EP2053304B1 - Phare de véhicule - Google Patents

Phare de véhicule Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2053304B1
EP2053304B1 EP08018412.0A EP08018412A EP2053304B1 EP 2053304 B1 EP2053304 B1 EP 2053304B1 EP 08018412 A EP08018412 A EP 08018412A EP 2053304 B1 EP2053304 B1 EP 2053304B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reflecting surface
light
vehicle headlight
bulb
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.)
Ceased
Application number
EP08018412.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2053304A1 (fr
Inventor
Tadanobu Abe
Kenji Shigematsu
Shinji Yamagata
Tadashi Sakamoto
Noriko Taniguchi
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.)
Stanley Electric Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Stanley Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stanley Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Stanley Electric Co Ltd
Publication of EP2053304A1 publication Critical patent/EP2053304A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2053304B1 publication Critical patent/EP2053304B1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vehicle headlight to be used as a main headlight or an auxiliary headlight provided onto the front part of an automobile, for example.
  • Figs. 1A and 1B show a conventional vehicle headlight of this type.
  • the vehicle headlight 1 is configured to include a bulb 2 serving as a light source and a reflecting surface 3 configured to reflect light from the bulb 2 in an illumination direction (forward).
  • the bulb 2 can be any bulb for use in a general vehicle headlight, an auxiliary headlight, or the like.
  • a halogen bulb with a commonly known configuration can be used as the bulb 2.
  • the bulb 2 is disposed horizontally so that its optical axis O is arranged horizontally in the illumination direction.
  • the bulb 2 can be energized by power supplied from an external drive electrical power source (not shown).
  • the reflecting surface 3 is composed of a parabolic reflecting surface whose center axis extends horizontally in the illumination direction (forward).
  • the reflecting surface 3 is disposed behind the bulb 2 so that its focus F is located at or near the light emission center of the bulb 2.
  • the reflecting surface 3 may be any parabolic reflecting surface including a revolved paraboloid and a free curved parabolic surface.
  • the bulb 2 is supplied with power from an external drive electrical power source (not shown) to emit light.
  • the light emitted from the bulb 2 is directly projected in the illumination direction or impinges upon the reflecting surface 3 and is reflected by the same to become parallel light L1 and to be directed in the illumination direction.
  • the reflecting surface 3 can have a circular outer shape having its center at the optical axis O when viewed from its front side, as shown by a solid bold line in Fig. 1B .
  • the radius of the reflecting surface 3 can be set to twice the focal distance f (namely, 2f) or larger so that the reflecting surface 3 extends just below the light emission center of the bulb 2.
  • the light L2 emitted from the bulb 2 rearward and downward can properly impinge upon the reflecting surface 3 and can be reflected in the illumination direction.
  • the light L2 does not become glare light which may be obstructive light for a driver in an opposite vehicle.
  • Variations of the headlight includes a vehicle headlight with an abnormal profile, for example, with a first reflecting surface 3 of a horizontally elongated rectangular shape as shown by a thin solid line in Fig. 1B .
  • the vertical size is smaller than the other types.
  • the distance from the center axis 0 to one of the upper and lower rims is less than 2f (the normal radius of the first reflecting surface 3 being equal to twice the focal distance f). That is, in this structure of the headlight, the first reflecting surface 3 does not extend just below the light emitting center of the bulb 2. Accordingly, the light L2 emitted from the bulb 2 rearward and downward is not incident on the first reflecting surface 3.
  • a second reflecting surface 3a should be provided near the lower area of the first reflecting surface 3 (see Fig. 1A ).
  • the vertical size thereof, or the distance from the center axis to the vertical rim is less than 2f.
  • a second reflecting surface 3a is also provided near the lower area of the first reflecting surface 3 in order to cut the light L2 which otherwise becomes glare light.
  • the light L2 emitted from the bulb 2 frontward and downward is incident on the second reflecting surface 3a to be reflected therefrom in the forward direction.
  • the reflected light travels more upward than the illumination direction that is substantially horizontal, resulting in the generation of glare light L2'.
  • Fig. 3 is a graph illustrating a specification for a vehicle headlight with regard to glare light as measured at a position 25 m ahead of the vehicle.
  • an intensity of such glare light should be regulated to be 0.15 lx or less within a certain area (so-called "Zone 3") which is defined by a horizontal angle range of ⁇ 10 degrees and vertical angle range of 7 to 90 degrees. Accordingly, the generation of such glare light L2' as described above may not comply with the specification.
