GB1604923A - Headlight including a cleaning liquid distribution system therefor - Google Patents

Headlight including a cleaning liquid distribution system therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
GB1604923A
GB1604923A GB23017/78A GB2301778A GB1604923A GB 1604923 A GB1604923 A GB 1604923A GB 23017/78 A GB23017/78 A GB 23017/78A GB 2301778 A GB2301778 A GB 2301778A GB 1604923 A GB1604923 A GB 1604923A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
headlight
cover
reflector
light
light reflector
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.)
Expired
Application number
GB23017/78A
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.)
Societe de Signalisations Automobiles SEIMA
Original Assignee
Societe de Signalisations Automobiles SEIMA
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 Societe de Signalisations Automobiles SEIMA filed Critical Societe de Signalisations Automobiles SEIMA
Publication of GB1604923A publication Critical patent/GB1604923A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
    • B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
    • B60S1/46—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices using liquid; Windscreen washers
    • B60S1/48—Liquid supply therefor
    • B60S1/52—Arrangement of nozzles; Liquid spreading means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
    • B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
    • B60S1/56—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens
    • B60S1/60—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens for signalling devices, e.g. reflectors
    • 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
    • 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
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • 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
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/162—Incandescent light sources, e.g. filament or halogen lamps
    • 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
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/162—Incandescent light sources, e.g. filament or halogen lamps
    • F21S41/164—Incandescent light sources, e.g. filament or halogen lamps having two or more filaments
    • 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
    • F21S41/28—Cover glass
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F21S41/321—Optical layout thereof the reflector being a surface of revolution or a planar surface, e.g. truncated
    • 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
    • F21S41/331—Multi-surface reflectors, e.g. reflectors with facets or reflectors with portions of different curvature the reflector consisting of complete annular areas
    • F21S41/333—Multi-surface reflectors, e.g. reflectors with facets or reflectors with portions of different curvature the reflector consisting of complete annular areas with discontinuity at the junction between adjacent areas
    • 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
    • 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
    • F21S41/337—Multi-surface reflectors, e.g. reflectors with facets or reflectors with portions of different curvature the reflector having a structured surface, e.g. with facets or corrugations
    • 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
    • F21S41/37—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by reflectors characterised by their material, surface treatment or coatings
    • 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
    • F21S41/39—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
    • F21S41/40—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades
    • F21S41/43—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades characterised by the shape 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
    • F21S45/00—Arrangements within vehicle lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, for purposes other than emission or distribution of light
    • F21S45/10—Protection of lighting devices
    • 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
    • F21V3/00—Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses
    • F21V3/04—Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
    • 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
    • F21V31/00—Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
    • 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
    • F21V7/00—Reflectors for light sources
    • F21V7/22—Reflectors for light sources characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings, e.g. dichroic reflectors
    • F21V7/24—Reflectors for light sources characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings, e.g. dichroic reflectors characterised by the material
    • 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
    • F21V7/00—Reflectors for light sources
    • F21V7/22—Reflectors for light sources characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings, e.g. dichroic reflectors
    • F21V7/28—Reflectors for light sources characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings, e.g. dichroic reflectors characterised by coatings

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)

