FR3082153A1 - OPTICAL BLOCK FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE PROVIDED WITH A PUTTING MASK ON AT LEAST ONE REFLECTOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical unit for a motor vehicle comprising a housing having an outlet opening for light rays covered by an outer transparent cover glass fixed to said housing on the peripheral periphery of said opening, said housing containing at least one light (50 ) comprising a reflector (51) and a mask (60) interposed between said reflector (51) and said lens, said mask (60) comprising at least one masking element (65) having a profile similar to that of a front edge (53) of a peripheral wall (52) of said reflector (51) and being positioned in contact with or substantially in contact with this front edge (53), said front edge forming an open groove with U-section (53), facing forward, and comprising two substantially parallel branches between which the rear part of an I-section foot (66) projecting rearwards from and along the rear face of the said masking element (65).

Description

Title of invention

Optical unit for a motor vehicle provided with a mask fitted on at least one reflector

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of lighting and signaling systems for motor vehicles.

It relates in particular to an optical lighting or signaling unit for a motor vehicle.

Invention background

Such an optical unit conventionally comprises a housing having an exit opening for the light rays covered by an outer transparent cover glass fixed to said housing on the peripheral periphery of said exit opening, said housing containing at least one light capable of performing a function photometric lighting such as a position light (also known as a night light or lantern), or a photometric signaling function such as a reversing light, a STOP light, a flashing direction indicator light or even a daytime running light commonly known by the acronym DRL (Daytime Running Light) and which comes on automatically when the vehicle is moving forward in order to increase its visibility in daylight conditions.

Each light conventionally comprises at least one light source constituted for example by an incandescent bulb as well as a reflector fixed to the housing and capable of returning the light rays emitted by this light source reaching it in the direction of the outer cover glass.

Certain optical units also include a mask fixed to the housing and comprising at least one masking element intended to conceal the front edges of certain peripheral walls of the reflectors while ensuring part of the style of the optical unit.

Most often metallized, such a mask is interposed between the reflector (s) and the outer cover glass so that at least its front face is visible from outside the optical unit.

The reflectors are located in the housing slightly set back from the mask relative to the outer cover glass. As a result, a slight day frequently remains between the front edges of the peripheral walls of the reflectors and the mask masking elements located opposite these edges.

Consequently, when the reflector of a light in the optical unit is illuminated by its light source, part of the light rays which it reflects can pass through this light existing day and dissipate in the housing or else emerge in the area of another light located above or below this light, which can prove to be unsightly or even misleading.

We know, from French patent application FR 2 940 204 A1, such an optical unit comprising a reflector comprising a plurality of L-shaped lugs, the smallest branch of which projects transversely from a peripheral wall of this reflector near its front edge, and the largest branch of which extends forward parallel to this peripheral wall up to the level of its front edge.

The mask, for its part, comprises at least one masking element having a profile similar to that of the front edge of this peripheral wall of the reflector and being positioned in contact or substantially in contact with this front edge so as to conceal it for an observer looking at the through outside glass.

A plurality of lugs protruding rearward from the rear face of this masking element also comes to fit tightly in the spaces delimited between the peripheral wall of the reflector and these L-shaped tabs, so as to assemble the mask and reflector.

Although the cooperation between these lugs and these tabs also makes it possible to locally improve the light tightness between the reflector and the mask, the latter remains very largely insufficient to effectively limit the leakage of light rays.

Subject and summary of the invention

The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.

To this end, it provides an optical lighting or signaling unit for a motor vehicle comprising a housing having an outlet opening for light rays covered by an outer transparent cover glass fixed to said housing on the peripheral periphery of said outlet opening, said housing containing at least a first light comprising a first reflector and a mask interposed between said first reflector and said exterior cover glass, said mask comprising at least a first masking element having a profile similar to that of a front edge of a peripheral wall of said first reflector and being positioned in contact with or substantially in contact with this front edge so as to conceal it for an observer looking through said exterior glass;

characterized in that said front edge of said peripheral wall of the first reflector forms an open groove with a U-section, facing forward, and comprising two substantially parallel branches between which the rear part of a foot with an I-section is fitted projecting rearwards from and along the rear face of said first masking element.

This fitting of the rear part of the foot of this masking element in the groove forming the front edge of the peripheral wall of this reflector thus makes it possible to obtain a perfect or almost perfect light seal preventing parasitic light rays coming from the associated fire to this reflector cannot dissipate in the housing or lead into the area of another light.