  • At least part of the second reflecting surface within a predetermined range "a" can be formed to have an appropriate arc section 3a' being convex upward, for example, as shown in Fig. 2 by a solid line.
  • the resulting second reflecting surface 3a' can reflect and diffuse light to generate the diffused light L3 within a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction.
  • the diffused light L3 can have a reduced intensity at respective portions, whereby the headlight can comply with the specification with regard to glare light.
  • a vehicle headlight 1 with a second reflecting surface 3a' having a convex arc section with a large radius of curvature can be designed.
  • the light distribution pattern of this vehicle headlight 1 is shown in Fig. 5 as a simulation result.
  • This simulation result shows that glare light is generated in an area defined by a horizontal angle range of ⁇ 30 degrees in the right and left directions and a vertical angle range of 50 to 75 degrees.
  • the calculated value of the intensity is 0.18 lx when compared with the value of 0.15 lx or less that is regulated under a certain specification.
  • the light L2 which otherwise becomes glare light L2' can be diffused and therefore regulated by the arc section of the second reflecting surface 3a' only in the front-to-rear direction. Accordingly, if the degree of diffusion is not enough for the purpose, as shown in Fig. 5 , for example, the diffused light L3 cannot be emitted outside the area that is specified according to the specification with regard to glare light, but is diffused within the area. In this case, an additional counter measure should be taken, for example, the provision of shielding members such as a hood 4.
  • a known vehicle headlight 1 has a bulb 2 and a hood 4 disposed just below the bulb 2.
  • the hood 4 can prevent the light L2, which otherwise becomes glare light, from impinging upon the second reflecting surface 3a, meaning the generation of the glare light can be reliably suppressed.
  • such glare light L2' shown in Fig. 5 can be prevented from being generated.
  • the hood 4 is provided as an additional component to a normal type vehicle headlight 1 including a bulb 2 and a reflecting surface 3. Accordingly, the parts number increases and the parts and assembly costs also increase.
  • an attachment member is required to firmly hold the hood 4 in position.
  • the attachment member can be observed externally, resulting in deterioration of outer appearance of the vehicle headlight.
  • US-A-5, 055,981 discloses an automotive projector type headlight including a light source, a reflector for reflecting the light forward, a shade for partially shading and thus contouring the reflected light, and a projecting lens for projecting the contoured light forward.
  • the light source comprises a main filament and a sub-filament extending generally along the optical axis.
  • the reflector has a plurality of radially divided reflective surface portions. An upper reflective surface portion reflects the light from the sub-filament and converge it to a first converging position located above the optical axis. A shading edge of the shade is positioned near to the first converging position The projecting lens has a focus near to the shading edge.
  • a lower reflective surface portion reflects the light from the main filament, converges it to a second converging position extending horizontally and converges the light to a third converging position extending vertically.
  • Left and right reflective surface portions act to converge the light from both filaments and to diffuse it thereafter.
  • a portion of the reflective surface is formed into paraboloid of rotation having the focus near to the filaments.
  • WO 87/06997 A discloses a vehicle lamp for bicycles and the like, having a compound reflector.
  • the front opening is noncircular in shape, generally rectangular.
  • the reflector itself has a plurality of nested sections that are stepped one from another, each lying on a surface of revolution generated by a different curve extending rearwardly from the front, each curve being generated from a common generating point in the vicinity of which an intended light source is to be held.
  • One of the sections is defined by an empirically determined nonconic curve, and has a characteristic angularly unbroken reflected beam from a point source, which diverges in the far field but with a pattern of angular spread where intensity falls relatively sharply from the beam centre, so as to provide a central pool of light of relatively high intensity and an extended relatively low level intensity on either side.
  • the other sections are similarly formed, but have another characteristic angularly unbroken reflected beam from a point source which diverges in the far field but with a pattern of angular spread where intensity falls relatively slowly from the beam centre.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlight with a simple configuration which can suppress or prevent the generation of any glare light occurring due to the reflection by a second reflecting surface provided near the lower area of a first reflecting surface.