Description

(54) A HEADLIGHT INCLUDING A CLEANING LIQUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM THEREFOR (71) We, SOCIETE DE SIGNALISATIONS AUTOMOBILES SEIMA, a French society, of 32 Rue de Paris, Saint Clement Sens, (Yonne), France, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a headlight, by which is meant a light to direct light rays in one or more preselected directions.
The invention is particularly concerned with, but not exclusively limited to, a headlight for a vehicle.
According to the present invention there is provided a headlight comprising a cover and a light reflector which are each made of plastics material and secured to one another, and a distribution system to direct cleaning liquid onto the forward portion of the cover in which the said distribution system includes at least one duct formed during manufacture of the cover and extending through the cover to an orifice or slot in the said forward cover portion.
Peripheral portions of the cover and light reflector may make a shrink fit with one another in order to secure the cover to the light reflector. These peripheral portions may be a recessed rim on the cover and a collar on the reflector. In an alternative construction, fillets on either the cover or the light reflector may be heat sealed to the other member.
This heat sealing may be carried out by ultrasonic welding.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distribution system may comprise a plurality of ducts leading to laterally spaced orifices or slots on the cover forward portion.
These ducts may be connected to a distribution channel which is itself supplied by a supply pipe.
The inner surface of the reflector may be divided into a plurality of separate complementary faces of random configuration. The upper part of the reflector may be arranged so that light rays incident thereon from a dipped light source are reflected to leave the headlight in a downward direction, and the lower part of the reflector may be arranged so that light rays incident thereon from a road lighting source are directed to leave the headlight parallel to the headlight longitudinal axis.
A barrier may be located in front of the or each light source so as to intercept light rays passing directly towards the cover forward.
portion from the or each light source. This barrier ensures that substantially all the light rays transmitted from the headlight have been reflected from either the upper or lower surface of the headlight.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: FIGURE I is a sectional side elevation along the line 1--1 of Figure 2 of one headlight of the invention, FIGURE 2 is a front view of a headlight looking along the direction 2 of Figure 1, FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevation of one distribution system of the invention, FIGURES 4 and 5 are sectional elevations of two constructions for securing the headlight cover and reflector to one another, FIGURE 6 is a front view of one headlight fixing device, and FIGURE 7 is a sectional elevation of one light barrier.
Referring to the drawings, the headlight includes a cover 3 which is moulded in one piece from a shock resistant plastics material,.
such as for example, a polycarbonate or similar material. By moulding with a material of this type it is possible to provide any desired shape of limited thickness and having little or no undercut.
Suitable devices for securing the headlight to the body work of the vehicle can be produced during the moulding of the cover.
Examples of such devices are lateral clips 4 illustrated in Figure 2 located at opposite sides of the cover, and lateral bosses 5, illustrated in Figure 6, which constitute pivots and enable the headlight to be fixed to the vehicle body work and rotated in a vertical plane.
The cover 3 can be secured to a light reflector 6 in any one of several different ways. Referring to Figure 1, a peripheral recessed rim is moulded with the cover 3, and while hot is pressed against a peripheral collar 8 extending outwardly from the reflector 6.
Referring to Figure 3, the reflector 6 includes triangular fillets 9 and 10 which are welded to an internal bearing plane 3-I of the cover 3 by ultrasonic welding or heat sealing. Alternatively, the fillets can be integral with the cover 3 and welded to the reflector 6.
Referring to Figure 4, lugs 11, which are moulded with the cover 3, are hot crimped or ultrasonically rivoted into appropriately positioned holes in the reflector 6.
Referring to Figure 5, the cover 3 and the reflector 6 are adhered to one another by a self-hardening resin 12.
The assembled cover 3 and reflector 6 are covered by a transparent coating 13 which is resistant to abrasion and the action of hydrocarbons and cleaning agents. This coating is applied by a spray gun and constitutes a continuous envelope which ensures the sealing of the headlight assembly.
The technique of moulding the cover 3 from a plastics material makes it possible to provide small orifices at certain regions or over the entire periphery of the forward portion of the cover 3. These orifices 14 are located at the forward end of supply ducts 15 which are formed during the moulding of the cover 3. In operation, these ducts 15 direct jets of cleaning liquid onto the forward outer surface 32 of the cover 13 so as to clean this forward surface.
These ducts 15 are connected to a distribution channel 18 which is supplied by a cleaning liquid supply pipe 19 as illustrated in Figure 3. This channel 18 and supply pipe 19 can be located either in the cover 3 or the reflector 6.
Referring to Figure 1, the ducts 15 can also be realised in the form of a mould pin which leads to a deflector-shaped part 20 to direct jets 21 of the cleaning liquid inwardly onto the front face 32 of the cover 3 even when the vehicle is stationary. In an alternative construction, the orifices 14 may be replaced by laterally extending cleaning liquid distribution slots 14 1 illustrated in Figure 2.
