EP0717230B1 - Reflektor für einen Scheinwerfer eines Kraftfahrzeugs - Google Patents

Reflektor für einen Scheinwerfer eines Kraftfahrzeugs Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0717230B1
EP0717230B1 EP95119884A EP95119884A EP0717230B1 EP 0717230 B1 EP0717230 B1 EP 0717230B1 EP 95119884 A EP95119884 A EP 95119884A EP 95119884 A EP95119884 A EP 95119884A EP 0717230 B1 EP0717230 B1 EP 0717230B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reflector
reflecting
disposed
along
sector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP95119884A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0717230A1 (de
Inventor
Sergio Zattoni
Stefania Masuelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Marelli Automotive Lighting Italy SpA
Original Assignee
Automotive Lighting Italia SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Automotive Lighting Italia SpA filed Critical Automotive Lighting Italia SpA
Publication of EP0717230A1 publication Critical patent/EP0717230A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0717230B1 publication Critical patent/EP0717230B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/30—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by reflectors
    • F21S41/32—Optical layout thereof
    • F21S41/33—Multi-surface reflectors, e.g. reflectors with facets or reflectors with portions of different curvature
    • F21S41/334—Multi-surface reflectors, e.g. reflectors with facets or reflectors with portions of different curvature the reflector consisting of patch like sectors
    • F21S41/336—Multi-surface reflectors, e.g. reflectors with facets or reflectors with portions of different curvature the reflector consisting of patch like sectors with discontinuity at the junction between adjacent areas

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a reflector for headlights for vehicles, especially dipped headlights or fog lights.
  • 2,536,502 discloses a headlight for providing a dipped beam for road vehicles, in which headlight the reflector is defined not by a single reflecting surface of revolution, for example parabolic or elliptical, as is the custom in headlights, but instead by a so-called "complex" reflecting surface formed by the joining, without interruption of continuity, of numerous (in the case under discussion, four) reflecting surface portions which are geometrically dissimilar to one another, and which in the case under discussion are defined by differing equations.
  • 1,546,689 discloses a headlight having a reflector of geometry similar to the foregoing one, but in which the various surface portions, geometrically dissimilar to one another, forming the reflecting surface are not joined to one another, but are linked by steps, which consequently form zones of discontinuity on the reflecting surface.
  • both of the above described constructions produce the cut-off without the use of darkening screens and, consequently, permit better utilization of the light energy emitted by the lamp of the headlight, forming headlights which, as compared with conventional ones, have a greater illuminating power for equal power of the lamp, or use lamps of lower power (or reflectors of smaller dimensions) to deliver equal illumination.
  • reflectors of the type described are not free from disadvantages.
  • reflectors in which extensive discontinuities are present such as that of the patent FR-A-1,546,698, show a decline of the optical performance levels of the headlight, as they inevitably distort some of the reflected rays.
  • reflectors such as that of the patent FR-A-2,536,502 which represents a development of the foregoing one, which development is made possible by the new computing and automatic design techniques, which permit specifically the creation of continuous "complex" surfaces, have the disadvantage of producing a light beam distribution which is not optimized and which may leave one or more zones poorly illuminated, or may allow some rays, albeit of weak intensity, to emerge above the cut-off.
  • the object of the innovation is to provide a reflector which permits the retention of the advantages associated with the reflectors of the described headlights and which, at the same time, permits an improvement in the visual comfort of the user and/or of drivers of other vehicles coming in the opposite direction at the moment of passing.
  • a reflector for a headlight for road vehicles especially for a dipped headlight or fog light, having the features of Claim 1.
  • said surface sector defining said reflecting zone disposed inside a respective said surface portion of the reflecting surface of the reflector is at least partially rotated relative to said reflecting surface and is joined with continuity to the latter along at least one side of its perimeter.
  • said surface sector is oriented in such a manner as to intercept some of the light rays directed towards said surface portion relative to which said sector is translated, in order to concentrate the reflected images of said rays along the optical axis and below the same, and is disposed substantially along a vertical centre line of said reflector, centred relative to the same or disposed to one side.
  • the rays distorted by the step junction of limited extent and of defined position present on the reflecting surface are nevertheless projected well below the cut-off and, accordingly, they are not able to reduce the visual comfort, while also contributing to the illumination.
  • the result is a greater concentration of the light beam in the lower central zone of the test screen at 25 m, i.e. specifically in that zone which improves the visual comfort.
  • a reflector for a dipped headlight (known and not illustrated, for the sake of simplicity) for road vehicles, especially motor vehicles, comprising the reflector 1, a light source constituted by a lamp 2, a housing to accommodate the reflector 1 and a lens which closes the housing in front of the reflector 1, the housing and the lens being known and not illustrated for the sake of simplicity.
  • the reflector 1 may be of any shape (in the non-limiting case under discussion which is illustrated, it is of substantially rectangular shape, being bounded by respective sides 3 and 4, which are substantially parallel in pairs) and has a reflecting surface 5 and an optical axis A, along which the lamp 2 is substantially aligned, and which serves as a reference for the computation of the surface 5.
  • the surface 5 is a complex surface of the same type as that described in European Patent Application, publication number EP-A1-0 703 403, of the same Applicant, and comprises a plurality of surface portions which are all joined to one another substantially with continuity, but each one of which is defined by a (reflecting or deflecting) surface having optical characteristics different from those of the surfaces of the adjacent surface portions.
  • the surface 5 comprises seven different surface portions: two upper lateral portions 9 and 10 aligned on opposite sides with respect to the axis A along an upper edge 3a of the reflector 1, two lower lateral portions 13 and 14 aligned on opposite sides with respect to the axis A along a lower edge 3b of the reflector 1 and below the portions 9 and 10 respectively, two intermediate lateral portions 15 and 16, the first one of which is disposed between the portions 9 and 13 and the second between the portions 10 and 14, joining the same, and a central portion 18, centred on the axis A and extending over the entire height of the reflector 1, joining the portions 9, 15 and 13 disposed along one side 4a of the reflector 1, to the opposite portions 10, 16 and 14 disposed along the opposite side 4b of the reflector 1.
  • Each surface portion is furthermore given a specialized shape designed to create a predetermined distribution of the reflected images on the test screen at 25 m as prescribed by the pertinent regulations.
  • the two intermediate lateral portions 15 and 16 of the reflector 1 are capable of distributing the reflected images exclusively below the optical axis A, in such a manner as to obtain the concentration of the light beam emitted by the headlight below the bright-dark boundary line or "cut-off", while the upper lateral portion 9 and the lower lateral portion 14, which is situated diagonally opposite the portion 9, are capable of obtaining a broadened distribution of the beam and of defining, in conjunction with respective prism configurations of the aforementioned lens (not illustrated) of the headlight, an oblique part of the bright-dark boundary line.
  • the horizontal part of the cut-off line is, on the other hand, obtained by means of the images reflected , by the surface portions 10 and 13, again possibly in combination with suitable prism configurations of the lens, while the central sector 18 is capable of distributing the light below the optical axis A and centrally.
  • the effective reflecting surface 5 of the reflector 1 further comprises an anomalous reflecting zone 20, which is disposed inside the joining central portion 18, in the case under discussion in the lower quarter of the same, adjacent to the portion 13.
  • the reflecting zone 20 is defined, according to the invention, by a surface sector 21 of optical and geometric characteristics which may be identical to or different from those of the surface of the portion 18, but which is translated forwards with respect to the latter and linked to the same, along at least part of its perimeter, by means of a step 22, which consequently generates a desired, bounded and defined discontinuity on the otherwise continuous surface 5.
  • the surface of the sector 21 is also partially rotated towards the optical axis A and the associated lamp 2 in relation to the surface of the portion 18, and is joined with continuity with the latter along one side 23 of its perimeter, which is disposed along a vertical centre line 24 of the reflector 1, relative to which centre line the sector 21 is disposed to one side, on the same side as the portion 13.
  • the consequence of the presence of the sector 21 is that some of the light rays, one of which is indicated by 30, which are emitted by a filament 31 of the lamp 2, which would normally be reflected along the broken-line path indicated by 30a from the surface 18, are instead intercepted by the surface 21 and reflected along the path 30b, converging towards the optical axis A, with the effect of a greater contribution of light to the bright-dark boundary line or cut-off.
  • the reflected images of the rays intercepted by the surface sector 21 are concentrated along the optical axis A and immediately below the latter.
  • 100 and 101 indicate, overall, two respective reflectors for fog headlights; the reflectors 100 and 101 have a reflecting surface 5 which may be defined, without distinction, by a single continuous surface portion or by a plurality of reflecting surface portions which are different and which are joined to one another with continuity, as in the case of the surface 5 of the reflector 1 of Figure 1.
  • the surface 5, which would per se be continuous also comprises an anomalous reflecting zone (20a in the case of the reflector 100, 20b in the case of the reflector 101) defined by a surface sector 21 which has the same or different geometric characteristics and which is translated and rotated with respect to the axis A relative to the remainder of the surface 5.
  • This sector 20a or 20b is disposed substantially along a vertical centre line 24 of the reflector, centred relative to the same, and forms a step 22 on the reflecting surface 5.
  • the step 22 is towards the optical axis A of the reflector; in the case under discussion, it is aligned on a horizontal centre line 34, while the surface 21 is joined to 5 along one side 32 of the perimeter of the reflecting zone 20, which perimeter is aligned with the lower side 3b of the reflector 101; on the other hand, in the case of the reflector 100 of Figure 3, the step 22 is away from the optical axis A; in the case under discussion it is formed in line with the upper horizontal side 3a of the reflector 100, while the surface 21 is joined to 5 along one side 23 of the perimeter of the reflecting zone 20, which perimeter is disposed along the horizontal centre line 34 of the reflector 100.
  • the result is a deviation of the rays 30 emitted by the filament 31 of the lamp 2 and intercepted by the surface 21 of the reflecting zones 20a or 20b along the paths 30b, which are more inclined downwards (or more angled relative to the axis A) as compared with the paths 30a which the rays 30 would have followed as a result of reflection on the surface 5 in the absence of the projecting reflecting zones 20a and 20b.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Claims (5)

  1. Reflektor (1) für den Scheinwerfer eines Straßenfahrzeugs, insbesondere für ein Abblendlicht oder einen Nebelscheinwerfer, mit einer reflektierenden Oberfläche (5), umfassend einen einteiligen, kontinuierlichen Oberflächenbereich oder eine Vielzahl von Oberflächenberelchen, die zueinander geometrisch unähnlich ausgestaltet sind, wobei diese jedoch so aneinander gefügt sind, dass die jeweiligen Verbindungslinien keine Unterbrechung aufweisen; die reflektierende Oberfläche (5) umfasst ferner einen reflektierenden Abschnitt (20), der innerhalb des einteiligen, kontinuierlichen Oberflächenbareiches oder innerhalb einem der Oberflächenbereiche, die unähnlich zueinander ausgebildet, jedoch kontinuierlich verbunden sind, angeordnet ist, und der durch einen Oberflächensektor (21) definiert ist, welcher Im Verhältnis zum jeweiligen Oberflächenbereich, innerhalb dessen er angeordnet ist und mit dem er entlang wenigstens eines Teils des Umfangs des reflektierenden Abschnitts (20) mittels einer Stufe (22) verbunden ist, eine Verschiebung aufweist,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    der Oberflächensektor (21) den reflektierenden Abschnitt (20) in Verbindung mit folgenden Merkmalen festlegt:
    - einer Verschiebung in Vorwärtsrichtung im Verhältnis zu jenem Oberflächenbereich, innerhalb dessen er angeordnet ist; und
    - einer wenigstens teilweisen Drehung im Verhältnis zum Oberflächenbereich der reflektierenden Oberfläche (5) in Richtung der optischen Achse (A) des Reflektors;
    - einer solchermaßen gewählten Orientierung, dass einige in Richtung des Oberflächenbereichs, relativ zu welchern der Oberflächensektor verschoben ist, unterbrochen werden, um die reflektierten Bilder dieser Lichtstrahlen entlang der optischen Achse (A) und unterhalb derselben zu bündeln.
  2. Reflektor nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Oberflächensektor (21) im Verhältnis zu dem Oberflächenbereich, innerhalb dessen er angeordnet ist, eine Verschiebung in Vorwärtsrichtung aufweist und mit diesem entlang wenigstens einer Seite (23) seines Umfangs eine kontinulerliche Verbindung besteht.
  3. Reflektor nach wenigstens einem der vorausgehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Oberflächensektor (21)-im Wesentlichen entlang einer vertikalen Zentralachse (24) des Reflektors (1) angeordnet ist und relativ zu dieser zentriert oder seitlich zu dieser verlagert ist.
  4. Reflektor nach wenigstens einem der vorausgehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Stufe (22) In Richtung zur optischen Achse (A) des Reflektors weist,
  5. Reflektor nach wenigstens einem der vorausgehenden Ansprüche 1-3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Stufe (22) von der optischen Achse (A) des Reflektors wegweist,
EP95119884A 1994-12-16 1995-12-15 Reflektor für einen Scheinwerfer eines Kraftfahrzeugs Expired - Lifetime EP0717230B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO941029 1994-12-16
IT94TO001029A IT1267337B1 (it) 1994-12-16 1994-12-16 Riflettore per un proiettore per veicoli stradali.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0717230A1 EP0717230A1 (de) 1996-06-19
EP0717230B1 true EP0717230B1 (de) 2006-06-14

Family

ID=11412976

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95119884A Expired - Lifetime EP0717230B1 (de) 1994-12-16 1995-12-15 Reflektor für einen Scheinwerfer eines Kraftfahrzeugs

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0717230B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69535055T2 (de)
IT (1) IT1267337B1 (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2819042B1 (fr) * 2000-12-28 2003-03-14 Valeo Vision Projecteur pour vehicule, comprenant un reflecteur et une source lumineuse horizontale orientee transversalement a un axe optique du reflecteur

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1681298A (en) * 1926-02-05 1928-08-21 Loberg Andrew Reflector
FR2475186A1 (fr) * 1980-02-05 1981-08-07 Cibie Projecteurs Perfectionnements aux reflecteurs en matieres plastiques pour projecteurs de vehicules automobiles
FR2525733A1 (fr) * 1982-04-23 1983-10-28 Auteroche Sa Reflecteur a paraboloides multiples
FR2528537B1 (fr) * 1982-06-09 1987-03-20 Cibie Projecteurs Projecteurs de croisement pour vehicules automobiles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69535055T2 (de) 2006-12-07
IT1267337B1 (it) 1997-01-28
ITTO941029A1 (it) 1996-06-16
EP0717230A1 (de) 1996-06-19
DE69535055D1 (de) 2006-07-27
ITTO941029A0 (it) 1994-12-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP3964089B2 (ja) 車両用前照灯
KR100438120B1 (ko) 자동차 헤드 램프
JP2622564B2 (ja) カットオフによって限定されたビームを放射する、変形底部を有する自動車用前照灯
US6416210B1 (en) Headlamp for a vehicle
JPH01281602A (ja) 車両用前照灯
JP2591094B2 (ja) 自動車用前照灯
JP2003338210A (ja) 車輌用前照灯
JP4536859B2 (ja) 車両に用いられるヘッドライト
JPH10250461A (ja) 自動車用ヘッドライト
JP3226391B2 (ja) 自動車用ヘッドランプ
EP0717230B1 (de) Reflektor für einen Scheinwerfer eines Kraftfahrzeugs
JPH02220301A (ja) 車輌用前照灯
US5975731A (en) Vehicle headlight with reflective mask
JPH0364962B2 (de)
JP4203228B2 (ja) 車両用前照灯
JPH0584601B2 (de)
JPH01159902A (ja) 自動車用前照灯
JP2001160310A (ja) 車両用ヘッドライト
JPH0226321B2 (de)
JP2000106007A (ja) 車両用のヘッドライト
JPH01159901A (ja) 自動車用前照灯
JP2004134290A (ja) 車両用照明灯具
JPH046081Y2 (de)
JPH0250561B2 (de)
JPS638002Y2 (de)

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19960524

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING ITALIA SPA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20001130

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAJ Information related to disapproval of communication of intention to grant by the applicant or resumption of examination proceedings by the epo deleted

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSDIGR1

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: F21S 8/12 20060101AFI20051221BHEP

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69535055

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20060727

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060925

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20070315

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20061215

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061215

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20080130

Year of fee payment: 13

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090701

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20141217

Year of fee payment: 20