FR2523267A1 - IMPROVEMENTS ON LUMINOUS SPOTLIGHTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY AUTOMOTIVE - Google Patents

Abstract

LUMINOUS PROJECTOR COMPRISING A BODY HAVING AN ELLIPSOIDAL REFLECTOR 1 AND A LIGHT SOURCE 2 DISPOSED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD F OF THIS REFLECTOR LOCATED TOWARDS THE BACKGROUND, THIS LIGHT SOURCE HAVING ITS CENTER OR AXIS 2A SAFE BY A DISTANCE D BY REPORT TO THE OPTICAL AXIS OF THE REFLECTOR, THIS PROJECTOR IS PARTICULARLY INTENDED FOR CROSSING (PROJECTOR CODE) AND COMPRISING A HEMISPHERIC 3 REFLECTIVE CUP TURNING THEIR CONCAVITY UP AND WHERE THE CENTER IS CONFUSING WITH THE FOCUS F OF THE REFLECTOR NEIGHBOR OF THE SOURCE LIGHT. THE BAND 6 OF THE BOWL 3 IS DECOUPED SO THAT THE PLUNGEING LUMINOUS RAYS 7 AFFLUSHING THIS BILL REACH THE REFLECTOR EVERYWHERE SUBSTANTIALLY AT THE SAME LEVEL, IN A PLAN H, PARTICULARLY HORIZONTAL, LOCATED BELOW A PARALLEL PLAN PASSING THROUGH OPTICAL AXIS A OF THE PROJECTOR AT A DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO D.

Description

Improvements made to the luminous projectors for

vehicles including automobiles.

  The invention relates to light projectors for vehicles, particularly automobiles, of the type comprising a body provided with a reflector and a light source disposed in the vicinity of a focus of this reflector. The object of the invention is, above all, to make these luminous projectors such that they respond better than hitherto to the various requirements of the practice

  and especially as their performance improves.

  Rees. According to the invention, a luminous projector for

  vehicle comprising a body provided with an elliptical reflector

  soidal and a light source disposed in the vicinity of the focus of this reflector located towards the bottom, this light source having its center or its axis elevated by a distance d (of the order of 0.5 mm) relative to the optical axis of the reflector, this projector being intended for crossing (projector-code) and comprising a

  reflecting hemispherical cup

  cavity upwards and whose center merges with the focal point of the reflector adjacent to the light source, is characterized by the fact that the rim of the cup

  is cut in such a way that the light rays

  giants flush with this rim reach the reflector

  everywhere at substantially the same level, in a plane, no

  horizontal, located below a parallel plane passing through the optical axis of the headlamp, at a distance

substantially equal to d.

  Preferably, the edges of the cup are cut in an oblique plane inclined towards the rear of the projector, this plane intersecting the optical axis at the focus of the projector. According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle light projector, comprising a body provided with an ellipsoidal reflector and a light source mounted in the vicinity of the focus of this reflector located towards the bottom, and comprising means for causing a slight deformation of the reflector during its assembly, this deformation consisting of a compression according to a

  horizontal or vertical diameter, generating respectively

  An elongation of the vertical or horizontal diameter of the reflector is characterized in that the means for effecting this deformation comprise two diametrically opposite abutment members arranged along a horizontal or vertical axis provided in a bowl.

  the reflector support, the distance between the walls

  these organs being slightly inferior to the dia-

  meter of the reflector, to establish the ovality.

  The abutment members may be constituted by two diametrically opposed lugs adapted to grip

  a stiffening flange of the reflector.

  According to another aspect of the invention, a projector

  illuminated vehicle, comprising a body provided with a

  ellipsoidal flier of revolution and a light source

  located in the vicinity of the focus of this reflector

  located towards the bottom, a second reflecting surface

  nular type ellipsoid being provided in advance of

  the ellipsoid of revolution, and prisms of widening

  the beam being placed in the vicinity of the edges

  front of the annular surface, a cover being provided sen-

  sibly at or slightly in front of the front hearth of the ellipsoid of revolution, is characterized by the fact that the enlargement prisms of the beam are located behind the front hearth, while the cache consists of an advance or awning ratio before the body, so that this cache is at or in front of the front focus of the ellipsoid of revolution. According to another aspect of the invention, a projector

  illuminated vehicle, including a crossover

  with a body extending forwards

  beyond a translucent wall, especially a glass wall, closing the projector itself, this body having a cover and an opening transverse to its

  front end, is characterized by the fact that it

  door means of passage for establishing a flow of air around the projector itself, with evacuation of air to the rear part of the body, this air flow ensuring the cooling of the projector.

