Housing structure for light unit, chassis part for housing a light unit and external module comprising a chassis part and light unit

• US 7,329,032 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium (Burelle)
• Original Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium (Burelle)
• Inventors: Michaut, Alexis, Andre, Gerald, Verwaerde, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, LAURA K
• Application Number:
  US10/536,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20060152042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• Field of Search: 362/506, 362/507, 362/549, 296/198, 296/187.04
• US Class Current: 362/507
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0433 the housing being fastened onto the vehicle body using screws adjustable headlamp by rotation of a screw B60Q1/0683
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0441 the housing being fastened onto the vehicle body using means other than screws
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/045 with provision for adjusting the alignment of the headlamp housing with respect to the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0475 with provisions for pre-mounting, for temporary holding the headlamp before or during final mounting
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0491 Shock absorbing devices therefor

Abstract

The invention provides a receiver structure for receiving a light unit having a glass for fitting to a motor vehicle fender, the fender and the glass including means for putting the glass of the light unit into a reference position relative to the fender, the receiver structure comprising: fastener means for fastening the receiver structure to the fender; and fastener means for fastening the light unit to the receiver structure, which means conserve the reference position of the glass relative to the fender as imposed by the means for putting the glass into a reference position. The invention also provides an outside module for a motor vehicle, a fender, and a method of mounting a light unit on a fender.

Claims

1. A receiver structure for receiving a light unit having a glass for fitting to a motor vehicle fender, the fender and the glass including means for putting the glass of the light unit into a reference position relative to the fender, the receiver structure comprising:

fastener means for fastening the receiver structure to the fender; and

fastener means for fastening the light unit to the receiver structure, which means conserve the reference position of the glass relative to the fender as imposed by the means for putting the glass into a reference position.

2. A receiver structure according to claim 1, consisting essentially of plastics material.

3. A receiver structure according to claim 1, arranged to reinforce the fender locally.

4. A receiver structure according to claim 1, in which the fastener means for fastening the light unit to the receiver structure are the only means for fastening the light unit to the vehicle.

5. A receiver structure according to claim 1, of dimensions such that the receiver structure is received between top and bottom rims of the fender.

6. A receiver structure according to claim 1, shaped to prevent the fender blistering near the light unit.

7. A receiver structure according to claim 1, including support means for supporting the light unit fastened to the fender, said support means being designed for mounting to a structure of the vehicle.

8. A receiver structure according to claim 7, in which the support means are secured to the receiver structure.

9. A receiver structure according to claim 7, in which the support means have at least one degree of freedom relative to the fender.

10. A receiver structure according to claim 9, in which the support means are a slideway.

11. A receiver structure according to claim 1, in which the fastener means for fastening the receiver structure to the fender consist of fastening the receiver structure to the fender using a fastener selected from a group consisting of adhesive, glue, welds, clips, rivets, heads and bolts.

12. A receiver structure according to claim 1, in which the fastener means for fastening the receiver structure to the fender are fusible.

13. A receiver structure according to claim 1, including means for fastening a wheel arch along a bottom edge of a side portion of the receiver structure.

14. A receiver structure according to claim 1, arranged to absorb the energy of impacts against pedestrians.

15. A receiver structure to claim 1, including a connection interface between the fender and a structural part of the vehicle.

16. A receiver structure according to claim 15, in which the connection interface consists in sliding fastenings.

17. A receiver structure according to claim 15, in which the connection interface consists in an energy absorber for absorbing impacts against the heads of pedestrians.

18. A receiver structure according to claim 1, including fastener means for fastening functional members of the vehicle such functional members selected from a group consisting of a windshield washer jar, a tank, a headlight washer, lighting, and an electronic device.

23. A receiver structure according to claim 1, wherein the fastener means for fastening the light unit to the receiver structure are fusible.

19. An outside module for a motor vehicle, the module comprising a fender and a light unit including a glass, the module including a receiver structure for receiving a light unit having a glass for fitting to a motor vehicle fender, the fender and the glass including means for putting the glass of the light unit into a reference position relative to the fender, the receiver structure comprising:

fastener means for fastening the receiver structure to the fender; and

fastener means for fastening the light unit to the receiver structure, which means conserve the reference position of the glass relative to the fender as imposed by the means for putting the glass into a reference position.

20. An outside module according to claim 19, in which the fender consists essentially of plastics material.

21. A motor vehicle fender, including a receiver structure for receiving a light unit having a glass for fitting to a motor vehicle fender, the fender and the glass including means for putting the glass of the light unit into a reference position relative to the fender, the receiver structure comprising:

fastener means for fastening the receiver structure to the fender; and

fastener means for fastening the light unit to the receiver structure, which means conserve the reference position of the glass relative to the fender as imposed by the means for putting the glass into a reference position.

22. A method of mounting a light unit on a bodywork fender provided with a receiver structure for receiving a light unit having a glass for fitting to a motor vehicle fender, the fender and the glass including means for putting the glass of the light unit into a reference position relative to the fender, the receiver structure comprising:

fastener means for fastening the receiver structure to the fender; and

fastener means for fastening the light unit to the receiver structure, which means conserve the reference position of the glass relative to the fender as imposed by the means for putting the glass into a reference position, the method consisting of;

putting the glass of the light unit into a reference position relative to the fender; and

fastening the light unit to the receiver structure by means present respectively on the light unit and on the receiver structure for definitively conserving the position obtained when the unit is put into its reference position.