light source 7 relative to the optical part 4 and vice versa;

- support for the connection socket 52 and the complementary socket of the control device 5.

Furthermore, since the radiator 2 is designed to close the orifice of the housing 3 and to carry the electronic elements such as the control device 5, the printed circuit 6, and the LEDs, these are easily accessible by detaching the radiator 2 of the housing. The electronics are not only easy to access but also easy to replace. In this case, the control device 5 can be replaced by a new one by uninstalling the old one from the radiator 2.

Referring to Figure 5, the light device 1 is shown in detail. As previously presented, the light device 1 here comprises the box 3 on which the radiator 2 of FIGS. 1 to 4 are installed, the optical part 4 and a closing glass 8.

The closing glass 8 closes the front of the housing 3 while the radiator 3 closes the rear of the housing 3. In the order of presentation of the elements of the light device 1, the optical part 4 is located between the closure 8 and housing 3.

According to the invention and as in this example, the optical part 4 comprises a first light guide 41 supported by a guide holder 40.

In this example, a second light guide 42 is placed in front of the first light guide 41. The latter collects the rays coming from the LEDs 7 and guides them along its length. The first light guide 41 comprises decoupling elements distributed over its length, for example prisms, arranged so as to decouple the rays on the portion of this first guide arranged opposite the second guide 42, which collects them in turn and deflects them to form the beam of the light device. Of course this is not limiting. One could in particular have a single guide deflecting the light rays directly from the light device.

The light device comprises a metallized mask 43 covering the second light guide 42.

In this example, the guide holder 40 is a thin metal strip and is mounted inside the housing 3. The guide holder 40 comprises, all along, a central housing 403 intended to receive the first light guide 41.

The first light guide 41 is curved around a substantially vertical axis so as to form a first portion

411 extending from rear to front and a second portion 412 transverse to the longitudinal axis X. At one end 414 of the first portion 411, the first light guide 41 comprises a fixing member 415 to the face internal 21 of the radiator 2. This member is visible in FIG. 6. In this example, the fixing member 415 of the first guide 41 to the internal face 21 comprises a plate 416 carrying an orifice cooperating with the first lug 451.

The plate 416 is arranged in such a way that when it is positioned in the fixing position around the lug 451, the end 414 of the first guide 41 is positioned facing the LEDs 7.

Thus, having regard to the particular arrangement described above of the first lug 451, the first light guide 41 is not only fixed to the radiator 3 but also positioned with respect to the LEDs 7 so that the light emitted is well collected by the first light guide 41 for optimal light transmission.

The second light guide 42 and the metallized bezel 43 are installed on the first guide 41 so as to impart a predefined photometry to the light beam leaving the light device 1.

It is also seen in Figure 5 a ventilation 9 mounted in the housing 3, which allows an exchange of air between the interior and the exterior of the housing 3, in order to balance the internal pressure of the light device 1. In a Another embodiment, the ventilation 9 can be integrated through the base plate 20 of the radiator 2.

Claims (21)

1. Radiator (2) for closing an orifice in a housing (3), the radiator (2) comprising: - a face external (22) destiny to be oriented towards outside of housing (3); and - a face internal (21) destiny to be oriented towards inside the housing (3); the radiator (2) being characterized in that he understands at minus one fastener (51, 511, 512) intended to fix a device steering (5) on this internal face (21) and to inside the housing (3). 2. Radiator (2) according to claim 1 characterized in that the fixing member (51, 511, 512) of the control device comprises a stud projecting from the internal face (21). 3. Radiator (2) according to claim 2 characterized in that the stud is a screw barrel (511, 512). 4. Radiator (2) according to claim 2 or claim 3 characterized in that the outer face (22) carries cooling fins (26). 5. Radiator (2) according to claim 4 with the cooling fins (26) extending in a first direction, characterized in that the external face (22) comprises at least one support pad (27) projecting from the external face (22) and projecting from cooling fins (26) in said first direction. 6. Radiator (2) according to claim 5 characterized in that the support stud (27) is aligned with the fixing member (51, 511, 512) of the corresponding control device of the internal face (21). 7. Radiator (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the internal face (21) comprises at least one fixing member (61, 611, 612) of a printed circuit (61). 8. Radiator (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that electronic tracks are formed on the internal face (21) of the radiator (2). 9. Radiator (2) according to claim 5 to 8 characterized in that the fixing member (51, 511, 512) of the control device (5) is arranged so as to hold the control device (5) at a distance electronic tracks or printed circuit (6). 10. Radiator (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises on at least one of the external face (22) and the internal face (21) a seal (25). 11. Radiator (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least one connector body (23, 24). 12. Radiator (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the external face (22) and the internal face (21) belong to a base plate (20), and in that it comprises a connector body ( 23, 24) on each side of the base plate (20). 13. Radiator (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that a light source (7) is mounted directly or indirectly on the radiator (2). 14. Luminous device (1) comprising a housing (3) with an orifice characterized in that the orifice is closed by a radiator (2) according to one of the preceding claims. 15. Light device (1) according to claim 14 characterized in that it comprises an optical part (4) intended to receive light rays from a light source (7) mounted in the light device (1), the internal face (2Γ of the radiator comprising positioning members (45) of the optical part (4). 16. Light device (1) according to claim 15 characterized in that all or part of the positioning members (45) of the optical part (4) also form positioning members of a printed circuit (6). 17. Light device (1) according to claim 16 characterized in that the common positioning member (451) to the optical part and to the printed circuit comprises a lug (451) projecting from the printed circuit (6). 18. Light device (1) according to one of claims 14 to 17 comprising a light guide (41), characterized in that said light guide (41) comprises fixing members (415, 416) to the radiator. 19. Light device according to claim 18 characterized in that the light guide (41) is supported by a guide holder (40) and mounted directly or indirectly on the internal face (21). 20. Light device (1) according to claim 19 taken in combination with one of claims 15 to 17 characterized in that the positioning members (45, 451) arranged so as to position the light guide (41). 21. Light device (1) according to one of claims 14 to 18 characterized in that the radiator (2) carries the light source (7), the positioning members (45, 451) of the optical part (4) and positioning members (622) of the printed circuit (6) being arranged around the light source (7).