Abstract:
A vehicle headlight comprising at least one lighting module mounted on a support. The module comprises a base with a mounting surface inclined backward and toward the top of the headlight. The support comprises a corresponding mounting surface. Positioning means with sliders are provided on these surfaces so as to be able to extract the module and fit it by a translational movement in a direction contained within the plane of the mounting surfaces. The housing comprises a removable portion positioned in the extension of the module in the direction of translation of the positioning means with sliders. The wall of the housing comprises precuts on the circumference of the removable portion. This arrangement makes is possible to easily replace a bulky lighting module such as that of a headlight with style functions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to French Application No. 1158612 filed Sep. 27, 2011, which application is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention deals with a lighting and/or signaling module, notably for a vehicle. The invention also deals with a lighting and/or signaling module support as well as a lighting and/or signaling device comprising the module and/or the support. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The use of light sources of the light-emitting diode (LED) type is becoming increasingly commonplace in motor vehicle headlights and signaling lights. The LEDs have a significantly longer lifetime than the incandescent lamps, namely a routine lifetime greater than 10 000 hours, even ranging up to 35 000 and even 50 000 hours, or significantly more than the lifetime of a motor vehicle. The lifetime of an LED is, however, linked to its operating conditions, namely its operating temperature and the current passing through it. These operating conditions are generally controlled so that the LEDs installed in the vehicle headlights and signaling devices retain a lifetime that is in principle greater than the lifetime of the vehicle and are consequently generally not removable or replaceable. 
     The same does not apply for the vehicle headlights and signaling devices with conventional incandescent lamps which have to be able to be replaced easily. The regulations, in particular European, relating to vehicle lighting and/or signaling moreover have recently required the user of the vehicle to be able to access the conventional lamps with a view to their replacement. 
     The lifetime of the LEDs embedded in vehicle headlights and signaling devices can also be influenced, more particularly shortened, according to various parameters linked mainly to the immediate environment. Given the recent nature of the use of LEDs for vehicle lighting and/or signaling, there is as yet very little experience as to long-term durability of these LEDs in these operating conditions. Many opinions agree that defects risk appearing with time and that LED replacements may prove necessary. 
     The patent document WO 2006/066531 A1, which is equivalent to U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0130308, which publication issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,562, discloses a light source module of LED type with rapid mounting. In addition to one or more light sources of LED type, this module comprises a heat dissipator for cooling the light source or sources as well as a rapid fixing device of the bayonet type. This teaching is advantageous from an ease-of-mounting viewpoint, notably that the corresponding assembly comprising light source(s) and heat dissipator can be rapidly and easily replaced. The replacement of one or more light sources of a lighting and/or signaling module, in particular of a headlight, is, however, a potential source of misalignment of the beam. This is particularly true for the LED headlights with beam cut-off. This is because the position of the light source has a direct influence on the cut-off. The solution proposed by this document consequently does not allow the user of the vehicle to replace the light source given that a meticulous adjustment will then be necessary. Such an adjustment is not within the scope of an everyday vehicle servicing department. A removal of the headlight from the vehicle will consequently be necessary. 
     The patent document FR 2 917 348 A1 discloses a lighting and/or signaling device for a motor vehicle in which the light source is borne by a support that is removable relative to the housing of the device. More specifically, the lens of the device includes an opening through which the light source and its support are positioned. The light source essentially lights in a direction opposite to the lighting and/or signaling direction of the device, a reflector of parabolic type being arranged in the housing facing the light source so as to reflect the rays emitted by the source in the main direction of lighting and/or signaling of the device. Access to the light source is obtained from the outside of the device and of the vehicle. This arrangement offers the advantage of not requiring the presence of an empty space for the passage of the hand of a service engineer or of a tool used by the latter when replacing the light source. This mounting is, however, essentially limited to the light sources of incandescent type. This is because the light sources of LED type are arranged on a printed circuit board (PCB) equipped with a heat dissipator for cooling the LED or LEDs. The mounting provided in this teaching is difficult to apply to a light source of the LED type because of the bulk of these components. 
