FR3122241A1 - Closing lens for motor vehicle headlamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing lens (11) for a motor vehicle headlamp. The closure lens (11) according to the invention comprises an outer part (14) formed from a first material (16) and an inner part (15) formed from a second material (17). The outer part (14) is intended to be assembled in the extension of a bumper and/or a fender of the motor vehicle. The inner part (15) forms a cap (18) from the outer part (14) so as to form a housing (19) to house the bumper and/or the fender. According to the invention, the cap (18) is undercut relative to the outer part (14). Figure to be published with abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Closing lens for motor vehicle headlamp

The technical context of the present invention is that of lighting devices specially adapted for the exterior of motor vehicles, and more particularly of surfaces making it possible to close an optical projector housing housing a lighting source as well as the optical systems associates. More particularly, the invention relates to a closing glass for a motor vehicle headlamp.

In the state of the art, motor vehicle headlamps are known which make it possible to emit lighting in the environment of the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle headlamp comprises a casing delimiting a space housing a light source and a glass intended to close the casing of the optical module. The motor vehicle headlight glass prevents the light source from getting dirty and/or protects the housing from the elements.

There are two-material motor vehicle headlight lenses, a first part of the headlight lens being transparent and a second part of the headlight lens being opaque. The second part of the headlight glass, opaque, makes it possible to mask technical, manufacturing and assembly clearances, between the headlight and a structure of the motor vehicle on which the headlight is mounted. The structure of the motor vehicle is formed by a wing of the motor vehicle and/or a bumper of the motor vehicle. The second part of this type of headlight glass then comprises a cap delimiting a housing intended to house the structure of the motor vehicle.

The disadvantage of these motor vehicle headlamp windows is that the cap, formed by molding, has an undercut shape which imposes constraints on the molding. In particular, the cap requires the use of a complex mold, with two drawers. Such a mould, provided with an internal drawer on the side of the space intended to house the light source, and with an external drawer on the side of the housing of the wing or the bumper, makes it possible to overmold the second part of the headlight glass onto the first part of the headlight glass. This complex molding technique does not apply to all shapes or contours of the headlight glass.

The document FR2749237 B1 is also known, relating to a lighting or signaling device with an overmolded seal for a motor vehicle. The invention described in the document FR2749237 B1 makes it possible to overcome technical, manufacturing and assembly play between the signaling device and a motor vehicle body. The lighting or signaling device described comprises a housing, a glass fixed to the housing and comprising a transparent wall, and an elastomer seal fixed to the glass at a distance from the housing outside the device, in which the seal comprises a thin lip inclined locally with respect to the transparent wall and extending facing the device at a distance from the latter. Thus, the lip can bend over a large amplitude when mounting the device on the vehicle. It is therefore possible to make up for significant clearances and sealing is ensured in all cases. The seal is attached to the glass and allows styling effects.

A disadvantage of this solution is that the exterior appearance of the motor vehicle equipped with such a device is that the elastomer seal at night gives a low quality appearance to the motor vehicle, with regard to current standards. In addition, such a device provided with a joint comprises a multitude of elements that it is necessary to assemble, which has an economic impact on the motor vehicle which is equipped with it, both in time and in materials.

The object of the present invention is to propose a new closing glass for a motor vehicle headlamp in order to at least largely respond to the above problems and also to lead to other advantages.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new closing lens for a simple motor vehicle headlamp, both from the point of view of its implementation and from the point of view of its manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new closing glass for a motor vehicle headlamp having a sufficient thickness to guarantee the mechanical robustness of said closing glass.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new closing glass for a motor vehicle headlamp obtained by molding and whose thickness allows uniform cooling of the mold.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new closing lens for a motor vehicle headlight obtained by a simplified molding process in comparison with the closing lenses for existing motor vehicle headlights.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new closing glass for a motor vehicle headlight which is universal and configured to adapt to different motor vehicles.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new closing glass for a motor vehicle headlight of less expensive design compared to the closing glasses for existing motor vehicle headlights.

According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a closing glass for a motor vehicle headlight, the closing glass comprising (i) an outer part formed of a first material, the part exterior being intended to be assembled in the extension of a bumper and/or a wing of the motor vehicle, (ii) an interior part formed of a second material, the interior part forming a cap from the exterior part of so as to form a housing to house the bumper and/or the wing, characterized in that the cap is undercut relative to the outer part.

