EP0794382A2 - Projector-type headlight for applications in the field of motor-cycles and/or motor cars - Google Patents

Projector-type headlight for applications in the field of motor-cycles and/or motor cars Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0794382A2
EP0794382A2 EP97102497A EP97102497A EP0794382A2 EP 0794382 A2 EP0794382 A2 EP 0794382A2 EP 97102497 A EP97102497 A EP 97102497A EP 97102497 A EP97102497 A EP 97102497A EP 0794382 A2 EP0794382 A2 EP 0794382A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
headlight
dimmer
screen
dimmer screen
light source
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP97102497A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0794382A3 (en
EP0794382B1 (en
Inventor
Roberto Cella
Davide Lorenzi
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.)
Fratelli Pagani SpA
Original Assignee
Fratelli Pagani SpA
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Filing date
Publication date
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Application filed by Fratelli Pagani SpA filed Critical Fratelli Pagani SpA
Publication of EP0794382A2 publication Critical patent/EP0794382A2/en
Publication of EP0794382A3 publication Critical patent/EP0794382A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0794382B1 publication Critical patent/EP0794382B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Revoked legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
    • F21S41/68—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on screens
    • F21S41/683—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on screens by moving screens
    • F21S41/686—Blades, i.e. screens moving in a vertical plane

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a headlight for applications in the motoring field and particularly in the field of motor-cycles.
  • the known drawbacks of headlights of this type lie basically in the fact that they make it possible to obtain only the high beam function or the lower beam function, which are obtained by dimming or not dimming part of the light rays coming from the reflector.
  • this type of headlight therefore, it is necessary to add another (of the same type or different) that produces the beam not produced by the first, with a resulting increase in costs and size.
  • the known drawback in providing a single projector-type headlight with two functions lies in the fact that, in the case of the lower beam function, the optical axis of the headlight must be rotated downwards through a certain angle such as to ensure that the road surface is perfectly illuminated. Consequently, when the headlight is switched to its high beam function, it is rotated downwards through the same angle as the lower beam, as foreseen by the technical solutions adopted up to now, impairing its efficiency. Therefore, when switching from one function to the other, a system for correcting the beam must be introduced so that the two beams are always optimal depending upon the function chosen. Whatever the beam correction system, it introduces not only design and application problems, but also an inevitable increase in costs.
  • the aim of the present invention is to create a projector-type headlight that provides both high beam and lower beam functions, overcoming the above disadvantages and in particular avoiding the use of costly systems for correcting the beam when passing from one function to the other.
  • a further aim of the invention is to create a headlight for use both on motor-cycles and on motor-cars that is of reduced weight and size.
  • Other advantages of the invention consist in the fact that it has two basic functions (high beam and lower beam), with a very small illuminating surface, or it has a dual headlight that is small in size and has a high performance for both functions.
  • the headlight according to the invention produces a high beam, which is partially dimmed by means of a dimmer screen to produce a low beam, without any need for the two beams to be corrected by corrective, optical or other types of systems.
  • a headlight 3 is made up by a light source 5, a lens 8, a reflector 6 that reflects the light emitted by the light source towards the lens and a lens holder cap 7.
  • an electromagnet 1 which serves to operate a dimmer 2 is housed in a seat 4.
  • the dimmer 2 reaches above or is positioned in the vicinity of the optical axis 9 of the headlight, so as to block all the rays which, striking the half plane below the optical axis 9 in which the dimmer 2 is situated, would be refracted upward by the lens 8.
  • the lens 8 With the dimmer situated above or in the vicinity of the optical axis 9, therefore, all rays reaching the lens 8 pass though it and in so doing are refracted downwards by an angle with respect to the optical axis 9 that depends on the angle of incidence on the lens.
  • the high beam function is illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the energized electromagnet 1 lowers the dimmer 2 beneath the optical axis, so that all the rays reach the lens 8. By so doing the unlit area of the field of vision is illuminated and a deep forward lighting beam is thus obtained.
  • the particular surface of the reflector 6 makes it possible to keep the two beams aligned, without any need for correction systems, whilst maintaining the same excellent performance and excellent lighting of the road surface that are obtained with projector-type headlights with a single function (lower beam or high beam). It therefore makes it possible to switch from one function to the other simply by moving the dimmer screen 2 from one position to the other.
  • the power necessary for a single headlight will be the sum of the power of the lamp and that of the electromagnet.
  • the latter must be sufficient to ensure a steady and rapid movement of the dimmer, so as not to generate troublesome vibrations during switching from one function to the other.
  • shock absorbers could also be provided at the end of the stroke.
  • the movement of the dimmer 2 is vertical, but it can be obtained in any other way, for example by rotation on a pivot.
  • Operation of the dimmer itself can also be carried out manually, by means of an electric stepper motor etc..
  • the preferred embodiment of the invention uses an electromagnet since this has the necessary power, restricts the overall size of the device and enables it to be of simple construction.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

