FR3084475A1 - ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PASSENGER GLASS AND A LIGHT SOURCE SUPPORT MADE BY OVER-MOLDING - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly comprising a window (22) for closing a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and at least one first light source (50) carried by an associated first support (54), the window (22) being delimited transversely in the direction. of thickness by a first free face (24) and by a second free face (26), each first light source (50) being offset transversely relative to the window (22) on the side of the first free face (24) and emitting light rays directly towards the first free face (24), characterized in that the first support (54) is fixed to the first free face (24) of the window (22) by overmolding. The invention also relates to a door equipped with such an assembly.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an assembly comprising a window for closing a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and at least a first light source carried by a first associated support, each first light source being offset transversely with respect to the window and emitting light rays directly towards a first free face of the glass.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automobile manufacturers have already proposed to combine at least one window to close a passenger compartment with a light source to allow the production of light that seems to emanate directly from the window. This effect can be achieved by concealing the light source in the vehicle body, at the edge of the window. The light rays penetrate into the glass and propagate inside the glass by successive reflections between the two main faces, the light rays gradually leaving the glass to give an impression of luminescence.

It is possible to associate such a device with a window comprising patterns of light scattering. When the light source is off, the scattering patterns are barely noticeable to the naked eye. On the other hand, when the light source is switched on, the light rays which reach the scattering pattern are scattered, thus giving the feeling that the scattering pattern is bright.

It has already been proposed to arrange light sources opposite a edge of the glass to illuminate the diffusion patterns. However, it has been found that such an arrangement is not adaptable to all the window geometries, in particular the sliding side windows which equip the vehicle doors. Furthermore, the composition of the panes of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, made of tempered glass or laminated glass or of organic glass, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC), does not allow sufficient propagation of the light to allow correct lighting of light patterns.

It has already been proposed to bring the light in through the exterior face of the glass instead of the edge face. For this purpose, the light source is arranged in an exterior seal of the door. The light source is formed by a light guide which is illuminated by an indirect light source.

However, this solution is expensive because it requires making a specific seal for this kind of application.

In addition, the use of a light guide simultaneously illuminates the entire length of the window, without the possibility of independently lighting different areas of the window.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an assembly comprising a window for closing a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and at least one first light source carried by a first associated support, the window being delimited transversely in the thickness direction by a first free face and by a second free face, each first light source being offset transversely with respect to the glass on the side of the first free face and emitting light rays directly towards the first free face, characterized in that the first support is fixed to the first free face of the window by overmolding.

According to other characteristics of the assembly produced according to the teachings of the invention:

- The first support is common to a first group of first light sources which are arranged longitudinally in line on said first support;

- The assembly includes at least a second light source carried by a second associated support, each second light source being offset transversely with respect to the window on the side of the second free face and emitting a beam of light rays directly towards the second free face , the second associated support being fixed to the second free face of the glass by overmolding;

- The second support is common to a second group of second light sources which are arranged longitudinally in line on said second support;

- Each light source is formed by a point light source, such as a light emitting diode;

- each group of light sources is formed by a strip of light-emitting diodes;

- At least one support is made of a thermoplastic elastomer material, such as TPS-SEBS;

- At least one support is made of a rubber-based material such as a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and diene monomer;

- At least one light source is fixed to its support by elastic fitting in a dovetail housing of a platform for receiving the associated support;

- at least one light source is fixed by bonding to the associated support;

- The window has a marked area which is provided with light scattering patterns, the light sources being oriented towards the marked area to illuminate at least part of the scattering patterns.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle door, characterized in that it is equipped with an assembly produced according to the teachings of the invention, the window being slidingly mounted vertically in the door between an extreme open position in which it is retracted into a hollow body of the door and an extreme closed position.

According to another characteristic of the door, in the extreme closed position of the window, the marked area is located outside the hollow body of the door, while the light sources and their associated support are hidden inside the body hollow.

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 view of the interior side which represents an upper part of a door equipped with a window closed by a window made according to the teachings of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 in which a body panel of the door has been removed;

- Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view along the cutting plane 3-3 of Figure 1 which shows the window fitted with two light source supports which are molded onto the window;

- Figure 4 is a schematic view in vertical cross section which explains the operation of the assembly comprising the window and the light sources fitted to the door of Figure 1;

- Figure 5 is a view of the interior side which shows the window fitted with molded supports.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same reference.

In the following description, we will adopt, without limitation, longitudinal orientations, directed from rear to front, vertical, directed from bottom to top, and transverse, directed from left to right, which are indicated by the trihedron L, V , T of the figures. The vertical orientation is independent of the direction of Earth's gravity.