     The patent document FR 2 727 190 A1 discloses a headlight for a motor vehicle, in which the housing comprises a rear cover mounted to pivot on the housing. The opening of the housing by pivoting the cover provides access to the main light source. The cover also supports an additional light source for the position light function. The technical solution disclosed in this document is advantageous from a viewpoint of ease of replacement of the light sources but is difficult to apply to light sources of the LED type. 
     Generally, it should be noted that the architecture of the light sources of the LED type is radically different from that of the incandescent light sources. As already mentioned, the LEDs are usually arranged directly on a board (PCB) which is provided with one or more heat dissipators for cooling the LED or LEDs. This arrangement gives the LED and its equipment a certain bulk. Furthermore, some headlights or rear lights can have LED arrangements that confer upon them an individual nature or even a “signature”. The replacements of one or more of the LEDs of such a lighting device may necessitate the removal of the device in a specialist workshop. 
     What is needed, therefore, is a system and method for implementing the solutions for facilitating replacement of LED-type light sources on a vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aim of the invention is to propose a solution that mitigates at least one of the abovementioned drawbacks. More particularly, the aim of the invention is to propose a solution suitable for facilitating the replacement of LED-type light sources of vehicle headlights and signaling lights. 
     The subject of the invention is a lighting and/or signaling module notably for a vehicle, comprising: at least one light source suitable for emitting light rays; at least one reflecting surface suitable for reflecting the light rays emitted by the light source in a lighting and/or signaling beam along an optical axis of the module; noteworthy in that it also comprises means for rapidly positioning the module on a support. 
     The rapid positioning means are preferentially suitable for ensuring the guiding of the module to a final position on the support in a movement to bring the module toward the support. The guiding to the final position is then done solely by the converging movement, that is to say without the involvement of fixing means as such, as, for example, screw-fixing means. The fixing of the module in its final position may, however, require the involvement of additional means. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting and/or signaling module produces only the lighting and/or signaling beam, this beam having a predetermined photometry. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rapid positioning means comprise means with slider(s), one component of the main direction of the means with slider(s) preferentially corresponding to the optical axis of the module. 
     According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rapid positioning means are arranged mainly laterally in relation to the module. Preferentially, they are arranged under the module. The latter may, in fact, comprise a base under which the positioning means are arranged. 
     According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rapid positioning means are configured so that the positioning of the module from an engagement with the support to a final position on the support is obtained exclusively by a translational movement of the module. 
     According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the module comprises a heat dissipator for dissipating heat from the or at least one of the light sources, the rapid positioning means being on the heat dissipator, the positioning means preferentially being formed in the material of the heat dissipator. 
     According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the main direction or directions of the rapid positioning means extend longitudinally in one or more planes parallel to a vertical plane comprising the optical axis of the module. 
     According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the main direction or directions of the rapid positioning means extend longitudinally in one or more transversal planes forming an angle of inclination with a horizontal plane which is between 0° and 90°, preferentially between 20° and 70°, more preferentially between 30° and 50°. 
     According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transversal plane or planes in which the main direction or directions of the rapid positioning means extend are inclined downward and toward the front of the module. 
     Another subject of the invention is a support for a lighting and/or signaling module, notably for a vehicle, characterized in that the support comprises rapid positioning means intended to cooperate with corresponding rapid positioning means of the module according to the invention. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rapid positioning means comprise means with slider, one component of the direction of the means with slider preferentially corresponding to the main direction of lighting and/or signaling of the support. 
     According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support comprises a surface for mounting the module, the surface being transversal and forming an angle of inclination with a horizontal plane which is between 0° and 90°, preferentially between 20° and 70°, and preferentially between 30° and 50°. 
     According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rapid positioning means are formed in the mounting surface, the support comprising cooling fins behind the mounting face. 
