EP1170547B2 - Elliptical-type headlight for road lighting with improved low photometry - Google Patents

Description

The present invention generally relates to projectors of the elliptical genre for motor vehicles, designed to generate a driving beam.

A projector of the elliptical kind mainly comprises a recuperating mirror and concentrator of the ellipsoidal kind, having a first focal region in which is placed a light source, such as the filament of an incandescent lamp or the arc of a discharge lamp, and a second focal region in which a light concentration spot is formed after reflecting light from the source onto the mirror. Such a projector also comprises a convergent lens, typically plane-convex, focused in the vicinity of the second focal region of the mirror and capable of projecting on the road the aforementioned light spot.

Such a projector is well suited to obtaining a beam delimited by an upper cut, such as a passing beam. For this purpose, there is provided at the light spot a light cover for partially obscuring this stain, so that the upper edge of the cache defines in the projected beam, the desired cut.

It has also been sought to use such a type of headlight to form a driving beam, that is to say a beam having a concentration point in the axis of the road, but also a certain width and a certain thickness.

Such a type of projector is however poorly suited to such an application, especially for the reasons that will be given below.

Firstly, because of the large amount of light required in the axis of the road, the use of a mirror having at its bottom - for mounting the lamp - a lamp hole of significant size poses a problem.

Indeed the presence of this lamp hole is reflected in the beam projected by a defect of light corresponding to the image of this lamp hole, which by nature does not recover any light.

In fact, to obtain the largest amount of light possible in the axis of the road, it is sought to have a frontal surface of the lens as large as possible relative to the surface of the lamp hole. Such an approach is all the more delicate as it is generally sought to give such a projector a reduced footprint in height and width, and therefore to use a lens as small as possible, which is the one of the most prominent advantages of this projector technology especially in terms of style.

From there, we can therefore seek to reduce the size of the lamp hole, knowing that usually the mounting of the lamp is at the base thereof, and that lamp hole thus has a large area.

One solution for reducing the size of the lamp hole is to mount the lamp further back, relative to the general direction of light emission, so that only its bulb has to go through the lamp hole, but the base is located further back. As a result, the lamp-hole size can be reduced, even if a safety distance must be respected around the bulb of the lamp to avoid unwanted heating of the mirror in this region.

It will be understood that the two problems mentioned above lead to the use of a short focal distance for the mirror: in fact, a short focal distance is the direct consequence of a minimization of the lateral and vertical dimensions of the headlamp. and on the other hand the recoil of the lamp with respect to the mirror, causing the light source to be further back in the mirror.

This short focal length causes the mirror to generate, due to the non-point dimensions of the source (typically a cylinder of some 5 mm in length and about 1 mm in diameter) a significant spot of light concentration.

An example of the shape of the beam corresponding to the projection of this spot on the road is illustrated on the figure 1 drawings.

It is understood that such a beam, because of its significant extent vertically below the axis of the road, will illuminate the road close to the vehicle, to significantly disturb the visual comfort in the distance.

One solution to overcome this drawback could be to provide at the light spot before projection cache similar to those used in the crossing headlamps, but in an upside down position, so as to obscure the light illuminating the road too close to the vehicle.

Such a solution would however not be satisfactory for the driver's visual comfort, since it would result in a very high contrast at the level of a imaginary line located on the road ahead of the vehicle. And this contrast would be inconvenient for the beam to be used both in autonomous beam (passing beam off) and beam complementing the beam dipped, which remains lit.

It is also known from the document EP 1 031 785 , which constitutes prior art according to Article 54 (3) and (4) EPC, an elliptical module having two covers, one disposed above the other. The upper cover can be rotated along an axis so as to have at least two different active edges.

Thus, the present invention provides an elliptical projector for a motor vehicle according to claim 1.

The document of the prior art US5,285,358 shows a projector comprising all the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages and limitations of the state of the art.

