GB2024396A - Vehicle headlamps - Google Patents

Vehicle headlamps Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2024396A
GB2024396A GB7922032A GB7922032A GB2024396A GB 2024396 A GB2024396 A GB 2024396A GB 7922032 A GB7922032 A GB 7922032A GB 7922032 A GB7922032 A GB 7922032A GB 2024396 A GB2024396 A GB 2024396A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
lens
clip
headlamp
reflector unit
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB7922032A
Other versions
GB2024396B (en
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.)
Cibie Projecteurs SA
Original Assignee
Cibie Projecteurs SA
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 Cibie Projecteurs SA filed Critical Cibie Projecteurs SA
Publication of GB2024396A publication Critical patent/GB2024396A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2024396B publication Critical patent/GB2024396B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/20Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S41/29Attachment thereof

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Securing Globes, Refractors, Reflectors Or The Like (AREA)
  • Insertion Pins And Rivets (AREA)

Abstract

The lens 10 and reflector 12 of a vehicle headlamp are held together by adhesive. A spring clip 14 straddles the lens-reflector joint, and its front end 18 forms an abutment for the blade of a lens wiper (not shown). The clip 14, and preferably other similar clips spaced around the headlamp, also serve to hold the lens and reflector together while the adhesive is setting. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle headlamps This invention relates to vehicle headlamps.
It has already been proposed to provide a motor vehicle headlamp with a lens cleaning system; such a system assists safety by removing deposits of mud, dust, insects or the like, which otherwise build up rapidly on the front of the headlamp lens, and impair the effectiveness of the headlamp.
Typically, the lens cleaning system might comprise both a wiper mechanism and a lens washing mechanism. These mechanisms have to be mounted in position; with the previouslyproposed arrangements, the provision of the mountings may increase the complexity of the manufacturing process.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle headlamp has a lens connected to a reflector unit, and also includes at least one clip which straddles the joint between the lens and the reflector unit, the front end of the clip being formed as part of a lens cleaning system.
The headlamp may also include means for retaining the clip in position. The retaining means may comprise, on each of the lens and the reflector unit,.a protrusion which engages in a respective recess in the clip, at least one ramp being provided on the clip, the lens or the reflector unit, which ramp is arranged to guide the clip into its position in which it is retained by the retaining means.
Preferably, the clip is made of a resilient metal.
Where its front end serves as a wiper abutment for the lens cleaning system, a plastics covering may be provided on its front end.
The lens and the reflector unit may be connected together by adhesive. However, if a high quality headlamp is to be produced, relative movements between the lens and the reflector unit while the adhesive is setting must be prevented. This is because the headlamp bulb is usually mounted on the reflector unit, so that any shift of the reflector unit relative to the lens results in an identical shift of the pattern of illumination falling on the lens from the reflector unit. The lens is usually provided with a pattern of light-diffusing grooves or the like, which are designed to produce a beam having the required characteristics when the lens receives the correct pattern of illumination, in the correct orientation. Any shift from the correct orientation will result in a deviation of the beam from the required characteristics.
The invention provides, according to a second aspect, a method of assembling a headlamp according to the first aspect, in which, while the adhesive joining the lens to the reflector unit sets, the lens and the reflector unit are held together by the clip or clips, which exert a sufficient force on the lens and the reflector unit to prevent relative movement of the lens and the reflector unit while the adhesive sets.
Preferably the headlamp includes four similar clips, two clips together forming an abutment for the wiper at one end of its stroke, and the other two clips together forming an abutment for the wiper at the other end of its stroke.
The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but one specific embodiment will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a section through part of a headlamp embodying the invention, the section being taken on the vertical plane indicated as I-I in Figure 2; and Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the parts shown in Figure 1.
The headlamp includes a lens 10 and a reflector 12 which are held together by a bead of adhesive 24. A headlamp wiper (not shown) is provided for cleaning the front surface of the lens 10; to position the blade of the wiper correctly at the ends of its stroke, four abutments, one of which is shown at 18, are provided, two at the upper edge of the headlamp lens, and two at the lower edge.
Each abutment such as 18 is formed by a resilient metal clip 14 which is clipped on to the edge of the lens 10 and reflector 12; these clips may also have the secondary function of helping to keep the lens and reflector together, at least while the adhesive 24 sets. The front end of each clip hasa plastics covering 19 which forms the actual abutment for the wiper; near this end, the clip 14 has an aperture 20 which fits over a protrusion 22 on the lens, to locate the clip relative to the lns. A recess 28 (see Figure 2) is provided at the edge of the lens to receive the clip 14, and may also assist in locating the clip. In a similar manner, the edge of the reflector 12 has a recess 30 for the clip 14.
The other end of the clip has a curled portion 16 which affords a rounded protuberance, which snaps over a protrusion 26 on the rear surface of a peripheral lip on the reflector 12. A ramp 25 is also provided on the edge of the reflector 12, and leads smoothly into the protrusion 26, so that the clip 14 can be attached to the reflector and lens by first engaging the opening 20 over the protrusion 22, and then applying pressure in the direction of the arrow 32, so that the curved portion 1 6 slides along the ramp 25 and snaps into position.
Various modifications are possible. For example, in a headlamp which includes an intermediate piece between the lens and the reflector, the clip 14 could be fitted at the joint between the lens and the intermediate piece. A similar design of clip could be used to carry the mechanism of the headlamp wiper; also, a similar clip could be used to carry a headlamp lens washing system.
1. A vehicle headlamp having a lens connected to a reflector unit, and including at least one clip which straddles the joint between the lens and the reflector unit, the front end of the clip being formed as part of a lens cleaning system.
2. A headlamp as claimed in Claim 1, which
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (1)