The closing glass according to the first aspect of the invention comprises the first material and the second material, distinct from the first material. It is understood that the closing glass according to the first aspect of the invention is bi-material and obtained by molding. The first material and the second material are materials having distinct properties. In particular, the first material forming the outer part is transparent to visible light unlike the second material forming the inner part which is opaque, preferably black.

In the motor vehicle equipped with the closing glass according to the first aspect of the invention, the outer part assembled in the extension of the bumper of the motor vehicle and/or of the wing of the motor vehicle makes it possible to cover at least one source lighting housed in a projector housing. By being transparent, the first material forming the external part makes it possible to protect the light source from projections external to the motor vehicle, while allowing light distribution outside the housing, in other words lighting of the environment of the motor vehicle equipped with the closing lens according to the invention.

In the motor vehicle equipped with the closing glass according to the first aspect of the invention, the cap forming the inner part delimits a housing of the bumper of the motor vehicle and/or of the wing of the motor vehicle. The cap is intended to ensure a junction between the headlamp and the bumper of the motor vehicle and/or the wing of the motor vehicle.

The closing lens in accordance with the first aspect of the invention the cap is characterized by its tapered cap with respect to the outer part. Such a closing glass, provided with a tapered cap with respect to the outer part, is unmolded directly during its manufacture by molding. Thus, this solution allows easier demolding and the use of a simplified mold compared to the closing glasses provided with a cap of the prior art. The closing glass according to the invention has the advantage of overcoming the drawbacks mentioned above, in particular by being more economical than the previous solutions.

The closing glass for a motor vehicle headlight in accordance with the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

– the cap is undercut relative to one face of the outer part opposite the cap. By “undercut”, it is understood that the cap and the face of the outer part are undercut. It is understood that the cap and the face of the outer part opposite the cap are located opposite each other. Advantageously, the cap extends parallel to the face of the outer part. By this positioning facing each other, the face and the cap facilitate the release of the closing glass according to the first aspect of the invention. In other words, the cap and the face of the outer part opposite the cap together form a positive draft angle;

- the inner part comprises, at a proximal end of the outer part, a network of ribs complementary to a network of branches of the outer part. The network of ribs of the inner part and the network of branches of the outer part cooperate by form complementarity. By being complementary, the network of ribs of the inner part is fixed integrally to the network of branches of the outer part. The network of ribs and the network of branches are configured to reinforce the robustness to the mechanical forces that can be imposed on the ice. The network of ribs and the network of branches reinforce in particular the cohesion between the inner part and the outer part. The ribs and the branches each advantageously take the form of a prismatic span;

- the ribs and branches are configured to be interposed with each other. By being interposed with each other, at least one single rib of the network of ribs is between two branches of the network of branches, and/or at least one single branch of the network of branches is between two ribs of the network of ribs . Such a configuration reinforces the integral fixing of the network of ribs with the network of branches;

- each rib of the network of ribs of the inner part is of constant thickness. Such ribs individually have a homogeneous mechanical strength. Distances measured perpendicular to an extension axis of the rib are identical at all points in such a rib. By constant, we mean that the thickness is identical, plus or minus 5%;

- the ribs of the network of ribs of the inner part are all of the same thickness. Such ribs have similar mechanical strength to each other. A distance measured perpendicular to an axis of extension of one of the ribs is identical to another distance measured perpendicular to an axis of extension of another of the ribs, and this for all the ribs and at all points of the axes of extension of the ribs. By same thickness, it is understood that the different thicknesses measured are substantially identical, plus or minus 5%;

- Walls forming the inner part have the same thickness as the ribs. Such an inner part allows homogeneous heat dissipation during the molding of the inner part at the level of the walls and the ribs. A rib thickness is a distance measured perpendicular to an extension axis of the considered rib. By same thickness, it is understood that the different thicknesses measured are substantially identical, plus or minus 5%;

- each branch of the outer part is of constant thickness. Such branches individually have a homogeneous mechanical strength. Distances measured perpendicular to an extension axis of the branch are identical at all points in such a branch. By constant, we mean that the thickness is identical, plus or minus 5%;

- the branches of the outer part are all of the same thickness. Such branches have a similar mechanical resistance between them. A distance measured perpendicular to an axis of extension of one of the branches is identical to another distance measured perpendicular to an axis of extension of another of the branches, and this for all the branches and at all points of the axes of extension of branches. By same thickness, it is understood that the different thicknesses measured are substantially identical, plus or minus 5%;