  • one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle headlight including: a light source; a first reflecting surface disposed behind the light source so as to reflect light from the light source to an illumination direction, the Documents JP H02-57501 U and FR 2 709 811 A1 were used as a basis for the preamble of claim 1.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlight with a simple configuration which can suppress or prevent the generation of any glare light occurring due to the reflection by a second reflecting surface provided near the lower area of a first reflecting surface.
  • the present invention provides a vehicle headlight as set forth in claim 1.
  • the at least part of the second reflecting surface can reflect and diffuse the light to the outside by an angle of more than 10 degrees in right and left directions of the vehicle with respect to the vertical axis.
  • the at least part of the second reflecting surface is inclined in right and left directions of the vehicle from its center by an inclined angle of ⁇ 2 such that ⁇ 1 + 2x ⁇ 2 ⁇ 10 degrees is satisfied wherein 01 is an angle by which light emitted from the light source travels downward and outward in right or left direction with respect to the vertical axis when viewed from its front.
  • the light source when supplied with power from an external drive electrical power source, the light source is driven to emit light.
  • the light emitted from the light source is directly projected in the illumination direction or is reflected by the first reflecting surface to become parallel light so as to be projected in the illumination direction.
  • part of the light emitted from the light source may include the light directed frontward and downward. This light can impinge upon the second reflecting surface and is reflected by the same to be directed upward with respect to the illumination direction.
  • the second reflecting surface is formed to be inclined in the right and left directions. Accordingly, when being incident on the inclined area of the second reflecting surface, the light is reflected by the same to be diffused to the outside in the right and left directions with respect to the illumination direction.
  • the light emitted from the light source forward and downward and directed to the second reflecting surface can impinge upon the inclined second reflecting surface to be reflected and diffused in the right and left directions even when it is directed upward with respect to the illumination direction.
  • the present invention can prevent the light from becoming glare light or can reduce the generation of the glare light.
  • This configuration can eliminate any separate parts for preventing glare light such as a hood so that the parts number can be reduced as well as the parts cost and assembly cost can also be reduced when compared with the vehicle headlight with such a hood.
  • the at least part of the second reflecting surface can reflect and diffuse the light by an angle of more than 10 degrees in the right and left directions of the vehicle with respect to the vertical axis.
  • the at least part of the second reflecting surface can be inclined in the right and left directions of the vehicle from its center by an inclined angle of ⁇ 2 such that ⁇ 1 + 2x ⁇ 2 ⁇ 10 degrees is satisfied wherein ⁇ 1 is an angle by which light emitted from the light source travels downward and outward in right or left direction with respect to the vertical axis when viewed from its front.
  • the vehicle headlight of the present invention with the above configurations, it is ensured to prevent light directed to the area (Zone 3) which is defined by a horizontal angle range of ⁇ 10 degrees and vertical angle range of 7 to 90 degrees in accordance with the specification with regard to the vehicle headlight. This means that the generation of glare light can be surely suppressed.
  • the present invention can prevent the light that is reflected by the second reflecting surface provided near the lower area of the first reflecting surface from becoming glare light or can reduce the generation of the glare light.
  • Fig. 7 shows the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment of the vehicle headlight according to the present invention.
  • the vehicle headlight 10 is configured to include a bulb 11 serving as a light source and a first reflecting surface 12 configured to reflect light from the bulb 11 in an illumination direction (forward).
  • the bulb 11 can be any bulb for use in a general vehicle headlight, an auxiliary headlight, or the like.
  • a halogen bulb with a commonly known configuration can be used as the bulb 11.
  • the bulb 11 is disposed horizontally so that its optical axis O is arranged horizontally in the illumination direction.
  • the bulb 11 can be energized by power supplied from an electrical power source.
  • the first reflecting surface 12 is composed of a parabolic reflecting surface whose center axis extends horizontally in its illumination direction (forward).
  • the first reflecting surface 12 is disposed behind the bulb 11 so that its focus F is located at or near the light emission center of the bulb 11.
  • the reflecting surface may be any parabolic reflecting surface including a revolved paraboloid and a free curved parabolic surface.
  • the first reflecting surface 12 has its lower edge at a distance from the center axis equal to or less than twice the focal distance f. From the lower edge thereof a second reflecting surface 13 is provided to extend horizontally.
