FR3144082A1 - Projector for front panel assembly of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Title of the invention: Projector for a front panel assembly of a vehicle The present invention relates to a front panel assembly (2) intended to equip a motor vehicle (1), comprising a flow regulation system (4). air, this regulation system (4) comprising at least one shutter element (14) configured to take an open position in which the passage of the air flow towards an interior of the vehicle (1) is authorized and a position closed in which the passage of the air flow towards the interior of the vehicle (1) is prevented, the front face assembly (2) comprising an image projection device (20) arranged on the periphery of the regulation system ( 4) and configured to project light rays onto said regulation system (4) when at least part of the shutter element (14) is in the closed position. Abstract Figure: Figure 1

Description

Projector for front panel assembly of a vehicle

The present invention relates to the field of thermal regulation devices for motor vehicles, and more particularly to such devices fitted to the front assemblies of these motor vehicles.

A motor vehicle requires, for its normal operation, a supply of air in order to supply the engine or one of its elements, to participate in the cooling of this engine, or to ensure ventilation of a passenger compartment of the vehicle. vehicle. Such functions are provided by thermal regulation devices, which allow the capture of air outside the vehicle and then the passage of this air through a heat exchanger.

The outside air is more precisely captured at the front of the vehicle by an air flow regulation system which makes it possible to control the circulation of this air flow intended to pass through the heat exchanger. Depending on its configuration, the air flow regulation system allows air to pass through or, on the contrary, prevents this passage. This air flow regulation system, known under the term AGS for “active grille shutter” or ACS for “active curtain shutter”, in fact presents an open configuration in which the circulation of air from the outside and towards the heat exchanger is authorized, and a closed configuration in which this circulation is prevented, which in particular makes it possible to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle.

More particularly, an ACS system comprises one or more rigid flaps, movable around an axis of rotation to move from a closed position in the plane of the grille to a substantially perpendicular open position, and an AGS system comprises a curtain which can be unrolled or not across a frame. Such air flow regulation systems are effective in optimizing the thermal regulation and aerodynamics of the vehicle depending on the driving conditions, but they nevertheless monopolize an essential portion of the front of the vehicle, which then becomes mainly dedicated to the performance of air capture to the detriment of other functions and aesthetic considerations.

The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by proposing a means of modifying the appearance of the front of the vehicle while retaining the functions of its air flow regulation system.

The main object of the present invention is thus a front panel assembly intended to equip a motor vehicle, comprising a system for regulating an air flow, this regulation system comprising at least one shutter element configured to take a position open in which the passage of the air flow towards an interior of the vehicle is authorized and a closed position in which the passage of the air flow towards the interior of the vehicle is prevented, the front panel assembly comprising a projection device images arranged on the periphery of the regulation system and configured to project light rays onto said regulation system when at least part of the shutter element is in the closed position.

The front panel assembly according to the invention comprises an air flow regulation system, which is dedicated to controlling the circulation of an air flow from an exterior of the motor vehicle towards an interior of it. here, for example to ensure its ventilation. The air flow regulation system has for this purpose at least one shutter element, which participates in the regulation of the air flow by opening or closing. The shutter element may be rigid and take the form of a rotating shutter or may be flexible and take the form of a curtain which deploys or retracts along a frame. The closing element more particularly has an open position, in which outside air can be captured and sent to an interior of the vehicle, and a closed position, in which air cannot circulate through the blocking device. air flow regulation. The shutter element is configured such that it can be entirely in its open position, entirely in its closed position, partially open, or even have a part in an open position and a part in a closed position.

The front panel assembly includes, in addition to the air flow regulation system, an image projection device or projector. This image projection device is configured to project light rays onto the air flow regulating device, so as to form thereon an image which may be a fixed or animated image. Such image projection is more particularly directed onto the shutter element, when it is in the closed position, or onto a part of the shutter element in the closed position. In other words, the image projection device can project light rays onto the entire shutter element when the latter is entirely in its closed position, or even onto only part of the shutter element. shutter when the latter has a part in the open position and a part in the closed position.

