EP0984222B1 - Motor vehicle headlamp comprising a transversal lamp and improved lamp mounting means - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to motor vehicle headlamps, and more particularly to a headlamp equipped with a lamp whose axis is oriented perpendicularly to the optical axis of its mirror.

We already know that such a lamp orientation brings in a projector some advantages. In particular, the background zone of the mirror becomes usable for the formation of the beam, which is particularly advantageous in the case of mirrors capable of generating beams of the required photometry, such as cut-off beams, in themselves. particular fog beams.

Another advantage of this type of known projector is that access to the lamp for its replacement, from above, or from the side of the projector, or even from below, can be facilitated in certain types of configurations.

Document FR-A-2 701 539 gives an example of such a projector.

This known projector however has the disadvantage of requiring, for the mounting of the lamp, a special lamp holder which is mounted on appropriate arrangements of the mirror and which has clean facilities for receiving the lamp.

The presence of such a lamp holder increases the cost of the projector and the time required to mount it.

Replacing the lamp is also more tedious, since it is necessary to remove the lamp holder, replace the lamp and then replace the lamp holder.

In addition, such a lamp holder can be visible through the projector glass, and impair its appearance when turned off.

The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art, and to provide a transverse lamp projector in which the lamp can be mounted directly on appropriate arrangements of the mirror and can be easily replaced, this without compromising or making particularly delicate realization of this mirror by molding.

The realization of the modern mirrors by molding is indeed an important element for the quality of the product and the cost price and the efficiency of its manufacture, and must not be compromised under the sole pretext of the economy of a part that constituted the lamp holder in the prior art.

Thus the present invention proposes a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising a lamp mounted in a mirror and a closure glass, the lamp having support arrangements in a plane perpendicular to its axis and being mounted in the mirror with its axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the mirror, and the mirror being made by injecting plastic material by being demolded in a direction parallel to said optical axis, and the mirror having at least one cheek adjacent to a bottom zone, characterized in that a hole of lamp is formed directly in said cheek, in that an outer surface of a wall of the mirror surrounding the lamp hole has relative to the demolding direction a clearance angle, and in that it is provided between said surface and said support arrangements of the lamp of the adaptation means forming for said arrangements supporting the lamp support surfaces extending in a plane parallel to said optical axis.

• ledit trou de lampe et la surface l'entourant sont formés dans un renfoncement ménagé dans ladite joue.
• ledit renfoncement est délimité par une paroi en forme générale de « U ».
• ladite paroi en forme générale de « U » possède au moins un aménagement de détrompage pour le positionnement angulaire de la lampe.
• ladite paroi en forme générale de « U » possède au moins un renfoncement apte à recevoir une patte de fixation d'un occulteur de lampe.
• ladite patte de fixation possède une partie formant languette élastique apte à solliciter la lampe pour son calage dans une direction transversale à l'axe de ladite lampe.
• lesdits moyens d'adaptation comprennent une pluralité de plots en saillie à partir de ladite surface extérieure et venus de moulage lors de la fabrication du miroir.
• le projecteur comprend également un organe de retenue de la lampe assurant la pression de ses aménagements d'appui sur lesdits plots.
• l'organe de retenue est constitué par une épingle articulée sur ladite patte de fixation d'occulteur.
• lesdits moyens d'adaptation comprennent une pièce d'adaptation généralement cylindrique entourant le trou de lampe et possédant un premier bord en appui contre ladite surface extérieure et un second bord, opposé, définissant des surfaces d'appui pour lesdits aménagements d'appui de la lampe.
• les premier et second bords de ladite pièce d'adaptation sont essentiellement constitués par des cercles contenus dans des plans inclinés l'un par rapport à l'autre d'un angle égal à l'angle de dépouille.
• le premier bord de la pièce d'adaptation s'appuie sur des plots venus de matière et en saillie sur ladite surface extérieure.
• ladite pièce d'adaptation possède des encoches pour le montage de la lampe par un mécanisme à baïonette.
• lesdites surfaces d'appui définies par le second bord de la pièce d'adaptation sont constituées par des pattes s'étendant dans un plan perpendiculaire à l'axe de ladite pièce.
• ladite pièce d'adaptation est réalisée par roulage d'une tôle métallique mince.

Preferred, but not limiting, aspects of the projector according to the invention are the following:

• said lamp hole and the surrounding surface are formed in a recess in said cheek.
• said recess is delimited by a generally U-shaped wall.
• said generally U-shaped wall has at least one keying arrangement for the angular positioning of the lamp.
• said wall in the general shape of "U" has at least one recess capable of receiving a bracket for attaching a lamp cover.
• said fixing lug has an elastic tongue portion adapted to urge the lamp for its setting in a direction transverse to the axis of said lamp.
• said adaptation means comprise a plurality of studs projecting from said outer surface and integrally molded during manufacture of the mirror.
• the projector also comprises a lamp retaining member ensuring the pressure of its support arrangements on said pads.
• the retaining member is constituted by a pin articulated on said occulter fixing lug.
• said adaptation means comprise a generally cylindrical fitting part surrounding the lamp hole and having a first edge bearing against said outer surface and a second opposite edge, defining bearing surfaces for said lamp support arrangements.
• the first and second edges of said adaptation piece consist essentially of circles contained in planes inclined with respect to each other by an angle equal to the draft angle.
• the first edge of the adaptation piece is supported on studs integrally and protruding on said outer surface.
• said adapter piece has notches for mounting the lamp by a bayonet mechanism.
• said bearing surfaces defined by the second edge of the adapter piece are constituted by tabs extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said piece.
• said adaptation piece is made by rolling a thin metal sheet.

• la figure 1 est une vue de face partielle d'un projecteur selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de l'arrière et en coupe partielle d'une partie de montage de lampe du miroir de ce projecteur,
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus et en coupe partielle de la région de fond, incluant le montage de lampe, du miroir,
• la figure 4 est une vue en plan partielle, de dessus, de la partie de montage de lampe,
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de la partie de montage de lampe, avec une épingle de retenue,
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective, selon une autre orientation, d'une variante de réalisation de la partie de montage de lampe,
• la figure 7 illustre en perspective une pièce métallique pouvant être adjointe au dispositif de montage de lampe selon cette seconde forme de réalisation,
• la figure 8 est une vue partielle en perspective du dispositif de montage équipé de la pièce de la figure 7,
• la figure 9 est une vue en plan à l'état développé d'une pièce métallique de montage utilisé dans un dispositif de montage selon une deuxième forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 10 est une vue en perspective de la pièce de la figure 9 une fois mise en forme,
• la figure 11 est une vue en plan, suivant l'axe de montage de la lampe, du dispositif selon cette deuxième forme de réalisation, et
• la figure 12 est une vue en plan à l'état développé d'une pièce métallique selon une variante de réalisation.

Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear better on reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: :

• FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a headlight according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a view from the rear and partly in section of a lamp mounting part of the mirror of this projector,
• FIG. 3 is a view from above and in partial section of the bottom region, including the lamp assembly, the mirror,
• FIG. 4 is a partial plan view, from above, of the lamp mounting part,
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lamp mounting portion, with a retaining pin,
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view, in another orientation, of an alternative embodiment of the lamp mounting part,
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a metal part that can be attached to the lamp mounting device according to this second embodiment,
• FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the mounting device equipped with the part of FIG. 7,
• FIG. 9 is a developed plan view of a metal mounting piece used in a mounting device according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the part of FIG. 9 once shaped,
• FIG. 11 is a plan view, along the mounting axis of the lamp, of the device according to this second embodiment, and
• Figure 12 is a plan view in the developed state of a metal part according to an alternative embodiment.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a projector which comprises a lamp 10 and a mirror 20, and, as is well known and not shown, an ice and optionally a housing.

The lamp 10 comprises a filament 11 along its axis inside a bulb 12, and a base 13, a feed connector 14 also being illustrated.

The mirror comprises a bottom portion 21 adapted to cooperate with the lamp to generate a beam of desired photometry, for example a fog beam, and two cheeks 22, 23. It is in this case side cheeks, but it could be also upper and lower cheeks.

In the region of the cheek 22 adjacent the bottom 21 is formed a mounting device 200 for the lamp 10.

It will be observed here that the embodiment of the mirror by molding involves the use of a mold cavity and a mold punch whose surfaces have relative to the demolding direction a relief angle, which is here revealed by the inclination of the cheeks 22 and 23 relative to the optical axis xx of the mirror which corresponds to the demolding direction.

Knowing that a conventional lamp occupies its reference position by pressing its flange against a plane perpendicular to the axis of said lamp, it is therefore understood that, if it is desired to give the lamp 10 an orientation perpendicular to the axis optical xx, then inevitably arises the problem of demolding the aforementioned abutment surface, which should then extend parallel to the optical axis xx, that is to say, to the demolding direction, and therefore not have the necessary draft angle.

According to the invention, the lamp holder 200 is defined in the first place by particular arrangements of molding during the manufacture of the mirror. These arrangements essentially comprise a cavity whose bottom is defined by a wall 201 at a draft angle of eg 7 ° and further delimited by a side wall 202 in the general shape of "U". In the bottom wall 201 is formed a through opening 204 for the passage of the lamp, the opening of which dimension is such that the bottom wall 201 forms a shoulder substantially all around it. The bottom wall 201 also has localized around the opening 204 three discrete support pads 2011, 2012 and 2013 for three reference projections provided on the collar of a standard lamp such as a lamp type " H1 "," H4 "or" H7 ".

These three support pads extend in a common plane which is as rigorously as possible to the optical axis xx of the mirror, and thanks to the fact that they each occupy a limited area, it remains possible to unmold the mirror despite the fact that absence of clearance angle at the surfaces of these pads. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, the support pads 2011 and 2012 are situated at the curved portion of the U-shaped wall 202, while the third support pad 2013 is located at the level of the part of the bottom wall 201 adjacent to the bottom 21 of the mirror. The angular positions of these pads relative to the center of the lamp opening 204 are chosen according to the lamp type, to correspond with reference bosses or the like provided on the lamp flange.

In the bottom region of the U-shaped wall 202 is formed a recess 2021 intended to receive, as shown in particular in FIG. 3, a bracket 151 of a concealer 15 intended to be placed in front of the lamp to avoid the direct light emission, the lug 151 being fixed by means of a screw or pin 16 engaged in a hole 2027 formed at the bottom of the recess 2021 during molding.

At the edge of the opening 204 is also formed a protuberance intended for the coding of the lamp (here an "H7" type lamp) so that it occupies the agreed angular position.

As seen in particular in Figures 2, 3 and 5, the tab 151 of the shield has at its outer end a portion 152 curved at 180 ° to form jointly with the outer face of the cheek 22 a retaining bearing a lock pin 300 of the lamp.

This pin, made traditionally by folding a wire spring, comprises two branches extending from the two ends of an attachment section 305 housed in the aforementioned bearing, each of these two branches having a section for maneuvering and locking 301 essentially straight and ending at the free end of the branch by a terminal section 302 curved at 180 °. Between the section 301 and the attachment section 305 is provided in each branch a bearing section consisting of two subsections 303, 304 together defining a "V" whose apex is intended to abut against the outside the flange 13 of the lamp to ensure its locking in position.

In the free end regions of the "U" -wall 202, adjacent to the bottom portion 21 of the mirror, are respectively formed two molded notches 2025 (see FIG. 5), in which the sections 301 of the branches the pin 300 can engage by elastic expansion to ensure locking. Bevel ramps 2023, 2024 are formed at these notches, at the edge separating the "U" wall 202 from the cheek 22 of the mirror, to facilitate engagement of said sections 301 upon locking.

Unlocking the pin 300 is performed simply by manually bringing the ends of its two branches together, to clear the sections 301 of their respective notches 2025.

Thus, without additional room and directly by the molded fittings during the manufacture of the mirror, and thus simply and economically, a lamp holder ensures a positioning and a very satisfactory maintenance of the lamp, and this despite clearance angles required for demolding.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention for improving the positioning accuracy of the lamp 10 transversely to its axis.

According to this variant, the tab 151 for attaching the occluder also has, with respect to the previous embodiment, an elastic tongue 153 made by cutting and permanent deformation, the cutting of this tongue being for example made in the continuity of the contour of the hole 154 for the screw or pin 16, between this hole and the occluder 15 in the longitudinal direction of the tab 151.

The tab 153 is deformed inwardly so as to be elastically applied against the edge of the flange 13 of the lamp at this location. At the same time, the opening 204 for the lamp is shaped, in its region diametrically opposed to the tab 151 of the concealer, so as to have two radial support faces in "V", respectively 2015 and 2016, defined by the wall 201 surrounding the opening.

In this way, the tongue 153, by biasing the flange 13 towards these bearing faces (according to the arrow F in FIG. 8), performs a referencing of the position of the flange 13 of the lamp in the direction transverse to the axis of the lamp. It is therefore sufficient in this case, to ensure the positioning of the lamp with the required accuracy, particularly care during the design of the reflector mold the position of these surfaces relative to the bottom surface of the mirror.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, there is shown a second embodiment of the invention.

According to the latter, the fixation of the lamp is no longer performed by a locking pin, but by a bayonet mechanism.

More specifically, the region of the mirror for mounting the lamp is similar to that described with reference to the preceding figures, except that the opening 204 for the lamp is bordered by the wall 201 which forms a shoulder 201 completely smooth and plane , inclined along the clearance axis (typically 7 °) necessary for demolding. The wall 201 is thus devoid here of the support pads of the previous embodiment.

In this case, the lamp holder comprises a generally cylindrical metal element, illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, generally designated by reference numeral 500.

This element, in the developed state (FIG. 9), comprises a rectilinear upper edge 501 and a sinuous-shaped lower edge 501 'intended, after shaping the element according to a circular generatrix, to form a circle contained in a plane inclined at 7 ° with respect to the plane containing the circle formed during this same shaping by the upper edge 501.

The element 500 furthermore comprises three bearing lugs 502, 503 and 504 intended to be bent outwards at 90 ° so as to form three support pads for the lamp, as well as three notches 505 in the general shape of "L", typical of a Bayonet mount.

Furthermore, the shaping of the element 500 also involves folding about 90 ° along lines that separate an area 512 and two edge areas 510, 511, so as to form in the shaped element a portion protruding outwardly, intended to fit tightly in a recess of the type of recess 2021 described above, this to ensure, when mounting the element on the reflector, the indexing of its angular position.

It is understood that when the edge 501 'of the volume element comes to bear against the wall 201 oriented along the draft angle, then the upper edge 501 of the element forms a circle which extends into a plane perpendicular to the axis of the element 500, itself perpendicular to the optical axis of the mirror. The lamp, based on the three support lugs 502, 503 and 504 disposed in this same plane, will therefore adopt in the mirror the correct orientation.

It will be noted here that the shaping of the element 500 is carried out by rolling the flat metal sheet illustrated in FIG. 9, the matching of the free ends of this sheet at their level. meeting being provided here by fingers 506 and notches 507 mutually nested. It will be observed finally that the orifice 509 is intended to be traversed by a screw or pin 16 engaged in a hole such as the hole 2027 described above, and that diametrically opposed to this orifice 509 is a hole more large 508 for the passage of a screwdriver for the screw 16.

It will also be observed that the clearance left by the zones 510, 511 and 512 of the element 500 can be used to receive the bracket 151 for attaching the concealer 15, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 illustrates a variant of this embodiment, according to which the lower circle of the element 500, as defined by its edge 501 ', can not rest on the plane wall 201 inclined according to the draft angle , but on a number of studs, including in particular two studs 2017 and 2018. These studs may be, as for the studs 2011 to 2013 of the first embodiment, in a plane parallel to the optical axis of the mirror, in which case the element 500 is modified to assume the shape of a cylinder of any height.

Any other arrangement of such pads is naturally possible, in which case the shape of the lower edge 501 'of the element 500 is adapted case by case.

FIG. 12 illustrates another variant embodiment, which relates to the element 500. It has the same arrangements as those of FIG. 9, designated by the same reference signs, but the union of the two ends of the element when of its formatting cylindrical is performed not at the opening 508 for the screwing tool, but at the wall 512 of the recess. In this case, the screw 16 is useful in maintaining the element 500 in the closed position on itself.

Claims (15)

1. Motor vehicle headlight, comprising a lamp (10) mounted in a mirror (12) and an outer lens, the lamp having support arrangements (13) in a plane perpendicular to its axis and being mounted in the mirror with its axis perpendicular to an optical axis (x-x) of the mirror, and the mirror being produced by injecting plastic material whilst being removed from the mould in a direction parallel to the optical axis, and the mirror having at least one flange (22) adjacent to a bottom zone (21), a lamp hole (204) being formed directly in the said flange, characterised in that an external surface of a wall (201) of the mirror surrounding the lamp hole has, with respect to the direction of removal from the mould, a draft angle, and in that, between the said surface and the said support arrangements for the lamp, adaptation means (2011, 2012, 2013; 500; 500, 2017, 2018) are provided forming, for the third support arrangements for the lamp, support surfaces extending in a plane parallel to the said optical axis.
2. Headlight according to claim 1, characterised in that the said lamp hole (204) and the surface surrounding it are formed in a hollow provided in the said flange.
3. Headlight according to claim 2, characterised in that the said hollow is delimited by a wall (202) in the general shape of a U.
4. Headlight according to claim 3, characterised in that the said wall (202) in the general shape of a U has at least one location arrangement (2022) for the angular positioning of the lamp.
5. Headlight according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the said wall (202) in the general shape of a U has at least one hollow (2021) able to receive a fixing lug (151) for a lamp shield (15).
6. Headlight according to claim 5, characterised in that the said fixing lug (151) has a part forming an elastic tongue (153) able to act on the lamp for fixing thereof in a direction transverse to the axis of the said lamp.
7. Headlight according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the said adaptation means comprise a plurality of studs (2011, 2012, 2013) projecting from the said external surface and moulded at the time of manufacture of the mirror.
8. Headlight according to claim 7, characterised in that it also comprises a member (300) for holding the lamp providing the pressure of its support arrangements on the said studs.
9. Headlight according to claim 8 taken in combination with one of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that the holding member (300) consists of a pin articulated on the said shield fixing lug (151).
10. Headlight according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the said adaptation means comprise a generally cylindrical adaptation piece (500) surrounding the lamp hole (204) and having a first edge (501') in abutment against the said external surface and a second, opposite edge (501) defining support surfaces (502, 503, 504) for the said lamp support arrangements.
11. Headlight according to claim 10, characterised in that the first (501') and second (501) edges of the said adaptation piece consist essentially of circles contained in planes inclined with respect to each other by an angle equal to the draft angle.
12. Headlight according to claim 10, characterised in that the first edge (501') of the adaptation piece bears on studs (2017, 2018) made in one piece with and projecting on the said external surface.
13. Headlight according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the said adaptation piece (500) has notches (505) for mounting the lamp by means of a bayonet mechanism.
14. Headlight according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the said support surfaces (502, 503, 504) defined by the second edge (501) of the adaptation piece (500) consist of lugs extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the said piece.
15. Headlight according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the said adaptation piece (500) is produced by rolling a thin metal sheet.

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