FR3134875A1 - OPTICAL BLOCK WITH ELECTRONIC CARD ACCESSIBLE FROM EXTERIOR - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical unit (BO) comprises: - a housing (BB) comprising a wall (PB) provided with a through hole (TT) and housing an electronic card (CE) on which is installed a source generating photons participating in a function photometric and to which is coupled a connector (CN), and - a support part (PS) fixedly secured to the external face (FE) of the wall (PB), ensuring a heat exchanger function, and comprising a part front (PV) housed in the housing (BB) passing through the through hole (TT), to which the electronic card (CE) is coupled, and arranged so as to prevent decoupling of the connector (CN) from the electronic card (CE ). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

OPTICAL BLOCK WITH ELECTRONIC CARD ACCESSIBLE FROM EXTERIOR Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to optical units which comprise an electronic card comprising at least one source generating photons which must participate in at least one photometric function.

State of the art

In what follows, the term “photometric function” means both a photometric signaling function, a photometric lighting function or a photometric light effect function, possibly decorative.

In certain fields, such as for example vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, optical units are used which include a housing housing an electronic card on which is installed at least one source capable of generating photons which must participate in at least one photometric function. and to which is coupled a connector connected to an electrical harness.

When the source(s) generate(s) a significant quantity of calories in operation, the electronic card which includes it(them) can be mounted on a support part providing a heat exchanger (or radiator) function. .

Generally, this support part is fixedly attached to an internal face of a wall of the housing, so that the support part, electronic card and connector assembly is fully housed in the housing. In this case, when the coupling between the electronic card and the connector is made by direct surface contact, a wedging rib (or clamping) is provided on the internal face of the wall of the housing against which the connector rests to prevent its decoupling in the presence of vibrations or shocks.

Such an arrangement certainly guarantees the durability of the coupling, but when we have to work on the electronic card and/or the connector, we are forced to separate the optical unit from the system to which it is attached, then to open the optical unit to access the electronic card and/or connector. Note that this access can be complicated when the area where the electronic card and the connector are installed is cluttered. In order to avoid having to separate the optical unit from the system and then open the optical unit, an opening with controlled access could be defined in the wall of the housing, behind the support part. This would indeed allow the support part with the electronic card and the connector to be extracted. However, such a solution cannot be implemented due to the fact that the connector rests against the wedging rib (or clamping), and therefore extraction could damage the connector and/or the electronic card.

The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

Presentation of the invention

For this purpose, it proposes in particular an optical unit comprising a housing housing an electronic card on which is installed at least one source capable of generating photons which must participate in at least one photometric function and to which a connector is coupled.

This optical unit is characterized by the fact:

- that its housing includes a wall provided with a through hole, and

- that it comprises a support part fixedly secured to an external face of the wall of the housing, ensuring a heat exchanger function, and comprising a front part housed in the housing passing through the through hole, to which the electronic card, and arranged so as to prevent decoupling of the connector from the electronic card.

Thanks to the invention, it is now the support part which allows the connector to remain coupled to the electronic card, thus allowing the removal from the rear of the housing, via the through hole, of the support part assembly, electronic card and connector, without risk of damage to the connector and/or the electronic card.

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

- the front part of the support part may comprise a first housing partially housing the connector while preventing its decoupling from the electronic card;

- in the presence of the first option, the first housing can be a cavity which is defined in a front face of the front part of the support part;

- also in the presence of the first option, the electronic card can comprise a sub-part extending in front of the first housing and comprising a coupling zone to which the connector is coupled;

- also in the presence of the first option, the front part of the support piece may comprise a peripheral rib erected from its front face and delimiting a second housing including the first housing and housing a part of the connector;

- in the presence of the last sub-option, the electronic card can lean against the peripheral rib;

- the support part can be secured, fixedly and in a liquid and dust-tight manner, to the external face of the wall;

- it can provide at least one photometric lighting or signaling function.

The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising at least one optical unit of the type presented above.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examination of the detailed description below, and the appended drawings (obtained in CAD/CAD (“Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Drawing”)), on which :

schematically illustrates, in a front view from the front side, part of an exemplary embodiment of an optical unit according to the invention,

schematically illustrates, in a front view from the rear side, the optical unit of the ,

schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, a part of the optical unit of the ,

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the assembly of support part, electronic card and connector of the optical unit of the , before its assembly to the housing, and

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the electronic card of the entire before its coupling to the support part.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention aims in particular to propose a BO optical unit comprising a BB housing housing a CE electronic card to which a CN connector is coupled and which can be removed from the rear of the BB housing with the CN connector without having to separate the BO optical unit of the system which includes it or open this BO optical unit, and without risk of damaging the CN connector and/or the CE electronic card.

We consider in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the BO optical unit is intended to be part of an automobile type vehicle, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, the BO optical unit can be equipment that can be attached and used in numerous systems or that can be part of other equipment that is itself part of a system. Thus, the BO optical unit can be part of any system, and in particular a vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air), an installation (possibly industrial), a device (possibly general public), or a building.

