FR3070927A1 - VEHICLE WITH OPTICAL BLOCK INSTALLED IN HOUSING HAVING ANTI-TILT MEANS. - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle comprises a reception element (EV) delimiting a housing (LV) open on a front face (FV), and an optical block (BO) comprising a housing (BB) housed in this housing (LV) and comprising at the this front face (FV) a first peripheral edge (BP1) which is secured to a protective glass (GP). This reception element (EV) comprises first indexing means (ME1) in a front upper portion (PVS) of the housing (LV), located before the front face (FV). The first peripheral edge (BP1) comprises second indexing means (ME2) cooperating with these first indexing means (ME1) for positioning a front portion of the optical block (BO) relative to the receiving element (EV). ) in a vertical direction, preventing downward tilting.

Description

OPTICAL BLOCK VEHICLE INSTALLED IN HOUSING HAVING

ANTI-TIPPING MEANS.

The invention relates to vehicles which include at least one optical unit installed in a housing of a reception element.

The term “optical unit” is understood here to mean a light device comprising a housing to which a protective glass is secured and which provides at least one photometric function for lighting or signaling.

Certain vehicle optical units, generally of the automobile type, comprise a housing which is housed inside a housing of a reception element, such as for example a trunk door (or flap). The isostatism of this type of optical unit is generally done by indexing means which are defined in the bottom of the housing and on the rear face of the housing (located opposite this bottom) and which cooperate with each other to position the unit optical with respect to the reception element in the vertical direction.

When this optical unit is very deep, and its isostatism is defined in its rear part, there is a cantilever of its front part relative to its rear part which induces its tilting by rotation downwards by gravity in his accommodation. The optical unit is then immobilized in a final position which differs slightly from that expected and in which there appears a slight visible spacing between its upper front part and its reception element, which harms the impression of quality of the vehicle.

In addition, this tilting can also induce deformations of the receiving element, in particular when it is made of plastic (due to injection constraints), which can accentuate the visible spacing and degrade the geometry of the assembly and therefore lead to an improperly mounted or improperly adjusted optical unit capable of inducing vibration, or even unscrewing the fixing nut.

The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

To this end, it offers in particular a vehicle comprising a reception element delimiting a housing open on a front face, and an optical unit comprising a housing housed in this housing and comprising at this front face a first peripheral edge to which a protective glass.

This vehicle is characterized by the fact that

its reception element comprises first means of indexing in an upper front part of the housing, located before the front face of the latter, and

- The first peripheral edge comprises second indexing means cooperating with the first indexing means to position a front part of the optical unit relative to its receiving element in a vertical direction, preventing a tilting downwards.

Thanks to these first and second indexing means defined on the side of the front face of the housing, the isostatism of the optical unit is now defined "fixedly" in its front part, and therefore there is no longer any door to false of this front part with respect to the rear part, which prevents any tilting of the optical unit by rotation downwards by gravity in the housing.

The vehicle according to the invention may include other characteristics which can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- In a first embodiment, its first indexing means may comprise at least one indexing housing defined in a front part of an upper wall of its receiving element delimiting the upper front part of the housing of the element Home. In this case, the indexing means can comprise at least one protuberance defined at one end of a peripheral part of the first peripheral edge, curved backwards away from a second peripheral edge of the protective glass to which is secured the first peripheral edge, and housed in the corresponding indexing housing;

- In a second embodiment, its second indexing means may include at least one indexing housing defined in the first peripheral edge and open opposite a second peripheral edge of the protective glass to which the first peripheral edge. In this case, the first indexing means may comprise at least one protrusion protruding into the housing of the reception element of a front part of an upper wall of the reception element delimiting the upper front part of the housing of this reception element, and housed in the corresponding indexing housing;

> each protuberance may have an extension, in a longitudinal direction defining a depth of the indexing housing, greater than that of the latter to position the front part of the optical unit relative to its receiving element in this longitudinal direction;

- Each protuberance may include at least one upper tooth having a sloping face pressing against an upper face of the indexing housing to wedge the front part of the optical unit relative to its reception element in the vertical direction;

- Each protuberance may include at least one lower tooth having a sloping face pressing against a lower face of the indexing housing to wedge the front part of the optical unit relative to its receiving element in the vertical direction;

