Device adapted to be used to dehumidify a closed vehicle headlamp housing or to prevent the occurrence of moisture in said closed housing.

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the field of closed-box vehicle headlamps, and more particularly to a device that can be used to dehumidify a closed vehicle headlamp housing.

STATE OF THE ART

Headlamps are an important element in the safety of vehicles, especially when the vehicle is driven at night or when it is driven in atmospheric conditions requiring the use of lighting.

Generally, a vehicle headlight comprises a housing closed by an ice and in which is housed a light source. Since the case is not often waterproof, moisture can enter the case and condense on the ice. This condensation has an influence on the lighting efficiency of the projector.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device that can be used to dehumidify or to prevent the appearance of moisture in a closed vehicle headlight housing, which overcomes the drawback mentioned above.

To this end, the invention relates to a device that can be used to dehumidify a closed vehicle headlamp housing or to prevent the appearance of moisture in said closed housing.

According to the invention, the device comprises:

a first box (2) defining a first chamber (5), the first box (2) having at least two sets of orifices (3, 4), each series of orifices (3, 4) comprising at least one orifice a first series of orifices (3) being configured so that the first chamber (5) communicates with the interior of the closed housing (15) and a second series of orifices (4) being configured so that the first chamber (5) ) communicates with the outside of the closed housing (15),

at least one first flap (7) configured to alternatively open the orifice (es) of the first series of orifices (3) or to seal the orifices of the first series of orifices (3);

an actuation module (8) configured so that the at least one first shutter (7) closes the orifice (s) of the first series of orifices (3) when the actuation module (8) is activated,

a heating element (9) configured to emit heat when the actuation module (8) is activated.

Thus, the device, which can be associated with a moisture absorber, allows moisture that may condense on the housing ice can be removed through the second orifice effectively, thanks to the first flap that prevents moisture , who went into box, to go out.

In addition, the device comprises at least one second flap configured for, alternatively:

opening the second set of orifices when the first shutter (s) closes the first set of orifices, or

closing the second set of orifices when the first shutter (s) opens the first set of orifices.

In addition, the device comprises a second box defining a second chamber, the second box being configured so that the second chamber communicates with the first chamber by the second set of orifices, the second box comprising a third set of orifices configured so that the second chamber communicates with the outside of the closed housing.

According to a first example, the actuation module comprises:

a closure sub-module configured to close the first set of orifices by the first shutter (s) when said operating module is activated,

a reminder sub-module configured to cause the first flap (s) to open the first set of orifices, when said actuation module is inactivated.

Otherwise :

the closure sub-module is also configured to open the second series of orifices by the second or the second shutters when said actuation module is activated,

the reminder sub-module is also configured to cause the second shutter or shutters to close the second set of orifices when said actuation module is inactivated.

According to a second example, the first flap or flaps comprise a first plate parallel to a plane containing the first series of orifices, the first plate comprising at least a first open portion and at least a first shutter portion,

the actuation module being configured to move the first plate parallel to the plane containing the first series of orifices so that the first plate alternately occupies at least one or other of the following positions:

a first position in which the at least one open portion coincides with the at least one orifices of the first set of orifices to open the orifices of the first set of orifices, or

a second position in which the at least one sealing portion coincides with the at least one orifices of the first set of orifices for closing the orifices of the first set of orifices.

Furthermore, the second or second flaps comprise a second plate parallel to a plane containing the second series of orifices, the second plate comprising at least a second open portion and at least a second closing portion,

the actuation module being also configured to move the second plate parallel to the plane containing the second series of orifices so that the second plate alternately occupies at least one of the following positions:

a first position in which the at least one open portion is in register with the at least one opening of the second set of orifices for opening the second set of orifices when the first plate is in its second position, or

a second position in which the at least one sealing portion coincides with the orifices of the second set of orifices for closing the orifices of the second set of orifices, when the first plate is in the first position.

According to a third example, the first flap (s) comprise a first shutter plate parallel to a plane containing the first series of orifices,

the actuation module being configured to move the first shutter plate to a normal of the plane containing the first set of orifices so that the first shutter plate occupies at least one of the following positions:

a first position in which the first sealing plate is pressed against the orifices of the first series of orifices to close the orifices of the first series of orifices, or

a second position in which the first sealing plate is spaced from the orifices of the first set of orifices to open the orifices of the first set of orifices.

