FR3140931A1 - Light module comprising a plastic part provided with at least one opening for protecting the plastic part against the effect of focused light rays - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a light module (2) integrated into the front or rear face of a vehicle, the light module (2) comprising a housing (4) defining a housing (6) inside which are arranged: at least one light source (7A, 7B) and an optical imaging system (5), the housing (4) comprising means (8) for supporting the optical imaging system, the support means (8) comprising a plastic part (10) forming a cover for said at least one light source (7A, 7B) and having at least one internal side wall (14) which delimits said housing. According to the invention, the plastic part (10) is provided with at least one opening (18) arranged on said at least one internal side wall (14) such that its location on the internal side wall corresponds to a focusing zone of light rays (19) coming from the sun and/or from said at least one light source. FIG. 1

Description

Light module comprising a plastic part provided with at least one opening for protecting the plastic part against the effect of focused light rays

The present invention belongs to the field of lighting, in particular lighting for motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to a light module for a vehicle comprising an optical imaging system and means for supporting the optical imaging system. The optical imaging system is typically a direct optical imaging system and comprises for example one or more projection lens(s). Without this being limiting in the context of the present invention, the light module can be mounted in a lighting or signaling element and/or in a motor vehicle headlight.

State of the art

Current vehicle headlights generally include a projection lens type optical imaging system, which is responsible for projecting the light emitted by the internal light sources to illuminate the road in front of the vehicle. Such a projection lens is generally fixed within a housing provided with an opening for the light projected by the projection lens to pass through, which housing is itself protected by another translucent or partially translucent optical system of the external lens type. .

However, with the increase of plastic parts inside the projector, there arises a problem when the solar rays hit the projection lens (at certain particular angles of incidence) and the radiation is focused on or more point(s) inside the projector. Previously the material on which this or these focal point(s) were located was a metallic material. The heat then diffused quickly and easily, so that no damage was done to this part of the projector. However, if the material on which this or these focusing point(s) are located is a plastic material, as is the case in current vehicle headlights, the heat does not dissipate as easily, and damage and deformation may occur. may occur at this or these point(s), with potentially serious consequences for the waterproofing and operation of the projector. This known thermal phenomenon, generated by a magnifying effect at the level of the projection lens and called "sunburn" in English, thus creates hot spots on the plastic part in question of the projector, such hot spots being likely to seriously damage the room. Such a phenomenon of the appearance of dangerous hot spots can also be created if indirect light beams from light-emitting diodes of the module are deflected by the projection lens in the same way as explained above, in such a case, this phenomenon is called “LEDburn” in English.

To remedy this problem, some manufacturers place an additional metal piece where this focus of the sun's rays is intended, and others try to absorb the radiant energy so that the radiation is not too harmful. Patent document US 2013/0223090 A1 describes for example a light module integrated into a front or rear face of a vehicle. The light module includes a lens support part, the support part being hollow and made of a plastic material. The internal side walls of the plastic support part are coated with a protective metal element, which is for example overmolded. The plastic support part then forms a hybrid component, integrating from its manufacture this metal surface element which covers its internal side walls (the plastic part being in fact formed via injection molding directly on the metal surface element) .

However, a disadvantage of the light module described in this patent document US 2013/0223090 A1 is that it is complex and expensive to produce, due to the particular manufacturing process of the hybrid support part.

Patent document DE 102013214990 A1 describes a light module comprising a lens support totally or partially made of plastic and which is provided with a metallic coating in order to prevent damage from the sun or deformation of the lens support. A disadvantage of such a light module is that it is also complex and expensive to produce.

The present invention improves the situation.

An objective of the invention is to propose a light module integrated into the front or rear of a vehicle and comprising an optical imaging system (of the projection lens or reflector type) and means for supporting the optical imaging system provided with a plastic part arranged opposite the optical imaging system, which makes it possible to effectively protect the plastic part from the effect of focused light rays, while being less complex and less expensive to produce.

To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a light module integrated into the front or rear of a vehicle, the light module comprising a housing defining a housing inside which are arranged: at least one light source and a system optical imaging system, the optical imaging system being arranged facing said at least one light source and configured so as to generate a light beam, the housing comprising means for supporting the optical imaging system, the support means comprising a plastic part forming a cover for said at least one light source and arranged facing the optical imaging system, the plastic part being hollow and having at least one internal side wall which delimits said housing.