The headlight is designed to distribute the light rays from the or each source so that it is not necessary to provide grooves on the forward portion of the cover 3 to deflect the light rays. The forward portion of the cover is smooth and its inner and outer faces are parallel to one another. Consequently the direction of the light rays is not substantially affected or altered when passing through the cover forward portion irrespective of the inclination of the cover forward portion with respect to the light rays. Consequently it is possible to mould the cover 3 to have a hollowed or relief configuration such as the recess 22 or a rib on the cover body work which contributes to the general appearance of the headlight.
If desired however one or more grooves may be provided in certain regions of the cover 3 in order to improve the distribution of the light rays emitted by the headlight.
The headlight includes a lighting filament 33 for providing a "straight ahead" beam substantially parallel to the road surface, and a lighting filament 31 for providing a downwardly directed or dipped light beam. This dipped beam is focused on a convergence point 25 which is located in a transverse slot 24 in the forward portion of the cover 3. An advantage of locating the convergence point 25 in the slot 24 is that it reduces the risk of scratching the portion of the cover 3 through which the dipped beam passes and thereby reducing the clarity and directional precision of the dipped beam. This scratching of the cover forward portion could of course be caused when cleaning the cover. The slot 24 is cleaned by passing cleaning liquid along the suitable liquid supply system similar to the aforementioned ducts 15 and through small orifices 14 2 in the base and on either side of the slot 24.
The reflector 6 is moulded from a heat resistant plastics material such as for example a polyester. This reflector 6 can be provided at its rear with bosses 27 which facilitate the securing of the headlight to the vehicle body work.
The inner reflecting surface of the reflector 6 is shaped and arranged to make the maximum use of the light emitted from the dipped beam filament 31. The dipped beam filament 31 and the straight ahead beam filament 33 form in combination the lamp 28 of the headlight. The reflector 6 is not limited to any particular configuration and may for example be parabolic. elliptical, spherical? conical or cylindro-conical.
The inner surface of the reflector 6 is formed by vacuum metalisation, and is divided into numerous small faces 29 as illustrated in the broken-away part of Figure 2. These faces 29 may be of any shape such as for example triangular, square, rhombic or hexagonal, and they are preferably of complementary shape so as to reduce the unused space between each small face 29. The surfaces of these faces 29 can be planar, concave or convex, and these surfaces are highly polished.
Each face 29 1 of the upper half of the reflector 6 is shaped and arranged so that the light beam from the dipped headlight filament 31 is reflected downwardly as shown by the rays 301, 302 and 303 in Figure 1.
Therefore, these rays 301, 302 and 303 must provide on a control screen the isophot curves of the values and positions imposed by the specification of the head light. Each face 29 is orientated, inclined and shaped to obtain this result, and takes into account the fact that the dipped beam filament 31 is now focused.
Each face 29 2 of the lower half of the reflector 6 is shaped and arranged so that a light ray 32 from the straight ahead filament 33 is reflected from a face 29 2 and is directed to the forward portion of the cover 3 parallel to the longitudinal axis 34 of the headlight.
The faces 29 1 and 29 2 can be extended as shown at 29 3 to the upper and lower planar faces 61 and 62 which constitute the forward limit of the reflector 6. They are moulded by using a mould with false cores.
If desired, it is possible to obtain slight complementary deviations of the light rays from the head light by providing a few grooves at certain locations in the inner face 3 1 of the forward portion of the cover 3. If a head light is to be used exclusively for dipped operation, it is an advantage to offset the head light axis as far as possible in a downward position as shown at 35 so as to utilise the reflector surface to the maximum.
A collar 36 is provided at the rear portion of the reflector 6. This collar is able to receive any type of conventional socket (not shown), and in particular the sockets as described in French Patents 7,407,055 and 7.700,190. The reflector 6 can be provided with a moulded hood 37 which serves to protect the lamp socket from trickling water indicated by the arrow 38 in Figure 1.
The cover 3 can be provided with a shield 39 which forms a light tube which if desired can be provided with refractive grooves 391 to prevent erratic diffusion of rays such as 40 which pass outside the active surface of the reflector 6.
A shield or barrier 41 can be moulded in one piece with the reflector 6, as shown in Figure 7, and this shield is arranged to intercept all those rays 47 which are emitted by the filaments 31 and 33 in a direction towards the front of the reflector 6. This shield 41 is attached to the rear collar 36 by two legs 42 and 43 of limited thickness which are located in the shadow area caused by the presence within the lamp 28 of filament supports 44 and 45.
The shield 41 can be provided on its inner metallised surface with mirrors having polished faces 46. The orientations of these faces 46 are the same as those of the faces 29 so as to obtain in conjunction with the reflector faces 29 a given outlet direction 471 from incident rays 47.