- The first peripheral edge may include at least one weld tooth welded to the second peripheral edge by a welding chosen from vibration welding, welding of the so-called mirror type, and laser welding. As a variant, its protective glass can comprise a second peripheral edge comprising at least one welding tooth welded to the first peripheral edge by a welding chosen from among vibration welding, welding of the so-called mirror type, and laser welding;

- it can constitute a vehicle rear light;

- its reception element can be a safe door.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAD ("Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing"), whence the apparently discontinuous character of certain lines and the presence of some gray levels), on which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates, in a front view, part of a reception element of a vehicle according to the invention comprising a housing intended to receive an optical unit,

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates, in a front view from the side of the rear face, an optical unit intended to be installed in the housing of the reception element of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of an indexing protuberance defined on a part of the second peripheral edge of the optical unit of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates, in a longitudinal section view (plane XZ), part of the reception element of FIG. 1 once the optical unit of FIG. 2 is installed in one of its housings, and

- Figure 5 schematically illustrates, in a longitudinal sectional view (plane XZ), an alternative embodiment of the first and second indexing means.

The purpose of the invention is in particular to provide a vehicle comprising an EV reception element comprising an LV housing in which an optical unit BO is installed without risk of tilting downwards.

It is recalled that the term “optical unit” is understood here to mean a light device comprising a box BB to which a protective glass GP is secured and which ensures at least one photometric lighting or signaling function, such as for example a stop light or reversing light or change of direction light.

It is considered in what follows, by way of nonlimiting example, that the vehicle is of the automobile type. This is, for example, a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. Indeed, it relates to any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air), as long as it includes at least one reception element comprising at least one housing in which an optical unit can be installed.

Furthermore, it is considered in what follows, by way of nonlimiting example, that the EV reception element is a door (or a flap) of a rear boot of a vehicle. However, the invention is not limited to this type of reception element.

Indeed, it relates to any reception element forming part of a vehicle and comprising at least one housing in which an optical unit can be installed which must provide at least one photometric lighting or signaling function. So it could also be part of the body.

In addition, it is considered in what follows, by way of nonlimiting example, that the optical unit BO is a rear light. But it could also be a front projector (or headlight).

In FIGS. 1 to 5, the direction X is a so-called longitudinal direction because it is intended to be parallel to a longitudinal side of a vehicle, direction Y is a direction called transverse because it is intended to be perpendicular to the longitudinal sides of this vehicle and therefore perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is a vertical direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions.

There is diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively a part of a reception element EV of a vehicle according to the invention and an optical unit BO (rear side side FR) intended to be secured to this reception element EV. The assembly (EV reception element plus optical block BO) once assembled is illustrated in FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the reception element EV comprises at least one LV housing in which an optical unit BO of the type illustrated in FIG. 2 is intended to be installed. This LV housing comprises a front face FV open (and therefore communicating with the outside) and through which the optical unit BO is introduced substantially in the longitudinal direction X. The closed rear face of the housing LV is delimited by a rear wall PR of the receiving element EV.

The concepts of front and rear must be understood here in relation to the direction of propagation of useful photons, that is to say which participate in a photometric function and therefore which leave the vehicle by the protective glass GP of the block BO optic by propagating from the rear part of the latter (BO) towards its front part PV.

As is partially illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, an optical unit BO (here a rear light) comprises a housing BB, a protective lens GP, and at least one source of photons (and possible optical elements) participating in at least one photometric function.

The BB box is fixedly installed inside an LV housing of the EV reception element. This fixed installation is done in particular by securing fixing means defined on the rear face of the housing BB to other fixing means passing through the rear wall PR of the reception element EV.

Preferably, the housing BB is made of an opaque and rigid material, such as for example a plastic or synthetic material. In this case, it can be produced by molding.

Also preferably, the GP protective glass is made of a translucent (possibly crystal-colored) and rigid material, such as for example a plastic or synthetic material. In this case, it can be produced by molding.

As appears in FIG. 4, the box BB delimits a cavity CB housing each photon source and each possible optical element participating in at least one photometric function (and here not shown), and the protective glass GP closes this cavity CB.

Furthermore, the housing BB comprises a first peripheral edge BP1 installed at the front face FV of the housing LV and to which a second peripheral edge BP2 of the protective glass GP is secured.

This first peripheral edge BP1 can comprise at least one welding tooth DT which is welded to the rear face of the second peripheral edge BP2, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 4 and 5. In a variant not illustrated, it is the second edge peripheral BP2 of the protective glass GP which may include at least one welding tooth DT welded to the first peripheral edge BP1. In both cases, welding can, for example, be chosen from vibration welding, welding of the so-called mirror type, and laser welding.