More specifically, the present invention aims to provide means capable of ensuring a gradual decrease in light as this light illuminates areas of the road closer and closer to the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to achieve this objective without giving rise to undesirable coloring of the light due to the fact that, by nature, a lens deviates differently the radiation according to the wavelength thereof (phenomenon of chromatism). In particular, the present invention aims at resorting to an occultation of the light which is carried out at a distance from the focal surface of the lens (a plane for a perfect lens - but a kind of dome, whose focus FL constitutes the summit, for an imperfect lens such as a spherical plane). But at the same time it aims to ensure that, despite such a defocusing of the cache, there is no witnessing phenomena of undesirable coloring of the beam.

• lesdites régions d'occultation espacées définissent chacune un bord vif.
• lesdites régions d'occultation espacées définissent chacune un bord courbe.
• lesdites régions d'occultation espacées définissent respectivement un bord vif et un bord courbe.
• les deux bords sont à la même hauteur.
• les deux bords sont à des hauteurs différentes.
• un bord avant est situé plus bas que le bord arrière.
• l'un des bords est situé sensiblement à l'aplomb d'un foyer de la lentille.
• le bord situé sensiblement à l'aplomb du foyer de la lentille est le bord avant.
• les bords sont respectivement situés en arrière et en avant du foyer de la lentille dans la direction de l'axe optique.
• les bords sont situés sensiblement à égale distance du foyer de la lentille suivant la direction de l'axe optique.
• le cache comprend une troisième région d'occultation intermédiaire entre les première et seconde régions d'occultation.
• ladite région d'occultation intermédiaire définit un bord vif.
• ladite région d'occultation intermédiaire définit un bord arrondi.
• le bord formé par ladite troisième région d'occultation intermédiaire se trouve sensiblement à la même hauteur que l'une desdites deux régions d'occultation.
• le bord formé par ladite troisième région d'occultation intermédiaire se trouve plus bas que chacune desdites deux régions d'occultation.
• le cache s'étend dans une direction générale horizontale et transversale à l'axe optique, et présente la même section verticale sur toute son étendue.
• le cache s'étend dans une direction générale horizontale et transversale à l'axe optique, et présente une section verticale qui varie le long de son étendue.
• le cache est réalisé en tôle pliée.

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

• said spaced occlusion regions each define a sharp edge.
• said spaced occlusion regions each define a curved edge.
• said spaced occlusion regions respectively define a sharp edge and a curved edge.
• both edges are at the same height.
• the two edges are at different heights.
• a leading edge is located lower than the trailing edge.
• one of the edges is located substantially in line with a focus of the lens.
• the edge located substantially in line with the focus of the lens is the front edge.
• the edges are located respectively behind and in front of the focus of the lens in the direction of the optical axis.
• the edges are located substantially equidistant from the focus of the lens in the direction of the optical axis.
• the cache comprises a third occlusion region intermediate between the first and second occlusion regions.
• said intermediate occlusion region defines a sharp edge.
• said intermediate occlusion region defines a rounded edge.
• the edge formed by said third intermediate occlusion region is substantially at the same height as one of said two occultation regions.
• the edge formed by said third intermediate occlusion region is lower than each of said two occultation regions.
• the cover extends in a general direction horizontal and transverse to the optical axis, and has the same vertical section over its entire extent.
• the cover extends in a generally horizontal direction and transverse to the optical axis, and has a vertical section which varies along its extent.
• the cover is made of folded sheet.