     Another subject of the invention is an assembly comprising a lighting and/or signaling module, notably for a vehicle, and its support, characterized in that the module conforms to the invention and/or the support conforms to the invention. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the module and the support comprises means for fixing the module to the support. 
     According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fixing means are configured to prevent a translational movement between the module and the support, the means preferentially being gripping and/or immobilizing means. 
     Another subject of the invention is a lighting and/or signaling device comprising a housing, a lighting and/or signaling module and a support for the module, the module and the support being arranged inside the housing, wherein the module and its support conform to the invention. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises opening means suitable for allowing the module to be taken out by displacement in relation to the support, the displacement being guided by the rapid positioning means, the rapid opening means comprising at least one out of the following means: a removable hatch, a precut wall portion of the housing, a removable lens. 
     The technical measures of the invention which have just been described allow for an easy replacement of the light source or sources without in any way affecting the setting of the lighting or signaling beam. In fact, the act of replacing the complete module makes it possible to replace the essential optical elements of the lighting and/or signaling device. These elements are preset in the module; its replacement consequently allows for a potentially significant loss of quality of the lighting and/or signaling beam. This facility to remove the module, notably in the case of failure of one or more of the LED light sources, makes it possible to replace the LEDs and their support with new, potentially more efficient, LED models. In fact, given the trend in LEDs, new models will replace the old ones. The fact that the entire module can be replaced will make it possible to dispose of the obsolete LED models and provide replacement modules with LEDs of more recent and more up-to-date technology. This solution will therefore allow for a standardization of the LEDs and consequently a reduction in costs. 
     Furthermore, the technical measures of the invention which have just been described are particularly advantageous for bulky modules, such as, in particular, the so-called “signature” modules, that is to say those provided with style lighting functions. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description and the drawings in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle headlight, conforming to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view from behind of the housing of the headlight of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the headlight of  FIG. 1 , showing the step of opening the housing in order to extract the lighting module; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the headlight of  FIG. 1 , showing the step of extracting the lighting module; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the headlight of  FIG. 1 , showing the housing after extraction of the lighting module; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the headlight of  FIG. 1 , showing the step of inserting a replacement lighting module; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the headlight of  FIG. 1 , showing the housing in which the replacement lighting module is fitted; 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view and an elevation view of a means for immobilizing the module in relation to its support in the headlight of  FIGS. 1 to 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the base of the module and of its support for the headlight of  FIGS. 1 to 7 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the base of the module and of the support of  FIG. 9 , illustrating the positioning and fixing means with sliders. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described in a fairly detailed manner. For reasons of convenience and clarity of the explanation, this example deals with a lighting device, that is to say a headlight and its corresponding lighting module usually situated at the front of the vehicle. It is, however, understood that the invention, and more particularly the technical solutions of the examples which follow, apply also to signaling modules, that is to say notably to modules for signaling lights usually situated at the rear of the vehicle. 
     In the following description, reference will be made to the optical axis of the lighting device. In this context, the use of the terms “front” and “rear” should be understood in relation to the direction of lighting of the modules. When the module is arranged at the front of the vehicle, the expression “front” will correspond with the normal direction of advance of the vehicle, whereas it will be opposite to that direction when the module is arranged at the rear of the vehicle. 
     Although the invention is essentially oriented toward applications in the vehicle domain, it is nonetheless applicable to the lighting domain in general. The lighting and signaling devices and modules may then be oriented in a different way than in the figures. The relative terms such as “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, etc. used in relation to the figures which illustrate a quite particular orientation of the lighting modules should not consequently be interpreted in a limiting manner. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a headlight  2  comprising a housing  4  defining a contained volume, the volume being closed by a lens  6  arranged at the front of the housing  4 . The housing  4  encloses a lighting and/or signaling module  8  comprising a number of submodules, each comprising at least one light source of the LED type and a first elliptical reflector  9  and a second parabolic reflector  11 . The lighting and/or signaling module  8  comprises a mounting surface or base  22  serving as a cooler for the LEDs and ensuring the fixing of the lighting and/or signaling module  8  to its support  10 . The latter is fixed to the housing  4  via swivel-pin fixing means  20  and at least one adjustment means  12  for adjusting the height of the lighting beam produced by the lighting and/or signaling module  8 . This at least one adjustment means  12  may comprise an electric motor and an adjusting screw driven by the electric motor and suitable for ensuring an essentially translational displacement of the point of fixing of the support to the at least one adjustment means  12 . The headlight  2  may also comprise one or more style masks  14 . 