Furthermore, the second or second shutters comprise a second shutter plate parallel to a plane containing the second series of orifices, the actuation module being also configured to move the second shutter plate to a normal of the plane containing the second series of apertures. orifices so that the second closure plate occupies at least one of the following positions:

a first position in which the second sealing plate is pressed against the orifices of the second series of orifices to close the orifices of the second series of orifices when the first closure plate is in its second position, or

a second position in which the second sealing plate is moved against the orifices of the second series of orifices to open the orifices of the second series of orifices when the first closure plate is in its first position.

According to another feature, the heating element corresponds to a component of the actuation module able to heat when the actuating sub-module is activated.

For example, the heating element comprises a thermal resistance.

In addition, the thermal resistance is configured to operate in an open circuit when it reaches a predetermined temperature.

In another example, the heating element comprises an electromagnetic element.

According to a first embodiment, the device comprises a membrane closing the orifice (es) of the third series of orifices, the membrane being configured to let out of the box the water vapor included in the second chamber or the first chamber.

The invention also relates to a vehicle headlamp comprising a housing closed by an ice and housing at least one light source.

According to the invention, the housing comprises a wall through which is fixed a device that can be used to dehumidify said housing or to prevent the appearance of moisture in said closed housing as described above, the inside of the housing communicating with the first chamber of the first box of said device by the first set of orifices, the outside of the housing communicating with the first chamber by the second set of orifices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention, with its features and advantages, will emerge more clearly on reading the description given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the device for dehumidifying and preventing the appearance of moisture on the side of the first series of orifices according to one embodiment,

FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the device on the side of the second series of orifices according to the embodiment of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of the device on the side of the first series of orifices with a first flap opening the first series of orifices according to the embodiment of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of the device on the side of the first series of orifices, in which the actuation module is visible according to the embodiment of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 represents a perspective view of the device on the side of the first series of orifices, in which the heating element is visible according to the embodiment of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 represents a schematic view of a vehicle headlight comprising the device,

FIG. 7 represents a perspective view of the device on the side of the first series of orifices according to another embodiment,

FIG. 8 represents a profile view of the flaps and the actuation module according to the embodiment of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 represents a perspective view of the device on the side of the second series of orifices according to the embodiment of FIG. 7; - FIG. 10 represents an exploded view of the device according to the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 11 represents a perspective view of the device on the side of the first series of orifices according to another embodiment,

FIG. 12 represents an exploded view of the device according to the embodiment of FIG. 11,

FIG. 13 represents a side view of a section of the device in which the first shutter (s) closes the first series of orifices according to the device of FIG.

FIG. 14 represents a profile view of a section of the device in which the second shutter (s) close the second series of orifices according to the device of FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The remainder of the description will refer to the figures cited above.

The invention relates to an active device 1. Said device 1 is suitable for use in dehumidifying a closed housing 15, in particular a vehicle headlight housing 16. Said device 1 is also able to prevent the appearance of moisture in the closed housing 15.

In the following description, the "device capable of being used to dehumidify a closed housing or to prevent the appearance of moisture in said closed housing" is called "device" (Figures 1 to 5).

The device 1 comprises a box 2 defining a chamber 5 inside the box 2. The box 2 is provided with at least two sets of orifices 3 and 4. Each of the series of orifices 3 and 4 comprises at least an orifice. A series of orifices 3 is configured so that the chamber 5 of the box 2 communicates with the inside of the closed housing 15. A series of orifices 4 is configured so that the chamber 5 of the box 2 communicates with the outside of the closed housing 15 (FIG. 5).

A medium that communicates with another medium means that there may be a fluid exchange such as water vapor between the two media.

In one embodiment, the device 1 also comprises a moisture absorber 6 arranged in the chamber 5 of the box 2. The moisture absorber 6 is able to absorb the moisture present in the chamber 5 of the box 2 (Figure 5). For example, the moisture absorber 6 comprises silica gel. However, the moisture absorber may include any type of compound or system allowing the absorption of at least a portion of the moisture that can be contained in the box 2.

The device 1 comprises an actuating module 8 and at least one flap 7 configured to, alternatively, open the orifice or openings of the series of orifices 3 or seal the orifices of the series of orifices 3. The actuating module 8 is configured to control the flap or flaps 7, that is to say, it controls the flap or flaps 7 so that they close the orifice or holes of the orifice series 3 when said module actuator 8 is activated (FIG. 4).

Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a heating element 9 configured to emit heat when the actuation module 8 is activated.

According to one embodiment (FIGS. 7 to 14), the device comprises at least one second flap 18 configured for, alternatively:

open the second set of orifices 4 when the first shutter (s) 7 close the first set of orifices 3, or

closing the second series of orifices 4 when the first flap (s) 7 open the first series of orifices 3.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device 1 further comprises a box 19 defining a chamber 20. The box 19 is configured so that the chamber 20 communicates with the chamber 5 by the series of orifices 4. The box 19 comprises a series orifice 21 configured so that the chamber 19 communicates with the outside of the closed housing 15.

According to a first example (FIGS. 1 to 5), the actuation module 8 comprises:

a closure sub-module configured to close the series of orifices 3 by the shutter or flaps 7 when the actuation module 8 is activated,

- A reminder sub-module, such as a spring, configured to cause the flap or 7 to open the series of orifices 3 when the actuating module 8 is inactivated.

In this first example, when the actuating module 8 is activated, the closing submodule exerts a force acting against the force exerted by the return submodule so that the flap (s) 7 close the series of orifices 3 .

According to a variant of the first example, the closing sub-module of the actuating module 8 is also configured to open the series of orifices 4 by the flap or flaps 18 when said actuation module 8 is activated. In addition, the reminder sub-module is also configured to cause the flap (s) 18 to close the second set of orifices 4 when said actuation module 8 is inactivated.

According to a second example (FIGS. 7 to 10), the flap (s) 7 comprise a plate (23) parallel to a plane containing the series of orifices (3). The plate (23) comprises at least one open part (24) and at least one shutter part (25). For example, the plate 23 corresponds to a solid plate comprising openings. The open part (s) 24 correspond to one or more openings. The closing part (s) 25 correspond to the parts between the opening (s).

In this second example, the actuating module 8 is configured to move the plate 23 parallel to the plane containing the series of orifices 3 so that the plate 23 alternately occupies at least one or the other of the following positions:

a first position in which the one or more open portions 24 coincide with the orifices of the series of orifices 3 to open the orifices of series of orifices 3, or

a second position in which the closing part (s) 25 coincide with the orifice (s) of the series of orifices 3 to close the orifices of the series of orifices 3.

In these two positions, the plate 23 remains pressed against the series of orifices 3.

According to a variant of this second example, the flap (s) 18 comprise a plate (26) parallel to a plane containing the series of orifices (4). In a manner similar to the first plate (23), the plate (26) comprises at least one open portion (27) and minus a sealing part 28.

In this variant, the actuating module 8 is also configured to move the plate 26 parallel to the plane containing the series of orifices 4 so that the plate 26 alternately occupies at least one of the following positions:

a first position in which the one or more open portions 27 coincide with the orifices of the series of orifices 4 to open the orifices of series of orifices 4, when the plate 23 is in its second position, or

a second position in which the closing part (s) 28 coincide with the orifice (s) of the series of orifices 4 to close the orifices of the series of orifices 4, when the plate 23 is in the first position.

In these two positions, the plate 26 remains pressed against the series of orifices 4.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the actuating module 8 can move the flap (s) 7 and / or the flap (s) 18 by rotation. The actuating module 8 may therefore comprise a motor having a motor shaft A perpendicular to the (x) flaps 7 and 18 and adapted to drive the plate 23 and / or the plate 26 in rotation about the axis of the motor shaft. A or a shaft B parallel to the motor shaft A by means of a gearing. Preferably, the motor is a DC motor.

According to a third example (FIGS. 1 to 14), the flap (s) 7 comprise a shutter plate (29) parallel to a plane containing the series of orifices (3).

In this third example, the actuating means 8 is configured to move the shutter plate 29 in translation along a normal plane containing the series of orifices 3 so that the shutter plate 29 occupies at least one or the other following positions:

a first position in which the sealing plate 29 is pressed against the orifices of the series of orifices 3 to close the orifice series orifices 3, or

a second position in which the shut-off plate 29 is remote from the orifices of the series 3 of orifices to open the orifices of the series of orifices 3.

In a variant of the third example, the flap (s) 18 further comprises a shutter plate (30) parallel to a plane containing the series of orifices (4).

In this variant, the actuating means 8 is also configured to move the shutter plate 30 in translation along a normal plane containing the series of orifices 4 so that the sealing plate 30 occupies at least one or the other following positions:

a first position in which the sealing plate 30 is pressed against the orifices of the series of orifices 4 to close the orifice series orifices 4 when the closure plate 29 is in its second position, or

a second position in which the shut-off plate 30 is moved against the orifices of the series of orifices 4 to open the orifices of the series of orifices 4 when the shut-off plate 29 is in its first position.

As shown in FIG. 1 to 14, in this third example, the flap (s) 7 and / or the flap (s) 18 may be simultaneously driven by translation by the actuating module 8. The actuation module 8 can therefore comprise a motor having a motor shaft A parallel to (x) shutter plates 29 and 30 and adapted to drive the plate 29 and / or the plate 30 in translation by means of a P gear. Preferably, the motor is a motor DC.

Thus, when the flap (s) 7 are open, the humidity 17 contained in the housing 15 of the projector 16 enters the box 2 of the device 1.

For example, moisture can be absorbed by the moisture absorber 6.

For example, the heat emitted by the heating element 9 is able to transform the moisture absorbed by the moisture absorber 6 into water vapor 6. The water vapor 1 1 is then evacuated via the orifice 4 towards the outside of the box 2.

According to one embodiment, the heating element 9 corresponds to a component of the actuating module 8 adapted to heat when the actuating sub-module is activated.

The heating element 9 may comprise or correspond to a thermal resistance. The thermal resistance is configured to operate in an open circuit when it reaches a predetermined temperature.

In another example, the heating element 9 comprises an electromagnetic element. The electromagnetic element may be an electromagnet which allows the actuating module 8 to close the flap 7 when said actuation module 8 is activated.

The moisture absorber 6 may be a moisture absorbing component, such as silica gel. Said component may coat the inner surface of the box 2, but it may also be contained in an inner housing provided near the heating element 9. The silica may also be contained in or on an adhesive support capable of adhering to a surface contained in the bedroom 5.

According to one embodiment (FIG. 2), the device 1 comprises a membrane 10 closing the series of orifices 21. The membrane 10 is configured to let out of the chamber 20 the water vapor 1 1 present in the box 2. The water vapor contained in the box 2 and which evacuated through the series of orifice 21 may correspond to the moisture previously absorbed by the moisture absorber 6 which has been transformed into water vapor by the heat transmitted by the heating element 9 or the humidity contained in the chambers 5, 20 but which has not absorbed by the moisture absorber 6.

The invention also relates to a vehicle headlight 16 comprising a housing 15 closed by an ice 13 and housing at least one light source 14 (Figure 6).

The closed housing 15 comprises a wall 12 through which is fixed a device 1 as described above.

The inside of the housing 15 then communicates with the chamber 5 of the first box 2 of said device 1 by the series of orifices 3 and the outside of the housing 15 communicates with the chamber 5 of the first box 2 of said device 1 by the second series of holes 4.

The present description details various embodiments with reference to figures and / or technical characteristics. Those skilled in the art will understand that the various technical features of the various modes can be combined with one another to achieve other embodiments, unless the reverse is explicitly mentioned or if these technical characteristics are incompatible. Likewise, a technical feature of one embodiment may be isolated from the other technical features of this embodiment unless the reverse is mentioned. In the present description, many specific details are provided for illustrative and not limiting, so as to detail precisely the invention. The skilled person will however understand that the The invention can be realized in the absence of one or more of these specific details or with variants. On other occasions, certain aspects are not detailed so as to avoid obscuring and weighing down the present description and one skilled in the art will understand that various and varied means may be used and that the invention is not limited. to the only examples described.

It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration, but may be modified within the scope defined by the scope of the appended claims, and the invention should not be limited to the details given above.

CLAIMS

1. Device adapted to be used to dehumidify a closed housing (15) of a vehicle headlamp (16) or to prevent the appearance of moisture in said closed housing (15),

characterized in that it comprises:

a first box (2) defining a first chamber (5), the first box (2) having at least two sets of orifices (3, 4), each series of orifices (3, 4) comprising at least one orifice , a first series of orifices (3) being configured so that the first chamber

(5) communicates with the interior of the closed housing (15) and a second series of orifices (4) being configured so that the first chamber (5) communicates with the outside of the closed housing (15),

at least one first flap (7) configured to alternatively open the orifice (es) of the first series of orifices (3) or to seal the orifices of the first series of orifices (3);

an actuation module (8) configured so that the at least one first shutter (7) closes the orifice (s) of the first series of orifices (3) when the actuation module (8) is activated,

- A heating element (9) configured to emit heat when the actuation module (8) is activated.

2. Device according to claim 1,

characterized in that it comprises at least one second flap (18) configured for, alternatively:

- opening the second set of orifices (4) when the first shutter (s) (7) close the first set of orifices (3), or

closing the second set of orifices (4) when the first shutter (s) (7) open the first set of orifices (3).