  • the second reflecting surface 13 is formed as a flat surface in a front-to-rear direction, it may have an appropriate arc section being convex upward within a predetermined range, as shown by a chain double-dashed line in Fig. 7 .
  • the second reflecting surface 13 is formed to be inclined in the right and left directions with respect to the vertical plane passing through the optical axis O as a symmetry plane when viewed from its front side, as shown in Fig. 8 .
  • the inclined angle ⁇ 2 is preferably set such that ⁇ 1 + 2x ⁇ 2 ⁇ 10 degrees is satisfied when the light L2 is emitted from the light emission center of the bulb 11 (bulb center) downward in the right or left direction.
  • the vehicle headlight 10 is configured as described above, and when the bulb 11 serving as a light source is supplied with power from an external drive electrical power source, the bulb 11 is driven to emit light.
  • the light emitted from the bulb 11 is directly projected in the illumination direction or is reflected by the first reflecting surface 12 to become parallel light L1 so as to be projected in the illumination direction.
  • part of the light emitted from the bulb 11 includes the light L2 directed frontward and downward with respect to the light emission center of the bulb 11. This light can impinge upon the second reflecting surface 13 and is reflected by the same to be directed upward with respect to the illumination direction.
  • the second reflecting surface 13 is formed to be inclined in the right and left directions (sideward) so that the foregoing conditions are satisfied. Accordingly, when being incident on the inclined second reflecting surface 13, the light L2 is reflected by the same to be diffused to the outside in the right and left directions with respect to the illumination direction by the angle of 10 degrees or more with respect to the vertical plane.
  • the inclined second reflecting surface 13 can reflect and diffuse the light L2, which otherwise becomes glare light by the conventional second reflecting surface, to be directed outside the Zone 3, thereby preventing the light from becoming glare light or reducing the generation of the glare light.
  • Figs. 9A and 9B show another exemplary embodiment of the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface of the vehicle headlight 1, which serves as a concrete exemplary configuration.
  • the second reflecting surface 13 is integrally formed with the first reflecting surface 12.
  • the second reflecting surface 13 includes a number of (26 in the shown example) divided' reflecting portions 13a in the right and left directions.
  • the respective reflecting portions 13a of the second reflecting surface 13 divided in the right and left directions are inclined sideward and downward by the angle ⁇ 2 with respect to the horizontal axis.
  • the light impinging upon the respective portions 13a of the second reflecting surface 13 can be reflected and diffused by the angle of 10 degrees or more with respect to the vertical plane to the outside.
  • Fig. 10 is the light distribution pattern with respect to the specification for a vehicle headlight with regard to glare light as measured at a position 25 m ahead of the vehicle. Specifically, Fig. 10 is a graph showing the light distribution pattern of the vehicle headlight 10 with the first reflecting surface 12 and the second reflecting surface 13 (including the reflecting portions 13a) of Fig. 9 as a result of simulation.
  • the glare light L3 can be diffused to the outside by an angle of 10 degrees or more in the right or left direction of the vehicle with respect to the vertical plane by means of the inclined second reflecting surface 13. This can effectively reduce the generation of the glare light directed within the Zone 3 of the light distribution pattern.
  • the calculated value of the intensity of generated glare light is 0.11 lx or less when compared with the value of 0.15 lx or less that is regulated under a certain specification with regard to glare light. Accordingly, the vehicle headlight of the present invention can satisfy the specification.
  • the bulb 11 is used as the light source, although the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the present invention can employ other types of light sources as long as the effects of the present invention cannot be hindered.
  • the frontal shape of the first reflecting surface 12 is formed as a horizontally elongated rectangle, although the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the present invention can be applied to such vehicle headlights with a first reflecting surface having any shape wherein the distance from the center to the lower edge of the first reflecting surface is equal to or less than twice the focal distance.
  • the vehicle headlights 10 are configured as a main headlight, although the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the present invention can be applied to an auxiliary headlight or the like.
  • the present invention can provide a vehicle headlight with a simple configuration which can suppress or prevent the generation of any glare light occurring due to the reflection by a second reflecting surface provided near the lower area of the first reflecting surface.