According to preferred characteristics of said optical unit, taken alone or in combination:

- The spacing of the two branches of said groove is greater than the thickness of said rear part of the foot;

each of said branches of the groove has a plurality of ribs projecting from its face facing the opposite branch, the spacing between the ribs coming from one and the other of said branches being slightly less than the thickness of said rear part of the foot so as to ensure that the latter is stressed;

- The projecting ribs of each said branch of the groove are distributed at regular intervals along the latter;

- Said housing contains a second light arranged superimposed with said first light and comprising a second reflector, said mask comprising a second masking element having a profile similar to that of a front edge of a peripheral wall of said second reflector and being positioned in contact or substantially in contact with this front edge so as to conceal it for an observer looking through said outer cover glass;

- Said front edge of said peripheral wall of the second reflector also forms a said groove comprising two substantially parallel branches between which is fitted the rear part of a foot with an I-section projecting rearwards from and along the rear face of said second masking element;

- Said housing contains a third light interposed between said first and second lights and comprising a third reflector formed in one piece with said second reflector;

- Said mask comprises a third masking element having a profile similar to that of a front edge of a peripheral wall of said third reflector and being positioned in contact with or substantially in contact with this front edge so as to conceal it for a watching observer through said exterior glass; and or

- Said front edge of said peripheral wall of the third reflector has an I-section projecting forward by at least partially overlapping an I-section foot projecting backwards from and along the rear face of said third masking element .

The invention also relates in a second aspect to a motor vehicle comprising at least one such optical unit.

Brief description of the drawings

The description of the invention will now be continued with the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional perspective view of an optical unit for signaling a motor vehicle according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is an enlarged view in longitudinal section of the front part of the optical unit of Figure 1 devoid of its housing;

- Figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of the junction zone between a bar of the mask and the front edge of the lower peripheral wall of the upper reflector; and

- Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the groove forming the front edge of the lower peripheral wall of the upper reflector.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

Figures 1 and 2 show a rear signaling optical unit 10 intended to be mounted on the body structure of a motor vehicle.

In the following description and by convention, the terms "lower" and "upper" will be defined relative to the mounting position of this optical signaling unit 10 on such a motor vehicle.

The optical signaling unit 10 comprises a housing 20 advantageously molded in one piece from a thermoplastic polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and containing three signaling lights arranged in a superimposed manner (in the species, a position / stop light 30, a flashing direction indicator light 50 and a reversing light 40 interposed therebetween).

The housing 20 has an outlet opening 21 for the light rays which is covered by an outer transparent cover glass (not shown in the figures) advantageously molded in one piece from a transparent synthetic polymer such as poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and fixed on the peripheral periphery of the outlet opening 21 of the housing 20 by laser welding so as to ensure a perfect seal.

In the following description, the terms “front” and “rear” will be used to designate portions of the same element oriented respectively towards the outer cover glass and towards the bottom 22 of the housing 20.

Each light 30, 40, 50 includes a reflector 31, 41, 51 fixed to the housing 20 and comprising at least one parabolic wall, the outer front face of which faces towards the cover glass is covered with a reflective coating, as well as a light source (not visible in the figures) mounted at the rear of this reflector and which can be constituted for example by an incandescent bulb or even by at least one light-emitting diode (LED) or laser.

Each reflector 31, 41, 51 also has an opening intended to receive the light source (only the opening 31A of the reflector 31 being visible in FIG. 2).

The reflectors 31, 41, 51 advantageously came from molding from a thermoplastic material such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). In the embodiment illustrated by the figures, the reflectors 31 and 41 of the lights 30 and 40 are also formed in one piece.

The optical unit 10 also includes a mask 60 fixedly mounted on the housing 20, being interposed between the reflectors 31, 41, 51 and the outer cover glass so that at least its front face is visible from outside the optical unit.

This mask 60, advantageously molded in one piece from a thermoplastic material such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), is positioned at the front of the reflectors 31, 41 , 51 between their front peripheral edges and the outer cover glass.

It comprises four parallel masking elements of the strip type 61, 63, 65, 67 having curved profiles similar to those of the front edges of the upper and / or lower peripheral walls of the reflectors 31, 41, 51 and being each positioned in contact or substantially in contact with a said corresponding front edge so as to conceal it for an observer looking through the outer cover glass, while ensuring part of the style of this optical unit 10.

According to the invention, and as is better visible in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front edge of the lower peripheral wall 52 of the reflector 51 (the one separating it from the reflector 41 devoid of an upper peripheral wall) forms an open groove with cross-section in U 53, facing forwards, and comprising two substantially parallel branches 53A, 53B between which the rear part of a foot with an I-shaped section 66 projecting rearwards from and along the rear face of the bar 65 arranged opposite this groove 53.

This fitting of the rear part of the foot 66 of the masking bar 65 in the groove 53 forming the front edge of the lower peripheral wall 52 of the reflector 51 thus makes it possible to obtain a perfect or almost perfect light tightness preventing light rays interference from the direction change indicator flashing light 50 cannot leak to the reversing light 40 and vice versa.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the spacing of the two branches 53A, 53B of the groove 53 is greater than the thickness of the rear part of the foot 62.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the lower 53A and upper 53B branches of the groove 53 has ribs 54 projecting from its face facing the opposite branch and being advantageously distributed at regular intervals along this groove 53.

The spacing between the ribs from the lower branch 53A and those projecting from the upper branch 53B is slightly less than the thickness of the rear part of the foot 62, so as to ensure that the latter is stressed inside of the groove 53 making it possible to avoid any play between the reflector 50 and the mask 60. and being advantageously distributed at regular intervals along this groove 53.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front edge of the lower peripheral wall 32 of the reflector 31 also forms an open groove with U-shaped section 33, turned towards the front, and comprising two substantially parallel branches between which is carriageway the rear part of a foot with an I-shaped section 62 projecting rearwards from and along the rear face of the bar 61 disposed opposite this groove 33.

This fitting of the rear part of the foot 62 of the masking bar 61 in the groove 33 forming the front edge of the lower peripheral wall 32 of the reflector 31 thus makes it possible to obtain a perfect or almost perfect light tightness preventing light rays parasites from the stop / stop light 30 cannot dissipate in the lower part of the housing 10 and emerge from the latter through play existing between certain parts of the optical unit 10 so as to be visible from the outside.

The bar 63 also includes an I-section foot 64 projecting rearwardly from and along its rear face disposed opposite the front edge of the lower peripheral wall 42 of the reflector 41 also constituting the upper peripheral wall of the reflector 31.

However, and in order to avoid the existence of a hyperstatic connection between the mask 60 and this double reflector 31, 41 which would imply the appearance of friction between these two parts generating plastic dust potentially visible through the external glass of cover, the front edge 43 of this lower peripheral wall 42 does not form a groove such as 33 or 53.

As is clearly visible in FIG. 3, this front edge 43 has an I-section projecting horizontally forwards, at least partially overlapping the foot 64 of the bar 63 in order to limit the leakage of parasitic light rays between the lights 30 and 40.

According to variants not shown, the number and shape of the reflectors and / or masking elements are different.

According to yet other alternative embodiments not shown, the choice of the peripheral walls of the reflectors whose front edges constitute grooves is also different.

The peripheral walls with a front edge provided with such a groove will advantageously be those separating two reflectors from two lights ensuring photometric functions of different colors.

In general, it is recalled that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant within the reach of the skilled person.

In particular, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to a particular type of installation and that it also relates to the optical signaling and / or lighting units intended to be installed at the front of the vehicle.

Claims (10)

1. Optical block for lighting or signaling for a motor vehicle comprising a housing (20) having an outlet opening (21) for light rays covered by an outer transparent cover glass fixed to said housing (20) on the peripheral periphery of said outlet opening (21), said housing (20) containing at least a first light (50) comprising a first reflector (51) as well as a mask (60) interposed between said first reflector (51) and said exterior lens of cover, said mask (60) comprising at least a first masking element (65) having a profile similar to that of a front edge (53) of a peripheral wall (52) of said first reflector (51) and being positioned at contact or substantially in contact with this front edge (53) so as to conceal it for an observer looking through said external glass; characterized in that said front edge of said peripheral wall (52) of the first reflector (51) forms an open groove of U-section (53), facing forward, and comprising two substantially parallel branches (53A, 53B) between which is paved the rear part of an I-shaped section foot (66) projecting rearwards from and along the rear face of said first masking element (65). 2. Optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacing of the two branches (53A, 53B) of said groove (53) is greater than the thickness of said rear part of the foot (66). 3. Optical unit according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said branches (53A, 53B) of the groove (53) has a plurality of ribs (54) projecting from its face oriented opposite the opposite branch, the spacing between the ribs (54) from one and the other of said branches (53A, 53B) being slightly less than the thickness of said rear part of the foot (66) so as to ensure that the latter is stressed . 4. Optical unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the ribs (54) projecting from each said branch (53A, 53B) of the groove (53) are distributed at regular intervals along the latter. 5. Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said housing (20) contains a second light (30) arranged superimposed with said first light and comprising a second reflector (31), said mask ( 60) comprising a second masking element (61) having a profile similar to that of a front edge (33) of a peripheral wall (32) of said second reflector (31) and being positioned in contact with or substantially in contact with this front edge (33) so as to conceal it for an observer looking through said outer cover glass. 6. An optical unit according to claim 5, characterized in that said front edge of said peripheral wall (32) of the second reflector (31) also forms a said groove (33) comprising two substantially parallel branches between which the rear part d 'an I-section leg (62) projecting rearwardly from and along the rear face of said second masking element (61). 7. Optical unit according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that said housing (20) contains a third light (40) interposed between said first and second lights (50, 30) and comprising a third reflector (41) formed in one piece with said second reflector (31). 8. Optical unit according to claim 7, characterized in that said mask (60) comprises a third masking element (63) having a profile similar to that of a front edge (43) of a peripheral wall (42) of said third reflector (41) and being positioned in contact with or substantially in contact with this front edge (43) so as to conceal it for an observer looking through said external glass. 9. Optical unit according to claim 8, characterized in that said front edge (43) of said peripheral wall (42) of the third reflector (41) has an I section projecting forward by at least partially overlapping a foot with I-section (64) projecting rearwards from and along the rear face of said third masking element (63). 5 10. Motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises at least one optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 9.