According to the invention, the reception element EV comprises first indexing means ME1 in an upper front part PVS of the housing LV, located before the front face FV, and the first peripheral edge BP1 comprises second indexing means ME2 cooperating with these first indexing means ME1 to position a front part of the optical unit BO relative to the reception element EV in the vertical direction

Z, by preventing a tilting (by rotation) downwards.

The first ME1 and second ME2 indexing means now being defined on the side of the front face FV of the housing LV, and more precisely in its upper front part PVS, the isostatism of the optical unit BO is therefore defined "fixedly" in its part before. Consequently, there is no longer any overhang of this front part with respect to the rear part and therefore no more tilting of the optical unit BO by rotation downwards by gravity in the housing LV. The optical unit BO is then immobilized in a final position which precisely corresponds to that provided and in which there is no visible space between its upper front part and the reception element EV. This guarantees the play / flush line of the optical unit BO in a reproducible manner. This also makes it possible to guarantee a chain of ribs which is as small as possible.

In addition, since there is no longer any tilting, there is no longer any risk of deformation of the reception element EV, including when it is made of plastic, which prevents the optical unit BO is badly assembled or badly adjusted

The indexing means ME1 and ME2 can be arranged in different ways. Two of these arrangements are described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4 and 5, and by way of illustrative examples.

In the first arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first indexing means ME1 comprise at least one indexing housing which is defined in a front part of the upper wall PSE of the reception element EV which delimits the PVS upper front part of LV housing. In addition, the second indexing means ME2 comprise at least one protuberance which is defined at one end of a peripheral part PP of the first peripheral edge BP1, curved backwards away from the second peripheral edge BP2 of the glass protection GP, and which is housed in the corresponding ME1 indexing housing.

Each protuberance may possibly have a form of “hook” making it possible to immobilize the optical unit BO in the longitudinal X and vertical Z directions.

It will be noted that the upper wall PSE of the reception element EV may comprise only a single indexing housing ME1 centered in the transverse direction Y relative to the upper front part PVS of the housing LV. In this case, the peripheral part PP of the upper part of the first peripheral edge BP1 comprises only a single protrusion ME2 centered. However, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it is preferable for the upper wall PSE of the reception element EV to comprise two indexing housings ME1 defined in lateral parts opposite with respect to the center of the upper front part PVS of the housing LV. In this case, the peripheral part PP of the upper part of the first peripheral edge BP1 comprises two lateral and opposite protrusions ME2. This makes it possible in particular to guarantee the line of play in the transverse direction Y and / or to avoid a rotation in the longitudinal direction X (constant play), which requires guaranteeing the position in the vertical direction Z between the optical unit BO and the EV host element by two points.

In the second arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5, the second indexing means ME2 comprise at least one indexing housing defined in the first peripheral edge BP1 and open opposite the second peripheral edge BP2 of the protective glass GP. In addition, the first indexing means ME1 comprise at least one protuberance projecting into the housing LV of the front part of the upper wall PSE of the reception element EV (delimiting the upper front part PVS of the housing LV), and housed in the corresponding ME2 indexing housing.

It will be noted that the upper wall PSE of the reception element EV may comprise only a single protrusion ME1 centered in the transverse direction Y relative to the upper front part PVS of the housing LV. In this case, the peripheral part PP of the upper part of the first peripheral edge BP1 comprises only a single indexing housing ME2 centered. However, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it is preferable for the upper wall PSE of the reception element EV to comprise two protuberances ME1 defined in opposite lateral parts with respect to the center of the upper front part PVS of the housing LV. In this case, the peripheral part PP of the upper part of the first peripheral edge BP1 comprises two lateral and opposite indexing housings ME2. This enables the optical unit BO to be positioned more precisely with respect to the reception element EV in the vertical direction Z.