     The housing  4  of the headlight  2  comprises a precut  16  in an upper area. The precut  16  describes a contour defining an opening  18  for access to the internal volume of the headlight  2 . This opening  18  may take various geometrical forms depending in particular on the form and the size of the lighting and/or signaling module  8 . It is arranged facing the lighting and/or signaling module  8  taking into account the positioning and guiding means between the lighting and/or signaling module  8  and the support  10 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the housing  4  seen from the rear, and the lens  6 . The housing  4  comprises, on its top face, two precut contours  16  thus forming two wall portions  18  giving access to the internal volume of the headlight  2 . Each of these wall portions  18  gives access to a lighting and/or signaling module. The lighting and/or signaling module  8  that can be seen in  FIG. 1  is a first example of a lighting and/or signaling module  8  of the headlight  2 , it being understood that the latter may enclose other lighting and/or signaling module(s). 
     Access to the top face of the housing  4  is usually fairly easy. This arrangement is, however, preferential and non-essential. There are in fact other positions, such as, for example, on the side and/or the rear. Access to the internal volume of the housing  4  can also be obtained through the lens  6  which may be removable. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the housing  4  of the headlight  2  of  FIG. 1  has been opened by removing the precut wall portion  18 . This opening gives access to the internal volume of the housing  4  and more particularly direct access to the lighting and/or signaling module  8 . In the precise case of this exemplary embodiment, the top face of the housing  4  has a large surface area and the formation of an opening on this face makes it possible to create an access that is large enough to extract the lighting and/or signaling module  8 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the movement of extraction of the lighting and/or signaling module  8  from the housing  4 . The mounting surface  22  of the lighting and/or signaling module  8  on the support  10  is generally planar and inclined toward the rear and upward or, in an equivalent manner, toward the front and downward. The median plane formed by this mounting surface  22  forms an angle of approximately 45° with a horizontal plane. The lighting and/or signaling module  8 , or more particularly its mounting surface  22  comprises means with slider cooperating with corresponding means with slider of the support  10 . These means are arranged so as to form a sliding or translational link between the lighting and/or signaling module  8  and the support  10 . The direction of sliding of these means is generally oriented toward the opening formed or that can be formed in the wall of the housing  4 . In the precise case of this exemplary embodiment, the direction of the means with slider (illustrated by the arrow) is oriented generally in a longitudinal plane so that the movement of extracting the lighting and/or signaling module  8  is generally done toward the rear and the top of the headlight  2 . 
     To extract the lighting and/or signaling module  8  from the housing  4 , the fixing or immobilizing means preventing the displacement of the lighting and/or signaling module  8  in the sliding direction have to be released. These means (not represented) can take various forms such as, for example, one or more tabs that can be moved in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of sliding of the lighting and/or signaling module  8  in relation to the support  10 . The fixing or immobilizing means may also comprise one or more cam gripping devices acting mainly in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of sliding of the lighting and/or signaling module  8  in relation to the support  10 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the headlight  2  without the lighting and/or signaling module  8 , that is to say in a state in which the lighting and/or signaling module  8  has been extracted through the opening formed in the wall of the housing  4 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , a replacement lighting and/or signaling module  108  is illustrated in an intermediate position during the positioning movement in relation to the support  10 . The replacement module  108  may be the initial lighting and/or signaling module  8  after it has been checked, maintained or overhauled, or else another equivalent module intended to replace the initial lighting and/or signaling module  8 . By virtue of the positioning means with slider, the lighting and/or signaling module  108  can be guided by a translational movement to a final position corresponding to an abutment between the lighting and/or signaling module  108  and the support  10 . The downward inclination of the direction of sliding of the lighting and/or signaling module  108  in relation to the support  10  is particularly advantageous because it allows for a final positioning that is stable because of the effect of gravity. No particular effort has to be maintained on the lighting and/or signaling module  108  until the fixing or immobilizing means are activated. This measure is a guarantee of mounting accuracy, this accuracy being particularly important for headlights for which the geometry of the lighting functions, in particular the “high beam” function, has to be observed for regulatory reasons. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the replacement lighting and/or signaling module  108  in its final position on the support  10 . The fixing and/or immobilizing means (not represented in  FIG. 7 ) are then activated so as to prevent any relative movement between the lighting and/or signaling module  108  and the support  10 . 