• la figure 1, déjà décrite, illustre schématiquement par un ensemble de courbes isocandela l'allure d'une tache lumineuse engendrée avec un projecteur du genre elliptique possédant un miroir ellipsoïdal à courte focale, en l'absence de tout cache,
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe verticale axiale des composants essentiels d'un projecteur du genre elliptique selon l'invention,
• la figure 3 illustre, selon une section verticale axiale du projecteur, une première forme de réalisation d'un cache du projecteur de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 illustre un aspect du comportement optique d'un projecteur équipé du cache de la figure 3,
• la figure 5 illustre une deuxième forme de réalisation d'un cache de projecteur selon l'invention,
• la figure 6 illustre un aspect du comportement optique d'un projecteur équipé du cache de la figure 5,
• la figure 7 illustre une troisième forme de réalisation d'un cache de projecteur selon l'invention,
• la figure 8 illustre un aspect du comportement optique d'un projecteur équipé du cache de la figure 7,
• les figures 9 et 10 illustrent un aspect du comportement optique d'un projecteur équipé de caches semblables à ceux des figures 5 et 7 mais de formes ou de dimensions légèrement différentes,
• la figure 11 illustre une quatrième forme de réalisation d'un cache de projecteur selon l'invention,
• les figures 12 et 13 illustrent respectivement un aspect global et un aspect détaillé du comportement optique d'un projecteur équipé du cache de la figure 11,
• la figure 14 illustre une cinquième forme de réalisation d'un cache de projecteur selon l'invention,
• les figures 15 et 16 illustrent respectivement un aspect global et un aspect détaillé du comportement optique d'un projecteur équipé du cache de la figure 14,
• la figure 17 illustre une sixième forme de réalisation d'un cache de projecteur selon l'invention,
• la figure 18 illustre un aspect du comportement optique d'un projecteur équipé du cache de la figure 17,
• la figure 19 illustre une septième forme de réalisation d'un cache de projecteur selon l'invention,
• la figure 20 illustre un aspect du comportement optique d'un projecteur équipé du cache de la figure 19,
• la figure 21 illustre une huitième forme de réalisation d'un cache de projecteur selon l'invention,
• la figure 22 illustre un aspect du comportement optique d'un projecteur équipé du cache de la figure 21,
• la figure 23 illustre une neuvième forme de réalisation d'un cache de projecteur selon l'invention,
• la figure 24 illustre un aspect du comportement optique d'un projecteur équipé du cache de la figure 23, et
• les figures 25 et 26 illustrent un aspect du comportement optique de projecteurs équipés de deux variantes de cache selon l'invention.

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: :

• the figure 1 , already described, schematically illustrates by a set of curves isocandela the appearance of a light spot generated with a projector of the elliptical genre having a short-focal ellipsoidal mirror, in the absence of any cache,
• the figure 2 is a schematic view in axial vertical section of the essential components of a projector of the elliptical kind according to the invention,
• the figure 3 illustrates, according to an axial vertical section of the projector, a first embodiment of a projector cover of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 4 illustrates an aspect of the optical behavior of a projector equipped with the cache of the figure 3 ,
• the figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a projector cover according to the invention,
• the figure 6 illustrates an aspect of the optical behavior of a projector equipped with the cache of the figure 5 ,
• the figure 7 illustrates a third embodiment of a projector cover according to the invention,
• the figure 8 illustrates an aspect of the optical behavior of a projector equipped with the cache of the figure 7 ,
• the Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an aspect of the optical behavior of a projector equipped with caches similar to those of figures 5 and 7 but of slightly different shapes or sizes,
• the figure 11 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a projector cover according to the invention,
• the figures 12 and 13 illustrate respectively a global aspect and a detailed aspect of the optical behavior of a projector equipped with the cache of the figure 11 ,
• the figure 14 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a projector cover according to the invention,
• the figures 15 and 16 illustrate respectively a global aspect and a detailed aspect of the optical behavior of a projector equipped with the cache of the figure 14 ,
• the figure 17 illustrates a sixth embodiment of a projector cover according to the invention,
• the figure 18 illustrates an aspect of the optical behavior of a projector equipped with the cache of the figure 17 ,
• the figure 19 illustrates a seventh embodiment of a projector cover according to the invention,
• the figure 20 illustrates an aspect of the optical behavior of a projector equipped with the cache of the figure 19 ,
• the figure 21 illustrates an eighth embodiment of a projector cover according to the invention,
• the figure 22 illustrates an aspect of the optical behavior of a projector equipped with the cache of the figure 21 ,
• the figure 23 illustrates a ninth embodiment of a projector cover according to the invention,
• the figure 24 illustrates an aspect of the optical behavior of a projector equipped with the cache of the figure 23 , and
• the Figures 25 and 26 illustrate an aspect of the optical behavior of projectors equipped with two variants of cache according to the invention.