  1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.
    SPECIFICATION Vehicle headlamps This invention relates to vehicle headlamps.
    It has already been proposed to provide a motor vehicle headlamp with a lens cleaning system; such a system assists safety by removing deposits of mud, dust, insects or the like, which otherwise build up rapidly on the front of the headlamp lens, and impair the effectiveness of the headlamp.
    Typically, the lens cleaning system might comprise both a wiper mechanism and a lens washing mechanism. These mechanisms have to be mounted in position; with the previouslyproposed arrangements, the provision of the mountings may increase the complexity of the manufacturing process.
    According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle headlamp has a lens connected to a reflector unit, and also includes at least one clip which straddles the joint between the lens and the reflector unit, the front end of the clip being formed as part of a lens cleaning system.
    The headlamp may also include means for retaining the clip in position. The retaining means may comprise, on each of the lens and the reflector unit,.a protrusion which engages in a respective recess in the clip, at least one ramp being provided on the clip, the lens or the reflector unit, which ramp is arranged to guide the clip into its position in which it is retained by the retaining means.
    Preferably, the clip is made of a resilient metal.
    Where its front end serves as a wiper abutment for the lens cleaning system, a plastics covering may be provided on its front end.
    The lens and the reflector unit may be connected together by adhesive. However, if a high quality headlamp is to be produced, relative movements between the lens and the reflector unit while the adhesive is setting must be prevented. This is because the headlamp bulb is usually mounted on the reflector unit, so that any shift of the reflector unit relative to the lens results in an identical shift of the pattern of illumination falling on the lens from the reflector unit. The lens is usually provided with a pattern of light-diffusing grooves or the like, which are designed to produce a beam having the required characteristics when the lens receives the correct pattern of illumination, in the correct orientation. Any shift from the correct orientation will result in a deviation of the beam from the required characteristics.
    The invention provides, according to a second aspect, a method of assembling a headlamp according to the first aspect, in which, while the adhesive joining the lens to the reflector unit sets, the lens and the reflector unit are held together by the clip or clips, which exert a sufficient force on the lens and the reflector unit to prevent relative movement of the lens and the reflector unit while the adhesive sets.
    Preferably the headlamp includes four similar clips, two clips together forming an abutment for the wiper at one end of its stroke, and the other two clips together forming an abutment for the wiper at the other end of its stroke.
    The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but one specific embodiment will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a section through part of a headlamp embodying the invention, the section being taken on the vertical plane indicated as I-I in Figure 2; and Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the parts shown in Figure 1.
    The headlamp includes a lens 10 and a reflector
    12 which are held together by a bead of adhesive 24. A headlamp wiper (not shown) is provided for cleaning the front surface of the lens 10; to position the blade of the wiper correctly at the ends of its stroke, four abutments, one of which is shown at 18, are provided, two at the upper edge of the headlamp lens, and two at the lower edge.
    Each abutment such as 18 is formed by a resilient metal clip 14 which is clipped on to the edge of the lens 10 and reflector 12; these clips may also have the secondary function of helping to keep the lens and reflector together, at least while the adhesive 24 sets. The front end of each clip hasa plastics covering 19 which forms the actual abutment for the wiper; near this end, the clip 14 has an aperture 20 which fits over a protrusion 22 on the lens, to locate the clip relative to the lns. A recess 28 (see Figure 2) is provided at the edge of the lens to receive the clip 14, and may also assist in locating the clip. In a similar manner, the edge of the reflector 12 has a recess 30 for the clip 14.
    The other end of the clip has a curled portion 16 which affords a rounded protuberance, which snaps over a protrusion 26 on the rear surface of a peripheral lip on the reflector 12. A ramp 25 is also provided on the edge of the reflector 12, and leads smoothly into the protrusion 26, so that the clip 14 can be attached to the reflector and lens by first engaging the opening 20 over the protrusion 22, and then applying pressure in the direction of the arrow 32, so that the curved portion 1 6 slides along the ramp 25 and snaps into position.
    Various modifications are possible. For example, in a headlamp which includes an intermediate piece between the lens and the reflector, the clip 14 could be fitted at the joint between the lens and the intermediate piece. A similar design of clip could be used to carry the mechanism of the headlamp wiper; also, a similar clip could be used to carry a headlamp lens washing system.
    1. A vehicle headlamp having a lens connected to a reflector unit, and including at least one clip which straddles the joint between the lens and the reflector unit, the front end of the clip being formed as part of a lens cleaning system.
    2. A headlamp as claimed in Claim 1, which includes means for retaining the clip in position.
    3. A headlamp as claimed in Claim 2, in which the retaining means comprises, on each of the lens and the reflector unit, a protrusion which engages in a respective recess in the clip, at least one ramp being provided on the clip, the lens or the reflector unit, which ramp is arranged to guide the clip into its position in which it is retained by the retaining means.
    4. A headlamp as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the clip is made of a resilient metal.
    5. A headlamp as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, in which the front end of the clip forms a wiper abutment for the lens cleaning system.
    6. A headlamp as claimed in Claim 5, in which the front end of the clip has a plastics covering.
    7. A headlamp as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, which includes four similar clips, two clips together forming an abutment for the wiper at one end of its stroke, and the other two clips together forming an abutment for the wiper at the other end of its stroke.
    8. A headlamp as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, in which the front end of the clip forms a support for the lens cleaning system.
    9. A headlamp as claimed in Claim 8 in which the front end of the clip forms a support for a lens wiper mechanism.
    10. A headlamp as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, in which the front end of the clip forms a support for a lens washing mechanism.
    11. A headlamp as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the lens and/or the reflector unit have at least one recess limiting sliding of the clip along their joint 12. A headlamp as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, in which the reflector unit includes an intermediate piece between the lens and the reflector proper.
    13. A headlamp as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, in which the lens is connected to the reflector unit by adhesive.
    14. A method of assembling a headlamp as claimed in Claim 13, in which, while the adhesive joining the lens to the reflector unit sets, the lens and the reflector unit are heid together by the clip or clips, which exert a sufficient force on the lens and the reflector unit to prevent relative movement of the lens and the reflector unit while the adhesive sets.
    1 5. A vehicle headlamp including a clip arrangement substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the clip forming part of a lens cleaning system.
GB7922032A 1978-06-26 1979-06-25 Vehicle headlamps Expired GB2024396B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7818987A FR2454049A1 (en) 1978-06-26 1978-06-26 PROJECTOR HAVING ASSEMBLY STAPLES AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2024396A true GB2024396A (en) 1980-01-09
GB2024396B GB2024396B (en) 1982-11-17