In the following description, the term interior, respectively exterior, will be used to designate an element facing the interior of the passenger compartment, respectively towards the exterior of the passenger compartment.

FIG. 1 shows a door 10 of a motor vehicle which is intended to close a passenger compartment (not shown) of the motor vehicle. The door 10 comprises a lower hollow body 12 and a window 14 which is delimited by a frame 16 which extends vertically upwards from the hollow body 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the internal space 17 of the hollow body 12 is delimited transversely towards the outside of the passenger compartment by a generally vertical longitudinal body panel 18 and towards the interior of the passenger compartment by a box 20 of generally vertical longitudinal lining. The trim box 20 is here made in one piece with the window frame 16. The trim box 20 is here covered with an interior trim panel 19.

The hollow body 12 is open upwards via a longitudinal slot 21. The slot 21 opens vertically in the plane of the window 14. The slot 21 is delimited transversely between an upper edge of the body panel 18 and an upper edge of the trim box 20.

The window 14 is intended to be closed by a window 22 which generally extends in a longitudinal vertical plane. Of course, the window 22 may have a slightly curved shape. The window 22 is delimited transversely in the thickness direction by a first free face 24, here forming the inside face 24 of the window 22, and by a second free face 26, here forming the outside face 26 of the window 22.

This is a window 22 made of tempered glass or laminated glass or organic glass, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC). The window 22 is made in one piece.

The window 22 is slidably mounted vertically in the slot 21 of the door 10 between an extreme closed position in which it completely closes the window 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an extreme open position (not shown) ) in which the window 22 is retracted down at least partially inside the hollow body 12.

To prevent moisture and / or polluting particles from entering the interior of the hollow body 12, the slot 21 is closed by an interior seal 28 and by an exterior seal 30.

The inner seal 28 has a longitudinal body 32 which is fitted with the upper edge of the packing box 20. A flexible lip 34 extends transversely from the joint body 32 to a free outer edge which bears on the inner face 24 of the window 22. The body 32 also has a longitudinal groove for fitting an edge of the trim panel 19.

The outer seal 30 has a longitudinal body 36 which is fitted with the upper edge of the body panel 18. A flexible lip 38 extends transversely from the seal body 36 to a free internal edge which bears on the external face 26 of the window 22.

Each interior and exterior seal 28, 30 here has a single flexible lip 34, 38. The two lips 34, 38 bear on the window 22 transversely opposite one another to balance the forces applied to the window 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the extreme closed position of the window 22, a lower portion of the window 22, called the hidden portion 22A, is hidden inside the hollow body 12, while an upper portion of the window 22, called the closing portion 22B, is visible in the frame 16 of the window 14. The hidden portion 22A has been indicated by hatching in FIGS. 2 to 5. The hidden portion 22A is here defined as being located below lips 34, 38 of the seals 28, 30 while the closing portion 22B extends above the lips 34, 38 of the seals 28, 30 in the extreme closed position.

The hidden portion 22A remains inside the hollow body 12 whatever the position of the window 22 between its two extreme positions. The hidden portion 22A here comprises a tongue 40 which extends vertically downwards from the middle of the lower edge of the window 22. Thus the lower edge of the window 22 has two end sections 42A, 42B which are arranged generally parallel at the seals 28, 30, vertically close to the said seals 28, 30, the tongue 40 extending vertically downwards below the level of the two end sections 42A, 42B. The tongue 40 is provided with holes 44 which allow the window 22 to be linked with a sliding control device (not shown) which is concealed in the hollow body 12.

In a variant not shown of the invention, the lower edge of the window may include several languages similar to language 40, for example two languages. Each of these languages can be arranged at one end of the lower edge or in a central portion of the lower edge.

It is also expected that the window 22 has a marked area 46 which is provided with patterns 48 of light scattering. The marked area 46 is here arranged on a lower end strip of the closing portion 22B, over the entire length of the window 22. The marked area 46 is thus adjoining the hidden portion 22A of the window 22.

The diffusion patterns 48 have for example an aesthetic function and / or an information communication function.

The diffusion patterns 48 are for example formed by frosted surfaces. The diffusion patterns 48 can be produced either by etching the surface of the window 22, for example by means of a laser or by sandblasting, or by etching the thickness of the window 22, for example by means of a laser . In the example shown in FIG. 4, the diffusion patterns 48 are produced by etching the surface of the inner face 24 of the glass

22.

As shown in Figure 4, the door 10 is further equipped with at least one first light source 50.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the door 10 also includes at least one second light source 52.