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2,

characterized in that it comprises a second box (19) defining a second chamber (20), the second box (19) being configured so that the second chamber (20) communicates with the first chamber (5) by the second series of orifices (4), the second box (1 9) comprising a third series of orifices (21) configured so that the second chamber (20) communicates with the outside of the closed housing (15).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that the actuation module (8) comprises:

a closing sub-module configured to close the first set of orifices (3) by the at least one first shutter (7) when said actuation module (8) is activated,

a return submodule (22) configured to cause the first flap (s) (7) to open the first set of orifices (3) when said actuation module (8) is inactivated.

5. Device according to claim 4,

characterized in that

the closing sub-module is also configured to open the second series of orifices (4) by the second panel (s) (18) when said actuation module (8) is activated,

- The return submodule (22) is also configured to cause the second or the second shutters (18) to close the second series of orifices (4) when said actuating module (8) is inactivated.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that the at least one flap (7) comprises a first plate (23) parallel to a plane containing the first series of orifices (3), the first plate (23) comprising at least a first open portion (24) and at least a first sealing portion (25),

the actuating module (8) being configured to move the first plate (23) parallel to the plane containing the first series of orifices (3) so that the first plate (23) alternately occupies at least one or the other of the following positions:

a first position in which the at least one open portion (24) coincides with the at least one orifices of the first set of orifices (3) to open the orifices of the first set of orifices (3), or a second position wherein the at least one sealing portion (25) coincides with the at least one opening of the first set of orifices (3) to close the orifices of the first set of orifices (3).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and claim 6,

characterized in that the at least one second flap (18) comprises a second plate (26) parallel to a plane containing the second series of orifices (4), the second plate (26) comprising at least a second open portion (27). and at least a second sealing portion (28),

the actuating module (8) being also configured to move the second plate (26) parallel to the plane containing the second series of orifices (4) so ​​that the second plate (26) alternately occupies at least one or other of the following positions:

a first position in which the one or two open portions (27) coincide with the orifice (s) of the second set of orifices (4) to open the orifices of the second set of orifices (4), when the first plate (23) is in its second position, or

a second position in which the at least one sealing portion (28) coincides with the orifices of the second set of orifices (4) to close the orifices of the second set of orifices, when the first plate (23) ) is in the first position.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that the at least one first shutter (7) comprises a first shutter plate (29) parallel to a plane containing the first series of orifices (3),

the actuating module (8) being configured to move the first closure plate (29) to a normal of the plane containing the first set of orifices (3) so that the first closure plate (29) occupies at least one either of the following positions:

a first position in which the first sealing plate (29) is pressed against the orifices of the first series of orifices (3) to close the orifices of the first series of orifices (3), or

a second position in which the first sealing plate (29) is spaced from the orifices of the first series (3) of orifices to open the orifices of the first series of orifices (3).

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and claim s,

characterized in that the one or both flaps (18) comprise a second closure plate (30) parallel to a plane containing the second series of orifices (4),

the actuating module (8) also being configured to move the second closure plate (30) to a normal of the plane containing the second set of orifices (4) so ​​that the second closure plate (30) occupies at least the one or the other of the following positions:

a first position in which the second sealing plate (30) is pressed against the orifices of the second series of orifices (4) to close the orifices of the second series of orifices (4) when the first closure plate (29) ) is in its second position, or

a second position in which the second sealing plate (30) is moved against the orifices of the second series of orifices (4) to open the orifices of the second series of orifices (4) when the first closure plate ( 29) is in its first position.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2,

characterized in that the heating element (9) corresponds to a component of the actuating module (8) capable of heating when the actuating sub-module is activated.

1 1. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that the heating element (9) comprises a thermal resistance.

Device according to claim 10,

characterized in that the thermal resistance is configured to operate in an open circuit when it reaches a predetermined temperature.

13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that the heating element (9) comprises an electromagnetic element.

14. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 6,

characterized in that it further comprises a membrane (10) closing off the orifice (es) of the third series of orifices (21), the membrane (10) being configured to let out of the box (2) the water vapor (1 1) present in the second chamber or the first chamber.

Vehicle headlight comprising a housing (15) closed by an ice (13) and housing at least one light source (14),

characterized in that the housing (15) comprises a wall (12) through which is fixed a device (1) adapted to be used to dehumidify said housing (15) or to prevent the appearance of moisture in said closed housing ( 15) according to any one of claims 1 to 14,

the inside of the housing (15) communicating with the first chamber (5) of the first box (2) of said device (1) by the first series of orifices (3), the outside of the housing (15) communicating with the first chamber (5) by the second set of orifices (4).