With reference first to the figure 2 , there is shown schematically a projector which includes in itself known manner a lamp 10 constituting a light source, in this case by its incandescent filament 11.

This lamp is mounted in a bottom hole 21 of a mirror 20 of the elliptical kind, such as an ellipsoid of revolution. The filament 11 is disposed in the first focal region F1 of the mirror, so as to form in the second focal region F2 thereof a light spot.

The projector also comprises a lens 30, here a plano-convex lens whose axis is coincident with the major axis of the mirror passing through the first and second focal regions (this axis, designated by xx, being hereinafter referred to as ""optical axis of the projector") and whose focus FL is at the second focal region F2 of the mirror. In this way, the lens 30 projects to infinity on the road the light spot present in the region F2, as described above with reference to the figure 1 .

According to the invention, this headlamp is equipped with a specific mask 40 which is placed above the horizontal plane passing through the optical axis xx and having the property of having at least two active edges to selectively obscure certain components of the light. from the mirror (in contrast to conventional covers used in crossover projectors, which generally extend vertically and have a single upper - optically active edge.

A first embodiment of this cache is illustrated on the figure 3 . It comprises an amount 41 having, if necessary, a concealment role but whose main purpose is to ensure the mechanical retention of the useful part of the cover on the structure of the projector (by example on an intermediate part of the projector, not described but conventional in itself, coming together to fix the mirror and the lens). Alternatively, the cover 40 may be made in one piece with this intermediate piece.

The cover 40 also includes an oblique occultation portion 42, which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the projector, from a front edge 43b, located vertically above the point F constituting at the same time the second focal point F2 of the mirror 20 and the focus FL of the lens, and towards a rear edge 43a ("before" and "backward" are understood throughout the description with respect to the general direction of emission defined by the optical axis xx). It is thus observed that the two edges 43a, 43b are spaced along the optical axis.

In this embodiment and advantageously in all that follow, the concealment portion of the cover is a profile extending in the horizontal direction and transverse to the optical axis xx, that is to say that the edges 43a, 43b are themselves horizontal and parallel to the optical axis.

The figure 3 illustrates, by the lines of a set of light rays R, that the two edges 43a, 43b of the occulting part 42 play two independent roles vis-à-vis the light radiation, the rear edge 43a effecting an occultation (zone shadow Z0) at a given level for the descending rays while the leading edge 43b performs ZO concealment at a determined level for the rising rays.

This form of new cache has been designed primarily to seek a gradual attenuation of light. More precisely, knowing that there is a variety of light rays, amounts or descendants, which participate in the formation of light at a given height in the beam, such a cache allows for a gradual occultation of light, acting differently on the rising rays and on the descending rays.

So the figure 4 drawings is a graph whose abscissa indicates the downward slope of the light (0 ° corresponding to the horizon, and the indicated values corresponding to the inclination of the light below the horizon), and of which the ordinate indicates the proportion of the light transmitted at the output of the projector (downstream of the lens 30) as a function of the aforementioned inclination, the number 1 indicating that all the light passes and the digit 0 indicating that no light passes .

Three curves ("alpha" laws) have been drawn, corresponding to the optical behavior of the mirror-lens-cover assembly for the red, for the blue, and in the middle.

It is observed that for the median value, as well as for the red and blue colors, the attenuation of the light as a function of its downward inclination varies gradually (the curve is oblique), which is indicative of a blurred light, due to the defocusing of the cache.