  The various aspects of the invention mentioned above

  They can be used separately or in combination.

  The invention consists, apart from the provisions set out above, in certain other provisions which will be more explicitly discussed below,

  particular embodiments described with reference

  the attached drawings, but which are in no way limiting.

  Figure 1 of these drawings is a longitudinal section.

  schematic end of a code-type projector having a cup whose edges are cut in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a schematic section of the headlamp

of Figure 1 following II-II.

  FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic front view of a headlamp equipped with means according to the invention

  to ensure ovalization of the reflector.

  Figure 4 is a schematic cross-section

  the light beam of the projector in Figure 3.

  Figure 5 is a longitudinal schematic sectional view

  a projector equipped with enlargement prisms

  in accordance with the invention.

  FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view, on a smaller scale, of a projector of the type of that of the

figure 5.

  FIG. 7 is an elevational view, with parts torn off, of a projector comprising an air circuit

  according to the invention.

  Figure 8 is a left view, relative to

Figure 7.

  Figure 9, finally, is a section following IX-IX

figure 7.

  Referring to Figure 1, we can see a light projector for a vehicle, including automobile, type city projector or code, including a body

  equipped with a reflector 1 formed by an ellipsoid of revo-

  lution around the axis A, which is also the optical axis. This reflector 1 has the shape of a cap whose bottom is closed The focus of this reflector, located towards the bottom, is designated by F A light source 2 is disposed in the vicinity of this focus F, with its center or axis 2 raised by a distance d relative to the optical axis A of the reflector. This distance d is advantageously equal to or equal to 0.5 mm. The light source 2 can be constituted by a lamp filament, in substantially cylindrical helix shape, the axis 2a is parallel to the optical axis A. The code-type projector comprises a reflective hemispherical cup 3, turning its concavity upwards and whose center merges with the focus F ellipsoidal reflector This cup 3, in a way

  known, is intended to prevent light rays,

  from the light source 2, do not reach the lower part of the reflector 1 and are reflected in a rising direction, such reflected rays can cause dazzling conductors crossing the vehicle equipped with such a projector code This projector comprises, at its front part, a schematically represented cover 4 intended to obscure the upper part of the projector; the lower horizontal edge of the cover 4 passes through the optical axis A. To improve the action of the hemispherical cup 3 and to avoid the emission, by the projector, of rays reflected in an upward direction such as the radius 5 (FIG. 2), the rim 6 of the cup 3 is cut in such a way that the plunging light rays such as 7 (FIG. 2) flush with the rim 6 of the cup reach the reflector 1 everywhere substantially at the same level in a horizontal plane (represented by its trace H in FIG. 2) located at a distance equal to d (FIG. 2) or substantially equal to d below the horizontal plane P passing through the optical axis A. In these conditions, the plunging ray 7 is reflected according to the practically horizontal radius 8, which will not cause drivers to glare

  crossing the vehicle equipped with the projector.

  To satisfy practically the conditions

  previously, the rim of the cup 3 is de-

  cut along an oblique plane Q inclined, as shown in Figure 1, towards the rear of the projector, the plane Q intersecting the optical axis A at the focus F Thus, the rear end 6 of the flange 6 is located below of the axis A, while the front end 6b of this flange is located above the axis A This arrangement improves the code-type light projector by reducing the parasitic reflected rays that can cause a dazzling drivers coming in

opposite.

  Reference will now be made to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  It should be remembered that any elliptical reflector

  Soldal accuses a weakening of the beam in the central zone, zone where the filament, generally spiral rectilinear along the optical axis of the reflector, emits a minimum of luminous flux To fill this central zone, with reduced luminous flux in the beam, it is possible to realize at the mounting of the reflector 1 of thin sheet metal revolution, a slight deformation consisting of a compression along a horizontal diameter, that is to say according to the arrows Fl, F 2 of Figure 3, the front part of the reflector; this compression causes an ovalization of the front part of the reflector, with elongation of the vertical diameter, as schematically illustrated by the

arrows F 3, F 4 of FIG.

  In the case of a car headlight reflector

  for the road, it is desirable that the light beam

  be widened in the horizontal direction For this,

  the deformation is carried out in the direction of pressure

  rice as shown in Figure 3 and the ovalisa-

  Reflector 1 leads to a large vertical axis.

  The cross section of the light beam emitted by a reflector thus deformed is shown schematically

  by S in Figure 4 and has a large horizontal axis.

  It is also possible to perform ovalization by compression along a vertical diameter of the part

  front of the reflector, which leads to a large horizontal axis

  zontal The section of the light beam would then admit a large vertical axis Such deformation by clamping a vertical diameter is desirable for

city projectors or codes.