A projector-type headlight for applications in the field of motor-cycles and/or motor cars which produces a high beam and a low beam comprising a light source (5), a lens (8), a reflector (3) that reflects the light produced by the light source towards the lens and a dimmer screen (2) that can be moved between two positions in a plane lying between the light source and the lens; in a first position the dimmer screen blocks part of the rays to obtain a lower beam, whilst in a second position all the light rays are allowed past in order to obtain a high beam.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a headlight for applications in the motoring field and particularly in the field of motor-cycles.
  • In the motor-cycling field, in which the problem of size is of considerable importance, an optical assembly called the "projector type" has been introduced, consisting in a projector-type headlight.
  • The known drawbacks of headlights of this type lie basically in the fact that they make it possible to obtain only the high beam function or the lower beam function, which are obtained by dimming or not dimming part of the light rays coming from the reflector. When using this type of headlight, therefore, it is necessary to add another (of the same type or different) that produces the beam not produced by the first, with a resulting increase in costs and size.
  • The known drawback in providing a single projector-type headlight with two functions (lower beam and high beam) lies in the fact that, in the case of the lower beam function, the optical axis of the headlight must be rotated downwards through a certain angle such as to ensure that the road surface is perfectly illuminated. Consequently, when the headlight is switched to its high beam function, it is rotated downwards through the same angle as the lower beam, as foreseen by the technical solutions adopted up to now, impairing its efficiency. Therefore, when switching from one function to the other, a system for correcting the beam must be introduced so that the two beams are always optimal depending upon the function chosen. Whatever the beam correction system, it introduces not only design and application problems, but also an inevitable increase in costs.
  • The aim of the present invention is to create a projector-type headlight that provides both high beam and lower beam functions, overcoming the above disadvantages and in particular avoiding the use of costly systems for correcting the beam when passing from one function to the other. A further aim of the invention is to create a headlight for use both on motor-cycles and on motor-cars that is of reduced weight and size. Other advantages of the invention consist in the fact that it has two basic functions (high beam and lower beam), with a very small illuminating surface, or it has a dual headlight that is small in size and has a high performance for both functions.
  • These aims are achieved by a projector-type headlight according to the invention, having the characteristics listed in appended claim l. The headlight according to the invention produces a high beam, which is partially dimmed by means of a dimmer screen to produce a low beam, without any need for the two beams to be corrected by corrective, optical or other types of systems.
  • Further characteristics of the invention will be made clearer by the detailed description that follows, referring to a purely exemplary and therefore non-limiting embodiment thereof, illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:
    • Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a headlight according to the invention, with a dimmer screen in the dimming position (lower beam);
    • Figure 2 is a sectional side view of a headlight according to the invention with the same dimmer screen in the non-dimming position (high beam).
  • With reference in particular to Figure 1, a headlight 3 is made up by a light source 5, a lens 8, a reflector 6 that reflects the light emitted by the light source towards the lens and a lens holder cap 7. As can be seen in the figure, an electromagnet 1 which serves to operate a dimmer 2 is housed in a seat 4.
  • The case illustrated is that of the lower beam function, in which the electromagnet is de-energized, in compliance with current safety regulations. In this position the dimmer 2 reaches above or is positioned in the vicinity of the optical axis 9 of the headlight, so as to block all the rays which, striking the half plane below the optical axis 9 in which the dimmer 2 is situated, would be refracted upward by the lens 8. With the dimmer situated above or in the vicinity of the optical axis 9, therefore, all rays reaching the lens 8 pass though it and in so doing are refracted downwards by an angle with respect to the optical axis 9 that depends on the angle of incidence on the lens.
  • The high beam function is illustrated in Figure 2. The energized electromagnet 1 lowers the dimmer 2 beneath the optical axis, so that all the rays reach the lens 8. By so doing the unlit area of the field of vision is illuminated and a deep forward lighting beam is thus obtained.
  • The particular surface of the reflector 6 makes it possible to keep the two beams aligned, without any need for correction systems, whilst maintaining the same excellent performance and excellent lighting of the road surface that are obtained with projector-type headlights with a single function (lower beam or high beam). It therefore makes it possible to switch from one function to the other simply by moving the dimmer screen 2 from one position to the other.
  • The power necessary for a single headlight will be the sum of the power of the lamp and that of the electromagnet. The latter must be sufficient to ensure a steady and rapid movement of the dimmer, so as not to generate troublesome vibrations during switching from one function to the other. For this purpose shock absorbers could also be provided at the end of the stroke.
  • In the preferred embodiment the movement of the dimmer 2 is vertical, but it can be obtained in any other way, for example by rotation on a pivot.
  • Operation of the dimmer itself can also be carried out manually, by means of an electric stepper motor etc.. Obviously the preferred embodiment of the invention uses an electromagnet since this has the necessary power, restricts the overall size of the device and enables it to be of simple construction.

Claims (9)

  1. A projector-type headlight (3) for applications in the field of motor-cycles and/or motor cars, comprising a light source (5) and a dimmer screen (2) interposed between said light source and a lens (8), characterized in that said dimmer screen (2) can be moved between at least two positions: a first position, above or in the vicinity of the optical axis (9) of the headlight (3), in which it blocks part of the rays coming from the light source (5), to obtain a lower beam, and a second position in which said dimmer screen (2) allows all the light rays coming from the light source (5) to pass, in order to obtain a high beam, switching between high beam and lower beam taking place solely through movement of the dimmer screen (2) without using optical correction systems or other means.
  2. A headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that in said first position corresponding to a lower beam, the dimmer screen (2) is positioned so that its upper edge is situated above the optical axis (9) of the headlight (3).
  3. A headlight according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movement of said dimmer screen (2) takes place vertically in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis (9) of the headlight.
  4. A headlight according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said dimmer screen (2) accomplishes an oscillating movement to pass from said first to said second position, and vice versa.
  5. A headlight according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dimmer screen (2) is operated by means of an electromagnet (1) to which the dimmer screen (2) is fixed.
  6. A headlight according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said dimmer screen (2) is operated manually, by means of an electric stepper motor, or with other similar operating means.
  7. A headlight according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said light source (5) is a single-filament, double-filament or gaseous discharge incandescent lamp.
  8. A headlight according to claim 5, characterized in that the position of said dimmer screen (2) corresponding to the lower beam function is the position with the electromagnet (1) de-energized.
  9. A headlight according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that shock absorbing means are provided at the end of the stroke of said dimmer screen (2).
EP97102497A 1996-03-05 1997-02-17 Projector-type headlight for applications in the field of motor-cycles and/or motor cars Revoked EP0794382B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT96MI000429A IT1283192B1 (en) 1996-03-05 1996-03-05 PROJECTION TYPE HEADLIGHT FOR MOTORCYCLE AND/OR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
ITMI960429 1996-03-05

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0794382A2 true EP0794382A2 (en) 1997-09-10
EP0794382A3 EP0794382A3 (en) 1998-08-12
EP0794382B1 EP0794382B1 (en) 2001-06-06

Family

ID=11373509

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97102497A Revoked EP0794382B1 (en) 1996-03-05 1997-02-17 Projector-type headlight for applications in the field of motor-cycles and/or motor cars

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0794382B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH09330603A (en)
AT (1) ATE201925T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69705082T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0794382T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2159781T3 (en)
GR (1) GR3036555T3 (en)
IT (1) IT1283192B1 (en)
PT (1) PT794382E (en)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2332741A (en) * 1997-12-24 1999-06-30 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Headlight which is kept on as long as passing switch is held on
EP0990839A2 (en) 1998-09-28 2000-04-05 Zizala Lichtsysteme GmbH Dipped and main beam headlamp for vehicle
GB2350882A (en) * 1999-03-26 2000-12-13 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Vehicle headlamp with auxiliary beam
FR2796448A1 (en) * 1999-07-13 2001-01-19 Valeo Vision PROJECTOR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A MULTI-POSITION COVER
EP1197387A1 (en) 2000-10-12 2002-04-17 Valeo Vision Motor vehicle headlamp comprising an adjustable shade
EP1283390A2 (en) 2001-08-10 2003-02-12 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Two-light headlamp
FR2845330A1 (en) 2002-10-04 2004-04-09 Valeo Vision Headlamp for motor vehicle, uses piezoelectric motor to displace inside reflector to alter position of screens to control beam spread from lamp
EP1201988A3 (en) * 2000-10-25 2004-06-23 Zizala Lichtsysteme GmbH Vehicle headlamp
US6827473B2 (en) * 2001-10-18 2004-12-07 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Projection-type headlamp also having infrared light emitting function
EP1985915A1 (en) 2007-04-25 2008-10-29 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Vehicle headlight
EP2028414A1 (en) * 2007-08-22 2009-02-25 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd Vehicle headlamp
US20130163268A1 (en) * 2011-12-27 2013-06-27 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Vehicle headlamp

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4144381B2 (en) 2003-03-07 2008-09-03 市光工業株式会社 head lamp
JP4321450B2 (en) * 2004-07-26 2009-08-26 株式会社デンソー Visual recognition support device
JP4400884B2 (en) 2005-06-08 2010-01-20 株式会社小糸製作所 Vehicle lamp
JP4518496B2 (en) * 2005-06-23 2010-08-04 株式会社小糸製作所 Vehicle lamp
JP4614347B2 (en) * 2005-06-23 2011-01-19 株式会社小糸製作所 Vehicle lamp

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1389291A (en) * 1920-01-08 1921-08-30 Evan P Bone Headlamp
GB2179132A (en) * 1985-08-10 1987-02-25 Bosch Gmbh Robert Headlamp for dipped light or fog light, of vehicles
DE3806658A1 (en) * 1988-03-02 1989-09-14 Huppertz & Schneider Gmbh & Co Headlamp (headlight, searchlight), in particular for use in vehicles below ground
FR2657681A1 (en) * 1990-01-30 1991-08-02 Bosch Gmbh Robert PROJECTOR FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, THE LIGHT SOURCE OF WHICH IS A GAS DISCHARGE LAMP.

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1389291A (en) * 1920-01-08 1921-08-30 Evan P Bone Headlamp
GB2179132A (en) * 1985-08-10 1987-02-25 Bosch Gmbh Robert Headlamp for dipped light or fog light, of vehicles
DE3806658A1 (en) * 1988-03-02 1989-09-14 Huppertz & Schneider Gmbh & Co Headlamp (headlight, searchlight), in particular for use in vehicles below ground
FR2657681A1 (en) * 1990-01-30 1991-08-02 Bosch Gmbh Robert PROJECTOR FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, THE LIGHT SOURCE OF WHICH IS A GAS DISCHARGE LAMP.

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2332741A (en) * 1997-12-24 1999-06-30 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Headlight which is kept on as long as passing switch is held on
GB2332741B (en) * 1997-12-24 1999-11-10 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Vehicle headlamp
DE19857341B4 (en) * 1997-12-24 2006-03-02 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Vehicle headlight with an adjustable optical element
EP0990839A2 (en) 1998-09-28 2000-04-05 Zizala Lichtsysteme GmbH Dipped and main beam headlamp for vehicle
GB2350882A (en) * 1999-03-26 2000-12-13 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Vehicle headlamp with auxiliary beam
GB2350882B (en) * 1999-03-26 2002-09-25 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Vehicular headlamp apparatus
US7021791B1 (en) 1999-03-26 2006-04-04 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Vehicular headlamp apparatus
FR2796448A1 (en) * 1999-07-13 2001-01-19 Valeo Vision PROJECTOR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A MULTI-POSITION COVER
EP1197387A1 (en) 2000-10-12 2002-04-17 Valeo Vision Motor vehicle headlamp comprising an adjustable shade
FR2815310A1 (en) 2000-10-12 2002-04-19 Valeo Vision PROJECTOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLE WITH MOBILE OCCULTATION SCREEN
EP1201988A3 (en) * 2000-10-25 2004-06-23 Zizala Lichtsysteme GmbH Vehicle headlamp
US6981790B2 (en) 2001-08-10 2006-01-03 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Two-light headlamp
EP1283390A2 (en) 2001-08-10 2003-02-12 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Two-light headlamp
EP1283390A3 (en) * 2001-08-10 2006-05-10 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Two-light headlamp
US6827473B2 (en) * 2001-10-18 2004-12-07 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Projection-type headlamp also having infrared light emitting function
FR2845330A1 (en) 2002-10-04 2004-04-09 Valeo Vision Headlamp for motor vehicle, uses piezoelectric motor to displace inside reflector to alter position of screens to control beam spread from lamp
EP1985915A1 (en) 2007-04-25 2008-10-29 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Vehicle headlight
US7736038B2 (en) 2007-04-25 2010-06-15 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Vehicle headlight
EP2028414A1 (en) * 2007-08-22 2009-02-25 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd Vehicle headlamp
US20130163268A1 (en) * 2011-12-27 2013-06-27 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Vehicle headlamp
US8646955B2 (en) * 2011-12-27 2014-02-11 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Vehicle headlamp

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH09330603A (en) 1997-12-22
ES2159781T3 (en) 2001-10-16
ITMI960429A1 (en) 1997-09-05
GR3036555T3 (en) 2001-12-31
EP0794382A3 (en) 1998-08-12
DE69705082D1 (en) 2001-07-12
ITMI960429A0 (en) 1996-03-05
DK0794382T3 (en) 2001-09-24
PT794382E (en) 2001-11-30
IT1283192B1 (en) 1998-04-16
EP0794382B1 (en) 2001-06-06
ATE201925T1 (en) 2001-06-15
DE69705082T2 (en) 2002-02-07

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