According to the invention, the plastic part is provided with at least one opening provided on said at least one internal side wall, said at least one opening being arranged on said at least one internal side wall such that its location on the internal side wall corresponds to a focusing zone of light rays coming from the sun and/or said at least one light source and focused by the optical imaging system.

Thanks to such an opening judiciously positioned on the internal side wall of the plastic part, and which ensures a function of protection of this internal side wall against the undesirable effects of focused light rays, no additional part or component is added. in the light module to ensure the protection function.The light module according to the present invention thus provides a simple, effective and inexpensive means to produce to ensure the function of protecting the plastic part against focused light radiation, in particular solar rays. In addition, the presence of such an opening in the internal side wall of the plastic part saves plastic for the manufacture of this part. This makes it possible to advantageously reduce the weight of the light module, because it requires less plastic due to the presence of the opening.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support means of the optical imaging system further comprise a metal part arranged at least partly outside the housing, against an external face of the plastic part, in view of said at least one opening.Such a metal part makes it possible to effectively protect other components (in particular components made entirely or partly of plastic) against the undesirable effects of focused light rays which would pass through the opening. Such components are for example installed in a vehicle lighting and/or signaling element equipped with the light module, and are located downstream (relative to the direction of propagation of the light rays) and/or below the light module.

According to a first alternative embodiment, the plastic part has a bottom and two opposite side walls projecting facing each other from the bottom, the bottom has a main opening and two secondary openings arranged on either side. other of the main opening, and the metal part is shaped such that a main part of the metal part extends outside the housing, against the external face of the bottom of the plastic part, facing the main opening, and two other secondary parts of the metal part which form extensions of the main part are inserted through the two secondary openings, each other secondary part of the metal part projecting inside the housing, along of one of the side walls of the plastic part. This first alternative embodiment makes it possible to protect, in addition to the bottom, the side walls (substantially vertical) of the plastic part against the undesirable effects of focused light rays. In addition, the metal part also makes it possible to protect other components (in particular components made entirely or partly of plastic) against the undesirable effects of focused light rays which would pass through the main opening at the bottom of the plastic part. . Such components are for example installed in a vehicle lighting and/or signaling element fitted with the light module, and are located behind the bottom of the plastic part of the light module.

According to a second alternative embodiment, the plastic part has a bottom and two opposite side walls projecting facing each other from the bottom, the bottom has a main opening and each of the side walls has a secondary opening, and the metal part is shaped such that a main part of the metal part extends outside the housing, against the external face of the bottom of the plastic part, facing the main opening, and two other secondary parts of the metal part which form extensions of the main part and which each extend outside the housing, against the external face of one of the side walls of the plastic part, facing a secondary opening corresponding. This second alternative embodiment makes it possible to protect, in addition to the bottom, the side walls (substantially vertical) of the plastic part against the undesirable effects of focused light rays. In addition, the metal part also makes it possible to protect other components (in particular components made entirely or partly of plastic) against the undesirable effects of focused light rays which would pass through the main opening or the secondary openings of the part in plastic. Such components are for example installed in a vehicle lighting and/or signaling element fitted with the light module, and are located behind the bottom or behind the side walls of the plastic part of the light module.

According to one embodiment of the first or second variant, the bottom and the opposite side walls of the plastic part are planar, and the main part and the two secondary parts of the metal part each have a substantially planar shape defining non-zero angles between them, the main part of the metal part extending in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom of the plastic part, each secondary part of the metal part extending in a plane substantially parallel to a respective side wall of the plastic part.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the metal part is made of steel or aluminum.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical imaging system is a direct optical imaging system.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said direct optical imaging system comprises one or more projection lens(es).

According to one embodiment of the invention, the light module comprises two light sources, each light source consisting of a light-emitting diode, the light-emitting diodes being arranged head to tail in a substantially vertical direction. This provides dual lighting functionality for the light beam generated by the light module.

Another object of the invention relates to a lighting and/or signaling element for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a light module according to the invention.

Here, the term “vehicle” means any type of vehicle such as a motor vehicle, a moped, a motorcycle, a storage robot in a warehouse, or any other vehicle capable of carrying at least one passenger or intended for the transport of people. or objects.