It is understood that the image projection device is controlled to only project light rays onto the shutter element when the latter is entirely or partially in its closed position because this closed position makes a surface of the element d shutter suitable for the projection of images, the shutter element in its open posture being on the contrary not adapted to such projection.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the regulation system extends mainly transversely and vertically, the image projection device being arranged at a transverse or vertical end of the regulation system.

In other words, the thermal regulation system extends along a transverse-vertical plane substantially perpendicular to a main direction of elongation of the motor vehicle that it equips, the transverse dimension of this thermal regulation system corresponding to its largest large size. The image projection device is placed, on the front face of the vehicle, on the periphery of this thermal regulation system. The image projection device can thus be arranged, alternatively, at a transverse end of the thermal regulation system or at a vertical end thereof. Such an arrangement allows optimal projection onto the shutter element, without disturbing the configuration of the other components fitted to the front assembly of the vehicle and in particular without hindering the passage of air through the thermal regulation system when this is in the open position.

According to one characteristic, the image projection device has a projection ratio of less than 0.3.

Such a projection ratio is the ratio between the image size and a distance between the projector and the screen, which here is the shutter element or the shutter element part in the closed position. A projection ratio less than 0.3 corresponds to an ultra short throw projector, also known as an UST projector for “ultra short throw”, which allows the image projection device to be positioned as close as possible to the shutter element.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the regulation system comprises a first zone equipped with a shutter element and a second zone equipped with a shutter element, the image projection device being configured to project rays bright on at least the first zone.

Each of the first zone and the second zone is thus equipped with a shutter element, so that the shutter element of the first zone can be in its closed position while the shutter element of the second zone is in its open position, the image projection device then projects light rays only onto the shutter element of the first zone.

According to one characteristic, the image projection device is configured to project light rays onto the first zone and onto the second zone.

In such a configuration, both the shutter element of the first zone and the shutter element of the second zone are in their closed position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the image projection device is fixed in a projection position in which a lens of the image projection device projects from the front face assembly.

Having the lens in a fixed position corresponds to a first embodiment of the invention. This projection lens is a portion of the image projection device through which the images are projected. This projection lens is arranged, to ensure projection of the light rays onto the shutter element, in an advanced position relative to the regulation system. Such an advanced position corresponds to a position in which the projection lens projects from the front assembly, towards the outside of the vehicle.

According to an alternative characteristic, the image projection device is movable between a projection position in which a lens of the image projection device projects from the front panel assembly and a storage position in which the lens is retracted in a housing of the front panel assembly arranged around the regulation system.

The mobility of the projection lens between the projection position and the storage position corresponds to a second embodiment. The projection lens then alternates respectively between a position in which it allows projection and a position in which it is sheltered in the housing.

According to one characteristic, the shutter element comprises a plurality of pivoting flaps.

This is a first alternative embodiment of the shutter element, which allows the implementation of an AGS or “active gate shutter” type thermal regulation system. Each of the flaps can pivot between the open position and the closed position. The shutter element can be configured in such a way that the control of the shutters can involve pivoting only part of the shutters, to allow air to pass through only part of the shutter element.

Each pivoting shutter may have at least one first face provided with a covering adapted to the projection of an image by the projection device. It is understood that the shutters have, on one side intended to face the exterior of the vehicle when they are closed, a smooth surface and a light color so as to be able to serve as a support for the projection of images. It is advantageous that only the face intended to be turned outward has such a surface condition since only this face is intended to serve as a support for the projection of images, because this avoids having to carry out surface treatment on the opposite side.

According to an alternative characteristic of the invention, the shutter element is a textile curtain.

The textile curtain corresponds to a second alternative embodiment of the shutter element, which allows the implementation of an ACS or “active curtain shutter” type thermal regulation system. The textile curtain can here slide along a frame, being rolled up or unrolled relative to a rotating cylinder arranged on the edge of the frame, to move from the open position to the closed position. The textile forming the curtain, and in particular the side of the curtain intended to face the exterior of the vehicle, can be chosen to present as few rough edges as possible. The side of the curtain intended to face the exterior of the vehicle may have a higher quality than that of the opposite side.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the shutter element has a reflective coating.

The shutter element is then capable of reflecting the light emitted and projected by the image projection device, which improves the quality of the projection.

The shutter element can also be covered with a smoothing coating which masks the roughness that its surface may present, such roughness otherwise risking disrupting the projection by casting shadows on the air flow regulation device.

The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising a front panel assembly as characterized above.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended drawings on the other hand. , on which ones :

illustrates, schematically, a perspective view of a portion of a motor vehicle whose front face assembly presents an air flow regulation system and an image projection device, the latter being represented in four positioning possibilities;

illustrates, schematically, one of the possible positionings of the image projection device according to a profile view of the motor vehicle of the .

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 with respect to each other. In particular, it will be possible 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 and/or to differentiate the invention. compared to the prior art.

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

In the detailed description which follows, the terms “longitudinal”, “transverse” and “vertical” refer to the orientation of the motor vehicle according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a main direction of extension of the motor vehicle, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a mark L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A vertical direction V, perpendicular to the roadway on which the vehicle is intended to travel, is parallel to a vertical axis V of the reference L, V, T, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a direction transverse V corresponds to a direction parallel to a larger dimension of the vertical air flow regulation system and parallel to a transverse axis T of the mark L, V, T, this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the vertical axis V.

Figures 1 and 2 thus illustrate, schematically, a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, the main direction of extension of which corresponds to a longitudinal direction L. The motor vehicle 1 has a front face assembly 2, which comprises elements such as a bumper of the motor vehicle 1, a grille or even an air flow regulation system 4.

The air flow regulation system 4 extends over the front face assembly 2 mainly transversely and vertically, that is to say it is arranged in a plane substantially perpendicular to the main extension direction of the motor vehicle 1. The air flow regulation system 4 is shown here in a substantially rectangular shape without this being limiting to the invention. It is delimited in the transverse direction T by a first transverse end 6 and a second transverse end 8, these transverse ends 6, 8 being connected to each other by a first vertical end 10 and a second vertical end 12 which delimit vertically the air flow regulation system 4. A vertical direction V here means a direction substantially perpendicular to a ground on which the motor vehicle 1 rests.

The air flow regulation system 4 is intended to regulate a circulation of an air flow going from an exterior of the motor vehicle 1 to an interior thereof; we thus understand that the air flow regulation system 4 controls a quantity of exterior air which enters within the motor vehicle 1. The exterior air captured by the air flow regulation system 4 can then pass through a heat exchanger 5, illustrated in , which is connected to a heat transfer fluid circulation loop of the motor vehicle 1 in order to participate for example in ventilation of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 1 or even in the thermal regulation of its engine. The passage of the air flow is more precisely regulated, within the air flow regulation system 4, by the presence of at least one shutter element 14.

This shutter element 14 can be, according to alternative embodiments, either a plurality of pivoting shutters, or a textile curtain. The shutter element 14 participates in the regulation of the air flow by opening and closing successively, that is to say by alternating between an open position in which a passage of the air flow towards the interior of the motor vehicle is permitted, and a closed position in which such passage of air flow is prevented. In the case of the plurality of pivoting shutters, a passage from an open position to a closed position of the shutter element 14 results in a pivoting of the shutters from a position in which they extend mainly in a plane intersecting the transverse-vertical plane in which the air flow regulation system 4 extends to a position in which they extend substantially parallel to this transverse-vertical plane. For the alternative embodiment involving a textile curtain, which slides along a frame to move from the open position to the closed position, the open position can correspond to a position in which two portions of the textile curtain are spaced apart. 'from one another, these portions each being close to one of the two vertical or transverse ends in opposition, the closed position corresponding to a position in which these two portions have been slid to come into contact with one another . Alternatively, the textile curtain can be formed in one piece and wrap around a cylinder placed in the vicinity of one of the vertical or transverse ends of the air flow regulation system 4.