It will also be noted that in the second arrangement each protrusion ME1 may have an extension, in the longitudinal direction X (which defines the depth of the indexing housing ME2), greater than that of the latter (ME2) to position the front part of the block optical BO with respect to the reception element EV in this longitudinal direction X. It will be understood that in the presence of this option the free end EX of each protrusion ME1 abuts against the bottom of the indexing housing ME2 associated, which makes it possible to very precisely position the optical unit BO in the longitudinal direction X.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 3 and 4, that in the first and second arrangements each protuberance ME2 or ME1 can comprise at least one upper tooth DS having a sloping face which rests against an upper face of the housing indexing MEI or ME2 associated to wedge the front part of the optical unit BO relative to the reception element EV in the vertical direction Z. It will be understood that the height of the upper tooth DS is decreases from the first peripheral edge BP1 towards the bottom of the indexing housing ME1 or ME2 (Figures 3 and 4), in order to define the slope (oriented towards this bottom), either increases from the free end EX of the protrusion ME1 towards the upper wall PSE of the element reception EV (figure 5), in order to define the slope (oriented towards the bottom of the indexing housing ME2 of the first peripheral edge BP1).

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 3 and 4, that at least in the first arrangement each protuberance ME2 or ME1 can comprise at least one lower tooth DI having a sloping face pressing against a lower face of the housing indexing ME1 or ME2 associated to wedge the front part of the optical unit BO with respect to the reception element EV in the vertical direction Z. It will be understood that the height of the lower tooth DI decreases from the first peripheral edge BP1 towards the bottom of the indexing housing ME1 or ME2 (Figures 3 and 4), in order to define the slope (oriented towards this bottom). This makes it possible to further improve the precision of the positioning of the optical unit BO with respect to the reception element EV in the vertical direction Z.

In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 3, the protrusion ME2 comprises two lower teeth DI. But she could understand only one.

Claims (10)

1. Vehicle comprising a reception element (EV) delimiting a housing (LV) open on a front face (FV), and an optical unit (BO) comprising a housing (BB) housed in said housing (LV) and comprising at level of said front face (FV) a first peripheral edge (BP1) to which a protective glass (GP) is secured, characterized in that i) said reception element (EV) comprises first indexing means (ME1) in an upper front part (PVS) of said housing (LV), located before said front face (FV), and ii) said first peripheral edge (BP1) comprises second indexing means (ME2) cooperating with said first means of indexing (ME1) to position a front part of said optical unit (BO) relative to said reception element (EV) in a vertical direction, preventing a tilting downwards. 2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said first indexing means (ME1) comprise at least one indexing housing defined in a front part of an upper wall (PSE) of said reception element (EV) delimiting said upper front part (PVS) of the housing (LV), and in that said second indexing means (ME2) comprise at least one protuberance defined at one end of a peripheral part (PP) of said first peripheral edge (BP1 ), curved backwards away from a second peripheral edge (BP2) of said protective glass (GP) to which said first peripheral edge (BP1) is secured, and housed in said indexing housing (ME1) corresponding. 3. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said second indexing means (ME2) comprise at least one indexing housing defined in said first peripheral edge (BP1) and open opposite a second peripheral edge (BP2) of said protective glass (GP) to which said first peripheral edge (BP1) is secured, and in that said first indexing means (ME1) comprise at least one protrusion projecting into said housing (LV) of a front part of an upper wall (PSE) of said reception element (EV) delimiting said upper front part (PVS) of the housing (LV), and housed in said corresponding indexing housing (ME2). 4. Vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that each protuberance (ME1) has an extension, in a longitudinal direction defining a depth of said indexing housing (ME2), greater than that of the latter (ME2) for positioning said part front of the optical unit (BO) relative to said reception element (EV) in this longitudinal direction. 5. Vehicle according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each protuberance (ME2; ME1) comprises at least one upper tooth (DS) having a sloping face pressing against an upper face of said indexing housing (ME1; ME2) for wedging said front part of the optical unit (BO) relative to said reception element (EV) in said vertical direction. 6. Vehicle according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that each protuberance (ME2) comprises at least one lower tooth (DI) having a sloping face pressing against a lower face of said indexing housing (ME1 ) to wedge said front part of the optical unit (BO) relative to said reception element (EV) in said vertical direction. 7. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said first peripheral edge (BP1) comprises at least one welding tooth (DT) welded to said second peripheral edge (BP2) by a welding chosen from welding by vibrations, so-called mirror welding, and laser welding. 8. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said protective glass (GP) comprises a second peripheral edge (BP2) comprising at least one welding tooth (DT) welded to said first peripheral edge (BP1) by welding chosen from vibration welding, welding of the so-called mirror type, and laser welding. 9. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it constitutes a rear light. 10. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said reception element (EV) is a trunk door.