FR3142234A1 - Optical block of a motor vehicle headlight - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical unit (1) for a motor vehicle, the optical unit (1) comprising a housing, a closing glass (12) and a fixing tab (13) extending from the housing (11) or the closing glass (12). The mounting bracket (13) includes a bumper support retainer, and the bumper support includes a complementary retainer configured to cooperate with the retainer. Thus, the optical unit (1) makes it possible to reinforce the rigidity of the bumper support in direct proximity to said optical unit (1). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Optical block of a motor vehicle headlight

The technical context of the present invention is that of structural elements on the front of motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to an optical unit fitted to a front headlight for a motor vehicle.

In the state of the art, motor vehicles are known comprising optical units for headlights mounted at the front and rear of motor vehicles. These optical units make it possible, on the one hand, to illuminate a road scene and to improve the visibility of a driver, particularly at night, and, on the other hand, to signal the position of said motor vehicles to other users. of the road.

At the front of such motor vehicles, we also know a front bumper composed of several bumper elements assembled together. Such a front bumper is mounted alongside the periphery of the two front headlights of motor vehicles.

A known disadvantage of these bumpers lies in less rigidity near the front headlights. Indeed, despite the presence of a bumper support located behind the bumper and the optical units and allowing the bumper to be fixed and its rigidity guaranteed, it is sometimes difficult, or even impossible, depending on the shape of the optical units, to rest the bumper on the bumper support in direct proximity to the optical units.

This situation results in an impression of the front bumper sinking when a user of the motor vehicle presses on said bumper near one of the optical units.

The object of the present invention is to propose a new optical unit in order to at least largely respond to the previous problems and to also lead to other advantages.

Another aim of the invention is to increase the rigidity of the front bumper near the optical unit.

Another aim of the invention is to prevent the bumper from sinking near the optical unit and to guarantee its retention in position.

Another aim of the invention is to limit the increase in mass for such reinforcement.

According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with an optical unit of a motor vehicle, the optical unit comprising a housing and a closing glass together forming a housing for a headlight of the motor vehicle , the optical unit comprising a fixing bracket allowing the fixing of a bumper support, the fixing bracket comprising a retaining member of the bumper support, and the bumper support comprises a complementary retaining element configured to collaborate with the retaining organ.

In the context of the present invention, the optical unit is an optical assembly intended to equip a motor vehicle at a front face, near the front bumper. The optical unit includes at least the housing and the closing glass. The optical unit is intended to also include projection optics comprising at least one light source and shaping optics so as to respectively generate and shape a light beam used to illuminate a road scene located in front of the vehicle automobile.

In the context of the present invention, the housing forms a rigid structural element on which the headlight of the motor vehicle is intended to be securely fixed. The box is mounted behind the bumper, for example fixed integrally to the bumper support or to another structural element of the motor vehicle.

In the context of the present invention, the closing glass extends across the housing and the projector housed in the housing. The closing glass is made of a material that is optically transparent in relation to the light beam projected by the projector. The closing glass is fixed integrally to the box. In the context of the present invention, but in a non-limiting manner, the closing window extends in direct extension of the front bumper. In other words, the closing window has a continuity of shape with respect to the front bumper.

In the context of the present invention, the front bumper is an element of the motor vehicle which extends across said motor vehicle, relative to a transverse axis, and at the level of the front face and between two side wings of the motor vehicle. The bumper is held through a plurality of fixings with the bumper support placed behind it, relative to a longitudinal axis. Particularly in the context of the present invention, the front bumper comprises a lower part located below the optical unit, relative to a vertical axis, and an upper part located above the optical unit. As mentioned previously, the optical unit has a continuity of shape between the lower part and the upper part of the bumper. The lower part and the upper part of the bumper can be separate from each other or form a single monolithic assembly.

In the context of the present invention, the bumper support forms a structural element of the motor vehicle and which contributes to ensuring the strength and rigidity of the bumper at the level of the front face of the motor vehicle. The bumper support extends vertically and transversely at the level of the front face of the motor vehicle. The bumper bracket has numerous attachment points for the bumper. The optical units are attached to the bumper support.