  In the two cases mentioned above, the deformability

  tion or ovalization is advantageously obtained by means of two abutment members 9, 10, diametrically opposed along the horizontal axis (or vertical) provided on a bowl 11 support of the reflector 1 The distance 1 (fig 3) between the internal walls of these organs is slightly smaller than the horizontal or vertical diameter of the part

  before the reflector 1, before deformation; this difference

  allows the establishment of ovalization when

in place of the reflector 1.

  The members 9, 10 are advantageously constituted by protruding lugs provided on the bowl 11, suitable for gripping the stiffening flange 12 of the reflector 1, which

  last being made normally by revolution tool.

  Preferably, the difference which exists, after placement of the reflector, between the vertical diameter (A) and the horizontal diameter (6) should not exceed 3 X

the diameter of revolution.

  Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is possible to see a light projector for a motor vehicle of the code or passing projector type, comprising a body provided with an ellipsoidal reflector 1 of revolution and a light source 2, schematically represented, arranged

  in the vicinity of the focus F located towards the bottom of this reflection.

  tor; this projector has a second surface area

  flector 13, annular, located in front of the reflector 1, and of ellipsoid type The sections of the surface 13 by planes passing through the optical axis A are formed by elliptical arcs admitting the point F as the first focus; the arc 13 has a second focal point located in F (see Fig 5), while the arc 13b admits a second focus Fb, symmetrical to Fa with respect to the axis A. The second focus of the ellipsoidal reflector of revolution : 1, located forward, is at the point G. Such a crossing headlamp is equipped, in a known manner, a cache 4 has similar to the cache 4 of Figure 1; such a cover 4a must be in front of the front hearth G (that is to say that the cover is on the opposite side of the hearth G to the other focus F> or, at the limit, -in the level of this focus G The light beam emanating from the ellipsoid of revolution 1, or central ellipsoid forms an acute angle a (FIG. 5) and admits as place of intersection the focus G. The annular reflecting surface 13 returns rays whose limits are materialized by the straight lines 14a for section 13a and 14b for section 13b These

  straight lines pass respectively through the foci Fa and Fb.

  In a known manner, in this type of lighthouse

  crossing at bi-ellipsoid, in cache, we have

  my enlargement 15 of the beam at the limits of the radii

  reflected by the annular surface 13 so as to ensure

  spread these radii at a larger angle. According to the known montages, the prisms are fixed to the same cache, on the same plane; the cover to be located beyond or at least at the focus G, the position of the prisms 15 would then be that shown in dashed lines in Figure 5 Such an arrangement leads to excessive spacing prisms, spacing incompatible with the

  dimensions of all the reflectors.

  it is necessary to provide a much larger body of lighthouse

bulky than necessary.

  Due to the smallness of the beam of the central ellipsoid 1 (angle a) to the right of the focus G, it is possible to reduce the spacing of the prisms 15 by moving them towards the back of the hearth G and limiting the length of the body C of lighthouse at these prisms 15, as

visible in Figure 5.

  The cover which must always be in front or at the limit at the point G is then constituted by an advance or an awning 16 attached to the front of the body C; the front transverse face 4a of this advance or awning is opaque and constitutes the actual cache. In order to make the lateral marking of the vehicle more effective, this canopy 16 can be made of more or less translucent material, possibly colored,

  so that it is visible from the side.

  The transverse approaching of the prisms 15 may constitute an obstacle preventing easy access to a glass wall 17, shown in FIG. 6 (but not shown in FIG. 5), inside the body C, provided for the protection of the reflector and from the source

light.

  A sufficient aperture i 8 (fig 6) is then practically

  in the envelope of the headlight body, slightly in front of the glass wall 17 to allow easy access

  to this wall and facilitate cleaning.

  A device is provided for closing the opening 18, this device can be formed by a hinged flap or slide, or by a simple sleeve 19, in particular elastic, slidable

on the cylindrical body C (fig 6).

  Referring to Figure 7, one can see, in elevation, a beam headlamp (code type) for a motor vehicle whose body C extends forwardly beyond the glass wall 17 closing the projector proper Body C includes,

  at its lower front end, a transverse opening

  8 above and in front of this opening 20 is provided a cache 4b having a function similar to that of the cache 4 of Figure 1

or 4 a of Figure 5.

  The vacuum-metallized reflective surfaces provided on the reflector 1 are, in the event of contact, irrecoverable. As a result, it is necessary to house this reflector in a closed enclosure protecting it and protecting it.

making it inaccessible.

  An excess of temperature can also be harmful to these metallized surfaces placed in closed volumes which tend to be reduced whereas the power of the

  light sources tends to increase.

  To prevent excessive heating of the reflector 1, there are provided passage means 21 (FIGS. 7 and 9) making it possible to establish an air flow around the projector itself, with evacuation at the rear part of the body C by one or more openings 22

  provided at the back part of this body.

  The passage means 21 comprise a channel 23 with circular segment-shaped section (FIG. 9) provided at the upper part of the body; a channel 24 also in

  section in the form of a circular segment is provided for in

  lower body for the passage and evacuation of water.

  The facade opening 20 is arranged to facilitate as much as possible the introduction into the body of the headlight C of a sufficient current of fresh air during the progression.

  of the vehicle; this current first strikes the protective glass

  17 of the closed enclosure and flows on the periphery

  of the ellipsoid arranged in a piece coming from foundry.

  This stream of fresh air, schematized by arrows

  in Figure 7, is channeled and passes over the cri-

  coolers to be cooled The opening or openings 22 provided for in

  the rear ensure the evacuation of this air.

Claims (9)

  1 vehicle light, in particular an automobile, comprising a body provided with an ellipsoidal reflector (1) and a light source (2) disposed in the vicinity of the focal point (F) of this reflector situated towards the bottom, this light source having its center or its axis (2 a) raised by a distance (d) with respect to the optical axis (A) of the reflector, this projector being in particular intended for crossing (projector code) and comprising a reflective hemispherical cup (3) turning its concavity upwards and whose center merges   with the focal point (F) of the reflector adjacent to the light source   characterized in that the flange (6) of the cup (3) is cut so that the plunging light rays (7) flush with this rim reach the reflector everywhere substantially at the same level, in a plane (H), especially horizontal, located below   a parallel plane passing through the optical axis (A) of the   jector, at a distance substantially equal to d.   Projector according to claim 1, characterized   rised by the fact that the rim (6) of the cup is de-   cut in an oblique plane (Q) inclined towards the rear of the projector, this plane (Q) intersecting the optical axis (A) at focus (F) of the projector.   3 A vehicle, especially an automobile, light projector according to claim 1 or 2, comprising   means for causing slight distortion of the   flector (1) during its assembly, this deformation   consisting of a compression in a horizontal or vertical diameter, resulting respectively in an elongation   the vertical or horizontal diameter of the reflector,   the fact that the means to carry out this de-   formation comprise two stop members (9, 10)   horizontally opposite, arranged along a horizontal axis   or vertical provided in a bowl (11) support reflector   the distance (1) between the inner walls of these   organs being slightly smaller than the diameter of the   flector (1), to establish the ovality. he   4 Headlight according to claim 3, characterized   tered by the fact that the stop members are   killed by two diametrically opposed pins (9, 10)   to grip a stiffening flange (12) of the reflector (1).   5. Projector according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the difference which exists after   placing the reflector between the vertical diameter   cal (A) and the horizontal diameter (6) or vice versa, does not exceed 3 X of the diameter of revolution of the reflector (1).   6 Vehicle light, in particular   automobile, according to any of the claims   in which a second reflective surface   Annular tracer (13) of the ellipsoid type is provided in front of the ellipsoid of revolution, and prisms (15) for broadening the beam are placed in the vicinity of the front edges of the annular surface, this headlamp being of the crossover type and having a cover (4 a) provided substantially at or slightly forward   of the front focus (G) of the ellipsoid of revolution (1),   characterized in that the beam-widening prisms (15) are located behind the front focus (G) while the cover is constituted by an advance or an awning (16) attached to the front of the body (C), such that this cover (4 a) is at or before   the front focus (G) of the ellipsoid of revolution (1).   Projector according to claim 6, characterized   ized by the fact that the insert awning (16) is made of a translucent material, possibly colored, so that it is visible from the side for the lateral marking of the vehicle, the front transverse face (4 a) of this awning or advanced being opaque and constituting the cache itself.   8 Vehicle light, according to one   any of the preceding claims, in particular   headlamp, having a body (C)   skirting forwards beyond a translucent wall (17), in particular a glass wall; closing the projector itself, this body having a cover (4b) and a   transverse opening (20) at its front end,   characterized by the fact that it includes means of   wise (21) to establish a flow of air around the projector itself, with evacuation of air to the rear part of the body, this circulation   of air to cool the projector.   9 Headlamp according to claim 8, characterized   rised by the fact that the means of passage (21)   take a channel (23) with a circular segment-shaped section   provided at the upper part of the body, at least one opening (22) being provided at the rear part of   this body for the evacuation of the air.