     The opening formed in the housing  4  can then be closed by refitting the wall portion that has been removed. Its fixing can be ensured by gluing. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the means for immobilizing the lighting and/or signaling module  8  along the means with slider in relation to the support  10 . This is a cam lever  24  in which the rotation of the lever  34  acts via a cam  26  of the lever  34  and a pivot link  28  on a rod  32 . The cam  26  attached to the lever  34  slides over a bearing surface  30  and displaces the pivot axis  28  in a longitudinal direction of the rod  32 . This movement of small amplitude makes it possible to exert an amplified effort on the rod  32 . In the case of the exemplary embodiment which has been described, the rod  32  may be attached to an element sliding in a slider of the support  10  or of the lighting and/or signaling module  8 , the cam lever  24  being arranged on the other of the support  10  and the lighting and/or signaling module  8 . The actuation of the cam lever  24  then makes it possible to exert an effort pressing the sliding element on the slider and therefore pressing the support  10  and the lighting and/or signaling module  8  against one another. 
     Other fixing and/or immobilizing devices, in particular those well known per se to the person skilled in the art, can obviously be implemented in the context of the invention. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate with more detail the base  22  of the lighting and/or signaling module  8  and the support  10 , notably the positioning means with sliders. The support  10  is of solid construction. It comprises, in its rear part, swivel-pin fixing points  36  ensuring the link between the support  10  and the swivel-pin fixing means  20  for fixing the support  10  to the housing  4 . The swivel-pin fixing points  36  may be fixing capsules well known per se to the person skilled in the art.  FIG. 10  shows that the support  10  comprises two sliders  38  on its module mounting face. These two sliders  38  have a generally T-shaped section so as to ensure a dual function of guiding in the general plane of the mounting face and a function of retention in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane. The two sliders  38  are generally parallel. They are formed directly in the mass of the support  10 . The latter is preferentially made of metal material such as aluminum suitable for providing an LED cooling function. It should moreover be noted that cooling fins can be provided behind the support  10 . The sliders  38  stop before the bottom edge of the support  10  in order to provide an abutment function. The base  22  of the lighting and/or signaling module  8  comprises corresponding sliders  40  suitable for cooperating with the sliders  38  of the support  10 . In the precise case of the exemplary embodiment which is being described, the support  10  comprises sliders in the form of grooves and the base  22  comprises corresponding sliders  40  in the form of ribs. The reverse can obviously also be implemented with the invention. It would also be possible to provide a combination of these two configurations, namely in which the support  10  comprises at least one slider in the form of a groove and at least one slider in the form of a rib, and similarly for the base  22  of the lighting and/or signaling module  8 . 
     Other means for positioning the lighting and/or signaling module  8  in relation to its support  10  can obviously be implemented. These means are preferentially with slider(s). Their role is to ensure the guiding of the lighting and/or signaling module  8  during its extraction and/or its placement in the housing  4  and its positioning in relation to the support  10 . 
     While the system, apparatus, process and method herein described constitute preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise system, apparatus, process and method, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.