It is understood here that in the embodiment of the figure 3 it is the position of the edges 43a and 43b which is important, while the shape of the cover between these two edges can be any as long as it does not act on the occultation profile. Thus one could for example provide a cache 42 of arcuate section, or triangular, or other, as far as this section extends for example above the line segment joining the edges 43a, 43b so as not to influence the occultation achieved.

The figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention, to reduce chromaticism especially in the lower region of the beam.

It will be noted in this regard that, when the attenuation curves for the different colors (red and blue in the present description) are significantly different from one another, they may give rise to a coloration of the beam. And as much in the axis of the road (0 °), significant differences of attenuation according to the color will be little visible by the driver because one then illuminates the distance, as many such differences in the low region of the beam can be undesirable because they will lead to a perceptible coloration in the beam portion illuminating the road closer to the vehicle.

The cache 40 of the figure 5 has a generally horizontal occulting portion 42 extending above the focus F, a first edge 43a is located rearwardly relative to said focus and a second edge 43b is located forward relative to the same focus.

To achieve the mechanical retention of this cover, it is possible to realize a bent amount in two parts 41a, 41b (any other inoperative form on the occultation profile that can be used).

It was found that this form of cache further limited the phenomena of chromaticism.

So the figure 6 shows that the three attenuation curves (in the red, in the blue and median) are extremely close to each other on any the angular extent of the fuzzy cut, and especially in the vicinity of 0 °, so that no phenomenon of chromaticism is in practice perceived by the driver in the axis of the road.

The figure 7 illustrates a third embodiment of the cache, which is different from that of the figure 5 mainly in that the cover 42 has a very slight inclination, descending forwards, relative to the horizontal plane passing through the optical axis xx.

The corresponding behavior with regard to progressive attenuation is illustrated on the figure 8 , where we see a result similar to that of the figure 6 but higher in that for a tilt of 3 ° downwards, the coincidence of the curves for red and blue is perfect.

The Figures 9 and 10 illustrate, for their part, the attenuation behavior obtained for different settings of the caches of the figures 5 and 7 . It is observed that one can play on the angle from which the attenuation begins (here 0 °, to leave a greater amount of light in the axis of the road.

The figure 11 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a cache according to the invention, wherein the occultation portion 42 is characterized by three useful edges 43a, 43b, 43c.

More specifically, the cover as a whole has the shape of an asymmetrical "V", with a high rear edge 43a, a low intermediate edge 43b and a high front edge 43c, these edges being interconnected in this case by portions 42a, 42b with straight cross-sections. The front edge 43c is here at perpendicular to the focus F, the entire occulting portion 42 extending rearwardly from this focus.

It is understood that the rear edge 43a acts on the radiation which is more downwardly inclined than the portion 42a, the front edge 43c acts on the radiation which is more upwardly inclined than the portion 42b, and finally the intermediate edge 43b acts on the radiation having an intermediate inclination between these extreme inclinations.

This approach allows, as illustrated by the figures 12 and 13 , to ensure a global attenuation law similar to a sinusoid, and thus an excellent progressivity of the blur of the cut.

The figure 14 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the invention, similar to that of the figure 11 but which is distinguished by the fact that the portions 42a, 42b of the cache obscuration part meet not at a sharp edge 43b, but at a smooth curve transition (zone 42c, for example section shaped arcuate).

It is understood that the edges 43a, 43c play the same roles as before, but at the edge 43b is substituted for an area 42c constituting in fact an infinity of blackout edges 43b, variable according to the inclination of the neighboring light. In particular, the low point of the zone 42c constitutes an occulting edge vis-à-vis the radiation that propagates horizontally.

It is understood that such an approach allows to pass a larger amount of light which is in the vicinity of point F and which will be found near the vicinity of the axis of the road.

So the figure 15 shows that the law of attenuation here presents a look quite different from that of the figure 12 , with attenuation first limited to the near vicinity of the axis of the road (0 °) and then intensified as the projected radiation is inclined downwards.

Thus this embodiment allows to leave a greater amount of light near the vicinity of the road axis, for a good visual comfort of the driver.

It will be noted here that, according to a variant of the embodiment of the cache illustrated on the figure 14 , it can be provided that the curved edge 43b defined by the portion 42c of the cache extends to the front free end of said cache, the portion 42b thereof does not exist in this case. In this case, said free end will, depending on the configurations, be operative or inoperative.

The sixth embodiment, illustrated on the figure 17 , is getting closer to that of the figure 11 in that the occulting portion 42 has three optically active sharp edges 43a, 43b and 43c, respectively. The essential difference lies in that the front edge 43c on the one hand is at a height close to that of the intermediate edge 43b above the optical axis xx, and on the other hand is forward with respect to the position of the focus F on said axis xx. The objective here is to obtain attenuation curves similar to those of figures 12 and following, but limiting or avoiding at the same time undesirable colorings of the beam in particular in its lower region.

It will be noted here that the "V" shape of the portions 42b1, 42b2 which join the edges 43, 43c is here inoperative; it could for example be also a straight line, or a concavity arc of a circle facing down.

It is understood that such a cache will give rise to an intermediate behavior between that of the embodiments of figures 5 and 7 (edges 43b, 43c arranged in a similar way on either side of the hearth F along xx and similar heights) and that of the embodiment of the figure 11 (Rear edge 43a substantially higher than the edge 43b, both behind the home F).

The corresponding mitigation laws are illustrated on the figure 18 . A general law is observed which reinforces the light near the axis of the road, and at the same time the near laws for red, blue and green, so that the chromaticism is substantially reduced.

The seventh embodiment illustrated on the figure 19 constitutes an intermediate achievement between that of figure 14 (rounded edge) and that of the figure 17 (overall arrangement of the edges). Thus the occulting portion 42 has a rear edge 43a, a front edge 43c and a curved intermediate region 42c which defines an infinity of blackout edges 43c, according to the inclination of the light which passes in its vicinity (see above).

The shape of the attenuation obtained is illustrated on the figure 20 , and shows an intermediate behavior between those of the caches of figures 14 and 17 .

The figure 21 illustrates an eighth embodiment of the invention, which is similar in principle to that of the figure 17 , with a different setting. In particular, in particular because of the shorter horizontal distance between the edges 43b and 43c with respect to the case of the figure 17 , the attenuation achieved (see figure 22 ) is practically nil down to about 1 ° below the horizon, in order to retain more light in the axis of the road, and then adopt a similar pace, in a limited angular interval, to that of the figure 18 , and this for all wavelengths so that no coloration of the beam at the beginning of the attenuation is encountered.

The ninth embodiment of the invention illustrated on the figure 23 as for it the principle illustrated on the figure 19 , an essential difference being that the portion 42b which joins the curved intermediate edge 43b and the front edge 43c is slightly inclined upwards, and shorter than in the case of the figure 19 and at the same time the portion 42a is more inclined.

The shape of the attenuation obtained is illustrated on the figure 24 .

On the other hand, it is possible to design the cover 40 to effect an attenuation from negative inclination values (rising light) of the light (in particular in the case where the maximum concentration of the beam in the absence of a cache is not in the the axis of the road (0 °), but slightly above it (for example, at about 1 ° above), in particular, one can parameterize the embodiment of the figure 5 in order to obtain an attenuation that begins for projected light inclination values of the order of -1 °. Examples of such attenuations are illustrated in the Figures 25 and 26 drawings.

Numerical examples

For the different examples of caches described above, the corresponding figures have been indicated in millimeters. the attenuation curves have been modeled with the forms of caches as precisely illustrated, for an example a glass lens 30 with flat inner face and spherical outer surface, with a useful radius of the lens of 72 mm, a median draw 44 mm, a print of 44.5 mm in the red and a print of 43.5 mm in the blue.