These are point sources 50, 52, for example formed by light-emitting diodes. Such a light-emitting diode is generally fixed on a substrate 53, such as a flexible or rigid printed circuit card. The sources 50, 42 are supplied with electricity by a battery (not shown) of the motor vehicle.

Each first light source 50 forms an interior light source 50 which is offset transversely relative to the window 22 towards the interior of the passenger compartment. The first light source 50 is oriented so as to emit a beam of light rays along a main emission axis directly towards the inner face 24 of the window 22. More particularly, the beam of light rays is oriented towards the zone 46 marked to illuminate at least part of the diffusion patterns 48.

Likewise, each second light source 52 forms an external light source 52 which is offset transversely relative to the window 22 towards the outside. The second light source 52 is oriented so as to emit a beam of light rays directly towards the outer face 26 of the window 22. More particularly, the beam of light rays is oriented towards the zone 46 marked to illuminate at least a portion 48 reasons for diffusion.

As shown schematically by the arrows r in FIG. 4, part of the light rays emitted by the first light source 50 penetrate into the thickness of the window 22 through the inner face 24 of the hidden portion 22A. At least part of these light rays r is reflected by the outer face 26 in the direction of the diffusion patterns 48 of the inner face 24. The light rays d reaching the diffusion patterns 48 produced on the inner face 24 of the window 22 are scattered in all directions, that is to say towards the interior of the passenger compartment, on the one hand, and towards inside the window 22 before coming out through the outer face 26 towards the outside of the passenger compartment, on the other hand.

The light rays emitted by the second light source 52 penetrate into the window 22 passing through the outer face 26. The light rays d reaching the diffusion patterns 48 produced on the inner face 24 of the window 22 are scattered in all directions, that is to say towards the interior of the passenger compartment, on the one hand, and towards inside the window 22 before coming out through the outer face 26 towards the outside of the passenger compartment, on the other hand.

In this way, when the light sources 50, 52 are switched on, the diffusion pattern 48 appears bright for an observer located inside or outside the passenger compartment.

The marked zone 46 extends over the entire length of the window 22. To allow it to be fully illuminated, the door 10 advantageously comprises a group of several first light sources 50 arranged on the inside of the window 22 and / or a group of several second light sources 52 arranged on the outside of the window 22. Each group of light sources 50, 52 is for example formed by a strip of light-emitting diodes. All the light-emitting diodes of a group are thus aligned longitudinally. Each light source 50, 52 is thus capable of illuminating a portion of the marked area 46.

Advantageously, each point light source 50, 52 can be controlled individually between an off state and an on state. In this way, it is possible to illuminate only part of the zone 46 marked according to the context of use of the vehicle and / or according to the wishes of the driver.

Each light source 50, 52 is here carried by the window 22. To prevent a light source 50, 52 from directly illuminating an observer, each light source 50, 52 is arranged at the hidden portion 22A of the window 22 so as to be constantly hidden inside the hollow body 12, below the lips 34, 38 of the joints 28, 30. Thus, an observer perceives the light indirectly, after it has been scattered, reflected or refracted by window 22.

Each first light source 50 is carried by a first associated support 54. The first support 54 is fixed to the inner face 24 of the window 22 by overmolding.

Similarly, each second light source 52 is carried by a second associated support 56. The second support 56 is fixed to the outer face 26 of the window 22 by overmolding.

Each support 54, 56 is made of an elastomeric material. It is for example a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) such as polystyrene-b-poly (ethylene-butylene) -bpolystyrene (TPS-SEBS) or a rubber-based material such as a terpolymer d 'ethylene, propylene and diene monomer (EPDM).

As is shown in cross section in FIG. 3, each support 54, 56 thus has a mounting base 58 for fixing and fixed against the face 24, 26 associated with the window 22, and a platform 60 for receiving the source 50, 52 associated light. The platform 60 is here inclined towards the associated face 24, 26 of the window 22 so as to allow an optimal orientation of the light beam emitted by the light source 50, 52 towards the associated face 24, 26 of the window to obtain the described operation previously.

The window 22 and the supports 54, 56 thus form an integral assembly.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the window 22 is equipped with a first group of first light sources 50, here in the form of a strip of light-emitting diodes. The associated interior support 54 is common to the entire first group of first 50 light sources which are arranged in line on said interior support 54. The interior support 54 then has the form of a continuous longitudinal bar of substantially identical transverse profile over its entire length.

Of course, the window 22 can also be equipped with a second group of second light sources 52, here in the form of a strip of light-emitting diodes, which are carried by a common external longitudinal support 56. The external support 56 then has the form of a continuous longitudinal bar of substantially identical transverse profile over its entire length.

The longitudinal support 54, 56 is here arranged parallel to the line of demarcation between the hidden portion 22A and the window closing portion 22B 22. The support 54, 56 is for example tangent to the end sections 42A, 42B of the edge bottom of the window 22.

The supports 54, 56 are here arranged at two different heights. This is due to the difference in height between the bodies 32 and 36 of each of the joints 28, 30. The inclination of the platform 60 of each support 54, 56 is determined so that the main axes of emission of the beams light from each light source 50, 52 intersect in the thickness of the window 22. Thus, the first support 54 is inclined at a first angle a relative to the vertical plane of the window 22, while the second support 56 is inclined by a second angle β relative to the vertical plane of the window 22.

Referring to FIG. 3, the fixing of the light sources 50, 52 on the platform 60 of the associated support 54, 56 is here carried out by elastic fitting in a housing 62 in the dovetail of the reception platform 60. More particularly, the platform 60 has folds 64 which delimit the dovetail housings upwards. The folds 64 extend longitudinally and they are arranged transversely on either side of the platform 60. The folds 64 are elastically deformable due to the composition of elastomeric material of the support 54, 56. The substrate 53 of the source 50 , 52 luminous is thus embedded, by elastic interlocking, in the housings 62 in dovetail by elastic deformation of the folds 64.

In a variant not shown, which can be combined with the example shown in FIG. 3, the substrate 53 of the source 50, 52 is bonded to the platform 60 of the support 54, 56.

When the door 10 is produced, the window 22 is first of all made, for example from laminated glass or from tempered glass or from organic glass, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC). Then each support 54, 56 is then molded onto the associated face 24, 26 of the window 22.

The diffusion patterns 48 can be engraved before or after the molding of the supports 54, 56.

The light sources 50, 52 are then fixed to the platform 60 of the associated support 54, 56. Finally, the window 22 thus equipped with its light sources 50, 52 is mounted in the hollow body 12 of the door 10.

The invention is applicable has been described in application with sliding side windows. It will be understood that it is also applicable to fixed windows of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, such as side windows, windscreens, quarter window panes or panoramic roof panes.

Claims (13)

1. Assembly comprising a window (22) for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and at least one first light source (50) carried by an associated first support (54), the window (22) being delimited transversely in the thickness direction by a first free face (24) and by a second free face (26), each first light source (50) being offset transversely relative to the window (22) on the side of the first free face (24) and emitting rays luminous directly towards the first free face (24), characterized in that the first support (54) is fixed to the first free face (24) of the window (22) by overmolding. 2. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first support (54) is common to a first group of first light sources (50) which are arranged longitudinally in line on said first support (54). 3. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a second light source (52) carried by a second support (56) associated, each second light source (52) being offset transversely relative to to the window (22) on the side of the second free face (26) and emitting a beam of light rays directly towards the second free face (26), the second associated support (56) being fixed to the second free face (26) of the window (22) by overmolding. 4. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second support (56) is common to a second group of second light sources (52) which are arranged longitudinally in line on said second support (56). 5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each light source (50, 52) is formed by a point light source, such as a light-emitting diode. 6. An assembly according to the preceding claim taken in combination with claim 2 and / or 4, characterized in that each group of light sources (50, 52) is formed by a strip of light emitting diodes. 7. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one support (54, 56) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer material (TPE), such as TPS-SEBS. 8. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one support (54, 56) is made of rubber-based material such as a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and diene monomer ( EPDM). 9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one light source (50, 52) is fixed to its support (54, 56) by elastic fitting in a dovetail housing of a platform (60) for receiving the associated support (54, 56). 10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one light source (50, 52) is fixed by bonding to the support (54, 56) associated. 11. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the window (22) has a marked zone (46) which is provided with patterns (48) of light diffusion, the light sources (50, 52) being oriented towards the marked area (46) to illuminate at least part of the diffusion patterns (48). 12. Door (10) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it is equipped with an assembly produced according to any one of the preceding claims, the window (22) being slidably mounted vertically in the door (10) between a position extreme opening in which it is retracted into a hollow body (12) of the door (10) and an extreme closed position. 13. Door (10) according to the preceding claim taken in combination with claim 11, characterized in that 5 that in the extreme closed position of the window (22), the marked area (46) is located outside the hollow body (12) of the door (10), while the light sources (50, 52) and their associated support (54, 56) are hidden inside the hollow body (12).