Furthermore, we consider in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, that the BO optical unit constitutes a front light. But it could constitute a rear light or a headlight (or headlight) of a vehicle.

Finally, taking into account the preceding choices, we consider in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, that the BO optical unit is intended to provide at least one photometric signaling function. For example, in the case of an application to a motor vehicle, this photometric signaling function can be a daytime running light function (or DRL (“Daytime Running Light (or Lamp)”). But it could be act as a position light function (possibly in the side part) or even as a direction change indicator function (or flashing light).

It should be noted, however, that the invention is not limited to photometric signaling functions. Indeed, the BO optical unit, according to the invention, is a luminous device capable of providing at least one photometric function of signaling or lighting or luminous effect (possibly decorative).

In what precedes and what follows the notion of “before” is defined in relation to the place where the photons participating in the (a) photometric function exit, and the notion of “back” is defined in relation to the place which is opposite to that where the photons participating in the (a) photometric function exit. Therefore, the front side of an element faces outward, while the back side of that element faces inward and opposite the front side.

We have schematically illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 3, an exemplary embodiment of a BO optical unit according to the invention, here intended to equip a front part of a vehicle.

As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 3, an optical block BO, according to the invention, notably comprises a housing BB, an electronic card CE, a connector CN, and a support part PS.

The BB box delimits, preferably with a glass GL, an internal housing LI in which the electronic card CE, the connector CN, and a front part PV of the support part PS are housed. For this purpose it comprises at least one wall PB having an internal face FI (participating in the delimitation of the internal housing LI) and an external face FE, opposite this internal face FI. Note, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, that this wall PB is provided, in an area intended for receiving the electronic card CE, connector CN and support piece PS, with a through hole TT to which we will return further away.

The CE electronic card comprises at least one photon source which is capable of generating photons which must participate in at least one photometric function when supplied with electric current. It should be noted that this CE electronic card also includes electrical and electronic components and/or possibly integrated circuits, in particular for coupling to the CN connector. For example, the CE electronic card may be a PCB type printed circuit board (“Printed Circuit Board”).

Also for example, the (each) source of photons may comprise at least one light emitting diode (or LED (“Light Emitting Diode”)) or at least one laser diode or a gas laser or even at least one bulb (possibly xenon ). The choice of the type of (each) photon source may depend on the (each) photometric function in which it participates.

Also for example, the electronic card CE may comprise a sub-part SPC comprising a coupling zone ZC. The latter (ZC) can, as illustrated without limitation on the , have several contacts on at least one of its two opposite faces (here its front face), for its power supply and control.

The CN connector is coupled to the CE electronic card and connected to an FA electrical harness (see ) allowing power to be supplied and control of the CE electronic card. For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 3 and 4, the CN connector can have a U shape allowing its coupling, by “plugging”, to the SPC sub-part of the CE electronic card at the level of its connection zone. ZC coupling. Thus, contacts of the CN connector can be placed in direct surface contact with the corresponding contacts of the coupling zone ZC of the CE electronic card.

The support part PS comprises a rear part PR and a front part PV which extend mutually. The rear part PR is fixedly attached to the external face FE of the wall PB of the housing BB. For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 to 4, this rear part PR can include two fixing lugs PF allowing it to be secured to the external face FE of the wall PB by screwing (but clipping can also be considered).

The front part PV is housed in the housing BB through the through hole TT (see figures 1 to 3), and the electronic card CE is coupled to it (PV). For example, this last coupling can be done by screwing (but clipping can also be considered). In addition, the front part PV of the support part PS is arranged so as to prevent the decoupling of the CN connector from the CE electronic card.

The support part PS also provides a function of heat exchanger (or radiator), in order to evacuate through its rear part PR the calories which are generated in operation by the electronic card CE (coupled to its front part PV). For this purpose, the support part PS can be made of metal and include exchange fins AR at least at its rear part PR, as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 and 4.

It will be understood that it is now the particular arrangement of the support part PS which allows the CN connector to remain permanently coupled to the electronic card CE in its coupling zone ZC, including in the presence of vibrations or shocks ( as is the case in a vehicle), and therefore which makes it possible to dispense with a wedging rib on the internal face FI of the wall PB. Consequently, it is now possible to remove the entire PS support piece, CE electronic card and CN connector from the rear of the BB housing, via the through hole TT, without risk of damage to the CN connector and/or the electronic card. CE, with a view to intervening on at least one of them. This is particularly advantageous because it avoids having to separate the BO optical unit from the system which includes it (here a vehicle) or open this BO optical unit. In addition, the rear part PR of the support part PS (which ensures the evacuation of calories to the outside) is permanently installed outside the BB housing, which makes it possible to reduce the bulk in the internal housing LI and avoid the accumulation of calories in this internal housing LI.

Installation of the assembly (PS support piece, CE electronic card and CN connector) can be done as indicated below. In a first step a technician can grasp the support part PS in order to pass its front part PV through the through hole TT, then he can fixedly secure the rear part PR of the support part PS to the external face FE of the wall PB of the housing BB, for example by screwing and/or clipping. In a second step the technician can couple the CN connector to the CE electronic card. In a third step the technician can couple the electronic card CE (with the coupled CN connector) to the front face FV of the front part PV of the support part PS, for example by clipping and/or screwing.

Removal of the assembly (PS support piece, CE electronic card and CN connector) can be done as indicated below. In a first step, a technician can separate the rear part PR of the support part PS from the external face FE of the wall PB of the housing BB, then pull the assembly (support part PS, electronic card CE and connector CN) in order to that it passes entirely through the through hole TT. In a second step, the technician can separate the CE electronic card (with the coupled CN connector) from the front face FV of the front part PV from the support part PS. In a third step, the technician can decouple the CN connector (attached to the FA electrical harness) from the CE electronic card.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the front part PV of the support part PS may comprise a first housing L1 partially housing the connector CN while preventing its decoupling from the electronic card CE. It will be understood that the dimensions of the first housing L1 are chosen so as to allow partial housing of the CN connector while preventing it (almost completely) from moving to prevent it from decoupling from the CE electronic card. The portion of wall which delimits the first housing L1 just behind the connector CN in fact defines a rear wedge (or stop) restricting the movement of the latter (CN).

As illustrated without limitation in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the first housing L1 can be a cavity which is defined in the front face FV of the front part PV of the support part PS. But in a variant not illustrated, the first housing L1 could be defined by a peripheral rib erected from the front face FV of the front part PV, and possibly closed (that is to say in a loop).

Also for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the SPC sub-part of the electronic card CE (which includes the coupling zone ZC) can extend in front of the first housing L1. This allows the CN connector to be positioned in the first housing L1. It will be noted that very precise positioning of the CN connector in the first housing L1 can be obtained thanks to very precise positioning of the electronic card CE relative to the front part PV of the support part PS. For this purpose, and as illustrated non-limitatively and at least partially in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the front part PV can, for example, comprise two positioning pads PP extending substantially perpendicularly from its front face FV and intended to cross two corresponding TP through holes defined in the CE electronic card.

Also for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the front part PV of the support piece PS may comprise a peripheral rib NP erected (or extending) from its front face FV. This peripheral rib NP delimits a second housing L2 which includes the first housing L1 and which houses part of the connector CN. This makes it possible in particular to increase the volume of the first housing L1 to accommodate the CN connector (and thus prevent it from being too deep), but also to increase the length of the rear spacer (or stop) restricting the movement of the CN connector. Note that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4 the peripheral rib NP is closed (that is to say in a loop), but this is not obligatory.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1, 3 and 4, that the electronic card CE can possibly rest against the peripheral rib NP which then provides a second stop function (or wedging) for a precise definition of the distance separating the electronic card CE from the front face FV from the front part PV.

It should also be noted that the support part PS can be secured, fixedly and in a liquid and dust-tight manner, to the external face FE of the wall PB. This protects the CE electronic card and the CN connector, but also prevents the entry of liquid and dust into the internal housing LI, via the through hole TT. For example, this seal can be obtained by means of a seal.

Claims (10)

Optical unit (BO) comprising a housing (BB) housing an electronic card (CE) on which is installed at least one source capable of generating photons which must participate in at least one photometric function and to which a connector (CN) is coupled, characterized in that said housing (BB) comprises a wall (PB) provided with a through hole (TT), and in that it comprises a support part (PS) fixedly secured to an external face (FE) of said wall (PB), providing a heat exchanger function, and comprising a front part (PV) housed in said housing (BB) passing through said through hole (TT), to which said electronic card (CE) is coupled, and arranged so as to prevent decoupling of said connector (CN) from said electronic card (CE). Optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said front part (PV) of the support piece (PS) comprises a first housing (L1) partially housing said connector (CN) while preventing its decoupling from said electronic card (CE) . Optical unit according to claim 2, characterized in that said first housing (L1) is a cavity defined in a front face (FV) of said front part (PV). Optical unit according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said electronic card (CE) comprises a sub-part (SPC) extending in front of said first housing (L1) and comprising a coupling zone (ZC) to which is coupled said connector (CN). Optical unit according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said front part (PV) of the support piece (PS) comprises a peripheral rib (NP) erected from its front face (FV) and delimiting a second housing (L2) including said first housing (L1) and housing a part of said connector (CN). Optical unit according to claim 5, characterized in that said electronic card (CE) rests against said peripheral rib (NP). Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said support part (PS) is secured, fixedly and in a liquid and dust-tight manner, to said external face (FE) of the wall (PB). Optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it provides at least one photometric lighting or signaling function. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one optical unit (BO) according to one of claims 1 to 8. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.