The air flow regulation system 4 may comprise a single shutter element 14, or a plurality of shutter elements 14. In this second case, the shutter elements 14 can be distributed within the system air flow regulation 4 according to a first zone 16 and a second zone 18, these zones 16, 18 being illustrated in the in an arbitrary rectangular shape. The first zone 16 then comprises a shutter element 14 which is a first shutter element 14, while the second zone 18 has a second shutter element 14, each of the two shutter elements being able to be of the pivoting shutter type or textile curtain type. The first shutter element 14 of the first zone 16 can be in its open position while the second shutter element 14 of the second zone 16 is in its closed position, or vice versa. Likewise, the first shutter element 14 and the second shutter element 14 can both be in the open position or both be in the closed position. In the presence of a single shutter element 14 and for the variant embodiment according to which the shutter element 14 is a set of pivoting shutters, part of these pivoting shutters could be in the open position while another part is in the closed position, so as to delimit within the air flow regulation system 4 the first zone 16 and the second zone 18. The closing element 14 is in particular in its closed position when the motor vehicle 1 is when stationary, or more generally when the thermal regulation functions of this motor vehicle 1 do not require an air supply.

In the example illustrated, the air flow regulation system 4 is arranged at the front of the vehicle so that the closing elements 14 are directly visible from outside the vehicle. Advantageously, in this example, the air flow regulation system 4 is arranged above the bumper.

According to the invention, the front face assembly 2 of the motor vehicle 1 comprises an image projection device 20. This image projection device 20 is configured to project, via a projection lens 22 , light rays on the air flow regulation system 4 so as to form an image there, for example a still image or a video. Such light rays are illustrated by dotted lines in .

The image projection device 20 is more particularly configured to project light rays when the shutter element 14 is in the closed position. For this purpose, the operation of the image projection device 20 is controlled by a control unit which is configured to send an instruction to turn the projection device on or off depending on the state of the thermal regulation system and which is also configured to send data relating to the image or video to be projected. This control unit can be configured to send an ignition instruction as soon as the shutter element is in the closed position, or as soon as a zone of the front panel assembly has a shutter element in the closed position in associating with the ignition instruction an instruction allowing the projection angle to be adapted. Furthermore, this control unit can receive additional information to be considered for switching on the image projection device, such as for example information relating to the fact that the vehicle is in circulation or stopped, and/or a information relating to ambient brightness, and/or information relating to an actuation command made by a user of the vehicle.

The image projection device 20 may in particular be an ultra-short throw projector, having a projection ratio of less than 0.3. Such a projection ratio, namely the ratio between the image size and a distance between the projector and the screen formed by the shutter element, makes it possible to position the image projection device on the direct periphery of the shutter element.

The image projection device 20 can thus be configured to project light rays onto the entire air flow regulation system 4, that is to say both onto the first zone 16 and the second zone 18, or even only on one of the first zone 16 or the second zone 18 if only one of these zones 16, 18 has a shutter element 14 in the closed position. As was mentioned previously, an opening angle of the image projection device 20 is variable depending on the position adopted by the shutter element 14, and the control unit associated with this projection device image projection is able to define the appropriate opening angle as a function of the opening and closing of this or that shutter element, or of this or that part of the shutter element.

In order to improve the quality of the image projected by the projection lens 22 of the image projection device 20 on the shutter element 14 when the latter is in the closed position, this shutter element 14 can have a covering. Such a coating has, for example, reflective properties or even smoothing properties. It is notable that only the face of the shutter element facing the outside of the vehicle, whether this shutter element is a flexible textile or a rigid flap, can have such a coating since the opposite face does not have intended to serve as an image projection support.

The image projection device 20 is arranged, within the front face assembly 2 of the motor vehicle 1, on the periphery of the air flow regulation system 4, that is to say at the level of a perimeter of it. The image projection device 20 is thus arranged along one end of the air flow regulation system 4; as a result, the image projection device 20 can be positioned along the first transverse end 6, along the second transverse end 8, along the first vertical end 10 or even along the second vertical end 12. These four potential positions are all represented in the for illustrative purposes, but it is understood that only one of these positionings is retained during the implementation of the front panel assembly 2 according to the invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that the positions identified on the are represented schematically, the arrangement of the image projection device not being represented here precisely.