Another object of the invention relates to a vehicle headlight comprising a light module or a lighting and/or signaling element according to the invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examination of the detailed description below, and the appended drawings in which:

is a longitudinal sectional view of a light module according to a first embodiment of a first variant of the invention;

is a longitudinal sectional view of a light module according to a second embodiment of the first variant of the invention;

is a perspective view of a light module according to a second variant of the invention;

is a cross-sectional view, taken along section plane IV-IV, of the light module of the ; And

is a sectional view similar to that of the of a light module according to a third variant of the invention.

In this document, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical” or “transverse”, “lower”, “upper”, “top”, “below”, “top”, “bottom”, “side” are defined in relation to the orientation of the light module 2 according to the invention, intended to be mounted in a vehicle lighting and/or signaling element. In particular, in this application, the term “vertical” designates an orientation perpendicular to the horizon while the term “horizontal” designates an orientation parallel to the horizon.

Furthermore, everything called "rear" or "front" is named relatively with reference to the face of the lighting and/or signaling element closest to the exterior of the vehicle. Thus, everything called "rear" is on the side furthest from the exterior of the vehicle according to the main extension direction of the latter, while everything called "front" is on the side closest from the outside of the vehicle according to the main extension direction of the latter. However, with regard to the vehicle's lights, these are called "front" or "rear" depending on the rear-front direction of the vehicle, therefore according to the classic rolling direction of the latter.

detailed description

Figures 1 and 2 represent a light module 2 according to a first alternative embodiment of the invention. The light module 2 has an optical axis A-A’. The light module 2 is integrated into the front or rear of a vehicle and is intended to be installed in a lighting and/or signaling element of the vehicle (the lighting and/or signaling element and the vehicle n 'not being shown in the figures). The lighting and/or signaling element can typically be part of a vehicle headlight. The light module 2 comprises a housing 4, preferably airtight.

The housing 4 is conventionally closed by an optical imaging system 5. The optical imaging system 5 is configured to generate a light beam, and is typically a direct optical imaging system comprising for example one or more lens(es) of projection. The housing 4 defines a housing 6 inside which, in addition to the optical imaging system 5, several light sources 7A, 7B are arranged. In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the light module 2 comprises two light sources 7A, 7B arranged in the housing 6. The two light sources 7A, 7B are light-emitting diodes and are arranged head to tail according to a substantially vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the optical axis A-A'. The optical imaging system 5 is arranged opposite the light sources 7A, 7B.

The housing 4 comprises means 8 for supporting the optical imaging system 5. The support means 8 are provided with a plastic part 10 which forms a cover for the light sources 7A, 7B and is arranged facing the system optical imaging 5, at the rear thereof. The plastic part 10 is a hollow part, and has at least one internal side wall 14 which delimits the housing 6. The plastic part 10 thus forms a part of the housing 4. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated on the , the means 8 for supporting the optical imaging system 5 also comprise a metal part 16. The metal part 16 is arranged at least partly outside the housing 6, against an external face 17 of the plastic part 10. preferably, the metal part 16 is made of steel or aluminum.

The plastic part 10 is provided with at least one opening 18 provided on its internal side wall 14. In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the plastic part 10 is provided with a single opening 18 provided on its internal side wall 14. The opening 18 is arranged on the internal side wall 14 of the plastic part 10 such that its location on the internal side wall 14 corresponds to a focusing zone of light rays 19 coming from the sun and/or light sources 7A, 7B. The shape and dimensions of the opening 18 are adapted so as to protect the plastic part 10 against the undesirable effects of the light rays 19 focused by the optical imaging system 5. In the preferred embodiment of the invention (illustrated in the ) according to which the means 8 for supporting the optical imaging system 5 also comprise a metal part 16, the metal part 16 is placed against the external face 17 of the plastic part 10, facing the opening 18. From this way, the metal part 16 effectively protects other components (in particular components made entirely or partly of plastic, such components not being shown in the figures for reasons of clarity) against the undesirable effects of focused light rays 19 which would pass through the opening 18. Such components are typically located downstream (with respect to the direction of propagation of the light rays 19) and/or below the light module 2.

According to a second alternative embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4, the plastic part 10 comprises a bottom 20 and two opposite side walls 22A, 22B projecting facing each other from the bottom 20 As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the bottom 20 and the two opposite side walls 22A, 22B of the plastic part 10 are preferably planar. The plastic part 10 thus has a substantially "U"-shaped cross section, with opposite side walls 22A, 22B which may or may not be perpendicular to the bottom 20. The bottom 20 extends in a horizontal plane, and the two side walls opposite sides 22A, 22B each extend in a substantially vertical plane. In this second alternative embodiment of the invention, the plastic part 10 is provided with three openings 18A, 18B, 18C. More precisely, the bottom 20 of the plastic part 10 comprises a main opening 18C and two secondary openings 18A, 18B arranged on either side of the main opening 18C. The secondary openings 18A, 18B are for example in the form of slots. The metal part 16 is shaped such that a main part 24 of the metal part 16 extends outside the housing 6, against the external face 17 of the bottom 20 of the plastic part 10, facing the The main opening 18C, and two other secondary parts 26A, 26B of the metal part 16 are inserted through the two secondary openings 18A, 18B of the plastic part 10. The two secondary parts 26A, 26B of the metal part 16 form extensions of the main part 24 of the metal part 16, and are integral with this main part 24. Each secondary part 26A, 26B of the metal part 16 projects inside the housing 6 of the housing 4, along one of the side walls 22A, 22B of the plastic part 10, and makes it possible to protect this side wall 22A, 22B against the undesirable effects of focused light rays. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the main part 24 and the secondary parts 26A, 26B of the metal part 16 each have a substantially planar shape by defining non-zero angles between them. The main part 24 of the metal part 16 extends in a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the bottom 20 of the plastic part 10, and each secondary part 26A, 26B of the metal part 16 extends in a plane substantially parallel to a respective side wall 22A, 22B of the plastic part 10. Each secondary part 26A, 26B of the metal part 16 thus extends in a substantially vertical plane. The metal part 16 therefore has a substantially "U"-shaped cross section, with opposite secondary parts 26A, 26B which may or may not be perpendicular to the main part 24. The main opening 18C is arranged on an internal side wall 14 of the plastic part 10 such that its location on the internal side wall 14 corresponds to a focusing zone of light rays coming from the sun and/or light sources and focused by the optical imaging system. The shape and dimensions of the main opening 18C are adapted so as to protect the plastic part 10 against the undesirable effects of focused light rays.

In the second alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the means 8 for supporting the optical imaging system 5 comprise, in addition to the plastic part 10 and the metal part 16, a plate 27 for supporting the optical imaging system 5. The support plate 27 extends in a substantially vertical plane. The plastic part 10 is fixed to the support plate 27, and is arranged at the rear of the support plate 27.

According to a third alternative embodiment of the invention shown in the , the plastic part 10 has a bottom 20 and two opposite side walls 22A, 22B projecting facing each other from the bottom 20. As illustrated in the , the bottom 20 and the two opposite side walls 22A, 22B of the plastic part 10 are preferably planar. The plastic part 10 thus has a substantially "U"-shaped cross section, with opposite side walls 22A, 22B which may or may not be perpendicular to the bottom 20. The bottom 20 extends in a horizontal plane, and the two side walls opposite 22A, 22B each extend in a substantially vertical plane. In this third alternative embodiment of the invention, the plastic part 10 is provided with three openings 28A, 28B, 28C. More precisely, the bottom 20 of the plastic part 10 has a main opening 28C and each of the side walls 22A, 22B of the plastic part 10 has a secondary opening 28A, 28B. The metal part 16 is shaped such that a main part 24 of the metal part 16 extends outside the housing 6, against the external face 17 of the bottom 20 of the plastic part 10, facing the main opening 28C, and two other secondary parts 30A, 30B of the metal part 16 each extend outside the housing 6, against the external face 17 of one of the side walls 22A, 22B of the plastic part 10, facing a corresponding secondary opening 28A, 28B. The two secondary parts 30A, 30B of the metal part 16 form extensions of the main part 24 of the metal part 16, and are integral with this main part 24. As illustrated in the , the main part 24 and the secondary parts 30A, 30B of the metal part 16 each have a substantially planar shape by defining non-zero angles between them. The main part 24 of the metal part 16 extends in a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the bottom 20 of the plastic part 10, and each secondary part 30A, 30B of the metal part 16 extends in a plane substantially parallel to a respective side wall 22A, 22B of the plastic part 10. Each secondary part 30A, 30B of the metal part 16 thus extends in a substantially vertical plane. The metal part 16 therefore has a substantially "U"-shaped cross section, with opposite secondary parts 30A, 30B which may or may not be perpendicular to the main part 24. Each main or secondary opening 28A, 28B, 28C is arranged on a internal side wall 14 of the plastic part 10 such that its location on the internal side wall 14 corresponds to a focusing zone of light rays coming from the sun and/or light sources and focused by the optical imaging system. The shape and dimensions of the openings 28A, 28B, 28C are adapted so as to protect the plastic part 10 against the undesirable effects of focused light rays.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of examples and extends to other variants.

Claims (10)

Light module (2) integrated into the front or rear of a vehicle, the light module (2) comprising a housing (4) defining a housing (6) inside which are arranged: at least one light source (7A, 7B) and an optical imaging system (5), the optical imaging system (5) being arranged facing said at least one light source (7A, 7B) and configured so as to generate a light beam, the housing (4) comprising means (8) for supporting the optical imaging system (5), the support means (8) comprising a plastic part (10) forming a cover for said at least one light source (7A, 7B ) and arranged facing the optical imaging system (5), the plastic part (10) being hollow and having at least one internal side wall (14) which delimits said housing (6);
in which the plastic part (10) is provided with at least one opening (18; 18C; 28A, 28B, 28C) provided on said at least one internal side wall (14), said at least one opening (18; 18C 28A, 28B, 28C) being arranged on said at least one internal side wall (14) such that its location on the internal side wall (14) corresponds to a focusing zone of light rays (19) coming from the sun and /or said at least one light source (7A, 7B) and focused by the optical imaging system (5). Light module (2) according to claim 1, in which the means (8) for supporting the optical imaging system (5) further comprise a metal part (16) disposed at least partly outside the housing (6). ), against an external face (17) of the plastic part (10), facing said at least one opening (18; 18C; 28A, 28B, 28C). Light module (2) according to claim 2, in which the plastic part (10) comprises a bottom (20) and two opposite side walls (22A, 22B) projecting facing each other from the bottom ( 20), in which the bottom (20) comprises a main opening (18C) and two secondary openings (18A, 18B) arranged on either side of the main opening (18C), and in which the metal part (16 ) is shaped such that a main part (24) of the metal part (16) extends outside the housing (6), against the external face (17) of the bottom (20) of the part in plastic (10), facing the main opening (18C), and two other secondary parts (26A, 26B) of the metal part (16) which form extensions of the main part (24) are inserted through the two secondary openings (18A, 18B), each other secondary part (26A, 26B) of the metal part (16) projecting inside the housing (6), along one of the side walls (22A, 22B) of the plastic part (10). Light module (2) according to claim 2, in which the plastic part (10) comprises a bottom (20) and two opposite side walls (22A, 22B) projecting facing each other from the bottom ( 20), in which the bottom (20) has a main opening (28C) and each of the side walls (22A, 22B) has a secondary opening (28A, 28B), and in which the metal part (16) is shaped such so that a main part (24) of the metal part (16) extends outside the housing (6), against the external face (17) of the bottom (20) of the plastic part (10), facing the main opening (28C), and two other secondary parts (30A, 30B) of the metal part (16) which form extensions of the main part (24) and which each extend outside the housing (6), against the external face (17) of one of the side walls (22A, 22B) of the plastic part (10), facing a corresponding secondary opening (28A, 28B). Light module (2) according to claim 3 or 4, in which the bottom (20) and the opposite side walls (22A, 22B) of the plastic part (10) are planar, and in which the main part (24) and the two secondary parts (26A, 26B; 30A, 30B) of the metal part (16) each have a substantially planar shape defining non-zero angles between them, the main part (24) of the metal part (16) is extending in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom (20) of the plastic part (10), each secondary part (26A, 26B; 30A, 30B) of the metal part (16) extending in a plane substantially parallel to a wall respective side (22A, 22B) of the plastic part (10). Light module (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the metal part (16) is made of steel or aluminum. Light module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical imaging system (5) is a direct optical imaging system. Light module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the light module (2) comprises two light sources (7A, 7B), each light source (7A, 7B) consisting of a light-emitting diode, the light-emitting diodes being arranged head to tail in a substantially vertical direction. Vehicle lighting and/or signaling element comprising a light module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. Vehicle headlight comprising a light module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or a lighting and/or signaling element according to claim 9.