As the reflector 6 can be made from a transparent plastics material having a high heat resistance, such as the polysulphones, polyethersulphones and polycarbonates, it is possible to use all or part of the shield 41 not as a radiation stopping device 47, but directly as a non-metallised, transparent optical system with the faces 46 whereby each face is orientated so as to direct the rays in-given outlet directions. These faces may be placed either on the inner surface or on the outer surface or on both inner and outer surfaces of the shield 41.
It is to be understood that the invention includes within its scope a head light which differs from the aforementioned constructions by the shape or arrangement of its component elements while remaining within the general scope of what has been hereinbefore described. Similarly, the invention includes within its scope a head light intended for use in applications other than for a vehicle head light.
The described and illustrated embodiment of the invention is concerned with a vehicle head light to satisfy a conventional road lighting and dipped lighting function. This head light is made from plastics material, it possesses interesting characteristics particularly from the optical point of view, and is designed to facilitate cleaning.
Previously, vehicle head lights have comprised a light source with two filaments, one for road lighting and one for dipped lighting, and a generally metallic parabolic reflector.
The light from the appropriate filament is reflected from the reflector through a generally glass light cover which possesses grooves to ensure the distribution of the light rays emitted by the headlight. The cleaning devices for the head light glass covers have been ancillary devices of the windscreen wiper/washer type.
Tests have been carried out in connection with the use of light covers made from plastics material with regard to the difficulties encountered due to the risk of abrasion by dust which settles on the cover surface and the poor resistance to hydrocarbons and products used for the maintenance of the vehicle body work. It has been found that with previously proposed head lights the use of plastics materials for the reflectors has given rise to difficulties due to the thermal deformability of these materials.
The aforementioned described and illustrated embodiment of the invention makes it possible to construct a tight cover-reflector assembly without the inter-positioning of a joint between the reflector and the cover. The assembly is protected against abrasion and chemical attack by body work cleaning products and hydrocarbons. and it has numerous advantages with regard to its assembly, fixing, cleaning, its optical properties and its attractive appearance.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A headlight comprising a cover and a light reflector which are each made of plastics material and secured to one another, and a distribution system to direct cleaning liquid onto the forward portion of the cover, in which the said distribution system includes at least one duct formed during manufacture of the cover and extending through the cover to an orifice or slot in the said forward cover portion.
2. A headlight as claimed in Claim 1, in which complementary peripheral portions of the cover and light reflector make a shrink fit with one another.
3. A headlight as claimed in Claim 2, in which a recessed rim on the cover makes a shrink fit with a collar on the reflector.
4. A headlight as claimed in Claim 1, in which the cover and light reflector are secured to one another by fillets on the cover or light reflector which are heat sealed to the light reflector or cover respectively.
5. A headlight as claimed in Claim 4, in which the fillets are heat sealed by ultrasonic welding.
6. A headlight as claimed in Claim 1, in which complementary portions of the cover and light reflector are rivoted or hot crimped to one another.
7. A headlight as claimed in Claim 6, in which said complementary portions are lugs on the cover and holes on the reflector.
8. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the distribution system comprises a plurality of ducts leading to laterally spaced orifices or slots on the said cover forward portion.
9. A headlight as claimed in claim 8, in which a groove is located in the cover to receive a focussed dipped beam of the headlight, at least one end of said groove communicating with the orifice of at least one duct.
10. A headlight as claimed in Claim 8, in which the ducts are connected to a distribution channel supplied by a supply pipe.
II. A headlight as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 10, including a deflector to deflect liquid leaving the ducts onto the cover forward portion.
12. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the light reflector inner surface is divided into a plurality of separate complementary faces of random configuration.
13. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the light reflector includes an upper part arranged so that light rays incident thereon from a dipped light source are reflected so as to be directed downwardly from the headlight.
14. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the light reflector includes a lower part arranged so that light rays incident thereon from a road lighting source are directed parallel to the headlight longitudinal axis.
15. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, including a protective hood located at the rear of the light reflector.
16. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, including a light shield located inside the upper part of the cover.
17. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, including a barrier located in front of the or each light source to intercept light rays passing directly towards the cover forward portion from said light source or sources.
18. A headlight as claimed in Claim 17, in which the barrier has a reflecting surface arranged in combination with the reflector to direct incident rays in a required direction.
19. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, which is coated with a transparent abrasion resistant coating.
20. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the light reflector is moulded from an injectable polyester.
21. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the light reflector is made from a material such as polysulphones, polyethersulphones or polycarbonates.
22. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the cover is made from a polycarbonate.
23. A headlight substantially as herein described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (23)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. with previously proposed head lights the use of plastics materials for the reflectors has given rise to difficulties due to the thermal deformability of these materials. The aforementioned described and illustrated embodiment of the invention makes it possible to construct a tight cover-reflector assembly without the inter-positioning of a joint between the reflector and the cover. The assembly is protected against abrasion and chemical attack by body work cleaning products and hydrocarbons. and it has numerous advantages with regard to its assembly, fixing, cleaning, its optical properties and its attractive appearance. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. A headlight comprising a cover and a light reflector which are each made of plastics material and secured to one another, and a distribution system to direct cleaning liquid onto the forward portion of the cover, in which the said distribution system includes at least one duct formed during manufacture of the cover and extending through the cover to an orifice or slot in the said forward cover portion.
2. A headlight as claimed in Claim 1, in which complementary peripheral portions of the cover and light reflector make a shrink fit with one another.
3. A headlight as claimed in Claim 2, in which a recessed rim on the cover makes a shrink fit with a collar on the reflector.
4. A headlight as claimed in Claim 1, in which the cover and light reflector are secured to one another by fillets on the cover or light reflector which are heat sealed to the light reflector or cover respectively.
5. A headlight as claimed in Claim 4, in which the fillets are heat sealed by ultrasonic welding.
6. A headlight as claimed in Claim 1, in which complementary portions of the cover and light reflector are rivoted or hot crimped to one another.
7. A headlight as claimed in Claim 6, in which said complementary portions are lugs on the cover and holes on the reflector.
8. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the distribution system comprises a plurality of ducts leading to laterally spaced orifices or slots on the said cover forward portion.
9. A headlight as claimed in claim 8, in which a groove is located in the cover to receive a focussed dipped beam of the headlight, at least one end of said groove communicating with the orifice of at least one duct.
10. A headlight as claimed in Claim 8, in which the ducts are connected to a distribution channel supplied by a supply pipe.
II. A headlight as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 10, including a deflector to deflect liquid leaving the ducts onto the cover forward portion.
12. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the light reflector inner surface is divided into a plurality of separate complementary faces of random configuration.
13. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the light reflector includes an upper part arranged so that light rays incident thereon from a dipped light source are reflected so as to be directed downwardly from the headlight.
14. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the light reflector includes a lower part arranged so that light rays incident thereon from a road lighting source are directed parallel to the headlight longitudinal axis.
15. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, including a protective hood located at the rear of the light reflector.
16. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, including a light shield located inside the upper part of the cover.
17. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, including a barrier located in front of the or each light source to intercept light rays passing directly towards the cover forward portion from said light source or sources.
18. A headlight as claimed in Claim 17, in which the barrier has a reflecting surface arranged in combination with the reflector to direct incident rays in a required direction.
19. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, which is coated with a transparent abrasion resistant coating.
20. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the light reflector is moulded from an injectable polyester.
21. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the light reflector is made from a material such as polysulphones, polyethersulphones or polycarbonates.
22. A headlight as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the cover is made from a polycarbonate.
23. A headlight substantially as herein described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
GB23017/78A 1977-06-14 1978-05-26 Headlight including a cleaning liquid distribution system therefor Expired GB1604923A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7718194A FR2394743A1 (en) 1977-06-14 1977-06-14 PROJECTOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLE OR THE LIKE

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB1604923A true GB1604923A (en) 1981-12-16

Family

ID=9192073

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB23017/78A Expired GB1604923A (en) 1977-06-14 1978-05-26 Headlight including a cleaning liquid distribution system therefor

Country Status (6)

Country Link
DE (1) DE2826087A1 (en)
ES (1) ES470323A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2394743A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1604923A (en)
IT (1) IT1095229B (en)
PT (1) PT68031B (en)

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GB2162625A (en) * 1984-07-31 1986-02-05 Stanley Electric Co Ltd Headlamp for vehicle
DE102020111439A1 (en) 2020-04-27 2021-10-28 Kellermann Gmbh Joining method for joining a lamp glass of a vehicle lamp into a lamp housing of the vehicle lamp and vehicle lamp

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FR2459938B1 (en) * 1979-06-22 1985-11-08 Marchal Equip Auto LIGHTING PROJECTOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLE
FR2515122B1 (en) * 1981-10-22 1987-10-09 Honda Motor Co Ltd PERFECTED WINDOW WASHER FOR LIGHT VEHICLES
FR2545152B1 (en) * 1983-04-27 1985-08-16 Cibie Projecteurs
FR2601437A1 (en) * 1986-07-10 1988-01-15 Signal Vision Sa Reflector for motor vehicle headlight with improved dip beam
DE3836382A1 (en) * 1988-10-26 1990-05-03 Hella Kg Hueck & Co SHELL-SHAPED REFLECTOR FOR A VEHICLE HEADLIGHT
FR2643974B1 (en) * 1989-03-03 1993-05-07 Valeo Vision PROJECTOR, ESPECIALLY A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND PARTICULARLY A CUTTING BEAM PROJECTOR
DE4408230A1 (en) * 1994-03-11 1995-09-14 Bosch Gmbh Robert Transparent plastic lens for car headlights etc.
DE19504425A1 (en) * 1995-02-10 1996-08-14 Hella Kg Hueck & Co Hot melt adhesives for vehicle lights and vehicle headlights
DE19749402C2 (en) * 1997-11-07 2002-05-02 Siemens Ag Cleaning device for a window of a motor vehicle lamp
WO2009003873A1 (en) * 2007-06-29 2009-01-08 Robert Bosch Gmbh Window or lens for a vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, with a fastening device
DE102007035528B9 (en) * 2007-07-26 2012-02-09 Erco Gmbh lamp
US20190276597A1 (en) 2016-09-22 2019-09-12 Covestro Deutschland Ag Transparent moulded parts having reduced thickness

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DE1053983B (en) * 1953-04-06 1959-03-26 Eastman Kodak Co Method for producing a molded body, in particular a reflector, made of plastic with an aluminum layer vapor-deposited in a vacuum
FR1510595A (en) * 1967-02-08 1968-01-19 Lucas Industries Ltd Vehicle headlight
GB1232227A (en) * 1968-11-11 1971-05-19
DE7623146U1 (en) * 1976-07-22 1976-11-25 Ford-Werke Ag, 5000 Koeln LIGHTING UNIT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
DE2654227A1 (en) * 1976-11-30 1978-06-01 Bosch Gmbh Robert Spray jet for headlamp washer - has profiled deflection surface and shaped breaker edge to provide fine spray pattern

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2162625A (en) * 1984-07-31 1986-02-05 Stanley Electric Co Ltd Headlamp for vehicle
DE102020111439A1 (en) 2020-04-27 2021-10-28 Kellermann Gmbh Joining method for joining a lamp glass of a vehicle lamp into a lamp housing of the vehicle lamp and vehicle lamp

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT7822817A0 (en) 1978-04-28
FR2394743A1 (en) 1979-01-12
PT68031B (en) 1979-11-16
IT1095229B (en) 1985-08-10
DE2826087A1 (en) 1979-01-04
ES470323A1 (en) 1979-09-16
PT68031A (en) 1978-06-01
FR2394743B1 (en) 1981-08-28

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PS Patent sealed [section 19, patents act 1949]
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee