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
  • F21S41/50—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by aesthetic components not otherwise provided for, e.g. decorative trim, partition walls or covers
  • F21S41/55—Attachment thereof
• • 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
  • F21S41/20—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
  • F21S41/29—Attachment thereof
  • F21S41/295—Attachment thereof specially adapted to projection lenses
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V17/00—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages
  • F21V17/10—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening
  • F21V17/16—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening by deformation of parts; Snap action mounting
  • F21V17/164—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening by deformation of parts; Snap action mounting the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V17/00—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages
  • F21V17/10—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening
  • F21V17/20—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening by toggle-action levers

Definitions

• IV lighting assembly for vehicle headlight
• the present invention relates to a lighting assembly which can be integrated into a headlight, and more particularly into a vehicle headlight.
• this lighting assembly can be integrated into all types of optics or even constitute a lighthouse itself.
• such a lighting assembly comprises a reflector defining a housing intended to receive a lamp, a lens having a flat or slightly curved rear face facing the reflector and a front face, and a lens support piece integral with the reflector, said support piece comprising fixing means for holding the lens fixedly in place on said support piece.
• the lens support part is a part separate from the reflector which is mounted on the reflector by means of suitable hooking means.
• the lens support part is made in one piece with the reflector.
• the present invention aims to improve the fixing of the lens on its support piece.
• fixing techniques allowing the lens to be fixedly held on the support piece.
• a first solution of the prior art consists in positioning the lens with its rear face in abutment on a bearing surface formed by the support piece.
• the support piece forms a crown with deformable lugs which engage the front face of the lens.
• the lens in a conventional embodiment, has on its front face a substantially flat peripheral flange from which extends an optical dome. The legs of the crown engage with the peripheral collar.
• a second solution of the prior art consists in positioning the lens with its front face in abutment on a bearing surface formed by the support piece.
• a split elastic ring which comes into contact with support against the rear face of the lens.
• the support piece forms bosses oriented inwards below which the split rod can relax elastically so as to stress the lens on the bearing surface of the support piece.
• a third solution consists in using a bayonet locking system: in this case, a bayonet ring pushes the lens onto a bearing surface on which the lens comes into contact with its front face.
• a fourth more complicated solution provides a system of stirrups to be folded so as to come into contact on the front face of the lens flange. A series of legs are then folded back to bear on the stirrups in contact with the lens. The stirrups in contact with the lens have a deformation characteristic so that excessive support of the tabs causes a deformation of the stirrups and not a breakage of the lens.
• the object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining means for fixing the lens to the support piece which eliminate any risk of breakage or breakage of the lens when it is pressurized, and which can also be implemented without using advanced tools.
• the fixing means can even be implemented manually without difference in strength or quality of the fixing compared to an automated assembly.
• the present invention provides that the fixing means comprise at least one member forming a support contact part and a actuating part so as to bring the bearing contact part into contact pressed against the lens by moving the actuating part, the support part forming a bearing surface (or bearing points) on which (which) the lens rests with its front face, the contact contact part coming into contact pressed against the rear face of the lens so as to push the lens on the surface or the support points of the support piece.
• the assembly comprises two members arranged for example in diametrically opposite manner.
• the member is at least partially resiliently flexible, so that the support contact part and / or the actuation part is capable of undergoing elastic deformation when the support contact part is in contact. of support against the lens.
• the support contact part of the member plays the function of the elastic tabs, the split rod or the bayonet ring of the embodiments of the prior art by pressing against the lens.
• actuation means for bringing the contact contact part into pressed contact against the lens.
• the actuating part is an integral part of the fixing means, and therefore, it is not necessary to provide a specific tool to implement the fixing means since they are already partially integrated into the fixing means in the form of the actuating part.
• the member is at least partially resiliently flexible, the member somehow acts as a shock absorber avoiding a shock on the lens and also an excess load which will be taken up by an elastic deformation of the organ. This avoids any risk of breakage or breakage of the lens.
• the member is pivotally mounted around a pivot axis.
• the bearing contact part will be brought into contact pressed against the lens by rotating the actuating part about the pivot axis.
• the actuating part then serves as a lever making it possible to multiply the pressing force of the contacting contact part on the lens.
• the pivot axis is located between the support contact part and the actuation part.
• the fixing means comprise blocking means for keeping the actuating part blocked in rotation when the bearing contact part is in contact pressed against the lens.
• the actuating means can be brought into the blocking means either manually or automatically. It is easily understood that a very simple tool makes it possible to bring the actuating part into the locked position. On the other hand, it is obvious that the quality of fixing remains identical, regardless of whether the actuating part is actuated manually or automatically.
• the fixing means comprise stop means for limiting the pivoting of the pivoting member in the direction where the bearing contact part moves away from the lens. This prevents the actuating part from freely pivoting into positions in which it could no longer be entered automatically and very difficult manually. This allows easy automation of the fixing process.
• the pivoting member is made at least partially from a metal wire having a characteristic of elastic deformation.
• the pivoting member is produced at least partially from an elastic blade.
• the pivoting member can for example be made from a stainless steel wire which has been suitably profiled or bent.
• the pivoting member is made in one piece with the lens support part.
• the pivot axis can then be produced in the form of material bridges connecting the member to the rest of the support part.
• the pivoting member forms two ends of pivot axis engaged in axis housings formed by the support piece.
• the support piece also comprises attachment means making it possible to fix the support piece on the reflector, said reflector forming a flange peripheral device which projects radially outwards, said flange being situated on a joining edge intended to receive the support piece, the hooking means comprising a staple pivoting around a pivot axis defined at the level of the piece of support, said clip comprising a hooking claw intended to come, after pivoting, engaged behind the protruding flange of the reflector, so as to fix the support piece fixedly on the junction edge of the reflector.
• the pivoting clip is produced at least partially from a metal wire having a characteristic of elastic deformation.
• the pivoting clip is produced at least partially from an elastic blade.
• the pivoting clip forms two ends of pivot axis engaged in axis housings formed by the support piece.
• the pivot axis can however also be formed by a part of the wire other than its ends. It depends on the shape and configuration of the clip.
• the lighting assembly may include two pivoting clips, for example arranged diametrically opposite on the support piece. For swivel clips, the same elastic deformation property is used to provide a secure attachment that can be implemented manually but also automatically in a very simple way.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lighting assembly according to the invention with the fastening and hooking means in the open position
• FIG. 2 is a view comparable to that of Figure 1 with the means fixing and hanging in the closed position
• - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a lens support piece with a lens mounted, the fixing and hooking means being in the open position
• - Figure 4 is a view comparable to that of Figure 3 with the fixing and hooking means in the closed position.
• the lighting assembly shown in the drawings is intended to be integrated into a vehicle headlight: it therefore constitutes a vehicle optics component.
• a lighting assembly of the invention can also be integrated into another type of lighting device which is not intended to be mounted on a vehicle, such as for example a sea lighthouse.
• a sea lighthouse One can still imagine other applications of the lighting assembly of the invention.
• the lighting assembly of the invention essentially comprises three constituent elements, namely a reflector 1, a lens 2 and a support piece 3 which is commonly referred to as an intermediate piece, since it is located between the reflector 1 and the lens 2.
• the present invention is rather oriented towards the support piece which supports the lens 2.
• the reflector 1 may be a reflector of the completely conventional type comprising a reflection dome 11 of " substantially elliptical shape comprising a reflecting internal wall. At its lower end, the reflector 1 forms a housing 12 intended to receive a lamp, for example through via a lamp holder attached to the reflector.
• the reflector also includes a widely open end which forms a joining edge 14 externally defining a flange 13 which projects radially outwards.
• the reflector 1 can be made of glass, plastic or even metal.
• the reflective wall inside the dome 11 can be produced by metallization.
• the lens 2 can be a completely conventional lens comprising a flat or substantially planar rear face 21 and a convex front face 22.
• the lens 2 also forms a flange 24 of which only the edge is visible in the figures.
• This rim 24 surrounds the domed part 22 of the lens. Conventionally, this rim 24 is used to fix the lens 2 to the support part 3.
• the support piece 3 can be made of plastic (thermoplastics or thermosets), of metal (molded or sheet metal).
• the support piece 3 fixes the lens 2 fixedly and optionally directs it.
• the support piece is also fixedly mounted on the junction edge 14 of the reflector 1. It comprises an annular base 31 adapted to come into substantially contiguous contact with the junction edge 14 of the reflector.
• This annular base 31 is also provided with attachment means 5 making it possible to fix the support part 3 on the reflector 1.
• the base 31 advantageously forms in a single piece two bearing appendages 311 which each define an axis of rotation.
• the attachment means 5 are here in the form of two staples produced from a shaped metal wire and substantially folded back on itself so as to form substantially a U.
• the two free ends of the wire form two ends of pivot axis 52 engaged in the bearing appendages 311.
• the attachment means or staples are pivotally mounted on the bearing appendages 311 around their respective end of axis 52.
• the attachment means or staples 5 are also formed with a hooking claw 51 which is situated substantially at the level of the core of the U.
• This hooking claw 51 is connected to the end of axis 52 by two substantially parallel connecting rods 53.
• These connecting rods 53 have a suitable length so that the hooking claws 51 of the staples 5 can advantageously engage in snap behind the protruding flange 13 formed by the reflector 1 at its junction edge 14.
• the wire metal used to make the staples 5 advantageously has an elastic deformation characteristic so that the staple can deform elastically in order to regain its gripped engagement position behind the flange 13, as can be seen in FIG. 2. To reach this position , it suffices to rotate or rotate the clip 5 around these ends of the axis 52 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2.
• the staples 5 are made from metal wire, for example stainless steel.
• other materials for making the staples 5 for example, one can make the staples 5 from a profiled elastic blade also forming a hooking claw, pins ends and a connecting part .
• the clips 5 are made in one piece with the support piece 3.
• the clips 5 are made of molded plastic. Other materials can also be used such as resins.
• the support piece 3 forms above its base 31 two flanges 33 which are connected to a ring 34 defining at its upper end a re-entrant flap 32 internally defining a surface or support points for the front face of the rim 24 of the lens 2.
• the crown 34 is provided with fixing means 4 making it possible to fix the lens 2 in fixed contact against the re-entrant flap 32 of the crown 34.
• These fixing means comprise two movable members 4 which define each a support contact part intended to come into contact pressed against the rear face 21 of the lens and an actuation part 42 which makes it possible to bring the support contact part into contact with the rear face 21 of the lens. It suffices to act on the actuating part to achieve the fixing of the lens by pressing contact of the contact contact part pressing against the underside 21 of the lens.
• the movable member 4 is a pivoting member rotatably mounted on a pivot axis fixed relative to the support part 3.
• the pivot axes of each movable member 4 are located diametrically opposite and extend parallel to each other and substantially tangentially to the crown 34, and therefore also relative to the edge of the lens 2.
• the support piece 3 forms two buttresses 35 on each side of the lens. Consequently, there are two buttresses for each pivoting member 4.
• Each buttress 35 forms a pivot axis bearing 36.
• the two pivot axis bearings 36 of the same pivoting member 4 together define the pivot axis of the pivoting member 4.
• the buttresses 35 can be produced in a single piece with the support piece 3.
• the bearing contact part 41 and the actuating part 42 of a pivoting member 4 is therefore capable of carrying out a rotary movement around the pivot axis defined by the bearings 36. It is therefore possible by pivoting the actuating part 42 on a certain angle to bring the support contact part 41 in contact pressed against the underside 21 of the lens.
• the actuating parts 42 of the pivoting members 4 extend substantially horizontally, that is to say approximately perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the lighting assembly. In this position, the bearing contact part 41 is away from the rear face 21 of the lens: they are even completely disengaged from the passage, allowing the lens 2 to be removed from its seat under the re-entrant flap 32.
• the lens 2 can be placed inside the support piece 3 by introducing it through the base 31.
• the pivoting members 4 are in a maximum abutment position defined by abutment flanges 38 formed by the buttresses 35 and behind which the bearing contact parts 41 abut. Consequently, it is not possible to pivot the actuating parts 42 further above the horizontal as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. From this maximum position, the actuating parts 42 can be folded down by pivoting so as to bring the support contact parts 41 under the lens 2 until they come into pressed contact against the lower or rear face 21 of the lens. This is shown in Figures 2 and 4.
• the pivoting members 4 are at least partially elastic: they can consequently be elastically deformed either at the level of the bearing contact part, or at the level of the actuating part, or even at the level of the support and actuation part. Consequently, the actuating part 42 can still be pivoted by a certain angle after the bearing contact part is in contact with the lens.
• This additional pivoting is possible due to the elastic deformation characteristic of the pivoting member and makes it possible to produce a contact pressed against the lens without however exerting too great a pressure which can cause the lens to break or break. This avoids any risk of deterioration of the lens when it is fixed to the support part. It is also easy to modify or adapt the contact force required on the lens by varying the nature or thickness of the material used for the organs pivoting 4, along the length of the actuating part or on the shape of the members.
• the actuating part 42 which serves as a lever making it possible to increase the bearing force at the level of the lens, is locked in the position of bearing of the bearing part against the lens by teeth blocking 37 formed by the buttresses 35.
• the actuating part 42 of the pivoting member 4 undergoes a slight deformation facilitated by a cam profile formed by the external surfaces of the teeth 37.
• the actuating part 42 is perfectly locked in position with the bearing contact part 41 strongly pressed against the lower or rear face 21 of the lens so that the lens 2 is fixedly pressed against the re-entrant flange 32 of crown 34.
• the pivoting members 4 are made from metal wire, for example stainless steel.
• Each pivoting member 4 is formed from a section of wire suitably profiled substantially U-shaped. The free ends of the wire form ends of pivot axis engaged in the bearings 36 formed by the buttresses 35. Both ends of axis 43 formed by the wire extend in opposite direction and together form the pivot axis of the pivoting member 4. Beyond the ends of axis 43, the wire is extended by two sections forming the part support contact 41. These two sections are located eccentrically with respect to the axis ends 43. The wire is then extended to form the actuating part 42. The actuating part 42 extends substantially perpendicularly to the two sections forming the bearing contact part 41.
• pivoting member comprises an actuating part capable of bringing a bearing contact part in contact with the lens by pivoting about a pivot axis.
• a pivoting member other than from a metal wire.
• a pivoting member formed entirely or partially from an elastic blade.
• a movable member which is not pivotable, but on the contrary translative, but always incorporating a support contact part and an actuating part to bring the support contact part into taken with the lens.
• the pivoting embodiment produced from a profiled metal wire constitutes the preferred embodiment, for various reasons: in fact, the metal wire is inexpensive, easy to work, extremely solid, very heat resistant, very simple to be put in place on the support piece, and also very simple to remove from the support piece, for example by simply cutting off the actuating part. It should also be noted that the pivot axis is located between the support contact part and the actuation part: more precisely, the actuation part and the support contact part pivot around the axis pivot with their ends. Also, by playing on the length of the actuating part, the leverage is modified, which makes it possible to increase or decrease the pressing force on the lens.
• the fixing means of the invention a stable fixing of the lens is obtained while avoiding any risk of breakage.
• manual or automated mounting is very simple without affecting the quality of the attachment.
• the fastening system is very inexpensive and can easily be removed.
• the lens fixing means members 4) can be implemented independently of the attachment means (clip 5) to fix the support piece to the reflector, and vice versa. Therefore, these two means (fixing and hanging) can be protected separately.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Lens Barrels (AREA)
• Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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• 2001
  • 2001-08-10 FR FR0110854A patent/FR2828551B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2002
  • 2002-08-05 WO PCT/FR2002/002803 patent/WO2003014618A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 2002-08-05 DE DE60225456T patent/DE60225456T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-08-05 EP EP02779612A patent/EP1423642B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-08-05 US US10/486,106 patent/US7014344B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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