The numerical values (positions, lengths, angles, radii of curvature etc.) that can be read on these different figures are to be considered as belonging to the present description.

Naturally, those skilled in the art will be able to adapt these different values, in particular by successive approaches, for lenses having different optical properties.

As regards the practical embodiment of the cover, the various exemplary embodiments illustrated show that it is generally possible to achieve it by simply folding a thin sheet such as a steel sheet. Any other manufacturing technique and any other material can of course be considered, depending in particular on the required accuracy and resistance to the high temperature that prevails within such a projector.

In addition, although in the foregoing there are described caches all having a uniform cross section along their horizontal extent transverse to the axis xx, it is of course possible to vary this section, in shape, in size, in position, etc ... as one moves along the cache horizontally and transversely to the axis xx.

Claims (17)

1. Headlight of the elliptical type for a motor vehicle, comprising a recuperator and concentrator mirror (20) of the ellipsoid type, with a first focal region (F1) in which a source of light (11) is placed, and a second focal region (F2) in which a light concentration spot is formed after reflection of the light obtained from the source on the mirror, and additionally comprising a converging lens (30) which is focussed in the vicinity of the second focal region of the mirror and can project the said light concentration spot onto the road, the mirror and the lens defining a optical axis (x-x) of the headlight, the said headlight additionally comprising a shield (42) which can shield part of the light which circulates between the mirror and the lens, and being disposed as a whole above the said second focal region (F2), characterised in that the shield (42) has at least two shielding regions (43a, 43b) which each define an edge, are spaced in the direction of the said optical axis, and can each shield simultaneously a specific part of the light, one (43b) of the edges is situated substantially plumb with a focal point (F) of the lens, or the edges (43a, 43b) are situated respectively to the rear and to the front of the focal point (F) of the lens, in the direction of the optical axis, the said headlight constituting an autonomous high-beam headlight or a complementary high-beam headlight of a low beam.
2. Headlight according to claim 1, characterised in that the said spaced shielding regions each define a sharp edge (43a, 43b).
3. Headlight according to claim 1, characterised in that the said spaced shielding regions each define a curved edge.
4. Headlight according to claim 1, characterised in that the said spaced shielding regions each define a sharp edge (43a) and a curved edge (43c).
5. Headlight according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the two edges (43a, 43b) are at the same height.
6. Headlight according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the edges (43a, 43b) are at different heights.
7. Headlight according to claim 6, characterised in that a front edge (43b) is situated lower than the rear edge (43 a).
8. Headlight according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the edge which is situated substantially plumb with the focal point of the lens is the front edge (43b).
9. Headlight according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the edges (43a, 43b) are situated substantially at an equal distance from the focal point (F) of the lens according to the direction of the optical axis.
10. Headlight according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterised in that the shield comprises a third, intermediate shielding region (43b) between the first and second shielding regions (43a, 43c).
11. Headlight according to claim 10, characterised in that the said intermediate shielding region (43b) defines a sharp edge.
12. Headlight according to claim 10, characterised in that the said intermediate shielding region (43b) defines a rounded edge.
13. Headlight according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the edge (43b) which is formed by the said third intermediate shielding region is substantially at the same height as one of the said two shielding regions (43a, 43c).
14. Headlight according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the edge (43b) which is formed by the said third intermediate shielding region is lower than each of the said two shielding regions (43a, 43c).
15. Headlight according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the shield (42) extends in a direction which is generally horizontal and transverse to the optical axis (x-x), and has the same vertical cross-section along its entire extent.
16. Headlight according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that shield (42) extends in a direction which is generally horizontal and transverse to the optical axis (x-x), and has a vertical cross-section which varies along its extent.
17. Headlight according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the shield (42) is made of bent metal plate.

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