In the context of the present invention, the fixing bracket is a new member present on the optical unit, making it possible to provide rigidity to a part of the bumper located opposite, and therefore to improve the rigidity of the bumper around the optical unit. . The fixing bracket makes it possible to establish a temporary or permanent mechanical connection between the bumper support and the bumper in direct proximity to the optical unit, reinforcing the rigidity of the bumper in this area.

In the context of the present invention, the rigidity is, preferably but not limited to, evaluated along a longitudinal axis and as a depression of the bumper towards the rear.

In the context of the present invention, the retaining member is configured to allow support of a part of the bumper support located opposite the retaining member against said retaining member. Additionally, the retaining member can also be configured to provide temporary and detachable fixing of the part of the bumper support located opposite said retaining member. The retaining member being located on the periphery of the optical unit, the invention in accordance with its first aspect thus makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the front bumper near the optical unit, to limit or even prevent the sinking of the bumper near the unit. optical without leading to a significant increase in the mass of the optical unit.

In the context of the present invention, the complementary retaining element is a mechanical member configured to collaborate with the retaining member formed on the fixing tab. For this purpose, the additional retaining element is located opposite the retaining member, on the bumper support. The complementary retaining element is preferably made from material with the bumper support. The complementary retaining element is configured to authorize support, preferably in a plane formed by the transverse axis and the vertical axis, against the retaining member.

In the context of the present invention, the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis and the vertical axis are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the optical unit conforming to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. More particularly, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood in a direction which extends from a passenger side of the motor vehicle towards a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, interior and exterior refer to such a transverse axis. Additionally, the longitudinal axis extends as taken along a direction that extends from front to rear or rear to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis. The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis. Finally, the vertical axis is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the axis transverse and to the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or inferior and superior refer to this vertical axis.

The optical unit conforming to 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 retaining member is of the type of a fixing clip configured to collaborate by snapping with a complementary opening of the bumper support. This advantageous configuration allows rapid docking of the bumper support with the retaining member. In addition, it allows blind assembly by facilitating assembly operations;

– according to a first alternative embodiment, the retaining member is made from the material with the fixing tab, so as to form a single-piece assembly. According to a second preferred embodiment, the retaining member is attached to the fixing tab. Subsequently, the retaining member is fixed integrally to the fixing bracket by any means, and in particular by screwing, by gluing or clamping, or by clamping with a retaining flange;

- the retaining member takes the form of a clip. Advantageously, the clip is of the type of a clipping clip allowing clipping with a complementary reach of the bumper support. Preferably, the clip is metallic;

- the fixing tab extends in relation to the optical unit, and in particular to the closing glass. This configuration makes it possible to provide a docking zone allowing the bumper support to rest against the mounting bracket. Advantageously, the fixing tab extends projecting relative to the optical unit and along the transverse axis;

- the fixing bracket is frangible so as to allow breakage of the fixing bracket in the event of an impact at the front of the motor vehicle on which the optical unit is intended to be mounted;

- the frangible fixing tab comprises at least one pre-cut line configured to create a rupture zone and to delimit, on a first side of the at least one pre-cut line, the rupture zone intended to break in the event of an impact , and, on a second side of the at least one pre-cut line, a persistent zone secured to the optical unit. In the context of the present invention, the pre-cut line corresponds to a zone of less thickness of the fixing tab, extending preferentially in a rectilinear manner, more preferably along the vertical axis, so as to allow a concentration of mechanical stresses resulting from an impact at the front and which lead, if the mechanical energy is sufficient, to break the fixing tab along the pre-cut line. Thus, the pre-cut line forms a break zone;

- the persistent zone includes at least one stiffening rib. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to stiffen the persistence zone and to reinforce it with respect to a bending force relative to the longitudinal axis. This configuration thus makes it possible to improve the rigidity of the bumper support near the optical unit;

- the rupture zone includes at least one stiffening rib. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to stiffen the persistence zone and to reinforce it with respect to a bending force relative to the longitudinal axis. This configuration thus makes it possible to improve the rigidity of the bumper support near the optical unit;

– according to a first embodiment compatible with any of the preceding improvements, the fixing bracket is integral with the housing. Advantageously, the fixing bracket is made integrally with the housing, so that the housing and the fixing bracket form only one single unit and cannot be detached from each other without being broken or damaged. This advantageous configuration is easier to manufacture and less expensive;

- according to a second embodiment compatible with any of the previous improvements, the fixing tab is integral with the closing glass. Advantageously, the fixing tab is made from the same material as the closing glass, so that the closing glass and the fixing tab form only one single unit and cannot be detached from each other. without being broken or damaged. This configuration is more complex to achieve because the closing window is an element visible from the outside of the motor vehicle on which the optical unit conforming to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. Consequently, such an embodiment requires better tolerancing of the parts and a more precise design of the fixing bracket in particular, leading to an increase in manufacturing and maintenance costs. Indeed, in the event of breakage of the fixing bracket, you must then change the entire closing glass of the optical unit.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a front panel assembly is proposed for a motor vehicle, the front panel assembly comprising:

– at least one optical unit conforming to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements; And

- a front bumper support comprising a complementary retaining element coupled to the retaining member of the optical unit fixing bracket.

Thus, in the front face assembly conforming to the second aspect of the invention, the bumper support is supported and fixed integrally to the fixing bracket of each at least one optical unit conforming to the first aspect of the invention. The front end assembly is thus more rigid at the level of at least one optical unit, offering better rigidity of the front bumper.

The front panel assembly conforming to the second 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 additional retaining element takes the form of a light provided on the bumper support. The light is delimited by a closed contour of polygonal shape, preferably rectangular. Thus, the retaining member of the fixing tab of the optical unit collaborates with the light, and more particularly with peripheral walls delimiting said light, so as to organize a retention of the bumper support at the level of the light by the member for retaining the fixing tab of the optical unit according to the first aspect of the invention;

- at the level of one face of the bumper support located opposite the retaining member, the bumper support comprises an indexing element configured to authorize the alignment of the complementary retaining element with the retaining member . This advantageous configuration makes it possible to center the complementary retaining element with the retaining member, thus allowing easier blind assembly;

– in particular, the indexing element comprises two first chamfers located on either side of the complementary retaining element, relative to a vertical axis. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to achieve alignment and/or centering of the complementary retaining element with the retaining member, relative to the transverse axis;

– in a complementary or alternative manner, the indexing element comprises two second chamfers located on either side of the complementary retaining element, relative to a horizontal axis. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to achieve alignment and/or centering of the complementary retaining element with the retaining member, relative to the vertical axis.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising a front panel assembly conforming to the second aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

Various embodiments of the invention are planned, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics exposed here.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear further through the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which :

illustrates a first embodiment of an optical unit conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

illustrates a detailed view of the optical unit illustrated on the ;

illustrates a rear view of the optical unit illustrated on the ;

illustrates a detailed view of a bumper support collaborating with the optical unit according to the invention;

illustrates an example illustration of a front panel assembly conforming to the second aspect of the invention and embedding the optical unit illustrated on the ;

illustrates a section view along the axis A:A visible on the ;

illustrates a section view along the B:B axis visible on the ;

illustrates second embodiment of an optical unit conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

illustrates a sectional view along the C:C axis visible on the .

Of course, the characteristics, variants and different embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other, in various combinations, to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. It will be possible in particular to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described subsequently 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 prior art.

In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other, if nothing opposes this combination on a technical level.

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

In the FIGURES which follow, we define a longitudinal axis

More particularly, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis Y is understood in a direction which extends from a passenger side of the motor vehicle towards a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, interior and exterior refer to such a transverse axis Y.

Furthermore, the longitudinal axis The longitudinal axis X is perpendicular to the transverse axis Y. The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis X.

Finally, the vertical axis Z is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis Z being simultaneously perpendicular to the the transverse axis Y and the longitudinal axis X. The adjectives above and below, or inferior and superior refer to this vertical axis Z.

As visible in the various FIGURES, the invention addresses an optical unit 1 for a motor vehicle. The optical unit 1 includes:

- a housing 11 and a closing glass 12 together forming a housing for a headlight of the motor vehicle;

- a fixing bracket 13 allowing the fixing of a bumper support 4.

The housing 11 forms a rigid structural element on which a headlight of the motor vehicle is intended to be fixed integrally, behind the closing window 12. The housing 11 is mounted behind the bumper, for example fixed integrally to the bumper support 4 The housing 11 is located behind the closing glass 12, relative to the longitudinal axis X.

The closing glass 12 extends in front of and across the housing 11, so as to close the housing delimited by the housing 11 and the closing glass 12. The closing glass 12 is fixed integrally to the housing by any fixing means . The closing window 12 is configured to extend in direct extension of the front bumper, the closing window 12 having continuity of shape with respect to the front bumper.

As visible in FIGURES 5, 6 and 9, the front bumper is made up of several parts which are all fixed to the bumper support 4 and butted together, in order to present continuity of surface and shape. More specifically, the front bumper features a 3A upper bumper, a 3B lower bumper and a 3C grille surround. The upper bumper 3A is located above the optical unit 1, relative to the vertical axis Z. The lower bumper 3B extends below the optical unit 1, relative to the vertical axis Z. The grille trim 3C extends in an intermediate position between the optical unit 1 and the lower bumper 3B, then between the upper bumper 3A and the lower bumper 3B.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the invention proposes to improve the longitudinal retention of the front bumper near the optical unit 1. For this purpose, the fixing bracket 13 comprises a retaining member 14 of the bumper support 4, and the support of bumper 4 includes a complementary retaining element 40 configured to collaborate with the retaining member 14.

The fixing bracket 13 extends projecting from the optical unit 1, behind the front bumper or an exit face of the closing window 12 located in the extension of the front bumper. The retaining member 14 makes it possible to increase the rigidity of a part of the front bumper support 4 located opposite, and therefore to improve the rigidity of the front bumper around the optical unit 1.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, the fixing tab 13 and the retaining member 14 are formed from the housing 11 of the optical unit 1, while in the Example of embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9, the fixing tab 13 and the retaining member 14 are formed from the closing glass 12 of the optical unit 1.

The retaining member 14 is configured to allow support of the part of the front bumper support 4 located opposite the retaining member 14 against said retaining member 14. More particularly, in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the FIGURES , the retaining member 14 is also configured to provide temporary and detachable fixing of the part of the front bumper support 4 located opposite said retaining member 14.

In order to establish such a connection, the retaining member 14 collaborates with the complementary retaining element 40 formed on the bumper support 4. The complementary retaining element 40 is located opposite the retaining member 14, on the bumper support 4. In the embodiment examples illustrated in the FIGURES, the complementary retaining element 40 comes from the material with the bumper support 4.

Thus, by reinforcing the rigidity of the bumper support 4 near the optical unit 1, and in particular opposite the grille trim 3C, it is possible to reinforce the rigidity of said front bumper, and more particularly that of the grille trim. 3C grille.

As visible more particularly on the , the fixing bracket 13, when it is provided from the housing 11 of the optical unit 1, extends preferentially from a lateral edge of the housing 11, relative to the transverse axis Y. The fixing bracket 13 takes the form of a surface projecting from a prismatic surface 111 lateral of the housing 11. The retaining member 14 is made from the material with the fixing lug 13, so as to form a single piece assembly. The fixing bracket 13 extends mainly along the transverse axis Y.

In a plane formed by the transverse axis Y and the vertical axis Z, the fixing lug 13 comprises the retaining member 14. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated on the , the retaining member 14 is a metal clip fixed integrally to the fixing lug 13.

The clip is configured to allow axial retention of the complementary retaining element 40 provided on the bumper support 4, as visible on the . This axial retainer is more particularly of the type of a snap-fit or clipping with the complementary retaining element 40.

As visible on the , the fixing bracket 13 is frangible so as to allow breakage of the fixing bracket 13 in the event of an impact at the front of the motor vehicle on which the optical unit 1 is intended to be mounted. For this purpose, the frangible fixing tab 13 comprises a pre-cut line 131 configured to create a break zone 133 and to delimit, on a first side of the at least one pre-cut line 131, the break zone 133 intended to break in the event of an impact, and, on a second side of the at least one pre-cut line 131, a persistent zone 132 secured to the optical unit 1.

The pre-cut line 131 corresponds to a zone of lesser thickness of the fixing tab 13: the pre-cut line 131 of the fixing tab 13 thus comprises a groove which extends mainly along the vertical axis Z and which forms thus a programmed zone of fragility of the fixing bracket 13.

The persistent zone 132 of the fixing lug 13 includes a stiffening rib 134. The stiffening rib 134 extends mainly along the transverse axis Y, along the persistent zone 132 and at the level of a rear face of the fixing bracket 13, opposite the bumper support 4 intended to collaborate with the fixing bracket 13.

The rupture zone 133 of the fixing bracket 13 includes a stiffening rib 134. The stiffening rib 134 extends mainly along the transverse axis Y, along the persistent zone 132 and at the level of the rear face of the fixing bracket 13.

In reference to the , the bumper support 4 is configured to be able to collaborate with the fixing bracket 13, through the complementary retaining element 40. The complementary retaining element 40 is located on a rear face of the bumper support 4 located directly in view of the fixing bracket 13 and, of course, of the retaining member 14.

In the embodiment examples illustrated in the FIGURES, the complementary retaining element 40 comprises a slot 41 provided directly on the bumper support 4. The slot 41 is delimited by a closed contour of rectangular shape whose peripheral walls delimit the slot 41 form anchoring zones of the retaining member 14 and thus authorizing its clipping.

In order to facilitate blind mounting of the bumper support 4 on the optical unit 1, and more particularly an anchoring of the complementary retaining element 40 on the retaining member 14, the bumper support 4 comprises an element indexing configured to authorize the alignment of the complementary retaining element 40 with the retaining member 14. The indexing element is located on the rear face of the bumper support 4 located and facing the retaining member retained 14. More particularly, the indexing element comprises:

- two first chamfers 43 located on either side of the complementary retaining element 40, relative to a vertical axis Z; And

- two second chamfers 42 located on either side of the complementary retaining element 40, relative to a horizontal axis.

As visible on the , the invention also addresses a front panel assembly 2 for a motor vehicle, the front panel assembly 2 comprising:

- at least one optical unit 1 as described above;

- a front bumper support 4 comprising a complementary retaining element 40 coupled to the retaining member 14 of the fixing bracket 13 of the optical unit 1; And

- a front bumper fixed integrally to the bumper support 4.

In summary, the invention relates to an optical unit 1 for a motor vehicle, the optical unit 1 comprising a housing, a closing glass 12 and a fixing tab 13 extending from the housing 11 or the closing glass 12. The tab fixing element 13 comprises a retaining member 14 of the bumper support 4, and the bumper support 4 comprises a complementary retaining element 40 configured to collaborate with the retaining member 14. Thus, the optical unit 1 makes it possible to reinforce the rigidity of the bumper support 4 in direct proximity to said optical unit 1.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, shapes, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations, to the extent that 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 (10)

Optical unit (1) of a motor vehicle, the optical unit (1) comprising a housing and a closing glass (12) together forming a housing for a headlight of the motor vehicle, the optical unit (1) comprising a fixing bracket (13) allowing the fixing of a bumper support (4), the fixing bracket (13) comprising a retaining member (14) of the bumper support (4), and the bumper support (4) comprises an element complementary retainer (40) configured to collaborate with the retainer (14). Optical unit (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the retaining member (14) is of the type of a fixing clip configured to collaborate by snapping with a complementary opening of the bumper support (4). Optical unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fixing tab (13) is frangible, the fixing tab (13) comprising at least one pre-cut line (131) configured to create a breakage zone (133) and to delimit, on a first side of the at least one pre-cut line (131), the rupture zone (133) intended to break in the event of an impact, and, on a second side of the at least one pre-cut line (131), a persistent zone (132) secured to the optical unit (1). Optical unit (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the persistent zone (132) comprises at least one stiffening rib (134) and/or the rupture zone (133) comprises at least one stiffening rib (134). Optical unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the fixing bracket (13) is integral with the housing (11). Optical unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the fixing tab (13) is integral with the closing glass (12). Front panel assembly (2) for a motor vehicle, the front panel assembly (2) comprising:
- an optical unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; And
- a front bumper support (4) comprising a complementary retaining element (40) coupled to the retaining member (14) of the fixing bracket (13) of the optical unit (1). Front panel assembly (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the complementary retaining element (40) takes the form of a slot (41) provided on the bumper support (4). Front face assembly (2) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, in which, at one face of the bumper support (4) located opposite the retaining member (14), the support bumper (4) comprises an indexing element configured to allow the alignment of the complementary retaining element (40) with the retaining member (14). Motor vehicle comprising a front panel assembly (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 9.