# US 12,214,715 B2 · Function module for at least one light function and/or at least one sensor function having a first frame that is movable relative to a second frame > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,214,715 B2 - Document ID: US12214715B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/558,807 - Filed: 2022-05-31 - Published: 2024-07-11 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-06-02 - Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft - Applicants: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft - Inventors: Dominik Behnsen; Josef Gruebl; Andreas Lang; Martin Riedner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214715B2 ## CPC - B60Q 1/0408: {built into the vehicle body, e.g. details concerning the mounting of the headlamps on the vehicle body (B60Q1/0491, B60Q1/05 take precedence, integrated front ends B62D25/00)} - B60Q 1/0023: {the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera} - B60Q 1/0041: {of several lamps in relation to each other} - B60Q 1/0491: {Shock absorbing devices therefor} - F21S 41/192: {Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors} - F21S 41/28: {Cover glass} - F21S 41/2805: {Cover glass} - F21S 41/29: Attachment thereof (for achieving variable light distribution F21S41/63) - F21S 45/10: Protection of lighting devices (cooling of lighting devices F21S45/40; waterproofing of lighting devices F21S45/50) - G01S 7/027: {Constructional details of housings, e.g. form, type, material or ruggedness} - G01S 7/4811: {common to transmitter and receiver} - G01S 13/86: Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder - G01S 13/931: of land vehicles - G01S 17/86: Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders - G01S 17/931: of land vehicles - B60Q 2400/30: Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor - F21W 2102/13: for high-beam region or low-beam region - G01S 2013/9323: {Alternative operation using light waves} - G01S 2013/93277: {in the lights} - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - F21W: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS ## Abstract A function module includes at least one lighting unit and/or at least one sensor unit. The function module also includes a covering panel through which light from the at least one lighting unit emerges from the function module and/or by way of which the detection region of a respective sensor unit extends out of the function module. The function module also includes a first frame and a second frame, with the covering panel being provided on the first frame and the second frame being configured for rigid attachment to the motor vehicle. The first frame is movable from a nominal position relative to the second frame should the action of a force be directed against the frame toward the covering panel from the outside. A returning device is provided in order to return the first frame to the nominal position once the action of the force has ceased. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A function module for at least one light function and/or at least one sensor function in a motor vehicle, the function module comprising: at least one lighting unit for emitting light into surroundings of the motor vehicle and/or at least one sensor unit for detecting objects in a detection area in the surroundings of the motor vehicle; a cover plate via which light of the at least one lighting unit exits from the function module and/or via which the detection area of a respective sensor unit extends out of the function module; a first frame and a second frame, wherein the cover plate is provided on the first frame and the second frame is configured for rigid fastening on the motor vehicle, and the first frame is movable out of a nominal position relative to the second frame in an event of a force action directed on the first frame from outside toward the cover plate; and a returning device that is configured to move the first frame back into the nominal position after ending of the force action, wherein the force action acts directly on the first frame and indirectly on the cover plate via the first frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The function module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting unit comprises at least one first lighting unit for generating a light distribution for a low beam function and/or a high beam function. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The function module according to claim 2, wherein the at least one first lighting unit is connected to the second frame. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The function module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting unit comprises at least one second lighting unit for generating a light distribution for a daytime running light and/or for a position light and/or for a directional indicator and/or for a surface lighting device along the cover plate and/or for a contour lighting device along an edge of the cover plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The function module according to claim 4, wherein the at least one second lighting unit is connected to the cover plate and/or the first frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The function module according to claim 1, wherein at least a first one of the at least one sensor unit is configured to detect objects in the detection area via emission and reception of electromagnetic radiation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The function module according to claim 6, wherein at least a second one of the at least one sensor unit is a radar sensor and/or at least a third one of the at least one sensor unit is a lidar sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The function module according to claim 1, wherein the first frame is displaceable and/or pivotable relative to the second frame in the event of the force action directed on the first frame from the outside toward the cover plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The function module according to claim 1, wherein the returning device connects the first frame to the second frame at least at one first point and/or is provided at least at one second point for connecting the first frame to a fixed part in the motor vehicle not associated with the function module. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The function module according to claim 1, wherein the returning device comprises at least one elastic element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The function module according to claim 1, wherein the returning device comprises at least one spring. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The function module according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of elastic elements, in a top view of the cover plate, are arranged at an edge of the first frame. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The function module according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of elastic elements are arranged circumferentially around the edge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The function module according to claim 1, wherein the first frame is guided relative to the second frame in order to only permit a movement of the first frame relative to the second frame n a number of predetermined directions in the event of the force action directed on the first frame from the outside toward the cover plate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The function module according to claim 14, wherein at least one cupola-shaped elevation and/or at least one rotating fastener on the first frame are provided for guiding the first frame relative to the second frame. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The function module according to claim 1, wherein: a locking device is provided to lock the first frame in the nominal position, and the locking device is configured such that locking is released from the nominal position in the event of the force action on the first frame from the outside toward the cover plate being above a predetermined amount. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The function module according to claim 16, wherein the locking device comprises one or more catch lugs, which engage in one or more corresponding depressions upon locking in the nominal position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The function module according to claim 1, wherein: the first frame is a first housing section and the second frame is a second housing section, and the first housing section and the second housing section are connected to one another in a sealing manner and form a closed housing, in which at least one of the at least one lighting unit and/or at least one of the at least one sensor unit are arranged. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The function module according to claim 18, wherein a flexible jacket and/or a hollow chamber seal is provided for a sealing connection of the first housing section to the second housing section. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A motor vehicle comprising the function module according to claim 1.