It is in particular the arrangement of the projection lens 22 of the image projection device 20 as close as possible to the screen formed by the shutter element 14 which implies that the image projection device 20 presents a ratio projection less than 0.3.

The image projection device 20 is housed in a casing arranged on the periphery of the air flow regulation system, with a casing which can be produced independently of the air flow regulation system, in the structure of the vehicle, or with one of the walls of the casing which also helps to delimit the air flow regulation system. The image projection device is housed in this casing and fixed to a support so as to be able to take at least occasionally a projection position allowing the projection of light rays onto the shutter element 14 so as to form a clear image . In this projection position, which is illustrated in , the image projection device 20 and more particularly its projection lens 22 is advanced relative to the air flow regulation system 4. More precisely, the air flow regulation system 4 is inserted in a volume of the front face assembly 2 of the motor vehicle, and in this projection position, the image projection device 20 projects at least partially from this volume of the front face assembly 2 and extends at a distance of this one.

The image projection device 20 can be arranged in a fixed manner within the casing, with a body 24 which is made integral with the casing by suitable fixing means, for example by screwing, and which extends at least partially to the within the casing, and with a head carrying the projection lens 22 disposed sufficiently projecting from the body 24 and from the volume of the front face assembly to project whatever the intended projection angle.

Alternatively, the image projection device 20 can be movable between an deployed position, forming the projection position, and a retracted position forming a storage position. The body of the image projection device can for example be fixed on a mobile carriage which can slide along a wall of the casing. In the storage position, at least the projection lens 22 of the image projection device 20 is retracted so as to retract into a housing provided for this purpose. Such a housing is for example provided in the volume of the front face assembly 2, on the periphery of the air flow regulation system 4. When the image projection device 20 is in its storage position, the projection lens 22 is protected because it is sheltered from weather elements which could damage it.

As it has just been described, the present invention achieves the goals it set for itself, by proposing a vehicle front assembly whose appearance can be modified, without encroaching on the functions of thermal regulation necessary for the operation of this vehicle.

The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically effective combination of such means.

Claims (11)

Front panel assembly (2) intended to equip a motor vehicle (1), comprising an air flow regulation system (4), this regulation system (4) comprising at least one shutter element (14 ) configured to take an open position in which the passage of the air flow towards an interior of the vehicle (1) is authorized and a closed position in which the passage of the air flow towards the interior of the vehicle (1) is prevented , the front face assembly (2) comprising an image projection device (20) arranged on the periphery of the regulation system (4) and configured to project light rays onto said regulation system (4) when at least part of the shutter element (14) is in the closed position. Front panel assembly (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the regulation system (4) extends mainly transversely and vertically, the image projection device (20) being arranged at a transverse end (6, 8) or vertical (10, 12) of the regulation system (4). Front panel assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the image projection device (20) has a projection ratio less than 0.3. Front panel assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the regulation system (4) comprises a first zone (16) equipped with a shutter element (14) and a second zone (18) equipped with a shutter element (14), the image projection device (20) being configured to project light rays onto at least the first zone (16). Front panel assembly (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the image projection device (20) is configured to project light rays onto the first zone (16) and onto the second zone (18). Front panel assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the image projection device (20) is fixed in a projection position in which a lens (22) of the image projection device ( 20) projects from the front panel assembly (2). Front panel assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the image projection device (20) is movable between a projection position in which a lens (22) of the image projection device images (20) protrudes from the front panel assembly (2) and a storage position in which the lens (22) is retracted into a housing of the front panel assembly (2) arranged around the regulation system ( 4). Front face assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shutter element (14) comprises a plurality of pivoting flaps. Front face assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the closing element (14) is a textile curtain. Front face assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shutter element (14) has a reflective coating. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a front panel assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.