Landscapes

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

Claims (4)

  1. Phare de véhicule (10) comprenant :
    une source lumineuse (11) ;
    une première surface réfléchissante (12) disposée derrière la source lumineuse (11) de façon à réfléchir de la lumière provenant de la source lumineuse (11) dans une direction d'éclairage, la première surface réfléchissante (12) ayant un foyer (F) situé au niveau ou à proximité de la position de la source lumineuse (11) et un axe central (O) suivant la direction d'éclairage, et concave vers la direction d'éclairage, la première surface réfléchissante comportant un bord inférieur ; et
    une deuxième surface réfléchissante (13, 13a) s'étendant à partir du bord inférieur de la première surface réfléchissante (12) horizontalement et inclinée vers le bas, d'où il résulte qu'au moins une partie de la deuxième surface réfléchissante (13, 13a) est inclinée dans des directions de droite et de gauche de façon à réfléchir et diffuser de la lumière (L2), qui est émise par la source lumineuse (11) vers l'avant et vers le bas et en incidence sur celle-ci, dans des directions de droite et de gauche vers l'extérieur ;
    le phare de véhicule (10) étant caractérisé en ce que
    ladite au moins une partie de la deuxième surface réfléchissante (13, 13a) est inclinée dans les directions de droite et de gauche du véhicule par rapport à son centre d'un angle d'inclinaison θ2 tel que soit vérifié θ1 + 2xθ2 ≥ 10 degrés, θ1 étant un angle avec lequel la lumière émise par la source lumineuse (11) se déplace vers le bas et vers l'extérieur dans les directions de droite ou de gauche par rapport à l'axe vertical dans une vue à partir de son avant.
  2. Phare de véhicule selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite au moins une partie de la deuxième surface réfléchissante (13, 13a) réfléchit et diffuse la lumière (L2) vers l'extérieur avec un angle de plus de 10 degrés dans les directions de droite et de gauche du véhicule par rapport à l'axe vertical (V).
  3. Phare de véhicule selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que ladite au moins une partie de la deuxième surface réfléchissante (13, 13a) comprend un certain nombre de portions réfléchissantes divisées (13a) dont chacune est inclinée dans les directions de droite et de gauche de façon à réfléchir et diffuser de la lumière (L2), qui est émise par la source lumineuse (11) vers l'avant et vers le bas et en incidence sur celle-ci, dans des directions de droite et de gauche vers l'extérieur.
  4. Phare de véhicule selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que la deuxième surface réfléchissante (13, 13a) est disposée juste en dessous de la source lumineuse (11).
EP08018412.0A 2007-10-25 2008-10-21 Phare de véhicule Ceased EP2053304B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2007277169 2007-10-25

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2053304A1 EP2053304A1 (fr) 2009-04-29
EP2053304B1 true EP2053304B1 (fr) 2014-12-17

Family

ID=40086482

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08018412.0A Ceased EP2053304B1 (fr) 2007-10-25 2008-10-21 Phare de véhicule

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2053304B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP5149764B2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5444051B2 (ja) * 2010-03-12 2014-03-19 スタンレー電気株式会社 車両用灯具

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0257501U (fr) * 1988-10-20 1990-04-25
FR2709811A1 (fr) * 1993-09-09 1995-03-17 Valeo Vision Projecteur d'aspect intérieur amélioré pour véhicule automobile.

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2190479B (en) 1986-05-09 1991-01-09 Duracell Int Improvements in lights for vehicles
US5055981A (en) 1989-02-17 1991-10-08 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Automotive projector type headlight

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0257501U (fr) * 1988-10-20 1990-04-25
FR2709811A1 (fr) * 1993-09-09 1995-03-17 Valeo Vision Projecteur d'aspect intérieur amélioré pour véhicule automobile.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2053304A1 (fr) 2009-04-29
JP5149764B2 (ja) 2013-02-20
JP2009123689A (ja) 2009-06-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7748880B2 (en) Vehicle lamp with overhead sign illumination
JP3798583B2 (ja) 車両用前照灯
JP4933434B2 (ja) 非対称コリメータを備えるｌｅｄコリメータ素子
JP5544676B2 (ja) 車両用前照灯
JP2001023419A (ja) 車両用前照灯
JP2001057103A (ja) 車両用前照灯
US20110038171A1 (en) Vehicle light
US7625109B2 (en) Vehicle lamp
US7393126B2 (en) Vehicle headlamp
JP3145910B2 (ja) 車輌用前照灯
US8956029B2 (en) Vehicle lighting unit
EP2051002A2 (fr) Phare de véhicule
EP2053304B1 (fr) Phare de véhicule
US6325529B1 (en) Vehicle lamp with shade having reflector following edge
JP5444051B2 (ja) 車両用灯具
JP5074275B2 (ja) 二輪車用前照灯
US6471384B1 (en) Vehicle headlamp
JPH11329012A (ja) 車輌用前照灯
US8534889B2 (en) Vehicle headlight
JP2001006408A (ja) 車両用前照灯
JPH0945108A (ja) 車輌用灯具
JP2001176310A (ja) 車両用前照灯
JP3145909B2 (ja) 車輌用前照灯
JP4711585B2 (ja) 傾斜した光線を発生しうる自動車用の表示灯
JP2009211980A (ja) デイタイムランニングランプおよび車両用前照灯

Legal Events

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

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA MK RS

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20091028

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20091120

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20140624

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602008035836

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20150219

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602008035836

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 8

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

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

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

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20150918

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

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20141217

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 9

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 10

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 11

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20210913

Year of fee payment: 14

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20210915

Year of fee payment: 14

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20210908

Year of fee payment: 14

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602008035836

Country of ref document: DE

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

Effective date: 20221021

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

Ref country code: FR

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

Effective date: 20221031

Ref country code: DE

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

Effective date: 20230503

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

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20221021