- Walls forming the outer part have the same thickness as the branches. Such an outer part allows homogeneous heat dissipation during the molding of the outer part at the walls and branches. A branch thickness is a distance measured perpendicular to an extension axis of the considered branch. By same thickness, it is understood that the different thicknesses measured are substantially identical, plus or minus 5%;

- the walls of the inner part are of the same thickness as the walls of the outer part. Such walls have equivalent mechanical strength. By same thickness, it is understood that the different thicknesses measured are substantially identical, plus or minus 5%;

- the closing lens is obtained by bi-material molding, the outer part being obtained during a first step of pouring the first material into a mold, and the outer part being obtained during a second step of pouring the second material in the same mould. Bi-material molding is an industrial forming process which makes it possible to form a closing glass according to the one-piece invention. Bi-material molding used to form the closing lens made by overmolding. Overmolding combines in the same mold an insert formed by the already molded outer part, and the second material cast on the insert.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is proposed a headlamp for a motor vehicle, the headlamp comprising a casing housing at least one light source, the casing being closed by a closing glass according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

In the headlamp according to the second aspect of the invention, the cap forming the inner part of the closing glass delimits a housing in the bumper of the motor vehicle and/or in the fender of the motor vehicle. The cap is intended to ensure a junction between the headlamp and the bumper of the motor vehicle and/or the wing of the motor vehicle. Advantageously, the cap is intended to ensure a junction between the housing of the headlamp according to the second aspect of the invention and the bumper of the motor vehicle and/or the wing of the motor vehicle.

In the headlamp according to the second aspect of the invention, the closing lens closes the housing. By closing the case, the glass prevents the light source from getting dirty and/or protects the case from bad weather.

In the headlamp according to the second aspect of the invention, the casing houses at least one light source. The outer part of the glass, being transparent, allows light distribution outside the case, in other words lighting in front of the case. It is understood that the at least one lighting source allows lighting in the environment of the motor vehicle equipped with said headlamp, for example road lighting, and/or signaling lighting for users outside said motor vehicle. The at least one lighting source is, according to at least one of the examples below and in a non-limiting manner, a position light, a brake light, a clearance light, a fog light, a dipped beam , a high beam, a high and low beam, a left and/or right traffic flashing light, a hazard warning light, a daytime running light, a cornering light.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising at least one headlamp in accordance with the second aspect of the invention or according to any one of its improvements.

In the motor vehicle according to the third aspect of the invention, the at least one headlamp is a front headlamp of the motor vehicle.

In the motor vehicle according to the third aspect of the invention, the outer part of the glass is assembled in the extension of a bumper of the motor vehicle and/or of a fender of the motor vehicle.

In the motor vehicle according to the third aspect of the invention, the cap forming the inner part delimits a housing of the bumper of the motor vehicle and/or of the fender of the motor vehicle. The cap provides a junction between the headlight and the bumper of the motor vehicle and/or the fender of the motor vehicle. Such glass ensures line continuity between the headlight and the bumper of the motor vehicle and/or the fender of the motor vehicle. This line continuity is advantageous from the point of view of the qualitative rendering of the motor vehicle and advantageous from the aerodynamic point of view.

Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the various optional characteristics set out here.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent through the description which follows on the one hand, and several embodiments given by way of indication and not limiting with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings on the other hand, on which :

illustrates a schematic view of a motor vehicle according to the third aspect of the invention;

illustrates a schematic sectional view of a closing glass according to the first aspect of the invention;

illustrates a sectional view of the motor vehicle taken at the level of a motor vehicle headlamp according to the second aspect of the invention;

illustrates a sequence for unmolding the closing glass in accordance with the first aspect of the invention illustrated in .

Of course, the characteristics, the variants and the different embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other, according to various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of characteristics described below in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from to the state of the prior art.

In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

There illustrates a schematic front view of a motor vehicle 1 according to the third aspect of the invention. In the remainder of the description, a frame of reference is defined in which a longitudinal axis OX, a transverse axis OY and a vertical axis OZ are defined. The longitudinal axis OX corresponds to a trajectory of the motor vehicle 1 when it is in forward motion, in a straight line and on a flat road. The longitudinal axis OX corresponds to a direction running from the front to the rear of the motor vehicle 1, and it is oriented from the front to the rear of the motor vehicle 1. A longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis OX, the adjectives "front", "rear" or "frontal" refer to this reference direction, the term "length" also. The transverse axis OY corresponds to the axis around which the wheels of the motor vehicle 1 rotate, and the direction of the axis OY is oriented from a passenger side to a driver's side, in the non-Anglo-Saxon standard. A transverse direction parallel to the transverse axis OY is also defined, and the adjectives “lateral” or “transverse” refer to this reference direction, the term “width” also. The vertical axis OZ is an axis perpendicular simultaneously to the axis OX and to the axis OY, and which is oriented from a floor of the motor vehicle 1 towards a roof of said motor vehicle 1, the adjectives “upper” and “lower” refer to this reference direction, the term "height" also.

An insert 100 of the illustrates a close-up view of the motor vehicle 1, the insert 100 highlighting a headlight 2 in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

In this case, the shows that the motor vehicle 1 comprises two front headlights 2 in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, arranged symmetrically with respect to each other with respect to a bonnet 3 of the motor vehicle 1 and with respect to a median longitudinal axis 4 of the motor vehicle 1 oriented in the direction OX. The motor vehicle 1 further comprises a front bumper 5 mounted in front of the motor vehicle 1 and a fender 6 mounted laterally to the motor vehicle 1, the fender 6 extending substantially in the direction OX in said motor vehicle 1.

The insert 100 of the shows that the headlight 2 of the motor vehicle 1 according to the second aspect of the invention is mounted at the interface between the bonnet 3 of the motor vehicle 1, the front bumper 5 of the motor vehicle 1 and a front end 7 of the wing 6 of motor vehicle 1.

In insert 100 of the , the headlamp 2 of the motor vehicle 1 according to the second aspect of the invention is seen from the front. The headlight 2 according to the second aspect of the invention has an L-shaped outer shape with angular contours. An upper part 8 of the headlamp 2 extends along the bonnet 3 of the motor vehicle 1 and substantially in the direction OY. A side part 9, oriented transversely from the upper part 8 of the headlamp 2, extends from the bonnet 3 of the motor vehicle 1 towards a side end 10 of the bumper 5 before.

There shows a view along a longitudinal section AA of a closure lens 11 according to the first aspect of the invention. The longitudinal section AA, which is illustrated in , passes through the wing 6 of the motor vehicle 1. The shows according to the longitudinal section AA the headlamp 2 fitted to the motor vehicle 1 according to the second aspect of the invention and comprising the closing window 11 according to the first aspect of the invention. In the , the closing lens 11 according to the invention closes a housing 12 of the headlamp 2 housing a light source 13, the light source 13 being shown in .

With reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, the closing glass 11 according to the invention comprises an outer part 14 and an inner part 15. The outer part 14 and the inner part 15 of the closing glass 11 according to the invention cooperate with the with each other and form a glass with a one-piece structure obtained by molding.

As illustrated in , the outer part 14 is mounted in front of the motor vehicle 1, above the bumper 5, not visible in due to the viewing angle of the . The inner part 15 is set back, in other words behind the outer part 14. The inner part 15 extends into the side part 9 of the headlamp 2 as illustrated in .

Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, the outer part 14 is formed of a first material 16 transparent to visible light radiation that can be emitted by the light source 13. The inner part 15 is formed of a second material 17 opaque to visible light radiation.

With reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, the inner part 15 forms a cap 18 behind the outer part 14. The cap 18 forming the inner part 15 extends from the outer part 14 so as to form a housing 19 intended to house the wing 6 behind the cap 18. The shows that the housing 19 formed by the cap 18 houses the front end 7 of the wing 6 of the motor vehicle 1.

FIGURES 2 and 3 show that the outer part 14 comprises a wall 20 extending laterally and in front of an array 21 of branches 22, 221 and the inner part 15 comprises a wall 23 extending behind an array 24 of ribs 25, 251, 252. The network 24 of ribs 25, 251, 252 extends at a proximal end 26 of the outer part 14. The walls 20, 23 forming the inner part 15 and the outer part 14 have the same thickness as the ribs 25, 251, 252 and the branches 22, 221. The ribs 25, 251, 252 extend from the wall 23 of the inner part 15 forward of the glass 11 of closing according to the invention. The branches 22, 221 extend from the wall 20 of the outer part 14 towards the rear of the closing glass 11 according to the invention.

With reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, the network 24 of ribs 25, 251, 252 is complementary to the network 21 of branches 22, 221 of the outer part 14. The ribs 25, 251, 252 and the branches 22, 221 are intercalated relative to each other.

FIGURES 2 and 3 show that the network 24 of ribs 25, 251, 252 comprises an outer rib 252 and an inner rib 251 laterally opposite the outer rib 252. The inner rib 251 extends in the extension of the wall 23 of the inner part 15. The network 24 of ribs 25, 251, 252 comprises an intermediate rib 25 between the inner rib 251 and the outer rib 252. The ribs 25, 251, 252 of the network 24 of ribs 25, 251, 252 are extend parallel to each other.

FIGURES 2 and 3 show that the network 21 of branches 22, 221 comprises an external branch 22 and an internal branch 221 opposite laterally to the external branch 22. The internal branch 221 extends between the internal rib 251 and the intermediate rib 25 , the outer branch 22 extends between the intermediate rib 25 and the outer rib 252. The branches 22, 221 of the network of branches 22, 221 extend parallel to each other and relative to the ribs 25, 251, 252 of the network 24 of ribs 25, 251, 252.

There shows that the outer part 14 of the closing glass 11 according to the first aspect of the invention is assembled in the motor vehicle 1 so as to be in the extension of the wing 6 of the motor vehicle 1. A front surface 27 of the outer part 14 of crystal 11 thus extends a side surface 28 of wing 6, so as to form a continuous line.

With reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, the outer part 14 comprises a face 29 opposite the cap 18 forming the inner part 15. The face 29 of the outer part 14 extends transversely with respect to the front surface 27 of the outer part 14 and behind said front surface 27. According to the invention, the cap 18 is undercut with respect to the face 29 of the outer part 14. The outer part 14 further comprises a rear surface 31, extending from face 29 and transversely to face 29.

There and the show that an inner surface 30 of the cap 18 and the face 29 of the outer part 14 together form a simple relief angle allowing easy demolding as shown in .

There shows a sequence of unmolding 32 of the closing crystal 11 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention illustrated in . The stripping sequence 32 is shown along the longitudinal section AA.

There represents a second mold 200 intended to overmold the cap 18 forming the inner part 15 of the closing glass 11 according to the invention, formed of the second material 18 on the outer part 14 of the closing glass 11 according to the invention, formed of the first material 16. The second mold 200 comprises an external drawer 300 making it possible to form the housing 19 delimited by the cap 18. A first view 321 of the shows the second mold 200 closed. A second view 322 of the , consecutive to the first view 321 in the unmolding sequence 32, shows the unmolding of the closure glass 11 according to the invention, the second mold 200 being removed in one go along a first direction 33 and the drawer being removed in one go in a second direction 34 transverse to the first direction 33.

In summary, the invention relates to a closing lens 11 for the headlight 2 of a motor vehicle 1. The closing lens 11 according to the invention comprises an outer part 14 formed of a first material 16 and an inner part 15 formed of a second material 17. The outer part 14 is intended to be assembled in the extension of a bumper 5 and/or a wing 6 of the motor vehicle 1. The inner part 15 forms a cap 18 from the outer part 14 so as to form a housing 19 to house the bumper 5 and/or the wing 6. In accordance with the invention, the cap 18 is tapered relative to the outer part 14.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention may be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims (9)

Closing glass (11) for headlight (2) of a motor vehicle (1), the closing glass (11) comprising:
- an outer part (14) formed from a first material (16), the outer part (14) being intended to be assembled in the extension of a bumper (5) and/or a wing (6) of the motor vehicle (1);
- an inner part (15) formed of a second material (17), the inner part (15) forming a cap (18) from the outer part (14) so as to form a housing (19) to house the visor shocks (5) and/or the wing (6);
characterized in that the cap (18) is undercut relative to the outer part (14). Closing lens (11) according to the preceding claim, in which the cap (18) is tapered relative to one face (29) of the outer part (14) opposite the cap (18). Closing glass (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the inner part (15) comprises, at the level of a proximal end (26) of the outer part (14), a network (24) of ribs (25, 251, 252) complementary to a network (21) of branches (22, 221) of the outer part (14). Closing lens (11) according to the preceding claim, in which the ribs (25, 251, 252) and the branches (22, 221) are configured to be interposed with each other. Closing glass (11) according to any one of Claims 3 or 4, in which the walls (23) forming the inner part (15) have the same thickness as the ribs (25, 251, 252). Closing lens (11) according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, in which the walls (20) forming the outer part (14) have the same thickness as the branches (22, 221). Closing lens (11) according to the preceding claim, in which the walls (23) of the inner part (15) are of the same thickness as the walls (20) of the outer part (14). Headlamp (2) for a motor vehicle (1), the headlamp (2) comprising a casing (12) housing at least one light source (13), the casing (12) being closed by a closing glass (11) according any of the preceding claims. Motor vehicle (1) comprising at least one headlight (2) according to the preceding claim.