Family

ID=9209970

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB7922032A Expired GB2024396B (en) 1978-06-26 1979-06-25 Vehicle headlamps

Country Status (7)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS554289A (en)
DE (1) DE2925562C2 (en)
ES (1) ES481928A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2454049A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2024396B (en)
IT (1) IT1121891B (en)
SU (1) SU944494A3 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2863109A1 (en) * 2013-10-16 2015-04-22 Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH Motor vehicle lighting device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6053439A (en) * 1983-09-03 1985-03-27 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Car head lamp

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB634288A (en) * 1947-03-11 1950-03-15 Aubrey Lawrence Collins Improvements in or relating to electric lamps more particularly for bicycles and other road vehicles
DE1034564B (en) * 1957-07-08 1958-07-24 Westfaelische Metall Industrie Vehicle headlights with cover plate fastened by retaining springs
FR2086579A5 (en) * 1970-04-02 1971-12-31 Cibie Projecteurs
DE7143718U (en) * 1971-11-20 1972-02-10 Bmw Ag WIPER SYSTEM FOR DOUBLE HEADLIGHTS

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2863109A1 (en) * 2013-10-16 2015-04-22 Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH Motor vehicle lighting device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2925562A1 (en) 1980-01-03
SU944494A3 (en) 1982-07-15
IT1121891B (en) 1986-04-23
FR2454049B1 (en) 1981-09-11
ES481928A1 (en) 1980-02-16
DE2925562C2 (en) 1984-01-05
FR2454049A1 (en) 1980-11-07
IT7923804A0 (en) 1979-06-22
GB2024396B (en) 1982-11-17
JPS554289A (en) 1980-01-12
JPS629074B2 (en) 1987-02-26

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee